National News

1.NIC and Spices Board Sign MoU for AI-Based Cardamom Disease Study in Sikkim

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the Spices Board of India have signed an MoU to develop Artificial intelligence (AI) tools for detecting and classifying large cardamom diseases in Sikkim.
The project, spearheaded by NIC’s Centre of Excellence in AI in Kolkata, aims to analyze images of cardamom leaves to identify diseases early.
This initiative follows three months of discussions and marks a significant step in leveraging AI for agricultural advancements in Sikkim.

International News

2.NPCI international partners with Network International to expand UPI acceptance in UAE

Now Indian travellers or NRIs in UAE will be able to make Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments through QR code through Point-of-Sale machines.
NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL), in partnership with Network International, a leading digital commerce enabler across the Middle East and Africa, has facilitated the acceptance of QR-code-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments across point-of-sale (POS) terminals in the UAE.
This initiative aims to provide seamless transaction experiences for Indian tourists in the UAE.
With over 200,000 POS terminals spread in various sectors such as retail, hospitality, transport, and supermarkets, the UPI acceptance rollout will encompass a diverse range of establishments, including popular tourist and leisure attractions.

3. 'India, U.S. share goals to prevent Ukraine conflict from spreading’

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the United States has had continuous communications with India about what the two can do "together" to hold Russia "to account", U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said on Thursday. India and the U.S. share the goals of "preventing this conflict from spreading, promoting stability in the Middle East, and efforts to establish a future Palestinian state", he said in an email interview to The Hindu.
Welcoming India's support in providing humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine, Mr. Garcetti said that the U.S. appreciated the strength of the strategic partnership with India to "coordinate and exchange perspectives" on such challenges.
"Since the first days of Russia's unjustified and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we have had continuous communication with our Indian counterparts about what we can do together to hold
Russia to account and impose consequences for its war of conquest," Mr. Garcetti said, ahead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) summit scheduled to be held from July 9 to 11. Incidentally, on the eve of the NATO summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Russia on July 8 and 9 for the 22nd annual summit between the two countries.
"Going forward, we want to make sure that Ukraine is a success, that it stands strongly on its own feet militarily, economically, democratically, and that's exactly what we're enabling Ukraine to do," the U.S. envoy added. Last week, in an interview to to The Hindu Business Line, Mr. Garcetti had said that the U.S., together with dozens of allies, is standing up against the idea that one country should be able to take the land of another by brute force. "Let me hope that India will continue to recognise that principle and work with us identify those companies that are fuelling the Russian war machine that has taken tens of thousands of
lives," he had said. Stating that India cares deeply about the people of Ukraine and has long standing ties with the country, while also noting that India has a close relationship with the people and government of Russia, Mr. Garcetti hoped that In dia could continue to play a "constructive role" towards peace. At the same time, he also cautioned that any Indian companies that violate global sane- tions "will have to be aware of the consequences they face in the international market."
Ambitious agenda The U.S. Ambassador
Ltermed India as an impor- tant strategic partner of the U.S., noting that the two nations are pursuing an "ambitious" agenda to expand their cooperation. in several areas. "We're working together. on world-shaping initiatives. that extend from the depths of the seabed to the furthest reaches of the stars," Mr. Garcetti said. Quoting U.S. President Joe Biden, who had said that the U.S. and India share one of the "most consequential" relationships in the world, Mr. Gar Cetti said, "When we work together, our might is multiplicative. It's not just theU.S. plus India, it's the U.S. times India. This, he said, is playing out in many ways, including a "game- changing" initiative to co produce jet engines; a trade relationship of more than $190 billion, and more Indian students coming to study in the U.S. than ever before.
Asked whether NATO had formally asked to set up a presence in India, Mr. Garcetti said, "There is no NATO presence in India, and I'm not aware of a request for one." However, he said, NATO members have an interest like the rest of the world in en suring a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region, and noted that many NATO members are strong de fence partners to India. In May last year, the U.S.
House Select Committee.on the strategic competition between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party recommended strengthening the 'NATO Plus' framework by including India into the alliance. This was rejected by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar who said that the "NATO template does not apply to India".

4. Belarus joins SCO 10th member

The 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hosted the summit meeting.
The Eurasian country of Belarus was admitted as the 10th full member of the SCO.
The Indian Prime Minister skipped the meeting, and India was represented by the External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar.

About Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

Founded – 15 June 2001
Headquarters – Beijing, China
Member Countries – 10 (Iran, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus)
The founding members (5) of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) were China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan. India and Pakistan officially joined this organization in 2017. Iran joined in 2023.
Observer members – 2 (Afghanistan and Mongolia).
Belarus, which was earlier the Observer country at the SCO, was upgraded and made the 10th full member of the SCO in 2024.
The annual Presidency of the SCO rotates amongst the member states.

About Belarus

Capital- Minsk
Currency- Belarusian ruble
Continent – Europe
Official languages- Belarusian, Russian
President- Aleksandr Lukashenko

State News

5. Photographic documentation of 'Mainland Serow' done for the first time in Raimona National Park, Assam

Recently, the Assam Forest Department and conservationists have documented the first photographic evidence of Mainland Serow (Capricornis sumatrensis thar) in Raimona National Park in western Assam. The Assam government declared Raimona as a national park on June 8, 2021. It is a mammal that looks like a hybrid species between a goat and an antelope.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Mainland Serow are found in areas with an altitude of 200- 3000 meters.
This animal is also found in Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary across the Indo-Bhutan border and Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. The three other species of this animal are Japanese Serow, Red Serow (found in eastern India, Bangladesh and Myanmar) and Taiwanese or Formosan Serow.
It is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List, Appendix I of CITES and Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The population of the species is fragmented, isolated and declining rapidly due to poaching, habitat destruction and habitat loss.
Photographic evidence of 'Mainland Serow' was captured twice by Forest Department personnel and members of biodiversity group 'Aaranyak' using digital camera traps near the Ganda Bajram anti-poaching camp in the western sector of Raimona National Park.
The Mainland Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis thar) is found in a variety of habitats extending from the Himalayas of the Indian subcontinent to southern China, mainland Southeast Asia and Sumatra.

Banking and Financial

6. Paytm launches ‘Health Saathi’ plan for its merchant partners

One 97 Communications Limited (OCL), which owns brand Paytm, has rolled out ‘Paytm Health Saathi’, an exclusive health and income protection plan for its merchant partners.
This plan is available on the ‘Paytm for Business’ app.
The launch of ‘Paytm Health Saathi’ aims to safeguard the wellbeing of its merchants, ensuring their health and business continuity.
With this service, Paytm continues to empower its merchant partners, bolstering their resilience, while democratising access to affordable coverage.

Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector

Bajaj Allianz Life launched the Bajaj Allianz Life Nifty Alpha 50 Index Fund to provide investors with exposure to “high-alpha stocks”
ICICI Bank launches Sapphiro Forex Card for Indian students
Bajaj Housing Finance launches Sambhav Home Loans for first-time home buyers
ICICI Lombard launches AI-powered health insurance plan ‘Elevate’
SBI launched “MSME -Sahaj”, a web-based digital business loans solution for MSMEs’ invoice financing.

7. RBI and four ASEAN countries to launch crossborder retail payment service under 'Project Nexus'

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is working on Project Nexus in collaboration with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the central banks of four ASEAN countries.
The platform is expected to go live by 2026 and will connect the domestic fast payment systems (FPS) of Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and India.
An agreement to this effect was signed on June 30, 2024 in Basel, Switzerland by the BIS and the central banks of the founding countries—Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Bank of Thailand (BOT), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Reserve Bank of India.
Indonesia will join as a special observer. India is promoting its indigenous fast payment system, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), for crossborder person-to-person (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) payments.
According to the BIS, connecting IPSs can enable crossborder payments from sender to recipient within 60 seconds (in most cases).

Bank for International Settlements (BIS)

1. Established in 1930, BIS is owned by 63 central banks. Its head office is in Basel, Switzerland and it has two representative offices (Hong Kong SAR and Mexico City).

SBI launches 'MSME Sahaj' scheme

State Bank of India launched MSME Sahaj, which will enable MSMEs to receive up to ₹1 lakh against GST invoice within 15 minutes by leveraging automated processing and data-driven credit assessment through YONO.
The solution called "MSME Sahaj - End to End Digital Invoice Financing" has been developed, which will provide solutions ranging from loan application, documentation and disbursement of sanctioned loan within 15 minutes without any manual intervention.
MSME Sahaj leverages data from GSTIN, bank statements and credit information companies to streamline credit assessment. It aims to efficiently meet the working capital needs of MSMEs under the GST regime.

Appointment

8. RBI appoints Arnab Kumar & Charulatha S as new Executive Director

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Arnab Kumar Chowdhury and Charulatha S. Kar as executive directors.
Chowdhury and Kar will look after three departments each.
Prior to being promoted as executive director, Chowdhury was serving as Chief General Manager-in-Charge in the Department of Supervision.
As executive director, he will look after Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), foreign exchange department, and international department.
Prior to being promoted as executive director, Kar was serving as Chief General Manager-in-Charge in the Human Resource Management Department.
She will look after the Department of Communication, Human Resource Management Department, and Right to Information (First Appellate Authority).

Recent Appointment in Banking & Insurance Sector

MD & CEO of IndiaFirst Life Insurance – Rushabh Gandhi (replace Vishakha R.M.)
MD & CEO of SBI General Insurance – Naveen Chandra Jha (replace Kishore Kumar Poludasu)
MD & CEO for Aditya Birla Sun Life Asset Mgmt. Company – A Balasubramanian (reappointment for 3 years)
Chairperson of Sa-Dhan – Paul Thomas
CMD of New India Assurance Company – Girija Subramanian

9. Dhirendra Ojha appointed as Director General of PIB

Senior Indian Information Service (IIS) officer Dhirendra Ojha has been appointed as Director General of Press Information Bureau (PIB).
Ojha will replace Sheyphali Sharan, who has been appointed as the Director General of the Publications Division.

Recent Appointment

Chairperson of the National Medical Commission – Dr BN Gangadhar
President of Medical Assessment and Rating Board – Dr Sanjay Behari
Maharashtra’s first Woman Chief Secretary – Sujata Saunik (replace Nitin Kareer)
Chairman of CBDT – Ravi Agrawal (replace Nitin Gupta)
Director in Department of Consumer Affairs – Mrinal Kumar Das

Awards

10. Geetha wins first ever K. Saraswathi Amma Award for feminist studies

Writer, critic and feminist activist P. Geetha was presented with the first K. Saraswathi Amma Award for her work ”Aan Thachukal” on MT Vasudevan Nair’s scripts.
It is instituted by WINGS (Women’s Integration and Growth Through Sports) Kerala.
Saraswathi Amma published her first short story in 1938. In her time, she was dubbed as a ‘men hater’, later the feminist world hailed her as the forerunner of feminist literature.
Saraswathi Amma was a bold writer who stood alone against the then patriarchal literary world. WINGS is an organisation formed with an objective of making women bold and independent.
Founder of WINGS – N.A. Vinaya

Recent Award

Atal Pension Yojana Annual Award for FY24 by PFRDA – Bank of India
Sustainable Governance Champion Award 2024 – Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd.
12th Vishwa Hindi Samman – Dr. Usha Thakur
UK Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2024 – Sanjana Thakur (For Aishwarya Rai)
Pen Pinter Prize 2024 – Arundhati Roy (for Unflinching and unswerving)

Sports News

11. Hardik Pandya becomes first Indian all-rounder to be ranked No. 1 in ICC T20I

Hardik Pandya has become the first Indian all-rounder to be ranked No. 1 in International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 International (T20I). As per the ICC rankings released on 3 July 2024, Hardik Pandya was ranked No. 1 along with Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga.
In the recently concluded 9th ICC Men’s World Cup in West Indies and USA, Hardik scored 144 runs at an average of 48 and a strike rate of 151 and also took 11 wickets.
His most important contribution was in the final against South Africa, when he took the wicket of Heinrich Klaasen, which turned the match in India’s favour. He bowled the last over of the final match and defended 16 runs to help India win the World Cup by seven runs.
Hardik Pandya is the sixth Indian player to reach the ICC No. 1 ranking in T20. Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli and Surya Kumar Yadav have been ranked ICC No. 1 batsmen in T20. In the bowlers' category, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi have got the No. 1 position.
India's leading fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is the first Indian fast bowler to become the No. 1 Test bowler in the ICC rankings. Before Bumrah, Kapil Dev was at No. 2 from December 1979 to February 1980. Zaheer Khan was at No. 3 in October-November 2010.
Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who took 10 wickets in the World Cup, has moved up three places to eighth in the bowlers' list. Jasprit Bumrah, who was the Player of the Series in the World Cup, has moved up 12 places to 12th in the ICC rankings.

Defence

12. India-Mongolia joint military exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant’ begins in Meghalaya

The 16th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant began at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya.
The exercise involves 45 Indian personnel from the Sikkim Scouts and other arms, and personnel from the 150 Quick Reaction Force Battalion of the Mongolian Army.
This annual training event alternates between India and Mongolia; the previous edition was in Mongolia in July 2023.
The exercise aims to enhance joint military capabilities for counter-insurgency operations under the UN mandate, focusing on semi-urban and mountainous terrain.

Recent Exercises in News

16th edition of Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant between India and Mongolia – Umroi, Meghalaya
13th edition of Joint military Exercise MAITREE between India and Thailand – Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province of Thailand.
29th edition of RIMPAC Naval Exercise – Hawaii, Pearl Harbour USA (INS Shivalik Participated)
1st edition of Tarang Shakti-2024 – India (August 2024)
8th edition of the Japan-India Maritime Exercise JIMEX-24 – Yokosuka, Japan
7th edition of Exercise Shakti between India and France – Umroi, Meghalaya

Important day

13. 5 July – Pet Remembrance Day

Pet Remembrance Day is observed every year on 5 July every year.
It is a day to commemorate and honour the pets we love. It’s a day to share their stories, their pictures, and the special moments they had when they were alive.

Schemes and committe

14. NITI Aayog launches ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’

NITI Aayog has launched the Sampoorna Abhiyan, a threemonth campaign from July 4 to September 30, 2024. It aims to achieve saturation in each of the six indicators identified in 112 aspiring districts and 500 aspiring blocks under the Aspirational District Programme and Aspirational Block Programme.
The district or block will develop a three-month action plan to saturate the six indicators, the district or block will track progress on saturation every month, implement awareness and behaviour change campaigns and the District Officer will conduct concurrent monitoring field visits.

Key 6 indicators of aspirational blocks

Percentage of pregnant women registered for antenatal care within the first trimester.
Percentage of persons screened for diabetes as against the target population in the block.
Percentage of persons screened for hypertension as against the target population in the block.
Percentage of pregnant women regularly taking supplementary nutrition under the ICDS programme.
Percentage of Soil Health Cards generated against soil sample collection target. 6. Percentage of SHGs receiving revolving fund against total SHGs in the block.

Key 6 indicators of Aspirational Districts

Percentage of pregnant women registered for antenatal care (ANC) within the first trimester.
Percentage of pregnant women taking regular supplementary nutrition under ICDS programme.
Percentage of children fully immunized (9-11 months).
Number of Soil Health Cards distributed.
Percentage of schools with functional electricity at secondary level.
Percentage of schools providing textbooks to children within one month of commencement of academic session.

NITI Aayog

The Planning Commission was replaced by a new institution NITI Aayog on January 1, 2015. Chairman: Prime Minister, ViceChairman: Appointed by Prime Minister, Governing Council: Chief Ministers of all States and Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories.
Regional Council: The Prime Minister or his nominee chairs a meeting of Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors to address specific regional issues.
The Aspirational Districts Programme was launched in January 2018 as the 'Transformation of Aspiring Districts' Programme (TADP). The Aspiring Blocks Programme (ABP) has been launched during the second National Conference of Chief Secretaries held from January 5 to 7, 2022. It was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23

15.Committee headed by Biswanath Goldar constituted to revise the base year of National Accounts

Recently, a committee was constituted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to review the revision of the base year for the National Accounts.
This 26-member committee will be headed by Biswanath Goldar, former professor at the Institute of Economic Growth, and this committee will recommend a new base year for the national accounts, which will likely be aligned with indices like Wholesale Price Index, Producer Price Index and Consumer Price Index.
At present, the base year is 2011-12 but it has been proposed to revise it to 2020-21. The initiative aims to make economic analysis and policymaking more accurate by reviewing existing databases and incorporating new data sources.
In India, the base year of GDP series was revised from 2004-05 to 2011-12 in 2015 after adapting sources and methods in line with the United Nations System of National Accounts (SNA), 2008. Biswanath Golder Committee
Other members of the committee include former Director General of Central Statistics Office (CSO) GC Manna, Professor Mousumi Das of Delhi School of Economics and Director of Institute of Economic Growth Chetan Ghate.
The committee will also have representation from Reserve Bank of India (RBI), NITI Aayog, Ministry of Agriculture, GST Network, Commerce and Industry and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 5th July 2024