National News

Tata Trusts Milestone:

• Tata Trusts, in a groundbreaking initiative alongside philanthropist Ratan Tata, is set to unveil India’s premier Small Animal Hospital in Mahalaxmi, Mumbai.
• This pioneering venture boasts a capacity exceeding 200 beds and promises round-the-clock services dedicated to the welfare of pets.
• Spanning an expansive 98,000 square feet across five floors, this state-of-the-art facility signifies a new standard in pet healthcare.
• Scheduled for inauguration in March 2024, the hospital is poised to redefine the landscape of pet healthcare services in the nation.

State News

Empowering Assam Youth:

• Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro (L&T), has inaugurated the Construction Skill Training Centre in Assam.
• This strategic endeavor aims to combat unemployment by providing comprehensive training opportunities to the youth, enhancing their employability within the construction sector.
• Tailored to meet the needs of Assam’s youth, the center offers specialized training programs focusing on skill refinement and modern construction techniques.
• By equipping the youth with relevant skills, the initiative seeks to empower them to secure gainful employment opportunities, thereby contributing to the state’s economic development.

Transformative Initiatives in Himachal:

• Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, as part of the Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ program, has unveiled significant developmental announcements at Amb-Pathiyar under the Jawalamukhi assembly constituency.
• Engaging with local residents, the CM addressed their concerns while announcing transformative measures to propel the region forward.
• Key announcements include the establishment of the Block Development Officer office in Surani, a division of the Jal Shakti department in Jawalamukhi, and the creation of a subdivision in Majheen.

Defence News

IIT Madras’ Defence Initiative:

• Indian Institute of Technology Madras, in collaboration with Munitions India Limited, is set to spearhead the development of India’s first Indigenous 155mm Smart Ammunition.
• Led by Rajesh, a distinguished faculty member from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Madras, this initiative aims to bolster India’s self-reliance in defence.
• Leveraging the expertise of Munitions India Limited, the collaborative effort endeavors to revolutionize the defence landscape by significantly reducing the Circular Error Probable (CEP) to a mere 10 meters.

Banking News

RBI’s Innovative Approach:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced plans to introduce offline functionality for e-rupee transactions, catering to areas with poor or limited internet connectivity.
• This move aims to enhance accessibility by adding offline capability to CBDC-R (Retail) Furthermore, the RBI plans to test various offline solutions, including proximity and non-proximity-based approaches, in diverse geographic locations.
• The introduction of programmability-based use cases is also anticipated to expand transaction capabilities, enabling specified benefit payments by government agencies and designated expenditures by corporates.

SBI-Flywire Partnership:

• Flywire Corporation, in collaboration with the State Bank of India (SBI), aims to modernize and digitize international education payments for Indian students.
• This partnership facilitates seamless transactions in Indian Rupees, ensuring compliance with the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS)
• Flywire integrates directly into SBI’s banking platform, enabling Indian students to experience a fully digital checkout process within SBI’s net banking platform.
• Transactions are conducted in Indian Rupees, enhancing convenience and transparency.

Business News

Telecom Spectrum Auctions Approval:

• The Cabinet has given its nod for the upcoming telecom spectrum auctions, scheduled for later this year, with a reserve price set at Rs 96,317 crore.
• All available spectrum in various bands including 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2500, 3300 megahertz (MHz), and 26 gigahertz (GHz) will be up for auction.
• This decision aligns with recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and follows the government’s commitment to holding annual spectrum auctions, as decided in September 2021.

Important Days News

World Pulses Day Celebration:

• Every year on February 10th, the global community celebrates World Pulses Day, an occasion dedicated to recognizing the pivotal role of pulses in promoting food security, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural practices.
• This year’s theme, “Pulses: Nourishing Soils and People,” emphasizes the dual benefits of pulses for enhancing soil health and providing essential nutrients to humans.
• World Pulses Day finds its roots in the International Year of Pulses (IYP) 2016, an initiative led by the FAO to raise awareness about the benefits of pulses.

International Day Of The Arabian Leopard:

• Marked by the United Nations General Assembly on February 10th, the International Day of the Arabian Leopard highlights the critical status of the Arabian Leopard (Panthera pardus nimr), classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
• This day aims to restore the Arabian Leopard as a flagship for conservation, emphasizing the essential role of biodiversity in maintaining the planet’s health and ecosystem resilience.

Schemes News

PMFBY Initiatives:

• Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Arjun Munda introduced several key initiatives under the Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in New Delhi on 8th February 2024.
• These initiatives aim to benefit insured farmers and mitigate their risks.
• They include an integrated grievance redressal system, featuring a digital portal and call center, simplifying farmer complaints, concerns, and inquiries.
• The SARTHI Initiative, short for Sandbox for Agricultural and Rural Security, Technology, and Insurance, employs technology to provide diverse insurance products, covering health, life, property, agricultural tools, motor assets, and disaster risks.

Ranks Reports News

White Paper On Indian Economy: From ‘Fragile 5’ To ‘Top 5’ Journey, A View Of NDA Govt

• The White Paper on the Indian Economy, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament, offers a comprehensive view of the economic strategies employed by the current NDA administration in contrast to those of the previous UPA government.
• It delineates the transformation from economic vulnerability to achieving a position among the top five global economies.
• The paper critically assesses the economic mismanagement, fiscal indiscipline, and corruption prevalent during the UPA's tenure from 2004 to 2014.
• Notably, it highlights the policy paralysis that resulted in project delays and hindered opportunities for growth and innovation, terming the period a "lost decade" marked by neglect of infrastructure and asset creation.

Summits & Conferences News

2nd DNPA Conclave Digital Impact Awards 2024

• The second DNPA Conclave & Digital Impact Awards emerged as a pivotal forum for addressing the revenue-sharing gap between digital news publishers and major technology platforms.
• Focused on the theme Navigating Digital Transformations and Challenges in the Media Industry,’ the Conclave featured discussions led by Minister of State for MeitY, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, emphasizing the urgent need to rectify this disparity.
• Policymakers, industry experts, and stakeholders deliberated on strategies to democratize the publisher-platform relationship and reduce the influence of major technology platforms on the digital media landscape, with Amitabh Kant among the notable figures contributing to the discourse.

Agreements News

India-Russia Sign Protocol On Nuclear Reactors Agreement

• India and Russia solidified their longstanding nuclear cooperation with the signing of a protocol amending the 2008 intergovernmental
• The focus of this agreement lies in the construction of additional nuclear reactors at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project site and the establishment of Russia-designed nuclear power plants at new locations within India.
• Discussions during the signing included assessments of ongoing construction at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, particularly concerning reactors 3 to 6, underscoring the commitment to long-term cooperation between India and Russia in the nuclear energy sector.

Appointments News

Tata AIA Life Appoints Venkatachalam H As MD And CEO

• Tata AIA Life Insurance has appointed Venkatachalam H, its President and Chief Distribution Officer, as the new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), subject to regulatory approval.
• This strategic move signifies a new phase for the company, as Venkatachalam, a seasoned professional in the insurance and financial services sector, prepares to lead Tata AIA Life towards future growth and innovation.
• With over 27 years of diverse experience across various segments of the life insurance, asset management, and custodial services industries, Venkatachalam brings extensive knowledge and expertise to his new leadership role.

Ravi Kumar Jha Named MD & CEO Of LIC Mutual Fund

• LIC Mutual Fund Asset Management has appointed Ravi Kumar Jha as its Managing Director and Chief Executive.
• With over 30 years of experience at LIC, Jha brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role.
• Having served in various capacities, including executive roles in corporate strategy until December 2023, Jha, aged 57, holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Ranchi University.

Awards News

Bharat Ratna to Honour PV Narasimha Rao, Chaudhary Charan Singh, and MS Swaminathan

• India's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, is poised to commemorate the exceptional contributions of three distinguished personalities whose endeavors have profoundly influenced the nation's trajectory.
• Former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, alongside renowned agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan, stand as the esteemed recipients of this prestigious accolade, acknowledging their unparalleled dedication to India's advancement.
• Established in 1954, the 'Bharat Ratna' remains open to individuals regardless of race, occupation, position, or gender.

Pyarelal Sharma Honored with Lakshminarayana International Award

• Pyarelal Sharma, one half of the renowned composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, receives the prestigious Lakshminarayana International Award.
• This recognition, bestowed upon him during the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival, celebrates his invaluable contributions to the Indian music industry.
• Named after the violin maestro Lakshminarayana, this award honors individuals who have left a significant mark on the world of music.

Sports News

FIFA to Introduce Blue Cards and Sin-Bins

• The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is set to introduce a new disciplinary measure in professional football with the debut of the blue card, as part of trials involving sin bins.
• Alongside the traditional yellow and red cards, the inclusion of blue cards aims to address dissent and cynical fouls, resulting in players being temporarily sent to the sin-bin.
• IFAB's initiative seeks to strengthen disciplinary measures, emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach to unsportsmanlike behavior.

Science & Technology News

NASA Discovers Super-Earth in the Habitable Zone

• NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) unveils a groundbreaking discovery—a super-Earth located within a habitable zone, offering tantalizing prospects for conditions conducive to life.
• This revelation underscores the diverse array of planets in our universe and the potential for habitable worlds beyond our solar system.
• Named TOI-715 b, the newly discovered exoplanet orbits a star system 137 light-years away, presenting astronomers with a promising opportunity for detailed exploration.

Google Rebrands Its Chatbot, Bard, as Gemini

• Alphabet's Google undergoes a significant transformation in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), rebranding its chatbot from Bard to Gemini while introducing a new subscription plan.
• This renaming coincides with the launch of a subscription offering access to Google's advanced AI model, Ultra 1.0, within the Gemini family.
• Gemini's integration with popular Google products like Gmail and Google Docs enhances user convenience, setting Google apart in the AI landscape.

China Launches Qinling Station for Antarctic Scientific Study

• China inaugurates its latest Antarctic research station, the Qinling facility, located on Inexpressible Island in the Ross Sea.
• Marking China's fifth research station in Antarctica, Qinling underscores its commitment to advancing scientific exploration in the region.
• With a focus on diverse research encompassing biological oceanography, glaciology, marine ecology, and more, the station signifies China's dedication to Antarctic scientific endeavors.

AIIMS Launches iOncology.ai for Early Cancer Detection

• In a landmark collaboration between AIIMS, New Delhi, and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Pune, the innovative AI platform ai is unveiled.
• Targeting early detection of cancer, particularly breast and ovarian cancers prevalent among Indian women, this technology reduces false negatives in manual cancer diagnosis using AI.
• Developed in conjunction with CDAC and the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, iOncology.ai represents a significant leap forward in cancer detection technology.