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03rd April, 2024

India’s Defense exports, EMPS 2024, Expert Committee on developing GIFT IFSC, Myth vs Reality Register, clarify food categories on e-commerce, 250 Years of ‘Copper Ticket, A Decade of Documenting Migrant Deaths”, South Asia Development Update, Govt raises Rs 16,500 crore, SCORES 2.0, Brickwork Ratings, NSE halves lot size for Nifty, Govt broadly meets FY24 RE target, World Bank growth forecast, Manufacturing PMI, Exercise “ Gagan Shakti”, Jupiter’s moon Callisto., Artificial Sun”, efforts to test AI for cancer detection., Microsoft joins hands with OpenAI, Mahindra Aerostructures signs $100 million contract, Indian Oil, and Panasonic Energy partner, Bharat Biotech, Serum arm tie up for OPV, TIOL Award, new chief secretary of Assam, Atul Mehra joins Axis Capital as managing director & CEO, Rajeev Singhal MD of Tata International Limited (TIL), Congo’s first female Prime Minister, International Children’s Book Day, World Autism Awareness Day, NICES program

  1. India’s Defense exports have touched a record Rs 21,083 crore (approx. US$ 2.63 Billion) in the Financial Year (FY) 2023-24, a growth of 32.5% over the last fiscal.
  2. The Ministry of Heavy Industries has launched the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024 (EMPS 2024) with an outlay of Rs 500 crore.
  3. The Expert Committee submitted a report to the Chairperson, International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA), on developing Gujarat International Finance Tech-City (GIFT IFSC) as a ‘Global Finance and Accounting Hub.
  4. The Election Commission (EC) has introduced a “Myth vs Reality Register” aimed at combating fake news during the Lok Sabha polls. This initiative intends to provide voters with accurate and verified information by regularly updating the register with the latest debunked fake news.
  5. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued directives to all e-commerce food business operators (FBOs) to ensure the proper categorization of food products sold on their platforms.
  6. The Department of Posts Bihar Circle has decided to release a special cover to commemorate 250 years of the release of the world’s first postal stamp, the ‘Copper Stamp’ which was issued from Patna.
  7. In a recent report released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), titled “A Decade of Documenting Migrant Deaths,” documents the deaths and disappearances of migrants over the past decade.
  8. The World Bank has recently released South Asia Development Update – Jobs for resilience, in which it has highlighted concerns about job creation in South Asian economies not keeping pace with the rise in the working-age population, potentially jeopardizing the region’s demographic dividend.
  9. In the fiscal year 2023/24, the Government of India (GoI) raised Rs. 16,500 crores through stake sales in approximately 10 state-run companies.
  10. Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) rolled out an upgraded version of its complaint redressal system, SEBI Complaint Redress System (SCORES 2.0).
  11. Brickwork Ratings (BWR) has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to resume its business operations without any restrictions.
  12. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced a reduction in the lot size for trading derivatives contracts for the Nifty 50 index, halving it to 25. Additionally, it has also decreased the lot sizes for the Nifty Financial Services and Nifty Midcap indices as part of its regular revision process.
  13. The government has reportedly achieved its tax collection target for the fiscal year 2023-24, amounting to over 34.37 trillion. This accomplishment is attributed to robust economic activity and improved compliance.
  14. The World Bank has upgraded its economic growth forecast for India in fiscal year 2025 by 20 basis points (20 bps) to 6.6%, primarily attributed to upward revisions in investment growth.
  15. India’s manufacturing sector concluded the fiscal year 2023-24 on a high note, with the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) reaching a 16-year high of 59.1 in March, as reported by a survey released by HSBC.
  16. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated a 10-day war exercise named ‘Gagan Shakti-2024’ to demonstrate its capabilities in executing high-intensity operations across India.
  17. An international team of scientists, including from India, has discovered strong evidence indicating the presence of ozone on Jupiter’s moon Callisto.
  18. South Korean scientists have set a new world record using the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) device, an “artificial Sun” nuclear fusion reactor.
  19. Healthcare companies in India are increasingly investing in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) models for early cancer detection, particularly in oncology and radiology, to improve screening efforts.
  20. Microsoft and OpenAI have announced plans for Stargate, an AI supercomputer data center project in the U.S., expected to cost over USD 100 billion and slated for launch in 2028.
  21. Mahindra Aerostructures Private Limited (MASPL) has signed a multi-year deal worth USD 100 million with an Airbus Atlantic group entity.
  22. Indian Oil announced has signed a binding term sheet with Japan’s Panasonic Energy Co. to draw a framework for the formation of a Joint Venture for manufacturing cylindrical lithium-ion cells in India.
  23. Bharat Biotech and Bilthoven Biologicals, a subsidiary of Serum Institute of India, have announced a collaboration to produce and distribute oral polio vaccines (OPVs) worldwide.
  24. Economist Jagdish Bhagwati, 15th Finance Commission Chairman N K Singh, and 13th Finance Commission Chairman Vijay Kelkar are set to receive the Tax India Online (TIOL) Kautilya Global Award 2023 in the fields of economics, policymaking, and fiscal federalism.
  25. Ravi Kota, a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer, has assumed the role of Chief Secretary of Assam.
  26. Atul Mehra has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Axis Capital Limited, formerly known as ENAM Securities Private Limited, succeeding Salil Pitale.
  27. Rajeev Singhal has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) of Tata International Limited (TIL), the global trading and distribution arm of Tata Group.
  28. Judith Suminwa Tuluka has been appointed as the first woman Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by President Felix Tshiseked.
  29. International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated every year on 2 April to celebrate the birthday of Danish author Hans Christian Anderson.
  30. The world observes World Autism Day on April 2 to raise awareness about the causes, symptoms, and prevention of autism.
  31. The National Information System for Climate and Environment Studies (NICES) program operated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Department of Space along with other ministries and institutions under the framework of the National Action Plan on Climate Change is inviting Indian researchers to join in combating climate change.

Table of Content

National News

  1. India’s Defense exports touch record Rs 21,083 crore in FY 2023-24
      • What: India’s Defense exports have touched a record Rs 21,083 crore (approx. US$ 2.63 Billion) in the Financial Year (FY) 2023-24, a growth of 32.5% over the last fiscal.
        • In the last fiscal, the figure was Rs 15,920 crore. The recent figures indicate that the defense exports have grown by 31 times in the last 10 years as compared to FY 2013-14.
      • Tell me more:
        • The private sector and the DPSUs have contributed about 60% and 40% respectively.
        • In addition, there has been a rise in the number of export authorizations issued to defense exporters during FY 2023-24. From 1,414 export authorizations in FY 2022-23, the number jumped to 1,507 in FY 2023-24.
        • A comparative data of two decades i.e. the period from 2004-05 to 2013-14 and 2014-15 to 2023-24 reveals that there has been a growth of 21 times in defense exports.
        • Total defense exports from 2004-05 to 2013-14 were Rs 4,312 crore, which has gone up to Rs 88,319 crore in the period from 2014-15 to 2023-24.
        • The remarkable growth has been achieved due to the policy reforms and ‘Ease of Doing Business’ initiatives brought in by the Government, in addition to the end-to-end digital solution provided to the Indian industries for promoting defense exports.
          Source: PIB
Knowledge Nuggets -
- According to the latest SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) report released in March 2024, the 5 largest arms exporters in the world during(2018-22) were: the United States, Russia, France, China, and Germany.
- While India is the top arms importers in the world
  1. A new scheme named, EMPS 2024 was launched to fuel faster adoption of e-2W and e-3W
      • What: The Ministry of Heavy Industries has launched the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme 2024 (EMPS 2024) with an outlay of Rs 500 crore.
        • This initiative is geared towards encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across the country.
      • Why: The Centre announced the new scheme following the conclusion of the second phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME-II) program on March 31, 2024.
      • Tell me more:
        • The scheme launched in March 2024, and came into force today (April 1) and will continue till the end of July this year. EMPS 2024 focuses on subsidizing the purchase of electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws) and electric three-wheelers (e-3Ws) for four months.
        • The scheme has a budget outlay of Rs. 500 crore and will replace the FAME-II scheme.
        • Initially, the scheme will be implemented for 4 months from April 1, 2024, to July 31, 2024.
        • The scheme aims to support a total of 3,72,215 electric vehicles, comprising 3,33,387 e-2Ws and 38,828 e-3Ws.
        • Among the e-3Ws, there are 13,590 rickshaws and e-carts and 25,238 e-3Ws in the L5 category.
        • To promote advanced technologies, incentives will only be extended to vehicles equipped with advanced batteries.
        • In addition to commercial use, privately or corporate-owned registered e-2W will also be eligible under the scheme.
        • The latest scheme will offer subsidies of up to Rs 10,000 for electric two-wheelers.
        • Additionally, a subsidy of up to Rs 25,000 will be provided for the purchase of small three-wheelers like e-rickshaws and e-carts, with a target of supporting around 41,000 such vehicles, and a subsidy of up to Rs 50,000 will be provided for large three-wheelers.
          Source: Business Standard
Knowledge Nuggets -
- FAME-II, introduced in 2019, has provided subsidies on sales of approximately 1.2 million two-wheelers, 141,000 three-wheelers, and 16,991 four-wheelers. More than Rs 5,829 crore has been disbursed under the FAME-II scheme.
- The Centre had granted a four-month extension to the second phase of the FAME-II programme.
- EMPS is being seen as a bridge scheme that will run for four months (from April 1) to minimize disruption in EV sales due to the FAME programme lapsing. EMPS is expected to pave the way for a comprehensive electric vehicle scheme, likely to be unveiled in the FY25 budget post-elections.
  1. Expert Committee on developing GIFT IFSC as ‘Global Finance and Accounting Hub’ submits report to IFSCA.
      • What: The Expert Committee submitted a report to the Chairperson, International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA), on developing Gujarat International Finance Tech-City (GIFT IFSC) as a ‘Global Finance and Accounting Hub.
      • Tell me more:
        • The Committee was formed after a Ministry of Finance notification on January 2024, designating bookkeeping, accounting, taxation, and financial crime compliance as financial services under Sec 3(1)(e)(xiv) of IFSCA Act, 2019.
        • Chaired by the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the Committee included experts from industry, academia, and the government.
      • Recommendations
        • Suggested a new regulation with a comprehensive definition for Bookkeeping, Accounting, Taxation, and Financial Crime Compliance Services, permitting only registered companies or limited liability partnerships to offer these services.
        • Advocated for long-term strategies in education and skill development, including specialized degree or diploma programs.
          Source: PIB

Knowledge Nuggets -
- IFSC Authority is a statutory body established under the IFSC Act,2019. A unified regulator for the development and regulation of financial products, financial services, and financial institutions in IFSCs in India.
  1. EC launches Myth vs Reality Register to combat fake news.
      • What: The Election Commission (EC) has introduced a “Myth vs Reality Register” aimed at combating fake news during the Lok Sabha polls. This initiative intends to provide voters with accurate and verified information by regularly updating the register with the latest debunked fake news.
      • Why: This initiative aligns with broader efforts globally to combat fake news and disinformation, particularly in the context of elections where the spread of false information can have significant implications for democratic outcomes.
      • Tell me more:
        • The “Myth vs Reality Register” will serve as a microsite that will be continuously updated with the latest instances of fake news being debunked.
        • This initiative was launched by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu.
        • The register will not only include debunked fake information but also feature fresh frequently asked questions, catering to the need for accessible and reliable information for voters.
        • By addressing misinformation in real-time, the Election Commission aims to bolster public trust in the electoral process and mitigate the potential influence of false narratives on voter behavior.
          Source: Economic Times
  2. FSSAI issues directives to clarify food categories on e-commerce.
      • What: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued directives to all e-commerce food business operators (FBOs) to ensure the proper categorization of food products sold on their platforms.
      • Why: Proper categorization of food products is essential for transparency and compliance with food safety standards, ensuring that consumers have accurate information about the products they intend to purchase.
      • Tell me more:
        • The FSSAI has observed instances where food products licensed under categories such as ‘proprietary food’ are being sold on ecommerce platforms under misleading categories such as ‘health drink’ or ‘energy drink’.
        • This misrepresentation can lead to confusion among consumers regarding the nature and composition of the products they are purchasing.
          Source: The Print

State News

  1. Bihar Postal Circle Commemorates 250 Years of ‘Copper Ticket
      • What: The Department of Posts Bihar Circle has decided to release a special cover to commemorate 250 years of the release of the world’s first postal stamp, the ‘Copper Stamp’ which was issued from Patna.
        • The Copper Stamp was issued from Patna (Azimabad) in March 1774.
          Source: The Print
Knowledge Nuggets -
Wildlife Sanctuaries in Bihar
• Pant (Rajgir) Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary
• Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary

Banking and Finance

  1. Govt raises Rs 16,500 cr by selling stakes in companies in FY23-24
      • What: In the fiscal year 2023/24, the Government of India (GoI) raised Rs. 16,500 crores through stake sales in approximately 10 state-run companies.
        • However, this amount fell short by about 9% compared to the internal target of Rs. 18,000 crores.
          Source: Business Standard

Knowledge Nuggets -
- The government received around Rs. 63,000 crores in 2023/24 in the form of dividends, surpassing the target of Rs. 50,000 crores.
  1. SEBI launches new version of complaint redressal system SCORES 2.0
      • What: Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) rolled out an upgraded version of its complaint redressal system, SEBI Complaint Redress System (SCORES 2.0).
        • It is aimed at enhancing investor complaint resolution in the securities market.
      • Tell me more:
        • The new version of SCORES strengthens the investor complaint redress mechanism in the securities market by making the process more efficient through auto-routing, auto-escalation, monitoring by the ‘Designated Bodies and reduction of timelines,”
        • This revised version offers an improved user experience and establishes uniform timelines for complaint resolution across the securities market, with a target of 21 calendar days from complaint receipt.
        • It incorporates a two-level review process, with SEBI intervening at the second level if the investor remains dissatisfied.
        • Non-adherence to prescribed timelines triggers automatic escalation of complaints to SEBI for resolution.
        • SCORES 2.0 integrates with the KYC (Know Your Customer) registration agency database, facilitating seamless investor registration on the platform.
        • The old SCORES platform has been discontinued on March 28, 2024.
          Source: SEBI
Knowledge Nuggets -
- Established: April 12, 1988 (as a non-statutory body), January 30, 1992 (given statutory powers)
- Headquarters: Mumbai, India
- Regulatory Body: Securities and Commodity markets in India
- Administered By: Ministry of Finance (Government of India)
  1. Brickwork Ratings Gets SEBI Nod to Resume Business Without Restrictions
      • What: Brickwork Ratings (BWR) has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to resume its business operations without any restrictions.
      • Why: Previously, SEBI had imposed restrictions on BWR, preventing the onboarding of new clients or accepting fresh mandates from existing clients until specific conditions were fulfilled.
        • These conditions included strengthening the Board and enhancing systems and processes within the organization.

      • With full compliance achieved, SEBI has cleared BWR to resume normal operations, signaling a return to business as usual for the rating agency.
        Source: The Print
Knowledge Nuggets -
The promoter of Brickwork ratings is Canara Bank
  1. NSE halves lot size for Nifty 50 derivatives contracts
      • What: The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced a reduction in the lot size for trading derivatives contracts for the Nifty 50 index, halving it to 25. Additionally, it has also decreased the lot sizes for the Nifty Financial Services and Nifty Midcap indices as part of its regular revision process.
      • Why: This change in lot sizes is significant as it aims to enhance market accessibility and boost retail participation by reducing the entry barrier. By lowering the lot sizes, traders with lesser capital will find it easier to participate in derivative trading, leading to increased turnover and liquidity in the market.
      • Tell me more:
        • The revised market lot size will be applicable for all contracts, including weekly, monthly, quarterly, and half-yearly expires, starting from April 26, 2024, onwards for the Nifty 50 index.
        • Lot size in the derivatives segment refers to the fixed number of shares in a unit or group for which contracts are traded. This reduction is based on factors such as stock price, liquidity, and risk.
        • According to market experts, this reduction in lot size will lower the contract value and margin requirement, making it more feasible for traders with limited capital to take positions in the market.
        • For Nifty Financial Services, the lot size has been reduced from 40 to 25, and for Nifty Midcap Select, it has been brought down from 75 to 50. These changes will also come into effect from July 2024.
          Source: Business Standard
  2. Govt broadly meets FY24 RE target for tax collection
      • What: The government has reportedly achieved its tax collection target for the fiscal year 2023-24, amounting to over 34.37 trillion. This accomplishment is attributed to robust economic activity and improved compliance.
      • Why: The achievement of the tax collection target is attributed to robust economic activity, which likely generated higher tax revenues, along with improved compliance measures implemented by the government.
      • Tell me more:
        • The government had set a target of over ~19.45 trillion for direct tax collection and ~14.84 trillion for indirect taxes (including GST, Customs, and Excise) for the fiscal year 2023-24, as per the Revised Estimates (RE) presented in Parliament on February 1, 2024.
          Source: Business Standard
  3. World Bank lifts India’s FY25 growth forecast to 6.6%
      • What: The World Bank has upgraded its economic growth forecast for India in fiscal year 2025 by 20 basis points (20 bps) to 6.6%, primarily attributed to upward revisions in investment growth.
      • Tell me more:
        • According to the World Bank’s latest bi-annual South Asia Development Update, India’s growth rate for fiscal year 2024 is estimated at 7.5%, slightly lower than the 7.6% estimated by the National Statistical Office.
        • The World Bank expects India’s growth to moderate to 6.6% in fiscal year 2025 before picking up in subsequent years, driven by robust public investment yielding growth dividends.
          Source: Business Standard
  4. Manufacturing PMI at 16-yr high
      • What: India’s manufacturing sector concluded the fiscal year 2023-24 on a high note, with the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) reaching a 16-year high of 59.1 in March, as reported by a survey released by HSBC.
      • Tell me more:
        • The PMI serves as a key indicator of economic activity in the manufacturing sector, with a reading above 50 indicating expansion and a reading below 50 representing contraction.
        • According to the HSBC survey, India’s manufacturing sector experienced accelerated growth in March, with the PMI rising to 59.1 from 56.9 in February, marking its highest level in 16 years.
          Source: Business Standard

International News

  1. “A Decade of Documenting Migrant Deaths”- report released by IOM.
      • What: In a recent report released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), titled “A Decade of Documenting Migrant Deaths,” documents the deaths and disappearances of migrants over the past decade.
      • Tell me more:
        • Report was released on completion of ten year of IOM’s Missing Migrants Project (MMP).
        • MMP was launched in 2014 to document deaths and disappearances of people in migration process towards an international destination.
        • More than one in three migrants whose country of origin could be identified comes from countries in conflict.
        • More than two-thirds of those whose deaths were documented through IOM’s MMP are unidentified.
        • At least 63,285 people have perished or disappeared on migration routes around the world between 2014 and 2023, with most deaths caused by drowning
        • Major causes of death: Drowning; Vehicle accidents; Suffocation due to fuel inhalation, Inadequate shelter, healthcare etc.
          Source: US NEWS
  2. South Asia Development Update – Jobs for resilience – World Bank
      • What: The World Bank has recently released South Asia Development Update – Jobs for resilience, in which it has highlighted concerns about job creation in South Asian economies not keeping pace with the rise in the working-age population, potentially jeopardizing the region’s demographic dividend.
      • Tell me more:
        • Data from 2000-2023 reveals that while employment grew at 1.7% annually, the working-age population expanded by 1.9% per year. This disparity resulted in the creation of only 10 million jobs annually against a backdrop of 19 million new entrants to the workforce each year.
        • The World Bank forecasts South Asia’s output growth at 6-6.1% for the financial year ending March 31, 2025, largely driven by strong growth in India, expected at 6.6%. However, India’s central bank forecasts an even stronger growth rate of 7% during this period.
        • Despite India’s economic rebound after the pandemic, private investment remains weak, impacting job creation. However, there are signs of improvement, with preliminary data suggesting a rebound in employment ratios in 2023, partially reversing earlier declines.
        • The World Bank report suggests that South Asian nations need to address policy weaknesses to accelerate job creation. This includes implementing policies to encourage productive firms to hire workers, streamlining labor and land market regulations, and fostering greater openness to international trade.
          Source: World Bank

Defence News

  1. Exercise “ Gagan Shakti” commenced by the Indian Air Force
      • What: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated a 10-day war exercise named ‘Gagan Shakti-2024’ to demonstrate its capabilities in executing high-intensity operations across India.
      • Tell me more:
        • It marks the largest IAF war exercise since ‘Vayu Shakti’ and serves to evaluate the IAF’s readiness for intense operations.
          Source: Hindustan Times
Knowledge Nuggets -
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) is led by Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari,
- Headquarters in New Delhi
- Established in 1932.

Science and Tech

  1. A team led by PRL Ahmedabad finds ozone on Jupiter’s moon Callisto.
      • What: An international team of scientists, including from India, has discovered strong evidence indicating the presence of ozone on Jupiter’s moon Callisto.
        • PRL (Physics Research Laboratory)
  2. Korean “Artificial Sun” Reactor Sets Record at 100 Million Degrees
      • What: South Korean scientists have set a new world record using the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) device, an “artificial Sun” nuclear fusion reactor,
      • The team was able to generate plasma temperatures of 100 million degrees Celsius — seven times as hot as the Sun’s core — for 48 seconds, indicating we’re finding new ways to confine the stuff and potentially turn it into a viable source of power for longer periods. The facility’s previous record, set in 2021, was just 30 seconds.

  3. Hospitals kickstart efforts to test AI for cancer detection.
      • What: Healthcare companies in India are increasingly investing in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) models for early cancer detection, particularly in oncology and radiology, to improve screening efforts.
      • Tell me more:
        • Apollo Cancer Centre in Bengaluru has inaugurated India’s first AI-driven precision oncology centre, focusing on providing precise and timely oncology care by leveraging AI for accurate diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment protocols.
        • Apollo Radiology International has partnered with Google to develop AI models for early cancer detection, reflecting a broader trend in the healthcare industry towards integrating AI technology into diagnostic processes.
          Source: Business Standard

Awards

  1. TIOL Award for economists Bhagwati, N K Singh, Kelkar
      • What is in the news: Economist Jagdish Bhagwati, 15th Finance Commission Chairman N K Singh, and 13th Finance Commission Chairman Vijay Kelkar are set to receive the Tax India Online (TIOL) Kautilya Global Award 2023 in the fields of economics, policymaking, and fiscal federalism, as announced in a statement on Tuesday.
        Source: Silicon India

Important Days

  1. April 2: International Children’s Book Day
      • What: International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated every year on 2 April to celebrate the birthday of Danish author Hans Christian Anderson.
      • The day of commemoration is also dedicated to promoting children’s love of reading with the help of books.
      • Tell me more:
        • The theme for ICBD 2024: “Cross the Seas on the Wing of your Imagination.”
          • “Imagination” serves as the central focus for ICBD 2024.
        • Sponsored by: International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Japan (JBBY)
          Source: The Quint
Knowledge Nuggets -
The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) is a non-profit organization founded in 1953, and headquartered in Basel, Switzerland.
• Ms. Sylvia Vardell served as the President of IBBY from 2022 to 2024.
  1. April 2: World Autism Awareness Day
      • What: The world observes World Autism Day on April 2 to raise awareness about the causes, symptoms, and prevention of autism.
      • Autism Spectrum Disorders or ASD are a diverse group of conditions characterized by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication.
      • Tell me more:
        • The theme for 2024: “Moving from Surviving to Thriving: Autistic Individuals Share Regional Perspectives.”
        • Organized by: United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC) in collaboration with the Switzerland-based Institute of Neurodiversity (ION).
          Source: Business Standard




Knowledge Nuggets -
• The United Nations (UN) is headquartered in New York, USA, and was established in 1945.
• The Secretary-General of the United Nations is António Guterres.

Memorandum of Understanding

  1. Microsoft joins hands with OpenAI to build a $100 billion AI supercomputer.
      • What: Microsoft and OpenAI have announced plans for Stargate, an AI supercomputer data center project in the U.S., expected to cost over USD 100 billion and slated for launch in 2028.
      • Why: The growing demand for generative AI has driven the necessity for advanced AI-centric data centers like Stargate.
      • Tell me more:
        • Stargate will be the fifth phase of a supercomputer series, with the fourth phase anticipated to be operational by 2026.
        • Microsoft will primarily finance the venture, significantly increasing costs compared to existing data center projects.
        • Frontier, located in the United States, is currently the world’s fastest supercomputer.
          Source: India Today
Knowledge Nuggets -
- PARAM-Siddhi, situated at the Center for Development of Advanced Computers (C-DAC) in Pune, Maharashtra, holds the title of India's fastest supercomputer.
  1. Mahindra Aerostructures signs $100 million contract with Airbus 
      • What: Mahindra Aerostructures Private Limited (MASPL) has signed a multi-year deal worth USD 100 million with an Airbus Atlantic group entity.
      • Why: Under the agreement, MASPL will supply nearly 2300 varieties of metallic components to Airbus Atlantic in France from its manufacturing unit in India.
        • The agreement is aligned with the “Make in India” initiative of the Government of India, aiming to establish the country as a global manufacturing hub.
          Source: Business Standard
Knowledge Nuggets -
- Arvind Mehra serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of MASPL.
- The headquarters of MASPL is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
  1. Indian Oil, and Panasonic Energy partner to make lithium cells in India
      • What: Indian Oil announced has signed a binding term sheet with Japan’s Panasonic Energy Co. to draw a framework for the formation of a Joint Venture for manufacturing cylindrical lithium-ion cells in India.
      • Why: The deal was made in anticipation of demand for batteries for two-and three-wheel vehicles as well as energy storage systems, in Indian markets.
        Source: Business Standard
Knowledge Nuggets -
- IOCL is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).
- IOCL is dedicated to achieving net-zero operational emissions by 2046, in line with the Government of India's (GoI) goal of achieving carbon neutrality for the country by 2070.
  1. Bharat Biotech, Serum arm tie up for oral polio vaccines.
      • What: Bharat Biotech and Bilthoven Biologicals, a subsidiary of Serum Institute of India, have announced a collaboration to produce and distribute oral polio vaccines (OPVs) worldwide.
      • Why: It aims to contribute to the global effort to eradicate polio. By leveraging each other’s strengths, they intend to ensure a secure supply of OPVs and support India’s Universal Immunisation Programme.
      • Tell me more:
        • In this agreement, Bharat Biotech will source drug substances from Bilthoven Biologicals
          for manufacturing oral polio vaccines, which will be distributed in India and globally.
        • The Drug Subtances products will be produced in Netherlands.
        • The partnership aims to source drug substances from Bilthoven Biologicals for manufacturing OPVs, which will be distributed in India and worldwide. This collaboration emphasizes cooperation between vaccine companies toward a shared goal of eradicating polio.
          Source: Business Standard
Knowledge Nuggets -
- Bilthoven Biologicals, a subsidiary of Serum Institute of India, brings in technological capabilities and expertise acquired after its acquisition by the Cyrus Poonawalla Group in 2012.
- Krishna Ella, executive chairman of Bharat Biotech,
- Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India,

Appointments

  1. Ravi Kota assumes charge as the new chief secretary of Assam
      • What: Ravi Kota, a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer, has assumed the role of Chief Secretary of Assam.
        Source: The Print
Knowledge Nuggets -
Wildlife sanctuary in Assam
• Kaziranga National Park
• Deepor Beel Bird Sanctuary
  1. Atul Mehra joins Axis Capital as managing director & CEO.
      • What: Atul Mehra has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Axis Capital Limited, formerly known as ENAM Securities Private Limited, succeeding Salil Pitale.
        Source: Business Standard




Knowledge Nuggets -
• Axis Capital Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Axis Bank, with its headquarters in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• The establishment of the company dates back to 1984 when it was known as Enam Securities.
  1. Rajeev Singhal has been appointed as the MD of Tata International Limited (TIL)
      • What: Rajeev Singhal has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) of Tata International Limited (TIL), the global trading and distribution arm of Tata Group.
        Source: Tata International

Knowledge Nuggets -
• Tata International Limited (TIL) is chaired by Noel N Tata and is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Established in 1962, TIL serves as the global trading and distribution arm of Tata Group.
  1. Judith Suminwa Tuluka appointed as Congo’s first female Prime Minister
      • What: Judith Suminwa Tuluka has been appointed as the first woman Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by President Felix Tshisekedi.
Knowledge Nuggets -
About Congo
- President: Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo,
- Capital: Kinshasa
- Currency: Congolese Franc

Miscellaneous

  1. NICES program invites Indian researchers to join in combating climate change.
      • What: The National Information System for Climate and Environment Studies (NICES) program operated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Department of Space along with other ministries and institutions under the framework of the National Action Plan on Climate Change is inviting Indian researchers to join in combating climate change
        Source: The Hindu
CEO of Anujjindal.in

About Anuj Jindal

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Anuj Jindal, the founder, is an ex-manager from SBI, with an M.Com from Delhi School of Economics. He also has a JRF in Commerce & Management and NET in HRM, along with more than 5 years of experience in the field of Education.

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