National News

Amit Shah Inaugurates Swaminarayan Institute of Medical Science and Research in Gujarat

• In a momentous event, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel and other esteemed guests, unveiled the 'Swaminarayan Institute of Medical Science and Research' at the Shri Swaminarayan Vishwamangal Gurukul in Kalol, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• This inauguration marks a significant stride in the advancement of medical education and healthcare services within the region.

PM Modi Launches World’s Largest Grain Storage Scheme: Strengthening Cooperative Sector 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheaded the inauguration and laying of the foundation stone for pivotal initiatives aimed at fortifying the cooperative sector in India.
• The pilot project for the 'World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector', alongside the expansion of PACS and digital transformation endeavors, is poised to bolster food security, economic development, and governance, thereby benefiting millions of farmers.
• This ceremony, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, signifies a substantial step towards enhancing food security, economic development, and governance within the cooperative domain.

Education Minister launches SWAYAM Plus platform

• In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has unveiled the SWAYAM Plus platform, operated by IIT-Madras.
• This initiative aims to provide industry-relevant courses, catering to the needs of learners, including working professionals, thus enhancing their employability.

International News

South Korea’s Fertility Rate Hits New Low in 2023

• South Korea witnessed a further decline in its already record-low fertility rate in 2023, exacerbating concerns about population decline.
• Despite political promises to address the crisis, similar trends in Japan and China underscore the complex challenges of reversing declining birth rates.
• With South Korea’s fertility rate plummeting to a record low of 0.72 in 2023, well below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman required for population stability, factors such as concerns about career advancement and financial burdens deter women from having children, thus contributing to the decline.

Peru declares dengue health emergency

• In response to the escalating cases of dengue fever nationwide, Peru has declared a health emergency.
• Health Minister Cesar Vasquez announced that over 31,000 cases of dengue have been reported within the first eight weeks of 2024, resulting in 32 fatalities.
• This emergency declaration will encompass 20 out of Peru’s 25 regions, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

Awards News

Acharya Lokesh Muni to be Honored as ‘Global Jain Peace Ambassador’

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is poised to confer the esteemed title of 'Global Jain Peace Ambassador' upon Acharya Lokesh Muni.
• The ceremony, scheduled to take place in Karnataka and organized by the Jain pilgrim center, Navagraha Tirtha Kshetra, in Hubli Varur, will honor Acharya Lokesh Muni, the founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti and the World Peace Center.
• Acknowledged for his profound impact in various domains, Acharya Lokesh Muni is celebrated as a multifaceted personality.

Bengali Translation Wins Prestigious Romain Rolland Book Prize 2024

• In a literary triumph, Pankaj Kumar Chatterjee clinched this year’s Romain Rolland Book Prize for his exceptional translation of Jean-Daniel Baltassat’s “Le Divan de Staline” into Bengali, titled “Staliner Divan.”
• Published by New Bharat Sahitya Kutir, Kolkata, Chatterjee’s translation earned acclaim for its linguistic prowess and faithful rendition of the original text, marking the second time a Bengali translation has been honored with this prestigious award.

Banking News

Amazon Pay Receives Final RBI Approval as Payment Aggregator

• Amazon Pay, the fintech division of Amazon India, has secured the final approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as a payment aggregator, joining an elite group of authorized entities in the country.
• This approval enables Amazon Pay to enhance its distribution channels, facilitating secure, convenient, and rewarding digital payment experiences.
• The move aligns with Amazon Pay’s mission to effectively serve merchants and customers across India.

Jana Small Finance Bank, Dvara Money partner for digital banking

• Dvara Money, a leading fintech company, has forged a strategic partnership with Jana Small Finance Bank Limited (Jana SFB), aiming to leverage Jana SFB’s technological capabilities and Dvara Money’s innovative Spark Money platform to set new benchmarks in digital banking services.
• At the heart of this collaboration lies a shared vision to revolutionize digital banking through the integration of third-party application providers (TPAP) and a comprehensive Unified Payments Interface (UPI) solution into the Spark Money platform.
• This initiative promises customers a seamless banking experience, facilitating effortless digital transactions and more efficient finance management.

Business News

RIL signs deal with Disney to merge Viacom18 and Star India

• Reliance Industries (RIL) has unveiled a landmark merger deal with Viacom18 Media and The Walt Disney Company, aimed at establishing a joint venture (JV) to integrate the operations of Viacom18 and Star India.
• This strategic maneuver is set to reshape the Indian entertainment and sports industry landscape.
• The agreement, signed by RIL, Viacom18 Media, and Disney, outlines the merger details, including the integration of Viacom18’s media business into Star India through a court-approved scheme of arrangement.
• RIL has committed to infusing Rs 11,500 crore (approximately US$ 1.4 billion) into the JV to support its growth strategy.

Books and Authors News

A book title “Basic Structure and Republic” Released by Governor P. S. Sreedharan Pillai

• In a notable event at the Durbar Hall (Old) of Raj Bhavan, Governor Shri P. S. Sreedharan Pillai unveiled his latest literary contribution, “Basic Structure and Republic,” marking his 212th publication.
• The ceremony, graced by the presence of His Gracious H. G. Mar Joseph Perumthottam, Archbishop of Changanacherry, Kerala, and Shri. Subhash Shirodkar, Minister for Water Resource Development, Co-Operation, and Provedoria, underscored the significance of the occasion.

Appointments News

PayU names Renu Sud Karnad as chairperson and independent director

• PayU Payments Private Ltd, a prominent fintech arm of the global consumer internet group Prosus, has announced the appointment of Renu Sud Karnad as chairperson and independent director.
• Karnad, a distinguished director at HDFC Bank, brings extensive experience to PayU, highlighting the company’s commitment to leveraging seasoned leadership to navigate the evolving fintech landscape.

Ravindra Kumar assumes charge as Director (Operations) of NTPC

• Ravindra Kumar has recently assumed the role of Director-Operations at NTPC Ltd, bringing with him over thirty years of invaluable experience and expertise in the power sector.
• His journey, from a graduate engineer trainee to his current leadership position, reflects a steadfast dedication to excellence and innovation.

Banking News

Jana Small Finance Bank, Dvara Money partner for digital banking

• Dvara Money, a renowned fintech enterprise, has unveiled a strategic collaboration with Jana Small Finance Bank Limited (Jana SFB) to revolutionize digital banking services.
• This partnership seeks to leverage the technological prowess of Jana SFB and the innovative Spark Money platform by Dvara Money to establish new benchmarks in the realm of digital banking.

Ranks and Reports News

India’s Weightage Surges on MSCI Global Standard Index

• India's prominence in the MSCI Global Standard (Emerging Markets) index has surged to a historic high of 18.2% post MSCI's February review.
• This remarkable rise, nearly doubling since November 2020, can be attributed to several factors including standardized foreign ownership limits, a sustained domestic equity rally, and the relatively subdued performance of other emerging markets, particularly China.

Science and Tech News

IIT Madras Introduces ‘Investor Information & Analytics Platform’ for Startups

• Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Prof. Thillai Rajan A of IIT Madras have inaugurated the 'Investor Information and Analytics Platform' developed by CREST.
• This platform serves as a centralized hub for startups to access investors, government schemes, and other vital components of the startup ecosystem, offering invaluable support to emerging enterprises.