Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
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Contents
NATIONAL AFFAIRS ....................................................................................................... 2
STATES AFFAIRS ........................................................................................................... 7
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS ............................................................................................. 13
REPORTS & INDICES ................................................................................................... 14
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES & PROGRAMMES ....................................................................... 15
BUSINESS & ECONOMY ................................................................................................ 17
BANKING & FINANCE ................................................................................................... 18
RBI IN NEWS .............................................................................................................. 22
AWARDS & RECOGNITION ............................................................................................ 23
BOOKS & AUTHORS ..................................................................................................... 25
PERSON IN NEWS ....................................................................................................... 25
OBITUARIES ............................................................................................................... 26
SPORTS ..................................................................................................................... 27
IMPORTANT DAYS ....................................................................................................... 30

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
1. The 14th Ministerial-level meeting of the India- United States Trade Policy Forum (TPF) has
been held in New Delhi. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and U.S. Trade
Representative, Ambassador Katherine Tai have co-chaired the forum meeting.
Key highlights of the meeting:
 Both nations agreed to establish a Joint Facilitative Mechanism (JFM) to mitigate non-tariff
barriers which would pursue mutual recognition of results from International Laboratories and
establish mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs), on a bilateral basis whenever possible.
 Both nations acknowledged discussions on Social Security totalization agreement which will
give social security to Indian professionals working in US.
 Reiterated India’s interest in restoration of its beneficiary status under U.S. Generalized
System of Preferences (GSP) program.
GSP is largest and oldest US trade preference program to promote the economic development by
allowing duty-free entry for thousands of products from designated beneficiary countries.
US removed India from GSP in 2019.
Indo-US Trade relations:
 U.S is India's biggest trading partner in 2022-23 at USD 128.55 billion.
 During 2022-23, USA was the third largest source of FDI into India.
Trade Policy Forum (TPF):

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia TPF was established in 2005. It is a platform for continuous engagement between two countries in
the area of trade and to enhance bilateral trade and investment relations.

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2. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras will open its second IIT campus outside India in
Kandy, Sri Lanka. This has been announced by Sri Lanka’s Education Minister Dr Susil
Premajayantha.
The proposal was part of the Budget 2024 presented by Sri Lanka President Ranil
Wickremasinghe in his capacity as Finance Minister.
Earlier in December 2023, it was announced that IIT Delhi is scheduled to inaugurate a campus in
Abu Dhabi, while IIT Madras has established a presence in Zanzibar (Tanzania), focusing on
addressing the educational needs of African countries.
This initiative underscores the internationalization efforts within the Indian education sector.

3. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a
flight test of the New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile from the Integrated Test Range
(ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.
The test involved intercepting a high-speed unmanned aerial target at a very low altitude.
AKASH NG Missile:
 The AKASH-NG is a medium-range, mobile surface-to-air missile defence system.
 It’s a state-of-the-art missile system that can intercept high-speed, agile aerial threats.
 It has a range of around 80 km.
 It has advanced technologies and features, such as improved missiles, seekers, and radars.
 It also includes an indigenously developed Radio Frequency Seeker, Launcher, and Multi-
Function Radar.
4. Three Indian Navy Ships (INS) namely INS Cheetah, INS Guldar and INS Kumbhir have been
decommissioned simultaneously during a ceremony conducted at Port Blair, Andaman &
Nicobar (A&N).
All three ships rendered nearly 40 years of glorious service to India.
Cheetah, Guldar and Kumbhir were built at Gdynia Shipyard, Poland as Polnocny class Landing
Ships and were commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1984, 1985 and 1986 respectively.
Initially, Cheetah was based at Kochi and Chennai for brief periods, and Kumbhir and Guldar were
based at Visakhapatnam.
The ships were subsequently re-based at Andaman and Nicobar Command.
These ships conducted over 1300 beaching operations for landing of army troops ashore.

5. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has successfully launched an H-IIA rocket carrying Japan's
information-gathering satellite “Optical-8”. The launch took place from Tanegashima Space
Center.
This is the 48th launch of the H-IIA rocket since its inception in 2001.
This rocket is developed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
The Optical-8 satellite is primarily designed for intelligence gathering. It is equipped with advanced
optical instruments to collect security information.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
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6. The Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) have conducted a maiden bilateral exercise, named
'Ex-Ayutthaya', which literally translates to ‘The Invincible One’ or ‘Undefeatable’, and symbolises
the significance of two of the oldest cities Ayodhya in India and Ayutthaya in Thailand.
The maiden exercise has been conducted from 20 to 23 December 2023.
The Indian Naval ships Kulish and IN LCU 56 have participated in the inaugural edition of the
exercise.
The RTN side is represented by His Thai Majesty's Ship (HTMS) Prachuap Khiri Khan.
The 36th edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) has also been
conducted along with the maiden bilateral exercise.
The Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies have participated in the Sea Phase of the exercise.

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7. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has observed the 150th Year of its establishment
and service to the nation. The Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankar, graced the occasion as
Chief Guest in the inaugural ceremony celebration of 150th years of its establishment.
Guest of Honour: Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Earth Sciences
During the occasion, the Vice President released and launched the following:
 Souvenir on Evolution of IMD and its services since 1875
The souvenir brings out evolution and achievements of organisational structure, observations,
communication, modelling and services of IMD since 1875.
 WAFES- Decision Support System
IMD has developed the in-house Web-GIS-based integrated Decision Support System (DSS)
known as the Weather Analysis and Forecast Enabling System (WAFES), inspired by Pancha
Mahabhuta i.e. Water, Air, Fire, Earth and Sky.
The WAFES serves as a visualization platform to analyse meteorological observations and
prediction models, aiding decision-making for severe weather phenomena and their socio-
economic impact.
It provides real-time information for various sectors such as Urban, Power, Hydrology, Health,
Energy, Agriculture, Transport and Tourism under the "UPHHEATT" initiative (for the cause of
welfare).
 Panchayat Mausam Seva for farmers:
India Meteorological Department, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and
Green Alert Mausam Sewa have jointly developed Panchayat Mausam Sewa Portal. Through this
portal weather forecast in English, Hindi and twelve regional languages will be provided to every
panchayat head and panchayat secretary to reach every village of the country.
 IMD’s Mobile App and Mausamgram:
IMD launched an integrated GIS based interactive mobile app MAUSAM for all weather-related
services like current weather, forecast of every hour to 7 days, Rainfall, Humidity, Sunrise/Sunset,
Moonrise/Moonset, Rain Alert, Lightning Alert, Cyclone Alert, Aviation and Agro-Meteorological
advisories. The app supports 12 Indian languages for varied users in India.
IMD introduces "mausamgram," available through the Mobile App “Mausam”. It allows the public
to view observations, forecasts, and warnings for their location through a map or search function
using place names, pincodes, or coordinates.
 National Framework of Climate Services (NFCS):

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia IMD introduces the National Framework of Climate Services (NFCS).
IMD prepares the climatology of basic meteorological parameters like rainfall, temperature, wind &
pressure and the climate extremes like heat wave, cold wave, thunderstorm, cyclones,
depression, lows, heavy rainfall etc. It is being updated every 10 years.
Additional Information:
The Government of India established the India Meteorological Department in 1875. It is the
National Meteorological Service of the country and the principal government agency in all matters
relating to meteorology and allied subjects.
Earlier, the headquarters of IMD was at Calcutta. It was later shifted to Shimla, then to Poona
(now Pune) and finally to New Delhi.
The Director General of Meteorology is the Head of the India Meteorological Department, with
headquarters at New Delhi.
IMD works under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

8. The Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt has flagged off the indigenously developed
Astra Missiles for supply to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The event has been held at Bharat
Dynamics Limited, Kanchanbagh Unit in Hyderabad, Telangana.
Astra is a beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile.
It is indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The missile has a range of 100 plus km.
The missile is designed to engage and destroy highly manoeuvring supersonic aircraft.

9. Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, has approved a proposal to provide insurance cover to casual
workers employed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to build infrastructure in remote
areas.
The scheme will provide Rs.10 lakh (USD 13,500) to the families of casual paid labourers in the
event of death.
The scheme will provide social security and welfare to these workers and their families,
highlighting the risky roles they fill in hazardous terrains.
BRO employs up to one lakh casual workers to build border infrastructure in areas stretching from
Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim to Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
These projects include roads, bridges, tunnels, airfields and helipads.

10. The second International AYUSH Conference and Exhibition has been inaugurated at the
Dubai World Trade Centre, orchestrated by the Science India Forum and the Ministry of AYUSH.
The three-day event is dedicated to showcase AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha,
Homeopathy) as a reliable healthcare system for preventing and managing Non-Communicable
Chronic Diseases (NCDs).
The focal theme of the conference, “Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases – Prevention &
Management through AYUSH,” aims to highlight AYUSH as a prevention-oriented and cost-
effective approach to creating a disease-free society.
Chief Guest: V. Muraleedharan, the Minister of State for External Affairs in the Government of
India
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11. Dr V.K. Saraswat, Member (S&T), NITI Aayog, has inaugurated India’s First National Highway
Steel Slag Road section on NH- 66 Mumbai-Goa National Highway.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia This Steel Slag Road Technology (SSRT) has been developed by the CSIR-Central Road
Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Steel.
This will transform the waste of steel industries into wealth and will help the National Highways
Authority of India (NHAI) to build stronger and ecofriendly national highways in the country.
JSW Steel, under the CSIR-CRRI technological guidance, has constructed the 1 km long four lane
steel slag road section on Indapur-Panvel Section of NH-66 Mumbai-Goa.
For construction of this road around 80,000 tons of CONARC Steel slag were converted as
processed steel slag aggregates at JSW Steel Dolvi, Raigad plant.

Steel slag:
Steel slag, by-product of steel making, is produced during the separation of molten steel from
impurities in steel -making furnaces. It can be used in several activities, such as construction and
paving, agricultural sector due to its ability to correct soil acidity, manufacture of portland slag
cement etc.

Note: India’s first six-lane steel slag-based road has been constructed in Surat, Gujarat.

12. The Government of India (GoI) has set a target to reduce road accidental death by 50 percent
by 2030. This has been announced by the Union Minister for Road, Transport, and Highways,
Nitin Gadkari, while addressing a National conclave on Road Safety, organised by CII in New
Delhi.
In India, every hour 53 people get injured and 19 deaths take place in road accidents.
As per the latest report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the number of
road accidents in India has increased from 12 percent to over 4.6 lakh in 2022.

13. The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has imposed 50% duty on exports of molasses, a by-product of
sugarcane used as raw material for alcohol production, with effect from 18th January 2024. This
ensures higher availability of ethanol for blending with petrol.
 Till November 2023, India had exported molasses worth USD 101.33 million in Financial Year
2023-24.
 Every year, India exports 200,000-300,000 tonnes of molasses.
 In the 2022-23 (October to September) sugar season, 0.45 million tonnes of molasses were
exported from Maharashtra.

The Finance Ministry has also extended the existing concessional duty rates on imports of crude
and refined edible oils by one year till 31st March 2025.
Export Duty:
Customs duty paid in the export country is called export duty. It is a tax applicable to goods
leaving the exporting country, and it is collected by the customs authorities.

14. Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh has inaugurated the 9th
Indian International Science Festival (IISF) at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) –
Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) campus in Faridabad, Haryana.
The primary objective of this festival is to commemorate the world of science, making it accessible
to all.
Main theme: “Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal”

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia Sub theme of IISF: “Space Exploration: Pioneering Solutions for a Better World”
The event is coordinated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), National
Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India, and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA).
The 9th IISF has been held from January 17, 2024 to January 20, 2024.
This festival has a total of 17 themes to showcase scientific achievements providing various
benefits to the participants and the general public.
The IISF was first organized in 2015. The Department of Space and the Department of Atomic
Energy became part of IISF in 2021.

15. The I-STEM (Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering facilities Map) has launched the
Samavesha project at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru.
The objective is to promote research collaboration in India by improving access to facilities and
laboratories.
The platform facilitates the connection of researchers and industries with institutions possessing
the necessary equipment, allowing them to lease it for experiments.
The initiative seeks to reduce capital expenditure for researchers, industries, and startups, and
avoid the duplication of resources at the national level.
It will provide access to cutting-edge research infrastructure for new-age researchers, startups,
and industries nationwide, thereby facilitating innovation.
It will link researchers with scientific institutes via an online portal.

I-STEM:
It is a National Web portal for sharing R&D (Research and Development) facilities. It was
launched in 2020. It is an initiative of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the
Government of India under the aegis of Prime Minister Science, Technology and Innovation
Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) mission.

16. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has inaugurated the 9th chapter of ‘Capsule on
Science, Technology and Applied Research’ (CAPSTAR) at Military Institute of Technology
(MILIT), Pune.
The CAPSTER – 09 has been held as part of the 12th Raising Day celebrations of MILIT which is
commemorated on 19 January every year.
Theme of CAPSTER-09 is ‘Artificial Intelligence: Transforming Warfare.’
The three-day CAPSTER – 09 has witnessed the active participation from services, academia,
DRDO Labs and private defence industries.

MILIT:
The Military Institute of Technology (MILIT) is the tri-service technological training establishment
of the Indian Armed Forces in Girinagar near Pune, Maharashtra. It was raised on 19 th January
2012.
MILIT traces its roots to ‘Institute of Armament Studies.” Its motto is ‘Victory through Technology.’

STATES AFFAIRS
17. The Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra has become India’s first Dark Sky Park and
the fifth such park in Asia for protecting night sky, preventing light pollution and promoting
astronomy.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia A dark-sky preserve is an area, usually surrounding a park or observatory, that restricts artificial
light pollution. The purpose of the dark-sky movement is generally to promote astronomy.
Note: The Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), a high-altitude astronomy station located in
Hanle, and operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, is India’s first dark-sky preserve.
Pench Tiger Reserve:
 It is named after Pench River which flows from north to south through Reserve.
 It is located in Satpura hills in Madhya Pradesh, and continues in Nagpur district in
Maharashtra as a separate Sanctuary.
 It was declared a National Park in 1975.
 Forest: Tropical dry deciduous with dominance of teak trees.
 Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Jackal, Wolf, Deer, Hyena etc.
 The fictional works of Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book, are set
in the region.

18. The Indian and Japanese Coast Guards have conducted a successful joint exercise named
‘Sahyog Kaijin’ off the coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This marks the 20th edition of this
exercise.
This exercise is a part of the ongoing collaboration between the two countries under the
Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed in 2006.
The joint exercise focused on enhancing interoperability and sharing best practices in maritime
law enforcement, search and rescue operations, and pollution response at sea.
The exercise involved the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Shaurya and the Japan Coast
Guard Ship (JCGS) Yashima, along with other support vessels and aircraft.

19. Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has announced the inauguration of five new
airports in Uttar Pradesh in one month. This will take the total number of airports in the state to
19.
The airports will be at Azamgarh, Aligarh, Moradabad, Chitrakoot and Shravasti.
The aim is to improve air connectivity in the state, facilitating greater accessibility and economic
development.
On 30th December 2023, the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya was inaugurated
by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

20. The state government of Karnataka has launched the Yuva Nidhi scheme, the fifth guarantee
promised by the ruling Congress government in Karnataka.
Under this scheme, the students who have completed graduation and diploma courses in 2023
will get an unemployment allowance for a period of two years.
The scheme will provide the unemployment assistance of Rs 3,000 per month to degree holders
and Rs 1,500 to diploma holders.
The candidates who remain unemployed after completion of 180 days of declaration of results are
eligible for the allowance.

21. A ‘Vulture Restaurant’ has been established in Koderma district, Jharkhand to address
adverse impact of livestock drugs, particularly diclofenac, on vultures.
Vulture restaurant is an undisturbed area where non-toxic, poison-free meat and carcasses are
provided for vultures and other scavengers. It is an example of in-situ conservation.
The first such restaurant was created in South Africa in 1966.
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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia There are other such restaurants in Raigad, Gadhchiroli and Nashik district in Maharashtra and
Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh.
Diclofenac is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It is used in veterinary practice that has been
proven toxic to vultures and other birds of prey.
Vultures:
 They are large carrion-eating birds found mainly in tropics and subtropics.
 The 9 species of vultures are found in India. Out of them, 3 species are migratory (Cinereous
vulture, Griffon vulture and Himalayan vulture).
 They maintain clean environment by acting as nature's garbage collectors and control spread
of wildlife diseases from rotting corpse.
 They are protected under Schedule (1) of Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

22. The Kerala Drug Control Department has launched the Operation AMRITH (Antimicrobial
Resistance Intervention for Total Health) to prevent the overuse of antibiotics in the state.
It involves surprise raids in retail medical shops to detect over-the-counter (OTC) sales of
antibiotics without doctor’s prescription.
Once a complaint is received, it is transferred to the corresponding zonal office for verification, and
immediate departmental actions are taken if a violation is detected.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a global health concern as it refers to the ability of bacteria and
other microbes to resist the drugs used to inhibit or kill them. The overuse and misuse of
antibiotics contribute significantly to the development of AMR, posing a threat to public health.

Note: Kerala was the first state in India to develop a state action plan on antimicrobial resistance
(AMR), known as the Kerala Anti-Microbial Resistance Strategic Action Plan (KARSAP), in 2018.

23. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated Rs.800 crore Shrimandir Parikrama
Prakalpa (SMPP) or Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor project in Puri.
The project includes various amenities such as parking areas, Shree Setu (a bridge), Shree
Danda (a road), pilgrimage center, restroom facilities, cloakrooms, toilets, and more to enhance
the pilgrim experience around the 12 th century Jagannath Temple.
The 75-meter corridor will provide unobstructed pathways around the outer walls (Meghanada
Pacheri) of the shrine.
This corridor aims to provide pilgrims with a “visual connect” to the temple, enriching their spiritual
journey.
The Odisha government has planned to mobilise around 10,000 people daily for a month to visit
the shrine.

Jagannath Temple:
The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Vishnu. It is a Hindu Temple. The present
temple was rebuilt from the 10th century onwards, on the site of an earlier temple, and begun by
Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, the first king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
The Puri temple is famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three
principal deities are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars.

24. Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari has inaugurated 29 National
Highway projects with an investment of more than 4,000 crore rupees from Hoshiarpur city of
Punjab.
The projects included:

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia  Construction of 4-laning of the section including Phagwara and Hoshiarpur bypass will
provide 100 kmph high-speed connectivity between Phagwara and Hoshiarpur and reduce
travel time from 1 hour to 30 minutes
 Construction of 4-lane Ladhowal Bypass connecting GT Road and National Highway 5 in
Ludhiana will provide direct connectivity of Ludhiana-Ferozepur Highway to Delhi-Jalandhar
Highway (National Highway 44).
 Construction of 4-laning of Talwandi Bhai to Firozpur section and Firozpur bypass will
improve connectivity.
He has also announced other new projects in terms of road connectivity. These include
construction of 45 km, 4-lane bypass at Mukerian, Dasuya and Bhogpur on Jalandhar to
Pathankot route at a cost of 1600 crore rupees and 30 km, 4-lane bypass from Tanda to
Hoshiarpur at a cost of 800 crore rupees.

25. Union AYUSH Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has laid the foundation stone of the permanent
campus of the Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy and Integrated Ayush Wellness
Centre at Azara in Guwahati, Assam.
A total amount of Rs. 53.89 crore has been sanctioned for this project.
This Institute was established as a Clinical Research Unit of Homeopathy in 1984 in the rented
building at Odalbakra, Guwahati.
Presently, it is situated at Bhetapara, Guwahati in old building of Central Ayurveda Research
Institute.
The Institute is providing laboratory services at very nominal rates and successfully completed
clinical trials on Skin disorders, Cholera /Gastroenteritis, chronic sinusitis & bronchitis, Influenza
like illness, uterine fibroid, otitis media, Hypertension, vitiligo, psoriasis, migraine etc.

26. American aerospace company Boeing has opened its first distribution center in India, located in
Khurja, Uttar Pradesh. This parts warehouse, spanning 36,000 square feet, aims to assist
regional aviation customers in optimizing fleet utilization.
This is one of Being’s eight distribution centres in the world.
Boeing has pledged a USD 100 million investment in infrastructure and pilot training programs to
meet India’s growing demand for pilots over the next two decades.

27. Pongal is a traditional harvest festival observed annually in South India, particularly in the states
of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The festival honours Lord Surya Narayan, the
ruler of the planets, and is associated with crop harvesting. The festival is known as Makar
Sankranti in northern India.
The four-day festival will be celebrated from 15th January to 18th January 2024.
Four-days of Pongal:
 Bhogi Pongal:
Bhogi / Bogi marks the beginning of the Pongal festival celebrations. Indra, the Lord of the Rain,
is honoured on the first day in gratitude for the fertility of their agricultural land.
 Surya Pongal:
It is the main day of the Pongal celebration. Lord Surya is worshipped to bring good luck and
prosperity on the second day. Fresh milk is boiled till it crosses the vessel's edge to start the day.
 Mattu Pongal:
It is the third day of the Pongal. Farm animals, like cows and oxen, are honoured on this day since
they enable farmers to successfully grow and harvest their crops.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia  Kaanum Pongal:
The fourth day or last day of Pongal is known as Kaanum or Knau Pongal. It is also referred to as
Karinaal in some regions of Tamil Nadu. On this day, people worship the Sun God and offer food
and Sarkarai Pongal.

28. The ‘Dhanu Yatra’, the largest open-air theatre festival, has been organized in Bargarh, Odisha.
The vibrant Dhanu Yatra is associated with the culture of Odisha.
The festival is being held from 15th January to 25th January 2024.
Dhanu Yatra Festival:
 The ‘Dhanu Yatra’, which marks the victory of good over evil, came into existence in Bargarh in
1947-48 as part of the celebration of the country’s Independence and is held annually for 7-11
days.
 It starts from the 5th day of ‘Pousasukla’ to end on ‘Pousapurnima’.
 It is about the episode of Krishna and Balaram's visit to Mathura to witness the Dhanu
ceremony organized by their (maternal) uncle Kansa.
 It concludes with the death of demon king Kansa and restoration of the throne to Ugrasen.
 Bargarh becomes King Kansa’s Mathura, and Amapali becomes Gopapura, where Lord
Krishna have spent his childhood.
 Apparently, the Jeera River represents the Yamuna during the famed Dhanu Yatra celebration.

29. The Government of Maharashtra has declared a new wildlife habitat for the ‘canid’ wild dogs
family in Sangli, as ‘Atpadi Conservation Reserve’, which is among the smallest at 9.48 sq.
kms.

The new reserve will help preserve the habitat of wolves, jackals, foxes and hyenas in the area,
besides other mammals like deer, civets, rabbits and more that abound in the region.
The Atpadi Conservation Reserve helps connect the Maini Conservation Area in the west with the
Madhok Bird Sanctuary to its north-eastern boundary, which will make it a safe corridor for the
wildlife thriving there.
The new reserve comprises three types of forest cover: semi-evergreen, moist deciduous and dry
deciduous. It has 35 species of trees, 15 species of shrubs, 14 vines,116 species of herbs and
one parasitic plant.

30. The three-day International Camel Festival has been organized in the Bikaner district of
Rajasthan from 12th to 14th January 2024. The festival has been organized by the Tourism
Department of Rajasthan.
 The festivities commence at Rampuriya Haveli with beautifully decorated camels, women
dressed in colourful traditional costumes and folk artists participating in the Heritage Walk.
 The festival started from Rampuriya Haveli, passed through the main roads of the city and
concluded at Rao Bikaji ki Tekri.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia  The Tourism Department organised Rangoli, Mehndi and drawing competitions for the
participants at Bikaji ki Tekri, with the winners receiving mementoes in recognition of their skills
and talents.

The Bikaner region is famous for its camels, which are known for their strength, endurance and
beauty. The Bikaner army had a Camel Corp called “Ganga Risala” which took part in both the
World Wars and as well as in conflicts in Somaliland, Egypt and China.

31. The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link
(MTHL) officially known as Atal Setu Nhava Sheva Sea Link in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Atal Setu has been constructed at the cost of more than Rs.17,840 crores.
The foundation stone of the bridge was laid by the Prime Minister in December 2016.
Atal Setu:
 It is the longest bridge in India and also the longest sea bridge in India.
 It is about a 21.8 km long 6-lane bridge having about 16.5 km length over the sea and about
5.5 km on the land.
 The bridge has been named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
 The bridge originates from Sewri in Mumbai and ends at Nhava Sheva in Uran taluka in
Raigad district.
 The project is financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), covering 80%
of the total project cost, while the remaining portion is shared between the state and central
governments.
Note: Earlier, Dr Bhupen Hazarika Bridge was the longest bridge in India, over the River
Brahmaputra, in Assam. The 9.15 Km long river bridge.

32. The state government of Tamil Nadu has launched the Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration
Mission, which is the fourth mission mode project of the State Government after Climate Change
Mission, Green Tamil Nadu Mission & Wetland Mission.
The mission focusses on 14 coastal districts in the State covering 1,076 km.
It will be implemented with assistance of the World Bank for a period of five years.
The project outlines four key thematic areas including enhancement of coastal biodiversity,
coastal protection, improving livelihoods of the coastal communities and pollution control in
coastal areas.
The project will set up the first ever Tamil Nadu Blue Carbon Agency to harness the potential of
Blue Economy. The Tamil Nadu Blue Carbon Agency will undertake restoration of Mangroves,
Corals and Salt Marshes. Kariyachalli Island in Gulf of Mannar has been taken up under the
project for restoration of Corals.
33. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated three major infrastructure projects worth more
than Rs.4,000 crore at a function held at the Wellingdon Island in Kochi, Kerala. The project
includes:
New Dry Dock (NDD):
The New Dry Dock, built at a cost of about Rs 1,800 crores at the existing premises of Cochin
Shipyard Limited (CSL), is a flagship project reflecting New India's engineering prowess.
The 310-meter-long stepped dry dock, with a width of 75/60 meters, depth of 13 meters and a
draught of up to 9.5 metres, is one of the largest marine infrastructures in the region.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF):
The International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) project, built at a cost of about Rs 970 crores, has a
ship lift system with a capacity of 6000T, a transfer system, six workstations and a berth of
approximately 1,400 metres which can accommodate 7 vessels of 130-metre length
simultaneously.
LPG Import Terminal of Indian Oil Corporation Limited:
The Indian Oil’s LPG Import Terminal at Puthuvypeen, Kochi is built at the cost of about Rs 1,236
crores. The terminal has a 15400 MT storage capacity. The terminal will ensure a steady supply of
LPG for millions of households and businesses in the region.
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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
34. Denmark has launched the Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) initiative to boost collaborative
efforts between India and Denmark in the sustainable energy solutions sector. This new
partnership seeks to promote growth in green fuels like clean hydrogen while helping both
countries progress their shared goal of reaching carbon neutrality.
The GFAI is led by the Danish Embassy and Consulate General in India.
It aligns with sustainability objectives under the 2020 Green Strategic Partnership signed between
the two nations.
The GFAI aligns with India’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2070 and Denmark’s by 2050.

35. The parliament of South Korea has passed a Bill banning the production and sale of dog
meat to prevent the cruel slaughter of dogs without actually banning their consumption.
The Bill aims to ban the sale, distribution, butchery, and breeding of dogs for their meat by 2027.
Its provisions will be implemented in 2027, following a three-year grace period for dog farm
owners, meat restaurants, and other workers in the trade to close their businesses or find
alternative sources of employment.
Under the Bill, slaughtering dogs for consumption can attract fines of up to 30 million won
(approximately Rs 19 lakh) or imprisonment of up to three years.
Selling and breeding dogs for consumption can also attract a 2-year prison sentence or a fine of
20 million won (Rs 12.58 lakh).
Other Asian countries and territories that have banned the dog meat trade are Singapore,
Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

36. The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) as a malaria-free
country. With this, Cabo Verde joins the ranks of 43 countries and 1 territory that WHO has
awarded this certification.
Cabo Verde is the third country to be certified in the WHO African region, joining Mauritius and
Algeria which were certified in 1973 and 2019 respectively.
Malaria burden is the highest on the African continent, which accounted for approximately 95% of
global malaria cases and 96% of related deaths in 2021.
The certification is granted when a country has shown, with rigorous, credible evidence, that the
chain of indigenous malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes has been interrupted
nationwide for at least the past three consecutive years.
A country must also demonstrate the capacity to prevent the re-establishment of transmission.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia
37. Switzerland will host the Ukraine Peace Summit at the request of Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The summit aims to resolve the conflict sparked by Russia’s incursion into
Ukraine in 2022.
It will highlight Switzerland’s role as a neutral mediator.
Switzerland has previously acted as a broker to resolve conflicts and could now help find a
resolution for the war that began when Russia sent troops into Ukraine on Feb 24, 2022.

REPORTS & INDICES

38. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released the World Employment and Social
Outlook: Trends 2024 report, which highlighted that Global Unemployment rate is set to increase
in 2024 and growing inequalities and stagnant productivity are causes for concern.
 The global unemployment rate stood at 5.1% in 2023, a modest improvement from 2022.
 The report projects a modest rise in the global unemployment rate to 5.2% in 2024, citing an
increase in joblessness across advanced economies.
 The report forecasts that the number of unemployed individuals globally will surge by two
million, contributing to the uptick in the unemployment rate.
 Income inequality has widened, and disposable incomes have declined in the majority of G20
countries.
 The number of workers living in extreme poverty (earning less than USD 2.15 per person per
day in purchasing power parity terms) grew by about 1 million in 2023.
 The number of workers living in moderate poverty (earning less than USD3.65 per day per
person in PPP terms) increased by 8.4 million in 2023.

Note: Disposable income is net income. It's the amount left over after taxes.

39. Prof Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog has released the discussion paper
"Multidimensional Poverty in India since 2005-06”. Oxford Policy and Human Development
Initiative (OPHI) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have provided technical
inputs for this paper.
Findings of the discussion paper:
 India has registered a significant decline in multidimensional poverty in India from 29.17% in
2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23 i.e. a reduction of 17.89 percentage points.
 Uttar Pradesh registered the largest decline in the number of poor with 5.94 crore people
escaping multidimensional poverty during the last nine years. It is followed by Bihar at 3.77
crore, Madhya Pradesh at 2.30 crore and Rajasthan at 1.87 crore.
 The pace of decline in poverty Headcount Ratio (HCR) using exponential method was much
faster between 2015-16 to 2019-21 (10.66% annual rate of decline) compared to period 2005-
06 to 2015-16 (7.69% annual rate of decline).
 All 12 indicators of MPI (Multidimensional Poverty Index) have recorded significant
improvement.
 24.82 crore individuals escaped multidimensional poverty in the last 9 years.
 India is all set to reach single-digit poverty levels during 2024.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia  India is likely to achieve SDG Target 1.2 (reducing multidimensional poverty by at least half)
well before 2030.
Note: HCR is the percentage of a population that falls below the Poverty Line.
Multidimensional Poverty is a measure of poverty that captures deprivations in education and
access to basic infrastructure in addition to income or consumption at the USD 2.15 international
poverty line (as per World Bank).
Additional Information:
NITI Aayog published the first edition of national Multidimensional Poverty Index for India in
2021. The Index is based on the Alkire-Foster (AF) methodology that identifies people as poor
based on universally acknowledged metric designed to assess acute poverty, providing a
complementary perspective to conventional monetary poverty measures.
It includes three dimensions and 12 indicators.
Sub-indices of the National MPI:
 Headcount Ratio (H): How many are poor?
 Intensity of Poverty (A): How poor are the poor?
40. Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, has released the entire list of the 4th
edition of the States’ Startup Ranking 2022 on the occasion of National Startup Day (16th
January 2024).
The aim is to recognize and reward outstanding Startups with high potential for employment
generation or wealth creation, demonstrating measurable social impact.
The states and union territories are ranked by the Department for Promotion of Industry and
Internal Trade (DPIIT), a department under commerce ministry.
According to the DPIIT report, total 33 states and UTs participated in the exercise ranked under
five categories:
Category: Best performers; Top performers; Leaders; Aspiring leaders and Emerging startup
ecosystems.
The ‘Best Performer’ is the top most startup ranking level, followed by the ‘Top Performer’ title.
Best Performing States: Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Top Performers: Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan and Telangana.
Leaders: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur,
and Tripura.
Aspiring leaders: Bihar, Haryana, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Nagaland.
Emerging startup ecosystems: Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh.
Startup India:
The Startup India initiative was launched on 16 January 2016 to build a strong ecosystem for
nurturing innovation, boosting startups, and encouraging investments in the startup ecosystem of
the country.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES & PROGRAMMES

41. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Janjati
Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) across the country via video conferencing.
The beneficiaries who interacted directly with the PM belonged to Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand,
Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, which have major Particularly Vulnerable
Tribal Group (PVTG) communities and population.
During the occasion, the Prime Minister also released the first instalment of Rs. 540 crores in
bank accounts of PVTG beneficiaries across 19 States and Union Territories, for construction of 1
lakh pucca houses under the rural housing scheme Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-
G).

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia PM-JANMAN:
 It was launched for the socio-economic welfare of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
(PVTGs) on 15th November 2023 on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.
 PM-JANMAN, with a budget of approximately Rs 24,000 crore, focuses on 11 critical
interventions through nine ministries.
 It is aimed at improving socio-economic conditions of PVTGs by saturating PVTG households
and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation,
improved access to education, health and nutrition, electricity, road and telecom connectivity,
and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
42. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation (MoSPI) Rao Inderjit Singh has launched the MPLADS (Member of Parliament
Local Area Development Scheme) e-SAKSHI Mobile Application for the revised fund flow
procedure under MPLAD Scheme.
The mobile app will provide convenience and accessibility, allowing MPs to propose, track, and
oversee the projects at their fingertips.
This real-time access enhances decision-making processes, enabling swift responses to emerging
needs or issues.
MPLAD Scheme:
 It is a central sector scheme under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
(MoSPI).
 The objective of MPLAD Scheme is to enable the Members of Parliament (MPs) to
recommend works of developmental nature with emphasis on the creation of durable
community assets based on the locally felt needs.
 At least 15 percent of MPLADS entitlement allocated for areas inhabited by Scheduled Caste
population and 7.5 percent for areas inhabited by Scheduled Tribe population.
 The funds are non-lapsable i.e. if money is not utilised, it gets carried to next year.
 The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all work under implementation every year.
43. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched the ‘New Solar Power
Scheme’ for electrification in habitations and villages of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
(PVTG).
This scheme is a part of the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN)
aimed at Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) Habitations/Villages.
The scheme covers the period from 2023-24 to 2025-26.
It focuses on electrifying 1 lakh un-electrified households in PVTG areas across 18 states and
the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The scheme involves the provision of off-grid solar systems for households where grid electricity is
not feasible.
It includes solar lighting for 1500 Multi-Purpose Centres (MPCs) in PVTG areas lacking grid
electricity.
The financial outlay for the scheme is Rs. 515 crores, with specific allocations for the provision of
solar off-grid systems and solar lighting in MPCs.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

44. The Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) has signed an agreement with Catamarca Minera Y
Energética Sociedad Del Estado (CAMYEN), a state-owned mining and energy company in the
Argentine province of Catamarca, to acquire five lithium mines in Argentina.
This is the first ever lithium exploration and mining project by a state-owned company.
KABIL will start exploration and development of five lithium brine blocks:
 Cortadera-I
 Cortadera-VII
 Cortadera-VIII
 Cateo-2022-01810132
 Cortadera-VI
This exploration will cover an area of about 15,703 hectares in the Catamarca province.
The project cost is about Rs.200 crores.
KABIL is also preparing to set up a branch office at Catamarca, Argentina.

45. South Korean firm Simmtech Co Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
the Gujarat government to set up its plant in Sanand at a cost of Rs.1,250 crore to create a
semiconductor ecosystem in the state.
This MoU has been announced by the Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology,
Ashwini Vaishnaw, during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 in Gandhinagar.
The core focus of Simmtech’s operations revolves around the production of semiconductor
substrates.
During a seminar on “Semiconductor & Electronics” held on the second day of the Vibrant Gujarat
Global Summit, Union Minister has also unveiled the ambitious plan for Gujarat to manufacture
India’s first indigenous semiconductor chip by 2024.

46. The World Economic Forum (WEF) has collaborated with the Telangana government to jointly
establish the 19th Centre of the World Economic Forum’s Fourth Industrial Revolution Network
(4IR) in Hyderabad.
The centre aims to align with the broader vision of the Telangana government and WEF,
emphasizing collaborative efforts to enhance lifestyles and living standards.
The C4IR in Hyderabad will become the world’s premier healthcare hub.
The centre will provide the employment opportunities in the healthcare sector and foster
partnerships between the government and small and medium enterprises.
The centre will officially launch during BioAsia 2024 to be held in February 2024.

47. IndoSpace, a key player in industrial real estate, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with the government of Tamil Nadu during the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024.
The entity will invest Rs.2000 crore in the state.
This investment by IndoSpace is anticipated to generate 15,000 new jobs, providing a substantial
boost to employment opportunities in the state.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia 48. Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL), a leading petrochemicals company in India, has become the
first ISO 27001:2022 certified petrochemical organization in the industry by BSI (British
Standards Institution), a renowned certification body.
This showcases HPL’s commitment to maintain a robust and secure information security
governance structure throughout its digital transformation journey.
HPL has demonstrated its ability to protect sensitive information and ensure the confidentiality,
integrity, and availability of valuable data and systems.
ISO 27001:2022 is the standard of ISMS (Information Security Management System) program to
protect the information assets of the organization.

British Standards Institution (BSI):

BSI is the world’s first Standards Body and founding member of ISO from the United Kingdom.
BSI produces technical standards on various products, services, and supplies certification and
standards-related services to businesses.

BANKING & FINANCE

49. The Ministry of Rural Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
the State Bank of India (SBI) to facilitate enterprise financing for rural self-help groups (SHG).
SBI introduced a specialised financial product Svyam Siddha, exclusively tailored for SHG
women entrepreneurs seeking loans up to Rs 5 lakhs.
This initiative is designed to alleviate the challenges associated with extensive documentation
requirements for bank loan applications and reduce the turnaround time (TAT).

50. Indian Bank has inked a pact with FPL Technologies to launch the Indian Bank One Co-
Branded Credit Card. The card leverages the Visa and RuPay platforms.
These cards will be issued by Indian Bank and managed by FPL Technologies.
The Indian Bank One co-branded credit card boasts of international validity with a 1% forex fee
and aims to offer a range of features tailored to the diverse needs of digitally savvy Indian
consumers.
51. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has notified that investors will be allowed
to freeze or block their trading account if any suspicious activity is detected.
The framework for the same will be laid down on or before 1 st April 2024 and will be implemented
from 1st July 2024.
The framework will include the following: modes through which a client can request/communicate
to the Trading Member for voluntarily blocking the trading accounts; issuing of acknowledgement
to the clients on receipt of message; and the time period within which the request shall be
processed and the trading account shall be frozen/blocked.
It will also include the action a trading member has to take once such a request is received and
the process of re-enabling the client for traders/ transfers.

52. The New Development Bank (NDB) has signed an agreement to provide a USD 500-million
loan to Gujarat government. As part of Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2024, a project loan will be
provided for the State's Mukhayamantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
NDB will support the roads and buildings department of the State government for construction of
an estimated 1,200 km of roads.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia NDB will also provide knowledge support to strengthen the rural road network in the State by
adopting new technology, safeguarding the environment and implementing safer road designs.
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53. The State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced a special fixed deposit (FD) scheme “SBI Green
Rupee Term Deposit (SGRTD)” to mobilise funds to support environment-friendly initiatives and
projects, thereby fostering the growth of a green finance ecosystem in India.
This scheme is open to resident individuals, non-individuals, and NRI customers.
The scheme offers investors the flexibility to choose from three distinct tenors: 1111 days, 1777
days, and 2222 days.
Interest rate for retail deposits:
 1111 Days- 6.65 %
 1777 Days- 6.65 %
 2222 Days- 6.40 %
Interest rate for bulk deposits:
 1111 Days- 6.15 %
 1777 Days- 6.15 %
 2222 Days- 5.90 %
The pre-mature withdrawal is allowed.
Green Deposit:
Green deposit means an interest-bearing deposit, received by the regulated entities (RE) for a
fixed period the proceeds of which are earmarked for being allocated towards green finance as
per RBI's notification dated April 11, 2023. The deposits raised under the framework are covered
by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
54. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced the launch of the UPI-
PayNow linkage that will enable Indians to receive remittances directly into their bank accounts
from Singapore and vice-versa.
Presently, users of mobile-based applications such as Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM),
PhonePe, and Paytm can access the service.
Banks including Axis Bank, DBS Bank India, ICICI Bank, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, and
State Bank of India (SBI) provide this functionality through their respective apps.
The UPI-PayNow facility will be available to users throughout the year.

55. Karnataka Bank (KBL), a leading private sector bank, has collaborated with Clix Capital through
the Yubi Co.lend Platform to provide loans to the Indian MSME sector, which is one of the biggest
contributors to India’s GDP and employment growth.
This collaboration is in line with the Reserve Bank of India’s guidelines on co-lending by banks
and NBFCs to priority sectors.
This collaboration combines Karnataka Bank’s low cost of funds, end-to-end digital capabilities
and expertise to offer credit facilities to this segment along with Clix Capital's strong & easy
lending tech platform and robust due diligence.

56. The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), a government-owned insurance giant, has
reclaimed its status as the most valued public sector undertaking, surpassing the market
capitalization of State Bank of India.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia SBI has a market cap of Rs 5.63 lakh crore, while LIC has overtaken it with a market capitalization
(Mcap) of Rs 5.64 lakh crore.
On 17th January 2024, SBI stock witnessed a 1.5 percent decline to Rs 624, whereas LIC traded
at Rs 896 on the BSE, showing a 0.2 percent increase.
The benchmark BSE Sensex experienced a 1.02 percent loss, settling at 72,386 points.
In 2023, LIC witnessed a remarkable gain of over 22%, and in the ongoing year, 2024, it has
surged by an additional 7.5%.

57. DLabs at the Indian School of Business (ISB) has introduced the 'Build for Billions', a startup
accelerator programme, themed around financial inclusion for the informal economy, in
association with Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) and Union Bank of India.
The objective of this program is to support visionary fintech startups addressing challenges faced
by gig workers, migrant workers, domestic workers, and others in the informal sector.
The 50-day equity-free accelerator by the business incubator DLabs, offers comprehensive
support, including mentorship, capacity building, resources, networking opportunities, the chance
to pitch to banks and investors, and a unique piloting opportunity with Union Bank.

58. Google India Digital Services (Google Pay India) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with NPCI International Payment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Payments
Corporation of India, to expand the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) globally.
The MoU has three key objectives:
 To broaden the use of UPI payments for travellers outside of India, enabling them to
conveniently make transactions abroad.
 To assist in establishing UPI-like digital payment systems in other countries.
 To focus on easing the process of remittances between countries by utilizing the UPI
infrastructure, thereby simplifying cross-border financial exchanges.

59. Yes Bank has introduced SmartFin, an end-to-end digital Supply Chain Finance (SCF) platform,
powered by Veefin Solutions. The initiative aims to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs) by leveraging SCF models for enhanced working capital efficiencies.
The SmartFin platform will help us drive the required operational & financial efficiencies for all
stakeholders.

60. Tata Consumer Products has acquired a complete 100% stake in Capital Foods Private
Limited, renowned for marketing products under the brands Ching's Secret and Smith & Jones.
The transaction, valued at Rs.5,100 crore, will be an all-cash deal.
Tata Consumer has entered into Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) and Shareholders’ Agreement
(SHA) with the existing promoters and shareholders of the target company to acquire the entire
issued equity share capital in a phased manner.
The company would initially acquire 75 percent of the equity shareholding, with the remaining 25
percent to be procured over the next three years.

61. Mumbai-based UBS Securities India Private Limited has reduced the growth of the Indian
economy for the financial year 2024-25 (FY25) to 6.2% from 6.3%.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia This indicates that India's Gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to reach USD 3.9 trillion in
FY25, up from USD 3.57 trillion in FY24 on a likely 7 percent growth, as consumption growth is
likely to stabilise at 4.7 percent from 4.5 percent in FY24.
This growth is anticipated due to the favourable combination of neutral policy settings, positive
credit momentum, and manageable macroeconomic macros amid a 15-year high household debt
levels.

62. According to the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) report released in January
2024, India’s GDP is expected to surpass USD 4 trillion in 2024-25 and reach USD 5 trillion by
2026-27.
It also projected India’s GDP to reach USD 7 trillion by 2030, as India is committed to attaining
the status of a developed economy by 2047 under the initiative of ‘Viksit Bharat.’
The report expects the inflation trajectory to average at around 4.5 percent in 2024.
The analysis is based on lead macroeconomic indicators including the GDP Growth, Export
Growth, Gross National Savings, Total Investments, and Debt to GDP Ratio.

63. IndusInd Bank has launched the ‘EazyDiner IndusInd Bank Platinum Credit Card’, in
collaboration with EazyDiner. This credit card is poised to transform the dining landscape for
cardholders with a taste for diverse restaurant experiences.
This card provides additional discount of Rs. 500 while paying through the EazyDiner App via
PayEazy for both dining as well as for take-away at select restaurants.
The card comes with a complimentary EazyDiner Prime membership for 3 months, that provides
guaranteed discounts from 25% up to 50%, at over 2000 premium restaurants, without any joining
or annual fees.
The cardholders can renew their Prime membership upon spending Rs.30,000 every 90 days.
The card offers up to 2 reward points on every Rs.100 spent.

64. Max Life Insurance has launched the Midcap Momentum Index Fund, a first-of-its kind in the
unit linked insurance plan (ULIP) segment. The new fund aims to replicate the Nifty Midcap 150
Momentum 50 Index by investing in companies with similar weights as in the index and generate
returns as closely as possible, subject to tracking error.
Investors can participate in the new fund until 29 th January 2024, at a unit price of Rs 10.
This new fund offering (NFO) will invest in stock which have witnessed 175% Compound Annual
Growth Rate (CAGR) in asset under management (AUM) over the last three financial years
(FY20-23).
NFO targets the growth potential of mid-cap companies.
Note: NFO is the first subscription offering for any fund being launched by an investment
company.

65. REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Power,
has issued its first Japanese Yen green bonds worth 61.1 (JPY) billion.
These bonds are a part of the USD 10 billion global medium-term notes programme.
The bonds with tenures of 5 years, 5.25 years, and 10 years are issued at yields of 1.76 percent,
1.79 percent, and 2.20 percent, respectively.
The proceeds from the bond issuance will be dedicated to financing eligible green projects.
This is REC Limited's 11th venture into the international bond market and the first-ever Yen Bond
issuance by an Indian public sector undertaking (PSU).

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia This represents the largest Yen-denominated issuance from India and the largest non-sovereign
Yen-denominated issuance ever from South and South East Asia.

RBI IN NEWS

66. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties, of varying degrees, against
ESAF Small Finance Bank, Dhanlaxmi Bank, and Punjab and Sind Bank over various non-
compliances.
A penalty of Rs.1.20 crore has been imposed on Dhanlaxmi Bank for non-compliance with
certain directions on 'Loans and Advances – Statutory and Other Restrictions', KYC, and certain
norms related to the interest rate on deposits.
This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI conferred under the
provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
A penalty of Rs.1 crore has been imposed on Punjab and Sind Bank for non-compliance with
certain directions on 'Loans and Advances – Statutory and Other Restrictions'.
A penalty of Rs.29.55 lakh has been imposed on ESAF Small Finance Bank for non-compliance
with its directions on 'Customer Service in Banks'.

67. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the re-appointment of Dr
Michael Debabrata Patra as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a period of
one year with effect from 15th January 2024 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
This is the second time that the Government has extended his tenure by a year.
He took over as Deputy Governor of RBI for three years in January 2020.
Prior to his elevation, he was Executive Director at RBI.
He oversees the functioning of Departments such as Monetary Policy Department, Financial
Stability, Statistics and Information Management, Economic and Policy Research, Financial
Markets Regulation, Financial Markets Operations, among others.

68. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued draft framework that lays down broad functions,
governance standards, and eligibility criteria for setting up a Self-Regulatory Organization for
Fintech Companies (SRO-FT).
The main idea behind the framework is to empower the fintech sector to function and innovate
responsibly even in the absence of formal regulations.
The SRO-FT should be responsible for addressing cases of grievance, conflict of interest or
dispute among its members.
The SRO-FT will be able to enhance a regulatory compliance culture among fintechs and build
capacities of the sectoral players.
The organisation needs to be a ‘not-for-profit’ and be able to deploy technological solutions within
a reasonable timeframe.
At least one-third of members on the board, including the chairperson, should be independent,
and without any active association with a fintech entity.
To maintain credibility, the SRO-FT should operate independently, free from the influence of any
single member or group of members.
69. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of Karnataka-based “The Hiriyur
Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd” as the bank does not have adequate capital and earning
prospects.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia The bank ceases to carry on banking business, with effect from the close of business on January
12, 2024.
Consequent to the cancellation of its licence, the lender is prohibited from conducting the business
of ‘banking’ which includes, among other things, acceptance of deposits and repayment of
deposits as defined in Section 5(b) read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 with
immediate effect.
On liquidation, every depositor would be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of
his/her deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs.5 lakh from Deposit Insurance and Credit
Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) subject to the provisions of DICGC Act, 1961.
As per the data submitted by the bank, 99.93% of the depositors are entitled to receive full amount
of their deposits from DICGC.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

70. A 22-year-old US Air Force officer, Madison Marsh, has been crowned the Miss America 2024
title. This is the 96th edition of the Miss America pageant finals held in Orlando, Florida.
 This marks the first time an active-duty service member has clinched this prestigious title.
 She hails from Colorado, the home of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
 She is a second lieutenant in the US Air Force and master’s student at the Harvard Kennedy
School’s public policy program.
Ellie Breaux of Texas is the first runner-up in the beauty pageant.

71. President Draupadi Murmu has presented the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023, initiated
under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Key ranking parameters include:
 Citizen feedback evaluations
 Field assessments of sanitation indicators
Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023:
 Indore and Surat have been adjudged as the ‘cleanest cities’ in India in the category of more
than one lakh population. This is the 7th time that Indore has won the accolade of the cleanest
city in India.
 Navi Mumbai is ranked the third cleanest cities in India in the category of more than one lakh
population.
 Saswad in Maharashtra received the cleanest city award for urban centres with less than 1
lakh population while Patan in Chattisgarh and Lonavla in Maharashtra are the second and
third cleanest cities.
 Maharashtra got the first prize for cleanliness in the state category, Madhya Pradesh got
second and Chhattisgarh got the award of third cleanest state.
 Varanasi and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh clinched the top spots as the Cleanest Ganga
Towns.
 Mhow Cantonment Board is rated the cleanest cantonment.
 Chandigarh honoured as the safest city for sanitation staff.
 West Bengal municipalities ranked last across all zones.
Swachh Survekshan:

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia It is an annual survey of cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation in cities and towns across India. It
was launched in 2016 as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which aimed to make India clean
and free of open defecation by 2nd October 2019. It is conducted by the Ministry of Housing and
Urban Affairs (MoHUA) with Quality Council of India (QCI) as its implementation partner.

72. President of India Droupadi Murmu has honoured late Savita Kanswal posthumously with
Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2022 in Land Adventure. She made history by
becoming the first Indian woman to climb both Mt. Everest and Mt. Makalu within a remarkable
16-day period.
She received the prestigious award in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the field of
adventure.
The award has been presented to Radhe Shyam Kanswal, Savita's father, on behalf of his
daughter.
She hails from Uttarakhand.

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award:

The award was formerly known as the National Adventure Awards. It is the highest adventure
sports honour of the Republic of India. The award is named after Tenzing Norgay, one of the first
two individuals to reach the summit of Mount Everest along with Edmund Hillary in 1953.
It was instituted in 1994.
It is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The recipients are honoured for
their outstanding achievement in the field of adventure activities on land, sea and air over the last
three years.
The award comprises a bronze statuette of Tenzing Norgay along with a cash prize of Rs.15 lakh.

73. The National Institute of Construction Management and Research (NICMAR) Hyderabad
has been awarded the platinum certification under the Indian Green Building Council’s Green
Campus Rating.
This accomplishment highlights NICMAR Hyderabad’s commitment to sustainability and eco-
friendly practices in its campus operations and infrastructure.
The campus has over 25 trees per acre, for a total of 47% green cover, and water-efficient
irrigation systems. Drought-tolerant or native flora represent a substantial amount (90.04%) of the
landscape area, while turf covers a smaller fraction (9.96%).
The university has installed a sewage treatment plant (STP) to process 100% of the on-site
wastewater, which is then used for landscaping.
It has also created dedicated bicycle and pedestrian networks, supporting sustainable
transportation.

74. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been awarded a mega order to construct 508 route km of high-
speed electrification system for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project,
popularly referred to as the bullet train project.
The order has been bagged from an authorised Japanese agency.
This electrification system will enable trains to travel at speed of up to 320 kilometre per hour.
This project is being funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and is being
implemented by an authorised Japanese agency acting for and on behalf of National High Speed
Rail Corporation Ltd.
The contract is valued between Rs.10,000-15,000 crore.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia
BOOKS & AUTHORS
75. Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Bhupendra Yadav,
has launched a book titled 'Modi: Energising a Green Future'.
The book is published by Pentagon Press in association with the Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerjee
Research Foundation.
The book is a compendium of insights contributed by distinguished decision-makers and eminent
experts from India and abroad.

PERSON IN NEWS
76. Bernardo Arevalo, an academic and former diplomat, has been sworn in as the President of
Guatemala during a ceremony at Miguel Angel Asturias theatre in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
He has replaced conservative politician Alejandro Giammattei whose government has been
engulfed in corruption scandals.

77. Experian, a leading global information services company, has appointed Manish Jain as its new
Country Managing Director for Experian in India.
He will lead the company’s strategic initiatives, drive business growth, and cultivate strong
partnerships with clients and stakeholders.
Earlier, he served as the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Excelrate.

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78. Vice Admiral AN Pramod has assumed charge as the Director General Naval Operations
(DGNO). He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 July 1990. He is an alumnus of the
38th Integrated Cadet Course.
The Flag Officer is a CAT ‘A’ Sea King Air Operations Officer and a Communication & Electronics
Warfare Specialist.

79. Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty has been appointed as the Commandant in the Indian Naval
Academy. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 1989. He is a specialist in
‘Gunnery and Missiles’.
He served as the commissioning crew of INS Delhi and did all his specialist tenures onboard the
frontline Guided Missile Destroyer.
Earlier, he was Flag Officer Commanding the Western Fleet.

80. The Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, has announced that the Indian Army will
observe the year 2024 as the 'Year of Technology Absorption.’
This theme underscores the Army's focus and efforts to leverage technology as a catalyst for
transformative change.
The Indian Army personnel are being trained to leverage technology and exploit the cyber domain
effectively through institutionalised, procedural and technological measures.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia 81. The Central government has appointed former Central Industrial Security Force Director General
Sheel Vardhan Singh, a 1986-batch IPS officer, as a member of the Union Public Service
Commission (UPSC).
He has been appointed by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, under Article 316 (11) of the
Constitution of India.
The term of his appointment will be regulated in accordance with the provisions of Article 316(2) of
the Constitution of India, and the conditions of service will be governed by UPSC (Members)
Regulations 1969 as amended from time to time.
The UPSC conducts civil services examination annually to select officers of IAS, Indian Foreign
Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.
The Commission is headed by a chairman and it can have a maximum of 10 members.
A UPSC member is appointed for a term of 6 years or until attaining 65 years of age.

82. The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has appointed Maheshwar Rao as the full-time
Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). He has succeeded
Anjum Parwez, who served in the position for almost two and a half years.
BMRCL recently reached a new milestone when it recorded a whopping 2 crore ridership in
December 2023, around 6.8 lakh passengers on an average daily, fetching a fare revenue of
Rs.55 crore.
Bengaluru’s metro network spans 73.81 km with phase 1 connecting Kadugodi and Challaghatta
(East-West corridor) with Silk Institute and Nagasandra (South-North corridor).

83. Tshering Tobgay, Leader of the People's Democratic Party, has become the Prime Minister of
Bhutan for a second time in a row. In Bhutan's parliamentary elections, the People's Democratic
Party secured a significant victory, claiming 30 out of 47 national assembly seats.
The Bhutan Tendrel Party secured 17 seats.

84. William Lai, also known as Lai Ching-te, from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP),
has won the Taiwan presidential elections. This will potentially impact relations with China over
the next four years.
He is labelled an 'instigator of war' by China.
He fought elections against two opponents, i.e. the KMT's Hou and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-
je of the small Taiwan People's Party. He is known for his pro-democracy stance and his strong
opposition to China.
Earlier, he was the vice president of Taiwan since 2020.

OBITUARIES
85. Indian Urdu poet Munawwar Rana has passed away at the age of 71 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
He was born on 26th November 1952 in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh.
He published several poetries and ghazals with a distinct style of writing.
Most of his shers (couplets) have "mother" as the centre point of his love.
His Urdu ghazals have been translated into English by Tapan Kumar Pradhan.
He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for his poetry book “Shahdaba.” He returned
the award in 2015.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia 86. Noted classical singer Prabha Atre has passed away at the age of 91 in Pune, Maharashtra. She
was born on 13th September 1932 in Pune, Bombay Presidency, Maharashtra.
She belonged to Kirana Gharana.
She received her training in classical music from the renowned Sureshbabu Mane, a prominent
exponent of the Kirana gharana.
She was equally proficient in different classical genres, be it khyal, tarana, thumri, dadra, ghazal
and bhajan, citing the influence of Ustad Amir Khan (founder of the Indore gharana) for khyal and
Bade Ghulam Ali Khan (Kasur gharana) for thumri.
She also had formal training in Kathak dance style.
Awards/Honours:
 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1991)
 Padma Shri (1990)
 Padma Bhushan (2002)
 Padma Vibhushan (2022)

87. Noted music director K.J. Joy has passed away in Chennai, Tamil, Nadu. He was born on 14
June 1946 in Trichur, Cochin, Kerala. He was music director for the Malayalam film industry. He
composed music for 71 films.
He began his career as music director in 1974.
His first film was Love Letter in 1975.
He also composed many songs for the youth, including the hit song En Swaram.

SPORTS
88. The first edition of the Beach Games (2024) has been held at the pristine blue flag-certified
Ghoghla Beach in Diu from 4th to 11th January. Around 1400 athletes, all under the age of 21,
from 28 states and Union Territories have participated in games like Tug of War, Sea Swimming,
Pencak Silat, Mallakhamb, Beach Volleyball, Beach Kabaddi, and Beach Soccer.
The sport of Beach Boxing made its debut marking a historic moment in the nation's athletic
journey.
Madhya Pradesh has topped the inaugural Beach Games 2024 with 18 medals including 7 gold.
It is followed by Maharashtra with 14 medals including 3 gold, while Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and
hosts Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Diu & Daman secured 12 medals each.
Assam has won 8 medals, out of which 5 are Gold.
Lakshadweep has secured the gold medal in Beach Soccer.

Note: 12 of the beaches in India have Blue Flag certification given to cleanest beaches.

89. The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, has inaugurated the 5th edition of the Meghalaya
Games at PA Sangma Stadium in Tura, Meghalaya.
Around 3000 athletes have participated in the 5th Meghalaya Games across 23 disciplines.
The event has been played in 16 venues across the Tura town.
This is the first time in history that the Meghalaya Games has been held outside Shillong.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia 90. Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has become the first male player to participate in 150
T20 Internationals. This feat has been achieved during the second match against Afghanistan at
the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
He returned to India’s T20I setup for the first time since the end of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
2022. He led his side to a 6-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the first T20I in Mohali.
He also secured another milestone by becoming the first player to win 100 T20Is.
He has scored 3853 runs in 149 games, with a strike rate of about 140 in T20Is.
He has also scored 4 hundreds in T20Is, tying Glenn Maxwell and Suryakumar Yadav for the
most.

91. Australian cricketer Shaun Marsh has announced his retirement from professional cricket, with
the Melbourne Renegades' fixture against Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League being his last
assignment.
He had scored more than 5,200 runs and 13 centuries.
His last match was against Sri Lanka at The Oval during the 2019 ODI World Cup.

92. The 2023 Best FIFA Football Awards have been presented to the winners in London, UK. This
is the eighth edition of the awards, presented annually by the sport's governing body, International
Association Football Federation (FIFA).

Award category Winners

Best FIFA Men's Lionel Messi
Player (This is the third time
Lionel Messi received the
award)
Best FIFA Men's Ederson (Manchester City)
Goalkeeper
Best FIFA Men's Pep Guardiola
Coach (Manchester City)
Best FIFA Women's Aitana Bonmatí
Player (Barcelona)
Best FIFA Women's Mary Earps (Manchester
Goalkeeper United)
Best FIFA Women's Sarina Wiegman
Coach (England)

93. Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal has become the first Indian in 35 years to defeat a seeded
opponent in a Grand Slam. He defeated world number 27 Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan.
After defeating Alexander Bublik, he secured his place in the 2 nd round of the Australian Open.
In 1989, Ramesh Krishnan defeated Mats Wilander, the then-world number one and defending
champion at the Australian Open.
Sumit Nagal will be playing in the 2nd round of a Grand Slam for the 2 nd time in his career.
In the 2020 US Open, he had lost to second seed and eventual champion Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-3,
6-2 in the second round.
He made his Slam debut in the 2019 US Open against Roger Federer.
He hails from Haryana.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia 94. The Asian Shooting Championships 2024 for rifle and pistol shooters has been held in Jakarta,
Indonesia from January 8 to 17. The event is also doubled as the qualifying event for the Paris
2024 Olympics for rifle and pistol shooters.
Indian shooters have won 26 medals (14 gold, 7 silver and 5 bronze) at the championship and
obtained four Olympic quotas for the country.
Olympic quotas:
 Varun Tomar: Gold (men’s 10m air pistol events)
 Esha Singh: Gold (women’s 10m air pistol events)
 Rhythm Sangwan: Bronze (women’s 10m air pistol)
 Vijayveer Sidhu: Silver (men’s 25m rapid fire pistol)
India have now secured 17 Olympic quotas in shooting for the Paris 2024 Summer Games.
Other medal winners:
 Nancy (women’s 10m air rifle) - gold medal
 Akhil Sheoran (men’s 50m rifle 3 positions) - gold medal
 Yogesh Singh (men’s 25m centre fire pistol) - gold medal
 Yogesh Singh (men’s 25m standard pistol) - gold medal
 Esha Singh, Rhythm Sangwan and Surbhi Rao - women’s 10m air pistol team - gold medal
 Varun Tomar, Arjun Singh Cheema and Ujjawal Malik (men’s 10m air pistol team) - gold medal
 Mehuli Ghosh and Rudrankksh Patil (10m air rifle mixed team) - gold medal
 Elavenil Valarivan, Nancy and Mehuli Ghosh (women’s 10m air rifle team) - gold medal
 Akhil Sheoran, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Swapnil Kusale (men’s 50m rifle 3 positions
team event) - gold medal
 Sift Kaur Samra, Ashi Chouksey and Anjum Moudgil (women’s 50m rifle 3 positions team) -
gold medal
 Yogesh Singh, Amit Kumar and Om Prakash (men’s 25m standard pistol team) - gold medal
 Yogesh Singh, Pankaj Yadav and Akshay Jain (men’s 25m centre fire pistol team) - gold
medal
 Arjun Singh Cheema (men’s 10m air pistol) - silver medal
 Elavenil Valarivan (women’s 10m air rifle) - silver medal
 Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (men’s 50m rifle 3 positions) - silver medal
 Sift Kaur Samra (women’s 50m rifle 3 positions) silver medal
 Rhythm Sangwan and Arjun Singh Cheema (10m air pistol mixed team) - silver medal
 Rhythm Sangwan, Esha Singh and Simranpreet Kaur Brar (women’s 25m pistol team) - silver
medal
 Rudrankksh Patil (men’s 10m air rifle) - bronze medal
 Rhythm Sangwan (women’s 25m pistol event) - bronze medal
 Ashi Chouksey (women’s 50m rifle 3 positions) - bronze medal
 Arjun Babuta, Rudrankksh Patil, Sri Karthik Sabari Raj (men’s 10m air rifle team) - bronze
medal
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the Men’s and Women’s Player of the
Month award winners for December 2023.
 Australia skipper Pat Cummins has won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for
December 2023 for bowling heroics in the Test triumph against Pakistan.
 Deepti Sharma of India has won the maiden ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for
December 2023 for her multi-format brilliance against England and Australia.

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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia
95. An 18-year-old Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has become India's No. 1 chess player. This
feat has been achieved at the 2024 Tata Steel Chess Tournament held in Wijk aan Zee,
Netherlands, after defeating reigning world champion Ding Liren of China.
After this victory, he became only the second Indian after Vishwanathan Anand to defeat a
reigning champion.
He also surpassed Vishwanathan Anand to become India’s new number one Chess player in
terms of live ratings.
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa hails from Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

IMPORTANT DAYS
96. Thiruvalluvar Day has been observed on 16th January 2024 to mark the birth anniversary of
Thiruvalluvar, a Tamil poet and philosopher. The day was first observed on 17th-18th May in
1935.
Currently, the day is usually observed either on 15th or 16th January in Tamil Nadu and is a part
of Pongal celebrations.
Thiruvalluvar:
He is also known as Valluvar. He was a Tamil poet-saint. He is regarded as a cultural and moral
icon for Tamils across caste and religious lines. He is best known as the author of the
‘Tirukkuṟaḷ’, also known as ‘Kural’, a celebrated Tamil text which offers wisdom on ethics and
morality in different aspects of life.

97. National Startup Day is observed annually on 16th January to appreciate and promote the
Indian Startup Ecosystem. The day was first observed in 2022.
Note: Start-up India Innovation Week has been observed from 10th January to 18th January
2024.

98. Women’s Healthy Weight Day is observed annually on the Thursday of the third week of
January. In 2024, the day falls on 18th January. The day aims to spread awareness around the
concept of healthy weight and steps to achieve the ideal weight.
Maintaining a healthy weight is important for both men and women and it not only helps you feel
better and more energetic but can also reduce risk of falling ill due to chronic diseases like
cardiovascular illness, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, thyroid issues to name a
few.

99. Kokborok Day (Tripuri language Day) is observed annually in the Indian state of Tripura to
celebrate the development of the Kokborok language. It is observed on 19 January every year.

 The Kokborok language is an official language in Tripura.

 This day is chosen to commemorate its initial recognition as an official language in 1979.
 The year 2024 marks the observance of the 46th Kokborok Day.
Note: Kokborok is derived from ‘Kok’ means “verbal” and ‘borok’ means “people”.
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 Weekly Current Affairs January 2024 Week - 03
iia 100. The NDRF Raising Day is observed annually on 19th January by the National Disaster
Response Force (NDRF) in India to highlight the role of the NDRF personnel for their help and
assistance during disaster situations in India.
In 2024, the day marks the celebration of the 19th NDRF Raising Day.
Additional Information:
The National Disaster Response Force was constituted in 2006 for the purpose of a special
response to a threatening disaster situation under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
 Motto: Aapada Seva Sadaiv Sarvatra
 NDRF Chief: Atul Karwal

Important Day Date/Month Remark

National Start-up Day 16th January The day was first observed in 2022.

NDRF Raising Day 19th January In 2024, the day marks the celebration of the 19th
NDRF Raising Day.

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