National News

1.Govt Suggests ‘Decriminalizing Medical Negligence’ In New Criminal Law Bill

• In a pivotal move to reshape the legal landscape, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has proposed a noteworthy amendment to the criminal law bill.
• This amendment seeks to decriminalize medical negligence, specifically for doctors, in cases leading to a patient's death. The current legal framework categorizes such incidents as criminal negligence under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code.
• This section entails imprisonment, a fine, or both for individuals found responsible for a person's death due to a rash or negligent act.
• The proposed change aims to shield doctors from undue criminal prosecution, fostering a more supportive environment for medical practitioners.

State News

U.P. Police Launches WhatsApp Channels For Districts

• Taking a leap towards transparency and public outreach, the Uttar Pradesh Police has emerged as a trailblazer by introducing WhatsApp Channels for both its headquarters and district units.
• This innovative approach seeks to provide real-time updates on police actions, fostering trust and confidence among the public.
• The unlimited membership capacity of these channels enhances their effectiveness as a platform for disseminating information to the masses.
• Uttar Pradesh Police is poised to leverage this functionality to its full potential, setting a precedent for improved communication between law enforcement and the community.

Banking News

RBI Facilitates Card-On-File Tokenisation Directly At Issuer Bank Level

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a groundbreaking change in the realm of digital transactions.
• The announcement on December 20 unveils the facilitation of Card-on-File Tokenisation (CoFT) directly through card-issuing banks or institutions.
• This shift from the previous method, where CoFT tokens were generated exclusively through merchant applications, promises a more seamless and secure user experience.
• The move is expected to redefine how cardholders manage tokens across various e-commerce applications, aligning with the evolving landscape of digital transactions.

RBI Ends Year-Long Wait, Grants Six Payment Aggregator Licences

• In a momentous decision, the RBI has granted six payment aggregator licenses after more than a year of anticipation.
• Notable entities such as Razorpay, Cashfree Payments, Open Financial, EnKash, Google Pay, and Paymate India have received approval, signaling the end of a ban on new merchant onboarding for these platforms. Paytm and PayU India are still awaiting final approvals.
• This development marks a significant shift, as Razorpay, PayU India, and Cashfree were responsible for a substantial percentage of new merchant onboarding prior to the temporary restrictions.

Important Days News

World Basketball Day 2023

• Celebrated annually on December 21, World Basketball Day commemorates the invention of basketball by James Naismith in 1891.
• Beyond the sport's recreational significance, the day recognizes basketball's role in international trade, peace, and diplomacy.
• Naismith's legacy is celebrated for its impact on players, fans, and communities globally.
• The annual event promotes cooperation, teamwork, and communication, emphasizing their contribution to harmony and understanding on a global scale.

Ranks & Reports News

Tamil Nadu Retains ‘Achiever’ Status In Logistics Infra Rankings Of States

• Tamil Nadu continues to uphold its 'Achiever' status in the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2023 rankings, reaffirming its position as a logistics powerhouse in India.
• The state's consistent performance in the export-import ecosystem has earned accolades for the second consecutive time.
• This achievement is a testament to Tamil Nadu's strategic planning and execution, focusing on enhancing first and last-mile connectivity, developing multi-modal logistics parks (MMLPs), and improving various logistics infrastructure components.

Awards News

Poonam Khetrapal Singh Honored With Bhutan’s National Order Of Merit

• Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia, has been honored with Bhutan's National Order of Merit (NOM) Gold Medal.
• As a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, her pivotal role as the WHO Regional Director in supporting transformative healthcare leadership in Bhutan led to significant milestones in public health.
• Bhutan, under her guidance, achieved the elimination of measles in 2017 and rubella in 2023, ahead of schedule.
• The prestigious award was presented during Bhutan's 116th National Day celebration on December 17, 2023.

Lt. Vice Admiral Benoy Roy Chowdhury Posthumously Honored With ‘Vir Chakra’

• In a poignant ceremony at INS Shivaji, the Training establishment of the Indian Navy, the late Vice Admiral Benoy Roy Chowdhury was posthumously awarded the 'Vir Chakra.'
• His valor during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, a period deeply rooted in the Indian Navy's legacy, earned him this prestigious honor.
• The 'Vir Chakra' stands as a testament to acts of gallantry on the battlefield, symbolizing courage on land, in the air, or at sea.
• Vice Admiral Dinesh Prabhakar, currently holding a distinguished position at INS Shivaji, received the award on behalf of the Indian Navy.

ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 Moon Mission Earns Leif Erikson Lunar Prize

• In a remarkable feat, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has secured the prestigious Leif Erikson Lunar Prize, a testament to its groundbreaking Chandrayaan-3 mission.
• Ambassador Balasubramanian Shyam accepted the award on behalf of ISRO, highlighting India's rising prominence in space exploration.
• Named after Norse explorer Leif Erikson, this accolade, awarded by the Exploration Museum in Husavik, Iceland, recognizes individuals and organizations that make significant strides in lunar exploration.

NTPC Kanti Receives FICCI Water Award 2023 For Industrial Water Use Efficiency

• Moving on to another accomplishment, NTPC Kanti has been honored with the 11th Edition of FICCI Water Award 2023 for "Industrial Water Use Efficiency."
• The recognition stems from the power plant's robust wastewater treatment system, employing cutting-edge technologies to meet stringent quality standards.
• The reuse of treated water not only showcases environmental responsibility but also significantly reduces the overall water footprint of the plant.
• The award ceremony took place during the 9th Edition of India Industry Water Conclave in New Delhi.

Agreements News

Aditya Birla Sun Life And IDFC First Bank Collaborate On Financial Solutions

• In a strategic collaboration to enhance service offerings, Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance and IDFC First Bank have formed a bancassurance partnership.
• This collaboration aims to provide comprehensive insurance solutions to the extensive customer base of IDFC First Bank, leveraging its robust distribution network.
• Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance is poised to offer a diverse range of products and services tailored to different life stages, catering to the evolving financial needs of customers.

Sports News

Maharashtra Bags Women’s And AAI Wins Men’s Title Events In Guwahati

• The 75th Inter State-Inter Zonal Badminton Championship in Guwahati witnessed Maharashtra securing the women's team event title with a commanding 3-0 victory.
• In the men's team event, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) showcased exceptional prowess, clinching the championship title with a resounding 3-0 win against Karnataka.
• The dominant performance by the AAI team underscored their skill and strategic play on the badminton court.

Science & Technology News

Noma Added To WHO List Of Neglected Tropical Diseases

• Noma, also known as cancrum oris or gangrenous stomatitis, has been added to the World Health Organization's (WHO) list of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
• This move aims to raise awareness, stimulate research, secure funding, and intensify efforts to combat this rare yet severe infection.
• Noma primarily affects children aged 2 to 6 years old, especially those in extreme poverty and regions with limited access to food, clean water, sanitation, and healthcare facilities.

ICAI Reveals New Logo For Chartered Accountants Of India

• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) recently unveiled a new logo symbolizing its commitment to an India-first approach and its role as a trusted partner in nation-building.
• The vibrant blue letters 'CA' represent creativity, innovativeness, knowledge, integrity, trust, truth, stability, and depth.
• The inclusion of an upside-down tricolour tick mark, traditionally used by Chartered Accountants during audits, symbolizes the wisdom and value contributed by accounting professionals, aiming for international recognition.

Transition Of National Academy Of Indian Railways Assets To Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya

• In a landmark decision, the Ministry of Railways directed the handover of all assets from the National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR) in Vadodara to Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV).
• Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to bolster the newly envisioned Central university, this move impacts the esteemed legacy of NAIR, a pivotal training facility for railway officers.
• The Railway Board emphasized coordination of future training calendars between NAIR, Central Training Institutes (CTIs), and GSV.
• Additionally, GSV will receive preference for utilizing these facilities, marking a paradigm shift in the dynamics of training programs for railway officers.