What will be Covered?

• RBI bulletins/ Circulars/ Reports

• Other Regulator's news
• Reports
• International Organization Current Affairs
• National ESI and Finance Current Affairs (PIB & Govt
Schemes Included)
• State ESI and Finance Current Affairs
• Bank and Insurance Current affairs
• Economic Survey/ Budget
• Current affairs (One liner)
 PDF for Revision

Aspirants can watch at 1.25x/1.5x speed

Q RBI Tightens HFCs Norms to Bring them on Par with NBFCs. Deposit-taking HFCs are now
required to maintain how much % of public deposits in liquid assets?
a) 5
b) 7
c) 10
d) 15
e) 20
Q RBI Tightens HFCs Norms to Bring them on Par with NBFCs. Deposit-taking HFCs are now
required to maintain how much % of public deposits in liquid assets?
a) 5
b) 7
c) 10
d) 15
e) 20
• Issuing Authority:
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued revised
guidelines to tighten norms related to public
deposit acceptance by Housing Finance
Companies (HFCs).

• Objective:
• The revised guidelines aim to bring HFCs on par
with Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)
in terms of regulatory standards.

• Effective Date:
• These revised guidelines will come into effect on
1st January 2025.
• Key Changes in Guidelines
• Increase in Liquid Asset Requirement:
• Deposit-taking HFCs are now
required to maintain 15% of public
deposits in liquid assets, up from the
current 13%.

• This will be implemented in phases:

14% by 1st January 2025 and 15% by
1st July 2025.
• Reduced Ceiling on Quantum of Deposits:
• The ceiling on public deposits for HFCs
has been lowered from 3 times to 1.5
times of Net Owned Fund (NoF).

• HFCs holding deposits exceeding this limit

cannot accept fresh deposits or renew
existing ones until they meet the revised
limit.

• Excess deposits that exceed the revised

limit will be allowed to run off until
maturity.
• Asset Cover Requirement:
• HFCs must ensure full asset cover for
public deposits at all times.

• HFCs are required to inform the

National Housing Bank (NHB) if the
asset cover falls short of the liability
from public deposits.
• Maximum Time Period for Public Deposits:
• Public deposits accepted or renewed by HFCs
must now be repayable after a period of 12
months or more but not later than 60 months
(5 years).

• Previously, HFCs were allowed to accept or

renew public deposits repayable after 12
months (1 year) but not later than 120
months (10 years).

• Existing deposits with maturities beyond 60

months can be repaid according to their
repayment schedule.
• Minimum Investment-Grade Credit
Rating:
• All deposit-taking HFCs must obtain a
minimum investment-grade credit
rating at least once a year to be
eligible to accept public deposits.

• HFCs with credit ratings below the

required grade will not be allowed to
renew existing deposits or accept
new ones until their rating improves.
• Board Approval for Internal Limits:
• Deposit-taking HFCs must set board-
approved internal limits separately
for direct investments in unquoted
shares of companies that are not
subsidiaries or within the same group
of the HFC.
• Additional Key Points
• Hedging and Credit Cards:
• Deposit-taking HFCs are now allowed
to hedge risks arising from their
operations and issue co-branded
credit cards.
• Participation in Currency Option
Exchanges:
• Non-deposit taking HFCs with an asset
size of Rs 1,000 crore and above are
allowed to participate in currency
option exchanges, subject to guidelines
issued by the RBI's foreign exchange
department.
• Participation in Credit Default Swaps
(CDS):
• HFCs are permitted to participate in the
Credit Default Swaps (CDS) market as
users only.

• Branch and Agent Regulations:

• Regulations for NBFCs regarding
branches and the appointment of
agents to collect deposits will now
apply to deposit-taking HFCs.
• Interest Rate Future Market
Participation:
• All deposit taking HFCs are allowed to
participate in interest rate future
exchanges.

• Non-deposit taking HFCs with an asset

size of Rs 1,000 crore and above are
also permitted to participate in the
interest rate future market on
recognized stock exchanges.
• Regulatory Transfer:
• The Finance Act, 2019, amended the
National Housing Bank (NHB) Act, 1987,
transferring regulatory powers over
HFCs from NHB to the RBI.
• Mynd IFSC Private Limited, a
subsidiary of Mynd Solutions Private
Limited, has secured approval from
the International Financial Services
Centres Authority(IFSCA) to launch
its ITFS (International Trade
Financing Services) platform
‘M1NXT’at International Financial
Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT
(Gujarat International Finance Tec)
City, Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
• Life Insurance Corporation of India
(LIC) Housing Finance Limited (LIC
HFL) has launched ‘Griha Rakshak’, a
special home loan scheme dedicated
for the Indian armed forces.
• India’s Designated Authority(DA) for
Cross-Border Trade (CBT) has
approved an additional 251
MegaWatt (MW) of power exports
from 12 hydropower projects in Nepal
to India.
Q RBI Constituted how many member Expert Committee to Benchmark its Statistics with
Global Standards?
a) 5
b) 7
c) 10
d) 15
e) 20
Q RBI Constituted how many member Expert Committee to Benchmark its Statistics with
Global Standards?
a) 5
b) 7
c) 10
d) 15
e) 20
• RBI's Expert Committee on Statistics
Benchmarking
• Committee Formation:
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has
constituted a 10-member expert
committee to benchmark its regularly
disseminated statistics against global
standards and best practices.

• The committee is chaired by Dr.

Michael Debabrata Patra, Deputy
Governor of RBI.
• Key Statistics Assessed:
• The committee will review key
statistics released by the RBI,
including:
• Consumer Confidence Survey (CCS)
• Balance of Payments (BoP)
• Foreign Trade Statistics (FTS)
• India’s External Debt
• Handbook of Statistics on the Indian
Economy
• Purpose of the Committee
• Assessment of Data Quality:
• The committee is tasked with
assessing the quality of routine data
in various sectors, including those
where benchmarks are absent, such
as national security.

• Guidance on Data Refinement:

• The committee will provide
recommendations on potential areas
for further refinement of RBI’s data
dissemination practices.
• Committee Members
• Chairman:
• Dr. Michael Debabrata Patra, Deputy
Governor of RBI.

• Convener:
• Dr. O.P. Mall, Executive Director (ED)
of RBI.
• Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based
electric scooter manufacturer Ather
Energy Private Limited, has achieved
unicorn status after raising Rs 600
crore (USD 71 million) in a fresh
round of funding from the National
Investment and Infrastructure Fund
(NIIF), India’s infrastructure-focused
Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).
• Indian actor Konidela Ram Charan
Teja, who works predominantly in
Telugu cinema, was honoured with
the prestigious title of “Ambassador
of Indian Arts and Culture” during the
15th edition of Indian Film Festival of
Melbourne (IFFM 2024) held at the
Palais Theatre in St. Kilda, Melbourne
(Australia).
Q Which regulator tightens Norms for NBFC-P2P Lending Platforms to Enhance Transparency
Compliance?
a) RBI
b) NABARD
c) SEBI
d) IRDAI
e) PFRDA
Q Which regulator tightens Norms for NBFC-P2P Lending Platforms to Enhance Transparency
Compliance?
a) RBI
b) NABARD
c) SEBI
d) IRDAI
e) PFRDA
• RBI Tightens Norms for NBFC-P2P Lending
Platforms:
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has
introduced stricter regulations for Non-
Banking Financial Company-Peer to Peer
(NBFC-P2P) lending platforms to enhance
transparency and ensure better
compliance.

• The revised regulations are part of the

updated Master Direction-Non-Banking
Financial Company-Peer to Peer Lending
Platform (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2017.
• Key Changes in Regulations:
• Restriction on Cross-Selling Insurance
Products:
• P2P platforms are now restricted from
cross-selling insurance products, except
for loan-specific insurance products
that serve as credit enhancement or
credit guarantees.
• Prohibition on Promoting P2P Lending
as an Investment Tool:
• P2P platforms are prohibited from
promoting P2P lending as an investment
tool, particularly those offering features
like tenure-linked assured minimum
returns or liquidity options.

• Board-Approved Loan Disbursal:

• The RBI mandates that no loans can be
disbursed unless lenders and borrowers
are properly matched or mapped
according to a board-approved policy.
• Fund Transfer Through Escrow Accounts:
• All fund transfers between participants on
a P2P platform must be conducted through
an escrow account mechanism operated by
a bank-promoted trustee.

• There must be a minimum of two escrow

accounts: one for funds received from
lenders pending disbursal (lender’s escrow
account) and another for collections from
borrowers (borrower’s escrow account).
• Loan Limit Cap:
• A cap of Rs 50 lakh has been set on
the aggregate exposure of a lender to
all borrowers through P2P platforms.

• Lenders disbursing loans above Rs 10

lakh across P2P platforms must
provide a certificate from a Chartered
Accountant (CA) verifying a minimum
net worth of Rs 50 lakh.
• Union Minister Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi,
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
(MNRE) chaired the signing ceremony of the
first-ever Heads of Terms (HoT) agreement for
exporting Green Ammonia from India to Japan.

• The HoT agreement was signed in New Delhi,

Delhi, between Singapore-based Sembcorp
Green Hydrogen Pte. Ltd., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Asia’s leading energy provider
Sembcorp Industries Limited, and Japan-based
companies namely, Sojitz Corporation, Kyushu
Electric Power Company, and NYK (Nippon
Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha) Line.
• Axis Bank Limited launches ‘Neo for
Merchants’, a transformative mobile
app which will act as a one stop
solution for the merchant
community, in partnership with VISA
and Mintoak.
• BharatPe has partnered with OTO
Capital, an emerging digital
commerce and lending platform, for
enabling two-wheeler loans. It has
also partnered with Volt Money to
facilitate Loans Against Mutual
Funds to its merchant partners.
Q Which regulator Released Framework for SROs in Financial Markets?
a) RBI
b) NABARD
c) SEBI
d) IRDAI
e) PFRDA
Q Which regulator Released Framework for SROs in Financial Markets?
a) RBI
b) NABARD
c) SEBI
d) IRDAI
e) PFRDA
• RBI's Framework for Recognition of Self-
Regulatory Organisations (SROs) in Financial
Markets
• Purpose of the Framework:
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released
the ‘Framework for Recognition of Self-
Regulatory Organisations (SROs) in Financial
Markets’ to enhance the compliance culture
in financial markets.

• The framework provides a consultative

platform for policymaking, facilitating
better coordination between the RBI and
market participants.
• Eligibility Criteria for SROs
• Legal Structure:
• SROs must be set up as a Non-for-Profit
company registered under Section 8 of
the Companies Act, 2013.

• Financial Requirements:
• Interested entities must have a net worth
of at least Rs 10 crore.

• They should have the ability to create

and maintain the infrastructure required
to discharge their responsibilities as an
SRO on an ongoing basis.
• Shareholding and Membership:
• The shareholding of the SRO must be
sufficiently diversified; no single
entity or group acting in concert can
hold 10% or more of the paid-up
share capital.

• Membership of the SRO should be

voluntary, allowing entities to choose
whether or not to join.
• Representation:
• Applicants must adequately
represent the sector or market, with
a diverse mix of members across
different types and sizes of entities.

• If adequate representation is not

achieved at the time of application, a
roadmap (not exceeding 2 years)
must be included to ensure adequate
representation within a reasonable
time.
• Competence and Integrity:
• The applicant and its directors must
demonstrate professional
competence and a general reputation
for fairness and integrity, as assessed
by the RBI.

• Neither the applicant nor its directors

should have been convicted of any
offense involving moral turpitude or
economic crime in the past.
• Responsibilities of the SRO
• Compliance and Coordination:
• The SRO is required to collaborate with
the RBI to ensure better compliance
with regulatory guidelines and to
detect early warning signals.

• Standards and Best Practices:

• The SRO must develop necessary best
practices and standards codes within
the regulatory framework for voluntary
adoption by its members.
• Dispute Resolution:
• The SRO is required to establish
standardized procedures for handling
disputes among members or as
directed by the RBI.

• This involves creating processes for

resolving disputes through a
transparent and consistent dispute
resolution or arbitration mechanism.
• Petronet LNG Limited (PLL), India
and LTL Holdings (formerly known as
Lanka Transformers Limited), Sri
Lanka signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) in Colombo,
Sri Lanka, for the supply of Liquified
Natural Gas (LNG) to LTL’s dual-
fuelled power plants in
Kerawalapitiya, Colombo.
• Rajesh Nambiar, Chairman and
Managing Director (CMD) of
Cognizant India (Cognizant
Technology Solutions India Private
Limited), has been appointed as the
president-designate of the National
Association of Software and Services
Companies (NASSCOM), India’s apex
Technology industry association.
• M Suresh has been appointed as the
interim Chairman of the Airports
Authority of India (AAI) as an
additional charge.
Q RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Rated ‘A+’ in Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards
2024. Global Finance Magazine is based in which country?
a) UK
b) Germany
c) Japan
d) USA
e) China
Q RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Rated ‘A+’ in Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards
2024. Global Finance Magazine is based in which country?
a) UK
b) Germany
c) Japan
d) USA
e) China
• RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Recognized
in Central Banker Report Cards 2024
• Shaktikanta Das’s Achievement:
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor,
Shaktikanta Das, has been rated “A+” for
the 2nd consecutive year in the ‘Central
Banker Report Cards 2024’.

• The rating was given by the USA-based

Global Finance magazine, recognizing his
outstanding performance in central
banking.
• Other Central Bankers Rated “A+”:
• Christian Kettel Thomson, Governor
of the Royal Bank of Denmark, also
received an “A+” rating.

• Thomas Jordan, Chairperson of the

Swiss National Bank, was similarly
rated “A+”.
• About Central Banker Report Cards
• Annual Report:
• The ‘Central Banker Report Cards’ is
an annual report published by the
Global Finance magazine since 1994.

• It evaluates the performance of

central bank governors from nearly
100 important countries, territories,
and districts.
• Criteria for Evaluation:
• The performance of central bank
governors is rated based on four key
criteria:
• Controlling Inflation: Measures how
effectively a governor manages
inflation rates to ensure economic
stability.

• Managing Interest Rates: Assesses the

handling of interest rates to balance
economic growth and inflation.
• Promoting Economic Growth:
Evaluates the ability to foster
sustainable economic growth within
the country.

• Maintaining Currency Stability:

Considers the maintenance of
stability in the domestic currency's
exchange rate.
• Rating Scale:
• The report uses a grading scale from
“A+” to “F”, where:
• A+ represents “excellent
performance”.

• F signifies “outright failure”.

• SpaceX Plans 1st Human Spaceflight
Mission “Fram2” Over Earth’s Polar
Regions
• India’s 1st Abrasive Waterjet
Unveiled by IIT-Madras Director V
Kamakoti
• National Award Winning Indian
Filmmaker Utpalendu Chakraborty
Passed Away
Q As per RBI Data, NRI Deposits Surge USD 4 billion in Q1 in Contrast with a how much %
Drop in Outward Remittances?
a) 19
b) 22
c) 25
d) 24
e) 23
Q As per RBI Data, NRI Deposits Surge USD 4 billion in Q1 in Contrast with a how much %
Drop in Outward Remittances?
a) 19
b) 22
c) 25
d) 24
e) 23
• RBI Data on NRI Deposits and Outward
Remittances (Q1 FY25) :
• Increase in NRI Deposits
• Overall Increase in NRI Deposits:
• According to RBI data released on 19th
August 2024, overseas Indians deposited
nearly USD 4 billion (USD 3.95 billion) into
Non-Resident India (NRI) deposit schemes
in Q1 of FY25 (April to June 2024).

• This represents a significant increase of

79% compared to USD 2.21 billion
deposited during the same period of FY24.
• Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR)
Deposits:
• FCNR deposits increased from USD 1.12
billion in Q1 of FY24 to USD 1.68 billion in
Q1 of FY25.

• The total outstanding amount in FCNR

accounts reached USD 27.41 billion.
• Non-Resident External (NRE)
Deposits:
• NRE deposits saw a significant
increase in inflows from USD 489
million in Q1 of FY24 to USD 1.53
billion in Q1 of FY25.

• The total outstanding NRE deposits

now stand close to USD 100 billion.
• Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO)
Deposits:
• NRO deposits also increased from
USD 598 million in Q1 of FY24 to USD
743 million in Q1 of FY25.

• The total outstanding NRO deposits

stand at USD 28.24 billion.
• About the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS)
• Overview of the LRS:
• The Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) was
introduced in 2004.

• It allows all Indian resident individuals (including

minors) to remit funds outside India up to USD
250,000 per financial year or its equivalent in any
freely convertible foreign currency.

• The funds can be remitted for any permissible

capital or current account transaction or a
combination of both, without requiring prior
approval from the RBI.
• Overall Decrease in Outward
Remittances:
• Outward remittances under the
Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS)
of the RBI decreased by 24.39% in Q1
of FY25.

• The total outward remittances

dropped to USD 6.9 billion in Q1 of
FY25 from USD 9.1 billion in Q1 of
FY24.
• Remittances Decline by Category:
• International Travel: The largest
segment of outward remittances,
international travel, registered a
decrease of 6%, down to USD 3.8 billion
in Q1 of FY25 from USD 4.07 billion in
Q1 of FY24.

• Maintenance of Close Relatives:

Remittances for the maintenance of
close relatives decreased by 46% year-
on-year (Y-o-Y), totaling USD 983.2
million.
• Gifts: Remittances under the 'gift'
category declined by approximately 41%
Y-o-Y, amounting to USD 811.9 million.

• Investments in Equity and Debt

Schemes: These saw a decrease from
USD 503.73 million in Q1 of FY24 to USD
318.02 million in Q1 of FY25.

• Deposits: Remittances for deposits

witnessed a 61% Y-o-Y decrease to USD
164.7 million.
• Education and Other Spending:
• Overseas Education: Spending by Indians
on overseas education decreased by
nearly 14% to USD 596.08 million from
USD 694.41 million in the same period
last year.

• Medical Treatment: Remittances for

medical treatment increased by 43.5% Y-
o-Y to USD 24.46 million.

• Donations: Donations increased by 3.6%,

totaling USD 4.29 million.
Q As per SEBI Report, which country accounts for Highest FPI investment in India?
a) UK
b) Germany
c) Japan
d) USA
e) China
Q As per SEBI Report, which country accounts for Highest FPI investment in India?
a) UK
b) Germany
c) Japan
d) USA
e) China
• SEBI Report on Foreign Portfolio
Investment (FPI) in India for FY24
• FPI Leadership by Country:
• The United States led the Foreign
Portfolio Investment (FPI) in India for
the Fiscal Year 2023-24 (FY24) with
3,457 registered FPIs.

• Luxembourg followed with 1,393

registered FPIs.

• Canada ranked third with 804

registered FPIs.
• Increase in Total FPIs:
• As of March 31, 2024, the total
number of FPIs in India increased to
11,219, up from 11,081 in FY23.

• Record FPI Inflows:

• FY24 witnessed the highest FPI
inflows into India since the start of
such investments in 1992-93,
indicating strong foreign investor
interest in the Indian market.
Q SEBI Amended Mutual Fund Rules to Curb Front-Running, Insider Trading. SEBI has
directed the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) to prescribe detailed
implementation standards within how many days of the circular's issuance?
a) 7
b) 14
c) 10
d) 15
e) 20
Q SEBI Amended Mutual Fund Rules to Curb Front-Running, Insider Trading. SEBI has
directed the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) to prescribe detailed
implementation standards within how many days of the circular's issuance?
a) 7
b) 14
c) 10
d) 15
e) 20
• SEBI's Amendment of Mutual Fund
Norms
• Regulatory Amendment:
• SEBI's Action:
• The Securities and Exchange Board of
India (SEBI) has amended mutual fund
norms through a circular.

• Legal Authority:
• The amendments were issued under
Section 11 (1) of the SEBI Act, 1992,
along with Regulation 25(27) and
Regulation 77 of SEBI (Mutual Funds)
Regulations, 1996.
• New Requirements for Asset
Management Companies (AMCs):
• Institutional Mechanism:
• AMCs are now required to adopt an
institutional mechanism to identify and
prevent front-running and insider
trading in securities.

• Implementation Standards:
• SEBI has directed the Association of
Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) to
prescribe detailed implementation
standards within 15 days of the circular's
issuance.
• Mandatory Compliance:
• It is mandatory for all AMCs to follow
the detailed implementation
standards issued by AMFI.

• Accountability and Responsibility:

• Management Accountability:
• The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and
Managing Director (MD) of the
respective AMCs will be responsible
for ensuring the effectiveness of the
institutional mechanism to prevent
market abuse.
• Alert-Based Mechanism:
• Automatic Alerts:
• AMCs must develop and implement
systems that automatically generate
and process alerts in a timely manner.

• Alert Processing:
• AMCs must record and process a list of
alerts, including chats, emails, access
logs, and CCTV footage (if available).
• Reporting:
• All examined alerts and the actions taken
must be compiled into a Compliance Test
Report (CTR) and the Half-Yearly Trustee
Report (HYTR) and submitted to SEBI.

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):

• Policy Development:
• AMCs are required to create and adopt
written policies and procedures for
investigating and acting on fraudulent
transactions in securities by employees
and connected entities.
• Board Approval:
• These policies must be approved by the
board of the AMCs.

• Action on Suspicious Alerts:

• Suspension/Termination:
• Upon receiving an alert of potential
market abuse, AMCs must suspend or
terminate the individuals or entities
involved in market manipulation.
• Board and Trustee Notification:
• Instances of market abuse must be reported
to the AMC's board of directors and
trustees.

• Whistle Blower Policy:

• Mandated Documentation:
• AMCs are required to document or
establish a whistleblower policy.

• Investor Protection:
• The introduction of this policy adds an extra
layer of protection for investors.
Q As per UNAIDS’ 2024 Global AIDS Update, Globally ……… Million People Living with HIV in
2023?
a) 39.1
b) 39.2
c) 39.3
d) 39.4
e) 39.9
Q As per UNAIDS’ 2024 Global AIDS Update, Globally ……… Million People Living with HIV in
2023?
a) 39.1
b) 39.2
c) 39.3
d) 39.4
e) 39.9
• UNAIDS 2024 Global AIDS Update:
"The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a
Crossroads"
• Global HIV Statistics:
• An estimated 39.9 million people
worldwide are living with HIV at the
end of 2023. This figure ranges from
36.1 million to 44.6 million.
• Antiretroviral Therapy:
• Approximately 30.7 million people
living with HIV were receiving
antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2023.

• About 9.3 million people living with

HIV were not receiving treatment.

• The global treatment coverage in

2023 was 77%, with a range of 61%
to 89%.
• New HIV Infections:
• In 2023, there were 1.3 million new
HIV infections, exceeding the target
of 370,000 by 2025.

• Women and girls accounted for 44%

of all new infections.

• HIV Acquisition:
• An estimated 1.3 million people
acquired HIV in 2023, which is more
than three times the 2025 target of
370,000 or fewer new infections.
• AIDS-Related Deaths:
• The annual number of AIDS-related deaths
has been halved due to increased access to
ART, decreasing from 1.3 million in 2010 to
630,000 in 2023.

• Projected Outcomes:
• If global targets are met, approximately 29
million people will be living with HIV
globally in 2050.

• If current HIV programs continue without

significant changes, about 46 million people
will be living with HIV in 2050.
• Challenges and Inequalities:
• Despite a 39% global reduction in new HIV infections
since 2010, infections are rising in the Middle East
and North Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia,
and Latin America.

• Gender inequality exacerbates risks for adolescent

girls and young women, particularly in parts of
Africa.

• Stigma and discrimination impede prevention and

treatment efforts, with key populations (sex workers,
men who have sex with men, and people who inject
drugs) accounting for 55% of new infections globally.
• Funding Gaps:
• UNAIDS estimates that 20% of HIV resources
should target high-risk populations, but only
2.6% of spending was allocated to these groups
in 2023.

• Total global HIV resources in 2023 were USD

19.8 billion, a 5% decrease from 2022, and USD
9.5 billion short of the 2025 goal of USD 29.3
billion.

• Domestic funding from Low- and Middle-Income

Countries (LMICs) fell by 6% in 2023, marking
the fourth consecutive year of decline.
• Regions in Crisis:
• Increased resource mobilization is
essential for the Asia-Pacific region,
Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Latin
America, and the Middle East and North
Africa.

• These regions are experiencing rising

HIV epidemics and face significant
funding reductions, with nearly half of
the total resources needed by 2025 and
93% of the current funding gap
occurring outside sub-Saharan Africa.
• International AIDS Conference:
• The 25th International AIDS
Conference (AIDS 2024) is held from
July 22-26 in Munich, Germany, with
the theme “Put people first!”

• The conference is convened by the

International AIDS Society based in
Geneva, Switzerland.
• SWIFT and Axis Bank AI-Driven Pilot:
• Partnership Launch:
• SWIFT has partnered with Axis Bank, a
leading Indian private sector bank, to
launch an AI-driven pilot aimed at
preventing fraud in cross-border payments.

• Objective of the AI Pilot:

• The pilot aims to create a secure
infrastructure for financial institutions to
exchange important information while
preserving privacy.
• Paytm’s NFC Card Sound Box Launch:
• Company and Product Launch:
• One97 Communications Limited (OCL),
Paytm's parent company based in Noida,
Uttar Pradesh, has launched India's first Near
Field Communication (NFC) Card Sound Box.

• Product Overview:
• The NFC Card Sound Box is a two-in-one
mobile Quick Response (QR) payment device.

• It combines NFC card payment technology

with mobile QR payments.
Q Which Ministry launches NATS 2.0 Portal?
a) Finance
b) Education
c) Rural Development
d) MSME
e) Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
Q Which Ministry launches NATS 2.0 Portal?
a) Finance
b) Education
c) Rural Development
d) MSME
e) Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
• National Apprenticeship and Training
Scheme –
• It is one of the flagship programmes
of Government of India for Skilling
Indian Youth in Trade disciplines.

• It offers Graduate, Diploma students

and Vocational certificate holders; a
practical, hands-on On-the-Job-
Training (OJT) based skilling
opportunities.

• Duration: Ranging from 6 months to 1

year.
• During the period of apprenticeship, the
apprentices are paid a stipend amount,
50% of which is reimbursable to the
employer from the Government of India.

• At the end of the training period the

apprentices are issued a Certificate of
Proficiency by the Government of India
which can be registered at all employment
exchanges across India as valid employment
experience.

• There is no guarantee of employment after

completion of training as an apprentice.
• Launch of National Apprenticeship
and Training Scheme (NATS) 2.0
Portal:
• Event Overview:
• Launched by: Union Minister
Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of
Education (MoE)

• Key Initiative: Stipends of Rs 100

crore disbursed to young graduates
and diploma holders through Direct
Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
• Training and Sectors:
• On-the-Job Training Sectors:
• Information Technology/Information
Technology Enabled Services (IT/ITes)
• Manufacturing
• Automobile Industries

• About NATS 2.0 Portal:

• Development: Developed in-house by
the MoE with support from the All India
Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
and Board of Apprenticeship Training /
Practical Training (BOAT/BOPT).
• Features:
• One-stop solution for managing
apprenticeship lifecycle activities.

• Activities include student registration,

vacancy advertisement, student
applications, contract creation,
certification, reporting, and stipend
disbursement using DBT.
 Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy Launches Mineral Exploration Hackathon
and National DMF Portal in Hyderabad

• Mineral Exploration Hackathon:

• Focus: Innovative Mineral Hunt
Techniques

• Objective: Utilize Artificial Intelligence

(AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for
geophysical data analysis.
 Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy Launches Mineral Exploration Hackathon
and National DMF Portal in Hyderabad

• National District Mineral Foundation (DMF)

Portal:
• Purpose: Enhance transparency and
accessibility of information on district
mineral foundations.

• Explanation: The portal consolidates

information on 645 DMFs across India,
making data more accessible and tracking
developments.
Q Which country launches Climate Finance Action Fund ?
a) India
b) USA
c) Germany
d) UAE
e) Azerbaijan
Q Which country launches Climate Finance Action Fund ?
a) India
b) USA
c) Germany
d) UAE
e) Azerbaijan
• Azerbaijan's Launch of 'Climate
Finance Action Fund (CFAF)’ :

• Host of COP29: Azerbaijan

• Location: Baku, Azerbaijan

• Explanation: COP29 is the 29th

Conference of the Parties climate
summit, focusing on international
climate action and policies.
• Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF):
• Objective: Support green projects in
developing countries and help maintain
the 1.5°C temperature target.

• Fundraising Goal: Raise USD 1 billion

from fossil fuel-producing countries and
companies.
• About CFAF:
• Part of COP29 Action Agenda: One
of 14 initiatives to enhance
ambition and enable climate action.

• Functions:
• Mobilize private sector investment
• De-risk funding
• Provide concessional support for
natural disaster response
• Founding Contributor: Azerbaijan

• Members' Commitment: Annual

contributions as a fixed sum or based
on production volume

• Fund Allocation:
• 50% Allocation: Climate projects in
developing countries focusing on:
• Clean energy
• Energy efficiency
• Climate resilience
• New technologies
• Purpose: Assist members in meeting
their Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDCs) to maintain the
1.5°C target

• 20% of Revenues:
• Directed to: Rapid Response Funding
Facility

• Purpose: Provide immediate, highly

concessional, and grant-based
disaster response support
• Operational Start:
• Condition: After initial fundraising
round and commitment from at least
10 countries as shareholders
• The State Bank of India (SBI) has
projected that India’s real Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) will grow by
7% year-on-year(YoY) in the
Financial year 2024-2025(FY25),
which is 20 basis points(bps) lower
than the Reserve Bank of India’s
(RBI) forecast of 7.2% amid global
headwinds.
• Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Ageas
Federal Life Insurance Company
Limited (AFLI), one of India’s leading
private life insurers has partnered
with PhonePe, an Indian digital
payment platform to provide instant
term insurance to its vast customer
base.
Q Which ministry hosted 8th India Mobile Congress?
a) Finance
b) Education
c) Rural Development
d) MSME
e) Communications
Q Which ministry hosted 8th India Mobile Congress?
a) Finance
b) Education
c) Rural Development
d) MSME
e) Communications
• Union Minister Jyotiraditya
Madhavrao Scindia Unveils Theme of
8th India Mobile Congress (IMC) :
• Theme: ‘The Future is Now’.

• Significance: Highlights India's central

role in technological evolution.

• Co-hosts: Department of
Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry
of Communications (MoC), and
Cellular Operators Association of
India (COAI).
• Key Points:
• App & Portal Launch:
• Purpose: For registration.

• Platforms: IMC 2024 Application

(App) and Website

• Explanation: Opens registrations for

Delegates, Visitors,
Academia/College, Government, and
Media.
• Testing Scheme:
• Fund Allocation: Rs. 25 crore for
Start-ups & Micro, Small, and
Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the
telecom sector.

• Reimbursement: Up to Rs 50 lakhs
per startup or MSE for testing and
certification costs.

• Support Levels: Startups receive 75%

reimbursement, micro-enterprises
60%, and small enterprises 50%.
• Agreement Signing:
• Participants: National
Telecommunications Institute for
Policy Research, Innovation &
Training (NTIPRIT) and Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu.

• Focus: Capacity building in

Cybersecurity.
• India’s largest Public Sector Bank
(PSB), State Bank of India (SBI) has
signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Jakson
Engineers Limited to promote solar
energy adoption across India.
• Property Share (PropShare
Investment Manager Private Limited)
became the 1st Fractional Ownership
Platform (FOP) to received India’s 1st
Small and Medium Real Estate
Investment Trust (SM REIT) license
from the Securities and Exchange
Board of India (SEBI) under the newly
notified SM REIT regulations.
Q NFDC & which company signed MoU to Launch ‘The Voicebox‘, Upskilling Program for
Indian Voice-Over Artists?
a) Google
b) Netflix India
c) Amazon Prime
d) WhatsApp
e) Instagram
Q NFDC & which company signed MoU to Launch ‘The Voicebox‘, Upskilling Program for
Indian Voice-Over Artists?
a) Google
b) Netflix India
c) Amazon Prime
d) WhatsApp
e) Instagram
• Partnership Announcement:
• Entities Involved: National Film
Development Corporation (NFDC)
and Netflix India.

• Purpose: Launch "The Voicebox"

program for upskilling voice-over
artists in India.

• Alignment: Promotes Indian cinema

and nurtures talent in the Media and
Entertainment industry.
• About "The Voicebox" :
• Program Overview:
• Training Focus: Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL) for voice-over artists.

• Languages: English, Hindi, Marathi,

Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu,
and Gujarati.

• Objective: Upskill voice-over artists

and enhance their professional
capabilities.
• Sponsorship:
• Fund: Sponsored by the Netflix Fund for
Creative Equity.

• Financial Commitment: Allocates USD 100

million annually over 5 years to support
underrepresented communities globally.

• Training Partner:
• Institution: Pearl Academy, India’s leading
design institute.

• Role: Provide training and skill

development for participants.
• Special Project Participation:
• Selection: 7 top participants from
every batch.

• Project Contribution: Contribute to

Netflix’s special project, “Azaadi ki
Amrit Kahaniya”.

• Narration Focus: Lend their voice to

narrate stories reflecting the
independence movement.
• Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical
Science and Technology (SCTIMST) under
the Department of Science and Technology
(DST), within the Ministry of Science and
Technology (MoST) has signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with the World Health Organisation (WHO)
at a ceremony held in Indian National
Science Academy(INSA) in New
Delhi(Delhi) to enhance medical device
production in India.
• Raj Kumar Chaudhary took charge as
the Chairman and Managing
Director (CMD) of NHPC Limited.
Q Which insurance company in India topped in Global Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)
Rankings 2024?
a) Tata AIA
b) HDFC Bank
c) LIC
d) Max Life Insurance
e) India First Life
Q Which insurance company in India topped in Global Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)
Rankings 2024?
a) Tata AIA
b) HDFC Bank
c) LIC
d) Max Life Insurance
e) India First Life
• About the Million Dollar Round Table
(MDRT):
• Foundation and Membership:
• Founded: In 1927 by 32 extraordinary life
insurance producers.

• Association: Global, independent association

of the world’s leading life insurance and
financial services professionals.

• Coverage: Over 700 companies in 80 nations

and territories.
• Recognition:
• Standard of Excellence: MDRT membership
is internationally recognized as the
standard of excellence in the life insurance
and financial services business.

• Attributes: Exceptional professional

knowledge, ethical conduct, and
outstanding client service.
• Tata AIA Life Insurance Secures 6th Position
in Global MDRT Rankings 2024
• Ranking Achievement:
• Position: Tata AIA Life Insurance Company
Limited ranks 6th out of the top 100 global
companies in the Global Million Dollar
Round Table (MDRT) rankings for 2024.

• Top Three Spots:

• AIA China (China)
• AIA International Limited (Hong Kong,
China)
• AIA Co Limited (Thailand)
• AIA China: Topped the MDRT rankings for
the 10th consecutive year.

• Tata AIA's Performance:

• MDRT-Qualified Advisors:
• Largest number in India with 2,584 MDRT-
qualified advisors and employees as of
December 31, 2023.

• 30.64% increase over the previous year.

• Achieved the largest number of MDRT

members in India for the second
consecutive year.
• Other Indian Companies in MDRT Rankings
2024:
• HDFC Bank Limited: 24th position.

• LIC India: 34th position.

• Max Life Insurance Co Limited: 48th

position.

• India First Life Insurance: 60th position.

• HDFC Life Insurance: 87th position.

• SBI Life Insurance: 95th position.

• Female MDRT Qualifiers:
• Top 3 Companies Globally:
• AIA China (China) - 3,812 female
members.

• Mingya Insurance Brokers Limited

(China) - 2,585 female members.

• AIA International Limited (Hong

Kong, China) - 2,407 female
members.
• Tata AIA's Female Members:
• Highest in India with 1,238 women
MDRT advisors.

• Ranked No. 1 in India and No. 7

globally.

• 32.26% increase in female MDRT

qualifiers compared to the previous
year.
• Dhruva Space Private Limited, an
Indian full-stack Space Engineering
solutions provider, collaborated with
Singapore-based Zero-Error Systems
(ZES) Private Limited, a leading
Space semiconductor manufacturer,
to enhance its On-Board computer
(OBC) subsystem for upcoming
satellite missions.
• Cameroonian athlete, Issa Hayatou,
who served as the President
(Interim) of Fédération
Internationale de Football
Association (FIFA) from October
2015 to February 2016, passed away
at the age of 77 in Paris, France.
Q As per Kantar’s Brand Inclusion Index 2024, which brand topped among Most Inclusive
Brands in India?
a) Amazon
b) Google
c) Tata Motors
d) Jio
e) Apple
Q As per Kantar’s Brand Inclusion Index 2024, which brand topped among Most Inclusive
Brands in India?
a) Amazon
b) Google
c) Tata Motors
d) Jio
e) Apple
 Inclusion

• Inclusive brands accept people regardless of race, education, belief

system, gender, nationality, or any other orientation.
• Brand Inclusion Index (BII) 2024 by
Kantar
• Top 5 Most Inclusive Brands in India:
• Google
• Tata Motors
• Amazon
• Jio
• Apple
• Top 5 Most Inclusive Brands Globally:
• Google
• Amazon
• Nike
• Dove
• McDonald's
• India Brand Inclusion Index (BII):
• First Edition:
• Explored categories such as skincare,
banking, automotive, and technology.

• Top BII scorers in India by category:

• Technology: Google

• Automotive: Tata Motors

• Banking: SBI

• Skincare: Dove
World Bio-Fuel Day 2024 – August 10
World Lion Day 2024 – August 10
Q G20 Agrees on which country’s Billionaire Tax Proposal to Tackle Taxation of Ultra-Rich?
a) India
b) Brazil
c) France
d) Germany
e) Japan
Q G20 Agrees on which country’s Billionaire Tax Proposal to Tackle Taxation of Ultra-Rich?
a) India
b) Brazil
c) France
d) Germany
e) Japan
• G20 Rio de Janeiro Ministerial Declaration
on International Tax Cooperation
• Key Points:
• First-Ever Joint Ministerial Declaration:
• Issued by G20 finance ministers and central
bankers.

• Focuses on effective taxation of “ultra-high-

net-worth individuals.”

• Brazil's Proposal:
• Proposed Tax:
• A 2% minimum tax on the world’s richest
billionaires.
• Support and Opposition:
• Supporting Countries:
• France
• Spain
• Colombia
• African Union
• South Africa

• Opposing Countries:
• Germany
• United States of America (USA)
• World Steelpan Day 2024 – August
11

• Theme - Harmony in Heritage:

Celebrating Steelpan’s Global
Ascendancy
• The Ministry of External Affairs
(MEA) and NewSpace India Limited
(NSIL), commercial arm of Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO),
have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to grant
assistance for the launch of Nepal-
built Munal satellite.
Q India and which country recently launched Technology Security Initiative (TSI)?
a) United Kingdom
b) Brazil
c) France
d) Germany
e) Japan
Q India and which country recently launched Technology Security Initiative (TSI)?
a) United Kingdom
b) Brazil
c) France
d) Germany
e) Japan
• Launch of Technology Security
Initiative (TSI) between India and the
UK:
• Initiative Launch:
• India and the UK have launched the
Technology Security Initiative (TSI) to
boost economic growth and
strengthen bilateral collaboration.

• Basis of TSI:
• The TSI is based on the ambitious
cooperation agenda set out in the
India-UK Roadmap 2030.
• About TSI
• Expansion of Collaboration:
• The TSI aims to expand
collaboration in Critical and
Emerging Technologies (CET) across
priority sectors such as: Telecom,
Critical minerals, Semiconductors,
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum
technologies, Biotechnology and
Advanced materials
• Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi,
released 109 new varieties of 61
crops developed by the Indian
Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR) at ICAR-Indian Agricultural
Research Institute (IARI), Pusa, New
Delhi, Delhi.
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent
participated in the Exercise Udara
Shakti 2024 (EX US24), bilateral air
exercise with the Royal Malaysian
Air Force (RMAF) from August 5 to 9,
2024 at RMAF Base Station in
Kuantan, Malaysia
Q Which private sector bank becomes the first private sector bank to launch RuPay Credit
with UPI and NCMC Features?
a) HDFC
b) ICICI
c) Axis
d) IndusInd
e) RBL
Q Which private sector bank becomes the first private sector bank to launch RuPay Credit
with UPI and NCMC Features?
a) HDFC
b) ICICI
c) Axis
d) IndusInd
e) RBL
• About UPI
• Introduction:
• Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is
an instant real-time payment system
launched by the National Payments
Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016
for inter-bank transactions via mobile
phones.
• About NCMC
• Launch and Purpose:
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched
the first indigenously developed
National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)
on March 4, 2019, in Ahmedabad,
Gujarat.

• Card Features:
• NCMC is an interoperable transport card
developed by the Ministry of Housing
and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and enabled
through the RuPay card mechanism.
• RBL Bank's New RuPay Credit Card Launch
• New Product Launch:
• RBL Bank, formerly known as Ratnakar Bank
Limited, has introduced a new RuPay Credit
card that integrates Unified Payments
Interface (UPI) and National Common
Mobility Card (NCMC) features.

• First Private Sector Bank:

• With this launch, RBL Bank becomes the first
private sector bank to offer a credit card
with these comprehensive payment
capabilities in a single card.
• Benefits of Integration:
• The integration allows credit
cardholders to make instant and
secure payments through UPI.

• It also enables hassle-free travel with

the NCMC features.
• Exercise Mitra Shakti 2024, the 10th
edition of the joint military exercise
between the Army of India and Sri
Lanka commenced at Army Training
School, Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka.
• The Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes
kunthiana), a purplish flowering
shrub predominantly found in the
Western Ghat (Kerala, Karnataka and
Tamil Nadu(TN)), has been added to
the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red
List of threatened species.
Q Which ministry has introduced Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the
transportation of human organs via air, road, rail, and waterways?
a) Ministry of Civil Aviation
b) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
c) Ministry of Railways
d) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
e) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Q Which ministry has introduced Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the
transportation of human organs via air, road, rail, and waterways?
a) Ministry of Civil Aviation
b) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
c) Ministry of Railways
d) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
e) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)
Introduces SOPs for Human Organ Transportation
• Introduction of SOPs:
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(MoHFW) has introduced Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs) for the transportation of
human organs via air, road, rail, and waterways.

• Aim:
• The primary goal is to expedite the transport of
live organs between hospitals or cities, ensuring
timely delivery due to the organ’s limited shelf life
and the need to coordinate multiple agencies
effectively.
• Collaborative Development:
• The SOPs were developed in collaboration with
the National Institution for Transforming India
(NITI) Aayog and consultations with several
ministries, including:
• Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
• Ministry of Railways
• Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH)
• Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
(MoPSW)
• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
• Ministry of Defence (MoD)
• India’s Global Ranking:
• India ranks 3rd globally in organ
transplants and 2nd in corneal (eye)
transplants.

• In 2023, India recorded over 1,000

deceased organ donations for the
first time, with annual transplants
increasing from 4,990 in 2013 to
17,168 in 2023.
• Air Travel Provisions:
• Airlines can request priority take-off
and landing to expedite organ
transportation.

• Assistance will be provided for the

organ’s transport from the aircraft to
the ambulance.
• Road and Metro Transport:
• Green corridors will be established
for road and metro transport to
ensure unobstructed passage and
quick delivery.

• Designated nodal officers will handle

coordination and security during
transport.
• Shipping and Handling:
• The SOPs cover all modes of
transport, including metro transit and
shipping.

• The organ box must be kept upright

and vertical at a 90-degree angle
during transport.

• A "handle with care" label must be

attached to the organ box to ensure
proper handling.
• The quarterly report of the Export-
Import Bank of India (India Exim
Bank), has projected India’s
merchandise exports to grow by
4.2% to USD 111.7 billion in the 2nd
Quarter (Q2 – July to September) of
Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), down
from 5.8% (USD 109.9 billion) in Q1
of FY25(April to June).
• The Indian Navy (IN) has authorized
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
(MDL) to construct six advanced
submarines in partnership with
Germany‘s ThyssenKrupp Marine
Systems (TKMS) under the ‘Project 75
India (P75I)’ initiative.
Q Which Bank Launched “Kisan Ka Samman” to Empower the Farmers of Jammu & Kashmir?
a) SBI
b) J&K Bank
c) IndusInd
d) Union Bank
e) HDFC Bank
Q Which Bank Launched “Kisan Ka Samman” to Empower the Farmers of Jammu & Kashmir?
a) SBI
b) J&K Bank
c) IndusInd
d) Union Bank
e) HDFC Bank
• J&K Bank Launches "Kisan Ka Samman"
Program
• Program Overview:
• Launch Details:
• Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Bank has
launched a program titled "Kisan Ka
Samman" aimed at empowering
farmers in J&K who have demonstrated
exceptional financial discipline.

• Program Duration:
• The program will run until 30th
September, 2024.
• Program Objectives:
• Farmer Identification:
• The program aims to identify farmers who
have consistently renewed their Kisan
Credit Cards (KCC) and exhibited strong
financial discipline in their dealings with
the bank.

• Recognition:
• Identified farmers will be honored with a
‘Certificate of Appreciation (CoA)’ at
various branches, clusters, and zonal levels.
• Incentives:
• These recognized farmers will be
offered additional loan products
under the bank’s “Kisan Dost”
scheme to help them enhance their
agricultural infrastructure.
• Awareness and Benefits:
• Awareness Campaign:
• The program will also focus on
spreading awareness about the
Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI)
under the KCC scheme.

• Interest Subvention:
• The PRI offers an interest subvention
of 3% to eligible farmers who repay
promptly, encouraging other farmers
to avail themselves of the benefits
provided by the government.
• Padma Bhushan Awardee & Former
External Affairs Minister Kunwar
Natwar Singh Passed Away
• International Youth Day 2024 –
August 12

• Theme - From Clicks to Progress:

Youth Digital Pathways for
Sustainable Development
Q The Quality Council of India (QCI has introduced the QCI Surajya Recognition & Ranking
Framework. The framework is categorized under how many pillars?
a) 3
b) 5
c) 4
d) 6
e) 7
Q The Quality Council of India (QCI has introduced the QCI Surajya Recognition & Ranking
Framework. The framework is categorized under how many pillars?
a) 3
b) 5
c) 4
d) 6
e) 7
• Introduction of QCI Surajya Recognition &
Ranking Framework
• Overview of the Framework:
• Purpose:
• The Quality Council of India (QCI), an
autonomous body under the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), has
introduced the QCI Surajya Recognition &
Ranking Framework.

• The framework is designed to drive

excellence among states to improve citizens’
quality of life, aligned with the vision of
Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.
• Pillars of the Framework:
• The framework is categorized under four
pillars:
• Shiksha (Education)

• Swasthya (Health)

• Samriddhi (Prosperity)

• Sushasan (Governance)
• August 2024 Rankings:
• Benchmark for National Excellence:
• The QCI Surajya Recognition & Ranking Framework,
starting with the August 2024 rankings, sets a new
benchmark for national excellence.

• It recognizes and rewards states and organizations

excelling in quality and innovation.

• Ranking Methodology:
• The rankings incorporate both monthly and
cumulative figures across various initiatives to
ensure a comprehensive and balanced evaluation.
• Ranking Categories Covered:
• Shiksha:
• Highest number of Accreditations,
Assessments, and Ratings.

• Top Performers:
• State: Uttar Pradesh (UP)
• Union Territory: New Delhi
• Swasthya:
• Complete Certification in the Ayushman
Arogya Yojana (National Accreditation
Board for Hospitals & Healthcare
Providers - NABH).

• Top Performers:
• States: Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan,
Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, and Manipur

• Union Territories:
• 1st: Chandigarh with 100% certification
• 2nd: Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) with
71.43% certification
• Medical Entry Level Testing Labs (MELT)
Rankings:
• (National Accreditation Board for
Testing and Calibration Laboratories -
NABL).

• Top Performers:
• States: Tamil Nadu (TN) and
Maharashtra

• Union Territories:
• 1st: New Delhi
• 2nd: Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)
• Samriddhi:
• Highest number of Zero Defect and
Zero Effect (ZED) Certifications
(Micro category).

• Top Performers:
• States: Gujarat, Karnataka, and
Rajasthan

• Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir

(J&K) and New Delhi
• MSME Competitive LEAN Scheme
(MCLS):
• (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises -
Lean Manufacturing or Lean Production).

• Top Performers:
• States: Maharashtra and Bihar

• Future Inclusion:
• The Sushasan (Governance) category will
be included in future editions of the
rankings, further enhancing the
comprehensive evaluation of state
performances.
• World Elephant Day 2024 – August 12

• Theme - Personifying Prehistoric

Beauty, Theological Relevance, and
Environmental Importance
• The International Hydrographic
Organization (IHO) and
Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission (IOC) of UNESCO(United
Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization), have named
three underwater geographical
structures located in the Indian Ocean
as Ashoka seamount, the Chandragupt
ridge, and Kalpataru ridge.
Q DAY-NRLM Launches ……….. Designers, …………. Dreams with LEAP?
a) Million, Trillion
b) Trillion, Billion
c) Million, Billion
d) Billion, Trillion
e) Trillion, Million
Q DAY-NRLM Launches ……….. Designers, …………. Dreams with LEAP?
a) Million, Trillion
b) Trillion, Billion
c) Million, Billion
d) Billion, Trillion
e) Trillion, Million
• Background of LEAP:
• Origins of LEAP:
• LEAP Designs emerged from the
multidisciplinary work of the Design
Laboratory at Harvard T.H. Chan School
of Public Health (D-Lab) and the
Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF).

• The initiative received seed investment

from the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation (BMGF), enabling its
collaboration with DAY-NRLM.
• Significance:
• Empowerment and Innovation:
• The initiative represents a significant
step towards empowering rural
communities in India.

• By providing design skills, it seeks to

foster local solutions to complex
problems, driving sustainable
development and innovation
throughout the country.
• Launch of ‘Million Designers, Billion
Dreams’ Initiative
• Introduction to the Initiative:
• Launch by DAY-NRLM:
• The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–
National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-
NRLM) launched the ‘Million Designers,
Billion Dreams’ initiative in collaboration
with Leap Designs.

• The initiative aims to empower

individuals across India with systems
design expertise to address complex
societal challenges.
• Target Audience:
• Focus on Rural Leaders:
• The initiative targets rural leaders,
frontline change agents, and village
entrepreneurs.

• These groups will be equipped with

systems design skills to better tackle
challenges within their communities.
• Program Goals:
• Skill Enhancement:
• The program aims to enhance
participants’ proficiency in design
frameworks.

• It promotes collaboration among various

stakeholders, fostering confidence and a
sense of agency among participants.

• This is expected to drive innovation and

solve complex challenges in rural areas.
• The Ministry of Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises (MoMSME),
Government of India (GoI) and the
Small Business Administration (SBA) of
the Government of the United States of
America (USA) signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) to promote
cooperation on Small and Medium-
sized Enterprises (SMEs), in New Delhi,
Delhi. The MoU provides a framework
for discussing issues concerning MSMEs
and explores possibilities of
cooperation between the two countries
in this sector.
• The National Payments Corporation
of India (NPCI) has incorporated
NPCI BHIM Services Limited(NBSL),
formerly known as Bharat Interface
for Money(BHIM), as a wholly-
owned subsidiary.

• NBSL will be led by the former

banker Lalitha Nataraj as the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) and Rahul
Handa as the Chief Business Officer
(CBO).
Q Which company topped in India in Fortune Global 500 List for 2024?
a) Reliance Industries Limited
b) HDFC Bank
c) State Bank of India
d) Tata Motors
e) Rajesh Exports
Q Which company topped in India in Fortune Global 500 List for 2024?
a) Reliance Industries Limited
b) HDFC Bank
c) State Bank of India
d) Tata Motors
e) Rajesh Exports
• Fortune Global 500 List for 2024
• Reliance Industries Limited (RIL):
• Ranking Improvement:
• India’s Reliance Industries Limited
(RIL), led by Mukesh Ambani,
improved its ranking to 86th in 2024
from 88th in 2023.

• RIL retained its position as the

highest-ranked Indian firm on the list.
• Top Companies on the List:
• Walmart Inc.:
• The USA-based retail and wholesale
company Walmart Inc. topped the list
as the largest company by revenue
for the 11th consecutive year.

• Walmart’s consolidated revenue

stood at USD 648.1 billion.
• Amazon and State Grid Corporation
of China:
• USA-based e-commerce giant
Amazon.com, Inc. secured the 2nd
position, up from the 4th in 2023.

• The Chinese state-owned electric

utility, State Grid Corporation of
China, secured the 3rd position.
• Ranking Criteria:
• The list ranks the largest 500
corporations based on total revenues
for their respective fiscal years
ending on or before March 31, 2024.

• Other ranking parameters include

profits, balance sheet, employees,
medians, and credits.
• Female Leadership:
• Decline in Female CEOs:
• The number of female CEOs in the 2024
Global 500 decreased from 29 in 2023
to 28 in 2024.

• Indian Firms on the List:

• Overview:
• Nine Indian companies featured in the
2024 rankings, with five from the public
sector (LIC, SBI, ONGC, IOCL, and BPCL)
and four from the private sector (RIL,
Tata Motors, HDFC Bank, and Rajesh
Exports).
• Thiruvananthapuram International
Airport Limited (TIAL) has received
the prestigious ‘Pollution Control
Waste Management & Recycling
(PCWR) Award 2024’ by Greentech
Foundation in the field of waste
management and processing.
• A team of entomologists discovered
3 new species of edible stink bugs, in
Arunachal Pradesh. These bugs
belong to the genus Coridius of the
family Dinidoridae (Hemiptera) and
have been named Coridius adii,
Coridius insperatus, and Coridius
esculentus.
Q As per World Development Report 2024, India needs how many years to Reach Quarter of
US per capita GDP?
a) 50
b) 45
c) 25
d) 75
e) 100
Q As per World Development Report 2024, India needs how many years to Reach Quarter of
US per capita GDP?
a) 50
b) 45
c) 25
d) 75
e) 100
• World Development Report 2024: The
Middle-Income Trap
• Overview of the Report:
• Title: The World Bank released the
report titled ‘World Development
Report 2024: The Middle-Income Trap.’

• Focus: The report highlights the

challenges faced by middle-income
countries in achieving high-income
status.
• Key Insights:
• Income Per Capita Projections:
• India: It would take nearly 75 years
to reach one-quarter of the United
States' income per capita.

• China: Expected to take more than 10

years to achieve the same milestone.

• Indonesia: Estimated to take nearly

70 years to reach one-quarter of the
U.S. income per capita.
• Middle-Income Trap:
• Definition:
• The report identifies a "middle-income
trap" as a situation where countries
struggle to transition from middle-
income to high-income status.

• Trap Threshold:
• Countries typically hit this trap at
about 10% of the USA’s GDP per
person, approximately USD 8,000
today.
• Current Global Context:
• Middle-Income Countries:
• Total: 108 middle-income countries with annual
GDP per capita between USD 1,136 and USD
13,845.

• Economic Output: These countries account for

40% of the world’s total economic output.

• Carbon Emissions: Responsible for nearly two-

thirds of global carbon emissions.

• Population: Home to 6 billion people, which is

75% of the global population.
• Poverty Statistics:
• Extreme Poverty: Two out of every three
people living in extreme poverty are in
middle-income countries.

• Transition to High-Income Status:

• Successful Transitions: Only 34 middle-
income economies have transitioned to
high-income status since 1990.

• Key Factors: Many successful transitions are

attributed to being EU beneficiaries or
discovering oil.
• Challenges in Middle-Income Countries:
• Firm Growth:
• In countries like India, Mexico, and Peru,
firms typically double in size over 40 years,
whereas in the USA, they grow seven-fold
in the same period.

• Small Firm Dominance:

• India, Peru, Mexico: Around 90% of firms
have fewer than five employees, with only
a small fraction having 10 or more
employees.
• Proposed Strategies for Escaping the
Trap:
• Three-Phased Strategy (3i Strategy):
• Investment Phase (1i):
• Target: Low-Income Countries (LICs).

• Focus: Increase investment in various

sectors.
• Infusion Phase (2i):
• Target: Lower-Middle-Income Countries
(LMICs).

• Focus: Adopt and spread new technologies

from abroad across the economy.

• Innovation Phase (3i):

• Target: Upper-Middle-Income Countries
(UMICs).

• Focus: No longer merely borrow ideas from

global technology frontiers but push the
frontier themselves.
• Examples of Successful Implementation:
• South Korea:
• Historical Data: In 1960, South Korea's
Per Capita Income (PCI) was just USD
1,200.

• Present Data: By the end of 2023, this

number climbed to USD 33,000.

• Other Examples:
• Poland and Chile: Both countries are also
implementing the 3i strategy
successfully.
• Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman
Harivansh Releases a Book Titled
‘Bharat ke 75 mahan krantikari
authored by Bhim Singh
• World Organ Donation Day 2024 –
August 13

• Theme - Be the Reason for

Someone’s Smile Today
Q Pine Labs & which Bank Launches ‘UPISetu’ India’s First UPI-Focused Payments Platform?
a) HDFC
b) ICICI
c) SBI
d) Axis
e) IndusInd
Q Pine Labs & which Bank Launches ‘UPISetu’ India’s First UPI-Focused Payments Platform?
a) HDFC
b) ICICI
c) SBI
d) Axis
e) IndusInd
• Introduction of UPI-Setu by Pine Labs-
Owned Setu
• UPI-Setu Platform Launch:
• Launch Announcement: Pine Labs-
owned Setu, an API infrastructure
provider, has introduced UPI-Setu,
India’s first Unified Payments Interface
(UPI)-focused payments platform
designed for businesses and developers.

• Partnership: This platform was launched

in collaboration with Axis Bank Limited,
headquartered in Mumbai,
Maharashtra.
• Features of UPI-Setu:
• Range of UPI Products:
• Third-Party Validation (TPV): UPI-
Setu facilitates Third-Party
Validation services, enhancing the
security and verification process for
transactions.

• Equated Monthly Instalments

(EMIs): The platform supports UPI-
based EMI payments, making it
easier for businesses to offer
flexible payment options
• UPI Autopay: UPI Autopay is
available for seamless recurring
payments, benefiting both
businesses and customers.

• QR Code Payments: The platform

also supports basic Quick Response
(QR) code payments, allowing
merchants to accept payments via
UPI.
• Enhanced Features:
• Dispute Resolution: UPI-Setu includes
enhanced dispute resolution mechanisms,
making it easier to address transaction
issues.

• Instant Cashback and Refunds: The platform

offers instant cashback and refund options,
improving the user experience.

• Bank and Brand Offers: APIs on the platform

enable access to exclusive bank and brand
offers, providing added value to users.
• Custom Payment Options:
• Custom Links and QR Codes: Merchants
can generate custom payment links or QR
codes for one-time or multiple payments
through the UPI-Setu platform.
Q Which IIT and DRDO Developed Energy-Harvesting, GPS Tracking Shoes?
a) Kanpur
b) Indore
c) Guwahati
d) Hyderabad
e) Bombay
Q Which IIT and DRDO Developed Energy-Harvesting, GPS Tracking Shoes?
a) Kanpur
b) Indore
c) Guwahati
d) Hyderabad
e) Bombay
• Energy-Harvesting Shoes with GPS Tracking
Developed by IIT Indore and DRDO
• Partnership and Development:
• Collaborators: The Indian Institute of Technology
(IIT) Indore, located in Madhya Pradesh (MP),
has developed energy-harvesting shoes in
partnership with the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) under the
Ministry of Defence (MoD).

• Purpose: These shoes are specifically designed

for soldiers and integrate technology to both
generate electricity and track the real-time
location of the wearer.
• TENG Technology: Utilizes Tribo-
Electric Nanogenerator (TENG)
technology, which generates
electricity with each step taken. The
generated electricity is stored in a
device fixed in the soles of the shoes
and can power small appliances.

• GPS and RFID Integration: Equipped

with Global Positioning System (GPS)
and Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID) technologies for real-time
location tracking.
• Benefits:
• Monitoring and Tracking:
• Alzheimer’s Patients and Children: TENG
technology can aid in monitoring the
location of senior citizens with Alzheimer’s,
school children, and climbers.

• Attendance and Work Tracking: Useful for

tracking attendance and monitoring work in
factory settings.

• Sports Performance: Helps sports persons

analyze their movements and improve their
performance.
Q Indian Gold Sector Established 1st Self-Regulatory Body to Boost Consumer Trust. What is
India’s rank in gold consumption?
a) 1st
b) 2nd
c) 3rd
d) 4th
e) 5th
Q Indian Gold Sector Established 1st Self-Regulatory Body to Boost Consumer Trust. What is
India’s rank in gold consumption?
a) 1st
b) 2nd
c) 3rd
d) 4th
e) 5th
• Establishment of Indian Association for
Gold Excellence and Standards (IAGES)
• Overview:
• Formation: The Indian Gold sector,
supported by the World Gold Council
(WGC), has established the first self-
regulatory body named the Indian
Association for Gold Excellence and
Standards (IAGES).

• Purpose: To enhance consumer trust by

promoting fair, transparent, and
sustainable practices in the gold industry.
• Scope of IAGES:
• Coverage: IAGES will encompass the entire
value chain of the gold industry, including:
• Bullion trade

• Refinery

• Trading

• Manufacturing

• Retailing

• Digital platforms
• Key Points:
• Industry Bodies Involved:
• Existing associations such as the Indian
Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA),
All India Gems and Jewellery Council of
India (GJC), and the Gem and Jewellery
Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) will be
part of IAGES.
• Accreditation and Logo:
• IAGES Logo: The association will issue an
IAGES logo to members who pass a strict
audit.

• Significance: Displaying the logo indicates

adherence to high standards of business
integrity and processes.

• Promotion and Support:

• World Gold Council (WGC) Role: WGC will
promote IAGES among retail consumers and
provide financial support for its campaign.
• Gold Demand Trends:
• Recent Decrease: Gold demand in India
decreased by 5% in the June quarter of
2024 compared to the previous year.

• Future Outlook: Consumption is expected

to improve in the second half of 2024 due
to a correction in local prices following a
reduction in import taxes.

• India’s Position:
• Global Ranking: India is the second-largest
gold consumer in the world, following
China.
Q As per World Trade Organization, India is the world’s …….. largest exporter of agricultural
products in 2023?
a) 1st
b) 2nd
c) 3rd
d) 8th
e) 5th
Q As per World Trade Organization, India is the world’s …….. largest exporter of agricultural
products in 2023?
a) 1st
b) 2nd
c) 3rd
d) 8th
e) 5th
• World Trade Statistical Review 2023:
Agricultural Export Rankings
• India’s Position:
• Rank: India is the world’s 8th largest
exporter of agricultural products in
2023.

• Export Value: India’s agricultural

exports declined from USD 55 billion
in 2022 to USD 51 billion in 2023.
• Top Exporters:
• European Union (EU): 1st position
with exports valued at USD 836
billion.

• United States of America (USA): 2nd

position with exports valued at USD
198 billion.

• Brazil: 3rd position with exports

valued at USD 157 billion.
• Reasons for Decline in India’s Exports:
• Geopolitical Factors:
• Issues such as the Red Sea crisis and the
Russian-Ukraine war have impacted
regulated commodities like rice, wheat,
sugar, and onions.

• Export Bans:
• Government of India imposed bans on
wheat exports in May 2022, non-
basmati rice in July 2023, and sugar in
October 2023, contributing to the
decline.
• Key Findings:
• Top 10 Exporters of Agricultural Products
(Other than EU, USA and Brazil):
• China: USD 95 billion
• Canada: USD 88 billion
• Indonesia: USD 59 billion
• Thailand: USD 53 billion
• India: USD 51 billion
• Mexico: USD 50 billion
• Australia: USD 50 billion

• Share: The top 10 exporters represented

71.9% of global agricultural exports in 2023.
Q GoI Relaxed Long Term Capital Gains Rules for Property Owners. What is new tax rate
without Indexation?
a) 10%
b) 12%
c) 14%
d) 12.5%
e) 15%
Q GoI Relaxed Long Term Capital Gains Rules for Property Owners. What is new tax rate
without Indexation?
a) 10%
b) 12%
c) 14%
d) 12.5%
e) 15%
• Explanation of Indexation:
• Indexation Method:
• Adjusts capital gains by accounting for
inflation during the ownership period.

• Uses the Cost Price Index (CPI) to

adjust the property’s purchase price.

• Definition of Long-Term Assets:

• Real estate assets are considered long-
term if held for a minimum of 24
months (2 years).
• Choice of Rates:
• Property owners can now choose
between two tax rates for properties
purchased before July 23, 2024.

• 20% Rate with Indexation Benefits:

Allows adjustment for inflation.

• 12.5% Rate without Indexation: No

adjustment for inflation.
• Eligibility and Exclusions:
• Eligible Taxpayers:
• Individuals and Hindu Undivided Families
(HUFs) who acquired property before July
23, 2024.

• Exclusions:
• Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), companies,
and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
are not eligible.

• Types of Properties:
• The new rules apply to both residential
and commercial properties.
Q Cabinet Approves Modification in Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana. It was launched in which
year?
a) 2016
b) 2017
c) 2018
d) 2019
e) 2020
Q Cabinet Approves Modification in Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana. It was launched in which
year?
a) 2016
b) 2017
c) 2018
d) 2019
e) 2020
• Background of Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN
Yojana
• Initial Notification and Objective:
• The Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana was
notified in March 2019.

• The scheme was introduced to provide

financial assistance to 2nd Generation
(2G) Bio-ethanol projects.
• Financial Outlay:
• The total financial outlay for the scheme is
Rs 1969.50 crore for the period 2018-19 to
2023-24.

• Implementation Agency:
• The Centre for High Technology (CHT),
under the Ministry of Petroleum and
Natural Gas (MoP&NG), is the
implementation agency for the scheme.
• Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana
Modification and Extension
• Approval and Extension:
• The Union Cabinet has approved the
modification of the Pradhan Mantri
JI-VAN Yojana.

• The implementation timeline of the

scheme has been extended by 5
years, till 2028-29.
• Scheme Name and Scope:
• The scheme is also referred to as PM G-
VAN/PM G-One (Biofuel-Vataravana
Anuchaan Fasal Residue Nivaran) Yojana.

• The revised scheme expands its scope to

include advanced biofuels from various
lignocellulosic feedstocks, such as
agricultural residues, forestry waste,
industrial waste, syn gas, algae, and more.

• It supports the development and

deployment of new technologies in the
biofuel sector.
• Aim of the Scheme:
• To provide income to farmers by utilizing
agricultural residue.

• To reduce environmental pollution caused

by crop burning and other waste.

• To create local employment opportunities

through biofuel production.
• Key Points of the Scheme:
• Inclusion of 'Bolt-on' Plants and
Brownfield Projects:
• The scheme now includes 'bolt-on' plants
and 'brownfield projects' to enhance
project viability and leverage existing
infrastructure and experience.

• Preference for New Technologies:

• Projects utilizing new and innovative
technologies will be given preference
under the revised scheme.
• Support for India's Strategic Goals:
• The scheme contributes to India's energy
security, self-reliance, and the Make in
India Mission.

• It aligns with India's commitment to

achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and
fostering a sustainable energy sector.
• Ethanol Blending Targets:
• The Indian government has advanced
ethanol blending in petrol under the
Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme.

• The blending percentage has increased

from 1.53% in 2013-14 to over 15.83% by
July 2024.

• The government has set a target of 20%

ethanol blending by 2025-26.
Q Cabinet approves implementation of the PMAY-G during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29. It was
launched in which year?
a) 2016
b) 2017
c) 2018
d) 2019
e) 2020
Q Cabinet approves implementation of the PMAY-G during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29. It was
launched in which year?
a) 2016
b) 2017
c) 2018
d) 2019
e) 2020
• Background of PMAY-G
• Scheme Launch and Objective:
• The Ministry of Rural Development
(MoRD) has been implementing
PMAY-G since 1st April 2016.

• The scheme aims to achieve "Housing

for All" in rural areas.

• Target Achievement:
• PMAY-G targets the construction of
2.95 crore houses with basic
amenities, in phases, till March 2024.
• Beneficiaries: People belonging to
SCs/STs, freed bonded labourers and
non-SC/ST categories, widows or
next-of-kin of defence personnel
killed in action, ex servicemen and
retired members of the paramilitary
forces, disabled persons and
minorities.

• Selection of Beneficiaries: Through a

three stage validation - Socio
Economic Caste Census 2011, Gram
Sabha, and geo-tagging.
• Cost Sharing: The cost of unit
assistance is shared between Central
and State Governments in the
ratio 60:40 in plain areas and 90:10
for North Eastern and hilly states.
• Approval and Implementation of
Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana –
Gramin (PMAY-G) for FY25 to FY29
• Approval Overview:
• The Union Cabinet has approved the
implementation of PMAY-G during
FY25 to FY29.

• The aim is to construct 2 crore

additional houses in rural areas.
• Financial Allocation:
• The total financial outlay for the
scheme is Rs. 3,06,137 crore.

• This includes a Central Share of Rs.

2,05,856 crore and a State Matching
Share of Rs. 1,00,281 crore.
• Key Points of PMAY-G
• Financial Assistance per House:
• Financial assistance will be provided
as follows:

• Rs 1.20 lakh per house in plain areas.

• Rs 1.30 lakh per house in North

Eastern and Hill States such as
Himachal Pradesh (HP), Uttarakhand,
and the Union Territories (UTs) of
Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh.
Q Cabinet approves PMAY-U 2.0 Scheme. It was launched in which year?
a) 2016
b) 2017
c) 2018
d) 2019
e) 2015
Q Cabinet approves PMAY-U 2.0 Scheme. It was launched in which year?
a) 2016
b) 2017
c) 2018
d) 2019
e) 2015
• Background of Pradhan Mantri Awas
Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U)
• Scheme Launch:
• PMAY-U was launched in 2015 under
the Ministry of Housing and Urban
Affairs (MoHUA).

• The scheme aims to provide all-

weather pucca houses in urban areas
of India to eligible beneficiaries.
• Divided into Four Verticals:
• In-situ Rehabilitation of existing slum
dwellers using land as a resource
through private participation.

• Credit Linked Subsidy: People

from Economically Weaker
Section (EWS), Low Income Group (LIG),
and Middle Income Groups (MIG-I and
MIG-II) can get interest subsidies of
6.5%, 4%, and 3% on housing loans up to
Rs. 6 lakh, Rs. 9 lakh, and Rs. 12 lakh
respectively for buying or building
houses.
• Affordable Housing in Partnership
(AHP): Under AHP, Central Assistance of
Rs. 1.5 Lakh per EWS house is provided
by the Government of India.

• Beneficiary-led Individual House

Construction/Enhancement: Central
Assistance upto Rs. 1.5 lakh per EWS
house is provided to eligible families
belonging to EWS categories for
individual house construction/
enhancement.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban
(PMAY-U) 2.0 Approval and Financial
Allocation
• Approval and Objective:
• The Union Cabinet has approved Pradhan
Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0.

• The scheme aims to provide financial

assistance for affordable housing to 1
crore urban poor and middle-class
families over the next 5 years (FY25 to
FY29).
• Financial Investment:
• The total investment for PMAY-U 2.0 is Rs
10 lakh crore.

• The government has allocated Rs 2.30

lakh crore for the scheme.
• Assistance Mechanism:
• Financial assistance will be provided
through States, Union Territories (UTs),
and Production Linked Incentive (PLI)
schemes.

• The assistance is intended for

constructing, purchasing, or renting
affordable homes.
• Eligibility Criteria:
• Families in the Economically Weaker
Section (EWS), Low Income Group (LIG),
and Middle Income Group (MIG)
segments without a pucca house
anywhere in India are eligible.
• The annual income thresholds for
eligibility are:
• Up to Rs 3 lakh for EWS.

• Rs 3-6 lakh for LIG.

• Rs 6-9 lakh for MIG families.

• Credit Risk Guarantee Fund Trust (CRGFT)
Expansion:
• The CRGFT corpus has been tripled to Rs
3,000 crore.

• This fund will support affordable housing

loans for EWS and LIG families.

• The management of the fund will shift

from the National Housing Bank (NHB) to
the National Credit Guarantee Company
(NCGTC).
Q Cabinet approves how much crore Clean Plant Programme (CPP) under Mission for
Integrated Development of Horticulture?
a) 1366
b) 1566
c) 1166
d) 1766
e) 1966
Q Cabinet approves how much crore Clean Plant Programme (CPP) under Mission for
Integrated Development of Horticulture?
a) 1366
b) 1566
c) 1166
d) 1766
e) 1966
• Union Cabinet Approval of Clean
Plant Programme (CPP)
• Programme Approval:
• The Union Cabinet approved the
Clean Plant Programme (CPP)
proposed by the Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
(MoAFW).

• The total outlay for the programme is

Rs 1,765.67 crore.
• Implementation Framework:
• The CPP will be implemented under
the Mission for Integrated
Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

• The National Horticulture Board will

oversee the programme in
association with the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• Objective:
• The CPP aims to develop virus-free planting
material for fruit and vegetable crops.

• The programme will establish 9 state-of-the-

art Clean Plant Centers (CPCs) across India
for this purpose.

• Setting Up of Clean Plant Centers (CPCs)

• CPC Facilities:
• The 9 CPCs will be equipped with advanced
diagnostic therapeutics, tissue culture labs,
and will maintain virus-free planting material
for larger propagation.
• Key Points of CPP
• Certification and Regulatory Framework:
• A robust certification and regulatory
framework will be established under the
Seeds Act 1966.

• This framework will ensure accountability

in plant material production and sales.

• Infrastructure Support:
• Large-scale nurseries will receive
infrastructure support to efficiently
multiply clean planting material.
• Benefits:
• The CPP will provide access to
virus-free planting materials,
which will boost crop yields and
farmers' incomes.

• The availability of higher-

quality, disease-free fruits will
strengthen India’s position in
the global market.
Q Which state Partners with United Nations World Food Programme To Launch India’s First
24/7 ‘Grain ATM’?
a) Karnataka
b) Kerala
c) Assam
d) Odisha
e) Himachal Pradesh
Q Which state Partners with United Nations World Food Programme To Launch India’s First
24/7 ‘Grain ATM’?
a) Karnataka
b) Kerala
c) Assam
d) Odisha
e) Himachal Pradesh
• Launch Event:
• The Odisha Government partnered with
the United Nations World Food
Programme (WFP) to launch India’s first
round-the-clock Grain Automated Teller
Machine (ATM), also known as
Annapurti, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

• Odisha's Achievement:
• Odisha becomes the first state in India to
provide 24/7 access to food grains for
Public Distribution System (PDS)
beneficiaries.
• Functionality:
• Automated Dispensing System: The
Grain ATM is an automated multi-
commodity dispensing system that
provides fast, clean, and precise
access to commodities such as rice,
wheat, and grains to beneficiaries.

• Biometric Authentication:
Beneficiaries can access their entitled
grains after entering their Aadhaar or
Ration card number and completing
biometric validation.
• High Efficiency: The machine can
dispense grains weighing up to 50
kilograms in five minutes, with an error
rate of just 0.01%, reducing waiting
time by 70%.

• PDS Entitlement: The machine provides

universal access, meaning anyone with
a valid PDS ration card in India,
regardless of their State or Union
Territory, can use the Grain ATM.
• Energy Efficiency: The machine is
energy-efficient, consuming only 0.6
Watts per hour and can be connected
to solar panels for automatic refills.

• Impact on Food Distribution:

• Eliminating Delays: The Grain ATM
helps eliminate delays caused by
dealers in distributing the food grains
that beneficiaries are entitled to
under the PDS.
Q Which asset management company launches India’s 1st Multicap Exchange Traded Fund?
a) Mirae Asset Mutual Fund
b) Zerodha Mutual Funds
c) SBI Mutual Fund
d) Bajaj Finserv Mutual Funds
e) ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund.
Q Which asset management company launches India’s 1st Multicap Exchange Traded Fund?
a) Mirae Asset Mutual Fund
b) Zerodha Mutual Funds
c) SBI Mutual Fund
d) Bajaj Finserv Mutual Funds
e) ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund.
• Mirae Asset Launches India’s 1st Multicap
Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)
• Launch Overview:
• Mirae Asset Investment Managers (India)
Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Mirae Asset Global Investments (India) Private
Limited (MAGI India), launched India’s first
Multicap Exchange Traded Fund (ETF).

• The ETF is named the ‘Mirae Asset Nifty500

Multicap 50:25:25 ETF’ and is an open-ended
scheme replicating/tracking the Nifty500
Multicap 50:25:25 Total Return Index (TRI).
• Index Composition:
• The Nifty500 Multicap 50:25:25 Index
is composed of 100 large-cap stocks,
150 midcap stocks, and 250 small-cap
stocks.

• The index follows a structured

weightage: 50% towards large-cap,
25% towards midcap, and 25%
towards small-cap stocks.
Q Which ministry Launches ‘Amrit Gyan Kosh‘ and ‘Faculty Development’ Portals?
a) Education
b) Rural Development
c) Finance
d) Science and Technology
e) Housing and Urban Affairs
Q Which ministry Launches ‘Amrit Gyan Kosh‘ and ‘Faculty Development’ Portals?
a) Education
b) Rural Development
c) Finance
d) Science and Technology
e) Housing and Urban Affairs
• Launch of 'Amrit Gyan Kosh' and
'Faculty Development' Portals by Dr.
Jitendra Singh
• Event Overview:
• Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State
(Independent Charge), Ministry of
Science and Technology, launched the
‘Amrit Gyan Kosh’ and ‘Faculty
Development’ portals.
• Portals Overview
• Amrit Gyan Kosh Portal:
• This portal serves as a
comprehensive knowledge
repository.

• It provides access to India-centric

case studies, significantly reducing
reliance on Western sources for
educational and training material.
• Faculty Development Portal:
• The portal is designed to enhance the
teaching skills of practitioners and
faculty members.

• It ensures that civil servants receive

effective and high-quality training.
• Key Announcements
• Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs):
• Dr. Jitendra Singh introduced 13
Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs).

• These QIPs are part of a continuous

roadmap aimed at improving the
training provided by Indian
institutions.
• Ministry Accreditations and
Recognitions:
• The Minister granted accreditation to 20
ministries, acknowledging their efforts in
enhancing civil service training.

• Several Civil Service Training Institutions

(CSTIs) were recognized for their
contributions, particularly for their
engagement with the IGoT (Integrated
Government Online Training) platform.
• Top Recognized CSTIs for IGoT
Courses:
• Institute of Secretariat Training and
Management (ISTM), New Delhi:
• ISTM topped the list with 132 courses
offered through the IGoT platform.

• National Telecommunications
Institute for Policy Research
Innovation and Training (NTIPRIT),
Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh:
• NTIPRIT ranked second, offering 67
courses.
• Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy
(RAKNPA), Ghaziabad:
• RAKNPA offered 41 courses, securing the
third position.

• National Institute of Communication Finance

(NICF), New Delhi:
• NICF was recognized for its 39 courses
available on IGoT.

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police

Academy (SVPNPA), Hyderabad, Telangana:
• SVPNPA ranked fifth, offering 20 courses
through the platform.
• Partnership and Launch:
• Axis Bank Limited, in partnership
with Visa Inc., has introduced
“PRIMUS,” an ultra-premium credit
card tailored for Ultra-High-Net-
Worth (UHNW) individuals in India.

• It is designed to provide exclusive,

internationally acclaimed privileges
and benefits specifically for UHNW
individuals.
Q Which state launches HIM-UNNATI Scheme to Promote Natural Farming?
a) Karnataka
b) Assam
c) Andra Pradesh
d) Telangana
e) Himachal Pradesh
Q Which state launches HIM-UNNATI Scheme to Promote Natural Farming?
a) Karnataka
b) Assam
c) Andra Pradesh
d) Telangana
e) Himachal Pradesh
• Himachal Pradesh's HIM-UNNATI
Initiative
• Launch and Purpose:
• The Himachal Pradesh (HP)
Government has launched the 'HIM-
UNNATI' initiative to promote natural
farming across the state.

• This initiative represents the third

phase of the Rajiv Gandhi Start-up
Yojana, further incentivizing natural
farming practices.
• Budget Allocation:
• The HP government has allocated Rs 150
crore for the HIM-UNNATI Scheme.
• Key Components and Features
• Soil Productivity Management:
• The scheme incorporates 100% soil
test-based nutrient management to
increase soil productivity.

• Promotion of High-End Products:

• It promotes the cultivation of high-
end products and supports
traditional crop and millet
procurement.
• Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs):
• Rs. 50 crore has been allocated to establish
10 new FPOs, with an additional Rs. 10 crore
for wire mesh and barbed wire support.

• Land Certification:
• The scheme will facilitate the certification of
15,000 acres of land as natural farming land
through a dedicated web platform.

• The Certified Evaluation Tool for Agricultural

Resource Analysis-Natural Farming (CETARA-
NF) system has already certified over 1.41
lakh farmers.
• Program: DBS Bank India Limited
(DBIL) has launched the ‘DBS Golden
Circle,’ a priority banking program
specifically for senior citizens.

• Target Group: The program is designed

for resident Indian citizens aged 60
years and above.

• Objective: The initiative aims to ensure

convenient and secure banking while
addressing income security for senior
citizens.
• Event: Union Minister Amit Shah,
from the Ministry of Home Affairs
(MoHA), inaugurated the 24×7
Water Supply Project at
Manimajra, Chandigarh.

• Completion Cost: Approximately Rs

75 crore.

• Maintenance Budget: Rs 85 crore

allocated for maintenance over 15
years.
Q MNRE Issued Operational Guidelines for Model Solar Village Scheme under PM Surya Ghar
Muft : Bijli Yojana. How much amount is allocated to implement Model Solar Village
Scheme?
a) 500 Cr
b) 600 Cr
c) 700 Cr
d) 800 Cr
e) 900 Cr
Q MNRE Issued Operational Guidelines for Model Solar Village Scheme under PM Surya Ghar
Muft : Bijli Yojana. How much amount is allocated to implement Model Solar Village
Scheme?
a) 500 Cr
b) 600 Cr
c) 700 Cr
d) 800 Cr
e) 900 Cr
• About PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli
Yojana
• Approval and Budget:
• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, approved
the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
on February 29, 2024.

• The Government of India has

allocated Rs 75,021 crore for the
scheme, which will be implemented
until Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27).
• Scheme Benefits:
• Households will receive a subsidy of
up to 40% for installing solar panels
on their roofs.

• The scheme aims to provide free

electricity of 300 units per month to
1 crore households in India.
• Scheme Overview:
• The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
(MNRE) has issued operational guidelines
for the 'Model Solar Village' scheme.

• This scheme is part of the 'Prime Minister

(PM)-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.’

• The goal is to establish one Model Solar

Village per district across India to promote
solar energy adoption and help villages
become self-reliant in energy needs.
• Guidelines for Model Solar Village
• Budget Allocation:
• MNRE has allocated Rs 800 crore for
implementing the scheme.

• Each selected village will receive

central financial assistance of Rs 1
crore.
• Eligibility Criteria for Villages:
• Villages will be considered based on
competition mode.

• Eligible villages must be revenue

villages with a population size of over
5,000 (or 2,000 in special category
states).
• Selection Process:
• Villages will be selected by assessing
their overall distributed Renewable
Energy (RE) capacity six months after
the District Level Committee (DLC)
declares potential candidates.

• One village per district with the

highest RE capacity will be chosen.
• Implementing Agency:
• The scheme will be implemented by
State or Union Territory (UT)
Renewable Energy Development
Agencies (REDAs) under DLC
supervision.

• This will ensure effective transition to

solar-powered communities, serving
as models for other villages across
the country.
• Event Details:
• Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of
Gujarat, inaugurated the Indo-American
Chamber of Commerce (IACC)’s first
“IACC-MSME Centre of Excellence
(CoE)” at the KCG auditorium, i-HUB
campus in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

• The centre aims to upgrade and

strengthen Micro, Small, and Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs) to align them with
global export markets.
• Partnership Overview:
• All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA)
signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Amity
University, Noida (Uttar Pradesh) to
collaborate on education, research,
and technology in Ayurveda.
Q As per NIRF Rankings 2024, which institution bags top spot in overall category for the 6th
time?
a) IIT Delhi
b) IIT Madras
c) IIT Bombay
d) IIT Kanpur
e) IISC Bengaluru
Q As per NIRF Rankings 2024, which institution bags top spot in overall category for the 6th
time?
a) IIT Delhi
b) IIT Madras
c) IIT Bombay
d) IIT Kanpur
e) IISC Bengaluru
• India Rankings 2024 Overview
• Release and Parameters:
• The 9th edition of India Rankings
2024 was released by Union Minister
Dharmendra Pradhan from the
Ministry of Education (MoE).

• Rankings are based on parameters

defined in the National Institutional
Ranking Framework (NIRF).
• About NIRF
• Launch and Purpose:
• The National Institutional Ranking
Framework (NIRF) was launched by
the Ministry of Education on
September 29, 2015.

• The first edition of India Rankings

was released in 2016.
• Ranking Parameters:
• Teaching, Learning, and Resources (TLR):
Evaluates the quality of teaching,
learning resources, and their impact.

• Research and Professional Practice (RP):

Assesses the quality and quantity of
research outputs.

• Graduation Outcome (GO): Measures

the success rate of students graduating
from the institution.
• Outreach and Inclusivity (O&I):
Examines inclusivity and outreach
efforts.

• Perception (PR): Evaluates the public

perception of the institution.
• Conducting Body:
• The rankings are conducted by the
National Board of Accreditation (NBA) in
association with NIRF.

• Expansion of Categories and Subject

Domains
• Growth in Categories:
• The number of categories and subject
domains in India Rankings has expanded
from 4 in 2016 to 16 in 2024.
• Comprehensive Rankings:
• In 2024, the framework provides a comprehensive
"Overall" rank along with distinct rankings for
Universities, Research Institutions, Degree
Colleges, Innovation, and discipline-specific
rankings in various sectors like Engineering,
Management, Pharmacy, Law, Medical, Dental,
Architecture & Planning, and Agriculture & Allied
Sectors.

• New Vertical Inclusions:

• For the first time, Open Universities, State Public
Universities, and Skill Universities have been
included in the rankings.
• Increase in Participation:
• The number of unique applicants for
India Rankings has increased from
2,426 in 2016 to 6,517 in 2024.

• The total number of applications for

ranking across various categories has
increased from 3,565 in 2016 to
10,845 in 2024.
• Top 5 Rankings in Various Categories
• Overall Rank 2024:
• 1st Place: IIT Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu –
Score: 86.42

• 2nd Place: IISc, Bengaluru, Karnataka – Score:

83.28

• 3rd Place: IIT Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra –

Score: 81.37

• 4th Place: IIT Delhi, New Delhi – Score: 80.31

• 5th Place: IIT Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh – Score: 77.56

• University Rank 2024:
• 1st Place: IISc, Bengaluru, Karnataka – Score:
83.29

• 2nd Place: JNU, New Delhi – Score: 69.80

• 3rd Place: Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi – Score:

68.11

• 4th Place: Manipal Academy of Higher Education

(MAHE), Karnataka – Score: 67.18

• 5th Place: Banaras Hindu University (BHU),

Varanasi, UP – Score: 66.05
• College Rank 2024:
• 1st Place: Hindu College, Delhi – Score: 74.47

• 2nd Place: Miranda House, Delhi – Score: 73.22

• 3rd Place: St. Stephen’s College, Delhi – Score:

72.97

• 4th Place: Rama Krishna Mission Vivekananda

Centenary College, Kolkata, West Bengal – Score:
72.97

• 5th Place: Atma Ram Sanatan Dharm College,

Delhi – Score: 72.59
• Research Institutions Rank 2024:
• 1st Place: IISc, Bengaluru, Karnataka – Score:
84.98

• 2nd Place: IIT Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu –

Score: 83.29

• 3rd Place: IIT Delhi, New Delhi – Score: 81.08

• 4th Place: IIT Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra –

Score: 77.75

• 5th Place: IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal – Score:

72.65
• Engineering Rank 2024:
• 1st Place: IIT Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu –
Score: 89.46

• 2nd Place: IIT Delhi, New Delhi – Score: 86.66

• 3rd Place: IIT Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra –

Score: 83.09

• 4th Place: IIT Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh – Score: 82.79

• 5th Place: IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal – Score:

76.88
• Management Rank 2024:
• 1st Place: Indian Institute of Management (IIM)
Ahmedabad, Gujarat – Score: 83.32

• 2nd Place: IIM Bangalore, Karnataka – Score:

81.16

• 3rd Place: IIM Kozhikode, Kerala – Score: 77.90

• 4th Place: IIT Delhi, New Delhi – Score: 76.25

• 5th Place: IIM Calcutta, West Bengal – Score:

75.07
• Pharmacy Rank 2024:
• 1st Place: Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi – Score: 84.01

• 2nd Place: National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education

and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana – Score: 80.29

• 3rd Place: Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) –

Pilani, Rajasthan – Score: 78.95

• 4th Place: JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty,

Tamil Nadu – Score: 77.13

• 5th Place: Institute of Chemical Technology,

Mumbai, Maharashtra – Score: 74.69
• Medical Rank 2024:
• 1st Place: AIIMS Delhi, New Delhi – Score: 94.46

• 2nd Place: Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education

and Research, Chandigarh – Score: 80.83

• 3rd Place: Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil

Nadu – Score: 75.11

• 4th Place: National Institute of Mental Health and

Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka – Score: 71.92

• 5th Place: Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical

Education and Research, Puducherry – Score: 70.74
• Dental Rank 2024: 1st Place: Saveetha Institute of Medical
and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – Score: 81.99

• 2nd Place: Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal,

Karnataka – Score: 76.35

• 3rd Place: Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra –

Score: 75.70

• 4th Place: Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences,

New Delhi – Score: 74.52

• 5th Place: SRM Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu –

Score: 73.65
• Law Rank 2024:
• 1st Place: National Law School of India University (NLSIU),
Bengaluru, Karnataka – Score: 78.59

• 2nd Place: National Law University, New Delhi – Score: 74.96

• 3rd Place: NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, Telangana –

Score: 73.67

• 4th Place: The West Bengal National University of

Juridical Sciences, Kolkata – Score: 71.55

• 5th Place: National Law University, Jodhpur,

Rajasthan – Score: 69.36
• Architecture and Planning Rank 2024:
• 1st Place: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Roorkee, Uttarakhand – Score: 79.67

• 2nd Place: National Institute of Technology (NIT)

Calicut, Kerala – Score: 78.45

• 3rd Place: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, West

Bengal – Score: 75.82

• 4th Place: School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi –

Score: 73.56

• 5th Place: Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi – Score: 72.32

• Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rank 2024: 1st Place: Indian
Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi – Score: 83.01

• 2nd Place: Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab –

Score: 76.45

• 3rd Place: Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, UP –

Score: 73.22

• 4th Place: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu – Score: 70.89

• 5th Place: University of Agricultural Sciences,

Bengaluru, Karnataka – Score: 69.34
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has constituted
a 5-member committee to monitor the current
situation on the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB).

• The committee is headed by Ravi Gandhi,

Additional Director General (ADG) of the Border
Security Force (BSF) and Eastern Command of the
Indian Army (IA).

• The committee is tasked with maintaining

communication channels with counterpart
authorities in Bangladesh to ensure the safety and
security of Indian nationals, Hindus, and other
minority communities living in Bangladesh.
• Axis Bank's “Sparsh Week 2024”
• Overview:
• Axis Bank launched the 2nd edition
of its customer-centric initiative,
“Sparsh Week 2024,”.

• The initiative aims to enhance

customer experience by empowering
employees to create memorable
interactions throughout the customer
journey.
Q Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare Issues Guidelines for Nationwide Digital
Life Certificate (DLC) Campaign 3.0. It will be held in how many cities and districts across
India?
a) 500
b) 600
c) 700
d) 800
e) 900
Q Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare Issues Guidelines for Nationwide Digital
Life Certificate (DLC) Campaign 3.0. It will be held in how many cities and districts across
India?
a) 500
b) 600
c) 700
d) 800
e) 900
• Nationwide Digital Life Certificate (DLC)
Campaign 3.0 - Guidelines and Details
• Campaign Overview:
• The Department of Pension and
Pensioners Welfare (DoPPW), under the
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances,
and Pensions (MoPP&P), has announced
the Nationwide Digital Life Certificate
(DLC) Campaign 3.0.

• Scheduled to run from November 1-30,

2024, this campaign will be held in 800
cities and districts across India.
• It is designed to be the largest-ever campaign
aimed at increasing digital empowerment
among pensioners through a saturation
approach.

• Submission Requirements:
• Pensioners must submit their Life Certificate
annually in November to continue receiving
their pension benefits.

• The campaign is open to Central Government,

Defence, and Employees’ Provident Fund
Organisation (EPFO) pensioners.
• Skytrax World Airline Awards 2024 - Key
Highlights
• Vistara's Recognition:
• Vistara (Tata SIA Airlines Limited) has
been honored as the Best Airline in India
/ South Asia 2024 by Skytrax.

• Top Global Airlines in 2024:

• Qatar Airways: Voted the World’s Best
Airline for the 8th time.
• Singapore Airlines: Ranked 2nd, after
topping the list in 2023.
• Emirates: Ranked 3rd in the global
rankings.
International Left-Handers Day 2024 –
August 13
Q MoHFW Launched 2nd Phase of Nationwide Bi-Annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA)
Campaign 2024. It aims to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) by which year?
a) 2025
b) 2026
c) 2027
d) 2029
e) 2030
Q MoHFW Launched 2nd Phase of Nationwide Bi-Annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA)
Campaign 2024. It aims to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) by which year?
a) 2025
b) 2026
c) 2027
d) 2029
e) 2030
• Launch of the 2nd Phase of the Nationwide Mass
Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign 2024
• Ministerial Launch:
• Minister of State (Independent Charge) Prataprao
Ganpatrao Jadhav of the Ministry of Health &
Family Welfare (MoHFW) virtually launched the
second phase of the Nationwide Mass Drug
Administration (MDA) campaign 2024.

• The campaign aims to eliminate Lymphatic

Filariasis (LF) by 2027, a priority mosquito-borne
disease commonly known as elephantiasis
(Haatipaon).
• Campaign Focus Areas:
• The campaign targets 63 endemic
districts across six states: Bihar,
Jharkhand, Karnataka, Odisha,
Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh (UP).

• As of 2023, 6.19 lakh cases of

lymphoedema and 1.27 lakh cases of
hydrocele were reported in these
endemic districts.
• Implementation Strategy:
• The campaign will provide door-to-
door administration of preventive
medications in the identified
endemic areas.

• The goal is to achieve 90% drug

compliance among eligible
populations.
Partition Horrors Remembrance Day
2024 – August 14
• India and Israel has partnered to
establish a ‘Center of Water
Technology (CoWT)’ in Water
Resources Management (WRM) and
Water Technologies at the Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras in
Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN).

• The CoWT aims to serve as a hub for

water technology innovation,
research, and capacity building, with
a particular emphasis on sustainable
urban water supply solutions.
Q Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), and Minister of State
(MoS) George Kurian, MoMA, launched the ‘Jiyo Parsi Scheme Portal’ and ‘Haj Applications –
2025’. Jiyo Parsi was launched in which year?
a) 2011-12
b) 2009-10
c) 2010-11
d) 2013-14
e) 2014-15
Q Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), and Minister of State
(MoS) George Kurian, MoMA, launched the ‘Jiyo Parsi Scheme Portal’ and ‘Haj Applications –
2025’. Jiyo Parsi was launched in which year?
a) 2011-12
b) 2009-10
c) 2010-11
d) 2013-14
e) 2014-15
• Launch of Jiyo Parsi Scheme Portal and Haj
Applications 2025
• Jiyo Parsi Scheme Portal
• Launch Details:
• Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Ministry of Minority
Affairs (MoMA), and Minister of State (MoS)
George Kurian, MoMA, launched the ‘Jiyo Parsi
Scheme Portal’ and ‘Haj Applications – 2025’.

• Purpose of the Portal:

• The Jiyo Parsi Scheme Portal enables Parsis to
apply for financial aid, check the status of their
applications, and receive assistance online
through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
• About the Jiyo Parsi Scheme:
• Introduction:
• The Jiyo Parsi Scheme is a central
sector scheme launched in 2013-14
by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

• Objective:
• The primary goal of the scheme is to
stabilize the Parsi population and
reverse the trend of its decline by
using a scientific protocol and
structured interventions.
• Components of the Scheme:
• Medical Assistance: Provides financial
aid to Parsi couples for medical
treatments.

• Advocacy: Promotes awareness and

understanding of the scheme to
encourage participation.

• Health of Community: Supports overall

community health initiatives.
• Benefits:
• Offers financial assistance for standard
medical treatment, childcare, and
support for elderly dependents among
Parsi families.

• Over 400 Parsi youngsters have

benefited from the program so far.
• Haj Applications 2025
• Launch of Haj App – 2025:
• For the first time, applications for Haj
2025 can be submitted via the Haj
Suvidha App, in addition to the Haj
Committee of India's (HCI) website.

• Support for Pilgrims:

• The HCI is providing a helpline and
dedicated social media channels to
assist pilgrims applying for Haj 2025.
• About the Haj Committee of India
• Overview:
• The Haj Committee of India is an
autonomous body under the Ministry
of Minority Affairs, Government of
India, New Delhi.

• Role:
• The committee is responsible for
making arrangements for the
pilgrimage of Muslims to Haj.
• The Engineering Export Promotion
Council of India (EEPC India) and
the Indian Stainless Steel
Development Association (ISSDA)
signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to enhance
the export of Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises (MSME)
members in the engineering and
stainless steel sectors.
• The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
(MoPNG) has approved a 20% premium over
the regulated or Administered Price
Mechanism (APM) price for any natural gas
produced from new wells or well
interventions in the nominated fields of
state-owned companies: Oil and Natural Gas
Corporation Limited(ONGC), New
Delhi(Delhi) and Oil India Limited (OIL),
Noida, Uttar Pradesh(UP).

• This move will help the firms to make new

gas development projects more viable and
help to boost the domestic production of
natural gas from nominated fields.
Q As per ILO’s Global Employment Trends (GET) for Youth 2024 Report, Youth
Unemployment Rate fell to how much % in 2023?
a) 11
b) 15
c) 12
d) 13
e) 14
Q As per ILO’s Global Employment Trends (GET) for Youth 2024 Report, Youth
Unemployment Rate fell to how much % in 2023?
a) 11
b) 15
c) 12
d) 13
e) 14
• ILO’s Global Employment Trends (GET) for
Youth 2024 Report
• Global Youth Unemployment Rate (YUR)
in 2023:
• The Global Youth Unemployment Rate
(YUR) in 2023 decreased to 13%, marking
a 15-year low.

• This represents a decline from the pre-

pandemic YUR of 13.8% in 2019.

• Globally, 64.9 million young people were

unemployed in 2023, the lowest number
since the start of the millennium.
• Future Projections:
• The global YUR is expected to further
decrease to 12.8% in both 2024 and
2025.

• The 2024 report is the 12th edition of

the GET for Youth, first issued in
2004, marking the 20th anniversary
of its publication.
• Key Findings
• Rise in NEETs (Not in Employment,
Education, or Training):
• The report highlighted a concerning rise in
the number of young people aged 15-24
who are NEET.

• In 2023, 20.4% of young people globally

were NEET, with two-thirds of this group
being women.
• Inequalities of Opportunity:
• In low-income countries (LICs), only 1 in 5
young adults aged 25-29 years manage to find
secure, stable, long-term paid jobs.

• In high-income countries, 76% of young adults

held secure paid jobs in 2023, although the
incidence of temporary work has increased in
these countries as well.

• Over 50% of young workers globally are

employed in the informal sector, with the
majority of regular sector workers being in
high- and upper-middle-income economies.
• Gender Disparity in Labor Market:
• Young men have benefited more from the labor
market recovery than young women.

• In 2023, the YUR for young women increased by 1%

above the pre-crisis rate to 13.4%, while the rate for
young men decreased by 0.7 percentage points.

• The YUR for young women and young men were

nearly equal in 2023 at 12.9% and 13% respectively.

• The global youth NEET rate for young women was

28.1% in 2023, double that of young men (13.1%).
• Other Key Observations
• Increase in Temporary Jobs:
• The share of young adults in Asia and
the Pacific sub-regions working in
temporary jobs has increased from 1
in 5 to 1 in 4 since 2000.

• As of 2021, South Asia was the only

sub-region where the agricultural
sector remained the largest employer
of young people, accounting for 35%.
• Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based rural-
focused fintech startup Jai Kisan
secured a Non-Banking Finance
Company (NBFC) licence from the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI), following
its acquisition of a majority stake in
supply chain financing company,
Kushal Finnovation Capital Private
Limited(KFCPL), Bangalore(Karnataka).
• The Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO),
the Research and Development
(R&D) wing of the Ministry of
Defence (MoD), and the Indian Army
successfully conducted the test-
firing of the indigenously developed
Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided
Missile (MP-ATGM).
• Renowned Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO)
missile Scientist, Dr Ram Narain
Agarwal, widely known as the “Father
of Agni Missiles,” passed away at the
age of 84 in Hyderabad, Telangana. He
was honoured with the Padma Shri in
1990 and Padma Bhushan in 2000 for
his contribution to Science and
Engineering.
• President Droupadi Murmu was
honoured with the Companion of
the Order of Fiji, highest civilian
honour of Fiji.
Q GoI Introduces Offshore Areas Mineral Trust Rules, 2024 to Enhance Offshore Mineral
Exploration & Production. Production leaseholders of offshore mines are required to
contribute how much % of their royalty payments to the Trust?
a) 11
b) 15
c) 10
d) 13
e) 14
Q GoI Introduces Offshore Areas Mineral Trust Rules, 2024 to Enhance Offshore Mineral
Exploration & Production. Production leaseholders of offshore mines are required to
contribute how much % of their royalty payments to the Trust?
a) 11
b) 15
c) 10
d) 13
e) 14
• Overview
• Introduction by the Ministry of Mines:
• The Ministry of Mines, Government of
India, has introduced the Offshore
Areas Mineral Trust Rules, 2024.

• Purpose:
• This marks the establishment of the
first-ever framework to oversee mineral
exploration and production in India’s
offshore areas.
• Introduction of Offshore Areas Mineral
Trust Rules, 2024
• Significance
• Balanced Development:
• The rules represent a balanced
approach to economic development
and ecological sustainability in India’s
offshore mineral sector.

• Royalty Contribution:
• Production leaseholders of offshore
mines are required to contribute 10% of
their royalty payments to the Trust.
• Financial Management:
• These contributions will be deposited
in the Public Account of India (PAI),
enhancing the Trust’s financial
foundation.

• Objectives of the Trust:

• To promote sustainable exploration
while ensuring environmental
conservation and community welfare.
• The Indian Space Research and
Organisation (ISRO) successfully
launched its 3rd and final
developmental flight of the Small
Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D3)
from the Satish Dhawan Space
Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota, Andhra
Pradesh (AP).
• American aerospace manufacturing
company, Boeing has partnered with
with AI Engineering Services Limited
(AIESL) to provide in-country
maintenance, repair, and overhaul
(MRO) services for Indian Navy (IN)’s
fleet of twelve Boeing P-8I (Poseidon
Eight India), maritime surveillance
aircrafts.
• India and New Zealand signed the
bilateral customs co-operation
arrangement agreement, to ease
trade between the two countries.
Q Which ministry launched the Krishi-Decision Support System (DSS) ?
a) Finance
b) Rural Developement
c) Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
d) Housing and Urban Affairs
e) Science & Technology
Q Which ministry launched the Krishi-Decision Support System (DSS) ?
a) Finance
b) Rural Developement
c) Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
d) Housing and Urban Affairs
e) Science & Technology
• Launch of Krishi-Decision Support
System (DSS)
• Event and Launch:
• Minister of State (MoS) Bhagirath
Choudhary from the Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
(MoA&FW) launched the Krishi-
Decision Support System (DSS).
• About Krishi-Decision Support System
(DSS)
• Platform Overview:
• Krishi-DSS is a pioneering digital geo-
spatial platform designed specifically
for Indian agriculture.

• The platform provides access to various

types of agricultural data, including
satellite images, weather data,
reservoir storage, groundwater levels,
and soil health information.
• Advanced Modules:
• Krishi-DSS includes advanced modules
that facilitate comprehensive
agricultural management.

• Key functionalities include crop

mapping, drought monitoring, and crop
weather watch, enabling better
planning and decision-making.
• Support for Sustainable Agriculture:
• The platform supports sustainable
agricultural practices by analyzing crop
rotation and providing insights into soil
health and weather impacts.

• It offers real-time updates on crop

conditions, soil moisture levels, and
weather changes, which help farmers
adapt their practices accordingly.
• The Comptroller and Auditor General
of India (CAG), the Supreme Audit
Institution (SAI) of India, signed a
Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with the Chamber of
Accounts of Uzbekistan, the SAI of
Uzbekistan, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan,
to foster collaboration and exchange
of expertise in auditing between the
two nations.
• Discipline Science and Processes
(DSP) Mutual Fund has launched
India’s first-ever Nifty Top 10 Equal
Weight Index Fund and its
corresponding Exchange Traded
Funds (ETFs) with the aim to provide
investors with exposure to the top
10 companies listed on the Nifty
Index, with each stock receiving
equal weight in the portfolio.
Q Which ministry Launches AI-Powered National Pest Surveillance System to Empower
Farmers?
a) Finance
b) Rural Developement
c) Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
d) Housing and Urban Affairs
e) Science & Technology
Q Which ministry Launches AI-Powered National Pest Surveillance System to Empower
Farmers?
a) Finance
b) Rural Developement
c) Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
d) Housing and Urban Affairs
e) Science & Technology
• Launch of the National Pest
Surveillance System (NPSS)
• Event and Launch:
• Union Minister Shivraj Singh
Chouhan, from the Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
(MoA&FW), launched the Artificial
Intelligence (AI)-based National Pest
Surveillance System (NPSS).
• Objective of the NPSS
• Primary Goal:
• The NPSS aims to reduce farmers'
dependence on pesticide retailers
and encourage a scientific approach
to pest management.

• By providing real-time pest

management advisories, the NPSS
seeks to improve pest control
practices among farmers.
• About the National Pest Surveillance
System (NPSS)
• Digital Initiative:
• The NPSS is a digital initiative
developed by the Department of
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
(DA&FW), under the Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
(MoA&FW).
• Technology Integration:
• The system employs advanced
technologies such as Artificial
Intelligence (AI) and Machine
Learning (ML) to offer real-time pest
management advisories.

• AI tools are used to analyze the latest

data on pests, assisting farmers and
experts in effective pest control and
management.
• Features and Benefits of NPSS
• Accessibility:
• The NPSS includes a user-friendly mobile
application and a web portal, making it
accessible for all farmers across the
country.

• Interactive Platform:
• Farmers can use the NPSS platform to
take photos of infested crops or insects.
These images are then sent to scientists
and experts for detailed analysis.
• The National Institute for MSME (NI-
MSME) has been awarded with an
Accreditation Certificate with a
‘Utkrisht’ 3-star rating on
completion of National Standards
for Civil Services Training Institutions
(NSCSTI) process in recognition of
excellent services in the field of
promotion and development of
Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs).
• Paetongtarn Shinawatra (37years
old), was elected as youngest-ever
and second female Prime Minister
(PM) of Thailand by the Parliament.
Q MoPSW Launches SOP for Green Tug Transition Program for Sustainable Maritime Future.
GTTP was launched in which year?
a) 2020
b) 2021
c) 2023
d) 2022
e) 2019
Q MoPSW Launches SOP for Green Tug Transition Program for Sustainable Maritime Future.
GTTP was launched in which year?
a) 2020
b) 2021
c) 2023
d) 2022
e) 2019
• Launch of the Green Tug Transition
Program (GTTP)
• Event and Launch:
• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal,
from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping
& Waterways (MoPSW), officially
launched the Standard Operating
Procedure (SOP) for the Green Tug
Transition Program (GTTP) in New
Delhi, Delhi.
• Overview of the Green Tug Transition
Program (GTTP)
• Objective:
• The GTTP aims to replace conventional
fuel-based tugs with eco-friendly
alternatives at major Indian ports.

• This initiative supports India's

commitment to environmental
sustainability by reducing carbon
emissions in maritime operations.
• Participating Ports:
• Phase 1 involves four major ports:
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in
Maharashtra, Deendayal Port Authority
(DPA) in Gujarat, Paradip Port Authority
(PPA) in Odisha, and V.O. Chidambaranar
Port Authority (VOCPA) in Tamil Nadu.

• Each port will procure or charter at least

two green tugs based on the standardised
designs and specifications issued by the
Standing Specification Committee (SSC).
• Investment:
• The program is expected to involve an
investment of around Rs 1000 crore for
building these green tugs.

• Technology Adoption:
• The first set of tugs will be battery-electric,
with provisions for adopting other green
technologies like hybrid, methanol, and
green hydrogen in the future.
• Long-Term Vision:
• By 2040, all tugs at major Indian ports will
be green, with new tugs post-2033
complying with the Approved Standard
Tug Design Specifications (ASTDS) – GTTP
standards.
• Alignment with National Maritime Visions:
• The initiative aligns with the Maritime India
Vision 2030 (MIV 2030) and Maritime Amrit
Kaal Vision 2047.

• MIV 2030: Targets a 30% reduction in

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from port
vessels by 2030.

• Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: Aims to

make India a global leader in maritime
sustainability, focusing on reducing carbon
emissions and increasing the use of
renewable energy.
• Hockey India has officially retired
the No. 16 jersey from the national
senior men’s team in honour of
Parattu Raveendran (PR) Sreejesh,
the goalkeeper who announced his
retire after the Paris Olympics 2024.

• He is regarded as the ‘God of Indian

Modern History’ and popularly
known as “The Wall of India”.
• The Maharashtra Government has
declared Petroglyphs and Geoglyphs
(rock arts) in Ratnagiri as ‘Protected
Monuments’ under the Maharashtra
Ancient Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains Act,
1960.
Q Which state announces ‘MYUVA Scheme’ To Empower Youth Entrepreneurs?
a) Maharashtra
b) Karnataka
c) Telangana
d) Uttar Pradesh
e) Madhya Pradesh
Q Which state announces ‘MYUVA Scheme’ To Empower Youth Entrepreneurs?
a) Maharashtra
b) Karnataka
c) Telangana
d) Uttar Pradesh
e) Madhya Pradesh
• Scheme Launch:
• Announced by Yogi Adityanath, Chief
Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

• Aims to empower the youth of UP by

promoting self-employment.
• Objective:
• Prepare one lakh young
entrepreneurs annually.

• Provide interest-free loans for

projects up to Rs 5 lakh.

• Includes interest subsidies and Credit

Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and
Small Enterprises (CGTMSE)
coverage.
• Key Features:
• Focuses on creating self-employment
opportunities and forming one million
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs).

• Government budget allocation: Rs 1,000

crore for 2024-25.

• Industrial training and finance will be

provided to about 100,000 youths each
year for the next 10 years.
• Aims to benefit one million (10 lakh)
units over the next decade by
financing 1,00,000 units annually.

• Successful repayment of the first loan

qualifies for second-stage financing up
to Rs 7.50 lakh.
• Funding Sources:
• Loans available from nationalised,
scheduled, and rural banks, as well as
the Small Industries Development
Bank of India (SIDBI) and other
financial institutions notified by the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Eligibility Criteria:
• Beneficiaries must have completed
training under various government
schemes like Vishwakarma Shram
Samman Yojana (VSSY), One District One
Product (ODOP) Training, and others run
by the UP Skill Development Mission
(UPSDM).

• Youth with educational certificates,

diplomas, and degrees are also eligible.
• Union Minister Rajnath Singh,
Ministry of Defence (MoD), released
a commemorative Rs. 100 coin to
mark the birth centenary of former
Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu
(TN) Kalaignar Muthuvel
Karunanidhi.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
has approved the conversion of
Tata Capital Limited’s (TCL) from a
Non-Banking Finance Company
(NBFC)-Core Investment Company
(CIC) to an NBFC-Investment Credit
Company (ICC).
Q WEF Report, India Lost ……. Million Hectares of Crops Due to Excess Rains during 2015-21?
a) 33.3
b) 33.6
c) 33.9
d) 33.2
e) 33.1
Q WEF Report, India Lost ……. Million Hectares of Crops Due to Excess Rains during 2015-21?
a) 33.3
b) 33.6
c) 33.9
d) 33.2
e) 33.1
• World Economic Forum Report:
• According to the WEF report titled
“Income Protection and Early
Warning Systems: How India is
Building Climate Resilience,” India
lost 33.9 million hectares of crops
due to excess rains and an additional
35 million hectares due to drought
from 2015 to 2021.
• Key Effects of Climate Change in India:
• Extreme climate events affect all aspects of
the economy and society, with agriculture
being particularly impacted. Agriculture
accounts for 15% of India’s GDP and
employs 40% of the population, with 70%
of these workers in rural households.

• In 2021, Indian sectors, including

agriculture, incurred economic losses of
nearly USD 159 billion due to lost working
hours from extreme climate impacts.
• By 2030, heat stress is anticipated to
decrease working hours by 5.8%,
equivalent to 34 million full-time jobs. The
growing insurance coverage gap prevents
many individuals from safeguarding their
livelihoods against extreme weather
events.
• Impact of Climate Change on Growth:
• India has seen remarkable growth and
development, but increased exposure
to climate extremes such as heat
waves, floods, and earthquakes is
expected to hinder future progress.

• Government and Business Responses:

• Government agencies and business
leaders are developing various sector-
specific strategies to address climate
change challenges.
• India’s Initiatives to Build Climate
Resilience:
• Sandbox for Agricultural and Rural
Security, Technology, and Insurance
(SARATHI):
• Launched by the Ministry of Agriculture
and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW), SARATHI
is a digital platform that simplifies the
process for farmers to view and purchase
insurance.

• It aims to reduce the coverage gap for the

approximately 40% of India’s population
engaged in agriculture.
• Women’s Climate Shock Insurance
and Livelihoods Initiative (WCS):
• Introduces an income replacement
product to protect female outdoor
workers from being forced to work
during extreme heat waves.

• During the heatwave of 2024, the

initiative provided payouts to over
46,000 female outdoor workers.
• Heat Action Plan:
• India was the first country in South Asia
to develop a heat action plan following a
severe heatwave in Ahmedabad in 2010,
which resulted in a 43% decrease in
mortality compared to 2009.

• The plan includes alert systems for

dangerous heat waves, cooling centers,
and training for healthcare workers to
diagnose and treat heat-related
conditions. It saves approximately 1,190
lives annually.
• Additional Key Points:
• Extreme weather events are
projected to cost the global economy
USD 38 trillion per year by 2050 if
adaptation strategies are not
implemented.

• The report highlights the potential

cascading effects on local economies,
such as reduced tax revenues, if an
estimated 45 million people are
forced to migrate from their homes
by 2050 due to climate change.
• The WEF report suggests that
insurers could collaborate with
policymakers and government
officials to use risk analytics,
predictive tools, and climate data
to improve heat action plans and
direct capital toward effective
adaptation interventions.
• Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International
Airport (IGIA) became the 1st airport in
India to achieve the status of “Net Zero
Carbon Emission” (NZCE) (Level 5
certification) under the Airport Carbon
Accreditation (ACA) program of the
Airport Council International (ACI).

• Kempegowda International Airport

(KIA) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, became
the 1st airport in Asia to receive the
Airports Council International’s (ACI)
highest Level 5 accreditation.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
approved the appointment of Salee
Sukumaran Nair as the Managing
Director (MD) and Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of Tamilnad Mercantile
Bank Limited (TMB),
Q Which bank Launches ‘ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit Card’ For Visually Impaired
Customers?
a) SBI
b) HDFC
c) ICICI
d) PNB
e) Axis
Q Which bank Launches ‘ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit Card’ For Visually Impaired
Customers?
a) SBI
b) HDFC
c) ICICI
d) PNB
e) Axis
• Launch of PNB ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit
Card:
• Punjab National Bank (PNB) has introduced
the ‘PNB ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit
Card’ for visually impaired (VI) customers.

• The card is a contactless National Common

Mobility Card (NCMC) and is accessible
through the RuPay network.

• This initiative underscores PNB’s

commitment to inclusivity and enhancing
financial accessibility.
• Features of the Braille Debit Card:
• Raised Braille Dots:
• The card has raised Braille dots with
the brand name ‘PNB’ embossed on it.

• The welcome letter that accompanies

the card is also provided in Braille.
• Rounded Notch:
• A rounded notch is present on the
opposite side of the chip, helping
users identify the card’s orientation
while using ATMs or Point of Sale
(PoS) terminals.

• Contrasting Colors:
• The card uses contrasting colors to
make it easier for visually impaired
customers to read the card details.
• The National Aerospace Laboratories
(NAL) has launched Swadeshi
(indigenous) Kamikaze Drones, do-
and-die Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
(UAV) with home-built engines that
can power them to fly up to 1,000
kilometres (km).
• Indian Coast Guard(ICG) Director
General(DG) Rakesh Pal passed away
at the age of 58 in Chennai, Tamil
Nadu(TN).
• India and the Maldives have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) to introduce the Unified
Payments Interface (UPI) in the
Maldives.

• UPI’s introduction is expected to

boost the Maldivian tourism industry,
which is crucial to the nation’s
economy.
Q Which bank Announces Vijay Fixed Deposits to Honor 78th Independence Day?
a) SBI
b) HDFC
c) ICICI
d) PNB
e) RBL
Q Which bank Announces Vijay Fixed Deposits to Honor 78th Independence Day?
a) SBI
b) HDFC
c) ICICI
d) PNB
e) RBL
• RBL Bank Introduces ‘Vijay Fixed
Deposits (FD)’
• RBL Bank Limited, formerly known as
Ratnakar Bank Limited, has launched
a special edition of ‘Vijay Fixed
Deposits (FD)’ to commemorate
India’s 78th Independence Day.

• This special FD offer is designed to

honor the bravery of soldiers while
providing attractive financial benefits
to customers.
• Key Features of Vijay Fixed
Deposits:
• Special 500-Day Tenor:
• The Vijay FD scheme is available
for a specific tenor of 500 days.

• It is applicable for deposits below

Rs 3 crore.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
announced the start of Sovereign
Green Bonds (SGrB) trading at the
International Financial Services
Centre (IFSC) in Gujarat.

• This move allows Foreign Portfolio

Investors (FPIs) to invest in SGrBs at
the IFSC.
• Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry
of Home Affairs (MHA) released the
book titled ‘Modi’s Governance
Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to
Prosperity’, written by Tarun Chugh,
General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP), in New Delhi, Delhi.
Q Which state launches Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana scheme for women?
a) Assam
b) Bihar
c) Uttarakhand
d) Kerala
e) Jharkhand
Q Which state launches Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana scheme for women?
a) Assam
b) Bihar
c) Uttarakhand
d) Kerala
e) Jharkhand
• Launch of Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Maiya
Samman Yojana (JMMSY)
• Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren
launched the “Jharkhand Mukhyamantri
Maiya Samman Yojana” (JMMSY) in Pakur,
Jharkhand.

• The scheme aims to empower women in

Jharkhand by providing financial support to
make them economically strong.
• First Installment of Financial
Assistance:
• The Chief Minister transferred the first
installment of Rs. 1,000 each to the
bank accounts of 57,120 women
beneficiaries.

• This transfer was made through Direct

Benefit Transfer (DBT) to ensure
transparency and efficiency.
• About Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Maiya
Samman Yojana:
• Objective:
• The scheme is designed to assist economically
weaker and impoverished families in
Jharkhand by providing financial support to
women.

• Eligibility:
• Women aged 21 to 50 years from families with
an annual income of less than Rs. 8 lakhs are
eligible for financial assistance under this
scheme.
• Singapore-based Sembcorp Industries
will invest Rs 36,238 crore to establish a
green hydrogen and green ammonia
manufacturing unit in Thoothukudi, Tamil
Nadu (TN).

• Tamil Nadu will be the first state in India

to begin commercial production of large-
scale green hydrogen molecules, marking
a significant step in renewable energy
development.
• The International Bank for
Reconstruction and
Development (IBRD), the lending
arm of the World Bank, issued a
USD 225 million principal-
protected Amazon Reforestation-
Linked Outcome Bond.
• President of India confers National Geoscience
Awards 2023 on 21 Geoscientists
• Awardees for the National Geoscience Awards-
2023:
• National Geoscience Award for Lifetime
Achievement: Awarded to Prof. Dhiraj Mohan
Banerjee, Emeritus Scientist at the Indian
National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi.

• National Young Geoscientist Award: Awarded to

Dr. Ashutosh Pandey, Assistant Professor at the
Indian Institute of Science Education and
Research (IISER), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Q Which state launches 'Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar Yojana, a Nutritional Scheme for
School Children?
a) Assam
b) Bihar
c) Himachal Pradesh
d) Kerala
e) Jharkhand
Q Which state launches 'Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar Yojana, a Nutritional Scheme for
School Children?
a) Assam
b) Bihar
c) Himachal Pradesh
d) Kerala
e) Jharkhand
• Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar
Yojana (MBPAY)
• Launch:
• Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the
Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar
Yojana (MBPAY).

• The scheme aims to provide nutritious

food to children in government-run
schools.
• Beneficiaries:
• The scheme is set to provide
nutrition to 5.34 lakh school children.

• These beneficiaries are already part

of the midday meal scheme,
indicating an extension of nutritional
support.
• Budget Allocation:
• The Himachal Pradesh state government
has allocated an additional Rs 12.75
crore for the scheme in the current fiscal
year (FY25).

• This financial support underscores the

government’s commitment to enhancing
child nutrition in schools.
• Nutritional Provision:
• Under MBPAY, school children will
receive boiled eggs or fruits once a
week.

• The inclusion of eggs and fruits aims to

boost the nutritional intake of children
and support their overall health and
development.
• Local Sourcing:
• Fruits for the scheme will be sourced
from local markets.

• The choice of fruits will be based on

students' preferences, ensuring both
variety and satisfaction among the
children.
• The Ministry of Industry and Advanced
Technology (MoIAT) of the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) has partnered with BRICS
(Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South
Africa) to launch a Centre for Industrial
Competences.

• This initiative is in collaboration with the

United Nations Industrial Development
Organisation (UNIDO).

• The Centre aims to support the

development of industrial skills and
capabilities among BRICS nations.
• World Humanitarian Day 2024 –
August 19

• Slogan - ActForHumanity
• World Photography Day – August 19
2024

• Theme - An Entire Day

Q NITI Aayog and CSIRO of which country launched Climate Smart Agritech RISE Accelerator
Program for Startups and MSMEs?
a) USA
b) UK
c) Germany
d) Australia
e) Canada
Q NITI Aayog and CSIRO of which country launched Climate Smart Agritech RISE Accelerator
Program for Startups and MSMEs?
a) USA
b) UK
c) Germany
d) Australia
e) Canada
• Launch of Climate Smart Agritech Cohort:
• The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of the
National Institution for Transforming
India (NITI Aayog), in collaboration with
the Commonwealth Scientific and
Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
of Australia, has launched the Climate
Smart Agritech cohort.

• This cohort is part of the India-Australia

Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion
(RISE) Accelerator program.
• About the RISE Accelerator Program:
• The RISE Accelerator Program is a bilateral
initiative aimed at addressing shared
challenges related to the environment and
climate change.

• It focuses on supporting the expansion of

innovative agritech solutions across borders.

• Launched in 2023, the program has played a

pivotal role in helping startups and MSMEs
validate, adapt, and pilot their technologies
in new markets.
• Objective of the Program:
• The main aim of the Climate Smart
Agritech cohort is to harness cutting-
edge technologies and digital
solutions to tackle climate challenges
in agriculture.

• It focuses on promoting cross-border

innovation and improving agricultural
productivity and resilience.
• Financial Support:
• Selected SMEs and startups will be
eligible for non-equity grants of up to
Rs 45 lakhs.
• Event and Launch:
• Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) launched Version 2.0
of the ‘FloodWatch India’ Mobile Application
developed by the Central Water Commission
(CWC).

• The upgraded app now includes data from 592

monitoring stations, a significant increase from the
200 stations in the first version. This expansion
allows for more comprehensive real-time flood
monitoring across India.

• The first version of the FloodWatch India app was

launched by on 17th August 2023.
• Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry
of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEF&CC) announced that 3
wetlands from India namely Nanjarayan
Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird
Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu (TN) and Tawa
Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh (MP) were
designated as Wetlands of International
Importance, also known as Ramsar Sites.

• With this addition, the number of Ramsar

sites in India becomes 85, covering an
area of 1,358,068 hectares (ha).
• The Reliance Foundation (RF) has
signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the India
Meteorological Department (IMD),
under the Ministry of Earth Sciences
(MoES) to improve access to
weather information for climate-
vulnerable communities across
India.
Q Which company, has partnered with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution (MOCAF&PD) and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to
transform Fair Price Shops (FPSs) into Jan Poshan Kendras (JPKs)?
a) IndiaMART
b) Udaan
c) Amazon Business
d) Flipkart Wholesale
e) ExportersIndia
Q Which company, has partnered with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution (MOCAF&PD) and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to
transform Fair Price Shops (FPSs) into Jan Poshan Kendras (JPKs)?
a) IndiaMART
b) Udaan
c) Amazon Business
d) Flipkart Wholesale
e) ExportersIndia
• Partnership Announcement
• Udaan, a B2B e-commerce company,
has partnered with the Ministry of
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution (MOCAF&PD) and the
Small Industries Development Bank
of India (SIDBI).

• The goal of this partnership is to

transform Fair Price Shops (FPSs) into
Jan Poshan Kendras (JPKs).
• Objectives of the Partnership:
• The partnership aims to increase the
income of FPS dealers by diversifying the
product portfolio available at these shops.

• It seeks to provide better access to

nutritional and household products,
enhancing the overall offerings of FPSs.

• Pilot Launch:
• The pilot phase of this initiative has been
launched across 60 selected FPSs in
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Telangana,
and Gujarat.
• Key Features of the Partnership:
• Jan Poshan Kendras (JPKs) will receive
credit facilities from SIDBI to purchase food
grains and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods
(FMCG) products.

• JPKs will have access to over 3,500

products through Udaan’s eB2B platform,
enhancing the variety of goods they can
offer.

• Each JPK will allocate 50% of its stock to

nutritional products, with the remainder
dedicated to household items.
• Long-term Goals:
• The initiative aims to modernize 1.3
lakh shops initially, with a long-term
goal of converting all 5.38 lakh ration
shops into Jan Poshan Kendras.
• Other Initiatives Launched:
• FPS Sahay Application: An app
launched for paperless, collateral-
free financing for ration dealers,
aimed at simplifying the financing
process.

• Mera Ration App 2.0: An updated

version of the app designed to help
consumers access information about
the public distribution system.
• Quality Control and Transparency
Initiatives: Several initiatives were
launched to enhance quality control
and transparency in the food security
ecosystem, including:

• Quality Management System: To

standardize quality measures across
the system.

• Quality Manual Handbook: A

guidebook to ensure consistent quality
management.
• Razorpay Software Private Limited(RSPL), a
Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Payments
software company ranked 70th(last year
Razorpay ranked 49th) on the Forbes Cloud 100
2024 List, the 9th annual ranking of the world’s
top private cloud computing companies.

• San Francisco, California, the United States of

America (USA)-based OpenAI and Databricks,
Inc. ranked 1st and 2nd respectively followed by
the dual-headquartered Financial Infrastructure
company, Stripe, Inc. in San Francisco,
California(USA), and Dublin(Ireland) at 3rd
place in the list.
• According to 2024 Barclays Private Clients Hurun
India Most Valuable Family Businesses, Ambani
Family headed by Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and
Managing Director (CMD) of Reliance Industries
Limited (RIL), is ranked 1st.

• Bajaj family led by Niraj Bajaj, Directors of the Bajaj

Group, ranks 2nd

• and Birla family, led by Kumar Mangalam Birla,

Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Group, ranks 3rd

• Roshni Nadar Malhotra, representing the Nadar

family, is India’s most influential woman leading a
family-owned business. It is ranked 5th.
• ICICI Lombard General Insurance
Company Limited(ICICI Lombard) has
entered into bancassurance partnerships
with 7 financial institutions namely Aye
Finance Private Limited, Bandhan Bank
Limited, Karnataka Bank Limited(KBL),
Muthoottu Mini Financiers Limited,
Nivara Home Finance Limited(NHFL),
NSDL Payments Bank Limited and the
Andhra Pradesh State Cooperative Bank
Limited (APCOB).
Q NPCI Launched “UPI Circle” for Secure Delegated Payments with Trusted Users. Under this,
primary users can delegate up to how many secondary users?
a) 2
b) 1
c) 4
d) 5
e) 3
Q NPCI Launched “UPI Circle” for Secure Delegated Payments with Trusted Users. Under this,
primary users can delegate how many up to how many secondary users?
a) 2
b) 1
c) 4
d) 5
e) 3
• Launch of UPI Circle by NPCI
• The National Payments Corporation of
India (NPCI) has introduced a new
feature called "UPI Circle" on its Unified
Payments Interface (UPI) platform.

• This feature allows primary UPI account

holders to securely delegate payment
responsibilities to trusted secondary
users.
• Introduction and Purpose:
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
introduced the UPI Circle feature during
the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)
meeting in August 2024.

• The aim of this feature is to enhance

convenience and security in digital
transactions across India.
• About UPI Circle:
• Delegated Payment Feature: UPI Circle
enables a primary UPI user to link their
account with trusted secondary users,
granting them partial or complete access
for making payments.

• Primary User: The account holder who

initiates the UPI Circle and controls the
delegation of payment responsibilities.

• Secondary User: A trusted individual

granted either partial or complete access
to the account for making payments.
• Types of Delegation in UPI Circle:
• Full Delegation:
• The primary user authorizes the
secondary user to initiate and
complete transactions within
predefined spending limits.

• The secondary user is not required to

seek further approval for these
transactions.
• Partial Delegation:
• The secondary user can initiate
transactions, but the primary user
must authorize and complete the
payment using their UPI Personal
Identification Number (PIN).
• Key Guidelines for UPI Circle:
• Number of Delegations:
• A primary user can delegate up to 5
secondary users.

• A secondary user can accept delegation

from only one primary user.

• Authorization Requirements:
• Members (banks and financial
institutions) must ensure that the primary
user authorizes the secondary user for
either complete or partial delegation.
• Transaction Limits:
• For full delegation:
• The maximum monthly limit per
delegation is Rs 15,000.

• The maximum transaction limit per

transaction is Rs 5,000.

• For partial delegation, existing UPI

limits will apply.
• Visibility of Transactions:
• NPCI mandates that primary users must
have visibility of transactions performed
by secondary users on their UPI
application and bank account
statements.
• Bayanat AI PLC and Al Yah Satellite
Communications Company PJSC
(Yahsat), in partnership with ICEYE
Ltd, successfully launched the United
Arab Emirates (UAE)’s first Low Earth
Orbit (LEO) Synthetic Aperture Radar
(SAR) satellite.
• General Sundararajan
Padmanabhan, former Chief of Army
Staff(COAS), passed away at the age
of 83 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN).
• Sadbhavana Diwas, also known as
Harmony Day, is annually observed
across India on August 20 to
commemorate the birth anniversary
of the former Indian Prime Minister
(PM) Rajiv Gandhi.
Q Which ministry Launches Thermal (PROMPT) platform to Boost Power Sector Efficiency?
a) Rural Development
b) Power
c) Jal Shakti
d) New & Renewable Energy
e) Finance
Q Which ministry Launches Thermal (PROMPT) platform to Boost Power Sector Efficiency?
a) Rural Development
b) Power
c) Jal Shakti
d) New & Renewable Energy
e) Finance
• Launch of Online Platforms and
Initiatives by the Ministry of Power
• Launch Overview:
• Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar,
Ministry of Power, launched three
online platforms to enhance the
efficiency, transparency, and
effectiveness of the power sector.
• The platforms are:
• Portal for Online Monitoring of Projects – Thermal
(PROMPT)

• Disaster Resilient Infrastructure for Power Sector (DRIPS)

• Online Portal for Monitoring Survey and Investigation

Activities of Hydro Electric Projects and Pumped Storage
Projects (JAL VIDYUT DPR)

• A comprehensive Compendium of Central Electricity

Authority (CEA) Regulations was also launched, which
includes regulations notified under the Electricity Act,
2003.
• Portal for Online Monitoring of
Projects – Thermal (PROMPT)
• Purpose:
• PROMPT is a centralized platform
designed for real-time tracking and
analysis of thermal power projects.

• Features and Benefits:

• It enhances transparency,
accountability, and resource
optimization in project management.
• Disaster Resilient Infrastructure for Power
Sector (DRIPS)
• Purpose:
• DRIPS is a portal aimed at enabling swift
identification and deployment of
resources to address power sector
disruptions during disasters such as
cyclones, earthquakes, and floods.

• Key Features:
• Developed by the CEA, DRIPS is aligned
with the India Disaster Resource Network
(IDRN) and hosted on the National Power
Portal.
• JAL VIDYUT DPR
• Purpose:
• The Online Portal for Monitoring
Survey and Investigation Activities of
Hydro Electric Projects and Pumped
Storage Projects (JAL VIDYUT DPR) is
an initiative by CEA to support the
growth of hydropower and pumped
storage projects (PSPs) in India.
• Guwahati (Assam) based North Eastern
Handicrafts and Handlooms
Development Corporation Limited
(NEHHDC) under the Ministry of
Development of North Eastern Region
(MDoNER) has secured Oeko-Tex
certification directly from Germany for
the Eri Silk of Assam.

• The Oeko-Tex certification standard 100

ensures textiles are tested for harmful
substances and produced in eco-friendly
conditions.
• World Sanskrit Day 2024 – August 19

• It is also known as ‘Language of

Gods’.
• International Day of Remembrance
and Tribute to the Victims of
Terrorism 2024 – August 21
Q As per Brand Finance’s Food & Drink 2024, which brand Emerged as World’s Strongest
Food and Dairy Brand?
a) Nestlé
b) AMUL
c) Lay’s
d) Yili
e) DiGiorno
Q As per Brand Finance’s Food & Drink 2024, which brand Emerged as World’s Strongest
Food and Dairy Brand?
a) Nestlé
b) AMUL
c) Lay’s
d) Yili
e) DiGiorno
• Brand Finance Food & Drink 2024
Report
• AMUL's Achievement:
• Anand Milk Union Limited (AMUL) has
been named the world’s strongest food
and dairy brand in the Brand Finance’s
Food & Drink 2024 report.

• AMUL received an AAA+ rating for the

4th consecutive year, signifying its
strong market presence and brand
reputation.
• Top 5 Most Valuable Food Brands
• Nestlé (Switzerland): USD 20.8 billion, AAA
rating.

• Lay’s (USA): USD 12 billion, AAA- rating.

• Yili (China): USD 11.6 billion, AAA rating.

• Tyson (USA): USD 8.2 billion, AA+ rating.

• Danone (France): USD 8 billion, AA rating.

• AMUL (India): 22nd position with a

valuation of USD 3.3 billion and AAA+ rating.
• Evaluation Criteria:
• The report evaluates brand strength
using over 35 parameters, including
advertising impact, product diversity,
and consumer quality perceptions,
among others.
• World Senior Citizen’s Day 2024 –
August 21
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
granted approval to IndusInd Bank
Limited to set up a wholly owned
subsidiary to undertake the asset
management business of Mutual
Funds(MF).
• Aditya Birla Finance Limited (ABFL), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Aditya
Birla Capital Limited (ABCL), and AU
Small Finance Bank (SFB) Limited ,
India’s largest SFB, has partnered to
launch Aditya Birla Finance AU credit
cards, a new range of co-branded
credit cards.
• International Day Commemorating
the Victims of Acts of Violence
Based on Religion or Belief 2024 –
August 22
• First-Ever National Space Day – 23
August 2024

• Theme - Touching Lives while

Touching the Moon: India’s Space
Saga
• International Day for the
Remembrance of the Slave Trade
and its Abolition 2024- August 23
Watch….Read….Revise….Repeat