Daily GK Update- 24th June, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Amit Shah inaugurates ‘Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme’ at Delhi Airport: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has inaugurated the ‘Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP)’ at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport. The FTI-TTP aims to simplify and secure international travel by developing world-class immigration facilities through an expedited pathway for international travellers screened via automated e-Gates. This facility would be available free of charge for all passengers. The FTI-TTP ensures faster, smoother, and safer immigration clearance using e-Gates, minimizing human intervention in the process. The implementation will occur in two phases: the first phase will cover Indian citizens and OCI cardholders, while the second phase will extend to foreign travellers.

 

2. BIS introduces new standards to enhance Safety and Quality of Electric Vehicles in India: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced two new standards, IS 18590: 2024 and IS 18606: 2024, aimed at enhancing the safety of electric vehicles in the L, M, and N categories. These standards focus on the critical component of electric vehicles—the powertrain—ensuring it meets stringent safety requirements. Additionally, they emphasize the safety and performance of batteries, ensuring they are both powerful and secure. With these new standards, BIS has raised the bar, now having a total of 30 Indian Standards dedicated to electric vehicles and their accessories, including charging systems.

 

3. MP govt approves the establishment of One PM College of Excellence in all districts: In Madhya Pradesh, the Prime Minister College of Excellence will be inaugurated ceremonially in all 55 districts of the state on July 1. Under the National Education Policy, the Madhya Pradesh government has approved the establishment of one Prime Minister College of Excellence in all the districts of the state. Additional posts have been approved in the selected colleges to establish the Prime Minister College of Excellence in 55 districts of the state.

 

4. Ministry of Women and Child Development launches 100-Days Special Awareness Campaign on Women Empowerment: The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) organized the “National Workshop on SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women – Launch of the 100-Days Special Awareness Campaign” at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The workshop marks the commencement of a nationwide 100-days awareness campaign focused on women-centric issues, scheduled from 21st June to 4th October 2024. The one-day workshop featured sessions on legal provisions, communication strategies, and  counselling techniques for grassroots functionaries of SANKALP: HEWs which are operational in 693 districts across India.

 

5. Bhartruhari Mahtab appointed Pro-tem speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha: President Droupadi Murmu has appointed seven-time Lok Sabha member of parliament Bhartruhari Mahtab of Bharatiya Janata Party as the pro-tem speaker of the newly constituted 18th Lok Sabha. Along with him, Suresh Kodikunnil, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu, Radha Mohan Singh, Faggan Singh Kulaste, and Sudip Bandyopadhyay were appointed to assist the pro-tem Speaker in the oath-taking of the newly elected members. The first session of the newly constituted 18th Lok Sabha starts on 24 June 20224. Normally, the senior-most newly elected member of the Lok Sabha is appointed as pro-tem speaker. This is a convention, not a rule.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 4,300 millionaires may leave India this year: Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2024: The Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2024 has revealed that India is set to experience a significant net loss of 4,300 millionaires this year. While this represents a decrease from the 5,100 who left in 2023, India remains one of the top countries for high-net-worth individual (HNWI) departures globally. This trend reflects a broader pattern of wealth migration influenced by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and social upheaval. The United Arab Emirates continues to be a favored destination for Indian millionaires. The UAE is expected to attract a record net inflow of 6,700 wealthy migrants in 2024, bolstered by its zero-income tax policy, golden visa programs, luxurious lifestyle, and strategic location.

 

2. 23 June – United Nations Public Service Day: United Nations Public Service Day is observed every year on 23 June. This special day highlights the importance of public service and recognizes the hard work of public servants globally. The UN General Assembly officially designated June 23 as Public Service Day on December 20, 2002. To further promote the day, the UN established the Public Service Awards program in 2003.

 

3. 23 June – International Olympic Day: International Olympic Day is observed every year on 23 June. It is a commemoration of the modern Olympic Games and an opportunity to promote the values of sports across the globe. Theme 2024 – Let’s Move and Celebrate This day holds significant importance not just for athletes and sports enthusiasts, but for everyone who appreciates the spirit of competition, unity, and athleticism. The history of International Olympic Day dates back to 23 June 1894, when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded at the Sorbonne in Paris. The day was established by IOC in 1948 to encourage individuals from all walks of life to embrace the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect.

 

4. 23 June – International Widow’s Day: International Widow’s Day is observed every year on 23 June. Objective – To raise awareness about the plight of widows worldwide and advocating for their rights and well-being. This day was first recognized and established by the United Nations in 2011, acknowledging the hardships faced by widows globally and the need to address their unique social, economic, and legal issues.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. AFMS Officers won 32 medals at World Medical & Health Games: Four Armed Forces Medical Service (AFMS) Officers have brought laurels to India by clinching a record 32 Medals in the 43rd World Medical and Health Games held in Saint-Tropez, France. These Officers, namely Lt Col Sanjeev Malik, Maj Anish George, Capt Stephen Sebastian, and Capt Dania James, made history by winning 19 Gold Medals, 09 Silver Medals and 04 Bronze Medals in the World’s largest sports event for health professionals. The World Medical and Health Games, often regarded as the Olympic Games for Health Professionals, has evolved into the most prestigious global sporting event within the medical community. With a legacy dating back to 1978, the Games annually attract over 2500 participants from more than 50 different nations.

 

2. Dhiraj Bommadevara won Bronze at Arhery WC, Antalya: In the Archery World Cup Stage 3, Dhiraj Bommadevara won the bronze in the men’s individual recurve event as well as in the mixed team event with Bhajan Kaur, in Antalya, Turkey. Trailing 0-2 after conceding the opening set, the Indian team produced a flawless round to bring it level and seal a stunning 5-3 (35-38, 40-39, 38-37, 38-38) win over their Mexican opponents Alejandra Valencia and Matias Grande.

The Indian women’s compound team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami and Parneet Kaur bagged a gold medal, while Priyansh bagged a silver.

 

3. Max Verstappen won Spanish GP title: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen prevailed in a tense, strategic battle with McLaren’s Lando Norris to win the Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen’s seventh victory in 10 races this year hinged on a decisive opening phase of the race from the Dutchman. Verstappen was in the lead by lap three while Norris stayed stuck behind Mercedes’ George Russell for 15 laps. Lewis Hamilton took his first podium finish of the year for Mercedes in third, ahead of Russell, as Britons finished second, third and fourth. Charles Leclerc was fifth, leading home Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz.

 

4. Bajrang Punia suspended by NADA once again: Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia, who was suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) earlier, has now again been banned provisionally. Bajrang’s suspension was revoked by a disciplinary panel because he was not issued a notice of charge. But now, NADA has issued the same and handed the Olympic bronze medallist a suspension. As per NADA, Bajrang had refused to give his urine sample during the trails at Sonipat on March 10, after which he was suspended for a dope rule violation.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. GoI approves new transmission schemes worth ₹13,595 crore to evacuate 4.5 GW RE power each from Rajasthan and Karnataka: The Government of India has approved new Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) schemes to evacuate 9 GW of RE power from Rajasthan and Karnataka. These schemes will be implemented through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) mode. These schemes are part of 500 GW RE capacity by 2030 out of which 200 GW is already connected. The power evacuation scheme of Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) will evacuate 4.5 GW of RE power from Rajasthan. It comprises 1 GW from Fatehgarh complex, 2.5 GW from Barmer Complex and 1 GW from Nagaur (Merta) Complex. This power will be transferred to Mainpuri Region, Fatehpur and Orai of Uttar Pradesh. The completion period of the scheme is two years.

 

2. Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank gets national award for APY implementation: Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB), sponsored by Canara Bank, has received the national award for significant enrolment under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). The chairman of KVG Bank Shreekant M. Bhandiwad received the award from Secretary, DFS, Government of India Vivek Joshi and Chairman of PFRDA Deepak Mohanty. KVGB had enrolled 4,27,736 cumulative accounts under APY. During 2023-24, the bank enrolled 86,350 accounts against a target of 67,932, achieving the target well ahead of schedule.

While PFRDA had set a target of an average of 100 accounts per branch, KVGB surpassed it with an average of 137 accounts, the highest among all banks in South India.

 

Daily GK Update- 23rd June, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Karnataka Governor inaugurates National Yoga Olympiad 2024 in Mysuru: Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has inaugurated the National Yoga Olympiad in Mysuru. The National Youth Festival in January last year that a massive yoga event was organised in the state to set a new Guinness World Record. He informed that the state is working towards making Karnataka the leading yoga-literate state of India through Har Ghar Yoga. Yoga prescribed by our ancient scriptures has now gained global recognition, establishing Bharat as the Guru of Yoga.

 

2. Government increases MSP for Kharif crops for marketing season 2024-25: The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif crops for the marketing season 2024-25. Government has increased the MSP of Kharif Crops for Marketing Season 2024-25, to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce. The highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year has been recommended for oilseeds and pulses viz. nigerseed (Rs.983/- per quintal) followed by sesamum (Rs.632/- per quintal) and tur/arhar (Rs.550/- per quintal).

 

3. Sudhakararao Papa appointed as Director (Enterprise) at BSNL: Sudhakararao Papa has been appointed as the Director (Enterprise) of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). Presently, he is serving as Chief General Manager (Chennai Telecom District Circle) in the same organization.

Papa has been selected for the post of Director (Enterprises) of BSNL Limited from a list of 11 candidates.

 

4. Centre appoints Atul Kumar Chaudhary as Secretary, TRAI: The government has appointed Atul Kumar Chaudhary, as the new Secretary, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). He replaced V Raghunandan who retired on May 31. Chaudhary is a graduate from IIT-Rookkee and did his Master Diploma in Public Policy & Administration from IIPA Delhi. He has worked in various capacities in Personnel, HR, Administration, Licencing, Vigilance wing of BSNL and Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

 

5. Kerala’s Kozhikode – India’s first UNESCO ‘City of Literature’: The UNESCO honored Kozhikode as India’s first “City of Literature” on June 23. According to this status, the city’s cultural history should be celebrated and used to help develop literary ability. The Mayor of Kozhikode and the Kerala Institute of Local ..

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. RBI Governor addresses second edition of Global Conference on Financial Resilience: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das emphasized the transformative potential of advanced and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and big data analytics in financial institutions. The second edition of the global conference on financial resilience was organized by the College of Supervisors (CoS) of RBI in Mumbai. Governor Das highlighted the importance of the financial sector adopting an adaptive and forward-looking approach to navigate emerging challenges. Mr Das assured that the Reserve Bank will continue to fine-tune the regulatory architecture and supervisory rigour as needed to promote the long-term resilience and stability of the financial system.

 

2. Energy Transition Index: India at 63rd, topped by Sweden: According to the Global Energy Transition Index released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), India has been ranked 63rd out of 120 countries surveyed in the index. Last year, India was ranked 67th, an improvement of three ranks. European nations dominated the top ranks with Sweden topping the index, followed by Denmark, Finland, Switzerland and France in the top five. China was ranked 20th. According to the WEF, out of 120 countries 107 countries have demonstrated progress on their energy transition journeys in the past decade. However, the pace of energy transition has slowed down due to economic volatility, heightened geopolitical tensions and technological shifts.

 

3. India Ranks 63rd in the Global Energy Transition Index: The World Economic Forum (WEF) just released the Global Energy Transition Index on June 19, 2024. It shows that the global energy transition scene has changed in big ways. After falling to 67th place, India moved up to 63rd place.

 

4. India Ranks 3rd-Largest Domestic Aviation Market: The Indian aviation market has grown to become the third biggest in the world. It has moved up from fifth place a decade ago to this important accomplishment. The success made under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi shows an.

 

5. Srinagar – ‘World Craft City’ by World Crafts Council: Srinagar, the largest city of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, has recently been designated as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Crafts Council. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, shared this.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Most successful teams in the Copa America: Argentina and Uruguay jointly share the honour of being the most successful countries in the Copa America Cup. Both countries have won the trophy fifteen times each. Brazil has won the tournament 14 times. Argentina are the defending champions. They defeated the host, Brazil, in the final of the 2021 Copa America.

 

 

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Pushpak – ISRO’s Reusable Launch Vehicle, Clears Landing Test: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully carried out the third Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing Experiment (LEX) on June 23 at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka. This was a big step forward in space technology.

 

2. What is AlphaFold?: In the past few years, the creation of AlphaFold, a tool that has greatly sped up the process of understanding protein structures, has been a huge step forward in biological study. Molecular biology is used in medicine, agriculture, and many.

 

3. Indian Scientists Discover Two New Plant Species: Indian botanists have recently identified two new plant species in distinct bio-geographic hotspots: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Arunachal Pradesh. These results show how diverse India’s plants are and how important it is to keep up protection efforts. Discovery ..

 

Daily GK Update- 22nd June, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Cabinet approves Rs 76,000-Crore All-Weather Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet has approved the development of greenfield deep draft port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra for Rs 76,200 crore. The port will have nine container terminals, each 1000 meters long, four multipurpose berths, including the coastal berth, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a Coast Guard berth. The port will further aid export and import through the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor and International North South Transportation Corridor. The mega project will be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), an SPV formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) with a shareholding of 74% and 26%, respectively.

 

2. Times Of India No. 1 news brand in country: Times of India is the most trusted major news media brand in India, according to a 47-country survey conducted by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (RISJ), Oxford University. The survey, released as part of Digital News Report 2024, an annual publication by the institute, found TOI had a trust score of 71. TOI had also topped the survey in 2021 and 2022. The most trusted brand in the UK, BBC News, had a trust score of 62 and the most trusted paper in that country, Financial Times, scored 57. Similarly, in the US, local TV news had the highest trust score of 62 while New York Times (50), Wall Street Journal (49), CNN (48) and Washington Post (46) scored much lower.

 

3. Girija Subramanian appoints as CMD of New India Assurance Company: The government has appointed Girija Subramanian as chairman and managing director (CMD) of the largest general insurer, New India Assurance. Subramanian holds a bachelor’s degree in statistics. She is a fellow member of the Insurance Institute of India and also an associate member of the Chartered Insurance Institute, London. She is a fellow member of the Insurance Institute of India and also an associate member of the Chartered Insurance Institute, London.

 

4. Indian Post Office Act, 1898: The Indian Post Office Act of 1898 was thrown out on June 18, when the Post Office Act was signed into law. This major change to the law is meant to bring India’s postal services up to date and fit.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Energy Transition Index: India at 63rd, topped by Sweden: According to the Global Energy Transition Index released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), India has been ranked 63rd out of 120 countries surveyed in the index. Last year, India was ranked 67th, an improvement of three ranks. European nations dominated the top ranks with Sweden topping the index, followed by Denmark, Finland, Switzerland and France in the top five. China was ranked 20th. According to the WEF, out of 120 countries 107 countries have demonstrated progress on their energy transition journeys in the past decade. However, the pace of energy transition has slowed down due to economic volatility, heightened geopolitical tensions and technological shifts.

 

2. 21 June – World Music Day: World Music Day is observed every year on June 21. The day celebrates music in all its forms, encompassing classical, contemporary, traditional, and experimental genres. By providing an inclusive space for artists to share their talents, World Music Day underscores the importance of self-expression and creativity, reminding us of the profound impact music has on bringing people together. The concept of World Music Day originated in France in 1981, when Jack Lang, the French Ministry of Culture, along with music composer Maurice Fleuret, and a radio producer and music journalist, proposed the idea of dedicating a day to music. The first Fête de la Musique took place in Paris in 1982, with over 1,000 musicians performing throughout the city.

 

3. 21 June – World Hydrography Day: World Hydrography Day is celebrated every year on 21 June. Objective – To raise awareness about the significance of hydrography and the invaluable contributions made by hydrographers worldwide. Theme 2024 – Hydrographic Information – Enhancing Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability in Marine Activities

 

4. World’s Oldest Termite Mounds Discovered in Namaqualand:
In Namaqualand, South Africa, the heuweltjies are old termite mounds that take up about 20% of the land. The southern harvester termite (Microhodotermes Viator) lives in these sandy formations. They are home to termites for the longest period, going back ..

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. 2024 Copa America football tournament begins in USA: The 48th edition of the Copa America football tournament kick off in the United States. This is the second time in the 108-year history of the Copa America Cup that the event is being held outside South America. In 2016, the United States hosted the Copa America Cup.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. NHAI signs MoU with IIIT Delhi to Enhance Road Safety by deploying AI: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed a MoU with Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi, a Technical University established by Government of National Capital Territory (NCT), to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) based solutions for improvement in the availability of road signs on National Highways. This initiative will leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) based solutions for improvement in the availability of road signs on National Highways. As a part of the agreement, IIIT Delhi will conduct surveys to collect imagery and other related data related to the availability and condition of road signs on selected National Highway stretches.

 

2. What is Balon Protein?: Recently, scientists made a big finding in microbiology. It involves a special protein called Balon. This protein helps the bacterium Psychrobacter urativorans go into and come out of a dormant state when its environment changes. This new study, which came ..

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. 67th Global Environment Facility Council: The 67th meeting of the Global Environment Facility concluded on June 20, 2024, resulting in significant financial commitments. A total of $736.4 million was approved to support 34 nature conservation and renewal projects globally. Allocation of Funding Many types of.

 

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Cabinet approves Rs 76,000-Crore All-Weather Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet has approved the development of greenfield deep draft port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra for Rs 76,200 crore. The port will have nine container terminals, each 1000 meters long, four multipurpose berths, including the coastal berth, four liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth, and a Coast Guard berth. The port will further aid export and import through the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor and International North South Transportation Corridor. The mega project will be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), an SPV formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) with a shareholding of 74% and 26%, respectively.

 

2. Times Of India No. 1 news brand in country: Times of India is the most trusted major news media brand in India, according to a 47-country survey conducted by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (RISJ), Oxford University. The survey, released as part of Digital News Report 2024, an annual publication by the institute, found TOI had a trust score of 71. TOI had also topped the survey in 2021 and 2022. The most trusted brand in the UK, BBC News, had a trust score of 62 and the most trusted paper in that country, Financial Times, scored 57. Similarly, in the US, local TV news had the highest trust score of 62 while New York Times (50), Wall Street Journal (49), CNN (48) and Washington Post (46) scored much lower.

 

3. Girija Subramanian appoints as CMD of New India Assurance Company: The government has appointed Girija Subramanian as chairman and managing director (CMD) of the largest general insurer, New India Assurance. Subramanian holds a bachelor’s degree in statistics. She is a fellow member of the Insurance Institute of India and also an associate member of the Chartered Insurance Institute, London. She is a fellow member of the Insurance Institute of India and also an associate member of the Chartered Insurance Institute, London.

 

4. Indian Post Office Act, 1898: The Indian Post Office Act of 1898 was thrown out on June 18, when the Post Office Act was signed into law. This major change to the law is meant to bring India’s postal services up to date and fit.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Energy Transition Index: India at 63rd, topped by Sweden: According to the Global Energy Transition Index released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), India has been ranked 63rd out of 120 countries surveyed in the index. Last year, India was ranked 67th, an improvement of three ranks. European nations dominated the top ranks with Sweden topping the index, followed by Denmark, Finland, Switzerland and France in the top five. China was ranked 20th. According to the WEF, out of 120 countries 107 countries have demonstrated progress on their energy transition journeys in the past decade. However, the pace of energy transition has slowed down due to economic volatility, heightened geopolitical tensions and technological shifts.

 

2. 21 June – World Music Day: World Music Day is observed every year on June 21. The day celebrates music in all its forms, encompassing classical, contemporary, traditional, and experimental genres. By providing an inclusive space for artists to share their talents, World Music Day underscores the importance of self-expression and creativity, reminding us of the profound impact music has on bringing people together. The concept of World Music Day originated in France in 1981, when Jack Lang, the French Ministry of Culture, along with music composer Maurice Fleuret, and a radio producer and music journalist, proposed the idea of dedicating a day to music. The first Fête de la Musique took place in Paris in 1982, with over 1,000 musicians performing throughout the city.

 

3. 21 June – World Hydrography Day: World Hydrography Day is celebrated every year on 21 June. Objective – To raise awareness about the significance of hydrography and the invaluable contributions made by hydrographers worldwide. Theme 2024 – Hydrographic Information – Enhancing Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability in Marine Activities

 

4. World’s Oldest Termite Mounds Discovered in Namaqualand:
In Namaqualand, South Africa, the heuweltjies are old termite mounds that take up about 20% of the land. The southern harvester termite (Microhodotermes Viator) lives in these sandy formations. They are home to termites for the longest period, going back ..

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. 2024 Copa America football tournament begins in USA: The 48th edition of the Copa America football tournament kick off in the United States. This is the second time in the 108-year history of the Copa America Cup that the event is being held outside South America. In 2016, the United States hosted the Copa America Cup.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. NHAI signs MoU with IIIT Delhi to Enhance Road Safety by deploying AI: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed a MoU with Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi, a Technical University established by Government of National Capital Territory (NCT), to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) based solutions for improvement in the availability of road signs on National Highways. This initiative will leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) based solutions for improvement in the availability of road signs on National Highways. As a part of the agreement, IIIT Delhi will conduct surveys to collect imagery and other related data related to the availability and condition of road signs on selected National Highway stretches.

 

2. What is Balon Protein?: Recently, scientists made a big finding in microbiology. It involves a special protein called Balon. This protein helps the bacterium Psychrobacter urativorans go into and come out of a dormant state when its environment changes. This new study, which came ..

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. 67th Global Environment Facility Council: The 67th meeting of the Global Environment Facility concluded on June 20, 2024, resulting in significant financial commitments. A total of $736.4 million was approved to support 34 nature conservation and renewal projects globally. Allocation of Funding Many types of.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 21st June, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Cabinet approves Central Sector Scheme “National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme” (NFIES): The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of Ministry of Home Affairs for Central Sector Scheme “National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES)” with a total financial outlay of Rs. 2254.43 crore during the period from 2024-25 to 2028-29. Financial outlay of the Central Sector Scheme will be provisioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs from its own budget. The Cabinet has approved the following components under this Scheme: Establishment of Campuses of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in the country. Establishment of Central Forensic Science Laboratories in the country.

 

2. MSDE partners with Australian Government to energise Agriculture Sector of India with emerging skills: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with the Australian Government, hosted a comprehensive and productive roundtable to discuss the learnings from the Australia-India Critical Agriculture Skills Pilot Project.

The findings were shared with MSDE and the Australian Government and subsequently 107 emerging job roles were mapped to identify the 5 critical emerging job roles in the agriculture sector for the pilot projects. The six pilot projects nearing completion have been implemented in 4 states, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.

 

3. Union Cabinet approves development of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi: The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi has approved the proposal of Airports Authority of India (AAI) for development of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi including Construction of New Terminal Building, Apron Extension, Runway Extension, Parallel Taxi Track & Allied works. The estimated financial outgo will be Rs. 2869.65 Crore for enhancing the passenger handling capacity of the airport to 9.9 million passengers per annum (MPPA) from the existing 3.9 MPPA. The New Terminal Building, which encompasses an area of 75,000 sqm is designed for a capacity of 6 MPPA and for handling 5000 Peak Hour Passengers (PHP). The proposal includes extending the runway to dimensions 4075m x 45m and constructing a new Apron to park 20 aircraft.

 

4. PM Modi unveils 1,500 crore Multiple Development Projects in J&K: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 84 major developmental projects worth more than Rs 1500 crore in Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for projects like the improvement of the Chenani-Patnitop-Nashri Section, the development of Industrial Estates and the construction of six Government Degree Colleges. The Prime Minister also launched the Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors (JKCIP) Project worth Rs 1,800 crore. The project will be implemented in 90 Blocks across 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir and will have the project outreach of 300,000 households covering 15 lakh beneficiaries.

 

5. Avian Influenza Outbreak and Response Simulation Exercise held at Bhopal: The Department of Animal Husbandry, in partnership with the World Bank has organised an Avian Influenza Outbreak and Response Simulation Exercise in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. This workshop comes at a crucial time as we face unusual outbreaks of Avian Influenza in Kerala and witness a global trend of spillovers to non-poultry species, including cattle. The two-day workshop aims to enhance preparedness and response capabilities for avian influenza outbreaks.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Ukraine launches World’s first Unmanned Systems Forces: Ukraine has established the world’s first stand-alone military branch solely dedicated to unmanned systems, known as the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF). The USF was officially launched by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Kyiv, Ukraine. USF aims to enhance capabilities in unmanned and robotic warfare across air, sea, and ground domains during combat operations. It focuses on advancing the development and deployment of unmanned systems for military purposes.

 

2. Mark Rutte appoint as new secretary-general of NATO: Mark Rutte will appoint as the new secretary-general of NATO. Mark Rutte will succeed Jens Stoltenberg. Rutte has been the PM of Netherlands for 14 years. Rutte will take over NATO’s leadership at a critical time. His new job will begin by Oct. 2, just over a month before the U.S. election, which will shape the fate of the military alliance that has served as Eastern Europe’s most successful deterrence to an aggressive Russia.

 

3. June – International Day of Yoga: International Day of Yoga is observed every year on 21 June. This year marks the 10th International Day of Yoga. Theme 2024 – Yoga for Self and Society Yoga, a transformative practice, represents the harmony of mind and body,the balance between thought and action, and the unity of restraint and fulfillment. Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga

The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states. The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. HAL Receives Rs 45,000 Crore RFP from MoD for 156 Indigenous Light Combat Helicopters: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), based in Bengaluru, has received a Request For Proposal (RFP) from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the procurement of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) Prachand, estimated to cost Rs 45,000 crore. The MoD issued this RFP under Regulation 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. Of the 156 LCHs, 90 are allocated for the Indian Army (IA) and 66 for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. CERT-In and Mastercard India signed MoU to Boost Cyber Security in Financial Sector: Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and Mastercard India have signed MoU for collaboration in cyber security to enhance India’s cyber-resilience in the financial sector. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said, two entities will leverage their shared expertise to strengthen the financial sector’s cybersecurity incident response. Mastercard and CERT-In will hold training programs and workshops for cyber capacity building, latest market trends and best practices to enhance cyber security of financial sector organizations. The two entities will also share relevant cyber threat trends, technical information, threat intelligence, and vulnerability reports to strengthen the financial sector information security of India.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Neeraj Chopra wins Gold in Paavo Nurmi Games 2024: Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has won the gold medal in the men’s javelin event at the prestigious Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland. Neeraj Chopra took the Gold with a best effort of 85.97m, well short of his season-best effort. Much to the surprise of the 8-man field, 26-year-old Toni Keranen won silver with a personal best attempt of 84.19m. He bettered the likes of Anderson Peters and Keshorn Walcott, who failed to finish in the top 3. 2022 champion Oliver Helander took bronze with a best attempt of 83.96.

 

2. Trent Boult announces retirement from international cricket: New Zealand’s left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult has announced his retirement from International Cricket. Trent Boult made his international debut for New Zealand in 2011, and he represented the Black Cap (New Zealand team) in all the formats of the games – Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T 20 Internationals. He also has the distinction of appearing in all the finals of the three formats of the games. He played in the first ICC World Test Championship final held at Lords, England, in 2021 against India. The final was won by New Zealand by 8 wickets.

 

3. Arjun Erigaisi wins Stepan Avagyan Memorial 2024: India’s highest-rated chess player GM Arjun Erigaisi continued his top run as he dominated the 10-player field to win the Stepan Avagyan Memorial 2024 in Jermuk, Armenia, with a round to spare. India’s highest-rated chess player GM Arjun Erigaisi continued his top run as he dominated the 10-player field to win the Stepan Avagyan Memorial 2024 on Monday in Jermuk, Armenia, with a round to spare. Arjun beat Russia’s Volodar Murzin with white pieces in 63 moves to end the penultimate round (eight) with six points, a full 1.5 points ahead of the three-player deadlock on second position with 4.5 points.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IPPB partners with Ria Money Transfer to enhance doorstep financial services nationwide: India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has partnered with Ria Money Transfer, a global leader in cross-border money transfers to provide convenient and affordable doorstep financial services to customers in remote areas across the country. The partnership between IPPB and Ria will enhance access to banking services at customers’ doorsteps, allowing them to withdraw only the amounts they need immediately. This initiative aims to mitigate the previous challenges and risks, fostering true financial inclusion. Through this partnership, the International Inward Money Transfer service will initially be available at over 25 thousand Post Office locations, with an expected reach of over One Lakh locations through the Post Offices.

 

2. Federal Bank launches RuPay Wave credit card: Federal Bank, in collaboration with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has launched RuPay Wave Credit Card to offer customers UPI-powered transactions on RuPay network. The bank’s cardholders can now link their RuPay Wave credit card to their preferred UPI applications, which would enable them swift and secure transactions with just a couple of clicks on their mobile devices. The benefits offered for customers include no AMC or joining fees, 10 per cent cash back on the first five UPI transactions made using the Wave credit card, 1000 bonus reward points upon quarterly spends of ₹50,000.

 

3. Zurich Insurance completes majority stake buy in Kotak General Insurance: Zurich Insurance Company Limited (Zurich) has successful completion of majority stake acquisition in Kotak Mahindra General Insurance Company Limited (Kotak General) from Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMB) following the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Zurich has acquired a 70 percent stake in Kotak General for a total consideration of ₹5,560 crore ($670 million), through a combination of fresh growth capital and share purchase. The transaction marks the largest foreign investment in India’s general insurance market and is the first by a foreign insurer since the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit was raised from 49 percent to 74 percent in 2021.