April 2024 – 8th to 15th

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Contents
1 GA IN NEWS......................................................................................................................................5
FIRST IN NEWS ....................................................................................................................................5
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES ...........................................................................................................6
MOUs AND AGREEMENTS ..............................................................................................................6
BANKING AND FINANCE ..................................................................................................................7
DEFENCE EXERCISES/ INITIATIVES/ TECHNOLOGY .............................................................8
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ..............................................................................................................9
SPORTS ...............................................................................................................................................11
AWARDS ............................................................................................................................................12
APPOINTMENT .................................................................................................................................13
PERSONS IN NEWS ..........................................................................................................................15
BOOKS AND AUTHORS ..................................................................................................................17
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS ..................................................................................................................18
PLACES IN NEWS .............................................................................................................................18
DAYS IN NEWS .................................................................................................................................19
MISCELLANEOUS ............................................................................................................................20
2 GA + ESI ...........................................................................................................................................21

......................................................................................................................21
GENDER ISSUES ...............................................................................................................................21
2.1 Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM) .............................................................................................21
GLOBALIZATION ..............................................................................................................................21
2.2 Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) ............................................................21
2.3 India-EU Trade & Technology Council (TTC) ...............................................................................22
2.4 India Invoked Peace Clause for the 5th Time .............................................................................22
INDIAN POLITICAL SYSTEM ........................................................................................................23
2.5 Home Voting in Elections ............................................................................................................23
2.6 Scheme for Kashmiri Migrants ....................................................................................................24
2.7 Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) ............................................................................24
EMPLOYMENT GENERATION IN INDIA......................................................................................25

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 2.8 Promotion of Research and Innovation in Start-ups and MSMEs in mining, mineral processing,
metallurgy and recycling sector (S&T-PRISM) .......................................................................................25
MEASUREMENT OF GROWTH .....................................................................................................25
2.9 Index of Industrial Production (IIP) .............................................................................................25

..........................................................................................................26
SOCIAL SECTOR - HEALTH ..........................................................................................................26
2.10 Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) ..........................................................................26
2.11 S.A.R.A.H., or Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health ............................................................26
GENDER ISSUES ...............................................................................................................................27
2.12 UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) ....................................................................27
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT ..........................................................27
2.13 Solar Power Capacity in India ..................................................................................................27
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................................28
2.14 Highways Toll Collection ..........................................................................................................28
INDIAN POLITICAL SYSTEM ........................................................................................................28
2.15 16th Finance Commission (FC) ................................................................................................28
2.16 CDP-SURAKSHA (System for Unified Resource Allocation, Knowledge, and Secure
Horticulture Assistance).........................................................................................................................29
GLOBALIZATION ..............................................................................................................................30
2.17 International Monetary Fund (IMF) ........................................................................................30
2.18 Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) .....................................................................30
3. GA + FINANCE..................................................................................................................................31

...................................................................................................................31
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN FINANCIAL SECTOR ...............................................................31
3.1 Consumer Price Index (CPI) .........................................................................................................31

..........................................................................................................32
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN FINANCIAL SECTOR .......................................................................32

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3.2 Unified Payments Interface (UPI)................................................................................................32
3.3 Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) .................................................32
3.4 General Insurance Industry in FY24 ............................................................................................32
3.5 Aadhaar ATM...............................................................................................................................33
3.6 Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) ..............................................................................33
3.7 National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Ltd. (NIIF) ...........................................................34
3.8 Payment Aggregator ...................................................................................................................34
3.9 Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) ............................................................................................34
Quick Revision ........................................................................................................................................35

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 1 GA IN NEWS
FIRST IN NEWS

S.No News Key Facts

• World Athletics (WA) to award prize money to gold medalists in
athletics events at the Paris Olympics.
o Each gold medalist in the 48 track and field events will receive
USD 50,000 (Rs 41.60 lakh).
First international o USD 2.4 million, allocated from the International Olympic
federation to award prize Committee’s revenue share for World Athletics.
1.
money at an Olympic o Relay gold medalists to share their prize money among the
Games team.
• World Athletics plans to extend this initiative by awarding prize
money to all medal winners at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
About World Athletics
• Establishment: 1912; Headquarters: Monaco

First private sector bank to

2. open branch in • HDFC Bank has opened a branch in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep.
Lakshadweep

• Feat achieved by: Command Hospital (Southern Command), Pune.

First government hospital in • Purpose: To provide implantable hearing solutions for patients
India to procure and suffering from conductive loss, mixed hearing loss, and Single Sided
conduct successful Deafness (SSD) who are not candidates for cochlear implantation and
piezoelectric bone do not benefit from hearing aids or middle ear surgery.
3.
conduction hearing • Command Hospital (Southern Command), Pune, recognized as a
implants designated Neurotology centre of the Armed Forces Medical
Services (AFMS).
• It was recently awarded the prestigious “Raksha Mantri” trophy for
the year 2022, recognizing it as the best hospital in the entire AFMS.

• Two Japanese astronauts will be joining future American missions.

• One of the two will join the Artemis 3 Mission.
o He will be the first non-American astronaut to land on the Moon.
• Japan will contribute a rover to the Artemis missions, enhancing
lunar exploration capabilities by allowing astronauts to travel farther
First non-American to set and work longer on the lunar surface.
4.
foot on moon • This rover is expected to debut in the Artemis 7 mission.

About Artemis Mission

• It is a Moon exploration program led by the United States' NASA.
• Artemis 1: successfully flew an uncrewed vessel around the Moon.

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GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
S.No Initiative
Significant Achievements
1. by MoRTH in Highway
Construction in FY24
Awareness Campaign on
2. Food Safety Aspects at
Prominent Markets of Delhi
Coal Production Target for
3.
FY25 (2024-25)
MOUs AND AGREEMENTS
S.No Signing Entities
Indian Farmers Fertiliser
Cooperative Limited
1. (IFFCO) & ACME Cleantech
Solutions
• Artemis 2: planned for 2025, will send four astronauts around the
Moon without landing.
o The crew will consist of
three Americans and a
Canadian
• Artemis 3: the first crewed
landing on the Moon,
currently scheduled for
2026.
o The program will also
feature significant
firsts, including the first woman and the first person of color to
land on the Moon.
Key Facts
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), constructed
12,349 km of national highways in the fiscal year 2023-24, marking
it as the second-highest achievement in its history.
• The highest record was set in 2020-21 with 13,327 kilometers of
national highways constructed.
• Initiative of: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in
collaboration with the Food Safety Department, Delhi.
• Objective: To sensitize Food Business Operators and the general
public about food safety aspects, focusing on the detection and
mitigation of pesticide residues and contaminants in food products.
• Additionally, attendees were introduced to FSSAI's pioneering
initiative, the "Food Safety on Wheels (FSW)".
o FSW are mobile food testing vans.
o Objective: to reach remote areas and conduct training and
awareness activities.
o Equipped with rapid testing kits capable of detecting
approximately 50 pesticide residues across various food matrices.
• The Ministry of Coal has set the target of producing 170 million
tonnes of coal from captive and commercial coal blocks for FY25.
Key Facts
• IFFCO to purchase approximately 2 lakh tonnes of ammonia produced
using renewable energy from ACME Cleantech Solutions.
• Ammonia will be manufactured at ACME's facility in Gopalpur, Odisha
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 • ACME would retain green credit and trade in the form of ITMO
(Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes) with other countries
under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
o Under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, countries can transfer
carbon credits earned from the reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions to help one or more countries meet their climate targets.

• Purpose: to establish technical and knowledge cooperation in the field

of critical minerals, focusing on their exploration, processing, and
Khanij Bidesh India Limited development.
(KABIL) & Council of About Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL)
Scientific and Industrial • A JV of three Indian PSUs - National Aluminium Company Limited
2.
Research - Institute of (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) and Mineral Exploration
Minerals and Materials and Consultancy Limited (MECL); Ministry: Ministry of Mines
Technology (CSIR-IMMT) • Mandate: ensure mineral security and supply assurance for India,
supporting the 'Make in India' initiative by procuring and developing
strategic minerals.

• Aim: transforming Bengaluru into a leading aviation hub for South India.
• The collaboration involves strengthening the presence of Tata Group
airlines, including Air India and Vistara, at Kempegowda
Air India & Bangalore
International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru.
3. International Airport
Additional Information
Limited (BIAL)
• Air India has also signed an MoU with the Government of Karnataka
to develop comprehensive maintenance, repair, and operations
(MRO) facilities at KIA.
• Aim: to facilitate and promote the use of Unified Payments Interface
Singapore Tourism Board
4. (UPI) transactions for Indian visitors in Singapore.
(STB) & PhonePe
• MoU valid for two years.
• Objective: to establish public charging stations for EVs across India.
Tata Passenger Electric
• The partnership will leverage Shell's existing network of fuel stations
5. Mobility and Shell India
and data from Tata Passenger on how people charge their Tata electric
Markets
vehicles (EVs).

BANKING AND FINANCE

S.No Program / Initiative Key Facts

• Developed by: Third Unicorn, in partnership with Delhi-based Non-

Banking Financial Company (NBFC) Mukut Finvest.
• Objective: to provide instant pre-approved medical loans for up to Rs
1. ZeroPe App 5, 00,000 facilitating financial access for medical treatments.
Additional Information
• Ashneer Grover. Madhuri Jain Grover and Aseem Ghavri are the co-
founders of Third Unicorn.

Karnataka Bank - FISDOM • Karnataka Bank has expanded its collaboration with FISDOM to offer
2. Collaboration for stock 3-in-1 (savings, demat and trading accounts) through the bank's
broking services mobile banking app, KBL Mobile Plus.

• Aim: to enhance the cross-border payment experience for Indian

Partnership between PayU
3. merchants by integrating PayPal's ISU 2.0 Checkout into PayU’s
and PayPal
services.

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 DEFENCE EXERCISES/ INITIATIVES/ TECHNOLOGY

S.No Exercise/ Technology Key Facts

• 40th anniversary of Operation

Meghdoot was observed on 13
April.
• On this day in 1984, Indian Army
gained full control over Siachen
Glacier.

About the Operation

Operation Meghdoot
• It was the codename for the Indian Army operation to take full control
1.
of the Siachen in Ladakh.
• It was the first assault launched
on the Siachen glacier.
• Launched under the leadership
of Lieutenant General Manohar
Lal Chibber, Lieutenant General
PN Hoon and Major General Shiv Sharma.
• Objective: to pre-empt the seizure of Sia La and Bilafond La passes by
the Pakistan Army.
• Recently, Israel has deployed C-Dome defence system for first time
near Eilat city.
• Eilat was targeted by Yemen's Houthi rebels, allies of Palestinian
militants Hamas.
• C-Dome is a naval version of the Iron Dome.
Israel’s multilayered air-defence system
• Iron Dome: specializes in shooting down short-range rockets and
C-Dome defence system
missiles.
2.
• David’s Sling: targets medium-range missile threats
• Arrow: developed in collaboration with the U.S., this system intercepts
long-range ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere.
• Patriot: an older system used to intercept aircraft and longer-range
missiles, historically used since the Gulf War.
o The above four developed in assistance with the USA.
• Iron Beam: it is under development to intercept incoming threats with
laser technology.
• The Steel cutting ceremony for the first of five Fleet Support Ships
(FSS) for the Indian Navy was held at Hindustan Shipyard Limited
(HSL), Visakhapatnam.
• FSS, under construction at HSL, is first-of-its-kind with displacement
Fleet Support Ships (FSS)
3. of 44,000 tons.
for the Indian Navy
• FSS will enhance the 'Blue Water' capabilities of the Indian Navy by
providing replenishment at sea including fuel, water, ammunition,
and stores.
• The first ship is scheduled to be delivered by mid-2027.
• India received the first batch of 24 Igla-S MANPADS, along with 100
Igla-S Man Portable Air
missiles.
4. Defence Systems
• Subsequent production to be carried out in India through Transfer of
(MANPADS)
Technology (ToT).

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 • It is part of the contract between India and Russia signed for 120
launchers and 400 missiles.
• Manufacturer of Igla-S: Russia's Rosoboronexport
• It is intended to enhance the Very Short-Range Air Defence
(VSHORAD) capabilities of the Indian Army, particularly in protecting
against low-altitude aerial threats like aircraft, drones, and missiles.
• It is the largest naval infrastructure project for India.
• It envisages to create naval base at Karwar, Karnataka.
• Part of Phase IIA of Project Seabird, aims to accommodate 32 ships
5. Project Seabird and submarines, 23-yard crafts, a dual-use Naval Air Station, a full-
fledged Naval Dockyard.
• Upon completion, it will be the largest naval base in the Eastern
Hemisphere.
• It recently made port call at Muara, Brunei, as part of its ongoing
overseas deployment to Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) countries.
• It is in pursuance of India ASEAN Initiative for Marine Pollution.
Indian Coast Guard Vessel About India ASEAN Initiative for Marine Pollution
6.
Samudra Paheredar • Announced in Cambodia during the ASEAN Defence Minister Plus
Meeting in 2022.
• The initiative proposes the establishment of India-ASEAN Marine
Pollution Response Centre at Chennai by the ICG to address and
supplement regional efforts to deal with marine pollution incidents.
• It is a Joint Military Exercise between India and Uzbekistan.
• Venue: Termez District, Uzbekistan.
"DUSTLIK-2024" (5th
7. • It is a yearly event conducted alternatively in India and Uzbekistan.
edition)
• Previous edition was conducted at Pithoragarh.
• First edition held in 2019.
• Indian Army successfully test fired the MPATGM Weapon System at
Man Portable Anti-tank
the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Rajasthan.
8. Guided Missile (MPATGM)
• Designed & developed by: Defence Research and Development
Weapon System
Organisation (DRDO).

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

S.No Technology in News Key Facts

• Developed & launched by: Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, in

collaboration with the Russian Defense Ministry.
• Launched from: Vostochny Cosmodrome, located in the Amur region
of Russia's Far East.
o It was the first rocket to be launched from Vostochny
Cosmodrome.
Angara-A5 Space Rocket • The launch coincided with the Russian Cosmonautics Day on 12 April.
1. • Objective: to establish Angara-A5 as Russia's primary heavy-lift space
rocket for lunar research and geostationary satellite deployment,
including intelligence and communication satellites.

About Angara-A5 Space

• Russia's first post-Soviet space rocket.
• A three-stage rocket, capable of carrying 24.5 tonnes into space.
• Part of the new Angara family of rockets designed to replace the
Soviet-era Proton rockets.

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 About Angara project
• Initiated after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
• The project envisages providing Russia with independent access to
space without relying on the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

• Earth's first mission to conduct a detailed science investigation of

Jupiter's moon ‘Europa’, , which is suspected to have a subsurface
ocean beneath its icy exterior.
NASA's Europa Clipper • Objective: to investigate the possibility of life in Europa's ocean,
2.
Mission contributing to our understanding of life's prevalence in the universe.
• Scheduled for launched in October 2024.
• The probe is currently housed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(JPL) in Pasadena, California.

• The Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST) has been

designated as the Nodal Centre for the programme.
• Rajkot, Patan, Bhavnagar, and Bhuj have been selected as the
3. ISRO’s START programme Regional Science Centres to coordinate and facilitate the
programme.
• Theme of the inaugural online programme: “Exploration of Solar
System”.
Note: START programme discussed in CurrentTap April 1-7, 2024.

• Apple Inc. has issued a warning to its users in India and 91 other
countries about potential "mercenary spyware" attacks.
4. Mercenary Spyware • The spyware seeks to gain remote access to iPhones.
• It is similar to Pegasus spyware made by a company called NSO
Group in Israel.

• Previously restricted for children over six years, it has now received
approval for use in children under five years of age in India.
Delamanid- a medication
• It is now part of the initial oral regimen for treating multi-drug
5. used for treating
resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB).
tuberculosis (TB)
• It can be given according to recommendations for children weighing
at least 10kg.

• Objective: to reduce mortality rates by enabling earlier diagnosis and

providing rapid health monitoring and disease detection.
Nanosensor Development
6. • It can detect cytokines, proteins essential for regulating cell behaviors
at IIT Jodhpur
in inflammation, tissue repair, cancer progression, and immune
reactions.

• Developed by: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc),

Novel Hydrogel for
7. Bengaluru.
Microplastics Removal
• It can remove over 90% of microplastics from water.

• Three Black Brant IX sounding rockets launched from NASA’s

Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia during the solar eclipse under the
APEP Mission.
Atmospheric Perturbations
around the Eclipse Path About APEP Mission
8.
(APEP) Mission • Initiative of: NASA; Led by: Aroh Barjatya, an Indian-origin scientist
• Objective: to study how the sudden darkness caused by an eclipse
affects the ionosphere, a layer of Earth’s upper atmosphere crucial for
communication and satellite operations.

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 • Initiative of: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• Aim: To advance the capabilities developed in previous Chandrayaan
missions.
9. Chandrayaan-4 Mission • The mission is planned as part of a broader goal to land an Indian
astronaut on the moon by 2040.
• Focus Area: Sending a craft to the moon to collect samples and return
them to Earth, demonstrating a full cycle of lunar visitation.
• It has been successfully launched by China National Space
Administration (CNSA).
• It will serve as a communication relay between Earth and the far side
of the moon, supporting the upcoming Chang’e-6 (2024), Chang’e-
Queqiao-2 (Magpie Bridge 7 (2026), and Chang’e-8 (2028) missions & aiding in lunar material
10.
2) satellite acquisition until 2030.
• Chang'e-6 probe will seek to retrieve samples from an ancient basin,
acquiring lunar material from the moon's hidden side for the first
time.
Note: Queqiao-2 also discussed in CurrentTap- March 2024 document.

SPORTS

S.No Sports Event and Key Facts

Venue
• Sumit Nagal achieved a historic victory at the event by winning his
first-round match against Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi.
Monte-Carlo Masters • He became the first Indian in 42 years to qualify for the singles main
Tennis Tournament draw of the Monte-Carlo Masters.
1.
Venue: Roquebrune-Cap- • He is also the first Indian to win an ATP Masters 1000 match on clay
Martin, France since 1990.
• He became only the third Indian, after Vijay Amritraj and Ramesh
Krishnan, to feature in the main draw of the Monte Carlo Masters.
• Mohun Bagan Super Giant secured their first Indian Super League
Indian Super League (ISL) (ISL) League Shield by defeating Mumbai City FC 2-1 in a thrilling
2. encounter at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.
(Football Tournament) • By winning this event, Mohun Bagan Super Giant have qualified for
the group stage of the 2024-25 Asian Champions League 2.

National Women’s Hockey

• To be held at: Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium,
3. League 2024 – 2025
Ranchi, Jharkhand
(Inaugural season)

Formula 1 (F1) Japanese • Winner: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)

4.
Grand Prix 2024 • Runner Up: Sergio Pérez (Red Bull Racing)

• Liberty Media, the owner of Formula One, has agreed to acquire a

Acquisition of Dorna Sports
5. majority stake (approximately 86%) in Dorna Sports, the exclusive
by Liberty Media
commercial rights holder of the MotoGP World Championship.
• Organized by: Madhya Pradesh Carrom Association.
• Women's Final: Rashmi Kumari secured her 12th national women's
51st National carrom
6. singles title by defeating K Nagajothi in the final match.
championship
o Rashmi Kumari represented ONGC.
o She is a three-time world champion .

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 AWARDS

S.No Award/Milestone Key Facts

• Awarded to: Dr Gagandeep Kang, Director, Enteric,
Diagnostics, Genomics and Epidemiology, Bill and Melinda
2024 John Dirks Gates Foundation.
Canada Gairdner o She is the first Indian woman to receive this award.
1. Global Health Award o She was the first Indian woman to be elected Fellow of
the Royal Society.
• Awarded for: her work focused on enteric diseases in children, particularly
childhood diarrhoea disease in India and throughout the world
• Awarded by: The Gairdner Foundation, Canada.
• Awarded to: Acharya Lokesh Muni, a Jain spiritual leader and founder of
Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati and World Peace Center in India.
• He is the first Indian monk to be honored with this award.
US President’s Gold
• Recognized for over 500 hours of service, to the public good and his
2. Volunteer Service
dedication to humanitarian efforts and promoting peace.
Award
About US President's Volunteer Service Award
• Purpose: to honor volunteers that give hundreds of hours per year helping
others through the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.
• Awarded to: Avi Wigderson, an Israeli mathematician.
• Awarded for: groundbreaking contributions to theoretical
computer science, particularly in the area of randomness in
algorithms.
• Avi Wigderson is also a recipient of the 2021 Abel Prize.
3. Turing Award 2023 • He is the first to win both a Turing Award and an Abel Prize.
About the Award
• Awarded annually by the Association for Computing Machinery.
• Referred to as the "Nobel Prize of computing."
• Named after Alan Turing, a pioneer in computer science.
• Prize Amount: USD 1 million.
• Annually Given By: Space Foundation.
• Given To: Chandrayaan-3 mission team of Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO).
About the Award
2024 John L. 'Jack' • Named after astronaut John L. "Jack" Swigert Jr., who was part of the
Swigert Jr. Award for Apollo 13 lunar mission by NASA.
Space Exploration • Purpose: recognize extraordinary accomplishments by a company, space
4.
agency, or consortium of organizations in the realm of space exploration
and discovery
Additional Information:
• Chandrayaan-3 mission, became the first to land in the uncharted south
pole of the Earth's only natural satellite on August 23, 2023, making
India the fourth country to master soft landing technology on the lunar
surface after the US, China, and the erstwhile Soviet Union.

• Awarded to: Avantika Vandanapu, an Indian-American actor known for her

roles in "Mean Girls".
South Asian Person of • Awarded by: Harvard University.
5.
the Year • Recognized for her significant contributions to both the
international and Indian entertainment industries.
• She hails from Hyderabad, Telangana.

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 • Awarded on: 61st National Maritime Day (April 5).
National Maritime Day
• Awarded for outstanding maritime training institutes and recognitions.
Celebrations (Central)
6. Additional Information
Committee Awards
(NMDC Awards) • Indian seafarers occupy 12% of international seafaring jobs, and the
Maritime Vision 2030 recommends to reach 20% by 2030.
• Given To: Yulia Navalnaya and posthumously to her husband, Alexei
Navalny, for their brave and non-violent struggle against a brutal
Freedom Prize of the dictatorship in Russia.
Media About the Award
7.
• Presented annually at Ludwig Erhard Summit, a gathering named after the
former German Chancellor.
• Award is aimed at acknowledging significant contributions to the fight
for freedom and democracy, particularly through media.
• Awarded to: Mamta G. Sagar, a Bengaluru-based poet, playwright and
academic.
• Awarded by: World Organization of Writers (WOW).
• Awarded at: first Congress of WOW at Abuja, Nigeria.
8. World Literary Prize
• Purpose: recognized her contributions to literature,
particularly in the Kannada language, and involvement in
transdisciplinary creative writing and cultural industries.
• Notable Work: ‘Kaada Navilina Hejje’
• Awarded to: Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital, Tirunelveli
• Awarded for: Study on efficacy of RevitalVision vision-training software in
Best Scientific Poster improving vision for keratoconus patients post corneal collagen cross-
9.
Award linking surgery.
• Awarded at: 2024 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cataract
and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) at Boston.
• Awarded by: Writers Guild of America
• Purpose: to celebrate excellence in writing across various media
platforms, particularly highlighting achievements within television and film.
Notable Winners (Television)
• "Succession" won for Best Drama Series and Best Drama Episode for
Writers Guild of
"Living+," written by Georgia Pritchett and Will Arbery.
10. America (WGA)
• “The Bear” clinched the Comedy Series award.
Awards 2024
• “Beef” won in the Limited Series category.
Notable Winners (Film)
• "American Fiction," written by Cord Jefferson, won the Adapted
Screenplay category and the Paul Selvin Award.
• "The Holdovers" by David Hemingson won Best Original Screenplay.

APPOINTMENT
• Why in News: appointed as the first woman British High Commissioner to India.
• Predecessor: Alex Ellis; Previous Role: Head of the U.K. National Cyber Security Centre.
• Her appointment comes 70 years after India appointed Vijaylakshmi Pandit as its high
commissioner in London in 1954.
Lindy Cameron
• Why in News: became Ireland’s youngest ever prime minister (Taoiseach).
• Predecessor: Leo Varadkar.
• He was nicknamed "Baby of the Dail" (Irish parliament) when he was the youngest MP in
Ireland.
Simon Harris

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• Why in News: appointed as the Head of Global Airport Operations at Air India.
• He previously served as the Chief Operating Officer at Bangalore International Airport
Limited (BIAL).
Jayaraj
Shanmugam
• Why in News: re-elected as the member of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB)
for the third term for five years from March 2025-2030.
• India secured 41 votes out of the 53 voting members of the UN Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC), the highest amongst all winning member states in the elections.
• She previously served as the President of INCB from 2021 to 2022.
• India was also elected to the following UN Bodies
o Commission on the Status of Women for the term 2025-2029
o Executive Board of the United Nations Children's Fund for the term 2025-2027
o Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme/United Nations
o Population Fund/United Nations Office for Project Services for the term 2025-2027
o Executive Board of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the
Empowerment of Women for the term 2025-2027
o Executive Board of the World Food Programme for the term 2025-2027.
Jagjit Pavadia
About INCB
• It is the independent and quasi-judicial monitoring body for the implementation of the UN
international drug control conventions.
• Established in: 1968; Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.; Total Members: 13 members
About ECOSOC
• It is one of the six main organs of the United Nations; Total Members: 54
• It deals with economic, social, cultural and health matters as well as human rights and
fundamental freedoms.

• Why in News: Elected unopposed as the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan.

• Saidal Khan Nasir elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Senate.
Yusuf Raza
• The Senate of Pakistan is the upper house of Pakistan's bicameral Parliament.
Gilani
• The total strength of the Senate is 96.
• Why in News: appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of SJVN Limited (erstwhile
Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam).
About SJVN
• It is a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Himachal
Sushil Sharma
Pradesh.
• Why in News: elected as the new President of the Association of Summer Olympic
International Federation (ASOIF) for four years from 2025; Predecessor: Francesco Ricci Bitti
• He serves as the President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).
• He is from Belgium.
About ASOIF
Ingmar De Vos
• Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland.
• Why in News: appointed as the Chair of the US-India Tax Forum.
• He is an advisor to the Board of Directors at USISPF.
About US-India Tax Forum
• An initiative of US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF); Launched in: 2020.
• A specialized platform bringing together Government of India policymakers, global tax
Tarun Bajaj
experts and the business community to advocate for better tax policy.

14 | P a g e
• Why in News: reappointed as the head coach of the India women's hockey team.
• Predecessor: Janneke Schopman.

Harendra Singh
• Why in News: appointed as the Prime Minister of Iceland.
• Predecessor: Katrin Jakobsdottir.

Bjarni
Benediktsson

• Why in News: appointed as the interim President of Vietnam.

• Predecessor: Vo Van Thuong.
Vo Thi Anh Xuan
Newly Appointed Members to the University Grants Commision (UGC)
• Ashish Kumar Chauhan (CEO and Managing Director of the National Stock Exchange)
• Sridhar Vembu (Founder of Zoho).
• Sachidananda Mohanty (former Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Odisha)
• Shashikala Gulabrao Wanjari (Vice Chancellor of the National Institute of Educational Planning and
Administration).
o All four of them appointed for three years term.
• With these appointments, the total strength of the UGC members has increased from four to eight.
o Present Chairman & Vice Chairman: Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar and Deepak Kumar Srivastava,
respectively.
About UGC
• A statutory body established to oversee and advance higher education in India.
• Composition as per the UGC Act, 1956: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and ten other members.
o Of the ten members, two shall be chosen from among the officers of the Central Government.
o not less than four shall be chosen from among active teachers of Universities.
o The remaining members include individuals with knowledge of or experience in specified
professional fields, including agriculture, commerce, forestry, industry, or those in various learned
professions, as well as vice-chancellors and other distinguished academics.
• Why in News: appointed as the Joint Director of the Cental Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Anurag About CBI
Kumar • It is India’s domestic crime investigating agency.
• Nodal Department: Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances, Government of India

PERSONS IN NEWS
• Why in News: became the first Indian cricketer to hit 500 sixes in T20 cricket.
• He achieved this milestone during a match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
• ‘Hitman’ Rohit Sharma is the is the fifth player globally to reach the milestone of 500 sixes
in T20 cricket, after Chris Gayle (1,056 sixes), Kieron Pollard (860 sixes), Andre Russell,
Rohit Sharma and Colin Munro.

• Why in News: he took a five-wicket haul against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB),
marking the first time such a feat has been achieved against RCB in IPL history. (5/21 in four
overs).
• It was his second five-wicket haul in the IPL.
• He has joined the other elite bowlers like James Faulkner, Jaydev Unadkat, and
Bhuvneshwar Kumar who have also achieved two five-wicket hauls in the IPL. Jasprit Bumrah

15 | P a g e
 • Why in News: he is set to become the become the first Indian
space tourist.
• He is part of the six-person crew of New Shepard 25th
Mission (NS-25).
• He is a pilot and an entrepreneur (co-founder of Preserve Life
Corp, USA).
• He hails from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
• He calls himself the “first civilian Indian astronaut”.
About New Shepard 25th Mission (NS-25)
• Initiative of: Blue Origin (founded by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon).
• The New Shepard rocket is a 100% reusable and fully autonomous spacecraft.
Gopi Thotakura
• Mission Characteristics:
o It involves a brief, 11-minute flight where passengers will travel over three times the
speed of sound.
o It passes the Kármán Line at 100 km (62 miles) above Earth, marking the
internationally recognized boundary of space.
• Why in News: became the first Prime Minister of India to feature on the cover of
Newsweek after Indira Gandhi.
• Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi featured on the cover of Newsweek's April 1966
issue; Newsweek is a New York based magazine.
Narendra Modi
• Why in News: became the first player in IPL history to record at least 100 catches, 1,000
runs, and 100 wickets.
• He achieved this feat during a Chennai Super Kings match against the Kolkata Knight
Riders.
• He joins Virat Kohli (110), Suresh Raina (109), Kieron Pollard (103) and Rohit Sharma (100)
Ravindra Jadeja for most catches by a fielder in the IPL.

• Why in News: aged 44, he is the oldest player to achieve World No. 1 in doubles format in
the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings.
• He reclaimed the No.1 spot & also became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion, after
winning the men's doubles title at the Miami Open with his Australian partner Matt Ebden. Rohan Bopanna
• Why in News: aged 36, the Serbian icon became the oldest man to be ranked No. 1 in singles
format in the ATP rankings.
• He has surpassed Roger Federer's previous record.

Novak Djokovic

• Why in News: Russ Cook, a British runner, known as the "Hardest Geezer", recently
completed a run across Africa from Africa's most southerly point, the South
African village of L'Agulhas to Tunisia in 352 days, claiming to be the first to accomplish
this feat.
• However, his claim has been contested by Jesper Kenn Olsen, a Danish ultrarunner, and Russ Cook
the World Runners Association (WRA), stating that Olsen completed a similar journey 14
years ago.
• Why in News: She is leading groundbreaking research aimed at revolutionizing the diagnosis
of dementia.
• She is an Indian origin Senior Clinical Research and Honorary Consultant Neurologist
Fellow at University College London (UCL), United Kingdom.
• Her team’s study concentrates on developing a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease,
Dr. Ashvini particularly using the biomarker p-tau217 under the study ADAPT.
Keshavan • This research is part of two major studies funded by the Blood Biomarker Challenge grant.

16 | P a g e
• Why in News: Peruvian officials are attempting to have Marcelino Abad recognized in the
Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest living person .
• Marcelino Abad is 124 years old & he is from Huanuco region, Peru.
• The Guinness World Records recently listed English centenarian John Alfred Tinniswood Marcelino Abad
as the oldest living man (111 years), after the death of Juan Vicente Pérez of Venezuela
(114 years).
o John Alfred Tinniswood is also the oldest surviving male World War II veteran.
• The title of the world's oldest woman and the oldest living person is currently held by 117-
John Alfred
year-old Maria Branyas Morera of Spain.
Tinniswood
• Why in News: retired after a tenure of five years as a judge of the Supreme Court of India.
• Following his retirement, he has been apppointed as the Director of the National Judicial
Academy (NJA) at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
About National Judicial Academy
• Registered as a society in 1993 under the Societies Registration Act (1860).
• Chairperson: Chief Justice of India .
Justice • Mandate: strengthening the administration of justice through Judicial Education, Research
Aniruddha Bose and Policy Development.
Additional Information
• Following the retirment of CJI Chandrachud, Justice Sanjiv Khanna is set to become the
51st Chief Jutice of India later this year.
• Why in News: stepped down as the Chef-de-Mission for the Indian contingent at the Paris
Olympics citing personal reasons.
• She is a olympic bronze medalist (2012) and six times World champion boxer.
MC Mary Kom

OBITUARIES
• He was British physicist.
• He discovered Higgs boson particle, also dubbed the 'God particle'.
• In 2013, Higgs received the Nobel Prize in Physics, alongside Belgian physicist Francois
Englert, for their work proposing the Higgs boson particle.
Peter Higgs
• He was an Irish football player and manager.
• He managed the national teams of India and Nepal & Wimbledon.

Joe Kinnear
• He was a veteran filmmaker, producer and cinematographer.
• He was a prominent member of the Ramsay Brothers, known for their significant
contributions to the Indian film industry, especially in the horror genre.
• His works include classics such as "Veerana," "Purana Mandir".
Gangu Ramsay

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

S.No Book Title Author and Key Facts

The Law and Spirituality:

1. • Co-authored by Prof. Raman Mittal and Dr. Seema Singh.
Reconnecting the Bond

Maker of Modern Goa: The • Author: Vijayadevi Rane.

2. Untold Story of • It is the biography of Pratapsingh Rane, a prominent figure in Goan
Pratapsingh Rane politics.

17 | P a g e
 3. The Idea of Democracy • Author: Sam Pitroda,Indian Overseas Congress Chairman.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

S.No Name Key Facts

• Organized by: Sangeet Natak Akademi, an autonomous body of the

Ministry of Culture.
‘Shakti - Festival of Music • Organized under: Kala Pravah
1.
and Dance’ • Organized on the occasion of Navaratri.
• Venue: seven Shaktipeeths across India.
• Opening ceremony held at Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati.

PLACES IN NEWS

S.No Place Key Facts

• Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has approved a proposal for India Ports
Global Limited (IPGL) to take over the operations of Sittwe Port, located
on the Kaladan River in Myanmar's Rakhine state.
• This move marks India's second overseas port acquisition after
Chabahar Port in Iran.
• Sittwe Port is a crucial component of the Kaladan multi-modal transit
transport project, designed to connect:
o Eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Myanmar by
sea
Sittwe Port
o Then Sittwe Port to Paletwa in Myanmar via the Kaladan river
1. waterway
o And finally connects Paletwa to Zorinpui in Mizoram through road.
• Operational control of Sittwe Port is set to reduce the strategic
dependency on the Siliguri Corridor, known as the chicken’s neck
corridor
About IPGL:
• Established in 2015 under Ministry of Shipping for overseas port
development.
• A joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and
Deendayal Port Trust.
• To be built by: Adani Green Energy Ltd.
• Location: Khavda, Kutch district of Gujarat.
• Total Capacity: 30 GW (26 GW of solar and 4 GW of wind capacity).
o Of the total, 2,000 MW (2 GW) has been commissioned recently.
• Proposed investment to set up the park: Rs 1.5 trillion
World’s largest • Adani Group targets to generate 500 GW of electricity from non-fossil
2.
renewable energy park sources by 2030, as part of a broader plan of achieving net-zero
emissions by 2070.

Additional Information
• At Present, the biggest renewable energy park in India is Bhadla Solar
Park in Rajasthan, with a capacity of 2.24 GW.

18 | P a g e
 • ONGC aims to achieve 10 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030 with
an investment of Rs 1 trillion.
• Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has doubled its green energy investment
target to Rs 1.5 trillion.

DAYS IN NEWS
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13
97th 59th Valour World National International
Foundation Day of Homeopathy Safe Day of
Day of Central Day Motherhood Human
Federation of Reserve Day Space Flight
Indian Police Force Theme:
Chambers of (CRPF). “Homeoparivar: Focus Theme:
Commerce One Health, Areas: 'Encourage
and Industry One Family” improving Scientific
(FICCI). access to Curiosity'
Homoeopathy prenatal
33 past Symposium, care, skilled It is the
presidents of organized by birth anniversary
FICCI were Central attendants, of the first
felicitated on Council for and human
the occasion. Research in postpartum space flight
Homoeopathy support. by Soviet
FICCI was (CCRH), in cosmonaut
established New Delhi, Yuri
in 1927. under the Gagarin.
theme-
HQ of FICCI: ‘Empowering
New Delhi. Research,
Enhancing
Proficiency’.
Public Sector World International
Day Parkinson's Day for
Day Street
Children
Symbol of
Parkinson’s Theme:
Disease: “Belonging.”

14 15 16 17 18 19 20
World
Quantum Day

Theme:
‘Quantum
Leap 2024’.

World
Chagas
Disease Day

19 | P a g e
 Theme:
‘Tackling
Chagas
disease:
detect early
and care for
life.’

Chagas
Diesease is
often refered
as 'silent and
silenced
disease'.
National Fire
Service Day

Theme:
'Ensure Fire
Safety to
contribute
towards
nation
building'.

The day
commemorate
all the brave
firefighters
who lost their
lives during
the explosion
of British
Ship SS Fort
Stikine at the
Victoria Dock
of Bombay in
1944.

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30

MISCELLANEOUS

S.No News Key Facts

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 • IndiGo (operated by InterGlobe Aviation) has surpassed Southwest
Airlines to become the
world's third most
valuable airline in terms
IndiGo becomes world's 3rd of market capitalization
1. most valuable airline by m- (m-cap).
cap • Top 5 global airline
companies in terms of
m-cap.
• IndiGo is India’s largest
airline.

2 GA + ESI

GENDER ISSUES
2.1 Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM)
Why in News
• National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)
Limited, India’s largest integrated power
company, announces the launch of the latest
edition of GEM, its flagship Corporate Social
Responsibility initiative.
Key Highlights
• The latest edition is set to begin in April 2024,
targeting nearly 3,000 meritorious children
from underprivileged sections of the society at
42 identified locations of the power sector
PSU (Public Sector Undertaking) i.e. NTPC.
• With this, the total number of children benefiting from the Mission will cross 10,000.

GLOBALIZATION
2.2 Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)
Why in News
• IPEF is organizing a Clean Economy Investor Forum in Singapore in June 2024 to
mobilize investments into sustainable infrastructure, climate technology, and renewable
energy projects within the Indo-Pacific region.
Key Highlights
• Knowledge partners: PwC Singapore and HolonIQ.
21 | P a g e
 • Nodal agency: Department of Commerce (Government of India).
• Managed by: Invest India (India’s National Investment Promotion Agency).
• The forum will have opportunities for the Indian industry in two tracks - climate and
infrastructure.
• Eligibility Criteria for Climate Tech Firms: Companies applying must be headquartered in
or have a significant focus or level of operations in an IPEF member country and must
have been founded in or after 2010.
• Evaluation Criteria: Companies will be evaluated on 5 key criteria for inclusion in the Indo-
Pacific Climate Tech 100.
o Firms with the highest ratings will be included in the final 100, ensuring representation
from each of the 14 IPEF member countries with a minimum of 3 companies.
Note: Kindly refer to our ‘March Month CurrentTap’ for more information on IPEF.
2.3 India-EU Trade & Technology Council (TTC)
Why in News
• EU (European Union) and India have
initiated an Expression of Interest for
startups in Battery Recycling
Technologies for Electric Vehicles
under Working Group 2 of TTC.
Key Highlights
• Objective: To foster collaboration
between European and Indian Small
and Medium-sized Enterprises
(SMEs) and startups in the clean and
green technology sector, with a focus
on battery recycling technologies for
electric vehicles.
• Initiative is funded by the EU and
supported by the Office of the
Principal Scientific Adviser to the
Government of India.
• 6 innovators will be awarded chance
to visit India and the EU, respectively,
to further explore collaboration and investment opportunities.

2.4 India Invoked Peace Clause for the 5th Time

Why in News
• India has invoked the peace clause citing its
subsidies to rice farmers in 2022, which exceeded
World Trade Organization (WTO) subsidy ceilings.
Key Highlights
• In 2022, India reported to the WTO that its subsidies
for rice production amounted to $6.39 billion, which is 12.1% of the $52.8 billion value of
rice produced, surpassing the 10% de minimis limit allowed.
• This marks the 5th time India has used the peace clause to protect its food security
programs from potential trade disputes under WTO rules.
22 | P a g e
About the Peace Clause under WTO
• Peace clause refers to a temporary rule of the World

Trade Organization that allows developing countries to exceed agreed subsidy ceilings
without facing legal challenges, provided they meet conditions agreed upon in Bali
Ministerial Decision in 2013 on Public Stockholding for Food Security Purposes.
• India had first invoked the clause in 2020 when it became the first country to do so.
• WTO uses reference prices from 1986-88 to calculate subsidy caps.

INDIAN POLITICAL SYSTEM

2.5 Home Voting in Elections
Why in News
• For the first time in a Lok Sabha Election, Election Commission of India (ECI) has
introduced a home voting facility for elderly voters aged 85+ and Persons with
Disabilities (PwDs) with 40% benchmark disability.
Key Highlights
• Over 1.7 crore voters including over 81 lakh aged 85+ and over 90 lakh PwD voters are
eligible for this new voting facility.

23 | P a g e
 • Procedure includes submitting a Form 12D by eligible
voters, followed by a visit from polling officials.
• Home voting was introduced in 2020 Bihar
assembly elections, conducted during Covid-19
pandemic.
• Facility was formalized under Rule 27A of the
Conduct of Election Rules 1961, which was
amended in 2020 to include this provision.
o The qualifying age for senior citizens to avail this
facility was recently revised from 80 to 85 years,
reducing the burden on election authorities by
55%.

2.6 Scheme for Kashmiri Migrants

Why in News
• Election Commission of India (ECI) has removed the
need for Form-M for Kashmiri migrants residing in
Jammu and Udhampur.
Key Highlights
• For Kashmiri migrants outside these areas, self-
attestation on Form-M will suffice.

2.7 Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

Why in News
• TRAI has released recommendations for fostering innovative technologies in the digital
communication sector through Regulatory Sandbox mechanisms.
Key Highlights
• Objective: To provide a controlled environment for testing innovative digital
communication technologies with real users while ensuring network security and consumer
protection.
• Framework allows for a 12-month testing period with provisions for extension or early
termination.
• Data Management: Participants are required to maintain records of all testing steps,
data, and consent records for a minimum of 1 year after exiting the sandbox environment.
• Access for Non-Telecom Companies: If applicants cannot secure consent from telecom
service providers or if their product does not
necessitate associating with a telco, they can
directly apply to the Department of
Telecommunications (DoT).
Miscellaneous Points
• Telecommunication Act of 2023 has also expanded
the scope of Digital Bharat Nidhi to support
innovations in the telecom sector financially.
About Digital Bharat Nidhi
• Telecommunication Act, 2023 provided for the creation of Digital Bharat Nidhi.

24 | P a g e
 • Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) created under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885,
shall be the "Digital Bharat Nidhi", under the control of the Central Government, and shall
be used to discharge functions as set forth in the Act.
• Source of Credit: Nidhi will be credited with any payments due from assignments for
telecommunication services and amounts payable under licenses granted prior to the
appointed date towards the USOF.
• Allocation and Use of Funds: Funds received by "Digital Bharat Nidhi" are to be initially
credited to the Consolidated Fund of India, with the Central Government authorized to
allocate funds to Nidhi as per the parliamentary provisions.
• Objectives: Fund is dedicated to promoting access and delivery of telecommunication
services in underserved areas, supporting R&D of telecommunication services,
technologies, and products, backing pilot projects, and facilitating consultancy and
advisory support services.

EMPLOYMENT GENERATION IN INDIA

2.8 Promotion of Research and Innovation in Start-ups and MSMEs in mining,
mineral processing, metallurgy and recycling sector (S&T-PRISM)
Why in News
• Ministry of Mines held a webinar to discuss advancements and opportunities under S&T-
PRISM initiative.
About S&T-PRISM
• Launch Year: November 2023.
• Ministry: Ministry of Mines.
• Implementing Agency: Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design
Centre (JNARDDC), Nagpur.
• Objective: To promote research and innovation among startups and MSMEs.
• Budgetary Outlay: Support under Science and Technology Programme of the Ministry.
o Startups Funding: Grants of up to ₹2 crore, based on milestones.
o Incubation Centres: Grants of up to ₹10 crore for setting up and strengthening
incubation centers, with disbursement also based on milestone achievement.
• Overseen by an Inter-Ministerial Apex Committee, chaired by Secretary, Ministry of
Mines and reconstituted every 3 years.
• One of 3 key components of Science and Technology Programme of Ministry of Mines.
o Others include Research and Development (R&D) and Information Education and
Communication (IEC).

MEASUREMENT OF GROWTH
2.9 Index of Industrial Production (IIP)
Why in News
• In February 2024, the IIP increased by 5.7%.
About Index of Industrial Production (IIP)

25 | P a g e
 • Office of the Economic Advisor, Ministry of Commerce and Industry made the first
attempt of compilation and release of IIP with base year 1937, covering 15 important
industries.
• All-India IIP is being released as a monthly series since 1950.
• Now Released by: National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation (Base Year 2011-12)
• Includes sectoral and use-based classifications to give a detailed view of industrial
production.
o Sectoral Classification: (Basis of allotment of weights - Gross Value Added and Gross
Value of Output)
✓ Mining Sector: 29 items and 14.37% weightage
✓ Manufacturing Sector: 809 items and 77.63% weightage
✓ Electricity Sector: 1 item and 7.99% weightage
o Use-based Classification:
✓ Primary goods
✓ Capital goods
✓ Intermediate goods
✓ Infrastructure goods
✓ Consumer durable goods
✓ Consumer non-durable goods

SOCIAL SECTOR - HEALTH

2.10 Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)
Why in News
• Quality Council of India and the Union Health Ministry collaborated for 5-years to
transform CGHS.
Key Highlights
• Partnership focuses on expanding network of qualified healthcare providers and
laboratories empanelled under CGHS with an emphasis on achieving accreditation by
NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers)/ NABL (National
Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories).
• Quality monitoring mechanisms will be established to ensure ongoing evaluation and
improvement.
Note: Kindly refer to ‘SchemesTap’ for more information on Central Government Health Scheme
(CGHS).

2.11 S.A.R.A.H., or Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health

Why in News

26 | P a g e
 • World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled S.A.R.A.H., a digital health promoter
powered by generative AI, ahead of World Health Day (7 April) focused on 'My Health, My
Right'.
About S.A.R.A.H.
• Launched: 2024
• Developed by: WHO in collaboration with Soul
Machines for Biological AI support.
• Aims to assist people in understanding risk factors
for major diseases and promotes healthy lifestyles.
• Features:
o Multilingual support in 8 languages.
o Empathetic, real-time interactions similar to
human conversation.

GENDER ISSUES
2.12 UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
Why in News
• Saudi Arabia has been appointed as the chair of the UN’s Commission on the Status of
Women (CSW) for its 69th session in 2025.
About UN’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
• Establishment Year: 1946 by United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
• Objective: Dedicated to promoting gender equality and empowerment of women
worldwide.
• CSW conducts annual sessions to evaluate progress, identify challenges, and formulate
concrete policies to promote gender equality.
• Priority Theme for 68th session in 2024: "Accelerating
the achievement of gender equality and empowerment
of all women and girls by addressing poverty and
strengthening institutions and financing with a gender
perspective."
• In 1996, mandate was expanded to include monitoring
of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
• CSW membership comprises 45 States elected by
ECOSOC for a 4-year term.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT

2.13 Solar Power Capacity in India
Why in News
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has successfully bid out 51 GW of
renewable energy capacity in the fiscal year 2024, surpassing the target of 50 GW.
Key Highlights

27 | P a g e
 • India's installed non-fossil capacity stands at
about 190 GW.
• Objective: Enhance the capacity of solar power to
meet the nation's ambitious target of 500 GW
non-fossil based power capacity by 2030.
• India's energy requirements are projected to
increase by 2.5 times by 2047.
• Specific CO2 reduction targets include a
reduction of 686 million tonnes by 2030, with 250 million tonnes from the industrial
sector.
o This necessitates a focus on energy efficiency and demand electrification, which
could potentially reduce CO2 emissions by 51% by 2047.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
2.14 Highways Toll Collection
Why in News
• India's highway toll collection has reached
a five-year high in FY24 to around ₹65000
crore.
Key Highlights
• More than 8 crore FASTags have been
issued as of 2023, facilitating an average
daily collection of ₹147.31 crores.
• Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is
currently pilot testing a satellite-based
GPS toll collection system, which utilises
the global navigation satellite system
(GNSS) and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.

INDIAN POLITICAL SYSTEM

2.15 16th Finance Commission (FC)
Why in News
• Manoj Panda has been appointed as a full-time
member of the 16th FC, replacing Niranjan
Rajadhyaksha.
Key Highlights
• Other full-time members: Ajay Narayan Jha and
Annie George Mathew.
• Part-time member: Soumya Kanti Ghosh.
• Chairman: Dr. Arvind Panagariya.
o 15th FC Chairman: NK Singh

28 | P a g e
 o 14th FC Chairman: YV Reddy
• Shri Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey: Secretary to the
Commission
Terms of Reference for 16th FC
• Distribution between Union and States of net
proceeds of taxes and allocation between States of
the respective shares of such proceeds.
• Principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of
the revenues of the States out of the Consolidated
Fund of India and sums to be paid to States by way of
grants-in-aid of their revenues under
article 275.
• Measures needed to augment
Consolidated Fund of State to
supplement the resources of Panchayats
and Municipalities in State on the basis of
recommendations made by FC of State.
• Commission's mandate includes
considering previous benchmarks, like
the 41% revenue sharing with states as
recommended by 15th FC.
• Commission may review the present
arrangements on financing Disaster
Management initiatives, with reference
to funds constituted under the Disaster
Management Act, 2005.
• Commission shall make its report
available by 31st day of October, 2025
covering a period of 5 years
commencing on 1st April, 2026.

2.16 CDP-SURAKSHA (System for

Unified Resource Allocation,
Knowledge, and Secure
Horticulture Assistance)
Why in News
• Ministry of Agriculture has launched
CDP-SURAKSHA, a new digital platform
designed to streamline the subsidy
disbursement process to horticulture
farmers under the Cluster Development
Programme (CDP).
About CDP-SURAKSHA
• Implementing Agency: National
Horticulture Board (NHB)

29 | P a g e
 • Objective: To enable instant subsidy disbursal directly into farmers' bank accounts
using the e-RUPI voucher system from National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• 4 major banks including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, and Bank of Baroda
are participating to generate e-RUPI vouchers for fund disbursement.
Note: Kindly refer to ‘SchemesTap’ for more information on Cluster Development Programme
(CDP).

GLOBALIZATION
2.17 International Monetary Fund
(IMF)
Why in News
• Kristalina Georgieva has been selected
for a second 5-year term as the
managing director of the IMF.

2.18 Double Taxation Avoidance

Agreement (DTAA)
Why in News
• India and Mauritius have updated their
DTAA to include a Principal Purpose
Test (PPT) to curb tax avoidance and
align with global anti-abuse standards.

Key Highlights

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 • DTAA amendment includes a new Article 27B, "Entitlement to Benefits," to enforce the
Principal Purpose Test.
o To ensure that treaty benefits are granted only for transactions with legitimate
business purposes, significantly altering how treaty benefits are accessed.
• Amendment aligns with OECD's (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development) Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Action 6 framework.
• Coverage includes all types of income, such as dividends, interest, royalties, and capital
gains, under the treaty.
• Amended DTAA is explicitly stated to not have retrospective taxation effects.
• Treaty was last amended in 2016 allowing the right to tax capital gains arising from sale
or transfer of shares of an Indian company acquired by a Mauritian tax resident and
exempting investments made until March, 2017 from such taxation.

3. GA + FINANCE

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN FINANCIAL SECTOR

3.1 Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Why in News
• Retail inflation in India eased to 4.85% in March 2024.
• Core CPI, which excludes food and fuel, has shown
disinflation, dropping to 3.4% in February, reflecting
one of the lowest levels in the current CPI series.
About Consumer Price Index
• Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation (MoSPI) with Base year 2012.
• Implementing Agency: National Statistical Office
(NSO)
• Objective: To monitor and report on the inflation and
price changes of a basket of consumer goods and
services.
• Inflation Targeting: Government has tasked Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) to ensure that inflation remains at 4%, with a margin of 2% on either
side.
• RBI Projections: RBI has projected retail inflation at 4.5% for the fiscal year 2024-25,
assuming a normal monsoon.

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 KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN FINANCIAL SECTOR
3.2 Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
Why in News
• PhonePe has partnered with Nepal's digital wallet service eSewa and Hotel Association
of Nepal (HAN) Pokhara to promote digital payments through UPI on Nepal’s payment
processor Fonepay Network, coinciding with 19th Fewa New Year Festival in Nepal.
Key Highlights
• Collaboration involves educating and raising awareness among over 3,000 local
merchants.
Note: Kindly refer to ‘February Month CurrentTap’ for more information on UPI.
3.3 Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC)
Why in News
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a withdrawal freeze on Shirpur Merchants' Co-
operative Bank due to its deteriorating financial condition.
About DICGC
• Functions of the DICGC are governed by the
provisions of DICGC Act 1961 and Regulations
framed by RBI.
• It is a wholly- owned subsidiary of RBI.
• Head Office: Mumbai.
• Banks covered by Deposit Insurance Scheme:
o All commercial banks including the branches of foreign banks functioning in India,
Local Area Banks and Regional Rural Banks.
o Co-operative Banks - All eligible co-operative banks as defined in Section 2(gg) of
the DICGC Act.
• Objective: To provide insurance coverage for bank deposits up to ₹5 lakh per depositor
per account within 90 days of the start of the moratorium.
• The insurance cover amount applies to all deposits taken together, whether held in the
current account, savings account, fixed
deposits, and so on.

3.4 General Insurance Industry in FY24

Why in News
• General insurance industry in India reported a
double-digit growth in gross premium income
of ₹2.89 lakh crore during FY24, according to
data of General Insurance Council.

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Key Highlights
• Growth was driven by health and motor
insurance segments.
• In terms of market share, public sector general
insurers held 31.18% of the overall general
insurance industry in FY24.

3.5 Aadhaar ATM

Why in News
• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has launched
an Online Aadhaar ATM service through
Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS),
enabling cash withdrawals at home.
About Aadhaar ATM
• Implementing Agency: IPPB in collaboration
with NPCI (National Payments Corporation of
India).
• Features:
o Allows basic banking transactions like
cash withdrawal, balance enquiry, and
Aadhaar to Aadhaar fund transfers.
o Accessible through a network of postmen
equipped with microATMs across India.

3.6 Financial Services Institutions Bureau

(FSIB)
Why in News
• FSIB has recently appointed new heads for
the Small Industries Development Bank of
India (SIDBI) and the National Housing Bank
(NHB).
Key Highlights
• Manoj Mittal has been selected as Chairman
and Managing Director of SIDBI, replacing S
Ramann.
• Sanjay Shukla has been appointed as the
Managing Director of NHB.
About FSIB
• Constituted in 2022, by Central Government
specifically to recommend individuals for
appointments as whole-time directors and
non-executive chairpersons at the boards of
various financial services institutions.
o It also advises on personnel management
within these entities.

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 • Secretariat of FSIB comprises a secretary and 5 officers.
Additional Information
• SIDBI set up in 1990, headquartered in
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) under an Act of
Parliament, acts as principal financial
institution for promotion, financing and
development of Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprise (MSME) sector.

3.7 National Investment and

Infrastructure Fund Ltd. (NIIF)
Why in News
• The NIIF has invested $200 million in iBUS
through NIIF’s Master Fund to enhance digital
infrastructure in India.
Key Highlights
• This marks NIIF's 8th investment in
infrastructure and 2nd in digital
infrastructure.

3.8 Payment Aggregator

Why in News
• Computer Age Management Services Ltd
has received authorization from the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an online
payment aggregator.
About Payment Aggregator
• Guidelines were issued by RBI in 2020 which
mandated that payment gateways will need to
obtain an aggregator license to acquire
merchants and offer digital payment
acceptance solutions.
• Functions: Payment aggregators facilitate e-
commerce websites, mobile apps, and merchants
in accepting various payment instruments from
customers for transactions, without the need for
merchants to create separate payment
interfaces.
• Examples: Razorpay, Amazon Pay etc.

3.9 Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI)

Why in News
• Revolut India has received an in-principal approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
to issue PPI.
Key Highlights

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 • Revolut, a London-based neobank and financial
technology company, already holds licenses as a
Category-II Authorized Money Exchange Dealer
(AD II) for issuing multi-currency forex cards &
dealing cross-border remittance services.
Miscellaneous Points
• Revolut is the largest neobank in Europe.
Note: PPIs are covered in Finance. Click here to access
the file.

Quick Revision
• NTPC initiates the new phase of the Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM), aimed at enriching
3,000 deserving youths from underserved communities, pushing the total beneficiaries past
10,000.
o GEM, launched in 2018, seeks to foster leadership in young girls, supporting Indian
government's Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign.
• The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) will host a Clean Economy
Investor Forum in Singapore in June 2024, focusing on directing investments into eco-
friendly infrastructure and renewable energies in the Indo-Pacific, with eligibility for climate
tech firms defined by regional operation and inception post-2010.
o The forum, facilitated by knowledge partners PwC Singapore and HolonIQ and managed
by Invest India, will evaluate participating companies based on 5 critical criteria to form
the Indo-Pacific Climate Tech 100, ensuring diverse representation from all 14 IPEF
member countries.
• The EU and India, under the Trade & Technology Council's Working Group 2, call for startups
specializing in Battery Recycling Technologies for Electric Vehicles to advance
collaborations between European and Indian SMEs in the eco-friendly tech sector.
o The India-EU TTC, launched in 2023 following a 2022 announcement, facilitates strategic
trade and technology partnerships across 3 working groups, with significant 2022 bilateral
trades in goods valued at €120 billion and digital products and services at €17 billion.
• India has utilized the WTO peace clause for the fifth time due to its rice subsidies
exceeding the organization's threshold, reporting $6.39 billion in subsidies, which is 12.1% of
rice production value, surpassing the 10% de minimis limit for developing countries.
• The Election Commission of India has rolled out a home voting option for the first time in Lok
Sabha Elections, catering to over 1.7 crore voters that include elderly above 85 and PwDs
with 40% benchmark disability, with the process initiated through Form 12D and formalized
under the 2020-amended Election Conduct Rule 27A.
• The Digital Bharat Nidhi, established under the Telecommunication Act, 2023, transforms
the pre-existing Universal Service Obligation Fund into a central government-controlled
fund designed to enhance telecom service delivery in underserved areas and support
telecommunication R&D, with allocated finances derived from telecommunication service
assignments and license payments.
• The S&T-PRISM program, inaugurated in November 2023 by the Ministry of Mines and
implemented by JNARDDC, aims to foster research and innovation within startups and

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 MSMEs in the mining and minerals sector, offering funding up to ₹2 crore for startups and
₹10 crore for incubation centers, under oversight of an Inter-Ministerial Apex Committee.
• The Index of Industrial Production, managed by the National Statistical Office with a 2011-
12 base year, tracks monthly industrial production across mining, manufacturing, and
electricity sectors with detailed sectoral and use-based classifications, where 8 core
industries including coal and electricity notably contribute to 40% of its weightage.
• S.A.R.A.H., the AI-powered digital health assistant introduced by WHO in collaboration with
Soul Machines, offers multilingual, empathetic interactions to educate on disease risk factors
and promote healthy living, evolving from its precursor 'Florence' which aided in smoking
cessation and COVID-19 information dissemination.
• Saudi Arabia has been appointed as the chair of the UN Commission on the Status of
Women (CSW) for its 69th session in 2025, a body established in 1946 to advance gender
equality and women's empowerment globally, with its sessions focusing on evaluating
progress and setting policies in line with its mandate to monitor the Beijing Declaration and
Platform for Action.
• India's highway toll collection has reached a 5-year high in FY24 to around ₹65000 crore.
• Manoj Panda has been appointed as a full-time member of the 16th Finance Commission,
chaired by Dr. Arvind Panagariya and including other full members Ajay Narayan Jha and
Annie George Mathew, with Soumya Kanti Ghosh serving as part-time member and Shri
Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey as Secretary.
• India and Mauritius have revised their Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to
introduce a Principal Purpose Test (PPT) under a new Article 27B, "Entitlement to Benefits,"
aimed at preventing tax avoidance and ensuring treaty benefits are linked to legitimate
business activities, in line with the OECD's BEPS framework, while maintaining that the
amendment does not apply retrospectively.
• Retail inflation in India decreased to 4.85% in March 2024, with core CPI excluding food and
fuel dropping to 3.4% in February, as monitored by the National Statistical Office under the
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, aligning with the RBI's inflation target
of 4% ± 2% and a projected annual inflation rate of 4.5%, contingent on a normal monsoon.
• The Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), a subsidiary of the RBI
based in Mumbai, ensures bank deposits up to ₹5 lakh per depositor across all account
types within 90 days of a moratorium, covering all commercial, foreign, local, regional rural,
and eligible co-operative banks under the DICGC Act 1961.
• India Post Payments Bank has introduced an Online Aadhaar ATM service via the Aadhaar
Enabled Payment System, offering secure and accessible cash withdrawals, balance checks,
and transfers through biometric authentication, with a transaction limit of ₹10,000,
facilitated by postmen using microATMs nationwide.
• The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB), established in 2022 by the Central
Government, has appointed Manoj Mittal as Chairman and Managing Director of SIDBI and
Sanjay Shukla as Managing Director of NHB, focusing on recommending leadership roles
and advising on personnel management for financial services institutions.
• Ministry of Agriculture has launched CDP-SURAKSHA, a new digital platform designed to
streamline the subsidy disbursement process to horticulture farmers under the Cluster
Development Programme (CDP) using e-RUPI voucher system of NPCI.

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