- National:
- The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the ICD 11 Module 2 (Morbidity Codes) in New Delhi on 10th January 2024. This module includes data and terminology related to diseases based on Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani systems. This step will help in formulating future health strategies, expanding public health service delivery, and standardizing global health classification.
- Banking:
- The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) announced the acquisition of up to 10% of the share capital in a company promoted by the National Housing Bank (NHB) on January 8, 2024. This was when the board of LIC approved this investment.
- ACC Limited acquired the remaining 55% stake in Asian Concretes and Cements Private Limited (ACCPL) on January 8, 2024. The acquisition was carried out at an enterprise value of Rs 775 crore. This strategic move enhances ACC’s cement capacity and is a step towards the overall target of 140 MTPA capacity of Adani’s Cement Business by 2028.
- The inclusion of Indian government’s Fully Accessible Route (FAR) bonds in the Bloomberg Emerging Market (EM) Local Currency Index will be phased in over a 5-month period starting in September 2024. The weight of FAR bonds will be increased in increments of 20% of their full market value every month over the 5-month period ending in January 2025.
- The government’s GST officers detected 29,273 bogus firms involved in fake Input Tax Credit (ITC) claims of Rs 44,015 crore till December 2023. This saved revenue of Rs 4,646 crore. In the October-December quarter, 4,153 bogus firms were detected, protecting revenue of Rs 1,317 crore. A total of 41 persons were arrested in these cases.
- The private sector lender, Karnataka Bank, has indeed opened its 915th branch with a mini e-lobby in Ayodhya on 11th January 2024. The new branch was inaugurated by Dr. Anil Mishra, Trustee, Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, and the mini e-lobby was inaugurated by Shri. Gopal Nagarakatte, another Trustee of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra.
- Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das praised the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as the world’s best payment system and expressed his desire for it to become a global leader. Despite UPI’s success, he dismissed claims that the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has become a monopoly. He also stated that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is open to the idea of a rival to NPCI, but so far, none of the proposals have offered anything significantly different from what NPCI is already doing.
- Economy:
- In December 2023, e-way bill generation increased to 9.52 crore, the second-highest monthly figure so far. This was a significant increase from November 2023, which saw 8.75 crore e-way bills. The surge is attributed to increased consumption, high year-end dispatches, and higher compliance. The increased e-way bill generation could impact GST collections in January and February.
- In the calendar year 2023, the renewable energy sector in India saw a 19% decrease in new capacity addition to the grid, with a total of 12.9 GW added. The solar segment added about 10 GW of new capacity, while the wind power sector reported an increase in new capacity addition at 2.8 GW. As of December 31, 2023, the cumulative grid-connected capacity of renewable power stood at 134 GW.
- Mous:
- On January 9, 2024, in London, India and the UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a bilateral international cadet exchange programme. This agreement aims to foster youth exchanges. Additionally, a Letter of Arrangement was signed for defence collaboration in research and development between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).
- Govt. Schemes:
- The ‘Shri Ramlala Darshan scheme’ was launched by the Chhattisgarh government on January 11, 2024. This scheme will facilitate a pilgrimage for approximately 20,000 Chhattisgarh natives annually to the newly built Ram temple in Ayodhya. The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will assist with transportation and other arrangements.
- Defence:
- The Drishti 10 Starliner, India’s first indigenously manufactured Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), was unveiled by the Indian Navy Chief, Admiral R Hari Kumar, on January 10, 2024. It’s indeed a significant milestone for India’s defence sector.
- Reports:
- According to the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) World Employment and Social Outlook Trends: 2024 report, released on 10th January 2024, the global unemployment rate is projected to increase from 5.1% in 2023 to 5.2% in 2024. This increase is expected due to an additional two million workers looking for jobs. The report also highlights growing social inequalities and stagnant productivity as causes for concern.
- Important Days:
- January 11th marks the death anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, India’s second Prime Minister. He was an inspiring leader, a principled man, and a symbol of honesty and humility. His iconic slogan, “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan,” uniting soldier and farmer, continues to resonate across generations. He served as the Prime Minister from 1964 to 1966, until his unexpected death in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on January 11, 1966.
- Appointments:
- Tshering Tobgay was re-elected as Bhutan’s Prime Minister on January 9, 2024. His party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), won nearly two-thirds of the seats in the parliament.
- Obituaries:
- Noted Hindi and Bhojpuri poet, lyricist and litterateur Pandit Hariram ‘Hari Bhaiya’ Dwivedi passed away after a prolonged illness. He was 87 years old. He had been ailing for a long time and died on Monday afternoon at his residence in the Mahmoorganj area of Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi.
Questions:
Q.1 According to the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) World Employment and Social Outlook Trends: 2024 report, what is the projected global unemployment rate for 2024?a. 4.9%
b. 5.0%
c. 5.1%
d. 5.2%
Q.2 Who inaugurated the 915th branch of Karnataka Bank in Ayodhya?
a. Shri. Gopal Nagarakatte
b. Dr. Anil Mishra
c. Both A and B
d. None of the above
