Aspirants Zone

Friday, January 7, 2022

Daily Current Affairs 7th January, 2022

Daily Current Affairs 7 January 2022 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

Odisha Govt ties up with Syntizen for life certificates to pensioners via video KYC
The Odisha government has partnered with Syntizen, a Digital Identity Solutions provider, to provide life certificates to pensioners in the state via video KYC.

Odisha has become the first state in India to provide life certificates to pensioners via video KYC. The move will benefit around five lakh pensioners.
The procedure takes 5–10 minutes and a life certificate is generated instantly.

PM chose Puducherry as host of National Youth Festival
Puducherry has been handpicked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to host the 25th National Youth Festival, organised as part of the Azadi ki Amrit Mahotsav marking the 75th year of Independence, said Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur.

He was participating in a function in which Puducherry Lt Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan unveiled the logo, mascot and theme of the NYF in the presence of Chief Minister N Rangasamy, Speaker R Selvam and Minister for Education A Namassivayam in Puducherry.
The 25th National Youth Festival is going to be held in Puducherry from 12th to 16th January 2022.

Kerala's High Court is India's First paperless court
The Kerala High Court is all set to become India's first paperless court. Supreme Court judge Justice DY Chandrachud inaugurated the smart courtrooms.

In the 1st phase six courtrooms, including the Chief Justice's room, will be converted into smart courts.
Also, case files will be made available to the lawyers on the computer screen.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

BANKING & FINANCE

SBI General Insurance launches awareness campaign on tax saving
SBI General Insurance has announced the launch of a campaign to increase awareness of Indians around the need to buy health insurance to save tax.

The campaign #BahaneChhodoTaxBachao will also underline other benefits of opting for health insurance.
The campaign consists of videos in a Vox Pop format featuring anchor Rudraksh Singh. Singh travels across major cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Kolkata asking people about the lamest excuse they have for not opting for a health insurance and then making them aware of the tax benefits that they can obtain from it.

Airtel Payments Bank, Park+ Tie Up to Offer FASTag-Based Smart Parking Solutions
Airtel Payments Bank announced a collaboration with Park+ to offer FASTag-based smart parking solutions to marquee commercial and residential properties across the country.

The partnership aims to leverage the distribution reach and digital payments stack of Airtel Payments Bank to digitise the parking ecosystem using FASTag associated with the vehicle.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Google Cloud partners with CryptoWire to develop blockchain, crypto ecosystem
TickerPlant, a subsidiary of 63 Moons technologies limited, announced its collaboration with Google Cloud for the development of the CryptoWire eco-system, catering to all stakeholders of crypto and the blockchain industry on a common platform.

CryptoWire aims to simplify the digital asset class, blockchain technology, its industrial application and empower enthusiasts and professionals to make informed business decisions by offering deep insight and leading-edge knowledge.
CryptoWire’s state-of-the-art knowledge portals, CryptoTV and Crypto University will provide technology and knowledge intensive global intervention in crypto asset and blockchain ecosystem to enable seamless operations and convergence of all applications for participants to take informed investment decisions and enable industry usage of the blockchain.

RIL launches India Inc's biggest bond sale abroad
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) launched its mega bond sale as the company sought to raise $3-5 billion from offshore investors.

This will be the largest-ever bond sale by an Indian company tapping overseas money and the year's first fundraising from the country.
The proceeds will be used primarily to refinance existing debt with a likely funding cost benefit. Parts of it can also be used for financing capital expenditure or general corporate purposes.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Google buys Israeli security startup Siemplify for $500 million
Alphabet Inc-owned Google said its cloud division had acquired Israeli cybersecurity startup Siemplify, as the U.S. tech giant expands its security offerings amid rising cyber attacks.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed by the companies, but a source familiar with the matter said Google paid $500 million in cash for Siemplify.
The deal came after Google made a pledge to U.S. President Joe Biden last August to invest $10 billion in cybersecurity over the next five years, amid a significant rise in cyber attacks and data breaches.

APPOINTMENTS

Indias TS Tirumurti assumes new chair of UN Counter-Terrorism Committee
TS Tirumurti, India's permanent representative to the United Nations was named the new Chair of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC).

Prior to taking up his current position as Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, in May 2020, Tirumurti served as Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, handling the Economic Relations portfolio (which included, inter alia, the Gulf and the Arab World, Africa, and India's Development Partnership.

Justice Ayesha Malik to Be Pakistan's First Woman Supreme Court Judge
Pakistan has elevated Justice Ayesha A Malik to the country’s Supreme Court, making her the first woman judge in the country’s history to hold a top judicial position.

The 55-year-old currently serves as a judge in the Lahore High Court, where she reportedly ranks as the fourth-most senior judge.

Bank of Baroda signs cricketer Shafali Verma as brand endorser
State-owned Bank of Baroda said it has signed cricketer Shafali Verma as its brand endorser.

The Bank continuously supports the youth of the country through its various banking and non-banking initiatives and this announcement reflects the bank’s ethos of adding value to its customer experience by choosing youth-icons like Shafali to inspire them.

Centre elevates G Asok Kumar as DG National Mission for Clean Ganga
G Asok Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti has taken over as new Director General of National Mission for Clean Ganga, Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Kumar belongs to the 1991 batch of Indian Administrative Service.He had earlier served in senior poisitions in Civil Aviation and Power ministries and was Executive Director Projects in National Mission for Clean Ganga.

Former US diplomat Atul Keshap appointed head of US-India Business Council
The US Chamber of Commerce said ambassador Atul Keshap was being appointed as president of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) effective from January 5.

Keshap most recently served in New Delhi as United States Chargé d’Affaires to India, leading the US Embassy team.
Nisha Biswal, a former US assistant secretary of state for South Asia, and Keshap’s predecessor as USIBC head, will remain deeply involved with the organisation as the US Chamber of Commerce’s senior vice president of International Strategy and Global Initiatives and South Asia.

Govt re-appoints Vijay Paul Sharma as CACP Chairman
The Centre has again appointed Vijay Paul Sharma as the chairman of Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP) after he relinquished the post in May last year following completion of the five-year tenure.

The role of CACP chairman will be crucial in the proposed committee on the minimum support price (MSP) and other reforms.
Sharma, a professor at the Centre for Management in Agriculture in Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad was first appointed as CACP Chairman in June 2016.

AWARDS

South Indian Bank wins UiPath Automation Excellence awards 2021
The Kerala-based lender South Indian Bank has won the UiPath Automation Excellence Awards 2021 for Best Automation under Crisis for Business Continuity.

The award was bestowed upon the Bank for its exceptional use of Robotic Process Automation capabilities under difficult times for solving severe operational constraints, thereby ensuring business continuity.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Indian Navy Commences Boeing P-8I Aircraft Operations From INS Hansa
The Indian Navy’s Boeing P-8I aircraft commenced operations from INS Hansa, Goa.

The Navy has inducted two more Poseidon 8I maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, in a boost to its surveillance capabilities in the Indian Ocean in the face of China's increasing forays into the region.
The existing fleet of P-8Is is extensively deployed to keep track of the movement of Chinese ships and submarines in the Indian Ocean region. The P-8I, based on the Boeing next-generation 737 commercial aeroplanes, is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon used by the US Navy.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

“Gandhi’s Assassin: The Making of Nathuram Godse and His Idea of India” book by Dhirendra Jha
The book titled “Gandhi’s Assassin: The Making of Nathuram Godse and His Idea of India” written by Dhirendra Jha has been released recently.

In his new book, Gandhi’s Assassin: The Making of Nathuram Godse and his Idea of India, Dhirendra K. Jha throws light on a pretrial statement Godse made, which refutes the self-portrait he offered in the courtroom “and the myths which pro-RSS writers created to suppress the real life that the assassin had lived and influences that had worked on him and led him to murder Gandhi.

Click here to read Daily Current Affairs

Thursday, January 6, 2022

Daily Current Affairs 6th January, 2022

Daily Current Affairs 6 January 2022 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

Odisha's Ganjam District declared as Child Marriage Free
Odisha’s Ganjam has declared itself a child marriage free district, the first in the State.

The district administration has been able to stop as many as 450 child marriages and video-record 48,383 marriages in two years — 2020 and 2021.
After verification, the Ganjam administration declared it a child marriage free district. Sarpanchs and task force committee members had sent recommendations that no child marriage had taken place in their respective areas.

Ayush Minister Sarbananda Sonowal lays foundation stone for Heartfulness International Yoga academy
The Union Ayush Minster Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone for the Heartfulness International Yoga academy at Hyderabad. The Academy will set new benchmarks in yoga training.

The Heartfulness International Yoga Academy comprises Yoga halls that can accommodate 100 Yoga students in each hall, therapeutic Yoga rooms for consultation, one to one training spaces or small group classes; pre-natal Yoga rooms; a lecture hall with 200 sitting capacity; a full-fledged recording studio with editing suites for pre-recorded wellness programs; a recording Yoga hall fully equipped for Live online Yoga Classes; a Yoga library with books from every Yoga Institutions and access to Yoga research articles

Govt launches six brands developed as part of 'One District-One Product' approach under PMFME scheme
Food Processing Industries Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras launched six brands developed as part of the 'One District-One Product' approach under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises Scheme in New Delhi.

The products are Amrit Phal, Cori Gold, Kashmiri Mantra, Madhu Mantra, Somdana, and Whole Wheat Cookies of Dilli Bakes.
The Ministry has signed an agreement with NAFED for developing ten brands of selected One District One Product under the branding and marketing component of the scheme. According to NAFED, all the products come in unique and attractive packaging to ensure a longer shelf life of the product and keeping it fresh.

Gujarat CM launches Student Start-ups and Innovation Policy for next 5-years
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has launched Student Start-ups and Innovation Policy (SSIP-2.0) for the next five years.

This policy has a provision of setting up of active innovation and incubation centres in all universities in the state. It intends to cover 50 lakh students across One thousand higher education institutes and 10 thousand schools of innovation and entrepreneurship.
The new Student Start-ups and Innovation Policy intends to give assistance to 10 thousand proof of concepts and prototypes developed by the students. It also proposes to give assistance to 1 thousand proof of concepts developed by school children. It has a provision of 5 thousand rupees assistance for filing of students’ creation of a strong pre-incubation support system in minimum 500 educational institutes and universities.

Akshaya Patra, WFP to enhance effectiveness of PM POSHAN scheme
The Akshaya Patra Foundation (TAPF) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in India have entered into a partnership to enhance the effectiveness of the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (formerly mid-day meal scheme).

The partnership is a strategic force multiplier bringing deep work and experience together. India was strategically important for School Meals Coalition that was launched in 2020 with WFP as a coordinating body, as it implemented the largest school feeding programme in the world.
A steering committee formed between these organisations would plan, discuss and mobilise financial resources to implement various activities.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Sri Lanka, India to Jointly Develop Strategic Trincomalee Oil Tank Complex
Sri Lanka has agreed to implement a joint project with India to redevelop the strategic World War II-era oil tank farm in the eastern port district of Trincomalee, the island nation's government announced.

The Lankan government said that after reviewing the three existing agreements with the Indian government regarding the strategic Trincomalee Oil Tank Complex, commonly known as the Trinco Oil Tank Farm, the two sides have reached an agreement to implement a joint development project.
The Cabinet has approved the proposal to allocate 24 and 14 oil tanks of Trincomalee Oil Tank Complex to Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the local operators of the Indian Oil Company (LIOC) respectively while remaining 61 oil tanks are to be developed under Trinco Petroleum Terminal Pvt. Ltd, with shares of CPC (51%) & LIOC (49%). Joint Cabinet Spokesperson (Minister) Udaya Gammanpila said this joint venture will be for a lease period of 50 years.

Antigua & Barbuda becomes 102nd member of International Solar Alliance
Antigua and Barbuda becomes the 102nd country to join International Solar Alliance.

With 102 Member countries in the global collective, the ISA is working towards creating a multi-stakeholder ecosystem where sovereign nations, multilateral organizations, industry, policymakers and innovators are coming together to promote the common and shared goal of meeting energy demands of a secure and sustainable world.

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI cancels authorisation certificates of two payment system operators
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the authorisation certificates of Muthoot Vehicle and Asset Finance Ltd and Eko India Financial Services Private Ltd for non-compliance with regulatory requirements.

Both the Payment System Operators (PSOs) had authorisation for issuance and operation of prepaid payment instruments.
However , customers or merchants having a valid claim, if any, on these companies as PSOs, can approach them for settlement of their claims within three years from the date of cancellation.

Airtel Payments Bank gets scheduled bank status from RBI
Airtel Payments Bank said it has been categorised as a scheduled bank by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

With this, Airtel Payments Bank can now pitch for government-issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and primary auctions and undertake both central and state government business, besides participating in government-operated welfare schemes.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Airtel partners with Hughes Communication to offer satellite broadband services in India
Hughes Communications India Private Ltd and Bharti Airtel have formed a joint venture to provide satellite broadband services in India, the companies said.

The combined India VSAT operations of both companies will offer a range of satellite and hybrid network solutions to business and government customers.
The JV combines the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) businesses of both companies to offer flexible and scalable enterprise networking solutions using satellite connectivity for primary transport, back-up and hybrid implementation.

SPORTS

Sri Lanka batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa retires at 30
Sri Lanka batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa announced his retirement from international cricket, citing family obligations.

Rajapaksa represented Sri Lanka in five ODIs and 18 T20Is, scoring a total of runs 409 across formats which included three fifties. He was part of Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup 2021 squad and finished as the third-highest run-scorer for his team with 155 runs from eight matches.

AFI Postpones National Youth Athletics Championships
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) announced that the National Youth Championships, scheduled to be held in Bhopal from January 27-29, has been shelved indefinitely following the postponement of the Asian Championships due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The National Youth Championships was to serve as selection trials for the Asian Athletics Championships to be held in Kuwait from March 1-4.

APPOINTMENTS

RBI appoints Ajay Kumar Choudhary and Deepak Kumar as new Executive Directors
Deepak Kumar and Ajay Kumar Choudhary have been promoted as executive directors of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the central bank said.

Prior to being promoted as ED, Kumar was heading the Department of Information Technology of the RBI, while Choudhary was Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Department of Supervision.
As executive director, Kumar will look after the Foreign Exchange Department, Department of Communication and Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the RBI.
Choudhary will look after the Fintech Department, Risk Monitoring Department and Inspection Department.

AWARDS

JC Chaudhry achieves the first Guinness World Record on Numerology, first of 2022
The first-ever Guinness World Record in Numerology and the first world record of 2022 was achieved by one of India's top numerologists JC Chaudhry educating about ancient science to around 6000 participants, enthusiasts of numerology joined from USA, UK, Middle East, and India.

The initiative was organised by CNPL (Chaudhry Nummero Pvt Ltd) and the Indian Institute of Numerology to create awareness regarding numerology, which was prevalent across ancient cultures like Greece, Egypt, China, Chaldea and India.

OBITUARIES

Social worker, Padma Shri awardee Sindhutai Sapkal passes away
Renowned social worker and Padma Shri recipient Sindhutai Sapkal passed away at a hospital in Pune. He was 74.

Sindhutai Sapkal, who was also referred to as ‘Mai’, ran an orphanage in Pune where she had adopted more than 1000 orphan children. In 2021, Sapkal was conferred with the Padma Shri award for her significant contribution to society.
For her work, Spakal has been honoured with more than 700 awards. She also used the award money to buy land to make a home for orphaned children.

Neil Nongkynrih, founder of Shillong Chamber Choir passes away
Shillong Chamber Choir founder Neil Nongkynrih passed away in Mumbai after a brief illness.

The 51-year-old musician was awarded with Padma Shri, country's fourth highest civilian award in 2015.
Nongkynrih's musical genres included classical, pop, Jazz, Hindustani, folk and opera. The Choir's repertorie includes works of western classical music, hits by rock group Queen and Khasi folk song of his own state Meghalaya. The coir, now having 25 members, including 15 singers, and other musicians and soloists have so far performed in Britain, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Sri Lanka and in Indian cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Click here to read Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs 5th January, 2022

Daily Current Affairs 5 January 2022 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

Exercise Milan 2022: India to host 46 nations mega naval wargames
India has invited a total of 46 friendly foreign countries to participate in the multinational naval exercise Milan in Visakhapatnam, scheduled from February 25, 2022.

The theme of this 11th edition of exercise Milan is camaraderie, cohesion and collaboration. This exercise was initiated in 1995 and held biennially and conducted with friendly navies.
The countries that have been extended invitations for participation include Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Israel, Iran, France, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, among others.

Number of subscribers of Atal Pension Yojana has reached 3.68 cr so far: Govt
Finance Ministry said, over 65 lakh have been enrolled in Atal Pension Yojana in the current financial year so far.

Apart from enrolments, male to female subscription ratio of 56:44 is improving and asset under management is around 20 thousand crore rupees.

Telangana tops in highest number of ODF villages
Once again, Telangana stood first in the country in the list of highest number of open defecation free (ODF Plus) villages under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase-II programme till December 31, 2021.

As many as 13,737 out of 14,200 villages in the State are in the ODF Plus list, which is 96.74%. This was followed by Tamil Nadu with 4,432 villages (35.39%) and Karnataka with 1,511 villages (5.59%). Gujarat took the 17th position with only 83 villages (0.45%).

Himachal becomes first smoke-free state of the country
Ujjwala and Himachal Grihini Suvidha scheme of Centre and State government prove boon for the people of the state and making Himachal Pradesh the first state in the country to become a smoke-free state.

Ujjwalla Yojna was started by the Centre government with the view to free the women of the country from indoor pollution.
Along with this, the Himachal government also started the Grihini Suvidha Yojana to benefit as many women as possible, under the scheme.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh releases Special Postage Stamp commemorating 75th Platinum Jubilee year of CSIR-National Physical Lab
Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh released a Special Postage Stamp commemorating the 75th Platinum Jubilee year of CSIR-National Physical Laboratory in New Delhi.

The Minister also dedicated the nation LED Photometry Laboratory to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to develop energy-efficient illumination technology.
He said the Platinum Jubilee celebration is coinciding with the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said science and technology is going to be the main currency for the inclusive growth of India in the coming decades.

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI releases framework on offline digital payments
The Reserve Bank of India released framework to enable small value digital payments in offline mode using cards, wallets and mobile device. As per the new rules payment system operators, will be able to allow offline payments in face to face mode only.

Such payments that will happen without the use of internet or the telecom network will be capped at Rs 200 per transaction and will be offered without additional factor.
As per the rules, the upper limit of an offline payment transaction will be Rs 200. The total limit for offline transactions on a payment instrument will be Rs 2,000 at any point in time. The regulator also stated that payment instruments will be enabled for offline transactions based on explicit consent of the customer.
The RBI also said that the acquirer will incur all liabilities arising out of technical or transaction security issues at merchant’s end.

SBI, ICICI and HDFC Bank continue to be systemically important banks: RBI
The Reserve Bank of India said that State Bank of India, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank will remain as D-SIBs) and therefore will have to maintain additional common equity tier 1 (CET1) capital ratios in the same manner prescribed in 2020.

For SBI, the additional CET1 requirement is maintained at 0.6% of the bank's risk weighted assets, while for HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, the requirement is kept at 0.2%.
The additional CET1 requirement is in addition to the capital conservation buffer and was prescribed to strengthen these bank's capital. The capital conservation buffer, at 2.5% of a bank's total exposures, is in addition to the 4.5% minimum requirement for Common Equity Tier 1 capital.

Bharat BillPay launches UPMS to simplify recurring bill payments
NPCI Bharat BillPay announced the launch of a Unified Presentment Management System (UPMS), which will enable users to set up standing instructions on their recurring bill payments across all channels and modes of digital payments.

Under the system, bills will be automatically fetched from the billers and presented to customers to take action in terms of auto-debit and bill payment management.
The idea is to enable all the Bharat BillPay Operating Units to make this facility available to their customers through the centralized infrastructure and application support provided by Bharat BillPay Central Unit (BBPCU), NBBL said in its statement. UPMS will help in democratizing recurring bill payments and making them further convenient for customers.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Apple becomes first company to touch $3 trillion market cap
Apple Inc became the first company to hit a $3 trillion stock market value, before ending the day a hair below that milestone, as investors bet the iPhone maker will keep launching best-selling products as it explores new markets such as automated cars and virtual reality.

On the first day of trading in 2022, the Silicon Valley company's shares hit an intraday record high of $182.88, putting Apple's market value just above $3 trillion. The stock ended the session up 2.5% at $182.01, with Apple's market capitalization at $2.99 trillion.
The world's most valuable company reached the milestone as investors bet that consumers will continue to shell out top dollar for iPhones, MacBooks and services such as Apple TV and Apple Music.

India`s exports up 37% to record USD 37.29 bn in Dec; trade deficit widens to USD 22 bn
The country's exports in December 2021 surged 37 per cent on an annual basis to USD 37.29 billion, the highest-ever monthly figure, on the back of healthy performance by 1sectors like engineering, textiles and chemicals, even as the trade deficit widened to USD 21.99 billion.

Imports in December too rose by 38 per cent to USD 59.27 billion on account of an increase in oil imports, which soared 65.17 per cent to USD 15.9 billion, government data showed.
Gold imports expanded by 4.5 per cent to USD 4.69 billion.
Exports in December 2020 stood at USD 27.22 billion, while imports aggregated to USD 42.93 billion. Trade deficit was at USD 15.72 billion.

APPOINTMENTS

Alka Mittal becomes first woman to head ONGC as CMD
Alka Mittal has been appointed as the interim chairman and managing director of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), making her the first woman to head the country’s largest oil and gas producer.

She replaces Subhash Kumar, another interim head who retired after reaching superannuation age on December 31.
She became the first woman to head an oil and gas exploration and production company. Earlier, Nishi Vadudeva was the first company to head an oil company when she took over the reins of oil refiner and fuel marketing company Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) in 2014.

G Asok Kumar takes over as DG, National Mission for Clean Ganga
Senior IAS officer, G Asok Kumar posted as additional secretary, Union ministry of Jal Shakti assumed the charge as Director General of National Mission for Clean Ganga, Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Kumar, a 1991 batch of IAS officer has earlier also served in Civil Aviation and Power ministries and was also executive director of projects in National Mission for Clean Ganga.

AWARDS

Captain Harpreet Chandi becomes first Indian-origin woman to trek solo to South Pole
An Indian-origin British Army Captain, Harpreet Chandi, has become the first woman of colour to trek solo unsupported to the South Pole.

The 32-year-old who is widely famous as Polar Preet is also a trained physiotherapist.
She completed the 700 miles (1127 kilometres) in just 40 days.

Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism awards: Full list of winners
Manorama News Senior Correspondent S Mahesh Kumar is among the winners of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards. Mahesh Kumar bagged the award for investigative journalism. He won the coveted award for the news series "Operation Nepal Gold".

The award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a citation. The award will be given away at a function to be held in March.

The complete list of winners: Hindi (Print): Anand Choudhary, Dainik Bhaskar Hindi (Broadcast): Sushil Kumar Mohapatra, NDTV India Regional Languages (Print): Aniket Vasant Sathe, Loksatta Regional Languages (Broadcast): Sunil Baby, Media One TV Environment, Science And Technology Reporting (Print): Team Pari (People’s Archive Of Rural India), comprising Shalini Singh, Sanket Jain, Ritayan Mukherjee, Vishaka George, Kavitha Muralidharan, Medha Kale, Parth M N, Urvashi Sarkar, Namita Waikar, Chitrangada Choudhury, Aniket Aga, Jaideep Hardikar, M Palani Kumar and Subuhi Jiwani and P Sainath. Environment, Science And Technology Reporting (Broadcast): Team Scroll, comprising Nooshin Mowla, Sujit Lad, Omkar Phatak, Swati Ali, Dewang Trivedi, Shibika Suresh and Sannuta Raghu. Uncovering India Invisible (Print): Shiv Sahay Singh, The Hindu Uncovering India Invisible (Broadcast): Tridip K Mandal,The Quint Business And Economic Journalism (Print): Sumant Banerji, Business Today Business And Economic Journalism (Broadcast): Ayushi Jindal, India Today TV Reporting On Politics And Government (Digital): Dheeraj Mishra, The Wire Reporting On Politics And Government (Broadcast): Seemi Pasha, Thewire.in Sports journalism (Print): Nihal Koshie, The Indian Express Sports journalism (Broadcast): Team NewsX, which included Aishvarya Jain, Siddharth Reg, Riyanka Choudhary and Prerna Sandilya Investigative Reporting (Print): Kaunain Sheriff M, The Indian Express Investigative Reporting (Broadcast): S Mahesh Kumar, Manorama News Reporting On Arts, Culture And Entertainment: Uday Bhatia, Mint Prakash Kardaley Memorial Award for Civic Journalism: Chaitanya Marpakwar, Mumbai Mirror Photo journalism: Zishaan A Latif, The Caravan Books (Non-Fiction): Arun Mohan Sukumar

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Azure Power commissions 600 MW solar project in Rajasthan
Azure Power said it has commissioned a 600 MW solar power project in Bikaner.

According to a statement, the power generated from the project, located in Rajasthan, will be supplied to SECI at a tariff of Rs 2.53 per kWh for 25 years.
This is the largest solar power project in India, owned and operated at a single location by any developer, it claimed.

OBITUARIES

Three-Time Olympic Triple Jump Champion Viktor Saneyev passes away
The three-time Olympic triple jump champion and former world record-holder Viktor Saneyev has died at the age of 76, the World Athletics said.

The Soviet Union man won his Olympic titles in three consecutive Games, first in Mexico City in 1968 and then again in Munich, 1972 and followed by Montreal in 1976. He won an Olympic silver medal four years later in Moscow. He also won two European titles in 1969 and 1974.
Saneyev’s started his Olympic career at 23 years of age, and he made his debut by securing gold with a world record leap of 17.39m, which was his second world record of the day on a day that the record was recorded newly four times.

Indo-Pak 1971 war veteran Vice Admiral SH Sarma passes away
The Indian Navy's 1971 Indo-Pak war veteran Vice Admiral S.H. Sarma died, at the age of 100.

Sarma was the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet during the 1971 war. India had defeated Pakistan in the 1971 war leading to the creation of Bangladesh.
Sarma also served as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC in C) of the Eastern Naval Command.

Famed fossil hunter and conservationist Richard Leakey passes away
A world-renowned Kenyan conservationist and fossil hunter, Richard Leakey has died at the age of 77, said President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The legendary paleoanthropologist is credited for the discovery of ‘Turkana Boy’ in 1984 which led to groundbreaking discoveries proving that humankind evolved in Africa.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launches theme of National Science Day 2022
Union Science and Technology Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh launched the theme of National Science Day 2022.

The theme of this year is 'Integrated Approach in Science and Technology for Sustainable Future'.
The National Science Day is observed every year on 28th February to mark the discovery of the Raman effect.

Click here to read Daily Current Affairs

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Daily Current Affairs 4th January, 2022

Daily Current Affairs 4 January 2022 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

MP Sushmita Dev only woman in 31-member Panel examining bill to raise legal marriage age
Trinamool MP Sushmita Dev is the only woman member of the parliamentary panel that will examine the Prohibition on Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill seeking to increase the age of legal marriage of women from 18 to 21 years.

During the winter session of Parliament, the bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union minister Smriti Irani. Then it was sent to the 31-member committee for examination.
According to the members' list of the parliamentary standing committee, led by senior BJP leader Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, available on the Rajya Sabha website, Sushmita Dev is the only woman among the 31 members.

Semiconductor mission launched by IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the India Semiconductor Mission.

Vaishnaw said companies which are interested in tapping the Rs 76,000-crore incentives earmarked by the Centre for development of semiconductors and display manufacturing ecosystem in India can begin applying for the same from January 1.
The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is a specialised and independent business division within the Digital India Corporation. It has been set up with the aim to build a vibrant semiconductor and display ecosystem to enable India’s emergence as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design.

Centre sticks to 8 lakh rupees annual income criteria for reservation to Economically Weaker Section candidates
The Centre has told Supreme Court that it has decided to retain the existing 8 lakh rupees annual income criteria for candidates of Economic Weaker Sections for NEET-PG counselling.

In an affidavit filed before the apex court, the government said that its decision is based on the recommendations of the expert committee. The Centre said, changing the criteria midway will lead to complications in the ongoing admissions.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

France takes over six-month EU presidency
France took over the presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1st January 2022, after a break of 13 years.

During a six-month period, the country will lead the work of the Council, building co-operation and agreement between the member states.
The motto of France as EU President is “recovery, strength, belonging.”

BANKING & FINANCE

CryptoWire Releases India's First Cryptocurrency Index to Help Users 'Learn Before Earn'
CryptoWire, a crypto super app announced the launch of India’s first index of cryptocurrencies, IC15 with a view to empowering knowledge on blockchain ecosystem.

The index tracks and measures the performance of the top 15 widely traded liquid cryptocurrencies listed on leading crypto exchanges of the world.
An index that captures over 80 percent of market movement is, thus, a fundamental market tracking and assessing tool to base decisions on and enhance transparency.

Fino Payments Bank receives RBI approval for cross border remittances
Fino Payments Bank has received the Reserve Bank of India's approval for commencing international remittance business under the Money Transfer Service Scheme (MTSS).

The bank will be undertaking inward cross-border money transfer activities in association with an overseas principal, the details of which are being worked out.

Nippon MF, ICICI Prudential MF race to launch India’s first Auto
Two of the country’s largest mutual fund houses are vying with each other to launch the country’s first exchange traded fund (ETF) based on the auto and auto ancillary sectors.

Both Nippon Mutual Fund and ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund announced launching their respective Nifty Auto ETFs that will mirror the Nifty Auto Index, which comprises of all the automobile majors of the country along with those from the auto ancillary segment. The Auto ETF is an open-ended scheme replicating/ tracking the Nifty Auto Index.
Interestingly, it is difficult to ascertain which one would be the first as the both the new fund offers (NFOs) will open on January 5. While the ICICI Prudential fund will close on January 10, the one by Nippon MF will be open till January 14.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

India's April-November fiscal deficit narrows to 46% of full-year target
The centre's fiscal deficit at the end of November came at 46.2% of the FY22 budget estimate on the back of robust revenues, official data showed.

The deficit figures in the current financial year till November appear much better than the previous financial year when it had soared to 135.1% of the estimates mainly on account of a jump in expenditure to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In actual terms, the deficit stood at Rs 6.95 lakh crore at the end of November 2021 against the annual estimate of Rs 15.06 lakh crore, according to data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA).
For the current financial year, the government expects the deficit at 6.8% of GDP or Rs 15.06 lakh crore

India Q2Fy22 current account deficit at 1.3% of GDP
India’s current account balance posted a deficit of $ 9.6 billion in the second quarter ended September 2021 (Q2Fy22), forming 1.3 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and reflecting a rise in overseas trade.

The current account was in surplus $ 6.6 billion (0.9 percent of GDP) in the first quarter ended June 2021(Q1Fy22) and $ 15.3 billion (2.4 per cent of GDP) a year (Q1Fy21), said the Reserve Bank of India in a statement.
RBI said the current account deficit (CAD) in Q2Fy22 was mainly due to widening of trade gap to $ 44.4 billion from $ 30.7 billion in the preceding quarter and an increase in net outgo of investment income.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Tech Mahindra to acquire 100% stake in Allyis India, Green Investments
It major Tech Mahindra announced that the company and its wholly-owned subsidiary viz.,Tech Mahindra (Americas) Inc. has approved the proposal to acquire 100 per cent equity shares in Allyis India Pvt Ltd and Green Investments LLC, holding company for Allyis Group, respectively.

Tech Mahindra will pay total consideration of up to $125 million, including employment-related and performance-related earnouts, as per a regulatory update filed with the exchanges.
Allyis India Pvt Ltd and Green Investments LLC offer technology consulting and managed services for organisations to help reduce costs, improve performance, and meet their objectives. Allyis India Pvt Ltd was incorporated in 2018 whole Green Investments LLC was incorporated in 2013.

SPORTS

Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez retires from international cricket
Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez announced his retirement from international cricket bringing the curtains down on an 18-year-long career.

Hafeez last played for Pakistan in the T20 World Cup with his last outing turning out to be the defeat to Australia in the semi-final in the UAE last year.
Hafeez, who made his international debut in 2003, played 218 ODIs, hitting 6614 runs, including 11 hundreds and 38 fifties. He picked up 139 wickets in the 50-over format. He hit 2514 runs in 119 T20is and picked up 61 wickets.
Hafeez had announced his retirement from Tests in 2018. He played 55 matches, scoring 3652 runs, including 10 hundreds.

APPOINTMENTS

V.S. Pathania takes over as Coast Guard Director General
V.S. Pathania took over as the 24th Director General (DG) of the Indian Coast Guard from Krishnaswamy Natarajan who retired from service.

In a career of over 36 years, Mr. Pathania has held several key appointments afloat and ashore and has also commanded all classes of Coast Guard ships namely Inshore Patrol Vessel ‘Ranijindan’, Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ‘Vigraha’ and advanced OPV ‘Sarang’.
He was elevated to the rank of Additional Director General in November 2019 and took over as Coast Guard Commander (Eastern Seaboard) at Visakhapatnam.

AWARDS

Dr. Jitendra Singh launches Web Portal for PM's Excellence Award, says prize money doubled to 20 lakh rupees for awarded District or Organization
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has launched the Web Portal for PM's Excellence Award.

The registration for the Award began. Speaking after the launch, the Minister said, the entire concept and format of the PM's Excellence Award has undergone a revolutionary change since 2014. PM's Award for Excellence in Public Administration portal for the year 2021-2022 is www.pmawards.gov.in
The Minister also added that the prize money was also doubled this year from 10 lakh rupees to 20 lakh rupees to the awarded District or Organization. He informed that it is now mandatory for all District Collectors to apply for the Award

OBITUARIES

Bollywood film producer Vijay Galani passes away
Hindi film producer Vijay Galani passed away in London due to organ failure.He was in his late 50s.

He is known for producing films like Salman Khan’s Suryavanshi (1992), Govinda and Manisha Koirala’s Achanak (1998), Akshay Kumar’s Ajnabee (2001), Paresh Rawal and Mallika Sherawat’s Bachke Rehna Re Baba (2005), Salman Khan’s Veer (2010). His last production venture was Vidyut Jammwal and Shruti Haasan’s The Power (2021).

Click here to read Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs 3rd January, 2022

Daily Current Affairs 3 January 2022 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

Ladakh celebrates 'Losar' the traditional new year with symbolic
performances in a low key affair Ladakh is celebrating, Losar, the traditional new year on January 3,2021.

Losar is being celebrated by Buddhist Community in the region with elaborated symbolic festivities in the name of God and Goddess.

PM Modi lays foundation stone of Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Meerut
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone of Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. The sports university, established at a cost of Rs. 700 crore.

Mr. Modi said, youth is the shaper and also the leader of New India. He said, our youth today have the heritage of antiquity coupled with the sense of modernity.
The sports university will be equipped with modern and state of the art sports infrastructure including synthetic hockey ground, football ground, basketball / volleyball / handball / kabaddi ground, lawn tennis court, gymnasium hall, synthetic running stadium, swimming pool, multipurpose hall and a cycling velodrome.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launches nationwide 100 days
reading campaign - Padhe Bharat Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched a nationwide 100-day reading campaign - Padhe Bharat.

The Campaign is in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 which emphasizes the promotion of joyful reading culture for children by ensuring the availability of age-appropriate reading books for children in their mother tongue, regional and local languages.
The reading campaign aims to have the participation of all stakeholders at the national and state level including children, teachers, parents, community, and educational administrators.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Srilanka to go bankrupt by 2022 with record-high inflation
Sri Lanka is facing a deepening financial and humanitarian crisis with fears it could go bankrupt in 2022 as inflation rises to record levels, food prices rocket and its coffers run dry.

The meltdown faced by the government, led by the strongman president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, is in part caused by the immediate impact of the Covid crisis and the loss of tourism but is compounded by high government spending and tax cuts eroding state revenues, vast debt repayments to China and foreign exchange reserves at their lowest levels.

World's longest metro line opens in Shanghai, China
China's biggest city and a global financial hub, Shanghai is going to extend a new driverless and longest metro line.

With the latest inclusion of metro lines, the total length of Shanghai's metro network will extend to 831 km, continuing to be the longest in the world.
Apart from making a record of the world's largest metro network, the city will also get two fully driverless metro lines, taking the total number of such automatic lines to five in the city. The fully automatic lines will contribute 167 km to the total length of the metro network established in the city.

BANKING & FINANCE

Compound annual growth rate of digital transaction gone up by 50%: Govt
Government has said that the compound annual growth rate of digital transaction has gone up by fifty per cent. Electronics and Information Technology Ministry said, the number of digital transactions has increased from one thousand 85 crore rupees in 2016-17 to five thousand 554 crore in 2020-21.

Recognizing the importance of a cashless economy, the government announced setting up of DigiDhan Mission with a target of two thousand 500 crore digital payment transactions during the Financial Year 2017-18 through Unified Payment Interface, Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, Aadhaar Pay, Immediate Payment Service and Debit cards.
In the last financial year, the mission was given a target of five thousand 500 crore digital payment transactions, which it has surpassed achieving five thousand 554 crore transactions.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

GST collection in Dec 2021 over Rs 1 lakh 29 thousand cr
The gross Goods and Services Tax, GST revenue collected in December 2021 is over one lakh 29 thousand crore rupees.

Of which, CGST is 22 thousand 578 crore rupees, SGST is 28 thousand 658 crore rupees, IGST is 69 thousand 155 crore rupees and cess is nine thousand 389 crore rupees.
The revenues for the month of December 2021 are 13 percent higher than the GST revenues in the same month last year.

APPOINTMENTS

Sudan's PM Abdalla Hamdok announces resignation amid political deadlock
Sudan's prime minister Abdalla Hamdok says he has resigned amid political deadlock following a military coup that derailed the country's fragile transition

PM Abdalla Hamdok, a former UN official seen as the civilian face of Sudan's transitional government, was reinstated in November amid international pressure in a deal that calls for an independent technocratic Cabinet under military oversight led by him.
That deal, however, was rejected by the pro-democracy movement, which insists that power be handed over to a fully civilian government tasked with leading the transition.

Click here to read Daily Current Affairs

Monday, January 3, 2022

Daily Current Affairs 2nd January, 2022

Daily Current Affairs 2 January 2022 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

Panel formed to prepare energy transition roadmap for India
The government is planning to draw up an energy transition roadmap for the oil and gas sector that could prove to be a key step on India's path to net-zero emissions by 2070.

The oil ministry has set up the Energy Transition Advisory Committee headed by former petroleum secretary Tarun Kapoor, who demitted office in November, to draft the strategy.
The panel will include representatives of all public-sector oil and gas companies and will reach out to other stakeholders in the sector.

Government sets up multiple task forces for 6G development
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) formed as many as six academia-driven task forces under the Technology Innovation Group (TIG) on sixth-generation or 6G technology, making industry representation only symbolic.

The new task groups are headed by Bhaskar Ramamurthy, director, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Chennai, Abhay Karandikar, director, IIT-Kanpur, Bharadwaj Amrutur, director, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, Kiran Kumar Kuchi, director, IIT-Hyderabad on multi platform for next generation networks, spectrum policy, multi-disciplinary innovative solutions, and devices respectively.
Group for financing research and development is headed by Ashok Kumar Tiwari, Member (Technology), Digital Communications Commission (DCC), and a task force on international standards is headed by NG Subramaniam, chairman of the Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI).

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

China unveils 5-year plan to become hub of global robotics market
After cementing its position across tech domains globally, China has unveiled a five-year plan to become an innovation hub for the global robotics industry by 2025, as industries like automobile, aerospace, railway transportation, logistics and mining aim to roll out smart factories.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said in a statement that the operating income of China’s robotics industry is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 20 per cent from 2021 to 2025.
In 2020, the operating income of China’s robotics sector exceeded 100 billion yuan ($15.7 billion) for the first time.

BANKING & FINANCE

Paisabazaar.com and Axis Bank launch pre-qualified personal loans
Paisabazaar.com, India's largest digital marketplace for consumer credit, announced that it has strengthened its partnership with Axis Bank, India's third largest private sector bank, by launching a Pre-Qualified Program for unsecured loans on its platform.

The Pre-Qualified program on Paisabazaar.com entails deep technology and analytics collaboration with Banks and NBFCs, which enables select customers to view customized and pre-qualified lending offers on the fintech's platform.
Axis Bank customers, both salaried and self-employed, who are eligible for pre-qualified personal loans from the bank, will now be able to view and apply for the same offers through the Paisabazaar platform as well.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

SEBI restructures Market Data Advisory Committee
SEBI has restructured its advisory committee on market data that recommends policy measures pertaining to areas like securities market data access and privacy.

Rejigging its market data advisory committee, Sebi has said the panel will now be chaired by S Sahoo, Professor at National Law University, Delhi and former chairperson, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), as per the latest information with the regulator.The 20-member committee was earlier headed by Madhabi Puri Buch, ex-whole time member of Sebi.
Members of the committee include Ashlesh Gosain, Regional Head South Asia, Bloomberg LP, Mumbai; Reena Garg Scientist F & Head (Electronic & Information Technology Department) at BIS; Kiran Shetty, CEO and Regional Head - India & South Asia at SWIFT India; Ganesh Ramakishnan Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering in IIT Bombay.
Also, BSE Managing Director and CEO Ashishkumar Chauhan; NSE MD and CEO Vikram Limaye; Mahesh Vyas, MD of CMIE; Prithvi Haldea, chairman at Prime Database; and Anuj Kumar, CEO of CAMS are also the members.

OBITUARIES

Former England captain Ray Illingworth passes away
Ray Illingworth, a former England cricket captain, has died. He was 89.

Illingworth played 61 Tests for England between 1958 and 1973 and captained the country 31 times, winning 12 matches and an Ashes series in Australia in 1970-71.
He was an all-rounder who scored 1,836 Test runs at an average of 23.24 and claimed 122 wickets with his off-spin bowling at 31.20.
He was chairman of the England selectors between 1993 and 1996, and coached the team in 1995-96.

Click here to read Daily Current Affairs

Sunday, January 2, 2022

Daily Current Affairs 1st January, 2022

Daily Current Affairs 1 January 2022 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

Centre releases over Rs 830 cr to Odisha to expedite implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission
Centre has released over 830 crore rupees to Odisha to expedite the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the state. Jal Shakti Ministry said, Odisha has planned to become Har Ghar Jal State in 2024.

Out of around 85 lakh rural households in the state, around 41 per cent households have tap water supply in their homes.
As on date, more than 36 thousand schools and over 29 thousand Anganwadi Centres in Odisha have been provided with tap water supply.

Govt approves 315 water supply schemes worth Rs 9544 cr for Jharkhand under Jal Jeevan Mission
Union Government has approved 315 water supply schemes of worth nine thousand 544 crore rupees for Jharkhand under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Jal Shakti Ministry said that these schemes will provide tap water supply to about eight lakh rural households in four thousand 424 villages of the State.

Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat allocated over two thousand 479 crore rupees this year, which is four-fold increase from last year’s allocation. He assured full assistance to the state for making provision of tap water supply in every rural home by 2024.

Jharkhand govt partners with ISB to boost state's forest economy
The Jharkhand government has joined hands with the Indian School of Business to launch an initiative aimed at empowering state’s forest economy and creating jobs and wealth through a sustainable development model.

Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste, Minority and Backward Class Welfare along the Department of Forests, Jharkhand, signed an MoU with the Bharti Institute of Public Policy at Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, to develop scalable and sustainable solutions focussing on forest-based industrial value chains.

Jawaharlal Nehru Road renamed as 'Narendra Modi Marg' by Sikkim Guv
A second road linking Tsomgo lake and Nathula border pass with Gangtok -- christened as 'Narendra Modi Marg' -- was officially inaugurated by Governor Ganga Prasad. The older route is called Jawaharlal Nehru Road.

The alternative double-lane road at 51 Kyongasala gram panchayat unit (GPU) -- spanning 19.51 km -- has been operational for almost a year now.
The stretch, constructed by Border Roads Organisation, has reduced the distance between Gangtok and Tsomgo lake by 15 km.It is a small gesture to show gratitude to the PM.

BANKING & FINANCE

Interest rates on Small Savings Schemes kept unchanged for fourth quarter of FY22
The interest rates on various Small Savings Schemes has been kept unchanged for the fourth quarter of this financial year from 1st January to 31st March, 2022.

Public Provident Fund (PPF) and National Savings Certificate (NSC) will continue to carry an annual interest rate of 7.1 per cent and 6.8 per cent, respectively.
One-year term deposit scheme will continue to earn an interest rate of 5.5 per cent, while the girl child savings scheme Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account will earn 7.6 per cent.
The interest rate on the five-year senior citizens savings scheme would be retained at 7.4 per cent. The interest on the senior citizens' scheme is paid quarterly.
Interest rate on savings deposits will continue to be 4 per cent per annum.
Term deposits of one to five years will fetch interest rate in the range of 5.5-6.7 per cent, to be paid quarterly, while the interest rate on five-year recurring deposits will earn a higher interest of 5.8 per cent.

LIC inaugurates Digi Zone to sell insurance policies online
Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India has inaugurated 'Digi Zone' as part of its effort to enhance its digital footprint.

With an intention to become a tech-driven life insurer, LIC will offer information regarding its products and services through kiosks installed in the premises, the insurer said.
Customers can use LIC's Digi Zone to buy policies online, pay the premium and avail of other services.

LIC, GIC Re and New India systemically important insurers: IRDAI
Insurance regulator Irdai said the state-owned LIC, GIC Re and New India continue to be identified as Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) for 2021-22.

D-SIIs refer to insurers of such size, market importance and domestic and global inter connectedness, whose distress or failure would cause significant dislocation in the domestic financial system.

SBI Card, Paytm join hands for card tokenisation to protect cardholders' data
SBI Cards and Payment Services has tied up with Paytm for card tokenisation to protect data of the cardholders.

SBI Card has collaborated with Paytm to enable cardholders to tokenise their cards on devices and make payments through Paytm, SBI Card said.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

TRIFED signs MoU with Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini to leverage knowledge, expertise & institutional strengths
TRIFED has been carrying out several programmes and initiatives to improve the livelihoods of the tribals and work towards their empowerment.

A major game changing initiative- Van Dhan Programme, has been implemented by TRIFED in the recent past which is spearheading in 25 states and 307 districts with availability of MFPs as well as significant forest dwelling tribal population.
In a bid to expand its activities and help more tribals, TRIFED has signed an Memorandum of Understanding with Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini- Nation First Policy Research Centre on 29th of this month for a collaborative effort in leveraging knowledge, expertise and institutional strengths.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

SBI to acquire nearly 10 pc stake in India International Clearing Corporation
The country’s largest public-sector lender State Bank Of India (SBI), stated that it will buy a 9.95% stake in the India International Clearing Corporation (IICC), set up at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City IFSC (GIFT-IFSC).

It clears and settles index and single stock derivatives, currency derivatives and debt securities, states a PTI report.
SBI has informed to complete the acquisition of an almost 10% stake in IICC by a maximum investment of Rs 34.03 crore, and the initial subscription is estimated to be completed by March 31, 2022.

SPORTS

India lift U-19 Asia Cup beating Sri Lanka by 9 wickets in Dubai
In cricket, India lifted the Under-19 Asia Cup by defeating Sri Lanka by nine wickets in a rain-interrupted One-Day International final in Dubai through Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

Earlier, Sri Lanka opted to bat first and scored 106 for nine in the stipulated 38 overs.

Jasprit Bumrah Achieves Milestone of Picking 100 Test Wickets Away From Home
Adding another feather to his cap, Jasprit Bumrah achieved the milestone of picking 100 wickets away from home in Test cricket. The pacer got to the feat on Day 4 of the first Test between South Africa and India at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Van der Dussen became Bumrah's 100th Test victim in overseas conditions. The 28-year-old now has 105 wickets, out of which 101 have come away from home.
Bumrah, who made his Test debut in South Africa in 2018, has played 25 Tests, 23 of which have come on the road.

At 29, Quinton de Kock announces retirement from Test cricket
South Africa's star wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect, said the country's apex body, CSA, hours after the team's defeat in the first Test against India.

A former Test captain, De Kock is only 29 and it is believed that he will continue playing in the white-ball formats for the Proteas, with a lot of focus on franchise-based T20 leagues.
In 54 matches, he scored 3300 runs with a highest score of 141 not out, at an average of 38.82 and strike rate of 70.93.
He has six centuries and 22 half-centuries under his belt along with 232 dismissals, which includes 221 catches and 11 stumpings.

APPOINTMENTS

Vinay Kumar Tripathi appointed as new chairman, CEO of Railway Board
Vinay Kumar Tripathi has been appointed as new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Railway Board. The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Mr Tripathi who is presently working as General Manager, North Eastern Railway to the post of Chairman of Railway Board.

Mr Tripathi belongs to 1983 Batch of Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers.

AWARDS

KVASU bags national award for breed conservation
The All India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP) on poultry breeding, Mannuthy, under the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University (KVASU), bagged the national breed conservation award for 2021.

The centre received the prestigious award from ICAR - The National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) for the conservation and research activities on the Tellicherry breed, the only registered native chicken breed from the State.The award carries a citation and a purse of ₹10,000.
The award was established by ICAR - NBAGR for their contribution towards conservation and improvement of registered Indian breeds of domestic livestock and poultry.