Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 27th September 2024

 

1. Giriraj Singh launches ‘Paridhi 24×25’ – a bilingual web portal 

• Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh in the presence of Union Minister of State for External Affairs & Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, launched India-specific fashion trend book, “Paridhi 24×25” a bilingual web portal of VisioNxt and the AI Taxonomy e-book. 
• The event saw participation from more than 150 industry leaders from fashion, textiles and retail as well as notable craftsmen and weavers from various craft clusters. 
• VisioNxt has produced 60+ micro trend reports, 10+ close-to-season trend reports, 3+ research papers, and the first ever AI Taxonomy book of Indian wear categories to date. 
• VisioNxt has positioned India globally among countries that predict fashion trends, increasing the visibility of Indian fashion vocabulary and identity while reducing dependence on international trend agencies. 
• During the event, an MoU was signed between NIFT and the National Skill Development Council (NSDC) in the presence of the Shri Giriraj Singh. 
• VisioNxt is India’s first-ever initiative that combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emotional Intelligence (EI) to generate fashion trend insights and forecasts. It identifies, maps, and analyses geo-specific trends, reflecting the positive plurality, cultural diversity, and socio-economic nuances of India while collating comprehensive trends and insights. 

2. India and Indonesia celebrated the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. 

• The 8th India-Indonesia Foreign Office Consultations were held in New Delhi. 
• Both sides review bilateral ties, including political exchanges, defence and security, the maritime domain, etc. 
• They also exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest. 
• They also discussed the ongoing commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of India-Indonesia diplomatic relations. 
• Both sides also agreed to hold the next FOC at a mutually convenient date. 
• India and Indonesia established their diplomatic relations on 16 April 1949.
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Indonesia along the Andaman Sea. 
• Both are member states of the G-20, the E7 (countries), and the Non-aligned Movement. 

3. CAG of India assumes the chairmanship of the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI). 

• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has taken the chairmanship of the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) for 2024-2027. 
• ASOSAI has expanded, and 48 Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) have become part of it. 
• At the 16th Assembly of ASOSAI, 200 delegates from 42 countries, including the heads of 22 SAIs, took part in this event. 
• The assembly has focused on enhancing transparency, accountability, and good governance. 
• The assembly was preceded by a series of working-level meetings. These included the 5th ASOSAI Grant Committee meeting. 
• At this meeting, the mid-term report on ASOSAI’s Strategic Plan 2022-2027 has also been approved. 

4. Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated India Sugar and Bio-Energy conference in New Delhi.

• India Sugar and Bio-Energy conference is being held on 26th and 27th September 2024 in New Delhi. 
• It is organised by the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), in collaboration with the Government of India (GOI) and the International Sugar Organisation (ISO). 
• The Minister said that India has become the World’s third-largest producer and consumer of Ethanol. 
• The Minister said that sugarcane cultivation increased by about 18 per cent in the last decade. 
• He said the sugarcane production has increased by 40 per cent in the last decade. 
• National green hydrogen mission was launched by the government last year with an outlay of 19,744 crore rupees. 
• It was launched to make India a global hub for the production, usage and export of Green Hydrogen. 

5. New rules have been introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). 

• The new rules aim to simplify the process of applying for public issues of debt securities. 
• Individual investors will have to use the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for fund blocking starting on November 1st when applying through intermediaries for funds up to ₹5 lakh. 
• Investors wishing to apply through intermediaries, such as stock brokers, syndicate members, registrars, or depository participants, for public issuance of debt securities must follow the new regulations. 
• In addition, investors must include their UPI ID—which is linked to their bank account—with the bid-cum-application form that they send to intermediaries. 
• Additionally, in an effort to shorten the time it takes issuers to access funds, SEBI has adopted additional regulations. 
• The minimum subscription period for public issuance of debt securities has been lowered by SEBI from three to two working days under the modified rules. 
• Furthermore, the bidding period can now be extended by one working day instead of three in the event of price band or yield modifications. 
• The period of time for public comments on draft offer documents has been shortened to one day for issuers whose securities are already listed. 

6. India has been chosen to the fifteen-member steering committee of the GlobE Network. 

• India was chosen at a plenary session in Beijing after a multi-stage voting procedure. 
• Under the G20 framework, a project known as the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) was started. 
• It was started to combat financial crime and global corruption. 
• India will be able to actively participate in international efforts to fight corruption and aid in asset recovery thanks to its election to the steering committee. 
• The GlobE Network offers a forum for global collaboration, augmenting the capacity of participating nations to tackle financial crime and cross-border corruption. 
• The network was formally established on June 3, 2021, during a UN General Assembly Special Session against Corruption (UNGASS). India has been a supporter of this effort from 2020. 
• There are currently 219 member authorities and 121 member nations in the GlobE Network. 
• In India, GlobE Network's Central Authority is the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). 
• India is represented by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI as member authorities. 
• The thirteen committee members who serve as the network's chair and vice-chair also serve as advisors to the organisation. 

7. Centre has increased minimum wage rates for workers. 

• The central government has revised minimum wage rates by adjusting the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA). 
• The purpose of this increase is to assist workers in managing the rising cost of living, especially those in the unorganised sector. 
• The previous modification was made in April 2024, and these new wages will take effect on October 1, 2024. 
• The skill levels of workers—unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled—as well as the geographic division of regions into A, B, and C are taken into account when determining minimum wage rates. 
• Following the revision, semi-skilled workers will make Rs 868 per day (Rs 22,568 per month), while unskilled workers in area "A" doing construction, sweeping, cleaning, loading, and unloading will get Rs 783 per day (Rs 20,358 per month). 
• The salary for clerical and skilled personnel, as well as watch and ward staff without arms, is Rs 954 per day, or Rs 24,804 per month. 
• Highly skilled workers would be paid Rs 1,035 per day (Rs 26,910 per month), including watch and ward staff who are armed. 
• Two times a year, on April 1 and October 1, the central government updates the VDA based on the average increase in the Consumer Price Index for industrial workers over a six-month period. 

8. India climbed to 39th place in the Global Innovation Index 2024.

• India has secured 39th place among 133 global economies in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024. 
• India was ranked 40th in last year’s Global Innovation Index. 
• India also ranks first among the 10 Central and Southern Asian economies. 
• Major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai are listed among the world’s 100 S&T clusters. 
• India has also achieved the 7th rank globally in intangible asset intensity. 
• The World Intellectual Property Organization has released the Global Innovation Index. 
• The Global Innovation Index is a tool for governments to assess the innovation-led social and economic changes in their respective countries. 
• Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, Singapore and the United Kingdom are the most innovative economies in the world. 
• The United States scored best in the world in nine of the 78 GII innovation indicators. 
• China, Turkey, India, Vietnam and the Philippines are the fastest innovative economies. 
• China reached the 11th position and is the only middle-income economy in the top 30 of the ranking. 

9. World Tourism Day: 27 September 

• World Tourism Day is celebrated across the world on 27th September. 
• It is annually celebrated to recognize the role of tourism in economic development and its social and cultural impact worldwide. 
• It also aims to create a sustainable tourism industry for future generations 
• The theme for this year’s World Tourism Day is ‘Tourism and Peace.’ 
• The theme highlights the role of the tourism sector in fostering peace and understanding between countries and cultures. 
• This year Georgia is hosting World Tourism Day. 
• On this occasion, the Tourism Ministry also announced the winners of the ‘Best tourism village’ awards. 

10. India remains Nepal's largest trading partner. 

• According to the latest Nepal trade statistics released by the Department of Customs, India remains Nepal's largest trading partner. 
• Nepal's trade deficit reached NPR 237.45 billion by mid-September in the financial year 2024-25. 
• Currently, Nepal maintains trade relations with 145 countries, but has a trade deficit with more than 100 of them. 
• Nepal faces the highest trade deficit among its neighbours, with India having a trade deficit of 144.67 billion Nepalese rupees and China having a trade deficit of 51.80 billion Nepalese rupees. 
• Nepal exports a variety of goods to India, including hydropower, resin, agricultural products, yarn, pashmina shawls, leather, handicrafts, as well as silver and gold jewellery. 
• Similarly, Nepal imports mainly petroleum products, chemical fertilizers, salt, sugar, rice, vehicles, copper and cotton etc. from India. 

11. The minimum wages of unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers will be increased by the Delhi government. 

• On September 25, Delhi's newly-appointed Chief Minister Atishi increased the monthly wages of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers in the capital with an aim to provide relief from inflation ahead of the festive season. 
• The minimum wage of unskilled workers has increased from ₹17,494 to ₹18,066, semi-skilled workers' salary has increased from ₹19,279 to ₹19,929, while that of skilled workers has increased from ₹21,215 to ₹21,917. 
• She said that the minimum wage in Delhi is the highest compared to any other state in the country. 
• The new wage rates will be implemented from October 1. 
• Recently on September 21, 2024, AAP leader Atishi took oath as the third woman Chief Minister of Delhi and became the youngest among the three to hold the top post in the national capital. 
• She also became the 17th woman to hold the post of Chief Minister in independent India. 

12. Mankidia community became the 6th PVTG to get habitat rights over forests in Odisha. 

• The habitat rights to the Mankidia community were granted under the legal sanction of The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. 
• Mankidia’s ancestors have been dependent on the forest for their livelihood and ritualistic practices. 
• The Mankidia community is an Austro-Asiatic community that mainly lives in Forests. 
• Paudi Bhuyan of Deogarh district was the first PVTG to receive habitat rights in Odisha. 
• Odisha is the leading state to give approval to the habitat rights to six PVTGs. 
• Paudi Bhuyans, Juangs, Chuktia Bhunjia, Saora and Dongria Kondh were the five PVTGs that have got habitat rights. 
• 13 PVTGs — the highest among all states and Union Territories are residing in Odisha. The PVTGs inhabit 1,683 villages in 14 districts. 

13. Tripura government launched the CM-SATH scheme. 

• Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha launched a new scheme CM-SATH to support the meritorious students for higher education. 
• The CM-SATH project will support meritorious students who need financial support. 
• It has been designed to provide financial support of Rs 60,000 (Rs 5,000 monthly) to 200 students. 
• The 200 beneficiaries will be selected by the District Education Officer of each district. 
• Rs 1.20 crore would be spent on this project in the first year. 

14. West Bengal govt to discontinue tram service in Kolkata barring one short stretch 

• The West Bengal government has decided to discontinue the 150-year-old tram service in Kolkata soon, barring a solitary heritage stretch from Maidan to Esplanade. 
• Tram lovers, however, have decided to hit the streets in protest against the decision. Kolkata is the only city in the country where trams continue to operate. 
• Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty said slow-moving trams, which move along the roads creating traffic jams in peak hours, cannot be run in the present situation as commuters need faster modes of transportation. 
• “Trams are undoubtedly a part of Kolkata’s heritage after their introduction in 1873 as horse-drawn carriages and played a crucial role in transportation in the previous century. 
• Heritage trams, however, will run between Maidan and Esplanade so that people can have a pleasant and environment-friendly ride, the minister said. 

About West Bengal 

• Capital – Kolkata 
• Chief Minister – Mamata Banerjee 
• Governor – C V Ananda Bose 

15. India to host the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) in Delhi 

• India will host the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) in 14 to 24 October 2024, a landmark event in global telecom, marking the first time this critical International Telecommunication Union (ITU) conference will be held in the country. 
• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched a series of WTSA 2024 outreach sessions in major cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, to engage students and foster discussions on the future of global communications. 
• This will be the first time such a pivotal ITU standards conference is held in Asia. Over 190 nations will gather to shape the future of global telecom standards, highlighting India’s growing influence in the global telecom industry. 

16. 26 September 2024 – World Maritime Day 

• World Maritime Day is observed every year on the last Thursday of September. This year, the World Maritime Day is taking place on September 26 
• Objective – To provide an opportunity to draw people’s attention to the importance of shipping and other maritime activities across the globe. 
• Theme 2024 – Navigating the Future: safety first 
• This special day is organised by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to highlight the importance of maritime activities and the contributions of the maritime industry to global development. 

17. 26 September – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 

• The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is celebrated on September 26th every year. 
• Objective – To raise awareness about the threat of nuclear weapons and to promote their elimination.
• It was declared by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in 2013. 
• The first Special Session of the UNGA devoted to disarmament, held in 1978, reaffirmed the preeminence of nuclear disarmament. 
• The Atomic Energy Commission (1946) to propose measures for controlling nuclear energy and eliminating weapons of mass destruction. 

18. L69, G4 countries seek urgent reform of UN Security Council 

• With the United Nations (UN) approaching its 80th anniversary next year, the Group of Four (G4) countries India, Brazil, Germany and Japan-seeking permanent membership and reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday called for urgent reform of the world body. 
• Other plurilateral groupings, such as the L69 and C-10 also echoed these calls. 
• The G4 meeting, held on the fringes of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the Foreign Minister level on September 23, reviewed progress made on these reforms. 
• The G4 Ministers reiterated the need for an increase in both permanent and nonpermanent categories of UNSC membership, to enhance the participation of developing countries, as well as "those significantly contributing to international peace and security" at the UNSC. The group highlighted the need for better repred a joint statement released on September 26, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his G4 counterparts noted the "significant challenges" to the multilateral system, centred around the UN, as they welcomed the urgent call for reform at the UN's 'Summit of the Future' held earlier this week. 
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar Japanese counterparts during the sentation for regions such as Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean in permanent and nonpermanent categories. 
• The 169 group of countries, of which India is a part, met on Thursday, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph E. Gonsalves. The group held a joint meeting with the CIO group of 10 African countries. "Encouraged by the first-ever Joint Ministerial 
• Meeting of 169 and C-10 groupings of nations," Mr. Jaishankar tweeted. 
• Greater representation They emphasised that transformative reform of the Security Council must include greater representation for the Global South. The Ministers said developing countries had an "indispensable role in safeguarding the relevance and effectiveness of the Security Council
• "The Ministers reiterated the urgent need to make the Security Council more representative, transparent, efficient, effective, democratic and accountable, and recognised that the Summit of the Future provided an opportunity for renewed commitment to Security Council reform," the group said. 
• Both the 169 and the G4 reaffirmed their strong support to the Common African Position (CAP) based on the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. The countries said further delays in comprehensive reform impacted the UN's "credibility and legitimacy". 
• On Thursday, Mr. Jaishankar announced that he had also met his counterparts Foreign Ministers Mauro Vieira of Brazil and Ronald Lamola of South Africa in the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) group. 
• "We share convergent views on reforms of the UN system and of its Security Council," he said. 

19. India elected to Globe Steering Committee 

• India was elected to the 15-member Globe Steering Committee during the plenary session held in Beijing on Thursday after a multistage voting process. 
• "As a member of the Steering Committee, India will play a crucial role in shaping the global agenda against corruption and asset recovery. India's expertise in combating corruption will be valuable assets to the GlobE Network," said a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) release. 
• The Globe Network is a vital platform for international cooperation, and India's participation will strengthen its efforts to combat cross-border financial crimes and corruption. 
• The Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GloBE Network) was an initiative of G-20.