National news:
DARPG and Bangladesh Ministry Renew MoU for Capacity Building:
- Renewal of MoU between (Department of Administrative reforms & Public Grievances) DARPG and Ministry of Public Administration, Bangladesh, for capacity building programs from 2025-2030.
- Constructive discussions held between DARPG delegation and senior officials of Bangladesh Ministry from April 28-30, 2024.
- Secretary V. Srinivas engages in bilateral meetings with key officials and addresses officers at Bangladesh Civil Service Administration Academy.
- Capacity building programs by National Centre for Good Governance cover new governance paradigms like project management and public procurement.
Bangladesh:
- Capital: Dhaka
- Currency: Bangladeshi Taka
- Prime minister: Sheikh Hasina
NHPC Partners with Norwegian Firm for Floating Solar Energy Technology :
- NHPC Limited signs MoU with M/s Ocean Sun to explore collaboration for implementation of floating solar energy technology in India.
- Agreement focuses on demonstrating Ocean Sun’s technology using photovoltaic panels mounted on hydro-elastic membranes.
- NHPC aims to contribute to sustainable development and increase renewable energy capacity through partnerships like this.
- NHPC, a major player in hydropower development, also involved in solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects.
NHPC: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Private Limited
- Headquarters: Faridabad
- Founded: 7 November 1975
- Chairman & Managing Director: Shri Raj Kumar Chaudhary
Economy news:
NCAER Forecasts Indian Economy to Surpass 7% Growth in FY25:
- National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) predicts Indian economy to grow over 7% in the current fiscal year.
- Factors contributing to potential growth include projected global growth, increased trade volumes, and expectations of an above-normal monsoon.
- NCAER Director General Poonam Gupta highlights optimistic outlook for Indian economy.
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) revises India’s 2024-25 growth forecast to 6.8%, up from earlier projection of 6.5%.
Banking news
India’s ATM Cash Withdrawals Rise by 5.51% in FY24: CMS Infosystems Report:
- CMS Infosystems reports a 5.51% increase in monthly average cash withdrawals from ATMs, reaching Rs 1.43 crore in FY24.
- Despite digital payment growth, steady demand for cash persists, challenging speculations of cash usage decline.
- Report underscores continued relevance of cash alongside digital payment modes in India’s financial landscape.
NABARD Initiates Study to Assess Impact of GI Certified Products:
- The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned a study on the impact evaluation of Geographical Indication (GI) products to Symbiosis School of Economics.
- This particular study will enable NABARD to analyse the benefits accrued to artisans/producers because of the GI tags over the years.
- As of today, 144 products supported by NABARD, are GI tagged
- The first product that received a GI tag with support from NABARD, was Pochampally Ikat from the State of Telangana (erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh).
- NABARD, not only supports GI registration of a product, but also focuses on post-registration activities, such as registration of authorised users, renewal of existing registration, marketing support, consumer awareness and training programmes, among others
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
- Founded –1982
- Headquarters-Mumbai
- Chairman – Shri. Shaji K V
RBI Cancels Acemoney’s NBFC Licence For Irregular Lending Practices:
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the non-banking financial company (NBFC) licence of Acemoney (India) over irregularities in lending practices.
- The Reserve Bank has cancelled the Certificate of Registration (CoR) issued to NBFC Acemoney. Acemoney shall not transact the business of a Non-Banking. Financial Institution (NBFI), as defined in clause (a) of Section 45-I of the RBI Act, 1934,” the central bank said in a statement on Monday (April 29).
- As per the RBI, the licence was cancelled as the NBFC flouted the central bank’s guidelines on managing risks and code of conduct in outsourcing financial services in its digital lending operations undertaken through third-party apps.
- The company was also not compliant with the extant regulations on charging excessive interest and ensuring confidentiality of customer information, the statement added.
- Incorporated in 2016, Acemoney (India) is a financial services company that offers multiple fee-based services to its clients. In addition, it also partners with third-party digital platforms to disburse loans and advances to customers.
About Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
- Governor – Shaktikanta Das
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Founded in 1935
Sports news:
India Announces Squad Led by Rohit Sharma for 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup
- Rohit Sharma to lead the 15-member Indian squad, with Hardik Pandya as Vice-Captain.
- Nine players from the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup squad, including Sharma and Kohli, retained.
- India placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Canada, USA, and Ireland.
- First match against Ireland on June 5, followed by fixtures against Pakistan, USA, and Canada.
- Squad players: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket keeper), Sanju Samson (wicket keeper), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj.
Appointment news:
Admiral Dinesh Tripathi Assumes Office as 26th Naval Chief:
- Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi takes over as the 26th Chief of Naval Staff, succeeding Admiral R. Hari Kumar.
- Tripathi, an alumnus of Sainik School Rewa and the National Defence Academy, was commissioned in the Indian Navy in 1985.
- Indian Navy, one of India’s three armed forces, safeguards maritime boundaries and interests.
- Under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, with the President of India as the supreme commander.
- Originating as the Royal Indian Navy in 1934, renamed as the Indian Navy upon the promulgation of the Indian constitution in 1950.
- Admiral Sir Edward Parry served as the first Commander-in-Chief, with the post later changed to Chief of Naval Staff in 1955, held by Admiral Sir Edward Parry.
Justice Dinesh Kumar Assumes Role as SAT Presiding Officer:
- Retired Justice Dinesh Kumar appointed as the Presiding Officer of the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) for a four-year term.
- SAT, established in 1992 under SEBI Act, hears appeals against orders of SEBI, PFRDA, and IRDAI.
- SAT consists of a Presiding Officer and other judicial and technical members, with three members currently appointed.
- Appointments made by the government of India in consultation with the Chief Justice of India or its nominee, with a tenure of five years extendable by five more years.
- SAT rulings can only be challenged in the Supreme Court; it has jurisdiction across India with its bench in Mumbai.
Important days
Ayushman Bharat Diwas 2024 is observed on April 30:
- Ayushman Bharat Day is annually celebrated on April 30.
- The government started celebrating this day to raise awareness about its Ayushman Bharat Yojana and how it aims to transform people’s lives.
- The Indian government wants to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, high-quality healthcare through this plan.
- Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PM-JAY) was launched on
- Under this plan, every year, free health care coverage of ₹5 lakh is given to more than 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families under the PM-JAY scheme.