January 2024  Managing Director & CEO, Indian Overseas Bank:
Ajay Kumar Srivastava
Banking & Finance News
1. SFBs to embark on “Small Banks: Empowering Big
Dreams” campaign
 These niche banks (SFBs) are required to lend at
least 75% of their total advances to priority sectors
i.e.
 Agriculture and allied activities;
 Micro, small and medium enterprises;
 Education;
 Housing; and others
 Further, at least 50% of their loan portfolio should
comprise loans and advances of up to ₹25 lakh.
 Total Number of SFBs: 12
 RBI's Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in
India:
 SFBs serve a critical role in delivering credit to
under-banked segments.
 They have low CASA deposits and a greater reliance
on bulk term deposits.
2. KVG Bank launches new current account scheme for
biz customers
 Karnataka Vikas Grameen Bank (KVGB) has
launched a current account catering to the
requirements of traders, trusts, partnerships,
societies, and organizations.
 It is a regional rural bank headquartered in Dharwad.
 It offers exclusive benefits to the business class with
eligibility criteria set at maintaining a monthly
average balance of ₹2 lakh.
 A waiver of cash handling charges up to ₹5 lakh per
day.
 Exemptions on charges for NEFT, RTGS, mobile
banking, net banking merchant app, UPI, SMS, and
commission-on-demand drafts.
3. NSE’s investor base grows to 8.5 crore in 2023
 The investor base of the National Stock Exchange
(NSE) increased by 22% from 7 crore to 8.54 crore
during the calendar year 2023.
 Result: The growing retail investor participation in
the stock market
 Ranks:
 Maharashtra (1.49 crore investors)
 Uttar Pradesh (90 lakh investors)
 Gujarat (77 lakh investors)
 West Bengal (48 lakh investors)
 Market capitalization on of NSE EMERGE listed
companies (SMEs) crossed Rs 1,00,000 crore mark
for the first time since the platform’s inception in
2012.
4. IOB introduces savings account portability online
scheme
 Indian Overseas Bank has introduced ‘Savings
Account Portability Online’, an online scheme.
 Aim: To offer an easier savings account portability
process for customers who move to different
locations
 Customers don’t have to fill out endless forms and
wait for days and weeks for the account transfer to
materialise
5. Bulk deposit limit enhanced to ₹1 crore for large UCBs
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has enhanced the
bulk deposit limit for scheduled urban cooperative
banks (UCBs) having deposits above ₹1,000 crore.
 The bulk deposit would now mean single-term
deposits of ₹1 crore and above.
 Earlier, the bulk deposit meant single-term deposits
of ₹15 lakh and above.
6. UPI transaction rules 2024 applicable from January 1,
2024
 UPI transaction limit hiked for hospitals, schools to
Rs 5 lakh from Rs 1 lakh earlier.
 NPCI asked banks and mobile payment applications
to deactivate the UPI IDs and numbers of the
accounts that have been inactive for one year.
 UPI Lite wallet's transaction limit increased from Rs
200 to Rs 500 (Maximum amount: Rs 2,000)
 UPI payments to Rs 1 lakh for credit card
repayments, mutual fund subscriptions, and
insurance premiums will no longer require an
additional factor authentication.
 Interchange fee on UPI merchant payments:
 Imposition of a 1.1% interchange fee on UPI
payments made by merchants.
 Fees will not be applicable if the money transferred
is higher than Rs 2,000.
7. RBI proposes banks with less than 6% net NPAs to
declare dividends
 As per the prevailing norms last updated in 2005,
banks need to have an NNPA (Net NPA) ratio of up to
7% to become eligible for declaration of dividends.
 The Reserve Bank proposed allowing banks having
net non-performing assets (NPAs) ratio of less than
6% to declare dividends.
 The new guidelines should come into effect from
FY25 onwards.
 Commercial Bank: A minimum total capital adequacy
of 11.5% to be eligible for declaring dividend
 Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks: 15%
 Local Area Banks and Regional Rural Banks: 9%
 Increasing the upper ceiling on dividend payout
ratio: 50% from 40%
8. UPI transactions cross 100-billion mark in 2023
 Total transactions processed through the Unified
Payments Interface (UPI) crossed the 100 billion
mark to close at around 118 billion, representing
60% growth as compared to 74 billion transactions
recorded in 2022.
9. RBI tells banks to make more effort on inoperative
accounts
 RBI issues guidelines for inoperative accounts &
unclaimed deposits to reduce fraud & improve
grievance redressal, applicable from April 1, 2024.
 It also barred banks from levying penal charges for
non-maintenance of minimum balance in any
account classified as inoperative or for activation of
inoperative accounts.
 Not applicable: Zero-balance accounts opened/
Direct Benefit Transfer
  Currently, the credit balance in any deposit account
that has been inoperative for at least 10 years, or any
amount that has been unclaimed for 10 years, is
required to be transferred by banks to the DEA Fund.
10. Women's share in Life Insurance by Private Firms
Inch Upwards
 Out of the total 28.4 million policies sold by the
insurers during 2022-23, the share of women"s life
insured by private companies rose to 30.13% as
compared to 29% in 2021-22.
 The share of women insured by Life Insurance
Corporation of India (LIC) dropped to 35.81% from
36% in the year-ago period.
 The number of policies issued to women was around
9.73 million, which is 34.20 per cent of the total.
11. RBI: 97.38% of ₹ 2,000 banknotes returned
 The Reserve Bank of India said the circulation of
₹2,000 banknotes had declined to ₹9,330 crore on
December 29, 2023.
 97.38% of the ₹ 2,000 banknotes in circulation as of
May 19, 2023, have since been returned.
 The total value of ₹2,000 banknotes in circulation
was ₹3.56 lakh crore on May 19, 2023, when its
withdrawal was notified.
12. Ind-Ra ups India's FY'24 growth estimates to 6.7%
 India Ratings and Research upped the GDP growth
estimate for the current fiscal to 6.7%, from 6.2%.
 Reason: Resilient economy, sustained government
capex, and the prospect of a new private corporate
capex cycle
 It flagged weak global growth and trade as risks that
weighed down the growth estimates, besides theRBI revises definition of politically-exposed persons for KYC
volatile geopolitical situation.
 The RBI also expects a sequential slowdown in the
GDP growth in the remaining two quarters and
expects the overall FY24 GDP to come in at 7 per cent.
13. Tata Pay Secures RBI Payment Aggregator License for
E-commerce Transactions
 Tata Pay has been granted a payment aggregator
(PA) license by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
 Industry leaders: Razorpay, Cashfree, and Google
Pay
 Digital Payment Journey of Tata Group:
 In 2022, Tata introduced its digital payments app on
the Unified Payments Interface in collaboration with
ICICI Bank.
 White Label ATMs license under Tata
Communications.
14. GDP to grow nearly 7% in FY24: Economists
 The Indian economy may grow by around 7% this
financial year as estimated by the Monetary Policy
Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
 The first advance estimates for 2023-24 will be
released by the National Statistical Organisation
(NSO).
15. RBI asks issuers to specify use of funds raised through
NCDs, CPs
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently
reviewed the directions on commercial papers (CPs)
and non-convertible debentures (NCDs).
 The review was done based on the market feedback
and a master direction has been issued accordingly.
 It will come into effect on April 1, 2024.
16. Homeloans' share of retail segment fell in Nov 2023
 The share of home loans in retail advances of banks
in November declined to 47.2% from 48.7% a year
ago.
 According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the
share of unsecured loans (including credit cards,
personal loans, and consumer durables) increased
from 30.91% to 33.83% between 2021 and 2023.
17. SBI Raises $1 Billion from Overseas for ESG Financing
Market
 State Bank of India (SBI) has successfully secured $1
billion (approximately Rs 8,300 crore) from
overseas.
 Reason: To address the growing demand in the
domestic Environmental, Social, and Governance
(ESG) financing market
 This syndicated social loan issuance comprises $750
million, with an additional $250 million as a green
shoe option.
 Loan Tenures: Three-year and Five-year loan
 This syndicated social loan issuance comprises $750
million, with an additional $250 million as a green
shoe option.
 Loan Tenures: Three-year and Five-year loan
 SOFR:
 It is a replacement for the Libor.
 It serves as a benchmark rate for dollar-
denominated derivatives and loans
purpose
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has changed the
definition of Politically-Exposed Persons (PEPs)
under its norms.
 Reason: To make it easier for those individuals to
carry out various banking transactions, including
availing loans
 The earlier norms about PEPs were open-ended and
there was a lack of clarity on the definition,
apparently leading to issues for bankers,
parliamentarians, and others.
 There were also concerns in certain quarters that
PEPs were finding it difficult to get loans or open
bank accounts.
18. India's forex reserves jump $2.75 bn to $623.2 bn: RBI
data
 India's forex reserves jumped by $2.759 billion to
$623.2 billion in the week ended December 29, 2024.
 In the previous reporting week, the overall reserves
had increased by $4.471 billion to $620.441 billion.
 Expressed in dollar terms, the foreign currency
assets include the effect of appreciation or
depreciation of non-US units like the euro, pound
and yen held in the foreign exchange reserves.
 Gold reserves were up by $853 million to $48.328
billion during the week.
 The Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) were up by $38
million to $18.365 billion.
19. India's GDP may grow 7.3% in FY24: Govt's first
advance estimates
 The National Statistical Office (NSO) has projected
the Indian economy to grow at 7.3% in 2023-2024.
 It is higher than the Reserve Bank of India’s estimate
of 7%
 Most economists have assumed India’s gross
domestic product (GDP) to grow between 6.5% and
6.7% during the ongoing financial year.
 The Indian economy grew 7.7% in the first half
(April-September) of FY24.
20. India registered strong investment performance in
2023
 According to the UN World Economic Situation and
Prospects (WESP) 2024 report, India registered
strong investment performance in 2023.
 It is driven by government infrastructure projects
and multinational investments.
 According to the UN World Economic Situation and
Prospects (WESP) 2024 report, India registered
strong investment performance in 2023.
 It is driven by government infrastructure projects
and multinational investments.
 In 2022, FDI flows to India rose by 10 per cent to USD
49 billion
 Fixed capital formation in India is the increased
government spending on roads, railways and
renewable energy projects.
21. IMF raises India's GDP growth projection for FY25 by
20 bps to 6.5%
 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised the
growth projection of India for 2024-25 (FY25) by 20
basis points (bps) to 6.5% in its World Economic
Outlook (WEO).
 Reason: Buoyant domestic spending and improved
global growth prospects.
 However, the IMF estimates fall below the 7%
growth projection by the Ministry of Finance.
 For FY24, the IMF raised India’s growth estimate by
40 bps to 6.7%, which is still lower than the 7.3%
growth projected by the National Statistical Office
(NSO).
 For China, the IMF increased its growth forecast for
2024 by 40 bps to 4.6%.
 The IMF raised its global growth projection for 2024
by 20 bps to 3.1%.
22. Bajaj Finserv arm acquires 100% stake in Vidal
Healthcare Services
 Bajaj Finserv's wholly owned subsidiary Bajaj
Finserv Health Limited has acquired a 100% equity
stake in Vidal Healthcare Services (VHC) Private
Limited.
 The two wholly owned subsidiaries of VHC, Vidal
Health Insurance TPA (VHI-TPA) Private Limited
and VH Medcare Private Limited (VHMPL), would
also become indirect subsidiaries of BFS-Health as
part of the agreement.
23. BOB Financial Solutions Limited rebranded as
‘BOBCARD Limited’ with “Credit Reimagined” Tagline
 The wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of Baroda for
cards i.e. BOB Financial Solutions Limited has been
rebranded as ‘BOBCARD Limited’ with the tagline
“Credit Reimagined”.
 The NBFC has also unveiled a new logo called
‘Baroda Sun’.
 The new logo comprises dual ‘B’ letterforms that
hold the rays of the rising sun.
 Aim: To offer customer-centric, solution-driven
assistance that assures service through innovation.
Banks and NBFCs show strong performance in loans
and deposits growth
 In the third quarter of the fiscal year 2024, both
public sector and private banks, alongside non-
banking financial companies (NBFCs), displayed
remarkable resilience and growth.
 The banking sector witnessed robust credit growth,
with figures ranging from 11% to 23% year-on-year.
24. New AIF norms mandate investment in demat form
 Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
extended the requirement of mandatory
appointment of custodians by Alternate Investment
Funds (AIFs) to schemes with a corpus of less than or
equal to ₹500 crore.
 Till now, this norm applied to Category III, II and I
AIFs with a corpus of more than ₹500 crore.
 Now, the norm has been extended to all AIFs.
 Benefits
 Helps in diversified investment in various sectors.
 Reduce dependence on foreign capital
 Reduce the impact of market volatility
25. IRDAI eases norms for insurer investment in
infrastructure debt funds
 IRDAI has relaxed certain norms on investment in
infrastructure debt funds (IDFs) of non-banking
financial companies (NBFCs) by insurance
companies.
 Previously, insurers were permitted to invest in IDFs
backed by the central government on a case-by-case
basis.
 The regulator has done away with the requirement
for case-by-case approval for IDF as a measure to
encourage investments by insurers in the sector and
to increase the ease of doing business.
 insurers are allowed to make investments in IDF-
NBFCs which are registered with the RBI and have a
minimum credit rating of AA or its equivalent by a
Credit Rating Agency registered with the SEBI to be
eligible for the investment.
 These debt securities will have a residual tenure of
not less than five years.
26. RBI says Rs 2,000 notes can be exchanged through
post offices as well
 The RBI informed that people can send the notes to
any of its 19 issue offices from any post office.
 People need to fill up an application form which is
available online and send the notes to the RBI issue
office from any facility of India Post.
 At present, over 97.38% of the Rs 2,000 notes in
circulation as of May 2023 have been returned.
  A person can either exchange or deposit the notes up
to a limit of Rs 20,000 at a time across the 19 issue
offices along with the post-office-based facilities.
27. UN report revises India's 2024 GDP growth estimate
to 6.2%
 The United Nations World Economic Situation and
Prospects Report 2024 revised India's gross
domestic product (GDP) growth estimate for the
2024 calendar year to 6.2%, compared to 6.7%
earlier.
 Reason: Mainly supported by resilient private
consumption and strong public investment
 The report projects a rebound in 2025, with a GDP
growth projection of 6.6%.
28. Karnataka Bank & Satin Creditcare sign up for co-
lending
 Karnataka Bank and Satin Creditcare Network have
signed a co-lending arrangement to provide financial
support to joint liability groups (JLG) of economically
active women.
 Area: In both rural and semi-urban areas
 Karnataka Bank and Satin Creditcare Network have
signed a co-lending arrangement to provide financial
support to joint liability groups (JLG) of economically
active women.
 Area: In both rural and semi-urban areas
 The arrangement will leverage Karnataka Bank’s low
cost of funds and end-to-end digital capabilities
 HQ of Karnataka Bank: Mangaluru
 Karnataka Bank MD & CEO Srikrishnan H
29. Key Highlights of RBI’s Financial Stability Report
(FSR) – December 2023
 The RBI released the 28th issue of the Financial
Stability Report (FSR).
 The report is based on the findings of the Sub-
Committee of the Financial Stability and
Development Council (FSDC).
30. Mcap club: Tata group remains No1; Murugappa,JSW
in top 10
 Tata Group remained India's largest business
conglomerate in market capitalisation in calendar
year 2023.
 The Mukesh Ambani camp raced ahead of the Adani
businesses to become the second-largest.
 The Tata companies ended 2023 with a combined
group market capitalisation of ₹28.68 trillion, up
35% from the ₹21.2 trillion at the end of December
2022.
 Ambani's group mcap is ₹19.42 trillion at the end of
CY23, up 10.7 per cent from the ₹17.6 trillion a year
ago.
31. EFTA: Trade deficit, Swiss blanket removal of import
duties to hurt India
 Large trade deficit with Switzerland and its decision
to remove import duties on almost all industrial
goods for all countries starting January 1, 2024
would limit gains for India under the proposed trade
agreement with EFTA bloc.
 Report by: Economic think tank GTRI
 Switzerland's decision to eliminate import duties on
all industrial goods for all countries starting January
1, 2024 changes the dynamics of the negotiations.
 This tariff removal does not extend to fishery and
agricultural products.
 India and the European Free Trade Association
(EFTA) are negotiating a free trade agreement,
officially dubbed as Trade and Economic Partnership
Agreement (TEPA) with a view to boosting economic
ties.
 FTA (free trade agreement) negotiations were
initiated in January 2008.
 EFTA members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway,
and Switzerland.
32. GST collections reveal a dissonance in consumption
growth across States
 Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenues for the first
nine months of 2023-24 reveal a dissonance in
consumption growth across States, with Gujarat,
West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
33. CAG-Bank of Baroda report on capex push in FY24
 According to the Comptroller and Auditor General of
India (CAG) data by the Bank of Baroda economists,
Indian states have been lagging behind the Centre in
capex push in 2023-24 (FY24).
 During the April-November period, the Centre has
spent 58.5% of its Rs 10 trillion capex target for
FY24.
 26 states cumulatively have spent 45% of the Rs 7
trillion target.
 The Centre had allotted ₹1.3 trillion for FY24 under
the interest-free loans scheme for capital investment
by states.
 Till November 2023, capex amounting to ₹97,374
crore has been approved and ₹ 59,030 crore released
to the eligible states.
34. SBI research unit claim Income inequality declined
 Income inequality has declined in India with a higher
tax base and a shift in taxpayers from lower-income
to higher-income tax brackets, according to the
Economic Research Department of the State Bank of
India (SBI).
 The unit also claimed that the K-shaped recovery
was “prejudiced” and “ill-concocted”.
 The number of ITRs filed by people earning between
Rs 10 lakh and Rs 25 lakh increased by 291%.
 19.5% of small firms have transitioned into larger
firms through MSME value chain integration.
 Female tax filers are around 15% of individual tax
filers with certain states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Punjab, and West Bengal having a higher share of
female tax filers.
35. LIC to acquire 10% stake in National Housing Board-
promoted company
 The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) board
has approved acquiring up to 10% of a company
promoted by the National Housing Bank (NHB).
 National Housing Bank (NHB):
 It is an All-India Financial Institution (AIFl).
 It was established under the National Housing Bank
Act, of 1987.
 It is wholly owned by the Government of India.
 Aim: To promote housing finance
 Head Office: New Delhi
 NHB supervises HFCs, while regulation of HFCs is
with the RBI.
 NHB RESIDEX is the country’s first official housing
price index (HPI).
36. World Bank retains India growth forecasts for FY24
and FY25
 The World Bank retained India’s economic growth
forecast at 6.3% for FY24, and 6.4% for FY25.
 Reason: Slow post-pandemic recovery.
 Report: Global Economic Prospects report
 Recently, the National Statistical Office (NSO) in its
first advance estimates pegged the country’s real
GDP expansion in the current fiscal year, at 7.3%.
 World Bank Deputy Chief Economist: Ayhan Kose
37. PFC gets RBI nod to set up finance company in GIFT
City, Gujarat
 Power Finance Corporation (PFC) received approval
from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to set up a
wholly-owned finance company in the GIFT City in
Gujarat.
 Under the Ministry of Power, PFC is an infrastructure
finance company.
38. ZestMoney founders launched SwiffyLabs
 The founders of “buy now pay later” (BNPL) firm
ZestMoney, Lizzie Chapman, and Ashish
Anantharaman have launched a startup called
SwiffyLabs.
 It is a business-to-business (B2B) fintech company
building infrastructure for banks and financial
institutions.
 The venture has received backing from Jio Platforms.
 Chapman and Anantharaman had left ZestMoney in
May 2023.
39. RBI doubles minimum capital requirement to Rs 200
cr for SFBs
 The Reserve Bank raised the minimum capital
requirement for small finance banks to Rs 200 crore
and permitted Payments Bank to upgrade as SFBs.
 Incidentally, the net worth of all SFBs currently in
operation is over Rs 200 crore.
 Payments Banks can apply for conversion into SFB
after five years of operations.
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) last issued
guidelines for licensing of small finance banks in the
private sector on November 27, 2014.
 As per the norms, SFBs are subject to most of the
prudential norms that scheduled commercial banks
have to adhere to.
 About 75% of the credit advanced by small finance
banks will need to go to sectors that are considered
part of the so-called priority sector, including
agriculture, small enterprises, and low-income
earners.
 Commercial banks have to mandatorily lend 40% of
their net bank credit to such sectors.
40. An MoU was signed for 'Svyam Siddha' between SBI &
DAY-NRLM
 State Bank of India introduced a specialized financial
product, “Svyam Siddha”, exclusively tailored for
SHG women entrepreneurs seeking loans up to Rs 5
lakhs.
 This initiative is uniquely designed to alleviate the
challenges associated with extensive documentation
requirements for bank loan applications and reduce
the Turn Around Time (TAT).
 DAY-NRLM will facilitate the loan application
process and oversee loan repayment through its
dedicated field cadre.
41. 'EaseMyTrip' ventures into the insurance sector with
a new subsidiary
 Online travel booking platform EaseMyTrip.com
ventured into the insurance sector with the launch of
its subsidiary 'EaseMyTrip Insurance Broker Pvt
Ltd'.
 It is a "strategic move" to diversify its service
portfolio and tap into the insurance market by
creating a specialized product to solve customer
needs.
 IRDAI Vision 2047:
 IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority of India) has aimed to provide Insurance
for All by 2047.
 Aim: Every citizen has appropriate life, health, and
property insurance cover, and every enterprise is
supported by appropriate insurance solutions
 It also aims to make the Indian insurance sector
globally attractive.
 Pillars: Insurance customers (Policyholders);
Insurance providers (insurers); and Insurance
distributors (intermediaries)
 Focus Areas:
 Making available the right products to the right
customers
 Creating a robust grievance redressal mechanism
 Ease of doing business in the insurance sector
 Boosting innovation
42. RBI raised concern over algorithm-based lending by
banks and NBFCs
 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta
Das raised concerns over algorithm-based lending by
banks and NBFCs.
 And also informed, that there is a need for
continuous testing of such models to prevent any
possible build-up of risk.
 Management, boards of directors, and audit
committees should ensure robustness in algorithms
and gauge the possible risks these models could
create.
  Digital lending guidelines (DLG) by the RBI in
September 2022 to protect customers from
unethical business practices, such as mis-selling,
breach of data privacy, unfair business conduct, and
charging of exorbitant interest rates, adopted by
digital lenders.
 Later RBI issued first loss default guarantee (FLDG)
in June 2023, which is a credit-risk sharing
agreement where third party guarantees such as a
lending service provider (LSP) compensate up to a
certain percentage of default in a loan portfolio of the
regulated entities – banks and NBFCs.
43. Net direct tax collection rises 19% to ₹14.71 lakh
crore in FY24
 The net direct tax collection of India increased 19%
to ₹14.71 lakh crore in the current fiscal (FY 24) so
far.
 The gross collection is 24.58%, which is higher than
the gross collection for the corresponding period of
last year (FY 23).
 The direct tax collection (net of refunds) stands at
₹12.31 lakh crore which is 19.55% higher than the
net collections for the corresponding period of FY
2023-23.
 This collection is 86.68% of the total budget
estimates of direct taxes for FY 2022-23.
 The government has budgeted to collect ₹18.23 lakh
crore from direct taxes (personal income tax and
corporate tax).
 The fiscal deficit is the indication of government
borrowing to bridge the gap between total revenue
and expenditure.
 It is estimated at 6% of gross domestic product
(GDP) in the current financial year.
44. RBI waives ₹5 crore penalty imposed on Bank of
Baroda over shortfall in soiled note remittances
 Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has
decided to waive the ₹5 crore penalty on Bank of
Baroda (BoB), which was previously imposed on it
due to a shortfall in soiled note remittances.
 The penalties imposed by the RBI align with its Clean
Note Policy.
45. Sebi proposes interim recommendations to ease IPO
norms
 Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) expert
committee, chaired by ex-whole-time member S.K
Mohanty, has suggested giving companies more
flexibility to alter the issue size post the submission
of an offer document.
 Recommendations:
 More avenues for maintaining the mandatory 20%
minimum promoters’ contribution post-listing.
 Listing regulations applicable for listed companies
should be based on the average market capitalization
during the last six months rather than on a single day.
 Allowing companies to extend the Initial Public
Offering (IPO) period just by one day as against the
compulsory three days at present in case of force
majeure events, such as a banking strike.
 Increase or decrease in the size of the offer for sale
(OFS) should be based either on the issue size or the
number of shares, and not both criteria.
 Sebi has sought public comments on the interim
recommendations by February 1.
46. India’s Outward FDI Sharply Declines to $2.25 Billion
in December: RBI Data
 According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data,
India’s outward foreign direct investment (FDI)
commitments fell sharply to $2.25 billion in
December 2023.
 In December 2022, it was recorded over $4.12
billion.
 According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data,
India’s outward foreign direct investment (FDI)
commitments fell sharply to $2.25 billion in
December 2023.
 In December 2022, it was recorded over $4.12
billion.
 The equity commitments declined to $646.7 million
in December 2023 from $1.38 billion in December
2022.
 Debt commitments decreased to $625.91 million in
December 2023 from $1.15 billion in December
2022.
 Guarantees for overseas units declined to $978.19
million in December 2023 from $1.58 billion in
December 2022.
47. India's foreign exchange reserves slip from near 22-
month highs
 As of January 5, 2024, India's foreign exchange
reserves stood at $617.30 billion, easing from near
22-month highs, as per the data from the central
bank.
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) intervenes in the
foreign exchange market to curb excess volatility in
the rupee.
 Changes in foreign currency assets include the
impact of the RBI's intervention as well as the
appreciation or depreciation of foreign assets held in
the reserves.
 Foreign exchange reserves also include India's
reserve tranche position in the International
Monetary Fund.
 A reserve tranche position implies a portion of the
required quota of currency each member country
must provide to the IMF that can be utilized for its
own purposes.
48. India's Index of Industrial Production grows by 2.4
per cent in November 2023
 According to data released by the Ministry of
Statistics and Programme Implementation, the
growth in India's industrial output slumped to 2.4%
in November 2023 from October's 16-month high of
11.6%.
 Quick Estimates of the Index of Industrial Production
(IIP) are released on the 12th of every month with a
six-weeks lag.
 Base year: 2011-12
 The Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial
Production (IIP) stands at 141 in November 2023.
  The Indices of Industrial Production for the Mining,
Manufacturing and Electricity sectors for the month
of November 2023 stand at 131.1, 139.2 and 176.3
respectively.
 As per Use-based classification, the indices stand at
143.8 for Primary Goods, 98.0 for Capital Goods,
151.4 for Intermediate Goods and 164.1 for
Infrastructure/ Construction Goods.
 The indices for Consumer durables and Consumer
non-durables stand at 105.9 and 156.9 respectively.
49. India’s Retail Inflation stands at 5.69% in December
2023
 The National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of
Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
is releasing All India Consumer Price Index (CPI).
 Base year: 2012
 India's headline retail inflation rate accelerated to a
four-month high of 5.69% in December 2023.
 The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation print in
November 2023 was 5.55%.
 Headline retail inflation has now spent 51
consecutive months above the Reserve Bank of
India's medium-term target of 4%.
50. RBI imposes Rs 2.49 crore penalty on 3 banks
 The Reserve Bank has imposed penalties totaling Rs
2.49 crore on three banks i.e. ESAF Small Finance
Bank, Dhanlaxmi Bank, and Punjab and Sind Bank,
for contravention of regulatory norms.
 ESAF Small Finance Bank:
 Amount: Rs 29.55 lakh
 Reason: For non-compliance with the directions
issued by it on 'Customer Service in Banks'.
 Dhanlaxmi Bank
 Amount: Rs 1.20 crore
 Reason: For non-compliance with certain directions
on 'Loans and Advances Statutory and Other
Restrictions', KYC, and certain norms related to the
interest rate on deposits
 Punjab and Sind Bank
 Amount: Rs 1 crore
 Reason: for non-compliance with certain directions
on 'Loans and Advances Statutory and Other
Restrictions
51. SBI launches special fixed deposit (FD) scheme
 The State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a special
fixed deposit (FD) scheme.
 Aim: To mobilize funds to support environment-
friendly initiatives and projects, so that foster the
growth of a green finance ecosystem in India
 This FD is aligned with the government of India's
ambitious goal i.e. net carbon zero by 2070.
 Feature:
 Eligible: Resident individuals, Non-individuals, and
NRI customers
 Tenors: It offers three distinct tenors: 1111 days,
1777 days, and 2222 days.
 How to invest:
 Currently, it is available through the branch network.
 Soon. it will be made available through other digital
channels such as YONO and Internet Banking
Services.
 Interest rate: SGRTD will offer 10 basis points (bps)
interest rates below the card rate for retail and bulk
Deposits for respective tenor.
 Interest rate for retail deposits:
 1111 Days- 6.65 %
 1777 Days- 6.65 %
 2222 Days- 6.40 %
 Interest rate for bulk deposits
 1111 Days- 6.15 %
 1777 Days- 6.15 %
 2222 Days- 5.90 %
 The additional interest rate for senior citizens
 Pre-mature withdrawal: Yes
 Maturity Instructions: As applicable for term
deposit/ special term deposit
 Loan facility: Loan/ overdraft facility available
against the deposit
 TDS: TDS is applicable as per income tax rules
 Are Green Deposits covered under the DICGC?
 Yes, the deposits raised under the framework are
covered by the Deposit Insurance and Credit
Guarantee Corporation.
52. SBI raising $300 mn via medium term bonds
 State Bank of India (SBI) is in the market to raise
about $ 300 million through medium-term notes to
garner resources for lending to international
customers.
 The S&P Global Ratings assigned its 'BBB-' long-term
issue rating to the proposed dollar-denominated
bonds to be issued by the London branch of SBI.
 Fitch Rating has given an expected rating of 'BBB-
(EXP)' to these senior unsecured notes.
 SBI Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara
 SBI HQ: Mumbai
53. Bloomberg Index Services Ltd to Include India's FAR
Bonds into its EM Index from September 2024
 Bloomberg Index Services proposed including
eligible Indian bonds in its emerging market (EM)
local currency index from September 2024.
 Aim: It could lead to billions of dollars of inflows into
the country.
 According to the proposal, the inclusion of Indian
government bonds will be a phased implementation
plan spanning over 5 months starting in September
2024.
 Each month will add 20% of the bonds' full market
value (100%) falling under the FAR category which
does not involve any restrictions on foreign
investors.
 The process will be completed in January 2025.
 Once completely phased into the Bloomberg EM 10%
Country Capped Index, India FAR bonds will be fully
capped at 10% weight within the index.
 India's FAR bonds are those that foreign investors
can buy without any limits.
 Existing routes apart from FAR:
 The Medium Term Framework (MTF) for Foreign
Portfolio Investment (FPI) in Central Government
 Securities (G-secs) and State Government Securities
(SDLs) was introduced in October 2015.
 The Voluntary Retention Route (VRR) encourages
Foreign Portfolio Investors to undertake long-term
investments in Indian debt markets.
 It is a benchmark index for measuring the total
return performance of international government
and corporate bonds issued by emerging market
countries that meet specific liquidity and structural
requirements.
 EMBI tracks the performance of emerging market
bonds and was first published by investment bank JP
Morgan.
54. Indian Bank inks pact with FPL Tech to launch co-
branded credit card
 Public sector Indian Bank has partnered with FPL
Technologies to launch the Indian Bank One Co-
branded Credit Card.
 Leveraging the Visa and RuPay platforms.
 The cards would be issued by Indian Bank and
managed by FPL Technologies.
 Signal: A synergy of expertise, innovation, and
commitment toward providing customers with
unparalleled services in the credit card domain
55. Bank deposits double in a little over 7 years
 The deposits with commercial banks have crossed
the Rs 200 trillion mark, taking seven years and
three months to double from Rs 100 trillion in
September 2016.
 The last Rs 50 trillion were mobilized.
 Mutual fund AUM, which is one-fourth of total bank
deposits, grew by about Rs 20 trillion during the
same period.
 Two crucial events which helped to scale up the
deposit base were the demonetization of Rs 500 and
Rs 1,000 notes in 2016, and the return of Rs 2,000
notes in the banks in 2023.
56. NDB Commits $500 Million Loan for Gujarat’s
Infrastructure Development
 New Development Bank (NDB) has inked an
agreement with the Gujarat government, pledging a
substantial $500 million loan, during the Vibrant
Gujarat Summit.
 This financial infusion is earmarked for the
Mukhayamantri Gram Sadak Yojana, a pivotal project
in the state.
 The allocated funds will facilitate the construction of
approximately 1,200 kilometers of roads.
 NDB President: Dilma Rousseff
 NDB Founded: 15 July 2014, Fortaleza, State of Ceará,
Brazil
 NDS HQ: Shanghai
57. RBI proposes tighter regulations for deposit-taking
housing finance firms
 The RBI has proposed to tighten the regulations for
deposit-taking in housing finance firms/companies
(HFCs).
 Deposit-taking housing finance companies (HFCs)
will have to maintain 15% liquid assets against
public deposits held by them (earlier 13%).
 To enhance requirements of liquid assets as part of
steps to harmonize regulations for housing finance
and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).
 Deposits taking HFCs will get time till March 2025 to
meet the enhanced liquid asset norms.
 RBI also tightened the leverage ratio for raising
funds via deposits.
 Currently, HFCs are allowed to accept or reneaw
deposits repayable after one year or more but not
more than 10 years from the date of acceptance or
renewal of such deposits.
 Henceforth, deposits accepted or renewed by HFCs
shall be repayable after one year or more but not
later than five years.
 Existing deposits with maturities above five years
will be repaid according to their existing repayment
profile.
 Further, HFCs have been allowed to diversify their
activities in certain fee-based functions without risk
participation like in case of NBFC.
58. RBI releases draft norms for fintech self-regulatory
organisations (SRO)
 The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) draft norms for
self regulatory organisations for the fintech sector
(SRO-FT).
 Proposal:
 Such entities should have a robust IT infrastructure
and the ability to deploy technological solutions
within a reasonable timeframe.
 The applicant for such an entity should have
sufficient net worth and demonstrate the capability
of establishing the necessary infrastructure to fulfil
the responsibilities of an SRO-FT effectively.
 SRO-FTs should strive towards healthy and
sustainable development of the fintech sector.
 Membership of the SRO-FT should be voluntary.
 RBI could inspect the books of the SRO-FT or arrange
to have the books audited by an audit firm.
 The SRO should be set up as a not-for-profit company
registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act,
2013.
 The applicant should represent the fintech sector
with membership across entities of all sizes, stages
and activities.
 If representation is inadequate at the time of
application, the application should include a
roadmap for achieving this within a reasonable
timeline.
59. Sebi proposed liquidation flexibility for AIF and VCFs
to deal with beyond tenure
 Sebi proposed to provide flexibility to Alternative
Investment Funds (AIFs), Venture Capital Funds
(VCFs), and their investors.
 Reason: To deal with unliquidated investments of
their schemes beyond the expiry of tenure.
 Additionally, SEBI also extends the flexibility of the
dissolution process to venture capital funds through
migration to the AIF regime.
 Presently, the option to launch a liquidation scheme
is available only to those schemes of AIFs which are
under 'Liquidation Period'.
  The period of one year following the expiry of tenure
of the scheme for fully liquidating the scheme.
 But it is not available to VCFs, irrespective of whether
their tenure has expired or not.
 SEBI also suggested that during the liquidation
period of an AIF scheme, if the AIF decides to opt for
dissolution period, then AIF should obtain positive
consent of 75 per cent of investors by value of their
investment in the scheme.
 After obtaining the consent, the AIF should arrange
bids for a minimum of 25 per cent of the value of the
unliquidated investments
60. Reserve Bank of India likely to withdraw relief to
govt-owned NBFCs
 Reserve Bank of India likely to withdraw relief to
govt-owned NBFCs
 Substantial time has elapsed since Government-
owned NBFCs were brought within the ambit of
prudential regulations in May 2018.
 The Government NBFCs shall be guided by the
exposure norms and limits contained in the circulars
as applicable to them.
 The top 50 exposures of Government-Registered
NBFCs (G-NBFCs), amounting to Rs. 7.8 trillion,
constitute about 40% of the total corporate credit
within the NBFC sector, indicating a concentration
risk.
61. 51% of women prefer low-risk FDs, only 7% invest in
stocks: survey
 Survey conductd by: DBS Bank India and rating
agency CRISIL
 Women earners in India's metros tend to be risk-
averse with 51% of their investments parked in fixed
deposits (FD) and savings accounts, followed by 16%
in gold, 15% in mutual funds, 10% in real estate and
just 7% in stocks.
 Hyderabad and Mumbai lead the way in credit card
usage, with 96% of women in Mumbai relying on
credit cards, while only 63% of women in Kolkata
use them.
 Only 14% of urban women opt for cash transactions.
 The remaining favour digital, with 29% preferring
UPI, 16% mobile banking, 13% credit cards, and 11%
net banking.
 Buying/upgrading a home is priority number one for
those between 25-35 years.
 It evolves to children’s education for those in the 35-
45 year category and to medical care for those above
45 years of age.
 Retirement planning is seen entering the
consideration set for the first time in the 35-45 year
age cohort.
62. ndia second-largest recipient of foreign flows in 2023
after US
 India was one of the biggest recipients of global
liquidity in 2023.
 According to a report by Elara Capital, around $15
billion was deployed by global mutual funds into
Indian equities (all into dedicated funds).
 In CY23- US, India & Japan have been the biggest
recipients of foreign flows.
 Outflows were seen across Europe.
 The US, India, Japan and Hong Kong were the largest
recipients of global flows in 2023.
 China came in at the fifth spot, followed by Brazil and
Mexico.
63. Fitch affirms India’s investment grade rating at ‘BBB-‘
on robust growth outlook
 Fitch Ratings affirmed India’s sovereign rating at
‘BBB-‘ with a stable outlook on robust medium-term
growth prospects and sound external finances.
 India’s rating has remained unchanged at ‘BBB-‘, the
lowest investment grade, since August 2006.
 India is poised to remain one of the fastest-growing
countries globally in the next few years
 The agency has projected India’s GDP growth at 6.9
per cent for the fiscal year ending March 2024
(FY24) before easing to 6.5 per cent in FY25.
64. Karnataka Bank and Clix Capital enter into a Co-
Lending partnership
 Karnataka Bank (KBL) and Clix Capital have entered
into a strategic digital co-lending partnership
through Yubi Co.lend Platform.
 Aim: To provide loans to the Indian MSME sector
which is one of the biggest contributors to India's
GDP and employment growth.
 The agreement is in line with the Reserve Bank of
India's guidelines on co-lending by banks and NBFCs
to priority sectors.
 MD & CEO of Karnataka Bank: Srikrishnan Hari Hara
Sarma
65. Tata Motors becomes 3rd Tata Group company to
cross Rs 3 Lakh-Crore M-cap
 Tata Motors’ became the third Tata company to have
crossed Rs 3 lakh crore market capitalisation,
 A combined market cap of Tata Motors (Rs 273,985
crore) and Tata Motors DVR (Rs 27,940 crore)
touched Rs 3.02 trillion in intra-day trade.
66. State govts may fix 'guarantees' at 5% of revenue: RBI
group
 According to the Reserve Bank of India’s working
group, state governments may consider fixing a
ceiling for incremental guarantees issued during a
year at 5% of Revenue Receipts or 0.5 per cent of
Gross State Domestic Product, whichever is less.
 A decision to form a working group on State
Government Guarantees was taken at the Conference
of State Finance Secretaries held on July 7, 2022.
 Factoring in the risks such guarantees posed to their
fiscal health and the banking system.
 The word ‘Guarantee’ should include all instruments,
which create an obligation, contingent or otherwise,
on the part of the State Government.
67. Yes Bank Introduces Veefin’s SmartFin for Digital
Supply Chain Finance
 Yes Bank has introduced SmartFin, an advanced
digital Supply Chain Finance (SCF) platform
developed in collaboration with Veefin Solutions.
 The initiative reflects Yes Bank’s commitment to
fostering innovation and enhancing its digital
offerings, particularly in the realm of working capital
efficiencies.
  SmartFin, powered by Veefin Solutions, offers an
end-to-end digital SCF platform, focusing on
improving operational and financial efficiencies
across the supply chain.
68. WPI inflation hits 9-month high at 0.73% in December
2023
 The Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation
surged to a nine-month high of 0.73%, marking a
significant rebound from the negative zone observed
from April to October.
 Food inflation soared to 9.38% in December, up from
8.18% in November.
 Notably, vegetable prices witnessed a remarkable
increase of 26.30%, while pulses recorded a 19.60%
inflation rate.
 The Retail or Consumer Price Index (CPI) for
December reached a four-month high of 5.69%.
69. India insurance sector growth pegged at 7.1% in
2024-28: Swiss Re
 According to Swiss Re Institute, India’s insurance
sector is projected to record the fastest growth
among the G20 countries with the total premium
expected to rise at an average rate of 7.1% in real
terms during 2024-28.
 In comparison, the growth rate for the global
insurance market will be around 2.4%.
 The life insurance business is expected to record
6.7% growth backed by rising demand for term life
cover by the middle-income group and increased
adoption of insurtech.
 Meanwhile, the non-life segment is estimated to
grow by 8.3 per cent owing to economic growth,
improvement in distribution channels, government
support and a favourable regulatory environment
with health premiums forecasted to rise by 9.7%
 The overall insurance penetration in 2023-24 is
expected to be at 3.8 per cent in India and 6.5 per
cent globally.
 Penetration for life insurance in India for the year is
projected to be at 2.9 per cent, and for non-life at 1
per cent.
70. Indian economy expected to grow at 7.3% in current
fiscal: RBI Governor at WEF
 Recently, the RBI Governor, Shaktikanta Das
attended the World Economic Forum in Davos,
where he highlighted India's performance during the
current fiscal year (2023-24), which are as follows:
 According to the first advance estimate of the
National Statistical Office (NSO), India’s economy is
expected to grow at 7.3 percent in FY2024.
 He highlighted, that after a contraction of 5.8 percent
in FY2021, the Indian economy grew by 9.1 percent
in FY2022 and 7.2 percent in FY2023.
 Global rating agency Fitch Ratings affirmed India’s
Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating
(IDR) at ‘BBB-’ with a stable outlook.
 On Inflation, he stressed that Inflation in India is
moderating and steadily approaching the central
bank's 4% target.
71. LIC overtakes SBI to become the most valuable PSU
 The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has
surpassed the market capitalization of the State Bank
of India (SBI).
 The share price of the LIC has touched ₹900 for the
first time.
 LIC has hit its 52-week high on the stock market.
 LIC’s market cap now stands higher than that of the
State Bank of India (SBI), signalling a significant
milestone for the insurance giant.
72. IREDA, Indian Overseas Bank partner to co-finance
renewable energy projects
 State-owned IREDA signed a partnership agreement
with Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) to co-finance
renewable energy projects in India.
 The agreement was signed in the presence of IREDA
CMD Pradip Kumar Das and IOB MD and CEO Ajay
Kumar Srivastava.
 The agreement sets the stage for co-lending and loan
syndication for a diverse spectrum of renewable
energy projects across the nation.
 IREDA, under the Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy, is a non-banking financial institution.
73. Africa's biggest insurer, Sanlam banking on India to
boost profit in the short term
 Sanlam Ltd., Africa's biggest insurer, is betting on
India to boost short-term profits.
 According to CEO Paul Hanratty, India has potential
to triple profits within a decade.
 Since 2005, Sanlam has been partnered with Shriram
Capital Group in India, with the country currently
accounting for 10% of profit.
 India's rapidly growing economy, with a projected
6.4% growth this year, is attracting firms like
Sanlam.
74. Yes Bank becomes first Indian bank to conduct export
finance transaction on RXIL’s ITFS platform
 Yes Bank became the first Indian bank to execute an
export finance transaction on the International
Trade Financing Services Platform (ITFS) of RXIL
Global IFSC Limited (RXIL).
 RXIL is a leading cross-border fintech company
registered under the International Financial Services
Centres Authority (IFSCA).
 This strategic partnership facilitates arranging credit
for exporters and importers from both Indian and
Global Institutions through Factoring, Forfaiting, and
other trade financing services at competitive pricing
with quick turnaround using a digital platform.
75. Tata only Indian brand in top 100: Brand Finance
2024
 According to the Brand Finance 2024, Apple has
reclaimed it top position in the premium smartphone
market, holding a 71% value share.
 From an Indian perspective, Tata Group was the only
Indian brand among the top 100 most valued brands.
 Tata improved its ranking from 69th in 2023 to 64th
in 2024.
 The total value of Tata Group stood at $28.63 billion.
 Deutsche Telekom, with a brand value up 17% to
$73.3 billion, has claimed the title as the world's
 most valuable telecommunications brand,
surpassing Verizon.
76. Google Pay, NPCI signs agreement to expand UPI for
international payments
 Google Pay and NPCI International Payments signed
an agreement to expand the scope of Unified
Payments Interface ( UPI) payments outside India.
 Benefit: It will enable Indian travellers to transact
digitally abroad while establishing systems similar to
UPI in other countries.
 In July 2023, NPCI signed an MoU with France's Lyra
for UPI and Rupay cards being accepted in the
European country.
 Bhutan, Nepal, United Arab Emirates and Canada
have also accepted UPI as a payment mechanism.
 Axis Bank, DBS Bank India, ICICI Bank, Indian Bank,
Indian Overseas Bank, and State Bank of India
provide international functionality for UPI through
their apps.
  Financial Inclusion
77. Reserve Bank of India net sells $1.9 billion in
November 2023
 According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data,
RBI has sold a net of $1.9 billion in the domestic
foreign exchange spot market in November 2023.
 The central bank bought $34.98 billion, while it sold
$36.91 billion in November 2023.
 The headline foreign exchange reserves, excluding
the forward book, stood at $604 billion as of the end
of November 2023.
 Notably, these reserves expanded by approximately
$61 billion in 2023.
 Net sale of $310 million in the spot market in
October.
78. 36% of taxpayers move to higher income tax bracket
during FY14-FY22
 Report by: Economic Research Department of the
State Bank of India
 Highlights:
 36% of taxpayers move to higher from lower income
tax bracket during FY14-FY22.
 Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, and Karnataka have
been traditional leaders in income tax base are
nearing saturation and their share in the overall tax
base is decreasing continuously.
 Uttar Pradesh as emerged as the leader in increasing
its share in the Income tax base, followed by Andhra
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and
Haryana
 Income tax returns filed by individual taxpayers in
India earning between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh
jumped by 295% in the assessment years 2013-14
and 2021-22.
 ITRs filed by people earning between Rs 10 lakh and
Rs 25 lakh has increased by 291%
 Female tax filers are around 15% of the individual
tax filers in certain states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Punjab and West Bengal having higher share of
female tax filers.
79. itigroup partners with LuminArx to launch private
lending vehicle
 Citigroup launched a private lending vehicle in
partnership with alternative investment manager
LuminArx Capital to expand its footprint in the
market.
 LuminArx will commit more than $2 billion for the
private lending vehicle, known as Cinergy.
 It will enhance our ability to meet the capital needs
of our clients.
80. DLabs at ISB launches `Build for Billions’ jointly with
RBI Innovation Hub, UBI
 DLabs at the Indian School of Business (ISB) has
initiated the ‘Build for Billions’, a startup accelerator
program.
 It is centered around financial inclusion for the
informal economy.
 This innovative program has been launched in
partnership with the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub
(RBIH) and Union Bank of India.
 Objective:
 Target Demographic: To address livelihood issues
for gig workers, migrant workers, domestic workers,
street vendors, carpenters, etc.
 Addressing Challenges: To face multiple challenges
such as low and volatile income.
 Objective:
 Financial Inclusion
 Target Demographic: To address livelihood issues
for gig workers, migrant workers, domestic workers,
street vendors, carpenters, etc.
 Addressing Challenges: To face multiple challenges
such as low and volatile income.
81. HDFC Bank applied to the Monetary Authority of
Singapore for a banking license
 HDFC Bank Ltd is seeking to open its first branch in
Singapore to expand its overseas business.
 The bank has applied to the Monetary Authority of
Singapore for a banking license and is awaiting
approval.
 State Bank of India and ICICI Bank Ltd. hold
qualifying full banking licenses, alongside eight other
banks like Bank of China Ltd. and BNP Paribas SA.
 Such licenses are open only to foreign banks and
allow them to have additional branches and/or off-
premise ATMs as well as to share ATMs among
themselves.
82. NRI deposit flows double to $7.3 bn in April-Nov 2023
 According to the RBI data, the flow of money into
non-resident Indians (NRIs) deposits has doubled to
$7.3 billion in April-November 2023 (From $ 3.63
billion in the same period a year ago).
 Inflows into foreign currency non-resident (FCNR)
accounts were also increased to $2.5 billion in April-
November 2023.
 Outflow of 199 billion in the same period in 2022.
 Outstanding NRI deposits rose by $1 billion to $
144.5 billion at the end of November 2023.
 Different NRI Account types:
 Non-Residential External (NRE) Account
 Non-Residential Ordinary (NRO) Account
  Foreign Currency Non-Residential (FCNR) (B)
Account
 NRE Account:
 It can be opened and maintained by NRIs with
earnings originating from the respective individual’s
country of residence.
 It shall be held in Indian rupee denominations.
 Withdrawal can be made in the currency in which the
NRI resides.
 Possibility of amount fluctuation.
 Income from the NRE account is tax-free.
 NRO Account:
 It can be opened with income earned from within
India.
 The source of income can either be rent, dividends,
etc.
 Deposits can be in INR or any other foreign currency.
 Withdrawals can only be in Indian rupees in an NRO
account.
 Income from NRO account is liable for taxation.
 FCNR (B) Account:
 NRIs or POI can make these deposits
 Currency: Country of residence
 It shall be held in that account in any one of the
foreign currencies prescribed by RBI.
 Income from the FCNR account is tax-free.
 The rate of interest does not fluctuate in an FCNR
account because of the deposits and withdrawals
made in foreign currencies.
83. EazyDiner IndusIndBank Platinum Credit Card
launched
 IndusInd Bank has partnered with the EazyDiner to
launch a co-branded credit card i.e. IndusInd Bank
Platinum Credit Card.
 Aim: To elevate the dining experience of cardholders
through a host of exclusive benefits
 Benefits: Rewards, discounts, etc.
84. ICICI Bank Canada launches ‘Money2India (Canada)’
Mobile Banking App
 ICICI Bank Canada has introduced its latest mobile
banking app, ‘Money2India (Canada)’.
 ICICI Bank Canada is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
ICICI Bank Limited.
 Aim: To provide Canadian customers with a seamless
platform for 24/7 fund transfers to any Indian bank
without the necessity of opening an account with
ICICI Bank Canada
 Benefits:
 User-Friendly Platform
 High Transaction Limit
 Cross-Border Convenience
 Accessibility
 Future-Dated and Recurring Transfers
85. Suzuki Motorcycle India and SMFG India Credit
partnered for vehicle finance
 Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd has partnered with
SMFG India Credit Co Ltd (formerly Fullerton India
Credit Co) to provide financing on purchase of its
two-wheelers.
 The two companies have entered into an MoU for the
same.
 SMFG India Credit is registered as a Non-Banking
Financial Company-Investment and Credit Company
(NBFC-ICC) with the Reserve Bank of India, and a
member of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group
(SMFG).
86. India is emerging global leader in GCC: RBI monthly
bulletin
 According to the RBI’s State of the Economy report,
India was rapidly emerging as a global leader in
hosting global capability centers (GCCs).
 GCCs are offshore units of multinational
corporations that operate across the globe.
 The primary catalyst is the preference global
corporations have for owning their resources and
locating them in India, which boasts quality real
estate, competitive rental rates, an extraordinary
talent pool, and a consistently growing economy.
 nother comparative advantage for India is surging
data centre capacity, which is poised to exceed one
gigawatt by 2024 and position the country as a global
data centre hub.
87. Max Life launches first-of-its-kind Midcap Momentum
Index Fund in ULIP segment
 Max Life Insurance has introduced the Midcap
Momentum Index Fund, a first-of-its kind in the unit
linked insurance plan (ULIP) segment.
 The new fund offering (NFO) is structured around
the Nifty Midcap 150 Momentum 50 Index.
 This NFO aligns with the surging trend of index funds
in India which have witnessed 175 percent CAGR
growth in asset under management (AUM) over the
last thaaree years (FY20-FY23).
 Aim: To replicate the Nifty Midcap 150 Momentum
50 Index by investing in companies with similar
weights as in the index and generate returns as
closely as possible, subject to tracking error
88. States' loan guarantee more than tripled since FY17 to
Rs 9.4 trn in FY23
 The total loan guarantees extended by 17 major
states to their entities have more than tripled to Rs
9.4 trillion by FY23 from Rs 3 trillion in FY17.
 This is equivalent to the entire increase in such
guarantees of these states during FY2017-22.
 Such guarantees have been steadily increasing over
the years, from Rs 3 trillion in FY17 to Rs 7.7 trillion
in FY21, and to Rs 9 trillion in FY22.
 From the report, the states such as Northeastern
states and other hilly states along with Goa are
excluded.
 Guarantees are contingent liabilities, they may pose
a risk to states' fiscal health.
 The RBI guidelines include tighter rules for
ascertaining guarantee ceilings by a state than is
being currently implemented by most states as well
as assigning risk weights to guarantees.
 The guidelines also state that guarantees should not
be extended for external commercial borrowings, the
amount guaranteed should be limited to 80% of the
loan, etc.
89. LIC introduces Jeevan Dhara II Deferred Annuity Plan
  Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has unveiled the
new Jeevan Dhara II plan offers a non-participating,
individual savings, deferred annuity option.
 The plan provides life cover during the deferment
period and boasts a higher annuity rate at advanced
ages.
 LIC Chairman: Siddhartha Mohanty
 Key Features:
 Non-Participating Plan: It provides policyholders
with unique benefits.
 Life Cover During Deferment: It offers life cover
during the deferment period and enhances the
financial security of policyholders.
 Higher Annuity Rates: The plan provides higher
annuity rates as policyholders age, ensuring a secure
and stable income stream in later years.
 Guaranteed Annuity from Inception: Prospective
policyholders can enjoy the assurance of a
guaranteed annuity right from the inception of the
plan.
 Wide Range of Annuity Options: With 11 annuity
options available, individuals can choose the one that
best aligns with their financial goals and preferences.
 Flexible Entry Age: The plan allows for a minimum
entry age of 20 years, making it accessible to a broad
range of individuals.
 Loan Facility: Policyholders can avail of a loan facility
during or after the deferment period, particularly
under annuity options with a return of
premium/purchase price.
90. SEBI launches CDSL’s Multilingual Initiatives for
Investor Ease
 Central Depository Services (India) Limited (CDSL),
Asia’s first listed depository, launched of two unique
multi-lingual initiatives to signify CDSL's
commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in the
capital market landscape.
 Two initiatives are:
 Apka CAS – Apki Zubaani
 CDSL Buddy Sahayta 24*7
 These initiatives were launched by SEBI Chairperson
Madhabi Puri Buch.
 Apka CAS – Apki Zubaani:
 It aims to provide easier accessibility, offering
investors a consolidated view of their securities held
in a Demat account in a language of their choice.
 It enables investors to receive statements in their
preferred language among 23 diverse Indian
languages.
 CDSL Buddy Sahayta 24*7:
 It seeks to simplify investors’ journeys towards
‘Atmanirbharta’ or self-sufficiency.
 The chatbot provides round-the-clock assistance,
becoming a constant companion for investors
navigating the complexities of the securities
markets.
 CDSL also unveiled a thought leadership report on
‘Reimagine Digital Trust in Capital Markets’.
 It was launched in collaboration with KPMG.
 It mainly focuses on cybersecurity and resilience
against cyber threats.
 CDSL also announced that it has successfully
concluded the ‘Neev’ campaign.
 It was spreading financial literacy across 25 cities.
 It emphasizes a commitment to broad-based
awareness in diverse communities.
91. Sebi may allow AIFs to exclude certain investors
 The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is
planning to mandate the managers of alternative
investment funds (AIFs) to exclude certain investors
while making investments.
 Reason: To address concerns about the evergreening
of loans at the fund level
 Sebi first codified the 'excuse-exclude' norms in April
2023, giving AIFs an option to exclude investors in
certain circumstances.
 Through the fresh proposal, Sebi is seeking to
convert this discretion into an obligation for AIFs.
 An AIF manager will be required to carry out specific
due diligence before each investment by the fund to
ensure that it does not facilitate the circumvention of
regulations issued by the markets, insurance, or
banking regulator.
 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)
 AIF is any fund established in India that is a privately
pooled investment vehicle that collects funds from
sophisticated investors, both Indian and foreign, for
investing.
 It pools funds from investors and invests them under
different categories of investments as specified by
the SEBIfor the benefit of investors.
 These investment vehicles adhere to the SEBI
(Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012.
 AIFs can be formed as a company, Limited Liability
Partnership (LLP), trust, etc.
 Categories Of AIF:
 Category I AIFs: They can invest in start-ups, early-
stage ventures, social ventures, etc.
 Category II AIFs: They are those which are not
classified under Category I or Category III. Various
types of funds such as real estate funds, debt funds,
private equity funds, funds for distressed assets, etc.
 Category III AIFs:
 They are funds that employ complex or diverse
trading strategies and may employ leverage
including through investment in listed or unlisted
derivatives hedge funds, PIPE Funds, etc. registered
as Category III AIFs.
 Category I and II AIFs are required to be close ended
and have a minimum tenure of three years. Category
III AIFs may be open ended or close ended.
92. Sony terminates $10 billion merger deal with Zee
Entertainment
 Sony has issued a notice terminating the merger
agreement with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd
(ZEEL) and Culver Max Entertainment Private
Limited (CME), which was formerly known as Sony
Pictures Networks India Private Limited.
 The deal was signed on December 22, 2021.
 Sony has issued a notice terminating the merger
agreement with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd
(ZEEL) and Culver Max Entertainment Private
 Limited (CME), which was formerly known as Sony
Pictures Networks India Private Limited.
The Max Life launches SWAG Pension Plan
 Max Life Insurance Company Ltd has launched Smart
Wealth Annuity Guaranteed Pension Plan named
SWAG Pension Plan.
 It is a Non-Linked, Non-Participating
Individual/Group General Annuity Savings Plan.
 This plan redefines the landscape of retirement
planning, combining flexibility, security, and
personalisation for individuals and groups alike.
 Annuity: up to 6% per annum
 Early Return of Premium: From 70 years to 85 years
(in blocks of 5 years)
 Managing Director & CEO of Max Life: Prashant
Tripathy
 Chairman Max Life: Rajiv Anand
93. Net FDI in India down to $13.54 billion in Apr-Nov
2023
 According to the "State of Economy” report in RBI’s
monthly bulletin for January 2024, the net foreign
direct investment (FDI) in India has declined to
$13.54 billion in April-November 2023 from $19.76
billion in the same period in 2022.
 Reason: Due to the fall in global inflows and a rise in
repatriation of equity capital
 Repatriation/disinvestment by those who made
direct investments in India rose to $25.58 billion in
the eight months of FY24 from $19.87 billion in
April-November 2022.
 Manufacturing, electricity, and other energy sectors,
transport, financial services, and retail and
wholesale trade contributed around two-thirds of
the gross inward FDI equity flows.
 The bulk of the equity inflows (69.9 per cent) were
received from Mauritius, Singapore, Japan, the
United States, and the Netherlands during the same
period.
 As reported by fDi Intelligence, India is among the
top 10 countries of the world, with the strongest
expected investment momentum in 2024.
94. CCI clears merger of Fincare Small Finance Bank with
AU Small Finance Bank
 The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has
approved the merger of Fincare Small Finance Bank
with AU Small Finance Bank.
 In October 2023, the board of directors of AU Small
Finance Bank (AU SFB) and Fincare Small Finance
Bank (Fincare SFB) approved an all-stock merger of
AU SFB and Fincare SFB.
 As per the terms of the scheme of amalgamation,
Fincare Business Services, promoter of Fincare SFB,
shall infuse Rs 700 crore into Fincare SFB before the
completion of the merger.
 The scheme remains subject to the Reserve Bank of
India's approval.
95. India overtakes Hong Kong as world's fourth-largest
stock market
 India’s stock market capitalization has overtaken
Hong Kong’s stock market for the first time as the
South Asian nation’s growth prospects and policy
reforms make it an investor darling while global
capital pours out of China.
 The combined value of shares listed on Indian
exchanges reached $4.33 trillion as of January 22,
2024, while combined value of shares listed on Hong
Kong exchange is $4.29 trillion.
 The top three stock markets are the U.S., China, and
Japan.
96. AIIB invests $58.4 million in India’s Largest
Renewable Energy InvIT
 The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
will invest INR 4.86 billion (about USD 58.4 million)
into the Sustainable Energy Infra Trust (SEIT).
 SEIT is India’s largest Renewable Energy
Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT).
 SEIT is supported by Mahindra Susten Private
Limited and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
 It boasts eight operational solar power assets with a
combined capacity of 1.54 gigawatts-peak spread
across India.
 Other Renewable Projects:
 Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) has become the
largest renewable energy company in India, reaching
an installed capacity of 8.4 gigawatts (GW).
 NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL) has
declared the commercial operation of its first-of-its-
kind 50 MW wind farm project located in Dayapar,
Kutch, Gujarat.
 About AIIB:
 Headquarters: Beijing, China
 Formation: 16 January 2016
 Membership: 109 member states
 President: Jin Liqun
97. RBI announces revised eligibility norms for Urban Co-
operative Banks (UCBs)
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has disclosed the
revision of eligibility norms for the inclusion of
urban cooperative banks (UCBs) in the second
schedule of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
 Objective: To bring these banks under an updated
regulatory framework.
 The criteria for classifying a UCB as Financially
Sound and Well Managed (FSWM) were notified.
 RBI has now decided to align the eligibility norms for
UCBs with the Revised Regulatory Framework.a
 Criteria:
 Capital Adequacy: Maintain a Capital to Risk
Weighted Asset Ratio (CRAR) of at least 3% more
than the minimum CRAR requirement applicable to
the UCB.
 Regulatory and Supervisory Compliance: Have no
major regulatory and supervisory concerns.
 Eligible UCBs can apply for inclusion in the Second
Schedule by submitting the necessary documents to
the concerned Regional Office of the Department of
Supervision of the Reserve Bank. The required
documents include:
 Copy of the resolution passed by the Annual General
Body/Board of Directors authorizing the application
to RBI for inclusion.
  Major financial details of the bank along with copies
of the published balance sheet for the last three
years.
 The revised instructions will be effective from the
date of the circular, which is January 17, 2024.
98. Canara HSBC Life Insurance launches iSelect
Guaranteed Future Plus
 Canara HSBC Life Insurance introduced iSelect
Guaranteed Future Plus, a comprehensive plan.
 It is designed to deliver life insurance and assured
benefits.
 This plan offers financial security and stability,
catering to individuals and their families at various
life stages and significant milestones.
 It empowers policyholders to accumulate a financial
reserve for significant milestones like marriage,
retirement, and child education, with guaranteed
lump-sum benefits at the policy's conclusion.
 Recently launched insurance scheme:
 Max Life launched SWAG Pension Plan
 LIC introduces Jeevan Dhara II Deferred Annuity
Plan
99. Sebi releases framework for Offer for Sale (OFS) to
employees through stock exchange
 Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has
released a circular summarizing the framework for
offer for sale (OFS) of shares to employees through
stock exchanges such as BSE and NSE.
 The promoters of eligible companies will be
permitted to sell shares within two weeks from the
offer for sale (OFS) transaction to the employees of
such companies.
 Key provisions:
 Bidding will be allowed during trading hours on T+1
day only.
 Employees will place bids only at cut-off price of T+1
day.
 The maximum bid amount will be ₹5 lakh.
 Each employee is eligible for allotment of equity
shares up to ₹2 lakh.
 In case there is an under-subscription in the
employee portion, the unsubscribed portion may be
allotted to such employees whose bid amount is over
₹2 lakh on a proportionate basis for a value over ₹2
lakh subject to the total allotment to an employee not
exceeding ₹5 lakh.
 The employees are supposed to pay upfront the
margin to the extent of 100 percent of the order
value in cash or cash equivalents.
100. HDFC becomes the first bank in India to issue
20 million credit cards
 HDFC Bank has emerged as India's first lender to
reach 20 million active credit cards.
 The bank commenced its credit card operations in
2001 and previously attained the 10-million mark in
2017.
 The subsequent 10 million issuances transpired in
just over six years, culminating in this achievement
on January 16, 2024.
 The bank’s dominance in card issuance is underlined,
with SBI Card, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank following in
terms of credit cards issued.
101. Commercial bank credit up 16% till January
12, 2024: RBI
 The commercial bank credit has been grown by
16.02% year-on-year till January 12, 2024.
 The credit had grown by 16.5% Y-o-Y in the same
period in January 2023.
 Sequentially, it grew by 0.09% over the previous
fortnight ended December 29, 2023.
 The outstanding credit stood at ₹154.04 trillion as of
January 12, 2024, according to Reserve Bank of India
data.
 This excludes the effect of the merger of HDFC with
HDFC Bank.
102. Fintech association launches awareness
campaign about cyber fraud
 A group representing the fintech industry, Digital
Lenders Association of India (DLAI), launched an
awareness campaign, 'Fintech Suraksha', about
unauthorized lending apps and cyber fraud in digital
financial services.
 Fintech Suraksha will teach people how to spot fake
lending apps, the importance of multi-factor
authentication, safety practices while using payment
services, and how to report online financial fraud.
 DLAI will use social media to create awareness
among teenagers, senior citizens, and others to
differentiate between unscrupulous financial
schemes and registered DFS providers.
 It will engage with law enforcement agencies, such as
the Economic Offences Wing, and provide
information to investigation officers.
 It will focus on cybersecurity and client protection-
related regulations laid down by the Reserve Bank of
India (RBI).
103. Irdai notifies a consolidated regulation on
expenses of management
 The Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority of India (IRDAI) has released a
consolidated regulation on Expenses of Management
(EoM), including commissions, based on the
Regulation Review Committee's (RRC's) suggestions.
 In November 2023, IRDAI had released an exposure
draft on the EoM, including commission for both life
and non-life insurance companies, based on the
recommendation from the RRC.
 The RRC recommended the IRDAI (EoM, including
commission, of insurers) Regulations 2023, after
repealing three separate regulations.
 The new regulations will come into force from April
1, 2024, and will remain in force for three years
thereafter
 The three repealed regulations are:
 IRDAI (Expenses of Management of Insurers
Transacting General or Health Insurance Business)
Regulations, 2023
 IRDAI (Expenses of Management of Insurers
Transacting Life Insurance Business) Regulations,
2023
  IRDAI (Payment of Commission) Regulations, 2023.
104. Ola founder Bhavish's Krutrim becomes first
$1 billion Indian AI startup
 Krutrim, the AI startup founded by serial
entrepreneur Bhavish Aggarwal, has gained unicorn
status after securing $50 million in funding from
investors including Matrix Partners India.
 It becomes the first Indian AI startup to gain a billion-
dollar valuation, a mere month after debuting a large
language model.
105. SBI removes ‘fraud’ tag from Religare Finvest
 The State Bank of India (SBI) has formally removed
the ‘fraud’ tag from Religare Finvest Ltd (RFL).
 The decision was taken after a Delhi High Court
order from December 2023, in a move that could
pave the way for the non-bank financier to resume
lending.
 RFL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Religare
Enterprises Ltd (REL).
 It has been under the Reserve Bank of India's
corrective action plan since January 2018.
 SBI has removed RFL from the Central Fraud
Registry database, started in 2016 by commercial
banks and financial institutions to report fraud.
 Prompt Corrective Action Framework (PCAF)
 It is a framework under which banks with weak
financial metrics are put under watch by the RBI.
 Introduced by: RBI in 2002
 Three parameters: Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets
Ratio (CRAR), net Non-Performing Assets (NPA) and
Return on Assets (RoA)
 Objective:
 To enable supervisory intervention at an
appropriate time
 Restore its financial health.
 To check the problem of Non-Performing Assets
(NPAs) in the Indian banking sector.
 The supervisory assessment is always made by the
RBI.
106. Direct Tax-to-GDP Ratio of India in FY23
Highest in 15 Years
 As per the report, released by the Central Board of
Direct Taxes, indicating that India's net direct tax
collections have increased by 160.52% from
₹6,38,596 crore in 2013-14 to ₹16,63,686 crore in
2022-23.
 It has reached a 15-year high of 6.11% at the end of
the financial year 2022-2023.
 This figure is higher than the previous highest direct
taxes-to-GDP ratio of 6.3% recorded in 2007-08.
 Direct tax-to-GDP ratio indicates the proportion of
taxes in the country's overall economic output.
 A low tax-to-GDP ratio implies that a substantial part
of the country's economic activity is not taxed and
there are fewer contributors to the tax revenue.
 The CBDT is a branch of the Department of Revenue
that operates under the Ministry of Finance.
 The Central Board of Direct Taxes is a legal authority
that functions under the Central Board of Revenue
Act, of 1963.
 The officials of the Board, in their ex-officio capacity,
also work as a Division of the Ministry that deals with
matters related to the levy and collection of direct
taxes.
107. LIC gets RBI go-ahead to acquire 9.99% stake
in HDFC Bank
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved Life
Insurance Corporation (LIC) to acquire aggregate
holding up to 9.99% of the paid-up share capital or
voting rights of in the private sector lender, HDFC
Bank.
 The approval is subject to the conditions including
compliance with the provisions of the Banking
Regulation Act, 1949 and provisions of the Foreign
Exchange Management Act, 1999.
 Recent news related to HDFC:
 HDFC Bank Surpasses 20 Million Credit Card
Milestone, Leading Indian Market
 HDFC Bank Aims For Singapore Expansion With
Banking License Application
 RBI Identifies SBI, HDFC Bank, And ICICI Bank As
Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs)
 HDFC Headquarters: Mumbai
 HDFC Chairman: Atanu Chakraborty
 HDFC CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan
108. Zomato gets RBI’s approval to operate as
online payment aggregator
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted a payment
aggregator (PA) license to a wholly-owned
subsidiary of food delivery platform Zomato.
 The move will allow Zomato Payment Private
Limited (ZPPL) to facilitate e-commerce transactions
through the platform.
109. RBI to Infuse ₹2.50 Lakh Crore Liquidity
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will inject liquidity
amounting to ₹2.50 lakh crore via a 15-day variable
rate repo (VRR) auction.
 As of January 23, 2024, the overall funds deficit in the
banking system widened to ₹3.34 lakh crore.
 Despite the Centre accumulating substantial cash
balances with the RBI from GST and advance tax,
liquidity pressure in the banking system persists.
 Banks are facing liquidity challenges due to outflows
in the previous month related to GST payments and
advance tax.
 Experts suggest that liquidity pressure could ease if
the government utilizes the accumulated balances
with the RBI.
 Additionally, the RBI’s absorption of foreign
portfolio investors’ dollars could enhance liquidity.
110. Maruti Suzuki, J&K Bank partner to provide
financing solutions to dealers
 Maruti Suzuki India has joined hands with Jammu &
Kashmir Bank to provide financing solutions to its
dealer partners.
 MoU inked with Jammu & Kashmir Bank would
empower over 4,000 Maruti Suzuki sales outlets
across the country with comprehensive inventory
funding options for their working capital
requirements
 J&K Bank MD & CEO Baldev Prakas
111. Local taxes and fees contribute 1.1% to
Panchayats' total revenue: RBI report
 According to a report by the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI), Local taxes and fees contributed only 1.1% to
Panchayats’ total revenue.
 Non-tax revenue, primarily from Panchayati Raj
programs and interest earnings, constituted 3.3% of
the total revenue receipts.
 States like Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh,
Maharashtra, and Telangana reported higher non-
tax revenue than others.
 Panchayats’ sources of revenue are limited, mainly
property taxes, fees, and fines --- around 95% of their
revenues take the form of grants from higher levels
of government, restricting their spending ability that
is already hampered by delays in the constitution of
State Finance Commissions.
 The aggregate revenue receipts exhibit a broad
correlation with the populations of the respective
states
 The ratio of Panchayats' revenue receipts to the
states' revenues ranges from 0.1 per cent in Andhra
Pradesh to 2.5 per cent in Uttar Pradesh
 The average revenue per Panchayat ranged from 2.7
lakh in Andhra Pradesh to a substantial 64 lakh in
West Bengal.
 States like Goa, Karnataka, Odisha, Sikkim, Kerala,
and Tamil Nadu recorded the highest average
expenditure at the Panchayat level.
112. FICCI recommends capex push, MSME lending
for Indian economy
 The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (FICCI) suggested that the government
should continue to push for public capital
expenditure.
 The capex in the Union Budget 2023–24 was
increased by 37.4% to ₹10 lakh crore.
 Urged an increase of at least 20% in the Centre’s
capital expenditure to ₹12 lakh crore.
 Proposed expanding Central support to State capex
through interest-free 50-year loans, recommending
an increase by about ₹30,000 crore to ₹1.6 lakh
crore.
 Retaining the corporate tax rate at the current level
for tax certainty.
 To maintain stability in tax rates despite economic
and political challenges.
 Recommended exempting buyback tax (BBT) for
listed shares using the open market through the
stock exchange method.
 Buyback Tax refers to the tax implications related to
share buybacks undertaken by companies.
 Extending the sunset clause for the concessional tax
rate of 15% under Section 115BAB by one year, from
March 31, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
113. State revenue grows 5% till Nov against 17.4
budgeted for FY24
 The growth rate of the combined revenue receipts of
the 16 largest states has fallen by almost 80% to 5%
during April-November 2023 from the budgeted
17.4% for the current fiscal.
 The states have so far borrowed over 37% more than
they did last fiscal.
 And, given these poor numbers, they will have to
borrow heavily this fiscal to service their debt and
pay salaries and pensions.
 With a 50% share, the SOTR (State Own Tax
Revenue) is the single largest revenue head of state.
 followed by tax devolution of 25%, Central grants of
17%, and states own non-tax revenue of 8%.
 SGST collections of 12 states expanded by 9-15%
during the reporting period, while in Kerala, it rose
by a tepid 5% as against its budgeted 28%.
 The petrol consumption moderated to 6% during the
first eight months of FY24.
 Diesel consumption eased to 6.7% in the first eight
months FY24, from 12% in FY23.
114. ICRA upgraded FY24 Bank Credit Growth
Forecast to 15%
 ICRA, a credit rating agency, has revised its bank
credit growth estimates for FY24 upwards to 14.9-
15.3% from 12.8-13.0% (previous projection).
 The surge is attributed to robust performance in the
retail segment and non-banking finance companies
(NBFCs).
 Key Points:
 Strong Retail and NBFC Performance:
 The strength in retail credit and bank lending to
NBFCs during the first nine months of December
2023, prompted a notable revision in projections.
 Record Incremental Credit Growth:
 The incremental credit is expected to reach Rs 20.4-
20.9 trillion, marking the highest ever in bank credit
growth.
 It has surpassed the previous high of Rs 18.2 trillion
in FY23.
 Corporate Bond Issuances:
 The corporate bond issuances are to reach Rs 9.6-9.9
trillion in FY24.
 It has surpassed the previous record of Rs 8.7 trillion
in FY23.
 Concerns for FY25:
 Despite the optimistic outlook, challenges in deposit
mobilization could temper bank credit expansion to
11.7-12.6% in the next financial year (FY25).
 Potential hurdles: Weaker export demand, softer
commodity prices, and deposit challenges
 Record Incremental Deposit Mobilization:
 ICRA predicts a record incremental deposit
mobilization in FY24 at Rs 21.7-22.3 trillion,
acknowledging the challenge for banks to sustain
deposit growth relative to credit expansion.
115. Nirmala Sitharaman became the second FM to
present 6 consecutive Union Budget
 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman becomes the
second Finance Minister to present the sixth
consecutive Budget (Five consecutive annual
Budgets and one interim Budget).
 Her tenure resonates with the tenure of former
Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who previously held
the finance portfolio from 1959 to 1964.
  Sitharaman’s impending presentation on February 1,
2024, marks the interim Budget for the fiscal year
2024-25.
 The full budget for 2023-24 will be presented after
the formation of the new government following the
2024 general elections.
 The need for an interim budget arises because fresh
approval is required from Parliament to withdraw
money from the Consolidated Fund of India to run
the government as the existing 2023-24 Budget is
valid only till March 31 this year.
 The interim budget is a practical arrangement that
enables the government to fill this gap.
116. Indian Economy records 7% growth for third
year
 According to the January edition of the Indian
Economy Review by the Department of Economic
Affairs, the FY 2024 marks the third successive year
of over seven percent growth of the Indian economy.
 India’s unwavering commitment to ensuring steady
economic growth is generating resources for
investment needed for climate change adaptation,
building resilience, and mitigating emissions.
 International Monetary Fund and the World Bank
have predicted FY25 gross domestic product (GDP)
growth in the region of 6.3-6.4%.
 Projecting the good health of India’s financial sector,
the review highlights that the public sector capital
investment has surged in the last 10 years.
 The report further highlights that the structural
reforms implemented since 2014 have strengthened
the macroeconomic fundamentals of the economy.
 Under PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), the proportion
of women having a bank account has increased from
53% in 2015-16 to 78.6% in 2019-21.
 Female Labour Force Participation rose from 23.3%
in 2017-18 to 37% in 2022-23.
 The female gross enrolment ratio in senior
secondary education rose from 24.5% in 2005 to
58.2% in 2022.
 India is the third-largest fintech economy in the
world after the United States of America and the
United Kingdom.
 India became the world’s fourth largest stock market
in the world by market capitalisation due to the
significant interest from domestic and global
investors in the Indian stock market.
 India can aspire to become a $7 trillion economy by
2030.
 Chief Economic Adviser: V. Anantha Nageswaran
117. Centre allows woman employees to nominate
son, and daughter for family pension
 The Central Government has allowed woman
employees to nominate her sons or daughters for
family pensions, instead of her husband.
 Previously, a family pension was granted to the
spouse of a deceased government servant or
pensioner, while other family members became
eligible only after the spouse's ineligibility or demise.
 The Department of Pensions and Pensioners'
Welfare (DoPPW) has introduced an amendment to
the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021.
 Reason: To address complications arising from
matrimonial disputes leading to divorce or legal
actions under statutes like the Protection of Women
from Domestic Violence Act, Dowry Prohibition Act,
or the Indian Penal Code
 It allows female government employees or
pensioners to grant family pensions to their eligible
child/children after their demise, in place of of their
spouse.
118. PNB board approves fundraising of Rs 7,500
cr via share sale in FY25
 State-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) board has
given a green signal for raising Rs 7,500 crore
through Qualified Institutions Placement
(QIP)/Follow-on Public Offer (FPO) during 2024-25.
 The fundraising should be done in such a manner
that the shareholding of the Government of India
does not fall below 52%.
International News
1. World's largest lithium deposit discovered in
California's Salton Sea
 The US Department of Energy has discovered the
world's largest lithium deposit beneath California's
Salton Sea.
 It is containing an estimated 18 million tons of
lithium.
 Total resources in the Salton Sea area could produce
more than 3,400 kilotons of lithium, valued at upto
$540 billion.
 This is enough to manufacture more than 375 million
batteries for electric vehicles (EVs).
 Countries with the largest lithium reserves: Chile >
Australia > Argentina
 Largest lithium-producing countries: Australia >
Chile > China
 Use of Lithium:
 For making rechargeable batteries for mobile
phones, laptops, digital cameras, and electric
vehicles.
 To make non-rechargeable batteries for things like
heart pacemakers, toys, and watches.
2. South Korea launches 'workation' visa for foreigners
 South Korea has introduced a new visa for foreigners
allowing them to visit the country on a working
holiday or workation.
 Its pilot project started on January 1, 2024.
 Eligible:
 Foreign nationals with an annual income twice as
much as South Korea's per capita gross national
income will be eligible to apply for the visa. (Last
year, the country's GNI was $33,002.)
 The applicants must also have medical insurance of
over 100 million won and must cover medical
treatment and repatriation fees.
 They cannot be hired by any company in South Korea
to work or undertake any profit-making activity.
  Valid for one year and can be extended for up to two
years.
3. BRICS group to double in 2024 after Saudi, Iran, UAE,
Egypt, Ethiopia join ranks
 South Africa’s envoy to the bloc revealed that Saudi
Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and
Egypt have accepted invitations to join BRICS.
 Earlier, Argentina rejects the offer.
 Approximately 30 countries express interest in
establishing ties with BRICS, with Russia’s Foreign
Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov acknowledging the
bloc’s growing international significance
 Nigeria aims to become a BRICS member within the
next two years.
4. First Temple of Abu Dhabi to be Inaugurated by PM
Modi on 14 Feb, 2024
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate
another significant temple on February 14, 2024, in
Abu Dhabi, UAE.
 The BAPS ( Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam
Swaminarayan Sanstha) Hindu Mandir marks the
first Hindu temple in the UAE.
 It is anticipated to be one of the largest and most
exquisite Hindu temples outside of India, as well as
the largest in West Asia.
 In 2015, during PM Modi’s first visit to the UAE, the
country allocated land in Abu Dhabi for the
construction of a Hindu temple.
 The temple project was inaugurated by the PM in
February 2018.
 It was construction commenced in December 2019.
5. Uganda to Host 19th NAM Summit
 The 19th edition of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
Summit will be held in Uganda.
 Attended by: India’s External Affairs Minister S.
Jaishankar will be visiting Uganda from January 15-
20, 2024
 Aim: To strengthen ties with African countries and
other nations of the Global South will be a key focus
during the visit
 Chair of NAM for 2024-2027: Uganda
 18th Summit of NAM: Azerbaijan
6. Nepal to Export 10,000 MW of Power to India in next
10 years
 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar joined hands
with his counterpart N P Saud to inaugurate three
cross-border transmission lines.
 Aim: To enhance connectivity between the two
nations, fostering cooperation in the energy sector
 Target: Export of 10,000 MW of power to India over
the next 10 years.
7. Burkina, Mali, Niger quit West African bloc ECOWAS
 The military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger
announced their immediate withdrawal from the
West African bloc ECOWAS.
 ECOWAS refers to the Economic Community of West
African States.
 It was established in 1975 through the Lagos Treaty.
 Members: Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’ Ivoire, The
Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia,
Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo.
 ECOWAS’ larger aims are to have a single common
currency and create a single, large trading bloc in
areas of industry.
 Headquarters: Abuja, Nigeria
8. India ranks at 93 on Corruption Index 2023
 Transparency International released the Corruption
Index 2023, in which India ranked 93 out of 180.
 In 2022, India was ranked at 85, sharing this spot
with five other countries, including the Maldives.
 Denmark, with a score of 90, topped the index for the
sixth consecutive year.
 Finland and New Zealand occupied second and third
rank with scores of 87 and 85 respectively.
 Somalia was ranked last.
9. Musk announces successful brain implant procedure
in 1st human recipient
 Elon Musk announced that the first human patient
has received a brain implant from his startup
Neuralink Corp.
 Neuralink’s brain implant aims to help people with
traumatic injuries operate computers using only
their thoughts.
 In May 2023, the company had received approval
from the US Food and Drug Administration to
conduct its first human trials.
 It was recruiting patients with quadriplegia due to
cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS) for the trial.
10. Toyota keeps crown as world's top-selling automaker
in 2023
 Toyota (a Japanese automaker) has secured its
position as the world’s top-selling automaker in
2023.
 This achievement highlights Toyota's dominance in
the global automotive market and its commitment to
innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction.
 German rival Volkswagen Group ranked second,
earlier this month reported a 12% rise in deliveries
last year to 9.2 million cars.
11. India plans ‘Bharat Park’ trade zone in UAE for Global
Showcase
 The Indian government's initiative 'Bharat Park' in
the UAE, features showrooms and warehouses to
display and store Indian-made goods for a global
audience.
 Prominence of Man Made Fibre Textiles due to
challenges in meeting the increasing demand for
cotton.
12. Google DeepMind introduces Mobile ALOHA
Humanoid Technology
 Stanford University has unveiled Mobile ALOHA, a
robotic system designed.
 Aim: To elevate the capabilities of bimanual mobile
manipulation
 This innovation builds upon the foundation of Google
DeepMind’s ALOHA system.
 Developed in collaboration with Berkeley University
and Meta
13. Swedish Scientists create ‘e-soil’ to accelerate plant
growth
  Researchers at Linkoping University, Sweden, reveal
an electrically conductive 'soil'.
 Aim: To promote remarkable crop growth, especially
in barley seedlings, with a potential 50% increase in
just 15 days
 This innovative soilless cultivation method is termed
hydroponics.
14. Kyrgyzstan declares Snow Leopard as National
Symbol
 Kyrgyzstan officially declared the snow leopard its
national symbol, demonstrating its commitment to
conservation and ecological balance.
 Kyrgyzstan's President 'Sadyr Japarov' signed a
decree on December 30, 2023.
 Snow Leopard Scientific name: Panthera uncia
 It is called the 'ghost of the mountains'.
 Mountainous regions of Central and Southern Asia.
 Number of countries with snow leopard range (12) –
Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
 Snow Leopard Habitat in India:
 Western Himalayas; Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh,
Himachal Pradesh
 Eastern Himalayas: Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal
Pradesh
 IUCN Red List – Vulnerable
15. Denmark launches Green Fuels Alliance with India
 objectives under the 2020 Green Strategic
Partnership, which was signed between the two
nations i.e. Denmark and India.
 India's target of net-zero emissions by 2070.
Denmark government has launched the Green Fuels
Alliance India (GFAI).
 It is a strategic initiative aimed at advancing
collaboration between Denmark and India in the
sustainable energy solutions sector.
 Aim: To promote growth in green fuels like clean
hydrogen to reach carbon neutrality
 This initiative is led by the Danish Embassy and
Consulate General in India.
 It aligns with sustainability
 Denmark's target is to achieve carbon neutrality by
2050.
16. The first cyclone of 2024, Alvaro hits Madagascar
 Tropical Cyclone 'Alvaro' struck Morombe,
Madagascar, on January 1, 2024, causing extensive
damage to property and impacting over 4,500
individuals.
17. Indigo ranks second in the world's top 20 airlines in
growth of passenger seats
 According to OAG, an aviation analytics company,
IndiGo's seats per day rose by 29.7% from 47,738
seats in December 2019 to 61,913 in December
2024.
 It was behind only Spirit Airlines which grew by
34.8% in the same period.
 Air China was third, which is growing at 20.4%.
 In terms of global airports, only Delhi's GMR group
featured in the top 20 global list.
 At the top of the global airport pecking order, Atlanta
airport handled 5.1 million seats last month.
 It is measured by the number of seats they have
handled.
18. EU Scientists confirm 2023 as hottest year ever
recorded
 The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change
Service (C3S) announced that 2023 was the hottest
year on record, possibly marking the warmest period
in the last 100,000 years.
 From June onward, each month in 2023 has claimed
the title of the hottest on record compared to its
respective month in preceding years
 The global average temperature in 2023 was 1.48
degrees Celsius warmer than the pre-industrial
period of 1850-1900.
 The 2015 Paris Agreement set a target to prevent
global warming from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius,
aiming to avert severe consequences.
19. WHO launches ICD 11 Module 2 (Morbidity Codes)
 The WHO (World Health Organization) launched
traditional medicine morbidity codes of Ayurveda,
Siddha, and Unani as module 2 in ICD 11 in New
Delhi.
 Data and terminology related to diseases based on
Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani systems will now be
included in WHO's ICD11 classification.
 Benefits: Global uniformity in ASU (Ayurveda, Unani
and Siddha) medicine
 International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
 WHO has developed a classification series called ICD
to classify diseases internationally.
 It provides information on the worldwide extent,
causes, and consequences of human disease and
death through coded data.
 The Ministry of AYUSH has already developed codes
for AYUSH treatment through the National AYUSH
Morbidity and Standardized Electronic Portal
(NAMAST).
 Diseases included in ICD: chronic insomnia, Vertigo
guidance disorder, and nervous system disorder
20. Microsoft overtakes Apple as most valuable company
 Microsoft overtook Apple as the world's most
valuable company.
 Shares of Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft
rose 1.5%, giving it a market valuation of $2.888
trillion.
 Apple was 0.3% lower with a market capitalization
of $2.887 trillion.
21. ILO warns of rise in unemployment, decline in real
wages
 Report title: World Employment and Social Outlook
Trends 2024 report
 Released by: ILO
 The ILO projected a decline in labor force
participation rates and a slowdown in employment
growth, which may raise the global unemployment
rate from 5.1% in 2023 to 5.2% in 2024.
 The erosion of real wages and living standards
caused by high and persistent inflation rates, as well
 as rising housing costs, is unlikely to be quickly
compensated.
 Rising geopolitical tensions were among the factors
that could exacerbate employment challenges.
 The economic, employment and social risks and
related spillovers arising from the Israel–Hamas
conflict.
 Recently, the World Bank warned the global
economy may witness a poor performance by the
end of the year— the slowest half-decade of gross
domestic product (GDP) growth in 30 years.
22. India ranks 80 in Henley Passport Index 2024
 The Henley Passport Index 2024 was released,
highlighting the "power" of passports, which is based
on the number of destinations that allow visa-free
entry to their passport.
 Topped by: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore
and Spain
 Passports of all these countries have visa-free access
to 194 destinations.
23. Turkiye, Bulgaria, Romania join forces to hunt Black
Sea mines
 NATO members Turkiye, Bulgaria and Romania
signed a pact on demining the Black Sea to ensure
safe passage.
 Russia mined Ukraine's Black Sea coastline in the
early stages of its invasion nearly two years ago.
 Some of the mines have since been found in the
waters of the three countries.
24. Switzerland to Host Ukraine Peace Summit on
Zelenskiy’s Request
 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has
secured Switzerland’s agreement to host a global
peace summit aimed at resolving the conflict sparked
by Russia’s incursion into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.
 Switzerland, known for its neutrality and past
mediation roles, will facilitate talks to find a
resolution.
25. India at 4th position in 2024 military strength
rankings
 According to the Global Firepower rankings 2024,
India has maintained its position as the fourth
strongest military globally.
 India holds a Power Index (PwrIndx) score of 0.1023.
(A score of 0.0000 is considered ‘perfect’).
 The United States being named the most powerful
followed by Russia and China.
 The US holds a Power Index score of 0.0699, Russia
0.0702 and China 0. 0706.
 India’s neighbour Pakistan has been ranked ninth
and Italy takes the 10th position.
 South Korea, the United Kingdom, Japan and Turkey
also feature in the top 10 list.
26. India ranks 2nd in time spent on shopping apps
 Report: State of Mobile -2024
 Report by: data.ai (previously known as App Annie)
 Indian shoppers accounted for 13% of the total
hours spent by mobile users across the globe on their
shopping apps in 2023.
 This represents an increase of over 73% from the
time they spent in 2020 and of more than 3.5% over
2022.
 The time spent by shoppers on these apps in 2023
was far higher than in the US (2.8 billion hours),
Brazil (3.020 billion hours).
 But, it was less than that in China where it was 49.60
billion hours.
27. Apple dethrones Samsung as top phone maker for first
time since 2010
 According to the research firm IDC estimates, Apple
Inc.’s iPhone dethroned Samsung Electronics devices
to become the best-selling smartphone series for
2023, for the first time since 2010.
 The iPhone accounted for a fifth of the global market
with close to 235 million shipments last year.
 China's device Xiaomi ranked third followed by
OPPO and Transsion
28. Vice President inaugurates the Asian Buddhist
Conference for Peace
 Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the
12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist
Conference for Peace (ABCP) in New Delhi.
 It was jointly established, with its headquarters
based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in 1970.
 It was established by religious leaders from India, Sri
Lanka, and Nepal.
29. WHO panel to discuss deadly virus 'Disease X' at WEF
2024
 The global leaders are slated to address a peculiar
concern known as Disease X at the World Economic
Forum (WEF) 2024 in Davos, Switzerland.
 This enigmatic term refers to an illness triggered by
an unidentified yet potent microbial threat.
 Disease X, designated by the WHO in 2017, holds a
place alongside pathogens like Ebola and Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) as a top priority
for research.
30. Masala Chai ranks as the World's second-best Non-
Alcoholic Beverage
 TasteAtlas named India’s Masala Chai the world's
second-best non-alcoholic beverage for 2023–24.
 TasteAtlas is a popular food and travel guide in the
world.
 Mexico's 'Aguas Frescas' was ranked the best non-
alcoholic beverage in the world.
 International Tea Day is celebrated on 21 May each
year since it was declared by the United Nations
General Assembly in December 2019.
31. India elected as First Vice Chair of COFI Sub-
Committee on Fisheries Management
 India has been elected as the First Vice Chair of the
Food and Agriculture Organization FAO COFI Sub-
Committee on Fisheries Management.
 India will serve as a member of the FAO Fisheries
Bureau on 'Capture Fisheries' for the first time in 57
years.
 India is one of the top fishing nations with over 28
million inland and marine fishers.
 India is already chairing the International Sugar
Organisation.
32. Solar Power Stations inaugurated at Egyptian World
Heritage Sites
 The United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) in Egypt has officially inaugurated solar
power stations at five renowned Egyptian world
heritage sites and museums.
 It was launched in collaboration with the Ministry of
Tourism and Antiquities, represented by the
Supreme Council for Antiquities (SCA).
 Locations:
 Giza Plateau’s Visitor Center
 Manial Palace, Cairo
 Sharm El Sheikh Museum
 The National and Royal Jewelry Museums in
Alexandria (Two Museums)
 Capacity:
 These stations boast a total capacity of 325 kW, with
the photovoltaic systems estimated to generate 520
MW.hr/year.
 This is expected to reduce around 295 tons/year of
carbon dioxide equivalent in greenhouse gas
emissions, marking a significant environmental
impact.
 It is a major stride in reducing the carbon footprint
of Egypt’s key cultural and historical sites.
 The solar power stations mark the completion of the
Egypt PV flagship project.
 It is supported by the Global Environment Facility
(GEF) and later funded by the European Union
through the UNDP project with COP27 Presidency.
 World Heritage Sites in India:
 Total sites: 42
 42nd site: Hoysala Temples in Karnataka
33. Silicon Valley schools include Hindi as world language
in curriculum
 In California, two government schools in Silicon
Valley will be introducing Hindi as a world language
in their school curriculum for the first time.
 The decision to introduce Hindi as an optional
subject.
 It was welcomed by the large Indian American
community at Fremont who have been seeking to
have their children learn Hindi in schools.
 Fremont has one of the highest concentrations of
Indian Americans in California.
 The Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) Board
voted 4-1 vote to launch a pilot program that will see
Hindi in the curriculum of Horner Middle School and
Irvington High School for the 2024-2025 school year
that starts in August
 Hindi is being taught are mainly-Countries like
Mauritius, Fiji, Japan, Italy, Nepal, South Africa,
Finland, etc.
 World Hindi Day is celebrated every year on 10
January to promote Hindi globally.
 The theme of Hindi Day this year in 2024 is 'Hindi -
linking traditional knowledge and artificial
intelligence'.
 Hindi has been given the status of official language in
Fiji.
34. G77-Third South Summit held at Kampala, Uganda
 The G77- third South Summit was held at Kampala in
Uganda from 20 to 23 January 2024.
 Theme 2024: Leaving No One Behind
 The Third South Summit is a platform to bring
energy to the cooperation among its 134 member
States of the Group of 77 (G-77) in a more
competitive world.
 The First summit was held in Havana, Cuba in 2000.
 The Second South Summit was held in Heldha, Qatar
in 2005.
 On June 15, 1964, the Group of 77 (G-77) was
established by 77 developing countries.

35. Canada announces an immediate, two-year cap on
international student permits
 Canada has announced an immediate, two-year cap
on international student permits.
 It would also stop giving work permits to some
postgraduate students as it seeks to rein in record
numbers of newcomers seen aggravating a housing
crisis.
 The cap is expected to result in approximately 3.6
lakh approved study permits in 2024, a decrease of
35 percent from 2023.
36. Sweden set to become NATO member as Turkey
approves
 Turkey's parliament ratifies Sweden's NATO
membership bid, clearing the biggest remaining
hurdle to expanding the Western military alliance
after 20 months of delay.
 All NATO members need to approve applications
from countries seeking to join the alliance.
 Sweden's membership would make the entire Baltic
coastline NATO territory - except the Russian coast
and that of its enclave Kaliningrad.
 Recently, NATO signs 1.1 billion euro contract for
155mm artillery ammunition
37. Saudi Arabia to Open First Alcohol Store for Diplomats
 Saudi Arabia is preparing to open its first alcohol
store, exclusively for diplomats.
 It represents a notable shift in the Kingdom’s
approach to alcohol, which has traditionally been
banned under its strict interpretation of Islamic law.
 Saudi Arabia has embarked on a series of socio-
economic reforms under Vision 2030, spearheaded
by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
 These reforms aim to modernize the Saudi economy
and society, reducing its dependence on oil and
opening up to more international norms.
38. Alabama conducts first Nitrogen Gas execution in the
US
 Kenneth Smith, a convicted murderer, has become
the first person in the United States to be executed by
nitrogen gas.
 The execution, which took place in Alabama,
introduced a new method intended to be the most
painless and humane alternative to the previously
predominant lethal injection.
 What is nitrogen hypoxia and how does it work?
 Nitrogen hypoxia is a method of execution where a
respirator mask is placed over the inmate’s face, and
 their breathing air is replaced with pure nitrogen
gas.
 This deprives the individual of oxygen, leading to
unconsciousness in a few seconds, and ultimately
causing death in several minutes.
39. Maersk reveals world’s largest ship fueled by
Methanol
 Maritime titan Maersk unveils its latest marvel, 'Ane
Maersk', a revolutionary container vessel powered
by green methanol derived from green hydrogen.
 It represents a bold leap into a greener future,
boasting the title of the world’s largest container
vessel fueled by green methanol, a derivative of
green hydrogen.
 Capacity to carry 16,000 20ft shipping containers
(TEU), the Ane Maersk eclipses its predecessor, the
Laura Maersk, by nearly eightfold.
 Scheduled to embark on its maiden voyage on
February 9th from Ulsan, South Korea, the Ane
Maersk will traverse global waters, calling at ports in
China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and beyond.
 Equip with 24 container vessels with dual-fuel
engines capable of burning green methanol.
40. Icon of the Seas: World's largest cruise ship begins its
maiden voyage
 The world's largest cruise ship - 'Icon of the Seas' -
embarked on its maiden voyage from the United
States port of Miami on 27th January 2024.
 Owned by: Royal Caribbean Group
 Length of the cruise: 365m-long
 It will offer a first seven-day island-hopping voyage
in the Caribbean.
 The trip will culminate in Saint Kitts and Nevis and
Charlotte Amalie in the US Virgin Islands.
 The 'Icon of the Seas' was built in Finland's Turku.
 Built cost: About $2 billion
 Ship weight: About 250,800 tonnes
 It is about five times larger than the Titanic.
 It is adorned with luxurious amenities, the Bahamas-
registered ship has seven swimming pools and six
water slides.
 The cruise is divided into eight neighborhoods
across 20 decks.
 It can house up to 7,600 passengers and
accommodate 2,350 crew members as well.
 The tickets for this voyage range from $1,723 to
$2,639 per person.
 The cruise was first revealed in October 2022.
 The greenhouse gas methane traps 80 times more
heat than carbon dioxide over 20 years and is a key
contributor to global warming.
National News
1. India starts four-year term as UN Statistical
Commission member
 India started its four-year term as a member of the
United Nations Statistical Commission on 1st
January 2024.
 The country had won the election to the global
statistics body in April 2023 after a gap of nearly two
decades.
 24 member countries
 Five members from African States
 Four members from Asia-Pacific States
 Four members from Eastern European States
 Four members from Latin American and Caribbean
States
 Seven members from Western European and other
States
2. India to build 2 billion-tonne coal stock by 2030
 The Centre plans to build a domestic thermal coal
stock of 1.8-2.5 billion tonnes (bt) by 2030-32.
 After that, the government will hit the pause button
on production for the next decade.
 According to the projections of the Ministry of Coal,
the demand for coal will be close to 1.5-1.8 bt by
2030.
 Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill 2023
 This bill was passed in the Lok Sabha to repeal the
existing Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867.
 Aim: To remove the legacy of the British Raj
3. ONGC seeks partners to cut gas flaring, zero methane
emission by 2030
 ONGC is seeking global technology partners to cut
gas flaring and achieve zero methane emission by
2030 as part of its ambitious decarbonisation plan.
 Cut gas flaring -- burning of methane gas that is
produced when oil is extracted from below surface -
- and would look to bring it down to nil as part of its
environmental commitments.
 According to the International Energy Agency,
India's share in global primary energy consumption
is expected to rise to 9.8 per cent by 2050
4. ASI assures to send note to UNESCO over inclusion of
Srimukhalingam temple in Andhra Pradesh
 Archaeological Survey of India assured to send a note
to UNESCO over inclusion of Srimukhalingam temple
in Andhra Pradesh in the world heritage structures’
list.
 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India: 42
 Srimukhalingam temple:
 Located in: Andhra Pradesh
 Kalinga architectural style.
 It is located on the banks of the Vamsadhara River.
 It is dedicated to Lord Srimukha Lingeswara (a form
of Shiva).
 It was constructed in the 9th century CE by kings of
the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
5. Govt to exempt Aadhaar-payment to MGNREGA
workers in some cases
 The Centre would give specific exemptions from an
Aadhaar-linked payment to the Mahatma Gandhi
National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
(MGNREGA) workers.
 Wage payments under the MGNREGA scheme will be
paid only through the Aadhaar-Based Payment
System (ABPS).
 The system requires a worker's bank account and job
card to be linked with Aadhaar.
 The Centre decided to make the wage payment of
unskilled workers through ABPS mandatory to
ensure the payment goes directly into the bank
 accounts of the beneficiaries, even in case of frequent
change of bank accounts.
6. Phase 10th of Sagar Parikrama organized from 1st
January to 6th January 2024
 The 10th phase of Sagar Parikrama started from
January 1st to 6th, 2024.
 Traversing various locations in Andhra Pradesh and
Puducherry.
 Aim: To address the issues faced by fishermen and
fish farmers and facilitate their economic upliftment
7. PM inaugurates Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands
Submarine Optical Fibre Connection
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kavaratti,
Lakshadweep, inaugurated the Kochi-Lakshadweep
islands submarine optical fiber connection (KLI-
SOFC) project.
 It is among the various developmental projects
worth more than Rs 1,150 crore.
 The developmental projects cover a wide range of
sectors including technology, energy, water
resources, healthcare, and education.
 Total link distance: 1,868 kilometers.
 Total cost of project: Rs 1072 crore plus taxes.
 Benefits of the KLI Project:
 Achieving the objective of Digital India and National
Broadband Mission.
 E-Governance, Tourism, Education, Health,
Commerce and Industries will get a boost.
 High-speed broadband will be provided through
FTTH and 5G/4G Mobile network.
8. India unveils ‘National Single Window System’ by TCS
 India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
(CDSCO) has launched the ‘National Single Window
System (NSWS).
 It is a unified portal designed by Tata Consultancy
Services (TCS).
 Aim: To streamline the import of medical devices
 It will create a centralized platform for investors,
enhancing the ease of doing business.
 It becomes operational from January 1, 2024.
 Existing portals like SUGAM and cdscomdonline will
be disabled by January 15.
 New system will handle activities under the Medical
Devices Rules, 2017.
9. North India's River Revitalization Project 'Devika' in
its final stages
 As of December 31, 2023, North India's first river
revitalization project 'Devika'.
 It will soon be dedicated to the nation by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.
10. Flipkart’s Binny Bansal launches OppDoor
 Flipkart has ventured into the e-commerce space
once again with his latest startup, OppDoor.
 OppDoor is set to provide its services primarily to e-
commerce companies in various countries, including
the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United
Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Japan, and Australia.
11. France and Germany to provide 100 million euros for
AMRUT Mission Financing
 France’s development agency, AFD, and Germany’s
KfW Bank are in talks with India to extend a €100
million loan.
 Reason: To support the country’s urban
infrastructure plan, specifically the Atal Mission for
Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
2.0
 AMRUT 2.0 launched in October 2021 for five years
(FY22 to FY26).
 Aim: To provide universal coverage of sewerage and
septage management systems in 500 cities
12. PM Inaugurates Rs 400 Crore Fast Reactor Plant In
Tamil Nadu
 PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rs 400 crore
Demonstration Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant
(DFRP) at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic
Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam.
 Aim: To advance India’s nuclear capabilities,
designed to reprocess fuel from Prototype Fast
Breeder Reactors
 The fast reactor power generation company,
Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI),
based in Kalpakkam.
 It is currently setting up the PFBR and has plans for
two additional fast reactors in the future.
 The Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Facility (FRFCF) is under
construction and is anticipated to be completed by
December 2027.
 It is executed by the Nuclear Recycle Board, Bhabha
Atomic Research Centre, and the DAE.
 Budgeted at: Approximately Rs 9,600 crore
 Primary goal of FRFCF: To reprocess spent fuel from
fast breeder reactors, emphasizing its integral role in
India’s three-stage nuclear power programme
13. Uttar Purvi Mahotsav 2024 to be held in Delhi from
13th- 17th of January 2024
 Managed by: Ministry of Development of North
Eastern Region
 Event: “Uttar Purvi Mahotsav 2024”- A cultural
odyssey unveiling the richness of North East India
 Location: Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan, New
Delhi
 Date: 13th to 17th January 2024
14. Reliance Industries achieves India’s First ISCC-Plus
Certification
 Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) achieved a
significant milestone by becoming the first in India to
produce ISCC-Plus certified chemically recycled
polymers.
 The ISCC-Plus certification applies to RIL’s Jamnagar
refinery, Gujarat.
 It had successfully shipped its inaugural batch of
ISCC-Plus certified circular polymers named:
 CircuRepol (polypropylene)
 CircuRelene (polyethylene), to an undisclosed client
15. Cabinet approves Ayodhya Airport as International
Airport
 The Union Cabinet declared Ayodhya Airport an
international airport on 5 January 2024.
  The proposal to name it "Maharishi Valmiki
International Airport, Ayodhyadham" was also
approved.
16. ₹26,400 cr on the cards for FAME-III
 The ministry of heavy industries is working on broad
contours of the third phase of Faster Adoption and
Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles or FAME-III.
 The ministry is proposing to allocate Rs 26,400 crore
for FAME-III subsidy alone with electric two
wheelers getting around Rs 8,158 crore, electric
buses Rs 9,600 crore and electric three-wheelers Rs
4,100 crore
 Setting up an innovation fund and money for testing
, the total allocation could cross Rs 33,000 crore,
estimates suggest.
 The third phase proposed allocation is much higher
than FAME-I and FAME-II at $₹ 895$ crore and
₹10,000 crore, respectively.
17. AIIMS New Delhi starts country’s first smart lab in its
OPD block
 All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) New
Delhi has started the country’s first smart lab in its
OPD block to provide test facilities under one roof.
 This facility is seamlessly integrated, offering a wide
range of laboratory testing services including
hematology, biochemistry, coagulation, serology,
endocrinology, and various immunoassays.
 The smart lab of AIIMS gets the report of 90 percent
on the same day the sample is received.
18. Flipkart partners Fireblocks to support Web 3.0 users
 E-commerce firm Flipkart has formed a strategic
partnership with Fireblocks to manage digital asset
operations and build innovative businesses on
blockchain technology.
 Aim: To support the way consumers safely and easily
interact with the Web 3.0 ecosystem.
 This collaboration will also provide avenues for
brands to innovate and enhance customer
experiences, as being explored via the FireDrops
platform.
 FireDrops is an endeavour to create a safe and
scalable brand engagement programme on the
blockchain
19. Bhupender Yadav releases the Status Report of Snow
Leopards in India
 Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate
Change, Bhupender Yadav released the report on the
Status of Snow leopards in India.
 It was launched during the National Board for
Wildlife meeting held in New Delhi.
 The Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India
(SPAI) Program is the first-ever scientific exercise
that reports the Snow leopard population of 718
individuals in India.
 Based on data analysis, the estimated population in
different states are as follows: Ladakh (477),
Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51),
Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and Jammu
and Kashmir (9).
20. PM Narendra Modi set to inaugurate India's first
global mobility expo
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address India’s
first-of-its-kind mobility show, 'Bharat Mobility
Global Expo,' which aims to showcase the country’s
growing role as a global hub for mobility.
 It will be organized from February 1-3 in New Delhi.
 While the share of vehicles being exported is 14 cent
right now, India aims to increase it to about 25 per
cent of all passenger vehicles produced in the
country by 2030.
21. PM GatiShakti Summit organized by FICCI and DPIIT
 The 'PM GatiShakti Summit: Towards Logistics
Efficiency and Integrated Infrastructure Planning',
organized by the Federation of Indian Chamber of
Commerce & Industry (FICCI),in collaboration with
the Department for Promotion of Industry and
Internal Trade (DPIIT) took place in New Delhi.
22. THDCIL inaugurates India’s Largest Green Hydrogen
Pilot Project
 THDC India Limited (THDCIL) has unveiled India’s
Largest Electrolyser End Fuel Cell-based Green
Hydrogen Pilot Project.
 Location: Rishikesh
 The initiative aligns with the country's National
Green Hydrogen Mission, which showcases THDCIL’s
commitment to sustainable energy practices.
 Inaugurated by: R. K. Vishnoi, CMD, THDCIL
 Green Hydrogen Production:
 Under the pilot project, 50KG of Green Hydrogen will
be produced daily, by utilizing a 1MW Rooftop Solar
Plant.
 The hydrogen will be stored in two tanks and used
during night hours to illuminate the THDCIL office
complex through a 70 Kw PEM Fuel Cell.
23. IIT Madras researchers engineer plant cells to
produce drug for cancer
 Collab between: IIT Madras and IIT Mandi
 Reason: To successfully metabolically engineered
plant cells to boost the production of the anti-cancer
drug camptothecin (CPT)
 Importance: Both medicinal production and plant
conservation
 The Plant Cell Technology Lab at IIT Madras, using
computational tools, developed a genome-scale
metabolic model for N. nimmoniana plant cells.
 Funded by: Science and Engineering Board (SERB)
and the Department of Science and Technology
 About CPT:
 It is traditionally extracted from the endangered
plant Nathapodytes nimmoniana
 Concern: Due to the plant’s declining population
 International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN): Red-listed
24. PM hails commencement of oil production from
deepwater Krishna Godavari basin
 The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) started
oil production from its flagship deep-sea project in
the Krishna Godavari basin in the Bay of Bengal.
 The 'first oil' from the deep-water KG-DWN-98/2
block in Bay of Bengal flowed on January 7, 2024.
  Production is expected to be 45,000 barrels per day
& over 10 million cubic meters of gas per day,
contributing towards energy.
25. IIT-Delhi team makes first hi-res landslide risk map
for India
 IIT Delhi’s Manabendra Saharia, an assistant
professor in the civil engineering department and
head of the HydroSense Lab at IIT Delhi, initiated its
creation due to the absence of comprehensive
country-wide data.
 IIT Delhi’s Manabendra Saharia, an assistant
professor in the civil engineering department and
head of the HydroSense Lab at IIT Delhi, initiated its
creation due to the absence of comprehensive
country-wide data.
 The use of GeoSadak, an online system that has data
on the national road network in India,aided in
obtaining crucial road network data for remote
areas.
 The ‘Indian Landslide Susceptibility Map’ with a
100m resolution, set to be published in Catena, is
recognized as a significant contribution.
26. Israel will start work on Desalination Program in
Lakshadweep
 Israel will launch a desalination program in
Lakshadweep to boost tourism in Lakshadweep.
 What is Desalination Technology?
 Lakshadweep is located in the Arabian Sea, due to its
oceanic location, there are a lot of problems with
fresh drinking water here.
 Israel has a technology for desalination.
 This technology converts saline seawater into
freshwater by eliminating minerals and impurities.
 Israel has a technology for desalination.
 This technology converts saline seawater into
freshwater by eliminating minerals and impurities.
27. First meeting of Inland Waterways Development
Council (IWDC) held In Kolkata
 The first edition of the Inland Waterways
Development Council (IWDC) was held in Kolkata to
enhance the capacity and feasibility of the country's
inland waterways.
 Presided by: Union Minister for Shipping and
Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal
 Organized by: Inland Waterways Authority of India
(IWAI), the nodal agency for inland waterways
 Key Points of meeting:
 A promise of Rs 45,000 crore for the development of
river cruise tourism, which includes-
 An estimated ₹35,000 crore for cruise ships.
 ₹10,000 crore for the development of cruise terminal
infrastructure by 2047.
 'Harit Nauka’ guidelines and ‘River Cruise Tourism
Roadmap, 2047' were also released.
 They aim to create capacity in an additional 26
waterways suitable for river cruise tourism, from the
present capacity of 8 waterways.
 Overnight cruise circuits will be increased from 17 to
80.
 River cruise terminals will be increased from the
current 15 to 185.
 Increase the passenger capacity of cruise tourism
traffic from 2 lakh to 15 lakh by 2047.
28. Microsoft’s ‘AI Odyssey’ to Upskill 100,000 Indian
Developers
 Microsoft India has unveiled the ‘AI Odyssey’
initiative to train 100,000 Indian developers in the
latest AI technologies.
 The program seeks to equip developers with skills
essential for executing AI projects aligning with
business goals.
29. India to chair, host UNESCO's World Heritageaa
Committee for first time In July 2024
 India is set to chair UNESCO's World Heritage
Committee and host its 46th session in New Delhi
from July 21 to 31, 2024, Vishal V Sharma, India's
Permanent Representative to UNESCO, announced
this decision.
 The World Heritage Committee, comprising
representatives from 21 member states.
30. Wings India to be held at Hyderabad’s Begumpet
Airport from Jan 18
 Hyderabad’s Begumpet Airport is set to host the
aviation extravaganza, Wings India 2024, from
January 18 to 21, 2024.
 It is jointly organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation
(MOCA) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of
Commerce & Indian Industry (FICCI).
31. Maharashtra among top three states contributing to
India’s MSME sector
 According to the report of CBRE South Asia Private
Limited, Maharashtra has emerged as the top state of
India as a significant contributor to India’s MSME
sector with 17% share in the MSME sector.
 Report title: MSMEs: Unleashing the Engines of
Economic Prosperity
 Top three states: Maharashtra accounted for the
highest share of MSMEs in the country at 17%,
followed by Tamil Nadu (10%) and Uttar Pradesh
(9%).
32. Majority of Indian cities far from clean air target:
Study
 Study conducted by: Respirer Living Sciences and
Climate Trends
 Highlights: Several Indian cities are considerably
distant from achieving the clean air target
 NCAP Target:
 The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in India
targets to decrease average particulate matter (PM)
concentrations by 40% by 2026 in 131 Indian cities.
 The analysis highlights that out of 49 cities, only four
cities met or surpassed the targeted decline in PM 2.5
levels.
 Delhi has only seen a 5.9% decline in average annual
PM 2.5 levels, while Navi Mumbai has witnessed a
46% rise.
 Varanasi improved with a 72% reduction in PM 2.5
levels and a 69% reduction in PM 10 levels from
2019-2023.
 About NCAP:
 Launched in: 2019
  Launched by: Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change (MoEFCC)
 Target: Achieving a 20% to 30% reduction target in
Particulate Matter concentrations by 2024 (Base
year: 2017)
 Identification of non-attainment cities: 122
(presently 131 non-attainment cities)
 New target: 40% reduction in particulate matter
concentration in cities covered under the NCAP by
2026.
 Non-attainment cities are the cities that do not meet
the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
 The NCAP tracker is a joint project of the Carbon
Copy portal and Maharashtra-based Respirer Living
Sciences.
33. India signs cooperation agreements with the UAE,
Czech Republic
 India signed bilateral cooperation agreements with
the United Arab Emirates and the Czech Republic at
the Vibrant Gujarat summit.
 India - UAE: India has signed an MoU with the UAE
on healthcare, development of food parks, and
renewable energy
 India - Czech Republic: Both countries signed a
strategic partnership on innovation.
 UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was
the chief guest at the summit, while Czech Prime
Minister Petr Fiala also attended the event.
 India is a part of the I2U2 partnership involving
India, Israel, the UAE, and the United States.
 I2U2 was initially formed in October 2021.
 It was formed, after the Abraham Accords between
Israel and the UAE.
 Reason of formation: To deal with issues concerning
maritime security, infrastructure, and transport in
the region.
 Referred to: West Asian Quad
34. PM to inaugurate 27th National Youth Festival in
Nashik, Maharashtra on 12th January
 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate
the 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik,
Maharashtra on 12th January and will address the
youth of the nation.
 12th of January 2024 marks the birth anniversary of
Swami Vivekananda, and is celebrated as National
Youth Day.
 sexual harassment, and gender discrimination
35. Indore and Surat win Swachh Survekshan Awards
2023
 The President of India, Droupadi Murmu conferred
Swachh Survekshan awards 2023 at Bharat
Mandapam, New Delhi hosted by the Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
 Categories: Clean Cities, Cleanest Cantonment,
SafaiMitra Suraksha, Ganga Towns, and Best
Performing State
 Cleanest City: Surat and Indore
 Cities with a population of less than 1 lakh: Sasvad
(first), Patan (second) and Lonavala (third)
 Cleanest Cantonment Board: Mhow Cantonment
Board in Madhya Pradesh
 Cleanest Ganga Towns: Varanasi and Prayagraj
 Best Performing State: Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh
 Best Safaimitra Surakshit Sheher: Chandigarh
 Theme for the year 2023: Waste to Wealth
36. PM Modi to unveil India’s longest sea bridge 'Atal Setu'
 India's longest sea bridge 'Atal Setu' or 'Mumbai
Trans Harbour Link (MTHL)' will be inaugurated by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, January 12th, 2024.
 The bridge is designed to accommodate around
70,000 vehicles daily.
 Connect: Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai
 Length: 21.8 km
 It will be the longest sea bridge in the country and
the 12th longest in the world.
 It comprises a 16.5-kilometre sea link and a 5.5-
kilometre land link
 The Sea link is a six-lane highway.
 Loan from: Japan International Cooperation Agency
 It allow motorists to travel at a maximum speed of
100 kmph, but heavy vehicles, motorcycles,
autorickshaws and tractors will not be allowed to
use it.
 An 8.5-km noise barrier has been installed from
Sewri, as this portion of the bridge passes through a
flamingo-protected area and Bhabha Atomic
Research Centre.
37. DPIIT organises Startup India Innovation Week 2024
from 10th-18th January 2024
 The Department for Promotion of Industry and
Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, has orchestrated the
Startup India Innovation Week 2024 from January
10th to January 18th.
 This week-long initiative seeks to unite startups,
entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and
stakeholders to celebrate and advance the Indian
Startup Ecosystem, culminating in the National
Startup Day on January 16th, 2024.
38. UGC’s lauched new Directive for Ethical Education in
India
 The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India
has introduced Mulya Pravah 2.0, a new Directive for
Ethical Education in India.
 These guidelines come in response to a survey that
highlighted unethical practices such as favouritism,
within various educational organizations.
 It is an updated version of the original Mulya Pravah
guideline, which the UGC introduced in 2019.
 Objective: Tao instill human values and professional
ethics in higher education institutions across India.
 Other objectives:
 Inculcating Human Values and Ethics
 Promoting Honesty and Integrity
 Encouraging Critical Thinking
 Enhancing Transparency and Accountability
 Rewarding Ethical Behavior
 Challenges in Implementing Mulya Pravah 2.0:
 Lack of Awareness
 Resistance to Change
  Ambiguity in Definitions
 Enforcement Issues
39. Climate Conference 2024 “Decoding the Green
Transition for India” organized by MEFCC
 The Climate Conference 2024 was organized by the
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
on January 12, 2024, in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
 Theme: Decoding the Green Transition for India
 Aim: To create new climate services and adaptation
technologies. Knowledge Partner Avaana Capital
supported the event
 The Conference was organised under the Green
Climate Fund Readiness Programme.
 UNDP India was the Delivery Partner.
 Green Climate Fund:
 It was established in 2010.
 It was established by 194 countries in the UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change.
 It is designed to function as an operating entity of the
Convention's financial mechanism.
 Its headquarters in Korea.
 Its purpose is to change how the world deals with
climate change.
40. India's Most Polluted City in 2023 is Byrnihat
 Byrnihat, located in Meghalaya has topped the list of
polluted cities in India, as per the report released by
the think tank Centre for Research on Energy and
Clean Air (CREA).
 Byrnihat recorded the highest annual average PM10
concentration of 301 micrograms per cubic meter in
2023.
 Followed by Begusarai of Bihar (265 µg m-3) and
Greater Noida of Uttar Pradesh (228 µg m-3) are in
second and third place, respectively.
 Delhi is in eighth place on this list.
 Silchar in Assam recorded the lowest PM10 level at
29 micrograms per cubic metre.
 The data showed that PM10 levels exceeded the
NAAQS (60 micrograms per cubic metre) in 78 of the
85 NCAP cities.
 The data showed that PM10 levels exceeded the
NAAQS (60 micrograms per cubic metre) in 78 of the
85 NCAP cities.
 National Clean Air Program (NCAP) was launched in
January 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change.
41. International partner of RIL launched data centre in
Chennai
 Digital Connexion, a joint venture between Mukesh
Ambani’s Reliance Industries, Canada's Brookfield,
and US-based Digital Realty launched its first data
center in India, at Ambattur in Chennai.
 The center started with a processing capacity of 20
megawatts (Mw).
 It will expand to 100 Mw, making it one of the largest
such facilities in the country.
 Digital Connexion is also planning to start a 40 Mw
data center in Mumbai.
42. IIT Madras to establish new campus in Kandy, Sri
Lanka
 The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT
Madras) will set to expand its horizons by
establishing a new campus in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
 Earlier, both the governments, India and Sri Lanka,
signed for educational collaboration.
 The proposal for the new campus was announced in
Budget 2024 by Sri Lankan President Ranil
Wickremasinghe, who also serves as the Finance
Minister.
 Location: Kandy, Sri Lanka, which is a city known for
its rich cultural and historical significance.
 Aim: To provide Sri Lankan students with the
opportunity to pursue higher education locally at an
affordable price, enhancing the educational
landscape in Sri Lanka
 IIT Madras officials will visit Sri Lanka to commence
the establishment process of the campus branch.
 Significance: Educational Opportunity, Cultural
Exchange, Affordable Education, and Regulatory
Framework
43. Bengaluru pips Delhi in terms of highest number of
private cars in India
 According to the Delhi Statistical Handbook 2023,
released by the state government, the number of
private cars registered in Delhi stood at 2.071 million
units as of March 31, 2023.
 Drop of 38.8% drop since March 31, 2021.
 Reason for decline: In October 2018, the Supreme
Court passed an order to ban diesel vehicles aged
more than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15
years in Delhi to reduce pollution.
 According to the Karnataka Transport Department’s
data released, as of March 31, 2023, 2.233 million
private cars were registered in Bengaluru, which was
a 7.1% increase since March 31, 2021.
 Bengaluru has overtaken Delhi as the city with the
highest number of private cars in India.
44. Govt plans 24x7 electricity supply across the country
by March 2025
 The Union government is aiming to supply 24x7
electricity across the country by March 2025.
 Through SAUBHAGYA and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya
Gram Jyoti Yojana, the Centre has connected all
villages and households with grid electricity in the
past five years.
 But despite enhanced connectivity, major states,
such as Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and
Himachal Pradesh, have seen a significant reduction
in the number of hours of power supply in their rural
areas, according to Central Electricity Authority
(CEA).
45. India set to become largest lentil producer in 2023-24
crop year
 India is set to become the world’s largest producer of
lentil (masoor) during the 2023-24 crop years on
account of higher acreage.
 Lentil:
 It is mostly consumed as dry seeds.
 In India, it’s mostly consumed as ‘Dal’ by removal of
outer skin and separation of cotyledons.
  Soil: Well-drained, loam soils with neutral reactions
are best for lentil cultivation. Acidic soils are not fit
for growing lentils.
 It is widely cultivated throughout Europe, Asia, and
North Africa.
 Lentil growing states in India are Madhya Pradesh,
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Haryana, Punjab,
Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
46. IISF 2024 presents Vigyanika, the science literature
festival
 The India International Science Festival (IISF)- 2023
presents Vigyanika- a science literature festival.
 Primary objective: To showcase India’s scientific
prowess and charting a comprehensive roadmap for
effective communication of S&T achievements
 Date: 18th & 19th January 2024
 Location: Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) –
Translational Health Science and Technology
Institute (THSTI) campus, Faridabad.
 Coordinating organizations: CSIR-National Institute
of Science Communication and Policy Research
(NIScPR), National Innovation Foundation-India
(NIF), and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA)
 Theme 2023: “Science and Technology Public
Outreach in Amrit Kaal'
47. 54th World Economic Forum Summit Begins in Davos,
Switzerland
 The 54th annual meeting of the World Economic
Forum has begun today at Davos, Switzerland.
 The theme of the conference is Rebuilding Trust.
 The theme emphasizing the focus on exploring the
opportunities enabled by the new technologies and
their implications on decision-making and global
partnership.
 Union Ministers Smriti Irani, Ashwini Vaishnaw and
Hardeep Singh Puri representing India at the 5-day
event.
 Meanwhile, three chief ministers - Maharashtra's
Eknath Shinde, Telangana's Revanth Reddy and
Karnataka's Siddaramaiah will also be part of the
Indian delegation at the Forum.
 RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das and Ministers from
the states of Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and
Telangana will also join the meeting.
48. IMD launches Panchayat Mausam Sewa Portal for
farmers
 The India Meteorological Department (IMD)
launched weather related services for farmers,
known as Panchayat Mausam Sewa Portal.
 Language: English, Hindi and twelve regional
languages
 Agenda: To help farmers in planning the agricultural
activities like sowing, transplantation, application of
irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.
 They also introduced the National Framework of
Climate Services (NFCS), aiming to reduce losses
from extreme weather events.
49. Around 25 Crore people taken-out from poverty in
last nine years: NITI Aayog
 According to the NITI Aayog, almost 25 crore people
in India have escaped poverty in the last nine years.
 NITI Aayog released its discussion paper on
Multidimensional Poverty in India since 2005 to
2006, which attempts to study the decline in poverty
rates across multiple dimensions.
 Poverty has declined from over 29% to around 11%
in the last nine years.
 Uttar Pradesh has registered the largest decline in
poverty among Indian states with close to 6 crore
people escaping poverty during the past nine years.
 It is followed by Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and
Rajasthan.
 India will soon reach single digit poverty this year
which is a remarkable achievement as more than
50% people were in poverty around 2005.
 It added that India will also soon achieve its
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of
halving multidimensional poverty much before its
2030 target.
50. India set to have 1 mn startups in a decade
 The Indian startup ecosystem is poised to go from
100,000 to 1 million, and from 110 unicorns to
10,000 in a decade.
 Since 2014, India has more than 100,000 startups
and 112 unicorns
 Overall imports down 4% but shipments from
Russia, China up
 India’s exports rose to seven of the cousntry’s top 10
destinations — United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia,
China, the UK, Australia, Singapore, and the
Netherlands – in the first nine months of the current
financial year (FY24).
 Overall exports, increased 0.9%.
 Of India’s top 10 import partners, inbound
shipments from Russia, Switzerland, China, and
South Korea saw growth during April-December
2023.
51. PLI payout for FY24 may lag behind govt estimate
 The incentive outgo for the ambitious production-
linked incentive (PLI) scheme during 2023-24
(FY24) is likely to fall behind the government’s
estimate of over Rs 11,000 crore.
 This is because companies are not able to claim
incentives due to obligations set by the government
being unfulfilled, insufficient applications, and
slower than expected progress in some of the 14
schemes.
 The PLI scheme for textiles and steel has not shown
much progress, incentives in some cases can be
claimed starting FY25.
52. Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh launches the
MPLADS e-SAKSHI Mobile Application
 The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the
Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation (MoSPI) Rao Inderjit Singh
launched the MPLADS e-SAKSHI Mobile Application.
 Aim: To revise fund flow procedure under MPLAD
Scheme.
 The objective of MPLAD Scheme is to enable the
Members of Parliament (MPs) to recommend works
of developmental nature with emphasis on the
 creation of durable community assets based on the
locally felt needs.
53. Government sets a target to reduce accidental death
by 50 percent by 2030
 The government has set a target to reduce accidental
death by 50 percent by 2030.
 Road, Transport, and Highways Minister Nitin
Gadkari said this while addressing a National
conclave on Road Safety, organised by CII in New
Delhi.
 Every hour 53 people get injured and 19 deaths take
place in road accidents.
 Road safety is the topmost priority of the
government and it has taken several decisions to
improve road safety.
 The Minister stressed the need to start a campaign
on road safety to educate people and change human
behaviour.
54. I-STEM to launch ‘Samavesha’ at IISc Bengaluru to
enhance research collaboration
 The Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering
facilities Map, known as I-STEM, is set to embark on
a groundbreaking initiative named ‘Samavesha.’
 This ambitious project, spearheaded by the Office of
Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India.
 Aim: To transform research collaboration in the
country by facilitating easier access to scientific
facilities and laboratories.
 The inauguration ceremony of ‘Samavesha’ is
scheduled to take place at the prestigious Indian
Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru.
55. India to Include Persian as one of 9 Classical
Languages
 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced
that the Government of India has decided to include
Farsi (Persian) as one of the nine classical languages
in India under the New Education Policy.
 Tamil was the first language in India to be accorded
classical language status in 2004.
 Later, Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu
(2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014)
recognised as the classical languages.
 In addition to these classical languages Pali, Persian
and Prakrit; and their works of literature too must be
preserved for their richness and for the pleasure and
enrichment of posterity.
 All the Classical Languages are listed in the Eighth
Schedule of the Constitution.
 The Ministry of Culture provides the guidelines
regarding Classical languages.
56. India to host Year-long ‘Ramayan’ Festival from Delhi
 India is set to launch a year-long festival, seeking
global connections through the celebration of
Ramayan and its cultural significance.
 The festival is scheduled to commence from Delhi’s
historic Purana Qila (Old Fort) on January 18 and will
traverse various cities such as Lucknow, Ayodhya,
and Varanasi.
 Cultural activities including Chitrakoot in Madhya
Pradesh, Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, Sitamarhi in
Bihar, Hampi in Karnataka, and Kanniyakumari in
Tamil Nadu.
 India aims to transcend borders with this festival by
involving seven neighboring countries, including
Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
57. MeitY launches “Centre of Excellence in Intelligent
Internet of Things Sensors” and “India Innovation
Centre for Graphene”
 S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology (MeitY) launched two
flagship programs at Maker Village, Kochi, Kerala.
 Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Intelligent Internet of
Things (IIoT) Sensors
 India’s first Graphene Centre “India Innovation
Centre for Graphene (IICG)"
 CoE in IIoT Sensors:
 It is a unique facility established at Makers Village
Kochi by MeitY and Kerala govt.
 Aim: To catalyze the development of sensors within
the realm of Intelligent IoT systems covering a broad
spectrum of applications of intelligent sensors in
networks, devices and sensor systems.
 India’s first Graphene Centre IICG:
 It has been established at Makers Village Kochi by
MeitY and Govt of Kerala alongwith Tata Steel
Limited.
 Aim: To foster R&D, product innovation and capacity
building in the area of Graphene and 2D material
systems
58. IIT Madras partners with technology firm Altair for e-
mobility lab
 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)
has partnered with Altair, a company providing
solutions in simulation and high-performance
computing and artificial intelligence, to start a
laboratory for e-mobility.
 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)
has partnered with Altair, a company providing
solutions in simulation and high-performance
computing and artificial intelligence, to start a
laboratory for e-mobility.
 More labs and facilities for research and training in
e-mobility will be set up at the institute later.
59. President attended golden Jubilee celebrations of
Karbi Youth Festival
 President Droupadi Murmu attended the golden
jubilee celebrations of the Karbi Youth Festival at
Taralangso near the Karbi Anglong district
headquarters of Diphu in Assam.
 The Karbi Youth Festival is the oldest and largest
ethnic festival of Northeast India.
 It is celebrated primarily by the Karbis and other
ethnic communities inhabiting the areas
administered by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous
Council (KAAC).
 The Karbis linguistically belong to the Tibeto-
Burman group.
60. Central government extend basic facilities to Kolam
tribe under Jan Jati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan
 The Central government will extend basic facilities to
the endangered Kolam tribe under the Jan Jati
 Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan, with a focus on health
and education.
 Kolam tribes, also known as Kolamboli, Kulme and
Kolmi, occupy a major portion of Madhya Pradesh.
 They are listed as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal
Group (PVTG) in the state of Maharashtra and
Andhra Pradesh.
 For writing, this Kolam tribal community uses the
Devanagari script.
 They also speak other languages like Marathi, Telugu
or Gondi.
 They speak a Dravidian language called Kolami.
61. Jio retains strongest Indian brand title, surpassing SBI
& LIC
 According to the latest report 'Global-500 2024'
published by Brand Finance, Jio remains the
strongest Indian brand.
 Surpassed: ife Insurance Corporation (LIC) and State
Bank of India (SBI).
 In the ranking of 2024, Jio is at 17th place in the list
of the world's strongest brands.
 WeChat, YouTube, Google, Deloitte, Coca-Cola and
Netflix have topped the list.
62. Union Minister launches Project for Artificial Reefs in
Vizhinjam
 Union Fisheries Minister Parshottam Rupala
inaugurated an artificial reef project in Vizhinjam,
Kerala.
 Thiis initiative aims to double the income of
fishermen by enhancing fish stocks and contributing
to the economic well-being of the local fishing
community.
 The Kerala State Coastal Development Corporation,
with technical assistance from the Central Marine
Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), is overseeing
the project.
 The project will deploy 6,300 artificial reef units
across 42 fishing villages from Pozhiyoor to Varkala
in Thiruvananthapuram districtThe artificial reefs
include 150 modules for each location in three
designs: triangular, flower-shaped, and tubular.
 The project is financially supported, with 60%
covered by the Central government and 40% by the
state.
 The total cost of the project is ₹13.02 crore under the
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
63. EPFO removes Aadhaar as Valid Date of Birth Proof
 The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization
(EPFO) has issued a circular stating the removal of
Aadhaar from the list of acceptable documents for
proof of date of birth (DoB) for correction and
updation purposes.
 This decision is effective from January 16, 2024.
 It follows a directive from the Unique Identification
Authority of India (UIDAI) and aligns with the
Aadhaar Act, 2016, which does not recognize
Aadhaar as proof of date of birth.
64. Union Minister for Civil Aviation inaugurates Asia’s
largest Aviation Expo-Wings India 2024
 Location: Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad
 Theme of Wings India 2024 is “Connecting India to
the World in Amrit Kaal: Setting the Stage for India
Civil Aviation @2047”
 UDAN 5.3 was also launched.
 UDAN 5.3 भी लॉन्च किया गया.
 Launch of the Airbus-Air India Training Centre, with
the purchase of more airplanes and the setting of a
flight training center in Gurugram with 10 flight
simulators and 10,000 pilots being trained in the
coming years
 Airbus manufacturing contracts with TATA ASL and
Mahindra Aerospace Structures Pvt Ltd to foster
more pilots.
 India aims for 300 Million Domestic Air Passengers
by 2030
65. PM Modi to Inaugurate Boeing India's Bengaluru
Campus
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the
new state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering and
Technology Center campus in Bengaluru.
 It was built on 43 acres at the cost of 1600 crore
rupees.
 The Centre will help develop next-generation
products and services for the global aerospace and
defence industry.
 He will also launch the Boeing Sukanya Program
which will support girls to pursue careers in the
country’s growing aviation sector.
 The program will provide opportunities for the girls
and women across India to learn critical skills in
Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).
66. Gujarat emerged best performing states: State's
Startup Ranking 2022
 The State’s Startup Ranking Framework 2022 report
was released by the Department for Promotion of
Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
 Gujarat, Karnataka, and Kerala are the best-
performing states in terms of startup ecosystem
development.
 Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Orissa and
Maharashtra were given top performance awards.
 The Startup Leader category award was bestowed
upon Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh,
Assam, and Andhra Pradesh.
 States with Ambitious Leadership: Bihar and
Haryana
 States developing emerging startup ecosystems:
Chhattisgarh, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir
67. PM Issued Six Postage Stamps For The Shri Ram
Janmabhoomi Temple
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi released six special
commemorative postage stamps dedicated to the
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in New Delhi.
 Along with this, an album of postage stamps related
to Shri Ram which were issued earlier in many
countries of the world was also released.
 The 48-page album contains stamps related to Ram
from 20 countries including America and New
Zealand.
 Postal stamps have been made by incorporating five
components in its pictures.
  Prime Minister Modi released a total of 6
commemorative postage stamps which include Lord
Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, Ram Temple, Jatayu,
Kevatraj and Maa Shabari.
68. India needs over 2,500 new aircraft deliveries by
2042: Boeing outlook
 India will need more than 2,500 new aircraft
deliveries by 2042, backed by high traffic growth.
 South Asian carriers are projected to quadruple the
size of their fleets over the next two decades and they
will require more than 2,705 new airplanes to
address growth and fleet replacement.
 India is the only large economy, a large market in
Asia that has evolved to pre-pandemic levels both
domestically and internationally in terms of demand.
 India cargo fleet will go up to 80 airplanes over the
next 20 years as against the 15 freighter aircraft now.
69. 63rd Central Geological Programming Board Meeting
to be held in Bhopal
 The 63rd Central Geological Programming Board
(CGPB) meeting organized by the Geological Survey
of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines will be held on 22nd
January 2024 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
 The meeting will be held under the Chairmanship of
Shri V.L. Kantha Rao, Secretary, Govt. of India,
Ministry of Mines.
 The Mineral Map of the newly carved out UT of
Ladakh will also be released on this occasion along
with other significant publication of GSI.
 GSI will hand over the Report on Geological &
Geotechnical investigation of Joshimath Township,
Chamoli District, to Uttarakhand Government.
 The Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB)
is an important platform of the Geological Survey of
India (GSI), Ministry of Mines.
 The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was set up in
1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways.
70. GIFT City, IGX and GSPC collaborate for global
hydrogen trading
 The International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at
GIFT City has announced a strategic collaboration
with the Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) and Gujarat State
Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) to establish a global
hydrogen trading mechanism.
 This initiative is set to be the second of its kind in the
world, positions GIFT City as a leader in the emerging
green hydrogen economy.
 The partners will launch the global hydrogen price
index, a benchmark crucial for price discovery and
market information in India’s growing green
hydrogen market.
 GSPC, with the Indian Gas Exchange, will develop an
index for hydrogen and attract global institutions to
trade in GIFT IFSC.
71. India leads the world in Milk Production from All
Categories Of Cattle
 According to the report of the Department of Animal
Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, India
tops the world in milk production of all types of
cattle.
 India is contributing 24 percent to the world's total
milk production.
 In the last nine years, milk production in the country
has increased by more than 57 percent.
 The per capita availability of milk has increased to
459 grams per day in 2022-23.
 The path to such prosperity in milk has been opened
due to the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, which was
started in December 2014.
72. 5th Meeting of Steering Committee of Ken Betwa Link
Project Authority and Atal Bhujal Yojana in MP
 5th meeting of the Steering Committee of Ken Betwa
Link Project Authority was held at Khajuraho,
Madhya Pradesh.
 It was led under the Chairpersonship of Debashree
Mukharjee, Secretary (DOWR, RD&GR).
 Later she chaired the meeting for review of progress
of Atal Bhujal Yojna.
 Ken Betwa Link Project:
 The Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) is the river
interlinking project.
 It aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken River
in Madhya Pradesh (MP) to Betwa in Uttar Pradesh
(UP).
 Reason: To irrigate the drought-prone Bundelkhand
region
 The project involves building a 77-metre tall and a 2-
km wide Dhaudhan dam (to be built within Panna
Tiger Reserve) and a 230-km canal.
 Ken-Betwa is one of the 30 river interlinking projects
conceived across the country.
 Atal Bhujal Yojana:
 Atal Bhujal is a Central Sector Scheme.
 Reason: To facilitate sustainable groundwater
management with an outlay of Rs 6000 crore.
 It is being implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
 The scheme is being funded by the Government of
India and the World Bank on a 50:50 basis.
 The entire World Bank's loan component and central
assistance will be passed on to the States as grants.
73. India sets up global alliance to push women
empowerment, gender equality
 India successfully established a "Global Alliance for
Global Good- Gender Equity and Equality" to
promote women's empowerment and gender
equality.
 It was launched at the 54th annual World Economic
Forum meeting in Davos.
 The alliance will bring together worldwide best
practices, knowledge sharing, and investment
opportunities in women's education, health, and
enterprise.
 This initiative marks a significant stride toward
achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) i.e.
 SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being),
 SDG 4 (Quality Education),
 SDG 5 (Gender Equality and Empowerment),
 SDG 17 (Global Partnership for Development)
 It has garnered support from industry leaders such
as MasterCard, Uber, Tata, TVS, Bayer, Godrej, the
 Serum Institute of India, IMD Laussane, and over
10,000 partners from industry through the
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
 Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
 The alliance will be housed and anchored by the CII
Centre for Women Leadership.
 The WEF has come on board as a ‘Network Partner’
and Invest India as an ‘Institutional Partner’.
74. Apollo launches India's first Al precision oncology
centre
 Apollo Cancer Centre has launched India's first
artificial intelligence precision oncology centre
(POC) in Bengaluru to offer the fastest and best
treatment options to doctors, patients and
caregivers.
 The POC will give accurate diagnoses, real-time
insights, and caregivers.
 The POC will give accurate diagnosis, real-time
insights, cancer-risk assessment and treatment
protocol.
75. CSIR launches tech-driven initiative to boost
productivity, farmers' income
 The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR) has launched a unique mission to develop
region-specific smart agro-technologies for paddy in
south India.
 Aim: To improve soil health and productivity and
thereby enhance the farmers' income
 This endeavour will help the Central government to
introduce the use of automation, sensors, drones,
and Artificial Intelligence gadgets for agriculture in
the future.
 The project envisages the use of Internet of Things
(IoT) based sensors and drone-based hyper and
multi-spectral imaging to generate a real-time
precision database.
 It will develop knowledge on phenological and
physiological indicators as influenced by the micro-
environment of various target crops being grown
across different agro-climatic conditions of the
country.
76. More girls than boys aspire to continue studying after
class 12: ASER 2023
 According to the Annual Status for Education Report
(ASER) 2023, girls show a greater inclination to
pursue education beyond Class 12 than boys.
 The report attributes this trend to the belief among
girls that education can enhance their homemaking
skills as well as their genuine passion for learning.
 The 'basic' ASER survey collects information about
which children aged 3-16 are enrolled in pre-school
and school.
 It also provides one-on-one assessments to
understand the reading and mathematics abilities of
children aged 5-16 years.
 The basic ASER survey was done every year from
2005 to 2014.
 Since 2016, it has been conducted every two years.
 This year, the ASER focuses on 14-18-year-olds.
 Key Highlights:
 86.8% of 14-18-year-olds are enrolled in an
educational institution.
 Youth at the college level are most likely to pursue
vocational training, with 16.2% enrolled in such
courses.
 About 25% of this age 14-18 group cannot read a Std
II level text fluently in their regional language.
77. Indian Immunologicals launches Indigenous
Hepatitis-A Vaccine
 Indian Immunologicals Ltd has launched the
country's first indigenously developed Hepatitis A
vaccine named 'Havisure'.
 It is a two-dose vaccine.
 The Hyderabad-based company's vaccine approved
by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) is
effective in preventing the disease.
 The first dose is given at the age above 12 months.
 The second dose is given at least 6 months after the
first dose.
 About Hepatitis A:
 Hepatitis A is a viral infection.
 HAV is spread mainly through the fecal-oral route,
which means it is spread through the consumption of
contaminated food or water.
 It is a liver inflammation that can cause mild to
severe symptoms.
 Indian Immunologicals Ltd. is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board
(NDDB).
78. 4 DISCOMs secured A+ rating in the latest CSRD Report
for exceptional consumer service
 In the latest Consumer Service Rating of Discoms
(CSRD) report, four electricity distribution
companies (DISCOMs) from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh
have achieved the prestigious A+ rating.
 The report was unveiled by Power Minister RK
Singh.
 It is a comprehensive evaluation of DISCOMs across
the country, aimed at enhancing their accountability
towards consumers.
 Out of the 62 DISCOMs evaluated, Delhi emerged as
the frontrunner, with three companies securing the
top A+ rating. The notable achievers include BSES
Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), BSES Yamuna
Power Limited (BYPL), and Tata Power Delhi
Distribution Limited (TPDDL).
 Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL) from Uttar
Pradesh has also earned an A+ rating.
 In rural areas, electricity availability has surged from
12.5 hours in 2014 to an impressive 21-22 hours.
 The target of achieving 40 percent power generation
capacity from renewable sources by 2030 was not
only met but surpassed in 2021 itself.
79. PM initiates 8 AMRUT projects worth Rs 2,000 crores
in Solapur, Maharashtra
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the
foundation stone for 8 AMRUT projects in Solapur,
Maharashtra.
 He also dedicated over 90,000 completed houses
under PMAY-Urban.
  The event also witnessed the distribution of PM-
SVANIDHI benefits to 10,000 beneficiaries,
showcasing the government’s commitment to
inclusive development.
 He kickstarted eight AMRUT projects, collectively
valued at around Rs 2,000 crores.
 He also dedicated more than 90,000 houses
completed under PMAY-Urban in Maharashtra.
 The Prime Minister initiated the distribution of the
1st and 2nd installments to 10,000 beneficiaries of
PM-SVANIDHI in Maharashtra.
 He also dedicated more than 90,000 houses
completed under PMAY-Urban in Maharashtra.
 The Prime Minister initiated the distribution of the
1st and 2nd installments to 10,000 beneficiaries of
PM-SVANIDHI in Maharashtra.
80. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Ayodhya
Ram Mandir
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ram
Mandir in Ayodhya, which involved the ‘Pran
Pratishtha’ (consecration) ceremony of the Ram
Lalla idol.
 The Ram Lalla idol was crafted by renowned sculptor
Arun Yogiraj from Karnataka.
 It is a 51-inch black-coloured depiction of Lord Ram
as a five-year-old child.
 It was installed inside the temple’s sanctum
sanctorum on January 18 as part of the preparatory
rituals.
 The temple itself, an architectural marvel, stands at a
length of 380 feet, a width of 250 feet, and a height of
161 feet, embodying the traditional Nagara style of
architecture.
81. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launches first batch
of VAIBHAV fellowship
 Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr.
Jitendra Singh launched the First Batch of Viashvik
Bharatiya Vigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellowships in New
Delhi.
 The first batch of VAIBHAV fellowship was bestowed
upon 22 Indian-origin scientists from across the
globe.
 VAIBHAV to facilitate collaboration between the
Indian diaspora in Science, Technology, Engineering,
Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) and Indian
academic and research institutions.
 VAIBHAV fellows will receive a monthly fellowship
grant of INR 4,00,000, which will support their
research activities during the collaboration period.
 Selected fellows will have the opportunity to work in
collaboration with Indian Higher Educational
Institutions (HEIs), universities, and public-funded
scientific institutions.
 They may spend up to two months per year, for a
maximum of three years, at an Indian institution of
their choice.
82. French Foreign Legion to March on 75th Republic Day
 A 95-member French Foreign Legion contingent and
33-member band contingent participated in India’s
2024 Republic Day parade.
 French President Emmanuel Macron also attended
as the Chief Guest of India.
 The iconic French Foreign Legion was established in
1831.
 It uniquely recruits male volunteers from around the
world to serve France’s military interests abroad.
 President Droupadi Murmu commenced the
celebrations of the Republic Day by unfurling the
national flag at Kartavya, followed by the National
Anthem, and the 21 Gun Salute.
 A 30-member band contingent also drew attention at
the grand parade.
 The band contingent was headed by Captain
Khourda and followed by a marching contingent led
by Captain Noel.
 The contingent was followed by the second Infantry
regiment of the French Foreign Legion comprising
90 legionnaires led by Captain Noel.
83. India will have surplus coal by 2025-26: Coal Minister
 India will have a surplus of domestic coal by the
financial year 2025-26 that can be used to run the
imported coal-based (ICB) power plants.
 The government is aiming at boosting domestic
production and reducing fossil fuel imports.
 Currently, India has 17 Gw of operational ICBs,
located mostly in the coastal states of Gujarat,
Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, among others.
 These plants run on imported coal which is of better
quality than domestic production.
 There is at least a difference of 2500-4000 kcal in the
calorific value between the Indian coal and the coal
imported from Indonesia and South Africa.
 The imported coal with a higher calorific value has
lesser ash content and better burning properties
than average Indian coal.
 The power generation units of ICBs are built in
compliance with imported coal specifications.
 India will have a coal production capacity of 1.5
billion tonnes (bt) by 2023.
 The Union Cabinet, recently, approved Rs 8,500
crore financial incentives for coal gasification
projects in three categories.
84. Pollution control board's approval must for vehicle
scrapping facilities
 To streamline the vehicle scrapping policy, the
Centre has further amended the c
 Under the latest set of amendments issued, vehicle
scrapping facilities (VSFs) will now require approval
from the pollution control boards for both consent to
establish (CTE) and consent to operate (CTO).
 Currently, VSFs are registered directly without any
such approval.
 Moreover, to expedite the construction of VSFs, the
revised guidelines have eliminated the prerequisite
that mandated scrapping facilities to be constructed
in the orange category industrial zone.
 Industrial zones are classified into the red, orange,
green, and white categories, determined by a
pollution index score derived from factors such as
emissions, effluents, hazardous waste generation,
and resource consumption.
  Regulatory measures are applied to these zones
according to their categories, with red facing the
highest level of regulation and white the lowest.
 Under the policy, commercial vehicles exceeding
eight years and passenger vehicles exceeding 15
years must undergo fitness and emission tests.
 These assessments evaluate aspects such as brake
quality and engine performance, determining
whether the vehicle is eligible for scrapping.
 The policy outlines a phased establishment of
automated testing stations and provisions for vehicle
scrapping.
85. Tata Group teams up with France's Airbus to
manufacture civilian helicopters
 The Tata Group and European aerospace company
Airbus have signed an agreement to manufacture
H125 civilian helicopters together in India.
 This announcement came as India and France
adopted a joint defence production road map and an
agreement on defence space partnership.
86. 30000 Indian students in France in 2030: Macron
 French President Emmanuel Macron, who is also the
chief guest of India’s Republic Day 2024 celebrations,
announced that the country will allow more Indians
to study in France.
 France will start international classes which will
allow students who do not speak French to join the
universities.
87. VP to inaugurate 'Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara
Samman' campaign
 Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will inaugurate a
year long pan India campaign Hamara Samvidhan,
Hamara Samman on January 24, 2024 to
commemorate the 75th Year of India as a Republic,
in New Delhi.
 The campaign aims to reaffirm the collective
commitment to the principles enshrined in the
Constitution of India and celebrate the shared values
that bind the nation.
 Some of the themes to be covered during the
Campaign include Sabko Nyay -Har Ghar Nyaya, Nav
Bharat Nav Sankalp and Vidhi Jagriti Abhiyan.
 Sabko Nyay - Har Ghar Nyaya aims to connect the
villagers through the Village Level Entrepreneurs of
the Common Service Centers and exalt them to read
Sabko Nyay pledge.
 Nav Bharat Nav Sankalp aims to encourage the
masses to embrace the resolutions of Panch Pran by
reading the Panch Pran Pledge.
 Vidhi Jagriti Abhiyan aims to involve the students to
carry the message of Panch Pran in the villages
adopted by the Law colleges, under the Pro Bono
Club scheme.
 Nyaya Setu will be launched to extend and expand
the reach of legal services till the last mile.
88. India's electronics exports surpass $20 billion, iPhone
dominates surge
 India witnessed a 22.24% surge in electronics
exports, surpassing the $20 billion milestone within
the nine months of the financial year 2023-24
(FY24).
 This was spearheaded by surging smartphone
shipments, especially Apple's iPhone.
 Mobile phone exports, accounting for 52% of total
electronics exports, reached $10.5 billion between
April and December 2023.
 Notably, iPhones emerged as the primary driver of
exports, contributing 35% of the total electronics
exports and a staggering 70% to the country's
overall mobile exports during this period.
89. IICF to build ‘Masjid Muhammed bin Abdullah’
Mosque in Ayodhya
 The Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF) has
announced the commencement of the construction
of a grand mosque in Ayodhya, starting May 2024.
 The mosque, named “Masjid Muhammed bin
Abdullah” after Prophet Muhammad.
 It aims to foster unity and goodwill among people,
transcending religious differences.
 The construction is expected to span three to four
years.
 The IICF plans to construct a 500-bed hospital within
the complex.
90. Govt raises import duty on gold, silver jewellery
findings to 15% from 11%
 The Finance Ministry has hiked import duties on gold
and silver findings and coins of precious metals to
15% from the existing 10%.
 Import duty on gold and silver findings and coins of
precious metals will now be 15 per cent.
 This includes Basic Custom Duty (BCD) of 10% and
5% of AIDC (Agriculture Infrastructure Development
Cess).
 This is exempt from Social Welfare Surcharge (SWC).
 The new rates are effective from January 22, 2024.
91. Switzerland-India FTA concluded after 16-Year
Negotiation Saga
 Switzerland and India have finally sealed a free-trade
agreement (FTA) following a marathon 16-year
negotiation period.
 The announcement came from Swiss Economy
Minister Guy Parmelin, who swiftly headed to India
for crucial discussions with his counterpart, Piyush
Goyal.
 Impact: Job Creation, Bilateral Impact, and Economic
Security
92. Namibian cheaetah births 3 cubs, India's total cheetah
count now 20
 A Namibian cheetah named Jwala has given birth to
three cubs at the Kuno National Park (KNP) in
Madhya Pradesh.
 The development follows after another cheetah
Aasha had given birth to three cubs earlier this
month.
 As part of the Centre's ambitious 'Project Cheetah', a
total of 20 cheetahs were relocated to India from
Africa.
 The first batch, comprising eight Namibian cheetahs,
were introduced in September 2022.
 The second batch of 12 cheetahs was brought from
South Africa in February 2023.
  With the three latest members from Jwala, the total
number of cubs at the Kuno National Park stands at
seven.
 Additionally, seven adult female cheetahs and six
adult males remain alive.
93. Central Government launched ‘Anuvadini’ App for
Multilingual Education
 The central government has introduced the
‘Anuvadini’ application, an Artificial Intelligence-
based platform.
 AIm: To make study materials for all school and
higher education courses available in digital form,
specifically in Indian languages, which are listed in
the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
 Key Directives:
 University Grants Commission (UGC), All India
Council of Technical Education (AICTE), and the
Department of School Education have been
instructed to ensure the availability of study
materials in regional languages.
 Educational regulators, including UGC, AICTE,
NCERT, NIOS, IGNOU, and institutions like IITs, CUs,
and NITs, are mandated to make study materials
accessible in Indian languages within the next three
years.
 The NEP 2020 underscores the value of India’s
multilingual nature, considering it a significant asset
for the nation’s socio-cultural, economic, and
educational development.
94. India’s All-Women Tri-Services Contingent at
Republic Day 2024 Parade
 The 2024 Republic Day Parade in India will witness
the participation of two all-women contingents from
the defense forces.
 It will mark a significant milestone in the country’s
journey towards gender equality and empowerment
in the military.
 The 2024 Republic Day Parade in India will witness
the participation of two all-women contingents from
the defense forces.
 It will mark a significant milestone in the country’s
journey towards gender equality and empowerment
in the military.
 Captain Sandhya participated in the 2017 Republic
Day parade as an NCC cadet.
95. MNRE launches scheme to incentivise production of
green hydrogen
 Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission Rs
17,490 crore has been set aside for the Strategic
Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition
(SIGHT) programme.
 Aim: To bolster domestic electrolyzer
manufacturing, and green hydrogen production
 About SIGHT Programme:
 It refers to Strategic Interventions for Green
Hydrogen Transition.
 It is a subcomponent of National Green Hydrogen
Mission.
 In the initial stage, two distinct financial incentive
mechanisms were proposed with an outlay of ₹
17,490 crore up to 2029-30:
 Incentive for manufacturing of electrolysers
 Incentive for production of green hydrogen.
 Implementing agency: The Solar Energy Corporation
of India (SECI)
 National Green Hydrogen Mission:
 It is implemented by the Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy with an outlay of ₹ 19,744 crore
from FY 2023–24 to FY 2029–30.
96. Petroleum Ministry approves ONGC’s Green Energy
Unit
 The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has
approved for the formation of a subsidiary company
by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited
(ONGC), dedicated to the green energy and gas
sector.
 This significant move reflects the company’s
commitment to diversify its portfolio and contribute
to sustainable energy solutions.
 The newly approved subsidiary, tentatively named
“ONGC Green Limited,” is slated to be a wholly-
owned entity of ONGC.
 However, the proposed name is subject to the
approval of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs,
Government of India.
 The board also granted in-principle approval for the
establishment of a Joint Venture Company (JVC) with
NTPC Green Energy Limited.
 This move is significant in the context of the
country’s commitment to the “Panchamrit” pledge
made at COP26 in 2021.
97. Air India launches country’s 1st Airbus A350-900
flight
 Air India operated its first Airbus A350 aircraft from
Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport to
Mumbai.
 This is said to be India’s first Airbus A350-900 and is
being operated in Chennai, Hyderabad, and Delhi.
 The Airbus has a capacity of 316 passengers and the
flight saw 294 onboard.
 The airbus will be deployed on longer routes, and the
domestic routes will be for better compliance and
operation purposes.
98. CCI clears JSW Group’s 38% stake buy in MG Motor
India
 The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has
cleared JSW Group’s proposed acquisition of a 38%
stake in MG Motor India Pvt Ltd.
 MG Motor India is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Shanghai-headquartered SAIC Motor.
 JSW Ventures Singapore Pte, a newly incorporated
entity, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JSW
International Tradecorp Pte and belongs to Sajjan
Jindal-led JSW Group.
 MG Motor India is engaged in the manufacturing and
sale of passenger cars (including EVs) under the
company’s brand ‘MG’.
99. Serum Institute Partners with CEPI for affordable
outbreak vaccines
  The Serum Institute of India (SII) has joined the
Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
(CEPI) network of vaccine producers in the Global
South.
 Aim: To strengthen the response to future public
health disease outbreaks through rapid, agile, and
equitable means
 The collaboration between CEPI and SII aligns with
the ambitious 100 Days Mission, a goal embraced by
the G7, G20, and industry leaders.
 CEPI is investing up to $30 million to expand SII’s
manufacturing capacity.
 SII becomes the fourth member of CEPI’s global
manufacturing network, following Aspen in South
Africa, Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Senegal, and Bio
Farma in Indonesia
 The geographical emphasis is on areas at high risk of
outbreaks caused by deadly viral threats such as
Lassa Fever, Nipah, Disease X, and other pathogens
with epidemic or pandemic potential prioritized by
CEPI.
100. Cabinet clears Rs 8,500 cr incentive scheme
for coal gasification projects
 The Union Cabinet approved a Rs 8,500 crore
incentive scheme for coal gasification projects.
 The adoption of gasification technology in India is
expected to reduce the country's reliance on imports
of natural gas, methanol, ammonia, and other
essential products.
 The government is targeting to gasify 100 million
tonnes (MT) of coal by 2030.
 In the gasification process, coal is partially oxidized
by air, oxygen, steam, or carbon dioxide under
controlled conditions to produce a liquid fuel known
as syngas.
 Syngas or synthesis gas can be used for power
generation and to make methanol as well.
101. PTC India Limited commences power supply
from Nikachhu Hydroelectric Project
 Under Long Term PPA, PTC India Limited, a provider
of power trading solutions in India announced the
commencement of power supply from Nikachhu
Hydroelectric Project, Bhutan to Assam.
 PTC executed the PPA with Bhutan and PSA with
Distribution Company of Assam (APDCL) in 2014.
 This 118 MW (2x59 MW) hydro project has
provision to supply power during peak hours also
which will be very helpful to meet the peak hours
demand of the State.
102. Cabinet approves two coal gasification plants
in West Bengal & Odisha
 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
has approved the setting up of two coal gasification
plants for Coal India Limited (CIL).
 (i) CIL for setting up of Coal-to-SNG (Synthetic
Natural Gas) Project at ECL command area through a
JV of CIL & GAIL
 (ii) For setting up of Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate
Project at MCL command area through a JV of CIL &
BHEL
 Investment in ECL of West Bengal:
 Proposed Coal-to-Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) at
Sonepur Bazari Area of Eastern Coalfields Limited
(ECL) in Burdwan district of West Bengal through JV
of CIL and GAIL.
 Estimated project cost of Rs.13,052.81 Crore (±25%)
considering a debt: equity ratio of up to 70:30.
 Investment in MCL of Odisha:
 Proposed Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate (AN) at
Lakhanpur Area of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited
(MCL) in Jharsuguda district of Odisha through JV of
CIL and BHEL.
 Estimated project cost of Rs.11,782.05 Crore (±25%)
considering a debt:equity ratio of up to 70:30.
103. Govt permits direct listing by Indian firms on
GIFT-IFSC’s international markets
 The government allowed direct listing of securities
by public Indian companies on the international
exchanges of GIFT International Financial Services
Centre (GIFT-IFSC).
 In July, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
announced that the government had decided to
enable direct listing of listed and unlisted companies
on the IFSC exchanges.
 The move is expected to give Indian companies
access to cheaper foreign capital, boost foreign
investment, and broaden investors.
 Direct listing of Indian companies’ shares on GIFT
City exchanges is the first step in allowing them to list
overseas.
 Until now Indian companies have not been permitted
to list directly overseas markets, and instead use
depository receipts i.e. American Depository
Receipts or Global Depository Receipts to do so.
104. Higher education enrolment increased by 19
lakh in 2021-22 from previous session
 According to the All India Survey on Higher
Education (AISHE) 2021-22, the total enrolment in
higher education increased to nearly 4.33 crore in
2021-22 from 4.14 crore in the previous session.
 Female enrolments in the science stream outnumber
male enrolments.
 Overall female enrolment has increased to 2.07 crore
in 2021-22 from 2.01 crore in 2020-21.
 Female PhD enrolment has doubled to 0.99 lakh in
2021-22 from 0.48 lakh in 2014-15.
 The survey reported an increase of 45 percent in OBC
student enrolment in 2021-22 (1.63 crore) from
2014-15
 Enrolment is highest in Arts (34.2 per cent), followed
by science (14.8 per cent), Commerce (13.3 per cent)
and Engineering & Technology (11.8 per cent).
 Female faculty/teachers have increased to 6.94 lakh
in 2021-22 from 5.69 lakh in 2014-15.
 The Minority Student enrolment has increased to
30.1 lakh in 2021-22 from 21.8 lakh in 2014-15 (an
increase of 38%).
 Female Minority Student enrolment has increased to
15.2 lahks in 2021-22 from 10.7 lakh in 2014-15
(42.3% ncrease)
105. Health Ministry to introduce new three-drug
regimen for leprosy
  The Central government has approved a new three-
drug treatment regimen for leprosy patients.
 Aim: To stop transmission of the disease in India by
2027.
 The National Leprosy Eradication Programme is
taking steps to introduce this new regimen
consisting of dapsone, rifampicin, and clofazimine.
 The new regimen will be implemented for all PB
leprosy patients from April 1, 2025.
 The WHO has agreed to supply the revised drugs and
states have been asked to send drug requisitions 12
months in advance.
 Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by
Mycobacterium leprae bacteria.
 It affects the skin and nerves.
 It can cause permanent disability if left untreated.
 Transmission occurs through droplets from the nose
and mouth during close contact with untreated
patients. It is curable with Multi-Drug Therapy
(MDT).
 There are two classifications: PB (Paucibacillary)
with fewer visible bacteria and no signs of advanced
disease.
 MB (Multibacillary) has visible bacteria and
advanced disease signs.
 The new regimen will be given to PB patients for 6
months and MB patients for 12 months.
106. Visakhapatnam Hosts 14th All India Police
Commando Contest
 The 14th edition of the Annual All India Police
Commando Competition (AIPCC) started on January
22, 2024, at the Greyhounds Training Centre in
Kapuluppada, Visakhapatnam.
 In this week-long competition, elite commando
forces from 16 states are participating.
 Participants include the Special Operations Group
(SOG) from Odisha and Chhattisgarh, C-60 from
Maharashtra, and paramilitary forces such as BSF,
CRPF, Assam Rifles, ITBP, RPF, SSB, and CISF.
 Commissioner of Police, Visakhapatnam A. Ravi
Shankar inaugurated the event.
107. PM Modi announces allocation of Rs 800 crore
for expansion of Supreme Court complex
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the
allocation of Rs 800 crore for the expansion of the
Supreme Court Building Complex.
 The PM made this announcement at the Diamond
Jubilee anniversary of the Supreme Court, marking
the 75th anniversary of its establishment.
 He also launched several initiatives of the apex court
such as the Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi
SCR), Digital Courts 2.0, and a new website for the
Supreme Court.
 The PM stated that more than Rs 7,000 crore has
been already distributed for this purpose since 2014.
 The Supreme Court came into existence on 26
January 1950 with the coming into force of the
Constitution.
 The Supreme Court initially functioned from the old
Parliament House till it moved to the present
building located on Tilak Marg, New Delhi in 1958.
108. India’s first research IIT Satellite Campus will
be in Ujjain
 The first research-based IIT satellite campus in the
country will be established in Ujjain.
 This will be a unique institute of its kind in the
country.
 A proposal to establish a satellite campus in Ujjain
was submitted to the Ministry of Education for
approval by IIT Indore in 2023.
 IIT Indore's Deep-Tech Research and Discovery
Campus (DRDC) is going to start soon in Ujjain.
 Ujjain will be a world-class research center in future
technology, which will be set up at IIT Indore's Deep-
Tech Research and Discovery Campus Ujjain.
 The satellite complex will house the Deep Tech
Research and Laboratory Discovery Centre
 Lab to Market Centre and diverse activities in the
field of Astronomy and Space Technology.
 It will support deep-tech research laboratories and
discovery centres, providing new dimensions of
research through translation and its application and
lab-to-market centres.
109. Rare golden tiger snapped in Kaziranga
 A wildlife photographer from Coimbatore, Gaurav
Ramnarayanan has captured a rare golden tiger in
Kaziranga National Park on January 24, 2024.
 The golden appearance results from a genetic variant
or mutation, with the absence of black pigmentation
and faded orange colour.िोयंबटू र िे
 About Golden Tiger (Kazi 106 F)
 Kazi 106 F Golden Tiger is a tigress in Kaziranga
National Park, Assam.
 It is also known as the ‘Tabby tiger’ or ‘Strawberry
tiger.’
 Tigers typically have orange-yellow skin with black
stripes and a whitish abdominal region.
 The tigress’s color variation is influenced by agouti
and tabby genes, which control the yellow
background and black stripes respectively, affecting
the expression of pigments in her fur.
 Kaziranga National Park renowned for its ‘big four’
species—Rhino, Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, and
Asiatic Water Buffalo.
110. India’s ACME and IHI Sign Historic Green
Ammonia Supply Pact
 India’s ACME Group and Japan’s IHI Corporation
have inked a deal for the supply of 0.4 million metric
tons per annum (MMTPA) of green ammonia from
Odisha, India, to Japan.
 The agreement was signed by Manoj Upadhyay,
ACME Group’s Founder and Chairman, and Hiroshi
Ide, President and CEO of IHI Corporation.
 Aim: To establish a long-term partnership covering
production, logistics, and supply of green ammonia
for diverse industrial uses in Japan, ultimately aimed
at reducing emissions.
111. Rajasthan, MP, Centre sign MoU for modified
river linking project
  An MoU was signed by Rajasthan and MP with the
Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for the implementation
of the Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-ERCP
(Modified PKC-ERCP) Link Project.
 The project envisages the integration of the original
PKC river link project with the Eastern Rajasthan
Canal Project to implement it as an inter-state river
linking project under the national perspective plan of
interlinking of rivers (ILR) programme of the
Government of India.
State News
1. Haryana CM announces one-time settlement scheme
for pre-GST tax liabilities
 Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar
launched the One Time Settlement-2023 (OTS)
Scheme.
 Operational from January 1, 2024, to March 30, 2024.
 Businesses have the opportunity to settle pre-GST
tax liabilities under the OTS-2023 scheme.
 Tax amount is divided into four categories
 It provides easy installment options.
 Taxpayers with outstanding amounts below Rs 10
lakh must pay the entire sum in one lump sum before
March 30th, 2024.
 For Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, the amount can be paid
in two installments of 52% each.
 If the outstanding is more than Rs 25 lakh, the
payment can be spread across three installments:
 40% in the first 90 days,
 30 per cent in the next 90 days,
 30 per cent in the final 90 days.
2. Coal India arm CCL mulls JV with Jharkhand govt for
expansion of Tenughat Thermal Power Station
 Coal India Limited's Central Coalfields Limited is
exploring a joint venture with the Jharkhand
government for the second phase of the expansion of
Tenughat Thermal Power Station (TTPS) in the state.
 The total installed capacity of the thermal station is
420 megawatts (MW), with two units of 210 MW
capacity each.
 Tenughat Thermal Power Station (TTPS) is a coal-
based thermal power plant.
 It is located in Lalpania village of Bokaro district in
the Indian state of Jharkhand.
 It is owned by the Jharkhand State-owned company
Tenughat Vidyut Nigam Limited.
 It was incorporated in 1987 under the Companies
Act of 1956.
 Tenughat Vidyut Nigam Limited (TVNL) intends to
set up a coal-fired supercritical unit extension
project (Stage II) with a capacity of 2X660 MW at the
TTPS located in Lalpania, Bokaro district, Jharkhand.
3. Retired sportspersons to receive monthly Rs 1,000
from West Bengal Govt
 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
announced that a special desk will be created to offer
government jobs to sportspersons who have brought
accolades to the state and were awarded by the state
government.
 The state government also announced monthly Rs
1,000 to retired sportspersons, from September 1
(with retro effect).
4. Odisha’s CM Naveen Patnaik announces World’s First
‘Black Tiger Safari’
 Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has unveiled
plans for the establishment of the world’s first ‘black
tiger safari’ near the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in
Mayurbhanj.
 Aim: To provide tourists and visitors with a rare
glimpse of the melanistic tigers, commonly known as
black tigers, recently spotted at the Similipal
National Park
5. Telangana to unveil Gruha Jyothi Scheme in February
2024
 The Chief Minister of Telangana, Revanth Reddy, will
launch the much-anticipated Gruha Jyothi Scheme.
 The Gruha Jyothi Scheme promises 200 units of free
electricity, sparked confusion among citizens.
 The Telangana government clarified that only
individuals who have settled their electricity bills for
December 2023 and January 2024 are eligible for the
scheme.
 No arrears in electricity bills during this period are a
prerequisite for availing the benefits.
 Arogyasiri Scheme, providing health benefits to 5 to
10 lakh individuals, was successfully implemented.
6. Uttarakhand bans purchase of agriculture, and
horticulture land by 'outsiders'
 The Uttarakhand government has banned the
purchase of agricultural and horticulture land by
people of other states till the five-member committee
submits its final report on new land laws.
 Constituted by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
 Headed by additional chief secretary Radha Raturi
7. Himachal Pradesh launches ‘My School-My Pride’ for
education transformation
 Himachal Pradesh government has unveiled the
ambitious ‘My School-My Pride’ campaign under the
‘Apna Vidyalay’ program.
 The ‘My School-My Pride’ campaign encourages
active participation from individuals and
organizations to adopt schools and contribute to
various aspects of students’ growth.
8. NEHHDC Established Ashtalaxmi Haat for Northeast
Arts and Crafts
 Ashtlaxmi Haat, a dedicated marketplace and
residency in Guwahati was established.
 Reason: Boost incomes for regional artisans
 Set up by: North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms
Development Corporation (NEHHDC)
 Cost: ₹7.6 crore
 It aims to showcase handicraft diversity from
Northeast India’s eight states.
 Government Initiatives for North Eastern States:
 PM-DevINE Scheme (Prime Minister’s Development
Initiative for North East Region)
 Fund: 100% Central funding
 Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Development of the
Northeast Region
 Tenure: 2022-23 to 2025-26
  Objectives:
 Fund infrastructure convergently, in the spirit of PM
Gati Shakti;
 Support social development projects based on felt
needs of the NER;
 Enable livelihood activities for youth and women;
 Fill the development gaps in various sectors.
 North East Special Infrastructure Development
Scheme
 Fund: 100% central funding
 Outlay: Rs. 8139.50 crore
 Tenure: 2022-23 to 2025-26
9. The Mamani Festival of Ladakh organised by Tourism
Department Kargil
 The Tourism Department of Kargil organized
Mamani, Ladakh's ethnic food festival at Chiktan, and
participated by several people.
 It is one of the most awaited festivals of Kargil
Ladakh.
 During this day, people prepare traditional dishes.
 This festival can be a major tourist attraction,
attracting them to Kargil in this lean season.
 Other festivals of Ladakh
 Hemis festival
 Saka Dawa
 Stok Guru Tsechu
 Dosmoche Festival
 Matho Nagrang Festival
 Phyang Tsedup
 Ladakh Harvest Festival
 Sindhu Darshan
 Tak Tok Festival
 Losar Festival
10. JSW group to invest ₹40K crin Odisha for EV
production
 Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik-led state cabinet
approved a special incentive package for the Sajjan
Jindal-led conglomerate JSW Group’s electric vehicle
and component manufacturing projects in Naraj,
Cuttack, and Paradip.
 It involves a combined investment of ₹40,000 crore
and has the potential to create 11,000 jobs.
 The JSW group will invest ₹25,000 crore in an EV
battery manufacturing plant and an EV components
plant in the first two phases of its plan.
 JSW will invest ₹15,000 crore to set up an EV
components manufacturing complex.
 Electric models made up around 2% of car sales in
2022-23 with Tata Motors dominating the market.
 But the government is targeting a 30% share by
2023.
 The JSW group and China's SAIC Motor formed a joint
venture, with a focus on green mobility and
developing the electric vehicle ecosystem.
11. Punjab: First State To Map Accident-Prone Sites On
Navigation Platform
 Punjab has become the first Indian state to
comprehensively map all 784 accident-prone areas
as 'black spots' on the navigation system.
 Navigation system Mappls App.
 Launched as part of Punjab's flagship project, 'Road
Safety Force'.
 It was developed by MapMyIndia.
 It provides voice alerts in Punjabi.
 Alert even before the black spot is 100 meters away.
 As per the WHO report, India's death rate has seen
an increase of 15%, which has increased from 1.34
lakh in the year 2010 to 1.54 lakh in the year 2021.
 WHO report titled Global State of Road Safety 2023
12. Haryana Governor Starts Cashless Health Facility
under Ayushman Yojana
 Haryana Government gave a significant gift of a
cashless health facility to government employees
and their dependents.
 Distributed Ayushman cards to beneficiaries during
the inauguration programme.
13. Andhra govt offers free insurance to overseas
students under PBB scheme
 The Andhra Pradesh government providing an
opportunity for overseas students from the state to
enroll in the Pravasandhra Bharosa Bima (PBB)
insurance scheme for free until January 15, 2024.
 Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society
(APNRTS) offers various services to overseas
citizens of the state (NRTs) across various countries.
 The Pravasandhra Bharosa Bima (PBB) Insurance
Scheme is one such welfare service for NRTs
studying and working abroad.
 Student premium normally is Rs 180 for one year
 Rs 10 lakh financial assistance in case of accidental
death or permanent disability
 Medical expenses for injuries or sickness of up to Rs
1 lakh
 A one-way economy air ticket in case of non-
continuation of studies due to sickness or accident
and other benefits.
14. Dharmendra Pradhan along with Yogi Adityanath
launch 928 PM SHRI Schools in Lucknow
 PM Union Minister for Education and Skill
Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra
Pradhan along with Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
Yogi Adityanath launched 928 SHRI Schools in
Lucknow.
15. Czech PM to be Chief Guest at Vibrant Gujarat Summit
 The 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global
Investors Summit (VGGS) will be held in
Gandhinagar, Gujarat from January 10 to 12, 2024.
 Theme for 10th edition of Vibrant Gujarat is
“Gateway to the Future.”
 Participants: 28 countries and 14 organizations
 Chief Guest: Czech Republic’s Prime Minister Petr
Fiala
 Other expected attendees: José Ramos-Horta
(Timor-Leste President), Mohamed bin Zayed Al
Nahyan (UAE’s President) and Filipe Nyusi
(Mozambique’s President)
16. Assam Government launched 'Gunotsav 2024'
 Gunotsav 2024 is a program to assess the
performance of 40 lakh students studying in 43,498
government schools across 35 districts.
 Launched by: Assam Government
  Cover: It is covering all primary and secondary
schools in the state.
 Core areas (to be checked): The four core areas i.e.
 Scholastic (children's learning outcomes),
 Co-scholastic,
 Community participation
 Infrastructure
 Aim: To identify learning gaps in every student and
ensure quality education with grade-specific
outcomes
 This initiative was began in 2017 and is currently in
its fifth round.
 About Assam:
 Capital: Dispur
 Governor: Gulab Chand Kataria
 Chief Minister: Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma
 Border:
 North: Bhutan and the state of Arunachal Pradesh
 East: Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur
 South: Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, and
Bangladesh
 West: West Bengal
17. Annual Bird Census Begins in Odisha's Chilika Lake
 The annual bird census has begun in Odisha's Chilika
Lake.
 It witnesses many migratory birds.
 Participants: Bombay Natural History Society
(BNHS), World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Wildlife
Trust of India (WTI)
 The bird counting is being conducted in five different
areas, namely:
 Chilika,
 Balugaon,
 Satapada,
 Tangi
 Rambha
 About Chilika Lakes
 It is the largest brackish water lake in Asia.
 Located on: East coast of India at the mouth of the
Daya River.
 Largest brackish water lake in the world is the
Caspian Sea (located in Europe and Asia)
 Largest freshwater lake in India: Wular Lake (Jammu
and Kashmir)
18. Adidas to set up its first Asia GCC outside China in
Tamil Nadu
 Adidas is setting up its first and only global capacity
centre (GCC) in Asia outside China in Chennai to
focus on 'key processes'
 Adidas will set up its Global Business Services (GBS)
hub with Akhil Kapoor leading operations.
19. Haryana government launches Mission 'Mera Gaon,
Meri Gali - Main Bhi Sanwaru'
 It was launched in Bosti village of Tohana in
Fatehabad district.
 Agenda: To keep their villages and surroundings
clean and to raise awareness about cleanliness.
20. Uttar Pradesh’s ‘Paying Guest’ Scheme to Promote
Tourism in Ayodhya
 The Uttar Pradesh government launched 'Paying
Guest’ Scheme to promote tourism in Ayodhya.
 The state government is transforming Ayodhya
under its ‘Navya Ayodhya’ project.
 Aim: To upgrade accommodation and cuisine
experiences for visitors
 Focus: Enabling local residents to offer paying guest
facilities and homestays for tourists, devotees and
travelers
21. 10th Century Kadamba inscription written in
Kannada, Sanskrit found in Goa
 An inscription from the Kadamba period, dated to
the 10th century AD, has been discovered in the
Mahadeva temple at Kakoda in South Goa.
 Kadamba inscription is written in Kannada and
Sanskrit.
 The paragraph on this inscription begins with a
wonderful sentence, ‘Be well’, i.e. ‘Swasthi Shri’.
 Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in Goa:
 Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
 Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
 Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
 Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
 Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary
22. Gangasagar Mela to begin in West Bengal
 The Gangasagar Mela has been started in West
Bengal.
 Millions of pilgrims visit the Gangasagar Mela during
the Makar Sankranti festival.
 The pilgrims after taking a dip in Ganga also visit the
temple of Kapil Muni.
 The Shahi Snan will be held on the 15th &16th
January.
 The state government has sent a letter to UNESCO to
declare Gangasagar Mela a heritage site.
 In 2024, the pilgrimage tax has been waived off for
the pilgrims, instead 5 lakhs rupees insurance will be
given to all.
23. Delhi’s per capita income soars by over 14% to Rs
4,44,768
 According to the Statistical Handbook-2023, Delhi's
per capita income increased by 14%, hitting Rs
4,44,768 in 2022-23.
 Public Services Milestones: An average of 41 lakh
passengers daily commuted on buses in 2023.
 Electric Vehicle Leadership: Boasting 7,200 buses on
the streets, including 1,300 electric buses.
 Utilities Expansion: The number of electricity
consumers increased by nearly 2.8 lakh, and over 1
lakh water connections were added in 2022-23.
 Social Welfare Initiatives:
 Free Electricity Scheme
 Minimum Wages Leadership: Delhi has the highest
minimum wages in the country: Rs 17,494 for
unskilled, Rs 19,279 for semi-skilled, and
 Rs 21,215 for skilled workers
24. International Purple Fest 2024 kicks off in Goa
 Organized by: State Commissioner’s Office for
Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with the
Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Goa
  Supported by: Department of Empowerment of
Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice
and Empowerment
 Chief Guest: Dr. Pramod Sawant (Goa CM)
25. Tata Power to invest 70K Cr rupees in green units
 Tata Power Company is all set to invest a whopping
₹70,000 crore for 10 gigawatt (GW) solar and wind
units in Tamil Nadu.
 Tenure: 5 Years
 This is in addition to a new greenfield 4.3 Gw solar
cell and module manufacturing facility that the
company is coming up with at Tirunelveli.
 TPREL, a subsidiary of Tata Power Company, will set
up a 41 Mw captive solar plant in Thoothukudi for TP
Solar Limited new greenfield 4.3 Gw solar cell and
module manufacturing facility located at Tirunelveli.
 The captive plaant will help generate 101 million
units of electricity and offset around 72,000 metric
tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
26. Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 to be
inaugurated by PM Modi
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the
10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit
2024 on January 10, 2024.
 Theme of this summit: Gateway to the Future
 Record Investments:
 The state has been a magnet for foreign direct
investment (FDI), attracting USD 55 billion in the last
two decades, with ₹37,059 crore (USD 4.9 billion) in
FDI for 2022-23 alone.
 Gujarat's Economic Impact:
 The auto sector of the state has secured 13% of
Gujarat's FDI, outshines India's national average
with only 5%.
 Gujarat's auto exports contributed significantly,
reaching ₹12 lakh crore in the financial year 2022-
23, constituting 33% of India's total exports.
27. Assam launches India's first 100% Electric Bike Taxi
Service via 'Baayu'
 The Assam government launched 'Baayu,' an app-
based electric bike taxi service.
 It is an innovative and forward-thinking sustainable
mobility initiative of the state government-run
Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC).
28. West Bengal Government launches ‘Yogyasree’ for
SC/ST students
 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has
introduced a comprehensive social welfare scheme
named “Yogyasree.”
 Aim: To provide free training modules for Scheduled
Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in West
Bengal, specifically targeting entrance and
competitive examinations.
29. Karnataka High Court bans mining and quarrying
activities at KRS Dam
 The Karnataka High Court has decided to ban all
mining and quarrying activities within a 20-km
radius of the historic Krishna-Raja Sagar (KRS) dam
in the Mandya district.
 A division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale
and Justice Krishna S Dixit passed this order.
 It will remain in force until the Central Mining and
Fuel Research Institute, Dhanbad, conducts the dam
safety survey.
 About Krishna - Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam::
 Type: Gravity dam
 Constructed in: Karnataka (1932)
 Situated on: Kaveri River.
 Length: 8597 feet
 Height (from river bed level): 130.80 feet.
 This dam is named after Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the
ruler of the Mysore Kingdom.
 Construction planned by: M. Visvesvaraya in 1932
during the reign of Wodeyar Raja
 Purpose: Irrigation and drinking in Mysore and
Mandya
 The water released from this dam is also used in
Tamil Nadu.
 Vrindavan Garden is situated near this dam.
30. Chandubi Festival celebrated in Assam
 The Chandubi Festival was celebrated along the
Chandubi Lake in Assam.
 It is organised every year for five days starting from
the first day of the New Year along the Chandubi lake.
 The name Chandubi is derived from two words
where Chand means five and Dubi means sinking in
Khasi language.
31. Japan's Suzuki to invest Rs 35,000 crore for second car
plant in Gujarat
 Maruti Suzuki India will invest Rs 35,000 crore to set
up its second manufacturing facility in Gujarat.
 The plant would have an installed production
capacity of 10 lakh units per annum.
 Maruti Suzuki India will invest Rs 35,000 crore to set
up its second manufacturing facility in Gujarat.
 The plant would have an installed production
capacity of 10 lakh units per annum.
 Suzuki Motor owns around 58% stake in Maruti
Suzuki India.
 President of Suzuki Motor: Toshihiro Suzuki
32. Chhattisgarh govt launches scheme for Ayodhya visit
 CM Vishnu Deo Sai government in Chhattisgarh has
approved its Ram Lala Darshan (Ayodhya Dham)
Yojana.
 Under the scheme, 20,000 eligible residents of the
State would be taken to the holy city for pilgrimage
every year.
 The scheme will be implemented by Chhattisgarh
tourism board and the budget will be provided by the
state tourism department.
 Under the scheme, residents of Chhattisgarh in the
age group of 18 to 75, who are found fit after medical
examination, will be considered eligible for
pilgrimage to Ayodhya for ‘darshan’ of ‘Ramlala’.
 Disabled people, chosen as the beneficiaries under
the scheme, will be allowed to accompany a member
of their family.
 The distance to be covered under this trip to
Ayodhya will be approximately 900 kms, for which
an MoU will be signed between the Chhattisgarh
Tourism Board and the Indian Railway Catering and
Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
33. Karnataka govt launched Yuva Nidhi scheme
 The Karnataka government has launched the Yuva
Nidhi scheme in Shivamogga town in Karnataka.
 Under this scheme, an unemployment allowance for
two years will be given to those who passed a
degree/diploma in 2022-2023.
 Around 65,000 candidates had registered for the
scheme.
 The allowance will be credited to the bank accounts
of the eligible candidates after the inaugural session.
 Unemployed graduates will get ₹ 3,000 per month
while diploma holders will receive ₹ 1,500.
 Training will be provided by registering them on the
portal.
34. Simmtech to set up Semiconductor Plant in Sanand,
Gujarat
 Simmtech, a South Korean firm, will set up a
manufacturing plant in Sanand, Gujarat, with an
investment of Rs 1,250 crore.
 Aim: To contribute to the creation of a robust
semiconductor ecosystem in the state
 Simmtech has been granted subsidies under the
Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of
Electronic Components and Semiconductors
(SPECS).
35. International Camel Festival Started in Bikaner,
Rajasthan
 The Department of Tourism organised the three-day
International Camel Festival, which started with a
Heritage Walk in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan.
 The festivities commence at Rampuriya Haveli.
36. Ayodhya sets world record with longest solar light
line installation
 The Ayodhya administration is working on installing
the world's longest solar light line ahead of the 'Pran
Pratishtha' ceremony.
 After completing the stretch from Guptar Ghat to
Jhunki Ghat, the administration is now extending the
installation further to Nayaghat.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the
'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram Temple on
January 22.
 Vedic rituals for the 'Pran-Pratishtha' ceremony of
Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) in Ayodhya will begin
on January 16
 A priest from Varanasi, Lakshmi Kant Dixit, will
perform the main rituals of the 'Pran Pratishtha'
ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22.
37. Divya Kala Mela 2024 is being organised in Nagpur
 Divya Kala Mela (13th edition) is being organized in
Nagpur (Maharashtra) from 12 January to 21
January 2024 to empower entrepreneurs with
disabilities.
 Organised by: Department of Empowerment of
Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD) and National
Disabled Finance and Development Corporation
38. Pongal, Uttarayan, Bhogali Bihu, and Bhogi celebrated
 Assam is celebrating the Magh Bihu, the vibrant
harvest festival, also known as Bhogali Bihu and
Maghor Domahi.
 The day before Magh Bihu is called Uruka or Bihu
eve, the last day of the Poush month in the Assamese
calendar.
 It is the first festival of the year that brings people of
various communities together to enjoy the winter
crops and pray for prosperity for the rest of the year.
 It is also called Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Lohri in Punjab,
and Makar Sankranti in Northern parts of India.
39. Maharashtra's Pench Tiger Reserve designated as
India's first Dark Sky Park
 The Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra has
been marked as India's first Dark Sky Park and the
fifth such park in Asia.
 Aim: To protect the night sky and prevent light
pollution, making the facility ideal for astronomy
enthusiasts
 The certification was given by the International
Dark-Sky Association, a global dark-sky movement
to promote astronomy.
 Pench Tiger Reserve:
 The Reserve is located in the southern reaches of the
Satpura hills in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts in
Madhya Pradesh.
 It continues in Nagpur district in Maharashtra as a
separate Sanctuary.
 It is named after the Pench River, which flows from
north to south through the Reserve.
40. Maharashtra Government declares New Atpadi
Conservation Reserve in Sangli District
 The Government of Maharashtra has recently
declared the establishment of a new Conservation
Reserve in the Atpadi region of Sangli district.
 Name: Atpadi Conservation Reserve
 This significant development is a step forward in the
conservation of wildlife and biodiversity in the
region.
 The area is home to 36 tree species, 116 herb species,
15 shrub species, 14 vine species, and 1 parasitic
plant.
41. Rare Tibetan Brown Bear Discovered in Sikkim
 A rare Tibetan brown bear species has been found
roaming in the high-altitude areas of North Sikkim.
 Camera traps captured the bear (scientific name:
Ursus arctos pruinosus) with its characteristic
yellowish scarf-like collar that broadens from the
shoulders to the chest in Mangan district.
 The Tibetan brown bear, also known as the Tibetan
blue bear, is one of the rarest subspecies of bears in
the world, and is rarely sighted in the wild.
 Only a few were sighted from Nepal, Bhutan and the
Tibetan plateau.
42. Kerala Launches ‘Operation Amrith’ to prevent
overuse of antibiotics
 The Kerala Drug Control Department recently
launched Operation Amrith to prevent the overuse of
antibiotics in the state.
 AMRITH refers to Antimicrobial Resistance
Intervention For Total Health.
 The aim is to conduct surprise raids in pharmacies to
detect over-the-counter (OTC) sales of antibiotics
without a doctor’s prescription.
  Operation Amrith activities are being carried out
under Kerala’s Antimicrobial Resistance Strategic
Action Plan’s (KARSAP) antibiotic literacy initiative.
 In 2019, Kerala has the Programme on Removal of
Unused Drugs (PROUD) for proper disposal of
unused antibiotics.
 The World Bank estimated in 2017 that annual
global healthcare costs could reach $1.2 trillion by
2050 under a high AMR impact scenario.
 The world could also lose 3.8% of GDP annually and
see up to 10 million deaths annually, mostly in Asia
and Africa.
43. J&K L-G names Baramulla stadium after General Rawat
 J&K Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha named
the Baramulla stadium after former Chief of Defence
Staff General Bipin Rawat.
44. 9th edition of the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival
celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh
 The 9th edition of the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival
(PPHF), a state festival of Arunachal Pradesh, will
take place at Seijosa in the Pakke Kessang district
from January 18-20, 2024.
 The first-ever PPHF was held in 2015.
 Aim: To recognise the role played by the Nyishi tribal
group in conserving hornbills in Pakke Tiger Reserve
(PTR).
 Pakke Tiger Reserve is located in the East Kameng
district of Arunachal Pradesh.
 It is surrounded by the Tenga Reserve Forest to the
North, Doimara Reserve Forest on the West, Nameri
National Park and Tiger Reserve (Assam) on the
South.
45. WEF and Telangana Government collaborate to
Establish C4IR in Hyderabad
 World Economic Forum (WEF) and Telangana
collaborate to establish the world's first health tech
and life sciences-focused Centre for the Fourth
Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in Hyderabad.
 The collaboration, solidified during a meeting
between Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy
and WEF President Borge Brende at Davos.
 It will be the world’s inaugural thematic center
dedicated to health tech and life sciences.
 Aim: To align with the broader vision of the
Telangana government and WEF, emphasizing
collaborative efforts to enhance lifestyles and living
standards
46. DTC partners with travel app Tummoc to introduce
'single-journey ticket
 The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has
partnered with a travel app for ensuring that
commuters in the national capital do not have to visit
multiple sites to book bus tickets and cabs by
bringing different modes of transport on one
platform.
 The trial for the government's "single-journey ticket"
project has commenced and will last for seven days.
47. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik inaugurates Puri
Jagannath Temple’s Heritage Corridor
 Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik revealed the Shree
Mandir Parikrama Prakalpa (SMPP), a significant
peripheral development initiative encircling Puri's
12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple.
 The SMPP (Shree Mandir Parikrama Prakalpa)
introduces a 75-meter-wide space around the
temple.
 It is referred to as the heritage corridor.
 The first zone comprises a 7-meter green buffer
adjacent to the Meghanada Pacheri, the temple’s
boundary.
 The 10-meter Antar Pradakshina is designed to
accommodate ceremonial processions of the deities
throughout the year.
 The 14-meter landscape zone features a
meticulously curated garden showcasing a variety of
trees integral to Jagannatha culture
48. Chhattisgarh government launches Mahtari Vandana
Yojana 2024
 Chhattisgarh government has launched a new
scheme known as Mahtari Vandana Yojana 2024.
 Inspired by the successful implementation of the
‘Aarthik Sarkari Ladli Bahna Yojana‘ organized by
the Madhya Pradesh government.
 Aim: To provide economic assistance of one
thousand rupees to women every month, amounting
to a total annual financial aid of 12,000 rupees
 Women applying for the scheme should be between
23 to 60 years old.
49. Andhra Pradesh CM to unveil 125 feet Bronze statue
of Dr. BR Ambedkar
 In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan
Reddy will unveil the 125 feet Bronze statue of Dr BR
Ambedkar at Swaraj Maidan in Vijayawada.
 It pays tribute to the contributions of DR BR
Ambedkar and seeks to inspire future generations
for an egalitarian society.
 Inspired from the Kalachkara Mahamandap of
Buddhist architecture.
 The 125 feet Bronze statue of Dr BR Ambedkar
stands on a pedestal of 81 feet taking the total height
to 206 ft.
 Built at the cost of 400 crores in about 18 acres.
50. Mamata Banerjee opens 47th Kolkata Book Fair
 Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the
47th International Kolkata Book Fair.
 The event kicked off at the Boi Mela Prangan in
Central Park, Salt Lake.
 United Kingdom (UK) holds the spotlight as the
theme country.
 This year’s edition boasts around 1,000 stalls, the
largest so far, featuring representations from nearly
20 countries, including the US, Spain, Italy,
Bangladesh, Australia, Argentina, and France.
 Noteworthy is the return of German publishers after
a hiatus of 12 years
51. Hyundai acquires General Motor's Talegaon plant
 Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) has acquired
General Motors India's Talegaon plant in
Maharashtra and will invest Rs 6000 crore in the
state
 HMIL, the second-largest carmaker in India after
Maruti Suzuki had previously signed a term sheet
 with General Motors India for the potential
acquisition of the plant.
 The plant, which has an annual production capacity
of 13,0000 units, is scheduled to resume
manufacturing in 2025.
52. Maharashtra secures investments of Rs 3.53 trillion at
Davos
 Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has
signed 19 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)
during his visit to the World Economic Forum Annual
Meeting in Davos.
 The state government successfully sealed
investment MoUs amounting to Rs 3.53 lakh crore
(USD 44 billion) across various sectors, including
electronics, IT, data centers, gems and jewelry,
agriculture, automobile, and renewable energy.
 An additional expression of interest for Rs 1 lakh
crore investment was also received, catapulting the
total potential investment to Rs 4.5 lakh crore
(almost USD 57 billion).
Defense News
1. Delivery of Seventh 250 Men Ferrycraft, ‘Manjula’
(Yard 786)
 The 7th ferry craft ‘Manjula’ (Yard 786) has been
handed over to the Indian Navy on 29 December
2023 in the presence of Rear Admiral Deepak Kumar
Goswami, ASD (MBI).
 All the major and supporting components have been
procured from indigenous manufacturers only.
2. Indian Army gets first woman Subedar in champion
shooter
 Havildar Preeti Rajak, who is a champion trap
shooter, has become the first woman to hold the rank
of Subedar in the Indian Army.
 Subedar Rajak joined the Army in the Corps of
Military Police in December 2022.
 She was the first meritorious sportswoman in the
shooting discipline enrolled in the Army as a
Havildar.
 She won a silver medal in the trap women's team
event, during the 19th Asian Games, held Hangzhou
in China.
3. India, France agree on surveillance ties
 India and France have agreed to work together on
the joint production of defense equipment including
helicopters and submarines for the Indian armed
forces and production for friendly countries.
 They also agreed to expand bilateral ties in defence
production, nuclear energy, space research and the
use of artificial intelligence for public services like
climate change, health and agriculture.
 India and France agreed to intensify cooperation in
the southwest Indian Ocean, building on joint
surveillance missions carried out from the French
island territory of La Reunion in 2020 and 2022.
 India's Tata Group and France's Airbus have signed
an agreement to manufacture civilian helicopters
together.
 French jet engine maker CFM International also
announced an agreement with India’s Akasa Air to
buy more than 300 of its LEAP-1B engines to power
150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
4. Indian army special forces contingent reaches Egypt
for joint exercise ‘Cyclone’
 The Indian Army contingent comprising 25
personnel reached Egypt to take part in the 2nd
edition of India-Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise
CYCLONE.
 The Exercise is being conducted at Anshas, Egypt
from 22nd January to 1st February 2024.
 The first edition of the exercise was conducted last
year in India.
 The Indian contingent is being represented by troops
from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and
Egyptian contingent comprising 25 personnel is
being represented by the Egyptian Commando
Squadron and the Egyptian Airborne Platoon.
 Exercise CYCLONE is designed to develop bilateral
military cooperation and strengthen bond between
two armies through conduct of discussions and
rehearsal of tactical military drills.
5. 11th edition of India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces
Exercise KHANJAR
 The 11th edition of India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special
Forces Exercise KHANJAR has commenced at the
Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal
Pradesh.
 The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 22nd
January to 3rd February 2024
 It is an annual event conducted alternatively in both
countries.
 The Indian Army contingent comprising 20
personnel is being represented by troops from The
Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and the
Kyrgyzstan contingent comprising 20 personnel is
represented by Scorpion Brigade.
 The exercise will emphasize on developing Special
Forces skills, and advanced techniques of insertion
and extraction.
6. Defence Minister unveiled 35 BRO Projects in border
regions
 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 35
projects, including 29 bridges and six roads,
constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
across seven states and union territories, with a total
cost of ₹670 crore.
 These include eleven projects in Jammu and
Kashmir, nine in Ladakh, eight in Arunachal Pradesh,
three in Uttarakhand, two in Sikkim, and one each in
Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh.
 The event centered around the inauguration of Dhak
Bridge, a state-of-the-art 93-meter-long Class 70R
bridge over Dhak Nallah.
 The remaining 34 projects, virtually inaugurated by
Mr. Singh, include significant initiatives like the
Ragini-Ustad-Pharkian Gali Road in Jammu and
Kashmir, a 38.25-km long CL-9 road enhancing all-
weather connectivity between Tangdhar and Keren
sector, crucial for military operational readiness.
7. Joint Military Exercise 'Desert Cyclone 2024'
  The Joint Military Exercise 'Desert Cyclone 2024'
between India and UAE will be held from January 2
to January 15 in Rajasthan.
 Aim: To enhance interoperability by learning and
sharing best practices in urban operations
 India and the UAE enjoy strong bonds of friendship
which are founded on millennia-old cultural,
religious and economic intercourse between the two
regions.
 The first-ever India-UAE Joint Air Forces exercise
took place in September 2008 at the Al-Dhafra base
in Abu Dhabi.
8. Defence Minister inaugurates first all-girls Sainik
School at Vrindavan
 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first
all-India Girls Sainik School at Vrindavan in Mathura,
Uttar Pradesh.
 The name of Girls Sainik School Samvid Gurukulam
Girls Sainik School.
 Target: Establishment of 100 new Sainik schools in
partnership with NGOs/private/state government
schools
 Achieved: 42 have already been set up
 Existing: 33
9. Defence Ministry signs two contracts worth over eight
hundred crore rupees for procurement of military
equipments
 The Defence Ministry signed two contracts worth
802 crores for the procurement of military
equipment.
 Procurement: 697 Bogie Open Military Wagons (473
crore rupees) with Jupiter Wagons Limited and
procurement of 56 Mechanical Minefield Marking
Equipment (MMME) (329 crore rupees) with Bharat
Earth Movers Limited.
10. MoD inks ₹1,070 crore contract with Mazagon Dock to
acquire 14 FPVs
 The Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth
₹1,070 crore with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders for
the acquisition of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) to
boost the capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard
(ICG).
 The acquisition aims to boost ICG's capability and
reinforce the increased focus of the government
towards maritime security.
 These multi-role FPVs will be indigenously designed,
developed and manufactured by MDL under Buy
(Indian-IDDM) category
 It will be delivered to the Indian Coast Guard in
approximately five years.
11. Odisha launches LABHA, 100% State-funded MSP
Scheme for Tribal Empowerment
 Odisha government, led by Chief Minister Naveen
Patnaik, has approved the launch of the ‘LABHA’
scheme.
 LABHA refers to Laghu Bana Jatya Drabya Kraya
 It is a 100% state-funded Minimum Support Price
(MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP).
 The state government will annually determine the
Minimum Support Price for the minor forest
produce.
 Aim: To eradicate distress sales by empowering
tribals and reducing dependency on middlemen.
 Tribal primary collectors will sell minor forest
produce at MSP through procurement centers
managed by Tribal Development Cooperative
Corporation of Odisha Limited (TDCCOL).
 This scheme will collaborate with Mission Shakti’s
Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), benefiting the
majority of tribal women who constitute 99% of
primary collectors.
 Amounts collected will be transferred through Direct
Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the beneficiary’s account,
with SHGs or designated agencies receiving a 2%
commission.
 The state government plans to establish a 25-crore
tamarind processing plant in Rayagada, utilizing
MFP from LABHA Yojana for value addition.
12. IAF conducts 'Exercise Desert Knight' with French,
UAE Air Forces over Arabian Sea
 The French participation included the Rafale fighter
aircraft and a Multi Role Tanker Transport.
 The UAE Air Force fielded the F-16.
 The main focus of Exercise Desert Knight was on
enhancing synergy and interoperability between the
three Air Forces.
 The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise
Desert Knight along with the French Air and Space
Force (FASF) and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air
Force over the Arabian Sea.
 The IAF contingent comprised of Su-30 MKI, MiG-29,
Jaguar, AWACS, C-130-J, and Air to Air Refueller
aircraft.
13. Indian Navy helps in rescue of hijacked Sri Lankan
vessel
 In a coordinated multilateral response to the
hijacking of a Sri Lankan fishing vessel, the Indian
Navy in collaboration with Seychelles Defence
Forces and Sri Lanka Navy successfully intercepted
and rescued the hijacked vessel.
 The Indian Navy deployed INS Sharada and also
tasked the Sea Guardian long-range drones to locate
the hijacked fishing vessel.
 The Indian Navy established the IFC-IOR
(Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region) in
2018 to effectively keep track of the shipping traffic
as well as other critical developments in the region
under a collaborative framework with like-minded
countries.
 INS Sumitra, deployed for anti-piracy and maritime
security operations in the east of Somalia and the
Gulf of Aden, rescued two hijacked fishing vessels
along with 36 crew (17 Iranian and 19 Pakistani) in
the Southern Arabian Sea within a span of 36 hours.
14. Indian Navy commandos successfully rescue all
Indians on board hijacked ship off Somalia coast
 Marcos, an elite commando of the Indian Navy,
Hijacked ship: MV Leela Norfolk
 Total members: 21 crew members (15 Indians)
 Location: Somalia Coast
 The news was confirmed by UK Maritime Trade
Operations (UKMTO) on January 4, 2024.
  Saved 15 Indians by sanitizing a cargo ship in the
Arabian Sea.
15. Indian Navy’s P-8I Aircraft reaches Guam for Exercise
Sea Dragon 24
 The Indian Navy arrived with P-8I aircraft at Guam,
USA for Exercise Sea Dragon 24, an Anti-Submarine
Warfare (ASW) exercise spearheaded by the US
Navy.
 This deployment signals the navy’s participation in
the fourth edition of Ex Sea Dragon 24.
16. Indian Navy unveils 'Drishti 10 Unmanned Aerial
Vehicle (UAV)'
 Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar has
unveiled the 'Drishti 10 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle'
(UAV) at a ceremony held at Adani Aerospace Park in
Hyderabad.
 About ‘Drishti 10 Starliner (UAV)':
 Built by: Adani Defense and Aerospace
 It is an advanced Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance (ISR) platform.
 36 hours of endurance and 450 kg payload capacity.
 It is an all-weather military platform.
 The UAV system is approved with NATO's STANAG
4671 (Standardized Annex 4671) certification for
all-weather airworthiness.
 It has advanced communication systems, including
satellite communications and line-of-sight (LOS)
data links, ensuring reliable and secure data
transmission.
 The UAV will be flown from Hyderabad to Porbandar
to be officially inducted into the Navy's maritime
operations
17. DRDO launches an indigenous Assault Rifle named
'Ugram'
 Defence Research and Development Organization
(DRDO) has launched an indigenous assault rifle,
‘Ugram’.
 7.62x51 mm calibre for the armed forces.
 Unveiled by: Dr Shailendra V Gade, Director General,
Armament and Combat Engineering Systems, DRDO,
in Pune.
 These assault rifles have been designed considering
the needs of the armed forces, paramilitary forces
and state police units.
 Ugram":
 It is a state-of-the-art indigenous assault rifle.
 Developed by: DRDO's Pune-based lab Armament
Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in
collaboration with Hyderabad-based Dwipa Armor
India Private Limited.
 It has been indigenously designed, developed and
manufactured.
 It has been designed on the basis of the General Staff
Qualitative Requirements (GSQR) of the Indian
Army.
 Fires both in single and full auto mode.
 Effective range of 500 meters
 Weighs less than four kilograms
 This rifle has a 20-round magazine.
18. Indian Navy to Host MILAN 24 Exercise in
Visakhapatnam from 19-27 Feb 24
 Indian Navy’s multi-national exercise, MILAN 24 is
all set to be held in Visakhapatnam from 19-27 Feb
24.
 The 11th edition of this exercise has been scheduled
under the Eastern Naval Command with the theme
‘Camaraderie-Cohesion-Collaboration’.
 MILAN is a biennial multi-national naval exercise
which started in 1995 with participation of four
foreign countries (Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka,
and Thailand) in consonance with India’s ‘Look East
policy’.
 MILAN 24 exercise would comprise two phases -
‘Harbour phase’ and ‘Sea phase’.
 Harbour phase: It aims to promote cultural sharing
amongst the participating Nations
 Sea phase: It includes ships with Maritime Patrol
aircraft and submarines of Friendly Foreign
Countries.
19. DRDO conducts successful flight test of New
Generation AKASH missile
 Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) conducted a successful flight test of the New
Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile.
 Location: Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off
the coast of Odisha
 The flight test was conducted against a high-speed
unmanned aerial target at a very low altitude.
 The target was successfully intercepted by the
weapon system and destroyed.
20. INS Cheetah, Guldar and Kumbhir ships
decommissioned after 40 years of service
 Indian Navy Ships Cheetah, Guldar, and Kumbhir
were decommissioned on 12 January 2024 after
rendering four decades of glorious service to the
nation.
 Cheetah, Guldar and Kumbhir were built at Gdynia
Shipyard, Poland as Polnocny class Landing Ships
and were commissioned into the Indian Navy in
1984, 1985, and 1986 respectively.
 Cheetah was based at Kochi and Chennai for brief
periods, and Kumbhir and Guldar were based at
Visakhapatnam.
21. Indian Light Tank Zorawar begins trials for High
Altitude Warfare
 The development trials of the light tank Zorawar
have already started and the DRDO is expected to
hand it over to the Indian Army for further testing by
April 2024.
 The tank, equipped with a new engine, is being
developed and produced by DRDO in partnership
with Larsen and Toubro.
 The Army has placed an order for 59 Zorawar light
tanks to be produced and supplied by DRDO.
 The Indian Army has named its new project
'Zorawar' after Zorawar Singh Kahluria, also known
as the conqueror of Ladakh, who was a military
general who served under Jammu's Raja Gulab Singh
and successfully conquered Ladakh.
22. Project Shaurya Sankalan: Digital Archiving of
Military History
  The Indian Army initiated Project 'Shaurya Sankalan'
to preserve its rich and glorious history as a part of
Digital India Vision.
 They have archived almost 700 hours of audio-visual
content and 11 lakh pages of ‘declassified records’.
 Some examples include the Jammu and Kashmir
conflict in 1948, the Goa Liberation in 1961, and the
India-Pakistan wars in 1965 and 1971.
 "After-action reports" and audio-visual films have
been cured, digitised and preserved in the 'Digital
Archive Kiosk' created at the United Services
Institute of India.
23. Indian Army to Observe 2024 as the Year of
Technology Absorption
 In a significant step towards modernization and
operational efficiency, the Indian Army has declared
2024 as the “Year of Technology Absorption.”
 The decision to observe 2024 as the Year of
Technology Absorption follows the 2023 declaration
of the “Year of Transformation.”
 (CAPSTAR) at Military Institute of Technology
24. Joint Exercise ‘Sahyog Kaijin’ Between Indian and
Japanese Coast Guards
 The Indian and Japanese Coast Guards have recently
conducted a successful joint exercise named ‘Sahyog
Kaijin’ off the coast of Chennai.
 This exercise is a part of the ongoing collaboration
between the two countries under the Memorandum
of Cooperation (MoC) signed in 2006.
25. Indo Thai Coordinated Patrol named Ex-Ayutthaya
 The maiden Bilateral Maritime Exercise between the
Indian Navy (IN) and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) was
conducted from 20 to 23 December 2023.
 The Indo-Thai Bilateral Exercise is being named ‘Ex-
Ayutthaya’, which translates to ‘The Invincible One’
or ‘Undefeatable’.
 The RTN side was represented by His Thai Majesty's
Ship (HTMS) Prachuap Khiri Khan.
 Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies
participated in the Sea Phase of the exercise.
 It symbolizes the significance of two of the oldest
cities Ayodhya in India and Ayutthaya in Thailand.
 Indigenously built Indian Naval ships Kulish and IN
LCU 56 participated in the inaugural edition of the
exercise.
26. Union Minister Ajay Bhatt flags off Astra Missile for
IAF delivery
 Union Minister of State for Defence, Ajay Bhatt
flagged off the indigenously developed Astra air-to-
air missiles at the Kanchangbagh unit of Bharat
Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Hyderabad.
 It signifying a crucial step towards the missile’s
induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
 The Astra missile is a beyond visual range (BVR) air-
to-air missile.
 It stands as a testament to India’s technological
prowess.
 Developed by the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) and
manufactured by BDL for the IAF.
 The Astra Weapon System boasts unparalleled
capabilities in its category, with a remarkable range
exceeding 100 kilometers.
27. Indian Army launched Operation Sarvashakti in
Jammu and Kashmir
 The Indian Army has launched Operation
Sarvashakti in Jammu and Kashmir.
 It involves security forces on both sides of the Pir
Panjal range.
 Aim: To flush out terrorists who have ambushed
Indian troops in Rajouri and Poonch
 Sarvashakti is modeled on 2003’s Operation
Sarpvinash in the region south of Pir Panjal.
 Operation Sarpvinash was implemented by the
Indian Army and the Rashtriya Rifles.
28. CDS Gen Anil Chauhan to inaugurate ninth chapter of
CAPSTAR – 9
 Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan will
inaugurate the prestigious ninth chapter of ‘Capsule
on Science, Technology and Applied Research’
(MILIT), Pune.
 The three day CAPSTER – 09 will see the active
participation from services, academia, DRDO Labs
and private defence industries.
 Theme: ‘Artificial Intelligence: Transforming
Warfare’
 The CAPSTER – 09 is being held as part of the 12th
Raising Day celebrations of MILIT which is
commemorated on 19 January every year.
29. Indian Army develops Encrypted Mobile Ecosystem
“SAMBHAV”
 The Indian Army has developed an “end-to-end
secure mobile ecosystem” with instant connectivity,
strengthening the country's Atmanirbhar drive.
 SAMBHAV refers to Secure Army Mobile Bharat
Version.
 It has been developed in collaboration with leading
national centers of excellence from the academia and
industry.
30. Indian Navy chief inaugurates CO2-based AC plant at
INS Shivaji in Pune
 Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar
inaugurated a transcritical CO2 air conditioning
plant at INS Shivaji in Pune's Lonavala in
Maharashtra.
 This compressor has been developed indigenously.
31. Japan inks deal to buy 400 long-range missiles from
US
 Japan signed a deal with its ally the United States to
buy 400 long-range Tomahawk missiles as it ramps
up its military capacity to counter regional security
threats.
 Tomahawk Missile:
 It is a US-made long-range cruise missile used for
deep-land attack warfare.
 It can be launched from a ship or submarine and
deliver its warhead precisely to a target at a long
range.
  It flies at low altitudes to strike fixed targets, such as
communication and air-defense sites, in high-risk
environments.
32. India shows Atmanirbharta in Defence: Republic Day
2024
 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the
allocation of record 75% (approximately Rs one lakh
crore) of the defence capital procurement budget for
the domestic industry in FY 2023-24, a sizeable jump
from 68% in 2022-23.
 The Defence Minister also released the Fifth Positive
Indigenisation List (PIL) of Department of Military
Affairs (DMA) comprising 98 items, during the
plenary session of `Swavlamban 2.0'.
 Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over
the first twin-seater Light Combat Aircraft 'Tejas' to
the Indian Air Force (IAF) in October 2023
 It is a Twin-Seater Light Combat Fighter aircraft
designed, developed and manufactured by HAL in
Bengaluru.
 Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Rajnath
Singh, approved in its meetings proposals worth a
total of over Rs 3.50 lakh crore.
33. India to export BrahMos supersonic missile systems
to Philippines in next 10 days
 According to Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat,
India is all set to begin the export of ground systems
for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the
Philippines.
 The first set of BrahMos missile systems will be
delivered to the Philippines by the end of March.
 This marks DRDO's largest-ever defence contract
with a foreign nation, valued at USD 375 million
 The deal with the Philippines, signed in January
2022, focuses on the supply of the shore-based anti-
ship variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise
missile.
 The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is a joint
venture between DRDO and Russia's NPO
Mashinostroyeniya
 The Indian Army has integrated multiple BrahMos
regiments into its arsenal since 2007.
34. NATO's biggest war exercise Steadfast Defender 2024
 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is going
to start its biggest exercise since the Cold War,
named 'Steadfast Defender 2024', which will be
conducted till May 2024.
 The main objective of this NATO exercise is to ensure
that the US military can help its European allies in the
event of a major war with Russia.
MoUs
1. IIT-P, TeamLease Edtech, and NSDC join hands to
improve employability
 TeamLease EdTech, the Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT) Patna, and the National Skill
Development Corporation (NSDC) signed an MoU to
accelerate the development of employability-
focused large-scale innovative learning programs.
 Aim: To provide the option of Work-linked Hybrid
Degree Programs to every student who aspires to
graduate from IIT Patna.
2. Torrent Power Signs MoU Worth Rs 47,350 Crore With
Gujarat Government
 Torrent Power Ltd has signed four Memorandum of
Understanding worth Rs 47,350 crore with the
Gujarat government.
 The proposed investments are planned to be made in
the areas of renewable energy, green hydrogen, and
power distribution.
 Details Of The MoU
 3,450 MWs of solar power projects and 1,045 MWs
of hybrid power projects for Rs 30,650 crore.
 Development of infrastructure for a 7,000-MW solar
park for Rs 4,500 crore.
 Green hydrogen/green ammonia production facility
for Rs 7,200 crore.
 Investment of Rs 5,000 crore in Torrent Power’s
distribution business in the state.
3. UNICEF join hands with NIUA to empower young
people for urban governance
 The Urban Youth Unit at NIUA and YuWaah - UNICEF
have come into a partnership to solidify their
commitment to empowering young people for urban
governance.
 The primary focus of this partnership is enhancing
youth leadership, participation, and action research
toward strengthening civic behaviors and urban
governance.
 The collaboration aims to ensure youth-centric
development by utilizing interactive and gamified
civic leadership modules.
4. Cabinet approves an MoU between India and Oman on
cooperation in the field of IT
 The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi
was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU), signed on 15th December 2023.
 It was signed between the Ministry of Electronics
and Information Technology of the Republic of India
and the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and
Information Technology of the Sultanate of Oman on
cooperation in the field of Information Technology.
 The MoU intends to promote comprehensive
cooperation between the Parties through mutual
support, sharing of technologies, information, and
investments in the field of Information Technology.
 The MoU shall remain in force for 3 years.
5. NATO signs 1.1 billion euro contract for 155mm
artillery ammunition
 NATO signed a 1.1 billion euro ($1.2 billion) contract
for hundreds of thousands of 155mm artillery
rounds, some of which will be supplied to Ukraine
after Kyiv complained of ammunition shortages.
 The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA)
struck the deal on behalf of several allies who will
either pass on the shells to Ukraine or use them to
stock up their own depleted inventories.
 A NATO official identified the buyers as Belgium,
Lithuania and Spain, which pooled together to
 benefit from the lower prices ensured by buying in
bulk.
6. ICAI to sign MoU with CBSE to launch study material to
teach financial independence
 The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
(ICAI) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with the Central Board of Secondary
Education (CBSE) to provide career counselling in
CBSE schools.
 It will make school students aware about the
Chartered Accountancy course and the future job
opportunities available after completing this
professional course.
 ICAI will also develop some course content for CBSE-
affiliated schools in form of modules and videos.
7. NHAI signs MoU with NRSC for Development and
Reporting of “Green Cover Index”
 The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
signed an MoU with the National Remote Sensing
Centre (NRSC) under ISRO.
 Period of three years
 Aim: To develop and report a "Green Cover Index"
for the extensive network of National Highways in
India
 As green cover would be estimated for every 1 km
length of the National Highways.
 It would be possible to generate granular metrics for
individual projects/packages as well.
8. REC Limited and Bank of Baroda join hands for
various Projects
 REC Limited has signed an MoU with Bank of Baroda
in order to facilitate joint sanctions of loans to fund
power, infrastructure and logistics projects in the
country over the next three years.
 Chairperson and Managing Director (CMD), REC
Limited: Vivek Kumar Dewangan
 MD & CEO, Bank of Baroda: Debadatta Chand
9. Cabinet approves MoU between Isro, MRIC on joint
small satellite
 The Union Cabinet has approved an MoU between
the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and
the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council
(MRIC)
 Reason: Concerning cooperation on the development
of a joint small satellite.
 Aim: To establish a framework for cooperation
between Isro and MRIC on the development of a joint
satellite as well as for cooperation on the use of the
MRIC's Ground Station
 The estimated cost for the realisation of the joint
satellite is Rs 20 crore, which the government of
India will bear.
10. Ratle Hydroelectric Project will provide power to
Rajasthan Urja Vikas
 An agreement was signed between Ratle
Hydroelectric Project of Jammu and Kashmir, and
Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services Limited.
 Under this, RHP will provide electricity to Rajasthan
Urja Vikas and IT Services Limited for 40 years.
 About Ratle Hydro Electric Power Corporation
Limited (RHPCL):
 Headquarter: Faridabad
 Ratle Hydropower Project (RHP) is located in
Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir.
 It is a public company incorporated on June 1, 2021.
 It is a joint venture company of NHPC Limited and
Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development
Corporation.
 Both have equity stakes of 51% and 49%,
respectively, in RHPCL.
 The company has been incorporated to implement
the 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project.
 About Ratle Hydropower Project (RHP):
 Situated on: Chenab River, Kishtwar district, J&K
 Foundation laid by: Former The Indian Prime
Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh
11. NGEL signs MoU with Government of Maharashtra for
development of Green Hydrogen Projects
 NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) has signed an
MoU with the Government of Maharashtra for the
development of Green Hydrogen and derivatives
(Green Ammonia, Green Methanol) of up to 1 million
Ton capacity per annum.
 It includes Pumped Storage Projects of 2 GW and
development of renewable energy projects with or
without storage of up to 5 GW in the state.
 The MoU has been signed as a part of Government of
Maharashtra’s Green Investment Plan for the next
five years.
 The agreement envisages a potential investment of
approximately ₹80,000 crores.
12. Pegatron, Tata Electronics, and others ink pacts with
Tamil Nadu Govt
 Tata Electronics: MoU signed worth a whopping Rs
12,082 crore for mobile phone assembly operations
 JSW Renewable, TVS Group, and Mitsubishi Electric
have inked pacts worth Rs 12,000 crore, Rs 5,000
crore, and Rs 6,180 crore respectively.
 Apple's Taiwan supplier, Pegatron, will be investing
up to Rs 1,000 crore to expand production.
13. Cabinet approves India-USAID MoU for Railways’ Net-
Zero Emission Goal
 The Union Cabinet has approved the MoU between
India and USAID to assist Indian Railways in reaching
'net zero carbon emission' by 2030.
 Aim: To facilitate utility modernization, deploy
advanced energy solutions and systems, foster
regional energy and market integration
14. Indian Railways and CII ink MoU for Green Initiatives
 Signed between: Indian Railways and Confederation
of Indian Industry (CII)
 Aim: To reduce energy and water consumption,
ultimately lowering greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions
 Indian railway target: To achieve “Net Zero Carbon
Emission” by 2030
15. Gensol Engineering allocates Rs 2,000 crore for
Gujarat EV Plant
 Gensol Engineering will invest Rs 2,000 crore to set
up an EV manufacturing plant in Gujarat.
 A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this
effect was signed with the Gujarat government as
 part of the investment promotion activity for Vibrant
Gujarat Global Summit 2024.
16. India Post Payments Bank enter into MoU with
Hindustan Zinc to offer financial inclusion services
 India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) & Hindustan Zinc
Limited (HZL – a subsidiary of Vedanta Group) join
forces to pioneer inclusive financial solutions.
 IPPB ensure aid for opening bank accounts, access to
pension products, long-term savings, and investment
schemes.
 IPPB has been established under the Department of
Posts, Ministry of Communication with 100% equity
owned by Government of India, launched in 2018.
17. NTPC Green Energy Ltd. signs MoUs with GSPC and
GPPL
 NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) has entered into
MoUs with Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd
(GSPC) and Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd (GPPL) during
the three-day Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024.
 Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd:
 Aim: To blend Green Hydrogen in the gas networks
of GSPC and promotion of Green Hydrogen mobility
by setting up Green Hydrogen fuelling stations in
Gujarat.
 Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd:
 Aim: To develop a green hydrogen ecosystem
including the production of green ammonia for
export and the domestic market, at the land provided
by GPPL.
18. India Signs Agreement for Lithium Exploration &
Mining Project in Argentina
 Ministry of Mines has signed an agreement between
Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) and the state-
owned enterprise of Catamarca province of
Argentina CATAMARCA MINERA Y ENERGÉTICA
SOCIEDAD DEL ESTADO (CAMYEN SE) at Catamarca,
Argentina.
 KABIL will start exploration and development of 5
lithium brine blocks viz
 Cortadera-I,
 Cortadera-VII,
 Cortadera-VIII,
 Cateo-2022-01810132 and
 Cortadera-VI, covering an area of about 15,703
Hectare.
 Argentina is the part of “Lithium Triangle” along with
Chile and Bolivia with more than half of world’s total
lithium resources and having the distinction of
having 2nd largest lithium resources, 3rd largest
lithium reserves and 4th largest production in world.
19. L&T wins Rs 10,000 crore electrification order for
high-speed rail project
 Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured a mega contract
from an authorised Japanese agency to construct an
electrification system for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad
High-Speed rail project in India.
 Valued in the range of Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 15,000
crore.
 It is the largest single rail-electrification order in
India.
 This would be the first of its kind railway project in
India involving the implementation of Japanese
Shinkansen High Speed Electrification Techno-logy.
20. IndoSpace signs Rs 2000 Cr deal with Tamil Nadu govt
 A leading player in industrial and logistics real estate,
IndoSpace has solidified its commitment to Tamil
Nadu’s economic development by signing a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) valued at Rs
2000 crore.
 The MoU underscores IndoSpace’s strategic focus on
contributing to the growth of Tamil Nadu’s industrial
landscape.
21. MoI between India and Netherlands on cooperation in
Medical products Regulation approved
 The Union Cabinet approved the Memorandum of
Intent (MoI) between India and the Netherlands on
cooperation in the field of Medical Products
Regulation.
 Other Cabinet Approvals:
 Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding
between India and the Dominican Republic on
cooperation in the field of Medical Products
Regulation
 Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding
between India and Kenya on cooperation in the field
of sharing successful Digital Solutions implemented
at Population Scale for Digital Transformation
 Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) between India and Ecuador on cooperation in
the field of Medical Products Regulation
22. Foxconn and HCL Group Forge Partnership for Chip
Packaging Unit in India
 Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn, a long-time Apple
partner, is diversifying from China and joining forces
with HCL Group to establish a chip packaging and
testing facility in India.
 Foxconn’s subsidiary, Foxconn Hon Hai Technology
India Mega Development, will invest $37.2 million
for a 40% stake, with the remaining held by HCL.
 This strategic move comes amidst Foxconn’s
increased investments in India, motivated by
geopolitical tensions with China.
23. National Farmers Society, IndiaAI, Wadhwani
Foundation Signs MoU For AI-Driven Agriculture
 A Tripartite MoU has been recently inked between
the National Farmers’ Welfare Programme
Implementation Society, IndiaAI (Digital India
Corporation), and the Wadhwani Foundation.
 Aim: To propel India to the forefront of AI-driven
digital agriculture, leveraging the expertise and
support of the Wadhwani Foundation in formulating
and executing a robust AI strategy.
24. Airbus and CSIR-IIP to collaborate on producing
sustainable aviation fuel
 Airbus has joined forces with the CSIR-Indian
Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) to pioneer
innovative technologies and accelerate the
development and qualification of indigenous
sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) within India.
 Currently, all Airbus aircraft are certified to operate
using a 50% SAF blend.
 Important Dates
1. World Braille Day to be celebrated across globe on
January 4
 The World Braille Day will be celebrated across the
globe on 4 January 2024.
 This day holds special importance as it marks the
birthday of Louis Braille, the visionary inventor of
the Braille script, born in France in 1809.
2. National Birds Day 2024
 The United States of America declares January 5 as
National Bird Day to raise awareness of the
significance of birds to our ecosystem.
 Theme 2024: Right To Fight
 National Birds Day has been celebrated in America
since 2002
3. World Day of War Orphans 2024
 The world observes the World Day of War Orphans
on January 6, every year.
 Theme 2024: Orphan Lives Matter” and “Standing Up
for War-Affected Children
4. Earth’s Rotation Day 2024 observed on 8th January
 Earth's Rotation Day is celebrated on January 8,
every year.
 In 2024, this special day falls on a Monday.
5. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2024 observed on January 9
 To mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian
Community to the development of India.
 The day commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s return to
India from South Africa on January 9, 1915.
 Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas was first held in 2003.
 It is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs.
6. African National Congress Foundation Day observed
on January 8, 2024
 The African National Congress (ANC) celebrates its
Foundation Day on January 8, commemorating its
establishment in 1912.
 In April 1994, South Africa witnessed its first historic
elections based on universal suffrage.
 Nelson Mandela inaugurated as the President of
South Africa on May 10, 1994.
7. World Hindi Day 2024 is observed on January 10
 World Hindi Day, also recognized as Vishwa Hindi
Diwas, is joyously celebrated globally on January 10.
 This observance commemorates the historic
moment when Hindi was first spoken in the United
Nations General Assembly in 1949.
8. Indian Army Day 2024 observed on January 15
 Indian Army Day is celebrated annually on January
15 to commemorate the commissioning of the first
Indian contingent of the Indian Army in 1949.
 The theme for Indian Army Day 2024 is “In Service of
the Nation.”
 The theme resonates with the Indian Army’s motto,
“Service Before Self,”
9. National Startup Day 2024 observed on 16th January
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi proclaimed January
16 as National Startup Day, marking a pivotal
moment in India’s recognition and celebration of its
burgeoning startup ecosystem.
 National Startup Day was officially announced on
January 15, 2022.
 The Department for Promotion of Industry and
Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry have extended the
festivities to a week-long event known as National
Startup Week.
 Commencing from January 10 to 16, the week
revolves around the theme “Startups Unlocking
Infinite Potential.”
10. Tripura, Meghalaya, & Manipur celebrates statehood
 Three northeastern states- Tripura, Meghalaya, and
Manipur- celebrated their 52nd Statehood Day.
 With the introduction of the North-East Area (Re-
organisation) Act 1971, Tripura, Manipur, and
Meghalaya attained statehood on January 21, 1972.
11. Parakram Diwas in India observed on January 23
 India marks Parakram Diwas on January 23 to mark
legendary freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra
Bose's birth anniversary.
 Parakram Diwas is recognized as a "Day of Valour".
 The Indian government first formally proposed the
idea of commemorating January 23rd as Parakram
Diwas in 2021.
 The decision was taken to honor Netaji Subash
Chandra Bose for his unwavering fight for India's
independence from the British.
 Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, an iconic figure in the
freedom movement, was born in Cuttack in the
eastern state of Odisha, on January 23, 1897.
12. International Education Day celebrated on January 24
 The International Day of Education is annually
celebrated on January 24.
 2024 theme: ‘learning for lasting peace’
 In 2018, January 24 was declared as the
International Day of Education by a resolution that
was passed by the United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) on December 3, 2018.
13. Uttar Pradesh celebrates its Foundation Day on
January 24
 Uttar Pradesh celebrates its Foundation Day on
January 24 every year.
 This day is known as Uttar Pradesh Diwas
 The United Province was renamed Uttar Pradesh on
January 24, 1950.
 The Uttar Pradesh government declared January 24
as Uttar Pradesh Foundation Day in May 2017.
 UP Foundation Day was proposed by the governor
Ram Naik.
 In 2024, UP celebrates its 75th Foundation Day
14. 14th National Voters’ Day to celebrate on 25th
January 2024
 Election Commission of India is celebrating 14th
National Voters’ Day (NVD) on 25th January 2024.
 President of India, Droupadi Murmu will be the Chief
Guest at the national function being organized in
New Delhi by the Election Commission of India.
 Union Minister of State for Law and Justice
(Independent Charge), Arjun Ram Meghwal will
grace the function as Guest of Honour.
 The event will also be attended by Heads and
representatives of Election Management bodies viz.
 Maldives, Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka and
Uzbekistan.
 NVD 2024 theme: Nothing Like Voting, I Vote For
Sure
15. India celebrated 75th Republic Day on January 26,
2024
 Republic Day 2024 marks India’s 75th anniversary of
the Republic, celebrated with fervor and pride
nationwide on 26th January 2024.
 French President Emmanuel Macron attends as the
Chief Guest, emphasizing strong diplomatic ties.
 This is the sixth occasion of a French leader gracing
this prestigious event.
16. National Tourism Day 2024 observed on January 25
 National Tourism Day is observed on January 25th
each year to foster awareness among the
international community about the importance of
tourism and its social, cultural, political, and
economic values.
 The theme for this year is ‘Sustainable Journeys,
Timeless Memories.’
17. International Day of Commemoration in Memory of
the Victims of the Holocaust 2024 observed on
January 27
 The International Day of Commemoration in
Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust is an annual
observance to remember and honour the six million
Jewish victims and millions of other victims of
Nazism during World War II.
 The United Nations General Assembly designated
January 27 as the International Day of
Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the
Holocaust in November 2005.
18. International Day of Clean Energy 2024 observed on
26 January
 International Day of Clean Energy, observed on
January 26 is a significant day dedicated to
promoting the importance of renewable energy for a
sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
 CBIC celebrates International Customs Day 2024 on
January 27
 The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
(CBIC) celebrated International Customs Day 2024
on January 27 under the theme of ‘Customs engaging
traditional and new partners with purpose’.
Appointments
1. Nivea India appoints Geetika Mehta as managing
director
 Leading skincare brand Nivea India appointed
Geetika Mehta as its new Managing Director.
2. Justice Prasanna B Varale appointed as Supreme
Court Judge
 Justice Prasanna B Varale, currently serving as the
Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, will now
become the third sitting judge from the Dalit
community in the Supreme Court.
 He holds the distinction of being the only Chief
Justice belonging to a Scheduled Caste among the
Chief Justices of High Courts across the country.
 His appointment adds to the diversity of the apex
court, joining the ranks of Justice BR Gavai and
Justice CT Ravikumar.
3. Nitish Kumar takes Bihar chief minister's 9th Oath
 Nitish Kumar took oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar
for a record ninth time, at the head of a fresh
government formed in partnership with the BJP.
 He replaced his ministers from the Rashtriya Janata
Dal with those from the BJP and party leaders.
4. Hockey Olympian Sukhbir Singh Gill passes away
 The first hockey Olympian Sukhbir Singh Gill passed
away at the age of 48 after a 17-year-long battle with
a brain tumour.
 He represented India at the Sydney Olympics (2000),
the Hockey World Cup in Kuala Lumpur (2002), and
the FIH Champions Trophy in Cologne (Germany) in
2002.
5. Rana Talwar, first Indian to head a global bank, passes
away at 76
 Veteran banker Rana Talwar, who was the first
Indian to head a global bank -- Standard Chartered
Plc, died at the age of 76 years.
 Talwar left Citibank in 1996 to join Standard
Chartered Plc as Global Chief Executive. He was the
first Asian to become the Chief Executive of an FTSE
25 company and a major global bank.
 Talwar left Standard Chartered Plc in 2002 to
establish Sabre Capital Worldwide, a private equity
firm, as its founder chairman and majority
stakeholder.
6. Union Bank of India appoints Kanika Pasricha as chief
economic adviser
 Union Bank of India has appointed Kanika Pasricha
as Chief Economic Adviser.
 The appointment is for three years on contractual
basis, extendable by a year at a time for a maximum
of five years upon satisfactory performance.
 Earlier, Pasricha worked as an economist (director)–
global research at Standard Chartered Bank.
7. Udaan's CFO Aditya Pande joined IndiGo parent as
group CEO
 InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent company of
domestic carrier IndiGo, has named Aditya Pande
(pictured) its group chief executive officer (CEO),
with effect from March 1, 2024.
 He will report to Rahul Bhatia, CEO, InterGlobe, and
all the existing direct reports would, in turn, report
to Pande.
8. RBI approves Praveen Achuthan Kutty as DCB Bank
MD & CEO
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the
appointment of Praveen Achuthan Kutty as the
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
of DCB Bank.
 Tenure of three years starting from April 29, 2024
9. Vivek Srivastava named DG Of Fire Service, Civil
Defence & Home Guards
 Vivek Srivastava, a seasoned 1989-batch IPS officer
of Gujarat cadre, was appointed as the Director
General of Fire Service, Civil Defence & Home Guards
under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  He will continue until June 30, 2025, or until further
orders, whichever occurs earlier.
10. Felix Tshisekedi Named President of The Democratic
Republic of Congo
 President Tshisekedi emerged victorious with
approximately 73% of the vote, leaving his closest
rival, Moise Katumbi, with 18%.
 French serves as the official language of Congo.
 Capital: Kinshasa
 Prime minister: Sama Lukonde
 Currency: Congolese Franc
11. Ravindra Kumar Tyagi appointed as CMD of Power
Grid Corporation
 Ravindra Kumar Tyagi has been appointed as the
new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of
Power Grid Corportation.
 He succeeded Sreekant Kandikuppa who retired
upon reaching the age of superannuation.
 Power Grid Corporation HQ: Gurugram
 Kia India appoints Gwanggu Lee MD,CEO
 Kia India has appointed Gwanggu Lee as its new
Managing Director and CEO, effective immediately.
 He succeeded Kook Hyun Shim and Tae Jin Park and
became the 3rd Managing Director and CEO of the
company.
12. Gautam Adani redesignated as executive chairman of
Adani Ports
 Re-designation of Gautam Adani will come into effect
from January 4, 2024 till the end of his current term
i.e. upto June 30, 2027
 Karan Adani named MD and Ashwani Gupta as CEO.
13. Justice Sanjiv Khanna appointed as NALSA Executive
Chairperson
 President of India, Draupudi Murmu has appointed
Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the Executive Chairperson
of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
 Replaced: Justice S. K. Kaul, who retired on December
25, 2023.
 About National Legal Services Authority (NALSA):
 It is a statutory body.
 It was established under the Legal Services
Authorities Act of 1987.
 Aims: To organize Lok Adalats for the amicable
settlement of disputes
 NALSA is headed by the Chief Justice of India.
14. Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II to Step Down After 52
Years on Throne
 Queen Margrethe II of Denmark to abdicate the
throne after 52 years of rule.
 The announcement will be made on the 14th of
January, 2024, which marks the anniversary of her
own accession to the throne at the age of 31,
following the death of her father, King Frederik IX.
 About Denmark:
 Capital: Copenhagen
 Prime Minister: Mette Frederiksen
 Corruption in Denmark is amongst the lowest in the
world.
 Denmark ranked second in World Happiness Index
2023.
15. Saima Wajid appointed WHO Regional Director for
Southeast Asia
 Saima Wajid of Bangladesh has been sworn in as the
Regional Director of the World Health Organisation
(WHO) South-East Asia Region.
 Saima Wajid will take over from Poonam Khetrapal
Singh from February 1, 2024.
 Saima Wajid defeated Shambhu Prasad Acharya of
Nepal by six votes in the election to become South
East Asia Regional Director.
 Saima Wajid is the daughter of Bangladesh Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina.
16. Nadia Calvino appointed as New President of the
European Investment Bank
 Nadia Calvino has been named the new president of
the European Investment Bank, effective from
January 1, 2024.
 She succeeds Werner Hoyer to become the eighth
president of the EU bank.
 Notably, she is the first woman and the first Spaniard
to lead this prestigious institution.
17. Puneet Chhatwal Appointed Chairman of FAITH
 Puneet Chhatwal has been appointed as the new
Chairperson of the Federation of Associations in
Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH).
 He succeeded Nakul Anand, the retired Executive
Director at ITC Hotels.
18. Vice Admiral DK Tripathi takes over as Vice Chief of
the Naval Staff
 Vice Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, AVSM, NM, took
over as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.
 Earlier, he served as the Flag Officer Commanding-
in-Chief, Western Naval Command.
 About the Indian Navy:
 Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral R. Hari Kumar
 Navy Day: 4 December (To respect the Indian Navy’s
counter-attack in Operation Trident during the Indo-
Pakistan war in 1971)
19. Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey assumes charge of
BIMSTEC Secretary General
 Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, a senior diplomat of
India, assumed the position of Secretary General (SG)
of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral
Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
 He succeeded Tenzin Lekphell of Bhutan
 He is the 4th SG of BIMSTEC and will remain in office
for a period of three years
20. Indian Olympic Association appoints ex-IPL official
Raghuram Iyer as CEO
 Indian Olympic Association (IOA) appointed Indian
Premier League side Rajasthan Royals' former
official Raghuram Iyer as its Chief Executive Officer
(CEO).
 He had earlier served as CEO of IPL sides Rajasthan
Royals and Rising Pune Supergiants.
 The CEO will be an ex-officio member of the
Executive Council without voting rights.
21. Canara Bank CGM P Santhosh Appointed as MD of
NARCL
  P Santhosh, Chief General Manager at Canara Bank,
has been appointed as the Managing Director of
National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL).
 He succeeded Natarajan Sundar
 About NARCL:
 It has been incorporated under the Companies Act.
 It has applied to the Reserve Bank of India for a
license as an Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC).
 It will acquire stressed assets worth about Rs 2 lakh
crore from various commercial banks in different
phases.
 Public Sector Banks (PSBs) will maintain 51%
ownership in NARCL.
22. AU Small Finance Bank names HR Khan as Chairman
 AU Small Finance Bank (SFB) has appointed Reserve
Bank of India's former Deputy Governor HR Khan as
part-time chairman.
 Raj Vikash Verma completed his tenure as part-time
chairman and independent director of the bank on
January 29, 2024.
 He will cease to be part-time chairman and
independent director of the bank.
 HR Khan is a former Deputy Governor and the
Executive Director at the RBI and has over four
decades of experience in Banking & Finance,
Payment and Settlement systems, Economics, and
Financial Markets.
23. Comoros President Azali Assoumani secures
controversial fourth term
 Comoros President Azali Assoumani has claimed
victory for a fourth term with 63% of the vote, as
announced by the electoral body Ceni.
 However, the opposition, boycotting the poll,
declares it as fraudulent.
 Attributed to an opposition boycott, turnout was
remarkably low at 16%.
 The opposition alleges instances of ballot stuffing
and premature closure of polls in favor of
Assoumani, while international observers maintain
the overall fairness of the election despite reported
irregularities.
 Azali Assoumani, a former military officer who first
seized power in 1999, secured his fourth term after
a contentious 2018 referendum abolished term
limits.
24. President nominated Satnam Singh Sandhu to the
Rajya Sabha
 President of India, Droupadi Murmu has nominated
the founder of Chandigarh University, Satnam Singh
Sandhu to the Rajya Sabha.
 The President has exercised the powers, conferred
by sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of Article 80 of the
Constitution of India, read with clause (3) of that
Article.
 Who is Satnam Singh Sandhu?
 He is the son of a farmer and one of the country's
leading educationists.
 He was instrumental in the establishing Chandigarh
Group of Colleges (CGC) at Landran in Mohali in
2001.
 He also founded the Chandigarh University in 2012.
 About Rajya Sabha:
 The Council of States is the Upper House of the Indian
Parliament, which is also known as the Rajya Sabha.
 Chairman: The ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha is
the Vice-President of India.
 Members: The Rajya Sabha comprises 250 members
in total, out of which 238 members represent the
States and Union Territories, while the remaining 12
members are nominated by the President.
 Tenure: Every second year, one-third of the
members retire and are replaced by newly elected
members.
25. Hasina gets 4th straight PM term as her party wins
majority in B'desh polls
 Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a
record fourth straight term as her Awami League
party won two-thirds of the seats in the general
elections marred by sporadic violence and a boycott
by the main opposition BNP and its allies.
26. Azerbaijan names ecology minister as COP29 chief
 Azerbaijan chose Ecology Minister Mukhtar Babayev
to head the next round of global climate talks: COP29
to be held later this year in Baku.
 Babayev was appointed COP29 president-designate
and Yalchin Rafiyev as the lead negotiator for the
climate summit.
27. PhonePe appoints Ritesh Pai CEO of international
payments biz
 Walmart-owned fintech firm PhonePe has appointed
Ritesh Pai as chief executive officer of its
international payments business.
28. SEBI mames G Ram Mohan Rao as Executive Director
for 3 Years
 The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
appoints G Ram Mohan Rao as Executive Director
(ED) for a tenure of three years.
29. NIIFL appoints Sanjiv Aggarwal as new MD & CEO
 The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund
(NIIFL) has appointed Sanjiv Aggarwal as its chief
executive officer(CEO) and managing director.
 He succeeded Rajiv Dhar, who has been serving as
the interim CEO and MD since May 2023.
 NIIFL is a collaborative investment platform for
international and domestic investors anchored by
the Centre and effectively acts as a sovereign wealth
fund.
30. Vikas Sheel appointed as Executive Director Asian
Development Bank
 Senior IAS officer, Vikas Sheel has been appointed as
Executive Director of the Asian Development Bank
(ADB) in Manila.
 Smita Sarangi has been appointed as Adviser to the
Executive Director at ADB in Manila, Philippines.
 Other appointments:
 Kalyan Revella takes on the role of Counsellor
(Economic) at the Embassy of India in Beijing.
 Senthil Pandian C was appointed as
Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva.
 M Balaji has been appointed as the Deputy Chief of
Mission at the Embassy of India in Brussels.
  Parveen Kumar is now the Adviser to the Executive
Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
 Tanu Singh is appointed as the First Secretary at the 36.
Permanent Mission of India to the World Trade
Organization (WTO)
31. Tshering Tobgay set to become PM of Bhutan
 The party of Bhutan's former prime minister
Tshering Tobgay won general elections with nearly
two-thirds of the seats (30 seats) in parliament. 37.
 While the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) took the
remaining 17 seats.
 He is expected to become Bhutan's PM for the second
time. 38.
 He served as prime minister from 2013 to 2018.
32. Gabriel Attal appointed as France's New Prime
Minister
 Gabriel Attal has been named the next Prime
Minister of France, who is currently working as an
education minister.
 At 34, he is the youngest Prime Minister in modern
French history.
 He will outrank Socialist Laurent Fabius, who was 37
when he was appointed by François Mitterrand in
1984.
 He replaces Élisabeth Borne, who resigned recently.
 39.
33. Rajay Kumar Sinha appointed Irdai whole-time
member
 The government has appointed Rajay Kumar Sinha
as a whole-time member (finance and investment) of
the Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority of India (Irdai) for three years.
 He is currently serving as the managing director and
chief executive officer (CEO) of SBI Capital Market.
 experience in all aspects of Retail & SME banking.
34. Sheikh Hasina takes oath as Prime Minister of 40.
Bangladesh for the fifth time
 In Bangladeshm Awami League President Sheikh
Hasina was sworn as the Prime Minister of the
country for the fourth consecutive term - the fifth
overall.
 President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered
the oath of office and secrecy to the Prime Minister
and members of the new cabinet at Bangabhaban,
Dhaka.
 She will serve as the 12th Prime Minister of
Bangladesh
 She led her party to an absolute win in the 2008 41.
election overseen by a military-backed interim
government.
 She took office for the second time in 2009.
 She also won the next three elections in 2014, 2018
and the latest on the 7th of January 2024.
35. Michael D Patra re-appointed as RBI Deputy Governor
for 1 year 42.
 The Union government has reappointed Michael D
Patra as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) for a year, effective January 15.
 He is handling various departments, including
monetary policy, financial markets regulation and
financial stability.
 He took charge as Deputy Governor on January 1,
2020.
Crown Prince Frederik X becomes King of Denmark
 Crown Prince Frederik X became the King of
Denmark, succeeding his mother, Queen Margrethe
II, who formally abdicated after 52 years as monarch.
 83-year-old Margrethe is the first Danish monarch to
voluntarily relinquish the throne in nearly 900 years.
Manish Jain’s Appointment as Country Managing
Director for Experian India
 Experian has appointed Manish Jain as the Country
Managing Director for its operations in India.
Taiwan elects William Lai president in historic
election
 Taiwan has voted for Lai Ching-te to be its next
president, ushering in a historic third term in power
for the pro-sovereignty Democratic Progressive
party (DPP).
 Result: It could anger Beijing and heighten tensions
across the Taiwan strait.
 The victory of Lai, who since 2020 had served as
vice-president to Tsai Ing-wen, marks the
continuation of a government that promoted a
sovereign Taiwan and a national identity separate to
China.
RBI approves Praveen Achuthan Kutty's appointment
as DCB Bank MD & CEO
 The Reserve bank of India (RBI) approved the
appointment of Praveen Achuthan Kutty as the
managing director and chief executive officer of DCB
bank.
 The appointment is for a period of three years with
effect from April 29, 2024.
 Praveen Achuthan Kutty has over 32 years of
Japan Airlines names former cabin attendant, Mitsuko
Tottori as first female president
 Japan Airlines named Mitsuko Tottori as its first
female president,e effective from April 1, 2024.
 Yoshiharu Ueki, the current chairman, will retire
from his post in April.
 She was a former cabin attendant who rose through
the ranks to senior management, taking a deeply
symbolic step in a country struggling to close a vast
gender gap at work.
 Mitsuko Tottori, a senior managing executive officer
who joined JAL in 1985.
Hrithik Roshan Onboards as Brand Ambassador of
RuPay Prime Volleyball League Season 3
 The RuPay Prime Volleyball League (PVL) has taken
a significant stride in its marketing and promotion
efforts by appointing the acclaimed Bollywood actor
Hrithik Roshan as the brand ambassador for its third
season
ICC appoints Sue Redfern as first female Neutral
Umpire in Bilateral Series
 Sue Redfern from England is set to become the first
ICC-appointed female neutral umpire to officiate in a
bilateral series.
  This historic moment is scheduled to take place
during the upcoming WT20I between Australia and
South Africa.
43. Dhanlaxmi's CEO to continue till successor assumes
charge
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved
Dhanlaxmi Bank's proposal of continuing with JK
Shivan as managing director(MD) & chief executive
officer (CEO) till a successor assumes charge
 His term would have ended on 29 January 2024.
 The reason behind allowing Shivan to continue is
that he is the only whole time director on the board
of the bank.
 A same approach was taken in the case of Tamilnad
Mercantile Bank after its MD & CEO S Krishnan
resigned and was asked to continue till a new CEO
took charge.
44. Senior IPS officer Daljit Singh Chaudhary appointed
Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal
 Senior IPS officer Daljit Singh Chaudhary has been
appointed as the Director General of Sashastra
Seema Bal (SSB).
 Chaudhary, a 1990 batch Indian Police Service (IPS)
officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, currently holds the
position of Special Director of the Central Reserve
Police Force (CRPF).
45. PepsiCo India names Jagrut Kotecha CEO
 Food and beverage manufacturer PepsiCo India has
appointed Jagrut Kotecha as CEO for PepsiCo India.
 He will succeed Ahmed El Sheikh, who will take over
as CEO of the Middle East Business Unit, in March
2024.
 Currently, Kotecha holds the position of Chief
Commercial Officer at PepsiCo in Africa, the Middle
East, and South Asia (AMESA).
Obituaries
1. Brazil's Mario Zagallo passes away aged 92
 Mario Zagallo, who won four football World Cups for
Brazil as either player or coach has passed away.
 Zagallo played on the team that won Brazil's first WC
in 1958 and he kept his place in the side that retained
the title in 1962.
 In 1970, he coached a Brazil squad that featured all-
time greats like Pele, Jairzinho, Rivellino and Tostao.
 They won Brazil's third WC and that made Zagallo
the first person in the sport to win a WC as a player
and a manager.
2. Music maestro Ustad Rashid Khan passes away
 Music maestro and classical vocalist Ustaad Rashid
Khan passed away in Kolkata.
 He was a amaestro of classical Hindustani music.
 The music maestro was awarded the Padma
Bhushan in 2022.
3. German Actor Christian Oliver passes away
 Renowned German actor Christian Oliver tragically
perished in a Caribbean plane crash.
 The flight was en route to St Lucia after departing
from the nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
(SVG).
4. Famous Malayalam Filmmaker Vinu passes away in
Coimbatore
 Famous Malayalam filmmaker Vinu passed away in
Coimbatore at 73 due to stomach-related illness.
5. Famous classical singer Prabha Atre of Kirana
Gharana passes away
 Famous classical singer Prabha Atre passed away at
92 due to a heart attack.
 Famous singer Prabha Atre was associated with the
Kirana Gharana of Hindustani classical music.
 Singer Prabha Atre was awarded the Padma
Vibhushan, the country's second-highest civilian
honour, in January 2022.
 Earlier she received the Padma Shri award in 1990.
 She was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2002.
 In the year 1991, she was awarded the Sangeet Natak
Akademi Award.
6. Norman Jewison, director of ‘In the Heat of the Night’,
passes away aged 97
 Norman Jewison, the acclaimed Canadian director
best known for his work on the classic film ‘In the
Heat of the Night’, has passed away at the age of 97.
7. Malayalam Music Director K J Joy Passes Away
 Malayalam music director K J Joy has passed away in
Chennai at 77 years.
 He made his debut in Malayalam cinema in 1975 and
since then he has been the architect of many songs
that captivated and enthralled people.
Awards
1. Assam’s Purabi Dairy wins National Cooperative Dairy
Federation of India’s e-market award
 The West Assam Milk Producers’ Co-operative Union
Limited (WAMUL) has bagged the e-market award of
National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India
Limited for outstanding performance in the dairy
sector.
 Purabi Dairy is the largest dairy cooperative in the
northeast region
2. NCC Directorate Maharashtra wins prestigious PM’s
Banner at Republic Day Camp 2024
 The NCC Directorate Maharashtra contingent has
won the prestigious Prime Minister’s Banner at the
Republic Day Camp -2024 event for the third time in
a row creating a hat-trick.
 The Maharashtra Directorate contingent comprising
122 Cadets won the Champions Trophy.
3. 69th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2024 With Gujarat
Tourism were announced
 The Filmfare Award for Best Actor In A Leading Role
(Female) goes to Alia Bhatt for Rocky Aur Rani Kii
Prem Kahaani.
 The Filmfare Award for Best Actor In A Leading Role
(Male) goes to Ranbir Kapoor for Animal.
 The Filmfare Award for Best Film goes to 12th Fail.
 The Filmfare Award for Best Director goes to Vidhu
Vinod Chopra for 12th Fail.
 The Filmfare Award for Best Actor Critics' goes to
Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail.
  Best Actress Critics' goes to Rani Mukherji for Mrs
Chatterjee Vs Norway and Shefali Shah for Three of
Us.
 The Filmfare Award for Best Film Critics goes to
Joram.
 David Dhawan conferred with the Lifetime
Achievement Award at the Filmfare Awards 2024.
4. Three young Indian scientists in Britain will receive
Blavatnik Award
 Three Indian scientists are also among the nine
scientists selected for the prestigious 'Blavatnik
Award 2024, which is given to young scientists in
Britain.
 This award will be given to them for their excellent
work in chemistry, physics, and life sciences.
 They are Professor Rahul R. Nair, Professor Mehul
Malik, and Dr. Tanmay Bharat.
 This award is given by ‘Blavatnik Family Foundation’
and ‘The New York Academy of Sciences’
5. 132 Padma Awards 2024 has been announced
 The Union government released the list of winners of
the Padma Awards 2024, the nation's second-highest
civilian honour.
 The prestigious awards, conferred by the
Government of India, recognize exceptional
contributions in various fields.
 This year the government decided to honour five
distinguished individuals with Padma Vibhushan, 17
with Padma Bhushan, and 110 with Padma Shri
awards ( total 132) for their exceptional
contributions in various fields.
6. ICC Awards 2023: Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav
crowned ODI and T20I Cricketer of the Year
 The ICC Awards 2023 encompassed a total of 13
categories, recognizing outstanding individuals who
excelled in specific formats as well as across multiple
formats.
 The coveted Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy will be
awarded for the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year
 Additionally, the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy will
be presented for the ICC Women's Cricketer of the
Year
7. President Murmu approves Jeevan Raksha Padak
awards for 31 individuals
 President Droupadi Murmu has approved the
conferment of Jeevan Raksha Padak Series Awards
2023 to 31 individuals for acts of courage and
selflessness.
 This year, three were awarded Sarvottam Jeevan
Raksha Padak, seven were awarded Uttam Jeevan
Raksha Padak and 21 were awarded Jeevan Raksha
Padak.
8. Former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur to be awarded
Bharat Ratna posthumously
 Former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur will be
posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's
highest civilian honour.
 He was a former Bihar Chief Minister and was known
for championing the cause of the backward classes.
 He was born on January 24, 1924 and passed on
February 17, 1988.
 He was a socialist leader and freedom fighter, who
was twice chief minister of Bihar and prior to that,
the state's education minister and deputy chief
minister.
 Embarking on his political career with the Praja
Socialist Party, he later joined forces with the Janata
Party during his initial tenure as the chief minister of
Bihar from 1977 to 1979.
9. Françoise Betancot Meyers: The World’s First Woman
With A $100 Billion Fortune
 According to data shared by Bloomberg, Françoise
Betancot Meyers (France) became the first woman in
the world to have a net worth of 100 billion dollars.
 She is the heiress of the L’Oréal beauty products
empire.
 She is also the 12th-richest person in the world.
 World's richest person (Bloomberg): Elon Musk
10. Virat Kohli emerged as winner of Pubity Male Athlete
Of The Year Award
 Virat Kohli emerged victorious in the Pubity Male
Athlete of The Year Award 2023.
 Surpassed: Argentine football legend Lionel Messi
 Virat become the first batter to score 50 ODI
centuries.
 He also set a world record for the most runs in a
single edition of the World Cup, amassing 765 runs.
 Virat become the first batter to score 50 ODI
centuries.
 He also set a world record for the most runs in a
single edition of the World Cup, amassing 765 runs.
 World Athletes of the Year for 2023
 Women’s track: Faith Kipyegon, KEN,
1500m/mile/5000m
 Women’s field: Yulimar Rojas, VEN, triple jump
 Women’s out of stadia: Tigist Assefa, ETH, marathon
 Men’s track: Noah Lyles, USA, 100m/200m
 Men’s field: Mondo Duplantis, SWE, pole vault
 Men’s out of stadia: Kelvin Kiptum, KEN, marathon
11. Prof B R Kamboj honoured with M S Swaminathan
Award
 Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural
University's Vice Chancellor Prof. B.R. Kamboj has
been honoured with the prestigious M.S.
Swaminathan Award.
 Reason: For his contributions as a scientist and
extension specialist in the field of agronomy
 M S Swaminathan Award:
 Instituted in 2004
 Aim: To recognise the lifetime contributions of
eminent persons who have made great impacts and
outstanding contributions to agricultural research
and development
 Biennial award
 Constituted by the Retired Indian Council of
Agricultural Research Employees Association
(RICAREA) and Nuziveedu Seeds Limited (NSL)
 The award carries a Cash prize of Rs.2 lakhs (Rupees
Two Lakhs only), a Medal, and a Citation
12. Hyderabad, Bengaluru among top 5 best performing
global airports of 2023: Report
  The Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports have been
ranked second and third, respectively, among the top
ten global airports, according to a report released by
aviation analytics provider Ciricum.
 The On-Time Performance (OTP) report for 2023
includes a total of three Indian airports: Hyderabad,
Bengaluru, and Kolkata.
 West Bengal acquired GI tags for some products
 West Bengal has acquired a Geographical Indication
(GI) tag for some products which include Sundarban
honey, Black Nunia rice from Jalpaiguri district and
Tangail, Gorod and Kadiyal sarees.
 Honey was collected by the 'Mouli' community from
the Sunderban forest.
 The Black Nunia rice is called Prince of Rice and is
cultivated in the Jalpaiguri district
 Kadiyal saree is produced only at Mirzapur of
Murshidabad district of West Bengal.
 Tangail and Gorod saree are also famous in this field.
 Indore, Bhopal, Udaipur nominated for International
Wetland city tag
 India has nominated Indore, Bhopal and Udaipur for
the Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) scheme under
the Ramsar Convention.
 Aim: To gain international recognition for their
efforts to protect their natural or human-made
wetlands.
 Sites:
 Sirpur Wetland (Ramsar site in Indore)
 Yashwant Sagar (Ramsar site closer to Indore)
 Bhoj Wetland (Ramsar Site in Bhopal),
 Udaipur in Rajasthan is surrounded by five major
wetlands -- Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar,
Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai.
 About Ramsar Convention:
 It is an international treaty for the conservation and
wise use of wetlands.
 It is named after the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the
Caspian Sea.
 This treaty was signed on February 2, 1971.
13. BCCI Awards 2023: Shubhman Gill named cricketer of
the year
 Shubman Gill will be awarded the Cricketer of the
Year title at the BCCI awards.
 Ravi Shastri is set to receive the Lifetime
Achievement Award.
 Gill became the fastest batter to cross the 2000-run
mark in the One Day International (ODI) format.
 Gill became the fourth Indian batter after Sachin
Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli to top the ICC
batting rankings in ODIs
14. Actress Alia Bhatt honored at Saudi Arabia's Joy
Awards
 Actress-producer Alia Bhatt became the first Indian
woman to be honored at the Joy Awards 2024 in
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
 She was awarded the Honorary Entertainment
Makers Award at the Joy Awards ceremony 2024.
 Before Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh
Khan and Salman Khan have been honored at the Joy
Awards for their work and contribution to the
entertainment business.
 About Saudi Arabia
 Capital: Riyadh
 Currency: Saudi Riyal
 Prime Minister: Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud
15. Rohit Sharma named captain of ICC ODI team of the
year
 The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced
five ICC Teams of the Year across formats for men
and women as part of the ICC Awards 2023.
 Six Indians were featured in the ICC Men's ODI team
of the year with Rohit Sharmaa named as the captain
of the 11-member team.
 ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year: (Indians)
 Ravindra Jadeja (Ind)
 R Ashwin (Ind)
 Men’s ODI Team of the Year: (Indians)
 Rohit Sharma (Capt, Ind)
 Shubman Gill (Ind)
 Virat Kohli (Ind)
 Mohammed Siraj (Ind)
 Kuldeep Yadav (Ind)
 Mohammed Shami (Ind)
 Women’s T20I Team of the Year:
 Deepti Sharma (Ind)
 Men’s T20I Team of the Year:
 Yashasvi Jaiswal (Ind)
 Suryakumar Yadav (Capt, Ind)
 Ravi Bishnoi (Ind)
 Arshdeep Singh (Ind)
16. Kachchhi Kharek Gem from Kutch receives GI Tag
 Kachchhi Kharek has recently been awarded the
prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
 This accolade recognizes Kachchhi Kharek as the
second fruit from Gujarat, after the Gir Kesar mango.
 It is an indigenous date variety from the arid region
of Kutch in Gujarat.
17. UP Govt to Honour Dr. Ritu and Naveen with ‘UP
Gaurav Samman’
 Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh conferred the
prestigious ‘UP Gaurav Samman’ award to two
distinguished personalities i.e. eminent scientist Dr.
Ritu and renowned entrepreneur Naveen.
18. Bengali Writer Shirshendu Mukyopadhyaya Receives
2023 Kuvempu Award
 The national award was named in honour of the late
Kannada poet Kuvempu.
 Aim: To celebrate for writers, who have made
significant contributions to any Indian language.
 Award: Cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a silver medal, and a
citation
 The previous year’s recipient was Tamil writer
Imayam
 Gautam Adani becomes Asia’s richest person
 According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index 2024,
Gautam Adani (the chairperson of the Adani Group)
has gone past Mukesh Ambani (the head of Reliance
Industries) to become Asia’s wealthiest individual.
 Adani’s net worth: $97.6 billion
  The 12th richest person in the world, climbing from
the 15th spot in December 2023.
 Ambani’s net worth: $97 billion
 He is now positioned at the 13th spot on the index.
 Elon Musk continues to top the index with a net
worth of $220 billion, followed by Jeff Bezos at $169
billion.
19. Odisha adjudged the best State/UT tableau for
Republic Day Parade 2024
 Based on the assessment of the panels, the results
are as under:
 Best Marching Contingent among the three services
– Sikh Regiment Contingent
 Best Marching Contingent among CAPF/other
auxiliary forces – Delhi Police Women Marching
Contingent
 Best three Tableaux (States/UTs)
 First – Odisha (Woman Empowerment in Viksit
Bharat)
 Second – Gujrat (Dhordo : A Global Icon Of Gujarat’s
Border Tourism)
 Third – Tamil Nadu (Kudavolai System in ancient
Tamil Nadu – Mother of Democracy)
 Best Tableau (Ministries/Departments) - Ministry of
Culture – (Bharat: Mother of Democracy)
 Special Prize - Central Public Works Department
(Central Vista -Viksit Bharat Ka Pratibimb)
 Special memento to ‘Vande Bharatam’ – Dance Group
 The online poll for the popular choice was conducted
between January 25-27, 2024 on the MyGov web
page. The results are:
 Best Marching Contingent among the three services
– Rajputana Rifles Regimental Marching Contingent
 Best Marching Contingent among CAPF/other
auxiliary forces - CRPF Woman Marching Contingent
 Best Tableau (Central Ministries/Departments) –
Vibrant Villages (Ministry of Home Affairs)
 Best three Tableaux (States/UTs):
 First - Gujrat (Dhordo : A Global Icon Of Gujarat’s
Border Tourism)
 Second - Uttar Pradesh (Viksit Bharat Samradh
Virasat)
 Third – Andhra Pradesh (Transforming School
Education in Andhra Pradesh – Making Students
Globally Competitive)
20. Suchetha Satish sets new world record for singing in
most languages
 Suchetha Satish, hailing from Kerala, has etched her
name in the annals of music history by setting a new
world record for singing in the most languages
during a single concert.
 She delivered an astounding rendition of songs in an
unprecedented 140 languages.
 The remarkable achievement took place at the
Indian Consulate Auditorium in Dubai.
21. Chennai tops as best city for Indian Women: Avtar
Group’s TCWI 2023 study on diversity
 Chennai emerged as the top Indian city for women in
2023 in terms of inclusivity and conduciveness to
working women.
 Tamil Nadu cities topped both categories that the
study covered – 49 cities in the million-plus
population category and 64 cities in the less than a
million-population category.
 Chennai topped the million-plus category, and
Tiruchirappalli came on top of the less than a million
category.
22. List of 81st Golden Globe Awards 2024
 The 81st Golden Globe Awards was held on January
7, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California, a western US
state.
 Hosted by: Joe Koy
 Maximum nomination: Barbie (9) and Oppenheimer
(8)
 Note:
 First Indian to win a Golden Globe Award: AR
Rahman (Best Score category for the film Slumdog
Millionaire)
 First Asian song to win a Golden Globe: Natu Natu (in
2023)


23. Ministry Of Youth Affairs & Sports Declares ‘Rashtriya
Khel Protsahan Puruskar’ 2023
 Category: Identification and Nurturing of
Budding/Young Talent
 Winner: Jain Deemed to be University, Bengaluru
 Category: Encouragement to Sports through
Corporate Social Responsibility
 Winner: Odisha Mining Corporate Limited
24. Dubai secures top spot in 2024 Tripadvisor
Travellers’ Choice Awards
 Dubai has clinched the prestigious title of the No.1
global destination in the Tripadvisor Travellers’
Choice Best of the Best Destinations Awards 2024 for
the third consecutive year.
 Dubai was the first city to accomplish such a feat in
succession.
 It has also secured the world’s No. 2 spot in
Euromonitor International’s Top 100 City
Destinations Index 2023.
 The UAE, where Dubai is situated, was recognized as
the second safest country globally in 2023 by
Numbeo
25. ISRO presented with “Indian of the Year Award" 2023
in the category ‘Outstanding Achievement’
 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge)
Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public
Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr
 Jitendra Singh presented “Indian of the Year Award"
for the year 2023 in the category ‘Outstanding
Achievement’ to Team ISRO (Indian Space Research
Organisation).
 The award, instituted by a national TV channel, was
received by ISRO Chairman S. Somnath and Project
Director of Chandrayaan 3, Dr P.Veeramuthuvel
 State Bank of India (SBI) chairman Dinesh Khara has
won the prestigious Indian of the Year 2023 award
in the business category.
26. Savita Kanswal posthumously honored with Tenzing
Norgay Award
 President Draupadi Murmu posthumously conferred
the prestigious Tenzing Norgay National Adventure
Award upon Savita Kanswal.
 The award, presented to her father Radheshyam
Kanswal, is a testament to Savita’s exceptional
achievements in the field of mountaineering.
 Savita Kanswal made history by becoming the first
Indian woman mountaineer to conquer both Mount
Everest (8848 m) and Mount Makalu (8485 m)
within an astonishing span of 16 days.
 Savita Kanswal, a courageous mountaineer from
Lothru village in the Bhatwari block of Uttarkashi
district.
27. Indian-American Preesha Chakraborty listed in
world’s brightest students list
 Preesha Chakraborty, a nine-year-old Indian-
American schoolgirl, was named in the “world’s
brightest” students list by the prestigious Johns
Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth.
 The result is based on the above-grade-level tests of
over 16,000 students across 90 countries.
 She was honoured for her exceptional performance
on the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test), ACT
(American College Testing), School and College
Ability Test, or similar assessments as part of the CTY
Talent Search.
28. US Air Force Officer Madison Marsh becomes first
Active-Duty Winner Of Miss America 2024
 Second Lt. Madison Marsh, an officer in the U.S. Air
Force, was crowned Miss America, marking the first
time an active-duty service member has clinched this
prestigious title, as confirmed by the Air Force.
 She is hailing from Colorado.
29. President Droupadi Murmu to confer Pradhan Mantri
Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024
 President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Pradhan
Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, 2024 to nineteen
exceptional children in New Delhi on 22nd January
2024.
 The award will be conferred upon 19 children
selected from all regions of the country for their
exceptional achievements in the field of Art and
Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Social Service and
Sports.
 The awards are conferred upon the children in the
age group 5 to 18 years.
30. Gianni Infantino honored with Sports Personality
Award in Dubai
 FIFA President Gianni Infantino was bestowed with
the prestigious International Sports Personality of
the Year award.
 The event, inspired by the love of sport exhibited by
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has been
recognizing outstanding achievements in the realm
of sports since its inception in 2009.
31. Bangalore & Delhi Airports jointly bagged best airport
award for the year
 Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia
has presented the Wings India Awards 2024 at an
event held in Hyderabad.
 Bangalore and Delhi Airports have jointly bagged the
best airport award for the year at the 4th edition of
“Wings India Awards” in the Civil Aviation Sector.
 Vistara bagged the Best Airline of the Year award.
 The Air India has been recognised for International
Connectivity while Alliance Air got recognition for
Regional Connectivity.
 Air India Express was declared a Sustainability
Champion.
 GMR Group has been honoured as the Best Aviation
Service Provider while Skyways Air Services for
cargo services, Indian Oil Skytanking Pvt Ltd for Fuel
Services, GMR for Aero Academy.
32. Assam Baibhav to Ex-CJI Gogoi and Hima Das to be
awarded Assam Saurav
 Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi will
be honored with Assam's highest civilian award
'Assam Baibhav'.
 Ranjan Gogoi was the 46th CJI of India and the first
judge from the Northeast to hold the post.
 Athlete Hima Das will be awarded the Assam Saurav
Samman.
 Sarma has announced the 22 names of the esteemed
awardees of the Assam State.
33. Shastri, Engineer honoured with Col CK Nayudu
Lifetime Achievement Award
 Former India cricketers Ravi Shastri and Farokh
Engineer were awarded the prestigious Col. C.K.
Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.
 The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
president Roger Binny and BCCI secretary Jay Shah
presented the award to Shastri and Engineer.
34. Indian origin Ajit Mishra gets the Freedom of the City
of London Award
 Ajit Mishra, a prominent lawyer of Indian origin in
the UK, has been awarded the prestigious "Freedom
of the City of London" for his outstanding
contributions to the legal and public sectors.
 Rajesh Mishra, the founder and chair of the UK India
Legal Partnership (UKILP) was awarded the
Freedom of the City of London award.
Book & Author
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Receives Prestigious
Book on Srirangam Temple
 PM Narendra Modi presented with a unique coffee
table book titled "Srirangam - The Resplendent
Kingdom of Rangaraja", during his visit to Tiruchi.
 This book detailed about the marvels of the Sri
Ranganathaswamy Temple.
  Pages: 454 pages
 Presented by: BJP State President K. Annamalai
2. The Jannayak Karpoori Thakur: Voice of the Voiceless
will be released soon
 A book titled The Jannayak Karpoori Thakur: Voice
of the Voiceless (Penguin), is based on the former
Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, known for his
advocacy of reservation and socialist policies in the
state
 Written by: Santosh Singh and Aditya Anmol
3. Kerala Governor launched book on “Ram Mandir
Rashtra Mandir Ak Sajhi Virast”
 Governor of Kerala, Arif Mohammad, unveiled a book
titled "Ram Mandir Rashtra Mandir Ak Sajhi Virast"
at the Rang Bhawan Auditorium in Delhi.
 This book was authored by Geeta Singh and Arif
Khan
 Inspired by: Dr Indresh Kumar
4. Amit Shah releases book 'Assam's Braveheart Lachit
Barphukan'
 Union Home Minister and Cooperation Minister Amit
Shah released the book 'Assam's Braveheart Lachit
Barphukan'.
 It is written by Arup Kumar Dutta.
 It has been translated into 24 scheduled Indian
languages.
5. Himanta Biswa Sarma released first volume of
‘Political History of Assam (1947-1971)’
 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has
released the first edition of ‘Political History of
Assam (1947-1971)’- Volume 1, a significant step in
documenting the political journey of the state.
 Authored by: Dr. Rajen Saikia
 The book is envisioned to be completed in three
volumes by 2025 and covers the political events in
Assam from 1947 to 2020.
6. BrahMos Aerospace Deputy CEO Sanjeev Joshi penned
‘Ek Samandar, Mere Andar'
 ‘Ek Samandar, Mere Andar,’ a collection of 75 poems
penned by BrahMos Aerospace Deputy CEO Sanjeev
Joshi.
 This book reflects the confluence of creative
expression and defence expertise.
 It was launched in a prestigious event graced by top
Indian defense and literary figures, at the India
International Centre.
 The book launch saw the presence of National
Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence
Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, and Minister of
State for Defence Ajay Bhatt.
7. Indian Army Chief Gen MM Naravane’s Book “Four
Stars of Destiny”
 General Manoj Mukund Naravane, the former Chief
of Army Staff (CoAS) of the Indian Army, has penned
his autobiography titled "Four Stars of Destiny: An
Autobiography."
 Scheduled to be published in January 2024 by
Penguin Veer, an imprint of Penguin Random House
India.
 Gen MM Naravane served as the 28th Chief of Army
Staff, leading the Indian Army with distinction from
December 2019 to April 2022.
8. Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav launched a book
titled ‘Modi: Energising a Green Future’
 Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, heading the
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(MoEF&CC), has unveiled an insightful book titled
"Modi: Energising A Green Future".
 It is published by Pentagon Press in collaboration
with the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Research
Foundation.
9. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar releases book titled
'Fertilising the Future: Bharat's March Towards
Fertilizer Self-Sufficiency
 Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar released the book
'Fertilising the Future: Bharat's March Towards
Fertilizer Self-Sufficiency'.
 Written by Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Dr.
Mansukh Mandaviya
 The Hindi version of the book is titled 'Urvarak-
Atmanirbharta ki Raah'.
10. “Conversations with Aurangzeb”: A Novel by Charu
Nivedita
 “Conversations with Aurangzeb” is a novel by Tamil
literary icon Charu Nivedita, translated into English
by Nandini Krishnan.
Science & Technology
1. India to launch GSAT-20 for the first time from
SpaceX's Falcon-9 Rocket
 New Space India Limited (NSIL) has announced that
India will use SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket to launch its
next-generation heavy communications satellite
GSAT-20 (or GSAT-N2).
 It is an ISRO's commercial arm.
 Mission can be started in the second quarter of 2024.
 Heavy lift launcher Falcon-9 can perform this flight
from Florida.
 India Joins Square Kilometre Array Observatory
 India has formally signed up for the Square
Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO).
 It is an ambitious multinational initiative to build the
world’s largest radio telescope spanning over a
square kilometer.
2. Japan becomes the fifth country to make a soft landing
on the Moon
 Japan has become the fifth country in the world to
successfully make a soft landing on the Moon on
January 20, 2024
 Japan launched the “Moon Sniper” probe to the moon
on September 6, 2023, with its Mitsubishi rocket.
 Sniper entered the lunar orbit on 25 December 2023.
 Since then it has been moving towards the surface of
the moon.
 It has landed on the near side of the Moon.
 Earlier, Russia, the United States, China and India
have successfully done soft landings on the Moon.
3. Ola Electric becomes first Indian EV Company to get
PLI Nod
  Ola Electric has become the first Indian electric two-
wheeler firm to bag the Centre's Production Linked
Incentive (PLI) nod.
 Backed by Japan’s SoftBank and Singapore’s
investment firm Temasek
 About Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme:
 Launched in March 2020
 Aim of scheme: To scale up domestic manufacturing
capability, accompanied by higher import
substitution and employment generation
 The scheme initially targeted three industries:
 Mobile and allied Component Manufacturing
 Electrical Component Manufacturing and
 Medical Devices
 Target Sectors: 14
4. Aditya-L1 reaches destination, in halo orbit around L1
point
 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has
placed the Aditya-L1 spacecraft in a halo orbit
around the Lagrangian point (L1).
 India's maiden solar mission, Aditya-L1, reached the
L1 point on Saturday, 127 days after it was launched
on September 2, 2023.
5. Ather launches fastest, most powerful ‘Apex’ scooter
 Bengaluru-based two-wheeler manufacturer Ather
Energy has unveiled the 450 Apex, its latest electric
scooter.
 It boasts a more powerful 7.0 kW/26 Nm motor,
allowing it to surpass speeds of 100 kmph.
 In contrast, the 450X had a top speed of 90 kmph.
 It also offers better acceleration, reaching 40 kmph
from a standstill in just 2.9 seconds.
6. Peregrine-1, the First US Private Lunar Lander
launched after 51 years
 A private company in America, United Launch
Alliance launched the Moon mission Peregrine-1 on
8 January 2024 from Cape Canaveral Space Force
Station in Florida.
 Made by: Astrobotic company (America)
 Launched from: Vulcan Centaur rocket of United
Launch Alliance
 It will land in the mid-latitude region of the Moon on
February 23, 2024.
 The spot on the Moon where it will land is Sinus
Viscositatis or “Bay of Stickiness.”
 It will be the first time in 51 years that an American
aircraft lands on the lunar surface.
 Note: NASA will launch the Artemis-2 mission in
2024.
 Astronauts will be sent to the moon under the
Artemis-2 mission.
7. NASA delays astronaut moon landing to at least 2026
 NASA's Artemis 2 mission, which will fly astronauts
around the Moon and back without landing, has been
postponed from November 2024 to September 2025.
 Crew of Artemis 2: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and
Christina Koch from NASA, and Jeremy Hansen of the
Canadian Space Agency.
 Artemis 3 has been postponed from late 2025 to
September 2026.
 Under Artemis 3, it is planned to land the first
humans near the lunar South Pole.
 Artemis 4 mission to the Gateway lunar space station
remains on track for 2028.
8. China launches new satellite 'Einstein Probe' shaped
like a lotus
 China sent a new astronomical satellite named
'Einstein Probe', shaped like a lotus, into space.
 Reason: To observe mysterious transient
phenomena in the universe that flicker like fireworks
 Launched by: A Long March 2C rocket from the
Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China's Sichuan
province
 Features:
 It has 12 petals, 2 stamens, and 12 modules.
 It is equipped with wide-field X-ray telescopes.
 Weighing approximately: 1.45 tonnes
 Stamen has two modules of follow-up X-ray
telescope.
 It will observe cosmic interactions for the next three
years.
 Long March 2C:
 It is a two-stage medium-lift launch vehicle from
China.
 Developed and manufactured by the China Academy
of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT).
 It can send up to 3,850 kg of payload to low Earth
orbit and up to 1,250 kg of payload to Geostationary
Transfer Orbit (GTO).
9. ISRO unveils advanced distress alert transmitter for
fishermen
 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has
developed its second-generation ‘Distress Alert
Transmitter’ (DAT-SG), a remarkable advancement
in satellite communication and navigation
capabilities.
 Operational since 2010, the DAT-SG has become a
crucial tool for fishermen at sea, allowing them to
send emergency messages and receive real-time
acknowledgments.
 Through a communication satellite, fishermen can
send distress signals from their boats, initiating a
real-time connection with a central control station –
the Indian Mission Control Centre (INMCC).
 When distress signals reach the INMCC, the alert
signals are decoded to determine the identity and
precise location of the fishing boat.
Sports
1. Anahat Singh bags girls’ under-19 2023 Scottish
Junior Open title
 Indian teenager Anahat Singh produced a dominant
performance, bagging the girls’ under-19 title at the
2023 Scottish Junior Open Squash held in Edinburgh.
 Anahat claimed an 11-6, 11-1, 11-5 victory over
home favorite Robyn McAlpine in the final.
 She also recorded the under-19 and senior National
championship double and won the mixed doubles
bronze along with Abhay Singh both at the Asian
Games and in the inaugural Asian Mixed Doubles
Championships.
  Simranjeet Singh and Rajni Etimarpu to lead men's
and women's teams in FIH Hockey5s World Cup
 Simranjeet Singh and Rajni Etimarpu will lead the
men's and women's sides as Hockey India named the
Indian teams for the upcoming FIH Hockey5s World
Cup to be held in Muscat, Oman.
 While the Hockey5s Women's World Cup will be held
between January 24 and 27, 2024, the men's event is
slated from January 28 to January 31, 2024.
2. India’s Man Singh bags Gold medal at Asian Marathon
Championships 2024 in Hong Kong
 India’s Man Singh claimed the gold medal at the
Asian Marathon Championships 2024 with a
personal best timing of two hours 14 minutes and 19
seconds in Hong Kong.
 He beat runner-up Huang Yongzheng of China with a
time difference of 65 seconds in the men’s event.
 Kyrgyzstan’s Tiapkin Ilya came third in 2:18:18.
3. Maharashtra Gymnast Aaryan Davande wins boys
Artistic All-Round Gold
 Defending champions Maharashtra opened their
gold medal account at the Khelo India Youth Games
2023 when gymnast Aaryan Davande clinched the
Artistic All-Round crown at the SDAT Aquatics
complex.
 Davande accumulated a total of 73.200 points to pip
Uttar Pradesh’s Pranav Mishra (72.470 pts) to the
top spot.
 Harshit of UP clinched the bronze with a score of
71.700 points in the event.
 Host: Tamil Nadu
4. Australian batter David Warner announces
retirement from One Day International cricket
 The 2 time ODI World Cup Winner had previously
announced that he would be ending his Test career
after Australia's upcoming Test against Pakistan in
Sydney.
 Warner is Australia's sixth-highest run scorer in the
ODI format.
 He is only second to former captain Ricky Ponting's
tally for most Centuries for Australia in ODIs.
 Ronaldo ends 2023 as the world's top goal scorer
with 54 strikes
 Cristiano Ronaldo was the top goal-scorer in world
football in 2023.
 The five-time Ballon d'Or winner scored 54 goals for
Portugal and AI Nassr.
 Harry Kane was second with 52 goals for England
and Bayern Munich along with PSG's French attacker
Kylian Mbappe.
 Manchester City's Norwegian striker Erling Halaand
netted 50 times.
 Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur inaugurates
the Beach Games
 Union Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur
inaugurated the Beach Games held at the Ghoghala
Beach, Diu.
5. The Beach Games are being organised from 4th
January to the 11th of January 2024.
 Subject theme is dolphins
 Eight different sports are included in the Beach
Games, including beach volleyball, pencak silat,
beach boxing, beach soccer, and sea swimming along
with traditional sports such as Malakhambah, beach
kabaddi, and tug of war, more than 20 in the beach
games.
 The closing ceremony will be held at the INS Khukhri
Memorial.
 Oman to host FIH Hockey5s World Cup Qualifiers
 Oman is set to host the FIH Hockey5s World Cup
qualifiers for Summer 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
 The match will be held between January 15 and 21,
2024.
 Eight international teams vying for a chance to
secure three coveted tickets to the upcoming
Olympics.
 About FIH:
 Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
 Founded: 7 January 1924, Paris, France
 CEO: Thierry Weil
6. India's Rohan Bopanna becomes oldest player to hold
number one spot in men's doubles tennis
 Indian tennis sensation Rohan Bopanna (43) became
the oldest player to hold the No. 1 men's doubles
ranking.
 He had made his debut more than 20 years ago.
 He will be 43 years and 330 days old at the end of the
tournament (2024 Australian Open).
 According to the International Tennis Federation,
the previous oldest men’s doubles No. 1, Mike Bryan,
was 41 years and 76 days old when his streak ended
in 2019.
7. ICC amends stumping, concussion substitute rules
 The International Cricket Council (ICC) has effected
a notable change in playing conditions, as per which
the umpires henceforth will only assess the side-on
replays for stumping without considering the
caught-behind scenario during the Decision Review
System (DRS) referrals.
 If a team wants to refer to caught-behind in the
process of a stumping, it will now have to exercise a
DRS option for the caught-behind appeal separately.
 Now, the substitute player will not be permitted to
bowl if the replaced player was suspended from
bowling at the time of the concussion.
 Similarly, the global governing body also has limited
to four minutes the time set for on field injury
assessment and treatment.
 Naorem Roshibina Devi crowned Female Wushu
Athlete Of The Year 2023
 Naorem Roshibina Devi, who hails from Manipur, has
clinched the prestigious title of International Wushu
Federation Female Athlete of the Year 2023.
 In a poll, she beat Shahrbano Mansouriyan Semiromi
of Iran and Wu Xiaowei of China.
 She won a bronze and a silver in the 2018 and 2022
Asian Games respectively.
8. Sonam Maskar wins silver in Women’s Air Rifle in
Cairo, Egypt
  Sonam Maskar won the silver medal at the women’s
10 m air rifle event, in the Shooting World Cup in
Cairo, Egypt.
 She was narrowly beaten by Anna Janssen of
Germany by a mere 0.9 points.
 Doreen Vennekamp from Germany won the title at
the 25m Sports Pistol, Shooting World Cup.
 Followed by Anna Korakaki (Greek), Veronika Major
(Hungary), and Simranpreet Kaur Brar (India)
9. Khelo India Winter Games 2024 mascot, snow leopard
‘Sheen-e She’ (Shan) reveals
 The mascot and logo of Khelo India Winter Games
were launched.
 The first part of the Winter Games, a mouth-watering
event for winter sports athletes, will be held in the
Union Territory of Ladakh for the first time from
February 2-6.
 The second portion is scheduled in Gulmarg, Jammu
& Kashmir from February 21-25.
 The mascot of ethe Khelo India Winter Games 2024
is a snow leopard. It has been named ‘Sheen-e She’ or
Shan in Ladakh region.The Khelo India Winter
Games 2024 is the fourth dition of the annual event
in the Khelo India calendar.
10. Indian Boxer Mandeep Jangra won the U.S.
Intercontinental Title 2024
 Indian boxer Mandeep Jangra has won the US-based
National Boxing Association’s (NBA)
intercontinental super featherweight championship
in 2024.
 He defeated American Gerardo Esquivel.
 Notably, he secured a silver medal in the 2014
Glasgow edition of the Commonwealth Games
11. ISRO successfully tests High Efficiency and Low-Cost
Fuel Cell
 ISRO has successfully tested 100 W class Polymer
Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell based Power System
(FCPS) in its orbital platform, POEM3.
 It was launched on PSLV-C58.
 This fuel cell has been designed by Vikram Sarabhai
Space Center (VSSC).
 The fuel cell successfully provided energy to a
payload of POEM-3 as a battery.
12. Indian Shooters win Gold in 10m Air Pistol Team
Event, Jakarta
 Indian shooter Varun Tomar clinched the gold medal
in the men's 10m air pistol event of the Asian
Olympic Qualifiers in Jakarta.
 He secured India's 14th Olympic quota with this win.
 A total of 16 quota places for the Paris Olympics are
at stake in this prestigious continental competition.
 The 2024 Summer Olympic Games will be held from
26 July 2024 to 11 August 2024 in Paris.
13. Zverev-led Germany beats Swiatek's Poland, clinches
United Cup
 Germany beat top seeds Poland to clinch the United
Cup after Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund
won the deciding mixed doubles tie over Hubert
Hurkacz and Iga Swiatek.
14. BCCI announces Campa, and others as official home
series partner
 The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has
announced Campa soft drinks and Atomberg
Technologies home appliances as the official
partners for its India home cricket season for 2024-
26.
 Campa is owned by Reliance Consumer Products.
 Coca-Cola is a global partner with the International
Cricket Council (ICC) for another eight years (2031).
15. FIH and Viacom18 Ink Four-Year Media Rights Deal
 The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has
sealed a significant media rights partnership with
Viacom18, spanning the four years from 2023 to
2027.
 It includes FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers, the
inaugural FIH Hockey5s World Cup, the highly-
anticipated FIH Hockey Pro League, and the pinnacle
event, and the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
16. Nancy Mandhotra won gold in 10m air rifle gold at
Asian Olympic Shooting Qualifier
 Nancy Mandhotra won gold in the women’s 10m air
rifle at the Asian Olympic Qualifier in Jakarta.
 Her compatriot Elavenil Valkarivan settled for silver
at the same event.
17. Divyakriti Singh becomes first Indian Woman Arjuna
Awardee for Equestrian Sports
 Divyakriti Singh, has been conferred with the
prestigious Arjuna Award, making her the first
woman from Rajasthan to achieve this honour.
18. India wins Gold medal at Zagreb Open 2024 Wrestling
Tournament in Croaatia
 Aman Sehrawat won the Gold medal in Men’s 57kg at
the Zagreb Open 2024 Wrestling Tournament in
Croatia.
 He defeated China’s Zou Wanhao via technical
superiority in the 57kg final, to win India’s first
medal in this edition of the Ranking Series.
19. India tops medals table in Asian Shooting
Championship in Jakarta
 India tops medals table in Asian Shooting
Championship in Jakarta with 07 Gold, 06 Silver, and
06 Bronze medals.
 Rhythm Sangwan, who bagged the Bronze medal in
the 25-meter Pistol event, also confirmed the 16th
Paris Olympic quota for the Indian shooting
contingent.
 Earlier in the tournament, Varun Tomar and Esha
Singh won the 14th and 15th quota for the Indian
team in the 10m air pistol men and women
respectively.
20. Tata Steel Chess tournament 2024 to begin at Wijk aan
Zee in Netherlands
 Tata Steel Chess tournament 2024 will begin at Wijk
aan Zee in the Netherlands on 13th January 2023 and
continue till 23rd January 2023.
 The event comprises two tournaments, a Masters
and a Challengers.
21. Lehecka, Ostapenko win first ATP title in Adelaide
 Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko and Czech Jiri Lehecka
claimed the first ATP title in Adelaide.
 Lehecka bounced back from losing the first set to
beat Briton Jack Draper and claim a maiden ATP
 Tour crown 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Ostapenkobeat Russian
Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 6-2 for a seventh WTA Tour
title.
22. Gujarat Giants beats Chennai Quick Guns, wins the
UKK crown
 Gujarat Giants became champions of Ultimate Kho
Kho Season 2 with a 31-26 victory over Chennai
Quick Guns at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in
Cuttack.
 Giants took home a purse of ₹1 crore while Quick
Guns received ₹50 lakh.
 Meanwhile, Odisha Juggernauts secured third place
by defeating Telugu Yoddhas 32-24
23. Rohit Sharma becomes first player to feature in 150
T20Is
 India skipper Rohit Sharma on Sunday, January 14
became the first player in the history of cricket to
play 150 T20 internationals when he featured in the
second T20 match against Afghanistan at the Holkar
Stadium in Indore.
 Paul Stirling of Ireland is at the second position in the
list of most matches played in T20is by all players.
 The Irish skipper has played 134 matches
 Allan Border of Australia was the first to play 150
Tests and ODIs.
24. President of India inaugurates the 5th edition of the
Meghalaya Games
 President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the fifth
edition of the Meghalaya Games in Tura in Meghalaya
and laid stress on using the country's diversity to
boost India's global image in the sports arena.
25. Karnataka's Prakhar Chaturvedi breaks Yuvraj
Singh's 1999 record in Cooch Behar Trophy
 Karnataka's batter Prakhar Chaturvedi broke the 25-
year-old record of India's star batter Yuvraj Singh
with an unbeaten 404 runs off 636 balls in the U-19
Cooch Behar Trophy final.
 With a stunning knock, he surpassed Yuvraj Singh's
1999 record of 358 runs for Punjab in a game against
Bihar.
26. Real Madrid Wins Spanish Super Cup 2023
 Real Madrid played against Barcelona and won 4-1 in
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
 This big game was part of the Spanish Super Cup final
and happened on January 14, 2024.
 Vinicius Junior was the star of the match, scoring a
hat-trick with goals in the 7th, 10th, and 39th
(penalty) minutes.
27. Shaun Marsh announces Retirement from
Professional Cricket
 Australia’s Shaun Marsh, a renowned name in
international and domestic cricket, has announced
his retirement from all forms of the sport.
 He played 38 Test matches, 73 ODIs, and 15 T20Is for
Australia.
 In ODIs, he particularly excelled with a batting
average of 40.78 and an 81.42 strike rate.
28. Madhya Pradesh Clinches Overall Championship in
inaugural Diu Beach Games 2024
 Madhya Pradesh emerged as the undisputed overall
champion at the first-ever Beach Games 2024 hosted
in Diu.
 MP won total of 18 medals, including 7 golds.
29. Wehrlein wins Mexico E-Prix, debutant Jehan finishes
16th
 TAG Heuer Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein converted his
pole to victory as he picked up his second win in
Mexico at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
circuit.
30. Indian Shooter Yogesh Singh wins Gold in Men's 25m
Centre Fire Pistol
 Indian shooter Yogesh Singh won gold in the Asia
Olympic Qualifiers as well as team event of the men’s
25m centre fire pistol competition on Monday in
Jakarta, Indonesia.
 He claimed the individual gold medal after shooting
573, finishing ahead of silver winner Muad Al Balushi
of Oman (570) and Indonesia’s Anang Yulianto
(567).
 In women's event, the Indian trio of Shreyasi,
Manisha Keer and Bhavya Tripathi, however, won
the silver medal in the women’s trap team event.
31. ICC Players of the Month for December 2023, Pat
Cummins and Deepti Sharma Shine
 Australia’s skipper, Pat Cummins, capped off a stellar
year with the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award
for December.
 Cummins played a pivotal role in Australia’s Test
series triumph against Pakistan, displaying
exceptional leadership and bowling prowess.
 India’s Deepti Sharma made history by winning her
maiden ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for
December.
 Sharma’s exceptional performances across all three
formats, especially against England and Australia,
earned her this well-deserved recognition.
32. Argentine superstar Lionel Messi bags The Best FIFA
Men’s Player Award
 Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has once again
bagged The Best FIFA Men’s Player.
 This is the 3rd time in the last 4 years that Messi has
got the award.
 Spain and Barcelona striker Aitana Bonmati were
bestowed with the Best FIFA Women's Player Award.
 Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola won the Best
Men's Manager award.
 England coach Sarina Wiegman claimed the award
for the Best Woman Coach for a record fourth time.
 Manchester City stopper Ederson won the Best
Men's Goalkeeper.
 Mary Earps, the Manchester United and England No.
1, won the Women's Goalkeeper award.
33. Sumit Nagal has made history for India at the
Australian Open
 India's Sumit Nagal entered the second round of the
Australian Open tennis tournament for the first time
by defeating Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik.
 The Australian Open 2024 is being held at Melbourne
Park from 14 January to 28 January 2024.
  This is the first win by an Indian men's singles player
over a seeded player in a Grand Slam after 34 years.
 Before this, Ramesh Krishnan had defeated Mats
Wilander in the 1989 Australian Open.
34. Praggnanandhaa surpasses Viswanathan Anand to
become India’s No.1 Chess Player
 Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, an 18-year-old chess
prodigy from Chennai, achieved a historic milestone
in his career by defeating World Champion Ding
Liren from China, at the 2024 Tata Steel Chess
Tournament held in Wijk aan Zee.
 With this win, he surpassed the legendary
Viswanathan Anand as the top-rated Indian player.
35. WTT Feeder Corpus Christi: Sreeja Akula defeats Lily
Zhang to win maiden international title
 Young Indian paddler Sreeja Akula bagged the WTT
Feeder Corpus Christi 2024 women's singles title at
the American Bank Center in Texas.
 The Commonwealth Games gold medallist rallied
past World No. 46 Lily Zhang of the United States of
America 11-6, 18-16, 11-5 to win her first
international individual title.
36. Sixth Edition of Khelo India games to be formally
inaugurated
 The sixth edition of the Khelo India games has been
formally inaugurated on 19th January 2024.
 Most of the indoor and outdoor games will be played
in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
 Other games like cycling, gymnastics, swimming,
hockey, shooting, yogasana and wrestling will be
played in various other venues in the city and the
suburban areas.
 Malla Khamb and Kalaripayattu will be played in
Trichy from 21st to 29th.
 Gatka and Kho Kho will be played in Madurai from
21st to 30th and BasketBall and Thang Ta will be
played in Coimbatore from 21st to 30th of this
month.
37. Carlos Sainz’s historic victory in Dakar Rally 2024
 Carlos Sainz has made history by winning the Dakar
Rally for the fourth time.
 His latest victory in the 2024 rally marks him as the
oldest winner of this gruelling race.
 Sainz, also known as ‘El Matador’, is renowned for his
extraordinary skills and endurance in one of the
most challenging motorsport events in the world.
38. Tata gets IPL title rights
 Tata Group has again been awarded title sponsorship
rights of the Indian Premier League for five years, for
a record sum of $300 million.
 Tata already holds the title sponsorship for the IPL
and the Women's.
39. Tai Tzu Ying beats Olympic champ to win women's
singles title at India Open 2024
 Chinese Taipei badminton legend Tai Tzu Ying
overcame her Malaysian Open final loss by winning
the India Open 2024 women’s singles title at Indian
Open 2024.
 Men's Single: Shi Yuqi (China)
40. Jannik Sinner defeats Daniil Medvedev in Men's
Singles final to win Australian Open 2024
 Italy's Jannik Sinner defeated Russia's Daniil
Medvedev in the men's singles final of the Australian
Open in Melbourne.
 With his win, he became the first Italian man to win
a Slam since Adriano Panatta in 1976.
Government Schemes
1. Ministry of Education launches PRERANA, an
experiential learning programme
 The Government has launched PRERANA, an
experiential learning programme for developing
leadership qualities in students.
 It is a week-long residential programme for selected
students of classes 9th to 12th.
 A batch of 20 selected students (10 boys and 10 girls)
will attend the programme, every week from various
parts of the country.
 The programme will run from a Vernacular School,
established in 1888, in Vadnagar, Gujarat.
 The curriculum of Prerana School was prepared by
IIT Gandhi Nagar.
 It is rooted in nine value-based themes
 Swabhiman and Vinay
 Shaurya and Sahas
 Parishram and Samarpan
 Karuna and Sewa
 Vividhta and Ekta
 Satyanishtha and Shuchita
 Navachar and Jigyasa
 Shraddha aur Vishwas
 Swatantrata and Kartavya
 Government approves PRITHVI VIGYAN scheme
 The government has decided to implement the
overarching scheme PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI) for
4,797 crore rupees.
 Aim: Toaugment and sustenance of long-term
observations of the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere,
cryosphere, and solid earth to record the vital signs
of the Earth System and change
 The scheme encompasses five ongoing sub-schemes
namely:
 Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling
Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS)
 Ocean Services, Modelling Application
 Resources and Technology (O-SMART)
 Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER),
Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE)
 5.Research, Education, Training and Outreach
(REACHOUT).
2. LS Speaker Om Birla inaugurates ‘Panchayat Se
Parliament Tak’ programme
 Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the
‘Panchayat Se Parliament Tak’ programme for
women representatives of Panchayati Raj
Institutions and urban local bodies.
 The recent Nari Shakti Vandan Act as a game-
changer, which reserve one-third of the total seats in
the Lok Sabha and State Legislatures for women.
 The First Healthy and Hygienic Food Street
'PRASADAM’ launched
 Union Minister of Health, Family Welfare and
Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya and
 Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav
jointly inaugurated the country's first Healthy and
Hygienic Food Street, Prasadam in Ujjain, MP.
 The Food Street will be fully operational from
February 2024 and will have 17 shops.
 Objective: To connect people in every corner of the
country with pure and safe local and traditional food.
3. Government prioritises 'Clean & Green Villages’ for
solar power capacity expansion
 The Panchayati Raj Ministry to prioritize the ‘Clean &
Green Villages’ for installation of solar power
capacities on a commercial basis.
 Reason: To enhance clean energy potential at the
grassroots level
 Under this program, the government aims to
leverage the circular economy in the rural ecosystem
and create sustainable villages.
 It also aims to achieve the objectives of the UN’s
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 7 (affordable
and clean energy) and SDG-13 (climate action)
targets, among others.
4. Govt’s ZED scheme for MSMEs hits 1 lakh certification
milestone
 Launched in: October 2016
 Revamped in: April 2022
 The ZED scheme offers certification for
environmentally conscious manufacturing under
three certification levels (gold, silver, and bronze).
 Launched in: October 2016
 Revamped in: April 2022
 The ZED scheme offers certification for
environmentally conscious manufacturing under
three certification levels (gold, silver, and bronze).
 These are classified according to 20 performance-
based parameters such as quality management,
timely delivery, process control, waste management,
etc.
 Objectives of the ZED Scheme:
 To create proper awareness in MSMEs.
 Adoption of Zero-Defect production processes.
 To encourage MSMEs to constantly upgrade their
quality standards
 To support the “Make in India” campaign.
 Currently, the scheme is applicable for
manufacturing MSMEs only.
5. Govt disburses Rs 4,415 cr under different PLI
schemes for 8 sectors so far
 The government has disbursed Rs 4,415 crore under
production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes for eight
sectors till October 2023.
 During 2022-23, the disbursement was Rs 2,900
crore.
 Eight sectors including Large-Scale Electronics
Manufacturing, IT Hardware, Bulk Drugs, Medical
Devices, Pharmaceuticals, Telecom & Networking
Products, Food Processing, and Drones and Drone
Components
6. PM Modi launches new rooftop solar power scheme
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the
‘Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana’, a government
scheme under which one crore households will get
rooftop solar power systems.
 In 2014, the government launched the Rooftop Solar
Programme that aimed to achieve a cumulative
installed capacity of 40,000 megawatts (MW) or 40
gigawatts (GW) by 2022.
 This target couldn’t be achieved.
 As a result, the government extended the deadline
from 2022 to 2026.
 The Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana seems to be a
new attempt to help reach the target of 40 GW
rooftop solar capacity.
 According to the Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy’s website, solar power installed capacity in
India has reached around 73.31 GW as of December
2023.
 Meanwhile, rooftop solar installed capacity is around
11.08 GW as of December 2023.
 In terms of total solar capacity, Rajasthan is at the top
with 18.7 GW. Gujarat is at the second position with
10.5 GW.
 When it comes to rooftop solar capacity, Gujarat tops
the list with 2.8 GW, followed by Maharashtra by 1.7
GW.
7. Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development launched
DAY-NRLM’s “SARATHI” app
 Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Shailesh
Kumar Singh, launched DAY-NRLM’s “SARATHI” app
at Krishi Bhawan.
 The SARATHI app has been developed in partnership
with The/Nudge Institute and will be immediately
deployed in six states where DAY-NRLM’s
Innovation funding is driving special projects for
24,000 most vulnerable households.
 “SARATHI” app to be used as the national tech
solution for the strategy for working with most
vulnerable.
 DAY-NRLM:
 Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural
Livelihood Mission
 It is a Centrally Sponsored Programme.
 It was launched by the Ministry of Rural
Development in 2011.
 DAY-NRLM:
 Aim: To eliminate rural poverty through the
promotion of multiple livelihoods and improved
access to financial services for rural poor households
across the country
 Sub Programs:
 Mahila Kisan Shashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)
 It aims to promote agro-ecological practices that
increase women farmers’ income and reduce their
input costs and risks.
 Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme
(SVEP)
 It aims to support entrepreneurs in rural areas to set
up local enterprises.
 Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY)
 It was launched in August 2017, to provide safe,
affordable and community-monitored rural
transport services to connect remote rural villages.
 Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana
(DDUGKY):
 It aims at building placement-linked skills of the
rural youth and placing them in relatively higher
wage employment sectors of the economy.
 Rural Self-Employment Institutes (RSETIs):
 DAY-NRLM, in partnership with 31 Banks and State
Governments, is supporting Rural Self Employment
Institutes (RSETIs) for skilling rural youth to take up
gainful self-employment.