Daily Current Affairs – April 19 & 20, 2024
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Daily Current Affairs - Banking - April 19 & 20, 2024
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National News
Baranasi's Tricolour Barfi and Dhalua idol metalcraft get GI tag
- Six more products from Uttar Pradesh have been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
- These include the famous ‘Tirangi Barfi’ of Kashi, a tricoloured sweet that was sold to prove a point by freedom fighters during the Quit India Movement.
- The GI Registry awarded the certification to the Banaras Tirangi Barfi and the five other Uttar Pradesh products.
- With these six new additions, Uttar Pradesh retains its position as the state with the most GI-tagged products in India, reaching a total of
- The other products that received the certification in Uttar Pradesh include Banaras Metal Casting Craft, Lakhimpur Kheri Tharu Embroidery, Bareilly Cane and Bamboo Craft, Bareilly Zardozi Craft, and Pilkhuwa Hand Block Print Textile.
- In 2008-09, the state had only one GI product, the ‘Allahabad Surkha Amrood’.
Central Government extends deadline to link CGHS ID with ABHA ID
- Linking of the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) number with the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) Beneficiary ID has been extended for 120 days or four months from June 30, 2024.
- The government also said that the creation of ABHA ID has been extended for 90 days with effect from June 30.
- ABHA is a unique health ID based purely on
- The need for ABHA (separate health ID) arose because one cannot save or store an Aadhaar on any system without implementing an Aadhaar vault and other security systems.
International News
India Lays Foundation Stone To Build High Impact Community Development Projects In Nepal
- India laid out the foundation stone to build High Impact Community Development Project in Darchula district of Nepal.
- Shree Galainath Secondary School Building at Shailyashikhar Municipality, Darchula District is being built with Government of India’s financial assistance at the tendered cost of 27.30 million under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’.
- The Government of India grant under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’ will be utilized for the construction of double storied school building, toilet block, office block and furniture works with other facilities for this school.
- The project, taken up as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), is an important example of the robust development partnership between India and Nepal.
- Nepal – Kathmandu (Capital) – Nepalese rupee (Currency) – Ram Chandra Poudel (President) – Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prime Minister) – Nepali (Official Language)
Sweden Becomes 38th Signatory to the Artemis Accords
- Sweden has become the latest and 38th signatory to the Artemis Accords, as Swedish Minister for Education Dr. Mats Persson signed the accords at an event in
- The Artemis Accords are a set of principles to guide the next phase in space exploration. Furthermore, they provide important implementation of key obligations from the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and reinforce the commitment by the United States and signatory nations to the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices of responsible behavior that NASA and its partners have supported.
- Sweden – Stockholm (Capital) – Swedish krona (Currency) – Carl XVI Gustaf (Monarch) – Ulf Kristersson (Prime Minister) – Swedish (Official Language)
State News
Three new archaeological sites discovered in Telangana
- A team of archaeologists claimed to have discovered a unique Iron Age megalithic site at Ooragutta near Bandala village in SS Tadvai mandal of Mulugu district, Telangana.
- The site was discovered by a team comprising P. Rao, history professor of the University of Hyderabad, and Ch Praveen Raju, research scholar from Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, in the forested area of the tribal-dominated district.
- The site discovered at this place (Ooragutta) has unique features.
- The side slabs are arranged with slabs following the shape of the cap-stone.
- Hence, each ‘dolmenoid cist’ has a unique shape as dictated by the cap-stone.
- These monuments can be dated around 1,000 BCE.
Banking and Finance
Cred gets RBI’s in-principle approval for payment aggregator business
- Fintech firm Cred has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India for the payment aggregation (PA) business.
- The Bengaluru-based start-up can double down on the merchant payments business, in which it will be joining the ranks of Razorpay and Cashfree.
- Generally, it takes about six months after the in-principle nod for a company to get the final approval from the RBI.
- Recently, CCAvenue, Innoviti Payments and MSwipe have also received their final PA licence recently.
IRDAI removes age limits on health insurance purchase
- The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has removed the age cap on buying health insurance policies, effective from April 1, 2024.
- Earlier, individuals were restricted to purchasing new insurance policies only until the age of
- However, after the recent changes that have come into effect from April 01, 2024, anyone, regardless of age, is eligible to purchase a new health insurance.
- The move by the insurance regulatory body aims to create a more inclusive healthcare ecosystem in India and to encourage insurance provider companies to diversify their product offerings.
- IRDAI has also instructed health insurance providers to introduce tailored policies for specific demographics, such as senior citizens, and establish dedicated channels for handling their claims and grievances.
- And also, has decreased the health insurance waiting period from 48 months to 36 months.
- According to the insurance regulator, all pre-existing conditions should be covered after 36 months, regardless of whether the policyholder disclosed them initially or not.
- Put simply, health insurers are prohibited from rejecting claims based on pre-existing conditions after these 36 months.
- The insurance companies are barred from introducing indemnity-based health policies, which compensate for hospital expenses.
- Instead, they are only permitted to provide benefit-based policies, offering fixed costs upon the occurrence of a covered disease.
- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) – 1999 (Founded) – Hyderabad (HQ) – Debasish Panda (Chairman) – Ministry of Finance (Under)
Airtel Payments Bank Joins NPCI To Launch NCMC-Enabled Debit and Prepaid Cards
- Airtel Payments Bank launched eco-friendly NCMC (national common mobility cards)-enabled debit and prepaid cards in partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- These interoperable cards are powered by RuPay for savings account customers and NCMC-enabled pre-paid cards for wallet customers.
- Both cards are being made from eco-friendly e-PVC material, certified for its environmental sustainability.
- Customers can use these cards to make contactless payments at all merchant establishments, online (e-commerce), as well as offline NCMC transit transactions at metros, buses, parking, etc across the country.
- National Payments Corporation of India – 2008 (Founded) – Mumbai (HQ) – Dilip Asbe (MD & CEO)
Amazon Pay explores credit services on the UPI platform in collaboration with NPCI
- Amazon Pay has announced its plans to introduce credit services on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform as part of a deal with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- This initiative focuses on improving customer experience and value propositions.
- In early 2024, Amazon Pay received a payment aggregator license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), allowing it to diversify its range of financial services.
- Previously, the company had obtained approval from the Central Bank for a prepaid payment instrument (PPI) license.
- Amazon Pay partnered with RBL Bank for UPI payments, ICICI Bank for FASTag recharge, and the introduction of the Amazon Pay ICICI co-branded credit card.
Ashok Leyland signs pact with South Indian Bank for dealer financing
- Ashok Leyland has signed a memorandum of understanding with South Indian Bank to offer financial services to its dealers.
- As per the partnership, the bank will provide competitive finance options to the dealers of Ashok Leyland.
- South Indian Bank – 1929 (Founded) – Thrissur, Kerala (HQ) – P. R. Seshadri (MD & CEO) – “Experience Next Generation Banking” (Tagline)
Business and Economy
IMF's India GDP Growth Forecast of 6.8% Highest in World in 2024
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected the country’s economic growth rate for 2024 at 6.8 per cent, which is the highest among the major economies in the world.
- It is followed by China (4.6 per cent) and Nigeria (3.3 per cent).
- The 6.8 per cent GDP growth projection for India for 2024 is also way higher than the global growth estimate of 2 per cent.
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) – 27/12/1945 (Founded) – Washington DC (HQ) – Kristalina Georgieva (MD)
Agreements and MoUs signed
SIDBI inks MoU with Jeevika Bihar & UMED Maharashtra
- The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) in association with Women’s World Banking has inked a MOU with Jeevika Bihar and UMED Maharashtra, to extend Prayaas Scheme to State Rural Livelihood Missions to ensure over 50 lakhs women of low-income group to get access to affordable credit.
- This partnership will help in unlocking the potential of Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) and will establish a new and scalable credit distribution ecosystem.
- SIDBI in the pilot phase will partner 35-40 CLFs across Bihar and Maharashtra with a target of serving affordable credit of up to ₹2 lakhs to 5,000 Women Entrepreneurs.
- Under the scheme, enterprise growth loans of up to ₹2 lakhs will be available to women MSMEs across rural Maharashtra and Bihar.
- This partnership will catalyse SIDBI’s goal of impacting 500,000 informal micro enterprises by piloting the Direct Credit Under Partnership Arrangements by
- Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) – 02/04/1990 (Founded) – Lucknow,UP (HQ) – Sivasubramanian Ramann (Chairman & MD)
Summit & Conference
16th World Future Energy Summit held in Abu Dhabi
- The 16th World Future Energy Summit has recently commenced in Abu Dhabi, gathering global leaders, policymakers, and experts in the field of sustainable energy and climate initiatives.
- The summit aims to position itself as a leading forum for discussion on global climate action, renewable energy, energy and water security, and sustainable development.
- Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, the president and CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators, inaugurated the summit by highlighting the pressing need for substantial financial investments to limit global warming to 5 degrees Celsius.
- United Arab Emirates – Abu Dhabi (Capital) – United Arab Emirates Dirham (Currency) – Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (President) – Arabic (Official Language)
Science and Technology
Aditya Birla Capital launches 'ABCD' fintech app
- Aditya Birla Capital announced the launch of its omnichannel D2C platform ABCD making “Everything Finance as Simple as ABCD”.
- This platform is housed under Aditya Birla Capital Digital Limited (“ABCDL”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (“ABCL”).
- Through this platform, Aditya Birla Capital targets to add 30 million new users over the next 3 years.
- Backed by scalable infrastructure, user-friendly and intuitive interface, and robust functionalities, the platform offers a simple and differentiated experience across all touch points including mobile app, website, branches, and virtual engagement channel.
Appointments
Dhanlaxmi Bank gets RBI nod for appointing Ajith Kumar K.K as MD, CEO
- Dhanlaxmi Bank said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted its approval for the appointment of Ajith Kumar K.K as the managing director & CEO of the bank for a period of 3 years.
- Presently, he is the chief human resources officer in Federal Bank Limited in the cadre of President. He is also director of Federal Operations & Services Limited, wholly-owned subsidiary of Federal Bank Limited, on account of his employment.
Nalin Prabhat appointed as D-G of National Security Guard
- Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Nalin Prabhat has been appointed as the Director-General of National Security Guard (NSG), the country’s counter-terrorism and counter-hijack force.
- He is a 1992 batch IPS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre and currently posted as Additional Director-General, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jammu and Kashmir.
- The appointments committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment as the chief of NSG till the date of his superannuation, August 31, 2028.
Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi appointed as the next Chief of the Naval Staff
- The Government has appointed Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM, presently serving as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, as the next Chief of the Naval Staff with effect from April 30, 2024.
- The present Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM retires from service on April 30, 2024.
- He was as commanded Indian Naval Ships Vinash, Kirch and Trishul.
- Prior to taking over as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, he had served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.
Ranks and Indices
Hamad International Airport is named the World’s Best Airport for 2024
- Doha’s Hamad International Airport has been named the World’s Best Airport 2024 in the World Airport Awards, held at Passenger Terminal EXPO in Frankfurt.
- Hamad International Airport also won awards for the World’s Best Airport Shopping and the Best Airport in the Middle East.
- The 2023 Airport of the Year and 12-times previous winner, Singapore Changi Airport, achieved 2nd place in the global ranking, winning awards for the Best Airport in Asia and the World’s Best Airport Immigration Service.
- Seoul Incheon Airport, who moved up to third place in the global survey rankings, was named the World’s Most Family Friendly Airport for 2024.
- Tokyo Haneda Airport was No 4 in the global ranking and maintained further outstanding results, being declared the World’s Cleanest Airport, the World’s Best Domestic Airport and as delivering the World’s Best Airport PRM & Accessible Facilities.
- Tokyo Narita Airport being recognised for customer service, as they were named the World’s Best Airport Staff and Best Airport Staff in Asia.
- Elsewhere in Japan, New Chitose Airport was voted the World’s Most Improved Airport, after a much-improved performance in the global survey, and across many of the category sections.
- Chubu Centrair International Airport, Nagoya, won the World’s Best Regional Airport award, and Kansai International Airport was recognised for the World’s Best Airport Baggage Delivery.
- Rome Fiumicino Airport picked up the award for World’s Best Airport Security Processing, the first time they have received this accolade.
- Terminal A, Newark Liberty Airport achieved success as the World’s Best New Airport Terminal, after earlier receiving the highest 5-Star Airport Terminal Rating from Skytrax.
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport had excellent success, as its Terminal 3 facility was declared the World’s Best Low-Cost Terminal.
- Paris Charles de Gaulle was also named Best Airport in Europe for a second successive year.
- In further accomplishment for Group ADP, Paris Orly Airport was voted the Best Regional Airport in Europe, marking a fantastic performance improvement.
- Istanbul Airport was voted World’s Best Airport Dining Experience and Best Airport in Southern Europe.
- Around Europe, Helsinki Vantaa Airport was the Best Airport in Northern Europe, and Budapest Airport was once again named Best Airport in Eastern Europe by the passenger vote.
Reports
UN Report: India's Population Estimated At 1.44 Billion, 24% In 0-14 Age Bracket
- According to the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) State of World Population – 2024 report, “Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights” revealed that India’s population is estimated to double in 77 years.
- India’s population is estimated to have reached 144 crore (1.44 billion), with 24 per cent in the 0-14 age bracket, while 17 per cent is within the 10-19 age
- India leads globally with an estimated population of 144.17 crore, followed by China at 142.5 crore.
- The segment aged 10-24 is estimated to constitute 26 per cent, with the 15-64 age group making up 68 per cent.
- Additionally, 7 per cent of India’s population is aged 65 years and above, with men having a life expectancy of 71 years and women 74 years.
- The report has found that 30 years of progress in sexual and reproductive health has mostly ignored the most marginalised communities worldwide.
- According to the report, the child marriage percentage in India was at 23 between 2006-2023.
- Quoting a report on “Estimates and Correlates of District-Level Maternal Mortality Ratio in India” by PLOS Global Public Health, the UNFPA said recent research into India’s 640 districts revealed that while nearly a third achieved the sustainable development goal of reducing maternal mortality ratio below 70 per 100,000 live births, 114 districts still have ratios of 210 or more.
- The highest — 1,671 per 100,000 births — is seen in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh, a rural area with a high proportion of indigenous peoples.
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) – 1969 (Founded) – New York (HQ) – Natalia Kanem (Executive Director)
Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Pavuluri Subba Rao Receives ASI’s Aryabhata Award
- Ananth Technologies Founder, CEO and Chairman Pavuluri Subba Rao has been conferred with the Aeronautical Society of India (ASI)’s ‘Arybhata award’ and also presented with the title of ASI’s ‘Distinguished Fellow’ at an award ceremony at Ahmedabad.
- The Aryabhata award is in recognition of Rao’s tremendous lifetime contribution to the promotion of Astronautics in India.
- It is a great honor to receive this prestigious award from S Somanath, President, ASI and Chairman, ISRO and from Dr Kiran Kumar, former Chairman ISRO.
- He was a scientist at ISRO and in 1992 incorporated Ananth Technologies Limited to indigenously design and develop some of the most sophisticated avionics for ISRO and Defense in India.
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) – 1861 (HQ) – New Delhi (HQ) – Yadubir Singh Rawat (Director General)
Sports News
The 2024 Wisden Cricketers of the Year
- The Five Wisden Cricketers of the Year have been announced in the 2024 edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, with Mitchell Starc, Usman Khawaja, Ash Gardner, Harry Brook and Mark Wood this year’s award winners.
- Pat Cummins and Nat Sciver-Brunt have been named the Leading Cricketers in the World while Travis Head has picked up the Wisden Trophy, awarded to the outstanding individual performance by a man or woman in a Test match during the previous calendar year, for his 163 against India in the World Test Championship final.
- While Hayley Matthews has been named the Leading T20 Cricketer in the world.
Important Days
World Hemophilia Day 2024 is observed on April 17
- World Hemophilia Day is annually observed on April 17.
- The day is celebrated to raise awareness about hemophilia, a rare and inherited bleeding disorder.
- The day was founded in 1989 by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH).
- April 17 was chosen to honor the birth of Frank Schnabel, the founder of the organization, who played a pivotal role in advocating for hemophilia awareness and improved treatment options.
- Theme – “Equitable access for all: recognizing all bleeding disorders”
World Liver Day 2024 is observed on April 19
- World Liver Day is annually observed on April 19.
- The day concentrates around spreading awareness of liver-related issues and diseases.
- In 2010, the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) launched the first World Liver Day to honour the establishment day of EASL in
- The day was first officially recognized on April 19, 2012 by World Health Organisation (WHO).
- Theme – “Keep your liver healthy and disease-free”
Defence
DRDO hands over first batch of indigenous Leading Edge Actuators & Airbrake Control Module to HAL for LCA Tejas Mk1A
- DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has handed over the first batch of the indigenous Leading Edge Actuators and Airbrake Control Module to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), marking a significant leap towards self-reliance in aeronautical technologies.
- The HAL, Lucknow has already made preparations for the production of these units for the current 83 LCA Tejas Mk1A order.
- The Secondary Flight Control of LCA-Tejas, comprising Leading Edge Slats and Airbrakes, now boasts state-of-the-art Servo-Valve based electro-hydraulic servo actuators and control modules.
- These high pressure, redundant servo actuators and control module, characterised by astute design, precision manufacturing, assembly, and testing, represent a culmination of ADA’s relentless pursuit of indigenous technological prowess.
- Collaborating with Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, and Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), Bengaluru, ADA plans to achieve self-reliance in these technologies.
- The successful completion of flight trials for Leading Edge Actuators and Airbrake Control Modules has paved the way for production clearance, enabling HAL to gear up for equipping the Mk-1A variant of LCA Tejas.
Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile successfully flight-tested by DRDO off the Odisha coast
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-test of Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.
- During the test, all subsystems performed as per expectation.
- The missile performance was monitored by several Range Sensors like Radar, Electro Optical Tracking System (EOTS) and Telemetry deployed by ITR at different locations to ensure complete coverage of the flight path.
- The flight of the missile was also monitored from the Su-30-Mk-I aircraft of the Indian Air Force.
- This successful flight test has also established the reliable performance of the indigenous propulsion system developed by Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), Bengaluru.
- The missile is also equipped with advanced avionics and software to ensure better and reliable performance.
- The missile is developed by Bengaluru-based DRDO laboratory Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) along with contribution from other laboratories and Indian industries.
- The test was witnessed by many senior scientists from various DRDO laboratories along with the representatives from the production partner.
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) – 1958 (Founded) – New Delhi (HQ) – Dr Sameer V Kamath (Chairman)
Daily Current Affairs - April 19 & 20, 2024 - Consolidated
- Baranasi’s Tricolour Barfi and Dhalua idol metalcraft get GI tag
- Central Government extends deadline to link CGHS ID with ABHA ID
- India Lays Foundation Stone To Build High Impact Community Development Projects In Nepal
- Sweden Becomes 38th Signatory to the Artemis Accords
- Three new archaeological sites discovered in Telangana
- Cred gets RBI’s in-principle approval for payment aggregator business
- IRDAI removes age limits on health insurance purchase
- Airtel Payments Bank Joins NPCI To Launch NCMC-Enabled Debit and Prepaid Cards
- Amazon Pay explores credit services on the UPI platform in collaboration with NPCI
- Ashok Leyland signs pact with South Indian Bank for dealer financing
- IMF’s India GDP Growth Forecast of 6.8% Highest in World in 2024
- SIDBI inks MoU with Jeevika Bihar & UMED Maharashtra
- 16th World Future Energy Summit held in Abu Dhabi
- Aditya Birla Capital launches ‘ABCD’ fintech app
- Dhanlaxmi Bank gets RBI nod for appointing Ajith Kumar K.K as MD, CEO
- Nalin Prabhat appointed as D-G of National Security Guard
- Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi appointed as the next Chief of the Naval Staff
- Hamad International Airport is named the World’s Best Airport for 2024
- UN Report: India’s Population Estimated At 1.44 Billion, 24% In 0-14 Age Bracket
- Pavuluri Subba Rao Receives ASI’s Aryabhata Award
- The 2024 Wisden Cricketers of the Year
- World Hemophilia Day 2024 is observed on April 17
- World Liver Day 2024 is observed on April 19
- DRDO hands over first batch of indigenous Leading Edge Actuators & Airbrake Control Module to HAL for LCA Tejas Mk1A
- Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile successfully flight-tested by DRDO off the Odisha coast