National NEWS
PM Modi Inaugurates 2550th Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav in New Delhi:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the 2550th Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav on Mahaveer Jayanti.
- Event takes place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
- PM Modi releases commemorative stamp and coin, addresses the gathering.
- Celebration marks the Janma Kalyanak of Bhagwan Mahavir Swami.
- Emphasis on Jain principles like Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha.
- Cultural program and blessings from Jain community saints.
Economy NEWS
Direct Tax Collections for FY 2023-24 Exceed Estimates, Gross Collection at Rs. 23.37 Lakh Crore:
- Net Direct Tax collections (provisional) surpass Union Budget Estimates by Rs. 1.35 lakh crore, marking a 7.40% increase.
- Exceed Revised Estimates by Rs. 13,000 crores.
- Gross Direct Tax collections (provisional) for FY 2023-24 reach Rs. 23.37 lakh crore, showing a growth of 18.48% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y).
- Net Direct Tax collections (provisional) for FY 2023-24 amount to Rs. 19.58 lakh crore, with a Y-o-Y growth of 17.70%.
- Refunds totalling Rs. 3.79 lakh crore issued during FY 2023-24.
Banking NEWS
Ashok Leyland Partners with South Indian Bank for Dealer Financing:
- Memorandum of Understanding signed between Ashok Leyland and South Indian Bank for financial services to dealers.
- South Indian Bank to provide competitive finance options to Ashok Leyland dealers.
- Partnership aims to offer convenient and complete financing choices to dealers.
- Statement by South Indian Bank’s Senior General Manager and Group Business Head, Biji SS.
South Indian bank:
- Headquarters: Thrissur
- CEO: P. R. Seshadri (1 Oct 2023–)
- Founded: 25 January 1929
Award NEWS
TIME Reveals “TIME 100 Most Influential People 2024” Featuring 8 Indians:
- Annual list compiled by TIME magazine acknowledges impact and achievements of global influencers.
- Eight individuals of Indian origin included: Alia Bhatt, Dev Patel, Sakshi Malik, Satya Nadella, Ajaypal Singh Banga, Jigar Shah, Asma Khan, and Priyamvada Natarajan.
- Recognition reflects their contribution to various fields including entertainment, sports, technology, and culinary arts.
About TIME magazine:
- CEO- Jessica Sibley
- Headquarters- New York, USA
- Created in-1923
“Wisden Cricketers” Almanack 2024 Names Five Wisden Cricketers of the Year:
- The 2024 edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack has revealed its Five Wisden Cricketers of the Year, highlighting exceptional performances in the world of cricket. They are Mitchell Starc, Usman Khawaja, and Ash Gardner from Australia, and Harry Brook and Mark Wood from England honored for exceptional cricket performances.
- Recognition highlights outstanding contributions in the world of cricket.
- Travis Head awarded the 2023 Wisden Trophy for his remarkable 163-run innings against India in the World Test Championship final.
Pavuluri Subba Rao Receives Aryabhata Award for Lifetime Contribution to Astronautics:
- Former ISRO scientist and CEO of Ananth Technologies Limited, Pavuluri Subba Rao, honored with the prestigious Aryabhata Award by the Astronautical Society of India (ASI).
- Recognized for his outstanding lifetime contribution to the promotion of astronautics in India.
- The award, named after the 5th-century Indian astronomer and mathematician Aryabhata, and India’s first satellite, is presented annually by ASI.
- Recipient receives a citation and cash prize of Rs 1,00,000.
- Also bestowed with the “Distinguished Fellow” title by ASI in acknowledgment of his achievements.
About Astronautical Society of India (ASI):
- It was established in 1990 to foster the development of astronautics in the country.
- President: Sreedhara Panicker Somanath
- Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Agreement NEWS
Russia-India Agreement Establishes Research Hub in New Delhi:
- Higher School of Economics (Russia) and University of Delhi sign agreement for strategic cooperation. Establishment of large research hub at University of Delhi.
- Agreement signed during Indo-Russian Education Summit in New Delhi.
- Summit hailed as largest event in India-Russia bilateral relations history.
Russia country:
- Capital: Moscow
- President: Vladimir Putin
Science and Tech NEWS
NASA Welcomes Sweden to Artemis Accords Family:
- Sweden becomes the 38th country to sign the Artemis Accords for peaceful and safe space exploration. Signed by Minister for Education Dr. Mats Persson in Stockholm, Sweden.
- NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expresses enthusiasm for Sweden’s commitment to space exploration principles.
- Artemis Accords provide guidelines for the next phase of space exploration, emphasizing transparency, responsibility, and peace.
- United States, India, and Japan are currently the only leading spacefaring nations to sign the accords.
Sweden:
- Capital: Stockholm
- Prime minister: Ulf Hjalmar Kristersson
Defence NEWS
DRDO Delivers 1st Batch of Indigenous Parts for LCA Tejas Mk1A to HAL:
- DRDO delivers Leading Edge Actuators and Airbrake Control Module for LCA Tejas MK1A to HAL (Hindustan aeronautic limited)
- Handover marks a milestone towards self-reliance in aeronautical technologies.
- Components equipped with advanced servo-valve-based electro-hydraulic actuators and control modules.
- Collaboration between ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency) , Research Centre Imarat ( RCI) , and Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) to achieve self-reliance.
- Production at HAL Lucknow enhances India’s aircraft manufacturing capabilities.
HAL (Hindustan aeronautic limited):
- headquartered in Bangalore
- CEO: Shri Mihir Kanti Mishra
Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA):
- The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) was established in 1984 to oversee the production of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in India.
- ADA is under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The headquarters of ADA is located in Bangalore.
Indian Navy Conducts Exercise Poorvi Lehar on East Coast:
- Indian Navy Conducts Exercise Poorvi Lehar on East Coast Exercise aimed at validating procedures for assessing Indian Navy’s preparedness for Maritime Security challenges.
- Participation of Ships, Submarines, aircraft, and Special Forces in multiple phases.
- Tactical Phase involved combat training in realistic scenarios, Weapon Phase focused on successful firings.
- Emphasis on maintaining Maritime Domain Awareness with aircraft operations from diverse locations.
- High interoperability demonstrated with participation from Indian Air Force, Andaman and Nicobar Command, and Coast Guard.
Appointment NEWS
Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi Appointed Next Chief of the Naval Staff:
- Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, presently serving as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, appointed as the next Chief of the Naval Staff.
- He will assume office from the afternoon of April 30, 2024.
- Admiral R Hari Kumar to retire on April 30, 2024.
- Previously served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.
Sports news
17-Year-Old D Gukesh Wins Candidates Chess Tournament, Youngest Challenger for World Championship Title:
- Indian prodigy D Gukesh makes history as the youngest-ever winner of the FIDE Candidates tournament.
- Secures victory by holding fellow contender Hikaru Nakamura to a draw.
- Breaks Garry Kasparov’s record by winning at 17; Kasparov won at 20 in 1984.
- Second Indian after Vishwanathan Anand to qualify for the World Chess Championship.
- Gukesh to challenge Ding Liren of China for the World Chess Championship title.
Indian Athletes Secure Paris Olympics Quotas Across Various Sports:
- Balraj Panwar secures India’s first Paris Olympics quota in rowing with a third-place finish in the men’s single scull event at the 2024 World Asian and Oceanian Olympic Qualification Regatta.
- Priyanka Goswami and Akshdeep Singh secure an Olympics quota in the marathon race walk mixed relay event after finishing 18th at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships 2024.
- Indian women wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik, and Reetika Hooda clinch Paris Olympics 2024 quotas at the Asian Olympic qualifiers in Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek. Phogat, Anshu, and Reetika secure quotas in the 50 kg, 57 kg, and 76 kg categories respectively by defeating their opponents.
Former World No. 1 Badminton Player Kento Momota Announces Retirement:
- Japanese badminton star Kento Momota announces retirement after competing in the 2024 Thomas & Uber Cup.
- Momota, former World No. 1, cited reasons for retirement undisclosed as of now.
- Known for his exceptional skills, Momota’s retirement marks the end of an era in the world of badminton.
Japan country:
- Capital: Tokyo
- Prime minister: Fumio Kishida
Books and Author NEWS
PM Narendra Modi Presented with Book “Sabke Ram”:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the book “Sabke Ram” from Panchjanya editor Hitesh Shankar and Bharat Prakashan MD Arun Goyal.
- Published by Prabhat Prakashan, the book delves into the history of Ayodhya and details Lord Ram’s birthplace and date of birth.
- Unique feature: Can be read and listened to in both Hindi and English, enhancing accessibility and reach.