Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 21st April 2024

National News 

1. In electronics exports, Tamil Nadu jumps to top on Apple’s India push 

• Driven by the aggressive India push from global major Apple, the southern state of Tamil Nadu has become the top state in terms of electronic goods exports in the financial year 2023-24, surpassing Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. 
• The state posted a 78 per cent increase in exports from $5.37 billion in 2022-23 to $9.56 billion in 2023-24. 
• In 2023-24, Karnataka became the number two exporting state with $4.62 billion, contributing to 16 per cent of the national exports, followed by Uttar Pradesh with $4.46 billion worth of exports and 15 per cent of the national share. 
• The other top states in the list are Maharashtra ($3.09 billion), Gujarat ($2.75 billion), Delhi ($1.51 billion), Haryana and Telangana. 

2. India chooses to 'regulate', not ban, single-use plastic. 

• A negotiations involving 192 countries that are expected to begin in Toronto, Canada, next week on getting the globe to progress on eliminating plastic pollution, India is in favor of "regulating", and not eliminating, single-use plastic, according to an analysis of various countries public negotiating positions by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a not-for-profit based in New Delhi. 
• In 2022, India brought into effect the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules (2021) that banned 19 categories of 'single-use plastics'. 
• These are defined as disposable goods that are made with plastic but are generally use-and-throw after a single use and include plastic cups, spoons, earbuds, decorative thermocol, wrapping or packaging film used to cover sweet boxes and cigarette packets, and plastic cutlery. It, however, does not include plastic bottles, even those less than 200 ml and multi-layered packaging boxes (such as milk cartons). Moreover, even the single-use plastic items that are banned are not uniformly enforced nationally with several outlets continuing to retail these goods. 
• Of the nearly 17 topics that countries are expected to deliberate upon, one of them involves "problematic and avoidable plastic products including single-use plastics", which refer to sections of plastics that are likely to harm environment as well as human health. 
• The aim of negotiating countries is to implement global and national measures such as removing these products from the market, reducing production through alternative practices or non-plastic substitutes, and redesigning problematic items that do not meet criteria for sustainable and safe product M design. 
• The CSE analysis says that India, as of Saturday, has opted for language in the current version of the negotiating document, called a 'zero draft', that vouches for "regulating" instead of "not allowing". the production, sale, import and export of problematic and avoidable plastic goods. It has, however, agreed to "science-based criteria for identifying such plastics.
• U.S. takes a similar stand The European Union (EU), for instance, has proposed that all countries restrict F the making and selling of these categories of plastic. The United States also has a position closer to that of India and is not in favour of an outright stoppage of single use and avoidable plastics 

3.Bharti Airtel signs deal to merge Sri Lankan unit with Dialog Axiata 

• Bharti Airtel has signed an agreement to merge the operations of its Sri Lankan unit with Dialog, the island nation’s largest telecom provider and a subsidiary of Malaysia’s Axiata Group Berhad. 
• Dialog will acquire 100 per cent of the issued shares in Airtel Lanka. 
• Bharti Airtel Lanka, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Indian telecom giant, began commercial operations in Sri Lanka in 2009. 
• Dialog will acquire 100 per cent of the issued shares in Airtel Lanka. In return, Airtel Lanka will be granted a stake in Dialog. 

International News 

4. A new species Clouded Tiger Cat found in Brazil’s Rainforest 

• A new tiger species has been recently discovered in the dense rainforests of Brazil. 
• Named the clouded tiger cat (Leopardus pardinoides), this cat may be small but it is significant for biodiversity and conservation. 
• A small wildcat called the clouded tiger cat is about the same size as a housecat. It has a spotted coat that helps it blend in with its surroundings. 
• Scientists involved with the Tiger-Cats Conservation Initiative in Brazil have discovered that this feline is a distinct species from other similar cats. They concluded after studying the cat’s appearance, genetic diversity, and location. 

About Brazil 

• Capital – Brasília 
• Currency – Brazilian Real 
• President – Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva 

Appointment News 

5. RBI approves Ajith Kumar’s appointment as Dhanlaxmi Bank Chief 

• The Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of Ajith Kumar K.K as the Managing Director & CEO of Dhanlaxmi Bank for three years. 
• Presently, Kumar is the Chief Human Resources Officer in Federal Bank in the cadre of President. 
• Kumar has over 36 years of experience with the Federal Bank in various facets of banking including Credit, Human Resources, Business, Branch Banking etc. 

Recent Appointment in Banking & Insurance Sector 

• CEO of BharatPe – Nalin Negi 
• Additional Director Suryoday SFB – Deepak Kumar Sharma 
• Independent director of RBL Bank -Murali Ramakrishnan 
• Chief Distribution Officer of Future Generali India Insurance Company – Ramit Goyal (replace Raghavendra Rao) 
• CFO of Punjab & Sind Bank – Arnab Goswamy (replace Mahima Agarwal) 

6. Nalin Prabhat appointed as DG of NSG 

• Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Nalin Prabhat has been appointed as the Director-General of National Security Guard (NSG). 
• Prabhat is a 1992 batch IPS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre. He is currently posted as Additional Director-General, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jammu and Kashmir. 
• The appointments committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment as the chief of NSG till the date of his superannuation, August 31, 2028. 
• Before that, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) chief Daljit Singh Chaudhary was holding additional charge of NSG. 
• Additionally, the committee has also approved the appointment of Sapna Tewari as the Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Tewari, a 1992 batch IPS officer of Odisha cadre, is currently working as Additional Director in the IB. 
• She has been appointed as the Special Director in IB for a tenure of two years from the date of assumption of charge or up to the date of her superannuation, April 30, 2026. 

Recent Appointment in Defence Sector 

• Chief of Naval Staff – Dinesh Kumar Tripathi (replace R. Hari Kumar) 
• Joint Director in CBI – Anurag Kumar 
• Inspector General in SPG – Love Kumar 
• DG of National Investigation Agency (NIA) -Sadanand Vasant Date (replace Dinkar Gupta) 
• DG of Bureau of Police Research & Development – Rajeev Kumar Sharma (replace Balaji Srivastava) 
• DG of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) – Piyush Anand (Atul Karwal) 

Awards News

7. Kaushik Rajashekara honored with International Fellowship by the Engineering Academy of Japan 

• Kaushik Rajashekara has been elected as an International Fellow of the prestigious Engineering Academy of Japan. 
• He is a distinguished professor at the University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering. 
• This honour recognizes his outstanding contributions to the field of power conversion and the electrification of transportation. 
• Indian-Origin US Professor Honoured For Outstanding Contribution To Energy 
• In 2022, Mr Rajashekara received the most coveted prize in the field of international energy. 

Recent Awards 

• Earns Frost & Sullivan’s 2023 Indian Company of the Year Award – STT GDC India 
• Honorary doctorate from the prestigious Vels University in Chennai – Ram Charan 
• Young Global Leader in World Economic Forum’s Class 2024 – Adwaita Nayar 
• South Asian Person of the Year award by Harvard University – Avantika Vandanapu 
• American President’s Volunteer Award 2024 – Lokesh Muni 

Defence News 

8. DRDO conducts successful flight test of Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile from Chandipur off Odisha coast 

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight test of Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile. 
• The missile was test-fired from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. 
• The missile has been developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a laboratory based in Bengaluru, along with other Indian industries and laboratories. It is equipped with advanced avionics and software to ensure reliable and improved performance. 
• The flight of the missile was also monitored from the Su-30-Mk-I aircraft of the Indian Air Force. This successful flight test has also established the reliable performance of the indigenous propulsion system developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment, Bengaluru. 
• The missile is also equipped with advanced avionics and software to ensure better and more reliable performance. 

Sports News 

9. India got 2 silver and 2 bronze medals in the 13th EGMO 2024 

• The 13th European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) was held in Tskaltubo, Georgia. The Indian team has performed quite commendably in this competition. 
• The 4-member Indian team has won a total of four medals including 2 silver and 2 bronze medals in the 13th EGMO 2024. 
• Gunjan Agarwal (Haryana) – Silver Medal 
• Sanjana Philo Chacko (Kerala) – Silver Medal 
• Larissa (Haryana) – Bronze Medal 
• Saee Vitthal Patil (Maharashtra) – Bronze Medal 
• The team is led by Sahil Mhaskar (Head), Ms Aditi Muthkhode (Deputy Head), and Ms Ananya Ranade (Supervisor) from the Chennai Mathematical Institute. His guidance and support have been instrumental in the success of the team. 

Schemes & Committees News 

10. IRDAI removes age bar for purchasing health insurance 

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has removed the age limit for purchasing health insurance policies, with effect from April 1. 
• Earlier, there was an age limit of 65 years to buy new health insurance policies. The IRDAI's latest movie is aimed at bringing in extended health benefits to senior citizens.
• The IRDAI directive , mandates health insurance providers to develop specialized policies catering to senior citizens, and to establish dedicated channels for addressing their claims and grievances. Companies are also encouraged to develop tailored products to meet specific age-related requirements, fostering a more inclusive healthcare ecosystem. 
• 1) Health insurance providers must develop specialized policies catering to senior citizens, and establish dedicated channels for addressing their claims and grievances 
• 2) Companies are encouraged to develop tailored products to meet specific age-related requirements that will enhance the accessibility and affordability of healthcare coverage across all age groups. The IRDAI is an autonomous and statutory body responsible for managing and regulating India's insurance and rein- surance industry. 

Important day 

11. 20 April – World Circus Day

• World Circus Day is observed on the third Saturday of April. This year, World Circus Day was celebrated on 20 April 2024. 
• This day is dedicated to the circus artists, performers, and creators who bring the magic of live entertainment to the fore. It is a time to recognize their hard work, dedication, and talent, as well as to raise funds for the circus industry. 
• It is an opportunity to showcase the unique skills and talents of circus artists and to raise awareness about the industry. 
• Established in 2010 by H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, World Circus Day highlights the importance of circus as a part of cultural heritage. 

12. 21 April – National Civil Service Day

• National Civil Service Day is observed every year on 21 April. 
• Objective – To honour the achievements of the civil servants and acknowledge their efforts in ensuring that the people of the country are safe and happy. 
• After India became independent, the first batch of civil servants of the country were addressed by Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. In this inspiring speech dedicated to the civil servants of the country, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel referred to them as steel frame of India. 
• In 1947, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel announced that National Civil Service Day will be observed every year to honour the contributions of the civil servants for the country. 
• In Vigyan Bhavan, on April 21, 2006. The first National Civil Services Day was observed. Since then, the day is observed every year on the same day. 

13. 20 April – Volunteer Recognition Day 

• Volunteer Recognition Day is observed every year on 20 April. 
• The significance of this day is to recognise, honour, and celebrate the selfless sacrifices of volunteers who work for the good of society. 
• Volunteers work for the betterment of society without expecting anything in return. We should take this opportunity to thank them for their good work. Their sacrifices deserve applause from the rest of the world. 
• The word ‘volunteering’ was first used in the 1630s, but it did not gain traction until the 1750s. During this time, volunteering was only seen as a way of helping others in need. It was not until the outbreak of the war in 1755 that the term ‘organized volunteering’ was born. 
• The first significant example of organized volunteering emerged from the Red Cross, which was founded by Henry Dunant in 1755. Dunant was inspired to write down his ideas in a book titled “A Souvenir of Solferino,” which emphasized the need to care for wounded soldiers, regardless of which side they were fighting on.