23rd-25th December, 2023

1. Union Minister for MSME Narayan Rane has launched three sub-schemes under the Raising & Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme.
2. Quantum Ecosystems and Technology Council of India (QETCI) and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has organized the 1st National Quantum Science and Technology Symposium (NQSTS) in New Delhi.
3. United Nations has declared 2024 as the International Year of Camelids.
4. International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has launched Project PRAYAS to facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration for Indian workers and students.
5. Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck has announced Gelephu “mindfulness” mega-city project or Special Administrative Region (SAR).
6. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed an agreement with the Indian Government to provide an official development assistance loan of Rs 22,627 crore for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project.
7. Axis Bank has tied up with American Express and launched an Axis Bank Privilege Credit Card on the American Express network.
8. Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance has introduced new insurance product ‘Term with Unit Linked Insurance Plan’ (U.L.I.P.).
9. World Bank has approved USD 300 million loan to boost urban water and sewerage system in Tamil Nadu.
10. HDFC Life and NKGSB Co-Operative Bank has entered into a corporate tie-up to facilitate purchase of life insurance product for customers of NKGSB Co-Operative Bank.
11. Ministry of Textiles has launched “Paat-Mitro” mobile application during the Jute Symposium to facilitate jute farmers.
12. Rambagh Gate and Ramparts in Punjab, India have been awarded the highest honour, ‘Award of Excellence’ in this year’s UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
13. Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru has won the World Special Prize for an Interior 2023 by UNESCO.
14. Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has announced National Sports Awards 2023.
15. National Mathematics Day
16. National Farmers Day
17. India has won 2 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals at the 25th Asian Youth Chess Championship (Classical) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
18. Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur has launched the official logo, jersey, mascot, and theme song of the 6th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
19. Indian Coast Guard and Amazon India have signed an MoU to create work opportunities for ex-service personnel.
20. Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Reliance Retail’s JioMart towards its efforts to help enhance the outreach of the products of Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
21. Sanjay Kumar Singh has been elected as the new President of Wrestling Federation of India.
22. Government has reconstituted National Startup Advisory Council by appointing 31 non-official members.
23. Bisleri, India’s mineral water brand has appointed Deepika Padukone as its first-ever global brand ambassador.
24. Sony Sports has appointed actor Kartik Aryan as brand ambassador for football.
25. Nobel award winning economist Robert M Solow has passed away.

National News

1. Union Minister for MSME Narayan Rane has launched three sub-schemes under the Raising & Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme.
   • More about the schemes–
     • MSME Green Investment and Financing for Transformation Scheme (MSME GIFT Scheme)-
       • It is launched to help MSMEs adopt green technology with interest subvention and credit guarantee support.
     • MSE Scheme for Promotion and Investment in Circular Economy (MSE SPICE Scheme)-
       • It is the first ever scheme launched by the Government to support circular economy projects by providing credit subsidy.
       • It will lead to realising the dream of MSME sector towards zero emissions by 2070.
     • MSE Scheme on Online Dispute Resolution for Delayed Payments-
       • It is a first of its kind scheme to synergise legal support with modern IT tools and Artificial Intelligence to address the incidences of delayed payments for Micro and Small Enterprises.
         Source: PIB

   
   
2. Quantum Ecosystems and Technology Council of India (QETCI) and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has organized the 1st National Quantum Science and Technology Symposium (NQSTS) in New Delhi.
   • More about Symposium–
     • Centre for Quantum Security has been launched at the event with the aim to work with multiple stakeholders in the Quantum Security Ecosystem.
     • It will create a community and provide a space for experimentation, proof of concepts, vendor-neutral papers and reports, training, and workshops.

Source: ET

International News

1. United Nations has declared 2024 as the International Year of Camelids.
   • Decision has been taken to highlight the significant importance of camelids in the lives of people across the world.
   • Why UN has declared 2024 the International Year of Camelids?
     • Camelids influence the lives of millions of households in more than 90 countries.
     • They play an important role in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) envisaged by the United Nations.
     • They are a source of milk and meat which helps people fight hunger and they also provide fibre which can be used for clothing and shelter.
       Source: HT
2. International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has launched Project PRAYAS to facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration for Indian workers and students.
   • More about Project PRAYAS–
     • It stands for Promoting Regular and Assisted Migration for Youth and Skilled Professionals (PRAYAS).
     • It intends to develop a roadmap for improved coordination between state and central government.
     • It will encourage the sharing of good practices between and improved coordination with Ministry of External Affairs.

3. Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck has announced Gelephu “mindfulness” mega-city project or Special Administrative Region (SAR).
   • Objective–
     • To create a path for trade and business connecting South Asia to Southeast Asia.
   • More about mega city project–
     • Gelephu has been provided special powers to make its own laws and policies to manage its own government and legal matters independently.
     • It focuses on businesses that are both mindful and sustainable and it draws inspiration from Buddhist spiritual heritage and showcases Bhutanese identity.
     • It involves using the northeastern states of India to facilitate this economic corridor.
       Source: The Hindu

Banking and Economy

1. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed an agreement with the Indian Government to provide an official development assistance loan of Rs 22,627 crore for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project.

2. Axis Bank has tied up with American Express and launched an Axis Bank Privilege Credit Card on the American Express network.
   • Key features of credit-card–
     • It provides attractive benefits such as activation benefit worth Rs 5000 and two complimentary domestic lounge access per calendar quarter, etc.
     • To be eligible for the card a person needs to be a resident of India with an annual net income of at least Rs 600,000.

3. Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance has introduced new insurance product ‘Term with Unit Linked Insurance Plan’ (T.U.L.I.P.).
   • Key features of T.U.L.I.P.–
     • It provides life coverage up to 100 times the annual premium.
     • It facilitates loyalty additions of up to 30% of the fund value, incorporated by the company as part of maturity benefits.
     • It provides flexibility to withdraw funds in case of a financial emergency.
     • There is accidental death benefit and critical Illness rider.

4. World Bank has approved USD 300 million loan to boost urban water and sewerage system in Tamil Nadu.
   • More about funding–
     • Funding is provided under Tamil Nadu Climate Resilient Urban Development Program to improve access to quality water and sewerage services.
     • It is focused on promoting climate-resilient cities.
     • It will target 21 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) by improving their delivery system to ensure proper water supply and drainage system.
     • Loan is provided by International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, a member of World Bank group.
     • Loan carries a maturity of 32 years with a grace period of 7 years.

5. HDFC Life and NKGSB Co-Operative Bank has entered into a corporate tie-up to facilitate purchase of life insurance product for customers of NKGSB Co-Operative Bank.
   • Objective–
     • To facilitate smooth purchase of life insurance product for customers and improve the life insurance penetration among the diverse range of customers.
     • The move is in line with the vision of ‘Insurance for all by 2047’ set by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

Source: PTI

Agriculture and Rural Development

1. Ministry of Textiles has launched “Paat-Mitro” mobile application during the Jute Symposium to facilitate jute farmers.
   • More about ‘Paat-Mitro’–
     • It is designed to provide important information about MSP and agronomy to jute farmers.
     • It is developed by Jute Corporation of India.
     • It can be freely downloaded from Google Play Store and all the functionalities are made available to the users free of cost.
     • Users can get holistic information through the app including status of their payments for the raw jute sold.
       Source: PIB

Awards

1. Rambagh Gate and Ramparts in Punjab, India have been awarded the highest honour, ‘Award of Excellence’ in this year’s UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
   • More about UNESCO Heritage Awards–
     • Award is given to total 12 projects which include 6 projects from India ,5 projects from China, and 1 project from Nepal.
   • Awards given in their respective category include–
     • 3 Projects with Award of Distinction-
       • Fanling Golf Course in Hong Kong SAR, China
       • Dongguan Garden Residences in Yangzhou, China
       • Karnikara Mandapam at Kunnamangalam Bhagawati Temple, Kerala, India
     • 5 Projects with Award of Merit-
       • Yan Nan Yuan at Peking University, Beijing, China
       • Pan Family Residence in Suzhou, China
       • Church of Epiphany in Haryana, India
       • David Sassoon Library and Reading Room in Mumbai, India
       • Bikaner House in New Delhi, India
       • 1 Award for New Design in Heritage Contexts-
       • Erlitou Site Museum of the Xia Capital in Luoyang, China
     • 3 Special Recognition for Sustainable Development-
       • Karnikara Mandapam at Kunnamangalam Bhagawati Temple, Kerala, India
       • Pipal Haveli in Punjab, India
       • Sikami Chhen in Kathmandu, Nepal

   
   

2. Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru has won the World Special Prize for an Interior 2023 by UNESCO.
   • More about award–
     • Announcement is made in UNESCO’s Prix Versailles 2023.
     • It has been recognized as the ‘World’s most beautiful airport’ and was awarded the coveted ‘World Special Prize for an Interior 2023.’
       Source: livemint
3. Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has announced National Sports Awards 2023.
   • Awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 9th January, 2024.
   • Following people will receive awards in different categories-
   • Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023-

• 26 people have received Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2023.
• Major recipients of Arjuna Award are-

• Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in Sports and Games 2023-
  A. Regular Category:

B. Lifetime Category:

• Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime achievement in Sports and Games 2023:

• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2023:

Source: PIB

Important Days

1. December 22– National Mathematics Day
   • It is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of the great Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.
     Source: livemint

   
   
2. December 23– National Farmers Day; Theme– Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience
   Source: mofa

Sports

1. India has won 2 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals at the 25th Asian Youth Chess Championship (Classical) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
   • Kiyana Parihar has won gold in under-8 girls’ category, and Harsh Suresh has won gold in under-16 open category.
     Source: TOI
2. Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur has launched the official logo, jersey, mascot, and theme song of the 6th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
   • More about 6th edition of Youth Games–
     • 6th edition of Youth Games will take place in Tamil Nadu from January 19 to January 31, 2024.
   • Mascot–
     • “Veera Mangai”, which is replica of a former Tamil queen warrior.

  Source: NIE

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Indian Coast Guard and Amazon India have signed an MoU to create work opportunities for ex-service personnel.
   • More about MoU–
     • This MoU is in line with the Amazon’s commitment towards an inclusive workplace.
     • It will provide better employment opportunity to ex-service personnels and Amazon will get the vast experience and leadership skill of veterans.
       Source: ET

2. Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Reliance Retail’s JioMart towards its efforts to help enhance the outreach of the products of Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
   • More about MoU-
     • Under MoU ministry will promote the products of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
     • SHGs will be on-boarded as sellers onto the e-commerce fold on JioMart.
     • SHGs will get to widen their market and visibility and offer their curated products to customers of JioMart across India.

   
   
   
   

Source: PIB

Appointments

1. Sanjay Kumar Singh has been elected as the new President of Wrestling Federation of India.
   Source: The Hindu
2. Government has reconstituted National Startup Advisory Council by appointing 31 non-official members.
   • Function of council–
     • Council advises the government on measures needed to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups in the country.
       Source: ET

   
   
3. Bisleri, India’s mineral water brand has appointed Deepika Padukone as its first-ever global brand ambassador.
   Source: ET
4. Sony Sports has appointed actor Kartik Aryan as brand ambassador for football.
   Source: ET

Miscellaneous

1. Nobel award winning economist Robert M Solow has passed away.
   • He won Nobel in economic science in 1987 for his theory that advances in technology, rather than increases in capital and labour, have been the primary drivers of economic growth in the United States.
     Source: NYT

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