26th-27th January, 2024

1. NITI Aayog, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have jointly launched the ‘Investment Forum for Advancing Climate Resilient Agrifood Systems in India’ in New Delhi.
2. Union Minister, Shri Pralhad Joshi has inaugurated the second State Mining Ministers’ Conference in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
3. Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs, V.Muraleedharan has represented India and addressed at the Plenary session of the Group of 77 +China (G-77+China) 3rd South Summit, held in Kampala, Uganda.
4. Gujarat Chief Minister has launched “Smritivan, An Unparalleled Apotheosis Of Commemoration To 2001 Victims Of Gujarat Earthquake” Coffee-Table Book.
5. Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. has launched Smart Wealth Annuity Guaranteed Pension Plan (SWAG Pension Plan).
6. Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has released a circular summarizing the framework for offer for sale (OFS) of shares to employees through stock exchanges such as BSE and NSE.
7. General Insurance Council, in consultation with all general and health insurance companies has launched the ‘Cashless Everywhere’ initiative.
8. Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the merger of Fincare Small Finance Bank Limited (Fincare) and AU Small Finance Bank Limited (AU).
9. Indian Air Force (IAF) has conducted Exercise Desert Knight along with French Air and Space Force (FASF) and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force.
10. Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth ₹1,070 crore with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders for the acquisition of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) to boost the capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
11. Indian Army has opened the ‘India Selfie Point‘ near the Line of Control in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
12. 25 January– 14th National Voters Day
13. January 25– National Tourism Day

National News

1. NITI Aayog, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have jointly launched the ‘Investment Forum for Advancing Climate Resilient Agrifood Systems in India’ in New Delhi.
   • Objective-
     • To create a plan to strengthen climate-resilient agrifood systems in India through collaboration between the government, private sector, farmers’ organizations, and financial institutions.
   • Key point-
     • Forum will facilitate the identification of national priorities and policy platforms for financing climate resilient agrifood systems.
     • Forum has facilitated discussions and deliberations on six key areas namely-
       • (i) Climate resilient agriculture (experiences and pathways)
       • (ii) Digital infrastructure and solutions
       • (iii) Financing climate resilient agrifood systems (domestic and global)
       • (iv) Climate resilient value chains
       • (v) Production practices and inputs for climate resilience and
       • (vi) Gender mainstreaming and social inclusion for climate resilience.

2. Union Minister, Shri Pralhad Joshi has inaugurated the second State Mining Ministers’ Conference in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
   • Key points-
     • Conference focuses to promote sustainable mining in the country.
     • An exhibition “Beyond Mining” has been organized on the sidelines of the Conference.
     • A new online platform called the Average Sale Price (ASP) module has been launched.
     • ASP automatically retrieves real-time data from submitted returns on ibmreturns.gov.in.
     • A New template for Star Rating of Mines, an online platform based on the industry feedback and the experience of previous years has been launched.
       Source: PIB
3. Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs, V.Muraleedharan has represented India and addressed at the Plenary session of the Group of 77 +China (G-77+China) 3rd South Summit, held in Kampala, Uganda.
   • Key points-
     • Theme of Summit- Leaving No One Behind
     • Objective-
       • To improve South-South cooperation including in the areas of trade, investment, sustainable development, climate change, poverty eradication, and digital economy.
         Source: ANI

State News

1. Gujarat Chief Minister has launched “Smritivan, An Unparalleled Apotheosis Of Commemoration To 2001 Victims Of Gujarat Earthquake” Coffee-Table Book.
   • Key points-
     • Published by- Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA)
     • Book narrates the tale of the transformation of Bhujia Dungar and Gujarat’s developmental trajectory after the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake
     • Smritivan was created to honour the earthquake victims, has now evolved into the world’s largest Miyawaki Forest, with a plantation of 5,50,000 trees.
       Source: cmogujarat

Banking and Economy

1. Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. has launched Smart Wealth Annuity Guaranteed Pension Plan (SWAG Pension Plan).
   • Key points-
     • It is a Non-Linked, Non-Participating Individual/Group General Annuity Savings Plan.
     • It is in line with new-age consumers’ needs for solutions tailored to their specific needs.
     • Key features of SWAG Pension Plan-
       • Increasing annuity up to 6% per annum ensuring readiness for the rising inflation
       • Early Return of Premium on attaining milestone age which varies from 70 years to 85 years

2. Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has released a circular summarizing the framework for offer for sale (OFS) of shares to employees through stock exchanges such as BSE and NSE.
   • Key provisions of circular-
     • Bidding will be allowed during trading hours on T+1 day only
     • Employees will place bids only at cut-off price of T+1 day
     • Maximum bid amount will be ₹5 lakh
     • Each employee is eligible for allotment of equity shares up to ₹2 lakh

3. General Insurance Council, in consultation with all general and health insurance companies has launched the ‘Cashless Everywhere’ initiative.
   • Key points-
     • ‘Cashless Everywhere’ initiative is a significant collaboration within the health insurance industry.
     • Policyholders can receive treatment at any hospital of their choice even if the hospital is not part of the insurance company’s network.
     • Under the cashless facility, policyholders are not required to pay for treatment out of pocket in the event of hospitalisation, subject to admissibility of the claim.
     • To use the ‘cashless everywhere’ service, customers need to inform their insurance company 48 hours before planned treatments and within 48 hours after emergency admissions.

4. Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the merger of Fincare Small Finance Bank Limited (Fincare) and AU Small Finance Bank Limited (AU).

Source: PIB

Defence News

1. Indian Air Force (IAF) has conducted Exercise Desert Knight along with French Air and Space Force (FASF) and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force.
   • Objective-
     • To improve synergy and interoperability between the three air forces.
       Source: PIB
2. ‘Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile Barge, LSAM 19 (Yard 129)’, 5th Barge of 11 x ACTCM Barge Project has been launched.
   • Built by- MSME Shipyard, M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd
     Source: PIB
3. Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth ₹1,070 crore with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders for the acquisition of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) to boost the capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
   • Objective-
     • To boost ICG’s capability and reinforces the increased focus of the government towards maritime security.
   • More about Fast Patrol Vessels-
     • ICG’s will be equipped with multipurpose drones and wirelessly controlled remote water rescue craft lifebuoy and AI capability etc.
     • ICG’s will be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL).
       Source: livemint
4. Indian Army has opened the ‘India Selfie Point‘ near the Line of Control in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
   • More about India Selfie Point-
     • The ‘India Selfie Point’ has been gifted by acclaimed artist Rouble Nagi.
     • Inaugurated by– Dagger Division of Indian Army
     • It is located along the National Highway 44 (NH 44), which is the longest national highway in India and connects Srinagar (J&K) to Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu).
       Source: ET

Important Days

1. 25 January– 14th National Voters Day; Theme- Nothing Like Voting, I Vote For sure
   • Key events on 25th January 2024-
     • President has presented the Best Electoral Practices Awards for the year 2023 to State and District level officers for their outstanding performance in the conduct of elections.
     • Short voter awareness film ‘My Vote My Duty’ produced by ECI in association with renowned filmmaker Shri Raj Kumar Hirani has been screened.
       Source: PIB
2. January 25– National Tourism Day; Theme- Sustainable Journeys, Timeless Memories
   Source: HT

Start Quiz of 26th-27th January 2024 on Mobile

Start Quiz of 26th-27th January 2024 on Desktop