Current Affairs One - Liner : 25th June 2024

• National:
• The Institute of Risk Management (IRM), a world leader in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) certification, has partnered with Sri Sri University (SSU) to establish India's first and East India's only Global Centre for ERM. This collaboration aims to develop a risk-intelligent workforce in India.

• Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) is all set to inaugurate the Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre in Maharajganj, India. This groundbreaking facility will be the world’s first conservation and breeding center for Asian king vultures, also known as red-headed vultures. These majestic birds have been listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list since 2007.
• The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has increased the allocation for the Fertilizer Sector under the SIGHT Programme of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM). The allocation for the fertilizer sector has been raised from 5.5 lakh tonnes per annum to 7.5 lakh tonnes per annum of Green Ammonia. This step aims to meet the growing demand for green ammonia in the fertilizer industry.
• The Ministry of Education in India has initiated a nationwide campaign to create Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI). Recognizing the severe health impacts of tobacco, which causes around 1.35 million deaths annually in India, this initiative aims to protect school students from tobacco exposure.
• Intelligence Bureau Chief Tapan Kumar Deka has been given a one-year extension until June 2025. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the extension in service of Mr. Deka as the Director of the Intelligence Bureau.
• India launched its first pilot project for underground coal gasification (UCG) on June 22nd, 2024 in Jharkhand. This project, located at the Kasta block in Jamtara district, aims to revolutionize the coal industry by converting coal into usable gases like methane and hydrogen for industrial use.
• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has recently introduced two new standards to enhance the safety and quality of electric vehicles in India. These standards, IS 18590: 2024 and IS 18606: 2024, focus on the critical components of electric vehicles, particularly the powertrain, ensuring it meets stringent safety requirements.
• The Kerala Assembly recently unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Centre to officially change the state’s name to ‘Keralam’. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who moved the resolution, emphasized that the state has been called ‘Keralam’ in Malayalam, and this demand for a unified Kerala for Malayalam-speaking communities has been strong since the national freedom struggle.
• Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, has been officially designated as India’s first UNESCO ‘City of Literature’. This recognition highlights Kozhikode’s vibrant literary tradition and its contributions to the world of letters.
• International:
• The United Nations has added Israel’s military, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s armed wing to its list of offenders for violating children’s rights. This marks the first time these entities have been singled out for their actions against children. The conflict in Gaza has led to a 155% increase in grave violations against children, including killing and maiming.
• Banking:
• Sebi's same-day trade settlement system (T+0) launched for 25 stocks has seen minimal use. Despite potential advantages, the total value traded on NSE was just Rs 5.7 lakh, with most happening on launch day. Experts say the recent T+1 shift and operational challenges might be to blame. Sebi is reportedly planning a revised framework for wider adoption by November 2024.
• The share of term deposits with at least a 7% interest rate surged to 64.4% of banks' total deposits by March 2024, up from 33.7% a year prior. This rise is likely due to both higher interest rates set by the RBI to fight inflation and increased appeal of term deposits for better returns.
• Economy:
• In the fourth quarter of FY24, India’s current account balance showed a surplus of $5.7 billion (equivalent to 0.6% of GDP). This positive development followed a ten-quarter gap and was driven by factors such as a lower trade deficit, robust growth in services exports, and strong remittances. The full-year current account deficit for FY24 also significantly improved, more-than-halving to a seven-year low of $23.2 billion compared to $67 billion in FY23.
• The Indian government has imposed stock limits on tur (pigeon pea) and chana (chickpea) until September 30, 2024, with immediate effect. This measure is aimed at curbing price volatility and ensuring sufficient supply in the market.
• Science & Technology:
• Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru have developed a fascinating device that can convert infrared light into visible light. They achieved this by using a non-linear optical mirror stack made from gallium selenide.
• Reports:
• According to India’s DeepTech Dawn: Forging Ahead report by Nasscom and Zinnov, India now ranks sixth among the top nine global DeepTech ecosystems. With 3,600 DeepTech startups, India received $850 million in funding last year. Notably, over 480 new startups were established in 2023, which is twice the number established in 2022.
• Appointments:
• Anuj Tyagi has been appointed as the new Managing Director and CEO of HDFC ERGO General Insurance, effective from July 1, 2024. He will succeed Ritesh Kumar, who has held the position for an impressive 16 years.
• Girija Subramanian has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of New India Assurance, the largest general insurer in India. She assumed this esteemed position on June 19, 2024. Before this role, she served as the CMD of Agriculture Insurance Company of India.
• Arun Kumar Singh, a retired chief general manager from RBI, was appointed as an additional director on Bandhan Bank's board on June 24, 2024. This appointment is likely to aid the bank's leadership transition as its current MD & CEO retires on July 9, 2024.
• Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani has been approved as the next Vice Chief of Army Staff by the Indian government. Currently leading the Army’s Central Command, he will succeed Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, who is set to become the Chief of Army Staff upon Gen Manoj Pande’s retirement on June 30.
• Books:
• On June 22, 2024, the Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Ramesh Bais, unveiled a book titled “Gateways to the Sea: Historic Ports and Docks of Mumbai Region” at Raj Bhavan Mumbai. This book, published by the Publications Division of the Government of India.

Questions:

1 Who unveiled the book "Gateways to the Sea: Historic Ports and Docks of Mumbai Region" on June 22, 2024?

• A) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• B) Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Ramesh Bais
• C) Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray
• D) President Ram Nath Kovind

Answer: B) On June 22, 2024, the Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Ramesh Bais, unveiled a book titled “Gateways to the Sea: Historic Ports and Docks of Mumbai Region” at Raj Bhavan Mumbai.

2 According to the DeepTech Dawn report, where does India rank among the top global DeepTech ecosystems?

• A) First
• B) Fourth
• C) Sixth
• D) Ninth

Answer: C) According to India’s DeepTech Dawn: Forging Ahead report by Nasscom and Zinnov, India now ranks sixth among the top nine global DeepTech ecosystems. With 3,600 DeepTech startups, India received $850 million in funding last year.