26th-27th May, 2024

1. Russia and India collaborate on high-capacity nuclear power units.
2. According to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) data, India’s Market capitalization to GDP ratio, has reached a 15-year high and the ratio stands at 140.2 percent.
3. Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has commissioned its first green hydrogen plant in Madhya Pradesh, taking a significant step towards sustainable energy.
4. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) is set to replace IT major Wipro in the 30-share BSE Sensex from June 24, 2024.
5. Indian Air Force (IAF)’s C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft successfully carried out a Night Vision Goggles (NVG)-aided landing at the Kargil airstrip, in the Eastern sector (close to the Line of Control (LOC) with Pakistan).
6. An 18-year-old woman E-rickshaw driver from the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, Arti, has been conferred with the Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award by the King of the United Kingdom, Charles III.
7. India’s performance at the 77th Cannes Film Festival has been phenomenal with 2 filmmakers, an actress, and a cinematographer winning top awards at the world’s leading film festival.
8. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has recently released the list of the highest-paid Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in the United States of America (USA) for 2023.
9. World Thyroid Day is observed on May 25.
10. The first-ever United Nations (UN) World Football Day was observed globally on 25th May 2024.
11. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has launched the “Let’s Move India“, the Indian version of IOC’s ‘Let’s Move’ campaign ahead of the Paris Olympics (2024).
12. The inaugural Asian Relay Championships 2024 was hosted by Bangkok, Thailand.
13. Shahid Afridi, Pakistan cricketer has been named as a Tournament ambassador for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 which will take place in the United States of America (USA) and West Indies.
14. The former Cabinet Secretary of India, Shri Pradeep Kumar Sinha has been appointed as the Non-Executive Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank Limited.
15. French automaker Citroen has appointed former India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as their brand ambassador in India.
16. The Managing Director and CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), Mr. NP Singh has announced his resignation.
17. The Government of India has appointed Satyajit Tripathy, former Chief Managing Director (CMD) of United India Insurance (UII), as a Member (Distribution) of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

International News

1. Russia and India collaborate on high-capacity nuclear power units
   • What: Russia and India collaborate on high-capacity nuclear power units.
   • The agreement was signed during the visit of Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty (Chairman of India’s Atomic Energy Commission) to the “Proryv” or “Breakthrough” project site in Tomsk region, Russia.
     • Project Proryv seeks to create a new technological platform resolving the problems of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste generated from Nuclear plants.
       • Spent nuclear fuel is the used fuel that has been removed from a nuclear reactor after it has been used to produce electricity.
       • Although it no longer efficient for generating power, it remains highly radioactive and generates heat, requiring careful handling, storage, and disposal.
   • Tell me more:
     • Russia and India are set to expand cooperation in atomic energy, with plans to construct high-capacity nuclear power units at a new site in India (to be disclosed later).
     • Note: Presently, Russia is the only country having operational Floating Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP) known as Akademik Lomonosov.
       Source: Economic Times

Banking and Economy

1. India’s market capitalization to GDP ratio is at a 15-year high of 140%
   • What: According to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) data, India’s Market capitalization to GDP ratio, has reached a 15-year high and the ratio stands at 140.2 percent.
     • The market capitalization-to-GDP ratio compares the total value of all publicly traded stocks in the stock market to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
   • Why: This rapid growth happened because the total market value (M-Cap) of all listed companies increased by 61%, due to a rise in the share prices of these companies.
   • Tell me more:
     • This increase is significantly higher compared to 95.8% at the end of March 2023.
     • India’s M-Cap-to-GDP ratio registered growth of an all-time high of 149.4% at the end of December 2007.
       Source: Business Standard
2. GAIL Commissions Its 1st Green Hydrogen Plant in Madhya Pradesh
   • What: Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has commissioned its first green hydrogen plant in Madhya Pradesh, taking a significant step towards sustainable energy.
   • Tell me more:
     • Plant commissioned at: Vijaipur, Madhya Pradesh.
     • Overall Capacity: 10 MW green hydrogen plant
       • Daily capacity: 4.3 tonnes per day (TPD) of green hydrogen
     • The plant was in line with the National Green Hydrogen mission that has set out a goal of 5 million tons of annual green hydrogen production capacity for the country by 2030.
       Source: The Times of India

3. Adani Ports to replace Wipro in Sensex
   • What: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) is set to replace IT major Wipro in the 30-share BSE Sensex from June 24, 2024.
     • The Sensex is reconstituted biannually, in June and December of every year.
   • Tell me more:
     • This marks a significant milestone for the Adani Group, as it’s the first time one of their companies has been included in the Sensex.
     • Meanwhile, Wipro will move out of the Sensex as part of the semi-annual rebalancing exercise by the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
       Source: Indian Express

Defence News

1. IAF Conducted Night Vision Goggled-aided Landing of C-130J Aircraft in Eastern Sector
   • What: Indian Air Force (IAF)’s C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft successfully carried out a Night Vision Goggles (NVG)-aided landing at the Kargil airstrip, in the Eastern sector (close to the Line of Control (LOC) with Pakistan).

• The IAF has for the first time landed an aircraft using NVG.
• C-130J was manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
• This will enable IAF to conduct safer and more effective operations in low-light conditions. Thus, it will enhance the capability of IAF to conduct night-time operations.
  Source: Economic Times

Awards

1. Women E -Rickshaw driver, Arti conferred UK’s Women’s Empowerment Award
   • What: An 18-year-old woman E-rickshaw driver from the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, Arti, has been conferred with the Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award by the King of the United Kingdom, Charles III.
   • Why: The award is given in recognition for her role in inspiring other young girls through her involvement in the Indian government’s Pink E-rickshaw initiative.
   • Tell me more:
     • The award ceremony was held at Buckingham Palace, London, England. Arti arrived at Buckingham Palace in a Pink E-rickshaw, which she received under the Mission Shakti scheme of the Uttar Pradesh government.
     • Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award: The award is named after the famous English Barrister Amal Clooney. The award is sponsored by a British charity, Prince Trust International. The Prince Trust International was set up by King Charles when he was Prince of Wales.
       Source: Times Now

2. India at 77th Cannes Film Festival, France
   • What: India’s performance at the 77th Cannes Film Festival has been phenomenal with 2 filmmakers, an actress, and a cinematographer winning top awards at the world’s leading film festival.
   • Tell me more:
     • ‘All We Imagine as Light’, won the Grand Prix award at Cannes
       • For the first time in 30 years an Indian film, Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine as Light’, was nominated for the Palme d’Or, the highest award in the festival.
         • However, the film won the Grand Prix, the second-highest award at the Cannes Film Festival.
       • This award comes after 30 years when Shaji N Karun’s ‘Swaham’ competed for the highest honour.
       • About the film: This film, centers around the lives of two Kerala nurses living in contemporary Mumbai.
       • About Payal Kapadia: Payal Kapadia, an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), became the first Indian to receive this prestigious award.
       • The film was granted official Indo-French co-production status by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, under the signed Audio-Visual treaty between India and France.
         • The Indo-French co-production status is a collaborative effort between India and France in the field of filmmaking.
         • Specifically, it involves joint film productions where both countries contribute creatively, technically, and financially to a film project
     • “SUNFLOWERS WERE THE FIRST ONES TO KNOW” won award at Cannes
       • FTII’s student Chidananda S Naik bagged the first prize in the La Cinef section for “SUNFLOWERS WERE THE FIRST ONES TO KNOW”, a 15-minute short film based on a Kannada folklore.
         • ‘La Cinef’ is an official section of the Cannes festival aimed at encouraging new talents and recognises films from film schools across the world.
       • This film is a production of the FTII’s TV Wing’s One-year program where four students from different disciplines i.e. Direction, Electronic Cinematography, Editing, , and Sound worked together for one project as a year-end coordinated exercise
       • In past, Chidanand S Naik was also selected as one of the 75 Creative Minds at 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI), an initiative of Ministry of I&B to recognize and support budding young artists in the field of Cinema.
       • Note: An India-born Mansi Maheshwari’s (from United Kingdom) short film Bunnyhood, an animated film, bagged the third prize in the La Cinef Selection.
         • Joint Second Prize
           • OUT THE WINDOW THROUGH THE WALL: By Asya Segalovich
           • THE CHAOS SHE LEFT BEHIND: Nikos Kolioukos
       • It was also for the first time that India hosted the Bharat Parv in Cannes, an evening that celebrated India’s presence on the global stage as a content hub and an emerging creative economy.
         • In the same event, the official launch of the 55th IFFI poster was released.
           Source: PIB

3. Wall Street Journal (WSJ)’s list of the highest-paid Chief Executive Officers (CEOS)
   • What: The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has recently released the list of the highest-paid Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in the United States of America (USA) for 2023.
     • Indian origin, Nikesh Arora is one of the highest-paid CEOs in USA.
   • Here is a list of Top paid CEOs

Source: WSJ

Important Days

1. May 25: World Thyroid Day
   • What: Every year, World Thyroid Day is observed on May 25.
   • The theme for 2024: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
     Source: Hindustan Times
2. May 25: Inaugural UN World Football Day
   • What: The first-ever United Nations (UN) World Football Day was observed globally on 25th May 2024.
   • Why: To acknowledge the global reach of football and its impact across various spheres, including commerce, peace, and diplomacy.
   • Why 25th May: 25th May 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the 1924 Olympic Football Tournament held in Paris, France.
     • This was the 1st international football tournament in history with the representation of all regions
   • The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution proclaiming the 25th May of every year as World Football Day.
   • The resolution was initiated by Bahrain, Libya, and Tajikistan and was subsequently unanimously adopted by 170 nations at the UNGA.
     Source: UN

Sports

1. IOC launches ‘Let’s Move India’ campaign in India ahead of Paris Olympics
   • What: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has launched the “Let’s Move India“, the Indian version of IOC’s ‘Let’s Move’ campaign ahead of the Paris Olympics (2024).
   • Why: The initiative aims to inspire people of all ages and abilities to embrace the joy of movement (to keep improving more every day, anywhere, anyhow) and celebrate Indian athletes heading to the Olympics
   • Tell me more:
     • Partnered with: IOC has partnered with Abhinav Bindra Foundation, Reliance Foundation, and Viacom18 (In India, Viacom 18 will broadcast the Olympics on Jio Cinema).
       • Together, they will extend invitations to schools across the nation to join the movement as part of the Olympic Values Education Program (OVEP).
         • The Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) is a practical set of resources designed to inspire and allow young people to imbibe the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship
     • Tasks: Indians need to recreate their favorite Olympians’ celebrations, which in turn shall inspire the contingent that will represent their 1.4 billion compatriots at the Olympics.
     • Let’s Move campaign was launched on Olympic Day 2023 (23rd June) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
       Source: Olympics

2. Asian Relay Championships 2024: Indian men’s and women’s 4x400m team won silver medals
   • What: The inaugural Asian Relay Championships 2024 was hosted by Bangkok, Thailand.
   • Tell me more (Key highlights)
     • In Mixed Relay (Combination of 2 males and 2 females): India’s mixed 4×400 relay team has set a national record by winning a gold medal, by finishing the race in 3 minutes(m):14.12Seconds
       • Silver medal: Sri Lanka
       • Bronze medal: Vietnam
     • Men’s 4*400:
       • Gold: Sri Lanka
       • Silver: India
       • Bronze: Vietnam
     • Women’s 4×400
       • Gold: Vietnam
       • Silver: India
       • Bronze: Japan
     • Note: The Indian men’s and women’s relay teams have qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024.
       Source: The Hindu
3. Shahid Afridi Joins as Tournament Ambassador For ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
   • What: Shahid Afridi, Pakistan cricketer has been named as a Tournament ambassador for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 which will take place in the United States of America (USA) and West Indies.
   • He has joined Chris Gayle, Yuvraj Singh, and Usain Bolt in the list of ambassadors.
     Source: Sportstar

Appointment

1. RBI approves appointment of Pradeep Kumar Sinha as Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank
   • What: The former Cabinet Secretary of India, Shri Pradeep Kumar Sinha has been appointed as the Non-Executive Part-time Chairman of ICICI Bank Limited.
   • He will succeed Girish Chandra Chaturvedi who is set to retire on 30th June 2024.
     Source: Economic Times
2. Citroen appointed MS Dhoni as its brand ambassador in India
   • What: French automaker Citroen has appointed former India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as their brand ambassador in India.
     Source: Economic Times

3. Sony Pictures MD and CEO NP Singh resigns
   • What: The Managing Director and CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), Mr. NP Singh has announced his resignation.
   • However, he will continue to lead SPNI until a suitable successor is appointed.
     Source: Times Now
4. Satyajit Tripathy appointed as a whole-time member of IRDAI
   • What: The Government of India has appointed Satyajit Tripathy, former Chief Managing Director (CMD) of United India Insurance (UII), as a Member (Distribution) of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
     • IRDAI has various member positions like, Member (Non-Life), Member (Life), Member (Actuary), Member (Finance & Investments), Member (Distribution)
     • As a Member (Distribution), Mr. Tripathi will be responsible for overseeing and regulating the distribution channels within the insurance industry.
   • He will hold this position until February 2026.
   • His appointment follows the retirement of SN Rajeswari from the same position on March 4
     Source: DoFS

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

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