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Some lines of current affairs 15 February 2024 news
INDIA
- HAL has developed a basic trainer aircraft called the HTT-40 to meet the training needs of the Indian defense services.
- Foodgrain production is expected to exceed 3,235 lakh tonnes in the 2022-23 agricultural year.
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla opens a two-day parliamentary workshop at the Gujarat assembly.
- Air India makes the largest aviation deal in the world, ordering 250 Airbus and 220 Boeing planes.
- The 22nd Rang Bharat Mahotsav begins in New Delhi, organized by the National School of Drama.
- The Ministry of Mines has released a draft of the Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics Bill.
International
IIT Indore Students Awarded with Global Best M-GOV Awards by Egyptian President
IIT Indore students won AED 1 million at the World Government Summit in Dubai. Niyati Totala and Neel Kalpeshkumar Parikh received the gold medal from Egyptian President Abel Fattah Al-Sisi. The award, “The Global Best M-Gov Award,” recognizes students and researchers globally, including those from public and private universities and graduates of the “One Million Coders” Program, for their innovative contributions to tackling local and global challenges.
BANKING & FINANCE
RBI Cancels Registration of Two Entities for Regulatory Lapses
The Reserve Bank of India said it has cancelled the registration of Pune-based Kudos Finance and Investments and Mumbai-based Credit Gate for regulatory lapses in lending practices. With cancelled Certificate of Registration(CoR), the two NBFCs should not transact the business of a non-banking financial institution, the RBI said in a statement.
Reserve Bank of India Announces 2nd Global Hackathon “HARBINGER 2023”
The Reserve Bank of India announced its second global hackathon called ‘HARBINGER 2023 – Innovation for Transformation’ focusing on ‘Inclusive Digital Services’. Registration opens on February 22, 2023. It received 363 proposals from teams in India and 22 other countries, including the US, UK, Sweden, Singapore, Philippines, and Israel.
ECONOMY
Gross Direct Tax Mop-Up Grows 24% To Rs 15.67 Lakh Crore, Net Collection Rise 18% So Far In FY23
Direct tax collections increased by 24% to Rs 15.67 trillion this fiscal year, according to the finance ministry. After refunds were deducted, the net collection was Rs 12.98 trillion, marking an 18.40% growth. This accounts for about 79% of the Revised Estimates (RE) for direct tax collection this fiscal year, as stated by the CBDT. The revised estimate for direct tax revenues this fiscal year is Rs 16.50 trillion, which is higher than the initial budget estimate of Rs 14.20 trillion.
Business
Air India to buy 220 Boeing planes for $34 billion
President Biden praised Air India’s purchase of more than 220 Boeing aircraft, labeling it a “historic agreement” between Tata-owned airlines and Boeing. He emphasized that this purchase would create over a million jobs in the United States across 44 states, with many not requiring a four-year college degree. Biden also highlighted the significance of this announcement in showcasing the robust economic partnership between the US and India.
Paytm Payments Bank becomes 1st to launch UPI LITE feature
Paytm Payments Banks Limited (PPBL) has introduced UPI LITE, powered by NPCI, for quick small-value UPI transactions. This feature enables faster real-time transactions with just one click via Paytm, promoting digital payments nationwide. PPBL claims to be the first payments bank to offer this innovative UPI LITE feature as part of its commitment to driving digital payment adoption.
Defence
Union Home Minister Amit Shah presents President’s Colour to Haryana Police
Union Home Minister Amit Shah awarded the President’s Colour to Haryana Police for their outstanding service. The award ceremony took place at the Haryana Police Academy in Karnal’s Madhuban, with Shah representing President Dedroupadi Murmu. During the event, Shah honored the victims of the 2019 Pulwama attack, emphasizing that the sacrifice of the 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel would be remembered as a significant part of India’s defense history.
Indian Army Gets ‘World’s First’ Fully Operational SWARM Drone System
NewSpace Research, a Bengaluru-based start-up has delivered SWARM drones to Indian Army, which makes the Army the first major armed force in the world to operationalise these high-density SWARM drones. This delivery may possibly be the world’s first operational high density swarming UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) induction for military applications, especially given that most swarm drone research is yet to be operationalised across the world. The swarm of 100 drones is capable of hitting targets at least 50 kms away into enemy territory.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Indian Army Headquarters: New Delhi.
- Indian Army Founded: 1 April 1895, India.
- General Manoj Pande is the current Chief of Army Staff.
Ranks and Reports
Bihar and Chattisgarh among States that allocated more towards education
In FY23, Chhattisgarh and Bihar dedicated the highest proportion of their budgets to education among the big States. Chhattisgarh allocated 18.82% and Bihar 18.3%. Delhi, Assam, and Himachal Pradesh allocated even more: 22%, 20%, and 19% of their budgets, respectively, to education this fiscal year.
International Energy Agency Reports Asia to Use Half of World’s Electricity by 2025
By 2025, Asia will use half of the world’s electricity for the first time, with China being the main contributor due to its large population of 1.4 billion. Africa, however, will still consume much less electricity compared to its global population share.
Sports
FIFA World Cup 2026: FIFA confirms US, Canada, Mexico automatically in 2026 World Cup
The US men’s national team, along with Mexico and Canada, automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as they won the right to co-host it in a united bid. Host nations typically get automatic entry to the tournament, and this is the first time three nations are hosting. The tournament will have 48 teams, up from 32, with three additional spots for CONCACAF nations through qualifying.
Key facts for competitive exams:
- FIFA President: Gianni Infantino
- FIFA Founded: May 21, 1904
- FIFA Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland
Women’s Premier League: Sania Mirza joins Royal Challengers Bangalore as team mentor
Sania Mirza will mentor Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first Women’s Premier League (WPL), taking place in Mumbai from March 4 to 26. The team has also hired Australian Ben Sawyer as head coach. Sawyer, who currently coaches New Zealand Women, previously assisted Australia’s Women’s World Cup-winning team.
Schemes
Namami Gange Mission-II Approved with Budgetary Outlay of ₹22,500 cr till 2026
The Namami Gange Programme started in June 2014 and ended on March 31, 2021. It aimed to clean and restore the River Ganga and its tributaries. The program had a budget of Rs.20,000 crore. The Indian government has now approved Namami Gange Mission-II, with a budget of Rs.22,500 crore until 2026. This budget includes funds for existing obligations (Rs.11,225 crore) and new projects (Rs.11,275 crore).
Science and Technology
Science Center and Planetarium to be constructed in Kota by NCSM
A Science Center and Planetarium will be built in Kota, Rajasthan, aiming to become one of the world’s top facilities. The project will cost approximately 35.25 crore rupees. The National Council of Science Museums and the Government of Rajasthan’s Science and Technology Department have signed an MoU for this initiative.
Important Days
International Childhood Cancer Day 2023 observed on 15th February
Every February 15th, we observe International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD). It’s organized by Childhood Cancer International, a coalition formed by parents to support kids with cancer. This day aims to raise awareness and show solidarity with children and teens battling cancer. Sadly, despite scientific progress, childhood cancer still takes too many young lives. The three-year campaign, started in 2021 and ending in 2023, focuses on improving survival rates for these young patients.
Obituaries
Eminent Indian painter Lalitha Lajmi passes away
Renowned Indian artist and filmmaker Guru Dutt’s sister, Lalitha Lajmi, passed away at 90. Born in Kolkata in 1932 to a poet father and a multilingual writer mother, she was a self-taught artist who had a passion for classical dance. Lajmi showcased her work in numerous exhibitions at art galleries across Paris, London, and Holland over the years. Additionally, she appeared in the 2007 film “Taare Zameen Par,” starring Aamir Khan.
TV show Nukkad’s Veteran actor Javed Khan Amrohi passes away
Veteran actor Javed Khan Amrohi, known for his work in the DD series Nukkad and movies like Lagaan and Chak De! India, died in his 70s. He graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and acted in over 150 films and nearly a dozen TV shows in smaller but important roles.
Miscellaneous
Ministry of Coal Launched ‘Khanan Prahari’ Mobile App to Curb Illegal Mining
India’s government introduced the “KhananPrahari” mobile app and the Coal Mine Surveillance and Management System (CMSMS) web app to report unauthorized coal mining. These tools enable the relevant law enforcement authorities to monitor and take necessary action. CMSMS aims to prevent illegal mining and ensure transparent governance through the use of Space Technology.
