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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

India and Ghana Agree to Implement Unified Payments Interface on Ghana's Interbank Systems

• India and Ghana have agreed to operationalize India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI) of the National Payments Corporation (NPCI) on Ghana’s Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS) within 6 months.
• This was a key outcome from the fourth session of the India-Ghana Joint Trade Committee (JTC) held in Accra.

Key Highlights :

• Bilateral Trade and Collaboration: The meeting also discussed opportunities for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on digital transformation solutions and Local Currency Settlement System.
• Deliberations included the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
• India-Ghana Joint Trade Committee (JTC):The JTC was co-chaired by Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere-Baafi, and India's Commerce Additional Secretary, Amardeep Singh Bhatia.
• A 7-member Indian delegation led by Bhatia participated in the meeting on May 2-3, 2024.
• Areas of Cooperation:The JTC identified key sectors for enhancing bilateral trade and mutually beneficial investments, including:
• Pharmaceuticals
• Healthcare
• Information and communication technology
• Agriculture and food processing
• Renewable energy and power sector
• Digital economy and digital infrastructure
• Critical minerals
• Textiles and garments
• Bilateral Trade Growth:Ghana is an important trading partner of India in the Africa region.
• Bilateral trade between India and Ghana increased to USD 2.87 billion in 2022-23, up from USD 2.6 billion in 2021-22.
• India stands as a leading investor in Ghana and emerged as the 3rd-largest investor.
• Global Reach of UPI : India's UPI has already reached countries including Singapore and the UAE.

Recent News :

• In May 2024, NPCI International announced its partnership with Bank of Namibia to support them in developing a UPI-like real-time payment system in the African nation.

About UPI :

• Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application.
• It is developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• It was introduced in April 2016.

About Ghana :

• President : Nana Akufo-Addo
• Capital : Accra
• Currency : Cedi

Indian Bank Q4FY24 Earnings: Net Profit Increases by 55% to Rs 2,247 Crore               

• Indian Bank's net profit rose by 55% to Rs 2,247 crore in Q4FY24, compared to Rs 1,447 crore in the same period of FY23.
• For the entire fiscal year, the bank's net profit increased by 53% to Rs 8,063 crore in FY24, from Rs 5,282 crore in FY23.

Key Highlights :

• Growth in Total Income:Total income in Q4FY24 rose by 19% to Rs 16,887 crore, compared to Rs 14,238 crore in Q4FY23.
• For the whole fiscal year, total income increased by 22% to Rs 63,482 crore in FY24, from Rs 52,085 crore in FY23.
• Improved Asset Quality:The gross non-performing assets (NPA) ratio decreased to 3.95% of gross advances as of March 31, 2024, from 5.95% in March 2023.
• Similarly, the net NPA ratio declined to 0.43% from 0.90% during the same period.
• Increase in Net Interest Income (NII):Net Interest Income increased by 9% Y-o-Y to Rs 6,015 crore in Q4FY24, from Rs 5,508 crore in Q4FY23.
• Growth in Deposits and Advances:Total deposits increased by 11% Y-o-Y, reaching Rs 6,88,000 crore in March 2024.
• CASA (Current Account Savings Account) deposits grew by 8%, with savings deposits up by 7% and current deposits by 9% Y-o-Y.
• Gross advances increased by 13% Y-o-Y to Rs 5,33,773 crore in March 2024, compared to Rs 4,73,586 crore in March 2023.

About Indian Bank :

• Established : 15 August 1907
• Headquarters : Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
• MD & CEO : Shanti Lal Jain
• Tagline : Your Own Bank/ Apka Apna Bank

RBI Reports Housing Credit Surging by Rs 10 Trillion in the Past 2 Years

• According to Reserve Bank of India’s ( RBI's) data on 'Sectoral Deployment of Bank Credit', Credit outstanding to the housing sector rose by nearly Rs 10 lakh crore in the last two fiscals to reach a record Rs 27.23 lakh crore in March 2024.
• This represents a significant rise from Rs 19.88 lakh crore in March 2023 and Rs 17.27 lakh crore in March 2022.

Key Highlights :

• According to the data of the RBI on sectoral deployment of bank credit for March 2024, the credit outstanding to the housing (including priority sector housing') stood at Rs 27,22,720 crore in March 2024, up from Rs 19,88,532 crore in March 2023, and Rs 17,26,697 crore in March 2022.
• The data also showed that the credit outstanding towards commercial real estate stood at Rs 4,48,145 crore in March 2024.
• It was at Rs 2,97,231 crore in March 2022.
• ICRA expects the trend to continue with overall housing finance expected to grow by 12-14% annually in the near-to-medium term, supported by buoyant demand.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Drone Destination signs pact with IFFCO for spraying agricultural products on 30 lakh acres of farmland

• Drone company Drone Destination has signed an agreement with cooperative major IFFCO for spraying agricultural products on up to 30 lakh acres of
• According to company officials, under the agreement Drone Destination could get paid in the range of Rs 400 to Rs 800 per acre at prevailing market rates, implying that the deal will fetch a revenue of Rs 120 crore in the lower price band and up to Rs 240 at upper price band.
• The prevailing market rate of such agri spray is Rs 400-800 per acre depending upon the region and the crop.
• As part of the agreement, Drone Destination will undertake drone spray in 12 states across the country.
• These states include Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttrakhand.
• The drones will spray IFFCO Nano Urea, Nano DAP, Sagarika, IFFCO MC Agro-Chemicals and other IFFCO and IFFCO joint venture's agri products, to enhance agricultural productivity and efficiency.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Nepal's Population Growth Rate Hits 80-Year Low at 0.92% Per Annum Over Past Decade                                

• Nepal's population growth rate has dropped to 0.92% per annum over the past decade, the lowest in the last 80 years.
• The National Statistics Office (NSO) revealed this rate is less than 1% per year during the 10-year review period.

Key Highlights :

• Population Figures:As per the NSO report, Nepal's population is approximately 29.2 million.
• Between mid-April 2011 and mid-April 2021, Nepal's population increased by 2.7 million.
• Life Expectancy:The national average life expectancy has reached 71.3 years, with female life expectancy at 73.8 years and male life expectancy at 68.2 years.
• The average life expectancy of Nepalis has increased by 21.5 years over the past four decades.
• Karnali Province has the highest life expectancy at 72.5 years, while Lumbini Province has the lowest at 69.5 years.
• Infant Mortality Rate:The infant mortality rate in 2021 dropped to 17 per 1,000, significantly improved from 40 per 1,000 in 2011.
• Reproductive Rate:The reproductive rate has decreased to 1.94 children per woman, which is below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman.
• The average age for women to give birth is 26.9 years in Karnali Province, while it's 28.4 years in Bagmati Province.
• Census History:Nepal has been conducting a national census every 10 years since 1911, providing a century-long record of demographic changes.

About Nepal :

• President : Ram Chandra Poudel
• Prime Minister : Pushpa Kamal Dahal
• Capital : Kathmandu
• Currency : Nepalese rupee

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

FPSB India, IFSCA sign pact to promote GIFT IFSC as 'Global Finance Hub'

• Financial Planning Standards Board India has announced that it has signed a pact with the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), GIFT City, Gandhinagar, to promote GIFT IFSC as a 'Global Finance Hub'.
• FPSB India and IFSCA aim to enhance the financial market ecosystem and nurture skilled professionals for GIFT City's expanding financial workforce.
• Both organisations will jointly organise international and domestic events to raise awareness and establish GIFT IFSC as a 'Global Finance Hub’
• Some key highlights of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) include talent pipeline support, ecosystem development, promotional activities and research collaboration.
• FPSB India is the leading financial planning body in India and is dedicated to establishing, upholding, and promoting professional standards in financial planning across the country.

India sees incorporation of 185,000 companies in 2023-24

• More than 185,000 companies were registered in the country last fiscal, higher than the count recorded in the year-ago period, and nearly 16,600 companies were set up in March this year.
• As per the data, 159,524 companies were registered with a collective paid up capital of Rs 18,132.16 crore in 2022-23.
• At the end of March 2024, the country had a total number of 2,663,016 companies and out of them, 1,691,495 companies or 64 per cent were active.
• As many as 931,644 registered companies were closed, 2,470 were dormant entities, and 10,385 were under liquidation.
• A total of 27,022 companies were in the process of being struck off from official records.
• During FY 2023-24, a total of 185,312 companies were registered with a collective paid up capital of Rs 30,927.40 crore, according to the corporate affairs ministry's information bulletin for March.
• Out of them, 71 per cent were in the services sector, followed by 23 per cent in the industrial segment and 6 per cent in agriculture.

Investments through P-note surge to near 6-yr high at Rs 1.5 trillion

• Investments through participatory notes in the Indian capital markets reached Rs 1.5 lakh crore at the end of February 2024, making it the highest level in nearly six years, driven by a strong performance of the domestic economy.
• The latest data includes the value of P-note investments in Indian equity, debt, and hybrid securities.
• Participatory notes (P-notes) are issued by registered foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to overseas investors who wish to be part of the Indian stock market without registering themselves directly.
• They, however, need to go through a due diligence process.

Key Highlights

• According to the latest data from markets regulator Sebi, the value of P-note investments in Indian markets -- equity, debt, and hybrid securities -- stood at Rs 1,49,517 crore at the end of February compared to Rs 1,43,011 crore at the end of January.
• Of the total Rs 1.5 lakh crore invested through this route till February, Rs 1.27 lakh crore was invested in equities, Rs 21,303 crore in debt, and Rs 541 crore in hybrid securities.
• In addition, assets under custody of the FPIs grew to Rs 68.55 lakh crore in February-end from Rs 66.96 lakh crore in the preceding month.
• Meanwhile, FPIs invested a net sum of Rs 1,539 crore in the Indian equities and Rs 22,419 crore in the debt market in February.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

John Swinney Set to Succeed Humza Yousaf as Scotland's First Minister

• Scottish National Party (SNP) veteran John Swinney was elected as its new leader and is set to replace Humza Yousaf as Scotland’s first minister after he emerged as the sole contender in the contest to pick a new premier.
• He has served as an ally to former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, holding the position of her deputy for a record 9 years.

About John Swinney :

• Born in Edinburgh in April 1964, Swinney joined the SNP at a young age, rising through the party's ranks quickly.
• He began his political career in 1997 when he was elected to the UK Parliament to represent a constituency in Tayside, Scotland.
• Swinney first assumed leadership of the SNP in September 2000, succeeding Alex Salmond.
• He later became Deputy First Minister in 2014, under Nicola Sturgeon's leadership, following an independence referendum in which Scotland voted to remain part of the UK.

About SNP :

• Founded : 1934
• The SNP is a Scottish nationalist and social democratic political party.
• The SNP currently holds 43 seats in the UK parliament.

Afghan Consul General Zakia Wardak Resigns in Mumbai Following 'Gold Smuggling' Incident at Airport

• Zakia Wardak, the Consul General of Afghanistan in Mumbai, has resigned from her post.
• Her move comes within 10 days after being reportedly intercepted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai on the charge of smuggling 25 kgs of gold from Dubai.
• Under the Customs Act, 1962, individuals caught smuggling gold worth over ₹1 crore are subject to arrest and criminal prosecution.
• Gold worth ₹18.60 crore was recovered from Ms. Wardak.

About Zakia Wardak :

• Zakia Wardak is an Afghan architect, politician, and businesswoman.
• She served as the first female Consul General of Afghanistan in Mumbai.
• Known for advocating for inclusion and women's rights, she has been active in various organizations, including serving as president of the Society of Afghan Women in Engineering and Construction.
• In 2018, she contested for a seat in the Afghan parliamentary election.

About Afghanistan :

• Prime Minister : Hasan Akhund
• Capital : Kabul
• Currency : Afghani

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

KKR to Acquire India's Healthium Medtech from Apax Partners for Rs 7,000 Crore ($838.60 Million)

• Global investment firm KKR announced acquiring Bengaluru-based medical devices company Healthium Medtech from an affiliate of funds advised by private equity firm Apax Partners.
• The acquisition is valued between Rs 6,500 crore and Rs 7,000 crore (around $839 million).
• A special-purpose vehicle owned by KKR-managed funds will acquire a controlling interest in Healthium Medtech.

Key Highlights :

• Regulatory Approvals and Timeline: The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the third quarter of the calendar year 2024.
• KKR's Asian Fund IV: The investment in Healthium Medtech will be made through KKR’s Asian Fund IV.
• Healthium's Role in the Healthcare Sector: Healthium Medtech manufactures products used in surgical, post-surgical, and chronic care procedures.
• KKR's Healthcare Portfolio in India: With this acquisition, Healthium joins KKR's healthcare portfolio in India, which includes:
  • Branded formulations company JB.
  • Hospital chain Max Healthcare.
  • Generic pharma products company Gland Pharma.
• Apax Partners' Involvement: Apax Partners, a UK-based private equity firm, bought Healthium in 2018.

About Healthium MedTech :

• Founded in India : 1992
• CEO : Anish Bafna
• Healthium is the 4th-largest surgical suture manufacturer in the world with a market share of about 18% in India.
• It is present in more than 90 countries.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Indian-Origin Astronaut Sunita Williams Set to Pilot Boeing's Starliner on Her 3rd Space Mission

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) Boeing Crew Flight Test will launch Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore on their third space mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
• The astronauts will launch aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft atop an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex-41 on May 7, 2024.
• This mission marks the first crewed trip on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft and its third orbital flight test overall.
• Previous orbital flight tests, Boe-OFT and Boe-OFT 2, were unmanned and conducted in 2019 and 2022, respectively.
• The CST-100 Starliner test mission follows years of delays and over $1 billion in cost overruns.

About Sunita Williams :

• Sunita Williams is of Indian-American and Slovene-American descent, born in Euclid, Ohio.
• She received her commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy in 1987 and was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1998.
• Williams is a veteran of two space missions, serving as a flight engineer on Expedition 32 and commander of Expedition 33.
• She holds the record for the total cumulative spacewalk time by a female astronaut, with a total of 322 days spent in space across her two previous missions.
• In Expedition 14/15, she set a world record for females with four spacewalks totalling 29 hours and 17 minutes.

Previous Missions of Sunita Williams:

• Williams launched with the crew of STS-116 to the ISS on December 9, 2006, as part of Expedition 14/15.
• In Expedition 32/33, she launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on July 14, 2012, and returned after 127 days in space.

About NASA :

• Established : July 29, 1958
• Headquarters : Washington, D.C, United States of America
• Administrator : Bill Nelson

Micron Tech's India-made semiconductor chips set for global debut in 2025                          

• The first India-made semiconductor chips will be produced from Micron Technology's packaging unit in Sanand, Gujarat, in the first half of 2025.

Key Highlights :

• Export-Oriented Production:Most chips produced at the Sanand facility will be exported, positioning the plant as a significant contributor to the global semiconductor market.
• The chips are intended for a range of applications, including data centers, smartphones, notebooks, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
• Demand-Based Allocation:The specific allocation of chips will be determined based on factors like demand dynamics, pricing, and customer requirements as production nears completion.
• Micron's Interest in Emerging Markets:Micron Technology is exploring new business opportunities in developing sectors, such as government contracts in India and electric two-wheelers.
• Semiconductor Supply Chain Development:As part of Micron's move to strengthen its semiconductor supply chain in India, major suppliers like Simmtech are establishing operations in Gujarat.
• Government Incentives and Financial Support:The Indian government's $10 billion financial incentive scheme is designed to promote semiconductor manufacturing and assembly.
• Under this scheme, Micron is setting up an assembly, testing, monitoring, and packaging (ATMP) plant in India.

About Micron Technology, Inc :

• Founded : October 5, 1978
• Headquarters : Boise, Idaho, United States
• President & CEO : Sanjay Mehrotra
• Micron Technology, Inc. is an American producer of computer memory and computer data storage including dynamic random-access memory, flash memory, and USB flash drives.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Manika Batra Stuns World No 2 at WTT Saudi Smash, Claims Career-Best Singles Win

• Top Indian woman paddler Manika Batra claimed the biggest scalp of her career as she accounted for World No. 2, Wang Manyu of China in four games in a Women's singles Round of 32 clash in WTT Saudi Smash.
• Manika came back after losing the first game to win the next three to stun the top Chinese player and win the match 6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 12-10 in the 38-minute encounter played at Infinity Arena in King Abdullah Sports City.
• The 28-year-old Indian had started her campaign in Saudi Smash with a 3-0 win over Andreea Dragoman of Spain in the first round.
• Manika, who is ranked 39th in the women's singles in WTT World Rankings, was elated to win the biggest match of her singles career.

Rublev Battles Illness To Claim Madrid Open Title

• Andrey Rublev won the Madrid Open with a hard-fought 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime to secure his second title of the year, despite battling with illness.
• The Russian world number eight said he was “almost dead every day” and could barely sleep this week after securing a career second Masters 1000 victory.
• Rublev had lost four consecutive matches before arriving in the Spanish capital but came from a set down to beat his Canadian opponent.
• The 26-year-old triumphed at the Hong Kong Open in January but struggled since before turning around his form in Madrid, dropping just one set on the way to what proved a tense final.

Asian Games Test Event: Indian pugilists win five gold medals

• Indian pugilists testing their water for the upcoming Asian Games in August proved their worth and emerged with a massive tally of ten medals, including five gold, one silver and four bronze medals at the Asian Games Test Event, here in Jakarta.
• Even though seven of the ten participating Indian pugilists were guaranteed bronze medals at the start of the tournament, three Indian boxers displayed ruthlessness as they romped past their opponents in dominating fashion to clinch the gold.

Key Highlights

• Salman Shaikh in the 52-kg category, Manish Kaushik of the 60-kg category and Pavitra of the women's 60-kg category fought their way to gold even after they were guaranteed a bronze without even throwing a punch.
• Pavitra won 5-0 against Nilawan Techasuep of Thailand, Shyam Kumar defeated local lad Mario Blasius 4-1, while Salman Shaikh also defeated his Philippine's pugilist 5-0.
• India's greatest find in the Youth World Championships has been Shakshi who yet again displayed her dominance in the ring but couldn't manage to get past her final opponent and settled for silver.
• Etias Kha (56kg-bronze, Ashish Kumar (75-kg, Pawan Kumar (69kg) and Ritu (51-kg) had to settle for bronze after losing out in their respective semifinal bouts.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Red Cross And Red Crescent Day 2024 - May 8

• World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day are celebrated every year on May 8.
• This initiative was studied by an International Commission established at the 14th International Conference on the Red Cross.
• Immediately after World War I, the world needed peace and stability.
• The Red Cross was born out of such efforts.
• In 1934, at the 15th International Conference in Tokyo, the Red Cross Truce report was introduced framing the principles expected to safeguard injured fighters during the war.
• The proposal was subsequently placed into effect during World War II in 1946.
• In 1948, the Board of Governors of the League of the Red Cross Societies proposed to celebrate the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
• From that point forward, World Red Cross Day is celebrated annually on May 8.

World Thalassaemia Day 2024 - May 8

• World Thalassaemia Day is celebrated every year on May 8.
• This day is celebrated to raise awareness about the struggles of patients suffering from genetic disorders and raise awareness about Thalassaemia.
• The Theme of World Thalassaemia Day 2024 is "Empowering Lives, Embracing Progress: Equitable and Accessible Thalassaemia Treatment for All".
• The history of World Thalassemia Day dates back to 1994 when the Thalassemia International Federation (TIF) first established the day.
• The day was first observed as a way to remember the son of Panos Englezos, a Thalassemia patient who died from the disease.
• The day of remembrance is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people living with thalassemia and to highlight the progress made in treatment and care.

Daily CA One- Liner: May 8

• Drone company Drone Destination has signed an agreement with cooperative major IFFCO for spraying agricultural products on up to 30 lakh acres of farmland
• Financial Planning Standards Board India has announced that it has signed a pact with the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), GIFT City, Gandhinagar, to promote GIFT IFSC as a 'Global Finance Hub'.
• More than 185,000 companies were registered in the country last fiscal, higher than the count recorded in the year-ago period, and nearly 16,600 companies were set up in March this year.
• Investments through participatory notes in the Indian capital markets reached Rs 1.5 lakh crore at the end of February, making it the highest level in nearly six years, driven by a strong performance of the domestic economy
• Top Indian woman paddler Manika Batra claimed the biggest scalp of her career as she accounted for World No. 2, Wang Manyu of China in four games in a Women's singles Round of 32 clash in WTT Saudi Smash.
• Andrey Rublev won the Madrid Open with a hard-fought 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime to secure his second title of the year, despite battling with illness.
• Indian pugilists testing their water for the upcoming Asian Games in August proved their worth and emerged with a massive tally of ten medals, including five gold, one silver and four bronze medals at the Asian Games Test Event, here in Jakarta
• India and Ghana have agreed to operationalize India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI) of the National Payments Corporation (NPCI) on Ghana’s Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS) within 6 months.
• Indian Bank's net profit rose by 55% to Rs 2,247 crore in Q4FY24, compared to Rs 1,447 crore in the same period of FY23.
• According to Reserve Bank of India’s ( RBI's) data on 'Sectoral Deployment of Bank Credit', Credit outstanding to the housing sector rose by nearly Rs 10 lakh crore in the last two fiscals to reach a record Rs 27.23 lakh crore in March 2024.
• Nepal's population growth rate has dropped to 0.92% per annum over the past decade, the lowest in the last 80 years.
• Scottish National Party (SNP) veteran John Swinney was elected as its new leader and is set to replace Humza Yousaf as Scotland’s first minister after he emerged as the sole contender in the contest to pick a new premier.
• Zakia Wardak, the Consul General of Afghanistan in Mumbai, has resigned from her post.
• Global investment firm KKR announced acquiring Bengaluru-based medical devices company Healthium Medtech from an affiliate of funds advised by private equity firm Apax Partners.
• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) Boeing Crew Flight Test will launch Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore on their third space mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
• The first India-made semiconductor chips will be produced from Micron Technology's packaging unit in Sanand, Gujarat, in the first half of 2025.
• World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day are celebrated every year on May 8.
• World Thalassaemia Day is celebrated every year on May 8.