15th April, 2024

1. First virtual Joint working group meeting of Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) was held between representatives of India and USA.
2. In a pathbreaking initiative, the Election Commission of India (ECI), for the first time in a Lok Sabha Election, has provided the facility of home voting for the elderly and Persons with Disabilities in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
3. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued an advisory to e-commerce companies, instructing them to eliminate all beverages, including Bournvita, from the ‘health drinks’ category on their portals and platforms.
4. Under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, Apple has set a new record by exporting $10 billion worth of iPhones from India during FY24, according to data provided to the government.
5. India had relocated its staff from its consulate in the city of Sittwe to Yangon in view of the precarious security situation in that region of Myanmar.
6. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has rejected two more applications for setting up small finance banks: Dvara Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services Private Limited and Tally Solutions Private Limited.
7. India’s foreign exchange reserves rose for the seventh consecutive week to reach a fresh peak of $648.56 billion in the week ended April 5, latest data by the Reserve Bank of India.
8. Revolut India (a London Based Fintech group) has received an in-principle authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to issue Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) including prepaid cards and prepaid wallets in the country.
9. In a bid to check incidence of BoB World app scam and other such financial frauds, the finance ministry makes a case for an enhanced KYC procedure and extensive due diligence by banks and financial institutions for onboarding merchants to safeguard customers against cyber risks.
10. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in collaboration with Knight Frank India, has recently published a report titled “India Real Estate: A Decade From Now.”
11. Ministry of Defence (MoD) issues a request for proposal (RfP) to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for 97 Tejas Mark 1A fighter aircraft, potentially the largest-ever indigenous military equipment purchase by the government.
12. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have designed a sustainable hydrogel to remove microplastics from water
13. Volcanic Vortex Rings (VVR), also known as smoke rings, have been captivating observers as they emerge from Mount Etna, one of the most active and iconic volcanoes in the world.
14. NASA is now publicly distributing science-quality data from its newest Earth-observing satellite, providing first-of-their-kind measurements of ocean health, air quality, and the effects of a changing climate.
15. The term “doxxing” is derived from phrase “dropping dox (documents). It refers to collection of a user’s private information, across multiple platforms (including social media) by an unauthorized individual and then publishing the information in an attempt to shame or embarrass user.
16. Recently, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has issued a drug safety alert over the use of the anti-inflammatory drug Nimesulide.
17. Number of cases of whooping cough have been rising in China.
18. Mali has experienced two coups since 2020, leading to a wave of political instability that has swept across West and Central Africa in recent years. Along with its political troubles, the country is also in the grip of a worsening insurgency by militants linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.
19. Mary Kom, six-time world champion boxer, resigns as India’s chef-de-mission for Paris Olympics

National News

1. First virtual Joint working group meeting of RETAP was held between representatives of India and USA
   • What: First virtual Joint working group meeting of Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) was held between representatives of India and USA.
   • About RETAP
     • RETAP was announced by India and US jointly in 2023 under Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP).
     • SCEP, launched in 2021, is collaborative effort between India & USA to accelerate clean energy innovation and deployment.
     • RETAP’s initial focus is to be on green/clean hydrogen, wind energy, ocean/tidal energy etc.
     • Work is guided by five themes: Research & Development, Piloting & Testing of Innovative Technologies etc.
       Source: PIB
2. ECI walks the extra mile to reach at the doorstep of elderly and PwD voters
   • What: In a pathbreaking initiative, the Election Commission of India (ECI), for the first time in a Lok Sabha Election, has provided the facility of home voting for the elderly and Persons with Disabilities in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
   • Why: This initiative marks a significant stride towards ensuring inclusivity and accessibility of the electoral process and in bolstering democratic participation
   • Tell me more:
     • Voters above 85 years of age and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) with 40% benchmark disability can avail the optional home voting facility.
     • Voters in this category have already began casting their votes for phase I and II of polling. There are over 81 lakh 85+ aged voters and 90 lakh + PwD voters registered across the country.
   • Other Steps by EC to make voting inclusive:
     • Ease of voting by abolishing Form-M for kashmiri migrants residing at Jammu and Udhampur.
     • SVEEP (Systematic Voter’s Education and Electoral Participation) to engage PwDs and also sensitise their friends, families, polling officials, etc.
     • Proposed Multi-Constituency Remote Electronic Voting Machine (RVM): It would enable migrant voters to exercise their vote from their current place of residence.
     • Postal ballot: It allows votes being sent by post. following Persons are entitled to vote by post:
       • special voters.
       • service voters.
       • voters on election duty and
       • electors subjected to preventive detention
     • Proxy voting: It allows registered elector to delegate his voting rights to a representative he nominates. Available for service voters.
       Source: PIB
3. Govt asks etailers to remove health drink tag of Bournvita
   • What: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued an advisory to e-commerce companies, instructing them to eliminate all beverages, including Bournvita, from the ‘health drinks’ category on their portals and platforms.
   • Why: This move comes in response to concerns raised by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The goal is to ensure that consumers are well-informed about the products they purchase and to prevent any misleading labeling.
     Source: Business Today

4. iPhone exports under PLI double to $10 bn in a year
   • What: Under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, Apple has set a new record by
     exporting $10 billion worth of iPhones from India during FY24, according to data
     provided to the government.
   • It is a 100 percent increase over the previous financial year under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
   • In terms of consumer products, this constitutes the largest-ever export of a single branded product by any company from India.
     Source: First Post

International News

1. Myanmar tension: India relocates staff from consulate
   • What: India had relocated its staff from its consulate in the city of Sittwe to Yangon in view of the precarious security situation in that region of Myanmar.
   • Why: Several parts of Myanmar have been witnessing intense fighting between the military junta and resistance forces. The resistance forces have already captured several towns.
     Source: Business Standard

Banking and Economy

1. RBI rejects two more applications for setting up small finance banks
   • What: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has rejected two more applications for setting up small finance banks: Dvara Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services Private Limited and Tally Solutions Private Limited.
     Source: Business Standard
2. India Forex Reserve At Fresh High Of $648.5 Billion
   • What: India’s foreign exchange reserves rose for the seventh consecutive week to reach a fresh peak of $648.56 billion in the week ended April 5, latest data by the Reserve Bank of India.
   • The reserves increased by $2.98 billion. The reserves rose on the back of a rise in gold reserves which rose by $2.39 billion.
     Source: NDTV Profit
3. Revolut gets RBI nod to issue Prepaid Payment Instruments in India
   • What: Revolut India (a London Based Fintech group) has received an in-principle authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to issue Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) including prepaid cards and prepaid wallets in the country.
   • It also puts Revolut in a unique position in India, to be able to offer customers both international and domestic payment solutions on a single platform.
   • This approval builds upon the existing licences which Revolut India has successfully obtained from RBI to operate as a Category-II Authorised Money Exchange Dealer (AD II) and to be able to provide multi-currency forex cards and cross-border remittance services.
     Source: Business Standard
4. BoB World app scam cases: FinMin pushes for enhanced KYC procedure
   • What: In a bid to check incidence of BoB World app scam and other such financial frauds, the finance ministry makes a case for an enhanced KYC procedure and extensive due diligence by banks and financial institutions for onboarding merchants to safeguard customers against cyber risks.
   • Tell me more:
     • In September 2021, Bank of Baroda (BoB) launched a digital banking app, ‘bob World’, aiming to consolidate all banking services into one platform with four key pillars — Save, Invest, Borrow, and Shop.
     • This initiative mirrored the strategy of another state-owned bank, SBI, and its YONO digital platform. However, BoB’s execution faced significant challenges. Staff, under pressure to convert high numbers of existing customers to the new app, manipulated the onboarding process.
     • They improperly linked customer accounts to random mobile numbers, including those of bank staff and their relatives, to facilitate app registrations. This misconduct not only inflated the app’s usage statistics but also posed severe security risks, as outsiders could potentially access and drain these accounts.
   • Finance Ministry’s plan: Review Bank’s Business Correspondents
     • Officials stress the importance of detailed scrutiny of merchants and Business Correspondents (BCs) who provide banking services in rural and remote areas. This measure is crucial not only to prevent fraud but also to reinforce the financial ecosystem.
       Source: Business Standard

Reports and Indices

1. India Real Estate: A Decade From Now’ report released by the CII
   • What: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in collaboration with Knight Frank India, has recently published a report titled “India Real Estate: A Decade From Now.”
     • According to this report, India’s real estate sector is projected to reach a staggering value of USD 1.5 trillion by 2034.
   • Why: This demand is led by India’s growth in the next decade will depend on a growing young population, manufacturing, infrastructure and urban expansion.
   • Tell me more:
     • India’s real estate sector will be worth $1.5 trillion by 2034 as it grows three-fold from $482
       billion now as residential and commercial demand grows.
     • The sector’s share in the country’s economic output is likely to rise to 10.5 per cent in next 10 years from 7.3 per cent, it said. In 2015, the sector’s share in economic output was $279 billion.
     • The report expects that India’s gross domestic product could potentially reach $10.3 trillion by 2034.
       Source: Business Standard

Defence News

1. HAL gets Rs 65K cr MoD tender for 97 more Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets
   • What: Ministry of Defence (MoD) issues a request for proposal (RfP) to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for 97 Tejas Mark 1A fighter aircraft, potentially the largest-ever indigenous military equipment purchase by the government.
   • Why: The MoD aims to enhance the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capabilities by acquiring additional Tejas fighter jets to replace aging MiG-21 and MiG-27 aircraft and counter the development of the JF-17 Thunder by China and Pakistan.
   • Tell me more:
     • The new order will increase the number of indigenous Tejas fighters to 11 squadrons, with more than 65% indigenous content in the Tejas Mark 1A jets.
     • Designed by DRDO and primarily built by HAL, the Tejas is a multi-role fighter capable of air defense, maritime reconnaissance, and strike missions.
       Source: Business Standard

Science and Tech

1. IISc researchers design novel hydrogel to remove microplastics from water
   • What: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have designed a sustainable hydrogel to remove microplastics from water.
   • According to IISc, microplastics pose a great threat to human health as these tiny plastic debris can enter our bodies through the water we drink and increase the risk of illnesses.
     Source: The Hindu

2. Volcanic Vortex Rings (VVR) observed from the Mount Etna
   • What: Volcanic Vortex Rings (VVR), also known as smoke rings, have been captivating observers as they emerge from Mount Etna, one of the most active and iconic volcanoes in the world.
   • VVR, also known as volcanic smoke rings, are generated when gas, predominantly water vapor, is released rapidly through a circular vent in the volcanic crater.
   • Mt Etna is the world’s most active volcano, located on the east coast of Sicily (Italy).
     Source: Indian Express
3. NASA’s PACE data on ocean, atmosphere, climate now available
   • What: NASA is now publicly distributing science-quality data from its newest Earth-observing satellite, providing first-of-their-kind measurements of ocean health, air quality, and the effects of a changing climate.
   • Plankton, Aerosol, Climate, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) Satellite data will allow researchers to study microscopic life in the ocean and particles in the air, advancing the understanding of issues including fisheries health, harmful algal blooms, air pollution, and wildfire smoke. With PACE, scientists also can investigate how the ocean and atmosphere interact with each other and are affected by a changing climate.
     Source: Physics. Org

Sports

1. Mary Kom resigns as Paris Olympics chef-de-mission
   • What: Mary Kom, six-time world champion boxer, resigns as India’s chef-de-mission for Paris Olympics
   • Why: She has resigned due to her personal reasons.
   • Tell me more:
     • Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had appointed Mary Kom on March 21, and she was to oversee logistical aspects for India’s contingent at the Paris Olympics.
     • Mary Kom, a bronze medalist from the 2012 London Olympics, was expected to manage the country’s athletes in the Paris Olympics, 2024.
       Source: News 18

Miscellaneous

1. Incidents of Doxxing are increasing over internet
   • What: The term “doxxing” is derived from phrase “dropping dox (documents).
   • It refers to collection of a user’s private information, across multiple platforms (including social media) by an unauthorized individual and then publishing the information in an attempt to shame or embarrass user.
   • Conducted by researching public databases, hacking, or through social engineering.
   • Prevention: Adjust social media settings, use strong passwords, report through National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, etc.
     Source: The Hindu
2. Govt issues alert on common painkiller drug Nimesulide
   • What: Recently, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has issued a drug safety alert over the use of the anti-inflammatory drug Nimesulide.
     Source: Indian Express

3. Whooping cough
   • What: Number of cases of whooping cough have been rising in China.
   • About Whooping Cough
     • It is highly contagious respiratory tract infection.
       Caused by: Bordetella pertussis bacteria. The bacteria attaches to cilia (tiny, hair-like extensions), part of upper respiratory system.
     • It is only found in humans.
     • Spread easily from person to person through the air.
     • Symptoms: Runny nose, Nasal congestion Red watery eyes, Fever etc.
     • In India, Mission Indradhanush provides immunization protection against Whooping Cough
       Source: Hindustan Times
4. Mali has banned the media from reporting on activities of political parties and associations.
   • What: Mali has experienced two coups since 2020, leading to a wave of political instability that has swept across West and Central Africa in recent years. Along with its political troubles, the country is also in the grip of a worsening insurgency by militants linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.
   • Political Boundaries
     • Landlocked country of western Africa.
     • Mainly lies in Sahel region.
       • Sahel is a transitional zone between the arid Sahara (desert) to the north and the belt of humid savannas to the south.
       • Bounded by Algeria (north), Niger and Burkina Faso (east), Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea (south), and Senegal and Mauritania (west).
       • Geographical features
         • Major River: Niger and Sénégal.
         • Highest point: Hombori Tondo
           Source: The Hindu

   
   
   
   

Start Quiz of 15th April 2024 on Mobile

Start Quiz of 15th April 2024 on Desktop