December 2023 Bolt

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December 2023
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Table of Contents
Banking & Finance.................................................................................................................. 3
Economy ............................................................................................................................... 15
National ................................................................................................................................ 24
International ........................................................................................................................ 36
Sports ................................................................................................................................... 41
Agreements & MoUs ............................................................................................................ 48
Schemes ............................................................................................................................... 59
Appointments & Resignations ............................................................................................. 66
Awards ................................................................................................................................. 70
Ranks & Reports ................................................................................................................... 79
Important Days .................................................................................................................... 89
Summit & Conferences......................................................................................................... 94
Science & Technology........................................................................................................... 97
Defence .............................................................................................................................. 102
Books & Authors ................................................................................................................ 107
Miscellaneous .................................................................................................................... 108
Obituary ............................................................................................................................. 109
Person in news ................................................................................................................... 111
Insurance ............................................................................................................................ 113
India & World ..................................................................................................................... 115
Environment....................................................................................................................... 120
Apps & Portals.................................................................................................................... 120
Acquisitions & Mergers ...................................................................................................... 121
Agri-Business ...................................................................................................................... 124
External Affairs ................................................................................................................... 125
FinTech ............................................................................................................................... 126
States/UTs .......................................................................................................................... 127
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Banking & Finance
1. RBI Fines Bank Of America, N.A., HDFC Bank share capital or voting rights of Karur
Vysya Bank Ltd (KVB).
• RBI has imposed a penalty of Rs 10,000 • If SBI MF fails to acquire major
each on Bank of America, N.A. and shareholding within a period of one year
HDFC Bank Ltd for violation of certain from the date of RBI's letter, this
norms. approval shall stand cancelled.
• The penalty on Bank of America, N.A. • Besides, SBI MF must ensure that the
has been imposed for violation of aggregate holding in the bank does not
Reserve Bank of India's instructions on not exceed 9.99% at all times.
reporting requirements under • Further, if the aggregate holding falls
Liberalised Remittance Scheme of FEMA below 5%, prior approval of RBI will be
1999. required to increase it to 5% or more of
• Brian Thomas Moynihan, current the paid-up share capital or voting
chairman and CEO of Bank of America. rights of KVB.
• The penalty on HDFC Bank is for • KVB, meanwhile, announced the opening
violation of directions on acceptance of of four branches, of which three are in
deposits from non-residents. Tamil Nadu and one in Bengaluru. With
• Besides, penalties have been imposed on this, the total number of branches has
five cooperative banks for non- increased to 831.
compliance with various regulatory
norms. 3. Bank lending to pvt corporate rises 14.9 pc
• The cooperative banks which have been in Sep: RBI data
penalised are The Patliputra Central
Cooperative Bank, Bihar; The Balasore • Bank lending to the private corporate
Bhadrak Central Co-operative Bank, sector grew 14.9 per cent in September
Odisha; The Dhrangadhra People's Co- 2023 from 14.7 per cent a year ago,
operative Bank, Gujarat; Patan Nagarik according to the Reserve Bank data.
Sahakari Bank Ltd., Patan, Gujarat; and • Another set of banking data released by
The Mandal Nagarik Sahakari Bank, the central bank showed the share of
Gujarat. term deposits bearing a 6 to 8 per cent
• In all cases, the RBI said the penalties are interest rate rose to 78.6 per cent in
based on the deficiencies in regulatory September 2023 against 12.5 per cent in
compliance and is not intended to March 2022.
pronounce upon the validity of any • According to data on outstanding credit
transaction or agreement entered into of banks at September-end 2023, loans
by entities with their customers. to industry accounted for nearly one-
fourth of total bank credit; they
2. SBI MF gets RBI nod to buy 9.99% stake in increased by 8.6 per cent (year-on-year)
Karur Vysya Bank in September 2023 (against 12.3 per
cent a year ago); working capital loans
• The Reserve Bank has given its approval growth has remained in double digits for
to SBI Mutual Fund (SBI MF) for the last six quarters.
acquiring up to 9.99% of the paid-up
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4. RBI says 97.26% of Rs 2000 notes back in • In a tactical move that could encourage
the system the European Securities and Markets
Authority (ESMA) to restore recognition
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on to at least one of the Indian central
December 1 said 97.26 percent of the counterparties (CCPs), the Reserve Bank
Rs2000 banknotes in circulation as on of India (RBI) and the Bank of England
May 19, 2023, has been returned to the (BoE) signed a Memorandum of
banking system. Understanding (MoU) for cooperation
• The total value of Rs2000 banknotes in and exchange of information in relation
circulation, which amounted to Rs3.56 to the Clearing Corporation.
lakh crore as at the close of business on • The MoU establishes a framework for
May 19, 2023 when the withdrawal of the BoE to place reliance on the RBI’s
Rs2000 banknotes was announced, has regulatory and supervisory activities
declined to Rs9,760 crore as at the close while safeguarding UK financial stability.
of business on November 30, 2023, the
RBI said in a statement. 7. RBI imposes monetary penalty on four co-
• The RBI had announced the withdrawal operative banks
of Rs2000 denomination banknotes
from circulation on May 19, 2023 as • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has
part of the central bank's clean note imposed monetary penalties on four co-
policy. operative banks for deficiencies in
• The facility for deposit and exchange of regulatory compliance.
the Rs 2000 banknotes was available at • These co-operative banks are: Jijamata
all bank branches in the country initially Mahila Sahakari Bank Ltd, Shri
upto September 30, 2023, which was Laxmikrupa Urban Co-operative Bank
later extended upto October 07, 2023 Ltd, The Konark Urban Cooperative
Bank Ltd and The Chembur Nagarik
5. TSI bags '200 cr via credit fund Sahakari Bank Ltd.
• These penalties have been imposed in
• Piramal Alternatives and CDPQ-backed the exercise of powers conferred on RBI
performing credit fund have agreed to under certain provisions of the Banking
extend a '200 crore sum to ATM Regulation Act, 1949, the banking
(automated teller machines) operator regulator said.
Transaction Solutions International
(India) Pvt Ltd (TSI) in a structured credit 8. RBI cancels licence of Kolhapur-based
transaction. Shankarrao Pujari Nutan Nagari Sahakari Bank
• The capital, raised against convertible
securities, will help with TSI's business • Shankarrao Pujari Nutan Nagari
expansion initiatives and accelerate its Sahakari Bank Limited, Ichalkaranji,
ATM deployment. Kolhapur is prohibited from conducting
the business of 'banking' which
6. RBI, Bank of England sign MoU on co- includes, among other things,
operation and information exchange related acceptance of deposits and repayment
to CCIL of deposits as defined in Section 5(b)
read with Section 56 of the Banking
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Regulation Act, 1949 with immediate • This will also enhance its ability to offer
effect, the Reserve Bank of India said. customer-centric banking services and
• The RBI said the Shankarrao Pujari Nutan manage risk.
Nagari Sahakari Bank does not have • Manimekhalai, Managing Director &
adequate capital and earning prospects. CEO, Union Bank of India
• As such, it does not comply with the • Using predictive analytics, machine
provisions of Section 11(1) and Section learning and artificial intelligence, this
22 (3) (d) read with Section 56 of the platform will leverage structured and
Banking Regulation Act, 1949. unstructured data from within the bank
• On liquidation, the Reserve Bank said as well as from external sources to
that every depositor would be entitled generate business-relevant insights.
to receive deposit insurance claim • The program will enable the bank to
amount of his/her deposits up to a develop robust data visualization and
monetary ceiling of '5,00,000 from reporting capabilities including
Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee interactive dashboards and reports for
Corporation (DICGC) subject to the business, operational and regulatory
provisions of DICGC Act, 1961. purposes.
• As per the data submitted by the bank, • Employees will have access to business
99.85% of the depositors are entitled to intelligence that can enhance customer
receive the full amount of their deposits service and operational agility across the
from DICGC. bank’s branches, contact centers and
digital channels.
9. SBI to acquire 20 per cent stake in SBI • As a result, the bank will be able to make
Pension Funds for '230 crore informed decisions and identify new
data-led opportunities for value
• The Executive Committee of the Central creation.
Board (ECCB) of State Bank of India (SBI) • These will have an impact across its
has accorded final approval to the Bank business portfolio including corporate,
for acquiring 20 per cent stake held by retail, and micro, small and medium
SBICAPS (SBI Capital Markets Ltd) in enterprises (MSMEs) banking, and as
SBIPFPL (SBI Pension Funds Private Ltd). well as across functions like risk
• The acquisition, which will be completed management, treasury, customer service
by December 15, 2023, is for a cash and operations, among others.
consideration of '229.52 crore.
11. CARE upgrades rating of IDBI Bank's Tier-II
10. Union Bank collaborates with Accenture to bonds
boost operational efficiency
• CARE Ratings has upgraded the rating of
• Union Bank of India said it will be IDBI Bank's Basel III Compliant Tier II
collaborating with Accenture to design Bonds aggregating '2,000 crore from
and develop a scalable and secure 'A+' to 'AA-' and revised the outlook
enterprise data lake platform to boost from 'positive' to 'stable'.
its operational efficiency. • The credit rating agency also reaffirmed
the 'Al+' rating for the bank's Certificate
of Deposits aggregating '10,000 crore.
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• The revision in the rating assigned to the • The Reserve Bank of India has
long-term debt instruments of IDBI Bank exempted the requirement of
factors in the continued improvement in Additional Factor of Authentication
the bank’s financial risk profile, with (AFA) for transactions up to '1 lakh for
improvement in profitability and asset certain categories of payments. These
quality parameters with comfortable include subscriptions to mutual funds,
capitalisation levels over the past two payment of insurance premiums, and
years ended September 30, 2023, the payments of credit card bills.
agency said.
• The rating continues to factor in the 13. RBI Imposes Fines On 4 Banks, Revokes
bank’s franchise with an increasing focus Urban Cooperative Bank's Operating License
on retail lending in the past few years
and relatively high current account • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has
savings account (CASA) deposit imposed fines on four banks and
proportion. revoked the license of Urban
Cooperative Bank Limited for not abiding
12. RBI MPC Meeting : RBI enhances UPI by its rules.
transaction limit for hospitals, educational • This bank operates in Sitapur, Uttar
institutions to '5 lakh Pradesh. The RBI has affirmed that this
cooperative bank has insufficient funds
• RBI Monetary Policy Committee has for operations, and there is no prospect
kept the key policy repo rate unchanged of future earnings. Therefore, the bank is
at 6.5% by a unanimous decision. being shut down.
• This is the fifth meeting on the trot that • The RBI has imposed fines on four
the MPC decided to maintain the status cooperative banks, including Patan
quo on the repo rate. Cooperative Bank, District Central Bank,
• RBI raised the GDP growth projection Rajarshi Shahu Cooperative Bank, and
for FY24 to 7% from 6.5% earlier on Primary Teachers’ Cooperative Bank.
buoyant domestic demand and higher • Among these, three banks each face a
capacity utilisation in the fine of Rs 1 lakh, and another bank has
manufacturing sector. been fined Rs 10,000. The penalties have
• The Indian economy rose by 7.2% in the been imposed by the severity of the
2022-23 fiscal ended March 2023.CPI malpractices followed in these banks.
inflation projected at 5.4% for FY24
with Q3 at 5.6% and Q4 at 5.2%. 14. BoI launches exclusive savings bank
• The retail inflation projected at 5.2% for product for women
Q1 FY25, 4% in Q2, 4.7% in Q3.
• RBI allows reversal of liquidity facilities • Bank of India (BoI) has launched an
under SDF and MSF even on weekends exclusive savings bank product for
and holidays. women (Nari Shakti Savings Account)
with an independent source of income.
• UPI limit has been increased to
hospitals and educational institutions • The savings account, has features such
from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh per as personal accident insurance cover of
transaction. up to '1 crore, discounted health
insurance and wellness products,
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rebates on locker facilities for gold and of pensions through e-PPOs on behalf of
diamond SB AC holders. the Ministry of Railways.
• Indian Railways is the largest employer
15. Poonawalla Housing Finance rebrands as in the country with an employee
Grihum Housing Finance post TPG takeover strength of nearly 12 lakhs.
• Chandra Shekhar Ghosh- MD & CEO of
• Following a change in ownership, Bandhan Bank
Poonawalla Housing Finance has been • The Bank will soon be integrating with
rebranded as Grihum Housing Finance the Ministry of Railways to
with global private equity firm TPG now operationalise the pension disbursement
holding 99.02 per cent stake in the process.
housing finance company. Before being
• This authorisation enables Bandhan Bank
promoted by Poonawalla Fincorp, the
to disburse pensions to all employees of
housing financier was a part of the
the Ministry of Railways who have
Magma Group.
retired from their service.
• The Housing Finance corporattion has • This mandate also provides the Bank an
recorded a CAGR of around 28 per cent
access to around 50,000 average Indian
in the last six years and has a network of
Railways retirees every year across all
195 branches at present.
offices including 17 zonal railways and 8
16. SBI to sign 70 million euro LoC with KfW production units of Indian Railways.
for solar projects
18. Housing finance firm Sitara secures '120
crore of debt from British International
• The State Bank of India (SBI) signed 70
Investment
million euro (about Rs 630 crore) Line of
Credit (LoC) with German Development • Affordable housing finance firm Sitara
Bank KfW for promoting solar project in
has secured '120 crore in debt finance
the country.
from UK's development finance
• The agreement signed at the bank's IFSC institution British International
Gift City Branch in Ahmedabad. The LoC Investment (BII).
is aimed at supporting Solar
• The firm will utilise the funds to grow its
Photovoltaics (PV) projects in India.
loan book and expand operations to new
• The country's largest lender SBI reported locations.
a 9.13 per cent growth in consolidated
• Founded in 2015, Sitara is a housing
net profit for the September quarter to
finance company registered with the
Rs 16,099.58 crore as against Rs 14,752
National Housing Bank and regulated by
crore in the year-ago period.
the RBI.
17. RBI authorises Bandhan Bank to disburse
19. RBI imposes monetary penalty on 5
pensions to railway employees
cooperative banks
• Bandhan Bank has announced that it The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on December
has been authorised by the Reserve 14 said it has imposed a monetary penalty on
Bank of India (RBI) for the disbursement five cooperative banks citing various rule
violations. These cooperative banks are
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Mumbai-based Janakalyan Sahakari Bank, Pune credit cards and customized diamond
Merchants Co-operative Bank, Pune Municipal industry employee salary account.
Corporation Servant's Co-operative Urban
Bank, Indapur Urban Co-operative Bank and 21. RBI directs banks to refrain from investing
Patan Urban Co-operative Bank. in any scheme offered by Alternative
Investment Funds
• RBI has imposed a monetary penalty of
Rs 5 lakh on Janakalyan Sahakari Bank • The Reserve Bank of India has directed
for non-compliance, Rs 1 lakh on Pune all Commercial Banks, Co-operative
Merchants Co-operative Bank, Rs 5 lakh Banks, Non-Banking Financial
on Indapur Urban Cooperative Bank Companies including Housing Finance
Bank, Rs 2 lakh on the Patan Urban Co- Companies and Financial Institutions to
operative Bank and Rs 5 lakh on Indapur refrain from investing in any scheme
Urban Cooperative Bank Bank. offered by Alternative Investment
Funds (AIFs), which has downstream
20. IndusInd Bank launches industry-first investments either directly or indirectly
community banking program for Diamond in the bank's debtor company.
Cohorts with 'Indus Solitaire Program' • RBI has stated that the debtor company
means any company that has taken a
• IndusInd Bank announced the launch of loan from the bank anytime during the
its 'Indus Solitaire Program,' a preceding twelve months.
community banking initiative • RBI has further directed banks to
meticulously crafted for the diamond liquidate their investment from such
industry. AIFs within thirty days
• This curated banking program will be
offered through Bank's flagship branches 22. MSME lender U Gro Capital raises '250
in prime locations across various cities crore from Dutch development bank
with concentration in Mumbai and Surat
and will provide a range of exclusive • DataTech NBFC U GRO Capital has
benefits . raised '250 crore from the Dutch
• Through the ‘Indus Solitaire Program’, Entrepreneurial Development Bank
IndusInd Bank is all set to offer a whole FMO through rupee-denominated non-
gamut of tailored banking services for convertible debentures (NCDs).
the Diamond Industry, that includes • The MSME-lending-focused NBFC has
24*7 locker access at specific branches, provided credit to more than 80,000
add-on family accounts, debit and credit small businesses.
cards that come with membership • Prior to this, it had raised '240 crore
benefits at top-tier hotels, concierge from Denmark's Investment Fund for
services, complimentary golf lessons and Developing Countries (IFU) in May 2023.
movie tickets, zero cross-currency mark-
up fee on foreign exchange, 23. Karur Vysya Bank, HDFC Life enter into
complimentary lounge access, along with corporate agency tie-up
an appealing rewards structure and
overseas hospitalization coverage on • Private sector Karur Vysya Bank and
HDFC Life have entered into a corporate
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agency agreement to offer life • SEBI introduced the T+3 settlement

insurance products to their respective cycle in 2002, the T+2 settlement cycle
customers. was introduced in 2003 and the current
• This corporate agency arrangement T+1 settlement cycle was introduced in
would enable customers of Karur Vysya 2021 and was fully implemented by
Bank to avail HDFC Life's wide range of January 2023.
life insurance products which include • Under the T+1 settlement cycle, if an
solutions for protection, savings and investor buys shares on Monday, he/she
investment and retirement. will receive them in their demat account
on Tuesday.
24. After a year of waiting, RBI grants at least • Similarly, if the shares are sold on
six payment aggregator licences Monday, they will receive the money in
their bank account on Tuesday.
• After over a year of waiting, the Reserve • SEBI has proposed the implementation
Bank of India (RBI) granted its final of T+1 and the instant settlement cycle
approval for at least six payment in two phases.
aggregator licences, thus lifting the ban
• In the first phase, an optional T+0
on entities such as RazorPay and
settlement cycle would be introduced
Cashfree Payments for acquiring new
for trading till 1:30 pm. The settling of
merchants.
those trades under the T+1 cycle could
• The final nod for the payment be settled on the same day by 4:30 PM.
aggregator licence has come for
• Under the second phase of
Razorpay, Cashfree Payments, Open
implementation, optional immediate or
Financial, EnKash, Google Pay, payment
instant trade-by-trade settlement of
India trades could be done till 3:30 pm. After
25. Sebi proposes optional T+0, instantaneous the implementation of the second
phase, the first phase (T+0 settlement)
settlement for equity cash segment
will be discontinued.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of • SEBI has proposed to begin the
India (Sebi) is contemplating the implementation of the T+0 settlement
implementation of a same-day cycle with the top 500 listed companies
settlement cycle, known as T+0, in two as per market capitalisation. This is
phases. proposed to be done in three phases of
• This is seen as a preliminary step 200, 200, and 100 companies.
towards instantaneous settlement. • As per SEBI, T+0 and the instant
• The shorter T+0 settlement cycle is being settlement cycle will bring advantages
considered for the equity cash segment like instant receipt of funds and
as an optional mechanism, in addition to securities to the investor. Also, it will
the current T+1 (Trade plus one day). eliminate the risk of any kind of
• As per the SEBI consultation paper, the settlement shortage and give greater
implementation of T+0 and the instant control over funds and securities to the
settlement cycle of trades will be done investor.
as an option along with the current T+1
settlement cycle continuing.
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26. RBI issues draft omnibus SRO framework variable rate repo (VRR) auction,
for banks, NBFCs scheduled on December 22, to '1.75-
lakh crore against '1-lakh crore offered
• RBI issued a draft omnibus framework last week to help banks overcome
for self-regulatory organisations (SROs) liquidity deficit.
for banks, NBFCs and other entities • In the overnight segment, the weighted
regulated by it. average rate continues to be slightly
• In order to be eligible to apply for an above 6.75 per cent (the marginal
SRO license, the applicant shall set up a standing facility/MSF rate).
not-for-profit company with adequate • Hence, huge bidding interest can be
net worth and the ability to create expected in the forthcoming VRR
infrastructure to discharge various auction.
responsibilities on a continuing basis. • In his latest monetary policy statement,
• In order to be eligible to apply for an RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das observed
SRO license, the applicant shall set up a that system liquidity, as measured by the
not-for-profit company with adequate net position under the liquidity
net worth and the ability to create adjustment facility (LAF), turned into
infrastructure to discharge various deficit mode for the first time in
responsibilities on a continuing basis. September 2023 after a gap of nearly
• The applicant must also represent the four and a half years since May 2019.
sector and have the specified
membership, or should at least submit 29. IndusInd Bank Launches 'eSvarna', India's
the road map for attaining specified First Corporate Credit Card On RuPay Network
membership within a reasonable
timeline. • IndusInd Bank announced the launch of
'IndusInd Bank eSvarna', India's first
27. Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance launch Corporate Credit Card on RuPay
TULIP, combination of term, ULIP network.
• This launch positions IndusInd Bank as
• Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance launched the first in the country to integrate UPI
a new product, T.U.L.I.P, a term with a functionality with a Corporate Credit
unit-linked insurance plan. Card.
• The product is a plan that gives a life • The IndusInd Bank eSvarna credit card
cover up to 100 times the annual on the RuPay network comes with an
premium while permitting customers to array of exclusive perks and rewards.
earn returns like a ULIP product.
• Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance MD: 30. Ola Electric files IPO papers with Sebi; first
Mahesh Balasubramanian. by auto company in 20 years
28. RBI to offer higher amount to banks at • Ola Electric filed preliminary papers
VRR auction on Dec 22 with capital markets regulator Sebi to
raise funds through an initial public
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has offering (IPO)-- the 1st issue by an
stepped up the amount it is willing to automaker in India in more than 20
offer the banking system in the 7-day years.
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• The proposed IPO is a fresh issue of merge with IDFC and then IDFC into IDFC
equity shares up to Rs 5,500 crore and First Bank Ltd.
an offer for sale (OFS) of 95,191,195 • IDFC began as an infra lender in 1997. It
equity shares, according to the draft red got in-principle approval from the RBI
herring prospectus (DRHP). to set up a bank in April 2014, and
in October 2015, it launched IDFC Bank
31. RBI Releases Draft Licensing Framework when on-tap licensing began, following
for Authorised Persons Under FEMA which loans and liabilities of IDFC were
transferred to the bank.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released • In December 2018, it took over Capital
a draft 'Licensing Framework for First, a consumer and MSME-focused
Authorised Persons (APs)' under Foreign non-bank since 2012, and was renamed
Exchange Management Act (FEMA), as IDFC First Bank and became a full-
1999. service universal bank.
• The RBI had, in its June monetary policy
meeting, said that the Central Bank 33. RBI permits lending, borrowing in
decided to rationalise and simplify the government securities except T-bills
licensing framework for APs to
effectively meet the emerging • In a move that will add depth and
requirements of the rapidly growing liquidity to the government securities
economy. (G-Secs) market, the RBI has permitted
• According to RBI release, the focus of the permit lending and borrowing of G-Secs.
draft norms is on rationalising the • The RBI said G-Secs issued by the Central
authorisation framework for money government excluding Treasury Bills will
changers in view of the widespread be eligible for lending/borrowing under
availability of banking services to public, a Government Security Lending
to look at alternate models for (GSL) transaction.
facilitating foreign exchange related • This move comes even as India is set to
services and improve the scope of be included in the globally tracked JP
services being offered by AD-Category II Morgan’s Government Bond Index-
entities. Emerging Markets (GBI-EM) index,
• It added that it will also review the starting June 28, 2024.
regulatory framework for APs. • Securities obtained under a repo
transaction, including through Reserve
32. Reserve Bank of India approves IDFC-IDFC Bank’s Liquidity Adjustment Facility, or
First Bank merger borrowed under another GSL transaction
will also be eligible to be lent under a
• Reserve Bank of India has given its nod GSL transaction.
for the reverse merger of IDFC Ltd with • Further, G-Secs issued by the Central
its banking subsidiary IDFC First Bank. Government (including Treasury Bills)
• The boards of IDFC First Bank and IDFC and the State Governments will be
have approved the reverse merger in eligible for placing as collateral under a
July. GSL transaction.
• As part of the composite scheme of • In addition, Securities obtained under a
amalgamation, IDFC FHCL would first repo transaction, including through
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Reserve Bank’s Liquidity Adjustment • Public sector lender Central Bank of

Facility, or borrowed under another GSL India entered into a strategic co-lending
transaction will also be eligible to be partnership with Kisetsu Saison Finance,
placed as collateral under a GSL India for MSME Loans.
transaction. • Bengaluru-based M/s. Kisetsu Saison
• GSL transactions may be contracted Finance is an NBFC with AUM (Assets
using any mutually agreed trading under management) of the Company as
process/platform, including but not of September 30, 2023, was more than
limited to, bilateral or multilateral, quote Rs. 8200 crore. Mr. Matam Venkata Rao,
driven or order driven process, Managing Director & CEO of Central
anonymous or otherwise, RBI said in its Bank of India.
“Reserve Bank of India (Government • Co-lending or co-origination is a set-up
Securities Lending) Directions, 2023”. where banks and non-banks enter into
an arrangement for the joint
34. SEBI Extends Deadline To June 2024 To contribution of credit for priority sector
Add Nominees In Mutual Funds, Demat lending.
Accounts • To put it simply, under this arrangement,
both banks and NBFCs share the risk in a
• Markets regulator Securities and ratio of 80:20 (80 percent of the loan
Exchange Board of India extended the with the bank and a minimum of 20
deadline to June 30 next year for demat percent with the non-banks).
& mutual fund account holders to
provide a nomination. 36. RBI tweaks D-SIB designation
• Earlier, the deadline to nominate a methodology, inserts digital payments aspect
beneficiary or opt out of it by submitting
a declaration form was Dec. 31, 2023. • The Reserve Bank of India has revised
• Madhabi Puri Buch is the current the methodology for designating a bank
chairperson of the Securities and as a Domestic Systemically Important
Exchange Board of India. Bank (D-SIB) by incorporating digital
• Further, SEBI asked asset management payments, value as well as volumes,
companies (AMCs), depository under the substitutability indicator in
participants and Registrar and Transfer the assessment.
Agents (RTAs) to encourage the demat • The data requirement under this sub-
account holders and mutual fund unit indicator stands revised from 'Payments
holders to fulfil the requirement for made in INR using RTGS and NEFT
nomination/opting out of nomination by systems' to the total value of Digital
sending a communication on fortnightly Payments made in Rupees (75 per cent
basis by way of emails and SMS to all weightage) and total volume of Digital
such unit holders who are not in Payments made in Rupees (25 per cent
compliance with the requirement of weightage). The digital payments
nomination. include all payments other than paper-
based instruments, the RBI said in a
35. Central Bank of India enters in co-lending statement
partnership with Kisetsu Saison Finance for • The Reserve Bank of India on 28th
MSME loans December released the latest list of
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domestic Systemically important banks. • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has
ICICI Bank continued to be in the same extended the Payments Infrastructure
bucketing structure as last year whereas Development Fund (PIDF) scheme till
State Bank of India and HDFC Bank December 31, 2025.
moved to higher buckets. • The scheme was first launched in 2021
• SBI shifted from bucket 3 to bucket 4 for three years.
and HDFC Bank shifted from bucket 1 to • All eligible installations since the
bucket 2. inception of the PM Vishwakarma
• For SBI and HDFC Bank, the higher D-SIB Scheme, i.e., September 17, 2023, may
buffer requirements on account of the prefer claims under the PIDF Scheme.
bucket increase will be effective from • Moreover, apart from physical and
April 1, 2025, said India's top bank. digital devices, Soundbox devices and
• The additional Common Equity Tier 1 Aadhaar-enabled biometric devices have
(CET1) requirement will be in addition to been made eligible for subsidy under the
the capital conservation buffer. scheme for installations made from
• The Reserve Bank had announced SBI October 1, 2023.
and ICICI Bank as D-SIBs in 2015 and • The RBI also said that the amount of
2016. subsidy for devices deployed in special
• Based on data collected from banks as focus areas, including North Eastern
on March 31, 2017, HDFC Bank was also States, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh,
classified as a D-SIB, along with SBI and has been increased from 75 per cent to
ICICI Bank. 90 per cent of the total cost.
• The current update is based on the data • This will be irrespective of the type of
collected from banks as on March 31, device and for installations made from
2023 and factoring in the increased October 01, 2023 onwards.
systemic importance of HDFC Bank post • It was primarily launched to facilitate
the merger of erstwhile HDFC Limited and subsidise the development of
into HDFC Bank on July 1, 2023. payment acceptance infrastructure in
• In case a foreign bank having branch tier-3 to tier-6 cities and the
presence in India is a Global Systemically northeastern states of India.
Important Bank (G-SIB), it has to • It envisaged creating 3 million new
maintain additional CET1 capital touchpoints every year in India. Jammu
surcharge in India as applicable to it as a & Kashmir and Ladakh are also the focus
G-SIB, proportionate to its Risk Weighted areas.
Assets (RWAs) in India, i.e., additional
CET1 buffer prescribed by the home 38. NPCI launches ASBA-like facility for
regulator (amount) multiplied by India secondary market
RWA as per consolidated global Group
books divided by total consolidated • The 'UPI for Secondary Market'
global Group RWA. initiative is supported by key
stakeholders, including clearing
37. RBI extends Payments Infrastructure corporations, stock exchanges,
Development Fund scheme till 2025 depositories, stockbrokers, banks, and
UPI app providers.
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• During this pilot, investors can block • SEBI proposed changes to the
funds in their bank accounts, which will verification of market rumours for listed
only be debited by the clearing companies, including relaxation on the
corporations upon trade confirmation 24-hour timeline, verification only on
during settlement. material impact on stock prices, and
• ASBA-like facility of 'Trading supported clarity on the pricing of preferential
by blocked amount in secondary market' issuances, buybacks and deals.
through block mechanism was approved • It has included the suggestions of the
by the market regulator Sebi, based on Industry Standard Forum(ISF) for
the Reserve Bank of India approved feedback.
facility of single-block-and-multiple-debit • Rumour verification by the company
in UPI, with the implementation timeline within 24 hours of ‘material price
of 1 January, 2024. movement’
• During this pilot, investors can block • Currently, it is 24 hours of ‘reporting in
funds in their bank accounts, which will the mainstream media’
only be debited by the clearing • Determination of ‘material price
corporations upon trade confirmation movement’ based on price range of
during settlement. securities
• Clearing corporations will directly • A lower percentage move considerable
process payouts to these clients on a T+1 as ‘material’ for high price range shares
basis – which means any trade-related • Factor-in movements of benchmark
settlements must be completed within indices to decide material movement
one day from the day of the transaction.
• HDFC Bank, HSBC, ICICI Bank, and Yes
Bank are serving as sponsor banks for
the clearing corporation and exchanges.
• Application Supported by Blocked
Amount (ASBA) is a process used to
apply for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) or
Follow-on Public Offerings (FPOs) in
India.
39. Sebi proposes action points to ease

rumour verification regulations
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Economy
1. India's Power Consumption Grows 8.5% To • At the same time, coal dispatch from
119.64 Billion Units In November Captive/commercial coal mines during
November 2023 is 12.92 MT with a
• The country's power consumption growth of 55% compared to 8.36 MT the
grew nearly 8.5% to 119.64 billion previous year.
units in November, showing a surge • The average daily coal dispatch from
in electricity demand due to such mines in the month of November
festivities and increased economic 2023 is the highest ever with 4.3 lakh
activities. In the year-ago period, tonnes per day.
power consumption stood at 110.25 • Coal production and dispatch from
BU, higher than 99.32 billion units captive and commercial coal blocks has
recorded in November 2021, shown a remarkable growth during the
according to the government data. period of April to November 2023.
• The peak power demand met -- the • The total coal production from captive &
highest supply in a day -- rose to commercial coal mines during the period
204.60 GW in November. 1st April 2023 to 30th November 2023
• The peak power supply stood at was around 83.90 MT, while the total
187.34 GW in November 2022 and coal dispatch was 89.67 MT indicating a
166.10 GW in November 2021. y-o-y growth of 24% and 31%
• The power ministry had estimated respectively, from the same period of FY
the country's electricity demand to 2022-23.
touch 229 GW during summer. The
demand did not reach the projected 3. GST collection rises 15% in Nov to Rs 1.68
level in April-July due to unseasonal lakh cr
rain.
• The peak supply, however, touched a • GST revenue collection for November
new high of 224.1 GW in June before 2023 came at nearly Rs 1.68 lakh crore,
dropping to 209.03 GW in July. Peak which is a 15% jump on an annual basis,
demand touched 238.19 GW in said government.
August. In September this year, it was • Gross GST collection crossed Rs 1.6 lakh
240.17 GW. The peak demand was crore mark for the sixth time in FY24.
222.16 GW in October 2023. • "The gross Goods and Services Tax (GST)
revenue collected in the month of
2. Highest Ever Coal Dispatch from Captive & November, 2023 is Rs 1,67,929 crore out
Commercial Coal Blocks in November of which CGST is Rs 30,420 crore, SGST is
Rs 38,226 crore, IGST is Rs 87,009 crore
• Coal production from (including Rs 39,198 crore collected on
captive/commercial coal mines during import of goods) and cess is Rs 12,274
November 2023 comes to 11.94 million crore (including Rs 1,036 crore collected
tonne (MT), with a growth of 37% on import of goods).
compared to 8.74 MT during November • The government has settled Rs 37,878
2022. crore to CGST and Rs 31,557 crore to
SGST from IGST.
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• As per Ministry of Finance, the total 6. India's Goods sector surpasses services in
revenue of Centre and the States in the exports for first time
month of November, 2023 after regular
settlement is Rs 68,297 crore for CGST • For the first time the Goods
and Rs 69,783 crore for the SGST,". (Merchandise) sector has surpassed the
• During the month, the revenues from services sector in Export.
domestic transactions (including import • The export has reached 762 billion
of services) are 20% higher than the dollars in the last financial year.
revenues from these sources during the • The Goods (Merchandise) export has
same month last year. gone upto 453 billion dollars, while
• It is for the sixth time that the gross GST services export was at 309 billion
collection has crossed '1.60 lakh crore dollars.
mark in FY24.
7. India's coal imports drop over 4 per cent to
4. IOC raises Panipat refinery expansion cost 148 million in Apr-Oct period
by 10%, pushes completion deadline by a year
• India's coal imports dropped 4.2 per
• Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the cent to 148.13 Million Tonnes (MT) in
nation's top oil firm, has revised the the April-October period of the ongoing
estimates of cost of expanding the financial year.
Panipat refinery in Haryana by 10 per • The country's coal imports were 154.72
cent to Rs 36,225 crore and pushed back MT in the corresponding period of the
completion deadline by more than a previous fiscal.
year to December 2025. • Of the total imports in October, inbound
• IOC is expanding its 15 million tonnes a shipments of non-coking coal stood at
year refinery, about 100-km north of 16.88 MT, against 11.69 MT imported in
New Delhi, to 25 million tonnes. October last year.
5. India's emission intensity reduced by 33% 8. India's forex reserves surpasses $600 billion
between 2005 and 2019: Govt report mark after nearly four months
• India reduced its GDP emission intensity • India's foreign exchange reserves
by 33 per cent between 2005 and 2019, increased to USD 604 billion, surpassing
achieving the target 11 years in the USD 600 billion mark after a gap of
advance, according to a government about four months.
report. • The forex reserves were last above the
• The report also said India's GDP grew at USD 600 billion mark on August 11 this
a cumulative annual growth rate of 7 per year.
cent but its emissions rose by only 4 per
cent per year during this period, 9. India's industrial production growth rises to
suggesting that the country has been 16-month high of 11.7 % in October
successful in decoupling its economic
growth from planet-warming • India's industrial production growth
greenhouse gas emissions. rose to a 16-month high of 11.7 percent
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in October against a contraction of 4.1 Billion, exhibiting a negative growth of (-

per cent in the same period last year. ) 1.39 per cent over April-November
• The data released by the National 2022. Overall imports in April-November
Statistical Office showed that the 2023 are estimated to be USD 560.90
manufacturing sector's output grew by Billion, exhibiting a negative growth of (-)
10.4 per cent in October 2023 while 7.58 per cent over April-November 2022.
Mining production rose 13.1 per cent • The estimated value of services export
during the month. for November 2023 is USD 28.69 Billion,
• Factory output is measured in terms of as compared to USD 26.93 Billion in
the Index of Industrial Production November 2022.
• The estimated value of services import
10. Nine states record a higher rate of for November 2023 is USD 13.40 Billion
inflation in November, shows data as compared to USD 15.39 Billion in
November 2022.
• As many as nine states have recorded a
higher rate of inflation compared to the 12. Reserve Bank of India sets sovereign gold
national average in November. bond issue price at Rs 6,199/gram
• While the average Indian consumer's
cost of living rose by 5.55 per cent • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
compared to the same time last year, it announced that the issue price for the
increased by 7.65 per cent in Odisha, next tranche of Sovereign Gold Bond
6.99 per cent in Rajasthan, and 6.78 per has been fixed at Rs 6,199 per gram and
cent in Haryana. will open for subscription on December
• States like Bihar, Karnataka, Punjab, 18 for five days.
Telangana, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh — • The Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme
which have a higher inflation rate than 2023-24 - Series III will be open for
the national average —recorded a rise subscription during December 1822,
between 5.56 per cent to 6.54 per cent. 2023.
• The SGBs will be sold through scheduled
11. India's overall exports in November 2023 is commercial banks (except small finance
estimated at USD 62.58 Billion; an increase of banks, payment banks and regional rural
1.23 percent over Nov 2022 banks), Stock Holding Corporation of
India Limited (SHCIL), Clearing
• India's overall exports (Merchandise Corporation of India Limited (CCIL),
and Services combined) in November designated post offices, National Stock
2023 is estimated to be USD 62.58 Exchange of India Limited and Bombay
Billion, exhibiting a positive growth of Stock Exchange Limited.
1.23 per cent over November 2022. • The investors are compensated at a fixed
Overall imports in November 2023 is rate of 2.50 per cent per annum payable
estimated to be USD 67.88 Billion, semi-annually on the nominal value.
exhibiting a negative growth of (-) 6.16 • The maximum limit of subscription shall
per cent over November 2022. be 4 kg for individuals, 4 kg for HUF and
• India’s overall exports (Merchandise and 20 kg for trusts and similar entities per
Services combined) in April-November fiscal year.
2023 are estimated to be USD 499.46
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• The finance ministry said the tenor of net collections are at 13 lakh 70
the SGB will be eight years with an thousand crore rupees which is an
option of premature redemption after increase of 20.66 per cent.
the fifth year to be exercised on the date • The Ministry added that advance Tax
on which interest is payable. collections for the Fiscal Year 2023-24
• The Reserve Bank of India issues the stand at over 6 lakh 25 thousand crore
bonds on behalf of the central rupees which shows a growth of 19.94
government. per cent.
13. Trade deficit narrows to nearly $21bn in 15. Indian economy to grow 6.3% in FY24 and
Nov FY25: IMF
• India's trade deficit in November • Indian economy is likely to log 6.3%

narrowed to $20.6 billion as goods growth in FY24 and FY25 on the back of
exports and imports fell. macroeconomic and financial stability,
• Goods exports declined due to a International Monetary Fund's
shrinkage in key product categories, Executive Board.
including engineering goods, petroleum • The international fund lauded the
products, and garments. macroeconomic policies and reforms of
• The fall in imports was driven by oil and the government, stating that India could
coal. achieve even higher growth, with
• Despite the global economic slowdown greater contributions from labour and
and high inflation, India’s exports human capital.
numbers are healthy, according to • IMF’s growth projection is much lower
Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal. than the Reserve Bank of India’s
Services exports increased, resulting in a Monetary Policy Committee growth
trade surplus and helping narrow the forecast of 7% for FY24.
overall trade deficit. • The MPC revised its growth numbers in
• However, exports remain weak due to December owing to a strong
sluggish global demand. performance in the first half.
14. Gross Direct Tax collections for current 16. 13 states raise Rs 19,692 crore; Karnataka,
Financial Year register over 17 percent growth Uttar Pradesh top list
• The Gross Direct Tax collections for the • Thirteen states raised Rs 19,692 crore,
Financial Year 2023-24 have registered a against a notified amount of Rs 19,592
growth of over 17 percent. crore through the auction for state
• Before adjusting refunds, Gross government securities. In the previous
Collection of Direct Taxes stands at over week, eight states had raised Rs 12,100
15 lakh 95 thousand crore rupees as crore.
compared to 13 lakh 63 thousand crore • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data
in the corresponding period of 2022-23. showed that Karnataka and Uttar
• The Ministry of Finance has said that the Pradesh raised the highest amount of
Direct Tax collections for this finance Rs 4,000 crore each
year up to 17th December , show that
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• Karnataka raised the amount of Rs 4,000 • The central government's debt stood at
crore through two papers – Rs 2,000 $ 1.34 trillion, or Rs 161.1 trillion, in the
crore through a 15-year paper with a September quarter, up from $ 1.06
cut-off yield of 7.60 per cent, and Rs trillion, or Rs 150.4 trillion, in the March
2,000 crore through a 16-year paper quarter, Vishal Goenka, Co-Founder of
with a cut-off yield of 7.64 per cent. Indiabonds.com, said, quoting data
provided by the Reserve bank of India.
17. Net FDI into India touches 21-month high • Indiabonds.com, which was launched in
at $5.9 billion in October 2021, is a Sebi-registered online bond
platform that provides investing
• The net foreign direct investment (FDI) solutions.The report is a collation of data
into the country at $5.9 billion rose to a from the RBI, Clearing Corporation of
21-month high in October 2023, India, and the Securities and Exchange
primarily due to strong gross inflows Board of India.At Rs 161.1 trillion, the
and lower repatriation. central government's debt constitutes
• Sequentially, net FDI rose from $1.54 the highest 46.04 per cent share of the
billion in September 2023 and $1.16 total amount.
billion in October 20222, according to • State governments' debt share was 24.4
Reserve Bank of India data. per cent, or $ 604 billion (Rs 50.18
• The major source countries were trillion), the report said.
Mauritius, Singapore, Cyprus and Japan, • Treasury bills were worth $ 111 billion,
contributing more than four-fifths of the or Rs 9.25 trillion, constituting 4.51 per
total FDI inflows in October 2023. cent of the total debt, it said.
• Around four-fifths of the gross inward • Corporate bonds had a 21.52 per cent
FDI equity flows were received in share of the total debt at $ 531 billion
manufacturing, retail and wholesale (Rs 44.16 trillion) in the second quarter
trade, electricity and other energy of the current fiscal, as per the report.
sector, and financial services sector.
19. The Centre released '72,961.21 crore as tax
18. India's total debt rises to Rs 205 lakh crore devolution to States
in Sep quarter
• Earlier, an instalment of ' 72,961.21
• The country's total debt, or the total crore was released on December 11,
outstanding bonds which are being 2023. This is in addition to the tax
traded in the market, rose to USD 2.47 devolution which is due to the States on
trillion (Rs 205 lakh crore) in the January 10, 2024.
September quarter, according to a • Of this latest '72,961.21 crore
report. installment disbursed, the largest share
• The total debt amount in the March has gone to Uttar Pradesh at '13,088.51
quarter of the previous fiscal was USD crore, followed by Bihar at '7,338.44
2.34 trillion (Rs 200 lakh crore). crore and Madhya Pradesh at '5,727.44
• The report is a collation of data from crore.
the RBI, Clearing Corporation of India, • Of this latest '72,961.21 crore
and SEBI. installment disbursed, the largest share
has gone to Uttar Pradesh at '13,088.51
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crore, followed by Bihar at '7,338.44 21. CBDT notifies ITR-1, ITR-4 forms for AY
crore; Madhya Pradesh at '5,727.44 2024-25
crore; West Bengal at '5,488.88 crore;
Maharashtra at '4,608.96 crore; • CBDT has notified two new return
Rajasthan at '4,396.64 crore and Odisha forms, ITR-1 (SAHAJ) and ITR-4
at '3303.69 crore. The remaining States’ (SUGAM), for the Assessment Year
share has been lower than '3,000 crore 2024-25.
and ranged from '281.63 crore (Goa) — • These forms will come into effect from
'2,976.10 crore (Tamil Nadu). April 1, 2024.
• Currently, tax devolution is being • ITR 1, or Sahaj, can be filed by a resident
administered by the recommendations individual having income of up to '50
of the erstwhile 15th Finance lakh from salary and agricultural income.
Commission chaired by N.K.Singh. • ITR 4, or Sugam is for income of up to '50
• The Finance Commission had lakh and income from business and
recommended that states be given 41 profession.
per cent of the divisible tax pool of the • ITR 1, or Sahaj, can be filed by a resident
Centre during the five-year period 2021- individual having income of up to '50
22 to 2025-26, which is at the same level lakh and who receives income from
as was recommended by the 14th salary, one house property, other
Finance Commission. sources (interest), and agricultural
income of up to '5,000.
20. India's forex reserves reach $615.97 • ITR 4, or Sugam, can be filed by
billion, highest in 20 months individuals, Hindu undivided families
(HUFs) and firms other than limited
• India's foreign exchange (FX) reserves liability partnerships (LLPs) having total
rose for the fifth time in the week income of up to '50 lakh and income
ending December 15, touching an over from business and profession.
20-month high of $615.97 billion- the
highest level since March 2022. 22. IT major Infosys loses $1.5 billion contract
• In the previous week ended December 8, from global customer
reserves had risen by $2.82 billion to
$606.86 billion, as per the Reserve Bank • IT major Infosys announced the
of India (RBI) data. They had touched an termination of its $1.5 billion agreement
all-time high of $645 billion in October with an undisclosed global company,
2021. focused on artificial intelligence (AI)
• Within reserves, foreign currency assets solutions, signed in September.
increased by $ 8.35 billion to $545.05 • The Salil Parekh-led IT services giant had
billion as of December 15, whereas gold announced the $1.5 billion contract for a
reserves rose $446 million to $47.58 15-year period, inked on September 14,
billion. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) 2023.
were up $135 million to $18.32 billion.
Further, data showed that India’s 23. Domestic Coal Based Power Generation
reserve position with the IMF stood at increases by 8.38 % during April-Nov 2023
$5.02 billion, $181 million higher on the
• India has witnessed a remarkable 7.71
week.
percent surge in power generation and
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11.19 percent in Coal-based power • India has emerged as a global force in

generation from April to November this steel production and the 2nd largest
year, as compared to the corresponding producer of steel in the world.
period of the previous year. • Domestic finished steel production
• The Ministry said that India is ranked stands at 89.711 million tonnes, which is
third-largest consumer of energy in the 14.3% higher than corresponding period
world, with an annual electricity demand last year (CPLY).
increase of about 4.7 percent. • The domestic steel consumption stood
at 87.066 million tonnes, which is 14.9%
24. Current account gap narrows to 1% of GDP higher than CPLY of 75.765 million
at $8.3 bn in Q2FY24: RBI tonnes.
• Domestic crude steel
• India's current account deficit (CAD) production was 94.114 million tonnes,
narrowed sequentially to $8.3 billion, or with a growth of 14.7 % when compared
1 per cent of gross domestic product to the production of 82.072 million
(GDP), in the quarter ended September tonnes in the same period last year.
(Q2FY24) due to lower merchandise • During April – November 2023, finished
trade deficit and growth in services steel imports increased from 3.751
exports. million tonnes last year to 4.253 million
• The CAD was $9.2 billion, or 1.1 per tonnes in the current year, witnessing a
cent of GDP, in Q1 and $30.9 billion, or growth of 13.4%.
3.8 per cent of GDP, in Q2FY23.
• The CAD for the April-September quarter 26. UP and Bihar get maximum special
of FY23 was 2.9 per cent of GDP in assistance for capital expenditure and
H1FY23. investment
• The merchandise trade deficit narrowed
to $61 billion from $78.3 billion in • Out of '1,67,518.6-crore special
Q2FY23, according to Reserve Bank of assistance(loan) allocated by Centre
India (RBI) data. under the Scheme for Special Assistance
• Regarding the BoP position in April- to States for capital
September 2023 (H1FY24), there was an expenditure/investment, UP has been
accretion of $27 billion, compared to a highest recipient, securing '22,857.9
depletion of $25.8 billion in the year-ago crore(14% of the total release) over the
period, the RBI noted. last 4 years.
• Services exports grew by 4.2 per cent Y- • Ministry of Finance reveals that in
o-Y on the back of rising exports of FY2023-24, up to December 13, the State
software, business and travel services, has already received '12,458.43 crore.
the RBI said. Net invisible receipts were • This amount constitutes a significant
higher in H1FY24, owing to higher net portion, accounting for 21 per cent of
receipts of services. the total assistance released, which
stands at '60,307.19 crore. This amount
25. India's Steel Sector records remarkable constitutes a significant portion,
growth, emerges as the 2nd largest global accounting for 21 per cent of the total
producer assistance released, which stands at
'60,307.19 crore.
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• The Scheme for Special Assistance to • The guidelines of the Scheme for Special
States for Capital Expenditure Assistance to States for Capital
was launched in FY2020-21. The scheme Investment 2023-24 specify targets for
has been expanded and continued as capital expenditure for each State in the
‘Scheme for Special Assistance to States financial year 2023-24 to qualify for the
for Capital Investment 2023-24’ with second instalment under Part-I (Untied)
allocation of '1.3-lakh crore. of the Scheme for that fiscal year.
• This includes an amount of '1-lakh crore
under Part-I of the Scheme, which has 27. Sukanya Samriddhi Schemes' interest rates
been allocated to States in proportion to hiked up to 20 bps for Q4FY24
their share of Central taxes as per the
award of the 15th Finance Commission • The Centre hiked the interest rates of
and incentive amounts of '30,000 crore some of the small savings schemes,
for reform-centric and sector-specific such as Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme, 3-
areas — scrapping old vehicles, urban year Time Deposit, for the January-
planning reforms, financing reforms in March 2024 quarter.
urban local bodies to make them • As per the latest revised list, the interest
creditworthy for municipal bonds, rate of Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme will
housing for police personnel above or as be 8.2%, while for 3-year TD it would be
part of police stations, unity malls, 7.1% for the last quarter of the current
children and adolescent’ library and fiscal. Earlier, interest rates for Sukanya
digital infrastructure. Samriddhi Scheme and 3-year TD were
8.0%, 7.1%.
• Interestingly, while UP and Bihar are the • The PPF rates were kept unchanged for
top two States which have fulfilled the more than 3 years. It was last tweaked in
above-mentioned criteria and received April-June 2020, when it was slashed to
maximum allocation under the Scheme 7.1 per cent from 7.9 per cent.
in the last four years, Uttarakhand,
Haryana, Kerala and Punjab are among
the States which have received about 1-
2 per cent of the total released amount
under the Scheme.
• In fact, data shows that Andrha Pradesh,
Kerala, Manipur and Punjab have not
received any allocation in 2023-24 and
as per the Ministry of Finance
information provided to the Lok Sabha
this month; these States have not met
the eligibility criteria prescribed under
the Scheme.
• The objective of the Special Assistance to
States for Capital
Expenditure/Investment is to enhance
capital expenditure by the States.
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National
1. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to • The government has approved the

inaugurate 5th Global Ayurveda Festival at 'Terms of Reference' for the 16 Finance
Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala Commission, which makes
recommendations on sharing of tax
• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will revenues between the Centre and
inaugurate the 5th edition of Global states. The recommendations would
Ayurveda Festival in cover a five-year period commencing
Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. April 1, 2026.
• The Global Ayurveda Festival (GAF) 2023 • The commission would submit its report
would be held in the state capital of by Oct. 31, 2025.
Kerala from December 1-5, with the • The 15th Finance Commission was
theme 'Emerging Challenges in constituted on Nov. 27, 2017.
Healthcare and a Resurgent Ayurveda'. • It made recommendations covering a
• Delegations from over 70 countries will six-year period commencing April 1,
be present at the event, which 2020 through its interim and final
underlines the growing recognition of reports.
Ayurveda's relevance in addressing • Article 280(1) of the Constitutions lays
global health concerns. down the modalities for setting up of a
• The highlights of the festival include Finance Commission to make
experts-led scientific sessions focusing recommendation on the distribution of
on the latest scientific advancements in net proceeds of taxes between the
Ayurveda, high level industry and Union and states; allocation between
institutional participation showcasing states of respective shares of such
innovative Ayurveda-based products, proceeds; grants-in-aid and the revenues
services and research initiatives as well of states and measures needed to
as presentations of posters and papers. supplement the resources of
• It also said that the National Arogya Fair 'panchayats' during the award period.
at GAF will showcase a diverse range of • The distribution between the Union and
medicinal plants and their utilisation in states of the net proceeds of taxes which
Ayurvedic preparations. All major Ayush are to be, or may be, divided between
institutions in the country will put up them under Chapter I, Part XII of the
their stalls at the expo and there will be Constitution and the allocation between
pavilions of 20 Ayurveda colleges. states of the respective shares of such
• GAF 2023 will also see India's first proceeds, are among the terms of
dedicated Business-to-Business (B2B) reference (ToR) approved by the
meet on Ayurveda medical tourism, Cabinet.
connecting healthcare pioneers with
worldwide buyers and showcasing the 3. Ministry of Tourism launches National Best
country's wealth of Ayurvedic healthcare Tourism Village and National Best Rural
resources Homestays Competition 2024
2. Government Approves Terms Of Reference • Ministry of Tourism has launched

For 16th Finance Commission National Best Tourism Village
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Competition 2024 and the National Best • PM Narendra Modi unveiled a grand
Rural Homestay Competition 2024 to statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at
strengthen the promotion and Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district.
development of Rural Tourism in the • Navy Day 2023' celebrations at
country. Sindhudurg pays homage to the rich
• The earlier version of the National Best maritime heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji
Tourism Village Competition 2023 Maharaj, whose seal inspired the new
recognized 35 villages all over India in Naval Ensign which was adopted last
Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories. year when the PM Modi commissioned
• To foster collaboration and create a the first indigenous aircraft carrier INS
conducive environment for the growth Vikrant.
of Rural Tourism, the Ministry has
actively engaged Governments, industry 6. Government decides to implement
stakeholders, Non-Governmental component of "Nari Adalat" in phased manner
Organizations (NGOs), and local under Mission Shakti
communities through these
competitions. This multi-stakeholder • Union Minister for Women and Child
approach synergizes the efforts to Development Smriti Irani has informed
strengthen the rural economies. the Rajya Sabha that the Government
• The competition was launched on World has decided to implement the
Tourism Day i.e., 27th September 2023, component of "Nari Adalat" in a phased
and the applications for the manner under Mission Shakti.
competitions are open from • In the first phase, Assam and the Union
15th November to 31st December, Jammu and Kashmir have been selected
2023. by the Ministry to implement the
component of Nari Adalat.
4. Gajraj System: Railways to install AI-based • In Jammu and Kashmir, it is being
surveillance system to prevent elephant implemented in two aspirational
deaths on track districts -Kupwara and Baramulla and in
Assam, seven districts namely Barpeta,
• The Indian Railways will be installing an Goalpara, South Salmara Mankachar,
AI-based surveillance system to prevent Udalguri, Darrang, Morigaon
elephant deaths on railway tracks. and Kamrup have been covered under
• These surveillance system will be it.
installed on 700 kilometres of route • The Central government is implementing
passing through forest areas. 'Mission Shakti' as an umbrella scheme
• Forest areas in Assam, West Bengal, for the safety, security and
Odisha, Kerala, Jharkhand and some empowerment of women.
parts of Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu • It seeks to realise the Government’s
which are home to elephants. wE can commitment for ‘women-led
call it 'Gajraj System development’ by addressing issues
affecting women on a life-cycle
5. PM Modi unveiles grand statue of continuum basis and making them equal
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in partners in nation-building through
Sindhudurg district convergence and citizen-ownership.
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• The budget allocation under Mission • Shri Modi also paid obeisances to glory
Shakti for the financial year 2023-24 is of immortal and imperishable Kashi and
around 3 thousand 144 crore rupees. said that the presentation of this song
with full of devotion is captivating.
7. GQG Partners checks in at GMR Airports • Responding to the X post of Kailash Kher,
Infrastructure, buys 4.7% stake the Prime Minister posted on X;“-- ! !”
• GQG Partners acquired a 4.7 per cent 10. Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
stake in GMR Airports Infrastructure on inaugurates 'Krishnaveni Sangeetha
Friday, sending the stock up 12 per Neerajanam' in Vijayawada
cent.
• The US-based boutique investment firm, • Union Minister of Finance and Corporate
which has gained prominence because of Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
its successful investments in Adani group inaugurated Krishnaveni Sangeetha
stocks, purchased shares at Rs 59.1 each, Neerajanam, at Tummalapalli
amounting to a total outgo of Rs 1,672 Kalakshetram, Vijayawada.
crore, according to data provided by BSE. • The Three-day classical music
extravaganza to host a variety of
8. PM addresses Infinity Forum 2.0 activities, including classical music
performances by renowned musicians,
• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi exhibition and sale of regional cuisine,
addressed the second edition of Infinity local handicrafts and handlooms
Forum, a global thought leadership
platform on FinTech via video 11. PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate first
conferencing. Indian Art, Architecture and Design Biennale
• The 2nd Edition of Infinity Forum is being 2023 at Red Fort in Delhi
jointly organized by the International
Financial Services Centres Authority • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will
(IFSCA), and GIFT City, under the aegis of inaugurate the first Indian Art,
the Government of India. Architecture and Design Biennale
• The theme of the 2nd edition of Infinity (IAADB) 2023 at Red Fort in Delhi.
Forum is ‘GIFT-IFSC: Nerve Centre for • He will also inaugurate Aatmanirbhar
New Age Global Financial Services'. Bharat Centre for Design at Red Fort and
• The forum provides a platform, where the student Biennale- Samunnati.
progressive ideas, pressing problems, • IAADB is being organized in line with the
and innovative technologies from across PM's vision to develop and
the world get discovered, discussed and institutionalise a flagship global cultural
developed into solutions and initiative .
opportunities.
12. Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI (YUVAi)
9. Prime Minister applauds singer Kailash Kher to be featured in GPAI Summit 2023
for his new song 'Kashi Stuti'
• The Ministry of Electronics and IT has
• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi said that the program- 'YUVAi- Youth
has applauded singer Kailash Kher for his for Unnati and Vikas with AI' will be
new song 'Kashi Stuti'. featured at the Global Partnership on
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Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit in package of scientific methods of jute

New Delhi. cultivation and retting exercises for
• The programme, designed to equip the improving fibre quality and productivity and
youth with essential AI skills, has reducing the cost of jute production and
garnered attention for its innovative increasing farmers’ income.
approach.
• The programme is a collaborative (ii) Jute Resource cum Production Centre
initiative of the National e-Governance (JRCPC)- To spread jute diversification
Division, under the Ministry of programme by providing trainings to new
Electronics and Information Technology artisans and WSHGs for sustained
(MeitY) and Intel India. employment for production of Jute
• YUVAi aims to foster a deeper Diversified Products (JDPs).
understanding of AI, to enable school
students from class 8 to 12 across the (iii) Jute Raw Material Bank (JRMB)- To supply
nation with AI skills, and to empower jute raw material to jute artisans, MSMEs for
them to become human-centric production of JDPs at Mill Gate price.
designers and users of AI.
(iv) Jute Retail Outlets (JRO) Scheme – To
13. Centre Introduced Certification Of facilitate existing and new artisans /
Authenticity For Jute Products Under Jute entrepreneurs for promotion and sale of JDPs
Mark India Logo through Retail Outlets / Showrooms.
• The Ministry of Textiles has introduced (v) Jute Design Resource Centre (JDRC)- For
certification of authenticity for Jute designing and development of market
Products with the unveiling of Jute worthy innovative jute diversified products
Mark India Logo on 09th July 2022. and helping existing and new JDP
• Jute Mark India provides collective manufacturers and exporters.
identity and assurance on origin and
(vi) Product Diversification (R&D) Studies- To
quality for traditional jute & jute
diversified products. So far, 55 vendors explore Research & Development in Textile
and Non Textile Applications.
have registered for availing Jute Mark
India Logo. Union Minister of State for
(vii) Production Linked Incentive (PLI)
Textiles, Smt. Darshana Jardosh. Scheme – To support Jute Mills and MSME
• The Government has approved an
JDP units for manufacturing and exporting
Umbrella scheme namely the National
JDPs and making them cost competitive in
Jute Development Program (NJDP) with
the international markets.
a total outlay of Rs 485.58 crore for
implementation during 2021-22 to (viii) Capital Subsidy for Acquisition of Plant
2025-26 for overall development and & Machinery (CSAPM)- For manufacturing
promotion of the Jute Sector. (JDPs) and to facilitate modernization /
upgradation of the existing Jute mills
NJDP covers following schemes: and MSME JDP Units.
(i) Improved Cultivation and Advanced (ix) Market Development Promotion activities
Retting Exercise (Jute ICARE) –To introduce (Domestic & Exports)- To
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support the JDP units for promotion and 16. Central Tribal University to be set up in
sale of JDPs, in the Domestic market and Telangana
to registered jute exporters to
boost export of jute goods. • The Parliament passed the Central
Development of Jute Mark Logo for Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 bill
Certification of Quality Jute Diversified pro to establish a central tribal university in
ducts and Launching Telangana.
publicity campaign to popularize jute. • The university will be built at a cost of
'900 crore.
(x) Scholarship Scheme for the girl children of • The university is expected to be set up in
the workers of jute mills, JDP- MSMEs: To Mulugu and is named after tribal
support girl children of the workers of Jute goddesses Sammakka and Sarakka.
Mills/MSME-JDP Units in the form of • As per the state and objects of the
incentives Central Universities (Amendment) Bill,
2023, the Sammakka Sarakka Central
14. Centre approves financial assistance of Tribal University aims to fulfil regional
over 338 crore rupees to Gujarat and 634 aspirations by enhancing access and
crore rupees for Himachal Pradesh quality of higher education in Telangana.
• The new university is expected to
• The Centre has approved the financial promote higher education and research
assistance of over 338 crore rupees to along with tribal art, culture, customs
Gujarat, which was severely affected by and technological advancements for the
the Cyclone Biparjoy. tribal population of India.
• The Home Ministry has also approved an • With an added focus on tribal education,
additional financial assistance of around the bill states that the Sammakka
634 crore rupees from the National Sarakka Central Tribal University will
Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to fulfil its education and other activities
Himachal Pradesh which was severely like other central universities.
affected due to floods, cloudbursts, and • The Central Universities Act, of 2009
landslides. was enacted to establish and
incorporate central universities to
15. National Mission For Clean Ganga Targets support and improve the education and
Cumulative Sewerage Treatment Capacity Of research ecosystem across the states of
7,000 MLD By December, 2026 India.
• Under Namami Gange Programme, in 17. Cabinet approves declaration of Surat
the Ganga basin, a total of 195 sewerage Airport as an International Airport
infrastructure projects have been taken
up with a cost of ' 31,344.13 crore for • The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime
creation & rehabilitation of 6,173.12 Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has
Million Litres per Day (MLD) of Sewage approved the proposal to declare Surat
Treatment Plant (STP) capacity. Airport as an International Airport.
• National Mission for Clean Ganga targets • Surat Airport will not only become a
to sanction a cumulative treatment gateway for international travelers but
capacity of 7,000 MLD by Dec 2026. also facilitate seamless export-import
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operations for the thriving diamond and • This includes Twinning Programmes,
textile - industries. Joint Degree, and Dual Degree
Programmes.
18. Rate of Permanent Disablement Benefit • UGC also noted that edtech companies
(PDB) and Dependant's Benefit (DB) increased that are giving advertisements for
under ESI Scheme offering degree and diploma
programmes in online modes in
• The 192nd Meeting of Employees' State association with some foreign
Insurance Corporation was held today at universities/institutions, are not
ESIC Headquarters under the permissible under the franchise
Chairmanship of Shri Bhupender Yadav, agreement and any such programme or
Union Minister for Labour and degree will not have UGC recognition.
Employment, Environment, Forest and • The University Grants Commission is a
Climate Change and Chairman, ESIC. statutory organization under the
• In order to neutralise the impact of Ministry of Education, Government of
inflation, the proposal to increase the India, established by an Act of
basic rate of Permanent Disablement Parliament in 1956 for the promotion
Benefit (PDB) and Dependant’s Benefit and co-ordination of University
(DB) was approved by ESI Corporation. education and for the determination and
• The PDB is paid at the rate of 90% of maintenance of standards of teaching,
wages in the form of monthly payment examination and research in
depending upon the extent of loss of Universities, and for the purpose of
earning capacity as certified by a performing its functions under this Act.
Medical Board.
• The DB is paid at the rate of 90% of 20. In a first, exploration licences to private
wage in the form of monthly payment agencies for mineral projects
to the dependants of a deceased
Insured person in cases where death • In a first, the Ministry of Mines directly
occurs due to employment injury or sanctioned exploration licences to five
occupational hazards. Notified Private Exploration Agencies
(NPEAs) for critical and deep-seated
19. UGC says, no foreign higher educational mineral projects.
institutions to be allowed to offer any • These licensees selected by the Centre
programme in India without its prior approval sans any auction process would,
however, be allowed to participate in
• University Grant Commission (UGC) has the auction of the said minerals, a
mandated that no foreign higher privilege that was previously not
educational institution (HEI) will offer granted.
any programme in India without the • A total of 17 projects, including 11 of
prior approval of the commission. critical minerals, provided to the five
• The regulations also mandate that the NPEAs are in Maharashtra, Madhya
HEls shall not offer programmes under Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Gujarat
any franchise arrangement and that such and Karnataka.
programmes shall not be recognised by • Gemcokati Exploration, an NPEA in
the UGC. Maharashtra, acquired the highest six
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projects. Kolkata-based Maheshwari players such as Google, Microsoft and

Mining secured four projects. Both OpenAI.
Geovale Services and Geoexplore • Krutrim, meaning “artificial” in Sanskrit,
secured three projects each, while is a family of LLMs, including Krutrim
United Exploration received one project. base and Krutrim Pro, which will have
• The exploration blocks will contain a multimodal, larger knowledge
variety of minerals, including iron ore, capabilities, and many other technical
graphite, platinum group elements advancements for inference.
(PGE), gold, bauxite, nickel, cobalt, and
rare earth elements (REE). 22. 'India's fastest' solar-electric boat
• Since March 2022, the ministry has Barracuda launched
notified 16 Private Exploration Agencies
to take up exploration projects through • Taking ahead the cause of eco-friendly
state governments, funded by the maritime transportation, Barracuda, said
National Mineral Exploration Trust to be India's fastest solar-electric boat,
(NMET). was launched on at the yard of Navalt
• The Mines and Minerals (Development Solar and Electric Boats, located off
and Regulation) Act, 1957, MMDR Act Aroor in Alappuzha.
was amended through the MMDR • Named after the swift, long fish,
Amendment Act, 2021, w.e.f. 28/3/2021 Barracuda was designed by Navalt and
which, inter alia, empowers the central can be deployed even in the rough seas
government to notify entities, including as a workboat to ferry up to 12
private entities, that may undertake passengers.
prospecting operations. • This cutting-edge vessel was jointly
• On August 17, 2023, an amendment to developed by Mazagon Dock
the MMDR Act identified 24 minerals, Shipbuilders and Navalt.
including graphite, nickel, PGE, REE,
23. PM Modi inaugurates Swarved
potash, among others, as critical and
Mahamandir in Varanasi
strategic minerals. A comprehensive list
of 29 minerals was included in the • Prime Minister Narendra Modi
'Seventh Schedule' of the Act, opening inaugurated the world's largest
the possibility for these private meditation centre Swarved
exploration agencies to obtain Mahamandir in Varanasi.
exploration licenses for these minerals. • Verses of the Swarveda have been
carved upon the walls of the
21. Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal's Krutrim
Mahamandir a seven-floor
announces ChatGPT rival
superstructure.
• Krutrim Si Designs, the artificial • Following the inauguration of the
intelligence (AI) venture of Ola co- Swarved Mahamandir, Modi along with
founder Bhavish Aggarwal unveiled UPChief Minister Yogi Adityanath took a
Krutrim, its base large language model tour of the centre that can seat 20,000
(LLM). people.
• Krutrim has joined the increasingly-
competitive AI race dominated by
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24. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh to December 4. Subsequently, the bill was
inaugurate Good Governance Week 2023 on passed in the Lok Sabha on December
19th December, 2023 18, 2023.
• The Bill maintains that the government
• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh will not have any 'exclusive privilege'
inagurated the Good Governance Week over conveying letters.
(Sushasan Saptah) celebrations to be • The Director General of Postal Services,
held from 19th December 2023 to 25th who will head India Post will have the
December 2023, the Good Governance power to decide on matters pertaining
Day. to tariff and supply of the postal stamps.
• The Good Governance Week 2023 is the • Moreover, the Bill exempts India Post
third consecutive year of week-long from any liability for lapses in the postal
celebrations organized by Department of service. However, the government may
Administrative Reforms & Public intercept an article sent via India Post on
Grievances (DARPG), Government of grounds of security and public order.
India.
• The Good Governance Week events yield 26. India Records 112 Deaths in 2022 from
very positive outcomes and generate a Tiger Attacks
great sense of commitment and
togetherness in the Government’s • The Centre informed that in 2022 a total
steadfast objective of fostering of 112 deaths took place in the country
administrative reforms. due to tiger attacks.
• On this occasion, administrations of • In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Union
States, UTs and at the district level share Minister for Forest, Environment and
the platform with Government of India Climate Change Bhupinder Yadav
and highlight the best practices in informed that the highest number of
administration which in turn promotes deaths is 85 in Maharashtra followed by
cooperative federalism and improves the 11 in Uttar Pradesh.
discharging of our administrative • He said during the past five years 302
functions in a cohesive manner that people died in tiger attacks.
further improves the lives of our citizens.
27. Lower house of Indian parliament passes 3
25. Post Office Bill 2023 criminal law bills, replacing IPC, CrPC,
Evidence Act
• The Parliament passed the Post Office
Bill that seeks to simplify the legislative • The Lok Sabha passed the three crucial
framework to facilitate the evolution of bills that will replace a raft of British-era
India Post into a citizen-centric service laws after a day-long discussion in the
network. Lower House.
• The Post Office Bill, 2023 seeks to repeal • The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita
the 125-year-old Indian Post Office Act will replace the Indian Penal Code, the
and consolidate and amend the law Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha (Second)
relating to post offices in the country. Sanhita the Code of Criminal Procedure,
• It was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on and Bharatiya Saksha (Second) Bill the
August 10 2023 and passed on Evidence Act, 1872.
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• The bills were passed even as 97 • The Bill seeks to amend and consolidate
opposition MPs remained suspended the law relating to the development,
and away from the all-important expansion, and operation of telecom
proceedings. The three bills were first services.
introduced in the house in August during • The Bill seeks to replace the 'Indian
the monsoon session of the Parliament. Telegraph Act, 1885'.
• The Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha (Second)
Sanhita will now have 531 Sections, 30. Central Railway launches safety 'panic
down from the 533 Sections that the button' feature for women passengers
first bill had.
• The Bharatiya Sakshya Bill remains • With a view to strengthen security of
unchanged and has 170 Sections. Of women passengers in trains, Central
these, 23 Sections have been sourced Railway (CR) has introduced 'panic
from the Indian Evidence Act. button' system to alert officials in case of
an emergency.
28. Parliament passes 'Press and Registration • The security feature - Red push button -
of Periodicals Bill, 2023' installed inside each of the four ladies
coach of a local train was launched last
• The Lok Sabha passed the Press and week on a trial basis.
Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023,
repealing the Press and Registration of 31. Union Minister Unveils Commemorative
Books Act, 1867. Stamp for AIIA Goa's First Foundation Day
• The Bill has already been passed by
Rajya Sabha in the Monsoon Session. • Union Minister of AYUSH Sarbananda
• It will make the registration of Sonowal marked the first foundation day
periodicals simple and simultaneous, of the All India Institute of Ayurveda
through an online system without the (AIIA), Goa by releasing a
requirement of any physical interface. commemorative postal stamp in New
• The title registration proces which Delhi.
sometimes took 2-3 years,would now be • The satellite centre of AIIA in Goa was
done in 60 days dedicated to the nation by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi last year. AIIA is
29. Parliament passes 'Telecommunications a premier centre for Ayurvedic research
Bill, 2023' and treatment.
• The AIIA Goa, spanning a vast 50-acre
• The Parliament has passed the campus, is meticulously modelled after
'Telecommunications Bill, 2023' with its counterpart in Delhi. Its mission is to
the approval of Rajya Sabha with provide advanced preventive, diagnostic,
amendments. and tertiary healthcare facilities.
• The Bill has already been passed by Lok
Sabha. 32. CISF to replace Delhi Police for security
• It has been brought to transform and duty of Parliament building complex
reform telecom sector, services, and its
networks. • The Union Home Ministry has approved
the deployment of the Central
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Industrial Security Force (CISF) in the structure on three crude edible oils --
Parliament complex. palm oil, soyabean oil and sunflower oil.
• The decision comes days after the India is the world's largest producer and
December 13 security breach in the import of pulses.
Parliament. • According to a finance ministry
• The Delhi Police, however, will continue notification, the exemption of zero
to provide security outside the import duty on masur as well as agri-
parliament building complex. infra cess of 10 per cent has been
extended till March 2025
33. LIC gets time till 2032 to achieve minimum • This exemption on masur was valid till
public shareholding norms March 2024.
• It imported 24.96 lakh tonnes pulses
• Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) during 2022-23.
will get time till May 2032 to comply
with Minimum Public Shareholding 35. MHA declares Muslim League Jammu
(MPS) norms prescribed by the Kashmir , Masarat Alam faction as 'unlawful
Securities and Exchange Board of India. association'
• As of September 30, 2023, the
government owns 96.5 per cent in LIC. • The Union Home Ministry declared the
The government divested 3.5 per cent of Muslim League Jammu Kashmir
its shareholding in LIC last year, and Masarat Alam faction (MLJK-MA) as an
accordingly, it got listed on stock 'unlawful association' under the
exchange. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,
• Rule 19A of the Securities Contract 1967 (UAPA).
Regulation Rules says every listed • This organisation and its members are
company, other than a public sector involved in anti-national and secessionist
company, shall maintain a public activities in J&K supporting terrorist
shareholding of at least 25 per cent. activities and inciting people to establish
• Such a company will get three years Islamic rule in J&K." Union Home
from the date of listing to ensure MPS. Minister : Amit Shah.
Such a provision aims to bring more
public as shareholding. The public can be 36. Government issues notice to nine offshore
an individual or an institution. cryptocurrency platforms for non-compliance
under Prevention of Money Laundering Act
34. Govt extends zero import duty & agri-cess
exemption on masur till March 2025 • The Financial Intelligence Unit India has
issued compliance show cause notices
• The government has extended current to nine offshore Virtual Digital Assets
effective zero import duty on masur dal Service Providers.
(lentil) till March 2025 in order to • Virtual Digital Assets Service Providers
ensure steady supply of the key pulse were brought into the ambit of Anti
from international market and keep Money Laundering, Counter Financing of
domestic prices under check. Terrorism (AML-CFT) framework under
• However, the government has not the provisions of the Prevention of
extended the current import duty
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Money Laundering Act, 2002 in March • The Cabinet Committee on Economic

2023. Affairs(CCEA) chaired by the Prime
• The nine cryptocurrency exchanges Minister Narendra Modi, gave its go
served with the notices are Binance, ahead to construction of a bridge on
KuCoin, Huobi, Kraken, Gate.io, Bittrex, Bihar and widening of a road in Tripura
Bitstamp, MEXC Global and Bitfinex. entailing an investment of over Rs 5500
• Digital asset service providers, whether crore.
operating within or outside India's • CCEA approved a 4.56 km-long six-lane
borders, and involved in activities such bridge over the Ganga connecting Digha
as converting between digital assets and and Sonepur in Bihar at a cost of
traditional currencies, transferring digital Rs.3064.45 crore.
assets, safeguarding or managing digital • The CCEA also approved a Rs.2,486.78
assets, or utilizing instruments that grant crore project of improvement and
control over digital assets, must undergo widening of 135-km stretch of the
registration with the Financial national highway from Khowai to Harina
Intelligence Unit India (FIU IND) as a in Tripura. Thakur said the project would
'Reporting Entity.' reduce the distance by 28km and the
• Additionally, they are obligated to time taken by half. He said the project
adhere to a specified set of would improve connectivity between
responsibilities outlined in the different parts of the state as well as
Prevention of Money Laundering Act between Tripura and Assam. The project
(PMLA) of 2002. includes a loan of Rs.1,511.70 crore from
• Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU- Japan International Cooperation Agency
IND) was set by the Government of India (JICA). The project is expected to take
vide O.M. dated 18th November 2004 as two years to be completed.
the central national agency responsible • The CCEA also approved the minimum
for receiving, processing, analyzing and support price (MSP) for copra for 2024.
disseminating information relating to The MSP for milling copra was increase
suspect financial transactions. by Rs.300 per quintal to Rs.11,160 per
• FIU-IND is also responsible for quintal and for ball copra by Rs.250 per
coordinating and strengthening efforts quintal to Rs.12,000 per quintal. Thakur
of national and international said the MSPs had more than doubled
intelligence, investigation and since 2014-2015, when the MSP for
enforcement agencies in pursuing the milling copra was Rs.5,250 per quintal
global efforts against money laundering and ball copra was Rs.5,500 per quintal.
and financing of terrorism. He said there had been “record
• FIU-IND is an independent body procurement” this season, with more
reporting directly to the Economic than 1.33 lakh metric tonnes of copra
Intelligence Council (EIC) headed by the procured at Rs.1,493 crore in total.
Finance Minister.
38. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav
37. Cabinet approves projects worth Rs.5,500 launches National Transit Pass System
crore for Bihar, N-E
• Union Environment Minister Bhupender
Yadav launched the National Transit
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Pass System (NTPS) pan-India to applications for easy registration and

facilitate the seamless transit of timber, permit applications.
bamboo, and other forest produce • Presently, 25 States and Union
across the country. Territories have adopted the unified
• NTPS is envisioned as a 'One Nation-One permit system, streamlining interstate
Pass' regime that will contribute to the business operations for producers,
ease of doing business. farmers, and transporters.
• NTPS is designed for user convenience,
featuring desktop and mobile
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International
1. COP28 Kicks Off in Dubai with Visionary its official operations in Japan's Ibaraki
Leadership and Urgent Climate Appeals Prefecture.
• JT-60SA is a joint initiative between the
• The 28th Conference of the Parties European Union and Japan.
(COP28) to the United Nations • The JT-60SA reactor is a six-storey-high
Framework Convention on Climate machine, which is kept in a hangar in
Change (UNFCCC) commenced in Dubai, Naka north of Tokyo.
marking a pivotal moment in the global • It comprises a doughnut-shaped
fight against the escalating climate "tokamak" vessel set to contain swirling
crisis. plasma heated up to 200 million
• World leaders, policymakers, and degrees Celsius. JT-60SA is a forerunner
climate experts from 198 parties have for its big brother in France, the under-
gathered for the two-week conference. construction International
Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor
2. India re-elected to International Maritime (ITER).JT-60SA and ITER both are to
Organisation with highest vote tally coax hydrogen nuclei inside to fuse into
one heavier element, helium, releasing
• In elections held at its assembly for the
energy in the form of light and heat.
2024'25 biennium, India was re-elected
to the International Maritime 4. ADB to provide Rs 250 million to strengthen
Organisation (IMO) Council with the India's power sector
highest tally.
• India's re-election falls under the • The Asian Development Bank has
Category of 10 states with "the largest approved a Rs 250 million policy-based
interest in international seaborne trade", loan to strengthen India's power sector
alongside Australia, Brazil, Canada, by improving financial sustainability
France, Germany, the Netherlands, and facilitating the shift to renewable
Spain, Sweden, and UAE. energy.
• India secured the large-scale support of • This policy-based loan will help reduce
the international community at the barriers to scale up commercial financing
International Maritime Organisation for for clean energy and contribute to
India to continue to serve the global India's fulfillment of its climate change
maritime domain. mitigation commitment
• The International Maritime Organisation • The Power Sector Reform Program
(IMO) is the leading authority that (Subprogram 1) is the first of a two-part
regulates the maritime industry, which program to strengthen the development
supports global trade, transportation, of markets for power trade and related
and all marine operations. ancillary services.
• This will facilitate the integration of
3. JT-60SA: World's biggest experimental intermittent renewable energy given
nuclear fusion reactor inaugurated in Japan India’s target of 50 per cent of its power
generation capacity from non-fossil fuel
• JT-60SA, the world's largest and most
sources by 2030.
advanced nuclear fusion reactor started
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• These policy actions will, among others, Corporation, a development finance

help accelerate the deployment of solar institution and agency of the US
and other renewable energy government.
technologies, promote the use of • Parekh, the managing director at
renewables in the agriculture sector, and software investment firm Insight
optimize dispatch of power plants to Partners, was nominated for the post
reduce emissions. last week.
• The loan will also enable measures to • His nomination will be for a period of
improve the financial performance, three years.
corporate governance, and service • By statute, the US International
quality of electricity distribution Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
companies (DISCOM) and create a Board of Directors includes four
conducive environment for private members recommended to the
sector investment. President from Senate and House
• It will aid in the implementation of an leadership.
incentive-based results-oriented
approach to improving DISCOM 7. World Radiocommunication Conference
performance on parameters including 2023 appoints UAE's Mohammed Al Ramsi as
losses, cost recovery, metering and Chairman
timely payment of dues in order to
access government budget support. • United Arab Emirates' Mohammed Al
Ramsi has been appointed Chairman of
5. Akshata Krishnamurthy becomes the first World Radiocommunication Conference
Indian citizen to operate a Mars rover 2023 (WRC 23).
• The event is being held in Dubai, UAE,
• Akshata Krishnamurthy is an Indian from November 20th to December 15th,
woman who created history as she 2023.
became the first person from the • WRC is organised by International
country to operate the Mars rover with Telecommunication Union (ITU) every
the National Aeronautics and Space four years to revise the global use of
Administration (NASA) in the United radio-frequency spectrum,
States. geostationary-satellite and non-
• Akshata is a PhD holder from the MIT geostationary-satellite orbits.
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology). • This year, more than 4,000 government
She is among the few Indians who joined officials and 900 international
NASA for a full-time opportunity. organisations from 193 countries are
attending the conference.
6. US Prez nominates Indian American global
venture capitalist to IDFC Board 8. Italy withdraws from China's Belt and Road
project
• President Joe Biden has nominated
prominent Indian-American global • Italy has formally notified China of its
venture capitalist Deven Parekh as a withdrawal from Beijing's ambitious belt
member of the Board of Directors of the and road infrastructure initiative (BRI), a
International Development Finance
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significant trade and infrastructure power in northern cities the following

project. year with the help of a French-led
• The Italian prime minister, Giorgia military operation. But rebels regrouped
Meloni, has long been critical of the in the desert and began launching
project and had expressed her intention attacks on the Malian army and its allies
to withdraw from the deal, seen by — which soon included the U.N. force.
many as an effort by China to buy
political influence. Italy became the only 10. COP28 concludes with historic agreement
G7 nation to join the initiative in 2019. to try to tackle the climate crisis
• The BRI scheme envisions rebuilding the
old Silk Road to connect China with Asia, • The United Nations Climate Change
Europe and beyond with vast amounts of conference, COP28, has concluded with
infrastructure spending on roads and a historic agreement to transition away
shipping routes. However, critics see it from fossil fuels, triple renewable
as a tool for China to spread its energy and increase climate finance for
geopolitical and economic influence – a the most vulnerable.
state-backed campaign for global • It aims to keep alive the goal of the Paris
dominance. Agreement to try to limit long-term
• China spent $240bn (£195bn) bailing out global average near-surface temperature
countries struggling under their BRI to 1.5C above the pre-industrial era.
debts between 2008 and 2021, data
11. Indian-American Medical Student Rijul
showed in March this year.
Maini Crowned Miss India USA 2023
• More than 100 countries have signed
agreements with China to cooperate on • This year, the Miss India USA pageant
BRI infrastructure and building projects
was crowned to Rijul Maini, a medical
since the scheme was launched in 2013. student from Michigan held in New
Jersey.
9. The UN peacekeeping mission in Mali ends
• The 24-year-old Indian-American aspires
after 10 years
to be a surgeon and hopes to serve as a
• The United Nations ended its 10-year role model to women everywhere.
peacekeeping mission in Mali following • Meanwhile, Greeshma Bhat of Virginia
the government's request that alleged was declared first runner-up and Ishita
the force was inadequate to respond to Pai Raikar of North Carolina was the
growing violent extremism in the West second runner up.
African nation.
12. China launches deepest lab on Earth
• The U.N. effort in Mali has been the
deadliest peacekeeping mission in the • The world's deepest and largest
world, with more than 300 personnel
underground laboratory became
killed. operational in China, state news agency
• Mali officially the Republic of Mali, is a Xinhua reported
landlocked country in West Africa. • The report said that the 2,400-metre-
• Landlocked Mali has struggled to contain deep physics laboratory in located in
an Islamic extremist insurgency since
southwest China's Sichuan Province.
2012.Extremist rebels were forced from
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• The report mentioned the scientists sworn in before parliament to begin his
think that the lab provides a major boost rule.
to the global search for dark matter, • The new emir, took over after the
which is a hypothetical form of matter passing of his half-brother, Sheikh Nawaf
that appears not to interact with light or al-Ahmad al-Sabah.
the electromagnetic field. • The 83-year-old Sheikh Mishal is
• It is expected that the lab will open up Kuwait's third ruler in just over three
new frontiers in deep-earth experiments years.
as the extreme depth will help the
scientists by blocking most cosmic rays 16. Over 1 mn Afghan children facing severe
that mess with the observation. malnutrition, says WHO chief
13. Noma added to WHO list of neglected • The World Health Organisation (WHO)
tropical diseases has said that over one million children in
Afghanistan are facing severe
• The World Health Organization (WHO) malnutrition.
announced that the gangrenous disease • As per WHO Director-General Tedros
noma has been added to its official list Adhanom Ghebreyesus the country
of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). needs $ 185 million to fight against
• Primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa, malnutrition.
noma mainly affects malnourished • He also wrote on X that 30 per cent of
children between the ages of 2 and 6 the total Afghanistan population faces
years. Poor oral hygiene, malnutrition, acute food insecurity.
weakened immune systems, and
extreme poverty are among the risk 17. UN announces 2024 as International Year
factors. of Camelids
14. Amongst the leaders in gender equality, • The UN has designated 2024 as the
Finland awards International prize to International Year of Camelids.
Aghanistan-based NGO • Camels, llamas, alpacas, vicuas and
guanacos are an important source of
• Finland, awarded the International livelihood for millions of families - most
Gender Equality Prize for 2023 to an of them pastoralists - in dryland and
NGO in Afghanistan that works to mountainous rangeland ecosystems
promote and protect the rights of around the world.
women in Afghanistan. • The Year is meant to raise the public's
• The organisation Afghan Women Skills and policymakers' awareness of the
Development Center does important significant role of camelids.
humanitarian work to promote the • The resolution for the International Year
safety of Afghan women. of Camelids, proposed by the
Government of Bolivia and presented by
15. Kuwait's new emir Sheikh Mishal takes Ecuador as Country Chair of the Group of
oath of office Latin American and Caribbean Countries
(GRULAC), was approved by the UN
• Kuwait's new emir, Sheikh Mishal al- General Assembly on 17 October 2017
Ahmad al-Sabah, has been formally
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upon recommendation by FAO (Food • Pakistan's military wing Inter-Services

and Agriculture Organization of the UN). Public Relations (ISPR) claimed it had
successfully conducted the flight test of
18. Angola quits OPEC over oil production Fatah-II, a guided multi-launch rocket
quotas disagreement system (MLRS).
• Equipped with state-of-the-art avionics
• Angola says it will leave the and navigation system, Fatah-II is
Organization of the Petroleum capable of engaging targets with high
Exporting Countries (OPEC) over a precision up to a range of 400
disagreement regarding production kilometres.
quotas, a move that will bring the group
down to 12 members. 20. BRICS group to double in 2024 after Saudi,
• Angola, which first joined OPEC in 2007, Iran, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia join ranks
has struggled to meet production quotas
over the past several years. • The BRICS club of emerging market
• The country is joining others, such as countries is expected to double on
Qatar and Ecuador, that have left OPEC. January 1st when Saudi Arabia, Iran, the
• OPEC Headquarters: Located in Vienna, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and
Austria. Egypt join the group.
• Angola is one of the largest oil • In August 2023, the current members of
exporters in Sub-Saharan Africa, the group Brazil, Russia, India, China and
alongside Nigeria. South Africa invited six other countries
• Founded in 1960, the 13-member OPEC to join them.
cartel in 2016 partnered up with 10 • Argentina formally rejected invitation to
other producers to form OPEC+ to gain join BRICS.
more clout. • The newly elected President of
• Without Angola, OPEC countries will Argentina, Javier Milei decided not to
produce about 27 million barrels of oil join the BRICS bloc of developing
per day, about 27 percent of the global economies, saying that the timing for
supply. Argentina’s membership in the bloc is
not opportune.
19. Pakistan successfully tests Fatah-II guided
multi-launch rocket system
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Sports
1. Ruturaj Gaikwad becomes the fastest Indian won silver medal, while Srishti Sathe
to 4,000 T20 runs won silver medal in 63 kg weight
• In the boys' category, Jatin won the
• Ruturaj Gaikwad has become the silver medal in the 54 kg category.
fastest Indian to accomplish 4,000 runs While Hardik Panwar in 80 kg category,
in men's T20 cricket. Ameesha Kereta in the 54 kg category
• He achieved the feat in the fourth T20I and Prachi Tokas in the 80 kg weight
against Australia at the Shaheed Veer category had to settle for silver medals
Narayan Singh International Stadium in only.
Raipur.
• The 26-year-old only needed seven runs 4. Jimmy George Award for Sreeshankar
to achieve 4,000 runs in the shortest
format of the game. • Olympian M. Sreeshankar, the long
• Eventually, India posted 174/9 from their jump silver medallist in the
20 overs. Commonwealth Games and Asian
Games, has won the 35th Jimmy George
2. R Vaishali becomes grandmaster, joins R Foundation Award for the best
Praggnanandhaa to become world's first sportsperson of Kerala.
brother-sister GM duo • The award carries a cash prize of Rs 1
lakh and a plaque.
• Indian chess ace R Vaishali joined • The award will be presented to
younger sibling R Praggnanandhaa to Sreeshankar at the Jimmy George Sports
become the world's first-ever brother- Academy at Peravoor, Kannur, on
sister Grandmasters duo and only the December 22.
third woman from the country to earn
the GM title, at the IV El Llobregat Open 5. Men's Volleyball Club World Championship
in Spain. to begin in Bengaluru
• Vaishali achieved the feat after crossing
2500 ELO rating points. • FIVB ( Fdration Internationale de
• She is the country's 84th GM. Volleyball) Men's Volleyball Club World
Championship 2023 will commence at
3. India bags 3 gold, 5 silver and 1 bronze the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in
medals in IBA Junior World Boxing Bengaluru .
Championship • This is the first time that the prestigious
tournament will be held in India.
• On the last day of IBA Junior World • The five-day tournament will see six
Boxing Championship 2023, India teams compete for the top honours.
bagged three gold, five silver and one • Prime Volleyball League Season 2
bronze medals in Yerevan, Armenia. champions, Ahmedabad Defenders, will
• Akansha won gold in 70 kg category, Pari become the first Indian team to feature
clinched gold medal in 48 kg weight in the competition.
category, while Nisha won gold in 52 kg • The Defenders qualified for the Club
category. In 52 kg weight category, Vini World Championship after winning the
Prime Volleyball League earlier this year.
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• Setter Muthusamy Appavu will lead the inspired effort of 85kg at the Khelo
Defenders. The top two teams in the India National Para Games.
group stages will qualify for the semi- • The girl from Punjab stood head and
finals on December 9, and the final will shoulders above the rest of the field,
be played on December 10. even as Sapna Shah from Gujarat took
silver with 47kg.
6. Italy Wins Admiral's Cup 2023 Held At • Sonam Patil of Maharashtra won bronze,
Indian Naval Academy with her best of 40kg.
• The 12th edition of 'Admiral's Cup' 9. Badminton pair Satwiksairaj-Chirag selected

Sailing Regatta concluded with a for Khel Ratna
glittering closing ceremony at Ettikulam
Beach at Indian Naval Academy (INA), • India's premier badminton men's
Ezhimala, Kannur, Kerala. doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
• Team Italy represented by Midshipman and Chirag Shetty is in line to receive
Avallone Antonio & Midshipman Creati the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna
Carlo Leonardo won the Admiral's Cup Award, the country's highest sports
23. prize. The pair has had a remarkable
• Team India represented by Midshipman year, reaching as many as six finals,
PPK Reddy and Cadet GY Reddy was the winning five.
Runners-Ups. • They won at the Asian Games, Asian
Championships, Swiss Open, Indonesia
7. First-ever Khelo India Para Games begins in Open and Korea Open.
New Delhi
10. Antim Panghal named UWW Rising Star of
• The first-ever Khelo India Para Games the Year
kicked off today in New Delhi. More than
1,400 participants from across 32 states • Two-time World under-20 champion and
and Union Territories including Services senior Worlds bronze medallist Antim
Sports Control Board are participating in Panghal (53kg) has been named United
the 8-day event. World Wrestling (UWW) Rising Star of
• Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry has the Year 2023 in women's section.
said that athletes participating in the • Antim won a silver in her senior Asian
Khelo India Para Games will receive championships debut, defended her U-
comprehensive medical coverage. The 20 World title and then won bronze at
Ministry said that the medical coverage the World championships.
includes emergency medical services, • The medal in Belgrade made the 19-
on-site medical teams and access to year-old the youngest Indian to win a
necessary healthcare facilities. medal at the World Championships.
Soon after, Antim traveled to Hangzhou
8. Jaspreet Kaur shines with a gold; Yogesh for the Asian Games and won a bronze
Kathuniya adds to Haryana's tally medal at 53kg.
• Jaspreet Kaur won the paralifting gold

medal in the elite 45kg category with an
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11. Hardik Pandya to captain Mumbai Indians • This is Djokovic's eighth ITF World
in IPL 2024, Rohit Sharma's 10-year-reign Champion award, which is also a record.
comes to an end He finished the year as ATP No. 1 for a
record-extending eighth time, where he
• In a momentous development, Mumbai bagged the Australian Open, French
Indians have appointed the returning Open and US Open, which also took his
Hardik Pandya as their captain for the majors' total to a men's leading 24. He
IPL 2024 season, taking over the reins was also runners-up at the Wimbledon
from Rohit Sharma after a 10-year stint and led the men's tour with seven titles.
as skipper. • This is the first time Sabalenka has
• Hardik, who led Gujarat Titans to IPL received this honour. She won the
crown in 2022, was traded back to MI Australian Open this year, which was
after two years. Rohit, along with MS also her first Grand Slam title. She was
Dhoni, has won the title most times for runners-up at the US Open, and also
his franchise ' five. made it to the semifinals of the French
Open and Wimbledon. She also made
12. Khelo India Games to be held in Tamil her debut at No. 1 in the WTA rankings
Nadu in January, 2024 in September this year and finished the
year at No. 2, behind Iga Swiatek.
• Khelo India Games will be held in Tamil
Nadu in January next year. The State 14. Paes, Amritraj become first Asian men to
Government said that the games will be be inducted into International Tennis Hall of
held in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai Fame
and Trichy from 19th to 31st January,
2024. • Former doubles world No. 1 Leander
• More than 5,500 sports persons and Paes and broadcaster and promoter
over 1,600 coaches are expected to Vijay Amritraj of India have become the
participate in the event. More than 1000 first Asian men to be inducted into the
referees and 1200 volunteers will be part International Tennis Hall of Fame.
of the sporting event. • Besides the duo, renowned journalist
• For the first time, squash will be and writer Richard Evans have also been
included in Khelo India games. elected in the Ultimate Honour in
Tennis.
13. Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic named • Paes, an 18-time Grand Slam champion
as 2023 ITF World Champions, pair achieve in doubles and mixed doubles, has been
special feat selected in the player category, while
Amritraj and United Kingdom's Evans are
• Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka
inductees in the contributor category,
were honored by the International
which is considered for election every
Tennis Federation as the 2023 ITF World
two years.The contributor category
Champions.
recognises true pioneers, visionary
• The pair were the only singles players
leaders, or individuals/groups who have
who managed to reach at least the semi-
made a transcendent impact on the
finals of all four Grand Slam events this
sport.
year.
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15. Zinc Football Academy Bags AIFF's • KIPG 2023, witnessed the participation
Topmost 'Elite 3-Star Rating' of around 1,450 para-athletes from
across the country.
• In just over 6 years since its inception, • Uttar Pradesh came second with 62
Zinc Football Academy ' a CSR initiative medals including 25 gold, 23 silver, and
of Hindustan Zinc, has achieved yet 14 bronze, while Tamil Nadu finished
another significant milestone and added third with 20 gold, eight silver, and 14
a golden feather to its cap, as the bronze medals. Athletes from 32 states
academy has been bestowed with the and Union Territories participated in the
prestigious 'Elite 3-star' rating by the All Games.
India Football Federation (AIFF).
• The AIFF rating firmly establishes Zinc 17. Sandeep claims MRF Formula 2000 crown
Football among the best youth
development academies in India. • Sandeep Kumar and Chetan Surnineni
• Zinc Football Academy's programme, won the MRF Formula 2000 and 1600
with a full-scholarship model, is titles as the curtains came down on the
committed to fostering and nurturing fourth and final round of the MRF MMSC
young footballing talent, and has FMSCI Indian National Car Racing
achieved several landmarks within a Championship 2023 at the Madras
short span of time. International Circuit.
• The Academy currently hosts over 70 • Also picking up the National titles in their
budding footballers categorized under respective categories were Gurunath
the age groups of under-13, under-15, Meiyappan (Race Concepts, Indian
under-17 and under-19. Touring Cars), Deepak Ravikumar
• The budding footballers get daily access (Performance Racing, Indian Junior
to state-of-the-art infrastructure, world- Touring Cars) and T.S. Diljith (DTS Racing,
class facilities, education, nutrition, Super Stock and Formula LGB 1300).
hostel and top-notch training – all
provided completely free of cost. The 18. Vijay Hazare Trophy: Harshal Bowls
academy’s holistic approach not only Haryana To Title Against Rajasthan
focuses on nurturing these young
• Haryana won the 2023 Vijay Hazare
footballers but also on their overall
Trophy in a remarkable turn of events at
development as future thought leaders
the Saurashtra Cricket Association
of our society.
Stadium in Rajkot, claiming their first-
16. First-ever Khelo India Para Games ever trophy with a 30-run victory over
conclude in New Delhi; Haryana dominates Rajasthan in the final.
medal tally with 40 gold, 39 silver and 26 • The triumph capped off one of the most
bronze dominant campaigns in Indian domestic
cricket history, with Haryana being
• The first-ever Khelo India Para Games unbeaten throughout the competition.
(KIPG) concluded in New Delhi with
Haryana winning the inaugural title by
securing 105 medals including 40 gold,
39 silver, and 26 bronze.
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19. IPL Auction 2024: Mitchell Starc becomes • Kiyana had also bagged the silver medal
most expensive player in the Asian U-8 Girls rapid chess
championship held last week.
• Mitchell Starc of Australia emerged as • Three Indians, AS Sharvaanica (U-8 Girls),
the most expensive player in the history Aarit Kapil (U-8 Open) and G Tejaswini
of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the (U-18 Girls), won silver medals in their
auction in Dubai. respective classical championships, while
• He was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders Aadya Ranganath won a bronze in the U-
(KKR) for '24.75 crore, breaking the 10 girls category.
record of Pat Cummins who was picked • AS Sharvaanica, who had bagged two
up for '20.5 crore by Sunrisers gold medals earlier in the 25th Asian
Hyderabad. Youth festival in U-8 Girls rapid and U-8
girls blitz categories, became the only
20. Maharashtra bags women's and AAI wins player to win medals in all three (blitz,
men's title events in Guwahati classical and rapid) categories.
• The Soviet players, who played under
• In team events of the 75th Inter State-
the FIDE flag, reigned supreme by
Inter Zonal Badminton Championship
winning four gold, four silver and two
2023, Maharashtra bagged women's and
bronze medals while China bagged two
Airport Authority of India (AAI) won the
gold, one silver and one bronze medals.
men's title events in Guwahati
• India had bagged nine medals, including
• The prestigious national championship
four gold (Bhagyashree Patil U-18 girls,
organized by Badminton Association of
Sapariya Ghosh U-14 girls, A S
India is being held in Assam after four
Sharvaanica U-8 girls and Muhammad
years.
Shyan Ibrahim U-8 Open), in the Asian
• The dominant AAI team appeared in
Youth Rapid Chess Championships held
both the men's and women's team finals
December 13.
and managed to win the title in the
• The Asian Blitz Chess Championships
men's category as they outclassed
held on December 17 saw three Indian
Karnataka 3-0.
girls -- V C Nivedita (U-12 girls), Pratitee
In the women's team event final,
Bordoloi (U-10 girls) and A S Sharvaanica
Maharashtra dominated AAI 3-0 with
-- win the gold medals for the country.
impressive displays from Shruti
Mundada, Alisha Naik and the doubles 22. Women's Cricket: India achieve historic
pair of Simran Singhi and Ritika Thaker feat with maiden Test victory over Australia in
one-off match in Mumbai
21. Kiyana, Harsh win gold in Asian Youth
Chess Championships • India recorded their maiden victory
against Australia in a women's test
• Two Indian youngsters, Kiyana Parihar
match at Wankhede Stadium in
(U-8 Girls) and Harsh Suresh (U-16 open)
Mumbai on 24 December 2023 with
won gold medals in the 25th Asian Youth
their comprehensive eight-wicket win in
Chess Championships (Classical), held at
the one-off contest. This is India's first
Al Ain Convention Centre in UAE.
victory against Australia in 11 tests since
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the teams first clashed in the longest international cricket after a test series
format in 1977. against India concludes early next
• India had taken control of the match month. Elgar, who has scored more than
with a commanding 187-run lead in the 5,000 runs with 13 centuries in his 84
first innings. They needed just 75 runs to tests, will play his final test at Newlands
win the match after bowling Australia in Cape Town starting January 3.
out for 261 in the second innings. India • Elgar made his debut against Australia in
reached the target just after lunch losing Perth in 2011, making a duck in each
two wickets. innings in an inauspicious start to his 12-
year test career, which has yielded 5,146
23. Anmol Kharb wins women's singles title at runs, including a high score of 199
National Badminton Championships in against Bangladesh in 2017.
Guwahati • He is South Africa's eighth highest scorer
in tests.
• In Badminton, Anmol Kharb has won the • Elgar was elevated to captain in March
women's singles title at the National 2021, replacing Quintin de Kock, and led
Badminton Championships 2023 in the Proteas to series wins in the West
Guwahati. The teenager lost the first Indies and at home against India, and a
game of the final to Tanvi Sharma but draw in New Zealand.
fought back to level the score. The men's
singles title clash saw an upset as the 25. Indian Olympic Association forms 3-
unseeded Chirag Sen secured the member ad hoc panel to run WFI
national title after defeating fourth-seed
Tharun M. • The Indian Olympic Association
• <ul><li>In the mixed doubles summit (IOA)constituted a three-member ad hoc
clash, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto committee to run the day-to-day affairs
defeated the sixth-seeded duo of Nitin of the WFI after the Sports Ministry
Kumar-Navdha Manglam 21-13, 21-8 to suspended the wrestling national body
claim their maiden national title. for not following the provisions of its
</li><li>Priya Devi Konjengbam and own constitution while taking decisions.
Shruti Mishra lifted the women’s • Wushu Association of India president
doubles title with a win over Ritika Bhupinder Singh Bajwa will be the
Thaker-Simran Singh.</li><li>The men’s chairman of the panel.
doubles final was an edge-of-the-seat • Wushu Association of India president
thriller where K Pruthvi Roy-Suraj Goala Bhupinder Singh Bajwa will be the
caused an upset by defeating Krishna chairman of the panel with hockey
Prasad Garaga-Vishnuvardhan Goud Olympian M M Somaya and former
Panjala. </li></ul> international shuttler Manjusha Kanwar
being the other two members.
24. Former South Africa captain Dean Elgar • The Sports Ministry suspended the WFI,
announces retirement from international three days after it elected new office
cricket after India series bearers with Brij Bhushan Singh loyalist
Sanjay Singh as president, and also asked
• Former South Africa captain Dean Elgar IOA to constitute an ad-hoc panel to
has announced his retirement from manage the affairs of the sports body.
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26. World Rapid Chess Championship: Koneru • She lost to Anastasia Bodnaruk of Russia
Humpy wins silver in women's event. in a tie-break sudden death on time to
concede the title.
• India's Koneru Humpy won the • Humpy had previously won the bronze
women's individual silver medal at the medal in 2012 at Moscow, Russia and
2023 World Rapid Chess Championships was crowned the world champion in
in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. 2019 at Batumi, Georgia.
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Agreements & MoUs
1. iVIS partners with ICICI Bank to Boost • This platform will include various use
Security with Advanced E-Surveillance cases, including content and community
Services engagement, customer data
management, audience segmentation,
• iVIS, a subsidiary of Magellanic Cloud, and sports analytics, as detailed in a
officially partnered with ICICI Bank for company statement.
the distribution of cutting-edge e- • The platform will provide immersive
surveillance services across its stadium-to-home fan experiences by
branches. leveraging the capabilities of augmented
• This collaboration will see iVIS deploying reality and virtual reality (AR/VR), along
state-of-the-art AI/ML and IoT with metaverse gamification.
technology to deliver services such as • The platform seeks to redefine how
real time video monitoring, facial sports fans engage with their favourite
recognition, incident detection and teams and events.
reporting.
• The strategic alliance aims to fortify ICICI 3. L&T Technology Services Joins Forces With
Bank’s branch-level security operations, Nasscom To Boost Gen AI Startups
specifically targeting areas like ATMs and
cash counter operations. • As a global frontrunner in Artificial
• iVIS will implement real-time threat Intelligence (AI) and digital engineering,
mitigations, remote security LTTS possesses an array of expertise in
management, and automated response creating advanced AI solutions. Its
systems to ensure a comprehensive portfolio includes AiKno' and Chest-rAi'.
security infrastructure. • AiKno' is an AI-driven platform that
• iVIS boasts expertise in the e- expedites the deployment of AI models,
surveillance domain, with a central facilitating enterprises to seamlessly
command centre located in Hyderabad incorporate AI into their operations.
overseeing 20,000 ATMs and banking • Collaboration with nasscom’s Generative
sites nationwide. AI Foundry set to fortify the startup
landscape Bangalore, Karnataka, India –
2. Tech Mahindra, AWS collaborate to propel Business Wire India L&T Technology
sports entertainment into the digital future Services Limited (LTTS), a prominent
with sports cloud platform global digital engineering and R&D
services company, has announced its
• Tech Mahindra announced a strategic collaboration with nasscom GenAI
collaboration with Amazon Web Foundry initiative to stimulate the
Services (AWS) recently to develop a growth of Generative AI in India by
cutting-edge sports cloud platform providing comprehensive support
catering to enthusiasts on a global scale. to startups operating in this field.
It aims to deliver an all-encompassing • According to nasscom, Gen AI startups in
digital platform designed for sports the country have successfully raised over
organisations. $475 million in funding from 2021
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through May 2023, signalling the sector's • Bharat Biotech and the University of
rapid expansion and potential. Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute
• LTTS is poised to nurture this growth by announced a memorandum of
offering resources and expertise to a understanding between them to
select group of startups to bring their advance vaccine research initiatives,
innovative concepts to fruition. strengthen academic-industry
partnerships and augment global efforts
4. Zydus Lifesciences Gets USFDA Nod For to combat infectious diseases.
Generic Heart Failure Treatment Drug • As per Bharat Biotech, the agreement
aims to build strong sectoral and cross-
• Zydus Lifesciences Ltd has received final organizational collaborations to design
approval from the U.S. health regulator novel methodologies to tackle future
for its generic version of Ivabradine epidemics and infectious diseases.
tablets indicated for the treatment of • It also aims at leveraging academia-
heart failure. industry strengths to advance the
• The approval by the U.S. Food and Drug science of vaccines and biotherapeutics.
Administration (USFDA) is for Ivabradine
tablets of strengths 5 mg and 7.5 mg. 7. Shrinithi Capital to open 30 more branches
• The drug will be manufactured at the in the South, inks pact with ESAF
group's formulation manufacturing
facility at Ahmedabad SEZ, India. • Chennai-headquartered Shrinithi Capital
• Ivabradine is indicated to reduce the risk Pvt Ltd, which provides commercial
of hospitalisation for worsening heart vehicle and two-wheeler loans, plans to
failure in adult patients with stable, open 30 more branches in South India
symptomatic chronic heart failure with and aims to double its AUM (assets
certain conditions. under management) from '300 crore to
• It is also used in children aged six '600 crore by 2024.
months and older for the treatment of • The company has entered into a
stable ymptomatic heart failure due to Business Correspondent agreement with
cardiomyopathy. ESAF Small Finance Bank Ltd to expand
its assets.
5. Infosys Inks Pact With Shell For Sustainable
Data Centres 8. ReNew signs letter of intent with ADB for
$5.3 billion financing
• IT major Infosys has partnered with
energy company Shell to accelerate the • ReNew Energy Global Plc has signed a
adoption of immersion cooling services memorandum of understanding (MoU)
for data centres. with the Asian Development Bank
• Infosys and Shell will bring together their (ADB) for debt financing of over $5.3
capabilities in digital and energy, billion for climate change mitigation and
respectively, along with an ecosystem of green energy projects.
partners to create an integrated offering • The tie-up is also expected to help ADB
for green data centres. achieve its ambition of investing $100
billion in green energy projects by 2030.
6. Bharat Biotech, Sydney ID Announce MoU
To Advance Vaccine Research Initiative
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• “The MoU covers projects with an • As per the MoU, farm ponds will be
investment value of more than $5.3 constructed in Belagavi and Gadag
billion between 2023 and 2028. It was districts through formation and credit
signed at COP28 in Dubai by ReNew’s linkage of joint liability group.
founder, chairman & CEO Sumant Sinha • Under the agreement, Deshpande
and Suzanne Gaboury, director general, Foundation will form JLGs and build farm
private sector operations department, ponds, and NABARD will provide
ADB," read a company statement. incentives for establishing and
supporting JLGs. KVGB will provide
9. Indian Oil and EKI Energy ink deal to institutional finance to JLGs for the
promote 'Surya Nutan development of agricultural ponds.
• Maharatna energy company Indian Oil 11. SBI Card joins Bharat BillPay in the credit
Corporation and Global carbon credit card category.
developer and supplier EKI Energy
Services have collaborated to promote • NPCI Bharat BillPay (NBBL), a wholly-
sustainable indoor solar cooking owned subsidiary of the National
systems. Payments Corporation of India (NPCI),
• This strategic collaboration aims to has successfully integrated SBI Card,
promote 'Surya Nutan', IndianOil's one of India's leading credit card
innovative indoor solar cooking system. issuers, into the credit card category of
• Under the MOU, Indian Oil will share the Bharat BillPay.
technology of Surya Nutan with EKI • This integration marks a significant
Energy to enhance its production and advancement, streamlining the credit
distribution, supported by carbon card bill payment process for millions of
finance while contributing towards the customers.
betterment of society and the
environment. 12. Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Partners with
• EKI Energy will oversee the end-to-end Water.org to offer Water, Sanitation and
management of Surya Nutan Hygiene Loans
encompassing manufacturing,
marketing, installation, and the provision • Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (Ujjivan SFB)
of after-sales services. has announced a partnership with
Water.org, a global non-profit
10. Farm ponds to be built in Belagavi, Gadag organisation that helps people get access
districts to safe water and sanitation through
affordable financing, such as small loans.
• National Bank for Agriculture and Rural • India has the highest population globally,
Development, Deshpande Foundation, and this partnership holds immense
and Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank promise in offering affordable financing
have signed MoUs for promoting the solutions for safe water.
construction of farm ponds in Belagavi • Under the partnership, Water.org will
and Gadag districts of northern assist Ujjivan SFB in identifying areas
Karnataka. that require financing for clean water
and hygienic sanitation.Water.org will
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provide technical assistance, market software in which the code is free or

assessment, development of widely accessible for anyone.
Information, Education and • Open-source AI involves more than just
Communication (IEC) material, code and computer scientists differ on
monitoring and evaluation support. how to define it depending on which
• To support the cause, Ujjivan SFB will be components of the technology are
offering loans to existing as well as new publicly available and if there are
customers starting from Rs 6,000 up to restrictions limiting its use. Some use
Rs 1,00,000 to enable them to construct open science to describe the broader
and/or renovate water and sanitation philosophy
facilities.
15. REC signs 200 million euro loan with
13. LTTS collaborates with Nasscom to support German Bank KfW to propel distribution
generative AI start-ups sector reforms
• IT firm L&T Technology Services Ltd • REC Limited, a Maharatna CPSE under
(LTTS) is collaborating with Nasscom the Ministry of Power, signed a 200
GenAI Foundry initiative to support million Euro loan agreement with the
start-ups that specialise in the field, in a German bank KfW.
bid to promote the growth of • This marks REC's sixth line of credit
generative AI in India. under the Indo-German Development
• The company aims to fuel the growth of Cooperation and demonstrates the
generative AI by offering resources and commitment to enhance the distribution
expertise to a select group of 26 start- infrastructure of DISCOMs in line with
ups. the Revamped Distribution Sector
• The selected start-ups will be mentored Scheme (RDSS) of the GOI.
and assisted with product development
and innovation roadmaps. They will also 16. RailTel signs MoUs with IIT Roorkee and
be provided with Proof of Concepts and University of Birmingham for strategic
participate in boot camps and collaborations
knowledge-sharing workshops hosted by
LTTS to enhance their domain expertise. • RailTel Corporation of India Ltd (RailTel)
has signed two MoUs with IIT Roorkee
14. Meta and IBM launch 'AI Alliance' to and with University of Birmingham to
promote open-source AI development establish a collaborative partnership in
the fields skill development for Railway
• Facebook's parent company, Meta, and signalling, Telecommunication, ICT and
IBM launched a new group called the AI development of digital twin for railway
Alliance advocating for an 'open- operation & maintenance respectively.
science' approach to AI development • The MoUs signed at the inaugural
that puts them at odds with rivals ceremony of IRSE International Railway
Google, Microsoft and ChatGPT-maker Convention 2023.
OpenAI. • The collaboration with IIT Roorkee
• The term 'open-source' comes from a encompasses the launch of professional
decades-old practice of building courses at RailTel's Center of Excellence,
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coupled with extensive Research and • Intellect Design Arena Ltd, a global
Development activities. The partnership leader in cloud-native FinTech solutions,
extends to the creation and operation of announces a landmark '80 crore, five-
a Center for Safety Assessment, forging a year deal with Indian Bank, reinforcing
robust alliance. the bank's commitment to corporate
• The collaboration with the University of banking modernization.
Birmingham open up opportunity for the • The partnership sees the deployment of
usage of cutting technology like Digital Intellect's eMACH.ai powered Cash
Twin in the field of proactive Railway Management System, a move set to
operation and Maintenance. transform transaction banking and
fortify Indian Banks.
17. Tata Power ties up with Indian Oil to set
up 500 EV charging points across India 20. NITI Aayog and IFPRI sign SOI to
strengthen policy frameworks for agricultural
• Tata Power said that its unit Tata Power transformation and rural development
EV Charging Solutions Limited has
signed a Memorandum of • The National Institution for
Understanding (MoU) with Indian Oil Transforming India (NITI Aayog) and the
Corporation Limited (IOCL) to install International Food Policy Research
more than 500 fast and ultra-fast electric Institute (IFPRI) signed a Statement of
vehicle (EV) charging points across India. Intent (SoI), aiming to fortify policy and
• Tata Power will install EV charging points program frameworks contributing to
across multiple IOCL retail outlets. India's developmental objectives.
• These EV charging points will be installed • The five-year SoI grants IFPRI a broad
in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, mandate to support NITI's Agriculture
Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Pune, Vertical in crucial areas.
and Kochi, as well as across major • The SoI activities include developing and
highways such as the Mumbai-Pune tracking Rural Transformation Indicators,
Expressway, Salem-Kochi Highway, supporting the design and evaluation of
Guntur-Chennai Highway and the Golden flagship programs, providing policy
Quadrilateral, the statement read. analytical tools, and generating evidence
on India's agri-food trade in regional and
18. RITES and CFM Mozambique ink deal for global contexts.
10 diesel locomotives • To ensure sustainable and inclusive
agricultural and rural transformation,
• State-owned RITES Ltd announced it has NITI Aayog has been actively guiding
signed a pact with CFM Mozambique for India's development programs through
the supply of diesel locomotives and periodic monitoring and evaluation with
incidental services at a total cost of USD a specific focus on agriculture.
37,680,080 (Rs 314.1 crore).
• The pact has been signed for the supply
of ten diesel locomotives.
19. Intellect signs '80-crore deal with Indian

Bank to deploy cash management system
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21. Government of India and ADB sigh $200 fuels, is also working on the generation
million loan for Uttarakhand climate resilient of CBG touted as an alternative to CNG
power system development project and other fossil fuels. Farmers usually
burn agriculture residue since they don’t
• The Government of India and the Asian have the means, the infrastructure and
Development Bank (ADB) signed the logistics required to process them.
agreement for availing of a $200 million • DBS has been roped in as the finance
loan from the Asian Development Bank partner for this.
(ADB), to improve the quality, efficiency • RIL has already started on a massive
and reliability of power supply in the program to set up biogas facilities across
state of Uttarakhand. the country starting with Barabanki in
• The ADB funding will strengthen power Uttar Pradesh. This plant is expected to
system infrastructure and help reduce carbon emissions by 40,000
Uttarakhand in achieving its goal of tonnes annually.
providing 24x7 power • The plan is to set up about 100 CBG
• Asian Development Bank Headquarters- plants across the country over the next
Manila, Philippines five years. This would help in consuming
• The project will empower women self- more than 5.5 million tons of agricultural
help groups in rural hilly districts, residue and organic waste, leading to 2
providing them with access to renewable million tons reduction in carbon
energy sources and energy-ecient emissions annually.
equipment to enhance their livelihoods. • The company is setting up biogas
• ADB will facilitate training programs for facilities at multiple locations in UP by
communities, focusing on energy using surplus agro residue and organic
conservation and business management waste.
skills, while also conducting awareness
and educational activities in schools to 23. Tata Steel to invest '100 cr in centre for
promote opportunities for employment innovation in London
in the energy sector. The project will
involve nongovernmental organizations • Tata Steel has signed a Memorandum of
in implementing and monitoring the Understanding with Imperial College
livelihood activities. London to set up a Centre for
Innovation in Sustainable Design and
22. RIL ropes in DBS Bank for compressed Manufacturing in London.
biogas push • The centre will enable the acceleration
of technology development and
• In its push for adoption of greener deployment in strategic areas, attract
energies, Reliance Industries has tied up talent and strengthen the industry-
with DBS Bank India to set up a financing academia collaborative eco-system. Tata
program for farmers and aggregators for Steel will invest 10 million ('104 crore)
the management of crop residue that over four years in this centre.
will be used to produce compressed
biogas (CBG).
• The conglomerate, which is aggresively
pursuing opportunities in non-fossil
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24. Cabinet approves MoU signed between 26. Kotak Mahindra Bank partners with IITK to
India and Tanzania on Cooperation in the field launch Kotak School of Sustainability through
of sharing successful Digital Solutions its CSR program
• The cabinet approved the MoU between • To address the challenges of global
the Ministry of Electronics and warming, and promote pedigree
Information Technology of the Republic education, research, and outreach,
of India and the Ministry of Information, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Communication and Information (IITK) and the Kotak Mahindra Bank
Technology of the United Republic of Limited (KMBL) joined hands to launch
Tanzania on cooperation in the field of Kotak School of Sustainability.
sharing successful Digital Solutions • The newly launched Kotak School of
implemented at Population Scale for Sustainability is India's first fully
Digital Transformation. integrated school of sustainability at IIT
• The MoU intends to promote closer Kanpur.
cooperation and exchange of • According to KMBL, this initiative will
experiences, digital technologies-based provide leadership solutions towards
solutions in the implementation of sustainability actions and prepare future
digital transformational initiative of both generations to lead the cause of
the countries. sustainable development.
• Both G2G and B2B bilateral Cooperation
in the field of Digital Public 27. IIT Kanpur collaborated with Indian Navy
Infrastructure (DPI) will be enhanced. to promote technology development
The activities contemplated in this MoU
would be financed through their • The Indian Institute of Technology,
administration's regular operating Kanpur (IITK) signed a Memorandum of
allocations. Understanding (MoU) with the Indian
• MoU envisages improved collaboration Navy signed at the Naval Headquarters.
leading to employment opportunities in • The MoU has been signed with the aim
the field of IT. to promote technology development,
innovative solutions and joint R&D.
25. KfW Development Bank to fund Bengaluru • The MoU would serve as a broader
Suburban Rail Project framework and enable both sides to
enhance capacity building, provide
• The Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project solutions to field level issues and
got a major thrust when a loan enhance training effectiveness through
agreement was signed with KfW exchange of faculty/ guest lectures.
Development Bank, Germany, by Rail • The structured collaboration focuses on
Infrastructure Development Company joint Research and Development
(Karnataka) Limited (K-RIDE) in New initiatives involving teams from Centre of
Delhi. Excellence (Marine Engg.) at INS Shivaji,
• As per the agreement, KfW Development Lonavla and IIT Kanpur.
Bank will provide Euro 500 million (Rs
4,552 crore) and a grant of Euro 4.5
million (Rs 41 crore) for the BSRP.
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28. Government of India and ADB sign 37 insurance solutions to the bank's
billion Japanese Yen loan for Delhi-Meerut customers.
Regional Rapid Transit System Corridor • Under this collaboration, the insurer will
leverage the extensive distribution
• The Government of India and Asian network of IDFC First Bank.
Development Bank (ADB) signed • The partnership will provide customers
agreement for a 37 billion Japanese Yen with a one-stop-shop for their financial
($250 million) loan that will continue needs, including a range of insurance
financing the construction of the 82- and banking products, and enhance the
kilometre Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid customer experience. The two
Transit System (RRTS) corridor. organisations will also collaborate to
• This project will enable the RRTS to create financial solutions that cater to
improve urban mobility, and the the changing needs of customers, they
project's economic impacts will also said in a joint release
benefit women.
31. Govt inks '1614-crore pact with Mazagon
29. Government of India and ADB sign $250 Dockyard Shipbuilders for 6 offshore patrol
million loan for Industrial Corridor vessels
Development in India
• Ministry of Defence (MoD)signed a
• The Government of India and Asian contract with Mumbai-based state-
Development Bank (ADB) signed a $250 owned Mazagon Dockyard Shipbuilders
million policy-based loan that will Ltd (MDL) for procurement of six Next
continue support to industrial corridor Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels
development to make manufacturing (NGOPVS) for the Indian Coast Guard
more competitive, strengthen national (ICG) valued at '1614.89 crore.
supply chains and links with regional • These multi-role state-of-the-art vessels
and global value chains, and create will be indigenously designed,
more and better jobs. developed, and manufactured by the
• The headquarters of ADB - Manila, MDL.
Philippines,
• This loan builds on the $250 million 32. ArSRLM inks MoU with SBI for banking
Subprogramme 1 loan approved by ADB services to SHGs
in October 2021 that helped strengthen
policy frameworks for the Government • Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods
of India’s National Industrial Corridor Mission (ArSRLM) has inked an MoU
Development Programme (NICDP) and with State Bank of India (SBI) to expedite
develop 11 industrial corridors. the SHG Bank Linkage on Savings, Credit,
Insurance & Remittances for 12000 self
30. Aditya Birla Sun Life, IDFC First Bank in help groups (SHGs) promoted under the
pact to collaborate on financial solutions Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National
Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) in
• Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance and IDFC Arunachal Pradesh.
First Bank have entered into a
bancassurance partnership to offer
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33. SBI signs Rs 1,300 cr LoC with World Bank • Jindal Steel Power Ltd said its
for rooftop solar projects partnership with Rashtriya Ispat Nigam
Ltd will ensure the supply of liquid steel
• The State Bank of India (SBI)said it has to its upcoming hot strip mill at Angul in
signed a $165 million (over Rs 1,300 Odisha.
crore) Line of Credit (LoC) with the • JSPL said it has entered into a
World Bank for promoting rooftop solar memorandum of understanding (MoU)
projects in the country. with RINL for the operationalisation of
• Earlier this week, SBI signed a 200 the latter's blast furnace-3 (BF-3). JSPL
million euro (about Rs 1,800 crore) LoC Managing Director (MD) : Bimlendra Jha.
with the European Investment Bank (EIB) • The blast furnace BF-3 at the RINL plant
for supporting climate action projects. in Visakhapatnam has been closed since
January 2021.
34. Nabard and ADB jointly launch climate • The restart of the BF-3 is planned for
action initiative with tech support from Bill Dec. 30, 2023, at a capacity of 2 lakh
and Melinda Gates Foundation tonnes of hot metal per month.
• Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), under
• The National Bank for Agriculture and
the Ministry of Steel, is among the top
Rural Development (NABARD) has
six steel manufacturing companies in
teamed up with the Asian Development
India.
Bank (ADB) to help the farming sector
• There are three blast furnaces of 2.5
tackle the adverse impact of climate
million tonne (MT) each at its plant in
change.
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• The two organisations, in association
with the Bill and Melinda Gates • JSPL will provide working capital support
Foundation,will tap climate capital to or raw material supply of Rs 800-900
fund agricultural, natural resources and crore under a pact signed between the
rural development (ANR) initiatives. companies.
35. Maruti Suzuki signs MoA with Haryana 37. Coca-Cola extends partnership with ICC till
government to set up second JIM 2031
• Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL)said it has • The Coca-Cola Company and
signed a memorandum of agreement International Cricket Council (ICC) have
(MoA) with the government of Haryana signed an agreement at the latter's
to set up second Japan-India Institute for headquarters extending the partnership
Manufacturing (JIM), at Kansala, in till end of 2031, becoming a brand
Rohtak. having the longest association with the
• Spread over five acres, the existing ITI cricket body.
Kansala will be upgraded to a JIM with • In 2019, the Atlanta-based beverage
an investment of '5.8 crore as a CSR major had entered into a four-year
activity of the company. partnership with ICC covering major
events.
36. JSPL Tie-Up With RINL To Secure Supply Of
Liquid Steel To Upcoming Angul Plant
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38. Reliance Jio joins hands with IIT Bombay to Bank customers to avail of life insurance
launch Bharat GPT, to bring OS for smart TVs products from HDFC Life.
• NKGSB Co-operative Bank is a multi-state
• Jio is set to launch its new AI project co-operative bank and has been at the
Bharat GPT, in a joint venture with forefront of adding value to its products
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) by establishing correspondent
Bombay. relationships. Sunil Panse, MD of NKGSB
• Jio is planning to introduce its AI project Co-operative Bank.
across all the segments of its company,
stretching across all the sectors of the 41. PNGRB, World Bank studying pathways for
society. Ambani said that the next 10 transmission of Hydrogen via gas pipelines
years will be defined by large-language
models and generative AI. • The Petroleum and Natural Gas
Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has joined
39. ONDC partners with Google, Meta to reach hands with the World Bank and
small businesses initiated a study to develop pathways
for transmission of Hydrogen in natural
• Ministry of commerce-backed e- gas pipelines both on its own and as
commerce protocol Open Network for Hydrogen blended with Compressed
Digital Commerce (ONDC) announced Natural Gas (CNG).
two separate partnerships with Google • Under the initiative of National Green
and Meta, to expand its outreach to Hydrogen Mission, the Government of
small businesses through Google Maps India has taken significant steps.
and WhatsApp. • The study comprises of mapping demand
• This, in turn, will help the service scale and supply of Hydrogen, Technical
up its net transactions per month among Assessment of the existing pipeline
consumers and large enterprises alike. network for its compatibility,
• With Google Maps, ONDC is onboarding commercial assessment of the pipeline
the Kochi Metro as a mobility service on sector, identifying bottlenecks in of
its platform. Users can make ticket policy and regulatory framework and
bookings for the metro service directly in framing of roadmap milestones till 2040
Google Maps, through the ONDC for expeditious implementation of
framework. Hydrogen-blending in India.
• For Meta, ONDC is being integrated into
WhatsApp, where small businesses will 42. India, Russia ink pacts on construction of
be able to streamline their onboarding future power units of Kudankulam nuclear
process on the framework. The move plant
will also form a key part of Meta’s focus
on monetizing its India market in 2024 • India and Russia have decided to
expand their civilian nuclear
40. HDFC Life and NKGSB Co-Operative Bank cooperation, with Moscow willing to
announce corporate partnership share technology for a small modular
reactor used in power generation, even
• HDFC Life & NKGSB Co-operative Bank as both sides are pushing towards the
have entered into a corporate agency completion of Phase 1 the of 6,000MW
tie-up, enabling NKGSB Co-operative
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Kudankulam nuclear power project in 43. Centre, Assam sign peace pact with ULFA
Tamil Nadu. faction
• The small modular reactors have a
power generation capacity of 75MW to • The Union Ministry of Home Affairs
300MW. (MHA), the Assam government and the
• The small modular reactors – these are pro-talks faction of the United
advanced nuclear reactors -- have a Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) signed
power generation capacity of 75MW to a memorandum of settlement.
300MW. • The ULFA was born during the anti-
• The Kudankulam nuclear power plant, foreigners movement of 1979
India's largest, is being built in Tamil demanding a sovereign State for the
Nadu with the technical assistance of Assamese people after several Bengali
Russia. The construction began in March speaking people crossed over to India
2002. post 1971.
• Since February 2016, the first power unit • The ULFA was born during the anti-
of the Kudankulam NPP has been foreigners movement of 1979
steadily operating at its design capacity demanding a sovereign State for the
of 1,000 MW. The plant is expected to Assamese people after several Bengali
start operating at full capacity in 2027, speaking people crossed over to India
according to Russian state media. post 1971 coinciding with the
Bangladesh Liberation War.
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Schemes
1. The Government of India has disbursed over major concern for the union
2.60 Lakhs Crore rupees to more than 11 Crore government, which will face voters in
farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme the general elections in April-May 2024.
• The first store will be opened at Central
• The government has introduced Face Delhi's Rajiv Chowk metro station, to tap
recognition and Aadhaar identification into the high footfall it receives. It will be
based eKYC of farmers to ensure owned and operated by National
transparency in the PM-Kisan Samman Cooperative Consumers' Federation of
Nidhi scheme (PM-Kisan). India Ltd .
• To ensure good governance and • NCCF an organisation that procures
transparency in direct benefit transfer to agricultural commodities like food
farmers, a new eKYC has been initiated grains, pulses, spices, oil seeds,
after the release of the 13th PM-Kisan pharmaceutical items and other
fund. consumer goods on behalf of the
• The Government of India has disbursed government and sells to consumers at
over 2.60 Lakhs Crore rupees to more reasonable rates.
than 11 Crore farmers under the PM-
KISAN scheme. 3. Finance ministry gave Rs 10,000 crore
• In the scheme, an amount of six advance for MGNREGS from contingency fund:
thousand rupees is transferred annually Govt
in three equal instalments of two
thousand rupees directly into the bank • The finance ministry has provided Rs
accounts of the farmers. 10,000 crore as advance for the rural
• The PM-KISAN Scheme was launched in employment guarantee scheme from
February 2019 to provide financial Contingency Fund of India, over and
assistance to all cultivable landholding above the budgetary allocation of Rs
farmer families across the country. 60,000 crore.
• Financial allocation of Rs 60,000 crore
2. Government to set up subsidised staple was made for the Mahatma Gandhi
food stores at Delhi Metro Stations National Rural Employment Guarantee
Scheme (MGNREGS) for the financial
• The central government will make year 2023-24 at budget estimate stage.
available kitchen essentials such as • The MGNREGS is a flagship scheme
onion, pulses and atta at subsidised aimed at enhancing livelihood security of
prices to consumers by opening retail households in rural areas of the country
stores at major metro stations in the by providing at least 100 days of
national capital this month. guaranteed wage employment in a
• If the project is successful, it plans to financial year to every household whose
extend it to other cities like Mumbai, adult members volunteer to do unskilled
Chennai and Bengaluru which have manual work.
metro rail networks, the official said.
• Elevated prices of food essentials -
wheat, rice, pulses, sugar, onions - is a
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4. DARPG launches Scheme and Web-portal • This national forest certification scheme
for National Awards for e-Governance 2024 offers voluntary third-party certification
designed to promote sustainable forest
• The Web-portal management and agroforestry in the
(http://www.nceg.gov.in) for National country.
Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2024 • About the Scheme:
has been launched on 8th December, • The scheme includes forest management
2023. certification, tree outside forest
• The formal launching was organised by management certification, and chain of
the Department of Administrative custody certification.
Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG). • The Indian Forest and Wood Certification
• The Central Ministries / Departments as Scheme can provide market incentives to
well as the Principal Secretaries (AR) and various entities that adhere to
(IT) and the DCs/DMs of all the 28 States responsible forest management and
and 8 UTs of India as well as Award agroforestry practices in their
Winners of NAeG 2023 were invited for operations.
the launch ceremony in hybrid mode. • This includes state forest departments,
individual farmers, or Farmer Producer
5. Railways withdraws emergency cashless Organizations engaged in agroforestry
treatment scheme and farm forestry, as well as other wood-
based industries in the value chain.
• The Indian Railways has withdrawn the
• The Forest Management certification is
Cashless Treatment Scheme in
based on the Indian Forest
Emergency (CTSE), a medical facility
Management Standard, consisting of 8
which benefitted a few lakh serving and
criteria, 69 indicators and 254 verifiers,
retired employees and their dependent
which is an integral part of the National
family members across the country.
Working Plan Code 2023, launched
• A pilot project for providing cashless
earlier this year.
treatment during emergencies in private
• A separate Trees Outside Forests
Railway-empanelled hospitals was
Standard, is now introduced as a part of
initially launched in metro cities in 2016.
the newly launched Indian Forest &
Later the ambit of the scheme was
Wood Certification Scheme.
expanded across the railway network
• The Indian Forest and Wood Certification
facilitating serving and retired
Scheme, will be overseen by the Indian
employees and their dependent family
Forest and Wood Certification Council,
members to avail treatment in private
which will act as a multistakeholder
hospitals during emergencies.
advisory body.
• The Council is represented by members
6. Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme
launched to promote Sustainable from eminent institutions such as Indian
Management of forests and agroforestry Council of Forestry Research and
Education, Forest Survey of India, Quality
• The Ministry of Environment, Forests Council of India, Indian Institute of
and Climate Change has launched the Forest Management including
Indian Forest & Wood Certification representatives from the Ministries of
Scheme. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and
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Ministry of Commerce and Industry, contributions, which itself would vary

State Forest Departments, Forest based on the age of joining the APY.
Development Corporations, and • The same pension would be paid to the
representatives from wood-based spouse of the subscriber after the
industries. demise of the subscriber and on the
• Indian Institute of Forest Management, demise of both the subscriber and
Bhopal will act as the scheme operating spouse, the pension wealth as
agency and will be responsible for accumulated till age 60 of the subscriber
overall management of the Indian Forest would be returned back to the nominee.
and Wood Certification Scheme.
• The National Accreditation Board for 8. 69% of the total 44.46 crore loans
Certification Bodies under the Quality sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Mudra
Council of India will accredit the Yojana, have been sanctioned to women
certification bodies which will carry out
independent audits and assess • As on 24.11.2023, out of total 44.46
adherence of various entities on the crore loans sanctioned under Pradhan
standards prescribed under the scheme. Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), 30.64
crore (69%) have been sanctioned to
7. Atal Pension Yojana (APY) enrolments women.
crosse the 6 crore mark • PMMY was launched on 08.04.2015 to
provide collateral free institutional credit
• The total enrolment under the Atal to Small/ Micro enterprises for income
Pension Yojana (APY) has crossed 6 generating activities.
crore, with over 79 lakh enrolments in
the current Financial Year. 9. PMBJP achieves generic medicines sales of
• The APY, a flagship social security Rs 1,000 crore this year
scheme of the Government of India, was
launched on 9th May 2015 to provide • The government said the Pradhan
old age income security to Indian Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
citizens, with a particular focus on the (PMBJP) achieved a landmark of selling
poor and workers in the unorganized generic medicines worth Rs 1,000 crore
sectors. this year.
• The Pension Fund Regulatory and • A total savings of about Rs 5,000 crore
Development Authority (PFRDA), in the was made by people who purchased
recent past, has taken several initiatives medicines from the Jan Aushadhi
for awareness creation of the scheme Kendras, which is present in more than
including the release of a one-page 785 districts across the country, an
simple APY flyer/handout in Hindi, official release said.
English, and 21 regional languages. • Govt has set a target to open 25,000
• Under the APY, the subscriber is eligible Janaushadhi Kendras across India by
to get triple benefits, as guaranteed by March 2026.
the Govt. of India, i.e. lifelong monthly
pension of Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000 from
the age of 60 years, depending on their
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10. MSME Ministry launches 3 sub-schemes reduce cases of delayed payments to

under RAMP programme; makes ZED scheme MSEs.
free for women • Moreover, the ZED scheme of the
ministry, which aims to promote
• MSME Minister Narayan Rane launched manufacturing without any negative
three sub-schemes under the ministry's impact on the environment, has now
existing RAMP ((Raising and been made completely free for women-
Accelerating MSME Productivity) led MSMEs. In addition, the government
programme to encourage the adoption will guarantee payment of 100 per cent
of sustainable technology in business, financial support for the certification
boost the circular economy and address cost under the scheme.
delayed payments issue.
• The MSME Green Investment and 11. Union Minister Smriti Irani inaugurates
Financing for Transformation Scheme National Programme on Anganwadi-cum-
(MSE GIFT Scheme) will help enterprises Crches in New Delhi
adopt green technology with interest
subvention and credit guarantee support • Women and Child Development Minister
while the MSE Scheme for Promotion Smriti Irani inaugurated National
and Investment in Programme on Anganwadi-cum-Crches
Circular Economy (MSE SPICE Scheme) is in New Delhi.
the first-ever scheme in the government • Government has planned to open 17
to support circular economy projects thousand creches all around the country
which will be done through credit and urged states and districts officials to
subsidy and support MSME sector identify groups of women construction
towards zero emissions by 2070, the workers and women farm labourers who
ministry said in a statement. can take advantage of the initiative.
• The third scheme MSE Scheme on
Online Dispute Resolution for Delayed 12. Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh have
Payments, said ministry, is a first-of-its- commissioned higher capacity under solar
kind scheme to synergise legal support park scheme
with modern IT tools and artificial
• Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh ' have
intelligence in order to address the issue
deployed higher capacities through the
of delayed payments for micro and small
solar park scheme.
enterprises.
• The Scheme for 'Development of Solar
• The key objectives of RAMP are to
Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power
accelerate centre-state collaboration
Projects' was rolled out in December
in MSME promotion and development,
2014 with an aggregate capacity of
enhance the effectiveness of existing
20,000 MW.
schemes of the MSME Ministry
• Further, the capacity of the Solar Park
for technology upgradation, strengthen
Scheme was enhanced to 40,000 MW in
the receivable
March 2017 to set up at least 50 Solar
financing market for MSMEs, enhance
parks. The timeline of the scheme is up
the effectiveness of CGTMSE, promote
to 2023-24.
guarantee for greening initiatives of
• Objective of the Scheme :
MSEs and women-owned MSEs, and
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• The objective of this scheme is to provide avenues for the Indian youth to
provide land and transmission to RE access short-term skilling opportunities.
developers on a plug-and-play basis. i.e, • Under the Skill India Mission, MSDE
the infrastructure such as land, roads, launched its flagship scheme, Pradhan
power evacuation system water facilities Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
are developed with all statutory on 15 July 2015.
clearances/approvals. Thus, the scheme • PMKVY 4.0 (FY 2023-26) was announced
helps expeditious development of utility- in the last Union Budget 2023-24 with an
scale solar projects in the country. aim to skill lakh of youth and provide
• The capacity of the Solar Parks is training in courses on Industry 4.0, AI,
generally 500 MW and above. However, robotics, mechatronics, IoT and drones.
smaller parks (up to 20 MW) are also PMKVY 4.0 has received the approval of
considered in States/UTs where there is EFC and the same has been submitted
a shortage of non-agricultural land. It is for the approval of the cabinet.
estimated that 4-5 acres per MW of land • However, the Department of
is required for setting up of solar parks Expenditure, Ministry of Finance has
• Under the solar park scheme, the Union granted approval for the release of funds
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under PMKVY 4.0 based on the
provides Central Financial Assistance Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC)
(CFA) of up to '25 lakh per solar park for Memorandum with the condition of
the preparation of a Detailed Project early approval of the scheme from the
Report (DPR). Besides this, CFA of up to Cabinet.
'20 lakh per MW or 30 per cent of the
project cost, including grid-connectivity The broad design principles of PMKVY 4.0
cost, whichever is lower, is also provided are:
for achieving the milestones prescribed
in the scheme i. Customized courses with high
• The total Central Grants approved under employability and duration up to
the Scheme is '8,100 crore. Solar Energy 210 hours.
Corporation of India & Indian Renewable ii. The scheme aims to synergize
Energy Development Agency (IREDA) vocational and educational streams
implement the scheme and also handle and increase the network of quality
the funds being made available under training providers by increasing
the scheme. partnerships of educational
institutions termed Skill Hubs.
13. PMKVY Trains 1.4 Crore Candidates, iii. Skill Hubs can be set up in Central
Announces India Skills 2023-24 and State Government Schools,
Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs),
• The Government has said that nearly Colleges and Universities (including
one crore 40 lakh candidates have been Skill Universities) with requisite
trained so far under Pradhan Mantri infrastructure for providing Short-
Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) since its term Training under PMKVY.
launch in 2015. iv. Skill Training is being imparted
• The Ministry of Skill Development and through Skill India Centres in
Entrepreneurship said, PMKVY aims to Educational Institutes, Government
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Institutions, PMKKs, ITIs, JSSs, IITs, • According to the Commerce and Industry
IIMs and others Ministry, as many as 746 applications
v. Focus is given on skilling in have been approved till November 2023
Futuristic/New Age job roles under these schemes.
pertaining to Industry 4.0, Web 3.0, • In the Union Budget 2021-22, the
AI/ML, AR/VR, Drone Technology government announced an outlay of Rs
etc 1.97 trillion for the schemes.
vi. Skill courses will be selected as per • The sectors included electronics,
industry demand, largely mapped telecommunication, pharma, white
in the district Skill Development goods (AC and LED light components),
Plan. and textiles. The aim is to enhance
vii. Special Projects for identified areas India's manufacturing capabilities and
and groups in agriculture, exports.
handicraft and high-end courses. • It added that of the USD 101 billion
viii. Skill India Digital to be a single- worth of total electronics production in
point enrolment and provide a 2022-23, smartphones constituted USD
platform for candidate training life 44 billion, including USD 11.1 billion as
cycle exports.
• Import substitution of 60 per cent has
been achieved in the telecom sector and
14. Jal Jeevan Mission Achieves 72% Rural Tap India has become almost self-reliant in
Water Coverage, Eyes 100% In 2024 Antennae, GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical
Network) and CPE (Customer Premises
• Under Jal Jeevan Mission, approximately Equipment).
72% of rural households now have • About PLI in the white goods (AC and
access to tap water connections, LED light components), it said that 64
according to official data. companies have been selected under the
• In 2024, the Jal Shakti ministry faces the scheme.
crucial target of achieving the 100% • Out of this, 34 would invest Rs 5,429
coverage of tap water connection to crore for air conditioner components
every rural household -a commitment and 30 would invest Rs 1,337 crore for
made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi LED component manufacturing.
in 2019. Nine states and Union
Territories have already achieved 100% 16. Women account for approximately 49% of
coverage. the total Ayushman cards created, says Health
Ministry data
15. PLI schemes attracted over Rs 95,000 cr
investment till Sep 2023: Centre • Women account for approximately 49%
of the total Ayushman cards created and
• The production-linked incentive (PLI) approximately 48% of total authorised
schemes for 14 sectors have attracted hospital admissions, noted data released
over Rs 95,000 crore in investment till by Health Ministry.
September this year, an official • Ayushman cards are made under
statement said. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan
Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), which
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provides health cover of '5 lakhs per have further expanded the beneficiary
family per year for secondary and base, at their own cost.
tertiary care hospitalisation. • Government data further revealed that
• Currently as per government figures 55 as of December 20, 2023, approximately
crore individuals corresponding to 12 28.45 Crore Ayushman Cards have been
crore families are covered under the created since the inception of the
scheme and many states and union scheme, out of which, approximately
territories implementing AB PM-JAY 9.38 crore Ayushman Cards have been
created during the year 2023.
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Appointments & Resignations
1. Grounded Airline Go First's CEO Kaushik • Vidyarthi is head of marketing, business

Khona Resigns development at CASE New Holland, a
construction equipment business.
• Grounded Go First's CEO Kaushik Khona
has put in his papers, nearly seven 4. Kanchan Devi becomes first woman officer
months after the no-frills airline filed for to be appointed as DG of ICFRE
insolvency proceedings. In an e mail to
the airline's employees, Khona said that • 1991-batch Indian Forest Service Officer
Nov. 30 is his last day at the company. of Madhya Pradesh cadre Kanchan Devi
Khona had returned to Go First in August has been appointed as the Director
2020 as its CEO. General (DG) of the Indian Council of
Forestry Research Education (ICFRE)
2. Hindustan Unilever appoints former • Kanchan is the first woman officer to
revenue secretary Tarun Bajaj as an hold this post of the premier council
independent director under the Union Ministry of
Environment, Forest, and Climate
• Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has Change.
announced the appointment of Tarun • With its headquarters in Dehradun, the
Bajaj as an Independent Director on its ICFRE is the country’s leading
Board, effective December 1, 2023, for a organization for advising the
five-year term. Mr. Bajaj, aged 61, brings Government of India, the state
a wealth of experience, having served in governments and other stakeholders like
the Indian Administrative Service since farmers, industries and academicians on
1988, belonging to the Haryana Cadre. the issues relating to forestry research
• Before retiring in November 2022, Mr. and technologies for meeting the new
Bajaj held the position of Revenue challenges in the field of forest
Secretary, Government of India. In this conservation
role, he played a pivotal part in
stabilizing the Goods and Services Tax 5. Max Life Insurance appoints Rajiv Anand as
(GST) and significantly increasing Chairman, Analjit Singh resigns
revenue collections under GST and
Income Tax. • Max Life Insurance, a material subsidiary
of Max Financial Services, has a new
3. Rural Marketing Association of India Chairman, Rajiv Anand.
appoints Puneet Vidyarthi as its president • This follows the stepping down of Analjit
Singh from the Chairmanship and
• Rural Marketing Association of India membership of the Board of Directors of
(RMAI), the premier body of rural Max Life Insurance.
marketers in India said it has appointed • Before this elevation, Anand, a non-
Puneet Vidyarthi as its president for executive director of Max Life, was
2023-2025, taking over from Biswabaran nominated by Axis Bank Ltd as Chairman
Chakrabarti. of Max Life Insurance.
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6. Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi to become • Dayal will oversee the implementation of
India's new Vice Chief of Navy Staff the pipeline of infrastructure projects in
thermal, renewable energy and green
• The Government of India has approved hydrogen by Adani Infrastructure India,
several high-profile appointments, Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) said in
including the elevation of Vice Admiral a statement on Friday.
Dinesh K Tripathi to the position of Vice
Chief of the Naval Staff. 10. Dr Mohan Yadav Appointed As Chief
• He is set to take on the crucial role of Minister Of Madhya Pradesh; Jagdish Devda,
Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, effective Rajendra Shukla As Deputy CMs
early January 2024.
• Dr Mohan Yadav has been announced as
7. IDFC FIRST Bank's ED Madhivanan resigns the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.
Narendra Singh Tomar was appointed as
• IDFC FIRST Bank said its Executive assembly speaker.
Director Madhivanan Balakrishnan has • Malhargarh MLA Jagdish Devda and
tendered his resignation. Rewa MLA Rajendra Shukla have been
• The Nomination & Remuneration appointed as two deputy CMs of the
Committee and the Board of Directors of state. The 58-year-old CM-designate
the Bank at their respective meetings replaces CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
held has accepted the said resignation
(tendered on December 06, 2023) 11. Parama Sen appointed part-time member
• He continues to serve the Bank for of PFRDA board
necessary handovers until December 15,
2023 • The Centre has appointed Parama Sen,
Additional Secretary, Department of
8. Indian-origin media executive Samir Shah to Expenditure in the Finance Ministry, as a
head BBC Board part-time member in Pension Fund
Regulatory and Development Authority
• A British-Indian has been picked by the (PFRDA).
U.K. Government to head the British • PFRDA has a chairman besides three
Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) as its whole-time members and three part-
next chair. time members.
• Samir Shah, a 71-year-old former BBC • Parama Sen replaces Anne George
non-executive director and media Mathew, who demitted office this year.
executive, was born in Aurangabad and • All three part-time member posts in
moved to the U.K. in 1960. PFRDA board are now filled.
• The two other part-time members —
9. Bimal Dayal appointed as CEO of Adani Infra Rahul Singh (Department of Personnel
India and Training) and Pankaj Sharma
(Department of Financial Services) —
• Adani Energy Solutions' transmission
were appointed last year.
business chief Bimal Dayal has been
• Dr. Deepak Mohanty is the 11th &
appointed as the CEO of Adani
current Chairperson of Pension Fund.
Infrastructure India.
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Regulatory and Development Authority and Nagapattinam districts and Deputy

(PFRDA). Commissioner of Police in Tirunelveli,
• The Pension Fund Regulatory & Tiruchi and Gurgaon, Haryana.
Development Authority Act was passed
on 19th September, 2013 and the same 14. Sanjay Singh elected new president of
was notified on 1st February, 2014. Wrestling Federation of India
PFRDA is regulating NPS, subscribed by
employees of Govt. of India, State • Sanjay Singh has been elected the new
Governments and by employees of president of the Wrestling Federation of
private institutions/organizations & India (WFI).
unorganized sectors. • Sanjay Singh is the vice president of the
Uttar Pradesh Wrestling Association and
12. India's Uma Sekhar elected to governing previously served on the WFI's executive
council of UNIDROIT council.
• He has also been the national
• Uma Sekhar, India's first woman federation's joint secretary since 2019.
candidate, was elected in the Governing • He will take over the reins of the WFI
Council of the International Institute for chief from Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
the Unification of Private Law
(UNIDROIT). 15. ICICI Bank receives RBI nod for Sandeep
• It is noteworthy that all 25 positions on Batra's 2-year extension as executive director
the Governing Council are occupied by
distinguished legal experts. • Private sector lender ICICI Bank Ltd on
• The International Institute for the December 20 said it has received
Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) is approval from the Reserve Bank of India
an independent intergovernmental (RBI) for the re-appointment of Sandeep
Organisation with its seat in Rome, Batra as executive director effect from
Italy.Its purpose is to study needs and December 23, 2023, to December 22,
methods for modernising, harmonising 2025.
and co-ordinating private and in
16. Indian envoy Santosh Jha presents
particular commercial law as between
credentials to Sri Lankan President
States and groups of States and to
formulate uniform law instruments, • India's new High Commissioner to Sri
principles and rules to achieve those Lanka Santosh Jha has assumed charge
objectives. and presented his credentials to
President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
13. Senior IPS officer Maheshwar Dayal takes
• Jha replaces Gopal Baglay, who has been
over as Director General of Prisons
appointed as the next High
• Senior IPS officer and Additional Director Commissioner of India to Australia.
General of Police (ADGP) Maheshwar • Jha, a senior diplomat, was India's
Dayal took charge as Director General of Ambassador to the European Union,
Prisons and Correctional Services Belgium & Luxembourg before taking up
• He had served as Superintendent of his assignment here.
Police (SP) in Virudhunagar, The Nilgiris
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17. SEBI approves Pramod Agrawal's Quadrillion Finance Pvt to provide credit
appointment as BSE Chairman to young Indians.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of 19. RBI approves appointment of C S Rajan as
India (SEBI) has approved the part-time chairman of Kotak Mahindra Bank
appointment of Pramod Agrawal as the
new Chairman of the Bombay Stock • Kotak Mahindra Bank said the Reserve
Exchange (BSE). Agrawal's tenure will Bank of India (RBI) has approved the
start on January 17, 2024, as per a appointment of C S Rajan, Independent
regulatory filing by the stock exchange. Director of the bank, as the Part-time
Agrawal, a former IAS officer, previously Chairman, for a period of two years,
held the position of Chairman at Coal effective January 1, 2024.
India till June 2023. • C S Rajan was appointed as an
• The decision to appoint Agrawal was Independent Director on the Board of
endorsed by the BSE Board, following the Bank, with effect from October 22,
the conclusion of SS Mundra’s term as 2022.
Chairman and Public Interest Director on • CS Rajan’s appointment as the next Part-
January 16, 2024.Popularly known as time Chairman of the Bank’s Board
BSE, the bourse was established as 'The follows the retirement of the incumbent
Native Share & Stock Brokers' Part-time Chairman, Prakash Apte,
Association' in 1875. In 2017 BSE whose term expires on 31st December
become the 1st listed stock exchange of 2023.
India.
20. Rahul Rasgotra appointed ITBP chief; Nina
18. North East SFB Appoints Satish Kumar Singh becomes first woman to head CISF
Kalra As Interim CEO
• Intelligence Bureau officer Rahul
• North East Small Finance Bank has Rasgotra got the charge of the Indo-
appointed Satish Kumar Kalra as its Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Nina Singh
interim managing director and CEO. becomes the 1st woman to head the
• Kalra's appointment has also received Central Industrial Security Force.
approval from the Reserve Bank of India, • Anish Dayal Singh has been made the
apart from the Guwahati-based bank's Director General of the Central Reserve
board. Police Force (CRPF).
• The RBI has approved the merger of • Vivek Srivastav has been appointed
fintech startup Slice and North East Director General, Fire Service, Civil
Small Finance Bank Ltd. to ensure Defence and Home Guards. Central
financial inclusion. Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the
• Slice is based out of Bengaluru, and runs world's largest paramilitary force.
a non-banking financial company, name
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Awards
1. Hindustan Shipyard Ltd bags five SODET • Suganthy Sundararaj received the Award
Silver Awards at the International Public Relations
Festival underway at New Delhi.
• Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL), a Defence • The Award recognizes her dedication to
PSU has received five SODET Silver the communications and public relations
Awards at the National Quality Circles industry and her stellar role in shaping
Competition for defence PSUs. The the strategic management of the public
event, themed around Innovation, relations function in the healthcare
indigenisation and quality, took place at domain.
GRSE, Kolkata.
• SODET (Society of Defence 4. President Droupadi Murmu to confer
Technologists) a non-profit certification National Awards for empowerment of
body is established by like-minded Divyangjan in New Delhi
people from different organisations have
come together to provide management • President Droupadi Murmu will confer
system certification services as per the the National Awards for the
relevant national and international empowerment of Persons with
standards in an ethical and impartial Disabilities (Divyangjan), 2023.
manner in line with the requirements of • The President will confer the awards on
society at large. the occassion of International Day of
Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), for their
2. Power Grid conferred SKOCH Gold Award outstanding achievements and work
2023 done towards empowerment of Persons
with Disabilities every year.
• Power Grid Corporation of India Limited • The programme will be organized by the
(PGCIL), a Maharatna CPSU under Department of Empowerment of
Ministry of Power, has been conferred Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan),
the prestigious SKOCH Gold Award Union Ministry of Social Justice &
2023. Empowerment at Vigyan Bhawan in New
• The award was given for the Pugalur Delhi. The theme for the IDPD in 2023 is
Thrissur 2000 MW Voltage Source "United in action to rescue and achieve
Converter HVDC System. the SDGs for, with and by persons with
disabilities."
3. PR Icon Suganthy Sundararaj Receives PRSI
National Award for Outstanding Contributions 5. Social Innovators from India win accolades
to Healthcare Communications at the 4th edition of ASEAN India Grassroots
Innovation Forum (AIGIF) in Malaysia
• Suganthy Sundararaj, Regional Head,
Public Relations, Apollo Hospitals, has • Two grassroots innovators and one
been honoured with the PRSI National student innovator from India won prizes
Award for Outstanding Contributions to in the grassroots innovation and student
the Public Relations Society of India and innovation competition respectively at
the public relations industry. the 4th edition of ASEAN India
Grassroots Innovation Forum (AIGIF), a
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flagship programme hosted by 7. President Draupadi Murmu gives national

Malaysia's Ministry of Science, award to Narayan Seva Sansthan's president
Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI)
which concluded on November 30, 2023. • Prashant Agrawal, President of Narayan
• Mr. Dipak Bharali from Sualkuchi, Seva Sansthan, was honoured with the
Kamrup, Assam, India won the 1st prize prestigious National Award for 'Best
in the grassroots innovation competition Personality- Empowerment of
category for the innovation Weft Differently-abled' by President Draupadi
Insertion Device while Mr Sunil Shinde Murmu at a ceremony organised by the
from Jalna, Maharashtra won the Department of Empowerment of
3rd prize in the grassroots innovation Persons with Disabilities.
competition category for the innovation • Recognised for his outstanding
Silkworm Breeding Net Folding Machine. contributions, Prashant Agrawal has led
• In the student innovation competition, initiatives in establishing residential
Ms Aanchal Aggarwal from Delhi has schools, and vocational rehabilitation
won the 3rd prize for her innovation centres, and providing assistive devices
Parkinson Lathi. for differently-abled individuals.
• Agrawal, upon receiving the award,
6. ESIC bags 'ISSA Vision Zero 2023' Award at dedicated the recognition to the
the 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health beneficiaries of Narayan Seva Sansthan.
at Work in Sydney, Australia • The organisation, committed to serving
humanity and disability causes since
• The Employees' State Insurance 1985, has conducted over 445,000
Corporation (ESIC) bagged the 'ISSA surgeries and aided nearly 40,000
Vision Zero 2023' Award in the recently amputees with artificial limbs.
held 23rd World Congress on Safety and
Health at Work in Sydney, Australia. 8. Amazon India Wins Prestigious National
• 'Vision Zero' is a transformational Award for Empowering Individuals with
approach for prevention of accidents at Disabilities
work places integrating the three
dimensions of safety, health and well- • Amazon India announced its receipt of
being at all levels of work. the prestigious National Award for
• ESIC was awarded with “ISSA Vision Zero Empowerment of Persons with
2023” as it had great success in outreach Disabilities, awarded by the
in the field of safety and health at work Government of India.
places by aligning the prevention • The award was presented by Smt.
strategy besides post-accidental Droupadi Murmu, Honourable President
mechanism for medical care and cash of India, at Vigyan Bhavan on
benefits to the workers and their International Day of Persons with
dependents. The award also underlines Disabilities .
the improvements that have been made • Amazon India has implemented a
in the service delivery of the ESI comprehensive strategy to integrate
Corporation as well as increase in its inclusivity across its operations,
administrative and operational efficiency products, and services.
using IT enabled initiatives. • This includes:
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• Building a Diverse and Inclusive 10. BHEL wins CII-EXIM Bank Award for
Workplace: Increasing the onsite Business Excellence - 2023
representation of PWD’s by 2X (2400+)
in our off-roll representations and by 8X • Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
(85+) in on roll representations across has won the prestigious CII EXIM Bank
our Operations sites in India Award for Business Excellence 2023.
• Accessible Workplace • This award is a testament to the
Practices: Implementing innovative company's unwavering commitment to
workplace adaptations and technologies excellence, resilience and its ability to
to accommodate diverse needs, ensuring adapt to the dynamic business
a supportive and inclusive work landscape. The CII-EXIM Bank Award is
environment for employees with based on the internationally recognized
disabilities. European Foundation for Quality
• Government Partnerships and Management.
Community Programs: Collaborating
with the central and multiple state 11. Woman AI innovator from Alappuzha bags
governments (Maharashtra, Gujarat, international prize
Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka)
• Sreya Francis, an artificial intelligence
through MoUs for providing
(AI) innovator from Cherthala, won the
employment opportunities, NGOs and
AIconics Solutions Implementer of the
National institutes to facilitate skill-
Year award at the AI Summit held in New
building programs.
York
• Accessible Products and
• The prize is given to individuals who
Services: Continuously innovating to
have developed in-house innovation and
enhance the accessibility of Amazon
successfully implemented AI to drive
shopping, devices and services, enabling
meaningful change and business growth
seamless experiences for customers with
for their brand.
disabilitie
• Ms. Francis, who works as head of
9. Indian-origin novelist bags Singapore's technical innovation at Farm Mutual Re
highest arts accolade in Ontario, Canada, emerged as the
winner beating a line-up of five
• Eighty-one-year-old Indian-origin writer shortlisted AI innovators.
Meira Chand was among the three
Singaporeans conferred the Cultural 12. Azentio wins double honours at IBSi Global
Medallion, the city-state's most FinTech Innovation Awards 2023
prestigious arts accolade, in recognition
• Azentio has announced that it won two
of their artistic excellence and
awards at the 5th edition of the
contribution to enriching the country
prestigious IBS Intelligence Global
arts and culture scene.
FinTech Innovation Awards 2023.
• Chand, fellow novelist Suchen Christine
• The awards were formally presented at
Lim and Malay dance veteran Osman
the Cedar-IBSi Summit on Digital & Core
Abdul Hamid received the award from
Banking, recently held in Mumbai.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at
• Azentio Software provides critical,
a ceremony held at the Istana.
vertical-specific software products for
www.oliveboard.in
customers in banking, financial, and • In the United States, former United

insurance. Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon
• Azentio won the awards for 'Best Islamic was honoured with Lifetime
Banking Implementation: Best Project Achievement Award at The Power of
Implementation' for its work with One Award 2023 ceremony, organised
Summit Bank Limited, Pakistan; and by the Diwali Foundation USA.
'Best Transaction Banking • The awards are granted to selfless
Implementation: Best Adopted Tools and individuals for their help to form a
Practices' for its work with Vision Bank, peaceful and secure world for all.
United Arab Emirates (UAE).Both awards • They are hailed as the 'Oscars of
honoured the outcome-driven diplomacy'
implementations of iMAL, Azentio's
Islamic Banking platform, and were the 15. At COP28: Game-Changing Innovator
first to be certified by the Accounting award for plastic surgeon Dr Atul Shah
and Auditing Organisation for Islamic
Financial Institutions (AAOIFI).The Global • At the recently concluded UN Climate
FinTech Innovation Awards seek to Change COP-23 at Dubai, Dr Atul Shah
honour banks, financial institutions, and was felicitated with the 2023 REACH
technology players for their excellence in (Recognizing Excellence Around
innovations using emerging Champions of Health )'s Game Changing
technologies. Innovator award that recognises unsung
heroes of global health.
13. Javed Akhtar to be felicitated with • The awards ceremony was held at the
Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award at Reaching the Last Mile Forum, held
the Ajanta-Ellora Film Festival within COP28's Health Day.
• Some three decades ago, plastic surgeon
• Veteran lyricist-screenwriter Javed Dr Atul Shah realised that a simple
Akhtar will be felicitated with the surgery without the use of special
Padmapani Lifetime Achievement equipment could tackle deformities of
Award at the Ajanta-Ellora Film Festival. leprosy-affected patients.
• Akhtar, the co-writer of Hindi cinema • He soon published ‘One in Four Lasso’
classics such as 'Zanjeer', 'Deewaar', operative techniques in the European
'Sholay', 'Don', 'Kaala Patthar' and 'Mr Journal of Hand Surgery
India', will be honoured for his • But it was the unavailability of adequate
contribution to the Indian film. care to deal with smelly and poorly
• The award ceremony will take place at bandaged unhealed foot wounds that
Rukmini Auditorium in MGM University led this surgeon to design a ‘self-care
campus of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar kit’.
on January 3, 2024. • This innovative solution has been
integrated into the country’s National
14. Former United Nations Secretary-General Leprosy Eradication Programme (since
Ban Ki-Moon honored with Lifetime 2007) and benefited 80,000 people
Achievement Award across India.
www.oliveboard.in
16. Indian Scientist Dr. Hemachandran have established him as a distinguished

Ravikumar Received Karmaveer Chakra actor globally.
Medal-2023
18. NTPC Wins Two Silver Awards in Brandon
• Dr. Hemachandran Ravikumar was Hall Group's Excellence in Technology Awards
honored with the Karmaveer Chakra
Medal and Rex Karmaveer Global • NTPC, India's largest integrated power
Fellowship by ICONGO in collaboration company, has been declared as the
with the United Nations in New Delhi, winner at the Brandon Hall Group's
in recognition of his exceptional Excellence in Technology Awards 2023.
contributions to R&D in Physical & Bio- • NTPC stands out as the only PSU in India
Science and Microbiological Studies. to secure dual accolades in the
• The Rex Karmaveer Chakra Medal, Technology Awards category.
regarded as one of the most • The company received the coveted silver
distinguished civilian distinctions, is awards in two distinct categories: "Best
given to persons who have made Advance in Corporate Wellbeing
remarkable contributions to the well- Technology" and "Best Advance in
being of humanity on a global scale. Augmented and Virtual Reality."
• Dr. Hemachandran Ravikumar's • This recognition underscores NTPC's
outstanding contributions to scientific commitment to innovation and
knowledge and the comprehension of technological excellence, placing it at the
biological sciences have justifiably won forefront of advancements in corporate
him this prestigious award. wellbeing and immersive technologies.
• The Silver Award in the 'Best Advance in
17. Veteran actor Kabir Bedi awarded Italy's Corporate Wellbeing Technology'
civilian honour 'Order of Merit' Category was won by NTPC for its efforts
in leveraging Technology to design an
• Veteran actor Kabir Bedi has been Individual-Centric Health Care Ecosystem
recently conferred with one of Italy's which overcomes the limitations posed
highest civilian honors, the 'Order of by the diversity and remoteness of NTPC
Merit.' Sites and provides effective medical
• This prestigious accolade recognizes his services to all employees across all
contributions to the world of cinema and locations, thereby facilitating employees
his remarkable achievements in the to contribute fully towards achievement
entertainment industry spanning several of company goals
decades.
• Kabir Bedi, known for his versatility and 19. Daniel Barenboim, Ali Abu Awwad
impactful roles in Indian cinema and awarded Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace
international projects, received this
honor as a token of appreciation for his • Music conductor Daniel Barenboim and
outstanding career. His notable peace activist Ali Abu Awwad, who
performances in iconic movies like have worked to promote amity among
“Octopussy,” “The Bold and the the Israeli and Palestinian people, have
Beautiful,” and acclaimed Indian films been jointly awarded the Indira Gandhi
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Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Course at Defence Services Command

Development for 2023. and Staff College (DSCSC) in Sri Lanka
• Barenboim and Awwad, whose work have been awarded the 'Golden Owl'
focuses on the use of non-violent tools for their outstanding performance.
of music, dialogue and peoples’ • The DSCSC course is a program designed
participation, were chosen by an to prepare senior officers for leadership
international jury chaired by former roles in joint operations and higher
chief justice of India, TS Thakur, command.
according to a statement from the Indira • The 'Golden Owl' award admires
Gandhi Memorial Trust. analytical skills, strategic thinking, and
potential for future leadership.
20. Professor Savita Ladage to get prestigious
Royal Society of Chemistry prize 23. Genrobotics chosen among top three
Indian startups at global AI summit
• Professor Savita Ladage from Homi
Bhabha Centre for Science Education • Genrobotics, a Kerala-based startup
(HBCSE), an autonomous institute acclaimed for leveraging technology for
affiliated to Tata Institute of social change, has been adjudged
Fundamental Research, has been among top three Artificial Intelligence
selected by the London-based Royal (AI) startups of India at the Global
Society of Chemistry (RSC) to receive its Partnership on Artificial Intelligence
Nyholm Prize for Education, in (GPAI) Summit 2023 organised by the
recognition of her contribution to Ministry of Electronics and Information
advancing chemistry education. Technology in New Delhi.
• Genrobotic's G-gaiter Robotic
21. Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath, Conferred Technology won the award in 'AI Game
with Global Icon Award at G20 Initiative Changers' category at the December 12-
Summit in Colombo, Sri Lanka 14 summit held at Bharat Mandapam,
inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra
• Real Vision Homes Pvt Ltd's Chairman, Modi.
Dr. Srinivas Naik Dharavath has been
Conferred with Global Icon Award at 24. Gaja Capital Business Book Prize: 'Against
G20 Initiative Summit in Colombo, Sri All Odds', 'Winning Middle India' declared
Lanka. joint winners
• The G20 Initiative Summit, organized as
part of the Global Economic Forum, was • "Against All Odds: The IT Story of India"
an exclusive gathering that brought and "Winning Middle India: The Story of
together global leaders, policymakers, India's New-Age Entrepreneurs" have
and industry visionaries. been announced as the joint winners of
the 'Gaja Capital Business Book Prize'
22. Indian Armed Forces officers awarded 2023.
'Golden Owl' for outstanding performance at • "Against All odds" written by S 'Kris'
DSCSC Sri Lanka Gopalakrishnan and N and N Dayasindhu
and Krishnan Narayana. "Winning
• All three Indian Armed Forces officers
undergoing the Command and Staff
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Middle India" by TN Hari and Bala Bala 27. Joshi launches India's National Geoscience
Srinivasa. Data Repository (NGDR) portal
25. Bhutan top honour for former Punjab • Minister for Mines Pralhad Joshi
cadre IAS officer Dr Khetrapal launched India's National Geoscience
Data Repository (NGDR) portal.
• Retired Punjab cadre IAS officer of 1975 • NGDR is a comprehensive online
batch and WHO South-East Asia regional platform that will host the geospatial
director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh has data for the entire country.
been awarded Bhutan's prestigious • The launch of the portal puts India in the
National Order of Merit Gold Medal for league of nations like the US, Australia
her distinguished services to the and Canada, that are advanced in their
country. mineral mining journey.
• Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh became the • Spearheaded by the Geological Survey of
first Indian to be elected as the regional India (GSI) and Bhaskarachaya Institute
director of WHO South-East Asia. of Space Applications and
Geoinformatics (BISAG-N), the NGDR
26. NTPC Kanti receives FICCI Water Award portal will democratise critical
2023 for industrial water use efficiency geoscience data by placing it in the
public domain for anyone to access
• NTPC Kanti has been awarded the 11th
Edition of FICCI Water Award 2023 28. Sahitya Akademi awards for 2023
under the "Industrial Water Use announced in 24 Languages.
Efficiency" category.
• The award was presented to NTPC Kanti • Nine books of poetry, 6 novels, 5 short
during the inaugural event of the 9th story collections, three essays and one
Edition of India Industry Water Conclave literary study have won the Sahitya
held at FICCI Federation House in New Akademi Awards this year.
Delhi. • Tamil author Rajasekaran has been
• NTPC Kanti has implemented various chosen for his novel Neervazhi
water conservation measures including Padooum, Telugu writer Patanjali Sastry
wastewater treatment, and reuse of for his short story collection and
treated water in its operations. The Malayalam litterateur EV Ramakrishnan
company has also initiated awareness for his literary study Malayala Novelinte
campaigns among its employees and the Deshakalangal.
local community to promote responsible • The authors who will receive the honour
water usage.The FICCI Water Awards are for their poetry collections include Vijay
presented annually to recognize Verma in Dogri, Vinod Joshi in Gujarati,
exemplary efforts in water conservation and Ashutosh Parida in Odia.
and management by organisations • The authors who have been chosen for
across different sectors. The awards aim their short stories include Pranavjyoti
to encourage best practices and Deka in Assamese, Nandeswar Daimary
promote sustainable water management in Bodo, and Taraceen Baskey in Santali.
practices in India. • Sanjeev will get Sahitya Akademi Award
for his Hindi novel Mujhe Pahachaano
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and Neelam Saran Gour will get the Kerala, India - garnered an 'Award of
award for her English Novel Requiem in Distinction' each.
Raga Janki.
• The award, in the form of a casket 30. UNESCO: Bengaluru Airport's T2 named
containing an engraved copper-plaque, a among 'world's most beautiful airports'
shawl, and one lakh rupees will be
presented at the award presentation • UNESCO's Prix Versailles 2023,
function on 12th March next year. The Bengaluru's Kempegowda International
awards relate to books first published Airport (KIA) Terminal 2(T2) managed to
during the five years immediately stand out, and has been recognized as
preceding the year of award, that is one of the 'world's most beautiful
between January 2017 and 31st airports.'
December, 2021. • The world judges panel, chaired by
renowned fashion designer Elie Saab,
29. UNESCO awards Rambagh Gate & bestowed this honour, and honoured T2
Ramparts project highest honor, Award of with the recognition, making it the sole
Excellence for inclusivity & access to broader airport in India to receive this. The
community airport was honoured with the
prestigious 'Special Prize for an Interior'.
• UNESCO has awarded the resilient
urban revitalisation of Rambagh Gate 31. FIH Hockey Star Awards 2023: India's
and Ramparts in Punjab, as well as the Hardik Singh, Savita Punia Land Top Honours
heritage conservation projects related
to Haryana's Church of Epiphany and • Indian men's hockey team midfielder
Delhi's Bikaner House. Hardik Singh and women's side captain
• The Rambagh Gate and Ramparts project Savita Punia won the FIH Player of the
received the highest honor, the 'Award Year and Goalkeeper of the Year
of Excellence,' for its inclusivity and (women) awards respectively.
access to the broader community. 3 • This is Hardik's second big award this
projects,including Church of Epiphany year as he was also conferred the
and Bikaner House,received an 'Award of Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Award for
Merit'. Player of the Year 2022.
• The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for • This is Savita's 3rd consecutive FIH
Cultural Heritage Conservation recognize Women's Goalkeeper of the Year award.
the efforts of individuals and
32. Poet Sukrita Paul Kumar bags Tagore
organizations in restoring and conserving
Literary Prize
structures of heritage value.
• Twelve projects from China, India, and • The sixth edition of the Rabindranath
Nepal were acknowledged by the awards
Tagore Literary Prize was awarded to
jury this year. poet-critic Sukrita Paul Kumar for her
• Three projects - the Fanling Golf Course book, 'Salt & Pepper: Selected Poems'.
in Hong Kong SAR, China; Dongguan • An amount of USD 5,000, a Tagore
Garden Residences in Yangzhou, China; statue and a certificate for contribution
and Karnikara Mandapam at
to literature was given to Kumar.
Kunnamangalam Bhagawati Temple,
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• The Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize of India, acknowledges the exemplary

for social achievement was awarded to efforts in energy conservation being
Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee. undertaken across diverse sectors of the
• Founded in 2018 by US-based publisher economy. This initiative has further been
Peter Bundalo, the award is a platform instrumental in inspiring industries and
for world peace, literature, art, establishments nationwide to adopt and
education and human rights. It also champion the energy-efficient measures.
recognises works towards human rights
and world peace with the Social 34. SASTRA Ramanujan awards presented to
Achievement Prize. University of California mathematicians
• The Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize Yunqing Tang and Ruixiang Zhang
for social achievement was awarded to
Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee for his • The SASTRA-Ramanujan Awards for
contributions to societal welfare. 2022 and 2023 were presented,
• Last year, the prize was given to respectively, to Yunqing Tang and
journalist-author Raj Kamal Jha for his Ruixiang Zhang, both mathematicians at
novel 'The City and The Sea'. the University of California in Berkeley,
at the SASTRA campus in Kumbakonam.
33. President of India Confers Crompton with • The award, instituted by SASTRA in 2005,
the Prestigious National Energy Conservation with a cash prize of USD 10,000 and a
Award 2023 citation, is presented annually to
individuals aged 32 and below.
• Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals • The award, instituted by SASTRA in 2005,
Ltd. (CGCEL), one of India's leading with a cash prize of USD 10,000 and a
consumer electrical companies, has citation, is presented annually to
been conferred with the prestigious individuals aged 32 and below, who have
National Energy Conservation Award made outstanding contributions in the
2023. field of mathematics. The awards are
• The honor was conferred by the presented on the birthday of
President of India, Droupadi Murmu and Ramanujan.
the Ministry of Power through its body • Seven of the SASTRA-Ramanujan Award
viz. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). winners have won the Fields Medal and
• The National Energy Conservation other prestigious awards such as the
Awards (NECA) is a prominent annual Cole Award. Prof. Manjul Bhargava,
event that highlights exceptional winner of the first SASTRA-Ramanujan
contributions to energy conservation. Award in 2005 won both the Fields
Since its inception on December 14, Medal and the Cole Award subsequently,
1991, these awards, presented by the the press release said.
esteemed dignitaries of the Government
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Ranks & Reports
1. All-India House Price Index Moderates To frequent and widely distributed cause of
3.4% In Q2 FY24: RBI Data recurring malaria.
• Released earlier this week, the report
• The all-India House Price Index (HPI) highlights that despite strides in
moderated to 3.4% in the July- expanding access to insecticide-treated
September quarter of 2023-24 from nets and medicines to help prevent
4.5% in the year-ago period, according malaria in young children and pregnant
to data released by the Reserve Bank of women, more people were getting sick
India. The RBI releases HPI-based on with malaria.
transaction-level data received from the
registration authorities in 10 major 3. Nandan Nilekani, Nikhil Kamath On Forbes
cities. Asia Heroes Of Philanthropy List
• The cities are Ahmedabad, Bengaluru,
Chennai, Delhi, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kochi, • Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys
Kolkata, Lucknow, and Mumbai. Ltd., KP Singh, chairman emeritus at DLF
• "All-India HPI growth (year-on-year) Ltd., and Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of
moderated to 3.4% in Q2:2023-24 from Zerodha, have been named on the 17th
5.1% in the previous quarter and 4.5% a edition of Forbes Asia's Heroes of
year ago; annual growth in HPI varied Philanthropy list.
widely across the cities - ranging from • The unranked list "highlights business
the high growth of 6.5% (Chennai) to a leaders who are donating from their
contraction of 0.2% (Jaipur),". fortunes and giving personal time and
• On a sequential (quarter-on-quarter) attention to their select causes", Forbes
basis, all-India HPI contracted by 1.2% in said in a press release.
the second quarter of 2023-24; seven of • The annual list, which spotlights 15
the 10 cities witnessed price increase in philanthropists, does not include
housing registration during the latest corporate philanthropy except for
quarter. privately-held companies where the
individual is a majority owner.
2. In 2022, India accounted for 66% of malaria • As per Forbes, Nandan Nilekani, co-
cases in WHO South-East Asia Region: World founder and chairman of tech giant
Malaria Report Infosys, have made it to the list for
donating Rs 320 crore ($38 million) to his
• In 2022, India accounted for 66% of alma mater IIT Bombay in June.
malaria cases in the WHO South-East
Asia Region noted the new ' 2023 World 4. Crime against women: 4.45 lakh FIRs filed in
Malaria Report ' published by the World 2022, almost 51 every hour. Delhi tops
Health Organization (WHO).
• It adds that almost 46% of all cases in • According to the annual crime report of
the region were due to Plasmodium the National Crime Records Bureau
vivax, which is a protozoal parasite and a (NCRB), Delhi registered the highest
human pathogen, which is the most rate of crime against women in the
country in 2022.
www.oliveboard.in
• The national capital recorded 14,247 • The report said the ranking also
cases in 2022 with a rate of 144.4 (per underlined India's lack on the fronts like
lakh), which was way above the national technology and future readiness.
average of 66.4. • It stressed the leading economies in this
• The crime against women in the national year's ranking are akin to "digital
capital stood at 14,277 in 2021 and nations," implying countries that actively
10,093 in 2020. promote the comprehensive integration
• The NCRB data revealed that Uttar of digital technologies, encompassing AI,
Pradesh registered 65,743 crime against across governmental, corporate and
women FIRs in 2022 followed by individual spheres.
Maharashtra 45,331, Rajasthan 45,058, • IMD found that in the Asia-Pacific region,
West Bengal 34,738 and Madhya India’s position slipped to the 12th spot
Pradesh 32,765. among the 14 countries, after being 11th
• These five states together contributed for the last four consecutive years.
50.2% (2,23,635 cases) of the total cases • On the other hand, among the 27
lodged in the country in 2022 nations with a population of more than
20 million, India ranked 18th, falling two
5. India's emission intensity reduced by 33% positions compared to last year, it
between 2005 and 2019: Govt report added.
• Shedding light on India’s knowledge in
• India reduced its GDP emission intensity the cybersecurity space the report
by 33 per cent between 2005 and 2019, emphasised that the country has
achieving the target 11 years in improved on parameters like talent,
advance, according to a government training and education, but retreated on
report. a sub-factor of scientific concentration.
• The report also said India's GDP grew at • Graduates in sciences and R&D
a cumulative annual growth rate of 7 per productivity by publication emerged as
cent but its emissions rose by only 4 per the top strengths.
cent per year during this period. • Additionally, in terms of technology,
• The country has been successful in India stood at the 50th spot as enforcing
decoupling its economic growth from contracts, wireless broadband, and
planet-warming greenhouse gas internet users were the biggest
emissions. weaknesses, while investment in
telecommunications, along with IT and
6. India Ranks 49th In World Digital
media stock market capitalisation
Competitiveness Ranking Among 64
proved as the biggest strengths for the
Economies: Report
company.
• India ranked 49th in the world digital
7. Kolkata Is The Safest City With Least Crime
competitiveness ranking (WDCR),
Rate For Third Year In Row: NCRB
among the 64 economies marking its
significance in cybersecurity knowledge, • For the third year in a row, Kolkata has
according to the International Institute been declared as the safest city in India
for Management Development (IMD) with least number of cognisable
report. offences per lakh population, according
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to the National Crime Records Bureau 19.8% among males in the July-
(NCRB) 2022 data. September quarter.
• In 2022, Kolkata recorded the least
number of cognisable offences per lakh 9. Solar power potential of 75,000 GW by 2050
population -- 86 cases per lakh people. possible with long-duration storage: Report
• The city has witnessed a drop of 16 per
cent in cases as compared to last year. • Solar power generation capacity can go
According to the NCRB 2021 data, the up to 75,000 gigawatts by 2050 globally
city recorded 103.4 cases of cognisable with long-duration storage capacity, a
offences per lakh people. The rankings report by the International Solar
were decided after comparing Kolkata Association (ISA) and LDES Council, said.
against 18 other cities that have a • The report, presented at COP28 in
population of over two million. Dubai, emphasized the transformative
• According to the latest NCRB data, based potential of combining solar energy with
on cases recorded and shared by the LDES to ensure continuous, reliable, and
state governments to the Centre, the affordable renewable energy.
metropolitan city was followed by • The report emphasized the necessity of
Maharashtra's Pune, with 280.7 cases LDES to fully realize the potential of solar
per lakh people and Telangana's installations for complete
Hyderabad with 299.2 cases per lakh decarbonization and achieving a solar
people, PTI reported. capacity of 75,000 GW by 2050.
• It presented a case study of isolated
8. Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan report highest island utilities in the US, demonstrating
urban unemployment in July-September the financial viability of LDES in areas
with limited interconnectivity and high
• According to data released by the local fuel costs.The combination of solar,
Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) of wind, and LDES emerges as the most
the National Sample Survey Office, cost-effective solution for achieving 100
Himachal Pradesh topped the urban percent renewable energy.
unemployment chart with 33.9%, • The LDES Council estimates that LDES
followed by Rajasthan with 30.20% will become a USD 4 trillion industry by
among the age group of 15 to 29 years 2040, with an installed capacity potential
during July-September 2023, against the of 8 TW, the statement said.
national average of 17.3% of the same • This growth is essential for enabling solar
age group during the period. energy to meet global electricity
• Rajasthan registered 39.4% of urban demands affordably and reliably.
female unemployment in the quarter as • The report also identified barriers to the
against 27.2% in males, the PLFS data widespread adoption of solar and LDES,
revealed. including regulatory challenges,
• Jammu & Kashmir also reported a high financing issues, and technical
urban unemployment rate of 29.8% in limitations, and proposed solutions to
the age group. overcome these hurdles.
• Unemployment was high among females
at 51.8% in the quarter compared to
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10. Hal, Bel And Mazagon Docks Psus Among • The country improved one rank from the
World's Top 100 Arms Producing Companies: previous one, and also remained among
SPIRI REPORT the highest performers.
• According to a report released during
• According to a SIPRI report, sales of the global climate conference (COP-28)
arms and military services by the 100 in Dubai, India maintained its top 10
largest armament companies in the position for the fifth year in a row.
world reached $597 billion in 2022. • The Index evaluates the climate
Geopolitical tensions and the Russian mitigation efforts of 63 countries and
invasion of Ukraine fuelled increased the European Union, covering over 90
demand for weapons globally. percent of global greenhouse gas
• Indian defence PSUs Hindustan emissions.
Aeronautics, Bharat Electronics, and • China, the largest polluter came in at
Mazagon Docks are among the top 100 number 51 while the US, the second
arms-producing companies. biggest emitter came in at number 57.
• The US dominates the list, but its • India's past performance in the CCPI
revenues fell by 7.9%. Asian arms ranking shows significant improvement
companies, including those in China and from 31st rank in 2014 to seventh in
India, benefited from sustained 2023.
government investment in military
modernization reported 13. ITC becomes world's 3rd most valuable
tobacco company after London-based BAT
11. India set to become 3rd largest economy sinks
by 2030, GDP to be around 7% in 2026-27: S&P
Global Ratings • Diversified conglomerate ITC, with a
market cap of $67 billion (Rs 5.6 lakh
• India is set to become the world's third crore), surpassed British American
largest economy by 2030, S&P Global Tobacco Plc (BAT) to become the third
Ratings said in its latest report . It said most valuable tobacco company in the
that the nation's GDP growth would be world.
around 7 per cent in 2026-27 fiscal year. • London-based BAT, which sells
• In its Global Credit Outlook 2024, S&P cigarettes, tobacco, and other nicotine
predicted a 6.4 per cent GDP growth in products, has seen a sell-off in its shares
the fiscal year year through March 2024 in the past week, rendering its market
as compared 7.2 per cent in the previous cap below ITC to $64 billion.
financial year This would mean that India • US-listed Philip Morris International and
will surpass Japan and Germany Altria Group currently occupy the top
spots above ITC as the two most
12. India ranks 7th in Climate Change valuable tobacco companies in the
Performance Index world.The evolving stricter regulations
and growing awareness of health risks
• India has been placed 7th in this year's
have been squeezing tobacco
Climate Change Performance Index
companies' traditional business lately,
(CCPI).
driving declines in cigarette volumes in
some markets.
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14. Bengaluru tops in acid attacks against 16. Total digital payment transactions volume
women in 2022, followed by Delhi and increased from 2,071 crore in FY2017-18 to
Ahmedabad, reveals NCRB data 13,462 crore in FY2022-23 at a CAGR of 45%
• Bengaluru witnessed the highest • Digital payments have significantly

number of acid attacks against women increased in recent years, as a result of
in the country in 2022, with the city coordinated efforts of the Government
police registering six cases, according to with all stakeholder.
the latest report released by the • The total digital payment transactions
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) volume increased from 2,071 crore in FY
• Among the 19 metropolitan cities listed 2017-18 to 13,462 crore in FY 2022-23 at
in the NCRB data, Bengaluru recorded a CAGR of 45% and crossed 10,998 crore
eight women falling prey to acid attack during current financial year till
last year, followed by Delhi with seven 27.11.2023.
women, and Ahmedabad recorded five • The initiatives undertaken by the
cases, according to NCRB. Government to promote digital
transactions include, inter alia;
15. Adani Green Energy ranked second-largest • incentive scheme for promotion of
global solar PV developer: Mercom RuPay Debit cards and low-value BHIM-
UPI transactions (P2M)
• Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) has • advisories by Government of India to
been declared the second-largest global various stakeholders to improve
solar PV developer in the global solar payment acceptance infrastructure
energy sector, according to Mercom • allocation and monitoring year-wise
Capital Group's Annual Global Report. digital payment transaction & Merchant
• Mercom Capital Group is a clean energy acquisition targets to the Public and
communications and research firm. Private Sector Banks
• Mercom Capital Group is a clean energy • Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta
communications and research firm. In its Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA) to augment
global annual report, it has unveiled the digital literacy in rural India, and
top ten leading global large-scale solar • other promotion activities conducted
PV developers based on data compiled with digital payment stakeholders and
from July 2022 to June 2023.AGEL was Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).
ranked this position based on its
contribution and performance in the 17. Niti Aayog Delta Rankings: Tiriyani Block
renewable energy sector. Clinches Top Spot
• France-based TotalEnergies, which holds
a total capacity of 41.3 GW, was ranked • Tiriyani Block has emerged triumphant,
number one and followed by AGEL with securing the foremost position in the
its total solar capacity of 18.1 GW. inaugural Delta Rankings instituted by
Canada-based Brookfield Renewable Niti Aayog.
Partners came in third with 18 GW. • This accolade for Tiriyani Block, nestled
in the state of Telangana, is indicative of
its remarkable strides in crucial domains
encompassing healthcare, education,
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infrastructure, agriculture, and socio- at 27.6 percent of GDP for 2023-24, from
economic welfare. 31 percent in 2020-21
• The rankings, formulated to assess and
foster competitiveness among 114 20. Presence of Indian banks via subsidiaries
aspirational districts, serve as a increased to 417 in FY23: RBI
testament to the commendable progress
achieved in various developmental • Indian banks increased their overseas
sectors. presence through the subsidiaries route
to 417 during 2022-23, from 399 at the
18. Myanmar surpasses Afghanistan as world's end of the preceeding fiscal, as per
largest source of opium Reserve Bank data released.
• Their employee strength, too, rose 0.5
• Myanmar has surpassed Afghanistan to per cent and 6.2 per cent for foreign
become world's largest source of opium branches and subsidiaries, respectively,
in 2023 after a third consecutive year of during 2022-23.
expanding cultivation fueled by the • The survey covers 14 Indian banks
country's civil war, the United Nations having overseas branches or subsidiaries
said in a new report. and 44 foreign banks having branches or
• After the Taliban imposed a ban on subsidiaries in India.
drugs in 2022, opium cultivation in On the other hand, the number of
Afghanistan decreased by 95%, leading branches and employees of foreign
to a global shift in the opium supply to banks in India contracted during 2022-23
Myanmar. to 774 from 858 in 2021-22.
19. RBI report: State's finances improved for 21. For the 6th time, Hyderabad emerges as
the second consecutive year the best city to live in India
• The report mentioned that the • For the sixth time, Hyderabad has raced
improvements by the state in their ahead of all its competitors to be
finances in the financial year 2021-2022, crowned as the best Indian city to live
were sustained even in the current in, according to the Mercer's Quality of
financial year 2022-2023. Living (City Ranking) survey, 2023.
• The State's combined gross fiscal deficit • The factors that pushed it to the top are
(GFD) stood at 2.8 percent of the gross political stability, healthcare, education,
domestic product (GDP). infrastructure, and socio-cultural
• This figure is below the budget estimate environment.
for the second consecutive year. • Prior to Covid-19 pandemic, Hyderabad
• The States anticipate prudent fiscal had won this Mercer recognition five
management for 2023-24, with the times in a row between 2015 and
consolidated GFD budgeted at 3.1 2019.And while its global ranking slipped
percent of GDP. The implementation of a few places this time - from 143 in 2019
goods and services tax (GST) has led to to 153 in 2023 - it still stayed ahead of all
increased tax buoyancy for the states,” other Indian cities like Pune (154),
the report said. The state’s total Bengaluru (156), Chennai (161), Mumbai
outstanding liabilities are budgeted to be (164), Kolkata (170), and Delhi (172).
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22. Pune breaks record: 3,066 parents read • The World Bank and other multilateral
stories to their children for four minutes creditors, helped fill the gap, providing a
record $115 billion in new financing for
• The Pune Municipal Corporation developing countries in 2022, the report
(PMC)'s event of 'parents telling story said.
to their child' has made it to Guinness
Book of World Records with 3,066 24. Shah Rukh Khan named top Asian celebrity
parents simultaneously telling stories to in the world for 'saving' Bollywood
their children for four minutes.
• The earlier record of 2,479 parents • Shah Rukh Khan has clinched the top
simultaneously telling stories to their spot in the "Top 50 Asian Celebrities In
children was held by China. The World" list for 2023.
• The event was a part of the Pune Book • Published by the UK-based Eastern Eye
Festival, organised by the National Book newspaper, the list sees Khan outshining
Trust from December 16 to 24 on the global stars from cinema, television,
grounds of Fergusson College, aimed to music, arts, literature and social media.
inculcate reading habits in children. • His blockbuster hits, Pathaan and Jawan,
along with the much-anticipated Dunki,
23. Developing nations spent record high on have played a pivotal role in reviving the
debt in 2022 says World Bank Hindi cinema industry.
• Developing countries spent nearly half a 25. With $10 b in 4 years, TN ranks fourth in
trillion dollars to service their external attracting FDI
public and publicly guaranteed debt in
2022, draining funds from critical health, • Cumulative Foreign Direct Investment
education and climate needs, and (FDI) inflow in to Tamil Nadu has
putting the poorest countries at touched nearly $10 billion in the last
increasing risk of "tumbling into a debt four years from the period between
crisis," the World Bank said October 2019 and September 2023.
• In its latest International Debt Report, • Tamil Nadu ranks fourth in attracting
the bank said the debt-service FDI in the period between Oct 2019 and
payments - including principal and September 2023, after Maharashtra,
interest - rose 5% to a record $443.5 Karnataka and Gujarat--but a distant
billion from a year earlier amid the fourth. The tiny states of Haryana and
biggest surge in global interest rates in Telangana are close behind Tamil Nadu.
four decades. It said the payments • With the Tamil Nadu Global Investors
could shoot 10% higher in 2023-2024. Meeting scheduled to take place on
• The 75 poorest countries were hardest January 7 and 8, 2024 in Chennai, the
hit, said the report, now in its 50th year. State government hopes to attract more
Their external public debt service investment to the State.
payments reached a record $88.9 billion
in 2022 and would surge by 40% over 26. Hyderabad ranked 1st in food adulteration
the 2023-2024 period. Their interest cases: NCRB
payments alone had quadrupled since
• Hyderabad has ranked first in the
2012 to $23.6 billion, it said.
country for food adulteration cases,
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according to the data released by the and Global Development Network

National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). (GDN), published a report, 'A Green and
Telangana stands second, closely Sustainable Growth Agenda for the
followed by Andhra Pradesh. Global Economy' based on the
• In 2022, a total of 291 cases of food proceedings of the G20 international
adulteration were reported across 19 conference held in New Delhi on 28-29
major cities in India. July 2023, featuring 40 leading experts
from 14 countries.
27. IndiGo makes history, becomes first Indian
airline to carry 100 million passengers a year 31. Delhi, followed by Bangalore and Mumbai
lead India's crypto adoption: Report
• IndiGo, India's preferred carrier has
created history by becoming the first • A report by crypto trading platform
Indian airline to carry 100 million CoinSwitch showed Delhi maintained its
passengers in a single calendar year. lead in India's crypto adoption,
With this achievement, it has joined a followed by Bangalore and Mumbai.
select club of global carriers to operate • The parameter for this was in terms of
on such a scale. value invested:Delhi (9 per cent),
• This development further cement Bangalore (8 per cent) and Mumbai (5
IndiGo's standing among the 10 largest per cent). Ghaziabad claimed the 10th
airlines in the world by passenger traffic. position in the list of the top invested
cities, replacing Patna.
28. UP now second-largest economy in India
32. India Skills Report finds Kerala the most
• In a major milestone achieved by the preferred State to work
Yogi Adityanath government, Uttar
Pradesh has emerged as the second • Kerala is the most preferred state to
largest economy of India after work for employable talent in the
Maharashtra in terms of gross domestic country, with Kochi being the top choice
product (GDP) share. among Indian cities for female job
• In the context of GDP share, UP has aspirants, according to the 'India Skills
outpaced states such as Tamil Nadu (9.1 Report 2024', released by talent
per cent), Gujarat (8.2 per cent) and assessment firm Wheebox in partnership
West Bengal (7.5 per cent). with organisations including
• States like Karnataka (6.2 per cent), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
Rajasthan (5.5 per cent), Andhra Pradesh and All India Council for Technical
(4.9 per cent) and Madhya Pradesh (4.6 Education.
per cent) are significantly behind UP. • Kerala pushed Maharashtra and Andhra
Pradesh to the second and third spots
30. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav launches respectively to emerge on top in the
a NITI Aayog report, 'A Green and Sustainable category.
Growth Agenda for the Global Economy'. • While Kochi was the top choice for
female job seekers, Thiruvananthapuram
• In a collaborative effort, NITI Aayog, in was the third preferred destination. For
partnership with International male employable talent, Kochi and
Development Research Centre (IDRC)
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Thiruvananthapuram were the third ended the year as the No.1 ranked
and fifth choices respectively among player in the world.
cities in the country. • She is followed by freestyle skiing star
• For both male and female job seekers Eileen Gu from China whose value is
combined, Kochi and $22.1 million. Tennis player Coco Gauff
Thiruvananthapuram figured in the comes in at 3rd with $21.7 million while
second and fourth positions the same sports’ UK’s Emma Raducanu
respectively. ($15.2 million) Japan’s Naomi Osaka ($15
• As per the report, Kerala was second in million), Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka
terms of ‘highest employable resources ($14.7 million), US’s Jessica Pegula
in the 18-21 years age group’. ($12.5 million), US’s Venus Williams
“Telangana has the highest ($12.2 million), Kazakhstan’s Elena
concentration of employable talent in Rybakina ($9.5 million) and Canada’s
the age group of 18-21 with 85.45% Leylah Fernandez ($8.8 million) close out
found employable followed by Kerala the top 10.
with 74.93% employable resources in
this age group,” it said. 34. Banks log 12.2% growth in FY23, gross bad
• Thiruvananthapuram clinched the third loans down for 5th year: RBI report
spot among cities in the ‘highest
employable resources in the 18-21 years • The consolidated balance sheet of
age group’ category. “Among top cities scheduled commercial banks (SCBs)
with employable talent in the age group expanded in 2022-23 by 12.2%, the
of 18-21, Pune came first with 80.82% of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in its
candidates found highly employable, Report on Trend and Progress of Banking
followed by Bengaluru with 72.18% and in India 2022-23, released on December
then Thiruvananthapuram with 67.22% 27. The expansion was driven by credit
employable in this age group,” the to retail and services sectors, the report
report pointed out. said. Deposit growth also rose; this,
however, trailed credit growth.
33. PV Sindhu makes it into Forbes list of • According to the report, higher net
highest paid women athletes in 2023 interest income and lower provisioning
drove net interest margin (NIM) and
• Badminton star PV Sindhu has made it profitability higher in 2022-23.The
into the list of 2023's highest paid improvement in asset quality of banks,
women athletes by Forbes where she which started in 2018-19, continued
finished at the 16th spot alongside during 2022-23, the report showed.
gymnast Simone Biles with her $7.1 • Number of frauds reported in April-
million earnings. Last year Sindhu was September FY24 doubled on an annual
placed 12th with her $7.1 million basis to 14,483 from 5,396 seen in the
earnings in a list which was led by same period last year, the report said.
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka. However, the amount involved in the
• The list is being headed by Polish tennis frauds reduced from Rs 17,685 crore to
star Iga Swiatek who is valued at $23.9 Rs 2,642 crore, it added.
million. She won the French Open and
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The key highlights of the report • Number of complaints recieved

are: under the RB-IOS by consumers
increased by 68.2 per cent in
• The capital to risk weighted 2022-23.
assets ratio (CRAR) of SCBs was • This report is a statutory
16.8 per cent at end-September publication in compliance with
2023, with all bank groups Section 36 (2) of the Banking
meeting the regulatory Regulation Act, 1949. It
minimum requirement and the showcases the performance of
common equity tier 1 (CET1) the banking sector, including co-
ratio requirement. operative banks and NBFCs.
• The improvement in asset
quality of banks that began in
2018-19 continued during 2022- 35. India 15th in top 25 AI nations but has
23 and H1:2023-24, with gross 'greatest upward potential'
non-performing assets (GNPA)
ratio at 3.2 per cent at end- • India may be 15th among the top 25
September 2023. Artificial Intelligence nations, but it has
• Higher net interest income and the 'the greatest upward potential'
lower provisioning boosted net according to research by Tufts
interest margin (NIM) and University's business school, the Fletcher
profitability in 2022-23. School.
• The combined balance sheet of • At the top is the US, followed by China,
urban co-operative banks fighting for global leadership in AI
(UCBs) expanded by 2.3 per followed by the UK, Japan, and Germany.
cent in 2022-23, driven by loans • In15th spot, India is ahead of Brazil,
and advances. Their capital Argentina, Indonesia, Mexico, Turkey &
buffers and profitability Thailand.
improved through 2022-23 and
Q1:2023-24.
• The consolidated balance sheet
of non-banking financial
companies (NBFCs) expanded by
14.8 per cent in 2022-23, led by
double digit credit growth.
Profitability and asset quality of
the sector also improved in
2022-23 and in H1:
• 2023-24, even as the sector
remained well-capitalised with
CRAR higher than the regulatory
requirement.
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Important Days
1. World AIDS Day | 1 December • International Day of Persons with

Disabilities (IDPD) is a UN day that is
• Each year, on 1 December, the world celebrated every year on 3 December.
commemorates World AIDS Day. People • The day is about promoting the rights
around the world unite to show support and well-being of persons with
for people living with HIV and to disabilities at every level of society and
remember those who have died from development, and to raise awareness of
AIDS-related illnesses. the situation of persons with disabilities
• World AIDS Day 2023, theme 'Let in all aspects of political, social,
communities lead". economic, and cultural life.
• According to WHO reports, Globally, 9.2 • WHO joins the UN in observing this day
million people do not have access to the each year, reinforcing the importance of
HIV treatment that they need. Each day securing the rights of people with
1700 lives are lost from HIV-related disabilities, so they can participate fully,
causes, and 3500 people are infected, equally and effectively in society with
with many not knowing their status or others, and face no barriers in all aspects
having access to treatment. of their lives.
2. International Day For the Abolition of 4. World Soil Day | 5 December

Slavery | 2 Dec
• World Soil Day is observed on December
• The International Day for the Abolition 5th each year.
of Slavery, 2 December, marks the date • This date was chosen to coincide with
of the adoption, by the General the birthday of the late King Bhumibol
Assembly, of the United Nations Adulyadej of Thailand, a champion of soil
Convention for the Suppression of the resources conservation.
Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation • It highlights the need for sustainable soil
of the Prostitution of Others (resolution management practices to protect and
317(IV) of 2 December 1949). preserve this valuable resource for
• The focus of this day is on eradicating future generations.
contemporary forms of slavery, such as • World Soil Day was officially designated
trafficking in persons, sexual by the United Nations General Assembly
exploitation, the worst forms of child in 2013 to raise awareness about the
labour, forced marriage, and the forced significance of soil as a vital resource. It
recruitment of children for use in armed has since become an annual event to
conflict. promote soil conservation and
• 2023 Theme: Fighting slavery's legacy of sustainable land management.
racism through transformative
education. 5. International Volunteers Day | 5 December
3. International Day of Persons with • International Volunteers Day is observed

Disabilities | 3 December globally on December 5th each year.
• This date offers a chance to
acknowledge and celebrate the
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remarkable achievements of volunteers • The theme of International Mountain

and to reflect on the impact of Day 2023 is "Restoring Mountain
volunteerism on society. Ecosystems,
• International Volunteers Day was • Mountains, the natural jewels that we
established by the United Nations should cherish, are facing numerous
General Assembly in 1985. threats. They are not only home to 15%
• It was first observed in 1986. of the world's population but also host
half of the world's biodiversity hotspots.
6. December 9 | International Anti-Corruption These majestic landscapes provide
Day freshwater for everyday life to half of
humanity, while also supporting
• International Day Against Corruption or agriculture, clean energy, and medicine
International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) production.
is celebrated on December 9, every year,
to raise awareness among the general 9. International Day Of Neutrality | 12
public on the impact of the prevailing December
malice in many countries. It also raises
concern on the harmful effects of • International Day of Neutrality is
corruption on the progress, commemorated on December 12 every
development and the society at large. year to raise awareness regarding the
importance of neutrality in
7. 10 December | International Human Rights intergovernmental relations and to
Day strengthen peace and security at the
global level.
• 10 December 2023 marks the 75th • The day is marked globally by holding
anniversary of one of the world's most various types of events aimed at raising
groundbreaking global pledges: the public awareness of the value of
Universal Declaration of Human Rights neutrality in international relations.
(UDHR). • The idea of the International Day of
• The Declaration was proclaimed by the Neutrality was proposed by
United Nations General Assembly in Turkmenistan, a country in Central Asia
Paris on 10 December 1948 and sets out, which has been recognised as a
for the first time, fundamental human permanent neutral state by the United
rights to be universally protected. Nations since December 1995.The
United Nations General Assembly
8. International Mountain Day | 11 December
(UNGA) approved the proposal on
• International Mountain Day 2023, which February 2, 2017
is observed on December 11, is an • On December 12, 2017, the International
Day of Neutrality was proclaimed. It also
opportunity for us to increase awareness
and call for nature-based solutions, best highlights the link between
practices, and investments that can peacekeeping and the 2030 Agenda for
enhance the resilience and adaptability Sustainable Development.
of mountain ecosystems. • The resolution recognised how some
states’ national neutrality policies can
help in improving global peace and
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security and play a major role in Diwas, to mark India's victory over
promoting friendly ties between several Pakistan in the 1971 war and to pay
nations across the world. tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed
their lives for the country.
10. National Energy Conservation Day | 14 • Following a 13-day battle, India secured
December a triumph over Pakistan on this day in
1971, leading to the creation of
• The National Energy Conservation Day is Bangladesh, earlier known as East
being celebrated every year on Pakistan. India supported the
December 14 since 1991. The Bureau of Bangladesh nationalist forces during the
Energy Efficiency (BEE), under Ministry war, which ended with Pakistan
of Power spearheads the celebrations surrendering and agreeing to the
every year. formation of Bangladesh.
• The objective to celebrate the National
Energy Conservation Day is to drive mass 12. International Human Solidarity Day | 20
awareness about the importance of December
energy efficiency and conservation.
• BEE recognizes and encourages • International Human Solidarity Day is
endeavours of industries in reducing observed on December 20th each year.
energy consumption by felicitating them • It's a day to reflect on the importance of
with National Energy Conservation solidarity and take concrete actions to
Awards. support those in need and contribute to
• BEE also awards prizes to the national a more equitable world.
winners of the annual National Painting • International Human Solidarity Day was
Competition on Energy Conservation. established by the United Nations
• Formed under the Union Ministry of General Assembly in 2005 to promote
Power, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency ' the concept of solidarity.
BEE, has been leading the celebrations of
National Energy Conservation Day 13. Judge Advocate General Department
annually on December 14 since 1991. celebrates 40th Corps Day
• A constitutional body that falls under the
Government of India, the Bureau of • The Judge Advocate General (JAG)
Energy Efficiency assists in the Department, the judicial and legal wing
development and implementation of of the Army responsible for dispensation
strategies and policies to reduce of justice to all ranks is celebrating its
excessive consumption of energy. The 40th Corps Day today on 21st Dec 2023.
committee also executed 'The Energy It was on this day in 1949 wherein the
Conservation Act' in 2001. Bill for the Army Act was introduced in
the Parliament.
11. Vijay Diwas, marking India's triumph over • Being the legal branch of the Indian
Pakistan in 1971 war, being celebrated Army, it deals with military related cases.
Current Judge Advocate General: Maj
• Vijay Diwas is being commemorated Gen Sandeep Kumar
across the country today. Every year • Being the legal branch of the Indian
16th December is celebrated as Vijay Army, it deals with military related
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disciplinary cases and litigation. The • 2023 theme: is 'Delivering Smart

Judge Advocate General is the legal Solutions for Sustainable Food Security
advisor to the Chief of Army Staff in and Resilience'.
matters of military, martial (in its fighting
service aspect) and international law and 16. National Consumer Rights Day 2023 |
also assists the Adjutant General in December 24
matters relating to discipline involving
application of military law. • In 1986, the Consumer Protection Act
• This Dept is actively involved in assisting was passed and it received the assent of
all ranks in observing Human Rights and the President on December 24.
the rule of law. Pertinently, the origin • Since then, National Consumer Rights
and evolution of JAG Department is Day has been celebrated on this day to
closely linked with the evolution of commemorate the occasion. The
Military Law in England and traces its Consumer Protection Act acts to protect
history to British “Article of War-1385”. consumers from defective goods,
Its origin in India goes back to 1841. Brig negligent services, and unfair trade
(Justice) DM Sen (Retd) was the first practices.
Indian JAG after independence. • The six fundamental rights of the
Consumer Protection Act are the Right to
14. National Mathematics Day 2023 | 22 safety, Right to choose, Right to be
December informed, Right to be heard, Right to
seek redressal, and Right to consumer
• National Mathematics Day is celebrated education.
on 22 December every year. This day has • In 2019 some amendments were made
been observed since 2012. The then in the act and it came into force on 20
Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh July 2020. This act was passed protecting
paid tribute to the birth anniversary of the rights of consumers and protecting
Ramanujan as National Mathematics them from market abuse or
Day. exploitation.
• Srinivasa Ramanujan was born on • The Consumer Protection Act 2019 was
December 22, 1887, in Erode, Tamil passed to widen the scope of the
Nadu, India. Consumer Protection Act 1986.
• It also includes punishment against
15. National Farmer's Day 2023 | 23rd misleading advertisements, false product
December descriptions, or any kind of guarantee of
products and services. The Central
• National Farmers' Day, also known as Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
'Kisan Diwas', is observed every year on will impose fines and penalties against
December 23. the companies for such false and
• It commemorates the occasion as it misleading advertisements.
marks the birth anniversary of former
prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh 17. Good Governance Day | 25 December
who belonged to Uttar Pradesh and
worked for the welfare of farmers of the • Good Governance Day will be celebrated
nation. today on the birth anniversary of former
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Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The 18. International Day of Epidemic
day is celebrated on the 25th of Preparedness | 27 December
December every year to foster
awareness among the people of the • The United Nations proclaimed on
country about accountability in December 7, 2020, that December 27
Governance and Government. would be the International Day of
• To honour the late Atal Vihari Vajpayee, Epidemic Preparedness.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared • The first-ever International Day of
December 25 as "Good Governance Day" Epidemic Preparedness was organised
in 2014. on December 27, 2020, to show how
important it is to be ready for and fight
against epidemics.
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Summit & Conferences
1. SBM-GOBARdhan Biogas Conference to be of Mozambique and H.E. Mr. Charles

held Michel, President of the European
Council.
• Acceleration of the Compressed Biogas • This global initiative aims to facilitate
sector will be high on the agenda of the global collaboration, cooperation and
SBM-GOBARdhan Biogas Conference to partnership through exchange of
be held in New Delhi. knowledge, experiences and best
• The conference will be organized under practices in planning, implementation
the aegis of the Housing and Urban and monitoring of environment positive
Affairs Ministry in collaboration with the actions through programs/mechanisms
United Nations Industrial Development like Green Credits.
Organization.
• Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources 3. India Internet Governance Forum IIGF'23 to
Dhan (GOBARdhan) is an initiative that be held in New Delhi
aims to convert waste to wealth and
build a robust ecosystem for setting up • The third edition of the IIGF is being
compressed biogas plants. It aims to conducted under the overarching
drive sustainable economic growth and theme 'Moving Forward' Calibrating
promote a circular economy. Bharat's Digital Agenda' Calibrating
Bharat's Digital Agenda' on December 5
• The conference will have discussions on from 9am to 18:30 in New Delhi.
transformational policies for 'waste to • The first two editions of the IIGF were
compressed biogas' projects, the existing convened in 2021 and 2022.
National policies, and initiatives that • The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is
promote biogas development in India. a multi-stakeholder platform bringing
• India aims for net-zero emissions by toggether representatives from various
2070 as per Nationally Determined groups, considering all to be at par to
Contributions (NDC) in which waste to discscuss public policy issues related to
biogas is expected to play a crucial role. the internet.
• India Internet Governance Forum 2023
(IIGF-2023) is a hybrid event; for
2. India co-hosts with UAE the Global Green attendee in person the event is being
Credit Initiative at COP-28 held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati
Maidan, New Delhi.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi together
with President Sheikh Mohammed bin 4. Global Investors Summit in Dehradun from
Zayed Al Nahyan of UAE, co-hosted the December 8-9
High-level event on 'Green Credits
Programme' at COP-28, on 1 December • Dehradun is gearing up to host the
2023 in Dubai. Global Investors Summit on December 8-
• The event saw participation of H.E. Mr. 9, where organisers are anticipating a
Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of turnout of 5,000 delegates from India
Sweden, H.E. Mr. Filipe Nyusi, President and abroad.
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• The Summit aims to foster collaboration day summit, multiple sessions on diverse
between exhibitors, private enterprises, topics like Artificial Intelligence and
and government organisations by giving global health, education and skilling,
them a platform to display advanced Artificial Intelligence and data
technologies, innovations, and upcoming governance, among others will be
trends. organised.
5. India to host four-day 27th WAIPA World 7. GPAI 2023 begins in New Delhi
Investment Conference in New Delhi
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• India will host the four-day 27th WAIPA announced India's hosting of the Global
World Investment Conference in New Partnership on Artificial Intelligence
Delhi. (GPAI) Summit from December 12-14,
• National Investment Promotion and 2023.
Facilitation Agency of the Government of • Comprised of 28 nations and the
India, and World Association of European Union, GPAI collaborates to
Investment Promotion Agencies are address the challenges and opportunities
organizing the conference at the India presented by Artificial Intelligence (AI)
International Convention & Expo Centre while advocating for its responsible
- Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. World development.
Investment Conference is being held in • The Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) is a
India for the first time. multi-stakeholder initiative which aims
to bridge the gap between theory and
6. PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate Global practice on AI by supporting cutting-
Partnership on Artificial Intelligence at Bharat edge research and applied activities on
Mandapam AI-related priorities.
• Launched in June 2020 with 15
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will members, GPAI is the fruition of an idea
inaugurate the Global Partnership on developed within the G7. Today, GPAI's
Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit, at 29 members are Argentina, Australia,
Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic,
• GPAI is a multi-stakeholder initiative, Denmark, France, Germany, India,
which aims to bridge the gap between Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the
theory and practice on Artificial Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the
Intelligence by supporting cutting-edge Republic of Korea, Senegal, Serbia,
research and applied activities on AI- Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
related priorities. Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United
• The Summit will provide an opportunity States, and the European Union.
to know what the world is thinking on • GPAI has a Council and a Steering
Artificial Intelligence and what India is Committee, supported by a Secretariat
offering. hosted by the OECD, and two Centres of
• Launched in June 2020 with 15 Expertise: one in Montreal (CEIMIA, the
members, the GPAI's membership has International Centre of Expertise in
expanded to 28 member countries and Montreal for the Advancement of
the European Union. During the three Artificial Intelligence) and one in Paris (at
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INRIA, the French National Institute for • So far eight editions of India
Research in Digital Science and International Science Festival have been
Technology). Currently, GPAI has four successfully celebrated since 2015.The
working groups on the themes of mega science festival aims to honour
Responsible AI, Data Governance, the and highlight the scientific
Future of Work, and Innovation and achievements. The primary objective is
Commercialization. to connect science with the society.
• India is a founding member of GPAI,
having joined initiative on June 15, 2020 10. Dalai Lama to open first International
Sangha Forum in Bodhgaya
8. Delhi University, OP Jindal Global University
join hands to host 74th AICC • Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama
will inaugurate the first International
• Delhi University and the OP Jindal Global Sangha Forum 2023 in Bodhgaya in
University are set to organise the 74th Bihar, the sacred place where Gautama
Annual All India Commerce Conference Buddha attained enlightenment.
(AICC) of the Indian Commerce • Over 2,000 members of the sanghas and
Association from December 13-15. invited guests from 33 countries
• The conference, scheduled to be held at including Thailand, Myanmar,
the campuses of both the organising Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka,
universities, is expected to see Tibetan, Bhutan, Nepal, Vietnam,
participation from more than 2,500 Taiwan, Japan, Korea.
delegates from different parts of India • The primary focus of the conference is to
and abroad The main theme of the 74th compliment ongoing dialogues and
AICC is 'One Earth-One Family-One collaborations among practitioners of
Future' the Pali, Sanskrit and Tibetan Buddhist
traditions.
9. ISF 2023 Outreach Programme of CSIR- • The conference aims to identify and
NIScPR emphasise the shared benefits of studies
and practices across all traditions, while
• CSIR-National Institute of Science nurturing an appreciation and
Communication and Policy Research understanding of the unique strengths
(CSIR-NIScPR) organized the outreach within each tradition.
event for India International Science • Moreover, the conference will deliberate
Festival (IISF), in New Delhi. on the role of Buddhist followers to
become a Buddhist in the 21st century.
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Science & Technology
1. ISRO Unveils XPoSat: India's Pioneering X- Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan
Ray Polarimeter Satellite Space Center in Sriharikota.
• India is gearing up to launch its 2. Aurobindo Pharma Gets USFDA Nod for HIV
inaugural, as announced by the Indian Drug
Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• The mission aims to delve into the • Aurobindo Pharma has received
polarisation of intense X-Ray sources. approval from the U.S. health regulator
• The XPoSat spacecraft is set to orbit in to market a generic medication for the
Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of treatment of human immunodeficiency
approximately ~650 km and a low virus infection. The company has
inclination of around six degrees. It will received final approval from the U.S.
be carrying two scientific payloads. Food and Drug Administration to
These payloads enable simultaneous manufacture and market Darunavir
studies of temporal, spectral, and tablets in strengths of 600 mg and 800
polarisation features of bright X-Ray mg.
sources. • The company's product is therapeutically
• The mission’s primary objectives include equivalent to the reference listed drug,
measuring X-Ray polarisation in the 8-30 Prezista tablets, 600 mg and800 mg.
keV energy band and conducting long- • Darunavir tablets, 600 mg and 800 mg, in
term spectral and temporal studies of combination with other antiretroviral
cosmic X-Ray sources in the 0.8-15 keV agents, are indicated for the treatment
energy band. With an anticipated of HIV-1 infection in adult and pediatric
mission life of five years, XPoSat’s patients 3 years of ageand older.
payloads will observe X-Ray sources • As per IQVIA data, the approved product
during the spacecraft’s transit through has an estimated market size of $274.8
Earth’s shadow, particularly during million for the 12 months ended Oct.
eclipse periods. 2023.
• The primary payload, POLIX (Polarimeter • Aurobindo noted that it now has a total
Instrument in X-rays), developed by the of 500 Abbreviated New Drug
Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Application.
Bengaluru with support from various
ISRO centres, is designed to measure the 3. Aurobindo Unit Gets USFDA Nod To Market
degree and angle of polarisation in the Generic Asthma Medication
medium X-ray energy range.
• As per the Aurobindo Pharma its
• The secondary payload, XSPECT (X-ray
subsidiary has received approval from
Spectroscopy and Timing), developed by
the U.S. health regulator to market a
the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC),
generic medication to treat asthma in
ISRO, will provide spectroscopic
children.
information within the 0.8-15 keV
• Eugia Pharma Specialities, a wholly-
energy range.
owned subsidiary of the company, has
• The XPoSat mission is scheduled to be
received final approval from the U.S.
launched by the Polar Satellite Launch
Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) to
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manufacture and market Budesonide • the research team sequenced

Inhalation Suspension, the Hyderabad- the S.cumini genome from the world’s
based drug firm said in a regulatory largest tree genus Syzygium using Oxford
filing. Nanopore and 10x Genomics sequencing
• The company's product is therapeutically technologies to understand the genomic
equivalent to Astrazeneca and evolutionary basis of the plant's
Pharmaceuticals LP's Pulmicort Repsules medicinal values.
Inhalation Suspension, it added.
• The product, indicated for treatment of 6. IBM releases first-ever 1,000-qubit quantum
asthma and as prophylactic therapy in chip
children of age 12 months to 8 years, is
expected to be launched in FY25, • IBM has unveiled the first quantum
Aurobindo Pharma said. computer with more than 1,000 qubits '
• As per IQVIA data, the approved product the equivalent of the digital bits in an
has an estimated market size of ordinary computer.
$226.4 million for the 12 months ended • For years, IBM has been following a
September 2023. quantum-computing road map that
roughly doubled the number of qubits
4. Hiranandani's Yotta Data to install over every year.
20,400 NVIDIA GPUs by June 2024 • The chip unveiled called Condor, has
1,121 superconducting qubits arranged
• Hiranandani group-owned data centre in a honeycomb pattern. It follows on
company Yotta Data Services plans to from IBM's other record-setting, bird-
install over 20,400 NVIDIA GPU-based named machines, including a 127-qubit
super computers by June 2024. chip called Eagle, released in 2021 and a
• GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), which 433-qubit one called Osprey, announced
are used for processing multimedia last year.
content, have become the main chipsets Quantum computers promise to perform
for processing artificial intelligence certain computations that are beyond
technology-related data and there is a the reach of classical computers. They
shortage of these chipsets across the will do so by exploiting uniquely
globe. quantum phenomena, such as
entanglement and superposition, which
5. Researchers of IISER Bhopal conduct allow multiple qubits to exist in multiple
maiden genome-sequencing of Jamun plant to collective states at once.
study its medicinal value But these quantum states are also
notoriously fickle, and prone to error.
• The Indian Institute of Science Physicists have tried to get around this
Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal by coaxing several physical qubits ' each
has completed the first-ever genome encoded in a superconducting circuit,
sequencing of the Jamun plant, say, or an individual ion ' to work
scientifically called 'Syzygium cumini'. together to represent one qubit of
• The Jamun plant is known for its information, or 'logical qubit'
medicinal properties, fruits, and
ornamental value.
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7. Breakthrough Nutraceutical 'AKTOCYTE' by removal of Arsenic and Metal ions from

the Department of Atomic Energy Set to water.
Transform Cancer Care • The technology uses nano-scale iron oxy-
hydroxide, which selectively removes
• In a breakthrough towards enhancing arsenic when water is passed through it.
the quality of life for cancer patients • This water purifier has been developed
undergoing radiotherapy, scientists from for both domestic as well as community
Department of Atomic Energy and M/s. levels. Also, the technology has been
IDRS Labs Pvt. Ltd. Bengaluru have recommended by the erstwhile 'Standing
joined hands to develop AKTOCYTE Committee' of the Department of
tablets. Drinking Water and Sanitation for the
• AKTOCYTE has received approval from examination of the best technologies
the Food Safety and Standards Authority concerning water and sanitation.
of India, operating under the Ministry of
Health & Family Welfare. 10. Accenture launches generative AI studio in
• Experts from Bhabha Atomic Research Bengaluru, aiming at business optimisation
Centre, Mumbai; Tata Memorial
Hospital, Mumbai; Advanced Centre for • Accenture launched a generative AI
Training Research and Education in Studio in Bengaluru.
Cancer, Navi Mumbai collaborated with • The studio will bring together the
the IDRS Labs with a primary aim of company's talent and technology
minimizing the side effects of investments to offer a full stack of
radiotherapy. generative AI capabilities to optimize
• The AKTOCYTE tablets have shown business processes and enable
remarkable results, particularly in pelvic enterprise reinvention.
cancer patients suffering from • The Bengaluru studio will help clients
radiotherapy-induced Cystitis (Blood in around the globe prioritize capabilities
urine). Patients treated with AKTOCYTE across the entire value chain and make
tablets demonstrated an extraordinary the shift to scale their AI investments,
recovery, eliminating the need for rapidly and responsibly
surgical removal of the urinary bladder.
The tablets, designed as an adjuvant to 11. NASA's 3D-printed Rotating Detonation
cancer radiotherapy, regenerative Rocket Engine Test a Success
nutraceutical, immunomodulator, and
• NASA has achieved a new benchmark in
antioxidant, mark a significant
developing an innovative propulsion
advancement in cancer care.
system called the Rotating Detonation
8. Amrit Technology For Removal Of Arsenic Rocket Engine (RDRE).
And Metal Ions From Water • Engineers at NASA's Marshall Space
Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama,
• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) - successfully tested a novel, 3D-printed
Madras has developed a technology RDRE for 251 seconds (or longer than
called 'AMRIT' (Arsenic and Metal four minutes), producing more than
Removal by Indian Technology) for the 5,800 pounds of thrust.
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12. Aditya-L1: India's first solar mission to • It is a generic equivalent to the reference
reach destination, 1.5 million km from Earth, listed drug (RLD) Alrex ophthalmic
says ISRO suspension, 0.2% of Bausch & Lomb Inc.
• ISRO Chairman S Somanath has 14. Bengal researchers discover plant-growth

announced that Aditya-L1 will arrive at promoting bacteria, name it after visionary
the Lagrangian point L1 on January 6. Tagores
• This point is 1.5 million km away from
Earth. • A group of researchers from Visva-
• Launched from Sriharikota on Bharati University's botany department
September 2, India's first solar mission have discovered a bacteria capable of
will perform an important manoeuvre boosting plant growth and named it
upon reaching L1. 'Pantoea Tagorei' after Nobel laureate
• Once it is successfully placed on L1 point, Rabindranath Tagore.
it will be there for the next five years, • The bacteria has immense potential to
gathering all the data which are very revolutionise agricultural practices,
important not for India alone but for the microbiologist Bomba Dam, assistant
entire world. professor at the varsity's botany
• The spacecraft will study solar upper department said.
atmospheric dynamics, chromospheric • In 1906, Rabindranth Tagore, who would
and coronal heating, physics of the become India's first Nobel Prize winner
partially-ionised plasma, initiation of the seven years later, sponsored three
coronal mass ejections, and flares. It will young men from Santiniketan to study
also observe the in-situ particle and agriculture and dairy farming at the
plasma environment providing data for University of Illinois in the USA.
the study of particle dynamics from the • The Nobel Prize in Literature 1913 was
Sun, magnetic field topology and awarded to Rabindranath Tagore
magnetic field measurements in the "because of his profoundly sensitive,
solar corona. fresh and beautiful verse, by which, with
consummate skill, he has made his
13. Lupin Gets USFDA Nod For Generic poetic thought, expressed in his own
Loteprednol Etabonate Ophthalmic English words, a part of the literature of
Suspension the West"
• Pharma major Lupin Ltd has received 15. IIT-M develops 3D-printed faces for black
approval from the U.S. health regulator fungus survivors
to market its generic Loteprednol
Etabonate ophthalmic suspension • Researchers with the prestigious Indian
indicated for temporary relief of Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M)
seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. The have developed 3D-printed face
approval by the U.S. Food and Drug implants for people suffering from Black
Administration (USFDA) is for the Fungus, whose numbers have increased
abbreviated new drug application for post Covid-19 pandemic.
Loteprednol Etabonate ophthalmic • This new technology is expected to help
suspension, 0.2%. patients with Black Fungus from
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economically-weaker sections due to its able to access the treatment due to its
affordability. high cost.
• Black Fungus, also known as • IIT-M has partnered with ZorioX
Mucormycosis, has been found in Innovation labs, a start-up founded by
patients who tested positive for Covid- Dental Surgeons in Chennai, to
19, those with HIV/AIDS, uncontrolled implement this initiative, which is based
diabetes, and other medical conditions on metal 3D printing or additive
and loss of facial features is one of the manufacturing. While ZorioX Innovations
effects of the disease. Reconstructive Labs takes part in the surgical
surgery was considered as the most procedures, the IIT-M handles the design
viable solution for people with Black and 3D printing.
Fungus, but many poor people weren’t
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Defence
1. Cochin Shipyard launches 3 anti-submarine • As per the defence ministry, 98 per cent
watercrafts for Indian Navy of the total procurement worth Rs 2.23
lakh crore will be sourced from the
• The first three ships in the series of domestic industries and that the move
eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow will give a substantial boost to the Indian
Water Crafts under construction in defence industry in achieving the goal of
Cochin Shipyard Limited for Indian Navy 'Aatmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in
were launched at CSL's Kochi Yard. defence industry.
• The first three ships in this series should • The DAC also approved a proposal of the
bear the name 'INS Mahe, INS Malvan Indian Air Force to upgrade its Su-30
and INS Mangrol upon commissioning fighter fleet by state-run aerospace
into the Indian Navy. major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
• Contract for building eight ASW SWC • The DAC further accorded Acceptance of
ships was signed between Ministry of Necessity (AoN) or initial approval for
Defence (MoD) and Cochin Shipyard Ltd procurement of two types of anti-tank
(CSL, on April 30, 2019. The Mahe Class munitions namely area denial munition
of Ships will replace the in-service Abhay (ADM) type-2 and type-3.
class ASW Corvettes of Indian Navy and
are designed to undertake anti- 3. Defence Ministry Inks Rs 2,956 Crore
submarine operations in coastal waters, Contract With BHEL To Procure 16 Super Rapid
Low Intensity Maritime Operations Gun Mount For Navy
(LIMO) and Mine Laying Operations
including subsurface surveillance. • The defence ministry sealed a Rs 2,956
crore deal with state-run Bharat Heavy
2. India Approves Defence Acquisition Projects Electricals Ltd to procure 16 upgraded
Worth Rs 2.23 Lakh Crore super rapid gun mount (SRGM) and
accessories for Indian Navy.
• India has accorded an initial approval to • The SRGM is a medium caliber anti-
defence acquisition projects worth Rs missile and anti-aircraft defence weapon
2.23 lakh crore that included system that provides a sustained rate of
procurement of 97 Tejas light combat fire and high accuracy.
aircraft and 156 Prachand combat • The ministry said the upgraded SRGMs
helicopters, in a major move to will be installed onboard Indian Navy's
significantly enhance the combat in-service and newly built ships.
capabilities of the armed forces. • "The Ministry of Defence has signed a
• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), contract with M/s Bharat Heavy
chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Electricals Limited (BHEL), Haridwar on
Singh, cleared the projects, at a time Nov. 28 for procurement of 16 Upgraded
India is locked in a bitter military Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) along
standoff with China at a number of with associated equipment/accessories
friction points in eastern Ladakh for over for Indian Navy under Buy (Indian)
three years. category at a total cost of Rs 2956.89
crore.
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4. Indian Army's initiatives for employment to • Garden Reach Shipbuilders and

youth of Jammu and Kashmir, conducts two- Engineers (GRSE) Limited has delivered
day Job Fair in Srinagar by the INS Sandhayak, the largest
survey vessel ever built in India and the
• Indian Army's initiatives for employment first in the series of four Survey Vessels
to youth of Jammu and Kashmir, Indian (Large) being built by it, to the Indian
Army conducted a two-day Job Fair in Navy.
Srinagar during last two days. The Job • GRSE has partnered with the Indian Navy
Fair was held at Chinar Nau Jawan Club, for the last 62 years after delivery of the
Boniyar. It attracted nearly 2500 youth first indigenously-built INS Ajay in 1961
of J&K for nearly 600 job vacancies. • The INS Sandhayak is the lead vessel in a
• The event was organized in close series of four Survey Vessels (Large) or
cooperation with the Directorate of SVLs and is actually the reincarnation of
Employment, J&K which brought another ship by that name.
together employers from the Union • That ship – also a survey vessel – was
Territory and outside, allowing the commissioned into the Indian Navy in
candidate to seek jobs in different 1981 and decommissioned in 2021. The
sectors like agriculture & farming, new INS Sandhayak and the remaining
Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and ships of the series are far more advanced
Handlooms. than their predecessors that have all
been decommissioned.
5. Indian Navy Day | 4 December • These survey ships are capable of full-
scale coastal and deep-water
• Indian Navy Day is celebrated every year
hydrographic survey of port and harbour
on 4 December.
approaches as well as the determination
• Indian Navy Day holds a special place in
of navigation channels and routes.
the hearts of Indians and they celebrate
• In addition, the Sandhayak-class of SVLs
it with great pride and valour.
can undertake surveys of maritime limits
• This special occasion is observed to
and collection of oceanographic and
celebrate "Operation Trident.
geographical data for defence
• It is important to note that the operation
applications. Such data adds muscle to
was launched by the Indian Navy against
India’s maritime capabilities. These ships
the Karachi Harbour during the war
can also carry a helicopter each,
between India and Pakistan in 1971.
participate in low-intensity combat and
They celebrate this day grandly.
function as hospital ships. They can also
• Indian Navy Day came into existence
be used for Humanitarian Assistance and
after a significant event during the Indo-
Disaster Relief operations.
Pak War of 1971. It is important to note
that the war lasted from 3 December to 7. INS SUMEDHA - Mission Deployed At
16 December, and it led to the formation Antsiranana, Madagascar
of the independent nation of
Bangladesh. • As part of Indian Navy's Long Range
Mission Based Deployment, Indian Naval
6. GRSE delivers largest ever survey vessel 'INS Ship Sumedha is undertaking port call at
Sandhayak' to India Navy
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Antsiranana, Madagascar from 04 to 06 Vietnam to take part in the fourth

December 2023. edition of Joint Military Exercise VINBAX-
• The visit is aimed at reinforcing Indian 2023.
Navy's commitment to enhance • The exercise will be conducted at Hanoi,
Maritime Security, building bridges of Vietnam from 11th to 21st December
friendship and strengthening maritime 2023.
co-operation with Madagascar. • Exercise VINBAX was instituted in 2018
and the first edition was conducted at
8. INS Vikramaditya, INS Vikrant to be Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
deployed for Milan-2024
11. Defence Ministry approves Rs 2800 crore
• The Indian Navy has planned to deploy rockets for Pinaka weapon system
both its aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya
and INS Vikrant on the eastern seaboard • In a major boost for the Indian Army, the
during Milan-2024, a flagship Defence Ministry has approved a Rs
international naval exercise hosted by 2,800 crore proposal for buying around
Vizag from February 19-27 next year. 6,400 rockets for Pinaka multi-barrel
• Navies from the US, Japan, Australia, rocket launcher systems.
France, Bangladesh, South Korea, • The Defence Ministry's Defence
Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia are set Acquisition Council's recent meeting had
to be among the participating nations cleared the proposal for the acquisition
of two types of these rockets, known as
9. Indian Navy conducts bi-annual exercise Area Denial Munition Type 2 and Type-3.
'Prasthan' off Mumbai coast • The rockets would be procured by the
Indian Army from indigenous sources
• The exercise, which is conducted every only and two main contenders include
six months, was held on the R12A the Economic Explosives Limited of Solar
(Ratna) Platform of Oil & Natural Gas industriesand the Munitions India
Corporation (ONGC) around 83 km away Limited-- one of the ammunition-
from Mumbai harbour. producing companies created by the
• The 'Prasthan' is conducted to validate corporatisation of the erstwhile ordance
measures and procedures to address Factories.
various contingencies that may arise in
the oil production platforms and was 12. India successfully flight tests indigenous
held in two phases. high-speed flying-wing UAV
• The Indian Navy, in conjunction with the
Indian Air Force, deployed its anti- • Defence Research and Development
sabotage teams to neutralise security Organisation (DRDO) has successfully
threats in the affected oil platform. carried out a flight trial of Autonomous
Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator,
10. INDIAN ARMED FORCES CONTINGENT an indigenous high-speed flying-wing
REACHES HANOI FOR JOINT MILITARY Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from
EXERCISE 'VINBAX-2023' the Aeronautical Test Range,
Chitradurga in Karnataka.
• The Indian Armed Forces contingent
comprising 45 personnel reached Hanoi,
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• The successful flying demonstration of 14. INS Shivaji Gets Original 'Vir Chakra'
this autonomous stealth UAV is a Awarded To 1971 War Hero
testimony to maturity in the technology
readiness levels in the country. • The Indian Navy's premier technical
• With this flight in the tailless training establishment, INS Shivaji, has
configuration, India has joined the elite received the original 'Vir Chakra'
club of countries to have mastered the awarded to late Vice-Admiral Benoy Roy
controls for the flying wing technology. Chowdhury for his gallant actions during
• This UAV is designed and developed by the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
DRDO’s Aeronautical Development • The Vir Chakra is an Indian wartime
Establishment. The maiden flight of this military bravery award presented for
aircraft was demonstrated in July 2022, acts of gallantry on the battlefield, on
followed by six flight trials in various land or in air or at sea.
developmental configurations using two
in-house manufactured prototypes. 15. Indian Air Force successfully testfires
'SAMAR' air defence missile system at Exercise
13. Akash missile system destroys 4 targets Astrashakti
simultaneously during Air Force exercise
• In a major success for its in-house design
• The firepower of the indigenous Akash and development efforts, the Indian Air
Missile system was demonstrated Force has successfully testfired its
during the recent Astrashakti 2023 SAMAR air defence missile system. The
exercise at Suryalanka Air Force station IAF has developed the Surface to Air
in Andhra Pradesh. Missile for Assured Retaliation (SAMAR)
• A single Akash missile system engaged air defence missile system by using its
four unmanned aerial targets old Russian-origin air-to-air missile
simultaneously during the Astrashakti systems.
exercise held by the Indian Air Force • The Indian Air Force has carried out the
(IAF). successful firing trials of its in-house
• During the exercise, four targets came designed and developed SAMAR air
from the same direction in a close defence missile system during exercise
formation and split to attack defence AstraShakti-2023 at Air Force Station
assets from multiple directions Suryalanka held recently. The air defence
simultaneously. system 'SAMAR' (surface-to-air missile
• India has become the first country to for assured retaliation) has been
demonstrate the capability of engaging developed by a unit under the IAF's
four targets simultaneously at around 30 Maintenance Command
km ranges by command guidance using a • The system can engage aerial threats
single firing unit. with missiles operating at a speed range
• The Akash firing Unit was deployed with of 2 to 2.5 Mach. The SAMAR system
Firing Level Radar (FLR), a Firing Control consists of a twin-turret launch platform
Center (FCC), two Akash Air Force with the capability of launching two
Launcher (AAFL) launchers having five missiles in single and salvo mode,
armed missiles. depending on the threat scenario, the
IAF officials said.
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16. Navy unveils new epaulettes for Admirals Navy which had a fouled anchor—a
colonial era vestige.
• The new epaulettes have the new • The old epaulettes carried a baton and a
golden Navy buttoncarrying the new sword, but new ones carry an Indian
naval crestwhich was unveiled last year, sword and a telescope. The stars on the
a red octagon as the backing to the new epaulettes are also designed
national emblem, and a sword and a differently than the older ones.
telescope. • The new Navy button reflects the new
• Navy said the new design is drawn from crest, sans the fouled anchor which was
its naval ensign and inspired from the a colonial era vestige. As per the Navy,
Rajmudra of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati the red octagon reflects the eight
Shivaji Maharaj, reflecting the rich cardinal directions indicative of an all-
maritime heritage of Marathas. round long-term vision. It is inspired by
• The new epaulettes are for the ranks of the new naval ensign that was unveiled
Admiral, Vice Admiral, Rear Admiral, last year and inspired from the Rajmudra
Surgeon Vice Admiral and Surgeon Rear of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji
Admiral. Maharaj who had built the massive
• Barring the medical officers, there would Maratha Navy which has a rich maritime
be around 100 officers of rank Rear legacy.
Admiral and onwards, in the Navy. • The Navy said that the Indian sword
• The new epaulettes have the new golden represents being the cutting edge of
Navy button carrying the new naval national power and winning wars
crest which was unveiled last year, a red through dominance, defeating
octagon as the backing to the national adversaries and overcoming every
emblem, and a sword and a telescope. challenge, while the telescope
The ones for the medical officers have a symbolises a long-term vision, foresight,
red border as well. and a weather-eye in the changing
• The earlier epaulettes for the same ranks world.
did have a red backing for the national • The change is in line with the Indian
emblem, but not an octagonal one. Armed Forces’ increasing efforts in the
Moreover, the button at the top of the last two years to discard their colonial-
epaulette reflected the old crest of the era vestiges, customs and traditions.
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Books & Authors
1. CM Pushkar Dhami releases book highlighting PM Modi's role in transforming disaster

management
• A book which highlights PM Modi's efforts in bringing about a "paradigm shift" in India's
disaster management was officially released by Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami in
Dehradun.
• The book, 'RESILIENT INDIA: How Modi Transformed India's Disaster Management
Paradigm', was released at the sixth World Congress on Disaster Management.
• Edited and compiled by Bluekraft Digital Foundation and Modi Story, which highlights
various facets of Modi's personal and political journey on social media, the book credits
him for bringing about a "gigantic shift in India's disaster management paradigm". It
includes changes in approach to helm different dimensions of disaster management,
including resilience, preparedness, capacity building, etc.
2. Huma Qureshi launches 1st novel 'Zeba', says 'would love to convert this into a film'
• Popular Bollywood actor Huma Qureshi has now turned author with her debut novel
titled 'Zeba: An Accidental Superhero'.
• Set in a fantasy land with its own geo- and socio-political spin, she launched her book at the
12th edition of the Bangalore Literature Festival (BLF)
• The book is a fantasy fiction novel set very specifically between 1992 and 2019.It talks
about a make believe kingdom and an evil king and how this girl, Zeba, who has these
superpowers, manages to defeat him.”
3. Former President Ram Nath Kovind launches book ' Naye Bharat ka Samveda' in New Delhi
• Former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind launched a book ' Naye Bharat ka Samveda' in
New Delhi.
• The book is a compilation of speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Indian
Constitution.
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Miscellaneous
1. Third edition of Rainbow Literature Festival kicks off in New Delhi
• The Rainbow Lit Fest ' Queer And Inclusive, seeks to be inclusive, bringing together
different identities and sections of society to explore common ground. The hope is that
ultimately we collectively stitch together more informed narratives about diversity.
• Rainbow Literature Festival was set up by journalist Sharif D. Rangnekar in 2019.
• Sitting pretty much at the intersections of alternative and mainstream, the Fest is a mix of
different forms of expression such as prose, poetry, art, music, dance, films, talks and
discussions. This year’s line-up includes lawyers Saurabh Kirpal and Rohin Bhatt, actor Kalki
Koechlin, poet Hoshang Merchant, activist Urvashi Butalia, filmmaker Alankrita Shrivastava,
among others.
2. Indian Army organises 'Army Veterans Honour Run' in Delhi
• The Indian Army organised the 'Army Veterans Honour Run' at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium,
New Delhi. The race honours the valour of Indian Army veterans, soldiers who were
disabled in service, and the next of kin of soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The race was organized by the Directorate of Indian Army Veterans (DIAV). The Honour Run
' Indian Army Veterans Half Marathon (IAVHM) is a 21.1 km race.
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Obituary
1. Berkshire Hathaway vice-chairman Charlie • Former Mr Universe bodybuilder Shaun

Munger dies aged 99 Davis has died at the age of 57. In his
bodybuilding career, he won a string of
• Charlie Munger, the billionaire titles including Mr Britain and Mr Europe
philanthropist, Berkshire Hathaway vice before being named Mr Universe in
chairman and regarded as Warren 1996, Metro reported.
Buffett's closest aide, has died aged 99 in • Mr. Davis, weighed a whopping 334lbs
California. Responding to Munger's (151 kg) at the height of his Mr. Universe
death, Warren Buffett, the CEO of success and earned the title of
Berkshire Hathaway said that the 'Dinosaur;'
company could not have been built to its
present status without Charlie's 4. Jubilant Industries MD Manu Ahuja passes
"inspiration, wisdom and participation." away
2. Henry Kissinger, dominant US diplomat of • In a regulatory filing, Jubilant Industries

Cold War era, dies aged 100 Ltd said, 'We regret to inform you of the
sudden and sad demise of Manu Ahuja,
• Henry Kissinger, the most powerful U.S. Managing Director & CEO of the
diplomat of the Cold War era, who company on December 9, 2023.' Ahuja's
helped Washington open up to China, sudden and unexpected passing away
forge arms control deals with the Soviet will be an irreparable loss to the
Union and end the Vietnam War, but company, it said.
who was reviled by critics over human • Ahuja joined the company in May 2018.
rights, has died aged 100. • Jubilant Industries Ltd is the flagship
• Kissinger was at the height of his powers company of agri and performance
during the 1970s in the middle of the polymers business of the Jubilant Bhartia
Cold War when he served as national group.
security adviser and secretary of state
under Republican President Richard 5. Kuwait's emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al
Nixon. Sabah, dies at age 86
• After Nixon's resignation in 1974 amid
the Watergate scandal, he remained a • Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad
diplomatic force as secretary of state al-Jaber al-Sabah has died at 86.
under Nixon's successor, President Kuwait's crown prince and his half-
Gerald Ford. brother, Sheikh Meshaal al-Ahmad al-
• Kissinger was the architect of the U.S. Jaber al-Sabah, 83, was subsequently
diplomatic opening with China, landmark named new emir. Sheikh Nawaf was
U.S.-Soviet arms control talks, expanded sworn in in September 2020 after the
ties between Israel and its Arab death of his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah
neighbors, and the Paris Peace Accords al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.
with North Vietnam.
3. Former Mr Universe Bodybuilder Shaun

Davis Dies At 57
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6. Mohini Giri, an icon of women's rights 7. Actor and DMDK founder 'Captain'
movement, dies at 86 Vijayakanth passes away in Chennai
• Renowned women's rights activist Dr V • DMDK founder-leader Vijayakanth

Mohini Giri died following a brief illness. passed away in Chennai at 71.
• Dr Giri was the former Chair of the • Fondly referred to as "Captain" owing to
National Commission for Women (NCW) his on-screen portrayal of military
(1995'1998) and of the Central Social characters,he featured in 154 movies
Welfare Board. before venturing into politics.
• She was also the Chairperson of the • Vijayakanth founded the Desiya
Guild of Service, a New Delhi'based Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) in
social service organisation. 2005 and made its electoral debut in the
• She founded the War Widows 2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
Association in 1972. elections. Vijayakanth served as leader
of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu
Assembly from 2011-2016
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Person in news
1. Indian Army's Captain Geetika Koul small group of repeat designees,

becomes first woman medical officer to be alongside several U.S. presidents and
deployed at Siachen world leaders
• Captain Geetika Koul from the Snow 3. Indian social activist Nikhil Dey named as
Leopard Brigade becomes the first International Anti-Corruption Champion by US
woman medical officer of the Indian State Department
Army to be deployed at the world's
highest battlefield, Siachen, after • Nikhil Dey, an Indian social activist, has
successfully completing the induction been named as the International Anti-
training at Siachen Battle School. Corruption Champion by the US State
• The training programme at the Department.
prestigious Siachen Battle School is • He has been acknowledged for his
extremely tough and a candidate has to noteworthy support of social
undergo preparation in high-altitude movements that oppose corruption in
acclimatisation, special medical government welfare programs in India
procedures and survival by encouraging transparency and
techniques.Siachen Glacier is in the accountability, public audits, and
northern part of the Himalayas. It is of participatory democracy.
strategic significance and is controlled by • Dey's efforts as a co-founder of Mazdoor
India but Pakistan claims it. The region Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS)
around Siachen Glacier is known for its contributed to anti-corruption and
unforgiving climate. transparency reforms in India, assisting
the state of Rajasthan in establishing
2. US pop star Taylor Swift named Time public policies that promote
Magazine's person of the year accountability and transparency.
• Taylor Swift was named TIME's 2023 4. WHO S-E Asia Director Poonam Khetrapal
Person of the Year'making her the first Singh awarded Bhutan's National Order of
woman to appear twice on a Person of Merit Gold Medal
the Year cover since the franchise began
in 1927. • Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional
• Swift was also named Person of the Year Director WHO South-East Asia, and a
in 2017, when she was recognized as one retired Punjab cadre IAS officer of 1975
of the Silence Breakers who inspired batch, has been awarded Bhutan's
women to speak out about sexual prestigious National Order of Merit Gold
misconduct. Medal for her distinguished services to
• She's the first person to be selected the country.
because of her achievement in the arts, • The King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar
and is only the fourth individual Namgyel Wangchuk honoured Singh at
selection who was born in the last 50 Bhutan's 116th National Day celebration.
years. As the first woman to be
recognized more than once, Swift joins a
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5. Actress Aastha Rawal crowned with Miss commitment to style, performance and
Continental International 2023 an unparalleled driving experience, the
company said in a statement.
• The fifth season of Miss Continental
International 2023 took centre stage in 7. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers becomes first
India for the first time and Aastha woman with $100-billion net worth after
Rawal, an accomplished actress, was L'Oral SA shares jump to record high
crowned Miss Continental International
2023. • Francoise Bettencourt Meyers became
the first woman to amass a $100 billion
6. Deepika Padukone appointed as Hyundai fortune, marking another milestone for
Motor India's brand ambassador the heiress and for France's expanding
fashion and cosmetics industries.
• Hyundai Motor India has roped in • Her wealth jumped to $100.1 billion on
popular Bollywood actress Deepika Thursday(28 Dec), according to the
Padukone as its brand ambassador, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. She's the
Korean automaker said. 12th-richest person in the world, just
• Her association adds a touch of star behind Mexico's Carlos Slim.
power, emphasising Hyundai's
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Insurance
1. LIC amends norms for inclusion of largest life insurance companies in the
shareholders' directors on its board world, according to the ranking.
• S&P Global recently came out with a list
• State-owned insurer LIC has amended a of the world's 50 largest life insurers. In
framework to allow the induction of the list, Asia accounts for 17 spots on the
shareholders' directors on its board. list of top global life insurers, making it
• The corporation would, upon notice of the region with the second-highest
not less than one thousand shareholders number.
or one-tenth of the total number of • China and Japan share the top spot in
shareholders, whichever is lower, elect a Asia with five companies
shareholders' director through a general headquartered there.
meeting of such shareholders. • Mumbai-headquartered LIC ranked at
• The person elected as a shareholders' the fourth position in the ranking
director would be appointed by the
board for a term of 4 years and eligible 3. ICICI Pru Life, Ujjivan SFB enter into
for re-election and re-appointment for Bancassurance tie-up
another term of 4 years, it added.At
present, LIC has five executive directors, • ICICI Prudential Life Insurance (ICICI
including Chairman Siddhartha Mohanty, PruLife) and Ujjivan Small Finance Bank
nine independent directors and one (Ujjivan SFB) have entered into a
government nominee Director MP bancassurance partnership for the
Tangirala. distribution of life insurance products.
Under the partnership, Ujjivan SFB will
2. With $503 bn in reserves, LIC becomes offer the entire suite of ICICI PruLife's
world's fourth-largest insurer protection, long-term savings and
retirement products to its customers
• State-owned Life Insurance Corporation through its network.
of India (LIC) has become the fourth • Insurance regulator IRDAI had in 2022
largest insurer in the world, ahead of widely thrown open the bancassurance
US-based MetLife and Prudential channel for insurers as part of its overall
Financial Inc. effort to increase insurance penetration
• The LIC is only behind Germany's Allianz in the country and achieve the long-term
SE, China's China Life Insurance (CLI), goal of ‘insurance for all’ by 2047, when
and Japan's Nippon Life Insurance, the country will celebrate its golden
according to a new ranking by capital jubilee of independence.
market company S&P Global.
• The state-run insurer, which got listed in 4. LIC notifies hike in gratuity limit to Rs 5 lakh
May 2022, has $503.07 billion in from Rs 3 lakh for agents
reserves, while Allianz has $750.20
billion, CLI has $616.90 billion, and • Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has
Nippon has $536.80. Allianz SE, CLI, and notified an increase in gratuity limit to
Nippon Life Insurance Co are the three Rs 5 lakh from Rs 3 lakh for its agents.
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• The increase was effected by amending policies (71.75 per cent) and private life
the Life Insurance Corporation of India insurers issued 80.42 lakh policies (28.25
(Agents) Regulations, 2017. per cent).
• These regulations may be called the Life • Profit after tax of the life insurance
Insurance Corporation of India (Agents) industry grew over five-fold to Rs 42,788
Amendment Regulations, 2023, LIC said crore in 2022-23 against 7,751 crore in
in a regulatory filing. the preceding fiscal.
• The public sector reported 800 per cent
5. Life Insurers' Premium Income Rises Nearly profit profit, while private insurers
13% To Rs 7.83 Lakh Crore In FY23 together registered an increase by 72.36
per cent in 2022-23.
• Premium income of life insurance
companies grew 12.98 per cent to Rs 6. LIC to open branch office in GIFT City
7.83 lakh cr. in fiscal 2023 while that of
general insurers increased by 16.4% to • Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has
Rs 2.57 lakh cr. Private sector life decided to open a branch office at GIFT
insurers have clocked a growth of City, the country's sole operational
16.34% in premiums, while the public International Financial Services Centre.
sector life insurer recorded a 10.90% rise • Already LIC has presence in 14 countries
in premiums, as per the Irdai's annual through branch offices, subsidiaries and
report. joint ventures.
• Renewal premium continues to • IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company was
contribute the majority of total the first life insurer to obtain registration
premiums underwritten by life insurers for opening office in GIFT City.
at 52.56 per cent in 2022-23. The rest • LIC directly operates through its branch
47.44 per cent is contributed by the new offices in Fiji (Suva and Lautoka),
business premium. Mauritius (Port Louis) and United
• However, the growth in new business Kingdom (Watford).
premium was higher at 17.90 per cent • Besides it has subsidiaries in Bahrain,
compared to renewal business at 8.88 Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
per cent, as per the report. • LIC is now joining a select club of Indian
• During 2022-23, Irdai said, life insurers life insurance companies who have
issued 284.70 lakh new policies under established presence in GIFT City in
individual business, out of which public Gujarat.
sector insurers issued 204.29 lakh
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India & World
1. Out of Rs 1 lakh cr worth of FDI proposals gases use for cooling in the health
from nations sharing land border with India, sector, as the reason.
half is cleared • The declaration has been signed by 124
countries till now with the US and India,
• The government has received foreign which are among the top greenhouse
direct investment (FDI) proposals worth gas emitters did not signed the
about Rs one lakh crore since April 2020 declaration
from countries sharing land border with • The declaration, aimed at addressing the
India and half of those applications critical intersection between climate
have been cleared so far. change and global health, emphasises
• Countries which share land borders with the need for swift and substantial
India are China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and • However, a sticking point emerged as
Afghanistan. the draft outlined a commitment to
• In April 2020, the government came out reducing greenhouse gases for cooling
with a press note under which the applications within healthcare
Centre made its prior approval infrastructure - a measure India finds
mandatory for foreign investments from difficult to comply with, sources said.
countries that share land border with
India to curb opportunistic takeovers of 4. India joins Battery Energy Storage Systems
domestic firms following the Covid-19 Consortium for RE integration
pandemic.
• India became a member of the Battery
2. India resumes imports of Venezuelan crude Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
oil, Reliance seeks direct deal Consortium, an initiative led by The
Global Leadership Council (GLC) of the
• Indian refiners have resumed Global Energy Alliance for People and
Venezuelan oil purchases through Planet (GEAPP).
intermediaries, with Reliance set to • As part of this collaborative effort, India
meet executives from state firm PDVSA stands among the pioneering nations
next week to discuss direct sales committed to securing 5 Gw of BESS
following the easing of U.S. sanctions on commitments by the conclusion of 2024
the South American country. • India has taken significant steps for the
• India last imported Venezuelan crude in integration of BESS, which will be crucial
2020. in supporting its goal of energy security
and access to reliable round-the-clock
3. India refuses to sign COP28 Declaration on energy for all.
Climate and Health In September this year, the Government
of India approved a scheme committing
• India has refused to sign the COP28
to the development of 4,000 MWh of
Declaration on Climate and Health.
BESS projects by 2030-31, with financial
• The report also states the India cited the
support of up to 40% of the capital cost
lack of practicality in curbing greenhouse
to developers in the form of Viability
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Gap Funding (VGF). The scheme is Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal
expected to bring down the costs of Shakti, Government of India, was
BESS infrastructure projects and launched at COP28, the United Nations
incentivise public-private partnerships. Climate Change Conference in Dubai.
• GRCA is a unique alliance covering 275+
5. India provides $250 million Line of Credit to global river-cities in 11 countries,
Kenya for agricultural modernisation international funding agencies and is
first of its kind in the world.
• India announced a $250 million line of • The launch of GRCA, signifies a
credit to Kenya for modernisation of its momentous step in global efforts toward
agricultural sector as Prime Minister river conservation and sustainable water
Narendra Modi and visiting Kenyan management. Following this, partner
President William Samoei Ruto agreed to countries are poised to coordinate post-
strengthen bilateral ties in the field of COP activities, shaping the architecture
defence, trade, energy, digital public of GRCA for effective implementation.
infrastructure and healthcare. • United Arab Emirates with countries
namely India, Egypt, Netherlands,
6. Government of India and ADB sign $175
Denmark, Ghana, Australia, Bhutan,
million loan to improve connectivity in
Cambodia, Japan and river-cities of The
Madhya Pradesh
Hague (Den Haag) from the
Netherlands, Adelaide from Australia,
• The Government of India and the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) signed a $175 and Szolnok of Hungary and
million loan to improve connectivity International funding agencies the
and resilience of roads in the state of World Bank, Asian Development Bank
(ADB), Asian Infrastructure Investment
Madhya Pradesh.
• The project will upgrade about 500 Bank (AIIB) and knowledge
kilometers of state highways and major management institution like KPMG
district roads to a standard two-lane entering into a partnership, widely
feature. expanding the reach of the existing
• Since 2002, ADB has supported road River Cities Alliance (RCA), formed by
development in Madhya Pradesh NMCG in association with National
upgrading more than 9,000 kilometers of Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) in
state highways and major district roads. 2021.
• This project continues these eorts and
8. India joins UN's 'Race to Resilience'
will connect rural areas to growth
initiative at COP28
centres and industrial corridors and
establish roads that are better, safer, • India has joined the United Nations 'Race
and more climate-resilient. to Resilience', a global campaign to
mainstream the idea of climate
7. NMCG Launches Global River Cities Alliance
resilience in cities across India during the
at the United Nations Climate Change
recently concluded COP28 event in
Conference in Dubai
Dubai.
• The Climate Centre for Cities (C-Cube) at
• The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA),
led by the National Mission for Clean the National Institute of Urban Affairs
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(NIUA),under the ministry of housing and Delhi to address illicit finance risk across
urban affairs, will spearhead this both the countries. The meeting was
initiative. held between Revenue Secretary Sanjay
• ‘Race to Resilience’ is a global platform Malhotra and the US Treasury Under
to bring together non-state actors, Secretary for Terrorism and Financial
investors, businesses, cities, regions, and Intelligence, Brian Nelson.
civil society to increase the resilience of
the most vulnerable to the climate crisis 11. Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence
by 2030. nations adopt New Delhi declaration
• In existence since 2020, the C-Cube has
developed and implemented the • India, the Chair of the Global Partnership
ClimateSmart Cities Assessment on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI),
Framework (CSCAF), a first-of-its-kind successfully hosted the GPAI Summit
city assessment framework on climate- from December 12 - 14, 2023, at the
relevant parameters for Indian cities. Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. All 29
• Currently, the third round of the member nations of the Global
assessment is in progress for 220 cities Partnership on Artificial Intelligence
across India. Under the CSAF framework, (GPAI) Summit, held in New Delhi,
C-Cube has developed and delivered 26 unanimously adopted the New Delhi
training modules to improve aspects of Declaration.
urban planning, green cover, and • The New Delhi Declaration underscores
biodiversity; energy and green buildings; the necessity of developing regulations,
mobility and air quality; water policies, and standards while addressing
management and waste management. concerns surrounding misinformation,
unemployment, transparency, fairness,
9. Thiruvalluvar Statue Unveiled in France, protection of intellectual property,
Strengthening Cultural Ties personal data, and upholding human
rights and democratic values.
• In a significant cultural event, a statue of • 29 international partners have
Thiruvalluvar, a revered Tamil poet and joined together to guide the
philosopher, was inaugurated in the responsible development and
French town of Cergy. use of artifical intelligence,
• The statue serves as a symbol of the grounded in human rights,
deep-rooted ties that bind the two inclusion, diversity, innovation
nations and stands as a testament to the and economic growth:
enduring legacy of Thiruvalluvar's
teachings. • Argentina
• Australia
10. India-United States Anti-Money • Belgium
Laundering and Countering Financing of • Brazil
Terrorism Dialogue held in New Delhi • Canada
• Czech Republic
• India-United States Anti-Money • Denmark
Laundering and Countering the Financing • France
of Terrorism Dialogue was held in New • Germany
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• India Cooperation and Development (OECD),

• Ireland launched a programme in Saint Lucia on
• Israel 14th December, 2023.
• Italy • India has been chosen as the Partner
• Japan Administration and will provide Tax
• Republic of Korea Experts for this programme. This
• Mexico programme is the seventh TIWB
• Netherlands programme which India has supported.
• New Zealand • This programme is expected to be of 12-
• Poland 18 months’ duration in which India, in
• Senegal collaboration with the TIWB Secretariat
• Serbia and support of the UNDP Country Office,
• Singapore Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean,
• Slovenia aims to aid Saint Lucia in strengthening
• Spain its tax administration by transferring
• Sweden technical knowledge and skills to its tax
• Türkiye administration, and through sharing of
• United Kingdom best practices. The focus of the
• United States programme will be on effective use of
• European Union automatic exchange of information
under the Common Reporting Standard
(CRS) framework.
12. NSDC signs MoU with Saudi govt to protect
rights of skilled labourers from India 14. India tops global remittance flows at $125
billion in 2023: World Bank
• The National Skill Development
Corporation (NSDC) has signed a • India saw the highest amount of
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) remittance inflows in the world in 2023
with the government of Saudi Arabia to at $125 billion, driven by several factors,
protect the rights of skilled labourers including the country's agreement with
from India. the UAE, for promoting the use of
• The registration process will be free of dirhams and rupees for bilateral trade,
cost adding that skilled labourers from the World Bank said.
all categories, including AC mechanics, • India was followed by Mexico ($67
and car painters, can register themselves billion), China ($50 billion), the
on NSDC. Philippines ($40 billion) and Egypt ($24
billion).
13. Saint Lucia's Tax Inspectors without • In a report, the World Bank further said
Borders (TIWB) programme launched in growth in remittances in India is
partnership with India expected to halve to 12.4 per cent in
2023 from a historic peak of 24.4 per
• Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB), cent in 2022.
a joint initiative of the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) and
the Organisation for Economic
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15. World Bank and Economic Affairs launch • India, the world's third-largest energy
PPP Beginner's e-course in infrastructure consumer, made its first-ever payment
capacity-building in rupees for crude oil purchased from
the United Arab Emirates, signalling
• The PPP e-course is a infra-focused what could be a strategic push to
capacity-building programme jointly promote the local currency globally.
undertaken by the Infrastructure Finance • The move is part of India's broader
Secretariat, DEA and the World Bank. efforts to diversify oil suppliers, cut
The course aims to provide foundational transaction costs, and establish the
knowledge and insights to individuals rupee as a viable trade settlement.
keen on understanding and contributing • This initiative aligns with the Reserve
to the dynamic realm of PPPs in India. Bank of India's move on July 11, 2022,
• Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief allowing importers to pay in rupees and
Economic Advisor of India. Shri Ajay exporters to receive payments in the
Banga, President, World Bank Group. local currency.
• In July, India formalised an agreement
16. Union Cabinet Nod For Migration, Mobility with the UAE for rupee settlements,
Pact With Italy Inked In November leading to the Indian Oil Corporation
(IOC) making payments for purchasing
• The Union Cabinet granted ex-post facto
one million barrels of crude oil from Abu
approval to sign and ratify the Migration
Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) in
and Mobility Agreement with Italy that
Indian rupees. Additionally, some
allows Indian students temporary
Russian oil imports have also been
residence in the European nation for up
settled in rupees.
to one year after studies to gather
• In the financial year 2022-23 (April 2022
professional experience.
to March 2023), India spent $157.5
• The agreement was signed on Nov. 2 by
billion on importing 232.7 million tonnes
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and
of crude oil. Key suppliers included Iraq,
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the UAE, with
17. India makes first-ever rupee payment for West Asia contributing 58 per cent of all
the purchase of crude oil from UAE supplies. The domestic supply meets less
than 15 per cent of the demand.
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Environment
1. Cyclone Michaung Set To Make Landfall In Southeast India
• Cyclone Michaung is set to make a landfall in southeast India. The storm is expected to
cross the coast of Andhra Pradesh near Bapatla, with a maximum sustained wind speed of
90 to 100 kilometers (56-62 miles) an hour, gusting to 110 kilometers.
• The cyclone is the sixth to develop in the Indian Ocean this year and fourth to form in the
Bay of Bengal. Cyclone Michaung: The name was proposed by Myanmar, denoting
resilience and fortitude.
Apps & Portals
1. JCI launches dedicated 'Paat-Mitro' app for jute farmers
• Jute Corporation of India launched an app that would provide vital knowledge to farmers
on various issues for optimal jute cultivation and maximisation of income.
• Rachna Shah, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, launched app.
• It will also feature information on jute gradation parametres, farmer-centric schemes like
'Jute-ICARE', weather forecasts & procurement policies.
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Acquisitions & Mergers
1. TCL gets NCLT Kolkata nod for merger with • Tata Power will maintain the
Tata Consumer Products, TCPL Beverages & transmission project for a period of 35
Foods years. It is estimated to cost Rs
1,544 crore and is expected to be
• Tata Coffee Ltd's merger with Tata commissioned within 24 months from
Consumer Products and TCPL Beverages the date of transfer of the project SPV.
& Foods gets NCLT Kolkata's nod,
enhancing operational efficiency. 3. NARCL finalises acquisition of two SREI
• Approved on November 10, 2023, the companies
order was received by the company on
December 1. • The National Asset Reconstruction
• This move aims to streamline Company (NARCL) has finalised the
management, boost synergy, and acquisition of the two SREI companies
optimize operations for the global SREI Equipment Finance and SREI
consumer product business. Tata Coffee Infrastructure Finance under the
primarily focuses on instant coffee Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC),
extraction, branded coffee, and paving the way for resolution of a Rs
plantation activities. TCL's shares closed 32700-crore debt.
at Rs 279.75, marking a 0.68% increase • NARCL was formed by the government in
on Friday's BSE. 2021 with public sector banks owning a
majority stake in NARCL. Canara Bank is
2. Tata Power acquires Bikaner-Neemrana the sponsor bank.
Transmission Project • It has been set up with a strategic
initiative to clean up banks' legacy
• Tata Power has acquired Bikaner- stressed assets valued Rs 500 crore and
Neemrana Transmission Project through above. It has so far aggregated debt of
a bidding process. Bikaner-III Neemrana- over Rs 25500 crore covering 6 assets.
II Transmission Ltd is a special purpose • The SREI resolution plan received
vehicle (SPV) set up by PFC Consulting, approval from the National Company
for the project. The company has Law Tribunal (NCLT), the Reserve Bank of
acquired Bikaner-Neemrana India, and the Competition Commission
Transmission Project to boost renewable of India.
energy evacuation in India.
• The project, which will be developed on 4. Gautam Adani's group acquires 50.50 per
a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOT) cent stake in news agency IANS
basis, will enable the evacuation of 7.7
GW of renewable energy from the • Gautam Adani increased his footprint in
Bikaner Complex in Rajasthan. the media space when group flagship
• The project entails establishment of a Adani Enterprises (AEL) announced the
340-km transmission corridor from acquisition of a 50.50 per cent stake in
Bikaner-III pooling station to Neemrana news agency IANS India for an
II substation. undisclosed sum. This is the
conglomerate's third acquisition in this
segment.
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• This is the conglomerate’s third • The deal is aimed at enhancing its

acquisition in this segment. Adani had artificial intelligence and hybrid cloud
forayed into the media business in offerings. The purchase will be funded
March last year when AMG Media with IBM's available cash, and includes
Networks, a subsidiary of AEL, bought a Software AG's StreamSets and
49 per cent stake in Raghav Bahl-curated webMethods platforms, known for their
digital business news platform application integration.
Quintillion Business Media (QBML) for
about Rs 48 crore. 7. CCI Clears Alpha Alternatives Group Stake
• In November this year, the Adani group Purchase In Dilip Buildcon
acquired the remaining 51 per cent to
take full control of the entity. QBML • Fair trade regulator Competition
operated the business and financial Commission of India has granted an
news digital media platform BQ Prime. approval to Alpha Alternatives Group for
• Later that year, it acquired around 65 the acquisition of a 10% stake in Dilip
per cent in broadcaster NDTV. BQ Prime Buildcon.
has now been rebranded as NDTV Profit. • The transaction involves the acquisition
Simultaneously, NDTV also announced of 9.99% of the equity stake in DBL by
that it has re-launched its business way of subscription to warrants by Alpha
channel, NDTV Profit, after BQ Prime. Alternatives Holdings Pvt Ltd, and its
other entities.
5. SBI invests '49.99 crore in Canpac Trends, • Ravneet Kaur, current Chairperson of
eyes paper packaging industry CCI. The CCI cleared the deal under the
green channel route.
• State Bank of India has executed • The commission has also approved the
transaction documents to purchase acquisition of 26% equity shareholding
3,70,644 shares (6.35 per cent) of and investment in certain non-
Ahmedabad-based Canpac Trends convertible debentures in DBL's Special
Private Limited at '1,349 per share, Purpose Vehicles by AAHPL along with its
aggregating '49.99 crore. affiliates.
• The Bank, in an exchange filing, said the • The SPVs operate Hybrid Annuity Model
investment in Canpac Trends, which is in projects (constructed and under-
the paper packaging industry, is being construction projects) engaged in the
made with the objective of capital road infrastructure sector in India.
appreciation. • Meanwhile, in another deal, the anti-
trust regulator also gave its nod to
6. IBM to acquire Software AG's enterprise purchase M&G Plc's 11 per cent stake in
technology platforms, aiming to boost AI and Trustroot Internet Pvt Ltd.
Hybrid Cloud frontier • Trustroot Internet is an online B2B e-
commerce platform by the name of
• BM, US-based IT giant, is set to acquire 'Udaan'.
German software company Software • Under the green channel route, a
AG's enterprise technology platforms for transaction which does not raise any risk
$2.33 billion. of an appreciable adverse effect on
competition is deemed to be approved
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on being intimated to the fair-trade application to the RBI in this regard

regulator. under Section 35B of the Banking
Regulation Act, 1949.
8. Blackstone To Buy 80% Of Sony Payment
Unit For $280 Million 10. Competition Commission Clears IndusInd
International Holdings-Reliance Capital Deal
• Blackstone Inc. will take a majority stake
in a payment service provider under • Fair trade regulator Competition
Sony Group Corp. for about $280 million. Commission of India has cleared the
• Sony Group also operates a financial proposed stake acquisition in Reliance
services business which includes Sony Capital by IndusInd International
Bank and its subsidiary Sony Payment. Holdings Ltd, IIHL BFSI (India) Ltd, and
• Sony Bank will keep a 20% minority stake Aasia Enterprises. Reliance Capital Ltd
in the payment business, which is valued (RCL) is an RBI-registered non-banking,
in total at 50 billion yen ($350 million). non-deposit-taking systemically
important company (NBFC-CIC-ND-SI).
9. HDFC Bank board approves re-appointment • The combination relates to the
of Atanu Chakraborty as chairman acquisition of a controlling stake in
Reliance Capital Ltd by IndusInd
• Private lender HDFC Bank said that its International Holdings Ltd, IIHL BFSI
board has recommended the re- (India) Ltd, and Aasia Enterprises.
appointment of Atanu Chakraborty as
the part-time non-executive chairman 11. RBI nod for I-Pru AMC and I-Pru Life to
and independent director. acquire 9.95% stake in RBL Bank
• The bank further added that the matter
is with the Reserve Bank of India for a • The Reserve Bank of India has accorded
second term of three years from May 5, its approval to ICICI Prudential Asset
2024, to May 4, 2027 approval. Management Company Ltd. and ICICI
• Pursuant to the applicable provisions of Prudential Life Insurance Company
the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and Limited to acquire an aggregate holding
the Companies Act, 2013, the re- of up to 9.95 per cent of the paid-up
appointment, HDFC Bank said, will be share capital or voting rights in RBL Bank
subject to the approval of the RBI and Ltd. The approval has been granted with
the shareholders of the Bank. reference to the application made by I-
Accordingly, the Bank will make an Pru AMC and IPru Life to RBI.
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Agri-Business
1. Cabinet approves Minimum Support Price for Copra for 2024 season
• The MSP for Fair Average Quality of milling copra has been fixed at Rs.11,160/- per
quintal and for ball copra at Rs.12,000/- per quintal for 2024 season.
• The MSP for 2024 season is an increase of Rs.300/- per quintal for milling copra and
Rs.250/- per quintal for ball copra over the previous season.
• In order to provide remunerative prices to the cultivators, government had announced in
the Union Budget of 2018-19, that MSPs of all the mandated crops will be fixed at a level of
at least 1.5 times of all India weighted cost of production.
• In the last 10 years, the Government has increased MSP for milling copra and ball copra
from Rs.5,250 per quintal and Rs.5,500 per quintal in 2014-15 to Rs.11,160 per quintal and
Rs.12,000 per quintal in 2024-25, registering a growth of 113 percent and 118 percent,
respectively.
2. UAE initiates process of investing $2 billion in food parks in India
• The UAE has initiated the process of channelising its long-promised $2-billion investments
into food parks in India, starting with Gujarat, after the two countries sorted out concerns
on curbs imposed by the Essential Commodities Act.
• The investments are being made as part of the four nation I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA)
initiative to develop a series of integrated food parks
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External Affairs
1. Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt to attend UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting in Accra,
Ghana
• Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt will pay an official visit to Accra, Ghana from
December 05 to 06, 2023 to attend the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Ministerial
Meeting.
• The Department of Peace Operations, UN and the Republic of Ghana are the hosts of the
meeting.
• The UN Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting aims to address the security and operational
challenges being faced by the UN peacekeepers and generate support for these missions
deployed across the world. India has always been at the forefront by sending maximum
number of troops and equipment to various UN Peacekeeping missions.
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FinTech
1. Paytm to cut down on small-ticket loans after RBI tightens consumer lending norms, set to
expand higher-ticket ones
• After the Reserve Bank of India tightened rules on consumer lending, Paytm has decided
to cut down on disbursing loans under '50,000, said the digital payments firm In addition
to this, the bank is likely to expand to higher-ticket loans
• The company is planning to reduce the proportion of small-ticket loans, also called
postpaid loans, from its future loan distribution.
2. RBI allows REs to use HDFC Bank-Crunchfish AB's offline payments product
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given a nod for regulated entities such as banks and
non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to adopt an offline digital payments product
made by HDFC Bank in collaboration with Sweden's Crunchfish AB.
• HDFC Bank had stated that it would roll out this service as part of a limited pilot for four
months in over 16 cities and towns. The product 'Offline Retail Payments' lets customers
and merchants transact offline.
• The product ‘Offline Retail Payments' lets customers and merchants transact offline. The
solution, which functions in the absence of a network connection, is aimed at enhancing
the adoption of digital payments in regions that lack sufficient network capacities.
• In February this year, HDFC Bank launched the pilot, in partnership with Crunchfish, to test
offline digital payments for merchants and customers after the regulator in September
2022 selected the entity under the 'On Tap' application facility for the theme 'Retail
Payments' of the Regulatory Sandbox to conduct a 'test phase' of the product.
3. IDFC FIRST Bank, LIC Cards and Mastercard collaborate to launch a co-branded credit card to
meet the financial needs of India
• IDFC FIRST Bank, LIC Cards and Mastercard announced their collaboration to launch an
exclusive co-branded credit card. Available in two variants --- LIC Classic and LIC Select, the
credit cards will provide more than 27 crores policyholders across the country an
opportunity to save in the form of reward points on every LIC insurance premium payment.
V. Vaidyanathan, MD & CEO, IDFC FIRST Bank. Siddhartha Mohanty, Chairperson, LIC Cards.
• It will also come with other benefits, including up to '50,000 cover for lost card liability and
a personal accident insurance cover of up to '5 lakh.
• About LIC:
• Life Insurance Corporation of India (“Corporation”) is a statutory corporation established
on 1st September 1956, under the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956 (‘Governing Act’).
• About LIC Cards:
• LIC Cards Services Limited (LIC CSL) a wholly owned subsidiary of LIC of India was
incorporated on 11th November 2008 with an aim to provide solution to all financial needs
of its customers and enhance the value of digital solution by providing a variety of benefits
to LIC policyholders.
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States/UTs
Andhra Pradesh • During Amrit Brikshya Andolan started

by the Department of Environment and
1. Andhra Pradesh CM kicks off programme to Forests attempts were made to create
distribute Rs 620-crore tabs Guinness World Records. Accordingly,
nine records were made in nine
• Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy categories.
launched the programme to distribute • In the first category that is in the Longest
free tabs to Class VIII students of Line of Potted Saplings category, record
government schools at Chinturu in Alluri was made at Veterinary College Field,
Sitarama Raju district. Khnapara, Guwahati by Kamrup East
• Tabs worth Rs 620 crore will be Forest Division and 22.22 km long line of
distributed to 4,34,285 students over the 3,22,444 poly potted saplings were
next ten days across the State. arranged in a spiral form with beautiful
lighting. It was a new category of
Assam
Guinness World Records. The seedlings
1. Amrit Brikshya Andolan: Assam govt creates arranged in spiral form were of Agar
nine Guinness World Records and Mahogony species.
2. Assam govt partners with NDDB to set up Rs

• The Amrit Brikshya Andolan launched by
2,000-cr dairy joint venture
the Government of Assam received
fitting recognition, as the state created
• The Assam government and National
nine Guinness World Records in nine
Dairy Development Board on Friday
different categories.
signed an agreement to create a Rs
• Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
2,000-crore joint venture for holistic
received the certificates from Guinness
development of the sector in the state.
World Record Adjudicator Swapnil
• As per the MoU, a joint venture
Dangarikar at a function held at Srimanta
company will be set up for Rs 2,000
Sankardev Kalakshetra.
crore with a target of processing 10 lakh
• Sarma launched Amrit Brikshya Andolan
litres of milk through six new units in
and as a part of the drive a total of
seven years.
1,11,17,781 seedling of commercially
valuable tree species were planted Chhattisgarh
across the State on a single day on 17
September, 2023. 1. New Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Vishnu
• The entire exercise was carried out in Jan Deo Sai takes oath along with Deputy Chief
Bhagidaari model, through active Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma
involvement of the Self-Help Group
Members, ASHA Workers, Anganwadi • In Chhattisgarh, senior tribal leader
Workers, educational institutions, police Vishnu Deo Sai took the oath as the
personnel including VDP, tea garden Chief Minister of the State. Governor
workers, government officials and other Biswabhushan Harichandan
citizens. administered the oath of office and
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secrecy in a ceremony held at the elevate growth from a linear trajectory

Science College ground in Raipur. to an exponential one that quadruples
• BJPState president Arun Sao and the the overall bioeconomy of the state.
Party's State General Secretary and • Currently, Karnataka, recognized as the
young leader Vijay Sharma took the oath 'Biotechnology Capital of India', with a
as Deputy ChiefMinister bioeconomy that reached $27.1 billion in
2022.
Goa • Karnataka has also invested over $200
million in biotech R&D and stands as the
1. Goa Liberation Day | 19 December third-largest ethanol producer in India,
housing more than 60 producers.
• The 'Goa Liberation Day' is celebrated to
• India aspires to reach a $150 billion
commemorate the liberation of the state
Bioeconomy by 2025 and further elevate
from Portuguese rule in the year 1961.
it to $300 billion by 2030.
• On this unique day, there is a sense of
• This new Biotechnology Policy aligns
pride and independence in the air as the
seamlessly with existing state policies,
golden sun rises over the beautiful state
including the Industrial Policy, R&D and
of Goa.
Innovation Policy, ER&D Policy, and
• Liberation Day in Goa is a historic event
Start-up Policy, while maintaining
that resonates with resilience and
distinct measures to support the biotech
freedom.
sector's growth in the state.
• On this day in 1961, the Indian Army
• Further, in a bid to encourage graduating
captured Goa, which had been under
students or professionals with
Portuguese rule for some 451 years Goa
experience to pursue entrepreneurship
was also somewhat influenced by the
related to biotechnology business idea, a
Indian independence movement of the
fellowship of Rs.50,000/- per month for
19th century, though not significantly. In
a period of 12 months will be given.
the 1940s, a small number of Goan
• A Rural Biotechnological Innovation &
citizens participated in Satyagraha.
Application Centre promote the concept
of'Bio-Village' will be established.
Karnataka
1. Karnataka releases draft biotechnology and Kerala

AVGC-XR policy
1. Kerala capital to host short film festival on
• The Karnataka government has released autism
the draft biotechnology, and Animation,
• Thiruvananthapuram: The Centre for
Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and
Autism and other Disabilities
Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) policy, at
Rehabilitation Research and Education
the Bengaluru Tech Summit, aimed at
(CADRRE) announced an international
fostering development in the particular
short film festival on autism.
sectors and growing the state's
• The CADRRE International Film festival
economy.
on Autism, invited entries of short films
• The core focus of the new Biotechnology
between one to five minutes duration
Policy is on 'Transformation through
impactful Implementation' aiming to
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that explore the diverse narratives and of Meghalaya. Chubitchi is a rice-based

experiences related to Autism. fermented drink of the Garo community
consumed during feasts and
Madhya Pradesh ceremonies.Larnai pottery is made of
black clay from Larnai village and the art
1. Madhya Pradesh government to set up PM form has been passed down through
College of Excellence in all districts of the state generations.
• Madhya Pradesh government will set up Mizoram
PM College of Excellence in all districts of
the state. 1. ZPM leader Lalduhoma to be sworn in as
• The government will upgrade one New Chief Minister of Mizoram
college in every district out of total 570
government colleges as "PM College of • Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) leader
Excellence". Lalduhoma will be sworn in as Chief
• More than Rs 460 crore will be spent on Minister of Mizoram.
the development of these colleges. • The ZPM emerged victorious in Mizoram
• The Council of Ministers has also decided assembly polls by winning 27 out of 40
to implement a cyber tehsil system in all seats. Mizo National Front (MNF) won 10
the districts and ban on illegal use of seats, the BJP won two seats and the
loudspeakers at religious and other Congress won one.
places.
Nagaland
Meghalaya
1. Hornbill Festival 2023 concludes in
1. Meghalaya's Lakadong turmeric gets Nagaland
Geographical Indication tag
• In Nagaland, after a ten-day long fanfare
• Meghalaya's Lakadong turmeric has with a cultural extravaganza with
been awarded the Geographical performances of 18 Cultural Troupes
Indication (GI) tag. from various tribes and communities,
• Along with Lakadong turmeric, Garo the curtain has fallen on the 24th edition
Dakmanda (traditional dress), Larnai of the Hornbill Festival 2023.
pottery and Garo Chubitchi (alcoholic • The closing ceremony was held at Naga
beverage) were also awarded the GI tag. Heritage Village.
• Lakadong is found in Lakadong area of • Cultural troupes presented unity dance
Jaintia Hills. around the bonfire which were lit by the
• Lakadong turmeric is considered to be honoured guests and the winners of
one of the world's best varieties Miss Nagaland 2023
of turmeric, with a curcumin content of
around 6.8 to 7.5 per cent.It is darker in
colour and is grown organically without
the use of fertilisers.
• Dakmanda is a handwoven ankle-length
lower garment which is part of the
traditional attire of Garo women
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Rajasthan 2. World Bank provides $300 million loan to

Tamil Nadu to help 21 Urban Local Bodies
1. Bhajan Lal Sharma to be the new CM of
Rajasthan; Diya Kumari and Premchand • According to the World Bank, the newly
Bairwa named as Deputy CMs approved USD 300 million Tamil Nadu
Climate Resilient Urban Development
• Bhajanlal Sharma will be the new Chief Program is set to enhance access to
Minister of Rajasthan. Mr. Sharma was quality water and sewerage services,
unanimously elected the leader of the promoting climate-resilient cities in the
BJP Legislative Party in a meeting held at face of escalating climate shocks such as
BJP headquarters in Jaipur. floods and droughts.
• Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa • The program will target 21 Urban Local
have been named as Deputy Chief Bodies (ULBs), upgrading their delivery
Ministers. systems.
• MLA from Ajmer North Vasudev Devnani
will be the Speaker of the Assembly. Tripura
Tamil Nadu 1. Govt, ADB sign USD 100 mn loan agreement

to improve tourism facilities in Tripura
1. PM Modi approves India's first project to
tackle urban floods after Chennai deluge • The Union government signed an
agreement with Asian Development
• In response to the urgent need for Bank (ADB) to avail of a USD 100 million
effective flood management solutions, loan to improve urban services and
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tourism facilities in the northeastern
sanctioned an ambitious India's first state of Tripura. ADB support will also
urban flood mitigation project to focus strengthen the capacity of ULBs for
on Chennai, with a budget allocation of integrated planning, including climate
Rs. 561.29 crore under the National and disaster resilience, and identification
Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF). of community and private sector.
• The city's struggle with extreme
weatherevents has brought to light the Uttar Pradesh
increasing vulnerability of India's urban
landscape to sudden and severe flooding 1. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
due to excessive rainfall. inaugurates new factory of Dixon Technology
• The 'Integrated Urban Flood in Noida
Management activities for Chennai Basin
Project' represents a proactive measure • Union Electronics and IT Minister
to addressthe challenges posed by urban Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated a new
flooding.It is designed to enhance factory of Dixon Technology in Noida,
Chennai's resilience to such natural Uttar Pradesh yesterday to boost the
disasters by implementing local smartphone ecosystem.
comprehensive flood management • Mr Vaishnaw said, Dixon's new
strategies. manufacturing facility will create five
thousand jobs.
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• Uttar Pradesh alone is manufacturing 60 • Prime Minister Narendra Modi

percent of mobile phones. inaugurated Maharishi Valmiki
International Airport in the temple town
2. UP team to attend World Economic Forum of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, shortly
in Davos after launching the redeveloped
Ayodhya railway station and flagging off
• A delegation of the UP government will two Amrit Bharat and six Vande Bharat
travel to Davos, Switzerland, to attend trains, some virtually.
the World Economic Forum (WEF) • Phase 1 of the state-of-the-art airport
meeting there from January 15 to 19. has been developed at a cost of more
• It will brief delegates about efforts being than '1450 crore.
made to make Uttar Pradesh a trillion-
dollar economy and develop
metropolitan towns as hubs of different
sectors that include efforts to develop
Lucknow as India's first AI city.
3. Bharat Electronics Secures '445 Cr Deal For

UP Dial 112 Project
• Navratna DPSU BEL has signed a contract

for a value of '445 Cr with the UP
Government for next generation UP Dial
112 project, the company announced
through an exchange filing.
• BEL will be providing comprehensive and West Bengal
state-of-art hardware, AI based software
tools and Cyber Security solutions for the 1. The 29th Kolkata International Film Festival
Dial 112 project, which is spread across ends, Israeli film 'Children of Nobody' won
the entire state of UP. Best film award
4. UP to build India's first AI city in Lucknow • The 29th Kolkata International Film
Festival ended. The prize distribution
• Lucknow will be developed as India's first and closing ceremony were held at
Artificial Intelligence city. The Rabindra Sadan.
government of Uttar Pradesh has • 219 films from 39 countries were
approved the development of Lucknow, screened at 23 locations across Kolkata.
the state capital, as an AI city, • Israeli film 'Children of Nobody' directed
establishing the "city of nawabs" as the by Erez Tadmor, has won the Best Film
nation's newest IT hub. By 2030, it is award under International Competition
expected to contribute $15.7 trillion to in Innovation Moving Images.
the global economy. • The Best Director award was bagged by
Carlos Daniel Malave. Anjan Dutta's
5. PM Modi inaugurates Maharishi Valmiki 'Chalchitro Ekhon' bagged the Special
International Airport Jury Award.
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Director duo Sharmistha Maity and Imperial Legislative Council passed a

Rajdeep Paul's 'Mon Potongo' was legislation for the recognition of the Sikh
awarded best film under Bengali wedding ceremony Anand Karaj.
Panorama category. For the best film • In 2012, the Parliament passed the
'Royal Bengal Tiger Trophy' 51 lakh Anand Marriage (Amendment) Bill,
rupees were given as an award. Apart bringing Sikh traditional marriages under
from these Hiralal Memorial Trophy, the purview of legal recognition.
Netpack Award were also given. The best
short film and documentary were also 3. Chilla-i-Kalan' the 40-day period of harsh
awarded with Royal Bengal Tiger TrophY winter begins in Kashmir on December 21.
Jammu and Kashmir • 'Chilla-i-Kalan' is the 40-day harshest

winter period when a cold wave grips
1. Udhampur district of J&K has achieved the region and the temperature drops
maximum saturation in all the agriculture and considerably. 'Chillai-Kalan' will end on
health benefit schemes January 31.
• Minimum temperature in Srinagar,
• Udhampur district of Jammu & Kashmir Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Qazigund and
has achieved maximum saturation in all Kokernag settled below freezing point.
the agriculture and health benefit
schemes rolled out by the Central
government under the leadership of
Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Udhampur has achieved 100% saturation
in PM Kisan Yojana by providing annual
support of Rs.6,000 to 51,035 farmers.
• Similarly, 100% saturation has also been
achieved by providing Kisan Credit Cards
to 51,035 farmers, he added.
2. Anand Marriage Act, which gives statutory

recognition to Sikh marriage rituals,
implemented in J-K Jammu
• 'Jammu and Kashmir Anand Marriage

Registration Rules, 2023' has been
framed for the registration of 'Anand
marriages', under which tehsildars
concerned shall be the registrar of such
marriages within their respective
territorial jurisdiction, as per a
government notification issued.
• The emergence of the Anand Marriage
Act dates back to 1909 when the British
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Important CA
1. 115-million-year old shark fossils discovered and it continues to thrive as a vibrant

in Jaisalmer: Research living tradition bringing communities
together.
• A team of researchers have discovered • The inscription further highlights the
India's first Early Cretaceous shark commitment and efforts of the Ministry
fossils, 'which are 115-million year old' of Culture, Government of India towards
in Jaisalmer area of Rajasthan. the safeguarding, promotion and
• According to the researchers, the Early preservation of our intangible cultural
Cretaceous was a period of great change heritage.
for sharks, as new species evolved and Possible Question: Garba of Gujarat'
old ones disappeared. has been inscribed in the
• The fossils discovered from the Habur Representative List of Intangible
Formation of Jaisalmer Basin in Cultural Heritage of Humanity by
Rajasthan sheds light on a small UNESCO, under the provisions of the
assemblage of Early Cretaceous (Aptian) 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding
sharks of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Garba
Possible Question: Recently, a team of of Gujarat is the_______ Intangible
researchers have discovered India's Cultural Heritage element from India
first Early Cretaceous shark fossils, to join this list.
'which are 115-million year old' in
_________. 3. Argentina superstar Lionel Messi named
Time's Athlete of the Year for 2023
2. 'Garba Of Gujarat' Declared as Intangible
Cultural Heritage by UNESCO • Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been
named Time magazine's Athlete of the
• Garba of Gujarat' has been inscribed in Year for 2023 after winning the Ballon
the Representative List of Intangible d'Or for a record-extending eighth time
Cultural Heritage of Humanity by and elevating the profile of the sport in
UNESCO, under the provisions of the the U.S. with his move to Inter Miami.
2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of • Messi joins the likes of Simone Biles,
Intangible Cultural Heritage during the Michael Phelps, LeBron James and the
18th meeting of the Intergovernmental Untied States women's national team to
Committee for the Safeguarding of the win the award. New York Yankees right
Intangible Cultural Heritage from 5th - fielder Aaron Judge won the award in
9th December, 2023 in Bostwana. 2022.
• Garba of Gujarat is the 15th ICH Possible Question: Who has been
element from India to join this list. named Time magazine's Athlete of the
• This inscription underscores Garba’s Year for 2023?
pivotal role as a unifying force that
fosters social and gender inclusivity. 4. From FM Sitharaman to Roshni Nadar, meet
• Garba as a dance form is entrenched 4 Indians on Forbes' list of 'most powerful
deeply in ritualistic and devotional roots, women for 2023'
involving people from all walks of life
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• The list of 100 most powerful women in Change will unveil the "Green Rising"
the world was released by Forbes where initiative at COP28 in Dubai.
4 Indian women bagged a spot. • The global "Green Rising" initiative and
• The Indian woman who takes the the "Green Rising India Alliance" marks a
highest spot is Finance Minister and collaborative effort involving UNICEF,
Minister of Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Generation Unlimited and a diverse
Sitharaman, who ranks 32. Her rankings network of public, private, and youth
improved as compared to last year partner
when she occupied 36th place,. • The "Green Rising" initiative focuses on
• Indian billionaire and philanthropist, engaging youth for impactful
Roshni Nadar Malhotra occupied 60th environmental actions at the grassroots
rank who is the first Indian woman to level, aligning with the global effort to
lead a listed IT company in India. address the severe impacts of climate
Daughter of HCL founder Shiv Nadar, she change. Through the YuWaah campaign
is recognised as the richest woman in in India, the focus is on engaging youth
India as per IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich to drive impactful environmental actions
List (2019). at the grassroots level, inspired by the
• Chairperson of the Steel Authority of Mission Life movement.
India, Soma Mondal ranks 70. She was Possible Question: Which of the
honoured with 'CEO of the Year' award following statements is/are correct
at the ET Prime Women Leadership about 'Green Rising' initiative?
Awards that took place this I. It was launched by the
year.Renowned Indian billionaire United Nations
entrepreneur, Environment
• Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw secured 76th Programme (UNEP) at
rank in the list. Biocon Limited and the COP 28 Summit in
Biocon Biologics Limited in Bangalore are Dubai.
founded and run by by her. She has also II. It focuses on engaging
served as former chairperson of the youth for impactful
Indian Institute of Management, environmental actions
Bangalore. at the grassroots level.
Possible Question: Forbes released its III. India is the partner
annual list of Most Powerful Women country of the
and four Indians were included in the initiative.
2023 edition of the list. Who among
the following is the highest-ranking
Indian woman on the list? 6. Travis Head wins ICC Men's Player of Month
award for November 2023
5. UNICEF in collaboration with India to launch
"Green Rising" initiative at COP28 Summit in • Australian batter Travis Head, who
Dubai smashed an explosive century to help
Australia win their sixth ICC Cricket
• UNICEF's Generation Unlimited, in World Cup title, has been named as the
collaboration with India's Ministry of ICC Men's Player of the Month for
Environment, Forest, and Climate November 2023.
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• Head beat tough competition from and Internal Trade, Ministry of

teammate Glenn Maxwell and India Commerce and Industry of India and the
seamer Mohammed Shami to claim the Directorate General for the Protection of
honour. Industrial Property-Italian Patent and
Possible Question: Who among the Trademark Office of the Ministry.
following has been named as the ICC Possible Question: In December 2023,
Men's Player of the Month for The Cabinet gave its approval for
November 2023? signing of Memorandum of
Understanding on Cooperation in the
7. Writer Pushpa Bharati's memoir selected field of Industrial Property (IP) Rights
for Vyas Samman award between the Department for
Promotion of Industry and Internal
• Noted Hindi writer Pushpa Bharati's Trade, Ministry of Commerce and
2016 memoir, Yaadein, Yaadein aur Industry of India and the Directorate
Yaadein, has been selected for the 33rd General for the Protection of Industrial
Vyas Samman, 2023. Property of which country?
• Instituted in 1991, the award is given to
an outstanding Hindi literary work by an 9. Shri Piyush Goyal releases the 'Logistics
Indian citizen published during the last Ease Across Different State (LEADS) 2023'
10 years. It carries a cash prize of '4 lakh,
a citation and a plaque. • Union Minister of Commerce & Industry,
Possible Question: Which of the Consumer Affairs, Food & Public
following statements is/are correct Distribution, and Textiles, Sh. Piyush
about the 'Vyas Samman' award? Goyal released the 'Logistics Ease Across
I. The award was Different State (LEADS) 2023' report in
instituted in 1991. New Delhi. The 5th edition of the LEADS
II. The award is given to annual exercise - LEADS 2023 report,
an outstanding Hindi provides insights into improvement of
literary work by an logistics performance at State/UT level.
Indian citizen. • LEADS was conceived on the lines
III. The award carries a of Logistics Performance Index of World
cash prize of Rs. 5 Bank in 2018 and has evolved over time.
lakh, a citation and a While the LPI relies entirely on
plaque. perception-based surveys, LEADS
incorporates both perception as well
as objectivity thereby enhancing the
8. Cabinet approves MoU between India, Italy robustness and comprehensiveness of
on Cooperation in the field of Industrial this exercise.
Property Rights • It highlights an enhanced overall
stakeholder perception and impact of
• The Cabinet gave its approval for signing various reforms, across States and UTs.
of Memorandum of Understanding on This report, signalling a positive shift in
Cooperation in the field of Industrial States’ performance across the key
Property (IP) Rights between the pillars – Logistics Infrastructure, Logistics
Department for Promotion of Industry Services and Operating and Regulatory
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Environment, empowers the State/UT Possible Question: Union Minister of

Governments by providing region Commerce & Industry, Consumer
specific insights for informed decision Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and
making and comprehensive growth.This Textiles, Sh. Piyush Goyal released the
report is based on a pan-India primary 'Logistics Ease Across Different State
survey, conducted between May and (LEADS) 2023' report in New Delhi. In
July 2023, covering over 7,300 landlocked states group, which of the
responses across 36 States/UTs. following states was placed under the
Additionally, over 750 stakeholder Achievers category?
consultations, facilitated by National,
Regional, and State Associations, I. Haryana
significantly contributed to this II. Jharkhand
comprehensive evaluation. III. Punjab
• Performance Highlights from LEADS IV. Bihar
2023:Coastal Group V. Telangana
• Achievers: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat,

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu 10. ISRO Bags Leif Erikson Lunar Prize For
• Fast Movers: Kerala, Maharashtra Chandrayaan-3 Mission
• Aspirers: Goa, Odisha, West Bengal
• ISRO awarded the 2023 Leif Erikson
Landlocked Group Lunar Prize by the Exploration Museum
in Iceland's Husavik for its successful
• Achievers: Haryana, Punjab, Telangana, Chandrayaan-3 mission.
Uttar Pradesh • The award celebrates the first soft-
• Fast Movers: Madhya Pradesh, landing of a spacecraft near the lunar
Rajasthan, Uttarakhand south pole and ISRO's indomitable spirit
• Aspirers: Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal in advancing lunar exploration and
Pradesh, Jharkhand contributing to understanding celestial
mysteries. The Leif Erikson Award is an
North-East Group annual prize given by the Exploration
Museum since 2015.
• Achievers: Assam, Sikkim, Tripura • The Leif Erikson Award is an annual prize
• Fast Movers: Arunachal Pradesh, given by the Exploration Museum since
Nagaland 2015. It is named after Leif Erikson -- a
• Aspirers: Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram Norse explorer thought to be the first
European to set foot on continental
Union Territories America, almost four centuries before
the expedition of Christopher Columbus.
• Achievers: Chandigarh, Delhi
• Chandrayaan-3 was India's third mission
• Fast Movers: Andaman & Nicobar,
to the moon, and the second attempt to
Lakshadweep, Puducherry
carry out a soft-landing on the lunar
• Aspirers: Daman & Diu/ Dadra & Nagar
surface. ISRO managed to place the
Haveli, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh
Vikram lander on the lunar surface and
roll out the robotic rover, Pragyaan.
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Possible Question: ISRO has been archery), Illuri Ajay Kumar

awarded the 2023 Leif Erikson Lunar Reddy (blind cricket), Prachi
Prize by the Exploration Museum in Yadav (para canoeing).
_________ Husavik for its successful • Dronacharya Award (regular
Chandrayaan-3 mission. category) for outstanding
coaches: Lalit Kumar (wrestling),
11. Chirag Shetty, Satwik honoured with RB Ramesh (chess), Mahaveer
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award; Prasad Saini (para athletics),
Mohammed Shami bags Arjuna Award Shivendra Singh (hockey),
Ganesh Prabhakar Devrukhkar
• India's star badminton duo of Chirag (mallakhamb).
Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy were • Dronacharya Award (life-time
confirmed as the recipients of the Major category) for outstanding
Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award as the coaches: Jaskirat Singh Grewal
sports ministry confirmed the annual (golf), Bhaskaran E (kabaddi),
sports awards for 2023. Jayanta Kumar Pushilal (table
• The Arjuna Award was confirmed for 26 tennis).
sportspersons, including India pacer • Dhyan Chand Award for
Mohammed Shami and archery's lifetime achievement:
breakout star of 2023 Aditi Gopichand Manjusha Kanwar (badminton),
Swami. Vineet Kumar Sharma (hockey),
• Arjuna Awards for 2023: Ojas Kavitha Selvaraj (kabaddi).
Pravin Deotale (archery), Aditi • Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Gopichand Swami (archery), (MAKA) Trophy 2023:Guru
Murali Sreeshankar (athletics), Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
Parul Chaudhary (athletics), (overall winner university);
Mohameed Hussamuddin Lovely Professional University,
(boxing), R Vaishali (chess), Punjab (1st runner -up),
Mohammed Shami (cricket), Kurukshetra University,
Anush Agarwalla (equestrian), Kurukshetra (2nd runner-up).
Divyakriti Singh (equestrian
dressage), Diksha Dagar (golf), Possible Question: Which of the
Krishan Bahadur Pathak following Arjuna Award winner of
(hockey), Sushila Chanu 2023 is incorrectly paired with their
(hockey), Pawan Kumar field of sport?
(kabaddi), Ritu Negi (kabaddi),
Nasreen (kho-kho), Pinki (lawn 12. French President Emmanuel Macron
bowls), Aishwary Pratap Singh accepts PM Modi's invite, to be chief guest at
Tomar (shooting), Esha Singh Republic Day celebrations
(shooting), Harinder Pal Singh
Sandhu (squash), Ayhika • French President Emmanuel Macron
Mukherjee (table tennis), Sunil will be the chief guest at the Republic
Kumar (wrestling), Antim Day celebrations next January, the
(wrestling), Naorem Roshibina Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
Devi (wushu), Sheetal Devi (para announced.
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• Mr. Macron has acknowledged the invite Mazagon Dock Ltd to the Indian Navy on
and announced that he will be here on October 20, 2023.
January 26 for the festivities. • According to the Defence Ministry, the
• Macron is the sixth French leader who ship measures 163m in length and 17m
will be the chief guest at the 2024 in breadth, with a displacement of 7,400
Republic Day parade. tonnes and is among the most potent
• Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warships built in India. It is propelled by
was the chief guest at the 2023 Republic four powerful gas turbines, in a
Day. combined gas and gas configuration, and
• Macron is the sixth French leader who is capable of speeds in excess of 30
will be the chief guest at the 2024 knots.
Republic Day parade. Former French • INS Imphal is the third of the four
Prime Minister Jacques Chirac graced the 'Visakhapatnam-class destroyers
event twice, in 1976 and 1998. Former developed and designed by the Indian
presidents Valry Giscard d'Estaing, Navy. Visakhapatnam-class destroyers
Nicolas Sarkozy and Franois Hollande, are classified as P-15 Bravo or P-15B and
attended the celebrations in 1980, 2008, are an upgraded version of P-15A
and 2016, respectively. Kolkata class destroyers.
• Every year, India invites foreign leaders • The other destroyers in the
to attend its Republic Day celebrations. Visakhapatnam class are INS
There were only two instances -- in 2021 Visakhapatnam, INS Mormugao, Imphal
and 2022 -- when no Republic Day chief and Surat, representing different regions
guest was invited due to the Covid-19 of different states. The Destroyers just
pandemic. come next to the aircraft carriers in
terms of capabilities and operational
Possible Question: French President relevance.
Emmanuel Macron will be the chief • India's indigenous guided missile
guest at the Republic Day celebrations destroyer programme started in the
in January, 2024, the Ministry of 1990s with Project 15, the Delhi-class
External Affairs (MEA) announced. destroyer, followed by Project 15A, the
Macron is the _______French leader Kolkata-class destroyer and now Project
who will be the chief guest at the 2024 15B.
Republic Day parade.
Possible Question: Which of the
13. INS Imphal, India's first warship named following statement is/are true for INS
after a northeastern state, commissioned Imphal?
• The Indian Navy commissioned its latest I. It is the first warship

stealth-guided missile destroyer Imphal, to have been named
at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. after a city from the
• It is the first warship to have been Northeastern region.
named after a city from the II. The ship was delivered
Northeastern region, the approval for by the Cochin
which was accorded by the President in Shipyard Cochin
April 2019. The ship was delivered by the
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Shipyard to the Indian 'Breaking the Mould' was released

Navy in October 2023. recently.
III. INS Imphal is the third • Rajan's latest book, written in
of the four collaboration with fellow economist
'Visakhapatnam-class Rohit Lamba, will discuss the future of
destroyers developed India's economic development.
and designed by the • The former central banker's latest book -
Indian Navy. histhird since he exited the RBI
governor's office in September 2016 -
comes ahead of the national elections
14. Raghuram Rajan's new book "Breaking the
Mould: Reimagining India's Economic Future" Possible Question: The recently
launched released book "Breaking the Mould:
Reimagining India's Economic Future"
• Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was authored by who among the
governor Raghuram Rajan's new book following?
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QUICK LEARNERS
BANKING
Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) 4.50%
Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) 18.00%
POLICY/EXCHANGE RATE & RESERVE RATIO PERCENTAGE

Repo Rate 6.50%
Reverse Repo Rate 3.35%
Marginal Standing Facility Rate (MSF) 6.75%
Bank Rate 6.75%
APPOINTMENTS
APPOINTMENT POST
Tarun Bajaj Independent Director in the board of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL)
Puneet Vidyarthi President of Rural Marketing Association of India (RMAI)
Kanchan Devi Director General (DG) of the Indian Council of Forestry Research Education
(ICFRE)
Rajiv Anand Chairman of Max Life Insurance
Dinesh K Tripathi Vice Chief of the Naval Staff
Samir Shah Chairman of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Dr Mohan Yadav Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh
Parama Sen Part-time member in Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority
(PFRDA)
Uma Sekhar Member of Governing Council of the International Institute for the
Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)
Maheshwar Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services
Dayal
Santosh Jha India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka
Pramod Agrawal Chairman of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)
Satish Kumar Interim managing director and CEO of North East Small Finance Bank
Kalra
C S Rajan Independent Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank
Rahul Rasgotra Chief of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP),
Nina Singh Chief of Central Industrial Security Force
Anish Dayal Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
Singh
Vivek Srivastav Director General, Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards
PU Lalduhoma Chief Minister of Mizoram
Bhajan Lal Chief Minister of Rajasthan
Sharma
A Revanth Reddy Chief Minister of Telangana
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Vishnu Deo Sai Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh
IMPORTANT DAYS
DATE DAY THEME
1st World AIDS Day Let communities lead
December
2nd International Day for the Abolition of Fighting slavery's legacy of racism
December Slavery through transformative education
4th Indian Navy Day
December
5th World Soil Day
December
5th International Volunteers Day
December
9th International Day Against Corruption or
December International Anti-Corruption Day
10th International Human Rights Day
December
11th International Mountain Day Restoring Mountain Ecosystems
December
12th International Day of Neutrality
December
14th National Energy Conservation Day
December
20th International Human Solidarity Day
December
22nd National Mathematics Day
December
23rd National Farmers' Day Delivering Smart Solutions for
December Sustainable Food Security and
Resilience
24th National Consumer Rights Day
December
25th Good Governance Day
December
27th International Day of Epidemic
December Preparedness
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SPORTS
NAME OF THE SPORTS PERSON RELATED FIELD
Ruturaj Gaikwad Cricket
R Vaishali Chess
M. Sreeshankar Long Jump
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy Badminton
Chirag Shetty Badminton
Antim Panghal Wrestling
Hardik Pandya Cricket
Rohit Sharma Cricket
Novak Djokovic Tennis
Aryna Sabalenka Tennis
Leander Paes Tennis
Vijay Amritraj Tennis
Sandeep Kumar Car Racing
Chetan Surnineni Car Racing
Mitchell Starc Cricket
Pat Cummins Cricket
Kiyana Parihar Chess
Harsh Suresh Chess
Anmol Kharb Badminton
Chirag Sen Badminton
Dean Elgar Cricket
Koneru Humpy Chess
PV Sindhu Badminton
Iga Swiatek Tennis
Ojas Pravin Deotale Archery
Aditi Gopichand Swami Archery
Sreeshankar M Athletics
Parul Chaudhary Athletics
Mohameed Hussamuddin Boxing
Mohammed Shami Cricket
Anush Agarwalla Equestrian
Divyakriti Singh Equestrian Dressage
Diksha Dagar Golf
Krishan Bahadur Pathak Hockey
Pukhrambam Sushila Chanu Hockey
Pawan Kumar Kabaddi
Ritu Negi Kabaddi
Nasreen Kho-Kho
Pinki Lawn Bowls
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar Shooting
Esha Singh Shooting
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Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu Squash

Ayhika Mukherjee Table Tennis
Sunil Kumar Wrestling
Antim Wrestling
Naorem Roshibina Devi Wushu
Sheetal Devi Para Archery
Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy Blind Cricket
Prachi Yadav Para Canoeing
SCHEMES
NAME OF THE SCHEME THEME
PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Financial assistance to all cultivable landholding farmer
scheme (PM-Kisan) families across the country
Indian Forest & Wood Promote sustainable forest management and agroforestry in
Certification Scheme the country
Atal Pension Yojana Old age income security to Indian citizens
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Provide collateral free institutional credit to Small/ Micro
Yojana (PMMY) enterprises for income generating activities
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses
Janaushadhi Pariyojana through special kendras known as Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya
(PMBJP) Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendra.
RAMP ((Raising and Encourage the adoption of sustainable technology in business,
Accelerating MSME boost the circular economy and address delayed payments
Productivity) issue.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Provide avenues for the Indian youth to access short-term
Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) skilling opportunities
Jal Jeevan Mission Achieving the 100% coverage of tap water connection to every
rural household
Production-linked incentive Promote Manufacture Sector
(PLI) scheme
OBITUARY
OBITUARY RELATED FIELD
Charlie Munger Industrialist
Henry Kissinger US Diplomat
Shaun Davis Mr. Universe
Manu Ahuja Industrialist
Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah Emir of Kuwait
Dr V Mohini Giri Women Right Activist
Vijayakanth Actor and Politician
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BOOKS & AUTHORS

BOOKS AUTHORS
RESILIENT INDIA: How Modi Transformed India's Disaster Management
Paradigm
Zeba: An Accidental Superhero Huma Qureshi
Naye Bharat ka Samveda'
Breaking the Mould: Reimagining India's Economic Future Raghuram
Rajan
DEFENCE
DEFENCE EXERCISE NAME COUNTRIES INVOLVED
Prasthan Indian Navy
Vinbax - 23 India and Vietnam
Milan - 24 Multilateral Naval Exercise by Indian Navy
INDIA AND WORLD

COUNTRIES FIELD OF CO-OPERATION
INVOLVED
India and Venezuela Crude Oil
India and Kenya Credit for agricultural modernisation
India and France Thiruvalluvar Statue
India and USA Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism
Dialogue
India and Saudi NSDC MoU to protect rights of laboureres from India
Arabia
India and Italy Mobility Pact and MoU on Cooperation in field of Industrial Property
Rights
ACQUISITION AND MERGERS

ENTITY ACQUIRED BY/MERGED WITH
Tata Coffee Ltd Tata Consumer Products and TCPL Beverages
& Foods
Bikaner-Neemrana Transmission Project Tata Power
SREI Equipment Finance and SREI NARCL
Infrastructure Finance
IANS India Adani Enterprises Ltd
Software AG IBM
Dilip Buildcon Alpha Alternatives Group
Sony Group Corp. Blackstone Inc
Reliance Capital IIHL and Aasia Enterprises
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RBL Bank ICICI Prudential AMC and ICICI Prudential

Life
SBI Pension Funds SBI
AWARDS
AWARDEE AWARD NAME RELATED FIELD
Hindustan Shipyard Ltd SODET Silver Awards National Quality Circles
Competition
Power GRID SKOCH Gold Award
Suganthy Sundararaj PRSI National Award Healthcare Communications
Dipak Bharali(Weft Insertion 4th ASEAN India Grassroot Innovation
Device) and Sunil Shinde(Silkworm Grassroots Innovation
Breeding Net Folding Machine) Forum
ESIC ISSA Vision Zero 2023 Safety and Health at Work
Narayan Seva Sansthan Best Personality - National Award
Empowerment of
Differently-abled
Amazon India Best Personality - National Award
Empowerment of
Differently-abled
Meira Chand Cultural Medallion Singapore’s prestigious arts
accolade
BHEL CII EXIM Bank Award Business Excellence 2023
Sreya Francis AIconics Solutions AI
Implementer of the Year
Azentio IBSi Global FinTech
Innovation Awards
Javed Akhtar Padmapani Lifetime Given at Ajanta-Ellora Film
Achievement Award Festival
Ban Ki-Moon Lifetime Achievement Given to individuals for their
Award help to form a peaceful and
secure world for all.
Dr Atul Shah Game Changing Innovator Global health
Dr Hemachandran Ravikumar Karmaveer Chakra Medal R&D in physical & bio-
and Rex Karmaveer Global science and microbiological
Fellowship Medal studies
Kabir Bedi Order of Merit Italy’s highest civilian honor
NTPC Brandon Hall Group’s Technology awards
Excellence in Technology
Awards 2023
Daniel Barenboim and Ali Abu Indira Gandhi Prize Peace, Disarmament and
Awwad Development for 2023
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Savita Ladage Royal Society of Chemistry

Chemistry Prize
Srinivas Naik Dharavath Global Icon Award Given at G20 Initiative
Summit
Indian Armed Forces Golden Owl Outstanding performance by
DSCSC in Sri Lanka
Genrobotics Adjudged among top 3 AI Awarded at Global
startups of India Partnership on Artificial
Intelligence (GPAI) Summit
2023
Against All Odds: The IT Story of Gaja Capital Business
India, Winning Middle India: The Book Prize 2023
Story of India’s New-Age
Entrepreneurs
Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh National Order of Merit Bhutan’s top honour
Gold Medal
NTPC Kanti FICCI Water Award 2023 Industrial Water Use
Efficiency
Rambagh Gate and Ramparts in UNESCO’s Awards Resilient Urban
Punjab, Haryana’s Church of Revitalisation
Epiphany and Delhi’s Bikaner
House
Bengaluru Kempegowda One of World’s Most
International Airport Terminal 2 Beautiful Airport by
UNESCO’s Prix Versailles
2023
Hardik Singh, Savita Punia FIH Player of the Year and FIH Hockey Star Awards
Goalkeeper of the Year
Sukrita Paul Kumar for her book Tagore Literary Prize Literature
‘Salt & Pepper: Selected Poems’
Crompton Greaves Consumer National Energy
Electricals Ltd (CGCEL) Conservation Award 2023
Yunqing Tang and Ruixiang Zhang SASTRA Ramanujan Mathematics
Awards for 2022 and
2023
Lionel Messi Athlete of the Year 2023 By Time’s Magazine
Nirmala Sitharaman, Roshni Nadar List of Most Powerful Forbes’ List
Malhotra, Somal Mondal, Kiran Women 2023
Mazumdar-Shaw
Pushpa Bharati 33rd Vyas Samman Award Literature
ISRO 2023 Leif Erikson Lunar Annual Prize by Exploration
Prize Museum
Garba of Gujarat Intangible Cultural By UNESCO
Heritage
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Sahitya Akademi has announced its annual Sahitya Akademi Awards in 24 languages. 9 books of
poetry, 6 of novels, 5 of short stories, 3 Essays and 1 Literary Study have won the Sahitya Akademi
Awards 2023.
Category Awardees
Poetry Vijay Verma (Dogri), Vinod Joshi (Gujarati), Manshoor Banihali (Kashmiri),
Sorokkhaibam Gambhini (Manipuri), Ashutosh Parida (Odia), Swarnjit Savi
(Punjabi), Gaje Singh Rajpurohit (Rajasthani), Arun Ranjan Mishra (Sanskrit) and
Vinod Asudani (Sindhi)
Novel Swapnamay Chakrabarti (Bengali), Neelum Saran Gour (English), Sanjeev (Hindi),
Krushnat Khot (Marathi), Rajasekaran (Devibharathi) (Tamil) and Sadiqua Nawab
Saher (Urdu)
Short Pranavjyoti Deka (Assamese), Nandeswar Daimari (Bodo), Prakash S. Parienkar
Stories (Konkani), Taraceen Baskey (Turia Chand Baskey) (Santali) and T. Patanjali Sastry
(Telugu)
Essays Lakshmisha Tolpadi (Kannada), Basukinath Jha (Maithili) and Judhabir Rana
(Nepali)
Literary E.V. Ramakrishnan (Malayalam)
Study
SUMMITS AND CONFERENCE

SUMMIT/ CONFERENCE THEME LOCATION
NAME
29th Kolkata International Kolkata
Film Festival
UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Accra, Ghana
Meeting
SBM-GOBARdhan Biogas New Delhi
Conference
Global Green Credit Initiative Dubai
India Internet Governance Moving Forward - Calibrating New Delhi
Forum Bharat’s Digital Agenda
Global Investors Summit Dehradun
27th WAIPA World New Delhi
Investment Conference
Global Partnership on New Delhi
Artificial Intelligence
74th Annual All India One Earth-One Family-One Delhi University and OP
Commerce Conference Future Jindal Global University
India International Science New Delhi
Festival
International Sangha Forum Bodhgaya
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COMMITTEE
THEME OF THE COMMITTEE FORMED BY CHAIRPERSON
3 member Ad Hoc Committee to run Wrestling Indian Olympic Bhupinder Singh
Federation of India(WFI) Association Bajwa
RANKS AND REPORTS

NAME OF THE RELEASED BY RANKING OF COUNTRY
REPORT/INDEX INDIA/STATE/COMPANY ETC WHICH
TOPPED THE
LIST
5th LEADS 2023 Union Minister of Tamil Nadu - Achiever
Commerce &
Industry
2023 World Malaria WHO In 2022, India accounted 66% of
Report malaria case in WHO South-East
Region
World Digital Institute for 49th - India
Competitiveness Management
Development
Periodic Labour Force NSSO Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan -
Survey highest unemployment rate
Climate Change India - 7th
Performance Index
Annual Global Report Mercom Capital Adani Green Energy - 2nd
Group largest global solar PV
developer
Delta Rankings NITI Aayog Tiriyani Block
Southeast Asia Opium UN Office on Myanmar
Survey 2023 Drugs and Crime
Quality of Living (City Mercer Hyderabad
Ranking) Survey 2023
Foreign Direct Tamil Nadu - 4th
Investment
A Green and NITI Aayog
Sustainable Growth
Agenda for the Global
Economy
Crypto Adoption CoinSwitch Top 3 - Delhi, Bengaluru and
Mumbai
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Report on Trend and RBI

Progress of Banking in
India 2022-23
Top 25 AI Nations Fletcher School India - 15th Top 3- US,
China and UK
IMPORTANT STATIC & CURRENT INFO

INDIAN STATES, CAPITALS, CHIEF MINISTERS & GOVERNORS
STATE CAPITAL CHIEF MINISTER GOVERNOR
Andhra Amaravati Y. S. Jagan Mohan Justice (Retd.) S. Abdul
Pradesh Reddy Nazeer
Arunachal Itanagar Pema Khandu Lt. General Kaiwalya Trivikram
Pradesh Parnaik
Assam Dispur HimantaBiswaSarma Gulab Chand Kataria
Bihar Patna Nitish Kumar Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
Chhattisgah Raipur Vishnu Deo Sai Biswa Bhusan Harichandan
Goa Panaji Pramod Sawant P.S. Sreedharan Pillai
Gujarat Gandhi Nagar Bhupendra Patel Acharya Dev Vrat
Haryana Chandigarh Manohar Lal Khattar BandaruDattatraya
Himachal Shimla Sukhwinder Singh Shiv Pratap Shukla
Pradesh Sukhu
Jharkhand Ranchi Hemant Soren CP Radhakrishnan
Karnataka Bengaluru Siddaramaiah Thaawarchand Gehlot
Kerala Thiruvananthapuram Pinarayi Vijayan Arif Mohammed Khan
Madhya Bhopal Mohan Yadav MangubhaiChhaganbhai Patel
Pradesh
Maharashtra Mumbai Eknath Shinde Ramesh Bais
Manipur Imphal N Biren Singh Sushri Anusuiya Uikye
Meghalaya Shillong Conrad Kongkal Phagu Chauhan
Sangma
Mizoram Aizawl PU Lalduhoma Dr Kambhampati Haribabu
Nagaland Kohima Neiphiu Rio La. Ganesan
Odisha Bhubaneshwar Naveen Patnaik Raghubar Das
Punjab Chandigarh Bhagwant Mann Banwarilal Purohit
Rajasthan Jaipur Bhajan Lal Sharma Kalraj Mishra
Sikkim Gangtok PS Golay Lakshman Prasad Acharya
Tamil Nadu Chennai M. K. Stalin R. N. Ravi
Telangana Hyderabad A Revanth Reddy TamilisaiSoundararajan
Tripura Agartala Dr. Manik Saha Indra Sena Reddy Nallu
UttarPradesh Lucknow Yogi Aditya Nath Anandiben Patel
Uttarakhand Dehradun Pushkar Singh Dhami Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh
West Bengal Kolkata Mamata Banerjee C V Ananda Bose
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UNION TERRITORIES, LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS & ADMINISTRATORS

UNION TERRITORY LT. GOVERNOR & ADMINISTRATOR
Andaman and Nicobar Island (UT) Admiral D K Joshi (Lieutenant Governor)
Chandigarh (UT) Banwarilal Purohit (Administrator)
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Praful Patel (Administrator)
Diu (UT)
Delhi (NCT) Vinai Kumar Saxena (Lieutenant Governor)
Jammu and Kashmir (UT) Manoj Sinha (Lieutenant Governor)
Lakshadweep (UT) Praful Patel (Administrator)
Puducherry (UT) Dr.Tamilisai Soundararajan (Addl.
Charge) (Lieutenant Governor)
Ladakh (UT) Brig. (Dr.) BD Mishra (Retd.) (Lieutenant Governor)
UNION MINISTERS & PORTFOLIO

UNION MINISTER PORTFOLIO
Narendra Modi Ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions
Department of Atomic Energy
Department of Space
Rajnath Singh Ministry of Defence
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Monthly Current Affairs

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Banking & Finance

agency agreement to offer life • SEBI introduced the T+3 settlement

Reserve Bank’s Liquidity Adjustment • Public sector lender Central Bank of

39. Sebi proposes action points to ease

in October against a contraction of 4.1 Billion, exhibiting a negative growth of (-

• India's trade deficit in November • Indian economy is likely to log 6.3%

11.19 percent in Coal-based power • India has emerged as a global force in

1. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to • The government has approved the

2. Government Approves Terms Of Reference • Ministry of Tourism has launched

Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit in package of scientific methods of jute

projects. Kolkata-based Maheshwari players such as Google, Microsoft and

Money Laundering Act, 2002 in March • The Cabinet Committee on Economic

Pass System (NTPS) pan-India to applications for easy registration and

• These policy actions will, among others, Corporation, a development finance

significant trade and infrastructure power in northern cities the following

upon recommendation by FAO (Food • Pakistan's military wing Inter-Services

• The 12th edition of 'Admiral's Cup' 9. Badminton pair Satwiksairaj-Chirag selected

• Jaspreet Kaur won the paralifting gold

Agreements & MoUs

provide technical assistance, market software in which the code is free or

19. Intellect signs '80-crore deal with Indian

Ministry of Commerce and Industry, contributions, which itself would vary

10. MSME Ministry launches 3 sub-schemes reduce cases of delayed payments to

Appointments & Resignations

1. Grounded Airline Go First's CEO Kaushik • Vidyarthi is head of marketing, business

Regulatory and Development Authority and Nagapattinam districts and Deputy

flagship programme hosted by 7. President Draupadi Murmu gives national

customers in banking, financial, and • In the United States, former United

16. Indian Scientist Dr. Hemachandran have established him as a distinguished

Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Course at Defence Services Command

• The Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize of India, acknowledges the exemplary

Ranks & Reports

• Bengaluru witnessed the highest • Digital payments have significantly

according to the data released by the and Global Development Network

The key highlights of the report • Number of complaints recieved

1. World AIDS Day | 1 December • International Day of Persons with

2. International Day For the Abolition of 4. World Soil Day | 5 December

3. International Day of Persons with • International Volunteers Day is observed

remarkable achievements of volunteers • The theme of International Mountain

disciplinary cases and litigation. The • 2023 theme: is 'Delivering Smart

Summit & Conferences

1. SBM-GOBARdhan Biogas Conference to be of Mozambique and H.E. Mr. Charles

Science & Technology

manufacture and market Budesonide • the research team sequenced

7. Breakthrough Nutraceutical 'AKTOCYTE' by removal of Arsenic and Metal ions from

• ISRO Chairman S Somanath has 14. Bengal researchers discover plant-growth

4. Indian Army's initiatives for employment to • Garden Reach Shipbuilders and

Antsiranana, Madagascar from 04 to 06 Vietnam to take part in the fourth

Books & Authors

1. CM Pushkar Dhami releases book highlighting PM Modi's role in transforming disaster

1. Third edition of Rainbow Literature Festival kicks off in New Delhi

2. Indian Army organises 'Army Veterans Honour Run' in Delhi

1. Berkshire Hathaway vice-chairman Charlie • Former Mr Universe bodybuilder Shaun

2. Henry Kissinger, dominant US diplomat of • In a regulatory filing, Jubilant Industries

3. Former Mr Universe Bodybuilder Shaun

• Renowned women's rights activist Dr V • DMDK founder-leader Vijayakanth