03rd-05th February, 2024

1. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has released guidelines for the implementation of Pilot projects for use of Green Hydrogen in the Shipping Sector under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).
2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has introduced a new medal, Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak
3. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has launched its ticketing services on Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) network and became 1st metro rail service of India to join ONDC.
4. Governor of Tamil Nadu has declared the Reserve forest areas of Anthiyur taluk of Erode district as Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary with effect from 30th January 2024.
5. Odisha has celebrated 4th National Chilika Birds Festival from 27th -29th January to showcase aviation biodiversity of Chilika lake.
6. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has asked General Insurers to put Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) at par with other medical treatments in their health insurance policies.
7. Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has been formally launched at the Republic Day reception held in France.
8. ESAF Small Finance Bank (SFB) has announced a bancassurance partnership with Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance Company Limited to offer life insurance.
9. Fitch Ratings’ has forecasted fiscal deficit to reach 5.4% of GDP in FY25, above the budget target, due to more conservative revenue forecasts in the next year.
10. Indian Navy has declared 2024 as ‘Year of Naval Civilians‘ to improve administration, efficiency and well-being of Naval Civilians.
11. United States has approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B armed drones to India at an estimated cost of $3.99 billion.
12. Dr. Bina Modi, Chairperson of Modi Enterprises, was honoured with the ‘Outstanding Business Woman of the Year – 2023‘ Award by Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister of India.
13. February 2– World Wetland Day 2024
14. 6th Khelo India Youth Games 2023 has been held from January 19-31 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
15. India has concluded their FIH Hockey5s Women’s World Cup campaign as runners-up after suffering defeat to Netherland.
16. National Rural Livelihood Promotion Society (NRLPS) has signed MoU with BRAC International for economic inclusion and social protection for the poorest of the poor women.
17. Radha Raturi has been appointed as the 1st woman chief secretary of Uttarakhand.
18. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Champai Soren took oath as the 12th Chief Minister of Jharkhand.
19. Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Jay Shah has been appointed as president of the Asian Cricket Council for a third consecutive term.
20. Actor Ranveer Singh has been appointed as the brand ambassador of leading audio wearable brand boAt.
21. Dr Nitya Anand, who developed India’s 1st oral contraceptive pill ‘Saheli’ has passed away in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
22. Renowned Odia actor-director and Padma Shri Awardee Sadhu Meher, who had made a mark in both Hindi and Odia cine industries has passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

National News

1. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Scheme has released guidelines for implementation of Pilot projects for use of Green Hydrogen in the Shipping Sector.
   • What? 👉 Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has released guidelines for the implementation of Pilot projects for use of Green Hydrogen in the Shipping Sector under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).
     • Objectives-
       • To support the deployment of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives as fuel for ship
         propulsion, including bunkering and refueling, on a pilot basis.
       • To validate the technical feasibility and performance of Green Hydrogen and its
         derivatives based ship propulsion in real-world operational conditions.
       • To evaluate the economic viability of the use of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives in the
         shipping sector.
       • To assess the effectiveness of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives in ship propulsion and
         bunkering & refueling systems on ports.
     • Budgetary Outlay- Rs. 115 Crore till FY 2025-26

   
   

2. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has merged four medals into one – Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak.
   • What? 👉 Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has introduced a new medal, Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak, after merging four existing medals –
     • Union Home Minister’s Special Operation Medal,
     • Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation,
     • Asadharan Aasuchana Kushalata Padak and
     • Union Home Minister’s Awards for Meritorious Service in Forensic Science.
   • More about Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak-
     • Awarded for outstanding performance in counter-terrorism, border security, arms control, combating Left Wing Extremism, etc.
     • Features of medal-
       • The medal will be circular in shape, made of silver gold gilt, and will have embossed on the obverse the symbol of ‘face of Sardar Patel’ in the centre.
       • Words of ‘Jai Bharat’ inscribed below and will have engraved on the upper edge, the words ‘Rashtra Prahari’ (in Hindi) and the words ‘Sentinel of the Nation’ (in English) inscribed on the lower edge.
       • On the reverse, it will have embossed the Ashoka Chakra in the centre with the words ‘Satya Seva Suraksha’ inscribed below.
         Source: Indian Express
3. Chennai Metro becomes the first metro services to join ONDC.
   • What? 👉Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has launched its ticketing services on Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) network and became 1st metro rail service of India to join ONDC.
     • Key points-
       • Customers can effortlessly purchase single journey and return journey tickets for the Chennai Metro through buyer apps on the ONDC Network.
       • Yaary has become the 1st seller-side technology partner for metros on the ONDC Network.

Source: Hindu Business Line

State News

1. Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary has become the 18th Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) of Tamil Nadu.
   • What? 👉 Governor of Tamil Nadu has declared the Reserve forest areas of Anthiyur taluk of Erode district as Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary with effect from 30th January 2024.
     • Key points-
       • It was announced in the 2023-2024 budget of Tamil Nadu.
       • New sanctuary would form a tiger corridor connecting Bandipur Tiger Reserve, STR, Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
         Source: The Hindu

2. 4th National Chilika Birds Festival.
   • What? 👉 Odisha has celebrated 4th National Chilika Birds Festival from 27th -29th January to showcase aviation biodiversity of Chilika lake.
     • Key points-
       • Chilika Lake is largest brackish water lake of Asia.
       • 3-day program which will continue up to January 29 witnessed the participation of 52 selected birders from different parts of India.
         Source: HT

Banking and Economy

1. IRDAI asks insurers to give coverage for AYUSH in health insurance policies.
   • What? 👉 Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has asked General Insurers to put Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) at par with other medical treatments in their health insurance policies.
     • Key points-
       • These guidelines will be effective from April 1, 2024.
       • Guidelines require insurers to have board-approved policy guidelines for AYUSH coverage and provide policyholders the option to choose their preferred treatment.
       • Insurers must establish quality standards and procedures for enrolling AYUSH hospitals or day care centers as network providers for cashless treatment.
       • General Insurance Council (GIC) has initiated cashless treatment options for policyholders in non-empaneled hospitals registered under the Clinical Establishment Act.

2. India has launched Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
   • What? 👉 Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has been formally launched at the Republic Day reception held in France.

3. ESAF Small Finance Bank joins with Edelweiss Tokio Life to offer life insurance products.
   • What? 👉 ESAF Small Finance Bank (SFB) has announced a bancassurance partnership with Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance Company Limited to offer life insurance.
     • Objective-
       • To widen the accessibility of innovative life insurance products
         Source: HBL

4. Fitch Ratings has forecasted FY25 fiscal deficit at 5.4%, above Budget aim of 5.1%.
   • What? 👉 Fitch Ratings’ has forecasted fiscal deficit to reach 5.4% of GDP in FY25, above the budget target, due to more conservative revenue forecasts in the next year.
     • Key points-
       • Interim Budget aligns with Fitch Ratings’ expectations, showing a slightly faster pace of deficit reduction compared to January 2024.
       • GDP deficit target by Government-
         • FY25 (2024-25)- 5.1% of GDP
         • FY26 (2025-26)- 4.5% of GDP
       • Fitch Ratings forecast for real GDP growth in FY25- 6.5%
       • Debt to GDP ratio for government of India is expected to be stable above 80% over the next 5 years, with gradual deficit reduction and robust nominal growth.
         Source: HBL

Defence News

1. Indian Navy has declared 2024 as the ‘Year of Naval Civilians’.
   • What? 👉 Indian Navy has declared 2024 as ‘Year of Naval Civilians‘ to improve administration, efficiency and well-being of Naval Civilians.
     • Key points-
       • Major focus areas towards maximising administrative efficiency, digital initiatives, generic and specific training programmes and welfare activities have
         Source: PIB
2. United States has approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B armed drones to India.
   • What? 👉 United States has approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B armed drones to India at an estimated cost of $3.99 billion.
     • Key points-
       • The drone deal was announced during the historic State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2023.
       • India will get a total of 31 High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs.
       • Out of 31UAVs, Navy will get 15 SeaGuardian drones, while the Army and the Indian Air Force will get eight each of the land version – SkyGuardian.
         Source: livemint

Awards

1. Outstanding Business Woman of the Year – 2023.
   • What?👉 Dr. Bina Modi, Chairperson of Modi Enterprises, was honoured with the ‘Outstanding Business Woman of the Year – 2023’ Award by Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister of India.
   • award, presented to her at a prestigious conference by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) on ‘Strengthening Indo-US Relationship in Amritkal-Aatmanirbhar Bharat’
   • recognizes her remarkable contributions to the industry that place her among the distinguished few women chairpersons of Fortune500 and ET500 India companies.
     Source: Business Standard

Important Days

1. February 2– World Wetland Day 2024; Theme- Wetlands and Human Wellbeing
   Source: cbd

Sports

1. Maharashtra has retained the top spot in the Khelo India Youth Games 2023.
   • What?👉 6th Khelo India Youth Games 2023 has been held from January 19-31 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
   • Medal tally-

2. India finishes runners-up in FIH Hockey 5s Women’s World Cup.
   • What?👉 India has concluded their FIH Hockey5s Women’s World Cup campaign as runners-up after suffering defeat to Netherland.
     • Key points-
       • FIH Hockey5s Women’s World Cup was held in Muscat, Oman.
     • Ranking for FIH Hockey5s Women’s World Cup-
       • Ranking for FIH Hockey5s Men’s World Cup-

Source: TOI, fih.hockey

Memorandum of Understanding

1. National Rural Livelihood Promotion Society (NRLPS) has signed an MOU with BRAC International.
   • What? 👉 National Rural Livelihood Promotion Society (NRLPS) has signed MoU with BRAC International for economic inclusion and social protection for the poorest of the poor women.
     • Key points-
       • Inclusion of the poorest of the poor under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM)
       • uplifting ‘lakhpati didis’ through Samaveshi Aajeevika, an inclusive livelihood programme, while also ensuring the inclusion of the most marginalised in the SHG movement.
       • About Samaveshi Aajeevika-
         • It aims to build self-confidence, social inclusion, and prosperity via inclusive livelihoods at the last mile.
         • It will introduce holistic productive inclusion strategies to improve the lives of excluded populations.

Source: PIB

Appointments

1. First woman chief secretary of Uttarakhand.
   • What?👉 Radha Raturi has been appointed as the 1st woman chief secretary of Uttarakhand.
     • Key points-
       • She is Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of 1988 batch.
       • Uttarakhand was formed in November 2000.
         Source: ET

2. Champai Soren has been sworn in as Jharkhand Chief Minister.
   • What?👉 Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Champai Soren took oath as the 12th Chief Minister of Jharkhand.
     Source: The Hindu

3. Jay Shah re-appointed as the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for the 3rd consecutive term.
   • What?👉 Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Jay Shah has been appointed as president of the Asian Cricket Council for a third consecutive term.
     • Key point-
       • His extension was proposed by Shammi Silva, the president of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
       • He became the youngest administrator to be re-appointed as the ACC president.
         Source: livemint

4. Actor Ranveer Singh becomes the brand ambassador and investor of boAt.
   • What?👉 Actor Ranveer Singh has been appointed as the brand ambassador of leading audio wearable brand boAt.
     • Key points-
       • Singh will be the star of the company’s immersive new campaign, “Lost in Nirvana”.
       • ‘Nirvana series’ is a sub-brand of boAt which offers premium & superior audio products.
         Source: HBL

Miscellaneous

1. Dr Nitya Anand, developer of first oral contraceptive pill ‘Saheli’ has passed away.
   • What?👉 Dr Nitya Anand, who developed India’s 1st oral contraceptive pill ‘Saheli’ has passed away in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
   • Key points-
     • He was awarded Padma Shri for Medicine in 2012.
     • He was the main person behind discovery of Centchroman, also referred to as “Saheli”.
     • Centchroman was the 1st and only once-weekly, non-steroidal, non-hormonal oral contraceptive pill in history.
     • It was introduced in 1986 by then prime minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi.
     • Saheli was incorporated into the National Family Programme of India in 2016.
     • It is still the only non-hormonal, non-steroidal contraceptive available worldwide.
       Source: livemint
2. Sadhu Meher, 1st from Odisha to win national award for best actor has passed away.
   • What?👉 Renowned Odia actor-director and Padma Shri Awardee Sadhu Meher, who had made a mark in both Hindi and Odia cine industries has passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
   • Key point-
     • In 1974, he became the first from Odisha to win a national award for best actor.
   • Awards-
     • Jaydev Samman by Odisha government- In 2011 he has been awarded Jaydev Samman by Odisha government for his lifetime contribution.
     • Padma Shri- He has been awarded Padma Shri in 2017
       Source: Indian Express

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