Current Affairs One - Liner : 25th April 2024

• National:
• Air India and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have signed a codeshare agreement to enhance flight options between India and Japan. Starting from April 23, 2024, Air India will add its ‘AI’ code on ANA’s flights between Tokyo and Delhi/Mumbai, and ANA will add its ‘NH’ code on Air India’s flight between Tokyo and Delhi.

• C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics) and IIT Jodhpur signed an agreement on April 23, 2024 for “Automated Service Management in Network of 5G and Beyond Using AI”. The collaboration aims to develop AI frameworks for automated network management, fault detection, and diagnostic techniques in 5G networks.
• Reliance Jio has become the world’s largest mobile operator in terms of data traffic, surpassing China Mobile. The total traffic on the Jio network has reached 40.9 Exabytes, a 35.2 percent year-on-year increase. Jio has a subscriber base of 481.8 million and over 108 million True 5G customers. The annual data traffic has increased by 2.4 times since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jio has also become the first Indian company to cross the ₹ 100,000-crore threshold in pre-tax profits.
• The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) activated India’s largest Climate Clock on 23rd April, 2024. The event, part of Earth Day celebrations, took place at the CSIR Headquarters in New Delhi. The clock serves as a stark reminder of the urgency to combat climate change.
• International:
• On April 24, 2024, the European Parliament adopted stricter and legally binding air pollution limits. The new rules aim to reduce air pollution and achieve the EU’s zero air pollution vision by 2050. They set stricter 2030 limits for pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and SO2. The law will enter into force 20 days after being published in the EU Official Journal.
• Banking:
• On 23rd April, 2024, Indian Bank and Tata Power Solar Systems Limited (TPSSL) announced a partnership to promote solar energy adoption in the residential sector. They offer loans for solar installations with affordable interest rates and flexible repayment tenures. This initiative supports the government’s Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana scheme.
• Razorpay, a fintech company, launched “UPI Switch” in partnership with Airtel Payments Bank on April 23, 2024. This next-generation, cloud-based innovation is designed to handle up to 10,000 transactions per second (TPS). It aims to provide faster access to UPI innovations for businesses and ensure smoother and faster transactions. The UPI Switch is expected to boost success rates by 4-5%.
• Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) in India have mobilized Rs 1.3 lakh crore in the past four years till March 2024. These instruments are attracting high net-worth individuals and foreign investor.
• Economy:
• The Flash Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for India rose to 62.2 in April. This is the highest level since June 2010. The increase was driven by strong performance in both the manufacturing and service sectors. The data was reported on April 23, 2024.
• Mous:
• On 22nd April 2024, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) of India and the Ministry of Civil Service of Cambodia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The MoU aims to strengthen bilateral exchange and cooperation in the field of Human Resource Development in Civil Service over the next five years.
• Reports:
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released a report on April 22, 2024, titled “Satellite Insights: Expanding Glacial Lakes in the Indian Himalayas”. The report reveals that out of 2,431 glacial lakes larger than 10 hectares identified in 2016-17, 676 have expanded notably since 1984. This expansion raises the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), posing a threat to downstream communities. The report emphasizes the importance of satellite remote sensing technology for monitoring these changes.
• Summits & Conferences:
• The 6th Edition of the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) took place in New Delhi on 24-25 April 2024. The conference was organized by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). The theme of the conference was “Investing today for a more resilient tomorrow”, emphasizing the importance of investing in resilient infrastructure. The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed the conference via a video message.
• Apps & Portals:
• Macquarie Asset Management has launched a $1.5 billion EV fleet solutions platform called Vertelo in India. The platform aims to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India over the next 10 years. Vertelo offers solutions including leasing and financing, charging infrastructure, fleet management services, and end of vehicle life management.
• Defence:
• On April 23, 2024, India successfully launched a new version of a medium-range ballistic missile from a Su-30 MKI fighter jet at a test range in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The missile, capable of striking targets at distances exceeding 250 km, demonstrated the operational capability of new technologies.
• Important Days:
• World Malaria Day is observed annually on 25th April to highlight global efforts to control malaria and spread awareness about prevention strategies. The theme for World Malaria Day 2024 is “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world”. This theme emphasizes the need to speed up efforts to combat malaria and to ensure that these efforts reach those who are most vulnerable.
• Administrative Professionals Day in 2024 falls on Wednesday, April 24. It’s a day to recognize the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals.
• World Penguin Day, celebrated on 25th April, focuses on promoting penguin conservation and awareness of threats like pollution. The day coincides with the northern migration of Adelie penguins. Various organizations worldwide hold special events and activities to raise awareness about penguins on this day.
• Appointments:
• T Rabi Sankar has been re-appointed as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for one year, effective from May 3, 2024. His reappointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). He has been with the RBI since 1990 and was initially appointed as the Deputy Governor in May 2021.
• Amitabh Chaudhry has been reappointed as the Managing Director and CEO of Axis Bank by its Board of Directors. His new term will start from January 1, 2025, and will continue up to December 31, 2027.
• Awards & Honours:
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a leading aerospace company in India, was awarded the Outstanding Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of the Year by the All India Management Association (AIMA). The award was presented in Delhi on April 23.

Questions:

Q.1 Who has become the world’s largest mobile operator in terms of data traffic?
a. China Mobile
b. Vodafone
c. AT&T
d. Reliance Jio
Q.2 Where was the 6th Edition of the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) held?
a. Mumbai
b. Bangalore
c. New Delhi
d. Kolkata