Daily Current Affairs by Kapil Kathpal 1st – 6th April 2024 www.learningniti.

com

Appointment & Resignation

• Arnab Banerjee, the Managing Director & CEO of CEAT Ltd., has been elected as the new Chairman of
the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers‟ Association (ATMA). ATMA is the national industry body
representing the automotive tyre sector in India.
• ATMA has eight large tyre companies as its members, including a mix of Indian and international tyre
majors. These members account for over 90 percent of the total tyre production in India.
The member companies of ATMA are:
• Apollo Tyres
• Bridgestone India
• CEAT
• Continental India
• Goodyear India
• JK Tyre & Industries
• MRF
• TVS Tyres
• Microsoft has named Pavan Davuluri as the new head of its combined Windows and Surface teams. This
move comes after the previous leader, Panos Panay, left for Amazon last year.
• Davuluri is a 23-year veteran at Microsoft and has held various leadership
roles spanning PC, Xbox, Surface, and Windows. Most recently, he oversaw efforts to optimize Windows
for Arm-based processors as the Corporate Vice President of Windows and Silicon & Systems
Integration.

• The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Kamal Kishore of India as the
new Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk
Reduction. He will lead the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
• Mr. Kishore will succeed Mami Mizutori of Japan
• Currently, Mr. Kishore is the Head of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in India, a
position he has held since 2015. During India‟s presidency of the Group of 20 (G20), he led the G20
Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction. He also contributed to the development of the Coalition for
Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, launched by the Indian Prime Minister in 2019.
• The central government has approved the appointment of Nidhu Saxena as the Managing Director &
Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of the Bank of Maharashtra. This appointment will be effective for a
period of three years starting from 27 March 2024.
• Nidhu Saxena will take over the top leadership role at the Bank of Maharashtra from A.S. Rajeev, who
has been selected as the Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission.

• Joyshree Das Verma has taken over as the 41st National President of the FICCI Ladies Organisation
(FLO) for the year 2024-25. FLO is the oldest women-led and women-centric business chamber of South
East Asia.

• Axis Capital has appointed Atul Mehra as the new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer
(CEO).
• Parag Gude as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Institutional Equities
• Dhaval Desai as Head – Cash Equities

• The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), has appointed Sanjay
Nayar as its new President.
• Nayar has replaced Ajay Singh, the Co-Founder of SpiceJet airline

• Lieutenant General JS Sidana has taken over as the 33rd Director General of the Department of
Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (DGEME) and Senior Colonel Commandant of the EME Corps

• The Tata International Limited (TIL), the global trading and distribution arm of Tata Group, appointed
Rajeev Singhal as its Managing Director (MD).
• Rajeev Singhal succeeded Anand Sen
 • Sandeep Jain, an auto-component manufacturer and alumnus of IIT-Kanpur, has been unanimously
elected as the President of the Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME) for
the year 2024-25.
• Jain takes over the presidency from Prashant Patel

• Santosh Kumar Jha will assume the role of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Konkan
Railway Corporation Ltd. (KRCL)

• Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India, retired from the Rajya Sabha
• A two-term Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014.
• An economist, academician, bureaucrat, and politician.
• Served as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1982 to 1985.
• Minister of Finance in P.V. Narasimha Rao‟s government.
• Credited for introducing significant economic reforms in India in 1991.
• Article 80 of the Constitution sets the maximum number of Rajya Sabha members at 250.
• 238 members represent states and Union Territories.
• 12 members are nominated by the President for their expertise in areas like literature, science, art, and
social service.
• Rajya Sabha is a permanent House, and one-third of its members retire every two years.
• Members serve for a full term of six years.

Awards & Honours

• At a glittering event recently held in Noida, organized by The Times Group, Vijay Jain, the Managing
Director of Star Estate, was awarded the prestigious Times Power Icon 2024 Award.

• Professor Meena Charanda, Principal of Kalindi College, Delhi University, has been awarded the
prestigious „International Culture Award‟ for the year 2024. Prof. Charanda received this honour in
recognition of her remarkable work in the field of education and social service.

• Hardik Singh and Salima Tete were named the Players of the Year for 2023 in the men‟s and women‟s
categories, respectively, at the sixth annual Hockey India Awards.
• During the event, Hockey India announced the revival of the Hockey India League (HIL), which will
return in January 2025. The revived league will feature eight men‟s teams and six women‟s teams, with
auctions likely to be held after the Paris Olympics.
• Hardik Singh, who was also the FIH Player of the Year, received the Balbir Singh Sr. Trophy and a cash
prize of ₹25 lakhs.
Award Winners:
• P.R. Sreejesh (Goalkeeper of the Year) – ₹5 lakhs
• Harmanpreet Singh (Defender of the Year) – ₹5 lakhs
• Hardik Singh (Midfielder of the Year) – ₹5 lakhs
• Abhishek (Forward of the Year) – ₹5 lakhs
• Deepika Soreng (Women‟s U-21 Player of the Year) – ₹10 lakhs
• Araijeet Singh Hundal (Men‟s U-21 Player of the Year) – ₹10 lakhs
• Salima Tete (Player of the Year, Women) – ₹25 lakhs
• Ashok Kumar (Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award) – ₹30 lakhs
• REC Limited has been bestowed with the SKOCH ESG Award 2024 in the „Renewable Energy Financing‟
category. The award underscores REC‟s dedication to sustainable financing, paving the way for a
greener future and accelerating the transition to renewable energy.

• Dr. Karthik Kommuri was felicitated with the Distinguished Overseas Dental Specialist (Orthodontics and
Orofacial Pain) title at the National Fame Awards 2024
• The National Fame Awards, an initiative by Brands Impact, aim to recognize exceptional individuals and
organizations that have achieved fame and nationwide popularity. The awards celebrate inspiring
achievements and positive impact in various fields.

Banking & Economy

• India‟s foreign exchange reserves have soared to a new peak, reaching $642.631 billion in the week
ending March 22, marking the fifth consecutive week of increase, according to the latest data from the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• The foreign currency assets (FCA), the largest component, slightly declined to $568.264 billion, while
gold reserves rose to $51.487 billion.
• Forex reserves, or foreign exchange reserves (FX reserves), are assets held by a nation‟s central bank,
primarily in reserve currencies such as the US Dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen, and Pound Sterling.
• These reserves serve as a cushion against economic shocks, facilitate international trade, and help
 maintain stability in the domestic currency‟s value.
• The Standard Chartered Bank sold its entire 7.18% stake in Central Depository Services (India) Ltd
(CDSL) in a block deal worth over Rs 1,266.48 crore.
• CDSL facilitates the holding of securities in electronic form. CDSL and National Stock Exchange (NSE)-
promoted National Securities Depository Ltd(NSDL) are the only two depositories in India.

• Bank of Baroda has acquired the co-branding rights for three Delhi Metro stations namely, Rajouri
Garden, South Extension, and Inderlok.
• Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has awarded the naming rights to the BoB for a period of 10 years,
starting from 2024.
• As a part of this partnership, BoB will also get a dedicated space for branding, display of products and
installation of an ATM(Automated Teller Machine)/Digital Banking Unit (DBU)/ kiosk to serve customers.
• The Government of India(GoI) updated the list of banks authorized by the Reserve Bank of India(RBI)
to import gold and silver during the Financial year 2024-2025 (FY25).
• As per the list, RBI has authorised 11 banks to import Gold and Silver and 3 banks to import only gold
with effect from 1st April 2024.
• The authorisation will be valid up to 31st March 2025.
List of Banks Authorised to import Gold/Silver:
• Axis Bank Limited; Federal Bank Limited; HDFC Bank Limited; Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
Limited; ICICI Bank Limited; IndusInd Bank Limited; Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited; Karur Vysya Bank
Limited(KVB); RBL Bank Limited; State Bank of India(SBI); and Yes Bank Limited.
List of Banks authorised to import only Gold:
• Indian Overseas Bank(IOB); Punjab National Bank(PNB); and Union Bank of India(UBI).
• India‟s Top 3 Destinations: The United Arab Emirates(UAE), Hong Kong and Türkiye.
• India‟s Top 3 Source: Switzerland, South Africa and UAE.
• India‟s Top 3 Destinations: The United Kingdom (UK), The United States of America(USA), and
Germany.
• India‟s Top 3 Source: Russia, China, and Kazakhstan
• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) retained the Domestic
Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) status for Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), General
Insurance Corporation of India Limited (GIC Re) and the New India Assurance Company Limited.
• This means, these public sector insurance companies will continue to be identified as D-SIIs, as in the
2022-23 list of D-SIIs.
• D-SIIs are insurers considered „too big or too important to fail‟ (TBTF) due to their size, market
significance, and interconnectedness.
•
• Bank of India (BoI)‟s board has given approval to raise Rs 10,000 crore through long-term infra bonds
to fund infrastructure projects.
• These bonds help in building roads, bridges, airports, power plants, and telecommunications networks
etc and addressing the infrastructure deficit of the country.

• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has cancelled the registration of Karvy Investor Services
Ltd (KISL) as a merchant banker due to a breach of eligibility criteria.
• During the on-site inspection, SEBI found that KISL was not functioning or operational at both its
registered and correspondence addresses.
• Further inspection revealed that the merchant banker lacked the required infrastructure.
• Citing the findings, SEBI has cancelled the certificate of registration of Karvy Investor Services Ltd as a
merchant banker.
• Karvy Investor Services was registered as a merchant banker with SEBI in December 2013.
• Merchant bankers play a crucial role in the capital market, assisting companies with various services like
initial public offerings (IPOs), mergers and acquisitions, and other corporate advisory services.
• Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, have joined forces for the first time. Reliance Industries, owned by
Ambani, has acquired a 26% stake in a power project owned by Adani‟s company in Madhya Pradesh.
• Reliance Industries will purchase 5 crore equity shares (worth ₹50 crore) in Mahan Energen Ltd, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Power Ltd.
• Mahan Energen Ltd operates a thermal power plant in Madhya Pradesh with a total capacity of 2800
MW.
• Kotak Mahindra Bank has successfully acquired Sonata Finance Private Limited (Sonata) for a total
consideration of approximately Rs. 537 crore. This acquisition grants Kotak Mahindra Bank full
ownership of Sonata, bolstering its presence in the microfinance sector.
• Sonata Finance is a Non-Banking Finance Company – Micro Finance Institution (NBFC-MFI) registered
with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• HDFC Bank is pursuing the sale of its entire stake in HDFC Education and Development Services. This
move comes as the bank seeks to maintain transparency and regulatory compliance while selecting a
buyer through the Swiss challenge method.

• Savita Oil Technologies announced a significant equity transaction via a block deal, wherein the
company‟s promoter, Mr. Gautam N. Mehra, sold a 3% stake to SBI Mutual Fund. This resulted in a
reduction of the promoter group‟s stake to 59.78%.
• Promoter group previously held 62.78% stake reduced to 59.78% post-sale
• L&T Finance Holdings Ltd (LTFH), a subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Limited, has received approval
from Registrar of Companies (RoC) to change its name to “L&T Finance Limited(LTF)”
• In December 2023, LTFH(now LTF) completed the merger of its subsidiaries, namely L&T Finance Ltd.,
L&T Infra Credit Ltd., and L&T Mutual Fund Trustee Ltd., with itself to creates a “Single Lending Entity”.

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) announced final rules on
surrender value for traditional endowment policies effective from April 1, 2024.
The proposed slabs for the surrender value percentages are:
• 30% of total premiums paid if surrendered during the second year.
• 35% of total premiums paid if surrendered during the third year
• 50% of total premiums paid if surrendered between the fourth and seventh years
• 90% of total premiums paid if surrendered during the last two years
• The Reserve Bank of India will establish a Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA) to combat the
proliferation of illegal lending apps.
• Apps lacking the „verified‟ mark from DIGITA would be deemed unauthorized for law enforcement
purposes.
• The agency aims to vet digital lending apps for compliance and maintain a public register of verified
apps.
• The RBI has provided a list of 442 digital lending apps to Google for whitelisting, over 2,200 apps were
removed from the PlayStore.
• Google now enforces a policy allowing only RBI-regulated entities (REs) or their partners to publish apps
on the PlayStore.
• In March 2024, the Goods and Service Tax (GST) collection in India witnessed a notable surge, marking
the second-highest since its inception in July 2017.
• GST collection for March 2024 reached Rs 1.78 lakh crore, marking an 11.5% increase year-on-year.
• The highest-ever GST collection was recorded at Rs 1.87 lakh crore in April 2023.

• Unified Payments Interface (UPI) concluded FY24 on a remarkable note, achieving new milestones in
transaction volume and value during March 2024. Transactions worth ₹19.78 lakh crore were processed
in March 2024, marking a significant increase from the previous record of ₹18.41 lakh crore set in
January 2024.
• Transaction volume reached 1,344 crore, showing a notable increase from the January peak of 1,220
crore transactions.
• In FY24, UPI processed 13,115 crore transactions, amounting to ₹199.29 lakh crore.
• Transaction volume increased by 56.6 per cent, while the value of transactions grew by 43.4 per cent
compared to FY23.
• UPI transactions are expected to surpass 100 crore transactions per day by FY27, according to a report
by PwC India.
• Prestige Group through its subsidiaries has entered into a strategic deal worth Rs 2,001 crore with Abu
Dhabi Investment Authority(ADIA) and Kotak AIF(Alternative Investment Fund) to develop residential
projects in prominent locations across 4 cities in India.
• The investment will be made in developing Greenfield residential projects across cities like Bengaluru,
Mumbai, Goa and Delhi NCR(National Capital Region)
• Brickwork Ratings (BWR) has resumed its business and client onboarding. Previously, SEBI had
restricted BWR from onboarding new clients or accepting fresh mandates from existing clients until
certain conditions were met, such as strengthening the Board and enhancing systems and processes.
• ACUITE RATINGS & RESEARCH LIMITED
• BRICKWORK RATINGS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED
• CARE RATINGS LIMITED
• CRISIL RATINGS LIMITED
• ICRA LIMITED
• INDIA RATINGS AND RESEARCH PVT. LTD. (FORMERLY FITCH RATINGS INDIA PVT. LTD.)
• INFOMERICS VALUATION AND RATING PVT. LTD.
• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched the new version of SCORES (SEBI Complaint
Redressal System), i.e., SCORES 2.0. This will enhance investor complaint resolution in the securities
market by auto routing and auto escalation, monitoring by designated bodies, and reducing timelines.
• It establishes uniform timelines for complaint resolution across the securities market: 21 calendar days
from complaint receipt.

• In the fiscal year 2023-24, the Indian government has raised Rs. 16,500 crores through stake sales in
about 10 state-run companies. This amount however fell short by about 9% compared to the internal
target of Rs 18,000 crore.
• Despite lower stake sale receipts, the government received higher dividends from state-run companies,
totaling about Rs 63,000 crore in 2023-24, surpassing the target of Rs. 50,000 crore.

• Canara Bank introduces Canara Heal, addressing healthcare expenses, and Canara Angel, a tailored
savings account for women with unique benefits. Additional launches include Canara UPI 123PAY ASI .
Canara Heal: Healthcare Loans
• Aimed at covering hospitalization expenses and addressing shortfalls in healthcare insurance claims.
• Designed to cater to the medical needs of individuals and their dependents.
• Exchanged MoUs with MediAssist Healthcare Services Ltd and Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company
Ltd. to enhance healthcare affordability.
Canara Angel: Savings Account for Women
 • Tailored specifically for women with unique features such as Cancer Care policy.
• Offers pre-approved personal loans and online loan against term deposit product.
• Canara UPI 123PAY ASI: A user-friendly payment interface introduced to streamline transactions.
• Canara HRMS Mobile App for Staff: An HR management solution for the bank‟s employees to enhance
operational efficiency.
• Digital SHG Initiative – Canara SHG e-MONEY: Launched in collaboration with RBIH to offer seamless
doorstep digital services to Self-Help Groups (SHGs), marking a significant milestone in financial
inclusivity.
• Star Health Insurance has collaborated with PhonePe, a prominent digital payments platform. This
partnership aims to make quality health insurance accessible through PhonePe‟s app

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has granted approval to Axis Bank for its proposed
acquisition of a stake in Max Life Insurance Company Ltd.
• CCI has greenlit Axis Bank‟s subscription to 14,25,79,161 equity shares of Max Life Insurance Company
Ltd.

Books And Authors

• The inaugural Women‟s Prize for Non-Fiction has announced its shortlist of six books, including “Code
Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI” by Indian-British journalist and commentator Madhumita
Murgia. The book explores the impact of artificial intelligence on human society.
• The other shortlisted books cover a wide range of subjects:
• “Thunderclap: A Memoir of Art and Life and Sudden Death” by Laura Cumming
• “Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World” by Naomi Klein
• “A Flat Place” by Noreen Masud
• “All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley‟s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake” by Tiya Miles
• “How to Say Babylon: A Jamaican Memoir” by Safiya Sinclair

Brand Ambassador
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has roped in popular actor Ayushmann Khurrana to encourage
the youth to exercise their franchise in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
• The Lok Sabha polls are scheduled to be held in seven phases from April 19. The counting of votes will
be taken up on June 4.

Defence News
• Tejas Mark (Mk)-1A fighter aircraft made its successful maiden flight from the Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited (HAL) facility in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• Tejas Mark-1A fighter features advanced radar, electronic warfare, and improved combat capabilities.
• The Tejas Mark-1A is designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence
Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited(HAL).

• The Indian Army is organizing the first Army Commanders‟ Conference for the year 2024 in a hybrid
mode.
• The conference serves as a crucial platform for the Indian Army‟s apex leadership to review and assess
the overall security situation.

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is showcasing its might and capability to carry out high-octane
operations during the upcoming „Gagan Shakti-2024„ exercise “in a realistic environment” from April 1-
10. The exercise involves all air force bases and assets scattered across the country.
• „Gagan Shakti‟ was last held in 2018

• Indian Coast Guard ships Samarth and Abhinav, along with Sri Lanka Naval Ship Samudura, are
participating in the exercise „DOSTI-16„, while Bangladesh is participating as an observer.
• Sri Lanka has described „Dosti‟ as a trilateral exercise that aims to enhance cooperation, strengthen
friendship, improve mutual operational capability, and develop interoperability among the Coast Guard
personnel of India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.
• As per the data released by Ministry of Defence Indian defence sector has recorded the highest ever
defence exports of Rs. 21,083 crore i.e. approximately USD2.63 billion in FY (2023-2024).
• The data shows the growth of 32.5% compared to last fiscal (FY2022-2023), when defence export was
recorded Rs15,920 crore.
• The latest figures indicate that the defence exports have grown by 31 times in the last decade over the
FY2013-2014.
• Private sector has contributed significantly of about 60% of total defence exports while remaining 40%
was contributed by DPSU.
• There has been a rise in the number of export authorisations issued to the defence exporters during
FY24. It saw an increase in export authorisations from 1414(FY23) to 1507(FY24).
GDP Forecast
• The World Bank has revised India‟s GDP growth projection for FY25 to 6.6%
• FY24 GDP estimated at 7.5%, showcasing a resilient economic performance.

Important Days
• On December 14, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to have
an International Day of Zero Waste celebrated every year on March 30th. This day aims to raise
awareness about reducing waste and promoting zero-waste initiatives to achieve sustainable
development.
• Reducing waste is crucial for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially:
• Goal 11: Making cities and communities sustainable
• Goal 12: Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with the „Merchant Navy Flag‟, pinned on his lapel by
Secretary T.K. Ramachandran of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. This marked the
beginning of the National Maritime Week celebrations, which span from March 29 to April 5.
• National Maritime Week is celebrated to honour the services of seafarers and commemorate a proud
moment in India‟s maritime history. It pays tribute to the invaluable contributions of seafarers.
• The week also marks the historic voyage of the first Indian Steamship, “S.S. LOYALTY,” of M/s. Scindia
Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., Mumbai, which ventured into international waters on her maiden voyage
from Mumbai to London (UK) on this day in 1919, now marked as “National Maritime Day.”
• Utkal Diwas, also known as Odisha Day or Utkala Dibasa, is a significant annual celebration held in the
Indian state of Odisha. It is observed on 1st April every year to commemorate the formation of the state
of Odisha on April 1, 1936.
• This day holds immense cultural and historical importance for the people of Odisha, as it represents the
culmination of a long-standing struggle for a separate state, distinct from the combined Bihar and Orissa
provinces during the British colonial era.

• World Autism Awareness Day is on April 2nd every year. It aims to raise awareness and support for
people with autism. The theme for 2024 is “Empowering Autistic Voices.” A report says around 18
million people in India have autism. Between 1-1.5% of children aged 2-9 years old are diagnosed with
autism. Boys are more commonly affected than girls.

• International Children‟s Book Day (ICBD) is annually observed across the globe on 2 April, the birth
anniversary of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, known for his fairy tales, to foster a love for
reading among children and highlight the importance of children‟s books.
• Hans Christian Andersen is often referred to as the “father of modern fantasy.”
• International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Japan (JBBY) is the official sponsor of ICBD 2024,
under the theme “Cross the Seas on the Wing of your Imagination“.
• “Imagination” is the keyword for ICBD 2024.
• Indian government has declared April 1 to April 7 as Prevention of Blindness Week.
• This week aims to create awareness about the importance of taking care of our eyes and getting
regular eye examinations to prevent eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration.
• In 1960, Jawaharlal Nehru and Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur started the National Society for the Prevention of
Blindness. It is a voluntary organization that accepts donations and works with other groups to fight
blindness. India was the first country to take a loan from the World Bank to help eliminate blindness.

• The United Nations Observes International Mine Awareness Day on 4th April. International Mine
Awareness Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the serious impact of landmines and
other explosive remnants of war on civilians.
• The theme for International Day for Mine Awareness & Assistance in Mine Action 2024 is „Protecting
Lives, Building Peace‟.

• On 3 April 2024, the Indian Army celebrated the 260th Raising Day of the Army Medical Corps (AMC), a
specialist corps in the Indian Army that provides medical services to all serving and veteran army
personnel, as well as their families.

International News
• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization‟s (UNESCO)‟s Executive Board has
approved the addition of 18 new sites situated in Brazil, China, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France,
Greece, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, and Spain to the UNESCO Global Geoparks network.
• With this, the total number of geoparks in the network becomes 213 geoparks in 48 countries.
• Among the 18 new sites, 6 sites including Mount Changbaishan Geopark are situated in China.
 • AmpIn Energy Transition Private Limited received 25 million Euro investment from OeEB –
Oesterreichische Entwicklungsbank AG (Development Bank of Austria) in a long term financing to
support the energy expansion plans of AmpIn Energy. This will also support the AmpIn to establish a
local 1-Gigawatt(GW) solar cell and module production facility in Odisha.
• AmpIn Energy aims to build a renewable energy portfolio of 10 GW by 2030

• A Joint Venture between the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) and Salasar Techno Engineering Limited
(STEL), the private steel manufacturer, has bagged “Rwanda Transmission System Reinforcement and
Last Mile Connectivity project (TSRLMC)”, a transmission project of Rwanda in Central Africa.
• Rwanda TSRLMC aims to design, supply, and install 45.8 km of 110 KV double circuit Rukarara-Huye-
Gisagara transmission lines.
• RVNL owns 51% stake in the joint venture, while STEL owns the remaining 49%.

• Saudi Arabia has been chosen to chair the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), despite
widespread criticism due to its poor record on women‟s rights. The appointment of Saudi Ambassador
Abdulaziz Alwasil has sparked outrage from human rights groups, given the stark disparity between the
kingdom‟s actions and the commission‟s mandate to promote gender equality.

• In a groundbreaking collaboration, tech giants Microsoft and OpenAI have revealed plans to construct
an unprecedented artificial intelligence supercomputer known as “Stargate.” This ambitious endeavor,
estimated to cost a staggering $100 billion
• The ambitious Stargate project aims for completion by 2028, marking the culmination of a series of
supercomputers envisioned by the collaboration over the next six years.

• The World Health Organisation has launched the Coronavirus Network (CoViNet), a global network
which will ensure timely detection, monitoring, and assessment of coronaviruses of public health
importance.
• CoViNet includes 36 laboratories from 21 countries across all 6 WHO regions. This includes 3 Indian
laboratories.
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute
(CSIR-NEERI), Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
• Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), Pune, Maharashtra.
• Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, Haryana.
• The Democratic Republic of Congo has appointed Judith Suminwa Tuluka as the country‟s first female
Prime Minister.
• The long-running conflict in the east has displaced more than 7 million people, according to the United
Nations, making it one of the world‟s worst humanitarian crises. The region is overrun by more than 120
armed groups seeking control over the area‟s gold and other resources, leading to mass killings.
• Germany became the largest European Union (EU) nation to legalize recreational cannabis use, despite
facing opposition from politicians and medical associations.
• Under the new law, adults over 18 are now permitted to carry up to 25 grams of dried cannabis and
cultivate up to three marijuana plants at home.
• Germany joins Malta and Luxembourg as countries with the most liberal cannabis laws in Europe.
• From July 1, 2024, “cannabis clubs” will be allowed to distribute up to 50 grams of cannabis per person
per month to their members, with a maximum of 500 members per club.
• Scientists in South Korea have set a new world record using the Korea Superconducting Tokamak
Advanced Research (KSTAR) device, an “artificial sun” nuclear fusion reactor.
• During tests conducted between December 2023 and February 2024, they generated plasma
temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius for a duration of 48 seconds.
• The achieved temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius is a remarkable seven times hotter than the
Sun‟s core, which has a temperature of approximately 15 million degrees Celsius.
• Egypt‟s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has commenced his third term as the leader of the nation,
extending his tenure until 2030.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled S.A.R.A.H. (Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health), its
first digital health promoter prototype with enhanced empathetic response powered by generative
artificial intelligence (AI).
• The digital health promoter was launched ahead of World Health Day 2024 (7th April 2024) observance
focused on „My Health, My Right‟.
• S.A.R.A.H., also known as Sarah, is supported by Biological AI technology of Soul Machines Limited.
• Previously, WHO used a digital health worker named Florence during the COVID-19 pandemic to
disseminate critical public health messages on the virus, vaccines, tobacco use, healthy eating and
physical activity.

MOU & Partnership

• The SatCom Industry Association of India (SIA-India) and ABRASAT, the Brazilian Satellite
Communications Association, have joined forces to propel advancements in the space sector.
• The MoU facilitates collaboration in satellite communication, rocket and satellite launches, payload
development, satellite platforms, and ground instrumentation.
• Indian Institute of Management Mumbai (IIM Mumbai) partners with Starburst, a prominent European
Aerospace, New Space, and Defence (ASD) accelerator. This collaboration aims to bolster the ASD
startup ecosystem in India, leveraging the resources and expertise of both entities.

• Educational Testing Service (ETS) India and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding to enhance the global employability of the Indian workforce.
• The partnership aims to improve the employability of India‟s young professionals by focusing on English
language proficiency and key 21st-century skills.
• It seeks to streamline the hiring process for Indian talent, ensuring that they secure jobs that match
their skill sets on an international level.
• ETS India is a subsidiary of ETS, The United States of America (USA).
• ETS India offers assessments such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Graduate
Record Examinations (GRE) tests, as well as other learning tools, to help individuals improve their skills.
• Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM), a unit of Tata Motors, has announced a strategic partnership
with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) to establish a nationwide network of 5,000 public
charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) by the end of 2024.

• Jindal Advanced Materials Private Limited(JAM) has collaborated with MAE S.p.A., an Italy-based
chemical fibre manufacturer, to set up a carbon fibre plant of 35000 Metric Tonnes (MT) annual capacity
with an investment of Rs 2,700 crore.

• The United Nations Children‟s Fund (UNICEF) India, International Institute of Health Management
Research (IIHMR) Delhi, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have jointly launched,
„Digital Health Enterprise Planning Course‟, a comprehensive 10-week health course.
• The course aims to promote digital innovation in the health system.

• The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at the IIT-Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh-UP), inked a
Corporate Social Responsibility agreement with Gliders India Limited to spearhead innovation in the
healthcare sector.

• The Indian and Nepalese governments, along with scholars from both countries, have collaborated to
advance Sanskrit research and education. This partnership aims to strengthen bilateral relations and
preserve the cultural heritage shared by India and Nepal.
• Proposal for an annual conference to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among Sanskrit
scholars from India and Nepal.
• Plan to establish a study center to research and publish Sanskrit scriptures, particularly focusing on
Nepal‟s vast collection of unpublished manuscripts.
• Collaboration between Maharshi Sandipani Veda Vidya Pratisthan, Ujjain, and Niti Anusandhan
Pratisthan of Nepal to aid in the development of traditional educational institutions (gurukuls) in Nepal.
• Niti Anusandhan Pratisthan Nepal identified as the headquarters for the proposed center to conduct joint
research, study Sanskrit manuscripts, and facilitate publication endeavors.
• India to conduct specialized training programs for Sanskrit students in Nepal to enhance their proficiency
and understanding of the language.
• Central Sanskrit University, Delhi, committed to providing necessary books to Gurukul libraries in Nepal
and supporting Sanskrit educational institutions across the country.
• Agreement to promote the preservation of Sanskrit, Pali, and Prakrit languages, along with the
associated religious, cultural, philosophical, historical, and archaeological heritage of both nations.
• National Power Training Institute (NPTI), under the Ministry of Power and PTC India Ltd. Signed a
Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Centre of Excellence for Research & Development in the
Energy Domain.
• The collaboration aims to address pressing challenges in the energy domain while aligning with
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has signed a contract worth Rs 1,173.42 crore with Cochin Shipyard
Limited (CSL) to supply 6 sets of LM2500 gas turbines and GT Auxiliaries (GTAE), spares, tools for
Indian Navy‟s Next Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) project.
• The domestic contract will be slated for execution between FY26 to FY29.

• Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) has collaborated with Panasonic Energy to establish a joint venture
aimed at producing lithium-ion cells in India.
• The joint venture aims to capitalize on India‟s ambitious target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas
emissions by 2070 and support the transition to sustainable mobility and energy solutions.
• India targets selling over 10 million EVs annually by 2030, as per the Indian government‟s Economic
Survey
• The GSI recently identified significant lithium reserves of 5.9 million tonnes in the Salal-Haimana region
of the Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), as well as in Revant Hill of Degana, Nagaur of
Rajasthan.
 • India currently heavily relies on imports for all major components required for lithium-ion cell
manufacturing, spending approximately US$ 20.64 million on lithium-based imports in the first eight
months of FY 2022-23.
• Tata Technologies and BMW Group have inked a partnership to establish an automotive software and IT
development center in Chennai, Pune, and Bengaluru

• Mahindra Aerostructures Private Limited (MASPL) has signed multi-year deal worth USD 100 million with
an Airbus Atlantic group entity.
• As per the deal, Mahindra Aerostructures will supply nearly 2300 varieties of metallic components to
Airbus Atlantic in France from its manufacturing unit in India.

• SJVN has forged a strategic partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Patna (IIT Patna) aimed
at revolutionizing tunneling project performance through the integration of advanced geological models.

• The Quality Council of India has signed Memorandum of Understanding with Laghu Udyog Bharati to
enhance the awareness and participation in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
Competitive Lean Scheme (MCLS) among the members of LUB.
• The MoU lays out a roadmap for joint activities, encompassing awareness campaigns, training sessions,
state and district level consultations, with the aim of promoting the implementation of lean concepts and
sustainable practices among LUB members.
• Meta Platforms has partnered with Press Trust of India under its third-party fact-checking program in
India, to establish a dedicated fact- checking unit.
• Under this partnership PTI will identify, review, and rate content for misinformation across Meta
platforms.
• With this collaboration, Meta now has 12 fact-checking partners in India, the highest in any country,
covering 16 Indian languages (besides English) through existing fact-checking partners.

National News
• The Government e Marketplace (GeM) has witnessed a remarkable growth, doubling its Gross
Merchandise Value (GMV) to ₹4-lakh crore in fiscal year 2023-24.
• GeM‟s GMV reaches ₹4-lakh crore, doubling from the previous fiscal year.
• Procurement of services surges by 205% in FY24, contributing significantly to the total GMV.
• Nearly 50% of the total GMV is attributed to service procurement.
• GeM caters to over 1.5 lakh government buyers and 21 lakh sellers and service providers.
• GeM offers a wide array of products and services, from office stationery to defense equipment.
• Services span transportation, logistics, waste management, and more.
• The world‟s first-ever temple designed in the iconic Om shape has been inaugurated in the village of
Jadan, Pali district of Rajasthan.
• The „Om Aakar‟ temple, following the Nagara style commonly seen in North India, pays tribute to the
region‟s rich cultural and architectural heritage.
• The central feature is the tomb of Guru Madhavanand ji.
• The topmost section houses a shivling made of rhinestone sourced from Dholpur.
• The trailer and song launch of the first Hindi film on this subject, “IRAH,” took place in Mumbai.
• The movie features Rohit Bose Roy, Rajesh Sharma, Karishma Kotak, and Rakshith Bhandarry in
prominent roles.
• The movie is Produced by Big Films Media and directed by Sam Bhattacharjee.
• The trailer of the film “IRAH” showcases the misuse of AI technology, shedding light on its negative
aspects.
• Gautam Adani-led group has started of the first phase of the world‟s largest single-location copper
manufacturing plant at Mundra in Gujarat, which will help cut India‟s dependence on imports and aid
energy transition.
• The 1st phase of the facility will produce 0.5 million tonnes a year of refined copper.
• India‟s per capita copper consumption is around 0.6 kg and the global average is 3.2 kg.
• Chhattisgarh-based Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, has
achieved the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard V3 Certification. This
accolade positions BALCO as the inaugural Indian company to attain this certification, reflecting its
commitment to sustainable practices in the aluminium value chain.
• BALCO secured the ASI Performance Standard V3 Certification for its facility in Korba, encompassing a
range of primary aluminium production processes.
• The certification recognizes BALCO‟s adherence to 11 principles and 62 criteria across three
sustainability pillars: Environment, Social, and Governance.
• The National Highways Authority of India‟s (NHAI)„One Vehicle, One FASTag„ norm to discourage the
practice of using a single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to one vehicle has
come into force from 1 April 2024.
• NHAI has introduced One Vehicle, One FASTag to streamline the electronic toll-collection process,
enhance the efficiency of the electronic toll-collection system, and alleviate congestion at toll plazas.
• NMDC Limited launched “Samman” a portal for its former employees to manage medical claims, view
personal profiles, dependent details and application status online.
• The portal is designed to ensure on-time reimbursements and easy access to all services, bringing
comfort and convenience to the former employees,

• The new Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024(EMPS 2024) under Ministry of Heavy Industries,
Government of India came into effect on 1st April, 2024 and will continue till the end of July 2024.
• Meanwhile, the 2nd phase of FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India)
scheme ends on 31st March, 2024.
• Under the FAME scheme, subsidies will be eligible for e-vehicles sold till 31st March or till the time funds
are available.
• Ministry of Heavy Industries introduced EMPS 2024 scheme on 13th March, 2024.
• The scheme has set the budget outlay of Rs500 crore and will replace FAME-II scheme.
• It offers subsidies for e-2w and e-3w including registered e-rickshaws and carts, and L5 (e-3w).
• L5 category includes electric-3 wheelers with a maximum speed of over 25 Km/h.
• Government of India(GoI) will provide financial support up to Rs10,000 to per 2- wheeler. It aims to
provide support for about 3.33 lakh 2- wheelers.
• Under the EMPS 2024 scheme, financial support of up to Rs25,000 will be given for the purchase of
small 3-wheelers including e- rickshaws and e- carts. The scheme will cover more than 41,000 such
vehicles.
• The financial support will be given up to Rs50,000 in case of large3-wheelers.
• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing in India (FAME India) was introduced in 2015 under the National
Electric Mobility Mission Plan.
• FAME-I, started in 2015 and was completed in 2019.
• FAME-II was implemented from 1st April,2019 to 31st March, 2024, with total budget outlay of Rs10,000
crore.
• Under the FAME-II, GoI offers the incentives for e-buses, 3-wheelers and 4-wheelers to be used for
public transportation or any other commercial purposes.
• The iconic Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO) recently commemorated a remarkable milestone –
its 125th anniversary of studying the celestial body that sustains life on Earth, the Sun.
• Established on April 1, 1899, by the British, the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
• One of the most remarkable achievements of KSO is its possession of one of the longest continuous
daily records of the Sun in the world. This unique database, comprising more than 1.2 lakh digitized
solar images and thousands of new images captured every day
• Paradip Port Authority, Odisha, surpasses Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, to become India‟s leading
cargo-handling major port in the fiscal year 2023-24, handling 145.38 Million Metric Tons (MMT) of
cargo, marking a 7.4% growth from the previous year.
• Established by the Odisha government in 1962; taken over by the Indian government in 1965.
• Declared a major port by the Indian government on April 18, 1966, becoming the 8th major port of
India.
• Operates as an autonomous body under the Major Port Trusts Act 1963, under the Ministry of Ports,
Shipping & Waterways, administered by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Government of India.
• PepsiCo India announces a massive investment of ₹1,266 crore to establish a cutting-edge flavour
manufacturing facility in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
• Scheduled to commence operations in the first quarter of 2026, this plant marks a pivotal moment for
both PepsiCo and the local economy.

• Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi inaugurated the Param Vir Chakra garden and Aikyam exhibition at the
Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir in Tambaram.
• The garden showcases the history and statues of the 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, India‟s highest
military decoration for valor.

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (mandates the linking of the Central Government Health
Scheme (CGHS) beneficiary ID with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account(ABHA) ID, with effect from
1st April 2024.
• This is aimed at creating digital health identification for CGHS beneficiaries and storing their digital
health records.
• The MoHFW stated that all existing beneficiaries must complete the linking process within 30 days.
• CGHS was started in 1954 with the objective of providing comprehensive health care to Central
Government employees, pensioners, and their dependent family members.
• According to the MoHFW, approximately 42 lakh beneficiaries are covered under CGHS in 80 cities.
• It offers healthcare based on allopathic and homoeopathic medicine, as well as ayurveda, unani, siddha,
and yoga.
• The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) was launched under the National Digital Health Mission
(NDHM) in 2021.
• It provides a digital health ID, i.e., the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), to people, which will
contain their health records.
• ABHA is a unique health identifier as a random 14-digit number and may be issued digitally or in the
form of a hard copy.
 • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare introduces the myCGHS app for iOS, delivering enhanced
healthcare accessibility and digital experiences to Central Government Health Scheme
(CGHS) beneficiaries.
• Schedule and cancel appointments online for convenient healthcare access.
• Download digital copies of CGHS card and index card for easy access without physical documents.
• View lab reports from CGHS labs directly on the app, saving time and simplifying processes.
• Monitor medication history to stay on track with treatment plans.
• Check status of medical reimbursement claims for timely updates.
• Find nearby CGHS-approved wellness centres to promote preventive healthcare and well-being.
• The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has extended the last date for geo-tagging of properties until 30th
June 2024 to provide taxpayers another opportunity to register their properties with MCD.
• This marks the 3rd extension granted by the MCD for the geo-tagging initiative.
• Initially, MCD aimed at geo-tagging 15 lakh homes in Delhi by 31 January 2024.
• However, the deadline was subsequently postponed to 29 February 2024 and then to 31 March 2024.

• The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) has partnered with HP India to launch the “HP Future
Impact Leaders – IICA Certified Environmental – Social – Governance (ESG) Professional Programme” to
promote sustainability and empower corporate social responsibility professionals to emerge as leaders in
navigating the intricacies of ESG frameworks.
• Under this programme, 100% scholarships will be offered to 75 candidates to pursue advanced
education in ESG.
• Candidates must possess a bachelor‟s degree in any discipline and a minimum of five years of
experience in relevant fields to be eligible for the programme.
• IICA is an autonomous Institute under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs(MCA), that serves as a think
tank, capacity-building, and service delivery organization in the field of corporate affairs and corporate
governance.
• The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, launched India‟s first home-grown gene therapy for
cancer at IIT Bombay.
• This treatment, called „CAR-T cell therapy‟ (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy)
• The newly launched therapy is the world‟s most affordable CAR-T cell therapy.

Obituaries News
• Daniel Kahneman, a psychologist who never studied economics but pioneered the field of behavioural
economics, has passed away at the age of 90. Despite not having formal training in economics,
Kahneman‟s groundbreaking work exploring the psychology of decision-making earned him the Nobel
Prize in Economic Sciences in 2002.
• One of the most significant concepts introduced by Kahneman was loss aversion – the idea that the pain
of losing something is roughly twice as intense as the pleasure of gaining the same thing. This theory
has far-reaching implications, from investing to sports psychology.

Sports News
• Sharfuddoula has created history by becoming the first Bangladeshi umpire to be appointed to the ICC
Elite Panel of Umpires.
• The 47-year-old Sharfuddoula has been a part of the International Panel since 2006, with his first
international appointment coming in 2010 when he officiated an ODI between Bangladesh and Sri
Lanka in Mirpur.

• The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has appointed former Indian men‟s hockey team captain and
goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and Chile‟s Camila Caram as co-chairs of the FIH Athletes Committee.
• Camila Caram has been assigned as the co-chair and athlete committee representative on the executive
board.
• PR Sreejesh, as the co-chair, will lead the planning and meetings along with Caram.
• The FIH Athletes Committee comprises former and current hockey players.
• It acts as a link between the players and the international governing body for hockey.
• The top-seeded duo of Rohan Bopanna from India and Matthew Ebden from Australia won the Men‟s
Doubles Title at the Miami Open, a prestigious ATP Masters tennis tournament. In an exciting final, they
defeated the second seeds Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek
• This is the second ATP Masters title for Bopanna and Ebden as a pair. Last year, they won the
prestigious Indian Wells tournament, further solidifying their partnership.

• The Indian boxing contingent won 26 medals (5 gold, 9 silver, and 12 bronze) in the Youth World
Boxing Cup 2024 (33rd Adriatic Pearl tournament) held at the Hotel Splendid Conference & Spa Resort
in Budva, Montenegro
• Russia topped the medal tally with eight gold medals. India finished second with five gold medals, while
Poland was in the third position with three gold medals.

• Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, continues to break records on the ATP Tour. As of
this week, he begins his 419th week as the World No. 1, extending his huge record. On April 9, 2024,
Djokovic will surpass Roger Federer‟s record and become the oldest World No. 1 in ATP Rankings history
at the age of 36 years and 321 day
 • The Maharashtra team emerged as the undisputed champion at the 56th National Kho Kho
Championship 2023-24, clinching both the men‟s and women‟s titles.
• The championship was held at Delhi‟s Karnail Singh Stadium and the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
• Men‟s Title: Maharashtra team defeated the Indian Railway team
• Women‟s Title: Maharashtra defeated Airport Authority of India

• In the latest FIDE rankings released by the world governing body of chess, India has a new number
1 chess player – Arjun Erigaisi. With a standard rating of 2756, Erigaisi is ranked ninth in the world.
• Following Erigaisi is the five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who is the second-ranked
Indian on the FIDE list.
• Anand is on the 11th spot in the ratings with a rating of 2751.
• Anand is followed by the Praggnanandhaa R, Gukesh D, and Vidit Santosh Gujrathi
• Pragg is 14th in the FIDE charts with a rating of 2747. Gukesh is 16th with a rating of 2743. Vidit
is 25th with a rating of 2727 points.
• The former world champion Magnus Carlsen tops the charts with a rating of 2830.
• The Liberty Media Corporation (Liberty Media) has signed an agreement to acquire approximately 86%
of Dorna Sports, S.L. (Dorna), the exclusive commercial and television rights holder of MotoGP(Grand
Prix motorcycle racing), from Bridgepoint and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP
Investments).

State/UT News
• The Department of Posts in Bihar has decided to release a „Special Cover‟ to commemorate 250 years of
the release of „Copper Ticket‟, the world‟s first postal ticket from Patna, Bihar.
• The Copper ticket was first issued from Azimabad, Patna (Bihar) in March 1774.

Summits & Conference

• The METOC seminar „Meghayan-24‟ was conducted by the School of Naval Oceanology & Meteorology
(SNOM) and the Indian Naval Meteorological Analysis Centre (INMAC) at the Southern Naval Command
• It was organized in commemoration of World Meteorological Day, with the theme „At the Frontline of
Climate Action‟ set by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for 2024.
• An indigenous mobile application named INDRA (Indian Naval Dynamic Resource for Weather
Analysis) was launched to disseminate weather-related information and forecasts, facilitating quick
decision-making in naval operations.
• The 19th annual meeting of the secretaries of the security councils of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation (SCO) member states was held in Astana, Kazakhstan
• The Indian delegation was led by the National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. He also
met Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the current Chairman of SCO.
• President Tokayev advocated adopting a Cooperation Programme to counter terrorism, separatism, and
extremism for 2025-2027 and the SCO Anti-Drug Strategy for 2024-2029.