05th January, 2024
Geographical Indication (GI), Poila Boisakh, 14th Chandubi Festival, direct-to-cell, M.S. Swaminathan Award, International Mind-Body Wellness Day, World Braille Day, Green Cover Index
- President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to two bills.
- Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has extended deadline for Employers to upload wage details for Pension on Higher Wages.
- 3 products from Arunachal Pradesh have received Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
- West Bengal government has notified ‘Poila Boisakh’ as State Day and ‘Banglar Mati Banglar Jal’ as State Song.
- Assam has celebrated 14th Chandubi Festival from January 1 to January 5, 2024.
- Jharkhand has reduced the age limit for old age pension.
- Bajaj Finserv has launched first credit pass of India powered by Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited (CIBIL).
- World Bank has issued bonds in 3 currencies to finance green and social projects in member countries.
- OLA Electric has become 1st Electronic Vehicle (EV) company to get Production Linked Incentive (PLI) approval.
- India Ratings has raised GDP growth forecast of India for 2023-24 (FY24) to 6.7% from 6.2%.
- SpaceX has launched its first ‘direct-to-cell’ Starlink satellite.
- Prof. B.R. Kamboj has been honoured with the prestigious M.S. Swaminathan Award.
- January 3– International Mind-Body Wellness Day
- January 4– World Braille Day
- National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) to develop and report a “Green Cover Index”.
- Quality Council of India (QCI) and Khadi Village and Industries Commission (KVIC) have signed an MoU to introduce made in India labelled khadi merchandise.
- Vice-Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi has took over as the Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS).
- Randhir Jaiswal has assumed the charge as official Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson.
- Puneet Chhatwal has been appointed as the Chairman of Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH).
Table of Content
National News
- President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to two bills.
- Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023:
- It has replaced the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991.
- It specifies the process for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners.
- It defines the conditions of service and tenure for the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners.
- Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Bill, 2023:
- It has replaced the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867.
- Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is the concerned ministry overseeing the implementation of the bill.
- It intends to ease procedures for publishers, reducing the number of declarations and filings required.
- It focuses on bringing the registration and declaration process in line with contemporary needs and technological advancements. Source: The Hindu
- Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023:
- Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has extended deadline for Employers to upload wage details for Pension on Higher Wages.
- Key points-
- New deadline– May 31, 2024
- Old deadline- December 31, 2023
- Employers have been given 5 months for uploading wage details of higher pension options online.
- Key points-
| Knowledge Nuggets - |
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About EPFO- • Employees Provident Fund Organization is one of the World's largest Social Security Organisations in terms of clientele and the volume of financial transactions undertaken. • It was established by the Employees' Provident Funds Act, 1952. • Headquarters- New Delhi • Ministry- Ministry of Labour and Employment • Central Provident Fund Commissioner- Neelam Shami Rao |
Source: PIB
State News
- 3 products from Arunachal Pradesh have received Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
- Details of product–
| Products | Product type |
|---|---|
| Adi kekir (Ginger) | Agriculture |
| Handmade carpet by Tibetan settlers | Handi Craft |
| Wooden items made by Wancho community | Handi Craft |
| Knowledge Nuggets - |
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What is GI tag? • A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. • Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 aims to facilitate the registration and enhance the protection of geographical indications associated with goods within the territory of India. • It is regulated and guided by the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). • In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place. |
Source: ET
- West Bengal government has notified ‘Poila Boisakh’ as State Day and ‘Banglar Mati Banglar Jal’ as State Song.
- Key points–
- Poila Boisakh is the first day of the Bengali New Year.
- Poila Boisakh festival generally falls on 14 or 15 April.
- Banglar Mati Banglar Jal has been written by Rabindranath Tagore. Source: The Hindu
- Key points–
- Assam has celebrated 14th Chandubi Festival from January 1 to January 5, 2024.
- More about Chandubi festival–
- Chandubi Festival is an annual 5-day event that highlights and celebrates the cultural heritage of Assam’s tribal communities.
- The festival takes place near the Chandubi lake, located 64 km away from Guwahati city in Assam.
- 2024 edition of the festival was organized by the residents of Rajapara village in the Kamrup district, under the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC). Source: SAssam
- More about Chandubi festival–
- Jharkhand has reduced the age limit for old age pension.
- Key points-
- Age limit is reduced to 50 years from 60 years for receiving old age pension.
- Reduction in age limit is applicable to SC, ST and OBC communities. Source: TOI
- Key points-
Banking and Economy
- Bajaj Finserv has launched first credit pass of India powered by Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited (CIBIL).
- Objective–
- To provide customers with real-time access to their credit dashboard for tracking and monitoring credit health.
- Objective–
| Knowledge Nuggets - |
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About CIBIL- • It is a credit information company which maintains credit files of a number of citizens and companies. • Established- 2000 • Headquarters- Mumbai • Managing Director- Rajesh Kumar |
Source: ANI
- World Bank has issued bonds in 3 currencies to finance green and social projects in member countries.
- Bonds launched–
| Bonds | Tenure | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Dollar Sustainable Bond | 5 years | 2 billion |
| US Dollar Sustainable Bond | 7 years | 5 billion |
| Canadian Dollar Sustainable Bond | 5 years | 1.4 billion |
| Knowledge Nuggets - |
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About World Bank- • It is an international financial institution which provides loans and grants to the governments of low and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects. • It was created at Bretton Woods Conference, along with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). • Headquarters- Washington DC, USA • Established- 1944 • President- Ajay Banga |
Source: World Bank
- OLA Electric has become 1st Electronic Vehicle (EV) company to get Production Linked Incentive (PLI) approval.
- Key points-
- OLA Electric has successfully passed the eligibility requirements such as minimum of 50% domestic value addition to its vehicle.
- PLI certification will provide financial incentives which will increase the affordability of electric vehicles.
- What is PLI scheme?
- Production Linked Incentive is a government initiative that provides incentives to manufacturers to boost domestic production in specific industries. Source: ET
- Key points-
Reports and Indices
- India Ratings has raised GDP growth forecast of India for 2023-24 (FY24) to 6.7% from 6.2%.
- Key points–
- Revision in growth rate is attributed to higher-than-expected growth during the September quarter and sustained government expenditure.
- Economy of India has demonstrated a robust growth, with a 7.6% expansion in the July-September quarter.
- Export-
- Due to uncertain external demand, merchandise exports are expected to decline by 9.3% Year-on-Year in FY24, and goods imports are expected to fall by 7.9% Year-on-Year.
- Trade deficit-
- Trade deficit is estimated to be $260.7 billion (7.3% of GDP), but sustained remittances and software exports are expected to provide relief to the current account.
- GDP projection by other organisations for FY24–
- Key points–
| Organisation | GDP growth rate |
|---|---|
| Reserve Bank of India | 7% |
| International Monetary Fund | 6.3% |
Source: livemint
Science and Technology
- SpaceX has launched its first ‘direct-to-cell’ Starlink satellite.
- What is direct-to-cell satellite?
- These satellites allow users to directly connect their cell phones to mobile networks without a Starlink terminal.
- Essentially the Direct-to-Cell Starlink satellites have advanced modems that act as cell phone towers in space.
- This could potentially be used to eliminate cell phone service dead zones on the ground.
- What is direct-to-cell satellite?
| Knowledge Nuggets - |
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About SpaceX- • Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) is a versatile space company involved in various aspects of the space industry. • It is engaged in spacecraft manufacturing, launch services, satellite communications, and even serves as a defense contractor. • Headquarters-California, USA • Established- 2002 |
Source: Indian Express
Awards
- Prof. B.R. Kamboj has been honoured with the prestigious M.S. Swaminathan Award.
- Key points-
- He is awarded for his contributions as a scientist and extension specialist in the field of agronomy.
- Award ceremony has took place at the International Conference on ‘One Health One World,’ held at Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Agricultural University at Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh.
- Key points-
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About M.S. Swaminathan Award- • It is instituted by Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TASS) in 2004. • Objective - o To recognize lifetime contributions of eminent persons who have made global impact in the field of agriculture, including food security and sustainability of agriculture in India. |
Memorandum of Understanding
- National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) to develop and report a “Green Cover Index”.
- More about MoU-
- Duration of partnership- 3 years
- NRSC will establish a “Green Cover Index” for National Highways using high-resolution satellite imagery.
- Green Cover Index will enable targeted interventions in areas lacking sufficient green cover.
- Subsequent annual cycles will help in estimating the growth patterns of green cover for National Highways using scientific techniques.
- More about MoU-
| Knowledge Nuggets - |
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About NRSC- • It is one of the centres of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). • It is responsible for remote sensing satellite data acquisition and processing, data dissemination, aerial remote sensing and decision support for disaster management. • Location- Hyderabad, Telangana |
Source: PIB
- Quality Council of India (QCI) and Khadi Village and Industries Commission (KVIC) have signed an MoU to introduce made in India labelled khadi merchandise.
- Objective-
- To improve the quality of khadi products and empower khadi artisans.
- Key points-
- QCI will support KVIC by providing third party assessment framework, capacity building to improve productivity and promote khadi products.
- Collaboration will provide increased income and new employment opportunities for artisans.
- Objective-
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About QCI- • Quality Council of India (QCI) is an autonomous organization under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. • It was established for raising the quality and standards related to every aspect of life for the overall development of the nation. • Established- 1997 About KVIC- • Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament. • It is charged with the planning, promotion, organisation and implementation of programs for the development of Khadi and other village industries in the rural areas. • Established- 1957 |
Source: ET
Appointments
- Vice-Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi has took over as the Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS).
- Vice-Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh has took over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOCINC), Western Naval Command. Source: The Hindu
- Randhir Jaiswal has assumed the charge as official Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson. Source: The Hindu
- Puneet Chhatwal has been appointed as the Chairman of Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH).
- What is FAITH?
- FAITH is the apex body of the tourism and hospitality industry in the private sector in India. It includes all the national associations as its members. Source: ET
- What is FAITH?
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