Daily Current Affairs and GK | 10 May 2024

Topic: Banking System

1. RBI lifted restrictions from Bank of Baroda's BoB World app.

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to lift restrictions on Bank of Baroda's BoB World app.
• RBI has allowed the Bank of Baroda's BoB World app to onboard customers.
• In October 2023, the RBI directed the Bank of Baroda to suspend any onboarding of customers onto its 'BoB World' mobile application due to certain supervisory concerns.
• Before the ban (September 2023), the app saw 7.95 million daily transactions which dropped to 7.19 million by December 2023 (post-ban).
• The percentage of fixed deposits (FDs) and recurring deposits (RDs) opened through Bob World also declined.
• As per the RBI directive, the Bank of Baroda has implemented corrective actions to rectify the issues.
• Bank of Baroda has improved its security procedures for onboarding new customers.

Topic: State News/ Nagaland

2. Japan’s Ambassador inaugurated the Kohima Peace Memorial in Nagaland.

• Ambassador of Japan to India, Hiroshi Suzuki and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu inaugurated the Kohima Peace Memorial and laid the foundation stone of Eco Park Kohima.
• The Kohima Peace Memorial and Eco Park represent a collaborative effort between the Government of Japan and the Japanese International Corporation Agency with the Government of Nagaland.
• The Japanese remember the “Battle of Kohima” as one of the most devastating battles of World War II, along with the "Battle of Imphal".
• In 2023, a Japanese organization called ARMS signed an MOU with Nagaland University to establish a Japanese language course in Kohima.
• This year is being celebrated as the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Kohima.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Reports and Indices/Rankings

3. According to the PM-EAC study, the Hindu population in India decreased by 7.8%, and the Muslim population increased by 43%.

• According to a study published by the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM), the share of India's majority Hindu population declined by 7.81% between 1950 and 2015, while the share of the Muslim community increased by 43.15% over the same period.
• According to the study "Share of Religious Minorities: A Cross-Country Analysis," during this period, India's Hindu population share decreased from 7.8% to 78.06%.
• On the other hand, during the same period, the proportion of Muslims and Christians increased from 43.15% to 14.09% and 5.4% to 2.36% of the total population respectively.
• Similarly, during the same period, the share of Sikh and Buddhist population witnessed an increase of 1.85% and 0.81% respectively.
• However, the share of Jains and Parsis in the population mix declined and stood at 0.36% and 0.004% respectively in 2015.

Topic: Sports

4. The Indian contingent won 43 medals in the ASBC Asian U22 and Youth Boxing Championship in Astana, Kazakhstan.

• In both categories, the Indian contingent won 12 gold, 14 silver and 17 bronze medals.
• On 7 May, the Indian under-22 team finished with 21 medals including 7 gold, 5 silver and 9 bronze medals.
• On 6 May, the youth category finished with 22 medals including 5 gold, 9 silver and 8 bronze medals.
• After the host Kazakhstan, who took home 48 medals, India finished with the second-highest number of medals.
• The ASBC Men's and Women's U22 and Youth Asian Boxing Championships were held at the "Beeline Arena" National Tennis Center, Kazakhstan from 27 April to 7 May 2024.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

5. Australian government introduced changes in its immigration laws.

• Australia will enforce tougher visa rules for foreign students.
• The Australian government has made several changes to immigration laws to reduce the number of immigrants.
• The Australian government is aiming to cut net migration by half by 2025.
• This change will impact Indian students and professionals, who are planning to go to Australia for education and career opportunities.
• Measures introduced by the Australian government for international students are:
• It has increased the minimum savings to 16 Lakh for overseas students to obtain a visa.
• English language requirements for student and graduate visas will be increased.
• To study in Australia, a minimum score of 5.5 will be required to enrol in their chosen university and program.
• From 1 July 2023, the number of work hours allowed during study terms and semesters has been limited to 48 hours per fortnight.
• As per new rules, International students cannot enroll in two courses within the first six months of study in their principal course.

Topic: Banking System 

6. An 18% increase has been reported in the consolidated net profit of the State Bank of India.

• The consolidated net profit of SBI stood at Rs 21,384 crore for the quarter that ended in March.
• In the year-ago period, SBI reported a net profit of Rs 18,094 crore.
• During the financial year 2023-24, consolidated net profit increased by Rs 67,085 crore in comparison to Rs 55,648 crore in the preceding year.
• SBI's consolidated interest income increased by 19.8% to Rs 117,469 crore in the fourth quarter.
• In 2023–24, SBI's return on equity (ROE) was 20.32 percent, while its return on assets (ROA) was 1.04 percent.
• There was a 2.24 percent gross non-performing asset (NPA) ratio. Annually, it improved by 54 basis points (one percentage point is equivalent to 100 basis points).
• There was a net NPA ratio of 0.57%. It improved by 10 basis points.
• For the fiscal year 2023–2024, SBI has also announced a dividend of Rs 13.70 per equity share.

Topic: International News

7. John Swinney has taken oath as the seventh first minister of Scotland.

• The ceremony was held at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
• He will now appoint cabinet in meetings at his official residence, Bute House.
• Scotland's senior judge, Lord Carloway, oversaw the ceremony to install Swinney as first minister.
• In a parliamentary vote on 7 May 2024, Mr Swinney won the nomination for first minister.
• Mr Swinney was elected Scotland’s first minister in a parliamentary ballot after the formal resignation of Humza Yousaf on 7 May 2024.
• Mr Swinney defeated three rival nominees (Alex Cole-Hamilton, Douglas Ross and Anas Sarwar).
• Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Its capital is Edinburgh. Glasgow is its largest city.
• To the south-east, Scotland has its only land border, shared with England.

Topic: Science and Technology

8. India is planning to build a research station in Antarctica.

• India will formally convey its plan to build a new research station in Antarctica at the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM).
• The 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environment Protection are scheduled to be held in Kochi from May 20–30.
• India has two active research stations—Maitri and Bharti—in Antarctica.
• India set up its first research station, Dakshin Gangotri, in 1983.
• Research station Maitri was built about 35 years ago, while Bharti was set up 12 years ago.
• After the Maitri-2 research station is built, Maitri-1 will be converted into a summer camp.
• The Antarctica region is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), which was signed in 1961.
• In the 2022–23 season, 32,730 cruise-only visitors, 71,346 landed visitors, and 821 deep-field visitors were reported by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).

Topic: International News

9. EU adopted the first law to tackle violence against women.

• The first law devoted to combating violence against women has been passed by European Union countries.
• It will protect women in the 27-nation EU from gender-based violence, forced marriages, female genital mutilation, and online harassment.
• The European Parliament already approved the rules in April.
• Cyberstalking, cyber harassment, and cyber incitement to hatred or violence have been criminalized under this law across the EU.
• This law sets minimum sentences, from one year to five years in prison, depending on the crime.
• Under the rules, if the victim is a child, spouse, the punishment can be more severe.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

10. Under the chairmanship of CDS General Anil Chauhan, the Tri-Services Conference, 'Parivartan Chintan', was held in New Delhi.

• On 9 and 10 May, a two-day conference on jointness and integration of the armed forces, 'Parivartan Chintan-2' was chaired by Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan in New Delhi.
• Parivartan Chintan is a pioneer conference for heads of all tri-service institutions and aims to generate innovative reform ideas and initiatives.
• Members of all sub-committees of the apex Chiefs of Staff Committee, the CDS as its permanent chairman and the chiefs of the three services reviewed the progress made in various areas.
• They considered the reforms needed to achieve the desired end state of transformation through jointness and integration.

Topic: National News

11. Upgraded 'Dietary Guidelines' for Indians released by ICMR.

• An upgraded ‘Dietary Guidelines has been released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for Indians to suit the modern eating habits of 2024.
• The guidelines have been prepared by researchers at the Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).
• Modern dietary guidelines specifically advise people to be physically active, exercise regularly, limit salt intake, and reduce high-fat, sugar, and ultra-processed foods.
• It includes advice on steps to take to prevent abdominal obesity, overweight and overall obesity.
• In the report, NIN has developed 17 dietary guidelines that emphasize health promotion and disease prevention in all age groups, with a special focus on healthy diets.
• As per the guidelines, individuals of all age groups should do at least 30 to 45 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity for good health.
• Regular physical activity of at least 60 minutes per day can prevent overweight and obesity in children.
• The report has advised people to consume iodized salt, limiting the intake of excess salt to a maximum of 5 grams per day.
• It has urged people to develop interest in low-salt foods from an early age.
• During the report release, ICMR Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl said that there have been significant changes in the dietary habits of Indians over the past decades, which has led to an increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases.

Topic: State News/Uttarakhand

12. Uttarakhand CM Dhami launched the 'Pirul Lao-Paise Pao' campaign.

• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami kicked off the campaign in Rudraprayag district.
• He directed people to take part in the Pirul Lao-Paise Pao campaign to prevent forest fires.
• Under this campaign, the Pirul (leaves from the Pine Tree) lying in the forest will be collected by the local villagers and youth.
• It will be weighed and then stored at the designated Pirul Collection Centre.
• As per the weight, the amount will be sent online to that person's bank account at the rate of Rs 50 per kg.
• Tehsildar will open Pirul collection centres in their respective areas under the supervision of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate.
• The district Magistrate and Divisional Forest Officer will effort to obtain maximum Pirul.

Topic: Sports

13. India won five medals at the Asian Open Pickleball Championships.

• The Asian Open Pickleball Championship has been organised in Vietnam.
• India clinched three gold and two bronze medals at the Asian Open Pickleball Championships.
• Sachin Pahwa and Priyanka Chabbra won gold medals by defeating Ruben Hellberg and Chitlada Hemasee by 11-9, 5-11, 11-9 in the mixed doubles intermediate 35+ category final.
• The pair of Isha Lakhani and Pei Chuan Kao bagged the gold medal in the women’s doubles open category.
• The pair of Isha Lakhani and Pei Chuan Kao bagged the gold medal by defeating Dang Kim Ngan and Tyak K.