NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PMJDY reaches 53 crore beneficiaries and ₹2.28 lakh crore in deposits: The flagship financial inclusion scheme of the Centre, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), which will be completing a decade on August 15, has 52.99 crore total beneficiaries (account-holders) across the States with total balance in PMJDY accounts at ₹2,28,362 crore, as on 31 July 2024. The scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2014, now has become the largest financial inclusion scheme in the world. It has largely been women-centric with 29.48 crore women beneficiaries while 35.27 crore of total accounts are from rural and semi-urban branches, as per the latest data. Nearly 36 crore RuPay Debit cards have been issued. PMJDY has accelerated account ownership in the country and its contribution in onboarding the financially excluded to the mainstream in creating an egalitarian society has been enormous as more than 56 per cent of the PMJDY account holders are women and 67 per cent of the total account holders are from rural and semi urban areas.
2. ‘One India-One Ticket’ initiative: Indian Railways, NCRTC collaborate to simplify ticket booking: Indian Railways and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) have joined forces to advance the ‘One India – One Ticket’ initiative, aimed at enhancing the passenger experience for those traveling on mainline railways and Namo Bharat trains. This partnership seeks to streamline travel by allowing passengers to book and travel seamlessly using both Indian Railways and RRTS services. After purchasing an IRCTC train e-ticket, users can now also book Namo Bharat train tickets for up to eight travellers in a single transaction. The option to book RRTS tickets will be available on the PNR confirmation page and through the user’s booking history.
3. Madhya Pradesh govt gives cash to girl students to buy sanitary napkins: Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to give money to girl students to buy sanitary napkins. In some states like Karnataka, Rajasthan and Delhi, free sanitary napkins are given to students but cash is being given only in Madhya Pradesh. Under the Sanitation and Hygiene Scheme, an amount of three hundred rupees has been transferred in each girl student’s account for one year.
This amount has been given to around 19 lakh students from class seventh to twelfth.
4. Bihar government mandates Registration of Temples, Mutts, And Trusts: The Bihar government mandated registration of temples, mutts and trusts, and directed all District Magistrates in the State to ensure that the bodies are registered and details of their immovable assets are submitted to the Bihar State Board of Religious Trusts (BSBRT) soon. The BSBRT operates under the State’s Law Department and its records say there are about 2,512 unregistered temples and mutts across the State owning 4,321.64 acres of land. According to the Bihar Hindu Religious Trusts Act, 1950 all public temples, mutts, Dharmashalas and trusts must be registered with the BSBRT”. According to BSBRT records, Bihar has 2,512 unregistered temples and mutts owning 4,321.64 acres of land and 2,499 registered temples with 18,456 acres of land.
5. Rana Ashutosh appointed as MD of SBI: Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh has taken over as Managing Director in charge of State Bank of India’s (SBI) risk compliance and stressed assets resolution group (SARG) departments. Gajendra Singh Rana, former chief general manager of the Mumbai circle has taken over from Singh as the deputy managing director (DMD) retail and real estate for the nation’s largest lender. For now he has taken over the departments which were handled by former MD Alok Choudhary.
6. GoI declared August 23rd as National Space Day: The Government of India has declared August 23rd as “National Space Day” to celebrate the remarkable success of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission, which accomplished safe and soft landing of the Vikram Lander and deployed the Pragyaan rover on the lunar surface near the South Pole. This historic achievement places India among an elite group of space faring nations, making India the fourth country to land on the Moon and the first to do so near the south pole of the Moon. This achievement is being celebrated across the country during July and August 2024, with the goal of engaging and inspiring the younger generation in the field of Space Science and Technology. To commemorate the remarkable success of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission, the Department of Fisheries is organizing a series of seminars and demonstrations on,“Application of Space Technologies in Fisheries Sector” in coastal States and UTs under the guidance of Dr. Abhilaskh Likhi.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Amazon India partners with Gentari to increase EV delivery fleet to 10,000 by 2025: Gentari Green Mobility India (Gentari) has partnered with Amazon to boost the e-commerce major’s electric vehicle (EV) fleet for last mile deliveries as the US-headquartered company targets to increase its fleet strength to 10,000 units by 2025. The partnership comes at a time when the e-commerce firm aims to scale up its EV adoption across more than 400 cities in India. Amazon India has already deployed over 7,200 EVs last year and targets to have 10,000 EVs in its India delivery fleet by 2025. Gentari Green Mobility India offers electric mobility solutions including vehicle leasing and charging points (CPs). CEO of Gentari Green Mobility India – Nikhil Thomas
2. World’s Oldest Calendar Discovered: In addition to the calendar, the pillar features carvings of a bird-like figure, which may symbolize the summer solstice constellation. These carvings are believed to date back to around 10,850 B.C., a period marked by a major comet strike that possibly impacted the climate and culture of the region. This comet event is thought to have triggered an ice age, leading to changes in societal structures and potentially fostering new religious and agricultural practices.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. India-Australia Hold Maritime Security Dialogue: On August 13, 2024, the 6th India-Australia Maritime Security Dialogue was held in Canberra, focusing on strengthening maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. This meeting reflects the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia and addresses crucial maritime issues.
2. DRDO Successfully Tests Long-Range Glide Bomb ‘Gaurav’: On August 13, 2024, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India successfully carried out the first flight test of a long-range glide bomb named Gaurav. This test, conducted using a Su-30 MK-I fighter jet from the Indian Air Force, is a significant step forward in India’s efforts to develop its own advanced defence technologies.
SPORTS
1. India’s Pramod Bhagat suspended from Paris Paralympics Over Breach of Anti-Doping Regulations: India’s Tokyo 2020 Paralympic gold medal winner Pramod Bhagat, Badminton, has been suspended for a period of 18 months for breaching the anti-doping regulations. As a result of the suspension, Pramod will miss the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. On 1 March 2024, the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) Anti-Doping Division found Bhagat in breach of the BWF anti-doping regulations for committing three whereabouts failures within 12 months.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Dhruva Space join hands with Zero-Error Systems to enhance satellite OBC subsystems: An Indian space engineering solutions provider, Dhruva Space has collaborated with Singaporean space semiconductor maker Zero-Error Systems (ZES) to improve its onboard computer (OBC) subsystem. The collaboration will deploy ZES’ highly efficient LDAP-IC-ZES100 in Dhruva Space’s OBC for future flights to safeguard commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics from radiation, induced micro-SEL/SEL. This strategic partnership entails the incorporation of semiconductor technology advancement into the OBC subsystem of Dhruva Space that oversees the running of satellites as well as controls the payload.
2. India and Israel Launch New Water Technology Centre at IIT-Madras: The Centre of Water Technology is expected to be a hub for innovation and research, focusing on developing sustainable solutions for urban water supply and advancing water technology capabilities. As part of the initiative, a capacity-building course titled ’24/7 Water Supply in Urban Areas’ was held at IIT Madras from August 5 to August 8. This training is crucial for providing stakeholders with essential skills in managing urban water systems. Overall, this collaboration aims to offer innovative solutions that can significantly impact water management across India, demonstrating the commitment of both countries to work together on addressing water scarcity and improving water management practices.
3. NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) – Recent Updates: To address these temperature issues, NASA is making adjustments to the radar antenna reflector in California. They are applying a special coating to prevent the antenna from overheating, ensuring it will work reliably when it is deployed in space. Once this work is finished, the reflector will be sent back to India to be reattached to the spacecraft. NASA and ISRO are working closely together to determine a new date for the launch. This project highlights the strong collaboration between the two space agencies, with each bringing cutting-edge radar technology to the table.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Consumer price inflation eases to five-year low of 3.54% in July: Retail inflation fell to the lowest in nearly five years in July, according to data released by the India Consumer Price Index (CPI). This was the first time in nearly five years that overall retail inflation fell below the Reserve Bank of India’s 4% inflation target. Urban inflation declined to 2.98% in July 2024, compared to 7.20% in July 2023. Rural inflation declined to 4.10%, compared to 7.63% in July 2023. Food inflation in July 2024 was the lowest since June 2023. The combined Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI), which shows food inflation also saw a sharp decline. It was 5.42% in July 2024, compared to 11.51% in July 2023.
2. PNB launches PNB ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit Card for visually impaired customers: Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched the PNB ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit Card,a new debit card specifically designed for visually impaired customers. This contactless NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) Debit Card is available on the RuPay network. Visually impaired individuals with savings or current accounts in PNB are eligible to obtain this debit card from PNB branch. The ATM limit (cash withdrawal) per day is Rs 25,000, and the PoS and eCom limits (combined) per day are Rs 60,000. Contactless transactions are accessible for individual transactions up to Rs. 5000/- without a PIN at NFC capable POS Terminals, with a daily overall limit of Rs. 5000. This initiative also aims to enhance financial independence and convenience for visually impaired individuals, empowering them to manage their finances with greater ease and confidence.
3. Jakson Engineers Limited signs MoU with SBI to promote solar projects: Jakson Engineering Limited has signed an MoU with the State Bank of India (SBI) to set up solar projects to a wide range of consumers across commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors. This partnership comes under the Surya Shakti Solar Finance initiative. It will combine SBI’s banking experience and Jakson’s solar technology expertise. This initiative will promote energy sustainability and lower power costs. The Surya Shakti Solar Finance initiative aims to provide financial assistance to consumers and help them adopt solar energy. SBI is offering loans worth Rs 100 million to commercial and industrial users for the same.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. National Institute for MSME (NI-MSME), Hyderabad awarded Accreditation Certification as “UTKRISHT”: The National Institute for MSME (NI-MSME), an Organisation of the Ministry of MSME GoI, has been awarded with Accreditation Certificate on the successful completion of the National Standards for Civil Services Training Institutions (NSCSTI) process in recognition of excellent services in the field of promotion and development of MSMEs. The assessment was made based on the inspection of all Standard Operating Procedures and Methodologies followed by the Institute at different levels. The team from Capacity Building Commission (CBC) & ICARE conducted On-site assessment and awarded the Certificate of Accreditation with the grading of UTKRISHT, a 3 Star Rating. For providing a pro-business environment to foster the progress of MSMEs towards success and prosperity. The Institute is associated with prestigious world bodies such as UNIDO, UNDP, DCAC, UNESCO, ILO, CFTC, UNICEF, AARDO, and GIZ.
NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PMJDY reaches 53 crore beneficiaries and ₹2.28 lakh crore in deposits: The flagship financial inclusion scheme of the Centre, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), which will be completing a decade on August 15, has 52.99 crore total beneficiaries (account-holders) across the States with total balance in PMJDY accounts at ₹2,28,362 crore, as on 31 July 2024. The scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2014, now has become the largest financial inclusion scheme in the world. It has largely been women-centric with 29.48 crore women beneficiaries while 35.27 crore of total accounts are from rural and semi-urban branches, as per the latest data. Nearly 36 crore RuPay Debit cards have been issued. PMJDY has accelerated account ownership in the country and its contribution in onboarding the financially excluded to the mainstream in creating an egalitarian society has been enormous as more than 56 per cent of the PMJDY account holders are women and 67 per cent of the total account holders are from rural and semi urban areas.
2. ‘One India-One Ticket’ initiative: Indian Railways, NCRTC collaborate to simplify ticket booking: Indian Railways and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) have joined forces to advance the ‘One India – One Ticket’ initiative, aimed at enhancing the passenger experience for those traveling on mainline railways and Namo Bharat trains. This partnership seeks to streamline travel by allowing passengers to book and travel seamlessly using both Indian Railways and RRTS services. After purchasing an IRCTC train e-ticket, users can now also book Namo Bharat train tickets for up to eight travellers in a single transaction. The option to book RRTS tickets will be available on the PNR confirmation page and through the user’s booking history.
3. Madhya Pradesh govt gives cash to girl students to buy sanitary napkins: Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to give money to girl students to buy sanitary napkins. In some states like Karnataka, Rajasthan and Delhi, free sanitary napkins are given to students but cash is being given only in Madhya Pradesh. Under the Sanitation and Hygiene Scheme, an amount of three hundred rupees has been transferred in each girl student’s account for one year.
This amount has been given to around 19 lakh students from class seventh to twelfth.
4. Bihar government mandates Registration of Temples, Mutts, And Trusts: The Bihar government mandated registration of temples, mutts and trusts, and directed all District Magistrates in the State to ensure that the bodies are registered and details of their immovable assets are submitted to the Bihar State Board of Religious Trusts (BSBRT) soon. The BSBRT operates under the State’s Law Department and its records say there are about 2,512 unregistered temples and mutts across the State owning 4,321.64 acres of land. According to the Bihar Hindu Religious Trusts Act, 1950 all public temples, mutts, Dharmashalas and trusts must be registered with the BSBRT”. According to BSBRT records, Bihar has 2,512 unregistered temples and mutts owning 4,321.64 acres of land and 2,499 registered temples with 18,456 acres of land.
5. Rana Ashutosh appointed as MD of SBI: Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh has taken over as Managing Director in charge of State Bank of India’s (SBI) risk compliance and stressed assets resolution group (SARG) departments. Gajendra Singh Rana, former chief general manager of the Mumbai circle has taken over from Singh as the deputy managing director (DMD) retail and real estate for the nation’s largest lender. For now he has taken over the departments which were handled by former MD Alok Choudhary.
6. GoI declared August 23rd as National Space Day: The Government of India has declared August 23rd as “National Space Day” to celebrate the remarkable success of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission, which accomplished safe and soft landing of the Vikram Lander and deployed the Pragyaan rover on the lunar surface near the South Pole. This historic achievement places India among an elite group of space faring nations, making India the fourth country to land on the Moon and the first to do so near the south pole of the Moon. This achievement is being celebrated across the country during July and August 2024, with the goal of engaging and inspiring the younger generation in the field of Space Science and Technology. To commemorate the remarkable success of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission, the Department of Fisheries is organizing a series of seminars and demonstrations on,“Application of Space Technologies in Fisheries Sector” in coastal States and UTs under the guidance of Dr. Abhilaskh Likhi.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Amazon India partners with Gentari to increase EV delivery fleet to 10,000 by 2025: Gentari Green Mobility India (Gentari) has partnered with Amazon to boost the e-commerce major’s electric vehicle (EV) fleet for last mile deliveries as the US-headquartered company targets to increase its fleet strength to 10,000 units by 2025. The partnership comes at a time when the e-commerce firm aims to scale up its EV adoption across more than 400 cities in India. Amazon India has already deployed over 7,200 EVs last year and targets to have 10,000 EVs in its India delivery fleet by 2025. Gentari Green Mobility India offers electric mobility solutions including vehicle leasing and charging points (CPs). CEO of Gentari Green Mobility India – Nikhil Thomas
2. World’s Oldest Calendar Discovered: In addition to the calendar, the pillar features carvings of a bird-like figure, which may symbolize the summer solstice constellation. These carvings are believed to date back to around 10,850 B.C., a period marked by a major comet strike that possibly impacted the climate and culture of the region. This comet event is thought to have triggered an ice age, leading to changes in societal structures and potentially fostering new religious and agricultural practices.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. India-Australia Hold Maritime Security Dialogue: On August 13, 2024, the 6th India-Australia Maritime Security Dialogue was held in Canberra, focusing on strengthening maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. This meeting reflects the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia and addresses crucial maritime issues.
2. DRDO Successfully Tests Long-Range Glide Bomb ‘Gaurav’: On August 13, 2024, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India successfully carried out the first flight test of a long-range glide bomb named Gaurav. This test, conducted using a Su-30 MK-I fighter jet from the Indian Air Force, is a significant step forward in India’s efforts to develop its own advanced defence technologies.
SPORTS
1. India’s Pramod Bhagat suspended from Paris Paralympics Over Breach of Anti-Doping Regulations: India’s Tokyo 2020 Paralympic gold medal winner Pramod Bhagat, Badminton, has been suspended for a period of 18 months for breaching the anti-doping regulations. As a result of the suspension, Pramod will miss the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. On 1 March 2024, the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) Anti-Doping Division found Bhagat in breach of the BWF anti-doping regulations for committing three whereabouts failures within 12 months.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Dhruva Space join hands with Zero-Error Systems to enhance satellite OBC subsystems: An Indian space engineering solutions provider, Dhruva Space has collaborated with Singaporean space semiconductor maker Zero-Error Systems (ZES) to improve its onboard computer (OBC) subsystem. The collaboration will deploy ZES’ highly efficient LDAP-IC-ZES100 in Dhruva Space’s OBC for future flights to safeguard commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics from radiation, induced micro-SEL/SEL. This strategic partnership entails the incorporation of semiconductor technology advancement into the OBC subsystem of Dhruva Space that oversees the running of satellites as well as controls the payload.
2. India and Israel Launch New Water Technology Centre at IIT-Madras: The Centre of Water Technology is expected to be a hub for innovation and research, focusing on developing sustainable solutions for urban water supply and advancing water technology capabilities. As part of the initiative, a capacity-building course titled ’24/7 Water Supply in Urban Areas’ was held at IIT Madras from August 5 to August 8. This training is crucial for providing stakeholders with essential skills in managing urban water systems. Overall, this collaboration aims to offer innovative solutions that can significantly impact water management across India, demonstrating the commitment of both countries to work together on addressing water scarcity and improving water management practices.
3. NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) – Recent Updates: To address these temperature issues, NASA is making adjustments to the radar antenna reflector in California. They are applying a special coating to prevent the antenna from overheating, ensuring it will work reliably when it is deployed in space. Once this work is finished, the reflector will be sent back to India to be reattached to the spacecraft. NASA and ISRO are working closely together to determine a new date for the launch. This project highlights the strong collaboration between the two space agencies, with each bringing cutting-edge radar technology to the table.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Consumer price inflation eases to five-year low of 3.54% in July: Retail inflation fell to the lowest in nearly five years in July, according to data released by the India Consumer Price Index (CPI). This was the first time in nearly five years that overall retail inflation fell below the Reserve Bank of India’s 4% inflation target. Urban inflation declined to 2.98% in July 2024, compared to 7.20% in July 2023. Rural inflation declined to 4.10%, compared to 7.63% in July 2023. Food inflation in July 2024 was the lowest since June 2023. The combined Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI), which shows food inflation also saw a sharp decline. It was 5.42% in July 2024, compared to 11.51% in July 2023.
2. PNB launches PNB ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit Card for visually impaired customers: Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched the PNB ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit Card,a new debit card specifically designed for visually impaired customers. This contactless NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) Debit Card is available on the RuPay network. Visually impaired individuals with savings or current accounts in PNB are eligible to obtain this debit card from PNB branch. The ATM limit (cash withdrawal) per day is Rs 25,000, and the PoS and eCom limits (combined) per day are Rs 60,000. Contactless transactions are accessible for individual transactions up to Rs. 5000/- without a PIN at NFC capable POS Terminals, with a daily overall limit of Rs. 5000. This initiative also aims to enhance financial independence and convenience for visually impaired individuals, empowering them to manage their finances with greater ease and confidence.
3. Jakson Engineers Limited signs MoU with SBI to promote solar projects: Jakson Engineering Limited has signed an MoU with the State Bank of India (SBI) to set up solar projects to a wide range of consumers across commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors. This partnership comes under the Surya Shakti Solar Finance initiative. It will combine SBI’s banking experience and Jakson’s solar technology expertise. This initiative will promote energy sustainability and lower power costs. The Surya Shakti Solar Finance initiative aims to provide financial assistance to consumers and help them adopt solar energy. SBI is offering loans worth Rs 100 million to commercial and industrial users for the same.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. National Institute for MSME (NI-MSME), Hyderabad awarded Accreditation Certification as “UTKRISHT”: The National Institute for MSME (NI-MSME), an Organisation of the Ministry of MSME GoI, has been awarded with Accreditation Certificate on the successful completion of the National Standards for Civil Services Training Institutions (NSCSTI) process in recognition of excellent services in the field of promotion and development of MSMEs. The assessment was made based on the inspection of all Standard Operating Procedures and Methodologies followed by the Institute at different levels. The team from Capacity Building Commission (CBC) & ICARE conducted On-site assessment and awarded the Certificate of Accreditation with the grading of UTKRISHT, a 3 Star Rating. For providing a pro-business environment to foster the progress of MSMEs towards success and prosperity. The Institute is associated with prestigious world bodies such as UNIDO, UNDP, DCAC, UNESCO, ILO, CFTC, UNICEF, AARDO, and GIZ.
NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PMJDY reaches 53 crore beneficiaries and ₹2.28 lakh crore in deposits: The flagship financial inclusion scheme of the Centre, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), which will be completing a decade on August 15, has 52.99 crore total beneficiaries (account-holders) across the States with total balance in PMJDY accounts at ₹2,28,362 crore, as on 31 July 2024. The scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2014, now has become the largest financial inclusion scheme in the world. It has largely been women-centric with 29.48 crore women beneficiaries while 35.27 crore of total accounts are from rural and semi-urban branches, as per the latest data. Nearly 36 crore RuPay Debit cards have been issued. PMJDY has accelerated account ownership in the country and its contribution in onboarding the financially excluded to the mainstream in creating an egalitarian society has been enormous as more than 56 per cent of the PMJDY account holders are women and 67 per cent of the total account holders are from rural and semi urban areas.
2. ‘One India-One Ticket’ initiative: Indian Railways, NCRTC collaborate to simplify ticket booking: Indian Railways and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) have joined forces to advance the ‘One India – One Ticket’ initiative, aimed at enhancing the passenger experience for those traveling on mainline railways and Namo Bharat trains. This partnership seeks to streamline travel by allowing passengers to book and travel seamlessly using both Indian Railways and RRTS services. After purchasing an IRCTC train e-ticket, users can now also book Namo Bharat train tickets for up to eight travellers in a single transaction. The option to book RRTS tickets will be available on the PNR confirmation page and through the user’s booking history.
3. Madhya Pradesh govt gives cash to girl students to buy sanitary napkins: Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to give money to girl students to buy sanitary napkins. In some states like Karnataka, Rajasthan and Delhi, free sanitary napkins are given to students but cash is being given only in Madhya Pradesh. Under the Sanitation and Hygiene Scheme, an amount of three hundred rupees has been transferred in each girl student’s account for one year.
This amount has been given to around 19 lakh students from class seventh to twelfth.
4. Bihar government mandates Registration of Temples, Mutts, And Trusts: The Bihar government mandated registration of temples, mutts and trusts, and directed all District Magistrates in the State to ensure that the bodies are registered and details of their immovable assets are submitted to the Bihar State Board of Religious Trusts (BSBRT) soon. The BSBRT operates under the State’s Law Department and its records say there are about 2,512 unregistered temples and mutts across the State owning 4,321.64 acres of land. According to the Bihar Hindu Religious Trusts Act, 1950 all public temples, mutts, Dharmashalas and trusts must be registered with the BSBRT”. According to BSBRT records, Bihar has 2,512 unregistered temples and mutts owning 4,321.64 acres of land and 2,499 registered temples with 18,456 acres of land.
5. Rana Ashutosh appointed as MD of SBI: Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh has taken over as Managing Director in charge of State Bank of India’s (SBI) risk compliance and stressed assets resolution group (SARG) departments. Gajendra Singh Rana, former chief general manager of the Mumbai circle has taken over from Singh as the deputy managing director (DMD) retail and real estate for the nation’s largest lender. For now he has taken over the departments which were handled by former MD Alok Choudhary.
6. GoI declared August 23rd as National Space Day: The Government of India has declared August 23rd as “National Space Day” to celebrate the remarkable success of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission, which accomplished safe and soft landing of the Vikram Lander and deployed the Pragyaan rover on the lunar surface near the South Pole. This historic achievement places India among an elite group of space faring nations, making India the fourth country to land on the Moon and the first to do so near the south pole of the Moon. This achievement is being celebrated across the country during July and August 2024, with the goal of engaging and inspiring the younger generation in the field of Space Science and Technology. To commemorate the remarkable success of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission, the Department of Fisheries is organizing a series of seminars and demonstrations on,“Application of Space Technologies in Fisheries Sector” in coastal States and UTs under the guidance of Dr. Abhilaskh Likhi.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Amazon India partners with Gentari to increase EV delivery fleet to 10,000 by 2025: Gentari Green Mobility India (Gentari) has partnered with Amazon to boost the e-commerce major’s electric vehicle (EV) fleet for last mile deliveries as the US-headquartered company targets to increase its fleet strength to 10,000 units by 2025. The partnership comes at a time when the e-commerce firm aims to scale up its EV adoption across more than 400 cities in India. Amazon India has already deployed over 7,200 EVs last year and targets to have 10,000 EVs in its India delivery fleet by 2025. Gentari Green Mobility India offers electric mobility solutions including vehicle leasing and charging points (CPs). CEO of Gentari Green Mobility India – Nikhil Thomas
2. World’s Oldest Calendar Discovered: In addition to the calendar, the pillar features carvings of a bird-like figure, which may symbolize the summer solstice constellation. These carvings are believed to date back to around 10,850 B.C., a period marked by a major comet strike that possibly impacted the climate and culture of the region. This comet event is thought to have triggered an ice age, leading to changes in societal structures and potentially fostering new religious and agricultural practices.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. India-Australia Hold Maritime Security Dialogue: On August 13, 2024, the 6th India-Australia Maritime Security Dialogue was held in Canberra, focusing on strengthening maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. This meeting reflects the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia and addresses crucial maritime issues.
2. DRDO Successfully Tests Long-Range Glide Bomb ‘Gaurav’: On August 13, 2024, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India successfully carried out the first flight test of a long-range glide bomb named Gaurav. This test, conducted using a Su-30 MK-I fighter jet from the Indian Air Force, is a significant step forward in India’s efforts to develop its own advanced defence technologies.
SPORTS
1. India’s Pramod Bhagat suspended from Paris Paralympics Over Breach of Anti-Doping Regulations: India’s Tokyo 2020 Paralympic gold medal winner Pramod Bhagat, Badminton, has been suspended for a period of 18 months for breaching the anti-doping regulations. As a result of the suspension, Pramod will miss the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. On 1 March 2024, the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) Anti-Doping Division found Bhagat in breach of the BWF anti-doping regulations for committing three whereabouts failures within 12 months.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Dhruva Space join hands with Zero-Error Systems to enhance satellite OBC subsystems: An Indian space engineering solutions provider, Dhruva Space has collaborated with Singaporean space semiconductor maker Zero-Error Systems (ZES) to improve its onboard computer (OBC) subsystem. The collaboration will deploy ZES’ highly efficient LDAP-IC-ZES100 in Dhruva Space’s OBC for future flights to safeguard commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics from radiation, induced micro-SEL/SEL. This strategic partnership entails the incorporation of semiconductor technology advancement into the OBC subsystem of Dhruva Space that oversees the running of satellites as well as controls the payload.
2. India and Israel Launch New Water Technology Centre at IIT-Madras: The Centre of Water Technology is expected to be a hub for innovation and research, focusing on developing sustainable solutions for urban water supply and advancing water technology capabilities. As part of the initiative, a capacity-building course titled ’24/7 Water Supply in Urban Areas’ was held at IIT Madras from August 5 to August 8. This training is crucial for providing stakeholders with essential skills in managing urban water systems. Overall, this collaboration aims to offer innovative solutions that can significantly impact water management across India, demonstrating the commitment of both countries to work together on addressing water scarcity and improving water management practices.
3. NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) – Recent Updates: To address these temperature issues, NASA is making adjustments to the radar antenna reflector in California. They are applying a special coating to prevent the antenna from overheating, ensuring it will work reliably when it is deployed in space. Once this work is finished, the reflector will be sent back to India to be reattached to the spacecraft. NASA and ISRO are working closely together to determine a new date for the launch. This project highlights the strong collaboration between the two space agencies, with each bringing cutting-edge radar technology to the table.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Consumer price inflation eases to five-year low of 3.54% in July: Retail inflation fell to the lowest in nearly five years in July, according to data released by the India Consumer Price Index (CPI). This was the first time in nearly five years that overall retail inflation fell below the Reserve Bank of India’s 4% inflation target. Urban inflation declined to 2.98% in July 2024, compared to 7.20% in July 2023. Rural inflation declined to 4.10%, compared to 7.63% in July 2023. Food inflation in July 2024 was the lowest since June 2023. The combined Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI), which shows food inflation also saw a sharp decline. It was 5.42% in July 2024, compared to 11.51% in July 2023.
2. PNB launches PNB ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit Card for visually impaired customers: Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched the PNB ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit Card,a new debit card specifically designed for visually impaired customers. This contactless NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) Debit Card is available on the RuPay network. Visually impaired individuals with savings or current accounts in PNB are eligible to obtain this debit card from PNB branch. The ATM limit (cash withdrawal) per day is Rs 25,000, and the PoS and eCom limits (combined) per day are Rs 60,000. Contactless transactions are accessible for individual transactions up to Rs. 5000/- without a PIN at NFC capable POS Terminals, with a daily overall limit of Rs. 5000. This initiative also aims to enhance financial independence and convenience for visually impaired individuals, empowering them to manage their finances with greater ease and confidence.
3. Jakson Engineers Limited signs MoU with SBI to promote solar projects: Jakson Engineering Limited has signed an MoU with the State Bank of India (SBI) to set up solar projects to a wide range of consumers across commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors. This partnership comes under the Surya Shakti Solar Finance initiative. It will combine SBI’s banking experience and Jakson’s solar technology expertise. This initiative will promote energy sustainability and lower power costs. The Surya Shakti Solar Finance initiative aims to provide financial assistance to consumers and help them adopt solar energy. SBI is offering loans worth Rs 100 million to commercial and industrial users for the same.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. National Institute for MSME (NI-MSME), Hyderabad awarded Accreditation Certification as “UTKRISHT”: The National Institute for MSME (NI-MSME), an Organisation of the Ministry of MSME GoI, has been awarded with Accreditation Certificate on the successful completion of the National Standards for Civil Services Training Institutions (NSCSTI) process in recognition of excellent services in the field of promotion and development of MSMEs. The assessment was made based on the inspection of all Standard Operating Procedures and Methodologies followed by the Institute at different levels. The team from Capacity Building Commission (CBC) & ICARE conducted On-site assessment and awarded the Certificate of Accreditation with the grading of UTKRISHT, a 3 Star Rating. For providing a pro-business environment to foster the progress of MSMEs towards success and prosperity. The Institute is associated with prestigious world bodies such as UNIDO, UNDP, DCAC, UNESCO, ILO, CFTC, UNICEF, AARDO, and GIZ.
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