Daily GK Update- 30th Dec, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1.Gujarat emerged as India’s ‘Petro Capital’: ith the world’s largest grassroot oil refinery in Jamnagar and OPaL petrochemical complex at Dahej in Bharuch district, Gujarat is now recognized as the ‘petro capital’ of India. Reliance Industries Ltd’s (RIL) Jamnagar refinery is the largest and most complex single-site refinery in the world with 1.4 million barrels per day (MMBPD) crude processing capacity. The Jamnagar refinery complex houses some of the world’s largest units, such as the fluidized catalytic cracker, coker, alkylation, paraxylene, polypropylene, refinery off-gas cracker, and petcoke gasification plants.

 

2. President Murmu to attend Karbi Youth Festival-2024 in Assam: President Droupadi Murmu will be the Chief Guest at the celebration of the Karbi Youth Festival on 17 January 2024. The festival will be held at Taralangso, Diphu. The celebration, from January 12-19, will feature traditional art, folk dance, music, and indigenous tribal foods. Other dignitaries attending include Assam Governor Gulab Chand, Meghalaya Governor Phagu Chauhan, and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.

 

3. ATGL and Flipkart sign MoU for supply chain decarbonization: Adani Total Gas Ltd (ATGL) and Flipkart have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on decarbonizing Flipkart’s supply chain. The initiative aims to reduce Flipkart’s carbon footprint in the primary, secondary, and tertiary movements of goods across sourcing locations, warehouses, and customer deliveries. Under the MoU, ATGL will provide decarbonizing solutions, supporting Flipkart’s transition to cleaner fuel options, including natural gas, and the integration of electric vehicles (EVs). Adani Total Energies E-Mobility Ltd (ATEL), a subsidiary of ATGL, will deploy EV charging infrastructure at Flipkart’s pan-India supply chain, encompassing warehouses and logistics locations. This partnership is expected to contribute to the decarbonization of the e-commerce logistics segment in India, which handles over 8 million shipments per day.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India and Russia signed Protocol on Consultations for next four years: India and Russia have signed a Protocol on Consultations for the period of next four years (2024-28) to make progress in economic cooperation, energy trade, connectivity, military-technical cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. Jaishankar said the relations between India and Russia have been strong and steady, living up to the responsibility of a special and privileged strategic partnership. India and Russia also signed two important agreements to take forward the further implementation of Kudankulam nuclear power projects in India.

 

2. The Kenya Poverty and Equity Assessment 2023 Report: While Kenya has achieved substantial poverty reduction over 2005-2019, progress remains geographically uneven, leaving many behind, according to a new World Bank report. It prescribed policy pathways for more inclusive growth. The Good and Bad – Falling Poverty, Persisting Gaps ..

 

3. China Launches Massive Ship to Drill Into Earth’s Mantle: China has built an enormous ocean drilling vessel called the Mengxiang to achieve humanity’s first-ever excavation into the Earth’s upper mantle. The ambitious mission could uncover clues about our planet’s inner workings and evolution. An Engineering Marvel The supersized Mengxiang ..

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Nina Singh becomes first woman to be appointed as DG of CISF: The central government has appointed Nina Singh as the first woman Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The 1989-batch IPS officer of the Rajasthan cadre is currently working as the Special DG of the CISF. Meanwhile, Rahul Rasgotra, the Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), was appointed as the new Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). He is also a 1989-batch IPS officer but from the Manipur cadre. The current ITBP chief, Anish Dayal Singh, was appointed as the Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). He worked for the country’s internal security and counter-intelligence agency, IB, for a long time. Dayal is currently investigating the Parliament security breach incident that happened on December 11.

 

2. Pakistan successfully tests Fatah-II guided multi-launch rocket system: Pakistan has conducted a successful flight test of indigenously developed guided multi-launch rocket system ‘Fatah-II’, which is capable of engaging targets with high precision up to a range of 400 kilometres. The ‘Fatah-II’ is “equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, sophisticated navigation system and unique flight trajectory,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the military. The weapon system is capable of engaging targets with high precision up to a range of 400 kilometres.

 

3. Indian Navy Adopts New Rank Insignia Inspired by Shivaji: Aligning with the PM’s call to shed vestiges of colonialism, the Indian Navy has unveiled redesigned shoulder insignia for top Admirals incorporating elements from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s royal seal. Octagonal Shape Based on Naval Ensign The new epaulettes feature an ..

SPORTS

 

4. PV Sindhu makes it into Forbes list of highest-paid women athletes in 2023: Badminton star PV Sindhu has made it into the list of 2023’s highest-paid women athletes by Forbes where she finished at the 16th spot alongside gymnast Simone Biles with her $7.1 million earnings. Last year Sindhu was placed 12th with her $7.1 million earnings in a list which was led by Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka. Sindhu had broken into the top 10 in the 2018 list with $8.5 million which placed her at 7th.Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek who is valued at $23.9 million at first spot. She won the French Open and ended the year as the No.1 ranked player in the world. She is followed by freestyle skiing star Eileen Gu from China whose value is $22.1 million.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. ISRO launched FEAST software and book to guide faculty and students: The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) of the Indian space agency ISRO, has developed an analysis software that is used to perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of various types of structures including rockets, aircraft, satellites, buildings, etc. FEA is a computerised method for predicting how a component or a structure reacts to real-world forces- like various types of structural loads, thermal conditions and other physical effects that a structure experiences while in operation. During the design and development phase of a product, FEA is carried out to evaluate how well and safely the structure/component can withstand the various loads, and perform its intended function without any failure. With their latest offering—an FEA software known as FEAST (Finite Element Analysis of Structures)— Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) hopes to take this indigenous and customisable FEA software to the Indian user base.

 

2. Indian Scientists Develop Eco-Friendly Solar Cell Material: Indian researchers have created a novel solar harvesting material that substitutes toxic lead with greener magnesium. This marks an important breakthrough for affordable and sustainable photovoltaics. The Promise and Perils of Perovskite Perovskite solar cells have shown tremendous efficiency promises ..

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

3. ICICI Pru Mutual Fund to acquire 9.95% stake in Federal, RBL Bank: The Reserve Bank of India has accorded approval to ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Ltd (ICICI AMC) for acquiring up to 9.95 percent stake in the bank. The approval granted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is subject to compliance with the relevant provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, RBI’s Master Direction and Guidelines on Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies dated January 16, 2023. Meanwhile, RBI also accorded approval to ICICI AMC to acquire a 9.95 percent stake in RBL Bank and Equitas Small Finance Bank.

 

 

 

Daily GK Update- 29th Dec, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Kerala CM launched new board for transparent Public Sector Recruitment: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated an autonomous board established by the state government to recruit efficient and skilled candidates for Public Sector Units (PSUs) through a transparent selection process. The board aims to enhance the efficiency of public sector institutions in the state, he said during the inauguration of the Kerala Public Enterprises (Selection and Recruitment) Board, and its office at Vellayambalam. The recruitment of public sector undertakings under the Department of Industries and Commerce will be under the board’s purview in the first phase. Initial tasks include selection for various posts in 20 public institutions and appointing managing directors in 22 public sector institutions.

 

2. Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai host over 20% of India’s crypto investments: A report by crypto trading platform Coin Switch showed Delhi maintained its lead in India’s crypto adoption, followed by Bangalore and Mumbai. The parameter for this was in terms of value invested. According to the report, more than 20 percent of India’s total crypto investments are concentrated in the three major metropolitan areas: Delhi (9 percent), Bangalore (8 percent) and Mumbai (5 percent). Ghaziabad claimed the 10th position in the list of the top invested cities, replacing Patna. Around 75% of crypto investors are under 35 years old, while women make up 9% of India’s crypto investor base. Dogecoin, Bitcoin, and Ethereum were the most invested cryptocurrencies of the year.

 

3. Katie Moon appoints as ambassador of Mumbai Marathon: Two-time pole vault world champion and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Katie Moon has been roped in as event ambassador for the 19th edition of the Tata Mumbai Marathon. Promoted by Procam International, the Mumbai Marathon is a World Athletics Gold Label Race. Moon had clinched gold medal at the 2022 Eugene and 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Cabinet approves opening of Consulate General of India in Auckland, New Zealand: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has approved the proposal to open a Consulate General of India in Auckland, New Zealand. Opening of Consulate General of India in Auckland would help in increasing India’s diplomatic footprint and strengthen India’s diplomatic representation in view of India’s increasing global engagement. This will also help promote India’s strategic and commercial interests and better serve the welfare of the Indian community in Auckland. The Consulate is likely to be opened and fully operationalized within a time frame of 12 months.

 

2. India and Italy signed Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement: The Union Cabinet has provided ex-post facto approval to the Ministry of External Affairs’ proposal to sign and ratify the Migration and Mobility Agreement between India and Italy. This agreement aims to strengthen ties between both cultures and promote mobility among students, skilled workers, business professionals, and young talent. This also includes a 12-month residency that may be granted to Indian students in Italy for work experience. This agreement was signed on November 2, 2023, by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani. Now, Union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal to move ahead.

 

3. India and Malaysia sign an MoU for Cooperation in Broadcasting: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has approved the MoU/Agreement to strengthen the cooperation in the field of broadcasting, exchange of news, and audio-visual programmes as well as significantly augment India’s friendly relations with Malaysia. With this, the total number of MoUs signed by Prasar Bharati with different countries has increased to 46. Prasar Bharati plays a very important role in nation-building and lays continuous focus on providing meaningful and accurate content to one and all, both within the country and abroad. These MoUs are going to be crucial in distribution of content in other countries, in developing partnerships with international broadcasters and exploring new strategies to address the demands of new technologies.

 

4. PPP nominated first Hindu woman for elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Pakistan People’s Party nominates Dr Saveera Parkash, to contest from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Buner district in the General Elections. The decision comes following the Pakistan Electoral Commission’s mandate of having at least 5% women candidates on general seats. Prakash, a member of the PPP women’s wing, will run for the PK-25 seat in the February 8 elections. Her father, Oam Parkash is a retired doctor and has been an active member of the PPP for over three decades. Saveera was also serving as the PPP women’s wing General Secretary in Buner.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Anish Dayal Singh Appointed Director General of CRPF: Anish Dayal Singh has been appointed as the Director General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Mr Singh is a 1988-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Manipur cadre. Earlier he was heading Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is a reserve gendarmerie and internal combat force in India under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of the Government of India.

 

2. Rahul Rasgotra has been appointed as the Director General of ITBP: Senior IPS officer Mr. Rahul Rasgotra is a (1989-batch-Manipur cadre) has been appointed as  the Director General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Rahul Rasgotra, at present a special director in the Intelligence Bureau (IB). The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is a border guarding force of India deployed along its borders with Tibet Autonomous Region.

 

3. Nina Singh First Woman CISF Chief: Nina Singh has been appointed as the chief of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Currently, Nina Singh (1989-batch IPS officer -Rajasthan cadre) is working as Special Director General, CISF. CISF is a federal police organisation in India under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Vivek Srivastava, a 1989-batch IPS officer of Gujarat cadre, will be Director General, Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards. He has been appointed to the post till June 30, 2025.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Suriya acquired ownership of Chennai in Indian Street Premier League: National Award winner Suriya has joined the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) as the owner of team Chennai. The ISPL is India’s first tennis ball T10 cricket tournament that will be played inside a stadium. The tournament will feature 19 high-intensity matches, boasting a line-up of six teams – Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Srinagar. Recently, Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, and Ram Charan were announced as the team owners of Mumbai, Srinagar, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, respectively. The ISPL is scheduled to be held from March 2 to March 9 in Mumbai.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. China launches a Long March-11 carrier rocket into space: China has successfully launched a Long March-11 carrier rocket into space, sending three satellites into planned orbit. The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center launched the rocket from waters off the coast of Yangjiang, south China’s Guangdong Province. The satellites will be mainly used for space science and technology experiments. It was the 503rd mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Reserve Bank of India approves IDFC-IDFC First Bank merger: Reserve Bank of India has given its nod for the reverse merger of IDFC Ltd with its banking subsidiary IDFC First Bank. The boards of IDFC First Bank and IDFC have approved the reverse merger in July. As part of the composite scheme of amalgamation, IDFC FHCL would first merge with IDFC and then IDFC into IDFC First Bank Ltd. The scheme remains subject to other statutory and regulatory approvals, including from the National Company Law Tribunal and the respective shareholders and creditors of the companies involved under the applicable laws. Under the proposed reverse merger scheme, an IDFC shareholder will get 155 shares for every 100 shares she/he holds in the bank. Both stocks have a face value of Rs 10 each.

Daily GK Update- 28th Dec, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi chairs National Conference of Chief Secretaries in new Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing the National Conference of Chief Secretaries in New Delhi. This is the third such conference, the first being held in June 2022 in Dharamshala and the second in January this year in Delhi. The National Conference of Chief Secretaries is organized to encourage participative governance and partnership between the Centre and the State Governments.

 

2. TCIL pays Rs 14.20 crore dividend to the Government for FY 2022-23: Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd (TCIL) has paid a dividend of Rs 14.20 crore to the government for Financial Year 2022-23. Since its inception, the TCIL has been a consistently profit-making Company. It has so far paid dividend of Rs 294.19 crore to the Government till FY 2022-23. The dividend is on Government’s initial investment in equity of Rs 0.3 Crore. Rs16 crore was further infused during 2015-16. The group and standalone net worth of the company are Rs 1,712.00 crore and Rs 618.56 crore respectively as on 31st March 2023. In FY 2022-23, the TCIL achieved a revenue growth of 25 per cent over previous year with total Standalone revenue and profit after tax of Rs 2,001.7 crore and Rs 35.50 crore respectively.

 

3. Ayodhya Train Station Renamed As Ayodhya Dham: The Ayodhya railway junction in Uttar Pradesh has been officially renamed as Ayodhya Dham junction. The redeveloped station is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on December 30 in Ayodhya, before the highly anticipated consecration ceremony at the Ram temple on January 22. The Ayodhya Dham Railway Station is undergoing development in three phases. The first phase has been successfully completed. The station, with a total cost of ₹430 crore, is designed to accommodate up to 100,000 passengers. Its architecture blends modern solutions with the aesthetics of traditional Indian temple architecture.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Narendra Modi becomes first world leader to have 20 million YouTube subscribers: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s YouTube channel has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 20 million subscriptions, making it the most subscribed channel among top global leaders. The second-ranking leader is former Brazilian President Jair Bolsanora, whose subscriber count stands at a modest 6.4 million, merely a fraction of Modi’s. The third most-subscribed channel among world leaders is the Ukraine President is far behind at 1.1 million. Whereas fourth on the list, United States President Joe Biden has a subscriber count of only 794,000 on his YouTube channel.

Moreover, when it comes to views, Modi’s channel continues to dominate, recording an impressive 2.24 billion views in December 2023. This figure is an astonishing 43 times higher than that of Zelenskyy, who holds the second-highest number of views globally.

2. India, Russia ink pacts on construction of future power units: India and Russia have signed some “very important” agreements related to the construction of the future power-generating units of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant. The Kudankulam nuclear power plant, India’s largest, is being built in Tamil Nadu with the technical assistance of Russia. The construction began in March 2002. Since February 2016, the first power unit of the Kudankulam NPP has been steadily operating at its design capacity of 1,000 MW. The plant is expected to start operating at full capacity in 2027.

 

3. Bisleri signed Deepika Padukone as it’s Global Brand Ambassador: Bisleri, India’s leading mineral water brand has roped in Global Indian Icon Deepika Padukone as its first-ever global brand ambassador in the new campaign Bisleri #DrinkItUp. The campaign is a fresh and never seen before take on hydration infusing excitement and fun. The ad film showcases Padukone grooving to a snappy and modern take on the iconic song ‘Jhoom Jhoom Jhoom Baba’ while relishing the pure refreshment of the original beverage, ‘water’. The campaign will be promoted across multiple platforms, including TV, digital, and OTT platforms. The Bisleri #DrinkItUp campaign has been shot by Nirvana Films and directed by ace director Prakash Verma while Bisleri’s association with Deepika Padukone was managed by Wavemaker and GroupM ESP.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Kartik Aaryan signed as Brand Ambassador for Football: Sony Sports Network has roped in Bollywood actor and youth icon Kartik Aaryan, who is known to be an avid football follower, as their brand ambassador for football. Kartik will be seen promoting the footballing action on the Sony Sports Network, which will be home to the UEFA EURO 2024, the UEFA Champions League, the Bundesliga and more for the year ahead. This strategic partnership aims to bring football closer to a wider Indian audience and ignite passion for the sport across generations.

 

2. Sharvaanica becomes champion in two formats at Asian Youth Chess: Eight-year-old A.S. Sharvaanica has become the champion in two formats of the Asian Youth Chess Championships at Al Ain in the UAE. She secured gold in the U-8 rapid and blitz categories, and silver in the U-8 classical category. The 25th Asian Youth Chess Championships witnessed the participation across age groups of 42 players from 21 countries.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. C S Rajan appointed as chairman of Kotak Mahindra Bank: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of C S Rajan (IAS officer of 1978 batch) as its part-time chairman for a period of two years, with effect from January 1, 2024. Rajan’s appointment follows the retirement of the incumbent non-executive independent part-time chairman, Prakash Apte. Rajan is a successful leader with over 40 years of experience across significant government portfolios.

 

2. Muthoot FinCorp raises ₹200 crore from SBI via NCDs: Muthoot FinCorp, the flagship company of the 136-year-old Muthoot Pappachan Group (Muthoot Blue), has raised ₹200 crore from State Bank of India, via the private placement of non-convertible debentures (NCDs). The debt securities have a five-year maturity and half-yearly frequency for interest payment. They are rated ‘AA’ by Crisil with a ‘stable’ outlook. Proceeds of this will be utilised for onward lending, business operations and further expansion and growth plan. The NBFC has over 3,600 branches across India and offers gold loans, Vyapar Mitra business loans, two-wheeler loans, used car loans, home Loans, loan against property, domestic and international money transfer, foreign exchange, Insurance, and wealth management services.

 

3. Current account gap narrows to 1% of GDP at $8.3 bn in Q2FY24: RBI: India’s current account deficit declined sharply to 1 percent of the GDP or $8.3 billion in the second quarter of this financial year, mainly due to lower merchandise trade deficit and growth in services exports, according to RBI data. The current account deficit (CAD) was 3.8 percent of GDP or $30.9 billion in the July-September quarter in 2022-23. CAD was $9.2 billion or 1.1 percent of GDP in the first quarter (April-June) of the current financial year 2023-24. Underlying the lower current account deficit on a year-on-year (y-o-y) basis in Q2:2023-24 was the narrowing of merchandise trade deficit to $61.0 billion from $78.3 billion in Q2:2022-23.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Devendra Fadnavis Conferred Honorary Doctorate By Japanese University: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was conferred an honorary doctorate by Japan’s Koyasan University. The university conferred the doctorate on Fadnavis to recognise his efforts in creating basic civic infrastructure, implementing schemes such as the Jalyukta Shivar Yojana, and his contribution to the industrial development of the state. In 2015, while he was the chief minister of Maharashtra, Fadnavis inaugurated a statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar at the Buddhist study centre of the university in Japan.

 

 

 

Daily GK Update- 27th Dec, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi's personal YouTube Channel reaches two crore subscribers: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the first world leader whose personal YouTube Channel has reached two crore subscribers. The channel has also crossed nearly 450 crore views on its videos. Narendra Modi's YouTube Channel has also surpassed the YouTube channels of his Indian and Global contemporaries in terms of views and subscribers.

 

2. UP CM inaugurated state’s first intra-district chopper service: Marking the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has inaugurated UP’s first intra-district helicopter service from Bateshwar in Agra to Goverdhan in Mathura. Based on the private-public partnership (PPP), the helicopter service is to be run by a private player from Uttrakhand. A helicopter service will cover a distance of 65 km between Agra city and Mathura. CM Yogi Adityanath also unveiled a statue of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary in his native village Bateshwar in Agra district. UP CM also laid the foundation stone of projects worth ₹100 crore, which are aimed at bringing new life to Bateshwar, a historical village located amid the ravines of Chambal across the borders of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

 

3. Health Minister launched ‘MedTech Mitra’ to advance health Solution.: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has virtually launched MedTech Mitra – a strategic initiative to empower MedTech innovators and advance healthcare solutions. It will be a game-changer for Indian MedTech industry and facilitate indigenous development of affordable, quality MedTech devices and diagnostics. He said the medical devices sector is an integral constituent of India’s healthcare sector. He also said India is taking a holistic approach to health with a vision to transform the health landscape in the country by 2047.

 

4. Bihar Police to launch ‘Mission Investigation@75 days’: Bihar Police will launch a new initiative, “Mission Investigation@75 days”, making it mandatory for investigators to complete the investigation of cases within 75 days of FIR registration starting from January 1 next year. The Bihar government is preparing to take several measures from January 1, 2024 to make the state police more people-friendly and accountable. Our main focus is to improve the quality of investigation. The performance of all police stations and district police will also be reviewed on a monthly basis from January 1.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. UN chief appoints Sigrid Kaag as senior humanitarian coordinator for Gaza: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Sigrid Kaag of the Netherlands as the senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza. Kaag will facilitate, coordinate, monitor and verify aid consignments to the embattled enclave, in line with a recent UN Security Council resolution. She will also establish a UN mechanism to accelerate humanitarian relief shipments through states that are not party to the conflict, Xinhua news agency reported.

 

2. UK to introduce carbon import levy on certain products by 2027: United Kingdom will implement a new carbon import levy on some products from 2027 to help to protect businesses against cheaper imports from countries with less strict climate policies. The planned carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) will apply to carbon-intensive products in the iron, steel, aluminium, fertiliser, hydrogen, ceramics, glass and cement sectors. The charge applied will depend on the amount of carbon emitted in the production of the imported good and any gap between the carbon price applied in the country of origin and the carbon price faced by UK producers. Britain, which has a target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, launched an emissions trading system (ETS) in 2021 to charge power plants, factories and airlines for each tonne of carbon dioxide they emit as part of efforts to meet that goal.

 

3. India to Acquire Five Lithium Blocks in Argentina: The Indian government is planning to enter into exploration and development agreements with the Argentina government for five lithium blocks that have been identified by Khanij Bidesh India (KABIL) in Catamarca province. The Centre will be investing around Rs 200 crore over the next five years for the purpose of exploring and developing these mines. This marks India’s second attempt at signing a foreign partnership for sourcing critical minerals after previously signing a memorandum of understanding with Australia’s Critical Minerals Facilitation Office (CMFO) in 2022. The 2022 agreement allowed India to explore five blocks, two for lithium and three for cobalt.

 

4. 27 December – International Day of Epidemic Preparedness: International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is observed every year on 27 December. This special day encourages everyone, including individuals, institutions, and governments, to participate in educational and awareness activities that suit their country’s needs. It emphasizes how crucial it is to prevent, prepare for and work together against outbreaks like diseases. The United Nations proclaimed on December 7, 2020, that December 27 would be the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness. The first-ever International Day of Epidemic Preparedness was organised on December 27, 2020, to show how important it is to be ready for and fight against epidemics.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Coca-Cola extends partnership with ICC till 2031: Beverage major Coca-Cola has extended its partnership with the International Cricket Council (ICC) for eight years, encompassing ICC World events across all three formats, up until the end of 2031. This eight-year partnership as a Global Partner of the ICC confirmed the collaboration as one of the longest-ever associations formed by the ICC with a single brand, spanning a total timeline of 13 years (2019-2031). The partnership will see the Coca-Cola Company’s brands becoming exclusive non-alcoholic beverage partners. The agreement includes all men’s and women’s events at the pinnacle of the sport including the ICC Cricket World Cups, ICC T20 World Cups, and ICC Champions Trophies through to the end of 2031.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Education Loans Experience 20.6% Spike From April To October: Education loans registered a record year-on-year growth of 20.6 percent at ₹1,10,715 crore in the current financial year till October compared with ₹96,853 crore in the year-ago period. According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, the spurt in education loans was the highest in the last five years. The growth registered in the comparable period was 12.3 percent FY23 and (-) 3.1 percent in FY22. For the last one-year, foreign education loans with an average ticket size of ₹40 lakh-60 lakh accounted for nearly 65 percent of loans disbursed.

 

2. IndusInd Bank launches ‘eSvarna’ credit card: IndusInd Bank has launched the ‘IndusInd Bank eSvarna’, India’s first Corporate Credit Card on RuPay network. This launch positions IndusInd Bank as the first in the country to integrate UPI functionality with a Corporate Credit Card. The card facilitates transactions at merchant outlets and allows users the flexibility to make UPI payments by linking the card with UPI-enabled apps. The IndusInd Bank eSvarna credit card on the RuPay network comes with perks and rewards.

 

3. World Bank Approves $100 Mn For Skill Development In Sikkim: The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a new project to support the state of Sikkim’s efforts to train, upskill, and provide jobs for 300,500 women and youth in high-growth and priority sectors. Sikkim has been one of the fastest-growing states in India. While over 40 percent of youth are currently engaged in agriculture, the state has a growing manufacturing and services industry. To sustain growth, the state aims to skill its women and youth in jobs in non-farm sectors like renewable energy, information and technology (IT) services, tourism, hospitality and wellness care, and creative design. The $100 million Sikkim: Integrated Service Provision and Innovation for Reviving Economies (INSPIRES) Operation will establish an Employment and Entrepreneurship Promotion Facility, which will promote partnerships with private-sector firms, central agencies, and business associations.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 26th Dec, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi addresses Veer Bal Diwas programme in New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi participated in the Veer Baal Diwas function at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The Veer Bal Diwas marks the martyrdom of Sri Guru Gobind Singh’s sons Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh In January last year, the Prime Minister had announced that 26th December will be observed as Veer Bal Diwas A digital exhibition on the life story and sacrifice of the Sahibzades will be displayed in schools and childcare institutions across the country.

 

2. NIIF Plans To Invest Up To Rs 675 Crore Bhogapuram airport: National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) is planning to invest up to Rs 675 crore on the upcoming greenfield international airport at Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh, which is being developed by the GMR group. This marks NIIF’s second airport investment, after the GMR Goa International Airport Ltd, which operates Manohar International Airport in Goa. GMR Airports Ltd (GAL) — a subsidiary of GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd (GAIL) — and NIIF have entered into binding agreements for the NIIF to invest up to Rs 6.75 billion (Rs 675 crore) in GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Ltd (GVIAL).

 

3. Digi Yatra, facial recognition tech, implemented at 13 Indian airports: To save time of passengers during security check at airports, Government is continuously making efforts by increasing security equipment, security manpower and using advance technologies. Digi Yatra, which provides for seamless and hassle-free experience for passengers at airports through biometric-based travel using Facial Recognition Technology has also been implemented at 13 airports and other airports will be covered in phased manner. This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen. (Dr) V. K. Singh (Retd) in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

 

4. SEBI approves Pramod Agrawal’s appointment as BSE Chairman: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved the appointment of Pramod Agrawal as the new Chairman of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Agrawal’s tenure will start on January 17, 2024, as per a regulatory filing by the stock exchange. He will replace SS Mundra. Agrawal, a former IAS officer, previously held the position of Chairman at Coal India till June 2023.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. UN announces 2024 as International Year of Camelids: The United Nations has declared 2024 the International Year Of Camelids. The decision has been taken to highlight the significant importance of camelids in the lives of people across the world. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), camelids influence the lives of millions of households in more than 90 countries. As a group Camelids include alpacas, Bactrian camels, dromedaries, guanacos, llamas, vicuñas which together help in ensuring food security, nutrition and economic growth especially for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Camelids play an important role in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) envisaged by the United Nations.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. INS Imphal, India’s first warship named after a northeastern state, commissioned: INS Imphal (Pennant D68), the third of four warships of Project 15B that together form the Visakhapatnam class stealth-guided missile destroyers, is set to be commissioned into the Indian Navy in Mumbai. The move aimed at boosting its maritime capability amid China’s increasing forays into the Indian Ocean region. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was the Chief Guest at the event. It is the first warship to have been named after a city from the Northeastern region, the approval for which was accorded by the President in April 2019. The naming of the ship after the capital city of Manipur underlines the importance of the Northeastern region for national security and prosperity.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Indian women records maiden historic Test win over Australia: India recorded their maiden victory against Australia in a women’s test match at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai with their comprehensive eight-wicket win in the one-off contest. India had taken control of the match with a commanding 187-run lead in the first innings. They needed just 75 runs to win the match after bowling Australia out for 261 in the second innings. India reached the target just after lunch losing two wickets. This is India’s first victory against Australia in 11 tests since the teams first clashed in the longest format in 1977. Off-spinner Sneh Rana was chosen player of the match for her seven-wicket haul.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. UP to build India’s first AI city in Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh is set to establish the country’s first AI city in Lucknow. This initiative aims to create a thriving hub for artificial intelligence, integrating cutting-edge technology, research centers, and educational institutions to foster innovation and nurture the workforce of the future. A report by Grand View Research pegged the global AI market size at $137 billion in 2022 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 37.3 percent from 2023 to 2030. Lucknow houses Centres of Excellence in areas like AI and MedTech (with extensive AI integration). The AI COE (centre in IIIT Lucknow) alone supports more than 15 AI/ML start-ups, nurturing a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship. The government will provide 40 acres in Nadarganj Industrial Area for the project, which is free from all encumbrances and supports land acquisition, zoning regulations, and other relevant clearances.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. JICA extends ₹932 crore loan to India to implement Sustainable Development Goals: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has finalized a loan of approximately ₹932 Crore to support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiatives in India. This loan will fund projects overseen by NITI Aayog. These projects are set to impact 112 aspirational districts and 500 aspirational blocks nationwide. The initiatives will concentrate on promoting policy actions, implementing effective practices, and enhancing the Japan-India partnership through the exchange of human resources. Based on consultations with NITI Aayog, policy actions in five fields, such as health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion and skill development, and basic infrastructure are prioritized and identified as policy matrix pillars are set in those fields.

 

2. SBI to sign $165 million LoC with World Bank for rooftop solar projects: The country’s biggest lender, State Bank of India (SBI) has signed a $165 million Line of Credit (LoC) from the World Bank in Delhi to support grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic projects in residential and institutional sectors. In September, SBI said that it plans to make home loans with rooftop solar installations mandatory for residential projects funded from the bank’s long-term climate action funds drawn down from multilateral agencies. The lender has outstanding forex loans of $2.3 billion from multilateral agencies, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and KfW of Germany. SBI is raising its exposure to green initiatives, including funding green buildings, battery recycling, and solar rooftop plans, among others.

 

3. NABARD and ADB jointly launch climate action initiative: Agri-lender National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have launched an initiative to facilitate climate action in India’s agriculture, natural resources, and rural development sector. Under this initiative, a Technical Support Unit has been set up in Nabard with the partnership of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to enable the agri lender to address the challenges posed by climate change, particularly in the areas of agriculture and rural livelihood sectors in India. NABARD is committed to not just support rural financial institutions in India to identify and abate climate risks but also channel global pools of climate capital into India’s ANR sector.