National NEWS
BJP-led Government Launches CDP-SURAKSHA Platform to Boost Horticulture Sector:
- The BJP-led government introduces CDP-SURAKSHA platform for disbursing subsidies to horticulture farmers under the Cluster Development Programme (CDP).
- CDP-SURAKSHA aims to promote horticulture crops and accelerate growth in India’s horticulture sector.
- Horticulture sector contributes nearly one-third to the agriculture gross value addition (GVA), making a significant impact on the Indian economy.
- Total production of horticulture crops has seen a notable increase, rising from 240.53 million tonnes in 2010-11 to 334.60 million tonnes in 2020-21.
- The platform is expected to streamline subsidy disbursement processes and support farmers in adopting modern techniques for improved productivity.
- The initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity and income of farmers.
Banking NEWS
PhonePe Partners with e-Sewa and Hotel Association of Nepal to Promote UPI at Fewa New Year Festival
- PhonePe collaborates with e-Sewa and the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) Pokhara to promote Unified Payments Interface (UPI) during the Fewa New Year Festival in Nepal.
- The festival, scheduled from April 11th to 14th, is renowned for its popularity among Nepali citizens and Indian tourists, offering a vibrant showcase of Nepalese culture, cuisine, music, art exhibitions, and traditional performances.
- PhonePe aims to boost digital payments through UPI and will conduct various on-ground activations to educate local merchants about the benefits of digital transactions and demonstrate the ease of digital payments for customers.
- Over 3,000 merchants are expected to participate in the initiative, with an anticipated footfall of over 100,000 visitors, aiming to accelerate the adoption of UPI on the Fonepay Network in Nepal.
About Phonepe:
- CEO: Sameer Nigam (Dec 2015–)
- Headquarters: Maharashtra
- Founded: 2015
HDFC Bank Becomes First Private Bank to Open Branch in Lakshadweep:
- HDFC Bank becomes the first private sector bank to open a branch in Lakshadweep, with the inauguration of a branch at Kavaratti Island.
- The branch aims to upgrade banking infrastructure in the Union Territory and offer a wide range of services, including personal banking and digital banking.
- HDFC Bank’s branch in Lakshadweep will focus on providing customized digital solutions, such as QR-based transactions for retailers, to meet the banking needs of the local population.
- This initiative highlights HDFC Bank’s commitment to expanding its presence and providing banking services in remote areas across India.
About HDFC bank:
- CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan (27 Oct 2020–)
- Founded: August 1994, Mumbai
- Headquarters: Mumbai
IPPB Introduces Aadhaar ATM Service for Customers:
- India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has launched the Aadhaar ATM service, operating on the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) principle introduced by NPCI.
- Customers can now withdraw cash without visiting a bank or ATM, utilizing the services of a postman or gramin dak sevak at their doorstep.
- This service is particularly beneficial for individuals with busy schedules and those residing in remote or rural areas.
- NPCI has set a maximum transaction limit of Rs. 10,000 for a single AePS financial transaction.
- IPPB, as the acquiring bank, imposes no restrictions on AePS transactions for clients of other banks, facilitating seamless financial transactions.
About National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI):
- National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is an initiative of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, for developing a robust Payment & Settlement Infrastructure in India.
- MD & CEO- Mr. Dilip Asbe
- Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra Establishment – 2008
About India Post Payments Bank:
- Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) – R. Viswesvaran
- Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
- Establishment – 2018
- Tagline – Your Bank at Your Doorstep
Appointment NEWS
Lindy Cameron Appointed as New British High Commissioner to India:
- Lindy Cameron has been appointed as the new high commissioner of the United Kingdom to India, succeeding Alex Ellis.
- She brings with her a wealth of experience, having served as the head of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
- The appointment reflects the UK’s commitment to strengthening its diplomatic ties and cooperation with India across various sectors, including security and cyber issues.
United Kingdom:
- Capital: London
- Monarch: Charles III
Manoj Mittal Recommended for CMD of SIDBI by FSIB:
- The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has proposed Manoj Mittal, currently MD and CEO of IFCI Limited, for the position of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of SIDBI.
- Mittal’s nomination comes as a replacement for Sivasubramanian Ramann, who has been serving as CMD of SIDBI since April 2021 and belongs to the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) of the 1991 batch.
SIDBI:
- Headquarters: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Founded in 2 April 1990
About Financial Services Institution Bureau (FSIB):
- FSIB came into effect on 1st July 2022, replacing the Banks Board Bureau (BBB) for recommending persons for appointment as whole-time directors and non- executive chairpersons on the Boards of financial services institutions.
- Chairman- Bhanu Pratap Sharma
- Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
Award NEWS
Jain Acharya Lokesh Muni Receives American President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award:
- Jain Acharya Lokesh Muni becomes the first Indian monk to be honored with the American President’s Gold Volunteer Service award.
- The award recognizes Acharya Lokesh Muni’s significant contribution to the public good and humanity.
- Acharya Lokesh Muni is the founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharat, a non-governmental organization, and the World Peace Center in India.
- The American President’s Volunteer Service Award was established in 2003 during George Bush’s Presidency.
- The award ceremony took place in Capitol Hills, Washington, D.C., where US Congressman Brad Sherman presented the certificate and citation.
Ranks and Reports NEWS
JNU Tops QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024:
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) secures the top position among Indian universities in the QS World University Rankings By Subject 2024.
- JNU is ranked 20th globally for its excellence in development studies, according to the prestigious rankings released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
- University of oxford in United Kingdom tops the overall rank
- Others are 2nd – Stanford University, 3rd Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 4th Harvard University, 5th University of Cambridge
- The achievement instills pride in the nation and highlights JNU’s commitment to academic excellence and research in the field of development studies.
About JNU:
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is a renowned public central university located in New Delhi, India.
- Establishment: JNU was established in 1969 by an act of Parliament, with a focus on interdisciplinary studies and research.
Science and tech NEWS
White House Directs NASA to Establish Time Standard for the Moon:
- The White House has directed NASA to create a unified standard of time for the moon and other celestial bodies to set international norms in space exploration.
- The directive aims to address the growing lunar race among nations and private companies by establishing a Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC).
- The head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) instructed NASA to collaborate with other parts of the U.S. government to devise a plan for LTC by the end of 2026.
- This initiative underscores the importance of standardizing timekeeping in space missions to facilitate coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders involved in lunar exploration.
NASA:
- Founded: 29 July 1958, United States
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
- Officeholder: Bill Nelson (Administrator)
Gopichand Thotakura Set to Become Second Indian Citizen in Space with Blue Origin:
- Gopichand Thotakura, an Indian national and wellness entrepreneur, has been selected to join a six-member crew for Blue Origin’s next New Shepard mission.
- If the mission is successful, Thotakura will become the second Indian citizen in space after wing commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984 and the first civilian astronaut from India.
- Thotakura’s participation highlights the increasing involvement of Indian nationals in space exploration, following in the footsteps of astronauts Kalpana Chawla, Sunita Williams, Raja Chari, and Sirisha Bandla, who were US citizens of Indian origin.
- The launch date for the NS-25 suborbital mission has not been announced yet but is expected to occur within the next few weeks, marking a significant milestone for India’s space aspirations.
