Daily GK Update- 5th Oct, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi launch Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan in Jharkhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.PM also laid foundation stones and inaugurated projects worth Rs 83,000 crore. It included Eklavya Model Residential Schools and the foundation stones of various developmental projects under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), targeting the tribal communities.

 

2. BPCL and Mumbai Port Authority to launch India’s first green fuel ecosystem: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has an MoU with the Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) and the Mumbai Port Sustainability Foundation (MPSF) to create a state-of-the-art green fuel ecosystem at Mumbai Port.This MoU represents a crucial advancement in India’s shift toward cleaner energy alternatives. With a focus on innovations in green fuel, the initiative seeks to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions, thereby supporting the nation’s climate objectives.BPCL, MbPA, and MPSF are dedicated to pioneering sustainable practices that align with India’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

 

3. Govt Approves ₹10,103 Crore National Mission on Edible Oils to Boost Self-Reliance in Oilseed Production by 2030: The government has approved the National Mission on Edible Oils and Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) for 2024-25 to 2030-31 with an outlay of 10 thousand 103 crore rupees.This has been done with an aim to make India self-reliant in oilseed production in the next seven years.The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Family Welfare will implement the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds).The newly approved NMEO-Oilseeds will focus on enhancing the production of key primary oilseed crops such as rapeseed mustard, groundnut, soybean, sunflower, and sesamum.It will also focus on increasing collection and extraction efficiency from secondary sources like cottonseed, rice bran, and tree-butter oils.

 

4. Central Govt approves PM-RKVY and KY Schemes for Agriculture sector: The Union Cabinet has decided to merge all Central schemes in the agriculture sector into two new schemes, Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana (KY).With a projected expenditure of ₹ 1,01,321.61 crore, the schemes will have a Central share of ₹ 69,088.98 crore and the States will have to add the remaining ₹32,232.63 crore. PM-RKVY, with an allocation of ₹57,074.72 crore, is aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and KY will address food security and agricultural self-sufficiency, with a fund of ₹44,246.89 crore. Both the schemes will be implemented through State governments. The rationalisation of various schemes is to avoid duplication, ensure convergence and provide flexibility to States. Focusing on emergent challenges of agriculture such as nutrition security, sustainability, climate resilience, value chain development and private sector participation is also envisaged under two schemes.

 

5. Marathi, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit and Assamese Get Classical Language Status: The Union Cabinet has approved giving the status of ‘classical language’ to five more languages – Marathi, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit and Assamese. With this cabinet decision, the number of languages that have the status will nearly double from 6 to 11.The languages that had the tag earlier were Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia. Tamil was granted the status in 2004 and the last language to get it was Odia, in 2014Tamil was the first language to be accorded classical language status in India in 2004.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. International Film Festival on Environment & Wildlife ‘Vatavaran’ Inaugurated: The 12th edition of International Film Festival and Forum on Environment and Wildlife, Vatavaran has inaugurated at Paryavaran Bhawan in New Delhi.The theme for the three-day film festival is “Wetlands for Life”, focusing on the awareness and conservation of the wetlands eco-system.The festival uses films and documentaries to raise awareness about contemporary environmental issues and seeks to change the perception, practice, policy and governance regarding environmental issues.CMS India organises the International Film Festival and Forum on Environment and Wildlife with support from the Union Ministry of Forest, Climate Change and Environment.CMS is a multi-disciplinary research think tank in India. The first CMS Vatavaran was organised in 2002 and is held every two years.

 

2. India & Jamaica sign 4 MoU to boost ties during Jamacia PM visit: India and Jamaica signed four MoU to strengthen and boost their bilateral relationships. The agreement was signed during Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s visit to India.Prime Minister Andrew Holness is the first Prime Minister of Jamaica to visit India.Four MoUs are as follows:Sharing of Successful Indian Digital Public Infrastructure with Jamaica to Promote Financial Inclusion and Social and Economic Transformation.Cooperation between NPCI International Payments Limited and Egov Jamaica Limited.Cultural Exchange Programme between the two countries years for 2024-2029.

 

3. 4 October – Animal Welfare Day: Animal Welfare Day is observed annually on October 4.The day aims to inform people about the essential protection and care of animals while striving to inculcate empathy toward them.Theme 2024 – The World Is Their Home TooWorld Animal Day was first celebrated in 1925 by Heinrich Zimmermann, a German writer and animal welfare activist.Zimmermann initially held the event on March 24, 1925, in Berlin, attracting more than 5,000 attendees. By 1929, the date was moved to October 4 to align with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, who is known for his love and respect for animals.

 

4. 4 – 10 October – World Space Week: World Space Week is an annual event celebrated from October 4 to 10, highlighting the benefits of space exploration and promoting international cooperation in space activities.Theme 2024 – Space & Climate ChangeIn 1999, the UN General Assembly proclaimed World Space Week by resolution 54/68.The main aim is to celebrate the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. IIT Delhi, IAF join hands for AI-powered research on aviation textile: IIT Delhi and Headquarters Maintenance (HQ) Command, Indian Air Force, Nagpur, have signed an MoU to collaborate on advancing innovative technologies for aviation textiles focusing on parachutes and other safety equipment.The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and HQ Maintenance will cooperate, collaborate and promote research and development in areas of obsolescence management, self-reliance, upgradations and digitisation through indigenisation in the field of aviation-grade textiles.Some of the areas of interest for collaboration include raw material selection for various parachutes and safety equipment.

 

2. Bharat Forge teams up with US defence giants for next-gen artillery systems: Bharat Forge subsidiary of Kalyani Strategic Systems has signed an agreement with US-based defence companies AM General and Mandus Group. The collaboration focuses on the development and production of advanced artillery gun platforms designed to meet the evolving needs of modern armies.The companies aim to create compact, robust, lightweight, ruggedized, and mobile artillery systems capable of operating in all weather conditions and terrains.This initiative includes the development of 105mm and 155mm next-generation artillery platforms featuring disruptive technology that enhances responsiveness, survivability, and transportability.This strategic collaboration aims to co-develop and co-produce the most versatile and innovative weapon systems.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Bharat Electronics, Israel Aerospace Industries form joint venture firm: Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel’s leading aerospace and defence company, have established a joint venture company (JVC), which has been incorporated in the name of BEL IAI AeroSystems Private Ltd. The JVC with its registered office in Delhi shall be the single point of contact (SPOC) for extending long-term product support to the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) systems of India’s defence forces.MRSAM is an advanced, path-breaking air and missile defence system that provides protection against a variety of aerial threats, according to the company.It was jointly developed by IAI and DRDO for India’s defence forces and is currently used by the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Navy and also Israeli defence forces, it was noted. The system includes an Advanced Phased Array Radar, Command and Control shelter, mobile launchers and interceptors with an advanced RF seeker.

 

 

 

Daily GK Update- 4th Oct, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Prashant Kishor announces Jan Suraaj as a political party: Political strategist-cum-activist Prashant Kishor launched his political outfit Jan Suraaj Party, two years after he embarked on a campaign in Bihar to mobilise support for a “new political alternative”.As a political party, Jan Suraaj would contest all 243 seats in the Assembly elections in Bihar, next year in October-November.His party would contest in the bypolls in four seats of Bihar which are likely to be held in November this year.The 47-year-old also named Manoj Bharti, a Madhubani-born former Indian Foreign Service officer, as working president of the party.Mr Bharti comes from the Dalit community, has been educated at IIT Kanpur and Delhi and was in the Indian Foreign Service. He was also Indian ambassador in four countries.

 

2. Vistara to get AI2 flight number after merger with Air India: National carrier Air India said that flights operated by Vistara will start using the flight code ‘AI2’ after the merger of the two airlines next month. Currently, Air India uses the airline code ‘AI’ while Vistara uses ‘UK.’Despite the integration on November 12, the Vistara experience will “remain the same. The merger involves Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, and Air India.Though the legal entities and Air Operator Certificates will become one on 12 November, the Vistara experience will remain.Vistara aircraft, crew and service will continue to operate as before, but with AI2XXX flight numbers bookable via airindia.com.In parallel, Air India’s narrow-body fleet continue to be upgraded with new aircraft being delivered, legacy aircraft being refitted with entirely new interiors and Vistara’s catering now also extended to Air India.

 

3. NITI Aayog launches first State Chapter of Women Entrepreneurship Platform: NITI Aayog has launched its maiden State Chapter of Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) in association with WE Hub and the Telangana government.An initiative to promote and support women entrepreneurs across various sectors by providing them access to resources, tools, and a network for enhancing their business growth, WEP thus far remained a scheme operated by the Centre.

With over 30 thousand registered women entrepreneurs and associations, the WEP has over 400 mentors from different industry sectors.WE Hub Chief Executive Officer, Sita Pallocholla, has been appointed Mission Director of the WEP Telangana Chapter.WE Hub will be the nodal agency for all WEP activities in the State. The WEP will offer customised support like digital skilling, access to financial services, mentorship, and market linkages.

 

4. Mankind Pharma secures CCI approval for ₹13,360-crore worth acquisition of Bharat Serums and Vaccines: A proposed acquisition of Bharat Serums and Vaccines by Mankind Pharma for ₹13,630 crore was approved by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).Mankind Pharma had announced in July that it will fully acquire Bharat Serums and Vaccines from private equity firm Advent International for around ₹13,630 crore. The company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 100 per cent stake in the Bharat Serums and Vaccines for an enterprise value of around ₹13,630 crore.Mankind is a public listed company and is engaged in developing, manufacturing, and marketing a diverse range of pharmaceutical finished dosage formulations (FDFs) across various acute and chronic therapeutic areas, as well as several consumer healthcare products such as condoms, emergency contraceptives, pregnancy tests, vitamins, minerals, nutrients, antacids etc.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 2024 edition of annual apex-level international conference IPRD to held in New Delhi: The 2024 edition of the annual apex-level international conference of the Indian Navy, the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD), will be held in New Delhi.The theme of the three-day conference is “Resource Geopolitics and Security in the Indo-Pacific.”IPRD is the principal manifestation of the Indian Navy’s international engagement at the strategic level, addressing holistic maritime security issues across the Indo-Pacific.This year’s conference will focus on how traditional and newly identified marine resources are influencing contemporary geopolitics and how they will shape it in the future.

 

2. India becomes affiliate member of International Medical Device Regulators Forum: India has become an affiliate member of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF), which will open doors to invaluable opportunities for reliance and collaboration with regulatory authorities worldwide.The IMDRF, which was established in 2011, is a group of global medical device regulators whose aim is to speed up the adoption of, international medical device regulatory harmonisation and convergence.Its members include national regulatory authorities of the U.S., Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Russia, China, South Korea, Singapore and the World Health Organization (WHO).The membership helps to harmonise regulatory requirements across the globe, which reduces complexities for manufacturers and helps safeguard public health by promoting collaboration, harmonising regulations, and promoting convergence.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. India to host first-ever Kho Kho World Cup in 2025: The first edition of the Kho Kho World Cup will be held in India next year and will feature 16 men’s and women’s teams from 24 countries and six continents.Kho Kho has its roots in India and this World Cup will highlight the rich cultural heritage and competitive spirit of the sport. Today, the sport that started in the mud and has gone to the mat now has a global presence with 54 countries playing the sport across the world.

 

2. Carlos Alcaraz defeats Jannik Sinner to win first China Open Title: In tennis, second-seeded Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz beat defending champion and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, winning 6-7 6-4 7-6 to claim his first China Open title.Meanwhile, China’s Zheng Qinwen stormed into the quarterfinals of the women’s singles after defeating Amanda Anisimova of the United States.Aryna Sabalenka secured her place in the quarterfinals by overcoming Madison Keys of the United States. Sabalenka will face the Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova.

 

3. ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins in Sharjah: The ninth edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins in Sharjah, UAE. The opening match will feature Bangladesh against debutant Scotland.Captain Harmanpreet Kaur will be leading India’s campaign, starting against New Zealand.India is carrying a spin-heavy bowling arsenal to the stage. With Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Sajana Sajeevan, Asha Sobhana Joy, Tanuja Kanwer, and Shreyanka Patil, the team has versatility and effectiveness in its ranks.Australia, the defending champions who have won the last three T20 World Cups, are in Group A alongside India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Group B includes Bangladesh, England, Scotland, South Africa, and the West Indies.

 

4. West Indies legend Dwayne Bravo announces retirement from all forms of cricket: West Indies decorated all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after his farewell Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season was cut short due to an injury.Bravo, who is going to turn 41 next month, is the leading wicket-taker in the T20 format. Bravo retired from international cricket in 2021 and decided to end his time in the IPL.Bravo has finished his career by setting a benchmark in the T20 format across the globe, with 631 wickets in the format in 582 appearances.Bravo was set to retire from the CPL after the conclusion of the ongoing campaign. His accolades boast him as the most decorated player to feature in the tournament, lifting five titles, including three with the Trinbago Knight Riders.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. ICICI Bank and MakeMyTrip unveils co-branded credit card for travel enthusiasts: ICICI Bank has collaborated with MakeMyTrip (MMT), the country’s biggest online travel operator, and introduced a premium co-branded credit card tailored to the country’s aspirational travellers.The MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card, with its several features, enriches the trip experience by providing infinite points that never expire.The card provides a unique value with myCash (MakeMyTrip’s reward currency), where 1 myCash equals ₹1 in spendable funds. It provides 6% myCash on hotel reservations, 3% myCash on flights, vacations, taxis, and buses, and 1% on other retail purchases—all in addition to relevant MakeMyTrip savings.This card is a dual offering, providing the convenience of two cards, one powered by Mastercard and one powered by RuPay. Furthermore, the RuPay credit card can be linked to UPI, allowing safe and secure transactions via UPI-enabled Apps.

 

2. Magma HDI Unveils OneProtect – A Contemporary Personal Accident Insurance: India’s premier general insurance provider, Magma HDI has unveiled OneProtect, a contemporary personal accident insurance product.With over 20 customisable add-ons adapted to today’s lifestyle needs, OneProtect is the ideal companion for anybody, including thrill-seekers and explorers.As adventure travel is popular among Indians, sports like trekking, paragliding, and scuba diving have become popular vacation options. OneProtect allows adventurers to follow their passions confidently by protecting various high-octane activities.Another notable feature of OneProtect is its 200% coverage for accidental death while using common carriers such as trains etc.

 

3. Federal Bank join hands with Bhashini to boost Chatbot Feddy with Vernacular Language Support: Federal Bank, a renowned private sector bank in India, has inked a MoU with Bhashini, an AI-Powered Language Translation Platform, to provide vernacular language support to its AI Virtual Assistant, Feddy.This collaboration arose as a result of the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH)’s local language effort to promote banking in vernacular languages. It has considerably improved Feddy’s capabilities, making it more accessible to a broader variety of clients in India.

Feddy, Federal Bank‘s AI-powered chatbot, is already a popular tool for customers who want quick and easy banking services. With the addition of Bhashini’s language translation capabilities, Feddy can now react to user requests in 14 different Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Assamese, Punjabi, Urdu, Manipuri, and Bodo.

 

Daily GK Update- 3rd Oct, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. CSIR-NIScPR Commemorates 83 Years of Scientific Excellence of CSIR: CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) celebrated the 83rd Foundation Day of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at the National Agricultural Science Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.On the occasion, a special issue of ‘Science Reporter’, a monthly publication of CSIR-NIScPR was also released during the event. The title of the issue is “Science Reporter: A Six Decade Journey in Science Communication (1964-2024)”.Awards were distributed by distinguished guests to retirees, employees completing 25 years of service, and meritorious 10th and 12th-class students.

 

2. PM Narendra Modi participates in Swachh Bharat Diwas 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has participated in the Swachh Bharat Diwas 2024 programme on the occasion of 155th Gandhi Jayanti in New Delhi.The event marks the completion of 10 years of the launch of one of the most significant mass movements for cleanliness, the Swachh Bharat Mission.The Prime Minister will launch several projects related to sanitation and cleanliness, worth over nine thousand six hundred crore rupees. These include projects under AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0, National Mission for Clean Ganga and 15 Compressed Biogas Plant projects under GOBARdhan Scheme.The Swachh Bharat Diwas programme will showcase India’s decade-long sanitation achievements and those in the recently concluded Swachhata Hi Seva campaign. It will also set the stage for the next phase of this national endeavour.

 

3. Who will implement the Cruise Bharat Mission?: The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is the nodal ministry for implementing the Cruise Bharat Mission.The mission will be implemented with the support of all regulatory agencies, such as Customs, Immigration, CISF, State Tourism Departments, State Maritime Agencies, District Administrations, and local police.

The ministry will establish a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for cruise development under the Indian Ports Association. The Indian Port Association is an association of major ports in India.

 

4. Kerala Launches India’s First Supercapacitor Manufacturing Facility: Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, recently inaugurated India’s first supercapacitor manufacturing facility at Keltron Component Complex Limited (KCCL) in Kallyassery, Kannur. This marks an important milestone for both Keltron and India’s electronics industry. The Kerala government has plans to invest ₹1,000 crore more to boost the electronics sector. This includes upgrading current factories and building new infrastructure, like an IT corridor and an electronics manufacturing park in Amballur. These steps aim to make Kerala a leader in electronics manufacturing.

 

5. IIT Madras Researchers Develop New Method for Retinal Treatment: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, have developed new techniques to treat eye problems like retinal tears and diabetic retinopathy. These eye conditions affect about 11 million people in India. The research uses mild laser-induced convection, a method that makes delivering treatment to the retina faster and more effective. The study is the result of over 10 years of work between Professor Arunn Narasimhan and eye specialist Dr. Lingam Gopal. They studied how heat from lasers affects the retina and helps deliver medicine more efficiently. By using computer simulations and experiments, they discovered that by gently heating the eye, they could speed up the process of getting medication to the retina.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Claudia Sheinbaum sworn in as Mexico’s 1st female president: Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn in as Mexico’s first woman president.She vowing to bolster women’s rights and ensure Latin America’s number 2 economy remains a secure destination for international investment.The 62-year-old climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City is set to serve a six-year term, ending in 2030.Sheinbaum’s inauguration is the culmination of a four-decade rise in Mexican politics, punctuated by her history-making election as the first woman to lead Mexico City.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Arti Sarin becomes first woman to take over as DG, Armed Forces Medical Services: Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin became the first woman officer to take over as the Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS).The DGAFMS is directly responsible to the Ministry of Defence for overall medical policy matters which relate to the Armed Forces.Prior to assuming the appointment of 46th DGAFMS, the Flag Officer held the coveted appointments of DG Medical Services (Navy), DG Medical Services (Air) and Director & Commandant of Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune. She is an alumna of AFMC, Pune and was commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services in December 1985.The Flag Officer has the rare distinction of serving in all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces, having served as Lieutenant to Captain in the Indian Army, from Surgeon Lieutenant to Surgeon Vice Admiral in the Indian Navy, and as an Air Marshal in the Indian Air Force.

 

2. Taiwan Receives First Shipment of Harpoon Missile Systems: Taiwan has received its first shipment of 100 land-based Harpoon anti-ship missile systems from the United States, which arrived at Kaohsiung Port on September 27. This is an important step in strengthening Taiwan’s military, especially during times of regional tension. This shipment will make Taiwan’s defenses stronger against threats from the sea and highlight the ongoing support from the U.S., which is important for maintaining security in the region.

 

3. EURONAVAL 2024: EURONAVAL 2024 is shaping up to be an important event in the world of naval defense, with close to 500 exhibitors expected to participate. The event will be held from November 4th to 7th, 2024, at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre. Thirteen countries will have their own dedicated spaces, called national pavilions, where they can showcase their products and ideas more effectively. The countries hosting these pavilions are Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

 

4. Lt. Gen. Asim Malik Appointed New Pakistan’s ISI Chief: Lt. Gen. Muhammad Asim Malik has been appointed as the new Director General of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), taking over from Lt. Gen. Nadeem Anjum. This change comes at a time when Pakistan is facing growing security risks and political unrest, particularly due to tensions from supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Lt. Gen. Malik is 59 years old and comes from a military family—his father, Lt. Gen. Ghulam Muhammad Malik, also served in the army. He studied at the University of Balochistan and continued his education at well-known defence institutions in the U.S. and U.K. During his military training at the Pakistan Military Academy, he won the prestigious ‘Sword of Honour,’ a recognition given to the best cadet.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Virat Kohli becomes fourth player to complete 27,000 international runs: Indian batsman Virat Kohli became only the fourth player in history to complete 27,000 runs in international cricket across formats, a feat that he achieved on the fourth day of the ongoing second Test against Bangladesh here.Kohli made a brisk 47 off 35 balls with four fours and a six as he helped India push on further in an aggressive mode to make up for the lost time in the Test due to incessant rains.Kohli became only the second Indian to achieve the feat after the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who amassed a massive 34,357 runs across the length of his career. He is also the fastest batter to reach 27000 runs, reaching the impressive landmark in just 594 innings.Sachin is followed by Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara (28,016 runs) and, Australia’s Ricky Ponting at third (27,483 runs).Kohli has more than 8,800 runs in Tests, 13,906 runs in 295 ODIs, and another 4,188 runs in 125 T20Is. He has only retired from the T20 format after India won the T20 World Cup 2024 earlier this year. India’s talisman is still a long way from matching Sachin’s record, as the former cricketer scored 15,921 runs in 200 Tests.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Survey Discovers New Reptile and Amphibian Species: A survey of reptiles and amphibians, known as herpetofauna, was conducted in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), specifically in the Masinagudi Division, from September 7th to 9th, 2024. This survey discovered a large variety of species, with a total of 33 reptiles and 36 amphibians identified. Four of these species might even be completely new to science. The survey covered areas at different heights, ranging from 300 to 2,000 meters above sea level, across different types of habitats. It was led by Deputy Director Arun Kumar P., with guidance from Field Director D. Venkatesh. This was the first full study of herpetofauna in this part of the reserve, which made the findings even more exciting.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SEBI approved new asset class for HNIs with riskier appetite: Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved a new asset class, allowing high-net-worth investors to invest in riskier regulated products.The new asset class is to have a minimum investment amount of Rs 10 lakh. The offerings under the new product will be referred to as ‘Investment Strategies’, to maintain a clear distinction from the schemes offered under the traditional mutual funds.The new product is intended to add depth and variety to the investment landscape of the country through a new asset class.SEBI floated a consultation paper on introducing a ‘New Asset Class’ in July, inviting public comments by August 6, 2024.The move is aimed at creating a new product that lies between mutual funds and portfolio management services (PMS), catering to investors with higher risk-taking capabilities and larger ticket sizes. Among other important decisions, the regulator also approved rules for a new investment product under mutual funds.

 

2. GST collections hit a 40-month low in September, with revenues at ₹1.73 lakh crore: Growth in India’s Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections slumped to a 40-month low of 6.5% in September, with revenues at ₹1,73,240 crore, about 1% lower than the tally in August.Net GST receipts, after adjusting for refunds made to taxpayers, were 3.9% higher than a year ago, marking the slowest growth in this financial year.However, net collections were 1.5% higher than August’s receipts, at ₹1,52,782 crore. In the preceding month, net GST receipts had grown 6.5% while gross collections were up 10%.As many as seven States recorded negative revenue growth, led by a 33% contraction in Manipur, while revenues were flat in Gujarat. Ten States underperformed the national level 6% uptick in domestic revenues, including Telangana (1%), Rajasthan (2%), Uttar Pradesh (3%), and Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and West Bengal (5% each). Poll-bound Haryana recorded the sharpest rise in revenues of 24%, followed by Delhi where receipts grew 20%.

 

Daily GK Update- 2nd Oct, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024 closing ceremony held in Ranchi: The 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024 ended on 30 September 2024 with an official ceremony in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annpurna Devi, presided over the closing ceremony.The 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024 was officially launched on 1 September 2024 by Annpurna Devi and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.The Rashtriya Poshan Maah is held annually from 1-30 September 2024.The 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah focused on Anaemia, Growth Monitoring, Complementary Feeding, and Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi. It also focused on Technology for better governance and. ‘Environmental Sustainability’. The Anganwadi centers across the country were encouraged to plant trees under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative to promote environmental sustainability.

 

2. CSIR-NIScPR Commemorates 83 Years of Scientific Excellence of CSIR: CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) celebrated the 83rd Foundation Day of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at the National Agricultural Science Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.On the occasion, a special issue of ‘Science Reporter’, a monthly publication of CSIR-NIScPR was also released during the event. The title of the issue is “Science Reporter: A Six Decade Journey in Science Communication (1964-2024)”.Awards were distributed by distinguished guests to retirees, employees completing 25 years of service, and meritorious 10th and 12th-class students.

 

3. PM Narendra Modi participates in Swachh Bharat Diwas 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has participated in the Swachh Bharat Diwas 2024 programme on the occasion of 155th Gandhi Jayanti in New Delhi.The event marks the completion of 10 years of the launch of one of the most significant mass movements for cleanliness, the Swachh Bharat Mission.The Prime Minister will launch several projects related to sanitation and cleanliness, worth over nine thousand six hundred crore rupees. These include projects under AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0, National Mission for Clean Ganga and 15 Compressed Biogas Plant projects under GOBARdhan Scheme.The Swachh Bharat Diwas programme will showcase India’s decade-long sanitation achievements and those in the recently concluded Swachhata Hi Seva campaign. It will also set the stage for the next phase of this national endeavour.

 

4. Cruise Bharat Mission launched to promote Cruise Tourism: The ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’ is a new project launched by the Indian government to promote cruise tourism in India.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal officially inaugurated at Mumbai port on the cruise ship ‘Empress’.The mission aims to tap into India’s potential as a major cruise destination and increase the number of people who travel by cruise ships. The goal is to double cruise passenger traffic by the year 2029.

 

5. Who will implement the Cruise Bharat Mission?: The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is the nodal ministry for implementing the Cruise Bharat Mission.The mission will be implemented with the support of all regulatory agencies, such as Customs, Immigration, CISF, State Tourism Departments, State Maritime Agencies, District Administrations, and local police.

The ministry will establish a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for cruise development under the Indian Ports Association. The Indian Port Association is an association of major ports in India.

 

6. Govt gives additional charge of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam CMD to Ajit Kumar Saxena: The Union government has assigned the additional charge of CMD of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) to Ajit Kumar Saxena.Saxena is currently the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of MOIL, a PSU under the Ministry of Steel.Atul Bhatt the CMD of RINL is on personal leave from September 9 till November 30, which is also the date of his superannuation.

 

7. Ram Singh, Saugata Bhattacharya, Nagesh Kumar appointed as new MPC members: The Government has appointed the Director of the Delhi School of Economics, Ram Singh, noted economist Saugata Bhattacharya, and the Director of the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development, Nagesh Kumar, to the Monetary Policy Committee.The panel, which decides interest rates, is headed by the Reserve Bank of India Governor.The reconstituted MPC is scheduled to have its first meeting from October 7 to 9. Following the MPC meeting, Governor Das will announce the bi-monthly monetary policy on October 9.The members of the MPC appointed by the central government will hold office for a period of four years, with immediate effect or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

 

8. 2 October – Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Sastri Birth Anniversary: The nation celebrated Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, to honour the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, affectionately known as Bapu, the father of the nation. This year marks the 155th birth anniversary of Gandhi.October 2 also holds global significance as the International Day of Non-Violence. On June 15, 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring October 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence, in recognition of Gandhi’s contributions to non-violent resistance.Gandhi earned the title “Father of the Nation” from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose for his pivotal role in India’s fight for independence.Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti is celebrated every year on October 2nd to honor the birth anniversary of India’s third Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 1 October – International Coffee Day: International Coffee Day is celebrated on 1st October every year to promote and celebrate coffee as a beverage.Theme 2024 – Coffee, Your Daily Ritual, Our Shared Journey International Coffee Day was celebrated for the first time on October 1, 2015. It was organised by the International Coffee Organisation (ICO), which was established in 1963. Hosted by the ICO, International Coffee Day promotes the fair trade of the beverage.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Arti Sarin becomes first woman to take over as DG, Armed Forces Medical Services: Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin became the first woman officer to take over as the Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS).The DGAFMS is directly responsible to the Ministry of Defence for overall medical policy matters which relate to the Armed Forces.Prior to assuming the appointment of 46th DGAFMS, the Flag Officer held the coveted appointments of DG Medical Services (Navy), DG Medical Services (Air) and Director & Commandant of Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune. She is an alumna of AFMC, Pune and was commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services in December 1985.The Flag Officer has the rare distinction of serving in all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces, having served as Lieutenant to Captain in the Indian Army, from Surgeon Lieutenant to Surgeon Vice Admiral in the Indian Navy, and as an Air Marshal in the Indian Air Force.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. India wins SAFF U-17 Championship 2024 after beating Bangladesh: The undefeated Indian football team lifted the 2024 Men’s SAFF U17 Championship by defeating Bangaldesh 2-0 in the final.The final was played at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan.The Indian boy’s football team, also famously known as Blue Colts, remained undefeated throughout the tournament.India and Bangladesh have met five times in the SAFF men’s age group tournament finals. India has won four times – U18 in 2019, U20 in 2022, U16 in 2023 and U17 in 2024. Bangladesh has won once in U16 in 2015.Seven teams -India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan participated in the 2024 Men’s SAAF U17 Championships.India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives were in Group A, and Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan were in Group B.

Captain of Indian team – Ngamgouhou Mate

 

2. Virat Kohli becomes fourth player to complete 27,000 international runs: Indian batsman Virat Kohli became only the fourth player in history to complete 27,000 runs in international cricket across formats, a feat that he achieved on the fourth day of the ongoing second Test against Bangladesh here.Kohli made a brisk 47 off 35 balls with four fours and a six as he helped India push on further in an aggressive mode to make up for the lost time in the Test due to incessant rains.Kohli became only the second Indian to achieve the feat after the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who amassed a massive 34,357 runs across the length of his career. He is also the fastest batter to reach 27000 runs, reaching the impressive landmark in just 594 innings.Sachin is followed by Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara (28,016 runs) and, Australia’s Ricky Ponting at third (27,483 runs).Kohli has more than 8,800 runs in Tests, 13,906 runs in 295 ODIs, and another 4,188 runs in 125 T20Is. He has only retired from the T20 format after India won the T20 World Cup 2024 earlier this year. India’s talisman is still a long way from matching Sachin’s record, as the former cricketer scored 15,921 runs in 200 Tests.

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IBBI to celebrate its Eighth Annual Day: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) is celebrated its Eighth Annual Day on 1st October 2024.To mark the occasion, an annual publication, IBBI has Over the past eight years, the IBC has significantly accelerated the resolution of insolvency cases, bolstered investor and stakeholder confidence and fostering a more favourable environment for business growth.The Code’s deterrent effect, enabling the transfer of control of a Corporate Debtor, has significantly influenced debtor behaviour. The risk of ownership transfer is a strong incentive, encouraging disciplined management and discouraging insolvency-triggering actions.

 

2. SEBI approved new asset class for HNIs with riskier appetite: Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved a new asset class, allowing high-net-worth investors to invest in riskier regulated products.The new asset class is to have a minimum investment amount of Rs 10 lakh. The offerings under the new product will be referred to as ‘Investment Strategies’, to maintain a clear distinction from the schemes offered under the traditional mutual funds.The new product is intended to add depth and variety to the investment landscape of the country through a new asset class.SEBI floated a consultation paper on introducing a ‘New Asset Class’ in July, inviting public comments by August 6, 2024.The move is aimed at creating a new product that lies between mutual funds and portfolio management services (PMS), catering to investors with higher risk-taking capabilities and larger ticket sizes. Among other important decisions, the regulator also approved rules for a new investment product under mutual funds.

 

3. GST collections hit a 40-month low in September, with revenues at ₹1.73 lakh crore: Growth in India’s Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections slumped to a 40-month low of 6.5% in September, with revenues at ₹1,73,240 crore, about 1% lower than the tally in August.Net GST receipts, after adjusting for refunds made to taxpayers, were 3.9% higher than a year ago, marking the slowest growth in this financial year.However, net collections were 1.5% higher than August’s receipts, at ₹1,52,782 crore. In the preceding month, net GST receipts had grown 6.5% while gross collections were up 10%.As many as seven States recorded negative revenue growth, led by a 33% contraction in Manipur, while revenues were flat in Gujarat. Ten States underperformed the national level 6% uptick in domestic revenues, including Telangana (1%), Rajasthan (2%), Uttar Pradesh (3%), and Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and West Bengal (5% each). Poll-bound Haryana recorded the sharpest rise in revenues of 24%, followed by Delhi where receipts grew 20%.

 

Daily GK Update- 1st Oct, 2024

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. President inaugurates the 8th Kala Mahotsav: President Droupadi Murmu has inaugurated the 8th Bhartiya Kala Mahotsav, focussed on the North-Eastern states at the Rashtrapati Nilayam, Secunderabad, Telangana.The eight-day-long Bhartiya Kala Mahotsav will be open to the public from 29 September to 6 October 2024.The 8th Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav, focussed on the North Eastern states, is being organised by the Union Ministry for Development of the North Eastern Region in association with the Union Ministry of Culture.The Mahotsav will showcase the art, culture, crafts, and culinary diversity of the North-Eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.

 

2. PM Modi unveils projects worth ₹ 11,200 crore In Maharashtra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various projects of ₹ 11,200 crore in Maharashtra via video conference.Prime Minister Modi virtually inaugurated the Pune Metro section from District Court to Swargate, which also marks the completion of the Pune Metro Rail Project (Phase-1).The cost of the underground section between the District Court to Swargate is around ₹ 1,810 crore.PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for the Swargate-Katraj extension of the Pune Metro Phase-1 to be developed at the cost of around ₹ 2,955 crore.This southern extension of 5.46 km is completely underground with three stations, namely Market Yard, Padmavati and Katraj.

 

3. Om Birla inaugurated the 21st CPA Zone III India Region Conference: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has inaugurated the 21st Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Zone III Conference at Aizawl, Mizoram.The conference, which was held at the Mizoram Legislative Assembly Complex in Aizawl, was intended to deepen the democratic process in the country’s Northeastern region.Theme – Democratic Sanctity, Transparency, Accountability, and Results from Democracy.The conference aims to foster collaboration and dialogue among the Northeastern state legislatures, focusing on addressing regional challenges through democratic means.

 

4. Pralhad Joshi inaugurates 2nd India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference: Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi has inaugurated the 2nd India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference in New Delhi.The conference brings together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and stakeholders to encourage dialogue, innovation, and collaboration for sustainable growth and development of the sugar and bio-energy industries.Bioenergy refers to the use of sugarcane to produce energy. Ethanol, derived from molasses, is blended with petrol to run petrol-driven vehicles. Molasses is a by-product produced during the production of sugar from sugarcane.

 

5. PM Modi dedicates Bidkin Industrial Area of DMIC to nation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually dedicated the Bidkin Industrial Area in Maharashtra to the nation.The Bilkin Industrial Area, situated 20 km south of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, is part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).The project is part of the central government’s “Make in India, Make for the World” programme, which aims to foster industrial growth, economic prosperity, and sustainable development in the region.The government of India launched the Make in India programme on 25 September 2015, and it has been in operation for 10 years.

 

6. National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR to be set up in Mumbai: The Government of India has approved the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) in the country.The proposed NCoE will be in Mumbai, Maharashtra, the hub of the Indian film industry.The NCoE is being set up on the recommendation of the Task Force on Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics in 2022.The government of India set up a Task Force on Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) in 2022, headed by the then Secretary of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Apurva Chandra.The Task Force was established after the Union Minister for Finance, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced the establishment of a task force on Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics in her budget speech for 2022-23.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 1 October – International Day of Older Persons: International Day of Older Persons is observed every year on 1 October.Objective- To raise public awareness about the opportunities and challenges presented to the ageing populations and to mobilize families, community groups and stakeholders to address the difficulties faced by older people.Theme 2024 – Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons WorldwideOn December 14, 1990, the UN General Assembly made October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons. The International Day of Older Persons was observed for the first time on October 1, 1991.

 

2. India and Republic of Uzbekistan sign Bilateral Investment Treaty in Tashkent: The Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Republic of Uzbekistan was signed by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and H.E. Mr. Khodjayev Jamshid Abdukhakimovich, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, at Tashkent.The BIT between India and Uzbekistan assures appropriate protection to Uzbekistan investors in India and Indian investors in the Republic of Uzbekistan, in light of relevant international precedents and practices.It will increase the comfort level and boost the confidence of investors by assuring a minimum standard of treatment and non-discrimination.

 

3. Amazon partners with Ministry of Labour and Employment to expand job opportunities through NCS portal: Ecommerce giant Amazon’s India unit Amazon India has signed an MoU with the Ministry of Labour and Employment to leverage the National Career Service (NCS) portal.The partnership is aimed at enhancing job accessibility by allowing Amazon and its staffing agencies to post open job positions on the NCS platform. The MoU initially set for two years.Notably, Amazon is the first e-commerce company to collaborate with the Ministry of Labour and Employment for the NCS portal.The initiative will enable job seekers from across the country to apply for various roles at Amazon and its affiliated agencies.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS 

 

1. 9th World Junior Wushu Championships 2024: India wins 7 medals: The Young Indian Wushu players ended their campaign at the 9th World Junior Wushu Championships 2024 by winning seven medals, including two golds, one silver, and four bronze medals.The Championships were held at Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.India’s Aryan clinched the gold medal after defeating Gong Huanran from China in the Boys’ Group Junior 48 kg weight category. Shaurya triumphed over his Iranian opponent Alireza Zamani to win another gold medal in Boys 48kg (children) section.Nang Mingbi Borphukan won a silver medal in the Taolu Jian Shu C Group event.Indian player Tanish Nagar in the 56kg category lost to Abdulkhamid Odilov of Uzbekistan confirming a bronze medal. Abhijeet in the 60kg category, Divyanshi (60kg women) and Yuvraj (42kg) also won bronze medals. A 24-member Indian team participated in the tournament.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. PM Modi launches PARAM Rudra Supercomputers: Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated three PARAM Rudra supercomputers and two high-performance computing systems to the nation.These Computing systems were developed and manufactured indigenously under the National Supercomputer Mission and in line with the Make in India initiative.The three supercomputers have been deployed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata to support cutting-edge scientific research.Pune’s Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) will use the supercomputer to study Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and other astronomical events.In Delhi, the Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) will advance research in material science and atomic physics.Meanwhile, the S.N. Bose Centre in Kolkata will lead advanced studies in physics, cosmology, and earth sciences.

 

2. What is PARAM RUDRA SUPERCOMPUTER?: Param Rudra, named after the fierce avatar of Lord Shiva, is designed to tackle complex computational challenges across various scientific and engineering domains.Three Param Rudra supercomputers have been developed at Rs 130 crores, indigenously under the National Supercomputing Mission.PARAM Rudra SupercomputersIt is based on the indigenous Rudra server developed by C-DAC and has a computing speed of one petaflops (1015 operations per second).C-DAC, under the Union Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeiTY), started developing a High-Performance computing system in the country in 1988 and has developed a series of supercomputers called the PARAM series.

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bandhan Life partners with Bandhan Bank to Strengthen Insurance Business: Bandhan Life Insurance, following its acquisition of Aegon Life and subsequent rebranding earlier this year, has partnered with Bandhan Bank to distribute life insurance products through the bank’s expansive network of 1,700 branches.This move aims to bolster Bandhan Life’s focus on new business and expand its distribution capabilities.Initially, the partnership will see around 550 bank branches offering two new life insurance products tailored for Bandhan Bank customers, with plans to extend this to all 1,700 branches by the end of the year.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Mithun Chakraborty nominated for highest cinema honour Dadasaheb Phalke Award: The Union Ministry for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw announcedthat the jury had selected veteran Hindi and Bengali film actor Mithun Chakraborty, 74, as the recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Awards for 2022.Mithun Chakraborty will be the 54th recipient of the Dada Saheb Phalke Award.Last year, Waheeda Rehman received the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Awards for 2021.Mithun Chakraborty will be conferred the award at the 70th National Film Festival award ceremony, which will be held on 8 October 2024.Asha Parekh, Vipul Shah, and Khusbhu Sundar were members of the Jury that selected the Dadasaheb Lifetime Achievement Award winner for 2022.