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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Reserve Bank of India and Nepal Rastra Bank Sign Terms of Reference for Integration of Unified Payments Interface and National Payments Interface for Cross-Border Remittances

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) signed and exchanged Terms of Reference (ToR) to integrate fast payment systems of India and Nepal through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India and National Payments Interface (NPI) of Nepal, respectively.
• Aim of the integration : To facilitate cross-border remittances between India and Nepal by enabling users of the two systems to make instant, low-cost fund transfers.

Key Highlights :

• The collaboration between India and Nepal in linking their fast payment systems through the UPI-NPI linkage will further deepen financial connectivity and reinforce the enduring historical, cultural, and economic ties between the two countries.
• Based on the Terms of Reference exchanged between RBI and NRB, the necessary systems will be put in place for interlinking of UPI and NPI.
• The formal introduction of the linkage, that is, commencement of operations would take place at a later date.
• The development comes after India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services launched in Sri Lanka and Mauritius at a virtual ceremony, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mauritian PM Pravind Jugnauth, and Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

What is meant by Terms of reference (TOR)?

• Terms of reference (TOR) define the purpose and structures of a project, committee, meeting, negotiation, or any similar collection of people who have agreed to work together to accomplish a shared goal.
• Terms of reference show how the object in question will be defined, developed, and verified.

What is UPI?

• Unified Payments Interface, commonly referred to as UPI, is an Indian instant payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016.
• The interface facilitates inter-bank peer-to-peer (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions.

About RBI :

• Established : 1 April 1935
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Governor : Shaktikanta Das

Forensic Audit by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company on Bandhan Bank Investigates the Practice of Evergreening Loans              

• The National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) has initiated a forensic audit at Bandhan Bank due to concerns about the evergreening of loans and fictitious loan accounts within certain portfolios covered under credit guarantee schemes.

Key Highlights :

• Loan Amount Covered: The audit encompasses ₹23,300 crore of loans that were extended under credit guarantee schemes.
• Concerns Addressed: The audit is specifically addressing concerns related to the evergreening of loans and the existence of fake loan accounts within portfolios protected by credit guarantee schemes.
• Data Analytics Requirement: The auditor is tasked with conducting data analytics on the loan portfolio to identify loans potentially used for window dressing or evergreening purposes.
• Credit Guarantee Schemes Covered : ₹2,500 crore of loans insured by the government's Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS).
• ₹20,800 crore covered by the Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units (CGMFU).

About NCGTC :

• National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd (NCGTC) was set up by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
• It was set up as a common trustee company to operate and manage various credit guarantee trust funds.
• It was incorporated on March 28, 2014 with a paid-up capital of ₹10 crore.

Mirae Asset Mutual Fund Introduces India's Inaugural Multi-Factor ETF Based on Nifty Smallcap250 Index                   

• Mirae Asset Mutual Fund announces India’s first Multi factor-based Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) on the Nifty Smallcap250 Index, ‘Mirae Asset Nifty Smallcap 250 Momentum Quality 100 ETF’, an open-ended scheme replicating/tracking Nifty Smallcap 250 Momentum Quality 100 Total Return Index, and the ‘Mirae Asset Nifty Smallcap 250 Momentum Quality 100 ETF Fund of Fund’, an open-ended fund of fund scheme investing in units of Mirae Asset Nifty Smallcap 250 Momentum Quality 100 ETF.
• Aim : To provide investors with sector-agnostic exposure within the smallcap category by leveraging a combination of factors.

Key Highlights :

• NFO Dates : The New Fund Offer (NFO) for the Mirae Asset Nifty Smallcap 250 Momentum Quality 100 ETF will open for subscription on February 12, 2024, and close on February 21, 2024.
• Mirae Asset Nifty Smallcap 250 Momentum Quality 100 ETF Fund of Fund will open for subscription on February 15, 2024, and close on February 28, 2024.
• Type of Schemes: Both are open-ended schemes benchmarking the Nifty Smallcap 250 Momentum Quality 100 Total Return Index.
• Fund Managers: The schemes will be managed by Ekta Gala and Vishal Singh.
• Minimum Investment : The minimum initial investment during NFO in both the schemes will be ₹5,000.
• Further investments can be made in multiples of Re 1 thereafter.

About Mirae Asset Investment Managers (India) Pvt. Ltd :

• Established : 2008
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman & Independent Director : Yogesh Chadha
• CEO : Swarup Anand Mohanty
• Mirae Asset Mutual Fund is one of India’s fastest-growing fund houses.
• Mirae Asset Investment Managers (India) Pvt. Ltd. is the Asset Management Company (“AMC") of Mirae Asset Mutual Fund.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

In Rewari, Haryana, Prime Minister Modi lays the groundwork for a number of development projects valued at over nine hundred crore.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of several developmental projects worth more than nine thousand seven hundred crore rupees at Rewari in Haryana.
• These projects are related to urban transport, health, rail, and tourism sectors.
• In line with the Prime Minister's vision to strengthen public health infrastructure across the country, the foundation stone of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rewari, Haryana, was laid.
• The institute will be constructed on 203 acres of land at a cost of about one thousand 650 crore rupees. It will have facilities such as the Hospital Complex with 720 beds, Medical College with 100 seats, Nursing College with 60 seats, and AYUSH Block with 30 beds.
• The Prime Minister also dedicated New Railway Line and flagged off new train services between Rohtak-Mehram-Hansi at Rewari.
• Another project is the Gurugram Metro Rail project, which will be built at a cost of around five thousand 450 crore rupees.
• The project's total length is 28.5 kilometres and it will connect Millennium City Centre to Udyog Vihar Phase-5, merge with the existing metro network of Rapid Metro Rail Gurugram at Moulsari Avenue station near Cyber City, and have a spur at Dwarka Expressway.
• The Prime Minister also inaugurated the newly built Anubhav Kendra Jyotisar in Kurukshetra.
• The experiential museum has been built at a cost of around 240 crores, and it spans over 17 acres, encompassing over one lakh square feet of indoor space.
• The museum also leverages cutting-edge technology, including Augmented Reality, 3D laser, and projection mapping to enrich the experience of visitors.

Prime Minister will introduce numerous development initiatives and discuss the "Viksit Bharat Viksit Rajasthan" program.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 17,000 crore in Rajasthan under the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Rajasthan’ programme via video conferencing.
• These projects cater to a number of important sectors including Roads, Railways, Solar Energy, Power Transmission, Drinking water, and Petroleum & Natural Gas.
• The double-engine government of Rajasthan has started working rapidly
• The projects whose foundation stone was laid and inaugurated will employ thousands of youth in the state.
• The rail and road network will not only facilitate connectivity with many districts of Rajasthan but will also strengthen the connectivity of Rajasthan with its neighbouring states.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

Assam Cabinet Passes Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024                  

• The Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024, has been passed by the Assam cabinet.
• It has banned magical healing practices in the name of treatment.

Key Highlights :

• Ban on Magical Healing Practices: The bill prohibits the use of magical healing practices under the guise of medical treatment.
• This includes treatments for conditions such as deafness, dumbness, blindness, physical deformities, and autism.
• Penalties for Illegal Practices: Individuals found guilty of engaging in illegal magical healing practices can face imprisonment and fines as per the provisions of the bill.
• Establishment of Wildlife Safari & Rescue Centre : The Wildlife Safari & Rescue Centre is set to be established in the Namdang Reserved Forest in the Dibrugarh district.
• Facilities: The centre aims to provide international-standard safaris for herbivores, carnivores, and bird aviaries, enhancing wildlife tourism in the region.
• Sustainable Urban Development: The cabinet has decided to introduce the Ten Cities Development Concept, named "Doh Shaher - Ek Rupayan", aimed at ensuring sustainable urban development in the state.

Recent News :

• In Feb 2024, The Assam government declared ‘Kaji Nemu’ (Citrus Lemon) as the state fruit.

About Assam :

• Governor : Gulab Chand Kataria
• Chief Minister : Himanta Biswa Sarma
• Capital: Guwahati
• National Park: Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Nameri National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary: Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary, Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jain Takes Charge as Chairman and Managing Director of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited

• Sanjay Kumar Jain, an Indian Railway Traffic Services (IRTS) Officer of the 1990 batch has taken over the charge of Chairman & Managing Director of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC).

About Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jain :

• Jain's career spans over three decades with leadership roles in policy-making, commercial ventures, and developmental projects within the Indian government and public sector undertakings (PSUs).
• He brings with himself more than three decades of extensive experience of handling important portfolios in the Ministry of Railways, PSUs and Department of Public Enterprises, Min of Finance, Govt. of India.
• His notable leadership roles include Principal Chief Commercial Manager, Northern Railway, Group General Manager (North Zone), IRCTC, Divisional Railway Manager, Mumbai, Central Railway, Joint Secretary in the Department of Public Enterprises, Part-time Chairman & CEO of National Land Monetization Corporation Limited among others.
• He was also instrumental in launching India’s first ‘Executive Lounge’ on the lines of Airport Lounges at New Delhi Railway Station.
• He had the privilege of initiating the prestigious Heritage conservation of Mumbai Byculla Railway Station in 2019 with the support of a leading Industrial House and a well-known NGO in Mumbai.
• The station won UNESCO Asia Pacific Cultural Heritage Award for cultural heritage conservation in 2023.
• His contributions have been recognized by the Ministry of Railways and he has been honoured twice with the highest award in Indian Railways – the Minister of Railways award for his meritorious services – in 1999 in his role as Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Danapur) and in 2019 as Divisional Railway Manager/Mumbai CSMT Central Railway.

About IRCTC :

• Founded : 27 September 1999
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
• IRCTC is an Indian public sector undertaking that provides ticketing, catering, and tourism services for the state-owned Indian Railways.
• It was established by the Government of India and operated under the administrative control of the Ministry of Railways.

Virendra Bansal Assumes Role as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of SBI Capital Markets        

• Virendra Bansal has been appointed as the new Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of SBI Capital Markets (SBICAPS), the wholly-owned subsidiary and investment banking arm of State Bank of India (SBI).
• He replaces Rajay Kumar Sinha, who has been appointed as the Whole Time Member (Finance and Investment) of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for 3 years in January 2024.

About Virendra Bansal :

• Prior to his appointment as SBICAPS’ chief, Bansal was the Country Head for SBI’s US Operations, which includes its offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Sao Paulo and Washington DC.
• The new SBICAPS’ chief has also worked as the Chief Executive Officer, SBI New York branch and Vice-Chairman of SBI (California), a US Retail Banking subsidiary of the bank.
• He has also worked in SBI UK operations as Head (Trade) and Head of the retail branch handling high net-worth customers.

About SBI Capital Markets :

• Founded : August 1986
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• SBI Capital Markets (SBICAPS) is a wholly-owned investment banking subsidiary of State Bank of India (SBI)

Ex Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb Becomes Finland's 13th President                        

• Former Prime Minister of Finland Alexander Stubb became the 13th President of Finland.
• Stubb received 51.7% of the vote while his Green Party rival, former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, received 48.4%.
• On 1 March 2024 Mr Stubb will officially assume office, replacing Sauli Niinisto.
• On 11 February, after a seven-year hiatus, Former Prime Minister, triathlete, and Europhile Alexander Stubb made a triumphant return to politics, winning the Finnish presidency in the election.
• In the counting, 98% of the votes were counted.

About Alexander Stubb :

• Stubb served as prime minister from 2014 to 2015.
• In 2017, Stubb was chosen as the Vice-President of the European Investment Bank.
• In January 2020, he was chosen as the Director and Professor of the School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute.

Note :

• This is the first election after Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military alliance.
• In April 2023, Finland officially became the 31st member of the Washington-led alliance.
• The head of Finland is in charge of foreign and security affairs and is the commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces.

About Finland :

• Prime Minister : Petteri Orpo
• Capital : Helsinki
• Currency : Euro

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Adani Power and Dickey Alternative Investment Trust Receive Approval from the Competition Commission of India for Acquisition of Coastal Energen                         

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) accepted Adani Power Limited and Dickey Alternative Investment Trust's bid to purchase a 100% stake in Coastal Energen Private Limited.
• Adani Power Limited (APL), part of the diversified Adani Group, is India's largest private-sector thermal power generator.
• DAIT is a SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Fund (AIF).
• It is working through its investment manager, Dickey Asset Management Pvt Ltd.
• CEPL generates and sells power.
• The corporation is now undergoing a Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) under the insolvency and bankruptcy legislation.
• Adani Power Limited is India's largest private thermal power producer, with 15,250 MW of installed capacity. Its nine power plants are located in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand.

About CCI :

• Established : 2003 (functional in May 2009)
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
• Chairman : Ravneet Kaur
• The CCI is the chief national competition regulator in India.
• It is a statutory body within the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and is responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, 2002 to promote competition and prevent activities that have an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NASA Launches Extensive Air Pollution Monitoring Flights Across Asia Using DC-8 Flying Laboratory                   

• In a bid to enhance the forecasting and management of air pollution, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has initiated an extensive series of flights across Asia using its DC-8 flying laboratory.

Key Highlights :

• Aircraft and Operations : Flights are conducted using NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory, which can last up to 8 hours and sometimes occur at altitudes as low as 15 meters above the ground.
• A smaller NASA Gulfstream jet capable of creating 3D maps of pollutants is also utilized for the mission.
• Mission Name and Partnership : The mission, named ASIA-AQ, is a partnership between NASA and the governments of the regions experiencing some of the highest rates of air pollution-related fatalities globally.
• Geographical Coverage : Flights have already been conducted over densely populated areas in the Philippines as part of the initiative.
• Data Collection and Analysis : The data collected during these flights will contribute significantly to the global effort to tackle air pollution and its devastating impacts on human health and the environment.

About NASA :

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

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

India and Colombia signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the sharing of India's open-sourced DPIs.

• India and Colombia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation.
• It was signed between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Information Technologies and Communications of Colombia.
• Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Skill D evelopment & Entrepreneurship, and Jal Shakti, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar exchanged the MoU with Mr. Mauricio Lizcano, Minister of Information Technologies and Communications of Colombia.
• The signatories were Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY from I ndia’s side, and Mr. Mauricio Lizcano from Colombia’s side.
• The MoU intends to promote digital transformation (viz INDIA STACK) through capacity-building programs, the exchange of best practices, the exchange of public officials and experts, the development of pilot or demo solutions and the facilitation of private sector contacts to mutually benefit the digital ecosystems of both countries.
• Both sides discussed the importance of Digital Public Infrastructures.
• These infrastructures constitute a set of shared digital systems that are secure and interoperable.
• They can be built on open standards to deliver and provide equitable access to public and private services.
• India Stack Solutions are DPIs developed and implemented by India at a population scale to provide access and delivery of public services.
• India is keen on partnering with Colombia by building upon a development partnership on digital transformation leading to a smooth adoption of Digital Public Infrastructure in Colombia.

About Colombia

• Capital: Bogotá
• Currency: Colombian Peso
• President: Gustavo Petro

NITI Aayog and the Government of Andhra Pradesh Promote Discussion on the Development of Inland Fisheries at National Workshop in Visakhapatnam

• NITI Aayog in partnership with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, successfully organised a two-day National Workshop on “Harnessing Potential of Fisheries in Inland States” in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• It is a collaborative effort aimed at maximising the potential of fisheries in India's inland states.
• The workshop, held, drew participation from key stakeholders including central and state government officials, researchers, industry representatives, practitioners and the Fish Farmer Producer Organisation (FFPO).
• The workshop in its various technical sessions focused on critical aspects such as sustainability practices, export competitiveness, infrastructure gaps, and livelihood challenges facing India's inland fisheries industry.
• Hon'ble Minister Shri Parshotam Rupala emphasised the need for active handholding and skill development of traditional fishermen to enhance their competitiveness.

Uttar Pradesh government to collaborate with IITR for enhanced disaster management

• To enhance disaster management, the UP government will collaborate with IIT Roorkee.
• The MoU will be signed between both as part of a strategic move aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts over the next five years.
• To reduce the loss of life and take people to safe places before the disaster, an MoU will be signed between the Relief Commissioner's Office and IIT Roorkee.
• Under the MoU, experienced professionals from IIT Roorkee will provide specialized training to personnel in the Office of the Relief Commissioner, equipping them with advanced skills and techniques in disaster management.
• During this period, experts from IIT Roorkee will lead important research initiatives and capacity-building exercises.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SUMMITS AND CONFERENCE

The National Conference on APAAR: One Nation One Student ID Card is opened by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

• The National Conference on APAAR: One Nation One Student ID Card was inaugurated in New Delhi.
• It was inaugurated by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
• He said that the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) will be an ambitious and global document for students in India.
• He said that till now 25 crore APAAR IDs have been created.
• The minister also highlighted the importance of several important digital public infrastructure (DPIs) developed in the country in recent years.
• 53 such DPIs have been developed in 16 countries, of which 19 are in India.
• He mentioned that the interconnectivity of APAAR ID, Academic Bank of Credit, and DigiLocker has provided ease of operations.
• The National Education Policy 2020 is incorporating provisions for migration and integration without compromising the quality of education.

About Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry

• The Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) is a transformative initiative introduced in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020 and the National Credit and Qualifications Framework (NCrF).
• The aim of the APAAR is to provide a unified and accessible educational experience for students across India by providing each student with a unique and permanent 12-digit ID, consolidating their academic achievements in one place.

India wins 9th Gov Tech award at World Government Summit in Dubai

• At the World Government Summit 2024, India secured the prestigious 9th GovTech Prize for endeavours in Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered government services.
• India won the award under the category of 'AI-Powered Government Services'.
• The award has been presented to recognize the ‘iRASTE’ project of the Ministry for Road Transport & Highways.
• This initiative is a collaborative effort of the government, industry, and academia.
• Its main aim is to reduce 50% of road accidents anticipated in urban areas.
• Additionally, iRASTE aims to significantly diminish black spots within the city's road network.
• The government of the UAE instituted this award and is presented to government entities, central or local, worldwide, to recognise creative and innovative solutions.
• This award was distributed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND INDEX

ISB tops Indian B-schools, ranks 31st globally in FT MBA Ranking

• The Indian School of Business (ISB) has outperformed its peers to become the top-ranked Indian business school and 31st globally in the Financial Times (FT) Global MBA Ranking 2024.
• At the Asia level, the ranking of the school has gone up to number 5, up from the 6th spot last year.
• Second rank in India has been achieved by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, which is at the 41st rank globally, followed by IIM Bangalore at 47, the IIM Calcutta at 67, and IIM Lucknow at 85, and the Xavier School of Management at the 99th rank.
• The University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), Insead, and Columbia Business School have been named as the top three business schools globally.
• ISB is also ranked best in India in alumni network and career services; and ranked 8 and 19 globally on these parameters, respectively.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Ravichandran Ashwin becomes the second Indian player to reach the 500th Test wicket milestone.

• Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claimed his 500th Test wicket in the first innings of the third Test match against England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. The 37-year-old achieved this monumental feat in his 98th Test Match.
• Ashwin dismissed Zak Crawley in the final session of the second day to join Anil Kumble as the second Indian, and fifth overall, to take 500 wickets in Test history.
• Meanwhile, England were 207 for two at stumps in their first innings.
• Opener Ben Duckett was batting on 133, and his teammate Joe Root was not out at nine.
• Earlier, India posted a total of 445 runs in their first innings helped by centuries from skipper Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja.

Sumit Nagal wins Chennai Open ATP Challenger title; breaks into world’s top 100 for the first time

• India's Sumit Nagal won the Chennai Open ATP Challenger title win over top seed Luca Nardi of Italy at the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Chennai.
• He became the first Indian to win a men's singles event at the Chennai Open ATP level event.
• Additionally, Nagal received 100 ATP points and US$18230 (equivalent to Rs 15.13 lakh), taking him into the top 100 ranking in the world.
• Luca Nardi got 10730 US dollars, i.e. Rs 8.90 lakh, and 60 ATP points.
• This is Nagal's fifth career ATP Challenger singles title and his second title on Indian soil, more than six years after winning the Bengaluru Open Challenger in 2017.
• In the doubles title, the Indian pair Ramkumar Ramanathan and Saketh Myneni won by defeating Niki Kalianda Poonacha/Ritvik Chaudhary Bollipalli on 10 February.
• The Chennai Open ATP Challenger was hosted in collaboration with the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu.
• Sumit Nagal, India’s rising tennis star, has achieved a historic feat, becoming only the 10th Indian to break into the prestigious ATP top 100 rankings.
• His dominant win at the Chennai Open ATP Challenger propelled him an impressive 23 spots up the ladder, landing him at a commendable 98th position.
• He became the first Indian since Prajnesh Gunneswaran in 2019 to break the Top 100 barrier.

Daily CA One- Liner: February 17

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of several developmental projects worth more than nine thousand seven hundred crore rupees at Rewari in Haryana
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 17,000 crore of Rajasthan under ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Rajasthan’ programme via video conferencing
• India and Colombia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation
• NITI Aayog in partnership with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, successfully organised a two-day National Workshop on “Harnessing Potential of Fisheries in Inland States” in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
• To enhance disaster management, the UP government will collaborate with IIT Roorkee.
• The National Conference on APAAR: One Nation One Student ID Card was inaugurated in New Delhi.
• At the World Government Summit 2024, India secured the prestigious 9th GovTech Prize for endeavours in Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered government services
• The Indian School of Business (ISB) has outperformed its peers to become the top-ranked Indian business school and 31st globally in the Financial Times (FT) Global MBA Ranking 2024
• Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claimed his 500th Test wicket in the first innings of the third Test match against England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. The 37-year-old achieved this monumental feat in his 98th Test Match
• India's Sumit Nagal won the Chennai Open ATP Challenger title over top seed Luca Nardi of Italy at the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Chennai
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) signed and exchanged Terms of Reference (ToR) to integrate fast payment systems of India and Nepal through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India and National Payments Interface (NPI) of Nepal, respectively.
• The National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) has initiated a forensic audit at Bandhan Bank due to concerns about the evergreening of loans and fictitious loan accounts within certain portfolios covered under credit guarantee schemes.
• Mirae Asset Mutual Fund announces India’s first Multi factor-based Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) on the Nifty Smallcap250 Index, ‘Mirae Asset Nifty Smallcap 250 Momentum Quality 100 ETF’, an open-ended scheme replicating/tracking Nifty Smallcap 250 Momentum Quality 100 Total Return Index, and the ‘Mirae Asset Nifty Smallcap 250 Momentum Quality 100 ETF Fund of Fund’, an open-ended fund of fund scheme investing in units of Mirae Asset Nifty Smallcap 250 Momentum Quality 100 ETF.
• The Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024, has been passed by the Assam cabinet.
• Sanjay Kumar Jain, an Indian Railway Traffic Services (IRTS) Officer of 1990 batch has taken over the charge of Chairman & Managing Director of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) .
• Virendra Bansal has been appointed as the new Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of SBI Capital Markets (SBICAPS), the wholly-owned subsidiary and investment banking arm of State Bank of India (SBI).
• Former Prime Minister of Finland Alexander Stubb became the 13th President of Finland.
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) accepted Adani Power Limited and Dickey Alternative Investment Trust's bid to purchase a 100% stake in Coastal Energen Private Limited.
• In a bid to enhance the forecasting and management of air pollution, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has initiated an extensive series of flights across Asia using its DC-8 flying laboratory.