Daily Current Affairs and GK | 11 September 2024

Topic: Defence

1. Indian Navy launched Anti-Submarine Warfare vessels Malpe and Mulki.

• At Cochin Shipyard, the Indian Navy launched two anti-submarine warfare (ASW) shallow water vessels named Malpe and Mulki.
• It has been built by M/s Cochin Shipyard Ltd for the Indian Navy.
• More than 80% of the content used in building these ships is indigenous.
• The vessels are equipped with light-weight torpedoes, ASW rockets and mines, a close-in weapon system (30mm gun) and 12.7mm stabilised remote-control guns.
• The vessels are the fourth and fifth ships in the series of eight such watercraft.
• These vessels are 78 metres long, 11.36 metres wide and with a draught of about 2.7 metres. It can move with a maximum speed of 25 knots and has an endurance of 1,800 nautical miles.
• These vessels are designed to fit the indigenously developed sonar for underwater surveillance.
• The Mahe-class of ships will replace the in-service Abhay class ASW Corvettes of the Indian Navy.

Topic: Sports

2. India's Shubhi Gupta clinched the girls U-16 gold medal in the Commonwealth Chess Championships in Kalutara, Sri Lanka.

• Shubhi Gupta also clinched girls U-20 bronze medal in the Commonwealth Chess Championships in Kalutara, Sri Lanka.
• Shubhi is a Women FIDE Master and the reigning U-19 girls' national champion.
• In the U-16 category, she secured seven wins and two draws.
• She scored eight points out of a possible nine and finished ahead of Mrittika Mallick (7 points) and Yashvi Jain (6.5 points).
• Mrittika Mallick (7 points) and Yashvi Jain (6.5 points) took second and third place respectively.
• Shubhi Gupta comes from Ghaziabad, UP. She earlier won the U-12 gold at the Commonwealth Youth Chess Championship.
• Two years earlier, she won the World Cadet Championship title in the same age category.

Topic: Reports and Indices

3. In the first half of 2024, India surpassed the US to become the second-largest market for 5G smartphones, behind China, according to a Counterpoint Research report.

• According to data from the Counterpoint Research report, worldwide shipments of 5G network-enabled smartphones rose by 20% year over year in the first half of 2024.
• Due to the popularity of the iPhone 15 and 14 series, Apple accounted for almost 25% of all 5G handset shipments worldwide. With this, Apple led 5G handset shipments globally.
• Apple was followed by Samsung with a market share of over 21% due to the robust sales of the Galaxy A and S24 series. Xiaomi came at third place.
• According to Counterpoint, Xiaomi saw triple-digit growth in India. India was the main growth driver for Vivo also.
• Motorola has the fastest growth rate among the top ten brands.
• With a YoY growth rate of 63%, the Caribbean and Latin America was the region with the fastest growth.
• According to the data, the CALA region accounted for 14% of worldwide net additions in 5G handset shipments in the first half of the year.
• Asia-Pacific captured 58% of 5G shipment share and contributed 63% of worldwide net additions overall.

Topic: Banking System

4. Union Bank of India is first major Indian Bank to sign Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF).

• Union Bank of India has shown its dedication to tracking and controlling its funded emissions by joining PCAF.
• RBI's recently released draft rules on 'Disclosure framework on climate-related financial risks, 2024' (published on February 28, 2024) emphasise the significance of monitoring funded emissions.
• The RBI's proposed rules indicate a change in direction for Indian banks' climate risk reporting requirements.
• The framework requires information on four major categories to be disclosed by regulated companies.
• Governance, strategy, risk management, and measurements and targets are the four main categories.
• PCAF is a global alliance of financial institutions collaborating to create and execute a standard method for evaluating and disclosing greenhouse gas emissions related to investments and loans.

Topic: State News/ Madhya Pradesh

5. Delimitation Commission constituted by the Madhya Pradesh government to draw new demarcation lines of divisions, districts, and tehsils in the state.

• On 9 September, a three-member Delimitation Commission was constituted by the state government.
• The government says that the boundaries of districts and divisions are being re-determined for the convenience of the public.
• The commission will be chaired by retired Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Shrivastava. Citizens can also give suggestions to this commission.
• Geographically, Madhya Pradesh is the second largest state in the country.
• The state’s area is large, but due to the boundaries of districts and divisions, people also face various problems.
• Delimitation:
  • The process involves fixing the number of seats and the boundaries of territorial constituencies, including reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), based on data obtained after each decennial census.
  • The Indian Constitution makes delimitation mandatory after every census.
  • Article 82 mandates readjustment of seats for the Lok Sabha, while Article 170 provides for the same exercise at the state level.
  • This process is carried out at the central level by a powerful body called the Delimitation Commission, appointed by the President of India.
  • State governments also appoint delimitation commissions to adjust the boundaries of districts and divisions to improve administrative efficiency.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

6. Six initiatives/portals inaugurated by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju on September 11.

• Six initiatives/portals related to National e-Vidhan Application 2.0, Subordinate Legislation, Consultative Committee, NYPS Portal, & Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) inaugurated as part of 100 days of achievements.
• An event to launch various initiatives/portals as part of the 100-day achievements of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs was organized on September 11 at Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi.
• The following six initiatives/portals were inaugurated:
  • National e-Vidhan Application-NeVA 2.0
  • NeVA Mobile App version 2.0
  • Subordinate Legislation Management System (SLMS)
  • Consultative Committee Management System (CCMS)
  • NYPS Portal 2.0
  • Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs)
• NeVA 2.0: The NeVA 2.0 introduces a user-friendly interface and enhanced State Legislature integration to promote a paperless legislative environment and real-time governance.
• SLMS Portal: Based on the 28th COSL report, a new portal brings together key stakeholders—Government Ministries, Cabinet Secretariat, Legislative Department, and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs—on a single platform. This aims to improve decision-making and expedite the framing of Subordinate Legislations under various Acts.
• CCMS portal: It connects Members of Parliament, Government Ministries, and the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs on a single platform. It provides real-time access to committee documents, enabling informed and digital interactions among stakeholders.
• NYPS Portal 2.0: It now allows all citizens, not just students, to participate individually, in groups, or through institutions. This expansion aims to spread democratic values and significantly increase outreach among youth.
• EMRSs Scheme: The Ministry is launching the National Youth Parliament Competition for Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) students to strengthen democratic values, promote discipline, and familiarize tribal students with Parliamentary processes through annual competitions.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

7. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojna will be launched by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh.

• He will also release Standard Operating Procedure on Production and Processing Clusters in the Fisheries Sector.
• Both Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojna, and Standard Operating Procedure will be released at the 4th Anniversary of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna.
• The major activity to be highlighted during the celebration of 4th Anniversary of PMMSY event shall be the national priority projects taken up under PMMSY during financial year 2024-25.
• The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was launched in May 2020.
• It comes under under the aegis of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.
• It is aimed at addressing critical gaps in fish production and productivity, quality, technology, post-harvest infrastructure and management, modernization.
• It is also aimed at strengthening of value chain, traceability, establishing a robust fisheries management framework and fishers’ welfare.

Topic: International Appointments

8. Ashok Raj Sigdel has been appointed Nepal’s New Chief Of The Army Staff.

• He has become Nepal’s 45th Chief Of The Army Staff.
• Newly appointed Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS), Ashok Raj Sigdel, was administered the oath by President Ranchandra Paudel.
• The recently appointed CoAS took an oath of office and secrecy as the 45th CoAS of the Nepali Army before the President.
• For this, a special program was held at the Office of the President, Sheetal Niwas.
• Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia. Kathmandu is its capital and largest city. KP Sharma Oli is its Prime Minister.

(Source: DD News)

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

9. Government relaxed exclusion criteria under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).

• The “automatic exclusion” criteria under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) has been revised by the government.
• Families owning “two-wheelers, motorized fishing boats, refrigerators, and landline phones and earning up to Rs 15,000 per month can now avail the benefits of the rural housing scheme.
• The person owning motorised three- or four-wheelers; mechanised three- or four-wheeler agricultural equipment; or a Kisan Credit Card with a credit limit of Rs 50,000 or above are in the “automatic exclusion” of PMAY-G.
• Households with any member as a government employee; households with non-agricultural enterprises registered with the government; and any member of the family paying income tax are excluded from the PMAY-G.
• The exclusion criteria of the PMAY-G have been revised as the government aims to construct two crore additional houses under the rural housing scheme by 2028–29.
• Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana—Gramin (PMAY-G) was launched in 2016 to achieve the objective of providing “Housing to All”.

Topic: State News/Gujarat

10. Gujarat government set up GRIT as a policy think tank.

• Gujarat State Institution for Transformation (GRIT) has been set up under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s chairmanship.
• It will act as a policy think tank on the lines of NITI Ayog.
• The Chief Minister will be the chairman of the GRIT, while the Finance Minister will be the vice chairman.
• The Ministers of Agriculture, Health, Education, and Industries will be the members of the GRIT.
• A 10-member executive committee will look after the day-to-day operations of GRIT.
• A resolution related to the formation of ‘GRIT’ and its scope will be published by the General Administration Department-Planning Division.

Topic: State News/ Uttar Pradesh

11. India's first vulture breeding centre inaugurated in Gorakhpur.

• On 6 September, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated India's first conservation and breeding centre for Asiatic King Vultures at Bharivaisi in Campierganj range of Gorakhpur Forest Division.
• The "Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre" aims to improve the population of this species, which is listed as critically endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List since 2007.
• Other vulture conservation and breeding centres in the country house the long-billed and white-backed vultures.
• The centre, set up at a cost of Rs 2.80 crore in Gorakhpur, comprises a breeding aviary, holding aviary, hospital aviary, nursery aviary, veterinary section, administrative building, recovery aviary, guardroom, generator room and pathways.
• According to the plan, the target is to release 40 pairs of vultures from the centre in the next 8 to 10 years.
• The facility has eight staff members, including biologists and scientists, who are dedicated to monitoring and caring for the vultures around the clock.

Topic: Important Days

12. World Suicide Prevention Day 2024: 10 September

• Every year on 10 September, World Suicide Prevention Day is celebrated.
• It is celebrated to raise awareness among organizations, government, and the public about suicidal death.
• The main focus of this day is to create awareness about ways and measures to prevent suicide and mental health.
• The theme of World Suicide Prevention Day 2024-2026 is "Changing the narrative on suicide".
• The theme aims to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicide.
• In 2003, the International Association for Suicide Prevention, in association with the World Health Organization (WHO) established World Suicide Prevention Day.
• It is currently estimated that more than 700,000 suicides occur each year worldwide.

Topic: State News/ Telangana

13. AI city will be developed on 200 acres near Hyderabad.

• Telangana government unveiled its vision of an Artificial Intelligence city near Hyderabad. This city will be spread over 200 acres.
• The state-of-the-art AI City will serve as a vibrant hub for the AI ecosystem.
• It will host an AI Advisory Council supported by an AI research and collaboration network, leading universities, global corporations, and innovative startups.
• The AI City logo was released by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at Global AI Summit 2024.
• AI City will provide the ideal environment for collaboration, driving the development of next-generation AI technologies.
• This facility will also give citizens direct access to the world of artificial intelligence to citizens.

Topic: Banking System

14. PayGlocal as an online payment aggregator has been approved by the RBI.

• The RBI has granted PayGlocal final permission to function as an online payment aggregator.
• It will provide a wide range of enterprises with a full suite of payment solutions.
• PayGlocal is a prominent provider of cross-border payment solutions.
• Former Visa senior directors Prachi Dharani, Rohit Sukhija, and Yogesh Lokhande founded PayGlocal in 2021.
• Payment Aggregator is a third-party service provider that makes it possible for customers to send and receive payments online.