Beepedia Weekly Current Affairs (Beepedia) 9th-15th February 2024

Weekly BeePedia
9th-15th February 2024
INDEX
RBI, Banking and Economy ___________________________________________ 2
SEBI and Financial Awareness _________________________________________ 8
NABARD and Agriculture ___________________________________________ 11
National __________________________________________________________ 14
International _____________________________________________________ 18
States____________________________________________________________ 20
Reports and Indexes _______________________________________________ 23
Science and Technology ___________________________________________ 25
Defence __________________________________________________________ 29
Events ___________________________________________________________ 32
Awards & Rewards ___________________________________________________ 34
Appointments _____________________________________________________ 34
Important Days ___________________________________________________ 38
Obituaries_________________________________________________________ 39
Books ___________________________________________________________ 40
Sports ___________________________________________________________ 40
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RBI, Banking and Economy

RBI to introduce programmability and offline functionality in CBDC pilot
 Digital Rupee users will soon be able to execute transactions in areas with limited internet
connectivity as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that offline capability will be introduced
on the Central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot project.
 Programmability-based additional use cases will be introduced as part of the pilot project.
 RBI launched a pilot of the retail CBDC in December 2022 and achieved the target of having 10 lakh
transactions a day in December 2023.
 It is proposed to introduce an offline functionality in CBDC-R (Retail) for enabling transactions in
areas with poor or limited internet connectivity.
Learn Along
About RBI
Founded: 1 April 1935 Headquarters: Mumbai Governor: Shaktikanta Das
RBI raises wage ceiling for bank non-executive directors to ₹30 lakh
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the remuneration ceiling of Non Executive Directors
(NEDs) of banks from ₹20 lakh per annum to ₹30 lakh.
 Considering the crucial role of NEDs in efficient functioning of bank Boards and its various
Committees and to further enable banks to sufficiently attract qualified, competent individuals, it
has been decided to revise the aforementioned ceiling to ₹30 lakh per annum.
 This is applicable to all private sector banks including Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks as
also wholly owned subsidiaries of foreign banks. The instruction has come into immediate effect.
RBI cancels Certificate of Registration of Three NBFCs
 The Reserve Bank of India, in exercise of powers conferred on it under Section 45-IA (6) of the Reserve
Bank of India Act, 1934, has cancelled the Certificate of Registration of the following companies.
Sr. Name of the Company Registered Office CoR Issued On Cancellation Order Date
Address
No.
1 Bharathu Investment & Jehanabad, Bihar September 26, January 17, 2024
Finance India Limited. 1998
2 Cox & Kings Financial Mumbai, Maharashtra May 18, 2018 January 17, 2024
Service Limited
3 PSPR Enterprises Private Delhi June 15, 2017 January 25, 2024
Limited
 As such, the above companies shall not transact the business of a Non-Banking Financial Institution, as
defined in clause (a) of Section 45-I of the RBI Act, 1934.
RBI directs Visa, Mastercard to halt card-based commercial payments

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 The Reserve Bank has directed Visa and Mastercard, two major players in international payments, to
halt card-based commercial transactions made by small and large businesses.
 This action stems from concerns regarding compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.
 Visa has confirmed receipt of communication from the regulator on February 8, while awaiting a
response from Mastercard.
 This move follows the RBI's recent regulatory measures against Paytm Payments Bank.
 Some fintechs have also received the RBI direction to pause business payments made by
commercial cards until further notice.
RuPay, UPI rolled out in Mauritius, Sri Lanka
 RuPay cards and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) connectivity between India and Mauritius, as well
as UPI connectivity between India and Sri Lanka were established to deepen financial integration and
to facilitate digital payments among citizens of the three countries.
 An Indian traveller to Mauritius will now be able to pay a merchant in Mauritius using UPI. Similarly, a
Mauritian traveller will be able to pay a merchant in India using the Instant Payment System (IPS) app
of Mauritius.
 Further, with the adoption of RuPay technology, the MauCAS card scheme of Mauritius will enable
banks in Mauritius to issue RuPay cards domestically.
 The digital payments connectivity with Sri Lanka will enable Indian travellers to make QR code-
based payments at merchant locations in Sri Lanka using their UPI apps.
 The projects had been developed and executed by NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL) along with
partner banks / non-banks from Mauritius and Sri Lanka, under the guidance of RBI.
Learn Along:
About UPI
 Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application
(of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing & merchant payments
into one hood.
 It also caters to the “Peer to Peer” collect request which can be scheduled and paid as per requirement and
convenience.
 NPCI conducted a pilot launch with 21 member banks. The pilot launch was on 11th April 2016 by Dr. Raghuram
G Rajan, Governor, RBI at Mumbai.
UPI to be launched in Sri Lanka
 India’s Fintech interface 'UPI' is was launched in Sri Lanka.

 The interface will be linked to LankaQR.
 UPI is an instant real-time payment system developed by National Payments Corporation of India
(NPCI).
About France
Capital: Paris Currency: Euro
ONGC, NTPC Green Energy Limited sign Joint Venture Agreement to focus on offshore wind energy
projects
 ONGC and NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) have signed a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) to
focus on offshore wind energy projects.

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 The agreement signed at India Energy Week in Goa was witnessed by Minister of Petroleum and Natural
Gas and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri.
 This collaboration aims to lead renewable energy initiatives, both domestically and internationally.
 The agreement extends to ventures in storage, e-mobility, carbon credits, and green hydrogen
business, including derivatives like Green Ammonia and Green Methanol.
 Earlier, ONGC had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NGEL on September
last year, emphasizing the advancement of renewable energy objectives across sectors.
 The focus of the MoU was feasibility assessments and the establishment of renewable energy projects.
Learn Along:
About ONGC
Chairman & CEO: Arun Kumar Singh Headquarters: New Delhi Founded: 14 August 1956
About NTPC
 Formed on 7th October 2020 NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd. (NTPCREL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the
NTPC Limited (India’s largest Power Utility).
 NTPCREL has been formed with an objective to accelerate the Renewable Energy growth of the Company
and increase the green footprint across country, Offshores and overseas.
 Chairman : Gurdeep Singh
Contribution of MSME Sector in GDP
 As per the latest information received from the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, share
of MSME Gross Value Added (GVA) in all India GDP and Share of MSME Manufacturing Output in All
India Manufacturing Output (in %) are as follows:
Year Share of MSME GVA in All India Share of MSME Manufacturing

GDP (in %) Output in All India Manufacturing
Output (in %)
2017-18 29.7% 37.4%
2018-19 30.5% 36.9%
2019-20 30.5% 36.6%
2020-21 27.2% 36.9%
2021-22 29.1% 36.2%
 The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises implements various schemes and programmes
aimed at support and development of MSME Sector in the country in areas of credit support, new
enterprise development, formalization, technological assistance, infrastructure development, skill
development and training and market assistance to MSMEs.
 These schemes/programmes include MSME Champions Scheme, Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for
Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme

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(PMEGP), Micro and Small Enterprises - Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP) and Raising
and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP).
Further Government has taken a number of initiatives to support the MSME Sector. Some of them
are:
 Collateral free loan up to a limit of Rs. 500 lakh (w.e.f. 01.04.23) to MSEs with guarantee coverage up
to 85 % for various categories of loan through Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small
Enterprises (CGTMSE) under Credit Guarantee Scheme.
 Rs. 50,000 crore equity infusion through Self Reliant India Fund. This scheme has a provision for
corpus of Rs.10,000 crore from Government of India.
 No global tenders for procurement up to Rs. 200 crore
 Roll out of Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme with an outlay of Rs.
6,000 crore over 5 years.
 Integration of Udyam Portal and National Career Service (NCS) of Ministry of Labour & Employment,
as an outcome registered MSMEs are able to search for jobseekers on NCS.
 Under Vivad se Vishwas – I, relief by way of refund of 95% of the deducted performance security, bid
security and liquidated damages was provided to MSMEs. Relief was also provided to MSMEs debarred
for default in execution of contracts.
 Launch of ‘PM Vishwakarma’ Scheme on 17.09.2023 to provide benefits to the traditional artisans and
craftspeople engaged in 18 trades.
 Samadhaan Portal for monitoring of Out Standing dues to MSEs from buyers of goods and services
w.e.f. 30.10.2017.
 The Udyam Registration Portal was launched on 01.07.2020 to facilitate ease of registration for
MSMEs and access to all the Schemes and benefits.
 The Government has also launched Udyam Assist Platform on 11.01.2023 to bring Informal Micro
Enterprises (IMEs) under the formal ambit for availing the benefits under Priority Sector Lending.
 The following steps have been taken by the government to promote MSMEs:
 New revised criteria for classification of MSMEs w.e.f. 01.07.2020.
 "Udyam Registration" for MSMEs, for Ease of Doing Business w.e.f. 01.07.2020.
 Inclusion of Retail and Wholesale trades as MSMEs w.e.f. 02.07.2021 for availing the benefits of
Priority Sector Lending.
 Non-tax benefits extended for 3 years in case of an upward change in status of MSMEs w.e.f.
18.10.2022.
Free trade agreement with India by year-end
 Sri Lanka has plans to establish a free trade agreement with India by the end of 2024 as the cash-
strapped island nation tries to spur economic growth.
 Similar Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) would be worked out for Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and
China too by the year's end,.
 These agreements will open up new markets for the cash-strapped Sri Lankan businesses,
contributing directly to the nation's economic growth.

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 Sri Lanka and India resumed talks on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement in
Colombo at the 12th round in October last year.
 Last week, Sri Lanka inked an FTA with Thailand. This has already provided Sri Lanka access to a
USD 2.2 billion market, representing a significant advancement.
 In April 2022, after Sri Lanka declared its first-ever sovereign default since gaining independence
from Britain in 1948, the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was thrown out through a public agitation
and the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe took over.
IndianOil-Adani Gas JV to invest $300 million to double gas sales
 IndianOil-Adani Gas Pvt. Ltd. will invest ₹25 billion ($301.24 million) over four years as it looks to double
gas sales to small industries and households in India.
 The company, an equal joint venture (JV) of refiner Indian Oil Corp and Adani Total Gas, daily sells
about one million standard cubic metre of gas through its 300 retail outlets.
 The JV aims at doubling gas sales in four years and expand infrastructure to more than 600 retail
outlets during the period to meet India’s rising gas demand.
SBI ties up with Flywire to make payments easier for foreign students
 Country's largest lender SBI tied up with Flywire for easing payments for Indian students studying
abroad.
 A seamless and fully digital payment experience will be given to students, which is better than the
existing complex process.
 Under the partnership, Flywire's technology will be integrated directly into the bank's platform,
offering Indian students an advanced digital checkout experience for their international educational
payments.
Learn Along:
About SBI
Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara Founded: 1 July 1955 Headquarters: Mumbai
Odisha to give Rs 1,000 to PDS beneficiaries, interest free loans to youth
 The Odisha government decided to distribute Rs 1,000 one-time assistance to all ration card holders
and provide interest-free loans up to Rs 1 lakh to 200,000 youths of the state.
 The cabinet of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved a total of 26 proposals, including the distribution
of Rs 1,000 livelihood assistance to 9,590,000 PDS beneficiary families.
 The public distribution system (PDS) beneficiary families face hardship in fetching different items for
consumption due to the rise in market prices, which is why the one-time assistance would be provided.
 The government also decided to provide two jute bags of 20 kg and 10 kg capacity to each of the
PDS families for their daily use, free of cost adding that the fund requirement for procurement and
distribution of the jute bags will amount to Rs 278.69 crore.
 Similarly, for providing one-time livelihood assistance of Rs 1,000 per family, another Rs 959.05 crore
will be required. A total of Rs 1,237.74 crore will be borne out of the state budget.
 Under the new government scheme 'Swayam' to create self-employment for youth, 1 lakh eligible rural
and an equal number of urban youths in the age group of 18-35 years will receive interest-free loans
of up to Rs 1 lakh for starting a new business or expanding an existing one.
 The scheme will be operational for two years and Rs 672 crore will be spent from the state's coffers.

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 There will be no collateral or processing fee for this loan and the repayment period will be four
years, which includes a moratorium period varying from 3 to 6 months as prescribed by the financial
institution concerned, he said.
 The state cabinet also approved the umbrella scheme Mukhyamantri Maschyajibi Kalyan Yojana
(MMKY), which will be implemented during the 2023-24 fiscal with a total budget outlay of nearly Rs 448
crore.
 This scheme aims at providing livelihood benefits to 50,000 fishermen, including 11,000 women SHG
members directly, and more than 100,000 fishermen indirectly
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About Odisha
Chief minister: Naveen Patnaik Capital: Bhubaneswar Governor: Raghubar Das
India's urban jobless rate eases to 6.5% in Q3FY24, shows PLFS data
 According to the the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data, released by the National Statistical
Office, the jobless rate in urban India marginally declined further in Q3 (October-December) of FY24
to 6.5 per cent from 6.6 per cent in the preceding quarter, thus reflecting continued improvement in the
labour markets.
 The jobless rate in urban areas has been steadily declining since the high of 12.6 per cent recorded in
the Covid-affected April-June quarter of FY22.
 While the unemployment rate among women stagnated at 8.6 per cent during the quarter, the jobless
rate among men declined to 5.8 per cent from 6 per cent in the previous quarter.
 The unemployment rate for the young (15-29) declined sharply to 16.5 per cent in Q3 from 17.3 per cent
in Q2.
 The latest quarterly survey also showed the labour force participation rate (LFPR), which represents
the percentage of people either working or seeking work in urban areas, saw a marginal increase to 49.9
per cent in the December quarter from 49.3 per cent in the September quarter.
India, UAE sign bilateral investment agreement during PM Modi's visit
 India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a key bilateral investment treaty along with key
agreements spanning a slew of fintech and digital infrastructure projects announced during Prime
Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to the Gulf nation.
 The bilateral investment treaty is set to be a key enabler for further promoting investments in both
countries.
 The treaty will have a long-term impact. It will also be major news for G-20 nations.
 The UAE is the seventh-largest source of historical Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for India, with a
total of $16.67 billion.
 It constitutes 2.5 per cent of India's overall inbound FDI originating from the country since 2000,
according to data from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
 FDI from the country swelled to $3.35 billion in FY23, up from $1.03 billion in FY22.
 It stood at $1.1 billion in the first six months of the current financial year.
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 India signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the country in February 2022, which
went into effect in May 2022.

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 The UAE has become India's second-largest export destination, and the third-largest trading partner with total
trade touching $85 billion.
 Both sides also signed an Intergovernmental Framework Agreement on the India-Middle East Economic
Corridor (IMEC).
 The IMEC initiative calls for a sea-land connectivity project linking India with West Asia and Europe in an
apparent move to counter the controversial Belt and Road Initiative of China.
About UAE
Capital: Abu Dhabi Currency: UAE dirham
SEBI and FINANCIAL AWARENESS

16th Finance Commission holds first meeting under Chairmanship of Dr. Arvind Panagariya in New
Delhi
 The 16th Finance Commission (XVI-FC) held its first meeting under the Chairmanship of Dr. Arvind
Panagariya in Jawahar Vyapar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi.
 The XVI-FC acknowledged the need for wide ranging consultations with various stakeholders,
including State Governments, Local Bodies, Ministries of Government of India, and experts.
 The XVI-FC approved the setting-up of its office at Jawahar Vyapar Bhawan on Janpath in New Delhi.
 The XVI-FC will make its recommendations available by 31st October, 2025, covering an award period
of 5 years commencing 1st April, 2026.
REC Limited and Damodar Valley Corporation sign agreements worth ₹ 588 crores for Development
of Tubed Coal Mines in Damodar Valley Region
 REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power and leading
NBFC, has signed agreements worth Rs. 588 crores with Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) to
strengthen infrastructure and energy projects in the Damodar Valley region.
 The agreements aim to strengthen the cooperation between REC and DVC for the development of
tubed coal mines, and include a Term Loan agreement, an Escrow agreement, and Hypothecation deeds.
 The agreements signed underscore the collaborative efforts of both organizations in promoting
sustainable development and leveraging resources for the greater benefit of the community.
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About DVC and REC
 DVC is a public sector undertaking under the union Ministry of Power, engaged in power generation and
transmission, catering to the energy needs of the eastern region of the country.
 REC is a 'Maharatna' Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power, and is registered with RBI
as Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC), and Infrastructure Financing Company (IFC).
 REC finances the entire Power-Infrastructure sector comprising Generation, Transmission, Distribution,
Renewable Energy and new technologies like Electric Vehicles, Battery Storage, Pumped Storage Projects, Green
Hydrogen and Green Ammonia projects.
Ministry of Defence surpasses Rs 1 lakh crore mark in online orders
 The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has achieved a milestone by surpassing the Rs 1 lakh crore mark in
total order value through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.
 In the current financial year, transactions worth around Rs 45,800 Crore have been awarded, covering
a wide range of items from general stores to critical defence acquisitions.

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 GeM has facilitated over 5.47 lakh orders for MoD.
Zerodha, Swiggy, Razorpay among India's 10 biggest unlisted companies
 Serum Institute of India is the most valuable unlisted company in the country, followed by National
Stock Exchange of India and the Megha Engineering and Infrastructure, according to the '2023
Burgundy Private Hurun India 500’ list of the 500 most valuable companies in India.
 Others that made it to the list are Zoho Corporation, Swiggy, Intas Pharmaceuticals, Dream11, Parle,
Zerodha
 To qualify for inclusion in the ‘2023 Burgundy Private Hurun India 500’ list, companies are required to
have a minimum value of Rs 6,700 crore, equivalent to US$807 million.
 The average age of the companies in Burgundy Private Hurun India 500 is 38. The total value of the
2023 Burgundy Private Hurun India 500 companies is Rs 231 trillion (US$2.8tn).
Top 10 of 2023 Burgundy Private Hurun India 500

 With a value of Rs 15.6 trillion, Reliance Industries is India’s most valuable company, followed by Tata
Consultancy Services with Rs 12.4 trillion and HDFC Bank with Rs 11.3 trillion.
 The merger of HDFC Ltd with HDFC Bank facilitated HDFC Bank to become the third Indian
company to surpass Rs 10 trillion capitalization. HCL Technologies and Kotak Mahindra Bank make their
return to the top 10 list.
 Among emerging companies, the report showed that Suzlon Energy grew at the fastest pace.
 The 2023 Burgundy Private Hurun India 500 comprises of companies across 44 cities in India, led
by Mumbai (156), Bengaluru (59) and New Delhi (39). The top three cities contributed 254 entrants –
compared to 264 entrants in the 2022 India 500.
Ex-SEBI chief Damodaran to head Paytm compliance panel
 Paytm parent One97 Communications would form a group advisory committee on compliance and
regulatory matters headed by M. Damodaran, former SEBI Chairman.
 The RBI recently ordered Paytm affiliate Paytm Payments Bank to wind down most of its business
by February 29, citing “persistent non-compliance.
GeM to enhance reach of Odisha-based businesses affiliated with ORMAS
 Government e Marketplace (GeM) inked an MoU with Odisha Rural Development and Marketing
Society (ORMAS), in Bhubaneswar.
 ORMAS is known for its concerted efforts in empowering Odisha's MSEs, rural entrepreneurs and
rural producers by creating appropriate marketing channels for their business growth.
 The association also provides handholding support to all affiliated stakeholders in all their marketing
and branding activities.
 By the means of this MoU, all micro enterprises and rural producers affiliated with ORMAS will be
onboarded on GeM.
 The platform will provide these regional sellers and service providers direct market linkages to
conducting business with government buyers across the country.
 Through this MoU, sellers like women and SC/ST MSEs, startups, weavers, artisans, FPOs, FPCs,
SHGs etc., associated with ORMAS, can expand their business opportunities by showcasing their

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product catalogues under dedicated outlets on GeM, thus enhancing their brand visibility and establishing
strong marketing networks for rural produces.
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About GeM
 Government e Marketplace is an online public procurement portal developed to facilitate the procurement of
goods and services by various government departments, agencies, panchayats, cooperative bodies and public
sector undertakings.
 It was launched in August 2016 as a part of the government's "Digital India" initiative to bring transparency,
efficiency, and cost-effectiveness to public procurement.
 Driven by its three core pillars of - Efficiency, Transparency and Inclusivity, GeM aims to simplify public
procurement process, reduce paperwork, and promote use of digital technology for better governance.
Government of India and ADB sign $200 million loan to tackle flood and erosion risk along
Brahmaputra river
 The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $200 million loan to
strengthen flood and riverbank erosion risk management along the 650 kilometres (km) long main
stem of the Brahmaputra river in the state of Assam.
 The project builds on the success and lessons from the ADB-financed Assam Integrated Flood and
Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Programme implemented during 2010–2020, and
similar investments in Bangladesh and will continue to tackle recurrent flooding and continual riverbank
erosion of the Brahmaputra river.
 The project interventions will contribute to broader stabilisation of the Brahmaputra river in high-
priority flood- and erosion-prone areas and build the state’s disaster resilience.
 The Flood and River Erosion Management Agency of Assam will lead, manage, and coordinate the
project activities.
 The Water Resources Department of the Government of Assam will implement the works and the
Assam Agroforestry Development Board will use nature-based solutions.
 The Brahmaputra Board, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, and the Assam Inland
Water Transport Development Society will be partner agencies.
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About ADB
Founded: 19 December 1966 Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines President: Masatsugu Asakawa
MSME Minister launches ‘Smart Cards’ for startups
 Tamil Nadu’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Minister T.M. Anbarasan launched
‘Smart Cards’ for startups.
 The Smart Card offers a comprehensive selection of products and services at subsidised rates,
specially tailored to meet the needs of startups in their early stages.
 Startups can significantly enhance and expedite their business growth by making use of the
products and services at an affordable cost.
 StartupTN has collaborated with various partners to provide a diverse range of products and
services to equip startups with essential resources and support at a reduced cost.
 The products and services have been broadly classified into six different categories: legal and
compliance, marketing / business consulting, finance and insurance, human resource and smart
workspace, software and IT/ITES.

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NABARD and AGRICULTURE

Cabinet approves "Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)" a Central Sector
Sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada
 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the "Pradhan Mantri Matsya
Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)", a Central Sector Sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri
Matsya Sampada for formalization of the fisheries sector and supporting fisheries micro and
small enterprises with an investment of over Rs. 6,000 crores over a period of next four (4) years
from FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27 in all States/Union Territories.
 The estimated outlay of Rs.6,000 crore consisting of 50% i.e. Rs.3,000 crore public finance including
the World Bank and the AFD external financing, and rest 50% i.e.Rs.3,000 crore being the anticipated
investment from the beneficiaries/private sector leverage. It will be implemented for 4 (four) years from
FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27 across all the States and UTs.
Intended Beneficiaries:
 Fishers, Fish (Aquaculture) Farmers, Fish workers, Fish Vendors or such other person directly
engaged in fisheries value chain.
 Micro and Small enterprises in the form of Proprietary Firms, Partnership Firms and Companies
registered in India, Societies, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), Cooperatives, Federations,
Village Level Organizations like Self Help Groups (SHGs), Fish Farmers Producer Organizations
(FFPOs) and Startups engaged in fisheries and aquaculture value chains.
 FFPOs also include Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs).
 Any other beneficiaries that may be included by the Department of Fisheries, Gol as targeted
beneficiaries.
Major Impact, including employment generation potential

 To create a National Fisheries Digital Platform to provide 40 lakh small and micro-enterprises work
based identities.
 Gradual formalization of fisheries sector and enhanced access to institutional credit. The initiative will
support 6.4 lakh micro-enterprises and 5,500 fisheries cooperatives, providing access to institutional
credit.
 Gradual shift from conventional subsidies to performance based incentives in fisheries
 The program focuses on improving value chain efficiency and ensuring safe, quality fish by
supporting 55,000 targeted micro and small enterprises,
 Promotion of Environment and Sustainability Initiatives
 Facilitating Ease of Doing Business and Transparency
 Address issues of aquaculture crop losses due to disease through insurance coverage for
aquaculture to strengthen production, productivity
 Enhance export competitiveness through value addition, value realization and value creation
 Increase in incomes due to enhanced profit margins due to value chain efficiencies
 Improved quality of fish and fishery products in domestic market
 Strengthening and deepening of domestic markets
 Facilitating growth of businesses, creation of jobs and creation of business opportunities.
 Women Empowerment through creation of jobs and safe working place

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 It is projected to create 1.7 lakh new jobs, with a special emphasis on employing 75,000 women and
also aims to generate 5.4 lakh continued employment opportunities in the micro and small
enterprises value chain.
Aims and objectives of PM-MKSSY:
 Gradual Formalization of the unorganized fisheries sector through self registration of fishers, fish
farmers and supportive workers under a National Fisheries Sector Digital Platform including creation of
work based digital identifies of fish workers for improved service delivery.
 Facilitating access to institutional financing fisheries sector micro and small enterprises.
 Providing one-time incentive to beneficiaries for purchasing aquaculture insurance.
 lncentivizing fisheries and aquaculture microenterprises through performance grants for improving
fisheries sector value-chain efficiencies including creation and maintenance of jobs.
 Incentivising micro and small enterprises through performance grants for adoption and expansion
of fish and fishery product safety and quality assurance systems including creation and maintenance of
jobs.
Cabinet approves extension of Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)
 The Union Cabinet chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved extension of
Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) for another 3 years upto 2025-26 within the
already approved fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore and budgetary support of Rs 939.48 crore.
 In order to address the infrastructure requirement for fisheries sector, the union Government during
2018-19 created the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with a total
funds size of Rs 7522.48 crore.
 In the earlier phase of implementation of FIDF during the period from 2018-19 to 2022-23, a total 121
fisheries infrastructure projects with an investment cost of Rs. 5588.63 crore have been approved
for creation of various fisheries infrastructures.
 Extension of FIDF will further intensifies development of various fisheries infrastructures like
fishing harbours, fish landing centers, ice plants, cold storage, fish transport facilities, integrated cold
chain, modern fish markets, Brood Banks, Hatcheries, aquaculture development, Fish Seed Farms, state
of art of fisheries training centres, fish processing units, fish feed mills/plants, cage culture in reservoir,
Introduction Deep Sea Fishing Vessels, disease Diagnostic Laboratories, Mariculture and Aquatic
Quarantine Facilities.
 FIDF will continue provides concessional finance to the Eligible Entities (EEs), including State
Governments/Union Territories for development of identified fisheries infrastructure facilities through
Nodal Loaning Entities (NLEs) namely National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
(NABARD), National Cooperatives Development Corporation (NCDC) and All scheduled Banks.
 The Government of India provides interest subvention up to 3% per annum for the repayment
period of 12 years inclusive of moratorium of 2 years for providing the concessional finance by the
NLEs at the interest rate not lower than 5% per annum.
 The Government of India also provides credit guarantee facility to the projects of entrepreneurs,
individual farmers and cooperatives from the existing credit guarantee fund of Infrastructure
Development Fund of Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

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Union Agriculture Minister Shri Arjun Munda unveils LMS, Krishi Rakshak Portal, Helpline (KRPH) –
14447, and SARTHI Portal for Agricultural Enhancement and Farmer Empowerment
 Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda launched the
centralized "Kisan Rakshak Helpline 14447 and Portal", Agri-Insurance Sandbox Framework
Platform SARTHI and Learning Management System (LMS) Platform for the farming community
under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in Delhi.
 Since its inception in 2016, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has been a safety net
for farmers in India, protecting them from the unpredictability of nature through crop insurance.
 It became crucial for the scheme to ensure farmers could navigate the claim process, submit
grievances, seek information on their queries and obtain timely assistance without difficulty.
 Krishi Rakshak Portal and Helpline (KRPH) 14447 platform provides multilingual support, enabling
transparent communication and real-time resolution of grievances related to compensation delays and
insurance queries.
 The Learning Management System (LMS) has been developed in collaboration with the National E-
Governance Division (NeGD). Its primary goal is to provide stakeholders, including farmers,
insurance companies, Government officials, state Government representatives, and participants
in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), with the essential skills and knowledge
needed for efficient crop insurance and agricultural credit.
 The LMS will facilitate training and knowledge sharing through interactive modules, personalized
training programs, and accessible resources. Stakeholders can deepen their understanding of
agricultural practices, crop insurance protocols, and financial mechanisms.
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About Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
 Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) was launched in 2016.
OBJECTIVES:
- To provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of any of the notified crop
as a result of natural calamities, pests & diseases.
- To stabilise the income of farmers to ensure their continuance in farming.
- To encourage farmers to adopt innovative and modern agricultural practices.
- To ensure flow of credit to the agriculture sector.
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY (IA):
 The Scheme shall be implemented through a multi-agency framework by selected insurance companies under
the overall guidance & control of the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW),
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), Government of India (GOI) and the concerned State in co-
ordination with various other agencies; viz Financial Institutions like Commercial Banks, Co-operative Banks,
Regional Rural Banks and their regulatory bodies, Government Departments viz. Agriculture, Co-operation,
Horticulture, Statistics, Revenue, Information/Science & Technology, Panchayati Raj etc.
Memorandum of Understanding signed between Warehousing Development Regulatory Authority

and Punjab & Sind Bank to facilitate low interest rate loans to farmers
 To facilitate farmers and traders in providing low interest rate loans, Warehousing Development
Regulatory Authority (WDRA) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Punjab & Sind
Bank (PSB).

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 The MoU was signed with the intent of promoting awareness to fund against e-NWRs (electronic
Negotiable Warehouse Receipt).
 The MoU is aimed to provide information to depositors of the benefits, besides doing further outreach
activities to improve agricultural pledge finance in India.
 PSB is offering loans against e-NWRs with no collateral and attractive rate of interest.
 Under agriculture sector, upto Rs. 75 lakh and for other category borrowers, upto Rs. 5 crores loans
are extended.
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About Punjab and Sindh Bank
MD & CEO: Swarup Kumar Saha Headquarters: New Delhi Founded: 24 June 1908
Pashupati Kumar Paras inaugurates "SUFALAM": Launching Groundbreaking Start-Up Conclave for
Food Processing Entrepreneurs
 Union Minister of Food Processing Pashupati Kumar Paras emphasised the pivotal role of startups
in the food processing sector.
 Inaugurating "SUFALAM: Start-Up Forum for Aspiring Leaders and Mentors Startup Conclave
2024" he highlighted the significance of events like SUFALAM, emphasizing their potential to enhance
networking, facilitate knowledge sharing, and enable startups to leverage various government
schemes.
 This initiative stands as a testament to the government's steadfast commitment to nurturing
entrepreneurship and creating an enabling ecosystem for startups, thereby empowering aspiring
entrepreneurs in the food processing domain.
 The Startup Conclave for Food Processing Entrepreneurs holds the promise of being a
transformative event, propelling the sector towards a future characterized by innovation, sustainability,
and inclusive growth.
NATIONAL
PM announces Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
 The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, announced the launch of rooftop solar scheme for free electricity -
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
 This project, with an investment of over Rs. 75,000 crores, aims to light up 1 crore households by
providing up to 300 units of free electricity every month.
 From substantive subsidies, which will be given directly to people’s bank accounts, to heavily concessional
bank loans, the Central Government will ensure that there is no cost burden on the people.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh launches pilot project ‘Smart Gram Panchayat
 Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh inaugurated a landmark
initiative at Paprour Gram Panchayat under Barauni Block of Begusarai District, signalling a
significant leap towards digital empowerment in Grameen Bharat (rural India).
 The pilot project titled ‘Smart Gram Panchayat: Revolution towards Digitization of Gram Panchayat’
was launched with the aim to extend PM-WANI (Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface)
Service in all Gram Panchayats across Begusarai District in Bihar.

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 Begusarai has now become the first District in Bihar to equip all Gram Panchayats with Wi-Fi services
under the PM-WANI Scheme.
Arhan Bagati joins global leaders at 7th Indian Ocean Conference in Perth
 Arhan Bagati, the founder of the Kashmir’s Yemberzal Applied Research Institute (KYARI), joined global
leaders and policymakers at the 7th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC 2024), a cornerstone event for
regional cooperation and dialogue, currently taking place in Perth, Australia.
 Organised by the India Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs of India,
the Government of Australia, the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore, and the Perth-
US Asia Centre, Australia, the conference has drawn significant attention for its theme, “Towards a
Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean.”
 This year’s edition has seen an unparalleled level of participation, with delegations led by ministers
from over 22 countries, senior officials from 16 countries, and representatives from 6 multilateral
organisations.
 Their speeches underscored the collective ambition to address critical issues facing the Indian
Ocean region, from environmental sustainability and maritime security to economic cooperation and
technological advancement.
New Water Act
 The Lok Sabha passed the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024 which
important changes to the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
 Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 was the first piece of legislation in independent
India that identified the need to have an institutional structure to address contamination of water
bodies.
 This led to the creation, in September 1974, of the Central Pollution Control Boards (CPCB) and State
Pollution Control Boards (SPCB) that were charged with monitoring and preventing public water
resources from getting contaminated by sewage and industrial effluents.
 This Act made it mandatory for industrial units to get permission from their respective State
boards before setting up factories and submitting themselves to checks on whether their
manufacturing and other processes were complying with prescribed norms.
What are the amendments?
 The amended version of the Act, passed by both Houses of Parliament, will currently apply to Himachal
Pradesh and Rajasthan and the Union territories.
 The original Act, passed in 1974, is applicable in 25 States. The most important change is that it
removes the provisions of imprisonment for several violations, deemed “minor”, and replaces them
with fines, to the tune of ₹10,000 extending up to ₹15 lakh.
 As per the original Act, the SPCB’s permission is needed for establishing any industry or treatment
plant, which could discharge sewage into a water body, sewer, or land.
Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis elimination

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 Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel launched the first phase
of the Bi-annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis
elimination.
 The campaign aims to check disease transmission by providing free preventive medications to the
residents in areas affected by the disease.
 The campaign will cover 92 districts across 11 states and will run for the next two weeks.
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 Lymphatic Filariasis (elephantiasis) is a priority disease which is targeted to be eliminated by 2027.
 India has recently taken several measures to accelerate progress towards the goal of eliminating Lymphatic
Filariasis.
 Hon'ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched an advanced
five-pronged strategy for the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027 on 13 January 2023 and one of the
important strategies of which is 'Mission Mode India MDA Campaign' National Deworming Day (NDD) celebrated
twice a year on 10 February and 10 August.
 The 11 endemic states, including Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka,
Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Gujarat will be participating in the campaign.
IREDA and IIT Bhubaneswar sign MoU for Clean Energy Innovation
 Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) signed a Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of TechnologyBhubaneswar.
 The MoU, inked, February 11, 2024, at the 100 Cube Start-up Conclave held at IIT Bhubaneswar, aims
to support collaborative efforts in innovation and research initiatives, technology transfer, and nurturing
the start-up ecosystem.
 The collaboration between IREDA and IIT Bhubaneswar is poised to facilitate joint research efforts,
facilitate technology transfer, and provide comprehensive support for the start-up ecosystem.
 It will also encompass capacity-building initiatives such as training programs, seminars, and workshops
to enhance the skills of IREDA officials.
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About IREDA
 Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) is a Mini Ratna (Category – I) Government of India
Enterprise under the administrative control of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
 IREDA is a Public Limited Government Company established as a Non-Banking Financial Institution in 1987
engaged in promoting, developing and extending financial assistance for setting up projects relating to new and
renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency/conservation with the motto: “ENERGY FOR EVER”
 Chairman and Managing Director: Pradip Kumar Das
MHA decides to scrap Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar to ensure the
internal security of the country and maintain the demographic structure of India’s North Eastern
States bordering Myanmar
 Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between
India and Myanmar to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic
structure of India’s North Eastern States bordering Myanmar.
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About Myanmar

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Capital: Naypyidaw Currency: Kyat
Tata Trusts to launch India’s first small animal hospital in Mumbai
 Tata Trusts announced the launch of India’s first state-of-the-art Small Animal Hospital, with a
mission to save the lives of pets and strengthen the bond between pet parents and veterinarians.
 The hospital, to be located in Mahalaxmi, Mumbai, will be a 5-floor, 98,000-square-foot facility, with 200
beds, and will dedicate itself to providing round-the-clock services.
 The hospital will specialize in pet care to bridge the gap in quality pet care in India.
 The hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including diagnostic services, treatment
facilities, and an emergency room.
 It will also have a dedicated training centre for pet parents and veterinarians. The hospital is expected
to provide pet-sensitised veterinarians, nurses, and technicians with the skills and support needed to
deliver quality care, making a positive impact on the lives of many pets and their owners.
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About Maharashtra
Chief minister: Eknath Shinde Governor: Ramesh Bais Capital: Mumbai
Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launches AIIMS-SBI SMART payment card for hassle
free payments in AIIMS, New Delhi
 Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
launched the AIIMS-SBI Smart Payment Card.
 The AIIMS-SBI Smart Payment Card will ensure hassle free payments for treatment in AIIMS New
Delhi.
 AIIMS Smart Payment Card will resolve the long pending issue of patients from far flung areas
carrying cash with them to the hospital
 A Memorandum of Understanding with regards to implementation of the SBI- AIIMS New Delhi Smart
card system was also signed.
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About SBI
Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara Founded: 1 July 1955 Headquarters: Mumbai
PM inaugurates Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu stone temple
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu stone temple, describing it as a
symbol of the shared heritage of humanity.
 The temple is built by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS.
 The BAPS temple is built on a 27-acre site in Abu Mreikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Highway, at a cost of around ₹700 crore.
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About UAE

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INTERNATIONAL
Saudi Arabia To Launch Dream Of The Desert, The Middle East’s First Luxury Train
 A new luxury train called Dream of the Desert , is aiming to enter the pantheon of classic trains and
iconic rail journeys like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the Royal Scotsman, and Africa’s Rovos
Rail.
 It is also the first luxury train in the Middle East.
 The 800-mile trip will begin in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital city, and travel northwest toward the
border with Jordan.
 The route will pass through long stretches of scenic deserts and UNESCO World Heritage
archeological sites.
 The luxury train is a partnership between the state-owned railway company Saudi Arabia Railways
(SAR) and the Italian hospitality company Arsenale Group that is said to be worth 200 million Saudi
riyals ($53.32 million).
 Dream of the Desert will have 40 cars and will carry 82 passengers, with a fine dining restaurant and
a lounge bar, among other amenities.
 Arsenale says that the design is inspired by “Saudi style and tradition” and that the trains will be “fully-
customized” and are already under construction. The train is tentatively scheduled to finish production
in the summer of 2025 and begin running by the end of 2025.
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About Saudi Arabia
Capital: Riyadh Currency: Saudi Riyal
Trinidad and Tobago prime minister says mystery oil spill “national emergency”
 Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Keith Rowley, announced that a large oil spill off the nation’s
coast is now a “national emergency,”.
 The spill occurred last week on the morning of 7 February, although the origin and identity of the
vessel carrying the oil remains “unknown”.
 The mystery ship was found overturned in the sea some 200m off the coast of the Cove Eco
Industrial Park.
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About Trinidad and Tobago
Capital : Port of Spain Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar
‘Weimar Triangle’ to join hands against disinformation
 Top diplomats of France, Germany and Poland to launch a joint initiative to fight disinformation
attacks.
 Paris, Berlin and Warsaw are hoping to ramp up cooperation and reinvigorate the so-called “Weimar
Triangle” format initially created in 1991 to enable concerted European action.
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About France
Capital: Paris Currency: Euro Prime Minister: Gabriel Attal

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About Germany
Capital: Berlin Currency: Euro
About Poland
Capital: Warsaw Currency: Złoty
China opens Qinling Station for Antarctic scientific investigation
 China opened its fifth research station in Antarctica amid concerns over its location suited to collect
signals “intelligence” from US-allied Australia and New Zealand, especially the rocket telemetry data
from Australia’s new Arnhem Space Centre.
 The station was established along the coastal areas of the Ross Sea in Antarctica.
 The construction of China’s Antarctic station will help enhance scientific understanding of
Antarctica for humanity, provide a platform for cooperation in Antarctic scientific expeditions between
China and other countries, and promote peace and sustainable development in Antarctica.
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About China
Capital: Beijing Currency: Renminbi
 The Indian Antarctic programme, which began in 1981, has completed 40 scientific expeditions and built three
permanent research base stations in Antarctica — Dakshin Gangotri (1983), Maitri (1988) and Bharati (2012).
 Currently, Maitri and Bharati are fully operational.
 The US has six stations and Australia has three.
 China signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1983. The treaty designates the continent as a natural reserve and
prohibits commercial resource extraction.
Shantanu Thakur to flag-off the 1st trial cargo vessels from Maia Inland Customs Port on
12thFebruary 2024
 To boost trade and connectivity between India and Bangladesh, the first trial movement of vessels
between Maia Port in India and Sultanganj Port in Bangladesh is set to take place on February 12,
2024.
 The vessels will be flagged off by the Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Shantanu
Thakur, from Maia Inland Customs Port in West Bengal.
 The waterway route from Maia (IBP route) to Dhubri (NW-2) via Aricha will reduce the distance by
around 930 kilometers compared to the existing waterway route from Dhulian-Maia-Kolkata-IBP-Dhubri.
 With this move, 2.6 MTPA of export cargo to Bangladesh is expected to shift from road to waterways.
Learn Along:
 H.E. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, paid a State Visit
to India from 05-08 September 2022 at the invitation of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.
 During the visit,the two sides also agreed to expeditiously explore direct shipping links between the two
countries.
 They also agreed to implement the decision to start riverine services under the Protocol on Inland Water
Transit and Trade (PIWTT) routes 5 & 6 (Dhulian to Rajshahi -extension to Aricha) and 9 & 10 (Daudkandi to
Sonamura).
About Bangladesh

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Capital: Dhaka Currency: Taka
Former PM Stubb wins Finland presidential election
 Former Prime Minister, triathlete and Europhile Alexander Stubb secured a triumphant return to
politics after a seven-year hiatus, winning the Finnish presidency.
 The former leader of the National Conservative Party's bid for the office was prompted by Russia's
invasion of Ukraine.
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About Finland
President: Sauli Niinistö Capital: Helsinki Currency: Euro (€) (EUR)
Dubai set to launch air taxis by 2026
 Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed an agreement with California-based electric
aircraft firm Joby Aviation to launch air taxi services in the city by 2026.
 The company is targeting initial operations” as early as 2025, with a full service to be up and running in
2026.
 The venture will provide “fast, safe, and convenient travel to key city spots.
 This service will also enhance seamless multimodal transportation, improving citywide connectivity,
and ensuring a smooth travel experience for passengers.
 The agreement, signed at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, provides Joby with the exclusive
right to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years.
About UAE
STATES
Odisha declares Gupteswar in Koraput district as its fourth biodiversity heritage site
 The Odisha government has declared the Gupteswar forest in Koraput district as its fourth Biodiversity
Heritage Site (BHS).
 The forest is adjacent to the Gupteswar Shiva temple in the Dhondrakhol reserve forest under the
Jeypore forest division.
 Earlier, the State government had declared Mandasaru in Kandhamal district, Mahendragiri in
Gajpati, and Gandhamardan in Bargarh and Bolangir districts as Biodiversity Heritage Sites.
 As per the biodiversity inventory and survey conducted by the Odisha Biodiversity Board, the site
has 608 faunal species including 28 species of mammals, 188 species of birds, 18 species of amphibia,
48 species of reptiles, 45 species of pisces, 141 species of butterflies, 43 species of moths, 30 species of
spiders, six species of scorpion, and 20 species of lower invertebrates.
 The State government has asked the Odisha Biodiversity Board to prepare a long-term plan for
intensive conservation and development of these sites through direct participation of the local
communities.
 An amount of ₹35 lakh has been provided for preparation of the action plan and awareness building
activities in the localities.
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About Odisha

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Chief minister: Naveen Patnaik Capital: Bhubaneswar Governor: Raghubar Das
Sangeet Natak Akademi to set up Dakshin Bharat Sanskritik Kendra in Hyderabad
 To further promote the rich cultural heritage of South India, the Ministry of Culture intends to set up a
Regional Centre of Sangeet Natak Akademi in Hyderabad that will be known as Dakshin Bharat
Sanskritik kendra.
 The akademi has no presence in South India so far.
 The centre is envisaged for the promotion research and documentation of Music, folk and tribal
arts, theater and puppetry and will be developed as a state of the art Regional centre and a leading
cultural space that would foster the cultural growth and performative milieu of the state.
 Further, the Ministry of Culture, Government of India recently commemorated the 100th birth
anniversary of the legendary musician par excellence, freedom fighter and Padma Awardee
Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao through yearlong celebrations starting in December 2022 and
culminating in December 2023.
PM dedicates to the nation and lays foundation stone for multiple development projects worth around
Rs 7300 crores in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh
 The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for multiple
development projects worth about Rs 7300 crores in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh.
 These development projects of will benefit the significant tribal population of the region, strengthen
the water supply and provisioning of drinking water while also giving a boost to road, rail, power and
education sectors in Madhya Pradesh.
 The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of ‘CM Rise School’ in Jhabua.
 The school will integrate technology to provide modern facilities like smart classes, e Library etc. to
students.
 He also laid the foundation stone of the Tantya Mama Bhil University which will cater to the youth from
tribal-dominated districts of the state.
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About Madhya Pradesh
Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel Chief minister: Mohan Yadav Capital: Bhopal
PM Modi inaugurates ONGC’s sea survival centre in Goa
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a day-long visit to Goa, inaugurated the ONGC Sea Survival
Centre.
 The Centre has been developed as a one-of-a-kind Integrated Sea Survival Training Centre to
advance the Indian sea survival training ecosystem to global standards.
 The centre is expected to train 10,000-15,000 personnel annually.
 Exercises in simulated and controlled harsh weather conditions shall enhance the Sea Survival skills of
trainees and thus potentially increase the chances of safe escape from real-life disasters.
 Later in the day, he will inaugurate India Energy Week 2024 and will participate in the Viksit Bharat,
Viksit Goa 2047 programme.

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 It will be India’s largest and only all-encompassing energy exhibition and conference, bringing
together the entire energy value chain, and will serve as a catalyst for India’s energy transition goals.
 Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 1,330 crores
in the public programme in Goa.
 Prime Minister will inaugurate the permanent campus of the National Institute of Technology Goa to
the nation.
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About Goa
Chief minister: Pramod Sawant Capital: Panaji Governor: P. S. Sreedharan Pillai
Sikkim first Northeastern state to restore old pension scheme
 Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Tamang announced the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme
(OPS) for state government employees appointed on or after April 1, 2006.
 Sikkim becomes the first state in the Northeast to implement this decision.
 As part of various welfare measures, the government also amended policies regarding the
regularisation of temporary employees, aiming to connect with voters as the election season
approaches.
 The amended policies consider the regularisation of services for temporary employees with
benchmark disabilities serving continuously for two years or more in a specific post, as per reports.
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About Sikkim
Chief minister: Prem Singh Tamang Capital: Gangtok Governor:Lakshman Acharya
Odisha CM raises pension for beneficiaries under social security schemes
 In a relief for the distressed people covered under various social security schemes, Odisha Chief Minister
Naveen Patnaik Saturday a hike of Rs 500 each in their monthly pension.
 As many as 36.75 lakh beneficiaries would receive the revised amount.
 The beneficiaries include elderly, widows, persons with disabilities, unmarried women, AIDS
patients, transgenders, orphan children and widows of COVID victims.
 They will now get Rs 1,000, Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,400 per month,.
 The state will now spend Rs 3,683 crore towards payment of pension under social security schemes.
Learn Along:
 In 2008, the Odisha state government introduced the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) after merging two old
schemes of the 1980s.
 Under the MBPY scheme, beneficiaries up to 79 years of age were eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 500,
while those beyond 80 years Rs 700 per month.
 Similarly, beneficiaries with 60 per cent or more disability and above 80 years of age were eligible for a
monthly pension of Rs 900.
Chief Secretary inaugurates 2nd edition of SARAS Aajeevika exhibition
 J&k Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo inaugurated the 2nd edition of the SARAS Aajeevika Mela, a vibrant
11-day event highlighting the resilience and creativity of rural women entrepreneurs.

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 Organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) under the Department of
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, the exhibition opened its doors to a diverse array of art, craft,
culture, and cuisine, echoing the spirit of ‘vocal for local.
 Featuring over 220 rural women from across 15 states, the SARAS Aajeevika Mela provides a platform
for self-help group women artisans to exhibit their exemplary craftsmanship, artistry, and traditional
skills.
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About J&K
Capitals: Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter) Lieutenant Governor: Manoj Sinha
REPORTS AND INDEXES

Law Commission of India submits Report titled “A Comprehensive Review of the Epidemic Diseases
Act, 1897"
 The 22nd Law Commission of India has submitted its Report titled “A Comprehensive Review of the
Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897" to the Government of India.
 The COVID-19 pandemic unleashed an unprecedented challenge for the Indian health infrastructure.
 While the Government was quick to respond to the emerging situation, in the course of dealing with
this crisis, certain limitations in the legal framework relating to health were realized.
 The immediate response to COVID-19 such as the imposition of lockdown was invoked under the
Disaster Management Act, 2005. Further, in light of the immediate challenges, especially those faced by
the healthcare workers, the Parliament amended the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 in 2020.
 In this highly globalized and interconnected world, future outbreaks of epidemics are a real possibility.
 The 22nd Law Commission holds the view that the existing legislation does not comprehensively
address the concerns pertaining to the containment and management of future epidemics in the
country as new infectious diseases or novel strains of existing pathogens may emerge.
 In light of the foregoing, the Law Commission suo motu undertook extensive examination of the
existing legal framework on this subject.
 The Commission has recommended that either the existing law needs to be suitably amended to
address existing gaps or a new comprehensive legislation be enacted on the subject.
NITI Aayog Launches Greening India's Wastelands with Agroforestry (GROW) Report and Portal
 Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW) report and portal was launched
by Prof Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog at NITI Aayog.
 This multi-institutional effort led by NITI Aayog utilized remote sensing and GIS to assess agroforestry
suitability across all districts in India.
 Using thematic datasets, an Agroforestry Suitability Index (ASI) was developed for national-level
prioritization.
 The report provides state-wise and district-wise analysis, supporting government departments and
industries for greening and restoration projects.

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 The "Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW)-Suitability Mapping" portal
allows universal access to state and district-level data.
 Currently, agroforestry covers 8.65% of India's total geographical area, totalling about 28.42 million
hectares.
 Current report underscores the potential benefits of converting underutilized areas, especially
wastelands, for agroforestry. The GROW initiative aligns with national commitments, aiming to
restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3
billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
 India, the pioneer of the National Agroforestry Policy in 2014, aims to enhance productivity,
profitability, and sustainability through this agroecological land use system.
 Agroforestry integrates trees, crops, and livestock, addressing food, nutrition, energy, employment,
and environmental challenges.
 This aligns with global commitments like the Paris Agreement, Bonn Challenge, UN Sustainable
Development Goals, United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD), Doubling
Farmers Income, Green India Mission and more.
Women head only 5% of Information Commissions
 Flagging a lack of diversity in the composition of Information Commissions, a new report has
revealed that a mere 5% of them have been headed by women and none at present has a female
leading it.
 The report found the gender composition of commissions to be extremely skewed.
 Since the passage of the Right to Information Act in 2005, merely 9% of all information
commissioners across the country have been women.
 A total of 12 Information Commissions, which is around 41%, have never had a woman
commissioner since they were constituted namely — Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh,
Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Telangana,
Uttarakhand and West Bengal, according to the report compiled by the ‘Satark Nagrik Sangathan’
(SNS) on the performance of the 29 Information Commissions set up under the RTI Act across the
country.
 Of the approximately 465 commissioners for whom background information was available, 58%
were retired government officials, 14% were lawyers or former judges (11% were advocates or from the
judicial service and 3% were retired judges), 11% commissioners had a background in journalism, 5%
were academics and 4% were social activists or workers.
 Several Information Commissions were found to be returning a large number of cases without
passing any orders. Many commissions have an extremely low rate of disposal per commissioner.
 The report also flags the issue of lack of timely appointments.
India's EV growth to hit gasoline demand by 2030: IEA

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 The Indian electric vehicle (EV) sector will contribute significantly to the country's plans for
decarbonisation towards 2030, according to the Paris-based IEA in its Indian Oil Market — Outlook to
2030 report, emphasising it will eventually affect gasoline demand.
 New EVs and energy efficiency improvements under India's energy transition plans will cut India's
crude demand by 480,000 b/d during 2023-30.
 India's oil demand would have increased to 1.68mn b/d by 2030 without these steps.
 The rise in EV use, energy efficiency improvements, as well as growth of biofuels will first affect oil
demand in the transportation sector before its impacts are felt in other sectors, it added.
 India will become the largest source of global oil demand growth between now and 2030 because of
industrial growth. But Indian gasoline demand will grow by only 0.7pc during this period, contrary to
a rise of 40pc in India's car fleet because of increased consumption of EVs and biofuels.
 Electrification of India's vehicle fleet will reduce oil product demand by 200,000 b/d by 2030. This
means electrification will weigh heavily on gasoline demand in the period up to 2030.
 A surge in the use of biofuels will also contribute to decarbonisation of the Indian transport sector.
 Indian ethanol supplies are likely to rise to 200,000 b/d by 2030 from 90,000 b/d currently, while
biodiesel supplies will rise to around 90,000 b/d by 2030.
 The country targets 20pc ethanol blending in gasoline by 2025 and net zero emissions by 2070.
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About IEA
Executive Director : Dr Fatih Birol Headquarters: Paris, France Founded: November 1974
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Smart Food Grain Storage System (SAFEETY) technology
 Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has successfully transferred
the Smart Food Grain Storage System (SAFEETY) technology to M/s Paras Defense and Space
Technology Ltd.
 This is a step towards fostering innovation and advancing technology in the country.
 SAFEETY, developed by the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research
(SAMEER) an autonomous R&D institution under MeitY, boasts cutting-edge features such as
conveyorized loading and unloading of grain bags with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for
traceability, online weight and moisture measurement, and Radio Frequency Based Removal of Moisture
from Grain.
 The system can handle almost one truckload (approx. weight: 28 tons) of grains in 40 minutes.
 The technology transfer of SAFEETY is a step towards the Innovation, Science and Technology
theme of Vikshit Bharat @2047, which aims to make India a global leader in digital transformation and
innovation.
 The technology will help in reducing post-harvest losses, improving food quality and safety, and
enhancing food security in the country.
CSIR NAL flies test-drone that can double up as ‘pseudo satellite’

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 Scientists at the CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) successfully tested an unmanned aerial
vehicle, called High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS), at Challakere, Karnataka.
 HAPs are like drones, except that they are expected to be in the stratosphere — well above where
commercial planes fly — and can be powered enough by solar cells and a battery-system to be able to
hover for days on end.
 A fully working HAPS can be used for a variety of applications, from surveillance to beaming 5G
waves.
 They can double up as “towers in the sky” and have more flexibility than satellites, in being able to map
a piece of land from above.
 CSIR-NAL aims to design and build the HAPS’ propellers, battery management system, carbon-
composite airframe, flight-control system, and the high-powered electric motors that can withstand extreme
temperature ranges.
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About CSIR
Director General : Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi Founded: 26 September 1942
C-DOT and Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT-K) signed an agreement for ‘Developing
Prototypes for 10-Gigabit-capable symmetric passive optical Network (i.e., XGS-PON) Optical Line
Terminal (OLT) and Optical Network Unit (ONU)
 C-DOT, the premier Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government
of India and Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT-K) signed an agreement for ‘Developing
Prototypes for 10-Gigabit-capable symmetric Passive Optical Network (i.e., XGS-PON) Optical Line
Terminal (OLT) and Optical Network Unit (ONU).
 The agreement is signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme of
Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, which is a scheme for providing funding
support to domestic companies and institutions involved in technology design, development,
commercialization of telecommunication products and solutions to enable affordable broadband and
mobile services in rural and remote areas.
 Under this project, IIT Kharagpur will develop prototypes for 10-Gigabit-capable symmetric passive
optical network (i.e., XGS-PON) optical line terminal (OLT) and optical network unit (ONU).
 It is envisioned that the project will yield new design, development, and commercialization of the
state-of-the-art 10 Gbps upstream and downstream access network technology solution.
 This will facilitate growth of affordable broadband and mobile services in India.
‘SWATI’ (Science for Women-A Technology & Innovation) Portal launched in New Delhi
 Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India Prof Ajay Kumar Sood launched “Science for
Women-A Technology & Innovation (SWATI)” Portal, aimed at creating a single online portal
representing Indian Women and Girls in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics &
Medicine)
 The Portal is a complete interactive database; and the first-of-its-kind in India which is developed,
hosted and maintained by the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi.

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 The other objectives of the SWATI Portal include to scale up the effort exponentially to include each
and every Indian woman in science, across all career stages and subjects, spanning both Academia and
the Industry enabling reliable and statistically significant long term research on the issues of equality,
diversity and inclusivity in India; Inclusion of each and every Indian WiS, career stages, subjects, spanning
both Academia and the Industry; Enabling reliable and statistically significant long term research on the
issues of equality, diversity and inclusivity in India, developing active search engine and searchable
database (Name, Affiliation, Area of Interest).
Prama India & C-DAC (MeitY) Forge Partnership for Thermal Camera Technology
 In a significant move towards bolstering innovation and indigenous manufacturing, Prama India and the
Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Ministry of Electronics & Information
Technology (MeitY), Government of India, have entered into a technology partnership for Thermal
Cameras.
 The partnership was officially unveiled at the ‘Digital India FutureLabs‘ launch event at IIITM, New
Delhi.
 The ‘Transfer of Technology’ (ToT) agreement empowers Prama India as a technology partner to
manufacture, market, and support the newly introduced thermal camera solutions.
 The signing of Transfer of Technology (ToT) Agreement for Thermal Camera Technology with C-
DAC, Thiruvananthapuram is a new milestone in our indigenous manufacturing journey.
Google partners with Maharashtra govt to provide AI-led services
 Tech giant Google signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of
Maharashtra to provide artificial intelligence (AI)-led solutions across key sectors in the state.
 As a part of the collaboration, Google will leverage its AI capabilities to provide solutions in sectors
like agriculture, healthcare, sustainability, education, and startups.
 The company also announced launching a state-of-the-art AI Centre of Excellence at the Indian Institute
of Information Technology (IIIT), Nagpur.
 Further, the global tech giant will also explore IT solutions to issues in healthcare and agriculture as a
part of the collaboration.
 In the healthcare domain, the company, along with its partners and the State of Maharashtra, will provide
health-related AI imaging models such as TB-Chest X-Ray and Diabetic Retinopathy to increase
access to care through AI-enabled screening.
 Similarly, it will provide the State with its Agricultural Landscape Understanding (ALU) API that will
provide in-depth insights about farmland, including field sizes, water resources, and other
topographical elements at an individual farm level, using remote sensing AI/ML technology, according to
the announcement.
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About Google
Founded: 4 September 1998 Headquarters: California, U.S. CEO: Sundar Pichai
AIIMS unveils indigenously developed technology for early detection of cancer

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 The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, in collaboration with the Centre for
Development of Advanced Computing, Pune, has launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform -
iOncology.ai. - designed for the early detection of breast and ovarian cancer.
 While this indigenously developed technology has already been deployed in five district
government hospitals, including Mathura and Faridabad, for validation, officials confirmed that in the
future, the government plans to install the system in other medical centres with the assistance of
National Information Centres and the Ministry of Information Technology.
 The iOncology.ai platform encapsulates deep learning models. As the volume of data, both clinical and
radiological/ histopathological, increases, this platform has the capability of self-learning to constantly
improve its outcome.
Google Bard is now Gemini
 Google is renaming its AI chatbot Bard to Gemini.

 The American tech giant is also adding a paid tier to its AI services with Gemini Advanced.
 The Advanced tier will provide access to the Gemini Ultra 1.0 model, which according to Google is
far more capable at reasoning, following instructions, coding, and creative collaboration.
 Gemini Advanced, which is powered by the Ultra 1.0 model, is more suitable for performing highly
complex tasks like coding, logical reasoning, following nuanced instructions and more.
 Gemini Advanced also allows users to have longer and more detailed conversations as it can better
understand the context using the chat history.
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About Google
Founded: 4 September 1998 Headqurters: California, United States CEO: Sundar Pichai
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurates Naranarayan Shastri
Institute of Technology (NSIT) at Jetalpur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
 Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated the Naranarayan Shastri
Institute of Technology (NSIT) at Jetalpur in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
 The Swaminarayan sect has worked to inculcate faith towards individual, family, religion and
awaken religious consciousness for the welfare of the entire world through many activities and
construction of temples.
Telecommunication Engineering Centre and AMRITA UNIVERSITY sign MoU for collaboration in the
area of trustworthy and responsible artificial intelligence systems
 A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Telecommunication Engineering

Centre (TEC), technical arm of Department of Telecommunications (DOT), Ministry of Communications
and AMRITA UNIVERSITY, to drive innovation in the realm of Trustworthy and Responsible Artificial
Intelligence Systems.
 Underlining their commitment to pioneering advancements in Responsible AI, this collaboration
specifically concentrates on addressing biases in AI systems and promoting fairness
assessments while nurturing public trust in these technologies, aligning with the Government of India’s
objectives.

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 The TEC has recently released a Standard for Fairness Assessment and Rating of Artificial
Intelligence Systems to build public trust in AI, developed after exhaustive stakeholder consultations.
 This collaboration aims to develop tools to assess bias risks systematically and to establish a
robust framework for evaluating and certifying the fairness and reliability of AI technologies.
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 The TEC stands as the recognised Standards Setting Organization (SSO) in the telecommunications and related
ICT sector within the country.
 It formulates standards for telecom and related ICT equipment, networks, systems, and services deployed in
the Indian Telecom Network.
 Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham established under Section 3 of the UGC Act 1956.
 Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is a multi-campus, multi-disciplinary research university that is rated as one of
the top research universities in India and is certified by NAAC with a “A++” rating.
India’s first ‘designed in India’ educational tablet introduced advocating repair and upgrade
 Epic Foundation, a non-profit organization, unveiled the first ‘designed in India’ tablet, built for
educational needs of school children.
 It is the first product designed ground up in India, which is fully repairable and upgradable.
 Developed in collaboration with VVDN, MediaTek and CoRover.ai, the Milkyway tablet, features
BharatGPT and Bhashini in-built to reach to a wider variety of audiences.
 Currently, the affordable education tablet will be manufactured by PLI-benefiting companies VVDN and
UTL with a target to make upto two lakh tablets for supply to state governments.
DEFENCE
Defence ministry inks Rs 1,752 cr deal with AWEIL for remote control guns
 The Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 1,752.13-crore contract with Advanced Weapon Equipment
India Limited (AWEIL), a Kanpur-based firm for manufacturing and supply of 463 indigenously built 12.7
mm stabilised remote control guns for the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.
 This contract will also open up a large avenue in defence manufacturing for over 125 Indian vendors
and Defence PSUs for over a period of five years.
 These guns will enhance the capability of the Navy and the Coast Guard to accurately engage small
targets that pose a threat to ships in an asymmetric environment, both by day and night.
AFMS & IIT Roorkee join hands to foster research in improving combat medical support & patient
care of serving personnel
 In another milestone towards research in Armed Forces Medical Services, a Memorandum of

Understanding was signed on 14 Feb 2024, between Armed Forces Medical Services and Indian
Institute of Technology Roorkee.
 The MoU aims towards promoting collaborative biomedical research, to aid in improving the combat
medical support and patient care of serving personnel.
 Apart from research, faculty exchange programme, joint academic activities and promotion of start
ups in the domain of health care are also under the purview of this MoU.

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 Under this MoU, Armed Forces Medical Services will be able to utilize the expertise of IIT Roorkee
in various fields like, development of novel medical devices, robotics, nanotechnology, artificial
intelligence and machine learning.
IAF TEAM INDUCTS FOR THE SINGAPORE AIR SHOW 2024
 A team of 71 personnel of Indian Air Force's (IAF) Sarang Helicopter Display Team landed at the Paya
Lebar Air Base of Singapore to participate in the Singapore Air Show 2024.
 The world renowned Sarang Helicopter Display Team will be showcasing its spectacular aerobatics
manoeuvres at this event with five Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) also known as 'Dhruv'.
 The induction was carried out with the IAF's C-17 Globemaster III heavy lift transport aircraft.
 The biennial Singapore Air Show is scheduled to commence on 20 Feb 2024 and shall conclude on
24 Feb 2024.
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 The Sarang Helicopter Display Team was formed in 2003 and it is noteworthy that their very first International
public performance was in 2004, at Asian Aerospace Show Singapore itself.
 Initially formed and raised as a three helicopter formation, the Sarang team now boasts of a thrilling five-helicopter
display and has performed over 1200 displays at more than 385 venues all around the globe.
 The 'Dhruv’ helicopter, designed and conceived by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is an all-weather, multi-
mission capable helicopter. It features rigid, hinge- less rotors making it highly manoeuvrable and suitable for
military roles.
 The variant of ALH flown by Sarang team is ALH MK-I. The other variants are ALH Mk-II, ALH MK-IlI and the
latest variants is ALH MK IV, an armed version.
Military Personnel in Maldives Will Be Replaced With 'Competent Indian Technical Personnel'
 For the first time, India has announced that military personnel currently operating aviation platforms
in the Maldives will be substituted with “competent Indian technical personnel.”
 India had agreed to “replace” the military personnel in one of the three aircraft by March 10 and would
complete “replacing” the personnel in the other two by May 10.
Embraer, Mahindra to jointly bid for IAF’s aircraft deal
 Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer Defense & Security and Mahindra signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to jointly bid for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Medium Transport (MTA) Aircraft
tender.
 Embraer is pitching its C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft for the deal.
 The MoU was signed at the Embassy of Brazil in New Delhi.
India-Saudi Arabia joint military exercise ends
 The maiden joint military exercise, Sada Tanseeq,between the Indian Army and the Royal Saudi Land
Force concluded atMahajan Field Firing Ranges in Jaipur.
 The12-day exercise was aimed to achieve interoperability between the two forces and acquaint each
other with operational procedures and combat drills.

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 The Indian contingent of the 20th Battalion of The Brigade of Guards Regiment and the Saudi
Arabian contingent comprising a group of 45 soldiers of Royal Saudi Land Force participated in the
exercise which wasconducted in two phases.
India and Rwanda hold their maiden Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting
 India and Rwanda held the first edition of Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in
Kigali, Rwanda on February 8, 2024 to discuss a wide range of opportunities to enhance defence
cooperation between the two countries.
 Detailed discussions were held in areas like training cooperation, joint military exercises, defence
industrial cooperation etc.
 The Indian delegation highlighted the growing prowess of Indian defence manufacturers to export
to friendly countries.
17TH INDIA – FRANCE STAFF TALKS
 17th Indian Navy (IN) – French Navy (FN) Staff Talks was held from 06-07 Feb 24 at New Delhi.
 The meeting was co-chaired by RAdm Nirbhay Bapna, ACNS (FCI) and RAdm Jean Marc Durandau,
Director International Engagements, France.
 The Talks witnessed active participation from both sides. Major discussions included operational,
training, SME exchanges, etc. Both sides also acknowledged the growing cooperation between the two
Navies and agreed to enhance collaboration and interoperability in the maritime domain.
Navy chief inaugurates new defence systems
 Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar inaugurated a Precision Approach Radar (PAR) at INS
Utkrosh in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which will enable “highly accurate horizontal and vertical
guidance to land an aircraft safely in low visibility conditions, such as heavy rain and fog.
 He also inaugurated the IUHDSS (Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System) at
Naval Jetty, Port Blair.
 The IUHDSS is capable of detecting, identifying & tracking surface and under water targets in
vicinity of naval jetty thereby enhancing security of Port Blair harbour.
MoD inks contract worth Rs.2269.54 Cr with BEL to procure 11 Shakti Electronic Warfare Systems for
Indian Navy
 The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Hyderabad on
13 February 2024 in New Delhi, for procurement of 11 Shakti Electronic Warfare Systems along with
associated equipment / accessories for Indian Navy under Buy (Indian- IDDM) category at a total cost of
Rs.2269.54 Cr.
 The Shakti EW System is indigenously designed, developed and manufactured. The Shakti EW
System is capable of accurately intercepting electronic emissions and implement counter
measures in dense electromagnetic environment.
 The Shakti EW System will be installed on-board capital warships of Indian Navy.

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 The project will generate employment of two and half lakh man-days over a period of four years
with participation of more than 155 industry partners including MSMEs, thus furthering the vision of
'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.
EVENTS
Prime Minister's interaction at the Indian Community Event - ''AHLAN MODI'' in UAE
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indian community in the UAE at 'AHLAN MODI', an
event organized in his honour by the Indian community in the UAE.
 The event drew participation from Indian Diaspora from across the 7 Emirates and included Indians
from all communities. The audience also included Emiratis.
 The UAE is home to about 3.5 million Indian nationals making it the largest population of Indian
citizens anywhere in the world.
Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates New Delhi World Book Fair
 Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan
inaugurated the New Delhi World Book Fair at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
 Inaugurating the 52nd edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted that
this year's theme of the fair ‘Multilingual India: A Living Tradition’ is celebrating India’s linguistic
diversity and global literary traditions.
President of India inaugurates Aadi Mahotsav
 The President of India, Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Aadi Mahotsav 2024 at Major Dhyan Chand
National Stadium in New Delhi.
 The Aadi Mahotsav is being organized by TRIFED under the aegis of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with
aim to showcase the rich diversity of India's tribal heritage.
 This year this festival is being organized from February 10 to 18, 2024.
Bharatgas Unveils "Pure for Sure" to Revolutionize LPG Delivery Experience
 In an innovative step towards transforming LPG delivery experience, Bharat Petroleum Corporation
Limited (BPCL) announced the launch of "Pure for Sure".
 This initiative, inaugurated by the Honorable Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing
and Urban Affairs at IEW 2024 in Goa, aims to eradicate last-mile delivery inefficiencies and elevate
customer satisfaction to unprecedented levels.
 Expanding its distinctive "Pure for Sure" initiative from the Retail Business, BPCL is set to provide
Quality & Quantity assurance in LPG cylinders directly at the customer's doorstep, a first-of-its-kind
service in the nation.
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About Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL)
Chairman & Managing Director: G. Krishnakumar
President Smt. Droupadi Murmu inaugurates 'Vividdhta ka Amrit Mahotsav’

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 The inaugural edition of 'Vividdhta ka Amrit Mahotsav,' being held at Rashtrapati Bhavan from the 8th
to the 11th February, 2024, commenced with a historic celebration of the diverse cultural heritage of
Northeast India.
 Organized by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region in collaboration with the Ministry
of Culture, the Mahotsav served as a vibrant cultural odyssey, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts
of the attendees.
 The event was inaugurated by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu with the Minister of DoNER,
G. Kishan Reddy, leading the felicitation.
2024 World Governments Summit in Dubai
 At the 2024 World Governments Summit which is set to take place in Dubai from February 12-14 India,
Türkiye and Qatar are named as guests of Honor.
 Theme of the summit is 'Shaping Future Governments,' which will see the participation of over 25
government and state heads from around the world.
 The delegations from Türkiye, India and Qatar will be led by their respective leaders: President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan from Türkiye, Prime Minister Narendra Modi from India, and Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani from Qatar.
 The event is expected to witness over 4,000 attendees, which will include representatives from 85
international and regional organizations.
Learn along:
About World Governments Summit Organization
 The World Governments Summit Organization is a non-profit organization with a global, neutral approach.
 It has the aim of shaping the future of governments.
 The Summit, in its various activities, focusing on harnessing innovation, explores the agenda of the next
generation of governments, and technology to solve universal challenges facing humanity.
 The World Governments Summit is a global knowledge exchange platform for governments.
 It was established in 2013 under the dynamic leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai.
Raksha Mantri unveils the statue of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff late General Bipin Rawat in
Dehradun
 Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh unveiled a life-size statue of late General Bipin Rawat - the country’s
first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) - at TonsBridge School, Dehradun.
Prime Minister’s participation in World Governments Summit 2024
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the World Governments Summit in Dubai as Guest of
Honour, on 14 February 2024.
 He delivered the special keynote address on the theme of the Summit - "Shaping the Future
Governments”.
 Prime Minister had attended the World Governments Summit in 2018, also as Guest of Honour.
 The Summit this time saw participation of 20 world leaders, including 10 Presidents and 10 Prime
Ministers. Governments and delegates from over 120countries were represented at the global gathering.

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APPOINTMENTS
Organization News Learn Along
Name
Chennai Super Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have officially announced the appointment of ---
Kings Katrina Kaif as their brand ambassador for the upcoming Indian Premier
League (IPL) 2024 season.
Southern Railway Sindhu Ganapathy’s appointment as the first transwoman Travelling ---
Ticket Examiner (TTE) of Southern Railway marks a significant milestone
in the journey towards inclusivity and acceptance in the Indian workforce.
At the age of 37, Ms. Ganapathy has not only broken barriers but also
set a precedent for the transgender community’s representation in
prestigious government positions.
LIC Mutual Fund LIC Mutual Fund Asset Management has appointed Ravi Kumar Jha as ---
Asset Management its Managing Director and Chief Executive.
He previously served in various capacities, most recently as an

executive of corporate strategy until December 2023. Jha, aged 57,
holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Ranchi University.
Tata Digital Tata Digital has announced the appointment of Naveen Tahilyani as the ---
new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Group’s e-
commerce unit. Tahilyani, who presently holds the position of CEO and
MD at Tata AIA Life Insurance, is set to transition into his new role on
February 19, taking over from Pratik Pal.
National Payments The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) recently announced Founded:
Corporation of the appointment of Ajay Kumar Choudhary as its new non-executive 2008
India chairman and independent director, effective February 8, 2024.
USAID Indian-American Sonali Korde was sworn in as assistant to USAID Headquarters:
Administrator Samantha Power for the Bureau for Humanitarian Washington,
Assistance. D.C., United
States
Founded:
3 November
1961
Indian Railway Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jain, an Indian Railway Traffic Services (IRTS) Officer Founded:
Catering and of 1990 batch has taken over the charge of Chairman & Managing 27 September
Tourism Director of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd 1999
Corporation (IRCTC).
AWARDS AND REWARDS

India wins 9th Gov Tech award at World Government Summit in Dubai
 India has secured the prestigious 9th GovTech Prize for its pioneering endeavors in AI-powered
government services, at the World Government Summit 2024.

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 The annual award is instituted by the government of the UAE and is presented to government entities,
central or local, worldwide, to recognize creative and innovative solutions.
 India won under the category of 'AI-Powered Government Services'.
 The accolade recognizes the remarkable efforts of the Ministry for Road Transport & Highways,
Government of India, for its transformative project known as iRASTE.
 iRASTE, a collaborative initiative involving the government, industry, and academia, is revolutionizing
road safety through the integration of AI technology.
 This innovative project marks a significant departure from conventional approaches by harnessing
the predictive power of AI to preemptively address road safety challenges.
 At its core, iRASTE aims to reimagine road safety by leveraging AI as a force multiplier in road safety
engineering.
Tata Steel’s Odisha plants receive ‘Responsible Steel’ tag
 Tata Steel’s Kalinganagar and Meramandali plants in Odisha have received the prestigious
Responsible Steel certification.
 Responsible Steel is a global multi-stakeholder standard and certification initiative that works with
steel producers, consumers, and intermediaries towards building a sustainable steel industry by
addressing pressing challenges including climate change, diversity and human rights.
 Its certification process involves a detailed review of key policies and work at the site by an
independent external assessor.
Government of India Announces the Inaugural Edition of the National Creators Award to Celebrate
India’s Digital Creator Economy and its Impact
 The National Creators Award aims to spotlight the diverse voices and talents that are shaping India’s
growth and cultural narrative, driving positive social change, and fostering innovation & creativity in
the digital sphere.
 MyGov India has announced the launch of the National Creators Award, celebrating digital innovators
and content creators for their impactful contributions to India's digital landscape.
 The award recognizes exceptional creativity and innovation across 20+ categories.
 Best Storyteller Award: Celebrates creators who promote India’s cultural ethos through creative
storytelling.
 The Disruptor of the Year: Recognizes a creator who has challenged the status quo, bringing about
significant change or innovation in their field.
 Celebrity Creator of the Year: Recognize a high-profile creator who has leveraged their celebrity status
to influence positive change and set a precedent for creative and impactful online content.
 Green Champion Award: Honours creators advocating for environmental protection, sustainability,
and green living practices.
 Best Creator For Social Change: Recognises the creator who uses their platform to advocate for
social causes, charitable causes, inclusivity, empowerment and other positive change.
 Most Impactful Agri Creator: Recognises the creator who educates, critiques and showcases new
farming techniques, equipment that get launched in the market, etc. to elevate farming in India.

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 Cultural Ambassador of The Year: Honours those who help promote the culture of the country via
different lifestyle content centered around different aspects of Indian Culture.
 International Creator Award: Honours creators based abroad who are helping augment India’s culture
and soft power.
 Best Travel Creator Award: Recognizes creators who are showcasing India’s rich tourism potential
through their travel content.
 Swachhta Ambassador Award: Acknowledges creators dedicated to promoting cleanliness.
 The New India Champion Award: Highlights creators showcasing the progress, achievements of India
as well as spreading awareness on government policies and encouraging initiatives that focus on
nation-building.
 Tech Creator Award: For creators who demystify technology, offering insights, reviews, and
recommendations on the latest gadgets and innovations.
 Heritage Fashion Icon Award: Celebrates creators promoting local clothing brands but also actively
celebrating and preserving India's rich sartorial heritage.
 Most Creative Creator (Male & Female): Recognizes male and female creators who provide
exceptional content that has both entertainment value and social messaging.
 Best Creator in Food Category: Honours those who explore, critique, or create culinary content,
showcasing the diversity of India’s food culture.
 Best Creator in Education Category: Acknowledges creators contributing to the educational
landscape with informative content that enriches learners.
 Best Creator in Gaming Category: For creators who engage communities around gaming, whether
through gameplay, reviews, or Esports commentary.
 Best Micro Creator: Celebrates micro-creators who have a significant impact within their niche or
community, despite a smaller audience.
 Best Nano Creator: Honours nano-creators who engage deeply with their audience, often driving
higher levels of interaction and personal connection.
 Best Health and Fitness Creator: Recognizes creators promoting health, wellness, and fitness,
encouraging their audience to lead healthier lifestyles.
K.P.P. Nambiar Award for ISRO Chairman S. Somanath
 The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Kerala section conferred the 2024 K.P.P.
Nambiar Award on Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S. Somanath.
 Mr. Somanath has been pivotal in steering ISRO’s lunar exploration programme, Chandrayaan-3, and
played significant roles in various Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and ISRO missions.
 The award commemorates the doyen of the electronic industry K.P.P. Nambiar, who was also the
founder chair of IEEE Kerala section.
 It is given to individuals or groups in the State for significant contributions to the IEEE vision of
advancing technology for humanity, Muhammad Kasim, chair, IEEE.
 The Amarnath Raja Humanitarian Technology Award was given to Jawahara Fathima and team, MA
College, Kothamangalam, for the project Light for lives.
Bharat Ratna for Swaminathan, Rao, Charan Singh

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 Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary
Charan Singh, and agronomist MS Swaminathan will be honoured with India's highest civilian
honour, Bharat Ratna.
 Former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao had passed away on December 23, 2004.
 M S Swaminathan is also known as the "Father of Green Revolution" in India. He passed away on
September 28, 2023.
 Earlier, the Centre also awarded Bharat Ratna to BJP veteran L K Advani and former Bihar chief minister
Karpoori Thakur.
Govt announces National Creator's Awards for new-age influencers
 The government has announced the ‘National Creators Award’ to recognise new-age influencers and
creators and celebrate India’s digital creator economy.
 The ‘National Creators’ Award’ aims to spotlight the diverse voices and talents that are shaping
India’s growth and cultural narrative, driving positive social change, and fostering innovation and
creativity in the digital sphere, said the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY).
 MyGov India has announced the launch of the National Creators Award, celebrating digital innovators
and content creators for their impactful contributions to India's digital landscape.
 The award recognises exceptional creativity and innovation across more than 20 categories,
including storytelling, social change advocacy, environmental sustainability, education, gaming, and more.
The ‘Disruptor of the Year’ award recognises a creator who has challenged the status quo, bringing about
significant change or innovation in their field.
 The ‘Celebrity Creator of the Year’ recognises a high-profile creator who has leveraged their celebrity
status to influence positive change and set a precedent for creative and impactful online content.
 The 'International Creator Award honours creators based abroad who are helping augment India’s
culture and soft power. The ‘Tech Creator Award’ is for those who demystify technology, offering insights,
reviews, and recommendations on the latest gadgets and innovations.
National Film Awards: Indira Gandhi, Nargis Dutt names dropped from categories
 The ‘Indira Gandhi award for best debut film’ and the ‘Nargis Dutt award for best feature film on
national integration’ have been retitled with the names of the late prime minister and legendary actor
being dropped as part of a raft of changes for the National Film Awards.
 The ‘Regulations of 70th National Film Awards 2022’ reflects the changes suggested by a committee
set up by the Information and Broadcasting ministry to rationalise the honours given in different
categories.
 The changes include an upward revision in the cash rewards, including for the Dadasaheb Phalke
award, and several awards being fused.
 In another notable change, the award for ‘best animation film’ and ‘best special effects’ have been
clubbed under a new category named “best AVGC (animation, visual effects, gaming and comics) film”
with two sub-categories.
 The ‘best audiography’ category, which had three sub-categories honouring location sound recordist,
sound designer and recordist of the final mixed track, will now be known as best sound design.

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 The prize money, which has been raised to Rs 2 lakh from Rs 50,000, will be rewarded to the sound
designer.
Ranjan Gogoi receives Assam Baibhav award
 Former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi was given the Assam’s highest civilian award, Assam
Baibhav, in Guwahati on Tuesday.
 Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria presented the award to Ranjan Gogoi, currently a member of
Rajya Sabha, in the presence of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
 The award carries a cash prize of ₹5 lakh and lifelong medical treatment, the cost of which is borne by
the Assam government.
 The government conferred the award on Ranjan Gogoi in recognition of his contributions to the field
of justice and jurisprudence.
 The Assam government also conferred the Assam Saurav, the second-highest civilian award to four
individuals, including swimmer Elvis Ali Hazarika and athlete Hima Das. The Assam Gaurav was awarded
to 17 other achievers in their respective fields.
Learn Along:
 The only person from the northeast to serve as the Chief Justice, Ranjan Gogoi is the son of Kesab Chandra
Gogoi, who briefly served as the Chief Minister of Assam.
 The National Register of Citizens of 1951 for Assam was updated during his tenure as the Chief Justice.
About Assam
Chief minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma Capital: Dispur Governor: Gulab Chand Kataria
Sikh Regiment havildar conferred Vishisht Seva Medal for innovative octocopter development
 President Droupadi Murmu has awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal to Havildar Varinder Singh of the
Sikh Regiment in the Indian Army for his development of a ‘multipurpose octocopter’.
 The ‘multipurpose octocopter’ developed by Havildar Varinder Singh is a versatile drone capable of
not only conducting surveillance operations but also performing tasks such as grenade dropping,
aerial target engagement with weapons like the AK-47, and logistics operations.
 This is also a weapon drone. With the help of a four-hand grenade MGM rifle, the enemy can be killed
with pinpoint accuracy.
Learn Along:
 The Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) is a decoration of the Indian Armed Forces. It is given to personnel of all levels in
the Indian Armed Forces as an acknowledgement for “distinguished service of a high order.”
 The medal is crafted from bronze and is adorned with a golden ribbon featuring three dark blue stripes.
 The VSM was instituted on January 26, 1960, as VSM Class-III to recognise the distinguished service of a high
order.
 It was renamed on January 27, 1967, as VSM, and it holds the provision to be conferred posthumously.
IMPORTANT DAYS

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Day/Week Observance Significance

February 11 World Unani Day 2024 World Unani Day is observed every year on February 11 to
commemorate the birth anniversary of social reformer and well-
known Unani scholar Hakim Ajmal Khan, who is recognised as the
man who brought Unani medicine to India.
OBITUARIES
Name of Person Field Points to Remember
Achuthan Artist Known for translating the poetics of nature into a distinct language
Ramachandran of realism rooted in Indian ethos, Achuthan Ramachandran Nair,
Nair 88, passed away on Saturday in New Delhi.
Kelvin Kiptum Sports World marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach
Gervais Hakizimana died in a traffic accident, February 12,
2024,.
Kiptum, 24, set the world record at the Chicago Marathon in

October with a time of 2:00:35 to surpass the record of 2:01:09
set by his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin in 2022.
Dattajirao Sports India's oldest Test cricketer and former captain Dattajirao
Gaekwad Gaekwad passed away in Vadodara due to age-related ailments.
Dattajirao, father of former India opener and National coach
Aunshuman Gaekwad, was 95.

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BOOKS
Book Title Author/s About the book
‘Maha Swaapnikudu’ P. Vikram Former Supreme Court judge V. Gopala Gowda released a
book on former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, titled
‘Maha Swaapnikudu’ (A Great Visionary), here on February 11
(Sunday).
It was published by Koduri Venkat, an NRI, and authored by
journalist P. Vikram.
SPORTS
India dominates BIMSTEC aquatics with 54 medals
 Host India won the inaugural Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectional Technical and Economic
Cooperation (BIMSTEC) aquatic meet with 19 gold, 27 silver and eight bronze medals at the Shyama
Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool.
 The Indian men won 11 gold, and the women eight gold.
 Thailand was second in the men’s section with seven gold, three silver and 12 bronze. Thailand was
on top in women’s section with nine gold, six silver and three bronze medals.
 Sri Lanka won 10 bronze medals in the seven-nation competition. Nepal managed to bag one bronze.
 Harsh Saroha won the best swimmer award in the men’s section with three gold.
 Maria Andelko of Thailand was declared the best swimmer in the women’s section as she won three
godl and a silver medal.
 Kittapart Kaewmart of Thailand won the men’s 50-metre freestyle with a time of 23.71 seconds, ahead
of the Indian swimmers Joshua Thomas (23.8) and Veer Khatkar (24.10).
 In women’s 50-metre freestyle, Kamonluck Tungnapakorn of Thailand clocked 27 seconds to win the
title ahead of compatriot Pannita Chawanuchit (27.14). Alefiya Dhansura (27.42) won the bronze for India.
 India won the diving championship for both men and women.
 In water polo, Thailand won both the men’s and women’s championships, beating India 31-7 and 24-
3 respectively.
FIFA, Education Ministry join hands to promote football
 Aiming to significantly broaden the accessibility of football within the school setting for students, the
Ministry of Education has tied up with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
to distribute 11 lakh footballs across the country.
 The exercise is slated to benefit more than 1.5 lakh schools.
 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the distribution of 6,848 footballs to 1,260
schools in 17 districts of Odisha under the Footballs for Schools (F4S) programme.
 The distribution of balls was launched by Dharmendra Pradhan in December in JNV Cuttack, Odisha.

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Sportstar ACES Awards 2024
 India cricketer Mohammed Shami won the Sportsman of the year (Team Sports) honour at the
Sportstar ACES Awards 2024 held at the Taj Mahal Palace.
 Rohan Bopanna won the Ace of Aces award while Sheetal Devi took home two honours: Sportstar of
the year (female) and the Moment of the year accolade.
Category Awardee(s)
Sportsman of the Year (Track and Field): Men’s
Relay Team Mohammed Shami
Sportswoman of the Year (Track and Field) Parul Chaudhary
Sportsman of the Year (Team Sports) Hardik Singh, Mohammed Shami
Sportswoman of the Year (Team Sports) Vandana Katariya
Sportsman of the Year (Individual) Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty
Sportswoman of the Year (Individual) Rameshbabu Vaishali, Sift Kaur Samra
Sportsman of the Year (Parasports) Sumit Antil
Sportswoman of the Year (Parasports) Thulasimathi Murugesan
Coach of the Year Rahul Dravid
Young Achiever of the Year (Male) Prathamesh Samadhan Jawkar
Young Achiever of the Year (Female) Tilottama Sen
Lifetime Achievement Award Chandu Borde, Karnam Malleswari
Sportstar of the Year (Male) Neeraj Chopra
Sportstar of the Year (Female) Sheetal Devi
National Team of the Year India Men’s Cricket Team
Club/State Team of the Year Saurashtra Cricket Team
Moment of the Year Sheetal Devi Hits the Bullseye
International Icon Muttiah Muralitharan
Best State for the Promotion of Sport Tamil Nadu
Best PSU for the Promotion of Sport NTPC Ltd
Best Corporate for the Promotion of Sport Tata Steel Ltd
Best University for the Promotion of Sport SRM Institute of Science and Technology
Sport for Social Good Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board
Ace of Aces Award Rohan Bopanna
NADA hosts “Road to Paris 2024”
 The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), organized the conference “Road to Paris 2024:
Championing Clean Sports and Uniting for Anti-Doping” Conference in New Delhi.

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 Anurag Singh Thakur virtually inaugurated Centre of Excellence for Nutritional Supplements
Testing (CoE-NSTS) at the esteemed National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar,
Gujarat.
 The event, organized at the India International Centre, New Delhi, serves as a pivotal platform for
stakeholders from the sporting community to converge, deliberate, and strategize on key anti-
doping initiatives in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics 2024.
SAFF Women’s U-19 C’ships
 India was declared the winner of the SAFF U19 Women’s football final over Bangladesh with a coin
toss after the game was tied 11-11 on penalties.
 The match officials later announced both sides as the joint winners of the tournament.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah inaugurated the Gandhinagar
Premier League (GPL) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
 Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Ministe Amit Shah inaugurated the Gandhinagar
Premier League (GPL) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
 1,078 cricket teams from Gandhinagar are participating in GPL.
 In this entire event, 16,170 players from 1078 teams will play 1071 matches.
Neeraj Chopra honoured by Swiss tourism with plaque at Jungfrau’s Ice Palace
 India’s Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has been honoured with a plaque
at the famous Ice Palace at Jungfraujoch, known as the ‘Top of Europe’, in Switzerland.
 Neeraj Chopra donated one of his javelins to the tourist attraction, and it has been placed alongside
the plaque.
Sumit Nagal becomes latest Indian player to enter Top 100 in singles rankings
 Sumit Nagal became the 10th Indian man to be ranked inside the world’s Top 100 players since the
introduction of the computerised ATP Rankings in 1973.
 Sumit Nagal defeated Italy’s Luca Nardi 6-1, 6-4 in the Chennai Open final to clinch his fifth title on
the ATP Challenger Tour and as a result, jumped 23 spots to achieve a new career-high ranking of 98..
 Before Nagal, the last Indian man to enter the Top 100 was Prajnesh Gunneswaran in 2019.
 Sania Mirza is the only Indian woman to have ever made it to the Top 100 in the WTA Rankings.
She achieved a career-high ranking of 27 in 2007.

Here’s the full list of Indian players who have been ranked inside the Top 100 at some stage in their
careers (along with their career-high rankings):

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Career-high ranking (Year in

Name
which it was achieved)
Vijay Amritraj 18 (1980)
Anand Amritraj 74 (1974)
Sania Mirza 27 (2007)
Jasjit Singh 89 (1974)
Sashi Menon 71 (1975)
Ramesh Krishnan 23 (1985)
Somdev
62 (2011)
Devvarman
Yuki Bhambri 83 (2018)
Prajnesh
75 (2019)
Gunneswaran
Sumit Nagal 98 (2024)
Union Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur hands over Chess Olympiad Torch to Budapest
 Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur handed over the Chess Olympiad
Torch to Budapest, Hungary, the official host of the 45th edition of the Chess Olympiad in New
Delhi.
 The handoff ceremony took place at Major Dhyanchand National Stadium, where the minister, along
with Indian Grand Master Vishwanathan Anand played also a friendly game of Chess against FIDE
President, Arkady Dvorkovich and Hungarian Grand Master Judit Polgár before handing over the Olympiad
torch to the FIDE President and Budapest.
 The 44th edition of the Chess Olympiad was held in Chennai in the year 2022.
 The next edition of the FIDE Chess Olympiad will now take place in Budapest, Hungary this year with
the official announcement for the same being made earlier this year.
 The 1st Chess Olympiad Torch Relay was kicked off in a ceremony by the Prime Minister Narendra
Modi at Delhi's Indira Gandhi Stadium on 19th June 2022.
Jay Shah declares Rohit Sharma as captain for T20 World Cup; Hardik Pandya to be his deputy

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 The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary, Jay Shah, declared that Rohit Sharma will
lead India in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the USA.
 The BCCI secretary confirmed that Hardik Pandya would be Rohit’s deputy.
Sources of the News:
The Hindu,The Indian Express,Business Standard, The Financial Express ,PIB, etc.


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9th-15th February 2024

RBI, Banking and Economy ___________________________________________ 2

SEBI and Financial Awareness _________________________________________ 8

NABARD and Agriculture ___________________________________________ 11

Reports and Indexes _______________________________________________ 23

Science and Technology ___________________________________________ 25

Awards & Rewards ___________________________________________________ 34

Important Days ___________________________________________________ 38

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RBI, Banking and Economy

RBI cancels Certificate of Registration of Three NBFCs

RBI directs Visa, Mastercard to halt card-based commercial payments

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RuPay, UPI rolled out in Mauritius, Sri Lanka

UPI to be launched in Sri Lanka

 India’s Fintech interface 'UPI' is was launched in Sri Lanka.

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Year Share of MSME GVA in All India Share of MSME Manufacturing

2017-18 29.7% 37.4%

2018-19 30.5% 36.9%

2019-20 30.5% 36.6%

2020-21 27.2% 36.9%

2021-22 29.1% 36.2%

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Free trade agreement with India by year-end

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IndianOil-Adani Gas JV to invest $300 million to double gas sales

Odisha to give Rs 1,000 to PDS beneficiaries, interest free loans to youth

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India, UAE sign bilateral investment agreement during PM Modi's visit

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SEBI and FINANCIAL AWARENESS

Ministry of Defence surpasses Rs 1 lakh crore mark in online orders

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 GeM has facilitated over 5.47 lakh orders for MoD.

Zerodha, Swiggy, Razorpay among India's 10 biggest unlisted companies

Top 10 of 2023 Burgundy Private Hurun India 500

Ex-SEBI chief Damodaran to head Paytm compliance panel

GeM to enhance reach of Odisha-based businesses affiliated with ORMAS

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MSME Minister launches ‘Smart Cards’ for startups

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NABARD and AGRICULTURE

Major Impact, including employment generation potential

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Memorandum of Understanding signed between Warehousing Development Regulatory Authority

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New Water Act

Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis elimination

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 Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) signed a Memorandum of

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Capital: Naypyidaw Currency: Kyat

Tata Trusts to launch India’s first small animal hospital in Mumbai

PM inaugurates Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu stone temple

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‘Weimar Triangle’ to join hands against disinformation

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China opens Qinling Station for Antarctic scientific investigation