Daily GK Update- 28th Apr, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. NTPC inks pact with RINL for supply of limestone: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between NTPC Limited and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), for the supply of 9 lakh metric tonnes of limestone. Limestone is a raw material for the flue-gas desulphurisation system which is being installed at the coal-based thermal plants of the NTPC for reduction of sulphur di oxide emission. This MoU will cater to the needs of various plants of the NTPC.

 

2. Sunil Kumar Yadav appointed as Director of MoHUA: Sunil Kumar Yadav (IRS) has been appointed as Director of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA). Yadav selected for the appointment to the post under the Central Staffing Scheme for a period of five years.

Yadav is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of 2010-batch.

 

3. Madras HC Directs Tamil Nadu Government to Implement Guidelines for Eliminating Corporal Punishment: The Madras High Court has instructed the Tamil Nadu government to implement the Guidelines for Elimination of Corporal Punishment in Schools (GECP) provided by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). Justice S M Subramaniam issued the directive.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 26 April – International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day: International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed every year on 26 April. The day is dedicated to remember the victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. It creates awareness about the catastrophic accident, in which approximately 8.4 million people were exposed to the harmful nuclear radiations. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded on 26 April 1986, spreading a radioactive cloud over the Soviet territory now comprising Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia. The explosion devastated the area, causing extensive damage to crops, plants, and other infrastructure.

 

2. 27 April – World Healing Day: World Healing Day (WHD) is celebrated every year on the last Saturday of April. This year, it celebrated on 27 April. World Healing Day is dedicated to promoting the benefits of mind-body practices and the emerging medical research on the subject. The day grew out of the founding event of World Tai Chi & Qigong Day. World Healing Day was initially started by World Tai Chi & Qigong Day organizers in many countries, and it soon became a platform for teachers, groups, and organizations of various mind-body arts to showcase their work.

 

3. REC Ltd Secures Japanese Green Loan: REC Ltd, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) and leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, has successfully availed a green loan of Japanese Yen (JPY) 60.536 billion (approximately Rs 3,200 crore) to ..

 

4. China Launches Shenzhou-18 Mission: Recently, China launched the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft carrying a three-member crew to its orbiting Tiangong space station. The mission is part of China’s ambitious space program, which aims to put astronauts on the moon by 2030. The Shenzhou-18 spacecraft lifted off 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced India legend Yuvraj Singh as an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador. Yuvraj, who famously hit 36 runs in an over during the first-ever T20 World Cup in 2007 which he and India ultimately won. He joins Chris Gayle and Usain Bolt as the first ambassadors to be announced, who will each add to the excitement of what will be the biggest T20 World Cup ever. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be played from 1-29 June with co-hosts USA taking on Canada in the opening fixture at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas.

       

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Mapping Indian Ocean Floor for Climate and Weather Prediction: India is the country being surrounded by the Indian Ocean, plays a critical role in understanding ocean currents and their impact on weather and climate prediction. A recent study by scientists at the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services ..

 

2. Astronomers Detect Rare Giant Flare from Magnetar: Scientists have detected the most distant-known instance of a giant flare from a magnetar, a type of neutron star with immensely strong magnetic fields, residing in the Messier 82 (M82) galaxy, also known as the “Cigar Galaxy.” The flare, a ..

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. NABARD unveils Climate Strategy 2030: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) unveiled its Climate Strategy 2030 document on the occasion of Earth Day. The comprehensive strategy aims to address India’s escalating need for green financing. Despite the pressing demand, where India requires approximately $170 billion annually to reach a cumulative total of over $2.5 trillion by 2030, current green finance inflows are critically insufficient. 1NABARD’s Climate Strategy 2030 is structured around four key pillars to address this demand:

 

2. NIPFP forecasts India’s FY25 GDP growth at 7.1%: Economic think-tank National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) has estimated India’s GDP growth at 7.1 per cent for the current fiscal, using high-frequency models. NIPFP, in a series of tweets, said the Centre is on a fiscal consolidation path through buoyancy in taxes and revenue expenditure compression. While NIPFP’s forecast stands at 7.1%, other entities such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Fitch Ratings estimate a growth rate of 7%. In contrast, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), S&P Global Ratings, and Morgan Stanley project a slightly lower growth rate of 6.8% for FY25, indicating varying perspectives on India’s economic trajectory.

 

3. RBI Curbs on Kotak Bank: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directed Kotak Mahindra Bank to immediately stop onboarding new customers through online and mobile banking channels. The central bank also barred the private lender from issuing fresh credit cards, citing significant concerns observed during.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. 60-Year-Old Argentinian Wins Miss Universe Buenos Aires Pageant: A 60-year-old lawyer Alejandra Rodríguez created history by winning the Miss Universe Buenos Aires title in Argentina. Rodríguez was contesting the pageant with 34 other contestants aged between 18 to 73 years of age. According to a report on Hola, Rodriquez thought she had surpassed the age limit for global beauty pageants, but her perspective shifted with the revised regulations. Initially, Miss Universe contestants had to be unmarried and childless, aged between 18 and 28, since its establishment in 1952.

Daily GK Update- 27th Apr, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. ADIF and IIT Guwahati incubation center sign MoU to boost startup ecosystem: The Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) has signed MoU with IIT Guwahati Technology Incubation Centre (IIT Guwahati TIC) to promote entrepreneurship and provide support to technology startups. Under the agreement, ADIF will provide alliance membership to IITG TIC’s portfolio startup companies, giving them access to ADIF’s startup toolkit of discounted services, resources and mentorship opportunities.

 

2. India’s services exports grow 11.4% in 2023: UNCTAD report: India’s services exports jumped 11.4 per cent to USD 345 billion in 2023 despite global economic uncertainties, according to a UNCTAD report. While China’s shipments from the sector contracted by 10.1 per cent to USD 381 billion. Sectors that contribute to India’s services export growth include travel, transport, medical and hospitality. With an 8.9 per cent annual rise in current dollar value terms, the world services exports surpassed USD 7.9 trillion in 2023.

 

3. Tamil Nadu Conducts Nilgiri Tahr Survey with IUCN Observer: The Tamil Nadu government is conducting a three-day synchronised survey of the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), the State animal. The survey aims to estimate the population of the endangered species, which once roamed the Anamalai and Nilgiris landscape. The International ..

 

4. Ozone Depletion and Its Impact on Antarctic Biota: A recent study published in the journal Global Change Biology has raised concerns about the persistent ozone depletion over Antarctica and its potential consequences for the region’s plant and animal species. The study highlights that the ozone hole, which forms ..

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Arun Alagappan appointed as executive chairman of Coromandel International: Agricultural solutions major Coromandel International, a part of Chennai-based Murugappa Group, has appointed Arun Alagappan as executive chairman of the company. Alagappan has been the executive vice chairman of the company since February 2021. His appointment comes as A. Vellayan retires from the position of chairman and non-executive director.

 

2. The Winner’s Mindset authored by Shane Watson: Shane Watson witnessed one of cricket’s greatest tragedies unfolding on the field. He was one of the players at the Sydney Cricket Ground when Phillip Hughes was felled by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match in late 2014. The talented opener, who played for Australia in 26 Tests and 25 ODIs, died at a hospital two days later. Watson feared it could happen to him, too. All it could take is just one ball. Watson overcame that trauma. He became an even better cricketer than he was before, in fact. In the book, The Winner’s Mindset, he tells us how.

 

3. 27 April – World Veterinary Day: World Veterinary Day is celebrated every year on the last Saturday of April. This year it will fall on April 27, 2024. The day aims to mark the importance of veterinary doctors who work on improving animal lives. It is observed globally through various activities such as seminars, workshops, educational sessions, and campaigns. It provides an opportunity to recognise and appreciate the veterinarians towards animal health, welfare, and the general well-being of society.

 

4. World’s First Personalised mRNA Vaccine for Melanoma Undergoing Trials: A groundbreaking personalised mRNA vaccine for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials in the United Kingdom. The vaccine, developed by Moderna and Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD), is designed to help a ..

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Sana Mir named Ambassador of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the appointment of Pakistan cricket legend Sana Mir as the ambassador for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier. Mir represented Pakistan in 226 international games, with 137 of them as captain, will bring her invaluable experience to the event. The Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier will witness 10 teams battling it out for two coveted spots at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Bangladesh.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Sunita Williams Set to Pilot Boeing Starliner Spacecraft: Sunita Williams, a veteran Indian American astronaut, is preparing for her third space mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). She will be piloting Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on its inaugural crewed flight, known as the Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission, ..

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. AU SFB launches multiple products like credit cards with exclusive features: AU SFB launches multiple products like credit cards with exclusive features Among the latest offerings are two innovative credit cards: the AU SPONT Rupay Credit Card and Secured Credit Card – NOMO (No Missing Out), developed in collaboration with NPCI and VISA, respectively. The NOMO Credit Card marks AU SFB’s debut into the realm of secured credit cards, backed by a fixed deposit.

 

2. NIPFP forecasts India’s FY25 GDP growth at 7.1%: Economic think-tank National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) has estimated India’s GDP growth at 7.1 per cent for the current fiscal, using high-frequency models. NIPFP, in a series of tweets, said the Centre is on a fiscal consolidation path through buoyancy in taxes and revenue expenditure compression. While NIPFP’s forecast stands at 7.1%, other entities such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Fitch Ratings estimate a growth rate of 7%.

 

3. RBI Releases Digital Lending – Transparency in Aggregation of Loan Products from Multiple Lenders: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued draft guidelines titled “Digital Lending – Transparency in Aggregation of Loan Products from Multiple Lenders” to promote transparency in the digital lending space. The guidelines propose that Lending Service Providers (LSPs) should.

 

Daily GK Update- 26th Apr, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. SJVN launched India’s 1st Green Hydrogen Project in Himachal Pradesh: Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) has inaugurated India’s first multi-purpose green hydrogen pilot project at Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station in Himachal Pradesh. The project will produce hydrogen for the High Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) Coating Facility and generate 25 kW electricity. Aimed at advancing green hydrogen as a clean energy source, aligning with the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

 

2. Axis Bank reappoints Amitabh Chaudhry as chief for a further period of 3 years: The Board of Axis Bank has approved the re-appointment of Amitabh Chaudhry as MD & CEO of the Bank, for a further period of three years with effect from January 1, 2025 up to December 31, 2027. This re-appointment is subject to approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and approval of the members, in terms of applicable laws. Chaudhry, age 59 years, joined Axis Bank as MD & CEO with effect from January 1, 2019, after successfully leading HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company Limited (HDFC Life), for over nine years, per the Bank’s regulatory filing.

 

3. Great Nicobar Island Development Project: The Rs 72,000 crore ‘Great Nicobar Island Development Project’ aimed at the holistic development of the Great Nicobar Island has come under scrutiny due to its potential impact on the indigenous Shompen and Nicobarese communities. Experts have raised concerns about ..

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Nepal hosts inaugural Rainbow Tourism Conference: Mayako Pahichan Nepal, in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board, orchestrated the groundbreaking first International Rainbow Tourism Conference. This one-day event marks a significant leap forward in fostering diversity and inclusivity within Nepal’s tourism industry, positioning the country as a welcoming destination for the sexual minority community in South Asia. The conference’s main objective is to position Nepal as an LGBT-friendly tourism destination.

 

2. 25 April – International Girls in ICT Day: International Girls in ICT Day is celebrated every year on the last day Thursday of April. This year, it falls on 25 April 2024. The main goal behind observing International Girls in ICT Day is to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the ICT sector. Theme 2024 – Leadership The history of International Girls in ICT Day dates back to 2014, when the International Telecommunication Union’s Plenipotentiary Resolution 70 was passed.

 

3. 25 April – International Delegate’s Day: International Delegate’s Day is observed every year on 25 April. Objective – To raise awareness of the role of the representatives and delegates of the Member States to UN. It marks the anniversary of the first day of the San Francisco Conference, also known as the United Nations Conference on International Organization.

 

4. 26 April – World Intellectual Property Day: The World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) is celebrated on 26 April 2024 every year. The day is dedicated to promoting the role of intellectual property (IP) in stimulating innovation and creativity. This day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the need for a balanced approach to intellectual property protection that takes into account the rights of creators and copyright holders, as well as the public interest. Theme 2024 – IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity

 

5. Fourth Session on Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations: The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to develop an international legally binding treaty on plastic pollution commenced recently in Ottawa, Canada. The objective of this penultimate round of negotiations is to refine the text of the draft ..

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Armenia and Azerbaijan Move Towards Normalizing Ties with First Border Marker: Armenia and Azerbaijan have placed the first border marker, following a bitter conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Experts from both countries are working on demarcating their boundaries as part of the peace process. The two nations are working towards a ..

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Great Nicobar Island Development Project: The Rs 72,000 crore ‘Great Nicobar Island Development Project’ aimed at the holistic development of the Great Nicobar Island has come under scrutiny due to its potential impact on the indigenous Shompen and Nicobarese communities. Experts have raised concerns about

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Credit card spends rise 27% to Rs 18.26 trillion in FY24: RBI data: Credit card spends surged 27 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 18.26 trillion in financial year 2023-24 (FY24) from nearly Rs 14 trillion in the year-ago period, according to RBI data. In March 2024, credit card spends rose nearly 10.07 per cent to Rs 1.64 trillion from Rs 1.49 trillion in February. This is on account of the financial year close and festival sales during March. Among the top card players, use of HDFC Bank’s credit card was at Rs 43,471.29 crore in March, 8.57 per cent higher than Rs 40,288.51 crore in February.

2. FSIB recommendations for SBI and Indian Bank MD appointments: The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has recommended the appointment of Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh for the position of Managing Director in State Bank of India and Asheesh Pandey for the position of MD & CEO in Indian Bank. Singh is currently Deputy Managing Director (Retail- Personal Banking & Real Estate) at SBI. Currently, Shanti Lal Jain is the MD and CEO of Indian Bank. He assumed charge on September 1, 2021. Prior to this, he served as Executive Director of Bank of Baroda (BoB) for three years, from September 2018 to August 2021.

 

Daily GK Update- 25th Apr, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. C-DOT and IIT Jodhpur sign agreement for “Automated Service Management in Network of 5G: C-DOT, the premier Telecom R&D Centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur have signed an agreement for “Automated Service Management in 5G and Beyond Networks Using AI”. The agreement is signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) of the DoT, which is designed for providing funding support to domestic companies and institutions involved in technology design, development, commercialization of telecommunication products and solutions to enable affordable broadband and mobile services in rural and remote areas.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Indonesia commission formally declares Prabowo next President: Indonesia's election commission formally declared Prabowo Subianto (72-years) as the next president of the world's third-largest democracy, after the country's constitutional court shot down challenges to his first-round majority victory. Subianto, who is currently defence minister, will succeed Joko Widodo in October. He noted that the elected pair secured a total of 96,214,691 votes, or 58.59 percent of the total national valid votes.

 

2. Ministerial Round Table Conference at World Energy Congress 2024: A Ministerial Round Table Conference was held at the ongoing 26th edition of World Energy Congress in Rotterdam, Netherlands The Round Table Conference discussed how the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai was a game changer The Ministerial Round Table also discussed energy innovation and collaboration, and implications in managing the evolving energy trilemma trade-offs During the conference, the Union Power Secretary highlighted India’s pivotal role in COP28.

 

3. International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure begin in New Delhi: The International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure’s 6th edition has begun in New Delhi. The conference’s theme is “Investing today for a more resilient tomorrow”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed the importance of investing in infrastructure that can withstand disasters for a better tomorrow. The need to incorporate resilience into both new infrastructure projects and post-disaster reconstruction efforts. Furthermore, in a world where disasters know no borders, he urged the necessity for collective resilience among nations.

 

4. 25 April – World Malaria Day: World Malaria Day is observed every year on 25 April. Objective – To raise awareness about the global effort to control and ultimately eradicate Malaria. Theme 2024 – Accelerate the Fight Against Malaria for a More Equitable World It was first held in 2008, and the day was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) Member States during the World Health Assembly of 2007.

5. 25 April – World Penguin Day: World Penguin Day is observed every year on 25th April. This day is significant because it coincides with the start of the northern migration of Adelie penguins. Adelie penguins are one of the 17-20 species of penguins recognized worldwide. The southern hemisphere is home to most of the penguins, with a total of about 20 species known to humans.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. India Fourth Largest Arms Spender in World in 2023: SIPRI: According to a Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report, India was the fourth largest military spender in the world in 2023 after the United States, China and Russia. The Indian expenditure on military 2023 was $83.6 billion. In the interim Union Budget of 2024-25 the government of India allocated Rs 6.21 lakh crore for defence spending. The 2024-25 allocation for defence accounts for 1.89% of India's GDP.

 

2. DRDO develops lightest Bullet Proof Jacket of country for protection against highest threat Level: A unit of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully developed the lightest bulletproof jacket in the country for protection against the highest threat level 6. This jacket is based on a new design approach where novel material along with new processes has been used. DRDO’s Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur has successfully developed the lightest bulletproof jacket in the country for protection against 7.62 x 54 R API (level 6 of BIS 17051) ammunition. Recently, this bulletproof jacket was successfully tested at TBRL, Chandigarh as per BIS 17051-2018.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Usain Bolt named ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Brand Ambassador: Legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has been named by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the ambassador for the 9th ICC Men’s T-20 World Cup, which will be hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America jointly from 1 to 29 June 2024. As a brand ambassador, Usain Bolt will promote the World Cup event, attend T20 World Cup matches in the West Indies, and participate in fan engagement events to promote the cricket sport within the United States.

 

2. Narsingh Yadav elected chairman of WFI’s seven-member athletes’ panel: Former Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Narsingh Pancham Yadav was elected chairman of the Wrestling Federation of India’s Athletes’ Commission. A total of eight candidates were in fray for the seven positions and after polling, conducted on ballot paper, seven members got elected. They then chose Narsingh as chairman of the commission. Ahead of the 2016 Olympics, the Games-bound Narsingh had grabbed headlines when two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, who missed the qualification event due to an injury, requested for a trial bout against him.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Microsoft launches lightweight artificial intelligence model Phi-3-mini: Microsoft has launched Phi-3 Mini, a freely available, lightweight small language AI model. The company plans to further release two other models in the same scale. The model is meant to be simpler and cheaper compared to other heavyweight large language models like OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo. This is the smallest model that Microsoft has released yet and can be run locally, which means it can run for free on a smartphone without requiring an internet connection.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI bars Kotak Mahindra Bank from onboarding new customers via online: The RBI directed Kotak Mahindra Bank to stop onboarding of new customers through its online and mobile banking channels and also barred it from issuing fresh credit cards, with an immediate effect. The bank was found to be deficient in its IT Risk and Information Security Governance for the years 2022 and 2023. In the past two years, the RBI has been in continuous high-level engagement with the bank on all these concerns with a view to strengthening its IT resilience.

 

2. SBI Card introduces inaugural travel-centric core credit card ‘MILES’: SBI Card introduced its inaugural travel-centric core credit card, ‘SBI Card MILES’. The card promises comprehensive travel benefits, including the conversion of Travel Credits to Air Miles and Hotel Points, enhanced rewards on all travel bookings, and access to airport lounges. The bank has partnered with more than 20 leading airline and hotel brands such as Air Vistara, Air India, SpiceJet, and IHG Hotels & Resorts.

 

3. Razorpay launches UPI Switch with Airtel Payments Bank: Digital payments platform Razorpay has launched its own Unified Payments Interface (UPI) infrastructure, or UPI switch, in partnership with Airtel Payments Bank. The company will now provide its UPI Switch service to Airtel Payments Bank, enabling it to manage UPI transactions on the payments bank’s platform. The solution can handle up to 10,000 transactions per second (TPS). Razorpay received a final approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in December last year to operate as a payment aggregator, enabling it to onboard new merchants after a nearly one-year-old regulatory ban.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 24th Apr, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Nidhi Jain appointed as CVO of Cotton Corporation of India: The Central Government has approved the appointment of Nidhi S Jain (IA&AS) as Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of Cotton Corporation of India Limited (CCI). She has been appointed to the post for an initial period of three years. Nidhi is an Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) service officer of 2009-batch. Presently, she is posted as Director of Audit (Environment & Scientific Departments), Branch office, Mumbai.

 

2. Prof Naima Khatoon become the first women VC of AMU: Professor Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The Ministry of Education appointed Khatoon after receiving approval from President Droupadi Murmu, who serves as the Visitor of the university. With that, AMU has also become the third central university to have a woman Vice-Chancellor. While Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is is the current VC of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Najma Akhtar completed her tenure as the Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia in 2023.

 

3. 24 April – National Panchayati Raj Day: India celebrates National Panchayati Raj Day every year on 24 April. It marks the creation of the Panchayati Raj System, a way of governing that started in 1993 with the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. This system gives power to local groups, called Gramme Panchayats, to run their areas and decide how they develop. The Panchayati Raj System is a big step for democracy, especially in rural places. It lets local groups make decisions about their communities. This makes democracy more active, with people taking part in choices that affect them directly.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Reliance Jio emerges as World’s largest mobile operator in data traffic: Reliance Jio become the world’s largest mobile operator in terms of data traffic, ahead of China Mobile. The total traffic on the Jio network has reached 40.9 Exabytes, which is a 35.2 percent year-on-year increase. Also, Jio has a very strong and wide subscriber base of 481.8 million. Jio has also become the first Indian company to cross the ₹100,000-crore threshold in pre-tax profits. The annual data traffic has dramatically increased by 2.4 times since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the monthly per capita data usage has skyrocketed to 28.7 GB from just 13.3 GB three years ago.

 

2. Air India signed codeshare pact with Japan’s All Nippon Airways: Air India has entered into a codeshare partnership with Japan’s All Nippon Airways. With the codeshare, effective for travel from May 23, Air India and All Nippons Airways passengers can fly to their desired destination by combining those flights between India and Japan with a single ticket. Air India will add its ‘AI’ designator code on ANA’s flights between Tokyo Haneda and Delhi as well as Tokyo Narita and Mumbai. ANA will add its ‘NH’ designator code on Air India’s flight between Tokyo Narita and Delhi.

 

3. India’s Gita Sabharwal Appointed as UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Gita Sabharwal of India as the United Nations resident coordinator in Indonesia. Sabharwal, brings close to 30 years of experience in development supporting climate transition, sustainable peace, governance and social policy, while leveraging digital technology and data to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Previously, Sabharwal served as the UN resident coordinator in Thailand and as peacebuilding and development adviser for the United Nations in Sri Lanka.

 

4. 24-30 April – World Immunization Week: Every year for World Immunization Week, the last week of April (24-30 April), the global immunization community celebrates the lifesaving power of vaccines. The day also aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. Theme 2024 – Humanly Possible In May 2012, the World Health Assembly, the body that makes decisions for the World Health Organization (WHO), approved World Immunisation Week. More than 180 nations took part in the inaugural World Immunisation Week, which was held in 2012.

 

5. 24 April – International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace: International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace is observed every year on 24 April. This day aims to promote the principles of multilateralism and diplomacy in resolving global challenges and conflicts. The Day acknowledges the use of multilateral decision-making and diplomacy in achieving peaceful resolutions to conflicts among nations. The first International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace was celebrated on April 24, 2019. It was first proposed by the delegation of Azerbaijan to the United Nations in 2018 as a way to promote and reinforce the principles of multilateralism and diplomacy in international affairs.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Saurav Ghosal retires from Professional Squash: India’s finest men’s squash player Saurav Ghosal has announced his retirement from professional squash after completing a glittering 22-year journey although he would continue representing the country at multi-discipline events for some more time. Besides winning two gold medals in team events of Incheon and Hangzhou Asian Games, Ghosal has three Commonwealth Games medals and also bagged the yellow metal in the 2022 World Doubles Championships in mixed doubles in Glasgow. Kolkata-born Ghosal also remains the only Indian man to reach the world’s top 10, achieving that career-high ranking in April 2019 and spending six months there.

 

2. Yuzvendra Chahal becomes first bowler with historic 200 IPL wickets: Yuzvendra Chahal became the first bowler to pick up 200 wickets in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The leg-spinner accomplished the milestone in RR’s match against Hardik Pandya’s MI at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Chahal has been an asset for the Royals since he joined them in the 2022 edition of the T20 league. in 2022, the veteran won the Purple Cap when RR finished as the runners-up after losing to Gujarat in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. BharatPe launches all-in-one payment device BharatPe One: BharatPe has launched a payments device that combines point of sale (POS), QR code, and speaker functionalities. The payments startup will introduce BharatPe One in some 100 cities and expand to another 450 in six months.

BharatPe One will streamline transactions for merchants, offering versatile payment acceptance options including dynamic and static QR codes, POS, and speaker capabilities, said the company.

The device is part of BharatPe’s suite of simple, easy-to-use, and secure fintech products, which includes payments and business loans for its merchant partners.

 

2. Indian Bank ties up with Tata Solar Power to finance Central Rooftop Solar scheme: Indian Bank has entered into a strategic partnership with Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd. (TPSSL) to boost solar energy adoption by providing financial support to residential consumers for installations. The collaboration aims to provide financial support under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana scheme for installations up to 3 KW, and from 3-10 KW under the regular scheme. Residential consumers can avail loans up to ₹2 lakh at an annual interest rate of 7%, with a nominal margin money requirement of 10% and collateral-free financing. The repayment tenure is 10 years.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Puravankara bags CIDC Vishwakarma Award for Social Development and Impact: Puravankara Limited, one of India’s most trusted and admired real estate developers, has bagged the Achievement Award for Creating Social Development and Impact at the 15th Edition of the Vishwakarma Awards, hosted by the Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC). CIDC is a joint initiative by the Niti Aayog and the Indian construction industry. The award recognises Puravankara’s exemplary efforts in driving positive change through its impactful campaigns, particularly its collaboration with the Biome Environmental Trust in rejuvenating heritage wells as part of the “Million Wells for Bengaluru” campaign.

 

2. Cillian Murphy won 21st Irish Film & Television Awards 2024: The Oscar-nabbing success of Christopher Nolan’s Best Picture winner, Cillian Murphy emerged victorious once again at the 21st annual Irish Film & Television Awards (IFTAs), held in Dublin. The actor secured the coveted Best Actor award for his portrayal of the titular American physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, which swept up a majority of the award season last year. The awards ceremony, held at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre and hosted by Baz Ashmawy, celebrated excellence in Irish cinema and television honouring established talents and emerging stars alike.

 

3. Medanta Gurugram ranks on Newsweek’s 2024 list of the ‘World’s Best Hospitals’: Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram operated by Global Health Limited has once again been named as the best private hospital in India by the prestigious ‘Newsweek – World’s Best Hospitals 2024’ rankings. This is the fifth consecutive year that Medanta has achieved the status as the best private hospital in India. Medanta also remains the only private hospital from India to feature in the top 250 hospitals of the world.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 23rd Apr, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM inaugurates 2550th Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav on occasion of Mahaveer Jayanti: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the 2550th Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. During the event, the PM released a commemorative stamp and coin to mark the occasion. Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar, illuminated the path of peaceful co-existence and universal brotherhood through Jain principles like Ahimsa (Non-Violence), Satya (Truthfulness), Asteya (Non-Stealing), Brahmacharya (Chastity) and Aparigraha (Non-attachment).

 

2. Khasi Tribe’s Seng Khihlang Festival Concluded in Meghalaya: The 34th Seng Khihlang festival concluded in Wahiajer, Meghalaya. The Seng Khihlang festival holds immense significance for believers who follow the Khasi Indigenous Faith. It is a time of unity and celebration, and is under the stewardship of the Seng Khasi Sein Raij. The Khasi people are an indigenous ethnic group residing in the eastern part of Meghalaya, in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills of north-eastern India. They also have a significant population in the bordering state of Assam and in certain parts of Bangladesh.

 

3. OpenAI hires first India-based official Pragya Misra: OpenAI has hired Pragya Misra, 39, its first official in India, in order to handle government relations. Misra previously worked at Truecaller AB and Meta. An intermediary between U.S.-based AI companies and the Indian administration is key as the country has started voting in its 2024 general elections. The AI startup backed by Microsoft interacted with Indian tech policy and civil society representatives on February 12 as experts and activists flagged fears of generative AI being used to hurt India’s elections.

 

4. Pine Labs’ Setu names former SAP India executive Raisinghani as its CEO: Pine Labs-owned API infrastructure company Setu has appointed Anand Raisinghani as the company’s new chief executive officer (CEO). Raisinghani, who succeeds Sahil Kini at the company, will work in the space of open banking, account aggregation, API platforms, embedded finance, and data gateway. He is a former executive at SAP India where he was the vice-president (VP). The company has also received a Certificate of Registration from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an Account Aggregator.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. First ever Hindi radio broadcast started in Kuwait: The first-ever Hindi radio broadcast has started in Kuwait. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait lauded Kuwait’s Ministry of Information for starting a Hindi programme on Kuwait Radio on FM 93.3 and AM 96.3 every Sunday. This step taken will further strengthen the ties between the two nations. India and Kuwait have long-standing trade ties, with the Indian rupee serving as Kuwait’s official currency until 1961. The year 2021-22 commemorated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

 

2. 21 April – World Creativity and Innovation Day: World Creativity and Innovation Day is celebrated every year on April 21. Objective – To raise awareness about the role of creativity and innovation in human development. Theme 2024 – Inspire The day is dedicated to showcasing how creativity can be used to drive economic, social, and sustainable development. It also aims to raise awareness about the role of creativity in the creation of future-ready products, services, and technologies.

 

3. 23 April – World Book and Copyright Day: World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated every year on April 23rd. This day is dedicated to the celebration of literature in all forms and to promote the enjoyment of books. It is also a day to reflect on the past and the future through reading. The idea for World Book and Copyright Day comes from a traditional celebration in Catalonia, which is a region in Spain. On April 23rd, people in Catalonia exchange books and roses as gifts. This tradition is called “La Diada de Sant Jordi” or Saint George’s Day.

 

4. 23 April – World Table Tennis Day: World Table Tennis Day is celebrated every year on 23 April. It is not just a game of skill but also a medium for social change. The game brings people together and provides them with a peaceful and fun common goal. The history of table tennis dates back to the British military, when officers in India learned to play the game during their time in the country. The game was originally played with a golf ball, and books were used as racquets. In 1901, James W. Gibb, a British table tennis enthusiast, discovered that the better-suited celluloid balls were more suitable for the game. The modern racquet was invented by E.C. Goode in the same year.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Navy Conducted Exercise Poorvi Lehar On East Coast: The Indian Navy carried out an extensive exercise along the East Coast as part of efforts to check its preparedness to meet any maritime security challenges. The exercise ‘Poorvi Leher’ witnessed participation of ships, submarines, aircraft and special naval forces. The exercise was aimed at validation of procedures towards assessment of the Indian Navy’s preparedness to meet maritime security challenges in the region.

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Rajasthan Royals Launch New Cricket Academy In Jaipur: Royals Sports Group-owned IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals (RR) has inaugurated their first-ever cricket academy in the Jaipur, Rajasthan. The inaugural champions had announced its plans to come up with an Academy in Jaipur in October 2023. The newly set-up Academy boasts of impressive infrastructure with the presence of two match playing grounds and 15 training strips with Natural Turf, AstroTurf, Matting, and Kota stone wickets. The facility also has a residential setup that can accommodate up to 30 players, proving to serve as a convenient set-up for the young players to focus on training.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Microsoft announces VASA-1 AI model to turn images into videos: Microsoft has introduced a new VASA 1 AI model, a framework designed to generate lifelike talking faces for virtual characters, boasting appealing Visual Affective Skills (VAS). With just a single static image and a speech audio clip, the company says its VASA-1 can create life-like short videos. The model also gives several options to make changes to the video. Here is everything you need to know. The VASA 1 can deliver high video-quality content with realistic facial and head dynamics. The model supports the online generation of 512 x 512 videos at up to 40fps with negligible starting latency.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Net direct tax collection surges to over Rs 19 lakh cr during last fiscal: India’s net direct tax collections surged 17.7% year-on-year to ₹19.58 lakh crore in the fiscal year ended March 2024, surpassing the revised estimates. Net direct taxes in 2023-24 exceeded the budget estimates by₹ 1.35 lakh crore (7.40%) and the revised estimates by ₹13,000 crore. Higher direct tax collections will give the Centre headroom to meet its fiscal deficit target for FY24. The Centre had budgeted ₹18.23 lakh crore as net direct tax revenue for 2023-24, which was later revised upwards to ₹19.45 lakh crore.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Mohammed Salem wins 2024 World Press Photo of the Year award: Reuters photographer Mohammed Salem has won the prestigious 2024 World Press Photo of the Year award for his image of a Palestinian woman cradling the body of her five-year-old niece in the Gaza Strip. The picture was taken on October 17, 2023, at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, where families were searching for relatives killed during Israeli bombing of the Palestinian enclave. Salem’s winning image portrays Inas Abu Maamar, 36, sobbing while holding Saly’s sheet-clad body in the hospital morgue.

 

2. Ratan Tata receives prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award 2021: Industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata, chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group, was honoured with the prestigious KISS (Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences) Humanitarian Award 2021. The award ceremony was held at his residence in Mumbai, marking a significant recognition of his commitment to social development and exemplary corporate leadership. The award was presented by the Founder of KIIT and KISS Achyuta Samanta.