1. Govt. to roll out satellite based GPS toll collection
system on NH: The government is set to roll out
satellite-based GPS toll collection systems on national highways. Nitin Gadkari
said, the satellite-based toll systems will be implemented before the Lok Sabha
election this year. Under the new system, the toll will be deducted from the
bank accounts directly with the identification of the vehicle number plate. The
new toll collection system will help in removing the existing toll plazas and
ease travel on the national highways.
2. Dharmendra Pradhan launches EdCIL Vidyanjali
Scholarship Programme in ND: Minister of Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra
Pradhan launched the EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme in New Delhi. Mr.
Pradhan said, as envisioned in the New Education Policy 2020, the Vidyanjali
Scholarship Program symbolises a whole-of-society approach to empowerment
through access and opportunities for education. This scholarship will benefit
students belonging to economically disadvantaged sections.
3. PM Narendra Modi Unveils Projects Worth ₹1330 crore In
Goa: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has participated in ‘Viksit
Bharat, Viksit Goa 2047’ programme and inaugurated and laid the
foundation stone of projects worth over ₹1330 crore. The Prime Minister
inaugurated the permanent campus of the National Institute of Technology Goa. The
newly built-up campus has various facilities such as tutorial complex,
departmental complex, seminar complex, administrative complex, hostels, health
centre, staff quarters, amenity centre, sports ground and other utilities to
cater to the needs of students, faculty and staff of the Institute.
4. Govt plans to have 25,000 Janaushadhi Kendras by March
2026: The government has set a target to have 25,000 Janaushadhi Kendras across the country by March 31, 2026. In
a written reply in Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Chemicals &
Fertilizers Bhagwanth Khuba said that about 10,624 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya
Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) were functional across the country till January
31, 2024. For further expansion of the scheme, the government has set a target
for opening 25,000 Janaushadhi Kendras (JAKs) by March 31, 2026, he added.
5. Apurva Chandra appointed as Health Secretary: Information and Broadcasting Secretary, Apurva Chandra has been appointed as the Secretary, Department of Health
& Family Welfare. Chandra is a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service
(IAS) officer of Maharashtra cadre. Meanwhile, senior bureaucrat Sanjay Jaju
has been appointed as the new Information and Broadcasting Secretary, in place
of Chandra. Jaju, a 1992-batch IAS officer, is currently serving in his cadre
state of Telangana.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 6 February – International Day of Zero Tolerance for
Female Genital Mutilation: International
Day of Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation is
observed every year on 6 February.
The main objective of celebrating Female Genital Mutilation Day (FGM) is to
give respect to women by completely eliminating female genital mutilation. Theme
2024 – Her Voice Her Future
The
United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations Children’s Fund launched
a joint campaign against female genital mutilation in 2007. In 2012, the United
Nations General Assembly passed a resolution declaring February 6 as the
International Day Against Female Genital Mutilation with zero tolerance against
female genital mutilation
2. 6 February – Safer Internet Day: Safer Internet Day is celebrated on 6th
February each year. Objective – To promote a safer and more responsible
use of online technology around the world
Theme
2024 – Inspiring Change. Making a
difference, managing influence and navigating change online The day was
started in 2004 as an initiative of the SafeBorders project, funded by the
European Union (EU). In 2005, Insafe took up the responsibility of organising
the day around the world. The European network has multiple awareness centres
across the globe, which help people in understanding the various important
factors of prioritising internet safety.
3. ADB Appoints Mio Oka as New Country Director for India: Asian Development
Bank (ADB) has appointed Mio Oka
as its country director for India. She will succeed Takeo Konishi who has been promoted as ADB Director
General for South Asia at the Manila headquarters. Oka will take charge of
steering ADB operations in India and fostering relations with the government
and the country’s other development partners. India is currently ADB’s fourth
largest shareholder and one of its largest borrowers since 2010.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi Appointed Army Vice
Chief: Northern Army commander Lt Gen. Upendra Dwivedi will take
over as the army’s vice chief on February 15, replacing LG MV Suchindra Kumar. Dwivedi
is the frontrunner for the post of army chief as he will be the senior-most
general when General Manoj Pande retires on May 31, 2024. Lt Gen. Dwivedi
boasts a distinguished career within the Indian Army, having previously served
in key positions including Deputy
Chief and Director General of Infantry at the Army Headquarters.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Microsoft to train over 2 million people in India in
generative AI skills: Chairman and CEO of Microsoft Satya Nadella has announced that
the company will train over 2 million people in India in generative Artificial
Intelligence skills by 2025. The Indian-origin
Microsoft chief said that AI can help in boosting GDP growth in the
country. Speaking about AI, Mr
Nadella said that it is a powerful new technology that needs to be
diffused fast to every corner of the world.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. SBI’s Q3FY24 net profit drops 35.5% due to one-time provisions: State Bank of India (SBI) has reported a drop in net profit for the first time in 12 quarters, with its third quarter (Q3FY24) standalone net profit declining 35.5 per cent year-on-year (yoy) to ₹9,164 crore. As it absorbed one-time provisions relating to increase in pension liabilities and dearness relief neutralisation. India’s largest bank had reported a net profit of ₹14,205 crore in Q3 FY 2023. Capital adequacy ratio (CAR) declined to 13.05 per cent in Q3FY24 from 14.28 per cent in Q2FY24.
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