Daily GK Update- 14th Sept, 2024

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi inaugurates SEMICON India 2024 in Greater Noida: The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has inaugurated SEMICON India 2024 at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The three-day conference showcase India’s semiconductor strategy and policy which envisions making India a global hub for semiconductors. With India’s electronics sector now valued at over $150 billion, the Prime Minister outlined a larger goal to grow the country’s electronics sector, to $500 billion and create 6 million jobs by the end of this decade.Under this vision, SEMICON India 2024 is being organized with the theme “Shaping the Semiconductor Future”.

 

2. Cabinet approves implementation of the PMGSY-IV during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposal of the Department of Rural Development for “Implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana – IV (PMGSY-IV) during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29”.The financial assistance is to be provided for the construction of 62,500 Kms road for providing new connectivity, to eligible 25,000 unconnected habitations and construction/upgradation of bridges on the new connectivity roads. The total outlay of this scheme will be Rs. 70,125 crore.The details of the approval given by the Cabinet are as follows:

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana -IV is launched for the financial year 2024-25 to 2028-29. The total outlay of this scheme is Rs. 70,125 crore (Central Share of Rs. 49,087.50 crore and State Share of Rs. 21,037.50 crore).

 

3. Cabinet approves ‘Mission Mausam’ to create a more weather-ready and climate-smart Bharat: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved ‘Mission Mausam’ with an outlay of Rs.2,000 crore over two years.Mission Mausam, to be chiefly implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is envisaged to be multi-faceted and transformative initiative to tremendously boost India’s weather and climate-related science, research, and services.The mission’s focus will include improving observations and understanding for providing highly accurate and timely weather and climate information across temporal and spatial scales, including monsoon forecasts, alerts for air quality, extreme weather events and cyclones, weather interventions for managing fog,hail, and rain, etc., capacity building and generating awareness.Critical elements of Mission Mausam will include the deployment of next-generation radars and satellite systems with advanced sensors and high-performance supercomputers, the development of improved Earth system models and a GIS-based automated Decision Support System for real-time data dissemination.

 

4. Cabinet approves PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has approved the proposal of Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) for implementation of a scheme titled ‘PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme’ for promotion of electric mobility in the country.The scheme has an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over two years.Subsidies/Demand incentives worth Rs.3,679 crore have been provided to incentivize e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-ambulances, e-trucks and other emerging EVs. The scheme will support 24.79 lakh e-2Ws, 3.16 lakh e-3Ws, and 14,028 e-buses.MHI is introducing e-vouchers for EV buyers to avail of demand incentives under the scheme.The scheme allocates Rs.500 crore for the deployment of e-ambulances. This is a new initiative of Govt of India to promote the use of e-ambulance for comfortable patient transport. The performance and safety standards of e-ambulances will be formulated in consultation with MoHFW, MoRTH, and other relevant stakeholders.

 

5. Cabinet approves ₹5 lakh health insurance for senior citizens above 70 years: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of income under the flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).This aims to benefit approximately 4.5 Crore families with six crore senior citizens, with 5 Lakh rupees free health insurance cover on a family basis.With this approval, all senior citizens of the age 70 years and above irrespective of their socio-economic status would be eligible to avail the benefits of AB PM-JAY. The eligible senior citizens would be issued a new distinct card under AB PM-JAY.The senior citizens aged 70 years and above belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up cover up to ₹5 lakh per year for themselves (which they do not have to share with the other members of the family who are below the age of 70 years). All other senior citizens of the age 70 years and above will get a cover up to ₹5 lakh per year, on a family basis.

 

6. ONDC launches Saarthi reference app for businesses to create multilingual buyer apps: Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has launched Saarthi, a reference application designed to assist businesses in creating their own customised buyer-side apps, co-developed with Bhashini.

As a reference tool, Saarthi supports network participants in building buyer apps with multilingual features.The app initially supports Hindi, English, Marathi, Bangla and Tamil, with plans to scale up to all 22 languages provided by Bhashini.The launch of Saarthi is a pivotal development in our journey towards a more inclusive digital commerce landscape. By providing a reference application that enables businesses to create multilingual buyer apps, we are breaking down language barriers and opening up new avenues for engagement and growth.

 

7. MP govt inks MoU with NDDB for promoting milk production: Madhya Pradesh government has signed an MoU with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), aimed at increasing the milk production in the state.This step will help to increase milk production in the state,” CM Yadav said, adding that NDDB and the state government would set up dairies for milk production as a pilot project.The chief minister said with this step, more than 11,000 villages would be able to get a fair milk price.

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India hosts 2nd Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation: Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, addressed the media regarding the 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation 2024, at Rajeev Gandhi Bhawan New Delhi.The 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India.The event is co-hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. The first Ministerial Conference of the Asia Pacific region was organized in 2018 in Beijing, China. During the first conference, India volunteered to host the second Conference in 2020, however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the conference was postponed.

 

2. Nepal Becomes 101st Member of International Solar Alliance: Nepal has become the 101st country to join the International Solar Alliance-ISA as a full member.The Ministry of External Affairs said that Nepal handed over its Instrument of Ratification to the ISA in New Delhi.The Instrument of Ratification was exchanged during a meeting between Nepal’s Charge d’ Affairs Dr. Surendra Thapa and Joint Secretary.The ISA initiative aims to increase solar energy technology deployment in its member countries. The goal is to improve energy access, security, and transition. India and France launched the ISA at the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris to support the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

 

3. 14 September 2024 – World First Aid Day: World First Aid Day is observed annually on the second Saturday of September to highlight the importance of first aid in saving lives. This year, World First Aid Day falls on September 14.The day aims to educate people about the crucial role first aid plays in tackling medical emergencies and encouraging them to come forward when a situation arises.Theme 2024 – First Aid and SportsThe International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) declared the second Saturday of September the World First Aid Day in 2001.

 

4. UNGA 79th Session Begins: The UNGA meets every year in September and includes all 193 member countries, making it the only UN body where every country has an equal say. The resolutions passed here are not legally binding but still carry significant influence. The first UNGA meeting was held in London in 1948. The UNGA also elects non-permanent members to the Security Council for two-year terms and helps approve the UN’s budget. One of the important resolutions passed was the “Uniting for Peace” resolution in 1950, which allows the UNGA to discuss peace matters if the Security Council is unable to.

 

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Defence Minister Rajnath SIngh inaugurates IDAX-24 Expo in Jodhpur: The India Defence Aviation Exposition (IDAX-24) was officially inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Jodhpur.This major event coincides with Exercise Tarang Shakti-24, one of the largest multinational air exercises hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF). IDAX-24 highlights the significant advancements and contributions of the Indian aviation industry.This edition of IDAX at Jodhpur will have grand participation from industry and host a wide range of products, and technologies. This will be an opportunity for the FFCs and Indian audiences to witness, experience, and interact with participants from the Indian Aviation Industry including DPSUs, DRDO, Private Industries (Tier-I, Il, III), and top-notch Start-Ups.

 

2. India Unveils First Mountain Tank ‘Zorawar’ After Trials: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has created India’s first locally-made tank specifically designed for mountain warfare, called Zorawar. This tank was developed in response to rising geopolitical tensions, especially with China in Eastern Ladakh, and lessons learned from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. After successful trials, it is ready for deployment in high-altitude regions.

 

3. Kalvari Submarine Escape Training Facility – VINETRA: Vinetra is designed to help train the crew of Kalvari-class submarines on how to escape during emergencies. This is very important for the safety of the sailors working underwater. The creation of this facility is part of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme, which focuses on building more defence technology within the country, reducing the need to depend on other nations. L&T Defence built the facility and includes.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Irani Cup 2024 to be played in Lucknow from October 1-5: The 2024/25 Irani Cup game, which was supposed to be held in Mumbai from October 1 to 5, has been shifted to Lucknow.The match will be played between current Ranji Trophy winners Mumbai and a Rest of the India side selected by the national selection committee.Last year, Rest of India won the Irani Cup after beating Saurashtra by 175 runs in Rajkot.The inaugural edition of the Irani Cup was played in March 1960, and is named after Zal R Irani, who served as Treasurer and President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Rest of India has won the trophy 26 times, while Mumbai has emerged victorious 14 times.

 

 

 

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. India Achieves Tier 1 Status in Global Cybersecurity Index 2024: India has achieved Tier 1 status in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024, a remarkable accomplishment that shows the country’s dedication to building a strong cybersecurity foundation. This recognition by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reflects India’s growing strength in protecting digital information and improving online safety for everyone.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. CCI approves Tata Motors Finance merger with Tata Capital: The Competition Commission of India has approved the merger of Tata Motor Finance with Tata Capital.The merger, announced in June, will see Tata Capital issue its equity shares to the shareholders of Tata Motor Finance resulting in Tata Motors effectively holding a 4.7% stake in the merged entity.In a filing to the exchanges, Tata Motors said that the Board of Directors of Tata Motors, Tata Capital, and Tata Motors Finance have approved a merger of Tata Motor Finance with Tata Capital through an NCLT scheme of arrangement.

 

2. RBL Bank & DMI Finance Launches Co-Branded Credit Card: RBL Bank and DMI Finance Private Limited (“DMI”), part of the DMI Group, announced a strategic agreement to provide co-branded credit cards to DMI Finance’s existing customers.This collaboration intends to increase credit card access to clients in India’s metro and non-metro cities by combining RBL Bank’s extensive credit card experience, with DMI’s proven track record of enabling digital financial inclusion at scale.The credit card will offer spend-driven perks such as expedited reward points, no-cost EMI alternatives, and discounts at popular merchants.This partnership will enhance financial inclusion in India by bringing credit card access to underserved, creditworthy individuals across the country.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Indian-origin lecturer wins Singapore Literature Prize for English fiction, ‘Nine Yard Sarees’: An Indian-origin lecturer at Nanyang Technological University has won the prestigious Singapore Literature Prize for English fiction with her debut short story collection, Nine Yard Sarees.Prasanthi Ram, 32, saw her work published in late 2023. Her collection explores the lives of a Tamil Brahmin family spread across cities like Singapore, Sydney, New York, and Connecticut.

The award for best English creative non-fiction went to Shubigi Rao, an Indian-origin artist, for her book Pulp III: An Intimate Inventory Of The Banished Book (2022). This book is the third part of her decade-long project on banned literature.

 

 

 

 

Daily GK Update- 13th Sept, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. National Health Authority and IIT Kanpur sign MoU for development of digital public goods for AI in Healthcare: The National Health Authority (NHA) and IIT Kanpur signed an MoU in the presence of Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra.The MoU was signed by Ms. L. S. Changsan, Addl. Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare & CEO, NHA, and Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur.Under this MoU, a federated learning platform across a variety of machine learning model pipelines, a quality-preserving database, an open benchmarking platform for comparing & validating AI models, and a consent management system for research under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) would be developed by IIT Kanpur.

 

2. PM Modi inaugurates SEMICON India 2024 in Greater Noida: The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has inaugurated SEMICON India 2024 at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The three-day conference showcase India’s semiconductor strategy and policy which envisions making India a global hub for semiconductors.With India’s electronics sector now valued at over $150 billion, the Prime Minister outlined a larger goal to grow the country’s electronics sector, to $500 billion and create 6 million jobs by the end of this decade.Under this vision, SEMICON India 2024 is being organized with the theme “Shaping the Semiconductor Future”.

 

3. Govt to launch PAIR programme to boost research in higher education institutions: The government will launch the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) programme designed to elevate research capabilities in higher education institutions (HEIs) by linking top-tier research institutions with those where research capability is limited, creating a collaborative mentorship environment.The decision was taken during the inaugural Governing Board meeting of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Prof Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology.Through PAIR, ANRF will link top-tier research institutions with those where research capability is limited, creating a collaborative mentorship environment.The goal is to create a “Hub and Spoke” framework that will enable these institutions to systematically enhance their research excellence. Additionally, ANRF is set to launch the Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA) to focus on critical areas of research.

 

4. Sheetal Devi & Rakesh Kumar team up as ECI National PwD Icons for voter awareness: Paralympic archery champions Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar team up to inspire voters nationwide as ECI’s national icons for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).In an event organised at Nirvachan Sadan, CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu felicitated Arjuna Awardee and ECI’s national PwD icon, Ms. Sheetal Devi, and her mixed doubles team partner Shri Rakesh Kumar, in recognition of their outstanding achievement in winning a bronze medal in Archery at the Paris Summer Paralympics 2024.On the occasion, the Commission also announced Shri Rakesh Kumar, renowned Paralympian as the ECI National icon for PwDs.

5. Cabinet approves implementation of the PMGSY-IV during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposal of the Department of Rural Development for “Implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana – IV (PMGSY-IV) during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29”.The financial assistance is to be provided for the construction of 62,500 Kms road for providing new connectivity, to eligible 25,000 unconnected habitations and construction/upgradation of bridges on the new connectivity roads. The total outlay of this scheme will be Rs. 70,125 crore.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India hosts 2nd Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation: Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, addressed the media regarding the 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation 2024, at Rajeev Gandhi Bhawan New Delhi.The 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India.The event is co-hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. The first Ministerial Conference of the Asia Pacific region was organized in 2018 in Beijing, China. During the first conference, India volunteered to host the second Conference in 2020, however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the conference was postponed.Highlighting the importance of the conference, Shri Naidu said “It will focus on unlocking this potential, building robust partnerships, and addressing critical challenges such as infrastructure development, market gaps, sustainability, and workforce shortages.

 

2. Nepal Becomes 101st Member of International Solar Alliance: Nepal has become the 101st country to join the International Solar Alliance-ISA as a full member.The Ministry of External Affairs said that Nepal handed over its Instrument of Ratification to the ISA in New Delhi.The Instrument of Ratification was exchanged during a meeting between Nepal’s Charge d’ Affairs Dr. Surendra Thapa and Joint Secretary.The ISA initiative aims to increase solar energy technology deployment in its member countries. The goal is to improve energy access, security, and transition. India and France launched the ISA at the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris to support the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

 

3. 14 September 2024 – World First Aid Day: World First Aid Day is observed annually on the second Saturday of September to highlight the importance of first aid in saving lives. This year, World First Aid Day falls on September 14.The day aims to educate people about the crucial role first aid plays in tackling medical emergencies and encouraging them to come forward when a situation arises.Theme 2024 – First Aid and SportsThe International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) declared the second Saturday of September the World First Aid Day in 2001.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Defence Minister Rajnath SIngh inaugurates IDAX-24 Expo in Jodhpur: The India Defence Aviation Exposition (IDAX-24) was officially inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Jodhpur.This major event coincides with Exercise Tarang Shakti-24, one of the largest multinational air exercises hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF). IDAX-24 highlights the significant advancements and contributions of the Indian aviation industry.This edition of IDAX at Jodhpur will have grand participation from industry and host a wide range of products, and technologies. This will be an opportunity for the FFCs and Indian audiences to witness, experience, and interact with participants from the Indian Aviation Industry including DPSUs, DRDO, Private Industries (Tier-I, Il, III), and top-notch Start-Ups.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Indian boxer Deepali Thapa becomes 1st ever Asian Schoolgirl Champion: Indian boxer Deepali Thapa has made history by becoming the first-ever Asian Schoolgirl Champion in Al Ain, UAE.Her victory led India to secure seven female titles at the Asian Championships. In the 33 kg weight category, Thapa defeated Ukraine’s Liudmyla Vasylchenko in the final.In the 35 kg category, Bhoomi defeated Kazakhstan’s Assel Jalimbekova in the final to secure India’s second title. Nischal Sharma continued India’s winning streak in the 37 kg weight class, overcoming Ukraine’s Maria Matsiura in a closely contested final that claimed India’s third title.In the 43 kg title, Rakhi beat Ukraine’s Veronika Holub using close-distance strategies and finishing the about strong to earn India’s fourth title.

 

2. Irani Cup 2024 to be played in Lucknow from October 1-5: The 2024/25 Irani Cup game, which was supposed to be held in Mumbai from October 1 to 5, has been shifted to Lucknow.The match will be played between current Ranji Trophy winners Mumbai and a Rest of the India side selected by the national selection committee.Last year, Rest of India won the Irani Cup after beating Saurashtra by 175 runs in Rajkot.The inaugural edition of the Irani Cup was played in March 1960, and is named after Zal R Irani, who served as Treasurer and President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Rest of India has won the trophy 26 times, while Mumbai has emerged victorious 14 times.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. MongoDB partners with AICTE; to upskill 500,000 students: MongoDB has announced the expansion of MongoDB for Academia in India, including a new partnership with the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Ministry of Education, Government of India.The company stated this partnership will be supported by SmartBridge’s SmartInternz learning platform to give over 150,000 Indian students access to virtual internships and to gain the skills required to use MongoDB Atlas—a multi-cloud developer data platform.The program aims to provide full-stack development skills to the students, with each internship including 60 hours of experiential learning, boot camps, courses, and project work, and simulated corporate environments.This collaboration will make the MongoDB Developer Learning Path available to the platform’s 25 million registered users and is expected to reach more than 100,000 aspiring developers.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI imposed penalty on HDFC Bank, and Axis Bank for non-compliance with regulations: The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a penalty of ₹1.91 crore on Axis Bank and ₹1 crore on HDFC Bank for non-compliance with regulations.Both banks opened certain savings deposit accounts in the name of ineligible entities. The monetary penalty on Axis Bank pertains to violations done in FY23.The bank allotted multiple customer identification codes to certain customers instead of a unique customer identification code for each customer and obtained collateral security for agricultural loans up to ₹1.60 lakh in certain cases. Besides, Axis Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary undertook business as a technology service provider, which is a violation of the Banking Regulation Act.

 

2. CCI approves Tata Motors Finance merger with Tata Capital: The Competition Commission of India has approved the merger of Tata Motor Finance with Tata Capital.The merger, announced in June, will see Tata Capital issue its equity shares to the shareholders of Tata Motor Finance resulting in Tata Motors effectively holding a 4.7% stake in the merged entity.In a filing to the exchanges, Tata Motors said that the Board of Directors of Tata Motors, Tata Capital, and Tata Motors Finance have approved a merger of Tata Motor Finance with Tata Capital through an NCLT scheme of arrangement.

 

3. RBL Bank & DMI Finance Launches Co-Branded Credit Card: RBL Bank and DMI Finance Private Limited (“DMI”), part of the DMI Group, announced a strategic agreement to provide co-branded credit cards to DMI Finance’s existing customers.This collaboration intends to increase credit card access to clients in India’s metro and non-metro cities by combining RBL Bank’s extensive credit card experience, with DMI’s proven track record of enabling digital financial inclusion at scale.The credit card will offer spend-driven perks such as expedited reward points, no-cost EMI alternatives, and discounts at popular merchants.This partnership will enhance financial inclusion in India by bringing credit card access to underserved, creditworthy individuals across the country.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. President confers National Florence Nightingale Awards 2024 to 15 Awardees at Rashtrapati Bhavan: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards for the year 2024 to the nursing professionals at a function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.In all, 15 nurses were conferred the award in recognition of their outstanding commitment to duty and service to the community.The National Florence Nightingale Award was instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in the year 1973 as a mark of recognition for the meritorious services rendered by the nurses and nursing professionals to the society.The award is given to outstanding nursing personnel employed in Central, State/UTs, and Voluntary Organizations.The nurse in her/his regular job in the hospital or community setting, educational or administrative setting is eligible for the national award. Each award consists of a Certificate of Merit, Cash Award of Rs.1,00,000/- and a medal.

 

2. Indian-origin lecturer wins Singapore Literature Prize for English fiction, ‘Nine Yard Sarees’: An Indian-origin lecturer at Nanyang Technological University has won the prestigious Singapore Literature Prize for English fiction with her debut short story collection, Nine Yard Sarees.Prasanthi Ram, 32, saw her work published in late 2023. Her collection explores the lives of a Tamil Brahmin family spread across cities like Singapore, Sydney, New York, and Connecticut.

The award for best English creative non-fiction went to Shubigi Rao, an Indian-origin artist, for her book Pulp III: An Intimate Inventory Of The Banished Book (2022). This book is the third part of her decade-long project on banned literature.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 12th Sept, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. IIL Partners with ICMR for India’s First Zika Vaccine: Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) has joined hands with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to develop India’s first Zika virus vaccine. They have signed an agreement called a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to work together on this project. The main goal is to conduct phase I clinical trials, which will test the vaccine for its safety and effectiveness in humans.ICMR will pay for the phase I clinical trials. This includes covering all the costs for running the trials, monitoring the participants, and performing the necessary investigations to see how the vaccine works. These trials will be done in different locations in India to make sure the vaccine is thoroughly tested.

 

2. Ecological Degradation in Veli-Akkulam Lake: A recent study presented by researchers from the University of Kerala at the ECSA 60 conference in Hangzhou has uncovered a significant ecological decline in Veli-Akkulam Lake. Over the past 30 years, the lake’s ecosystem has been deeply affected by the invasion of non-native species, which has changed its trophic status (how nutrients move through the food chain) and disrupted the natural food web.

 

3. India’s Second Largest Butterfly Species Discovered in TamilNadu: The Southern Birdwing was once considered the largest butterfly in India, with a wingspan of 190mm. However, in 2020, it was surpassed by the Golden Birdwing, which has a wingspan of 194mm, according to a British researcher, Brigadier William Harry Evans. It prefers areas close to water, such as the rivers and streams in the Western Ghats. The males of this species are known for their bright yellow and black colors, while the females, though larger, have more muted tones. The butterfly primarily feeds on the nectar of flowers like Bougainvillea and is the state butterfly of Tamil Nadu. As an indicator of ecological health, its presence shows the importance of maintaining a balanced and diverse environment.

 

4. Union Minister Launches Rangeen Machhli App for Ornamental Fisheries: The government sees great potential in the ornamental fisheries sector. It is expected to create jobs and contribute to the economy. The app also encourages more people to take up the aquarium hobby, which is becoming more popular in India. The “Rangeen Machhli” app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

 

5. Ozone Pollution Hurts Tropical Forest Growth, Study Finds: A recent study published in Nature Geoscience has revealed that ozone pollution is harming the growth of tropical forests, causing them to lose nearly 300 million tonnes of carbon every year. This is a big concern because tropical forests play a key role in fighting climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air. The study highlights the urgent need to tackle air pollution to protect these important ecosystems.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India-Oman Joint Military Exercise AL NAJAH: The India-Oman Joint Military Exercise, called AL NAJAH, began in 2015 and focuses on improving the ability of both armies to work together. It is held in the deserts of Oman and mainly involves infantry tactics and counter-terrorism operations. The exercise reflects India’s strategic relationship with Gulf countries, especially with Oman, which is India’s oldest ally in the region, dating back to 1950. This partnership also helps improve maritime security in the Arabian Sea by addressing regional threats. Through these exercises, India and Oman continue to strengthen their mutual respect and understanding.

 

2. International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2024): Green hydrogen is made by splitting water using renewable energy like wind or solar, unlike grey hydrogen, which uses fossil fuels. It doesn’t produce carbon emissions and can be stored and transported easily. Producing it needs a lot of electricity—about 50-55 kWh per kilogram. Japan leads in green hydrogen projects, with Chile and Australia also becoming important. Green hydrogen can power vehicles and industries and help reduce emissions in steel and ammonia production.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. DRDO, Indian Navy Successfully Test VL-SRSAM Missile: The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) was founded in 1958. It is a key organization in developing indigenous missiles and advanced defense systems in India. DRDO has over 50 labs and research centers across the country and has played a major role in creating important missile systems like Agni and Prithvi. In addition to missile technology, DRDO works on systems like the Akash surface-to-air missile and the Tejas fighter aircraft. It also collaborates with international partners on joint development projects, promoting self-reliance in defense technology. Notably, DRDO contributed to the development of the K9 Vajra Howitzer, a powerful artillery system used by the Indian Army.

 

2. Vietnam, Philippines Strengthen Defense Ties: Vietnam and the Philippines have agreed to work more closely on defence and maritime security. This agreement came during a visit by Vietnam’s Defence Minister, Phan Van Giang, to the Philippines. This cooperation aims to address rising tensions with China, particularly over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Chandrayaan-3 Detects Historic 250 Seismic Signatures on Moon: India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first lunar mission to detect over 250 seismic signals from the Moon’s south pole since the Apollo missions. This discovery marks a major advancement in lunar exploration and seismic monitoring techniques. The Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA), which was part of the Vikram Lander, operated from August 24 to September 4, 2023. It recorded these seismic events from coordinates 69.37° S and 32.32° E. ILSA is notable for being the first instrument based on MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology designed to measure seismic activity on the Moon, using advanced silicon micromachining techniques.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Union Cabinet Approves ₹2,000 Crore Mission Mausam Initiative: Mission Mausam is an Indian program that began in 2016 to study climate change and monsoon patterns. The initiative brings together multiple research organizations to improve weather forecasting accuracy and promote better farming practices. It also aims to develop systems to warn people about extreme weather events and raise public awareness about how climate change impacts agriculture and livelihoods.

 

2. SBI Foundation Launches 3rd Asha Scholarship Program For Students: The SBI Foundation has launched the 3rd edition of its Asha Scholarship Program, which aims to help 10,000 deserving students from underprivileged backgrounds across India. Applications for the scholarship opened on August 16, 2024, and will remain open until October 1, 2024. Interested students can find more details about eligibility and apply through the official website: www.sbifashascholarship.org.

 

Daily GK Update- 11th Sept, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Amit Shah releases documentary on Mumbai Samachar’s 200-year journey: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah released the documentary film Mumbai Samachar- 200 Not Out, which chronicles the remarkable 200-year journey of Asia’s oldest newspaper. Entering its 203rd year of publication, Mumbai Samachar has become an integral part of Mumbai’s identity. Mumbai Samachar- 200 Not Out delves into the newspaper’s pivotal role in the freedom movement, its unwavering commitment to unbiased reporting, and the secrets behind its enduring success.The documentary was released simultaneously in 40 countries, offering a historical perspective not only for Mumbai Samachar but also for the entire newspaper industry.

Hormusji N Cama, the managing director of the Mumbai Samachar, was present at the event. The trailer for Mumbai Samachar- 200 Not Out was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the newspaper’s bicentenary event in June 2022.

 

2. Rajasthan Cabinet approves 33% reservation for women in police force: Rajasthan Cabinet has approved 33% reservation for women in the police force by deciding to amend the State Police Subordinate Service Rules, 1989.The State Cabinet took the decision at its meeting held here, fulfilling a promise made by the BJP in its manifesto for the 2023 Assembly election to increase the representation of women.This will enable the police to work with more sensitivity in matters related to women, while this decision will also provide more employment opportunities to women.

 

3. Gujarat to host 4th RE-INVEST meet on September 16-18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 4th Global RE-INVEST Renewable Energy Investors Meet and Expo at Gandhinagar, on September 16.A three-day flagship event of the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, at Mahatma Mandir will bring together key players in the renewable energy sector.The event will have a plenary session of all chief ministers on the first day and a similar session of all state energy ministers on the second day.Representatives from Germany, Australia, Norway, Denmark, among others will be in attendance. Sessions will be held on topics including Green Hydrogen, Innovative Models for round the clock renewable energy, making India a hub in Battery energy storage and mainstreaming offshore wind in India.

 

4. Vinay Goyal to be State Mission Director of NHM: Vinay Goyal has assumed office as the State Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM).He takes over from K. Jeevan Babu, who has moved to the Kerala Water Authority as Managing Director.A native of Haryana, Dr. Goyal, belongs to the 2016 IAS batch. He has formerly held the posts of CEO, of Thiruvananthapuram Smart City;Managing Director of Kerala Rapid Transit Corporation Ltd. (KRTCL); Director of Backward Classes Development department; Secretary, Kerala State Housing Board among others.

 

5. Rajesh Verma takes charge as Chairperson of Commission for Air Quality Management: Rajesh Verma, an officer of the 1987 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Odisha Cadre, took charge as the new full-time Chairperson of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM).He also served as the Secretary to the President of India, Smt. Draupadi Murmu before his superannuation on August 31, 2024.Rajesh Verma succeeds Dr. M.M. Kutty, who has completed his tenure as the full-time Chairperson of CAQM.

 

6. Amit Shah unanimously re-elected as the Chairperson of Parliamentary Committee on Official Language: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah has been unanimously re-elected as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language.

After the formation of the new government, a committee meeting was held in New Delhi to reconstitute the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language.Amit Shah has also served as the Chairperson of the committee from 2019 to 2024. The Parliamentary Committee on Official Language was constituted under the provisions of Section 4 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, in the year 1976.The committee comprises 30 members of Parliament, out of which 20 are from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha.

 

7. RS Sharma appoints as Chairperson of ONDC: A former chief of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and chief executive of National Health Authority (NHA), RS Sharma has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).Sharma, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS), 1978 batch officer with a distinguished career across the Central and state governments, is credited with leading reforms and leveraging Information Technology (IT) to simplify administrative processes.

 

8. 11 September – National Forest Martyrs Day: National Forest Martyrs Day is celebrated every year on September 11 in India to pay tribute to those who died for the protection of the forest and wildlife of the country.The day honours protective environmentalists and personnel of the forest who have experienced certain risks in the process of conservation of natural resources.

Theme 2024 – Honoring the Guardians of Our ForestThe day goes back to the memory of the Khejarli Massacre, which took place in 1730 in the Marwar Kingdom. The then Maharaja Abhai Singh demanded Khejri trees from the Bishnoi village of Khejarli to be cut down to provide timber for his new palace.However, his action was resisted by the Bishnoi community, which has always been very sensitive towards the natural community.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India to organize First Global Cooperative Conference in November: India will organize the first Global Cooperative Conference in New Delhi from 25th to 30th November.This five-day conference will focus on exploring innovative solutions, technologies, and best practices for the cooperative movement.This will be the first time in the 130-year history of the International Cooperative Alliance that the conference will be held in India.

 

2. Algeria joins BRICS New Development Banks: Algeria has been approved as the newest member of the BRICS New Development Bank, joining other nations in seeking alternatives to international financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF.The decision was taken and announced by NDB chief Dilma Roussef at a meeting in Cape Town, South Africa. The bank of the BRICS group of nations — whose name derives from the initials of founding members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.Membership in the BRICS bank will offer Algeria — Africa’s leading exporter of natural gas — “new prospects to support and strengthen its economic growth in the medium and long term.Created in 2015, the NDB’s main mission is to mobilize resources for projects in emerging markets and developing countries.The NDB has expanded its membership to include Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates in 2021, and Egypt in 2023.

 

3. 1st India GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue held in Riyadh: The first India -GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue was held in Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital.This was the first Foreign Minister level meeting between India and the six-member GCC.The first India-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue was co-chaired by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar. Qatar holds the Presidency of the GCC.

 

4. Subrata Mondal appointed as MD & CEO of IFFCO Tokio General Insurance: IFFCO Tokio General Insurance Company Limited (IFFCO Tokio) has appointed Subrata Mondal as its new Managing Director (MD) andChief Executive Officer (CEO).Mondal, who has been associated with the company since 2001, brings over 36 years of experience in the insurance industry to his new leadership role.IFFCO-Tokio General is a 51:49 joint venture between the Indian Farmers Fertilisers Co-operative (IFFCO) and Tokio Marine Group – one of the world’s largest insurance companies based in Japan.

 

5. 10 September – World Suicide Prevention Day: World Suicide Prevention Day is observed every year on 10 September.The day gives a reminder that suicide prevention is a public health priority and urgent action is required to make sure suicide mortality rates are reduced.Theme 2024 – ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide – Start the ConversationThe World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO). The day gives a clear message that suicides are preventable.Suicide is a major public problem with far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences. Suicide remains a critical global issue, affecting individuals and communities worldwide.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Syria wins the 4th Intercontinental Cup Men’s Football Tournament: Syria defeated India 3-0 in the last round-robin match to win the 4th Intercontinental Cup men’s football championship. India, the defending champions, could not score a single goal in the match.Mahmoud Al-Mawas, Syrian captain, received the winners’ trophy and was named the Syed Abdul Rahim Player of the Tournament.The All India Football Federation organised the 4th Intercontinental Cup football championship at the GMC Balayogi Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad, Telangana.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Blostem Partners with Suryoday SFB to Revamp Digital Fixed Deposits: Blostem, a financial infrastructure platform, has partnered with Suryoday Small Finance Bank (SSFB) to transform the client experience.This agreement allows SSFB to benefit from Blostem’s expertise in quick product development and deployment, deliver novel digital fixed deposit products, and reduce customer onboarding to a single day.This relationship demonstrates SSFB’s commitment to digital innovation and growth.The agreement would also assist the Bank in expanding its reach through digital media. With a customer-centric approach to digital banking, the Bank strives to simplify the overall banking experience for its clients.The bank is also noted for providing attractive fixed deposit (FD) offerings among its peers, with interest rates of up to 9.10%, various tenure options, and hassle-free withdrawals.

 

2. Union Bank of India becomes first major Indian Bank to sign PCAF: Union Bank of India announced its decision to become a signatory to the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF).This step aligns with the growing global emphasis on climate risk management and the recent draft guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on climate risk disclosures.PCAF is a global partnership of financial institutions working to develop and implement a harmonized approach to assess and disclose greenhouse gas emissions associated with loans and investments.By joining PCAF, Union Bank of India demonstrates its commitment to measuring and managing its financed emissions, a crucial aspect of climate risk management for banks.Financed emissions, referred to as Scope 3 emissions, represent the indirect emissions that result from a Bank’s lending and investment activities. These emissions can significantly outweigh a Bank’s operational emissions and pose substantial risks to its portfolio in the face of climate change and evolving regulations.