Current Affairs Pocket PDF

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Current Affairs Pocket PDF – February 2024

Table of Contents
NATIONAL AFFAIRS ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
CABINET APPROVAL ................................................................................................................................................. 7
PARLIAMENT .............................................................................................................................................................. 8
STATEWISE NATIONAL NEWS ................................................................................................................................. 9
FESTIVAL................................................................................................................................................................... 14
LAUNCHES & INAUGURATION ............................................................................................................................... 14
OTHER NATIONAL NEWS ....................................................................................................................................... 19
GOVT SCHEMES ............................................................................................................................................................ 24
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS ......................................................................................................................................... 24
VISITS............................................................................................................................................................................. 25
INDIAN VISITS .......................................................................................................................................................... 25
FOREIGN VISITS ....................................................................................................................................................... 27
BANKING & FINANCE .................................................................................................................................................. 28
RBI IN NEWS ............................................................................................................................................................. 28
SEBI ............................................................................................................................................................................ 30
LOANS ISSUED BY BANKS....................................................................................................................................... 30
AGREEMENTS & MoUs SIGNED.............................................................................................................................. 31
OTHER BANKING NEWS ......................................................................................................................................... 33
FINANCE NEWS......................................................................................................................................................... 35
ECONOMY & BUSINESS ............................................................................................................................................... 37
GDP & GROWTH RATE ............................................................................................................................................ 37
ECONOMY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................................... 37
MoU’s & AGREEMENTS ............................................................................................................................................... 38
MoU’s WITH COUNTRY ........................................................................................................................................... 38
MoU’s WITH STATES ............................................................................................................................................... 38
MoU’s BETWEEN ORGANIZATION ........................................................................................................................ 39
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS .......................................................................................................................... 42
APPOINTMENTS....................................................................................................................................................... 42
NATIONAL ................................................................................................................................................................. 42
INTERNATIONAL ..................................................................................................................................................... 46
BRAND & CAMPAIGN AMBASSADORS ................................................................................................................. 49
OTHER APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS ........................................................................................................ 49

RESIGNATIONS ......................................................................................................................................................... 50
AWARDS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 50
OTHER IMPORTANT AWARDS .............................................................................................................................. 50
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS IN CONTENT FORMAT .......................................................................................... 54
SUMMITS, EVENTS & CONFERENCE.......................................................................................................................... 56
SUMMITS ................................................................................................................................................................... 56
EVENTS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 57
CONFERENCE ............................................................................................................................................................ 58
COMMITTEES & MEETINGS........................................................................................................................................ 59
MEETINGS ................................................................................................................................................................. 59
INDEX ............................................................................................................................................................................. 60
RANKING ................................................................................................................................................................... 60
REPORTS ................................................................................................................................................................... 61
ACQUISITION & MERGERS ......................................................................................................................................... 65
DEFENCE........................................................................................................................................................................ 67
EXERCISE ................................................................................................................................................................... 67
ARMY, NAVY & AIR FORCE NEWS ......................................................................................................................... 69
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ........................................................................................................................................... 70
SATELLITES LAUNCHES .......................................................................................................................................... 70
NATIONAL ................................................................................................................................................................. 71
INTERNATIONAL ..................................................................................................................................................... 72
SPORTS .......................................................................................................................................................................... 73
CRICKET .................................................................................................................................................................... 73
BADMINTON & TENNIS........................................................................................................................................... 73
BOXING, WRESTLING .............................................................................................................................................. 74
ATHLETIC & FOOTBALL ......................................................................................................................................... 74
ARCHERY & SHOOTING .......................................................................................................................................... 74
OTHER SPORTS NEWS ............................................................................................................................................ 75
BOOKS & AUTHORS ..................................................................................................................................................... 77
OBITUARY ..................................................................................................................................................................... 78
NATIONAL ................................................................................................................................................................. 78
INTERNATIONAL ..................................................................................................................................................... 81
IMPORTANT DAYS ....................................................................................................................................................... 82
APPS & WEB PORTAL ................................................................................................................................................. 90
ENVIRONMENT............................................................................................................................................................. 92

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
CABINET APPROVAL
Cabinet approvals on 24 January 2024
On January 24, 2024, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi
approved the following schemes and incentives:
✓ Approved the Rs 8,500 crore scheme for the promotion of Coal/Lignite Gasification
Projects.
✓ Approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Oman on
cooperation in the field of Information Technology(IT).
✓ Cabinet Approves MoU Between India and Oman on Cooperation in the Field of IT
✓ Cabinet Resolution on Pran Pratishtha at Shri Ram Temple, Ayodhya Dham
✓ CCEA Approved equity investment by CIL to set up Coal-to-SNG project & Coal-to-AN
project
✓ The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi approved the proposal of the signing of a protocol
for the establishment of a Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) between the
Department of Commerce, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry(MoCI) of the Republic
of India, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic.
✓ Approved the protocol to establish a Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO)
between India and the Dominican Republic. Click here to read full News
Cabinet Approvals on 1st February 2024

On February 1, 2024, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi
approved the following schemes and initiatives:
✓ The Union Cabinet Chaired by PM Modi approved the continuation of the Animal
Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) to be implemented under the
Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) for three years till 2025-26 with an outlay
of Rs 29,610.25 crore.
✓ The Union Cabinet chaired by the PM approved the extension of the Scheme of sugar
subsidy for AAY families distributed through the PDS for two more years till 31 March
2026.
✓ The Union Cabinet chaired by the PM approved the extension of the Scheme for Rebate of
State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) for two years till 31st March 2026 for
export of Apparel/Garments and Made-ups.
✓ The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi has given its approval for the determination of the
Marketing Margin on the supply of domestic gas to Fertilizer (Urea) Units from May 1,
2009, to November 17, 2015.
✓ The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi has approved the signing and ratification of the
Bilateral Investment Treaty between the GoI and the Government of the UAE. Click here
to read full News
Cabinet Approvals on 8th February 2024

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the following
schemes and initiatives on 8th February 2024

✓ The cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-
MKSSY), a Central Sector sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
(PMMSY).
✓ The Cabinet approved the extension of the Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund
(FIDF) for the next three years up to 2025-26 within the approved fund of Rs 7522.48
crore and budgetary support of Rs 939.48 crore.
✓ The Cabinet has approved the auction in eight spectrum bands for mobile phone services
at a base price of Rs 96,317 crore to improve the quality of telecom services and coverage
for consumers.
✓ The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by PM Modi has approved six
railway projects worth Rs. 12,343 crores with 100% funding from the Central
Government. Click here to read full News
Cabinet Approvals on 21 February 2024

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the following
schemes and initiatives on 21st February 2024.
✓ The Union Cabinet approved amendments in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy
for the space sector. The existing FDI policy permits the establishment and operation of
Satellites only through the Government approval route. Under the amended FDI policy,
100% FDI is allowed in the space sector.
✓ The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the centrally sponsored Scheme, the
“Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP)” with a total outlay of Rs
4,100 crores for a period of 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26
✓ Cabinet Approves Inclusion of Additional Activities in the National Livestock Mission
✓ The Union Cabinet approved the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA)’s proposal to continue
the implementation of Umbrella Scheme on ‘Safety of Women’ from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
✓ The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs(CCEA) chaired by PM Modi approved the Fair
and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for Sugar Season 2024-25 at Rs 340/q. Click
here to read full News
PARLIAMENT
President Droupadi Murmu Gives Assent to Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair
Means) Bill, 2024
President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Public Examinations (Prevention
of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, aimed at preventing malpractices in government recruitment
examinations.
Public examinations in the act refer to examinations conducted by the Union Public Service
Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Railway Recruitment Board (RRB),
National Testing Agency (NTA), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), and
Departments of the central government and their attached offices for recruitment.

STATEWISE NATIONAL NEWS

Andhra Pradesh
AP FM Buggana Rajendranath Reddy presented Rs 2.86 lakh cr Budget for FY25
Andhra Pradesh’s (AP) Finance Minister (FM), Buggana Rajendranath Reddy, presented a vote-on-
account budget of Rs 2,86,389.27 crore for Financial Year 2024–25 (FY25) in the state assembly in
Amaravati, AP.
✓ The budget also includes a vote on account of Rs 88,21,580 Lakh or (Rs 88,215 crore) for 2024-
25, to be utilized until a new government presents a full budget post-Assembly elections in April
2024. Click here to read full News
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh becomes the first North-Eastern state to achieve 100% household tap
water connections
Chief Minister (CM) of Arunachal Pradesh (AR), Pema Khandu announced that AR has
achieved 100% household tap water connections under the centrally sponsored Jal Jeevan
Mission (JJM). With this, AR has become the first state in North-East India and as the 10th
state/Union territory in overall India to achieve 100% saturation of Har Ghar Jal (tap water in
every household) under JJM.
Assam
'Kaji Nemu' named as State Fruit of Assam
The Government of Assam has declared Kaji Nemu (Citrus Limon) as the State Fruit of Assam. The
announcement was made by Assam’s Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, following a Cabinet meeting.
Kaji Nemu is also known as the "Queen of all citrus fruits". In 2019, Kaji nemu received the
Geographical Indication (GI) tag as ‘Agricultural’ Goods
Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog presented Rs 2.9 lakh crore budget for FY25
The Finance Minister of Assam Ajanta Neog presented Rs 2.9 lakh crore budget for Financial
Year 2024-25 (FY25) with a deficit of Rs 774.47 crore. The budget proposed no new tax. This
was his 4th budget under the leadership of Chief Minister (CM) of Assam Dr
Himanta Biswa Sarma. Click here to read full News
Bihar
Bihar Govt Presents Rs 2.79 Lakh Crore Budget for FY 2024-25
Samrat Chaudhary, Deputy Chief Minister (CM) cum Finance Minister of Bihar, presented a
budget of Rs 2,78,725 crore for the fiscal year 2024-2025(FY25) in the Bihar Assembly. The
budget expenditure has increased by Rs 16840.32 crore from Rs 2,61,885.40 crore in FY24.
Click here to read full News
BSDMA launched a Novel Device ‘NITISH’ to Alert People on Natural Calamities

The Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) has launched the Novel Initiative
Technological Intervention for Safety of Humanlives (NITISH) device in the presence of Nitish
Kumar, Chief Minister (CM) of Bihar. The device aims to provide an earlier alert of natural
calamities.
✓ The pendant-like device was developed by BSDMA in collaboration with the Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) in Patna, Bihar.

Bihar Introduced 'Patna Declaration' to Strengthen Bird Conservation Initiatives in South

Asian region
The Bihar government has brought out the 'Patna Declaration’ to strengthen bird
conservation initiatives and address the challenges posed by illegal hunting in the South Asian
region. The declaration was finalised at the international workshop organised by the
Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (DEFCC) of Bihar and the Bombay
Natural History Society (BNHS).
Delhi
Delhi LG VK Saxena approves DDA budget of Rs 8,811 cr for FY25
The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, and the Chairperson of Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Vinai
Kumar Saxena, approved the annual budget of DDA, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for
Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) with an outlay of Rs 8,811 crore. Click here to read full News
Goa
Goa CM presents Rs 26,850.56 cr Budget for FY25; No New Taxes Imposed
The Chief Minister (CM) of Goa Pramod Sawant, who also holds the finance portfolio of the
state, presented Rs 26,850.56 crore budget for Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) with no
additional taxes at the Goa State Legislative Assembly Complex in Porvorim, Bardez in Goa. It
was his 5th budget.
✓ The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for FY25 is projected at Rs 1,21,309.02 crore at
current prices with a growth rate of 13.87% as compared to FY24 and a Per Capita
Income of Rs 7.64 lakh Click here to read full News
Gujarat
Gujarat FM Kanubhai Desai presented State Budget of Rs 3,32,465cr for FY25
The Finance Minister (FM) of Gujarat, Kanubhai Desai presented Rs 3,32,465 crore state
budget for the financial year 2024-25 (FY25) in the Gujarat Assembly House in Gandhinagar,
Gujarat. It was the highest-ever budget presented in the history of Gujarat.
✓ The budget estimates for 2024-25 includes Revenue Receipts of Rs 229653.17crore,
Revenue Expenditure of Rs 219831.89 crore, Capital Receipts of Rs 95292.12 crore,
and Capital Expenditure of Rs 108615.17 crore.
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal CM presents Rs 58,444 crore budget for 2024-25
The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh (HP), who also holds the finance portfolio, presented
budget estimates of Rs 58,444 crore for the Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25). It is 9.1% higher
than the budget of Rs 53,413 crore in FY24. Total estimated receipts for FY25 is Rs 61438.71
crore.
Jammu and Kashmir

Union Finance Minister Sitharaman Proposes Rs 1.18 lakh Cr Budget Estimation for FY25 for
J&K
Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance, proposed the budget estimation of Rs 1,18,728
crore for the fiscal year 2024-2025(FY25) for the Union Territory(UT) of Jammu and Kashmir(J&K).
The UT Government has proposed the “Vote on Account” or “Interim Budget” for Rs.59,364 Crore,

which includes allocations of Rs 40,081 crore for revenue expenditure and Rs 19,283 crore for capital
expenditure.
✓ This outlined a fiscal deficit of Rs 20,760 crore and a 7.5% growth in gross State domestic product
(GSDP).
✓ The capital expenditure for the FY25 has been proposed at Rs 38,566 crore, which is 14.64% of
the GSDP. The revenue expenditure stands at Rs 80,162 crore.
✓ The Capital Receipts stand at Rs. 20,867 Crore and the revenue receipts is at Rs 97,861 crore.
Karnataka
Justice P S Dinesh Kumar Appointed as CJ of Karnataka High Court
Justice PS Dinesh Kumar was appointed Chief Justice(CJ) of the Karnataka High Court (HC).
He is set to retire from the service on 24th February 2024. Justice PS Dinesh Kumar has been
serving as the acting CJ of the Karnataka HC after Justice Prasanna Bhalachandra Varale was
elevated at the judge of the Supreme Court(SC) of India on 24th January 2024.
Justice N V Anjaria Appointed as CJ of Karnataka High Court

Justice Nilay Vipinchandra Anjaria is appointed as Chief Justice(CJ) of the Karnataka High
Court (HC). He will succeed Justice Pratinidhi Srinivasacharya Dinesh Kumar, who is set to
retire on 24th February 2024. The appointment was made by the President of India,
Droupadi Murmu, in the exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 217 of the
Constitution of India.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Launches Asha Kirana Eye Care Scheme

Karnataka Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah launched the ‘Asha Kirana – Eye Care at Your
Doorstep’, a scheme to offer free eye care services to families across Karnataka, during a event
held in Haveri, Karnataka. Asha Kirana aims to provide comprehensive eye care services
including doorstep eye check-ups for individuals of all age groups.
Kerala
Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal presented State Budget for FY2024-25
On February 5, 2024, the Finance Minister of Kerala Kalanjoor Narayana Panicker Balagopal
(K.N. Balagopa) has presented a deficit budget for FY2024-2025 at the State Legislative
Assembly in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
✓ The budget estimates for 2024-25 includes revenue receipts of Rs 1,38,655.16 crore,
revenue expenditure of Rs 1,66,501.21 crore and capital expenditure of Rs 15,596 crore.
For the first time, Kerala’s budget included a dedicated 'Environment Budget'
highlighting Kerala's commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable
development
Kerala Launched the Kerala Brand Logo & Web Portal

P Rajeeve, Minister for Industries, Law and Coir, Government of Kerala, unveiled the logo and
web portal of the Kerala Brand to increase the domestic and global demand for high-quality
products made in Kerala. The logo of Kerala Brand carries the motto ‘Nanma’, a Malayalam
expression which translates to ‘Goodness’.

Odisha
Odisha Finance Minister Presents Rs 2.55 Lakh Crore Budget for 2024-25
The Finance Minister of Odisha Bikram Keshari Arukha presented a growth-oriented Annual
Budget (Vote-on-Account) for the Financial Year 2024‐25 (FY25) in the Legislative Assembly,
with an outlay Rs 2,55,000 crore, a 11% increase from Annual Budget, FY24. No new schemes
were introduced.
✓ An interim budget of Rs 1.18 lakh crore was also presented for the first four months of
FY25. The highest resource allocation of Rs 33,865 crore has been proposed for the
school and mass education department.
Odisha Launches LABHA, a 100% State-Funded MSP Scheme for Minor Forest Produce
On 29th January 2024, the Odisha Cabinet led by Chief Minister (CM) Naveen Patnaik, launched
LABHA (Laghu Bana Jatya Drabya Kraya) Yojana, a new 100% state-funded minimum
support price (MSP) scheme for minor forest produce (MFB).
Aim: The scheme aims to eliminate the possibility of distress sale of the produce to middlemen.
Odisha Declared Gupteswar Forest as its 4th Biodiversity Heritage Site

The Odisha government has declared the Gupteswar forest in Koraput district as its fourth
Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS). The three other BHS sites in Odisha are Mandasaru in
Kandhamal district, Mahendragiri in Gajpati district, and Gandhamardan in Bargarh and
Bolangir districts.
Punjab
Indian Cricketer Shubman Gill To Be the ‘State Icon’ of Punjab
Indian cricketer Shubman Gill was named as the ‘State Icon’ of Punjab by the Chief Electoral
Officer of Punjab for the 2024 Parliamentary election. The awareness campaigns and appeals
made by Shubman Gill would motivate the voters to cast their votes.
Sikkim
Sikkim CM Launched Sikkim INSPIRES, a World Bank-Assisted Program for Economic
Empowerment of Women & Youth
Sikkim Chief Minister (CM) Prem Singh Tamang launched Sikkim INSPIRES (Integrated
Service Provision and Innovation for Revising Economics), a World Bank(WB)-assisted
program under the Planning and Development Department of the Government of Sikkim was
launched at Chintan Bhavan, Gangtok, Sikkim.
Tamil Nadu
Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary declared as 18th Wildlife Sanctuary of TN
The Governor of Tamil Nadu (TN) Ravindra Narayana Ravi, has declared the Reserve forest
areas of Anthiyur taluk of Erode district as Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary with effect
from 30th January 2024. This becomes the 18th Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) of TN

Telangana
Telangana Wildlife Board Approves Tadoba-Kawal Conservation Reserve
The State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) of Telangana has approved the establishment of the
Tadoba-Kawal conservation reserve in the area situated between Tadoba-Andhari Tiger
Reserve (located in Maharashtra) and Kawal Tiger Reserve (Telangana).
Telangana Cabinet Decides to Change Prefix of Vehicle Registration, State Emblem, Talli statue
The Chief Minister (CM) of Telangana, Anumula Revanth Reddy in his 1st cabinet meeting
decided to replace the prefix code of vehicle registration from TS to TG, proposed to adopt a
new state emblem, and a redesigned Telangana Talli (mother) statue. The Cabinet also
approved ‘Jaya Jaya he Telangana, Janani Jaya ketanam’, as Telangana's official song written by
Ande Sri.
Telangana Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu presented Vote on Account Rs 2,75,891

crore Budget for FY25
The Deputy Chief Minister (CM) and Finance Minister of Telangana Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu
presented the state's vote on account budget for Financial Year 2024-2025 (FY25) with an
outlay of Rs 2,75,891 crore in the State Legislative Assembly in Hyderabad, Telangana.
✓ This is the first budget presented by the Congress Government which came to power after
the recent elections.
This outlay of the budget includes Rs 201,178 crore towards revenue expenditure and
Rs 29,669 crore for capital expenditure
Tripura
Tripura Launched CM Jan Arogya Yojana; Becomes 1st Northeast State Universal Health Cover
Manik Saha, Chief Minister(CM) of Tripura, launched the CM Jan Arogya Yojana (CMJAY), a
universal health insurance scheme for all. With this launch, Tripura became the first
Northeastern state to launch a universal health cover.
✓ The scheme offers universal health insurance coverage and it will benefit 4.15 lakh
families of Tripura and provide cover of Rs 5 lakh per family annually.
Uttarakhand
Radha Raturi Becomes First Woman Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand
Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister(CM) of Uttarakhand, has appointed Radha Raturi, a 1988
batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer, as the 18th Chief Secretary(CS) of
Uttarakhand. Radha Raturi succeeded Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, a 1988 batch IAS Officer, who
retired on 31st January 2024.
✓ With this appointment, she became the first-ever woman to hold the post of CS in
Uttarakhand since its formation in 2000.
Uttarakhand Becomes 1st State to Pass Bill on Uniform Civil Code Bill
Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Uttarakhand Bill, 2024
which aims to govern and regulate laws related to marriage, divorce, land, property and
inheritance for all citizens, irrespective of their religion.

✓ The bill will now be sent to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, for her assent after
which it will become a law. With this, Uttarakhand will become the first Indian state to get
a common law.
Uttar Pradesh
UP Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna presents Rs 7.36 lakh cr Budget for FY25
On February 5, 2024, the Finance Minister of Uttar Pradesh (UP), Suresh Kumar Khanna,
presented Rs 7.36 lakh crore (Rs 7,36,437.71 crore) budget for FY25 (2024-2025) in the State
Assembly i.e. Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly (UPLA) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP).
✓ Total receipts estimated at Rs 7,21,233.82 crore, comprising revenue receipts of Rs
6,06,802.40 crore and capital receipts of Rs 1,14,531.42 crore. Click here to read full
News
West Bengal
West Bengal FM Chandrima Bhattacharya Presented Rs 3.6 lakh crore State Budget for FY25
The Finance Minister of West Bengal (WB) Chandrima Bhattacharya presented a state budget
of Rs 3,66,166 crore for FY2024-25 which introduced a Gender and Child Budget Budget.
✓ Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for FY25 is projected at Rs 18.8 lakh crore,
showing a growth of 10.5% over FY24.
✓ Total receipts for 2024-25 are estimated to be Rs 3,36,114.02 crores with Revenue
Receipt of Rs 236,251.09 crores and Capital Receipt of Rs 99,862.93 crores.
FESTIVAL
Nagaland Celebrated 4th Edition of the Annual Orange Festival
The 4th edition of the Rüsoma Orange Festival 2024 was held under the theme “Organic
Orange” from 24th to 25th January 2024 in Rüsoma village near Kohima, in Nagaland. The
Orange Festival is also known as Shühuo Nyi, and it originated in 2020.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik inaugurated 4th National Chilika Bird Festival

The Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, has inaugurated the 4th National Chilika
Bird Festival, which was observed from January 27th to 29th, 2024, to showcase the aviation
biodiversity of Chilika Lake (Asia's largest brackish water lagoon) in Odisha.
✓ The festival was organised by the Odisha’s State Department of Tourism, Department of
Forest and Chilika Development Authority. The first National Chilika Bird Festival was
celebrated in 2018.
Note: Mangalajodi village of Odisha is renowned as the “Birds Paradise of Asia”.
LAUNCHES & INAUGURATION

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Launched 2 Digital Modules within SagarSetu
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW)
launched two digital modules namely the Maritime Single Window (MSW) module and the
Mercantile Maritime Department (MMD) module within the SagarSetu (National Logistics
Portal(NLP) -Marine) platform to transform and modernize Indian ports.
During the event, ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ awards were presented to MoPSW organizations to
recognise their outstanding contributions towards cleanliness and sanitation initiatives.

✓ First - The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)

✓ Second - Indian Maritime University (IMU) of Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN)
✓ Third - Visakhapatnam Port of Visakhapatnam(Andhra Pradesh)
INCOIS Celebrates Silver Jubilee: Launched new satellite data facility & Unveiled special postal
stamp
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) launched a new Satellite
Data Acquisition and Processing Facility and unveiled a special postal stamp “INCOIS My
Stamp” as a part of its INCOIS Foundation day - Silver Jubilee (25 years) celebration held in
Hyderabad, Telangana.
✓ INCOIS, a unit of Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO), was established as an
autonomous body in 1999 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
Dharmendra Pradhan launches EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the Ministry of Education(MoE) launched the
EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme in New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ The Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme is to help students join higher education after
secondary education and also provide financial assistance for higher education to the
economically marginalised and meritorious students from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
(JNV)
✓ The programme is implemented by Educational Consultants India Limited (EdCIL), Mini
Ratna Category-1 Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)
Union Minister Sonowal Released ‘Sagar Aankalan’ Guidelines for Indian Port
Performance Index
The Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
(MoPS&W) released “Sagar Aankalan”, the national benchmarking guidelines for Indian port
performance index to boost their efficiency and improve competitiveness.
✓ The guidelines were released during the stakeholders' meet on implementation of the
Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed at the 3rd edition of the Global Maritime
India Summit 2023 (GMIS 2023).
Adani Group unveils India’s 1st & South Asia’s Largest Ammunition twin-facility
complex in Kanpur
Adani Defence and Aerospace, a part of Adani Group, unveiled its India's first private sector
ammunition-missile manufacturing complex in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (UP). The complex
spread over 500 acres is set to become South Asia's largest integrated ammunition
manufacturing Complex. The complex, unveiled on the occasion of 5th anniversary of the
'Operation Bandar', was dedicated to the warriors of Balakot airstrike.
MoSDE launches 'SWAYAM Plus Platform' to Boost Employability and Professional

Development
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education (MoE) and Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship (MoSDE), launched the SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active-
Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) Plus Platform from New Delhi, Delhi.

✓ The SWAYAM plus offers employability and professional development focused courses
developed collaboratively with industry players like Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Microsoft,
CISCO.
Union Minister Arjun Munda launched an Initiative to Increase the Awareness of

Medicinal Plant
Union Minister Arjun Munda, Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has launched “Joint National
Level Project of Health Screening and Management through Ayurvedic Interventions” to
cater to the healthcare requirements of students residing in Eklavya Model Residential Schools
(EMRS) across tribal areas in India.
Microsoft, iCreate & MeitY Jointly Launch iMPEL-AI Programme

Microsoft and the International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (iCreate) have
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) facilitated by the Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology (MeitY) to launch iMPEL-AI (iCreate-Microsoft Programme for
Emerging Leaders in Artificial Intelligence (AI)) programme to empower Indian AI startups.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Unveils 3 Commemorative Coins at 19th

Foundation Day Celebrations of SPMCIL
Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF), released 3 souvenir coins,
during the 19th Foundation Day celebrations of the Security Printing and Minting
Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL), a wholly owned Miniratna Category-I Central Public
Sector Enterprise (CPSE) of the Government of India in New Delhi, Delhi through a hybrid
mode.
3 Coins Includes:
✓ A Coloured souvenir coin on Endangered Animals of India - Greater One Horned
Rhinoceros;
✓ A bi-metallic clad souvenir coin on the Enlightenment of Buddha; and
✓ Shree Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir Ayodhya (Coloured souvenir silver coin)
Union Minister Parshottam Rupala Launches the Realigned AHIDF Scheme

Union Minister Parshotam Rupala, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and
Dairying(MoFAH&D) has launched the realigned Animal Husbandry Infrastructure
Development Fund(AHIDF) Scheme at New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ On 1st February 2024, The union cabinet approved the continuation of the AHIDF under
the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF)with an outlay of Rs 29,610.25 crore. The
realigned scheme will be implemented for three years from 31st March 2023 till 2025-
26.
PM Modi Addressed ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Chhattisgarh’: Launched Projects Worth Over Rs
34,400 Cr in Chhattisgarh
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi virtually addressed the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Chhattisgarh’
programme. During the event, He inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation
stone of several development projects worth Rs 34,400 crore in Chhattisgarh.

✓ PM Modi dedicated the Lara Super Thermal Power Project, Stage-I (2×800
MW(megawatt)) of NTPC Limited (formerly known as National Thermal Power
Corporation) in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh, to the nation.
✓ PM Modi inaugurated three key First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects of South Eastern
Coalfields Limited(SECL) built at a total cost of more than Rs 600 crores.
✓ Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has commissioned India's largest Battery
Energy Storage System (BESS) that stores energy using solar energy in Rajnandgaon,
Chhattisgarh. Click here to read full News
Ministry of Education Launches APAAR in Remote Villages across India

Ministry of Education (MoE) launched APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account
Registry) through the Common Service Centres (CSCs) in remote villages of India. APAAR,
conceptualized under the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), aims for ‘One Nation, One
Student ID’.
MoH&FW Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launches AIIMS-SBI SMART Payment Card in AIIMS,
New Delhi
The Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW)
launched AIIMS-SBI Smart Payment Card to provide hassle-free payments for treatment at the
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
✓ Initially the card is launched for AIIMS, New Delhi. Its services will be extended across all
the AIIMS in India in future. The validity of the card is 5 years with effect from the date of
issue.
✓ During the event, SBI and AIIMS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the
implementation of the AIIMS-SBI SMART Payment card. This card is regarded as the “One
AIIMS, One Card”.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched '100 Cube' initiative in IIT

Bhubaneswar
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education (MoE) has launched the '100
Cube' initiative during a two-day 100 Cube Start-up Conclave held at Research and
Entrepreneurship Park (REP) of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar, Odisha
from 11th to 12th February 2024.
MoRD launched Unique Land Parcel Identification Number

The Secretary of the Department of Land Resources (DLR), under the Ministry of Rural
Development (MoRD), Nidhi Khare has launched the Unique Land Parcel Identification
Number (ULPIN) in an event held in Darrang district of Assam.
✓ It is a 14-digit alphanumeric identification number allotted to every land parcel. The land
is given with a unique blockchain ID and it is identified by the longitude and latitude of the
land parcel using ULPIN from Bhu-naksha.
Union Minister Amit Shah launches Computerisation of ARDBs, RCS offices

On 30th January 2024, Union Minister, Amit Shah, Ministry of Cooperation (MoC), launched the
computerisation scheme for the offices of Agriculture and Rural Development Banks

(ARDBs) and the Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCSs) of all States and Union Territories
(UTs) in New Delhi, Delhi.
MNRE Issues Guidelines for Pilot Projects for Utilizing Green Hydrogen in the Shipping & Steel
Sector
On 1st February 2024, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) released the
guidelines of the “Scheme of Pilot Projects on Use of Green Hydrogen in the Shipping
Sector” under the National Green Hydrogen Mission(NGHM).
✓ On 2nd February 2024, MNRE released guidelines of the “scheme for pilot projects on
the use of Green Hydrogen in the steel sector” under NGHM.
Note: Under the NGHM, MNRE will undertake pilot projects in the shipping sector and steel
sector to replace fossil fuels and fossil fuel-based feedstock with Green Hydrogen and its
derivatives (like green ammonia, green methanol).
PM Modi Inaugurated & Laid Foundation Stone of Various Projects Worth Rs 7500 cr in Jhabua, MP
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple
developmental projects worth Rs 7,500 crore in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh (MP). The
development projects will benefit the significant tribal population of the region.
✓ He also dedicated the ‘Nal Jal Yojna’ to 50 Gram Panchayats of Jhabua which will provide
tap water to about 11 thousand households.
✓ PM Narendra Modi announced the launch of ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’, to
encourage people to install solar panels on their rooftops for free electricity.
PM Modi Inaugurated & Laid Foundation Stone for Over 2000 Railway Infra Projects
Worth Around Rs 41,000 Cr
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated, laid the foundation stone and
dedicated to the nation over 2000 railway infrastructure projects worth around Rs 41,000
crores.
✓ PM laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 553 railway stations spread across 27
States and Union Territories (UTs) under the Amrit Bharat scheme.
✓ PM Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated, and dedicated to the nation 1500 Road Over
Bridges and Underpasses spread across 24 States and UTs.
Dharmendra Pradhan Inaugurates India’s 1st Skill India Centre in Odisha

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
(MSDE) inaugurated Country’s first Skill India Centre (SIC) in Sambalpur, Odisha.
Note: The SIC is scheduled to be inaugurated in Angul, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Talcher and
Deogarh.
PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates 2 Institutes of Ministry of Ayush in Jhajjar & Pune

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated 2 institutes of the Ministry of
Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) namely the
‘Central Research Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy’ (CRIYN) in Deverkhana Village, Jhajjar,

Haryana, and the National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN) titled ‘NISARG GRAM’ in Pune,
Maharashtra.
Union MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar Inaugurates Digital India FutureLABS at IIIT-Delhi

Union Minister of State(MoS) Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology(MeitY) launched the "Digital India FutureLABS” at Indraprastha Institute of
Information Technology-Delhi (IIIT-Delhi), New Delhi, Delhi
Digital India futureLABS will be coordinated by the Centre for Development of Advanced
Computing(C-DAC).
OTHER NATIONAL NEWS

5 Indian Wetlands, 3 From Karnataka & 2 From Tamil Nadu Added to Ramsar list; Total
Ramsar Sites Increased to 80
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change(MoEFCC) announced that 5 wetlands from India (3 from Karnataka and 2 from Tamil
Nadu-TN) were designated as RAMSAR Sites – Wetlands of International importance. With this
addition, the total number of RAMSAR sites in India has increased from 75 to 80.
5 New RAMSAR sites
✓ Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve; Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve; and
Aghanashini Estuary in Karnataka; and
✓ Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary; and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest in TN.
India Nominates “Maratha Military Landscapes”, a network of 12 forts for UNESCO World
Heritage List
India has nominated the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’, a network of 12 forts across
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu(TN) for inclusion in the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)World Heritage list for 2024-25 under the category of
‘Cultural Sites’.
✓ The 12 components under this nomination are forts of Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad,
Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg in
Maharashtra and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.
Chennai Metro Becomes the First Metro Service to join ONDC

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) launched its ticketing services on Open Network for
Digital Commerce (ONDC) network and became India’s first metro rail service to join
ONDC. Yaary became the first seller-side technology partner for CMRL.
GoI Announces 1st Ever National Creator’s Awards for New-age Influencers & Creators
The Government of India (GoI) through its citizen engagement platform MyGov announced the
first-ever ‘National Creators Award’ to recognise and celebrate the contributions of new-age
influencers, and content creators and celebrate India’s digital creator economy.
Awards will be presented across 20 categories;
A single winner will be selected for 19 categories; The International Creator Award will have 3
winners. Click here to read full News

Chenab River Diverted for 850MW Ratle Hydro Electric Project in J&K
On 27th January 2024, Chenab river was diverted through the diversion tunnels at Drabshalla
in Kishtwar district, in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). This is a major milestone of the 850
MegaWatt (MW) Ratle Hydro Electric Project on the Chenab River in Kishtwar which is
scheduled to be commissioned in May 2026.
GoI Notifies Appointment of Chief Justices to Seven High Courts

The Ministry of Law and Justice (MoL&J) notified the appointment of Chief Justice (CJ) to seven
High Courts (HC): Meghalaya, Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), Gauhati (Assam), Orissa (Odisha),
Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and Punjab & Haryana (Chandigarh).
New CJ/Acting Previous
High Court
CJ (ACJ) CJ/ACJ
Justice
Justice S. Hamarsan
Meghalaya
Vaidyanathan Singh
Thangkhiew
Justice Arun Justice Manoj
Allahabad
Bhansali Kumar Gupta
Justice
Justice Vijay
Gauhati Lanusungkum
Bishno
Jamir
Justice Justice Bidyut
Orissa Chakradhari Ranjan
Sharan Singh Sarangi
Justice Manoj
Uttarakhand Justice Ritu Bahri
Kumar Tiwari
Justice
Justice Manindra
Manindra
Rajasthan Mohan
Mohan
Shrivastava
Shrivastava
Justice Gurmeet
Punjab & Justice Ritu
Singh
Haryana Bahri
Sandhawalia (ACJ)
MIB Revised National Film Awards Regulations: Names of Indira Gandhi & Nargis Dutt
Removed From Awards Category
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has revised the National Film Awards
regulations and made significant changes, including renaming awards, merging categories,
and increasing prize money. The changes were made based on the recommendation of the
Committee for Rationalization of Film Awards.
✓ The change will come into effect in the upcoming 70th edition of the National Film
Awards (2022), whose entries closed on January 30th, 2024.
✓ The ‘Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director’ has been renamed ‘Best
Debut Film of a Director’. The award includes a Swarna Kamal and cash award of Rs 3
lakh which will be presented to the director of the film.

✓ The ‘Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration’ has been
clubbed with ‘Best Film on Social Issues’ and ‘Best Film on Environment
Conservation/Preservation’. The newly formed award is named ‘Best Feature Film
Promoting National, Social, and Environmental Values’.
✓ The awards are categorised into four sections. They are Feature films, non- features films,
Best writing on cinema, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award(Lifetime Achievement Award).
Marut Drones Delivered India’s 1st Mineral Exploration Drones to NMDC

Hyderabad (Telangana) based Marut Dronetech Private Limited has delivered two
customised Octaquad Coaxial X8 drones, India’s first mineral exploration drones, to NMDC
Limited.
MHA instituted Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak by Merging Four Medals

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has instituted a new medal named
‘Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak’ by merging four existing medals
✓ Union Home Minister's Special Operation Medal
✓ Union Home Minister's Medal for Excellence in Investigation
✓ Asadharan Assuchana Kushalata Padak
✓ Union Home Minister's Awards for Meritorious Service in Forensic Science
Quality standards for 5 spices Finalized at 7th session of the Codex Committee on Spices and
Culinary Herbs at Kochi
The quality standards for 5 spices namely small cardamom, turmeric, juniper berry, allpice,
and star anise were finalised at the 7th session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary
Herbs (CCSCH7) held in Kochi, Kerala. CCSCH7, hosted by the Government of India, was held
from 29th January to 2nd February 2024.
Supreme Court Issues New Guidelines for Environmental Regulatory Bodies

The 3-judge bench of the Supreme Court (SC) of India issued a set of guidelines for effective
functioning of environmental regulatory bodies and authorities in India
✓ The 3-judge bench, led by Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai (BR Gavai), includes
justices Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha, and Prashant Kumar Mishra.
CBT hiked EPF Interest Rate to a Three-Year High of 8.25% for FY24
The Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
has hiked the interest rate on Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) deposits to a three-year high
of 8.25% from 8.15% for the financial year 2023-24 (FY24). The interest rate hike is subject to
the approval of the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
India & Bangladesh Collaborated under ITHCP for Transboundary Tiger Conservation
in Sunderbans
Under the Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Program (ITHCP), a people-centric
engagement took place between India and Bangladesh at Joymoni, Bagerhat District,
Bangladesh from 4th to 8th February 2024.

✓ The Sundarbans is the world’s largest mangrove forest spread over India and Bangladesh
in the delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in
the Bay of Bengal. It was designated as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site in 1987. The initiative is jointly done by the
Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Lokamata Rani Rashmoni Mission, Joynagar (West Bengal)
and WildTeam of Bangladesh.
Headquarters of Confederation of International Tea Smallholders to Shift from China to India

The headquarters of the Confederation of International Tea Smallholders (CITS) will shift from
China to India. The decision was taken during the 25th session of the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) Intergovernmental Group on Tea (IGG/Tea) held at Guwahati, Assam for
the 1st time from 31 January-2 February 2024.
✓ India took over as the Chair of the FAO IGG/Tea from the United Kingdom (UK) for the
next 2 years (2024-2026) and the session was presided over by Saurav Pahari, Deputy
Chairman of Tea Board India.
✓ Sri Lanka will host the next IGG session after 2 years in 2026.
DAC approves Acquisition Worth Rs 84,560 Cr to Boost the Capabilities of the Armed
Forces & ICG
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Union Minister Rajnath
Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved for Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) for
various capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 84,560 crore.
✓ The DAC has accorded AoN under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and
Manufactured category or Buy (Indian-IDDM) category for procurement of New
Generation Anti-Tank Mines with seismic sensors and remote deactivation capabilities,
these mines offer additional safety features.
✓ The DAC has also accorded AoN under the Buy (Indian) category for the procurement of
Active Towed Array Sonar which can operate at low frequencies and various depths for
long-range detections of adversary submarines. And Heavy Weight Torpedoes which has
the capacity to attack Kalvari Class submarines.
MoFAHD Exempted Income Tax for Dairy Cooperative Societies

The Union Minister Parshottam Rupala, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, & Dairying
(MoFAHD), Government of India (GoI), granted income tax exemptions for the Dairy
Cooperative Society under the Income Tax Act, 1961, to provide relief to the cooperative
societies.
MNRE issued Guidelines for the Implementation of Pilot Projects to Use Green
Hydrogen in the Transport Sector
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued Scheme Guidelines for the
implementation of Pilot Projects for the use of Green Hydrogen in the Transport Sector under
the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).
The scheme was approved by Union Minister Raj Kumar Singh, MNRE.
✓ These projects will be implemented through the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
(MoRTH) and the Scheme Implementing Agencies (SIAs) nominated under this Scheme.

✓ It will be implemented with a total budgetary outlay of Rs. 496 Crores till the financial
year(FY) 2025-26.
Interest Equalization Scheme Extended till June 2024 with an Additional Capital of Rs.
2500 Cr
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that the Interest Equalization Scheme (IES) for
Pre and Post-Shipment Rupee Export Credit was extended by the Government of India (GoI)
till 30th June 2024 with an additional allocation of Rs. 2500 crores.
✓ For the Manufacturers and Merchant Exporters exporting under 410 Harmonized System
(HS) lines, the interest equalization rate will be at 2%.
✓ For Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) manufacturers, exporting under any HS
line, the interest equalization rate will be at 3%.
GoI increased Authorised Capital of FCI to Rs 21,000 crore

The Government of India (GoI) has increased the authorised capital of Food Corporation of
India (FCI) from Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 21,000 crore. The move aims to enhance the
operational capabilities of FCI in fulfilling its mandate effectively.
✓ FCI functioning under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
(MoCAF&PD) is the nodal agency that undertakes the procurement of foodgrains at a
minimum support price (MSP) to protect the interest of farmers.
MoF recognised Akasa Air as A Designated Indian Carrier

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has recognised Mumbai (Maharashtra) based SNV Aviation
Private Limited (Akasa Air) as a ‘designated Indian carrier’, facilitating the carrier’s
international flights. The recognition allows Akasa Air to purchase tax-free aviation turbine
fuel for its international flights.
Dept of Fisheries & ONDC Join Hands to Promote Digital Marketing of Fishes
Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
(MoFAHD) signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Open Network for Digital
Commerce (ONDC) to promote digital marketing of fishes and other aquatic produce.
ICG Conducts ‘Day at Sea’ off Chennai Harbour to Celebrate its 48th Raising Day
On 25th February 2024, as a part of the events planned to celebrate the 48th Raising Day of
Indian Coast Guard(ICG), ICG Regional Headquarters (East) organised “A Day at Sea” off
Chennai Harbour(Chennai, Tamil Nadu).
Note:ICG celebrated its 48th Raising Day on 1st February 2024.

GOVT SCHEMES
STATE GOVT SCHEMES
Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar Launched ‘Van Mitra’ Scheme & Portal to Encourage
Community Participation in Plantation
Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister (CM) of Haryana, launched the 'Van Mitra' scheme and
its portal to encourage community participation in tree plantation activities on non-forest
lands. Families with an annual income of less than Rs 1.80 lakh can join the scheme. Eligible
individuals aged 18 to 60 can register to become 'Van Mitras,'
✓ Under the scheme, each ‘van mitra’ will receive an incentive, based on the maintenance of
the plant for up to 4 years and they can plant a maximum of 1,000 saplings.
Note: The Van Mitra portal or Mobile App will be used for registration, geo-tagging, and
assessment of the survival of plantations.
Odisha Cabinet Approves SWAYAM Scheme to Provide Interest-free Loan to Unemployed

Youths
The Odisha cabinet approved various proposals including the establishment of a new scheme
named Swatantra Yuva Udyami Scheme (SWAYAM), to provide interest-free loans to
unemployed/underemployed youths, and to promote self-employment among the youths in
Odisha.
✓ Under the scheme, the eligible youth in the age group of 18-35 residing in both rural and
urban areas in Odisha can avail loan of up to Rs 1 lakh to start a new business or expand
the existing ones.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
India Contributes USD 32.89 Million to UN Regular Budget for 2024
India contributed USD 32.895 million (approximately Rs. 273 Crore) to the United Nations
(UN) Regular Budget (RB) for 2024 and earned its spot in the “Honour Roll of the UN for
2024”.
Honour Roll is a list of UN that have paid their mandatory financial support in full to the UN’s
RB within 30 days of issuance of a payment note from the UN
Malta Becomes 119th Country to Join International Solar Alliance

Malta became the 119th Signatory Country to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) after
Malta's Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Christopher Cutajar, signed the ISA Framework
Agreement in New Delhi, Delhi in the presence of Head of Depository and Joint Secretary
(Economic Diplomacy) Abhishek Singh.
✓ The ISA was established in Paris, France in 2015 as a joint effort by India and France to
mobilize efforts against climate change through the deployment of solar energy solutions.
✓ In December 2023, Romania became the 118th Signatory Country to join ISA.

Outcomes of FATF's 5th Plenary held in Paris, France from 21-23 February 2024
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) concluded its 5th Plenary session in Paris, France
on February 23, 2024, under the presidency of T Raja Kumar of Singapore. The 3-day Plenary
started on 21 February 2024 included discussions on key money laundering, terrorism
financing, and proliferation financing issues.
✓ At this Plenary, the FATF added Kenya and Namibia to the list of jurisdictions subject to
increased monitoring (existing countries – 23).
✓ Barbados, Gibraltar, Uganda, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were removed from
FATF’s increased monitoring after successful on-site visits.
✓ Ms. Elisa de Anda Madrazo of Mexico was appointed as the next President of the FATF for
a fixed 2-year term, starting on 1 July 2024
VISITS
INDIAN VISITS
Highlights of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India
Emmanuel Macron, President of France, paid a State Visit to India as the Chief Guest for the
75th Republic Day of India at the invitation of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India.
✓ His two-day visit from 25th to 26th January 2024 marks his 2nd state visit to India. He
arrived in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 25th January 2024.
✓ This is also the 6th visit by a French leader as Guest of honour for India’s Republic Day.
✓ PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron adopted the Roadmap for Defence
Industrial Partnership for collaboration in co-design, co-development and co-production
of military hardware and space cooperation.
✓ Airbus & TATA Advanced Systems Limited Signed MoU to set up 1st private FAL for
Helicopter
✓ India and France agreed to intensify cooperation in Southwest Indian Ocean region
Overview of PM Modi’s visit to Odisha and Assam on 3 & 4 February, 2024

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Odisha and Assam on 3rd February to 4th
February, 2024 and laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several projects.
✓ During his visit to Odisha on 3rd February,2024, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the
foundation stone for various infrastructure projects worth over Rs 68,000 crore in
Sambalpur, Odisha.
✓ PM Modi laid the foundation stone of 1st phase of Neyveli Lignite Corporation India
Limited (NLCIL) Talabira Thermal Power Project.
✓ PM Modi inaugurated 412 km- long Dhamra-Angul Pipeline section of the Jagdishpur-
Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra (JHBDPL) pipeline project.

Overview of PM Modi’s Visit to Goa on 6th February 2024

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Goa and inaugurated and laid the foundation stone
for various projects worth over Rs 1330 crores during the Viksit Bharat-Viksit Goa 2047
programme.
✓ PM Modi virtually inaugurated the permanent campus of the National Institute of
Technology (NIT) Goa in Cuncolim, South Goa, Goa.
✓ PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the 2nd edition of India Energy Week(IEW 2024) in Goa.
✓ PM inaugurated and dedicated to the nation, a new campus of the National Institute of
Watersports in Goa.
✓ PM inaugurated a 100 TPD (Tonnes Per Day) Integrated Waste Management Facility in
South Goa.
PM Modi's Visit to Haryana and Rajasthan on February 16, 2024

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Haryana and Rajasthan. During the visit, he
inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various projects
PM Visit to Haryana
During the visit to Haryana PM dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of
multiple development projects worth more than Rs 9750 crores in Rewari, Haryana. The
projects include sectors concerning urban transport, health, rail, and tourism. These are
✓ Gurugram Metro Rail in Rewari, Haryana for Rs 5450 crores
✓ Foundation Stone of AIIMS Rewari in Haryana to be built for Rs 1650 crores
✓ Virtual inauguration of Mahabharata theme-based Jyotisar Anubhav Kendra, museum in
Kurukshetra for Rs 240 Crores.
✓ Foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple railway projects.
PM Visit to Rajasthan
PM visited Rajasthan to attend the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Rajasthan' Programme and during
the event, he unveiled and laid the foundation stone of Multiple development projects worth
over Rs 17000 crore via video conferencing. The projects include
✓ Highway infrastructure Projects
✓ Railway development Projects
✓ Power transmission sector projects
✓ Jal Jeevan Mission in Rajasthan Click here to read full News
Highlights of PM Modi’s visit to Uttar Pradesh on 19th February 2024

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Uttar Pradesh (UP). During the visit, he
inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development projects.
✓ PM Modi launched 14000 projects worth over Rs 10 Lakh crore across Uttar Pradesh
(UP) at the 4th Ground Breaking Ceremony (GBC 4.0) of UP Global Investors Summit 2023
(UPGIS 2023) in Lucknow, UP.
✓ PM Modi laid the foundation stone and unveiled the model of Shri Kalki Dham Temple in
Sambhal district, UP.
✓ PM Modi laid the foundation stone for four projects being developed by Torrent Power in
UP at an investment of about Rs 25,000 crore.

Highlights of PM Modi's Visit to Jammu and Kashmir on 20th February 2024

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) on 20th February 2024.
During his visit, he inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of
projects worth Rs 32,000 crore during the event held at Maulana Azad Stadium in
Jammu(J&K).
✓ PM Modi Inaugurated All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Vijaypur (Samba),
Jammu (J&K).
✓ He dedicated to the nation the campuses of various education institutes.
✓ He laid the foundation stone of the new terminal building of Jammu Airport.
✓ He also laid the foundation stone of various road and rail projects in J&K. Click here to
read full News
Highlights of PM Modi’s Visit to Gujarat on 24th and 25th February 2024

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Gujarat on the 24th and 25th of February, 2024.
During the visit, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects
worth more than Rs. 52,250 crore.
✓ During the visit, PM inaugurated 5 new AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences)
at Rajkot, Bathinda, Raebareli, Kalyani, and Mangalagiri constructed at a total cost
of Rs. 6315.23 crore.
✓ PM inaugurated Sudarshan Setu, India’s longest cable-stayed bridge spanning 2.32 km,
connecting Okha mainland and Beyt Dwarka island in Gujarat to provide easier access to
Dwarkadhish temple
✓ PM laid the foundation stone for the New Mundra-Panipat pipeline project, which is worth
over Rs. 9000 crore.
✓ PM Modi inaugurated two Ayush institutes. These are the Central Research Institute of
Yoga & Naturopathy (CRIYN) in Jhajjar, Haryana, and the National Institute of Naturopathy
(NIN) in Pune, Maharashtra.
✓ PM laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation more than 200 Health Care
Infrastructure projects worth more than Rs. 11500 crore across 23 States/UTs. Click
here to read full News
FOREIGN VISITS
Overview of PM Modi’s visit to UAE and Qatar – February 2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was on official visit to U.A.E. and Qatar from 13th
February to 15th February, 2024 and witnessed the exchange of the following:
✓ Inter-Governmental Framework Agreement on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic
Corridor (IMEEC).
✓ Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation on Digital Infrastructure Projects.
✓ Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Electricity Interconnection and Trade.
✓ Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation with the National Maritime Heritage
Complex, Lothal at Gujarat.
✓ Cooperation Protocol between the National Library and Archives of the UAE and the
National Archives of India.
✓ Agreement on interlinking of the instant payment platforms – UPI (India) and AANI (UAE).

✓ Agreement on inter-linking domestic debit/credit cards - RuPay (India) with JAYWAN

(UAE).
✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated BAPS temple,1st Hindu stone temple in Abu
Dhabi, the UAE. Click here to read full News
BANKING & FINANCE

RBI IN NEWS
Highlights of RBI's 6th Bi-monthly Monetary Policy of FY24; India’s real GDP to grow at 7% in
FY24
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s 6th Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met on on
6th, 7th and 8th February 2024 and decided to retain the repo rate under the liquidity
adjustment facility (LAF) at 6.50%.
✓ For the 6th consecutive time, repo rate was retained at 6.5% to maintain a tight
surveillance on inflation.
✓ Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation or retail inflation is projected at 5.4% for
FY24 (2023-24), with FY24’s Q4 at 5%.
Category Rate
Policy Repo Rate 6.50%
Fixed Reverse Repo Rate 3.35%
Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
6.25%
Rate
Marginal Standing Facility (MSF)
6.75%
Rate
Bank Rate 6.75%
Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) 4.50%
Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) 18%
RBI revises norms for UCBs inclusion in second schedule, RBI Act, 1934; Allows TRQ Holders to
make Advance Payment for gold import via IIBX
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised the eligibility norms for the inclusion of Urban Co-
operative Banks (UCBs) in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act,
1934. These instructions are issued under clause (a) of sub-section (6) of section 42 of the
RBI Act, 1934.
✓ UCBs must maintain a Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of at least 3%
higher than the minimum requirement for their tier to enhance capital strength and
resilience to risks.
✓ RBI has issued Guidelines on import of gold by Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) holders under
the India-United Arab Emirates (UAE) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
(CEPA) as notified by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).

Zoho, Juspay, and Decentro received RBI Nod for Payment Aggregator Business
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted final approval to two fintech startups namely
Juspay Technologies Private Limited(Juspay) and Decfin Tech Private Limited (Decfin) and a
Software-as-a-Service(SaaS) provider Zoho Payment Technologies Private Limited (Zoho) to
act as a Payment Aggregator (PA).
IREDA Receives RBI Nod to set up Subsidiary in Gift City

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) has received approval (No
Objection Letter) from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to set up its wholly-owned subsidiary
in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) situated in GIFT City (Gujarat
International Finance Tec-City) in Gujarat.
RBI raises wage ceiling for NEDs of banks to Rs 30 lakh; Permits Indian Banks in GIFT-IFSC for
Bullion Exchange Trading and SCC Status
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in exercise of powers conferred by Section 35B of the
Banking Regulation (BR) Act, 1949, has increased the remuneration ceiling of Non Executive
Directors (NEDs) of banks from Rs 20 lakh per annum to Rs 30 lakh with immediate effect.
✓ RBI has permitted the branches of Indian banks in GIFT–IFSC (Gujarat International
Finance Tec-City International Financial Services Centre) to act as a Trading
Member/Trading and Clearing Member (TM/TCM) of India International Bullion
Exchange IFSC Ltd (IIBX).
✓ It also allowed the Indian banks authorized to import gold or silver to act as Special
Category Client (SCC) of IIBX .
Mswipe Technologies received PA License from RBI

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted Payment Aggregator (PA) license to Mumbai
(Maharashtra) based Mswipe Technologies Private Limited. Mswipe received in-principle
approval from RBI to operate as a PA in 2022. The Certificates of Authorisation (CoA) for
Setting up and Operating Payment System in India is issued by RBI under Section 7 of Payment
and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
RBI allows banks, non-banks to issue PPIs to commuters for Public Transport
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) amended the Master Direction on Prepaid Payment
Instruments (PPI) to permit authorised bank and non-bank PPI issuers to issue PPIs for
making payments across various public transport systems.
This instruction by RBI is issued under Section 18 read with Section 10 (2) of Payment and
Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (Act 51 of 2007). The cash loading of PPIs is limited to Rs
50,000/- per month subject to overall limit of the PPI.
RBI imposed Penalty of Rs.3 Cr of SBI, CUB, Canara Bank & Ocean Capital Market
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed penalties of over Rs 3 crore on the State Bank of
India (SBI), Canara Bank, City Union Bank Limited (CUB) and Ocean Capital Market Limited for
violation of regulatory norms.

✓ SBI was fined Rs 2 crore for contravening certain norms related to the Depositor
Education and Awareness Fund Scheme, 2014.
✓ Canara Bank was penalized Rs 32.30 lakh for non-compliance with specific directions
issued by the RBI.
✓ CUB was fined Rs 66 lakh for non-compliance with RBI's directions on income recognition,
asset classification, and provisioning pertaining to advances, and Know Your Customer
(KYC) norms.
Amazon Pay received Online Payment Aggregator licence from RBI

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted final authorisation to Bengaluru (Karnataka) based
Amazon Pay (India) Private Limited (formerly Amazon Online Distribution Services Private
Limited) to act as a Online Payment Aggregator (PA)
SEBI
Shivalik Group receives SEBI approval for their Inaugural AIF
Ahmedabad (Gujarat)-based real estate developer Shivalik Group has received regulatory
approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for its inaugural fund-
Shivalik Investment Fund as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF). The fund aims
to raise Rs.300 crore through private placement including Rs.150 Crore Green Shoe Option.
LOANS ISSUED BY BANKS

LOANS ISSUED BY RECEIVED BY AMOUNT KEY NOTES
Asian Development Department of Economic USD 200 The Department of Economic Affairs
Bank (ADB) Affairs (DEA) of million (DEA) of Ministry of Finance (MoF)
Ministry of Finance and Asian Development Bank (ADB)
(MoF) has signed a USD 200 million loan
agreement (Ordinary Operations) for
the ‘Climate Resilient
Brahmaputra Integrated Flood
and Riverbank Erosion Risk
Management(FRERM) Project in
Assam’.
Japan International India Japanese Yen The Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JPY) Cooperation Agency (JICA) of
(JICA) 232.209 Japan signed loan agreements
billion with the Government of India in
Delhi to provide Japanese Official
Development Assistance (ODA)
loans of up to Japanese Yen (JPY)
232.209 billion for 9 projects
across various sectors in India.

AGREEMENTS & MoUs SIGNED

BANKS SIGNED WITH KEY NOTES
Thrissur (Kerala) Edelweiss Tokio Life Thrissur (Kerala) based ESAF Small Finance
based ESAF Small Insurance Company Limited Bank(SFB) announced a bancassurance
Finance Bank(SFB) partnership with Edelweiss Tokio Life
Insurance Company Limited to offer life
insurance products to a wider range of
customers, particularly those in underserved
communities.
State Bank of India Boston, United States of Aims to simplify cross-border education
(SBI) America (USA) based payments for Indian students pursuing
Flywire Corporation, a studies abroad.
global payments
enablement and software
company
GAIL (India) Limited Abu Dhabi National Oil Under this agreement, GAIL will purchase
Company (ADNOC), a state- approximately 0.5 million metric tonnes per
owned oil company of the year of LNG from ADNOC GAS. The agreement
United Arab Emirates is effective from 2026 for a period of 10 years.
(UAE) This is in contribute towards India’s effort to
enhance the share of natural gas in energy
sector to 15%.
Warehousing Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB) To facilitate low-interest rate loans to farmers and
Development traders.
Regulatory Authority ✓ The MoU aims to raise awareness and
(WDRA) encourage funding against electronic
Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (e-NWRs)
to improve agricultural pledge finance in
India. As per the MoU, PSB will offer low-
interest loans against e-NWRs with no
requirement for collateral.
✓ Farmers can avail loans of up to Rs 75
lakh, while borrowers from other
categories can access loans of up to Rs 5
crore under the agriculture sector.
Yes Bank Limited Bengaluru-Based fintech To create a cross-border platform to enable Micro,
startup, LeRemitt Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to
conduct international transactions in key
currencies, including USD and euro.
Hong Kong and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Aims to offer financial support and technological
Shanghai Banking resources to fast-growing climate technology
Corporation (HSBC) firms.

✓ HSBC will be funding about USD 1 billion

to climate tech companies selected by
Google through its Google
Cloud Ready-Sustainability (GCR-Sustainability)
programme by 2030.
REC Limited (formerly Damodar Valley Corporation REC Limited (formerly Rural Electrification
Rural Electrification (DVC) Corporation Limited) has signed agreements
Corporation Limited) worth Rs. 588 crores with Damodar Valley
Corporation (DVC), a Public Sector Enterprise
(PSE) under the Ministry of Power (MoP), to
strengthen infrastructure and energy projects in
the Damodar Valley region (West Bengal and
Jharkhand)
Deendayal United Nations To organise a 2-day national workshop on
Antyodaya Yojana- Development Programme urban livelihoods from 15th to 16th
National Urban (UNDP) February 2024 in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
Livelihoods Mission
(DAY-NULM) ,
Ministry of Housing
and Urban Affairs
(MoHUA
Reserve Bank of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Signed Terms of Reference (ToR) to integrate
India (RBI) the fast payment systems of both countries.
As per ToR, the Unified Payments Interface
(UPI) of India and the National Payments
Interface (NPI) of Nepal will be integrated to
facilitate cross-border remittances.
Indian Renewable Punjab National Bank Signed a Memorandum of Understanding

Energy Development (PNB) (MoU) focusing on co-lending and loan
Agency(IREDA) syndication of Renewable Energy(RE)
projects across the India.
Investor Education Singapore based DBS Bank Signed a Memorandum of Understanding

and Protection Fund Limited (MoU) to spread awareness on investment
Authority (IEPFA) and fraudulent schemes. As per the MoU, DBS
Bank will be supporting IEPFA’s investor
awareness activities by disseminating safety
messages via its various digital platforms
Goa World Bank (WB) To establish a Blended Finance Facility (BFF)
for climate resilience. This initiative aims to
access and mobilise concessional finance to
implement low-carbon and climate-resilient
investment in Goa.

BFF blends International Development

Association (IDA) and Private Sector Window
(PSW) support with pioneering International
Finance Corporation (IFC) investments across
sectors with high development impact,
including small and medium enterprises
(SMEs), education, climate change, etc.
5 Indian banks, Paymart India Pvt. Ltd. To introduce India's 1st Virtual ATM (VATM)
IDBI Bank, to offer innovative virtual, cardless, and
Indian Bank, hardware-less cash withdrawal service.
Axis Bank, Jammu & Transaction Limits: Minimum withdrawal of
Kashmir Bank, and Rs 100, maximum Rs 2,000 per transaction.
Karur Vysya Bank Monthly Cap: Rs 10,000 maximum limit for
(KVB), virtual ATM withdrawals.
RBL Bank Bengaluru (Karnataka)- To create Omnium, an advanced omnichannel

based Innoviti Technologies payments platform designed for forward-
Pvt. Ltd. thinking retailers in India.
✓ Innoviti used a modern domain-driven
design methodology to develop
omnium.
✓ The platform integrates RBL Bank's
modern banking and payment
Application Programming Interfaces
(APIs) to enable fast, seamless, and
secure payment integration.
OTHER BANKING NEWS

Exim Bank Received Rs 9,013.72 Crore from MEA after Invoking GoI Guarantees
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has provided Rs 9,013.72 crore to the Export-Import
Bank of India (Exim Bank) after the bank invoked Government of India (GoI) guarantees on
decade-old loans extended to some African countries. These loans were classified as "doubtful
debts” in Financial Year(FY) 2023-24.
✓ The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has
supported Lines of Credit (LOCs) to foreign countries under the Indian Development and
Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS).
Federal Bank launches RuPay NCMC Wallet Debit Card

Federal Bank has launched National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)-integrated debit cards
which will enable its RuPay Debit Card holders to use their debit cards for offline payments at
NCMC-enabled terminals at metro stations, buses, etc. Through this, the payment will be made
just by tapping the card on the card reader.

HDFC Bank Launched 4 Business Credit Cards BizFirst, BizGrow, BizPower, & BizBlack for Self-
employed Community
India’s largest private sector bank., launched 4 variants of new Small and Medium Enterprises
(SME)-focused Business range credit cards namely BizFirst, BizGrow, BizPower, and
BizBlack. These cards will cater to the needs of the self-employed community including Micro-
Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), startups, professionals, and freelancers.
IOB celebrates 88th Foundation Day; Launches new RuPay Credit Card & CASA variants
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), a public sector bank, celebrated its 88th Foundation day on 10th
February 2024 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. IOB launched various new products and announced the
opening of 88 new branches across India.
✓ IOB launched 3 new RuPay credit card variants: IOB RuPay Classic, IOB RuPay Platinum,
and IOB RuPay Select.
✓ IOB also launched Freedom Current Account and Saving Account (CASA) variant.
✓ IOB also also introduced Green Deposit Scheme under Retail Term Deposits to promote
Green Finance Eco System in India.
BoM Celebrated 89th Business Commencement Day: Launched 89 New Products

On 8th February 2024, Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) celebrated its 89th Business
Commencement Day as “Maha Parivartan Diwas 2.0” in Pune, Maharashtra and launched 89
new digital products and services.
✓ BoM has launched the Mahabank Equipment Finance Scheme to finance construction
equipment purchases for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Corporates.
✓ The bank also launched a Special cluster scheme to offer concessionary interest rates
and service charges to the glass bangle industry in Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh).
Federal Bank launches Stellar Savings Account & MasterCard enabled Stellar Debit Card
Federal Bank Limited has launched a new savings account called ‘Stellar Savings Account’.
The account holders are offered with a power-packed ecofriendly Stellar Debit Card which is
powered by contactless MasterCard Technology.
✓ The account also offers complimentary insurance coverage of Rs. 10 Lakhs for Personal
Accidental Death & Permanent Disability. Insurance coverage is provided by HDFC ERGO
Private Limited.
HDFC Bank Raises USD 300 Million through Maiden Sustainable Finance Bond Issue
HDFC Bank Limited has raised USD 300 million through its first-ever sustainable finance
bond issue as a part of its overall raise of USD 750 million through Regulation S Bonds.
Prabhaav: SIDBI unveils the CRISIL study on impact of Fund of Funds on Startup Ecosystem
The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has unveiled the CRISIL’s impact
assessment report of the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) namely 'Prabhaav'.
✓ As of November 30, 2023, 129 Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) were sanctioned out of
FFS across various segments.

✓ Investments of approximately 4 times the drawn amount, totalling Rs 17,534 crore, have
been made in 938 startups, showcasing a significant multiplier effect of FFS. Click here to
read full News
FINANCE NEWS
IRDAI released Guidelines to Insurance Companies on Covering AYUSH in Health Insurance
policies
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has issued guidelines
mandating general and health insurance companies to cover Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy,
Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) treatments in their health insurance
policies with effect from 1st April 2024.
✓ The circular was issued in terms of Section 14(2)(b) of the IRDA Act,1999. For this
purpose, the Ministry of Ayush(MoA) constituted a ‘Core Group of Experts for the
Insurance Sector’ in 2023.
India’s UPI was Launched at Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was formally launched at the Eiffel Tower in Paris,
France. For this purpose, NPCI International Payments (NIPL), the international arm of the
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), partnered with Lyra Network, a French e-
commerce and proximity payment platform, to facilitate the acceptance of UPI payments in
Europe.
LIC launches individual life insurance plan Index Plus

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) launched “LIC Index Plus”, a unit-linked, regular
premium, individual life insurance plan. The plan offers a combination of life insurance
coverage and savings throughout the policy's duration.
ADB approves USD 23 Million to India to Construct IFI Inside GIFT City
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved the loan of USD 23 million to India for the
project ‘India: Promoting Research and Innovation through Development of Fintech
Institute at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) Project’.
✓ The project aims to construct an inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient International
Fintech Institute (IFI) inside GIFT City in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
India Extends UPI Service in Sri Lanka and Mauritius

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India, along with Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar
Jugnauth and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, virtually launched India's Unified
Payments Interface (UPI) in Mauritius and Sri Lanka.
✓ The Unified Payments Interface, an instant real-time payment system that was launched
by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016 to facilitate inter-bank
transactions through mobile phones.
✓ Mauritius(African nation) becomes the first country outside Asia to issue cards using
RuPay technology which empowers the MauCAS card scheme of Mauritius to enable the
banks to issue RuPay cards domestically.

Mirae Asset Launches 2 Passive Smallcap Funds; India’s 1st Multi Factor-based ETF on Nifty
Smallcap250 Index
Mirae Asset Mutual Fund launched 2 passive smallcap funds namely 'Mirae Asset Nifty
Smallcap 250 Momentum Quality 100 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)' and 'Mirae Asset Nifty
Smallcap 250 Momentum Quality 100 ETF Fund-of-Fund(FoF)'.
IRDAI Issues Draft Regulations for Bima Sugam - Insurance e-Marketplace

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has issued an exposure
draft regulations, “IRDAI (Bima Sugam – Insurance Electronic Marketplace) regulations,
2024”, for a digital infrastructure called Bima Sugam.
✓ Bima Sugam, is part of the Bima trinity, which aims to to empower and protect the interest
of policyholders. The other branches are Bima Vistaar and Bima Vahak.
✓ IRDAI also proposed to extend the free-look period for insurance policies from 15 days to
30 days to ensure protection of policyholders’ interest.
India Contributed USD 1 Million to the IBSA Fund to Alleviate Poverty

India has presented its annual contribution of USD 1 million to the India, Brazil and South
Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation (IBSA Fund). The IBSA Fund was established
in 2004 and became operational in 2006. IBSA fund is managed by the Special Unit for South-
South Cooperation (SU-SSC) hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
BOBCARD & NPCI launched India’s second Corporate Credit Card on the RuPay Network
Mumbai(Maharashtra) based BOBCARD Limited (Formerly known as BOB Financial Solutions
Limited) and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) have launched India’s second
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) enabled Corporate Credit Card on the RuPay Network.
✓ In December 2023, IndusInd Bank Limited launched India’s first Corporate Credit Card
‘The eSvarna Card’ on the RuPay network.
LIC Launches a New Insurance Plan ‘LIC Amritbaal Plan 874’ for Children
The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) launched ‘LIC Amritbaal Plan 874’, a new Non-
Linked, Non-Participating, Individual, Savings, Life Insurance plan. The plan is designed to
meet the higher education and other financial needs of the child.
IRDAI approved Policybazaar to Upgrade to a Composite Insurance Broker

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has granted in-principle
approval to Gurugram (Haryana) based Policybazaar Insurance Brokers Private Limited
(Policybazaar) to upgrade its license from a direct insurance broker (Life and General) to a
composite insurance broker.
PayNearby launched Digital Naari platform for Rural & Semi-Urban Women
Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Nearby Technologies Private Limited (PayNearby) has launched
the Digital Naari platform to generate sustainable self-employment for women. This is in line
with the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative (a skill development programme launched in 2023), the
platform seeks to onboard and uplift about 1 lakh women in rural and semi-urban areas by the
end of 2025.

PFRDA Amends National Pension System Trust & Pension Fund Regulations for Good
Governance
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has notified the National
Pension System (NPS) Trust (Second Amendment) Regulations 2023 and Pension Fund
(Amendment) Regulations 2023.
The amendments to NPS Trust Regulations simplify the provisions related to appointment of
Trustees, their terms and conditions, holding of meetings of Board of Trustees and
appointment of CEO (Chief Executive Officer)- NPS Trust.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS

GDP & GROWTH RATE
ORGANIZATION YEAR RATE
Fitch Ratings 2024-2025 5.4%
(FY25) Fitch Ratings estimates that India’s fiscal
deficit for financial year 2024-2025 (FY25) to
reach 5.4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP),
which is above the budget target of 5.1%. Real
GDP growth of 6.5% is expected in FY25,
reflecting the positive impact of sustained
capex investments.
India Ratings and Research FY24 6.9%

(Ind-Ra) Private Limited India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) Private
Limited, has increased India’s Gross domestic
product (GDP) growth forecast for Financial
Year 2023-24 (FY24) to 6.9% from 6.7%
projected in January 2024. Ind-Ra has lowered
India’s GDP growth forecast for FY25 to 6.5%.
ECONOMY NEWS
S&P Global Ratings Report: India's Credit Growth to Moderate to 14% in FY25
According to a report from S&P Global Ratings, India's credit growth is expected to moderate
to 14% in Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) (April-March), down from the existing 16% growth in
the first three-quarters of FY24 due to tight funding conditions that plays a pivotal role in
limiting loan expansion for many banks.

MoU’s & AGREEMENTS

MoU’s WITH COUNTRY
COUNTRY MoU’s WITH FIELD / PURPOSE
India Colombia Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology (MeitY), Government of India
and Ministry of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICT) of Colombia signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on
sharing India’s open-sourced Digital Public
Infrastructures (DPIs) - India Stack Solutions -
implemented at Population Scale for Digital
Transformation.
India Russia Signed a protocol to amend the 2008
intergovernmental agreement focusing on
cooperation in constructing additional nuclear
reactors at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project
(KKNPP) site and new Russia-designed nuclear
power plants at new sites in India.
The KKNPP in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu(TN) is a joint
initiative of India and Russia. This is a flagship
project of bilateral technological and energy
cooperation.
India Taiwan The Government of India and the Government of
Taiwan signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) on the Facilitation of Employment of
Indian Workers in Taiwan. The MoU aims to
strengthen the bilateral labour cooperation
relations between India and Taiwan.
MoU’s WITH STATES

STATE MoU’s WITH FIELD / PURPOSE
Indian Institute of Munitions India To develop India's first 155mm smart
Technology Madras (IIT- Limited (MIL) ammunition, on the lines of indigenization in the
Madras) in Tamil Nadu (TN) defense sector. The smart ammunition will be
guided by the Navigation with Indian
Constellation (NavIC) satellites, formerly known
as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite
System (IRNSS).
Maharashtra NTPC Green Energy Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Limited (NGEL), a for the development of Green Hydrogen and its
wholly owned derivatives projects, including Green Ammonia &
subsidiary of NTPC Green Methanol.
Limited

Karnataka Taiwan-based Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

Wistron Corporation to set up a 1st-of-its-kind laptop manufacturing
plant near Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Maharashtra Search engine giant To utilise innovative and scalable Artificial
Google Intelligence (AI)-led solutions across sectors
including agriculture, healthcare, education, etc. This
is the First ever collaboration in India, an MoU for AI
CoE, powered by Google.
Google renamed its free version of the generative AI
chatbot Bard as Gemini and launched Gemini
Advanced, the subscription tier of its powerful AI
model. Gemini Advanced is a premium service (with
Ultra) that uses the most powerful version of the
Gemini model
Bihar Startup Fund Trust Small Industries Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
(BSFT), the Department Development Bank of to administer the Rs. 50 crore Bihar Startup
of Industries, the India (SIDBI) Scale-up Financing Fund (BSSFF) to transform
Government of Bihar Bihar into a startup hub.
The University Grants Commission (UGC)
granted Category-I University status to the
Central University of South Bihar (CUSB), the 1st
time for a university in Bihar.
MoU’s BETWEEN ORGANIZATION

ORGANIZATION MoU’s WITH FIELD / PURPOSE
National Highways Geological Survey of India To enhance the quality of the National Highways
Authority of India (NHAI) (GSI) (NH) network.
National Rural Livelihood BRAC International For the inclusion of the poorest of the poor
Promotion Society (NRLPS), under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National
an autonomous body under Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
the Ministry of Rural
Development (MoRD)
Garden Reach Rolls-Royce Plc Signed a Frame and Individual License
Shipbuilders and agreement for the license production and
Engineers Ltd (GRSE) localisation of the Motoren- und Turbinen-
Union (MTU) International Maritime
Organisation (IMO) Tier II compliant Series
4000 marine engines to power government
ships.
✓ Rolls-Royce Entered 7-year Deal
with Azad Engineering for
Complex Military Aero-Engine
Components
The Kerala University of Indian Space Research For the second phase of the National
Fisheries and Ocean Organisation (ISRO) Aeronautics and Space Administration
Studies (KUFOS)

(NASA)-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar

(NISAR) research programme
Ministry of Defence (MoD) Bharat Electronics Limited To procure 11 Shakti Electronic Warfare
(BEL) Systems (EWS) along with associated equipment
/ accessories for the Indian Navy (IN) at a cost
of Rs 2,167.47 crore.
✓ It also received additional orders worth
Rs.114.59 crore to develop Very low
frequency receivers (HD VLF), etc.
The EWS will be designed and developed
by Defence Electronics Research
Laboratory (DLRL) Hyderabad, Telangana, is a
laboratory of Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO).
Centre For Development Of Indian Institute of Signed an agreement to develop a 140 GigaHertz
Telematics (C-DOT) Technology, Roorkee (GHz) Fully Integrated Transmitter & Receiver
(Uttarakhand) Module for 6th Generation (6G) Cellular
technology and Beyond.
➢ The agreement was signed under the
Telecom Technology Development Fund
(TTDF) scheme of the Department of
Telecommunications (DoT) under the
Ministry of Communications (MoC).
Cochin International Bharat Petroleum To set up the world's first green hydrogen
Airport Limited (CIAL) Corporation Limited plant and fueling station within an airport
(BPCL) setting. Under this MoU, a 1000 kilowatt
(KW) pilot project will be established at the
airport premises of Cochin International
Airport, Ernakulam, Kerala.
NTPC Green Energy Andhra Pradesh Industrial Land lease agreement to develop an
Limited (NGEL), a wholly Infrastructure "Integrated Green Hydrogen Hub" on
owned subsidiary of Corporation (APIIC) 1,200 acres of land near Pudimadaka village
NTPC Ltd (Atchutapuram Mandal) in Visakhapatnam,
Andhra Pradesh (AP).
Ministry of Ayush Ministry of Women and For the nutritional improvement in

Child Development adolescent girls through Ayurveda
(MoWCD) Interventions.
✓ This Joint Public Health Initiative
aims to combat anaemia among
adolescent girls (14-18 years) in five
districts under Mission Utkarsh,
using Ayurveda interventions.
✓ The 5 districts are Assam–Dhubri,
Chhattisgarh- Bastar, Jharkhand –
Paschimi Singhbhum, Maharashtra

– Gadchiroli, and Rajasthan –

Dholpur. Notably, anaemia
prevalence is around 69.5% in these
districts.
✓ Coordianting agency: Central
Council for Research in Ayurvedic
Sciences (CCRAS).
Election Commission of Indian Banks' Association To boost voter outreach before the
India (ECI) (IBA) and the Department upcoming Lok Sabha (LS) polls. This
of Posts (DoP) under the initiative extends ECI's ongoing efforts to
Ministry of enhance electoral awareness nationwide.
Communications
Ministry of Ports, Indian Institute of Signed a Memorandum of Understanding
Shipping & Waterways Management (IIM) (MoU) to set up India’s first ‘Gati Shakti
(MoPSW) Shillong Research Chair’ in Shillong, Meghalaya. The
chair also aims to promote collaboration
with global experts and supports
multimodal logistics research activities.
National Institute of Department of Thai To establish Academic Collaboration in
Ayurveda(NIA), Traditional and Ayurveda and Thai Traditional Medicine.
Jaipur(Rajasthan) Alternative
Medicine(DTAM),
Ministry of Public Health,
Government of the
Kingdom of Thailand
Ministry Research and Information Signed a Memorandum of Understanding
of AYUSH(Ayurveda, System for Developing (MoU) to bring out an overview of the Ayush
Yoga and Naturopathy, Countries (RIS) Service sector and to foster academic
Unani, Siddha, and cooperation and collaboration with RIS.
Homoeopathy)
Tiptur (Karnataka)-based British International To finance up to 1,500 smallholder dairy
Akshayakalpa Farms And Investment (BII), and farmers in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu(TN) and
Foods Pvt. Ltd. Samunnati Financial Telangana.
Intermediation and
Services Private Limited
Mumbai (Maharashtra) Open Network for Digital To explore an integration with the network
based Uber India Systems Commerce (ONDC) to expand the range of mobility offerings on
Private Limited (Uber) the Uber mobile application.
Power Finance Servizi Assicurativi del To secure an innovative ECA-backed

Corporation (PFC) Commercio Estero financing facility.
(SACE), Italy's Export Under the partnership, PFC will benefit from
Credit Agency (ECA) an 80% guarantee by SACE on financing up

to 200 million euros. HSBC will serve as the

coordinating bank, lead arranger, and
facility agent
Mahindra & Mahindra IBM Consulting (formerly Aims to build a 24x7 super mobile
Financial Services IBM Global Business application (app) which acts as a single
Limited (Mahindra Services) digital interface for consumers to access
Finance) multiple businesses within Mahindra
Finance.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

APPOINTMENTS
NATIONAL
PERSON NAME APPOINTED AS ENTITY / PLACE KEY NOTES
Champai Soren Chief Minister Jharkhand Champai Soren (67), leader of

(CM) the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha
(JMM) party, was sworn in as
the Chief Minister (CM) of
Jharkhand. Jharkhand Governor
C. P. Radhakrishnan
administered the oath of office
and secrecy at the Raj Bhavan
complex in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
Champai Soren succeeded
Hemant Soren (JMM party), who
resigned from the post on 31st
January 2024.
Mio Oka Country Director India The Asian Development Bank (ADB)
has appointed Mio Oka as its new
Country Director for India. Mio Oka
will take over from the incumbent
Takeo Konishi who has been
elevated as ADB Director General for
South Asia.
Apurva Chandra Secretary Ministry of Health Sanjay Jaju was appointed as the
and Family Welfare New Secretary of MIB succeeding
(MoH&FW) Apurva Chandra.
✓ Rajiv Mani, an Indian Legal
Service (ILS) officer, has
been given additional charge
as the Secretary of the
Legislative Department
under the Ministry of Law

and Justice (MoL&J) for 2

years
Anil Kumar Lahoti Chairman Telecom Appointment Committee of the
Regulatory Cabinet (ACC) has approved the
Authority of India appointment of former railway
(TRAI) board chairman and chief
executive officer(CEO) Anil
Kumar Lahoti as the
9th Chairman of the Telecom
Regulatory Authority of India
(TRAI) for 3 years or until the
age of 65 years.
✓ He will succeed PD
Vaghela, who retired from
the post on 30th
September 2023. The
post has been vacant for
around 4 months.
Harun Rashid Khan Part-Time AU Small Finance AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB)
(HR Khan) Chairman Bank (AU SFB) Limited has appointed the former
Limited Deputy Governor of the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) & its Non-
Executive Independent
Director, Harun Rashid Khan
(HR Khan) as its Part-Time
Chairman with effect from 30th
January 2024.
He has succeeded Raj Vikash
Verma whose tenure as Part
Time Chairman & Independent
Director of the Bank cessed on
29th January 2024.
Jay Shah President Asian Cricket Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board
Council (ACC) of Control for Cricket in India
(BCCI), was reappointed as the
President of the Asian Cricket
Council (ACC) for the 3rd
consecutive term. Initially, He
took charge as President of ACC
in January 2021 succeding
Nazmul Hassan, President of
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Vivek Kumar Gupta Managing National High- Vivek Kumar Gupta, a 1988
Director (MD) Speed Rail batch Indian Railways Service of
Corporation Engineers (IRSE) officer, took
Limited charge as the Managing Director
(NHSRCL) (MD) of National High-Speed Rail
Corporation Limited
(NHSRCL). He succeeds
Rajendra Prasad, who served as
MD(additional charge) of NHSRCL
since July 2022.
H Venkatachalam Iyer Managing Tata AIA Life The Board of Tata AIA Life
Director (MD) & Insurance Company Insurance Company Limited has
Chief Executive Limited appointed H Venkatachalam Iyer
Officer (CEO) as its new Managing Director
(MD) & Chief Executive Officer
(CEO). He will take over from
Naveen Tahilyani MD & CEO TATA Digital incumbent Naveen Tahilyani, who
Private Limited has been elevated as a non-
executive director of Tata AIA Life
and appointed as MD & CEO of
TATA Digital Private Limited with
effect from 19th February 2024.
Naveen Tahilyani
appointed as MD & CEO of Tata
Digital CEO & MD
Tata Group has appointed Naveen
Tahilyani as the new MD & CEO of
Tata Digital Private Limited with
effect from 19th February 2024.
He will succeed Pratik Pal, who
stepped down from the post on
6th February 2024.
Ravi Kumar Jha Managing LIC Mutual Fund LIC Mutual Fund Asset
Director (MD) Asset Management Ltd(LIC AMC), the
and Chief Management investment manager of LIC
Executive Officer Ltd(LIC AMC) Mutual Fund (LICMF), has
(CEO) appointed Ravi Kumar Jha as its
Managing Director (MD) and
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
with effect from 31st January
2024

CA. Ranjeet Kumar President Central Council of The Central Council of the
Agarwal the Institute of Institute of Chartered
Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has
Accountants of elected CA. Ranjeet Kumar
India (ICAI) Agarwal as its 72nd President
for the term 2024-25. He
Charanjot Singh Vice President
succeeded CA. Aniket Sunil
Nanda
Talati who served as the
president of ICAI for the term
2023-24. ICAI also elected CA.
Charanjot Singh Nanda as its
Vice President for the term 2024-
25.
Ashish Vijayakar Managing SBM Bank (India) Ashish Vijayakar has been
Director (MD) Limited (SBM appointed as the Managing
and Chief Bank India) Director (MD) and Chief
Executive Officer Executive Officer (CEO) of SBM
(CEO) Bank (India) Limited (SBM Bank
India) for a period of 3 years, with
effect from February 17, 2024. He
succeeds Sidharth Rath, who
resigned from the post of MD and
CEO of SBM Bank India in
November 2023.
K.V.S. Manian Joint Managing Kotak Mahindra K.V.S. Manian has been re-
Director (MD) Bank Limited designated as the joint Managing
(KMBL) Director (MD) of Kotak
Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL)
effective from 1st March 2024. He
is currently serving as a whole-
time director and Member of the
Group Management Council of
KMBL.
Shanti Ekambaram, whole-time
director of KMBL, has been
designated as deputy MD with
effect from 1st March 2024. She
is currently serving as the
President of Consumer Banking,
KMBL.
Wencai Zhang Managing World Bank World Bank Group (WBG) has
Director (MD) Group appointed Wencai Zhang as
and Chief Managing Director (MD) and

Administrative World Bank Group Chief

Officer Administrative Officer. Prior to
the appointment, Zhang Wencai
served as the Vice President of
the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of
China.
Aeratu S. Rajeev Vigilance Central Vigilance Aeratu S. Rajeev, former

Commissioner Commission managing director (MD) and chief
(CVC) executive officer (CEO) of the
Bank of Maharashtra (BoM), was
appointed as Vigilance
Commissioner in the Central
Vigilance Commission (CVC). As
of February 2024, Praveen Kumar
Srivastava is a Central Vigilance
Commissioner, and Arvinda
Kumar is the other Vigilance
Commissioner.
Samir Shah Chairman British Indian-Origin Samir Shah is set to

Broadcasting be appointed as the chairman of
Corporation British Broadcasting Corporation
(BBC) (BBC) with effect from 4th March
2024 for a period of four years
until March 2028. He replaces
acting BBC chairwoman Dame
Elan Closs Stephens.
✓ Shah was honoured with a
CBE (Commander of the
Order of the British
Empire) by Queen
Elizabeth II in 2019 for
services to television and
heritage.
INTERNATIONAL
PERSON NAME APPOINTED ENTITY / PLACE KEY NOTES
AS
Nangolo Interim Namibia Nangolo Mbumba, former Vice President
Mbumba President of the Republic of Namibia, took oath as
the interim President of Namibia after
the death of incumbent President Hage

Geingob on 4th February 2024. Nangolo

Mbumba will hold the post until the 2024
election.
Nayib Armando President Salvador Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez(42-year-
Bukele Ortez old), President of El Salvador, won the
general elections 2024 and was re-elected
to the post for the 2nd consecutive term.
He became the first Salvadorian president
to win a 2nd consecutive term since 1983.
He will take charge as the President of El
Salvador in June 2024 and serve till 2029.
Sultan Ibrahim 17th King Malaysia His Royal Highness (HRH) Sultan Ibrahim
ibni Almarhum ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar (Sultan
Sultan Iskandar Ibrahim), the Ruler of the southern
(Sultan Ibrahim) Malaysian state of Johor, was sworn in as
the 17th King of Malaysia, also known as
Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) XVII, on
31st January 2024. He will be serving as
the king for a term of 5 years (till 2029).
He succeeded Al-Sultan Abdullah ibni
Sultan Ahmad Shah (16th King), Ruler of
Pahang state, who served as the 16th
King since 2019.
Dr. Ahmed Awad Prime Yemen The Presidential Leadership Council (PLC)
bin Mubarak Minister of Yemen appointed Dr. Ahmed Awad
bin Mubarak as Yemen's new Prime
Minister (PM) He replaces Dr. Maeen
Abdulmalik Saeed who served as PM of
Yemen from October 2018 to February
2024.
Prior to the appointment, Ahmed Awad
bin Mubarak has been serving as the
Minister for Foreign Affairs and
Expatriates of Yemen since 2020. The
outgoing PM Dr. Maeen Abdulmalik
Saeed will assume the role of an Advisor
to the Chairman of the PLC.
Olzhas Bektenov Prime Kazakhstan Kazakhstan’s president Kassym-Jomart
Minister Tokayev has appointed Olzhas Bektenov(43
years) of Amanat party as the new Prime
Minister (PM) of Kazakhstan. Olzhas
Bektenov is the youngest PM in Kazakhstan's
history. The appointment comes after the
dismissal of Alikhan Smailov’s government
which was in power since January 2022.

Alexander Stubb President Finland Finland's former Prime Minister (PM)

Alexander Stubb of the National Coalition
Party (NCP) won the run-off presidential
election, securing 51.6% of the vote, and
became the 13th President of Finland.
Alexander Stubb will replace incumbent
President Sauli Niinisto, who is required to
step down after serving 2 six-year terms since
2012
Ilham Heydar President Azerbaijan Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev (Ilham
oglu Aliyev Aliyev) has been re-elected as the
(Ilham Aliyev) President of Azerbaijan for the fifth
consecutive term following his win in the
presidential election with 92 percent of
the votes. He was sworn in as the
President of Azerbaijan in 14th February
2024.
Prabowo President Indonesia Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo,
Subianto Defence Minister of the Republic of
Djojohadikusumo Indonesia, is set to be sworn in as the
8th President of Indonesia on 20th
October 2024. He belongs to a political
party called the ‘Gerindra Party’. He will
replace Joko Widodo (Jokowi), a member
of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI-P), who has been serving
the post since 2014 for two consecutive
terms (2014-19 & 2019-24).
Feleti Penitala Prime Tuvalu Feleti Penitala Teo, has won the 2024
Teo Minister Tuvaluan General Election and set to be
sworn-in as 14th Prime Minister(PM) of
Tuvalu (formerly known as the Ellice
Islands), an island nation in South Pacific
Region.
It is the first time in Tuvalu that a PM has
been nominated unopposed. He will
succeed Kausea Natano, who has been
serving the post since 2019.
Justice Nawaf President International Court of Justice Nawaf Salam from Lebanon was
Salam Justice (ICJ) elected as the President of the International
Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial
organ of the United Nations(UN), for 3 years
with effect from 6th February 2024. Nawaf
Salam succeeds Judge Joan E Donoghue from
the United States of America(USA) who
served as president of ICJ from 2021 to 2024.

✓ Justice Julia Sebutinde from Uganda

was elected as the Vice
President(VP) of ICJ for 3 years with
effect from 6th February 2024. She
succeeds Kirill Gevorgian (Russian
Federation), who served as VP of ICJ
from 2021-2024.
BRAND & CAMPAIGN AMBASSADORS

PERSON NAME BRAND / CAMPAIGN KEY NOTES
Ranveer Singh Brand Ambassador Indian Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh was
appointed as a brand ambassador for the audio
and wearable brand BoAt by Mumbai
(Maharashtra)-based Imagine Marketing
Limited.
Vinicius José Paixão de Goodwill United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Oliveira Junior (Vinícius Ambassador for Cultural Organization (UNESCO), appointed
Junior) Education for All Brazilian footballer Vinicius José Paixão de
Oliveira Junior (Vinícius Junior) as the
Goodwill Ambassador for Education for All.
Vinícius Junior becomes the 2nd Brazilian
football player, after Pelé, to be appointed as the
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
Narendra Kumar Yadav Brand Ambassador Narendra Kumar Yadav, Indian Revenue Service
(IRS) 2009 batch officer, has been the first civil
servant to be appointed as a brand ambassador for
the Fit India Movement.
Fit India Movement was launched by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi in 2019 to make fitness an integral
part of everyone’s daily lives. The movement aims to
bring about behavioural changes and move towards
a more physically active lifestyle.
OTHER APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

President Droupadi Murmu Appoints 4 Members to 16th Finance Commission
President Droupadi Murmu appointed 4 members (3 full-time members and a part-time
member) to the 16th Finance Commission (FC), a constitutional body responsible for
recommending the distribution of federal taxes among states.
✓ Ajay Narayan Jha, Former Secretary of the Department of Expenditure and Former
Member of 15th FC;
✓ Annie George Mathew, Former Special Secretary of the Department of Expenditure;
✓ Niranjan Rajadhyaksha, Executive Director of policy consultancy firm, Artha Global.
✓ Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Group Chief Economic Adviser at the State Bank of India (SBI)

IRDAI Reconstitutes Expert Committee for Ind AS/IFRS Implementation in Insurance

Sector
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has announced the
reconstitution of the Expert Committee on implementation of Indian Accounting Standards
(Ind AS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in the insurance sector.
✓ The reconstituted committee will be chaired by Member (Finance & Investment) (F&I),
IRDAI. Currently, Rajay Kumar Sinha is serving as the Member (F&I) of IRDAI
ACC Approved Appointments of M R Kumar, Aravamudan Krishna Kumar & Srinivasan

Sridhar as Chairmen of 3 PSBs
The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointments of the following
individuals as part-time non-official Directors and non-executive Chairmen of 3 Public Sector
Banks (PSBs):
✓ M R Kumar, Former Chairman of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India appointed to
the Board of Bank of India (BOI).
✓ Aravamudan Krishna Kumar, Former Managing Director (MD) of the State Bank of India
(SBI) appointed to the Board of UCO Bank.
✓ Srinivasan Sridhar, Director of Bank of Baroda (BOB) appointed to the Board of Indian
Overseas Bank (IOB).
RESIGNATIONS
PERSON NAME RESIGNED AS ENTITY / PLACE
Vijay Shekhar Sharma Part-time non- Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the founder and Chief
executive chairman Executive Officer(CEO) of Paytm Payments
and board member Bank Limited (PPBL), resigned as part-time
of PPBL non-executive chairman and board member of
PPBL.
PPBL has reconstituted its Board of Directors
(BoD) with the appointment of four new IDs
namely, Srinivasan Sridhar, Ashok Kumar
Garg, Debendranath Sarangi and
Rajni Sekhri Sibal
AWARDS
OTHER IMPORTANT AWARDS
AWARD NAME AWARD FIELD KEY NOTES
WINNER
Grammy 2024 - Album of Taylor Swift Her album The 66th Annual Grammy Awards
the Year Midnights (Grammy 2024) was held at the
and Crypto.com Arena in Los
became the Angeles, California, the United States
first ever

artist to of America(USA) on 4th February

win “Album 2024.
of the Year” ✓ Taylor Swift won the
four times Grammy 2024 - Album of the
Year for her album
Midnights and became the
first ever artist to win “Album
of the Year” four times. she
also won the award under
“Best Pop Vocal Album”
category.
✓ Victoria Monét won the Best
New Artist at the 2024
Grammys
Zakir Hussain’s Shakti band won
Best Global Music Album for 'This
Moment':
The band Shakti, led by Tabla
maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain and
featuring vocalist Shankar
Mahadevan, percussionist V
Selvaganesh, violinist Ganesh
Rajagopalan and John McLaughlin,
has won the Best Global Music
Album award for their latest release
'This Moment'.
Bharat Ratna Lal Krishna (LK) Former Deputy Prime Minister and
Advani Veteran Leader of the Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP), Lal Krishna (LK)
- Advani will be conferred with
Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian
award in India. He will be the 50th
recipient of the Bharat Ratna award
since its inception in 1954.
Best Marching Ajay Bhatt, Minister of State (MoS),
Contingents and Tableaux Ministry of Defence honoured
awards the best marching
contingents and tableaux
awards for the Republic Day (R-
Day) Parade 2024. The awards
were announced based on 2 separate
results, one by a panel of judges and
the other through an online public

vote conducted by the MyGov

platform.
✓ A total of 25 tableaux - 16
States and Union Territories
(UTs) and 9
Ministries/Departments
participated in the 75th R-
Day Parade 2024 at Kartavya
- Path.
- ✓ The Delhi Police Women’s
Marching Contingent won the
award in Best Marching
Contingent among
CAPF/other auxiliary forces
Category by a panel of judges.
It was led by 2019-batch
Indian Police Service (IPS)
officer Shweta K Sugathan.
✓ Rajputana Rifles Regimental
Marching Contingent won the
People’s Choice award for the
Best Marching Contingent
among the 3 services.
✓ The Ministry of Culture
Tableau on ‘Bharat: Mother of
Democracy’ won the Best
Tableau
(Ministries/Departments) by
the panel of judges.
Outstanding Business Dr Bina Modi Union Minister, Rajnath Singh,
Woman of the Year - 2023 Ministry of Defence(MoD)
honoured Dr Bina Modi,
- Chairperson of Modi Enterprises, KK
Modi Group, with the “Outstanding
Business Woman of the Year -
2023' Award. The award recognised
her contributions to the industry.
Best Green Bond - REC Limited Gurugram (Haryana) based REC
Corporate Award Limited (formerly Rural
Electrification Corporation Limited)
was awarded with the Best Green
-
Bond - Corporate Award at The Asset
Triple A Awards for Sustainable
Finance 2024. REC was honoured

for the issuance of Green Bonds

worth USD 750 million in April
2023.
2023 Wildlife Photographer Nima Sarikhani His photo of Nima Sarikhani of the United
of the Year 59 People's Choice a polar bear Kingdom(UK) won the 2023 Wildlife
Award sleeping Photographer of the Year 59 People's
peacefully Choice Award by the Natural History
on a small Museum, London(UK).
iceberg. ✓ Nima Sarikhani won this award
for his photo of a polar bear
sleeping peacefully on a small
iceberg.
✓ The award contest is annually
organised by the Natural History
Museum and it was originally
founded in 1965 by British
Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Wildlife Magazine.
SJFI’s Lifetime Indian sprinter President of the Indian Olympic

Achievement Award P.T. Usha Association (IOA) and Indian sprinter
Pilavullakandy Thekkeyparambil
- Usha (P.T. Usha) was conferred with
the Lifetime Achievement Award with
Gold Medal by Sports Journalists’
Federation of India (SJFI) in an event
held at the National Sports Club of India
(NSCI), New Delhi, Delhi.
Bharat Ratna PV Narasimha Government of India (GoI) announced
Rao, Chaudhary that two former Prime Ministers(PMs),
Charan Singh & Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV
MS Swaminathan Narasimha Rao, and father of India’s
‘green revolution’ Dr MS Swaminathan
will be awarded Bharat Ratna in 2024.
✓ With this, the total number of
- Bharat Ratna recipients in 2024
becomes five. This is the highest
number of Bharat Ratnas
awarded in a year since its
inception in 1954.
✓ Note: In January 2024, GoI
announced Bharat Ratna for
Former Deputy Prime Minister
Lal Krishna (LK) Advani and
Former Bihar Chief Minister
Karpoori Thakur
(posthumously).

Sportstar of the Year (Male) Neeraj Chopra Sports Indian Olympian Neeraj Chopra was
award awarded the Sportstar of the Year
(Male) award at the 2024 Sportstar Aces
Awards held at the Taj Mahal Hotel in
Mumbai, Maharashtra.
✓ The 2024 Arjuna Awardee
Sheetal Devi (para-archer) won
the Sportstar Aces Award for the
Sportstar of the Year (female).
She also won the Moment of the
Sportstar of the Year Sheetal Devi
year award.
✓ The 6th edition of the Sportstar
Aces awards were awarded in
24 categories which includes 5
Popular Choice and 16 Jury
Awards.
✓ The 2024 Australian Open men’s
doubles champion and 2024
Padma Shri awardee Rohan
Bopanna was awarded the ‘Ace
of Aces award’.
32nd Ghanshyam Das (GD) Aditi Sen De Physics Professor Aditi Sen De has been
Birla Award awarded the 32nd Ghanshyam Das
(GD) Birla Award for Scientific
Research 2023 for her outstanding
contributions to the field of Physics.
Aditi Sen De is the first female
scientist to receive this award. The
award was given by the KK Birla
Foundation.
Chevalier de la Légion Shashi Tharoor Member of Parliament (MP) and
d’Honneur” (Knight of the prolific author Shashi Tharoor was
Legion Honour) conferred with “Chevalier de la
- Légion d’Honneur” (Knight of the
Legion Honour), the highest French
civilian award, by French Senate
President Gerard Larcher at the
event in the French Embassy in New
Delhi, Delhi.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS IN CONTENT FORMAT

Isha Ambani received a Special Award at LMOTY 2024
Isha Ambani, Director of Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Reliance Retail Ventures Limited, was
honoured with a special award at the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year 2024 (LMOTY 2024)

ceremony in Mumbai. LMOTY award is presented by the leading Marathi newspaper ‘Lokmat’,
it honors individuals who made Maharashtra proud across India & the globe.
Havildar Varinder Singh of Sikh Regiment conferred Vishisht Seva Medal for Octocopter
Development
Havildar Varinder Singh of the Sikh Regiment in the Indian Army was awarded the Vishisht
Seva Medal (VSM) for designing an innovative drone called ‘a multipurpose octocopter’. He
was one of the 130 Vishisht Seva Medal awardees announced by President Droupadi Murmu on
25th January 2024.
✓ The multipurpose octocopter is a versatile drone capable of conducting surveillance
operations, grenade dropping, aerial target engagement with weapons like the AK-47, and
logistics operations.
Forbes India 30 Under 30 List for 2024 Features 37 Individuals including ActressRashmika
Mandana & Zepto founders
Forbes India unveiled the 11th edition of Forbes India 30 Under 30 List for 2024 (Class of
2024), which recognises professionals and entrepreneurs who have made significant
contributions across diverse fields.
✓ The 2024 list features 37 individuals including Actress Rashmika Mandana; Aadit Palicha
and Kaivalya Vohra, co-founders of Zepto; Vishnu Acharya of Razorpay recognised
across 19 cateogries.
✓ Aadit Palicha (21 years) and Kaivalya Vohra (21 years), Co-founders of Zepto are the
youngest winners of the class of 2024 list. Click here to read full News
MPA Honoured winners of 16th National Youth Parliament Competition for

Universities/Colleges, 2019-20
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs(MPA) honoured the winners of the 16th National
Youth Parliament Competition for Universities/Colleges (2019-20) during the Prize
Distribution ceremony held at GMC Balayogi Auditorium, Parliament House Complex, in New
Delhi, Delhi.
Winners of 16th National Youth Parliament Competition for Universities/Colleges,
2019-20:
University/College Group % of Marks
Running Shield and Trophy for standing first

at the national level
Central University of
Group I 92.17
Punjab
Merit Trophies For Standing First In The Respective
Groups
DAV College (Jalandhar,
Group II 90.67
Punjab)
Jadavpur University
Group III 90.67
(Kolkata, West Bengal)
University of Mumbai
Group IV 88
(Mumbai, Maharashtra)

Chanakya National Law

Group V 87
University (Patna, Bihar)
Shivaji University
Group VI 86.5
(Kolhapur, Maharashtra)
Urdu Poet Gulzar & Sanskrit Scholar Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya Named Winners of
58th Jnanpith Award
58th Jnanpith Award (2023) has been awarded to Two personalities - Legendary Indian poet
and lyricist Sampooran Singh Kalra (popularly known as Gulzar) for Urdu and Indian
spiritual leader and scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya for Sanskrit. The award carries a
cash prize of Rs 11 lakhs, a bronze statue of Vagdevi(Hindu Goddess Saraswati) and a citation.
SUMMITS, EVENTS & CONFERENCE

SUMMITS
SUMMIT VENUE KEY POINTS
World Governments Dubai The 11th edition of the World Governments
Summit (WGS 2024) Summit (WGS 2024) was held in Dubai, the
United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 12th to 14th
February 2024. India, Türkiye and Qatar were
named the Guests of honour at the WGS 2024
held in Dubai, UAE.
✓ WGS 2024 was held under the theme of
“Shaping Future Governments”.
✓ At present, Mohammad Al Gergawi,
Minister of Cabinet Affairs (UAE) is the
chairman of the World Governments
Summit (WGS) organization.
The 9th edition of GovTech Prize was
presented in 4 categories:
✓ India’s iRASTE (Intelligent Solutions for
Road Safety through Technology and
Engineering) project won the 9th
GovTech Prize under the “AI-Powered
Government Services” category.
Category 2024 Winners
AI-Powered
iRASTE (India)
Government Services
Ghana Education
Educational Services Outcomes Project
(Ghana)
SatuSehat
Healthcare Services
(Indonesia)

Inclusive Digital Digital Family Card

Transformation (Kazakhstan)
Click here to read full news
EVENTS
EVENTS VENUE KEY POINTS
Commission for Social United States of Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, India's
Development (CSocD62) America (USA) Permanent Representative to the United
Nations (UN), chaired the 62nd Session of the
Commission for Social Development
(CSocD62), held from 5-14 February 2024 at
the UN Headquarters in New York, the United
States of America (USA). India chaired the
session of CSocD for the first time since 1975.
Four resolutions were adopted during the
session chaired by India.
✓ Resolution on Promoting care and
support systems for social
development.
✓ Resolution on Social Dimensions of the
New Partnership for Africa’s
Development.
✓ Resolution on the Priority Theme of
the 63rd session of the CSocD.
✓ Resolution on the Priority Theme of
the CSocD62.
Note: Poland is set to chair the 63rd session
of the CSocD in 2025.
Raisina Dialogue New Delhi From February 21-23, 2024, the 9th edition
of the Raisina Dialogue was held in New Delhi,
Delhi which was inaugurated by the Prime
Minister (PM) of Narendra Modi, and PM of
the Hellenic Republic (Greece),
Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the theme
'Chaturanga: Conflict, Contest, Cooperate,
Create'.
✓ It is hosted by the Observer Research
Foundation (ORF) in partnership with
the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA),
with a support from number of
institutions, organisations and
individuals.
The PM of Greece was the Chief Guest of the
inaugural session. As a part of Dialogue, Union

Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam (S.)

Jaishankar unveiled a logo in New Delhi,
commemorating the 75th anniversary of
India's diplomatic ties with Finland and
Denmark.
Defence Expo 2024 Pune, Maharashtra Maharashtra MSME (Micro, Small, and
Medium Enterprises) Defence Expo 2024
was held at the Pune International Exhibition
and Convention Center (PIECC) in Pune,
Maharashtra from 24th to 26th February
2024. The theme of the 2024 expo is “Inspire :
Learn : Engage”.
✓ Organisers: Government of
Maharashtra and Maharashtra
Industrial Development Corporation
(MIDC).
✓ During the MSME defence Expo 2024,
DRDO handed over 23 Licensing
Agreements for Transfer of Technology
(LATOT) to 22 industries in various
domains such as electronics, laser
technology, combat vehicles, naval
systems, and aeronautics.
CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE VENUE KEY POINTS
World Defence Show (WDS Riyadh International The 2nd edition of the World Defence Show (WDS
2024) Convention & 2024) was held at Riyadh International
Exhibition Center in Convention & Exhibition Center in Riyadh, Saudi
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Arabia from 4th to 8th February 2024.
✓ WDS 2024 was organised by the General
Authority for Military Industries (GAMI),
the regulator, enabler, licensor for the
military industry in Saudi Arabia. The
Theme of WDS 2024 is “Equipped for
Tomorrow”.
✓ Pune (Maharashtra)- based Munitions
India Limited (MIL), Defence Public Sector
Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of
Defence (MoD) signed a contract
worth USD 225 million for the supply of
artillery ammunition to Saudi Arabia.
✓ BrahMos Pavilion at WDS 2024: India’s
Rising Prowess in Defence Diplomacy

✓ Ajay Bhatt, MoS, MoD visited Riyadh to

lead the Indian delegation at WDS 2024.
Tri-Service Women Officers Represented Indian
Armed Forces at WDS 2024
National Conference on Jal Uttar Pradesh Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat,
Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Ministry of Jal Shakti launched 3 impactful
SBM-(G) books from Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-
(G)) during the National Conference on Jal
Jeevan Mission (JJM) and SBM-(G) held on 16
and 17 February 2024 in Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh.
✓ Swachhata Chronicles: Transformative
Tales from India- Vol. II (SBM-G)
✓ Swachhata Green Leaf Rating (SGLR)
System Booklet
Compendium on Liquid Waste Management
(LWM) Technologies
COMMITTEES & MEETINGS

MEETINGS
MEETING NAME VENUE KEY POINTS
12th Joint Military Cooperation Muscat, Oman Giridhar Aramane, Secretary, Ministry of
Committee (JMCC) meeting Defence (MoD), India and Dr Mohammed Bin
Naseer Bin Ali Al Zaabi, Secretary-General, MoD,
Oman co-chaired the 12th Joint Military
Cooperation Committee (JMCC) meeting held in
Muscat, Oman on 31st January 2024.
India and Oman signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) regarding the
procurement of Defence Material and Equipment
which will provide a framework for new areas of
defence collaboration.
Meeting of Employees’ State New Delhi The 193rd Meeting of Employees’ State Insurance
Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Corporation (ESIC) was held in New Delhi, Delhi
under the chairmanship of Union Minister
Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Labour and
Employment (MoLE), and Chairman of ESIC.
✓ During the meeting, ESIC approved the
proposal to provide Medical Benefit for
insured superannuating workers leaving the
ESI Scheme due to exceeding the wage
ceiling, if the worker was under insurable
employment for at least 5 years before
superannuation/voluntary retirement.

During the meeting, Union Minister also released the

book on HR (Human Resource) Norms of the ESIC.
INDEX
RANKING
INDEX / SURVEY RELEASED BY / KEY NOTES
NAME CONDUCTED BY
2023 Corruption Transparency The Transparency International released its 2023
Perceptions Index International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) in which India
(CPI) ranked 93 out of 180 countries with an overall
score of 39. India’s score was 40 in 2022 with 85th
rank.
✓ The CPI 2023 was topped by Denmark with
a score of 90. It is followed by Finland with a
score of 87 and New Zealand with a score of
85.
India’s score and Rank is shared by Kazakhstan,
Lesotho, and Maldives.
Top Master of Indian Institutional The Indian Institute of Management (IIM),
Business Ranking Ahmedabad (Gujarat), has topped among the Top
Administration Framework(IIRF) Government MBA colleges in India.
(MBA) Colleges in ✓ In the 2024 MBA Colleges ranking, Xavier
India - 2024
Labour Relations Institute (XLRI),
Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), has topped among
the Top Private MBA colleges in India.
Click here to view full ranking list
Brand Brand Finance Mukesh Ambani, Chairman, and Managing
Guardianship Index Director (CMD) of Reliance Industries Limited
(BGI) 2024 (RIL), has been ranked 1st among all Indians and
2nd globally in the Brand Guardianship Index
(BGI) 2024 compiled by Brand Finance, the
world’s leading brand valuation firm. Brand
Finance's survey gave Mukesh Ambani a BGI score
of 80.3.
✓ Huateng Ma, Chairman, and Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of Chinese internet
giant Tencent Holdings recognised as
the world’s leading CEO in the 2024 BGI,
for his guardianship of the WeChat
brand with a BGI score of 81.6.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang ranked 3rd globally
followed by Apple Inc‘s Tim Cook (4th), and TATA
Sons‘ Natarajan Chandrasekaran (5th).

Henley Passport Henley & Partners According to the monthly update (February 2024)
Index 2024 of the Henley Passport Index 2024, India's ranking
dropped from 80th to 85th between January 2024
and February 2024. 6 countries namely France,
Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and Singapore
continue to dominate the top spot with the most
powerful passports in the world.
Access
Countries Rank
to Nations
France, Germany,
Italy, Japan, 1 194
Singapore, Spain
Finland, Netherlands,
2 193
South Korea, Sweden
Austria, Denmark,
Ireland, Luxembourg, 3 192
United Kingdom
India 85 62
2023 Burgundy Axis Bank’s Burgundy Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has emerged as
Private Hurun India Private and Hurun the India’s most valuable company for the 3rd
500 India consecutive year with a value of Rs 15,64,663 crore.
✓ RIL is followed by Tata Consultancy Service
(TCS) with a value of Rs 12,36,229 crore and
HDFC Bank with Rs. 11,25,975 crore at 2nd
and 3rd spot.
Note: 2023 Burgundy Private Hurun India 500 is
the 3rd edition of the 500 Most Valuable Private
Companies in India.
REPORTS
REPORT NAME SUBMITTED BY KEY NOTES
The Status of Snow leopards in Bhupender Yadav Union Minister of Environment, Forest,
India and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Shri
Bhupender Yadav released the report on
the Status of Snow leopards in India
during the National Board for Wildlife
meeting held in New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ The Snow Leopard Population
Assessment in India (SPAI)
Program is a first-ever scientific
study that reported the population
of snow leopards.

✓ The exercise reported 718 snow

leopards in India. It was conducted
from 2019 to 2023.
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is the
National Coordinator for this exercise that
was carried out with the help of all snow
leopard range states and two conservation
partners- the Nature Conservation
Foundation, Mysuru (Karnataka), and
WWF (World Wildlife Fund)-India.
All India Survey on Higher Department of Higher This marks the 12th edition of AISHE and
Education (AISHE) 2021-22 Education under the the 2nd survey done through web Data
Ministry of Education Capture Format (DCF) format.
(MoE) ✓ In 2021-22, GER in Higher
Education for the age group 18-23
years in India increased to 28.4
from 27.3 in 2020-21 and 23.7 in
the base year 2014-15.
✓ The States/UTs with the highest
Gross Enrolment Ratio(GER) are
Chandigarh (64.8), Puducherry
(61.5), Delhi (49), Tamil Nadu(TN)
(47), Himachal Pradesh (43.1),
Uttarakhand (41.8), Kerala (41.3)
and Telangana (40).
As per the survey, Uttar Pradesh (UP) has
become the state with the highest number
of colleges in India. the number of colleges
in UP increased from 8,114 to 8,375 in
2021-22.
January 2024 World Economic The International The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Outlook update-Moderating Monetary Fund (IMF) released its 'January 2024 World
Inflation and Steady Growth Economic Outlook update-Moderating
Open Path to Soft Landing Inflation and Steady Growth Open Path to
Soft Landing' stating India's expected
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow by
6.7% in 2023, stating a 40 basis point
increase from the 6.3% forecast made in
October 2023.
✓ For 2024 & 2025, India’s GDP
growth is seen steady at 6.5%.
✓ The IMF forecasted global growth
of 3.1% in 2023 and 2024, and it

also changes the global growth to

3.2% in 2025.
Growth in Asia region is expected to
decline from an estimated 5.4% in 2023 to
5.2% in 2024 and it will be 4.8% in 2025.
Indian Economy: Capital as CRISIL (formerly The Indian economy is expected to grow
Growth Driver Credit Rating at an average rate of 6.7% per year
Information Services between fiscals 2024 and 2031. This is
of India Limited) slightly higher than the pre-pandemic
decadal average of 6.6%.
After a robust 7.3% growth in fiscal year
2023, CRISIL projects a moderation to
6.4% in fiscal year 2024, attributing it to
cyclical factors
National e-Governance Service Department of A saturation level of 76% of Mandatory e-
Delivery Assessment (NeSDA) Administrative Reforms services has been achieved by States/UTs i.e.,
Way Forward Annual Report and Public Grievances 1,528 out of 2,016 (56*36 States/UTs), an
2023 (DARPG) under the increase from 69% under NeSDA 2021.
Ministry of Personnel, ✓ Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) provides
Public Grievances and the maximum (1117) number of e-
Pensions Services, across States/UTs.
✓ J&K, Kerala, Assam, and Odisha
provide 100% of their services
through their identified Single Unified
Service Delivery Portal i.e., e-UNNAT
(Electronic -Unified Integrated
Accessible Transparent), e-Sevanam,
Sewa Setu, and Odisha One,
respectively.
21st quarterly Periodic Labour National Sample Survey The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO),
Force Survey (PLFS) Office (NSSO) Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation (MoSPI) released its 21st
quarterly Periodic Labour Force Survey
(PLFS) bulletin for October-December 2023
(Q3FY24).
✓ As per it, India's urban unemployment
rate (UR) in Current Weekly Status
(CWS) terms for persons aged 15
years and above declined to 6.5%
during Q3FY24 which is the lowest
level in over 4 years. It was 6.6% in
Q2FY24, and 7.2% in Q3FY23.
At all India level, Labour Force Participation
Rate (LFPR) in CWS increased to 49.9%
(Q3FY24) from 48.2% in Q3FY2

Strengthening the Foundations Organization for The Organization for Economic Co-operation
for Growth Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Economic Outlook,
and Development Interim Report February 2024 titled
(OECD) “Strengthening the Foundations for
Growth” has raised India's Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) growth forecast for FY 2024-
25 to 6.2%, up from the November 2023
estimate of 6.1%. For 2025-26(FY26), the
OECD maintains India's growth forecast at
6.5%.
Indian Oil Market Outlook to International Energy The 2nd edition of India Energy Week
2030 Agency (IEA) (IEW 2024) was held from 6th to 9th
February 2024 at the Institute of
Petroleum Safety, Health and
Environment Management (IPSHEM)-Oil
and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
Training Institute, South Goa, Goa.
✓ The International Energy Agency
(IEA) released a report titled
“Indian Oil Market Outlook to
2030” at IEW 2023.
✓ NITI Aayog(National Institution
for Transforming India) and the
Embassy of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands released a report
titled “LNG(Liquefied Natural
Gas) as a transportation fuel in
Medium and Heavy Commercial
Vehicle”.
✓ India signed the biggest-ever deal
worth USD 78 billion to extend LNG
imports from Qatar for 20 years
from 2029 to 2048 at lower than
current rates.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
(BPCL), a Maharatna PSU under the
MoPNG, unveiled the 1st indigenous
alkaline electrolyser in India at IEW 2024
in Goa.
State of the World’s Migratory Prepared by the The first-ever 'State of the World’s
Species conservation Migratory Species' report was launched at
scientists in the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the
collaboration with Parties to the Convention on the
United Nations Conservation of Migratory Species of
Environment Wild Animals (CMS COP14), also known

Programme World as Bonn Convention in Samarkand,

Conservation Uzbekistan from February 12-17, 2024.
Monitoring Centre ✓ It is prepared by the conservation
(UNEP-WCMC) and scientists in collaboration with
CMS. United Nations Environment
Programme World Conservation
Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)
and CMS.
India Economics – Macro Morgan Stanley Projected that India’s gross domestic
Indicators Chartbook: Strength product (GDP) to grow at 6.9% in
in Growth, Stability in Macro- Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24) and it will
Fundamentals be slowed down to 6.5% in FY25
2023 edition of the World International India’s Indian Farmers Fertiliser
Cooperative Monitor (WCM) Cooperative Alliance Cooperative (IFFCO) Limited has topped
report (ICA) the Top 300 Cooperatives ranking
based on the ratio of turnover over
GDP(gross domestic product) per
capita under the Agriculture and Food
Industries section.
✓ India’s Gujarat Cooperative Milk
Marketing Federation
Limited(AMUL) has been ranked
2nd followed by France’s Groupe
Crédit Agricole at 3rd.
IFFCO has been ranked 72nd in ranking
of Top 300 Largest Cooperative and
Mutual Organisations based on
Turnover. IFFCO was ranked 97th in the
2022 report.
ACQUISITION & MERGERS

CCI Approvals on 30th January 2024
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the following on 30th January 2024.
✓ Subscription of Compulsorily Convertible Preference shares of API Holdings Ltd by
Goldman Sachs Schemes.
✓ Subscription of Compulsorily Convertible Preference shares of API Holdings Ltd by
MacRitchie.
✓ Approval for Naspers Ventures to Invest in API
✓ Subscription of Compulsorily Convertible Preference shares of API Holdings Ltd by CDPQ

CCI Approvals on 6th February 2024

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the following on 6th February 2024.
✓ Acquisition of certain shareholding of Shadowfax Technologies Private Limited(SFX) by
NewQuest Asia Fund IV (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.(TPG NQ).
✓ Acquisition of 70% stake in Kotak Mahindra General Insurance Company Limited by
Zurich Insurance Company Ltd
✓ Acquisition of 100% shareholding of Interise Investment Managers Limited by the CIPH,
AIL – II. and Ontario Inc.
HDFC Bank gets RBI Nod to Acquire up to 9.5% Stake in Six Banks
HDFC Bank Limited, India’s largest private lender, has received approval from the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) to acquire up to 9.5% stake each in six banks namely - Axis Bank
Limited, Suryoday Small Finance Bank Limited, ICICI Bank Limited, Bandhan Bank Limited, YES
Bank Limited and IndusInd Bank Limited
BFHL Secured IRDAI approval to Acquire Aegon Life Insurance

Bandhan Financial Holdings Limited (BFHL) has received the final approval from Insurance
Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to acquire the 100% paid up share
capital of Aegon Life Insurance Company. Aegon Life Insurance is a joint venture (JV) of Aegon
NV and Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited (BCCL), the owner and publisher of The
Economic Times.
✓ Axis Bank Limited has received approval from IRDAI to infuse the capital of Rs 1,612
crore in Max Life Insurance Company Limited, the subsidiary of Max Financial Services
Limited (MFSL).
LIC Increases Its Stake in SBI Cards to 5.02%

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has increased its paid-up share in SBI Cards &
Payments Services Limited to 5.02% from 4.99%.
About SBI Cards & Payments Services Limited:
SBI Cards & Payments Services Limited is a Joint Venture(JV) between the State Bank of India
(SBI) and Carlyle Group.
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Abhijit Chakravorty
Headquarters - Gurugram, Haryana
Established in - 1998
Japan's Mizuho Bank & its Subsidiary Set to Acquire 15% stake in Credit Saison India for Rs
1,200 crore
Japan’s Mizuho Bank Limited (a subsidiary of Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.) and a subsidiary of
Mizuho Bank is set to invest upto Rs.1200 crore in Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Kisetsu
Saison Finance (India) Private Limited by acquiring about 15% of their paid-up share capital.

CCI Approval on 13th February 2024

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the following on 13th February
2024.
✓ CCI has approved the Karachi (Pakistan) based Matrix Pharma Private Limited
(Acquirer) to acquire 100% paid-up share capital in Hyderabad (Telangana)
based Tianish Laboratories Private Limited (Target).
CCI has approved Ahmedabad (Gujarat) based Adani Power Limited (APL) and Gurugram
(Haryana) based Dickey Alternative Investment Trust (DAIT) to jointly acquire 100% paid-up
share capital in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) - based Coastal Energen Private Limited (CEPL).
CCI Approves Acquisition of up to 8.79% of share capital of Pricol by Minda

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of up to ~8.79% of
equity share capital of Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) based Pricol Limited(Pricol) by Noida (Uttar
Pradesh) based Minda Corporation Limited(Minda).
CCI Gives INSCO its Green Channel Approval for Acquisition of HNGIL
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has given INSCO (Independent Sugar Corporation)
the green channel approval for proposed acquisition of Hindusthan National Glass & Industries
Limited (HNGIL).
HDFC Bank receives RBI approval for sale of 90.01% stake in HDFC Credila
Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has approved HDFC Bank Limited to sell 90.01% of issued and
paid-up share capital in HDFC Credila Financial Services Limited (HDFC Credila), a wholly-
owned subsidiary of the HDFC Bank. HDFC Bank will retain a 9.99% stake in HDFC Credila.
ICICI Bank Acquired Additional Stake of 1.41% in ICICI Lombard

ICICI Bank Limited has increased its stake in ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company
(ILGIC) by acquiring an additional 1.41% paid-up share capital through an open market
transaction. The acquisition increased ICICI Bank’s stake to 49.32% from 47.91% (as of
December 2023)
DEFENCE
EXERCISE
EXERCISE NAME VENUE / KEY NOTES
PARTICIPATING
COUNTRIES
Vayu-Shakti 2024 Rajasthan The Indian Air Force (IAF) demonstration
exercise Vayu-Shakti 2024 was held on 17
February 2024 at the Pokhran Air-to-Ground
Range near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. The 2024
Vayu-Shakti exercise featured joint operations
with the Indian Army, highlighting the seamless

coordination between the two branches of the

armed forces.
Exercise Vayu-Shakti 2024 was based on the
theme, “Lightning Strike from the Sky”.
Multilateral Naval Andhra Pradesh The 12th edition of the Multilateral Naval
Exercise-2024 Exercise-2024 “MILAN24”,hosted by India,
“MILAN24” commenced on 19th February 2024 in
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP). The
exercise is being conducted from 19th to 27th
February 2024 by the Eastern Naval Command
(ENC) of the Indian Navy (IN).
✓ The theme of MILAN 2024 is
‘Camaraderie, Cohesion, Collaboration’.
Shanti Prayas IV Nepal ‘Shanti Prayas IV’, the largest multinational

peacekeeping exercise, commenced at the
Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre
(BPOTC) in Panchkhal, Nepal. The exercise will
conclude on 4th March 2024.
✓ The exercise was co-hosted by the Nepali
Army and the United States(US) Indo-
Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).
Over 1,100 military personnel from 17 nations
are participating the exercise. The 17 countries
are: Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Fiji, Ghana,
India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Uruguay, and Vietnam.
Dharma Guardian Mahajan Field Firing ‘Dharma Guardian’ the 5th edition of the India-
Ranges in Rajasthan, Japan joint annual military training exercise
India-Japan commenced on 25th February 2024 at Mahajan
Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. The exercise is
conducted between the Indian Army (IA) and the
Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF).
✓ The exercise is scheduled to be conducted
from 25th February to 9th March 2024. To
strengthen bilateral Military Cooperation
between India and Japan and combined
capabilities to execute joint operations in
the semi-urban environment under
Chapter VII of the United Nations (UN)
Charter.

Dosti 16 Maldives The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the Sri Lankan
Navy (SLN), and the Maldives National Defence
Force (MNDF) are jointly conducting the 16th
edition of the biennial trilateral Coast Guard
exercise named ‘Dosti-16’ from February 22–25,
2024 in the Male, Maldives. Observers from
Bangladesh also joined in the Trilateral Joint
Exercise.
ARMY, NAVY & AIR FORCE NEWS

Indian Navy Declared Year 2024 as 'Year of Naval Civilians'
The Indian Navy has declared 2024 as the 'Year of Naval Civilians' with a focus on enhancing
administration, efficiency, and the well-being of its civilian workforce. The major focus areas
identified for implementation in 2024 include maximising administrative efficiency; digital
initiatives; generic and specific training programs; and welfare activities.
Indian Navy received the First 25T BP Tug ‘Yard 305 - Mahabali’
On 2nd February 2024, the first 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug, named ‘Yard 305 - Mahabali’
was delivered to the Indian Navy (IN) at Naval Ship Repair Yard (NSRY) in Kochi, Kerala in the
presence of Rear Admiral Subir Mukherjee, Admiral Superintendent of NSRY (Kochi).
Indian Navy Commissioned Survey Vessel INS Sandhayak (Yard 3025) in Visakhapatnam
On 3rd February 2024, the Indian Navy (IN) commissioned the Indian Naval Ship (INS)
Sandhayak (Yard 3025), the first of four Survey Vessel Large (SVL) ships, at the Naval
Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, in the presence of Union Minister Rajnath Singh,
Ministry of Defence (MoD), and Indian Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar.
✓ The contract for building four SVL ships was signed between the MoD and Garden Reach
Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE).
DRDO Successfully Conducts 4 Flight Trials of High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target 'ABHYAS'
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted four
flight trials of the High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) ABHYAS at the Integrated
Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha. ABHYAS, designed by DRDO's Aeronautical
Development Establishment (ADE), provides a realistic threat scenario for weapon system
practice
Mahindra Defence & Embraer Defence Collaborated for IAF’s MTA Project
Mahindra Defence Systems Limited and Brazil-based Embraer Defence & Security have signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA)
procurement project of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ As per the MoU, both firms will be jointly developing C-390 Millennium multi-mission
aircraft which will be procured by IAF.

Indian Army inducted DRDO Developed 46-metre Modular Bridge

Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that a 46-metre modular bridge Military Load
Classification-70(MLC-70) was inducted into the Indian Army (IA) in a ceremony held at the
Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, Delhi. The bridge was indigenously designed and developed by
the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Mumbai
(Maharashtra) headquartered Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Limited.
CCS Approves Rs 19,000 Cr Deal to Procure Over 200 BrahMos missiles for Indian Navy
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the procurement of more than
200 BrahMos Extended Range (ER) supersonic cruise missiles and associated equipment for
the deployment on the Indian Navy Warships. The deal is worth around Rs 19,000 crore.
✓ The formal contract will be signed between BrahMos Aerospace and the Ministry of
Defence (MoD) for the induction of the weapons into the Indian Navy.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

SATELLITES LAUNCHES
SATELLITE NAME COUNTRY PURPOSE
GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS India The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
mission successfully launched GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS
mission carrying the meteorological satellite INSAT-
3DS from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) Satish
Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra
Pradesh (AP).
✓ GSLV-F14 placed the INSAT-3DS satellite into
a geosynchronous transfer orbit(GTO), then to
a geosynchronous stationary orbit (GSO) in
space.
✓ This marks’s the 16th flight of
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
(GSLV). It is also the 10th flight & 7th
operational flight of GSLV with Indigenous
Cryogenic stage.
H3 rocket Japan Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

successfully launched the second H3 Launch Vehicle
(H3TF2) from the Tanegashima Space Center, off the
coast of Kyushu, Japan. The H3 rocket was developed
by JAXA along with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Limited (MHI).
Jielong-3, or Smart China The China Aerospace Science and Technology
Dragon-3 rocket Corporation's (CASC) Jielong-3, or Smart Dragon-3
rocket, successfully launched nine satellites into the

Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), off the coast of

Yangjiang in southern Guangdong province, China.
✓ Jielong-3, or Smart Dragon-3 (SD-3) is a small,
powerful, and solid-propellant rocket
developed by the China Rocket Co. Ltd.,
affiliated with the China Academy of Launch
Vehicle Technology (CALT).
PACE” – the Plankton, United States of The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Aerosol, Cloud, ocean America (USA) (NASA) launched “PACE” – the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud,
Ecosystem, an Earth- ocean Ecosystem, an Earth-observing satellite to study the
observing satellite ocean health, air quality, and the effects of Climate change.
The PACE onboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was
launched to a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) from Space
Launch Complex (SLC) 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force
Station in Florida, the United States of America (USA)
Merah Putih 2 United States of Space Exploration Technologies Corporation
America (USA) (SpaceX) successfully launched an Indonesian
satellite Merah Putih 2 (formerly known as
Telkomsat HTS 113BT) on a Falcon 9 rocket from
Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space
Force Station in Florida, United States of America
(USA).
NATIONAL
Green Propulsion System Developed under DRDO TDF Scheme Demonstrates in-orbit
Functionality
An indigenously-developed 'Green Propulsion System' developed under the Technology
Development Fund (TDF) scheme of the Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) has successfully demonstrated 'in-orbit' functionality on a payload launched by the
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-58 mission. Green Propulsion System is performed
under the RUDRA 0.3 HPGP Payload.
Google Launches ‘Lumiere’ AI to Generate 5-Second Videos

Google has introduced a new video-generation Artificial Intelligence (AI) model ‘Lumiere’, a
Space-Time Diffusion Model to generate 5-second videos that portray realistic, diverse and
coherent motion. For this purpose, Lumiere uses Space-Time-U-Net (STUNet) architecture that
generates the entire temporal duration of the video at once, through a single pass in the model.
SpaceX Launched Odysseus, Intuitive Machines’s Lunar Lander

SpaceX launched the Odysseus(Nova-C), the robotic lunar lander of Houston(Texas)-based
Intuitive Machines Inc, onboard the Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at
Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the United States of America(USA). SpaceX successfully
launched the Intuitive Machines IM-1 mission to lunar transfer orbit.

PhonePe Launches Made-In-India Indus Appstore

Walmart Inc.-owned fintech, PhonePe Private Limited launched “Indus Appstore," a made-in-
India Android-based mobile application store for consumers in India. The shop will feature
over 200,000 mobile apps and games in 12 Indian languages. Developers will not need to pay
any application listing fees until April 2025 and may use any third-party payment gateway of
their choice.
Skyroot Aerospace Launches Kalpana Fellowship for Women in Space Sector

Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited, a Hyderabad (Telangana)-based space startup, launched
the Kalpana Fellowship, India's first-of-its-kind fellowship program dedicated exclusively to
women engineers in the space sector. The one-year fellowship program provides an extensive
approach that includes a monthly stipend, experiential learning, and guidance from seasoned
professionals.
Assert AI Unveils Pratham: World’s 1st No-Code Computer Vision Platform

Assert SecureTech Private Limited (Assert AI), a Mumbai(Maharashtra) based computer
vision company, launched Pratham, world's first user-friendly video analytics platform. The
unique user-friendly platform is patented for its innovative approach to democratizing
computer vision and artificial intelligence(AI).
TU-142M Naval Aircraft Museum Inaugurated at Kakinada, AP

India’s 3rd Aircraft Museum featuring Indian Navy(IN)’s decommissioned TU-142M aircraft
was inaugurated at Kakinada Beach Park in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh(AP). This
Aircraft Museum was developed by Kakinada Urban Development Authority (KUDA) with an
investment of Rs. 5.89 crore.
DFCC Integrated in LSP7 Flies for Tejas Mk1A programme

The Digital Fly-by-Wire Flight Control Computer (DFCC) was integrated in prototype Limited
Series Production 7 (LSP7) and completed a flight for Tejas Mk1A programme. DFCC was
indigenously developed by the Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Aeronautical Development
Establishment (ADE).
INTERNATIONAL
US State Dept Approves USD 4 billion sale of 31 MQ-9B Armed Drones and Equipments to India
The United States(US) Department of State has approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B Armed
Drones and other related equipments to India. The estimated cost of the deal is around USD
3.99 billion (Rs 33060 crore). MQ-9B, manufactured by the USA-based General Atomics
Aeronautical, has 2 variants - Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian.
NASA launches Airborne Assault through its DC-8 to Combat Pollution in Asia
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s DC-8 aircraft has initiated to
conduct test flights as part of the Airborne and Satellite Investigation of Asian Air Quality, or
ASIA-AQ mission. This is the world’s biggest flying laboratory.

✓ ASIA-AQ mission is a joint effort between NASA and South Korea’s National Institute of
Environmental Research (NIER) which will gather atmospheric data over several locations
in Asia.
NASA Discovers Potentially Habitable Planet 'Super-Earth' 137 Light-Years Away

A team of researchers from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have
identified a potential "super-Earth" called ‘TOI-715 b’ by using the Transiting Exoplanet
Survey Satellite (TESS). The exoplanet is located 137 light-years away from Earth.
SPORTS
CRICKET
Australia Wins U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup by Defeating India at Finals
The Australian Under-19 (U19) cricket team won the International Cricket Council (ICC) U19
Men’s Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2024 title defeating India in the finals held in Willowmoore
Park stadium in Benoni, South Africa. The 15th edition of U19 Men’s CWC held from 19th
January to 11th February 2024 was hosted by South Africa.
BADMINTON & TENNIS

Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024: Indian Women’s Team Won the Title for
1st Time
Indian Women’s Badminton Team led by Pusarla Venkata (PV) Sindhu won the gold at
Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) 2024 in Womens event by defeating Thailand
(3-2) in the finals held at Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
✓ This marks the first ever podium finish of Indian Women’s team and also the first ever
gold for India at the Badminton Asia Team Championships.
✓ BATC 2024, the 5th edition of the biennial championship, was held from 13th to 18th
February 2024 in Malaysia.
Women’s
Medal Men’s Winners
Winner
Gold India China
Silver Thailand Malaysia
Japan and Japan and South
Bronze
Indonesia Korea
Bengaluru Open Tennis: India's Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan Wins Doubles
Title
The Indian tennis pair Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan won the men’s doubles
title by defeating Constantin Bittoun Kouzmine and Maxime Janvier of France in the finals of
the Bengaluru Open 2024.
✓ Stefano Napolitano (Italy) won the men’s singles title by defeating Seongchan Hong (South
Korea) in the finals.
✓ India’s sole contender in the men’s singles, Sumit Nagal, lost to Stefano Napolitano in the
semi-finals.

India Wins 18 medals at BWF Para-Badminton World Championships 2024

The Indian shuttlers won 18 medals (3 gold, 4 silver, and 11 bronze) at the BWF (Badminton
World Federation) Para-Badminton World Championships 2024, held from 20th -25th
February 2024 in Pattaya, Thailand.
✓ Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics silver medallist, won the gold in
the men’s singles SL 4 category by beating Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan.
✓ Krishna Nagar won the gold medal in the men’s singles SH 6 category by beating China’s
Naili Lin.
✓ Pramod Bhagat won the gold medal in the men’s singles SL 3 category by beating
England’s Daniel Bethell.
BOXING, WRESTLING
UWW Lifts Wrestling Federation of India’s Suspension
The United World Wrestling (UWW) has lifted the suspension on the Wrestling Federation of
India(WFI) with immediate effect on 13th February 2024. WFI was suspended in August 2023
due to a delay in elections in the organisation
ATHLETIC & FOOTBALL

India and Bangladesh Declared Joint Champions of SAFF U19 Women's Championship
The Indian women’s team along with Bangladesh has been declared the joint winners of the
South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under19 (U-19) Women's Championship 2024 title.
The 5th edition of the SAFF U19 Women's Championship was hosted by Bangladesh and held
from 2-8 February 2024 at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mostafa Kamal (BSSSMK)
Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
MoE & FIFA collaborates to Promote Football in Indian Schools

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has partnered with Fédération Internationale de Football
Affiliation (FIFA) to promote football in schools across India by integrating football-related
activities into the education system. The program is supported by the All India Football
Federation (AIFF) and implemented by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The partnership
aims to distribute 11 lakh footballs across India in a phased manner.
ARCHERY & SHOOTING

Indian Shooter Abhinav Bindra Selected as Torchbearer for Paris 2024 Olympics
Former Indian shooter and India’s first individual Olympic gold medal winner (Beijing
Olympics - 2008), Abhinav Bindra has been selected as a torchbearer to take part in the Paris
2024 Olympic Torch Relay
Archery Asia Cup 2024 Stage I: India Wins 14 Medals

Indian archers won 14 medals (9 golds, 4 silvers, and 1 bronze) at stage I of the Archery Asia
Cup 2024, held from 20th to 25th February 2024 in Baghdad, Iraq.
✓ India clinched the gold medal in all the individual events including recurve(men &
women) and compound(men & women) events.

✓ India’s Deepika Kumari won the gold medal by defeating SimranjeetKaur(India) in the
women’s individual recurve category.
✓ In the recurve men’s individual event, India’s Dhiraj Bommadevara won the Gold medal by
defeating Tarundeep Rai(India) in the finals.
✓ In the men’s compound event, India’s Prathamesh Samadhan Jawkar won the gold medal
by defeating Kushal Dalal (India) in the finals.
✓ India’s Parneet Kaur clinched the gold medal by defeating Fatemeh Hemmati(Iran) in the
finals of the women’s individual compound event.
OTHER SPORTS NEWS

Khelo India Youth Games 2023: Maharashtra Tops the Table with 158 medals
The 6th edition of Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2023 hosted by Tamil Nadu was held from
19th to 31st January 2024. Maharashtra topped the medal tally of KIYG 2023 with 158 medals
(57 gold, 48 silver, 53 bronze) and won the overall championship trophy.
✓ Tamil Nadu and Haryana were ranked 2nd and 3rd, respectively, with 98 medals (38 gold,
21 silver, and 39 bronze) and 103 medals (35 gold, 22 silver, and 46 bronze).
KIYG 2023 Medal Tally:
Rank States/UT Gold Silver Bronze Total
1 Maharashtra 57 48 53 158
2 Tamil Nadu 38 21 39 98
3 Haryana 35 22 46 103
4 Delhi 13 18 25 56
5 Rajasthan 13 17 17 47
India Wins Four Medals (3 gold and 1 silver) in Asian Indoor Athletics Championships
2024
India finished fifth in the medal tally with four medals (3 gold and 1 silver) in the 11th edition
of the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships (2024), held from 17th to 19th February 2024 at
the Aftab Enghelab sports complex in Tehran, Iran.
✓ China tops the medal tally with 16 medals (8 gold, 6 silver, 2 bronze), Japan with 9 medals
(4 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze), and Kazakhstan with 12 medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 6 bronze) in
second and third place, respectively.
Indian Medal Winners:
Athlete Event Medal
Women’s 60m
Jyothi Yarraji Gold
hurdles
Tajinderpal
Men’s shot put Gold
Singh Toor
Harmilan Bains Women’s 1500m Gold
Ankita Dhyani Women’s 3000m Silver
Khelo India Winter Games 2024: Army Tops Medal Tally with 21 Medals
The Indian Army finished top and clinched the overall trophy in the Khelo India Winter Games
(KIWG) 2024 by winning 21 medals (10 gold, 5 silver, and 6 bronze).

✓ Karnataka secured second place with 11 medals (9 gold and 2 silver), and Maharashtra
secured third place with 22 medals (7 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze).
✓ The mascot of the KIWG 2024 is a snow leopard. It has been named ‘Sheen-e-She’ or Shan
in Ladakh region.
✓ The army team won the men’s ice Hockey title, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
team won the women’s title.
✓ The fourth edition of KIWG was held in two stages with six sports events.
✓ The first stage has two ice sports (Ice Hockey & Ice Skating) held from 2nd to 6th Feb
2024 in Leh, Ladakh.
✓ The second stage has four snow sports (Ski Mountaineering, Alpine Skiing, Snowboard &
Nordic Skiing) held from 21st to 25th February 2024 in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir.
TATA Steel Chess 2024: China’s Wei Yi Win Masters Title & India’s Leon Luke Mendonca wins
Challengers title
Grandmaster (GM)Wei Yi of China won his first master title by defeating GM Gukesh D of
India in the finals of the 86th edition of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament (2024) held from 12-
28 January 2024 in Wijk aan Zee, The Netherlands.
✓ GM Leon Luke Mendonca (India) won the Challengers title by defeating International
Master (IM) Divya Deshmukh (India) in the final round.
✓ GM Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa became India’s No. 1 chess player after he defeated
reigning world champion GM Ding Liren(China) in the fourth round of the Tata Steel Chess
Tournament 2024 (Masters).
Assam CM Launched Logo, Anthem, Mascot, Jersey, and Torch of 4th Khelo India University
Games
Assam Chief Minister(CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Logo, Anthem, Mascot, Jersey,
and Torch of the 4th edition of the Khelo India University Games(KIUG 2023) in an event held
at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium in Guwahati, Assam.
Note: The Mascot of the KIUG 2023 is ‘Ashtalakshmi’, a butterfly. KIUG 2023 is set to be held
from 19th -29th February 2024.
India Hands over Chess Olympiad Torch to Hungary

India has officially handed over the Chess Olympiad torch to Hungary, which is set to host the
45th edition of the Chess Olympiad 2024 from 10th to 23rd September 2024 in Budapest,
Hungary. The torch handover ceremony also kicked off the 100th anniversary celebration of
FIDE, which was established in 1924.
India Finishes as Runner-up in the FIH Hockey 5s Women’s World Cup

The Indian women’s hockey team finished as runner-up (Silver Medal) at the Fédération
Internationale de Hockey(FIH) Hockey 5s Women’s World Cup 2024 after losing to the
Netherlands in the final.
✓ The inaugural edition of the FIH Hockey 5s Women’s World Cup was held from 24-27
January 2024 in Muscat, Oman.

✓ The Netherlands men’s hockey team won the FIH Hockey 5s men’s World Cup 2024 title
(Gold) by defeating Malaysia (Silver) in the finals.
✓ The inaugural edition of the FIH Hockey 5s men’s World Cup was held from 28-31 January
2024 in Muscat, Oman.
Magnus Carlsen Wins Inaugural Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge

Norwegian Grandmaster (GM) and World No.1, Magnus Carlsen won the inaugural Freestyle
Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge by defeating GM Fabiano Caruana (United States of America-USA)in
the finals. The 2024 Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. is a Chess960 classical tournament that was held
from February 9th to 16th, 2024, in Weissenhaus, Germany.
BOOKS & AUTHORS

BOOK NAME AUTHOR KEY NOTES
Basic Structure and PS Sreedharan Pillai PS Sreedharan Pillai, Governor of Goa, has
Republic penned his 212th book titled “Basic Structure
and Republic”. Mar Joseph Perumthottam,
Archbishop of Changanacherry
(Kerala) released the book during the book
release function held in Raj Bhavan, Panaji, Goa
Fool Bahadur Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and
Kashmir (J&K), Manoj Sinha along with Ajay
Singh, Press Secretary to the President of India
- and Principal Secretary to the Govt. of Bihar, S
Siddharth have launched English edition of 'Fool
Bahadur', the first ever novel to be translated
from Magahi language to English.
The book was translated by Indian poet-
diplomat, editor and translator Abhay K.
The book was published by Penguin Random
House India.
Artificial Intelligence Unveiled by Chief of Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan
and National Security Defence Staff General unveiled a book titled 'Artificial Intelligence and
Anil Chauhan National Security', written by Amit Sinha and
Vijay Khare and published by Pentagon Press at
the Defence Literature Festival, "Kalam and
Kavach," in Pune(Maharashtra).
Transforming Launched by Jagdeep Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President (VP) of India,

HARYANA Dhankhar released the book titled “Transforming
HARYANA: 9 Incredible Years of Haryana
Government” edited by Kuldip Chand
Agnihotri, Former Vice-Chancellor, Central
University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala,

Himachal Pradesh. The book was published by

OakBridge Publishing Private Limited.
Shree Jagannatha, Released by Naveen Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha Naveen Patnaik
Lord Of The Universe Patnaik has released a coffee-table book titled ‘Shree
Jagannatha, Lord Of The Universe’ during the
valedictory session of the first-ever "World
Odia Language Conference" held in
Bhubaneswar, Odisha from 1st to 3rd February
2024. The book was published by The Hindu
Group and edited by Raghuvir Srinivasan,
Editor of The Hindu BusinessLine
“India Year Book 2024” Sanjay Jaju Sanjay Jaju, the Secretary of the Ministry of
and “Career Calling” Information and Broadcasting (MIB) inaugurated
the Publications Division’s stall and unveiled its
publications titled “India Year Book 2024” and
“Career Calling” at the World Book Fair 2024 in New
Delhi, Delhi
Neeraj Chopra: The Norris Pritam Renowned sports journalist Norris Pritam has
Man Who Made written a new book “Neeraj Chopra: The Man
History Who Made History” which describes the
journey of the javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra’s
life from early background to Olympics. The
book was published by Bloomsbury Publishing
India Pvt. Ltd.
OBITUARY
NATIONAL
PERSON NAME FIELD BORN PLACE KEY NOTES
Manohar Joshi A former Chief Passed away at the age of 86 in Mumbai,
Minister (CM) of Maharashtra.
Maharashtra & ✓ He served as CM of Maharashtra
former Speaker from 1995 to 1999. He was the
of Lok Sabha first leader from the undivided
Shiv Sena to occupy the CM post in
- Maharashtra. He was elected as the
Member of Parliament(MP) (Lok
Sabha) in 1999. He served as
Union Cabinet Minister, Heavy
Industries and Public Enterprises
from 1999 to 2002.
Harmohan Dhawan Former Union Punjab Passed away at the age of 83 in Mohali,
Minister, and Punjab. He was born on 14th July 1940, in

Member of Fatehjung, Campbelpur district in Punjab,

Parliament (MP) British India(now Attock, Pakistan).
from Chandigarh
Dr Nitya Anand Padma Shri West Punjab The developer of India's 1st oral
Awardee contraceptive pill 'Saheli' passed away at
the age of 99 in Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh(UP). He was born on 1st January
1925, at Layallpur, West Punjab (now in
Pakistan). He was a renowned Medicinal
Chemist and Scientist. He was honoured
with the Padma Shri for Medicine in 2012.
Sadhu Meher Renowned Odia Odisha Passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra at
actor-director the age of 84. He was born on January 1,
and Padma Shri 1940, in Boudh district of Odisha. He was
Awardee also a writer and producer.
In 1974, he won the National Award for
Best Actor for his performance in
Shyam Benegal’s debut film Ankur (The
Seedling). He was the 1st Odia Actor to be
honoured with National Award. He was
awarded the Padma Shri for Art in 2017
Mir Mohammad A Prominent Passed away at the age of 83 at Katra in the
Farooq Nazki broadcaster, poet, Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir
and Sahitya - (J&K).
Akademi awardee In 1995, he was honoured with the
Sahitya Akademi award in Kashmiri
language for his poetry book “Naar Hatun
Kazal Wanas” (Fire in the Eyelashes).
UshaKiran Khan Padma Shri Bihar Passed away at the age of 78 in Patna, Bihar.
Awardee and She was born on 24th October 1945 at
renowned Hindi Laheriasarai in the Darbhanga district of
and Maithili writer Bihar. She was honoured with the Padma Shri
in the field of literature and education in
2015. She was also a recipient of the Sahitya
Akademi Award in 2011 for her Maithili
novel ‘Bhamati’, written in 2010, and
published by Samayik Prakashan.
Ishwar Chander Renowned Passed away. He was born on 25th December
Verma (I.C. Verma) specialist in 1936. In 2023, I.C.Verma was conferred with
genetic medicine the Padma Shri (the fourth-highest civilian
and Padma Shri honour) in the field of Medicine.
✓ He was mentioned in the Limca Book
recipient -
of Records 2003 as a pioneer in
genetics in India.
He also received the BC Roy National Award
in 1983, the Indian Council of Medical
Research (ICMR) award, the National

Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) award,

etc
Mohammed Imtiaz A renowned Uttar Passed away at the age of 93 in Mumbai,
Qureshi Indian chef and Pradesh Maharashtra. He was born on 2nd
Padma Shri February 1931 in Lucknow, Uttar
Awardee Pradesh(UP).
In 2016, Imtiaz Qureshi was conferred
with the Padma Shri (Field: Others) for
his significant contributions to the
culinary arts. He was the first professional
chef to be honoured with a Padma Shri
award.
Fali Sam Nariman A renowned Myanmar Passed away at the age of 95 in New Delhi,
Indian jurist and Delhi. He was born on 10th January 1929
Padma Awardee in Myanmar (Rangoon - then British
India). The Government of India (GoI)
honoured him with the Padma Bhushan
(Field: Public Affairs) in 1991 and Padma
Vibhushan (Field: Public Affairs) in 2007
in recognition of his exceptional and
distinguished services in the field of
Public Affairs.
✓ He is also the recipient of 19th Lal
Bahadur Shastri Award for
Excellence in Public
Administration(2018)
Ameen Sayani Renowned Radio Mumbai Passed away at the age of 91 in Mumbai,
presenter and Maharashtra. He was born on December
Padma Shri 21, 1932, in Mumbai. He was most known
Awardee for his program Binaca Geetmala (now
Cibaca Geetmala) on Radio Ceylon.
✓ The government of India honoured
him with Padma Shri in 2009
(Field: Others).
✓ He is also the recipient of the
Living Legend Award (2006) from
the Federation of Indian Chambers
of Commerce & Industry(FICCI),
with India Radio Forum.
Kumar Shahani Renowned Larkana Who won 3 National Awards passed

Indian district in away at the age of 83 in Kolkata, West
filmmaker, and Sindh, Bengal. He was born on 7 December 1940
screenwriter British India in the Larkana district in Sindh, British

(now India (now Pakistan). He directed his first

Pakistan) long feature movie, Maya Darpan in 1972,
which won a National Film Award for Best
Feature Film in Hindi in 1973.
Pankaj A prominent Gujarat Passed away at the age of 72 in Mumbai,
Keshubhai Udhas Indian Ghazal Maharashtra. He was born on 17 May
singer and 1951 in Jetpur, Saurashtra, Gujarat.
Padma Shri Government of India honoured him with
awardee the Padma Shri for arts in 2006.
INTERNATIONAL
PERSON NAME FIELD BORN PLACE KEY NOTES
Navarre Scott A Pulitzer Prize- USA Passed away in New Mexico, United
Momaday winning storyteller, States of America (USA). He was
poet, educator and born on 27th February 1934, in
folklorist Oklahoma, USA.
✓ His novel “House Made of
Dawn,” published in 1968 by
HarperCollins, won the
Pulitzer Prize in fiction for the
year 1969.
He was named an ‘Artist for Peace’
by UNESCO in 2004. He also received
awards such as the first Lifetime
Achievement Award from the Native
Writers Circle of the Americas
(1992), the Dayton Literary Peace
Prize (2019)
Sebastián Piñera Two-time former Chile Passed away by drowning in Lake Ranco
Echenique president of Chile and in Chile after a helicopter crash. He was
Chilean businessman born on 1st December 1949 in Santiago,
Chile.
✓ Sebastián Piñera served his first
tenure as President of Chile from
2010 to 2014. He was again
made President of Chile from
2018 to 2022.
He was the first conservative politician
to be elected as president after the end
of military rule in Chile. He belongs to a
political party called Coalición por el
Cambio (Coalition for Change), founded
in 2009.
Shreela Flather British-Indian peer Passed away at the age of 89. She was a
life peer as Baroness of Windsor and
Maidenhead in Berkshire (Towns in the

United Kingdom (UK)). She was the first

British Asian woman to become a life
- peer in 1990. She was also the first
British Asian woman to become mayor
in UK(of Windsor and Maidenhead) and
as the Justice of the Peace.
A life peer is an honour given to
individuals and grants them to be
members of the House of Lords (the
upper house of the UK Parliament) with
the title of Baron (male) or Baroness
(female).
Andreas Brehme Former German Passed away at the age of 63. He was
footballer part of the West Germany national
football team that won the
- Federation Internationale de Football
Association (FIFA)World Cup 1990
against Argentina in Rome, Italy
IMPORTANT DAYS
OBSERVED DATE / DAYS KEY NOTES
WEEK
January 30, 2024 Shaheed Divas or Martyrs’ Day, also known as Sarvodaya Day or
Martyrs' Day Shaheed Diwas, is annually observed across
India on January 30 to commemorate those
who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty to
the nation.
✓ The day also marks the death
anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who
was considered the “Father of the
Nation”. 30th January 2024 marks the
76th death anniversary of Mahatma
Gandhi.
February 1, 2024 Indian Coast Guard Day Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Day is annually
observed across India on 1st February to mark
the Raising Day of ICG, India’s maritime armed
force operating under the Ministry of Defence.
1st February 2024 marks the observance of the
48th Raising Day of ICG.
February 1 to 7, 2024 World Interfaith The United Nations (UN)’s World Interfaith
Harmony Week Harmony Week (WIHW) is annually observed
across the globe during the 1st week of

February (1-7 February) to promote a culture

of peace and nonviolence among people
irrespective of their faith.
✓ WIHW 2024 is observed from 1-7
February 2024. The first-ever WIHW
was observed on 1-7 February 2011.
February 2, 2024 World Wetlands Day The United Nations (UN) World Wetlands Day
is annually observed across the globe on 2
February to raise awareness about the vital
role of wetlands, a critically important
ecosystem for people and the planet.
✓ The 2024 theme of World Wetlands Day
is, ‘Wetlands and Human Wellbeing.’
The 1st ever UN-recognised World
Wetlands Day was observed on 2
February 2022.
February 4, 2024 International Day of The United Nations (UN) International Day of
Human Fraternity Human Fraternity is annually observed across
the globe on 4 February to promote peace,
tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and
solidarity between all people of diverse faiths.
✓ 4 February 2024 marks the observance
of the 4th International Day of Human
Fraternity. The 1st ever International
Day of Human Fraternity was observed
on 4 February 2021.
February 4, 2024 World Cancer Day World Cancer Day (WCD) is annually observed
across the globe on 4 February to raise
awareness of fundamental cancer issues and to
encourage its prevention, detection, and
treatment.
WCD is an international campaign that aims to
remember and honour those affected by cancer,
and to take action to change the future of
cancer. The 1st WCD was observed
on February 4, 2000.
✓ The campaign theme of WCD 2022-
2024 is, ‘Close the Care Gap’. 2024
marks the 3rd and final year of the
campaign.

✓ The campaign theme of WCD 2024 is,

“Close the Care Gap: Together, we
challenge those in power.”
February 6, 2024 Safer Internet Day Safer Internet Day (SID) is annually observed
across the globe on the 2nd day(Tuesday), of
the 2nd week, of the 2nd month (February)
to promote safer, better, and more responsible
use of the Internet for all, especially for children
and young people.
✓ The theme of SID 2024 is, "Together
for a better internet." This has been the
campaign slogan of SID since 2019.
✓ SID 2024 is observed on 6 February
2024, marking the 21st edition of SID.
The 20th edition of SID, SID 2023 was
observed on 7 February 2023. The
22nd edition of SID, SID 2025 will be
observed on 4 February 2025.
February 6, 2024 International Day of Zero The United Nations (UN) International Day of
Tolerance for Female Zero Tolerance for Female Genital
Genital Mutilation Mutilation(FGM) is annually observed across
the globe on 6 February to amplify and direct
the efforts on the elimination of the practice of
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
✓ 6 February 2024 marks the 13th
observance of UN recognised
International Day of Zero Tolerance for
FGM. The 1st International Day of Zero
Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
was observed on 6 February 2003.
The theme of International Day of Zero
Tolerance for FGM 2024 is, "Her Voice. Her
Future. Investing in Survivor-Led
Movements to End Female Genital
Mutilation.
February 10, 2024 World Pulses Day The United Nations (UN) World Pulses Day (WPD)
is annually observed across the globe on 10
February to recognise the significance of pulse
crops like chickpeas, dry beans, and lentils as a
global food.
✓ The theme of WPD 2024 is: "Pulses:
Nourishing Soils and People."

✓ The day was established following the

successful implementation of International
Year of Pulses (IYP) in 2016 by FAO. The 1st
ever WPD was observed on 10 February
2019.
February 10, 2024 National Deworming Day The National Deworming Day (NDD) is organised
biannually in all states and Union Territories (UTs)
across India to eradicate intestinal worms also
referred to as Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH),
among children of age 1-19 years. The 1st round is
conducted in February and the 2nd round is
conducted in August.
✓ In 2024, the first round of NDD is observed
on February 10, 2024, with a mop-up day
(MUD) followed by the next day of NDD or
on which the state government decides. NDD
was first observed on 10th February 2015.
February 10, 2024 First-Ever UN The first-ever United Nations (UN)’s International
International Day of the Day of the Arabian Leopard was observed across
Arabian Leopard the globe on 10th February 2024 to raise
awareness about the critically endangered status of
the Arabian Leopard (Panthera pardus nimr).
The Arabian leopard is listed as Critically
Endangered on the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
February 11, 2024 International Day of The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of
Women and Girls in Women and Girls in Science (IDWGIS) is annually
Science observed across the globe on 11 February to
promote full and equal access to and participation of
women and girls in the fields of Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
✓ The theme of IDWGIS 2024 is “Women
and Girls in Science Leadership: A New
Era for Sustainability”
✓ 11 February 2024 marks the observance of
the 9th International Day of Women and
Girls in Science. The 1st ever IDWGIS was
February 11, 2024 World Unani Day World Unani Day is annually observed across the
globe on 11 February to commemorate the birth
anniversary of social reformer and renowned
Unani scholar Mohammad Ajmal Khan better
known as Hakim Ajmal Khan, widely regarded as
the pioneer of Unani medicine in India.

The theme of Unani Day 2024 is, "Unani Medicine

for One Earth, One Health." The 1st ever World
Unani Day was observed on 11 February 2017 at
the Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine
(CRIUM) in Hyderabad, Telangana.
February 12, 2024 International Day for the The United Nations (UN) International Day for the
Prevention of Violent Prevention of Violent Extremism as and When
Extremism as and When Conducive to Terrorism (PVE Day) is annually
Conducive to Terrorism observed across the globe on 12 February to raise
awareness of the threats linked to violent extremism
as and when conducive to terrorism and to enhance
international cooperation.
✓ 12 February 2024 marks the observance of
the 2nd International PVE Day. The 1st
ever International PVE Day was observed on
12 February 2023.
February 12, 2024 National Productivity National Productivity Day or National Productivity
Day Council Foundation Day is annually observed across
India on 12th February to mark the foundation day
of the National Productivity Council of India (NPC)
and raise awareness of productivity, efficiency, and
innovation.
✓ National Productivity Day is celebrated as
part of National Productivity Week, which
is observed annually from 12th to 18th
February.
✓ The theme for National Productivity Week
2024 is ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI)-
Productivity Engine for Economic
Growth’.
February 12, 2024 International Darwin Day International Darwin Day is annually observed
across the globe on 12 February to commemorate
the birth anniversary of Charles Robert Darwin, a
19th-century British Naturalist, Geologist who was
credited with “The Theory of Evolution by Natural
Selection”.The day recognises Darwin's
contributions to science and promotes scientific
development.
February 12, 2024 International Epilepsy International Epilepsy Day is annually observed
Day across the globe on the 2nd Monday in February to
raise awareness about epilepsy, a neurological
disorder, its condition, diagnosis, and treatment.
International Epilepsy Day 2024 is observed on
12 February 2024. The 2024 theme of

International Epilepsy Day is, “Milestones on My

Epilepsy Journey.”
✓ International Epilepsy Day 2023 was
observed on 13 February 2023; In 2025, it
will be observed on 10 February 2025. The
1st ever International Epilepsy Day was
observed in 2015.
February 13, 2024 World Radio Day The United Nations (UN) World Radio Day (WRD) is
annually observed across the globe on 13 February
to celebrate Radio as a powerful and low-cost
medium and to promote its role in fostering
international collaboration among broadcasters.
13 February 2024 marks the observance of the
13th WRD. The theme of World Radio Day 2024 is
“Radio: A century informing, entertaining and
educating”
February 13, 2024 National Women's Day National Women's Day is annually observed
across India on 13 February to commemorate
the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu,
popularly known as the “Nightingale of India” or
“Bharat Kokila.” National Women's Day
celebrates the contribution made by Sarojini
Naidu for establishing women’s rights in the
patriarchal Indian society. 13 February 2024
marks the 145th birth anniversary of Sarojini
Naidu.
February 15, 2024 International Childhood International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is
Cancer Day annually observed across the globe on 15
February to raise awareness about childhood
cancer and its unique challenges, and to express
support for children and adolescents battling
cancer, the cancer survivors, and their families.
✓ The 1st ever ICCD was observed on 15
February 2002.
February 17, 2024 Global Tourism The United Nations (UN) Global Tourism
Resilience Day Resilience Day (GTRD) is annually observed
across the globe on 17 February to recognise
the importance of fostering resilience in the
tourism industry. 17 February 2024 marks the
observance of the 2nd Global Tourism
Resilience Day. The first-ever Global Tourism
Resilience Day was observed on 17 February
2023.

February 17, 2024 World Pangolin Day World Pangolin Day is annually observed
across the globe on the 3rd Saturday of
February to celebrate and raise awareness
about the Pangolin or scaly anteater, one of the
most unique mammals on Earth, and their
plight. In 2024, World Pangolin Day falls on
17th February 2024. This marks the observance
of the 13th World Pangolin Day. The first
World Pangolin Day was observed in February
2012.
February 20, 2024 World Day of Social The United Nations (UN)’s World Day of Social
Justice Justice is annually observed across the globe on
20 February to raise awareness about the need
for social justice, particularly in areas such as
poverty eradication, employment, gender
equality, and access to education, healthcare,
and social services.
✓ The theme of World Day of Social Justice
2024 is “Global Coalition for Social
Justice: Bridging Gaps, Building
Alliances”.
✓ The first World Day of Social Justice was
observed on 20th February 2009.
February 21, 2024 International Mother The United Nations (UN) International Mother
Language Day Language Day (IMLD) is annually observed
awareness about the significance of the mother
language.
✓ The 2024 theme of IMLD is,
“Multilingual education is a pillar of
intergenerational learning”.
25th edition of IMLD. On 17 November 1999,
UNESCO proclaimed the 21 February of every
year as “International Mother Language Day”.
February 22, 2024 World Thinking Day World Thinking Day (WTD) is annually
observed across the globe on 22 February by
Girl Scouts and Girl Guides in over 150
countries around the world. The day is
celebrated as the day of international friendship
and sisterhood, and aims to empower young
girls and women across the world.

The theme of WTD 2024 is “Our World, Our

Thriving Future: The Environment and
Global Poverty”
February 24, 2024 Central Excise Day The Central Excise Day is annually observed
across India on 24 February to recognise and
highlight the contributions of the Central Board
of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), which is
responsible for administering indirect taxes in
India.
✓ The day also commemorates the
anniversary of the enactment of the
Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944 on 24
February 1944.
February 27, 2024 World NGO Day World Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)
Day is annually observed across the globe on 27
February to recognise, celebrate, and honour
all non-governmental and nonprofit
organisations that contribute to society all year
round.
✓ The theme for World NGO Day 2024 is
“Building a Sustainable Future: The Role
of NGOs in Achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs)”.
✓ 27 February 2024 marks the
observance of the 11th edition of World
NGO Day. The first global inaugural
event of World NGO Day was hosted by
the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of
Finland on 27 February 2014 in
Helsinki, Finland.
February 27, 2024 National Protein Day National Protein Day is annually observed
awareness about the health benefits of protein
in our diets. National Protein Day was initiated
in 2020 by the Right to Protein (RTP), a
nationwide awareness campaign.
✓ The theme of World Protein Day 2024
is "Solve with Protein".
✓ 27 February 2024 marks the observance
of the 5th National Protein Day in India.
The first National Protein Day was

February 28, 2024 National Science Day National Science Day (NSD) is annually
observed across India on 28 February to
commemorate the discovery of the ‘Raman
Effect’, a Nobel Prize-winning discovery by the
Indian physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata
Raman (CV Raman) in 1928.
✓ The theme for NSD 2024 is “Indigenous
Technologies for Viksit Bharat."
38th NSD. The 1st NSD was observed on 28
February 1987
APPS & WEB PORTAL

APP & WEB NAME LAUNCHED BY PURPOSE
C- CARES (https://cares- Pralhad Joshi Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Coal
cmpfo.in/) (MoC), has launched a web portal called C-
CARES (https://cares-cmpfo.in/) to digitise
the records and work processes of the Coal
Mines Provident Fund Organisation (CMPFO).
The portal was developed and designed by
the Centre for Development of Advanced
Computing (C-DAC), a Research and
development (R&D) organization under the
Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology(MeitY). The project was awarded
to C-DAC in March 2023.
Bharat 5G Portal Dr. Neeraj Mittal Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Chairman of the Digital
Communications Commission and Secretary
of the Department of Telecommunications
(DoT) under the Ministry of Communications
(MoC), launched the “Bharat 5G Portal- an
integrated portal” during the ‘Bharat
Telecom 2024 - An Exclusive International
Business Expo.’
Note: India has the 2nd largest telecom
network in the world.
As part of the portal’s initiatives, DoT issued a
call for 6G Research and Development (R&D)
proposals on the integrated portal,
accelerating research in 6G ecosystem
development.
SARTHI Portal Arjun Munda Union Minister Arjun Munda, Ministry of
Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW)

launched Sandbox for Agricultural and Rural

Security, Technology and Insurance (SARTHI)
Portal to offer a range of insurance products
including Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima
Yojana(PMFBY).
✓ He also launched the Krishi Rakshak
portal and helpline number (14447) to
enable farmers in India to file their
grievances.
✓ Union Minister also launched the Learning
Management System (LMS) Platform for
the farming community under the PMFBY.
Note: SARTHI was launched in collaboration with
the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) India.
DigiReady Certification Quality Council of India The Quality Council of India (QCI) and Open
(DRC) portal (QCI) and Open Network Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) jointly
for Digital Commerce introduced the DigiReady Certification (DRC)
(ONDC) portal in a step towards fostering digital inclusion
in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises
(MSME) sector.
QCI in coordination with ONDC aims to assess and
certify the digital readiness of MSME entities. DRC
is an online self-assessment tool for Digital
Readiness developed by QCI.
Science for Women: A Ajay Kumar Sood Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to
Technology and Innovation the Government of India (GoI) launched ‘Science
(SWATI) Portal for Women: A Technology and Innovation
(https://swati.nipgr.ac.in/) (SWATI) Portal (https://swati.nipgr.ac.in/),
India’s 1st-of-its-kind interactive online portal on
Indian women in STEMM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine).
SWATI portal was developed, hosted and
maintained by the National Institute of Plant
Genome Research (NIPGR).
GROW-Suitability NITI Aayog NITI Aayog(National Institution for Transforming
Mapping portal on India) launched the Greening and Restoration of
Bhuvan (https://bhuvan- Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW) initiative,
app1.nrsc.gov.in/asi_portal which includes GRWO report and portal at NITI
/) Aayog headquarters in New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ The GROW-Suitability Mapping
portal on Bhuvan (https://bhuvan-
app1.nrsc.gov.in/asi_portal/) will allow
universal access to state and district-level
data.
4 Transformative portals Anurag Thakur Union Minister Anurag Thakur, Ministry of

Information and Broadcasting (MIB),

launched 4 transformative portals as part of

MIB's digital initiatives, to modernise India’s
media industry in New Delhi, Delhi. The 4
portals are,
✓ Press Sewa Portal is developed under
the Press and Registration of
Periodicals Act of 2023 (PRP Act,
2023) by the Press Registrar General
of India (PRGI), erstwhile Registrar of
Newspapers for India (RNI).
✓ Transparent, Empanelment, Media
Planning, and eBilling
System(TEMPEST) was introduced for
Central Bureau of Communication
(CBC), which provides comprehensive
360-degree media and communication
solutions to Ministries, Departments,
etc.
✓ NaViGate(National Video Gateway)
Bharat portal developed by the New
Media Wing of MIB.
✓ National Register for Local Cable
Operators (LCOs), a web form for
collecting information for LCOs for the
National Register.
Automated Search Central Economic The Central Economic Intelligence Bureau

Portal Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) in collaboration with the State Bank of
(CEIB) in collaboration India (SBI) launched an Automated Search
with the State Bank of Portal dedicated for antecedent verification
India (SBI) of potential borrowers and Non-Performing
Assets (NPAs), to help Public Sector Banks
(PSBs).
ENVIRONMENT
Agasthyagama edge: A New Species of Tiny Lizards Discovered in Kerala
A group of scientists from various institutions in India and abroad discovered a new species of
tiny lizards called ‘Agasthyagama edge’ or the northern kangaroo lizard in the southern
Western Ghats at Kulamavu in Idukki, Kerala.

ICAR-NBFGR Discovers Two New Species of Congrid Eels in Tamil Nadu and Kerala
The researchers from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - National Bureau of
Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) have identified two new specimens of congrid eels
(Anguilliformes), namely Ariosoma Kannani and Ariosoma Gracile, off the coasts of Tamil
Nadu (TN) and Kerala, respectively.
New Species of Burrowing frog ‘Sphaerotheca Varshaabhu’ Discovered in Bengaluru,

Karnataka
Researchers from national and international organisations discovered a new species of
burrowing frog named ‘Sphaerotheca Varshaabhu’, found at Budumanahalli near Rajankunte in
Bengaluru, Karnataka. It means 'a genus of frog that welcomes rain'.
The name Sphaerotheca varshaabhu, or Varshaa burrowing frog, comes from the frog's
behaviour of emerging from burrows during early showers
Trichoglossum Syamviswanathii: New Fungus Species Discovered in Kerala

Researchers from the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Botanical Survey of India, and
the University of Hyderabad have discovered a new fungus species,
Trichoglossum Syamviswanathii in the moist soil of Bambusetum in Thrissur (Kerala) along
the Western Ghats.
Phylloneura rupestris: A New Species of Damselfly Discovered in Kerala

A team of researchers discovered a new species of damselfly named Phylloneura rupestris
from the Ponmudi Hills (Western Ghats) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The discovery was
published in the scientific journal ‘International Journal of Odonatology’, published by
Worldwide Dragonfly Association.
Parhyale Odian: A New Species of Crustacean Identified in Odisha

Researchers from Berhampur University(Odisha) have discovered a new species of crustacean
named ‘Parhyale Odian’ from the Chilika Lake, spread over spread over the Puri, Khordha and
Ganjam in Odisha. The new species is named after Odia, the official & native language of Odisha
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Current Affairs Pocket PDF – February 2024

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Cabinet Approvals on 1st February 2024

Cabinet Approvals on 8th February 2024

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Cabinet Approvals on 21 February 2024

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STATEWISE NATIONAL NEWS

BSDMA launched a Novel Device ‘NITISH’ to Alert People on Natural Calamities

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Bihar Introduced 'Patna Declaration' to Strengthen Bird Conservation Initiatives in South

Jammu and Kashmir

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Justice N V Anjaria Appointed as CJ of Karnataka High Court

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Launches Asha Kirana Eye Care Scheme

Kerala Launched the Kerala Brand Logo & Web Portal

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Odisha Declared Gupteswar Forest as its 4th Biodiversity Heritage Site

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Telangana Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu presented Vote on Account Rs 2,75,891

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Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik inaugurated 4th National Chilika Bird Festival

LAUNCHES & INAUGURATION

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✓ First - The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)

Dharmendra Pradhan launches EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme

MoSDE launches 'SWAYAM Plus Platform' to Boost Employability and Professional

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Union Minister Arjun Munda launched an Initiative to Increase the Awareness of

Microsoft, iCreate & MeitY Jointly Launch iMPEL-AI Programme

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Unveils 3 Commemorative Coins at 19th

Union Minister Parshottam Rupala Launches the Realigned AHIDF Scheme

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Ministry of Education Launches APAAR in Remote Villages across India

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched '100 Cube' initiative in IIT

MoRD launched Unique Land Parcel Identification Number

Union Minister Amit Shah launches Computerisation of ARDBs, RCS offices

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Dharmendra Pradhan Inaugurates India’s 1st Skill India Centre in Odisha

PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates 2 Institutes of Ministry of Ayush in Jhajjar & Pune

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Union MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar Inaugurates Digital India FutureLABS at IIIT-Delhi

OTHER NATIONAL NEWS

Chennai Metro Becomes the First Metro Service to join ONDC

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GoI Notifies Appointment of Chief Justices to Seven High Courts

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Marut Drones Delivered India’s 1st Mineral Exploration Drones to NMDC

MHA instituted Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak by Merging Four Medals

Supreme Court Issues New Guidelines for Environmental Regulatory Bodies

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Headquarters of Confederation of International Tea Smallholders to Shift from China to India

MoFAHD Exempted Income Tax for Dairy Cooperative Societies

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GoI increased Authorised Capital of FCI to Rs 21,000 crore