10th-12th February, 2024

1. Headquarters of the Confederation of International Small Tea Holders (CITS) will shift to India from China.
2. Union Minister Arjun Munda has launched Sandbox for Agricultural and Rural Security, Technology and Insurance (SARTHI) Portal and other initiatives.
3. Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan has launched the EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme.
4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has virtually inaugurated permanent campus of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Goa.
5. A regional centre of Sangeet Natak Akademi is slated to be inaugurated in Hyderabad.
6. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA) has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to set up its wholly owned subsidiary in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) situated in GIFT City, Gujarat.
7. HDFC Bank Ltd. has raised $300 million through its 1st ever sustainable finance bond issue.
8. Central Board Trustees (CBT) EPF recommends 8.25 % rate of interest to EPF subscribers for FY2023-24.
9. Paytm E-commerce has changed its name to Pai Platforms after receiving approval from the Registrar of Companies.
10. National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) has successfully launched PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission through SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
11. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, PT Usha has been awarded ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award by Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) and Delhi Sports Journalists Association (DSJA) at the National Sports Club of India.
12. Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched the logo, mascot, anthem, Jersey and torch of the 4th edition of the Khelo India University Games 2024 (KIUG) in an event held at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium in Guwahati, Assam.
13. India and Bangladesh were declared joint champions of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U19 Women’s Championship at the BSSSMK Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
14. Google has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra to provide artificial intelligence (AI)-led solutions across key sectors in the state.
15. International Court of Justice (ICJ) has elected Lebanese judge Nawaf Salam as its president for a three-year term succeeding US Judge Joan Donoghue.

National News

1. Shifting of headquarters of CITS to India.

• What 👉 Headquarters of the Confederation of International Small Tea Holders (CITS) will shift to India from China.
• Key points-
  • Decision was taken during the 25th session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Intergovernmental Group on Tea (IGG/Tea) held at Guwahati, Assam.
  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Intergovernmental Group on Tea is under United Nations.
  • FAO IGG on Tea is the highest global platform for tea wherein all tea-producing and consuming nations deliberate on trends in production, etc.
  • It considers changes in national policies and examines their international effects as they pertain to current and prospective markets.

Source: ET

2. Sandbox for Agricultural and Rural Security, Technology and Insurance (SARTHI) Portal.
   • What 👉 Union Minister Arjun Munda has launched Sandbox for Agricultural and Rural Security, Technology and Insurance (SARTHI) Portal and other initiatives.
   • Objective-
     • To offer a range of insurance products including Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
   • SARTHI has been launched in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India.
   • Other initiatives-
     • Krishi Rakshak portal and helpline number (14447) –
       • It has been launched to enable farmers in India to file their grievances.
       • Platform provides multilingual support, enabling transparent communication and real-time resolution of grievances related to compensation delays and insurance queries.
     • Learning Management System (LMS)-
       • It is developed in collaboration with the National E-Governance Division (NeGD).
       • It is a Platform for the farming community under the PMFBY.
       • It will provide stakeholders with the essential skills and knowledge needed for efficient crop insurance and agricultural credit.

   Source: PIB

3. EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme.
• What 👉 Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan has launched the EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme.
• More about EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme-
  • It is a scheme in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020.
  • It is aimed at revolutionizing opportunities for quality education and access to higher education institutions.
  • This initiative guarantees access to high-quality learning systems by facilitating a seamless transition from secondary to higher education.
  • It also extends financial support for the meritorious Navodaya Vidyalaya students who lack means.
  • Government of India also encourages involvement from the private sector through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Source: ET

State News

1. Inauguration of permanent campus of NIT Goa.
• What 👉 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has virtually inaugurated permanent campus of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Goa.
• Other important events during PM’s visit to Goa-
  • He has also inaugurated India Energy Week 2024 (IEW) in Goa, India.
  • A new campus of the National Institute of Watersports in Goa has also been inaugurated.

Source: ET

2. Regional centre of Sangeet Natak Akademi.
• What 👉 A regional centre of Sangeet Natak Akademi is slated to be inaugurated in Hyderabad.
• Key points-
  • South India Cultural Centre of the Sangeet Nataka Akademi (Dakshin Bharat Sanskritik Kendra) will be performed at Shilpa Kala Vedika, Hitech City, Hyderabad.
  • New regional centre in Hyderabad intends to further promote the rich cultural heritage of south India.

Source: The print

Banking and Economy

1. IREDA receives RBI nod to set up subsidiary in Gift City.
• What 👉 Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA) has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to set up its wholly owned subsidiary in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) situated in GIFT City, Gujarat.
• Key point-
  • New subsidiary will serve as an offshore platform for securing competitive funding to push the growth of the renewable energy sector.
  • It will provide platform for innovative solutions for green financing.

Source: FE

2. HDFC Bank raises $300 mn via its first ever sustainable finance bond.
• What 👉 HDFC Bank Ltd. has raised $300 million through its 1st ever sustainable finance bond issue.
• Key points-
  • This is part of an overall raise of $750 million through Regulation S Bonds.
  • Funds raised through the sustainable finance bonds will be prioritised for lending towards electric vehicles, SMEs and affordable housing.

Source: The Hindu

3. EPFO raises interest rates on PF deposit to 8.25%.
• What 👉 Central Board Trustees (CBT) EPF recommends 8.25 % rate of interest to EPF subscribers for FY2023-24.

Source: PIB

4. Paytm E-commerce has been rebranded as Pai Platforms.
• What 👉 Paytm E-commerce has changed its name to Pai Platforms after receiving approval from the Registrar of Companies.
• Key points-
  • Paytm E-commerce has acquired Bitsila, a seller platform on ONDC.
  • Bitsila, launched in 2020 and operates as an ONDC seller platform with full-stack omnichannel and hyperlocal commerce capability.

Source: livemint

Science and Tech

1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has launched “PACE” mission.
• What 👉 National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) has successfully launched PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission through SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
• Objective-
  • To study ocean health, air quality, and the effects of a changing climate for the benefit of humanity.
• Key points-
  • Hyperspectral ocean colour instrument of satellite will allow researchers to measure oceans and other waterbodies across a spectrum of ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light.
  • It carries two polarimeter instruments, Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter and Spectro-polarimeter for planetary exploration to detect “how sunlight interacts with particles in the atmosphere”?

Source: wion

Awards

1. PT Usha honoured with ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award by SJFI and DSJA.
• What 👉 Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, PT Usha has been awarded ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award by Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) and Delhi Sports Journalists Association (DSJA) at the National Sports Club of India.
• More about event-
  • Programme was co-hosted by Delhi Sports Journalists’ Association (DSJA).

Source: TOI

Sports

1. Logo and mascot of 4th edition of Khelo India University Games 2024.
   • What 👉 Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched the logo, mascot, anthem, Jersey and torch of the 4th edition of the Khelo India University Games 2024 (KIUG) in an event held at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium in Guwahati, Assam.
   • Key points-
     • KIUG 2023 is set to be held from 19th -29th February 2024.
     • It will be jointly hosted by seven states of the North East, except Manipur.
     • Mascot of the KIUG 2024- ‘Ashtalakshmi’ (a butterfly).
     • More about Ashtalakshmi’-
       • Ashtalakshmi is a symbol of grace and symbolism which represents Northeast India’s vast biodiversity and natural magnificence.
       • wings of the mascot feature the cultural motifs and colours in each scale, and depicts the Northeast region’s diverse beauty.

   Source: SA

2. India and Bangladesh Declared Joint Champions of SAFF U19 Women’s Championship.
• What 👉 India and Bangladesh were declared joint champions of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U19 Women’s Championship at the BSSSMK Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• Key points-
  • 5th edition of the SAFF U19 Women’s Championship was hosted by Bangladesh.
  • India has won the title for the 2nd time, including its first win in 2022 since the tournament’s first edition was held in 2018.

Source: AIff

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Google has partnered with Maharashtra govt to provide AI-led services.
   • What 👉 Google has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra to provide artificial intelligence (AI)-led solutions across key sectors in the state.
   • More about MoU-
     • Google will leverage its AI capabilities to provide solutions in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, sustainability, education, and startups.
     • Google has also announced launching a state-of-the-art AI Centre of Excellence at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Nagpur.

   Source: BS

Appointments

1. New President of the International Court of Justice.
• What 👉 International Court of Justice (ICJ) has elected Lebanese judge Nawaf Salam as its president for a three-year term succeeding US Judge Joan Donoghue.
• Key point-
  • Nawaf Salam is the first Lebanese and second Arab to occupy this position, after the former Algerian Foreign Minister and President of the Constitutional Court, Mohamed Bedjaoui.

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