Current Affairs One - Liner : 22nd June 2024

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has extended the license of Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. This airport is now licensed for a total duration of five years. The airport boasts a 2200m long runway with complete Aeronautical Ground Lights (AGLs) infrastructure, supported by Doppler Very High-Frequency Omni Range (DVOR) and Instrument Landing System (ILS).

The Uttar Pradesh government is implementing new policies for conducting recruitment exams. These policies include appointing four agencies to oversee exams, restricting exam locations, and conducting phased exams for large numbers of candidates. The aim is to ensure fairness and transparency in the recruitment process.
The Ninth National Yoga Olympiad (NYO) was inaugurated by Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot in Mysuru. This three-day event, held at the Karnataka State Open University, emphasizes yoga’s ancient cultural significance and global recognition. Over 400 students and 100 teachers are participating, promoting the theme of "Yoga for Self and Society"
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 has been operationalized by the Indian government to address malpractices and irregularities in competitive exams. This law includes provisions for a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to ₹1 crore for offenders. It aims to prevent cheating and unfair means in public exams conducted by various agencies.
PM Modi’s administration has prioritized national economic security over immediate corporate profits in its dealings with China. Measures include structural screening, visa restrictions, and production-linked incentives to boost domestic production. Despite challenges, India aims to reduce dependence on China while focusing on its economic growth.

The Nifty India Tourism Index is a new thematic index introduced by the National Stock Exchange (NSE). It tracks the performance of stocks within the travel and tourism sector. The index comprises 17 stocks from the Nifty 500 index, including companies like InterGlobe Aviation (Indigo), IRCTC, and Jubilant Foodworks. Its launch aligns with NSE’s vision to provide innovative indices in line with market trends.
WestBridge Capital recently divested a 1.7% stake in AU Small Finance Bank for ₹845 crore through an open market transaction. Their affiliate, Westbridge AIF I, sold 1.30 crore shares at an average price of ₹650.08 apiece, reducing their stake in the bank from 3.82% to 2.07%.
Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs) are financial products that combine insurance coverage with investment features. They allow you to invest in various funds (like stocks or bonds) while also providing life insurance. However, IRDAI now prohibits marketing ULIPs solely as investment products.
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) added 18.92 lakh net members in April 2024. This represents a significant increase of 31.29% compared to March 2024 and a 10% growth year-on-year. This indicates a positive trend in formal job creation in India.

On Siniyah Island off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), they’ve found ancient residential buildings that likely belonged to the city of Tu’am. This city, renowned for its pearl industry, dates back to at least the fourth century and reached its zenith in the sixth century. Scholars believe it was once the capital of a coastal territory known for its high-quality pearls.

West Bengal launched a first-of-its-kind centralized portal for undergraduate admissions on June 19, 2024. Students can apply to multiple colleges through the portal from June 24 to July 7, 2024. This eliminates the need for visiting colleges individually.

In the Stepan Avagyan Memorial 2024, held in Jermuk, Armenia from June 10th to June 18th, 2024, India’s Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi emerged victorious with an impressive performance. He secured the title with a round to spare, defeating Russian GM Volodar Murzin in the penultimate round

World Rainforest Day, celebrated on June 22nd, aims to raise awareness about the crucial role rainforests play in our planet's health. This year's theme, "Empowering the World in Defense of Our Rainforests," stressed the importance of collective action.

Atul Kumar Chaudhary was appointed as the Secretary of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in June this year. He succeeded V Raghunandan, who retired on May 31, 2024. Chaudhary is a 1989-batch Indian Telecommunication Services (ITS) officer.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has been the Chairman of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) for the third consecutive term. The inauguration of two “Smart Conference Halls” at the IIPA campus in New Delhi marks a step toward Prime Minister Modi’s Vision of Amrit Kaal.
On June 20, 2024, Mr. Manoj Jain assumed the role of Chairman & Managing Director at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna Defence PSU. Before this appointment, he served as BEL's Director (R&D) and Director (Bangalore Complex).
Rear Admiral Nelson D’Souza has officially taken over as the Commandant of the Military Institute of Technology (MILIT) in Pune, succeeding Air Vice Marshal Vivek Blouria. An accomplished alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington and the Naval War College in Goa.
On 22nd June 2024, Pradeep Singh Kharola, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was assigned the additional charge of Director General (DG) of the National Testing Agency (NTA). This appointment is significant as the NTA conducts various national-level entrance examinations in India.

IRIS Business Services Limited (BSE: 540735), a Global RegTech company, has been honored with the prestigious ‘Global Central Banking Award 2024’ for Technology Services in London. The award was bestowed by Central Banking, a renowned industry publication based in London.

Former Indian cricketer David Johnson passed away on Thursday, at the age of 52. The cause of death is reported to be a fall from the balcony of his apartment in Bengaluru. He had been in poor health recently. He played two Test matches for India in 1996.

Questions:

1 Which company was honored with the 'Global Central Banking Award 2024' for Technology Services?

2 Who inaugurated the Ninth National Yoga Olympiad in Mysuru?