09th-11th December, 2023

1. Kenyan President William Ruto has visited India from December 4 to December 6, 2023, at the invitation of the President of India.
2. Ministry of Culture has launched ‘Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar’ Project for cultural mapping and documentation of villages across India.
3. UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited, in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has unveiled the “Green Rising” initiative at COP28 in Dubai.
4. Government of India has dedicated 6,186 crores for renewable energy from the proceeds of Sovereign Green Bonds of Rs.16,000 crore (approximately) raised during FY 22-23.
5. Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has become fourth largest insurer in the world based on reserves as per S&P Global Market Intelligence.
6. RBI has cancelled the licence of Kolhapur-based Shankarrao Pujari Nutan Nagari Sahakari Bank.
7. RBI has cancelled the license of Urban Co-operative Bank (UCB), Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh.
8. Adani GreenEnergy Limited (AGEL) has been declared the second-largest global solar PV developer in the global solar energy sector, according to Mercom Capital Group’s Annual Global Report.
9. Reserve Bank of India has raised the UPI payment limits to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 1 lakh earlier for education as well as medical purposes.
10. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has released its annual ‘Crime in India-2022’ report.
11. Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan has conferred the National Award for Innovations and Good Practices in Educational Administration for the year 2020-21 & 2021-22.
12. President Draupadi Murmu has awarded national award for ‘Best Personality- Empowerment of Differently-abled’ to Narayan Seva Sansthan’s president Prashant Agarwal.
13. International Anti-Corruption Day
14. International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide
15. Human Rights Day
16. International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed a vibrant new logo for upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.
17. iVIS, a subsidiary of Magellanic Cloud has recently partnered with ICICI Bank for the distribution of cutting-edge e-surveillance services across its branches.
18. Government of India and ADB have signed $175 million loan to improve connectivity in Madhya Pradesh.
19. Indian Army has partnered with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to infuse changes in army using advanced cutting-edge technology.
20. EKI Energy Services has partnered with Indian Oil to promote sustainable indoor solar cooking system ‘Surya Nutan’.
21. Lalbiaktluanga Khiangte has been appointed as the Jharkhand chief secretary.
22. Congress’ Revanth Reddy has been appointed as the chief minister of Telangana.
23. Rajiv Anand has been appointed as the Chairman of Max Life Insurance.
24. Swiggy has appointed Anand Kripalu as independent director and chairperson of the Board.

National News

1. Kenyan President William Ruto has visited India from December 4 to December 6, 2023, at the invitation of the President of India.
   • Key bilateral agreement–
     • India has announced USD 250 million Line of Credit (LOC) to Kenya to support the modernization of its agricultural sector.
     • Kenya has offered land to Indian companies for crop cultivation, including millets.
   • Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs)-
     • India and Kenya have signed 5 MoUs in various sectors:
     
     i. Sports
     ii. Education
     iii. Culture
     iv. Digital solutions
     v. Digital transformation, with India providing training to Kenya on digital ID and government service digitization.
   • Maritime Cooperation–
     • India and Kenya have unveiled a blueprint for “Joint Vision Statement on Maritime Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region- BAHARI (Ocean in Swahili).”
       Source: mea
2. Ministry of Culture has launched ‘Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar’ Project for cultural mapping and documentation of villages across India.
   • More about Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar–
     • Mapping is conducted in coordination with Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) under the Ministry of Culture.
     • Under the MGMD, information is collected under seven broad categories as given below-
       • Arts and Crafts Village
       • Ecologically Oriented Village
       • Scholastic Village linked with Textual and Scriptural Traditions of India
       • Epic Village linked with Ramayana, Mahabharata and/or Puranic legends and oral epics
       • Historical Village linked with Local and National History
       • Architectural Heritage Village
       • Any other characteristic that may need highlighting such as fishing village, horticulture village, shepherding village etc.
         Source: PIB

3. UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited, in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has unveiled the “Green Rising” initiative at COP28 in Dubai.
   • Objective–
     • To mobilize millions of young people worldwide, encouraging their active participation in green initiatives addressing and adapting to the severe impacts of climate change on their communities.
   • What is Green Rising initiative?
     • It is an initiative which focuses on engaging youth for impactful environmental actions at the grassroots level, aligning with the global effort to address the severe impacts of climate change.
   • How it works in India?
     • In India this initiative is carried out through ‘YuWaah campaign’ which focuses on engaging youth to drive impactful environmental actions at the grassroots level, inspired by the Mission Life movement.

   
   
   
   

Source: AIR

Banking and Economy

1. Government of India has dedicated 6,186 crores for renewable energy from the proceeds of Sovereign Green Bonds of Rs.16,000 crore (approximately) raised during FY 22-23.
   • What is a green bond and a Sovereign Green Bond?
     • A green bond is a debt security that is issued to raise money for initiatives that are relevant to the environment or the climate.
     • When Governments offer green bonds to raise money for these kinds of initiatives, these bonds are termed as sovereign green bond.
       Source: PIB
2. Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has become fourth largest insurer in the world based on reserves as per S&P Global Market Intelligence.
   • More about S&P ranking–
     • LIC is ranked after Allianz SE, China Life Insurance Company and Nippon Life Insurance Company.
     • Ranking is based on life and accident & health reserves of companies in 2022 by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
     • S&P list of the top 50 global life insurance companies was dominated by European firms, taking 21 spots.
     • US has the highest number of life insurers on the list, with eight companies headquartered in the region, followed by the UK with seven companies.
   • Rankings–

3. RBI has cancelled the licence of Kolhapur-based Shankarrao Pujari Nutan Nagari Sahakari Bank.
   • More about license cancellation–
     • The cancellation is effective from the close of business on December 4, 2023.

   • Reasons for cancellation of license–
     • Bank does not have adequate capital and earning prospects.
     • It does not comply with the provisions of Section 11(1) and Section 22 (3) (d) read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
     • Co-operative bank has failed to comply with certain sections of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
       Source: livemint

   
   
4. RBI has cancelled the license of Urban Co-operative Bank (UCB), Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh.
   • More about license cancellation–
     • The cancellation is effective from the close of business on December 4, 2023.
   • Reasons for cancellation of license–
     • Bank does not have adequate capital and earning prospects and the continuance of the bank is prejudicial to the interests of its depositors.
     • Bank with its present financial position would be unable to pay its present depositors in full.
       Source: Hindu Business Line
5. Adani GreenEnergy Limited (AGEL) has been declared the second-largest global solar PV developer in the global solar energy sector, according to Mercom Capital Group’s Annual Global Report.
   • Key observations–
     • Among the top 10 global large-scale solar PV developers, six were based in Europe and three in North America.
     • AGEL is the only South Asian company which has made into the global list.
   • About Mercom Capital Group–
     • It is a clean energy communications and research firm.
     • In its global annual report, it has unveiled the top ten leading global large-scale solar PV developers based on data compiled from July 2022 to June 2023.
   • Top 3 rankings–

6. Reserve Bank of India has raised the UPI payment limits to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 1 lakh earlier for education as well as medical purposes.
   • Objective–
     • To help the consumers to make UPI payments of higher amounts for education and healthcare purposes.
   • Current UPI transaction limits–
     • For normal payment- 1 Lakh per transaction
     • For specific categories such as capital markets, collections etc.- 2 lakh per transaction
     • For Initial Public Offering (IPO) and Retail Direct Scheme- 5 lakh per transaction
   • Another change in E-mandate for recurring payments–
     • E-mandate for recurring payments to Rs 1 lakh from current Rs 15,000 for mutual funds, insurance premiums and credit card payments.
       Source: Business Standard

Reports and Indices

1. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has released its annual ‘Crime in India-2022’ report.
   • Key Observations–
     • Over 4.45 lakh cases have been registered in 2022.
     • Rate of crimes against women per lakh population stood at 66.4.
     • The majority of crimes against women under the Indian Penal Code were of cruelty by husband or his relatives (31.4%)
     • It is followed by kidnapping and abduction of women (19.2%), assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty (18.7%), and rape (7.1%).
   • State wise distribution of crimes–
     • In absolute numbers, Uttar Pradesh (65,743) has registered the maximum FIRs in cases of crimes against women in 2022, followed by Maharashtra (45,331), Rajasthan (45,058), West Bengal (34,738), and Madhya Pradesh (32,765).
     • These five states together contributed to 2,23,635 (or 50.2%) of the total cases lodged in India last year.
     • A total of 12 States and Union Territories have recorded crime rates higher than the national average of 66.4.
   • Other major observations–
     • Delhi most unsafe metropolis in crimes involving juveniles.
     • Kolkata emerged as the safest city in India for the third consecutive year, recording the least number of cognisable offences per lakh population among metropolises.
       Source: Hindu frontline

Awards

1. Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan has conferred the National Award for Innovations and Good Practices in Educational Administration for the year 2020-21 & 2021-22.
   • Why these awards are conferred?
     • These awards are conferred to appreciate awardees for their passion towards enriching lives of students and innovative efforts towards making learning in schools more vibrant.

   • About National Award for Innovations & Good Practices in Educational Administration–
     • It was instituted in 2014 for district- and block-level education officers to appreciate their efforts.

   • Objectives–
     • To encourage innovations and good practices in educational administration at the grass-root level for improving the functioning of the public system of education.
     • To create a culture and ecosystem of innovations and good practices in educational administration at the field level of educational administration.
     • To document and disseminate innovations and good practices in educational administration at district and block levels.
       Source: PIB

2. President Draupadi Murmu has awarded national award for ‘Best Personality- Empowerment of Differently-abled’ to Narayan Seva Sansthan’s president Prashant Agarwal.
   • Why he is awarded?
     • He is awarded for empowering the differently-abled and taking initiatives like surgery, rehabilitation and sports.
   • About Narayan Seva Sansthan–
     • It provides training in computer skills, mobile usage, and sewing, and facilitates mass marriages, offering complete rehabilitation.
     • Organisation is committed to serving humanity and disability causes and it has conducted over 445,000 surgeries and aided nearly 40,000 amputees with artificial limbs.
     • Established in- 1985
       Source: India Today

Important Days

1. December 9– International Anti-Corruption Day; Theme– UNCAC at 20: Uniting the World Against Corruption
   Source: unodc
2. December 9– International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide; Theme– A Living Force in World Society: The Legacy of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
   Source: UN
3. December 10– Human Rights Day
   Source: nhrc

Sports

1. International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed a vibrant new logo for upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.
   • More about new logo–
     • Design pays tribute to the palm trees of West Indies and the stripes of USA.
     • It involves a bat, ball, and energy, symbolising the core element of T20 cricket.

   • About ICC T20 World Cup 2024–
     • ICC T20 Men’s World Cup 2024 edition will be held in West Indies and USA.
     • ICC T20 Women’s World Cup 2024 edition will be held in Bangladesh.

Source: ET

Memorandum of Understanding

1. iVIS, a subsidiary of Magellanic Cloud has recently partnered with ICICI Bank for the distribution of cutting-edge e-surveillance services across its branches.
   • Objective–
     • To secure ICICI Bank’s branch-level security operations, specifically targeting areas like ATMs and cash counter operations.
     • iVIS will implement real-time threat mitigations, remote security management, and automated response systems to ensure a comprehensive security infrastructure.
       Source: apacnews
2. Government of India and ADB have signed $175 million loan to improve connectivity in Madhya Pradesh.
   • More about agreement–
     • Project will upgrade about 500 kilometres of state highways and major district roads to a standard two-lane feature.
     • ADB will build the capacity of the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation Limited (MPRDC) on climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster resilience, and road safety in road network planning and management.
     • Project will help prepare strategies and plans to utilise green technology in road construction and establish charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
     • Project will support MPRDC to formulate a gender equality and social inclusion strategy and establish an internship programme to attract female students to work in the road sector.

3. Indian Army has partnered with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to infuse changes in army using advanced cutting-edge technology.
   • Objective–
     • To fortify defence capabilities and ensure a technologically advanced and strategically robust Indian Army on the global front.

   • More about partnership–
     • It involves providing indigenous 5G solutions, Al-driven tools, and cybersecurity measures.
     • It will use transformative projects, training programs, and digital innovations for the overall improvement in defence capabilities.
       Source: ET
4. EKI Energy Services has partnered with Indian Oil to promote sustainable indoor solar cooking system ‘Surya Nutan’.
   • More about MoU–
     • Under the MoU, Indian Oil will share the technology of Surya Nutan with EKI Energy to improve its production and distribution.
     • EKI Energy will oversee the end-to-end management of Surya Nutan which involves manufacturing, marketing, installation and the provision of after-sales services.
       Source: ET
     
     

   
   

Appointments

1. Lalbiaktluanga Khiangte has been appointed as the Jharkhand chief secretary.
   Source: TOI
2. Congress’ Revanth Reddy has been appointed as the chief minister of Telangana.
   Source: ET
3. Rajiv Anand has been appointed as the Chairman of Max Life Insurance.
   Source: Business Standard
4. Swiggy has appointed Anand Kripalu as independent director and chairperson of the Board.
   Source: Business Standard

Miscellaneous

1. Cambridge Dictionary team has chosen ‘hallucinate’ as its Word of the Year 2023.
   • Why hallucinate is chosen?
     • Cambridge dictionary has recognized that the new meaning gets to the heart of why people are talking about AI.
     • Generative AI is a powerful tool but one we’re all still learning how to interact with safely and effectively – this means being aware of both its potential strengths and its current weaknesses.
       Source: cambridge
     
     

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