Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 24th June 2024

 

National News 

1. Amit Shah inaugurates ‘Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme’ at Delhi Airport

 

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah has inaugurated the ‘Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP)’ at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport. 
• The FTI-TTP aims to simplify and secure international travel by developing world-class immigration facilities through an expedited pathway for international travellers screened via automated e-Gates. 
• This facility would be available free of charge for all passengers. 
• The FTI-TTP ensures faster, smoother, and safer immigration clearance using e-Gates, minimizing human intervention in the process. The implementation will occur in two phases: the first phase will cover Indian citizens and OCI cardholders, while the second phase will extend to foreign travellers. 
• FTI-TTP will be introduced at 21 major airports nationwide, starting with Delhi and including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Ahmedabad in the first phase. 
• The launch of this programme is a key part of the ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ agenda, reflecting the Modi government’s commitment to enhancing travel efficiency and convenience. 

2. India-Sri Lanka launches Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in New Delhi 

• India and Sri Lanka on 20 June 2024 launched the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), a key initiative for maritime security cooperation, built with a $6 million grant from New Delhi. 
• The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) was inaugurated by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the former’s one-day visit to the island nation. 
• The MRCC promotes maritime security, an area where rivalry between New Delhi and Beijing has grown in recent years. The commissioning of the MRCC, which has a main centre at the Sri Lanka Navy headquarters in Colombo and a sub-centre in the Sri Lankan city of Hambantota, where a major port was built with assistance from Beijing and leased in 2017 to a firm majority-owned by China Merchant Ports (CMPorts). 
• The MRCC comprises seven unmanned installations at strategic locations in Sri Lanka's coastal belt - Galle, Arugambay, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kallarawa, Point Pedro and Mollikulam. Set up by state-run Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the MRCC will serve as the nerve centre for search and rescue operations at sea. 
• A memorandum of understanding for the centre was signed in March 2022, and Sri Lankan Navy teams have been trained by BEL in Bengaluru and Colombo to operate the MRCC. 
• Wickremesinghe and Jaishankar jointly unveiled a digital plaque to mark the handing over of 106 houses constructed under the Indian Housing Project in three districts of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Matale. 
• These houses are part of the third phase of the project to build a total of 4,000 houses, and over 3,700 houses have already been handed over to the beneficiaries. The two leaders also unveiled another digital plaque to mark the handing over of 24 more houses in two model villages for the poor in Colombo and Trincomalee. 
• The Model Village Housing Project covers all 25 districts of Sri Lanka, and model villages with 24 houses have already been handed over in nine districts. 

3. Advisory on organ transplantation may be put up at airports

• With more number of foreigners visiting India to undergo organ transplantation, the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has issued an advisory to sensitize international patients to the organ transplant protocol and legal framework in the country. 
• In a note to the Home 5 Ministry, Health Secretary Apurva Chandra said India had emerged as one of the leading destinations for foreign nationals to undergo organ transplantation due to the availability of world-class facilities and highly skilled medical personnel. 
• It was essential for these foreign nationals to understand the specific guidelines and legal requirements that regulate the process of organ transplantation in India. To sensitize them on medical visas for organ transplantation and address queries regarding rules pertaining to the surgery, the Health Ministry e had prepared a set of protocols and guidelines to be 1 published on websites of the Bureau of Immigration of the Home Ministry. 
• The Health Secretary also wrote to the External Affairs Ministry to circulate and publish the guidelines at prominent places in airports to create awareness among foreigners visiting the country for organ transplantation. Some of the basic requisites were that treatment of diseases which required organ transplant would be permitted only on a medical visa and all living donors should be of the age 18 or above. 

Guidelines 

• Going by provisions of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994, and other Rules, no Indian donor is permitted to donate his organ or organs to a foreigner unless they are a near relative of the recipient. A near relative could be a spouse, son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, grandson or granddaughter. 
• A senior official of the embassy of the country of origin in India is required to certify the relationship between the donor and the recipient. 

4. BIS introduces new standards to enhance Safety and Quality of Electric Vehicles in India 

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced two new standards, IS 18590: 2024 and IS 18606: 2024, aimed at enhancing the safety of electric vehicles in the L, M, and N categories. 
• These standards focus on the critical component of electric vehicles—the powertrain—ensuring it meets stringent safety requirements. 
• Additionally, they emphasize the safety and performance of batteries, ensuring they are both powerful and secure. 
• With these new standards, BIS has raised the bar, now having a total of 30 Indian Standards dedicated to electric vehicles and their accessories, including charging systems. 

5. Bureau of Indian Standards launches two new standards to enhance safety of electric vehicles 

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced two new standards, IS 18590:2024 and IS 18606:2024, to enhance the safety of electric vehicles (EVs). These new BIS standards are designed to ensure that the critical component of an EV - the powertrain - meets strict safety requirements. 
• These standards also lay emphasis on the safety and performance of batteries, ensuring they are both powerful and safe. The newly introduced standards are for electric vehicles of L, M and N categories. 
• This initiative is a significant step towards strengthening the reliability and safety of electric powertrains and batteries - critical components that define the efficiency and safety of electric vehicles. 
• This comes amid concerns over reports of several fire accidents involving electric vehicles across the country. The new standards set strict safety requirements on the EV powertrain, a critical component of electric vehicles. 
• The consumer affairs department said the shift towards electric mobility is no longer restricted to cars and trucks, as e-rickshaws and e-carts are becoming popular across the country. 
• "To address this issue, BIS has introduced IS 18294:2023, which specifically sets safety standards for these vehicles," it said. 
• The Indian Standards Institution was established in 1947 with the objective of developing standardisation activities in India. The Indian Standards Institution was transformed into the Bureau of Indian Standards through the Bureau of Indian Standards Act 1986. It functions under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. 

6.GoI approves new transmission schemes worth ₹13,595 crore to evacuate 4.5 GW RE power each from Rajasthan and Karnataka 

• The Government of India has approved new Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) schemes to evacuate 9 GW of RE power from Rajasthan and Karnataka. 
• These schemes will be implemented through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) mode. These schemes are part of 500 GW RE capacity by 2030 out of which 200 GW is already connected. 
• The power evacuation scheme of Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) will evacuate 4.5 GW of RE power from Rajasthan. It comprises 1 GW from Fatehgarh complex, 2.5 GW from Barmer Complex and 1 GW from Nagaur (Merta) Complex. 
• This power will be transferred to Mainpuri Region, Fatehpur and Orai of Uttar Pradesh. The completion period of the scheme is two years. 
• Cost of the scheme is about ₹12,241 crore. The System strengthening scheme of Karnataka will evacuate 4.5 GW RE power from Koppal area and Gadag area. The scheme will be completed by June 2027. Cost of the scheme is about ₹1,354 crore. 

7. MP govt approves the establishment of One PM College of Excellence in all districts 

• In Madhya Pradesh, the Prime Minister College of Excellence will be inaugurated ceremonially in all 55 districts of the state on July 1. 
• Under the National Education Policy, the Madhya Pradesh government has approved the establishment of one Prime Minister College of Excellence in all the districts of the state. 
• Additional posts have been approved in the selected colleges to establish the Prime Minister College of Excellence in 55 districts of the state. 

About Madhya Pradesh 

• Capital – Bhopal 
• Chief Minister – Dr Mohan Yadav (replace Shivraj Singh Chauhan) 
• Deputy CM – Jagdish Devda & Rajendra Shukla 
• Speaker of Madhya Pradesh Assembly – Narendra Singh Tomar 
• Governor – Mangubhai C. Patel 
• Lok Shaba Seats – 29 
• Rajya Sabha Seats – 11 
• Legislative Assembly Seats – 230 

8. Ministry of Women and Child Development launches 100-Days Special Awareness Campaign on Women Empowerment 

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) organized the “National Workshop on SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women – Launch of the 100-Days Special Awareness Campaign” at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. 
• The workshop marks the commencement of a nationwide 100-days awareness campaign focused on women-centric issues, scheduled from 21st June to 4th October 2024. 
• The one-day workshop featured sessions on legal provisions, communication strategies, and counselling techniques for grassroots functionaries of SANKALP: HEWs which are operational in 693 districts across India. 

International News 

9. 4,300 millionaires may leave India this year: Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2024 

• The Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2024 has revealed that India is set to experience a significant net loss of 4,300 millionaires this year. 
• While this represents a decrease from the 5,100 who left in 2023, India remains one of the top countries for high-net-worth individual (HNWI) departures globally. 
• This trend reflects a broader pattern of wealth migration influenced by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and social upheaval. 
• The United Arab Emirates continues to be a favored destination for Indian millionaires. The UAE is expected to attract a record net inflow of 6,700 wealthy migrants in 2024, bolstered by its zero-income tax policy, golden visa programs, luxurious lifestyle, and strategic location. 
• Other top destinations for migrating millionaires include the United States, Singapore, Canada, and Australia. 
• These countries are projected to see significant net inflows of wealthy individuals, benefiting from the economic contributions and job creation that HNWIs often bring. 

10 ‘National Posan Festival’ held in Sri Lanka 

• Sri Lanka has celebrated the National Posan Festival across the island. The National Posan Committee has made all the necessary arrangements to celebrate the upcoming National Posan Festival at various places including the sacred precincts of Anuradhapura and Mihintale. 
• Posan Poya Day marks the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, when Arahant Mahinda, son of Emperor Ashoka, gave the first sermon to the King of Sri Lanka. The period from 18 to 24 June has been designated as Posan Week. 
• On this occasion, the sale of all alcoholic beverages will be prohibited across the island. Posan, also known as Posan Poya, is an annual festival celebrated by Sri Lankan Buddhists celebrating the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC. 
• The festival is the most important poya (full moon) holiday of the year and the second most important Buddhist holiday of the year. Posan is celebrated across the island, with the most important events of this festival taking place in Anuradhapura and Mihintale. This festival is celebrated in early June, coinciding with the full moon of June. 

Buddhism 

• This religion is based on the teachings and life experiences of its founder Siddhārtha Gautama, who was born around 563 BCE. He was born into the royal family of the Shakya dynasty, who ruled from Kapilavastu, Lumbini, which is located near the Indo-Nepal border. 
• After 49 days of continuous meditation, Gautama attained bodhi (enlightenment) under a pipal tree in a village called Bodh Gaya in Bihar. 
• The Buddha gave his first sermon in the village of Sarnath, near the city of Benares in Uttar Pradesh. This event is known as Dharma Chakra-Pravartana (turning of the wheel of Dharma). 
• He died in 483 BCE at the age of 80 at a place called Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. This event is known as Mahaparinirvana. 

11. After years, Russia approves draft logistics agreement to be signed with India 

• After being held up for several years, the India-Russia mutual logistics agreement is ready for conclusion, with Russia approving the draft agreement over the past week. 
• The agreement will simplify military-to-military exchanges for exercises, training, port calls and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts. It is similar to a series of such agreements that India has signed with a number of countries, beginning with the U.S. in 2016. 
• An official order dated June 20 was published on Russia's official legal information website, authorizing the signing of the logistics agreement with India. The draft of the agreement was also published. "It's a Russian governmental decree that approves signing the agreement and makes relevant instruction to the MoD [Ministry of Defence]," a diplomatic source said, commenting 
• The agreement involves interaction between troops, and supply of weapons and military gear on the order. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has instructed the MoD to hold negotiations with the Indian side on the draft document, sources said. 

Delayed agreement 

• The conclusion of the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) has been delayed for several years. Official sources said that this was the same agreement which has now been approved by the Russian side, and has to be signed by both sides before it can become effective. The agreement, as and when concluded, will be valid for five years and will be renewed automatically unless either party notifies the other of its desire to terminate it, sources said. 
• Defence cooperation is a major pillar of the India-Russia strategic partnership and is guided by the agreement on military technical cooperation. The agreement for the decade from 2021 to 2031 was signed during the inaugural meeting of India-Russia 2+2 dialogue held in December 2021. 
• The cooperation agreement involves interaction between troops, and also addresses issues of the supply and development of weapons and military equipment, the Russian Ministry of Defence explained. 
• A Navy-to-Navy cooperation agreement along the same lines has also been in the works for some time.
• Among the three services, the Indian Navy has been the biggest beneficiary of these administrative arrangements signed with several countries, improving its operational turnaround and increasing interoperability on the high seas. The agreements have been a win-win for both the parties involved. 

Defence News 

12.Indian Army opens ‘Khalubar War Memorial’ for tourists in Ladakh 

• In Ladakh, to pay tribute to the heroes of the Kargil War, the Indian Army has opened the Khalubar War Memorial for tourists. The inauguration ceremony was part of the pre-Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations of the ‘Forever in Operations’ division, as this year, the country will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26. 
• Located in the famous Aryan Valley, the memorial commemorates the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought to reclaim the valley during the war. Khalubar, a serene valley near the border, became a focal point during the Kargil War when it was captured by the enemy forces. 
• The area was recaptured with the valiant efforts of Indian soldiers, including Captain Manoj Pandey, whose heroic deeds have now been immortalised in the memorial. Along with the Army, local men and women also played a vital role in the war, strengthening the historical and cultural significance of the valley. 
• The pre-Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations also included a ‘Walk to the Battle Ground’ led by Brigadier OP Yadav, YSM (Retd). 
• The Kargil War was fought between May-July 1999 along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir (now a district in the Union Territory of Ladakh) in which India emerged victorious. 
• In 1999, India and Pakistan signed the Lahore Agreement to mutually resolve the Kashmir issue in a peaceful manner. However, Pakistani troops began infiltrating into the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) under Operation Badr. The Indian Army responded by launching Operation Vijay. 

Banking and Financial News 

13. Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank gets national award for APY implementation 

• Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB), sponsored by Canara Bank, has received the national award for significant enrolment under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). 
• The chairman of KVG Bank Shreekant M. Bhandiwad received the award from Secretary, DFS, Government of India Vivek Joshi and Chairman of PFRDA Deepak Mohanty. 
• KVGB had enrolled 4,27,736 cumulative accounts under APY. During 2023-24, the bank enrolled 86,350 accounts against a target of 67,932, achieving the target well ahead of schedule. 
• While PFRDA had set a target of an average of 100 accounts per branch, KVGB surpassed it with an average of 137 accounts, the highest among all banks in South India. 
• KVGB currently operates 629 branches across nine districts from Vijayapura to Mangaluru. Notably, the bank made a national record by enrolling over 68,000 accounts in a single day during the last fiscal year. 

Ranks & Reports News 

14. New research heralds breast cancer diagnosis with just a drop of blood 

• Scientists at the CSIR Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) here, in association with clinicians of the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) in Thiruvananthapuram, have identified a potentially cost-effective and non-invasive method to detect various kinds of breast cancer from just a drop of blood. 
• The researchers have analyzed microRNA (miRNAs) signatures in hundreds of human cancer samples and identified 439 of them associated with invasive breast cancer, of which 107 qualified to be potential biomarkers for the stratification of different types, grades and stages of invasive ductal carcinoma, said CCMB Chief Scientist Lekha Dinesh Kumar, who led the research. 
• Most of the cellular processes in a body are regulated by miRNA molecules which are 23-25 base small non-coding RNA molecules. Identification of miRNAs involved in the regulation of the initiation and progression of breast cancer holds great promise for the development of molecular tools for early diagnosis and prognosis, Dr. Lekha said. 
• The scientist explained that cancer cells shed DNA/ RNA into the circulation called 'circulating nucleic acids (CNAs) and tumor specific genetic changes, including DNA, RNA, and proteins, which are detectable in plasma or other body fluids of cancer patients to identify the earlier stages of cancer development. Based on this principle, the identified biomarkers could be made into a liquid biopsy system that might prove to be a boon for developing countries, as cancer could be detected from one drop of blood. 
• Cost-effective method "Our study has paved the way for the application of miRNAs as biomarkers and would open up new vistas in developing a refined, cost-effective, and non-invasive method in breast cancer diagnosis," she said. 
• Affordable, quick and robust early detection protocols for breast cancer diagnosis using miRNAs could strengthen the healthcare system majorly because breast cancer is a "hidden epidemic in Third World countries, with most rural women in India and elsewhere reluctant to go for a physical examination," Dr. Lekha said. The discovery of biomarkers has become essential for early detection, classification, and monitoring of cancer. 
• It holds the key for the cure of this scourge and reduces the economic burden of the family in particular and society in general, she added. 
• Nine international patents have already been granted for these biomarkers as a testimony to the application of results of this study, which got published recently in the journal Cell Communication Signalling. 

15. India ranked 15th in UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2024 

• According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)'s World Investment Report 2024, foreign direct investment (FDI) in India in 2023 has declined by 43 percent compared to 2022. The report also said that the total FDI in the world has declined by 2 percent. 
• According to the UNCTAD report, total FDI in India in 2023 was $28 billion, while it was $49 billion in 2022. India's position as the top recipient of global FDI fell from 8th place in 2022 to 15th in 2023. 
• According to UNCTAD's World Investment Report, the world's top ten FDI recipient countries and billions of dollars are - United States- 311, China- 163, Singapore160, Hong Kong-113, Brazil- 66 and Canada- 50. 
• Among the world's top 20 FDI recipient countries, India, China, France, Australia, United States have seen a decline in FDI inflows. 

Key facts about India 

• India remained among the top five countries in the world in attracting FDI in greenfield projects and international project finance deals. India ranked as the fourth largest recipient in terms of FDI announcements in greenfield projects. It was ranked third in 2022. 
• India retained the second position in the world in terms of FDI in international project deals. As far as FDI outflows are concerned, India was ranked 20th in the world. India was ranked 23rd in 2023. FDI outflows refer to investments made by Indian companies outside India. 

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 

• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is a permanent organization of the United Nations. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was established in 1964 as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
• It was renamed as United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on its 60th anniversary in 2004. Its headquarters is: Geneva, Switzerland. 

16. Tajikistan, a country with 96 percent Muslim population, bans women from wearing hijab 

• Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon has approved a bill officially banning the hijab, which is called a 'foreign dress'. This decision was taken in the Parliament of the country with 96 percent Muslim population. 
• The bill has been formally approved in the upper house of Parliament 'Majlisi Milli'. The bill also bans children from participating in celebrations for the two most important Islamic holidays, Eid-ulFitr and Eid-ul-Azha. 
• This step has been taken as part of the government's continued efforts to curb public display of religion and promote Tajik culture. It has also banned Eidi, the practice of children asking for gifts and money during Eid. 
• The proposal came after the approval of amendments to the Administrative Violations Code. The Muslim-majority country is dominated by various sects of Islam - Sunni Muslims make up the majority of the population. 
• The Tajikistan government has launched a campaign to encourage the wearing of the Tajik national dress. A guidebook on clothing was also released in 2018. In 2017, a message from the government on mobile phones urged women to wear the Tajik national dress. 

Tajikistan 

• The official ban on the hijab in Tajikistan comes after years of an unofficial ban. In 2007, the Ministry of Education banned both Islamic attire and Western-style miniskirts for students. 
• Tajikistan has informally banned the growing of thick beards. The country has existing laws restricting Islamic prayers to specific places. Two years ago, the sale of black clothing was banned in the country's capital, Dushanbe. 
• Later this ban was extended to all public institutions. Officials say that hijab and other Islamic dress have been coming to Tajikistan from Gulf countries in recent years and it is believed to be linked to growing extremism. 
• The law provides for a fine of 7920 Somoni (Tajik currency) on individuals and 39,500 Somoni on companies for violating this law. At the same time, there is a higher penalty on government officials. Government and religious officials can be fined from 54000 to 57,600 Somoni respectively if found guilty. 

17. India becomes world's third largest domestic airline market 

• India has become the world's third largest domestic aviation market. The number of seats has grown from 7.9 million in April 2014 to 15.5 million in April 2024. Ten years ago, India was in fifth place with about 8 million seats. 
• In reaching third place, India has overtaken Brazil, which is now in fourth place with 9.7 million seats, and Indonesia, which has moved to fifth place with 9.2 million seats. 
• The United States (86.1 million) and China (67.8 million) continue to maintain their lead as the top two countries in terms of domestic airline capacity.
• India's annual growth rate in seat capacity over the past decade is the highest among the top five countries, averaging 6.9%. It is followed by China at 6.3%, the US at 2.4%, Indonesia at 1.1% and Brazil at 0.8%. 
• According to the report, IndiGo has seen its market share grow from 32 per cent in 2014 to 62 per cent in 2024 over the past ten years. 
• Another interesting metric to consider in these large domestic markets is low-cost carrier (LCC) capacity share, according to the OAG report. In April 2024, LCCs accounted for 78.4 per cent of domestic airline capacity in India, the highest LCC share in any of these five domestic markets. 
• According to the government, the number of airports in the country has grown from 74 to 157 over the past 10 years. Over 91 lakh passengers availed the facility of Digi Yatra in 2023 and over 35 lakh users downloaded the app. 
• Airlines in India carried 4,56,910 domestic passengers on a single day on November 19 last year. This was the highest single-day air traffic since the pandemic, according to data from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. 
• Airports Authority of India Chairman Sanjeev Kumar has emphasised the potential of the Indian aviation market to serve around 300 crore passengers annually by 2047. 

Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme launched 

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah has inaugurated the Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. It is an initiative created by the government for Indian citizens and Overseas Citizen of India cardholders. Mr Shah said that the programme, which will be launched at 21 major airports, will help Indians and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) coming from other countries. 
• Apart from New Delhi, the initiative was launched at Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi and Ahmedabad airports in the first phase. 
• The FTI-TTP will be implemented through an online portal and the Bureau of Immigration will be the nodal agency to fast-track the immigration of various categories of passengers under the programme. 
• FTI-TTP aims to revolutionise the travel experience of passengers, making it faster, easier and more secure. 

18. Industry seeks rethink on Chinese FDI curbs and high import tariffs 

• Indian industry has urged the government to revisit its restrictions on investment in flows and the movement of skilled personnel from China, and slash high import duties on electronics components as they have made Indian electronic goods globally uncompetitive vis à vis rivals such as Vietnam and China, rather than boosting localisation of critical inputs. 
• Warning that the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for large scale electronics manufacturing, introduced in April 2020 to offset some cost disadvantages, may soon lose its effectiveness in the face of "tariff-induced cost", industry players have flagged that the 4%-6% fiscal support under PLI is "grossly inadequate to negate the overall disability as compared to China and Vietnam". 
• In a report on "Developing India as the Manufacturing Hub for Electronics Components and Subassemblies", the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has outlined "critical actions required to transition India's electronics sector ecosystem from an "import dependent assembly led manufacturing' to 'component level value-added manufacturing. 
• Adequate guardrails" On the restrictions imposed in 2020, through Press Note 3, on foreign direct investment (FDI) from countries sharing land borders with India, the report said the move aimed at preventing predatory acquisitions during the pandemic has now outlived its utility and d must be reconsidered with with "adequate guardrails". 
• "India should adopt a non-restrictive approach towards investments, component imports, openness towards technology transfer in deficient areas, case of inward movement of skilled manpower and easing of non-trade tariffs," the report said, stressing these curbs have hurt India's component ecosystem development and sent out a message of "non friendly investment environment". In an interdependent world, no country can aspire to produce all components for domestic consumption and a right balance between imports and exports of higher value-added products is the recipe for long term industrial sustenance, the report argued. 
• "The largest electronics manufacturer China with its St.6 trillion international electronics trade relies on 42% im- ports," it pointed out"India's components demand is largely met through imports from China and short-term strategies are likely to have adverse impact on potential expansion of domestic manufacturing... The import tariffs on priority sub-assemblies and components need to be urgently rationalized in line with key competing economies. Majority of tariff lines need to be brought under the level of 5% or lower to ensure that product manufacturers become competitive," the report mooted. 
• India's import duties on 118 electronic-related tariff lines range from zero to 27.5%, with the largest number of components. falling in the 10%-15% range, burdening manufacturing costs. About 47.2% of the electronic imports pass through under zero tariff, the remaining 52.8% imports are subjected to varying tariff levels but largely over 10%. 

Appointment News

19.Bhartruhari Mahtab appointed Pro-tem speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha 

• President Droupadi Murmu has appointed seven-time Lok Sabha member of parliament Bhartruhari Mahtab of Bharatiya Janata Party as the pro-tem speaker of the newly constituted 18th Lok Sabha. 
• Along with him, Suresh Kodikunnil, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu, Radha Mohan Singh, Faggan Singh Kulaste, and Sudip Bandyopadhyay were appointed to assist the pro-tem Speaker in the oath-taking of the newly elected members. 
• The first session of the newly constituted 18th Lok Sabha starts on 24 June 20224. 
• Normally, the senior-most newly elected member of the Lok Sabha is appointed as pro-tem speaker. This is a convention, not a rule. 

Awards News 

20. Golden Thread honoured with Golden Conch Award at International Film Festival 2024 

• The 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2024 concluded on 21 June 2024 with the presentation of awards to various winners in different categories. Nishtha Jain's film 'Golden Thread' won the prestigious Golden Conch Award for the Best Documentary at the 18th MIFF 2024.
• The award carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, a citation and a golden conch as a trophy. Earlier, noted wildlife filmmaker Subbaiah Nallamuthu was conferred with the 18th V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award at the inauguration of the 18th MIFF 2024. 
• The 18th biennial MIFF 2024 was organized by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and hosted by the National Film Development Corporation in Mumbai from 15 to 21 June 2024. 

Major Award Winners - International 

• Best International Short Fiction Film - Sour Milk directed by Vera Pirogova from Estonia. The award carries a silver conch shell as a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh. 
• Best International Animation Film - ‘Zima’ directed by Tomek Popakul directed by Kasumi Ozeki from Poland. The award carries a silver conch shell as a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.
• Pramod Pati Award for Most Innovative/Experimental Film (Director) – ‘The Old Young Crow’ directed by Liam Lopinto of Japan. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a trophy. 
• Special Jury Mention - 'Lovely Jackson', directed by Matt Waldeck from USA. The winner receives a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh. 

National 

• Best Indian Documentary Film (over 60 minutes) - '6-A Akash Ganga', directed by Nirmal Chandra Dandariyaal. The award carries a silver conch as a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.
• Best Indian Short Fiction Film (up to 30 minutes duration) - 'Salt', directed by Barkha Prashant Naik. The award carries a silver conch as a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh. 
• Best Indian Animation Film - 'Nirjara', directed by Gaurav Pati. The award carries a silver conch as a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh. 
• Special Jury Mention - 'A Coconut Tree', directed by Joshi Benedict. 

Sponsored Awards Section 

• Dada Saheb Phalke Chitranagari Award for Best Debut Director - Sreemoyee Singh. The winner carries a trophy and a prize money of Rs 1 lakh. 
• FIPRESCI International Critics Jury Award - Sreemoyee Singh for her film ‘And, Towards Happy Alleys’. 
• IDPA Award for Best Student Film - ‘Chanchisoa (Hope)’ directed by Elwachisa Ch Sangma and Dipankar Das. The award winner receives a trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh. 

Special Awards Section 

• Best Short Film (up to 15 minutes) on “India in Amrit Kaal” - Life in Loom directed by Edmund Ranson. The award winner receives a prize money of Rs. 1 lakh, a trophy and a certificate. 

Technical Awards Section 

• Best Cinematographer - ‘Babin Dulal’ (Nepal) for the film ‘Dhorpatan: No Winter Holidays’ and Suraj Thakur (India) for the film ‘Entangled’. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 3 lakh, a trophy and a certificate. 
• Best Editor - Vignesh Kumulai for the film ‘Karpara’ and Irene Dhar Malik for the film ‘From the Shadows’. The award winner receives a prize money of Rs. 3 lakh, a trophy and a certificate. Best Sound Designer - Neeraj Gera for the film 'The Golden Thread' and Abhijit Sarkar for the film 'Dhara Ka Tame'. The award winner is given a prize money of Rs 3 lakh, a trophy and a certificate. 

Sports News

21. AFMS Officers won 32 medals at World Medical & Health Games 

• Four Armed Forces Medical Service (AFMS) Officers have brought laurels to India by clinching a record 32 Medals in the 43rd World Medical and Health Games held in Saint-Tropez, France. 
• These Officers, namely Lt Col Sanjeev Malik, Maj Anish George, Capt. Stephen Sebastian, and Capt. Dania James, made history by winning 19 Gold Medals, 09 Silver Medals and 04 Bronze Medals in the World’s largest sports event for health professionals. 
• The World Medical and Health Games, often regarded as the Olympic Games for Health Professionals, has evolved into the most prestigious global sporting event within the medical community. 
• With a legacy dating back to 1978, the Games annually attract over 2500 participants from more than 50 different nations. 

22. Dhiraj Bommadevara won Bronze at Arhery WC, Antalya

• In the Archery World Cup Stage 3, Dhiraj Bommadevara won the bronze in the men’s individual recurve event as well as in the mixed team event with Bhajan Kaur, in Antalya, Turkey. 
• Trailing 0-2 after conceding the opening set, the Indian team produced a flawless round to bring it level and seal a stunning 5-3 (35-38, 40-39, 38-37, 38-38) win over their Mexican opponents Alejandra Valencia and Matias Grande.
• The Indian women’s compound team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami and Parneet Kaur bagged a gold medal, while Priyansh bagged a silver. 

23. Max Verstappen won Spanish GP title 

• Red Bull’s Max Verstappen prevailed in a tense, strategic battle with McLaren’s Lando Norris to win the Spanish Grand Prix. 
• Verstappen’s seventh victory in 10 races this year hinged on a decisive opening phase of the race from the Dutchman. 
• Verstappen was in the lead by lap three while Norris stayed stuck behind Mercedes’ George Russell for 15 laps. 
• Lewis Hamilton took his first podium finish of the year for Mercedes in third, ahead of Russell, as Britons finished second, third and fourth. Charles Leclerc was fifth, leading home Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz. 

Recent 2024 Grand Prix Winner 

• Canadian Grand Prix 2024 – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) 
• Monaco Grand Prix – Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (Monacco) 
• Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) 
• Miami Grand Prix – McLaren’s Lando Norris (British) 
• Chinese Grand Prix – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) 
• Japanese Grand Prix – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) 
• Australian Grand Prix – Ferrari’s Carlos Saina (Spain) 
• Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) 
• Bahrain Grand Prix 2- Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) 

Important day 

24 .23 June – United Nations Public Service Day 

• United Nations Public Service Day is observed every year on 23 June. 
• This special day highlights the importance of public service and recognizes the hard work of public servants globally. 
• The UN General Assembly officially designated June 23 as Public Service Day on December 20, 2002. To further promote the day, the UN established the Public Service Awards program in 2003. 

25. 23 June – International Olympic Day 

• International Olympic Day is observed every year on 23 June. 
• It is a commemoration of the modern Olympic Games and an opportunity to promote the values of sports across the globe. 
• Theme 2024 – Let’s Move and Celebrate 
• This day holds significant importance not just for athletes and sports enthusiasts, but for everyone who appreciates the spirit of competition, unity, and athleticism. 
• The history of International Olympic Day dates back to 23 June 1894, when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded at the Sorbonne in Paris. The day was established by IOC in 1948 to encourage individuals from all walks of life to embrace the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect. 
• The first International Olympic Day was celebrated in Paris at the Sorbonne, where the modern Olympic Games were born. Since then, this day has evolved into a global celebration that transcends political, cultural, and social boundaries. 

26. 23 June – International Widow’s Day 

• International Widow’s Day is observed every year on 23 June. 
• Objective – To raise awareness about the plight of widows worldwide and advocating for their rights and well-being. 
• This day was first recognized and established by the United Nations in 2011, acknowledging the hardships faced by widows globally and the need to address their unique social, economic, and legal issues.