Daily Current Affairs and GK | 21 and 22 April 2024

Topic: National Appointment

1. Ajith Kumar KK became CEO of Dhanlaxmi Bank.

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Ajith Kumar KK as the managing director and chief executive of Dhanlaxmi Bank for three years.
• He has taken the place of JK Shivan.
• Before the appointment, Ajith Kumar KK was serving as the chief human resources officer at Federal Bank and has an experience of more than 36 years in credit, human resources, business and branch banking.
• Dhanlaxmi Bank is an Indian private-sector bank based in Thrissur, Kerala.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

2. A new species of tiger cat has been discovered in Brazil.

• A new species of tiger cat, the clouded tiger cat, has been found in Brazil. It is facing threats from deforestation and illegal hunting.
• They are among the shyest and smallest wild cats in the Americas, weighing between 1.5 to 3 kilograms (3.3 to 6.6 pounds).
• It has been discovered in the lush rainforests of Brazil. It is small in stature.
• Its unique feature is its distinctive spotted coat, which provides camouflage in its natural habitat.
• The clouded tiger cat is found in the cloud forests of the southern Central American and Andean mountain chains.
• The researchers believe their latest findings represent the need for greater protection of tiger cats.

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

3. As per the Lancet, breast cancer is to cause millions of deaths per year by 2040.

• According to a new Lancet Commission, breast cancer emerged as the world's most common carcinogenic disease.
• In the last five years until 2020, around 7.8 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer.
• In 2020, about 685,000 women died from the disease and on average had a 1 in 12 risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer before turning 75 years old.
• The cases of breast cancer cases will increase from 2.3 million in 2020 to more than 3 million by 2040.
• Out of the total deaths reduced from breast cancer, 40 per cent is in high-income countries (HICs).
• The scale of suffering associated with breast cancer is not well measured.
• The commission suggested better communication between patients and health professionals to tackle the challenge of breast cancer.
• The commission also recommended developing new tools and metrics that can capture the costs associated with breast cancer.

Topic: National Appointments

4. Intel has made Santhosh Viswanathan as its India region head.

• In July 2022, Santhosh Viswanathan assumed charge as Vice President and Managing Director for the Indian market.
• Now Computer chip maker Intel has carved out India as a separate region.
• Intel also announced the appointment of Hans Chuang as General Manager (GM) of SMG Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ).
• Hans will have the responsibility for Intel’s overall business in the APJ region.
• Intel is an American multinational corporation and technology company. It is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.

Topic: Indian Economy

5. For the fiscal year 2023–2024, India's net direct tax collections increased 17.7% to 19.58 lakh crore rupees.

• In the preceding fiscal year, India's net direct tax receipts totaled 16.64 lakh crore rupees.
• India's net direct tax receipts during FY24 exceeded the budgetary forecast by 1.35 lakh crore rupees, or 7.4%.
• 18.23 lakh crore rupees was the budgeted forecast for direct tax collection for the preceding fiscal year.
• Later on, the amount was increased to 19.45 lakh crore rupees. The preliminary actual receipts were 13,000 crore rupees higher than the revised estimate.
• Prior to accounting for refunds, the gross collection of direct taxes for 2023–2024 increased by 18.5% to 23.37 lakh crore rupees in FY23.
• Gross revenue from personal income taxes was 12.01 lakh crore rupees. Their annual growth was 24.26 percent.
• It increased by 25.23 percent in net terms to 10.44 lakh crore rupees recorded the year before.
• In 2023–2024, the government refunded 3.79 lakh crore rupees in direct taxes.
• With respect to the 3.09 lakh crore rupees it issued in 2022–2023, this represents a 22.74 percent rise.

Topic: Important Days

6. International Mother Earth Day: 22 April

• International Mother Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22 April.
• 22 April was designated as International Mother Earth Day by General Assembly through a resolution adopted in 2009.
• International Mother Earth Day recognizes the Earth and its ecosystems as humanity's common home.
• It also recognizes the need to protect Earth to make people’s livelihoods better, counteract climate change, and prevent the decline of biodiversity.
• World Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22nd April to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
• It was first celebrated on 22 April 1970. This year, its theme is "Planet vs. Plastics."

Topic:  Art and Culture

7. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated 2550th Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav in New Delhi on 21 April 2024.

• He inaugurated the Mahotsav at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on the occasion of Mahaveer Jayanti.
• He said over 25 crore Indians have come out of poverty.
• PM Modi also launched a commemorative stamp and coin on the occasion.
• Bhagwan Mahavir was the 24th Tirthankar. 21st April 2024 is the Janma Kalyanak of Bhagwan Mahavir Swami.
• Government is organising a cultural programme in Bharat Mandapam to celebrate the occasion with the Jain community.
• Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is one of the key religious festivals in Jainism. It celebrates the birth of Mahavira.
• Mahavira is also known as Vardhamana. His mother was Trishala and his father was Siddhartha.
• He was the successor of the 23rd Jain Tirthankara Parshvanatha.
• Jains celebrate Mahavir Janma Kalyanak every year on the 13th day of Chaitra month.

Topic: Defence

8. Indian Navy carried out Exercise Poorvi Lehar on the East Coast.

• The goal of the exercise was to validate the protocols for evaluating the Indian Navy's readiness to handle difficulties related to maritime security in the area.
• Ships, submarines, planes, and Special Forces all took part in the exercise.
• The exercise was carried out in stages, with combat training in an authentic setting taking place in the Tactical Phase and different firings being executed successfully in the Weapon Phase.
• The exercise included assets from the Indian Air Force, the Coast Guard, and the Andaman and Nicobar Command in addition to those from Eastern Naval Command.
• This suggested that there was a very high level of service interoperability.
• The Indian Navy's commitment to addressing the increasing security threats in the maritime environment is reaffirmed by the exercise.

Topic: Corporates/Companies

9. National Fertilizers Ltd received “ Navratna” status.

• The Department of Public Enterprise has granted "Navratna" status to National Fertilizers Ltd.
• For the December quarter, National Fertilizers Limited’s consolidated net profit was ₹150.9 crore, a decline of 73%.
• The revenue dropped 25.2% YoY to ₹7,581 crore for the December quarter.
• The 'Navratna' is a group of top-performing Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). It receives greater autonomy and financial powers from the Centre in recognition of its performance.
• National Fertilizers Limited:
  • It produces chemical fertilisers, bio-fertilizers and industrial chemicals.
  • It is headquartered in Noida.
  • It was established on 1 September 1979.

Topic: National News

10. IRDAI abolished the age limit for individuals buying health insurance policies.

• The IRDAI has removed the age limit of 65 years for individuals buying health insurance policies to expand the market and foster adequate protection from healthcare expenses.
• It marks a significant change from the old rules that stopped people from getting full coverage.
• It will ensure adequate protection against unforeseen medical expenses.
• As per the IRDAI, insurers may design products specifically for senior citizens, students, children, maternity, and any other group.
• Insurers cannot deny coverage to individuals with serious medical issues such as cancer, heart or kidney failure, and AIDS.

Topic: Banking System

11. India imported 58 million tonnes (mt) of coking coal in FY24, the highest amount in ten years.

• Over a ten-year period, imports increased by more than 20% and by 7% year over year (from 54.3 million tonnes in FY23).
• Russia's supply is at multi-year highs, with 6.4 million tonnes in FY24.
• This was an increase of 200% year over year (from 2.3 mt in FY23) and 300% over a six-year period (from 1.6 mt in FY19).
• India is still one of the world's top importers of coking coal.
• During the past ten years, imports of coking coal have ranged from 47 to 54 million tonnes.
• Australia remained the leading supplier of coking coal for FY24. It represented 34.2 mt, or 59%, of all shipments.
• 18% of coal exports six years ago came from Australia, 3% came from Russia, and 8% came from the United States.
• Russia surpassed nations like Canada and Mozambique to become the third-largest supplier of coking coal.
• India produced 52 mt of sponge iron in FY24, growing 20% year over year from 43 mt in FY23.
• India produced 143 mt of crude steel in the previous fiscal year, a rise of almost 14%. A year earlier, 127 million tonnes of steel were produced.

Topic: National Appointment

12. CRPF ADG Nalin Prabhat has been appointed as the NSG chief.

• Senior IPS officer Nalin Prabhat has been appointed as the Director General of the country's counter-terrorism force, the National Security Guard (NSG).
• Currently, Prabhat is serving as Additional Director General in CRPF.
• His appointment as Director General of NSG has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for a period up to August 31, 2028, i.e. the date of his superannuation.
• Earlier, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) chief Daljit Singh Chawdhary was holding the additional charge of NSG.
• The appointment of Intelligence Bureau Additional Director Sapna Tewari as the Special Director in the agency has also been approved by the ACC.
• Tiwari has been appointed for a tenure of two years from the date he assumes charge of the post or till the date of his superannuation, i.e. April 30, 2026.

Topic: Indian Economy

13. India’s outward FDI declined 39% to $28.64 billion in FY24.

• India’s overseas direct investment declined by 39 per cent to $28.64 billion in the year ending March 2024.
• According to the RBI data, outward FDI is represented by total financial commitment. It was $46.96 billion in the year ended March 2023.
• Out of the total overseas direct investment, $9.62 billion was made through the equity route.
• The equity contributed around 34 per cent of the total financial commitment made in FY2024.
• The loan commitments stood at $5.24 billion as against $7.73 billion in FY2024.
• The overseas guarantees issued by the Indian companies were around $14 billion as compared to $20.09 billion in FY2023.
• In FY2024, the highest outward FDI was witnessed in March.

Topic: Important Days

14. National Civil Service Day 2024: 21 April

• National Civil Service Day is observed every year on April 21.
• It is also observed to mark the hard work done by civil servants in various departments and organizations to ensure the smooth functioning of the administrative machinery.
• After Independence, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel referred to civil servants as the steel frame of India.
• Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel announced that National Civil Service Day will be observed every year to honour the contributions of civil servants to the country.
• The first ever National Civil Services Day in India was celebrated on 21 April 2006.
• Charles Cornwallis is known as the "Father of the Indian Civil Service" for his contribution to the reform and modernization of India's civil services.