Current Affairs Feb 14, 2024
NATIONAL NEWS
1) Launch of “Science for Women-A Technology & Innovation (SWATI)” Portal by INSA, New Delhi
- Initiated by Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.
- Launched by INSA (Indian National Science Academy), Delhi
- Aims to address gender disparity in STEM fields in India.
About SWATI portal:
- Developed, hosted, and maintained by the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR).
- Initiative by the Inter Academy Panel of India (IAP) on Women in STEMM.
- Funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).
Objective of this portal:
- Centralizes information on Indian women and girls in STEM fields.
- Aims to bridge the gender gap and promote inclusivity in science and technology.
What is STEM?
STEM is an educational program developed to prepare primary and secondary students for college, graduate study and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). In addition to subject-specific learning, STEM aims to foster inquiring minds, logical reasoning and collaboration skills.
2) Dubai Unveils World’s First Air Taxi Service at World Government Summit 2024
- Dubai announces ground-breaking agreements for the world’s first air taxi service.
- Joby Aviation S4 aircraft spearheads the initiative, offering electric-powered and environmentally friendly urban transportation.
- Aims to revolutionize Dubai’s cityscape and set new standards in urban mobility.
- Promises to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce carbon emissions.
- Represents a significant step forward in the realm of futuristic transportation solutions.
World Government Summit 2024: Shaping Future Governments with Artificial Intelligence held in Dubai
- Emphasizes the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across multiple sectors.
- Acknowledges AI as a pivotal force in shaping the future governance landscape.
- Explores AI’s role in enhancing efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement in governance.
- Showcases AI-powered innovations and solutions poised to revolutionize government services.
- Facilitates discussions on ethical AI deployment, regulation, and responsible governance practices.
About Dubai
- Location: Dubai is located on the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, in the southwest corner of the Arabian Gulf.
- Capital: The capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is Abu Dhabi
- Ruler: Mohammed bin Salman
- Currency: Saudi Riyal
3) Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Inaugurates National Conference on APAAR ID in New Delhi
- Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates the National Conference on APAAR ID in New Delhi.
- The conference emphasizes the importance of APAAR ID as a universally recognized document for students nationwide.
- Pradhan highlights the significance of Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) and their proliferation in India, with 19 established DPIs in the country.
APAAR ID Card: One Nation One Student ID Program
- Ministry of Education introduces APAAR ID program, aiming for “One Nation One Student ID Card”.
- Digitally consolidates academic records including degrees, scholarships, and rewards into a unified ID.
- Registration is available at https://abc.gov.in; students can access their APAAR ID in PDF format.
- Open to all students, facilitating participation and completion of ABC Bank Registration on the official website.
Static takeaway:
- Name: Dharmendra Pradhan
- Position: Cabinet Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
- Government: Government of India
- Parliamentary Representation: Represents Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament)
BANKING NEWS
RBI Announcements in February in increase of remuneration and expansion
- Remuneration Ceiling for Non-Executive Directors Raised:
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised the remuneration ceiling for Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) of banks from Rs 20 lakh per annum to Rs 30 lakh, effective immediately.
- This adjustment follows the powers conferred by Section 35B of the Banking Regulation (BR) Act, 1949.
- Expansion of Indian Banks in GIFT-IFSC:
- RBI has granted permission for branches of Indian banks located in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City International Financial Services Centre (GIFT-IFSC) to function as a Tracing Member/Trading and Clearing Member (TM/TCM) of India International Bullion Exchange IFSC Ltd (IIBX).
RBI Reserve Bank of India
- Governor: Shaktikanta Das
- Deputy Governors:
- Swaminathan Janakiraman
- Michael Debabrata Patra
- M. Rajeshwar Rao
- T. Rabi Sankar
- Establishment: April 1, 1935
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
APPOINTMENT NEWS
ICAI Elects CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal as President: Key Leadership Transition
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) announces CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal as its newly elected President.
- The leadership transition marks a significant development in the field of Chartered Accountancy in India.
- CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal assumes the role with a mandate to steer ICAI’s initiatives and uphold professional standards.
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
- Establishment: Founded by the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 (Act of 1949), under the jurisdiction of the Parliament of India.
- Regulation and Development: ICAI is responsible for regulating and developing the profession of Chartered Accountants in India.
- Administrative Control: Functions under the administrative supervision of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India.
SPORTS NEWS
ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month January 2024 Announced
- Shamar Joseph from the West Indies was awarded ICC Men’s for January 2024.
- Amy Hunter from Ireland was awarded Women’s Player of the Month for January 2024.
- Recognition reflects their outstanding performances and contributions to their teams during the month.
ICC (International Cricket Council)
- Formation: in 1909 representatives from England, Australia, and South Africa.
- Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- Membership: 106 member countries
- Greg Barclay has been a director of New Zealand Cricket since 2012
SCHEME NEWS
NITI Aayog Launches GROW Initiative for Wasteland Restoration
- NITI Aayog unveils the Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW) report and portal.
- The initiative targets the conversion of underutilized wastelands into productive agroforestry zones across India.
- GROW utilizes advanced remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies for comprehensive analysis at state and district levels.
- Aims to promote environmental conservation, sustainable land management, and rural livelihood enhancement through agroforestry practices.
NITI Aayog: National Institution for Transforming India
- Formation: January 1, 2015, replacing the erstwhile Planning Commission of India.
- Objective: NITI Aayog serves as the premier policy think tank of the Government of India, providing strategic and technical advice across various sectors to foster sustainable development.
- Chairperson: The Prime Minister of India
- CEO: Shri Subramanian
AGREEMENT NEWS
Ministry of Defence Signs Contract with BEL for Shakti Electronic Warfare Systems
- The Ministry of Defence contracts Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of 11 Shakti Electronic Warfare Systems for the Indian Navy.
- The contract is valued at over ₹2,269 crores, aimed at bolstering the Navy’s electronic warfare capabilities.
- Shakti EW System, designed and manufactured domestically, possesses the capability to intercept electronic emissions and deploy countermeasures in complex electromagnetic environments.
BEL (Bharat Electronics Limited)
- Establishment: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) was established in 1954 under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
- Headquarters: BEL’s headquarters is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.