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 CURRENT AFFAIRSINDEX

SERIAL SECTION/TOPIC PAGE NO

NO.
1)
AWARDS/MEDALS/HONORS/PRIZE 3
2)
REPORTS /INDEX/COMMITTEE/SURVEY/STUDY 5
3)
GOVT. SCHEMES/PORTAL /APPS/INITIATIVES 6
4)
ECONOMY/BANKING 8
5)
DEFENCE NEWS / MILITARY EXERCISE 9
6)
ENVIRONMENT 12
7)
INTERNATIONAL NEWS 13
8)
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 18
9)
SPORTS 21
10)
IMPORTANTS DATES & EVENTS 23
11)
PERSONS IN NEWS 24
12)
PLACES IN NEWS – SUMMITS/CONFERENCE 25
13)
STATES IN NEWS 26
14)
BOOKS 27
15)
MISCELLANEOUS 28

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AWARDS/MEDALS/HONORS/PRIZE
 SKOCH ESG Award 2024: REC Limited has been bestowed with the SKOCH ESG Award 2024
in the 'Renewable Energy Financing' category.
About REC ltd:
1. REC is a 'Maharatna' Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power, and is
registered with RBI as Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC), and Infrastructure Financing
Company (IFC).
2. REC Ltd. provides loans of various maturities to State, Central and Private Companies for
creation of infrastructure assets in the country.
3. It has been a nodal agency for Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana
(SAUBHAGAYA), Deen Dayal Upadhaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), National
Electricity Fund (NEF) Scheme.
4. REC has also been made the nodal agency for certain States and Union Territories for the
Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).

 John L. 'Jack' Swigert Jr. Award 2024: ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission team was recently
awarded the prestigious 2024 John L. 'Jack' Swigert Jr. Award for Space Exploration,
acknowledging their efforts to elevate the standards of space exploration. The award was received by
India's Consul General in Houston D C Manjunath on behalf of the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO).
About Awards:
1. John L ‘Jack’ Swigert Jr. Award for Space Exploration is an honour bestowed by the United
States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in recognition of outstanding
contributions to space exploration.
2. It is named after John L. ‘Jack’ Swigert Jr., an American astronaut who flew on the Apollo 13
mission in 1970. Swigert played a critical role in the safe return of the Apollo 13 crew after an
oxygen tank explosion aborted their planned lunar landing.
3. The award was established to acknowledge individuals or teams who have made significant
achievements or advancements in space exploration.

 Nat Sciver-Brunt has become the first English woman to be honoured as Wisden's leading
cricketer in the world in 2024. Australian captain Pat Cummins to be honoured as Wisden's
leading cricketer in the world in 2024.

 Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was honoured with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award. The 81-
year-old star, whose career spans over five decades in films and known for movies such as "Zanjeer",
"Deewar", "Chupke Chupke", "Mohabbatein", and "Piku". The music maverick A R Rahman also
received the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar for contribution to Indian music at the event.

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 Hockey India Awards 2023: Hardik Singh and Salima Tete were named the Players of the Year
for 2023 in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively, at the sixth annual Hockey India
Awards.

 Chhattisgarh-based environment and forest activist Alok Shukla has been honoured with the
prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for his efforts and exemplary community campaign in
safeguarding the forests in the mineral-rich state. Shukla’s recognition stems from his relentless efforts
to safeguard the Hasdeo Arand Forest, considered the lungs of Chhattisgarh This award also known as
Green Nobel Prize.

 Renowned industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group, was
bestowed with the prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award 2021 in a private ceremony held at his
residence in Mumbai.

 The famous kathak Pandit Lacchu Maharaj Award (pending for 10 years i.e. from 2014) will be
bestowed upon noted Hindi film celebrities Hema Malini (2018) and Saira Banu (2019), as well as
other notable figures in the arts and culture. The award ceremony will take place in Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh. Pandit Rajendra Gangani from Jaipur received the Lacchu Maharaj Award 2024.

 Professor Meena Charanda, Principal of Kalindi College, Delhi University, has been awarded the
prestigious ‘International Culture Award’ for the year 2024. Prof. Charanda received this honour in
recognition of her remarkable work in the field of education and social service.

 Dr. Gagandeep Kang, an Indian researcher, has been awarded the 2024 John Dirks Canada
Gairdner Global Health Award for her achievements in global health research.

 Ananth Technologies Founder, CEO and Chairman Pavuluri Subba Rao has been conferred with the
‘Aryabhatta Award’ instituted by the Aeronautical Society of India (ASI). This honour recognizes
Rao’s “tremendous lifetime contribution to the promotion of astronautics in India.”

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REPORTS /INDEX/COMMITTEE/SURVEY/STUDY
 World Cybercrime Index: India occupies the 10th position in the cybercrime rankings, with scams
involving advance fee payments being the most prevalent type. Russia leads the index, followed by
Ukraine, China, the US, Nigeria, and Romania, with North Korea, the UK, and Brazil rounding out
the top positions. The World Cybercrime Index has been developed as a joint partnership between the
University of Oxford and University of New South Wales, Sydney. It has been funded by
CRIMGOV, a European Union-supported project.

 Plastic Overshoot Day report: India ranks among the top twelve countries responsible for 60% of the
world’s mismanaged plastic waste, as highlighted in the recent Plastic Overshoot Day report by
Switzerland’s EA Earth Action. Despite having the lowest per capita plastic waste production globally,
India is expected to generate 7.4 million tons of mismanaged plastic waste in 2024, a figure the report
deems “very high.” Oman ranks highest in per capita mismanaged plastic waste, with an expected
figure of 111 kg per person in 2024. Belgium leads in per capita plastic waste production, with 147.7
kg per person annually.

 Atul Goel Panel: A three-member committee of gynaecologists has been formed to finalize a list of
over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that will be available in regular stores without the need for a
prescription. The committee, chaired by Directorate General of Health Services Atul Goel, aims to
complete the list within two weeks.

 According to the recently released Global Report on Food Crisis (GRFC), nearly 282 million people
faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 59 countries in 2023. GRFC is released annually by the
Food Security Information Network (FSIN) and launched by the Global Network Against Food
Crises.

 India’s stock market capitalization is currently the fifth largest globally at $4.5 trillion, according to
a report titled ‘Recap 2024. Crystal Gaze 2025’ by financial conglomerate Pantomath Group. The
report predicts that India’s market cap is likely to hit $10 trillion by 2030, driven by strong economic
growth and favorable government policies. This would make India the third-largest economy in the
world by 2027. As of 2024, the top five countries by market capitalization are:

 Najmi Waziri committee: The Delhi High Court has appointed former judge Najmi Waziri to lead a
committee focused on safeguarding the forests in the national capital.

 Uttar Pradesh leads with 75 Geographical Indication (GI) products, including Kashi's Tirangi
Barfee and metal casting craft in the country surpassing Tamil Nadu’s 58.

 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has secured
the top position among Indian universities in the prestigious rankings released by Quacquarelli
Symonds (QS). Globally, the university has clinched 20th spot for its excellence in development studies.

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GOVT. SCHEMES/PORTAL /APPS/INITIATIVES

 The Supreme Court of India for the first time, recognised the right against the adverse impacts
of climate change, saying it is intertwined with the right to life and equality that are embedded in
the Indian constitution. The arguments were a part of a verdict by a three-judge bench headed by the
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud hearing a case on the conservation of the great India
bustard and the lesser florican. The Supreme Court of India reversed a 2021 blanket ban against
overhead powerlines over an area of 99,000 square kilometers covering parts of the states of Gujarat
and Rajasthan that had been put in place to protect the birds.

 French automaker Citroen has become the first multinational carmaker in India to export
electric vehicles from the country to international markets. The car manufacturer shipped its first batch
of 500 made-in-India e-C3 electric cars to Indonesia from the Kamarajar Port near Chennai

 According to the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), The Special Window
for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) Fund, backed by the central government, has
played a crucial role in the completion of over 28,000 homes since its inception in 2019. The fund,
managed by SBICap Ventures Ltd, has also contributed to the growth of various ancillary industries
in the real estate and infrastructure sector.

 The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, launched India’s first home-grown gene therapy for
cancer at IIT Bombay. This groundbreaking treatment, called ‘CAR-T cell therapy’, is a major
breakthrough in the battle against cancer

 The Supreme Court held that an election candidate has a right to privacy from voters and need
not lay out every scrap of his or her personal life and possessions, past and present, for the electorate
to examine with a magnifying glass.

 The Saksham App: The Election Commission has made arrangements to ensure that the upcoming
Lok Sabha election is a disability-friendly exercise. The Saksham App, developed by the
commission, provides various services from registering voters with disabilities to making wheelchairs
available for them on election day.

 In a strategic move to bolster its maritime presence and enhance regional connectivity, India has
gained operational control over the Sittwe Port in Myanmar, following approval from the Ministry
of External Affairs (MEA). The agreement allows India Ports Global (IPGL), a company fully
owned by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, to manage the entire port on the Kaladan
River, marking India’s second overseas port acquisition after Chabahar in Iran

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 The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare introduces the myCGHS app for iOS, delivering
enhanced healthcare accessibility and digital experiences to Central Government Health Scheme
(CGHS) beneficiaries.

 The 34th Seng Khihlang festival, a revered event for adherents of the Khasi Indigenous Faith, recently
concluded in Wahiajer, Meghalaya.

 Council of Scientific &Industrial Research (CSIR), as a part of the Earth Day Celebrations,
installed and activated India's biggest Climate Clock on the CSIR Headquarters Building in Rafi
Marg, New Delhi. he events signifies CSIR's aim to spread awareness about climate change and its ill
effects.

 NTPC Limited, India's largest integrated power company, is gearing up to launch the latest edition of
its flagship CSR initiative, the Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM), starting from April 2024.

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ECONOMY/BANKING
 Largest private sector lender, HDFC Bank inaugurated a branch in Lakshadweep's Kavaratti Island.
HDFC becomes the first private bank in India to open branch in Lakshadweep. Captain Lavkesh
Thakur, the Commanding Officer of the Indian Navy, and KP Muthukoya, a well-regarded island
resident, jointly inaugurated the new HDFC Bank branch.

 Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report: India has become the world's fourth-largest exporter of
digitally delivered services, constituting over a fifth of global trade in services. According to the latest
Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report from the World Trade Organisation (WTO), India's
exports of digitally delivered services stood at $257 billion in 2023 registering a 17 percent increase
from the previous year. India to surpass China & Germany in the rankings, but it still lags behind the
United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

 SCORES 2.0: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched SCORES 2.0, an
upgraded version of its Complaint Redress System (SCORES), to strengthen mechanisms for
addressing investor complaints.

 In a significant development for India's digital payments landscape, One 97 Communications Limited
(OCL), the parent company of Paytm, received the green light from the National Payment
Corporation of India (NPCI) to commence user migration to new Payment System Provider (PSP)
bank handles. As a result, Paytm has swiftly moved to integrate with four major banks: Axis Bank,
HDFC Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), and YES Bank.

 India has implemented measures to prevent the contamination of spices exported from the country with
EtO (ethylene oxide), a carcinogenic chemical, following reports of recall of products from Indian
spice India brands MDH and Everest in Singapore and Hong Kong. Mandatory sampling and testing
for EtO residues have been enforced for all spice shipments to Singapore and Hong Kong since May
7, 2024, along with reiterated guidelines for EtO treatment for exporters.

 DIGITA: The Reserve Bank of India is considering establishing a Digital India Trust Agency
(DIGITA) to combat cyber fraud and illegal lending apps.

 Paradip Port Authority (PPA’s) remarkable journey has reached new heights with the recent record-
breaking achievement of clocking incredible 145.38 MMT cargo throughput in FY 2023-24 and thus-by
nudged passed Deendayal Port, Kandla to emerge as the highest cargo handling major port of the
country. For the first time in the 56 years history of operation, PPA has surpassed previous records, set
by Deendayal Port.

 Adani Green Energy Ltd plans to invest about ₹1.5 trillion through 2030 to develop the world’s
largest renewable energy plant with 30-gigawatt capacity at the Khavda renewable energy park in
Gujarat.

 The Government of India has granted the coveted 'Navratna' status to the Indian Renewable Energy
Development Agency (IREDA), a public sector enterprise.

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DEFENCE NEWS / MILITARY EXERCISE

 The Indian Army has received the first batch of 24 Russia-made Igla-S Man Portable Air Defence
Systems (MANPADS), along with 100 missiles to enhance its Very Short-Range Air Defence
(VSHORAD) capabilities. While the first batch has come from Russia, the rest of these systems will
be made in India through Transfer of Technology (ToT) from Russia by an Indian company.
MANPADS are portable surface-to-air missile systems and air defence units in high mountainous
regions use MANPADS to neutralise low-altitude aerial threats such as aircraft, drones, and missiles.

 Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), The State-run shipbuilding facility in Kochi is the third shipyard
in the country after Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) to
enter into a Master Shipyard Repair Agreement (MRSA) U.S. Navy, which will enable to repair
U.S. Navy ships. The MSRA is a non-financial agreement and is effective from April 05, 2024. This
will facilitate repair of U.S. Naval vessels under Military Sealift Command in Cochin Shipyard
Limited (CSL)
U.K. deploying its fleet- The U.K.’s Littoral Response Group (LRG) arrived in Chennai as the
first engagement of its deployment to the Indian Pacific region. This is the first time a Royal
Navy vessel will undergo maintenance at an Indian shipyard - a direct result of the logistics-sharing
agreement signed between the U.K. and India in 2022.

 TSAT-1A satellite: Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Satellogic officially
announced the successful launch of India’s first privately built sub-metre resolution military
grade geospatial optical satellite, TSAT-1A. The satellite was launched from Kennedy Space
Centre, Florida, US, as part of Bandwagon-1 mission of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The TSAT-1A
weighs less than 50 kg and is in low-earth orbit which is manufactured at TASL’s Vemagal
facility in Karnataka. The satellite will provide military grade imagery with high resolution of less
than one metre per pixel that will be downloaded and processed at a ground centre in India that is
being built by TASL.

 Trishakti Corps of Indian Army, conducted a training exercise of Anti-Tank Guided Missile
(ATGM) firing at a Super High-Altitude Area of 17,000 Feet in Sikkim. Missile Firing Detachments
from Mechanized and Infantry Units of the entire Eastern Command participated in the training
exercise. The ATGM system’s performance in high-altitude environments reaffirms the aim of “Ek
Missile Ek Tank”.

 The ministry of defence (MoD) has issued tender worth Rs 65,000 crore to Hindustan Aeronautics
Ltd (HAL) to secure 97 more LCA Tejas Mk-1A aircraft, making it the largest order for
homegrown military hardware in India. The advanced version of the Tejas aircraft, LCA Mark 1A
will replace the aging MiG fleet of the Indian Air Force. LCA Mark 1A is a single-engine, fourth-
generation, multirole combat aircraft. The Mark 1A can carry a wider range of weapons, including
air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, bombs, and precision-guided munitions, increasing its
combat versatility.
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 The Indian Army has successfully carried out field trials of indigenously-developed man-portable
anti-tank guided missile (MPATGM) weapon system, paving way for its induction into the force’s
armoury. Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) Weapon System, indigenously
designed and developed by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO). MPATGM
which has a range of 2.5 kilometers, with fire-and-forget and top attack capabilities for infantry use.
It consists of MPATGM, the Man Portable Launcher, the Target Acquisition System (TAS), and
the Fire Control Unit (FCU).

 A state-of-the-art Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation (Space)

was inaugurated by Secretary, Department of Defence (R&D) and DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat
at Underwater Acoustic Research Facility, Kulamavu in Idukki district of Kerala. The Space, set
up by the Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory of DRDO, has been designed as a premier
testing and evaluation hub for sonar systems destined for the Indian Navy onboard various platforms
including ships, submarines and helicopters. The Space will be suitable for survey, sampling, and
data collection of air, surface, mid-water, and reservoir floor parameters using modern scientific
instrumentation.

 The Oron or MARS2: The aircraft, known as 'The Oron' or Multi-Mission Airborne
Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (MARS2) is an AI-equipped jet that is capable of
detecting drones, ballistic missiles, aircrafts. The aircraft intercepted data around the incoming
missiles on Israel and passed the information at real-time to fighter pilots of Israel along with
operators of Israel's Iron Dome, which is a defense system that blocks enemy missiles and attacks on
Israel's land. The tech available on the multi-million-pound aircraft tracked down all the incoming 320
missiles and drones launched from Iran. The Oron is a business jet modified with embedded AI
technology by Israeli and US experts to make it one of the most resourceful and compact stealth
planes in the world.

 The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) signed a MoU for collaborative research and training
with IIT Kanpur. Under this MoU, AFMS and IIT Kanpur will team up to undertake research and
develop new technologies to address health problems faced by soldiers in difficult terrains.

 The Indian Army is progressing two cases worth Rs 6,800 crore for developing Very Short-Range
Air Defence (VSHORAD) Systems indigenously, amid lack of inventory of shoulder-fired missiles
to tackle aerial threats from Pakistan and China borders. Army plans to develop and get over 500
launchers and around 3,000 missiles from indigenous routes. The first project, valued at Rs 4,800 crore,
involves the development of a laser beam riding VSHORADS. A Hyderabad-based defense Public
Sector Undertaking (PSU) and a private sector firm from Pune are collaborating on this project. The
second project is being carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) to develop an infra-red homing-based VSHORADS. DRDO is working with its
development and production partners, Adani Defence and I-Comm, to create this system.
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 The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel INSV Tarini returned to her base port at Goa on April 21 after a
historic transoceanic expedition of nearly two months by two women officers of the Indian Navy,
the first from India to accomplish such a feat. The expedition was undertaken in double-handed mode
by Lieutenant Commander Dilna K. and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A. The expedition was
flagged off from Goa by renowned circumnavigator and their mentor Commander Abhilash Tomy
(Retd), on February 28. INSV Tarini is the second sailboat of the Indian Navy, built at the Aquarius
Shipyard in Divar, Goa.

 ROCKS or Crystal Maze 2: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has achieved a significant milestone with
the successful test firing of an air-launched ballistic missile capable of hitting targets over 250
kilometers away. The missile, known as ROCKS or Crystal Maze 2, is of Israeli origin and was
test-fired from a Su-30 MKI fighter jet in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Crystal Maze 2
is an extended stand-off range air-to-surface missile designed to strike high-value stationary and
relocatable targets, including long-range radars and air defense systems. It is specifically effective in
GPS-denied environments.

 The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed India's lightest
bullet proof jacket for protection against highest threat level 6 of BIS. Its unit, Defence Materials
and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur, the DRDO has
created the jacket for protection against 7.62 x 54 R API (Level 6 of BIS 17051) ammunition. The
bulletproof jacket can stop six bullets. This is the first of its kind in monolithic ceramic which can
stop 6 7.62x54 API bullets. According to the Ministry of Defence, the bulletproof jacket was
successfully tested at Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh as per BIS
17051-2018.

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ENVIRONMENT
 Forest fire: Close to 100 hectares of forest were destroyed in a fire in the Sulthan Bathery forest range
under the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS). It is located in Wayanad, Kerala, in the southern
trenches of the Western Ghats. It is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. It is bordered by the protected areas of Nagarhole and Bandipur in Karnataka on the
northeastern side and Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu on the southeastern side.

 India and the US plan to restart the Indian Ocean Observing System (IndOOS), a network of 36
buoys stationed in the high seas. These buoys will collect detailed data on ocean and atmospheric
conditions to help improve weather forecasts. Established in 2006, the Indian Ocean Observing System
(IndOOS) comprises moored buoys strategically placed across the Indian Ocean.

 Indonesia's Mount Ruang volcano erupted for a second time in two weeks, spewing ash almost 2
kilometers (more than a mile) into the sky. The 725-metre (2,378-foot) volcano in North Sulawesi
province is about 95 kilometers (59 miles) northeast of Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado,
the provincial capital.

 The Bhutanese government is hosting the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference on
Earth Day 2024 to mobilise the funding. Bhutan hosts summit targeting $1 billion USD for the
conservation of tiger landscapes. The two-day conference will be hosted by Bhutan under the patronage
of the country’s queen, Jetsun Pema Wangchuck. It is co-organised by the Royal Government of
Bhutan and the Tiger Conservation Coalition. The Tiger Conservation Coalition was formed ahead of
the 2022 Year of the Tiger.

 The government of Tamil Nadu has launched a three-day survey of the Nilgiri Tahr, the state animal.
The aim of this survey is to better understand and conserve this endangered species. The survey is being
carried out in collaboration with organizations such as the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the
World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN). The Nilgiri Tahr is an endemic species that is listed as endangered on IUCN list.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

 China successfully launched the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft or Divine vessel from the Jiuquan
Satellite Launch Center, located on the fringes of the Gobi Desert in north western China. A crew
of three astronauts comprising China's Shenzhou-18 mission took off onboard a rocket bound for the
Tiangong space station.

 After a 13-year wait, Bulgaria and Romania have partially joined Europe’s Schengen area of free
movement, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union. After years
of negotiations to join the Schengen area, there is now free access for travellers arriving by air or sea
from both countries. However, land border checks will remain in place due to opposition primarily
from Austria which has long blocked their bid over illegal migration concerns.
The Schengen Area: It was established in 1985. Before Bulgaria and Romania’s admission, it was
comprised of 23 of the 27 EU member countries, along with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and
Liechtenstein.

 NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has proposed creating a 100 billion-euro ($108 illion), five-year fund
for Ukraine in a push to get the alliance more involved in sending weapons to Kyiv. Until now, NATO
as an organisation has restricted itself to non-lethal aid for Ukraine out of fears that a more direct role
could trigger an escalation of tensions with Russia.

 South Korea has launched its second military spy satellite into space, days after North Korea
reaffirmed its plan to launch multiple reconnaissance satellites this year. South Korea’s second spy
satellite was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The second launch comes months
after the first one put South Korea’s spy satellite into orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base,
California in December 2023. South Korea will launch five spy satellites by 2025 under a contract
with Elon Musk’s SpaceX. South Korea in 2022 became the world’s 10th nation to successfully
launch a satellite with its own technology by using a homegrown rocket to place what it called a
“performance observation satellite” in orbit.

 Nepal Army will collect around 10 tonnes of garbage and five dead bodies lying at Mt. Everest as it
launches ‘Mountain Cleaning Campaign’ 2024 in the Everest region. The army has been launching
the cleaning campaign in the Everest region since 2019 and this will be the fourth such campaign
led by the Nepal Army.

 The Chief of Greece National Defence General Staff General Dimitrios Choupis received the Guard
of Honour at South Block Lawns in Delhi, laying a wreath at the National War Memorial and signing
the visitors' book.

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 Indonesian delegation explores collaboration with India on various initiatives under President-elect
Prabowo, including mid-day meal scheme and digital inclusion. The visit aimed at fostering
cooperation in biotechnology, agriculture, and digital infrastructure for mutual growth and
development.

 South Korea's liberal opposition parties scored a landslide victory in a parliamentary election. The
main opposition Democratic Party, which already holds majority control, won 175 seats in the 300-
member single-chamber parliament of South Korea.

 The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has introduced a new kamikaze drone
resembling Russia’s Lancet drone.

 Prabowo Subianto has been officially declared the winner of Indonesia’s presidential election by a
wide margin, paving way for him to take the helm at Southeast Asia’s largest economy later this
year.

 Donald Trump became the first former US President to face a criminal trial in a case that involves
paying hush money to adult movie actress Stormy Daniels. ‘Hush money’ refers to money paid to
someone in exchange for their silence or to prevent them from disclosing sensitive, embarrassing, or
damaging information.

 Russia test-launched its Angara-A5 space rocket for the first time from the Vostochny Cosmodrome
in the Far East, successfully putting a test load in low orbit as part of an effort to develop a new post-
Soviet launch vehicle.

 Zimbabwe has introduced a new gold-backed currency called ZiG - the name stands for "Zimbabwe
Gold". It is the latest attempt to stabilise an economy that has lurched from crisis to crisis for the past
25 years.

 Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s first Muslim First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party
(SNP), has announced his resignation amid political turmoil.

 Israel deploys ship-mounted C-Dome defense system against suspicious aerial target near Eilat,
successfully intercepting it. The land-based Iron Dome has been used countless times to intercept
rockets fired from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. That defence system costs roughly $50,000 per
launch. The C-Dome is a naval version of the Iron Dome air defence system used to shield against
rocket and missile attacks.

 Pyoljji-1-2 and Hwasal-1 Ra-3: North Korea has conducted tests on a new “super-large” warhead
designed for the Hwasal-1 Ra-3 strategic cruise missile, as well as a new type of anti-aircraft missile

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called the ‘Pyoljji-1-2’. Hwasal-1 Ra-3 is a strategic cruise missile developed by North Korea. It is
designed to carry a “super-large” warhead and can likely strike targets across South Korea and
Japan. The Pyoljji-1-2 is a new type of anti-aircraft missile recently tested by North Korea. It is
likely designed to target enemy aircraft, drones, and incoming missiles.

 The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has expressed
disappointment and criticism towards Moderna Inc.’s decision to reconsider its plans for building a
$500 million vaccine manufacturing facility in Kenya. Moderna, known for its COVID-19 vaccine,
had announced the investment in October 2021 to support the production of its mRNA vaccine
portfolio in Africa. However, two years later, the company has put the plans on hold, citing a decline
in demand for COVID-19 vaccines on the continent.

 Niger and the United States have reached an agreement on the withdrawal of American troops
from the West African country, a process that has already begun and will be finished by Sept. 15.

 Nepal is hosting its first International Rainbow Tourism Conference to promote the Himalayan
nation as a safe and attractive destination for tourists from the sexual minority community. The two-
day tourism event 'Yatra 2 Happiness: First Rainbow Tourism International Conference' will be
held in Kathmandu. The event is being organized at the joint initiative of the Nepal Tourism Board
and Maya ko Pahichan Nepal (MKPN).

 Yozma 2.0 fund: Israel's government has launched a new Yozma 2.0 fund to encourage
institutional investors to boost investments in high-tech companies

 Project Nimbus: Google has recently made headlines due to its handling of employee protests against
Project Nimbus, a lucrative cloud computing contract with the Israeli government. Project
Nimbus, signed in 2021, involves a $1.2 billion agreement where Google, alongside Amazon,
provides advanced cloud services and AI capabilities to Israel. The controversy particularly spirals
around accusations that these technologies might be supporting military actions during the ongoing
conflict in Gaza.

 VASA-1 model: Microsoft has introduced a new artificial intelligence (AI) model that can generate
hyper-realistic videos of talking human faces. Dubbed VASA-1, the AI image-to-video model can
generate videos from just one photo and a speech audio clip.

 India is set to receive the remaining two regiments of S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems
from Russia by next year. This new timeline comes after some delays in supplies due to the war in
Ukraine. Russia has already delivered three units of the long-range missile systems to India under a
USD 5.5 billion deal. India is also expected to take delivery of the warship Tushil, the first of the
two Russian-built frigates, in September. The second warship, Tamal, will be supplied by Russia in

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January. Originally, the ships were supposed to be delivered by 2022, but the delays were attributed to
Russia's war in Ukraine. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has acquired the S-400 Triumf from Russia,
renowned as the world's most advanced air defense system. Concurrently, on the indigenous front, the
Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is spearheading Project Kusha. Set for
deployment by 2028-29, Project Kusha aims to equip the air force with a long-range air defense system.

 Scientists in South Korea have set a new world record using the Korea Superconducting Tokamak
Advanced Research (KSTAR) device, an “artificial sun” nuclear fusion reactor.

 Armenia and Azerbaijan have placed the first border marker, following a bitter conflict over the
Nagorno-Karabakh region. The two nations are working towards a peace treaty after Azerbaijan
regained full control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region that had been under the control of ethnic
Armenian forces since the 1990s.

 The Democratic Republic of Congo appointed Judith Suminwa Tuluka as the African nation's
first woman Prime Minister. President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo made
the appointment.

 Energy Ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies agreed to end the use of coal in
power generation "during the first half of (the) 2030s". The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal
grouping of seven of the world's advanced economies, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy,
Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as the European Union.

 Megha Engineering and Infrastructure (MEIL), a Hyderabad-based infrastructure firm, has bagged
the 2,000-megawatt Sharavathi pumped storage power project in Karnataka. The project, which is
set to be the largest pump storage power generation unit in the country, is estimated to cost over Rs
8,000 crore and aims to help Karnataka address its power crisis.

 The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) unanimously appointed Saudi
Arabia to chair its 69th session in 2025. The decision by the United Nations to appoint Saudi Arabia
as the chair of a gender equality forum has been criticized by women's rights advocates.

 Katchatheevu, an Indian island with a tumultuous past, has been a focal point of contention between
India and Sri Lanka since its cession in 1974.

 2024 marks 75 years since the conception of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO),
which was signed on 4 April, 1949. Sweden is the latest country to join NATO as 32 member, after
Russia's invasion of Ukraine prompted it to leave 200 years of neutrality behind. Foreign ministers
from member countries met in Brussels to mark the moment the alliance’s founding treaty was signed
on 4 April, 1949 in Washington.

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 Slovakia’s nationalist-left government candidate Peter Pellegrini emerged victorious in the country’s
presidential election, solidifying the influence of pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico over
Slovakia.

 Germany becomes largest EU country to legalize cannabis for recreational use. Under the first step
in the much-debated new law, adults over 18 are now allowed to carry 25 grams of dried cannabis
and cultivate up to three marijuana plants at home.

 Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was sworn for his third term as leader of the Arab world's
most populous nation.

 In the control room of a research centre in Romania, part of the European Union’s Infrastructure ELI
project, engineer Antonia Toma activates the world’s most powerful laser, which promises
revolutionary advances in everything from the health sector to space. The laser at the centre, near the
Romanian capital Bucharest, is operated by French company Thales, using Nobel prize-winning
inventions.

 State of Emergency declared by Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi: A severe drought associated
with El Niño is currently affecting Southern Africa, with extremely dry and warm conditions since
October 2023, leading the governments of Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi to declare a state of
emergency.

 China has surpassed India as the primary importer of Russian crude oil via sea routes, with China
importing 1.82 million barrels per day (bpd) in March compared to India’s 1.36 million bpd.

 Ireland's parliament has elected Simon Harris as the nation's youngest-ever prime minister at 37.
Harris steps into the shoes of his predecessor Leo Varadkar, who resigned in a surprise move last
move.

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

 Scientists in Romania successfully created the world's most powerful laser light emission - one-
tenth of the power emanating from the Sun that is received on Earth, based on the groundbreaking
inventions of Nobel Physics Prize winners Gerard Mourou and Donna Strickland. The heart of
this groundbreaking laser lies in Chirped-Pulse Amplification (CPA) technology, developed by
Mourou and Strickland. The laser, installed at a centre near the Romanian capital Bucharest, is
operated by French company Thales.

 An international team of scientists, including from India, has discovered strong evidence indicating
the presence of ozone on Jupiter’s moon Callisto, shedding light on the complex chemical processes
taking place on icy celestial bodies in the Solar System. Previously thought of as a barren celestial
body, scientists now consider that this icy moon could harbour conditions conducive to supporting life.

 NASA is gearing up for a total solar eclipse when the moon's shadow will fall across a vast stretch of
North America. To capture this rare event, two of NASA's WB-57 jet planes, equipped with special
instruments, will be deployed to track the eclipse and study the Sun's outer atmosphere, known as the
corona.

 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have designed a sustainable hydrogel to remove
microplastics from water. The material has a unique intertwined polymer network that can bind the
contaminants and degrade them using UV light irradiation. The IISc hydrogel, composed of three
polymer layers and nanoclusters of a material called copper substitute polyoxometalate, has shown
high efficiency in removing polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene microplastics from water.

 Scientists from Germany and the U.K. have proposed a radical explanation for the discrepancy in
measurements of the universe’s expansion rate, known as the Hubble tension. The Hubble Constant,
denoted as H0, is a fundamental parameter in cosmology that describes the current expansion rate of
the Universe. The Hubble Constant is expressed in units of kilometers per second per megaparsec
(km/s/Mpc), which represents the speed at which galaxies move away from each other over a given
distance.

 Men5CV vaccine: Nigeria has become the first country in the world to roll out the revolutionary
new Men5CV vaccine against meningitis. It is the world's first vaccine to provide protection
against all five strains (A, C, W, Y, and X) of the meningococcal bacteria that cause meningitis.
Meningitis is a serious infection of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal
cord. The disease can be caused by many different pathogens including bacteria, fungi or viruses,
but the highest global burden is seen with bacterial meningitis. The Men5CV vaccine, also known
as MenFive, was developed through a 13-year partnership between PATH and the Serum Institute
of India.
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 Gaia BH3: Astronomers discover largest stellar black hole yet discovered in the Milky Way, with a
mass 33 times that of the Sun. The so-called “sleeping giant,” named Gaia BH3, has a mass that is
nearly 33 times that of our sun, and it’s located 1,926 light-years away in the Aquila constellation,
making it the second-closest known black hole to Earth. The closest black hole is Gaia BH1, which
is located about 1,500 light-years away and has a mass that is nearly 10 times that of our sun.
Astronomers discovered the black hole while combing through observations taken by European
Space Agency’s Gaia space telescope for an upcoming data release to the scientific community. The
researchers weren’t expecting to find anything, but a peculiar motion — caused by Gaia BH3’s
gravitational influence on a nearby companion — caught their eye.

 India may strike a deal with Nvidia to source graphics processing units (GPUs) from the US
manufacturer, and offer them to local startups, researchers, academic institutions and other users at a
subsidised rate under its ₹10,000 crore Artificial Intelligence Mission, people in the know of the
matter said. Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) allow parallel processing of data for faster
computation compared to CPUs (Central Processing Unit). GPUs are crucial components in the AI
ecosystem, enabling faster and more efficient processing of complex mathematical operations required
for training and running AI models.

 Euvichol-S: Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified a new oral vaccine
for Cholera called Euvichol-S. It is manufactured by EuBiologics Co., Ltd. in South Korea. The
development of Euvichol-S is a collaboration between EuBiologics, the International Vaccine Institute
(IVI), and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It is the inactivated oral vaccine to treat Cholera.
It is the third product of the same family of vaccines which are there for cholera in WHO
prequalification list. It is a simplified formulation of the oral cholera vaccine (OCV) Euvichol-Plus.
Other inactivated oral cholera vaccines are Euvichol and Euvichol-Plus.

 NASA successfully launched its Advanced Composite Solar Sail System spacecraft (ACS3) from
New Zealand recently. It is a NASA technology demonstration mission designed to
characterize solar sail structures technologies for future small spacecraft to engage in deep space
missions requiring long-duration, low-thrust propulsion. ACS3 will deploy a sail about the size of a
small apartment from a toaster oven-size spacecraft.

 Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have
developed a high-energy, high-power hybrid sodium-ion battery that charges in seconds. This
invention has the potential to transform the energy storage sector by offering a viable alternative to
lithium-ion batteries. Sodium is nearly 500 times more prevalent than lithium, giving it a more
affordable and accessible choice.

 Scientists have detected the most distant-known instance of a giant flare from a magnetar, a type of
neutron star with immensely strong magnetic fields, residing in the Messier 82 (M82) galaxy, also
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known as the “Cigar Galaxy.” The flare, a surge of gamma rays, released an amount of energy
equivalent to 10,000 years of our sun’s output in just a tenth of a second.

 World’s First Personalised mRNA Vaccine for Melanoma Undergoing Trials undergoing Phase III
clinical trials in the United Kingdom. The vaccine, developed by Moderna and Merck Sharp and
Dohme (MSD), is designed to help a patient’s immune system recognise and eliminate remaining
cancerous cells after surgical removal of the tumour. The vaccine, named mRNA-4157 (V940), is
created to match the unique genetic signature of each patient’s tumour. Melanoma is a type of skin
cancer that develops from melanocytes, the cells that produce the pigment melanin.

 In a remarkable revelation from space, NASA’s Landsat 8 satellite has captured stunning images of
a 6,900-year-old impact crater located in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. The crater, named
Luna after a nearby village, is a geological marvel that has piqued the interest of scientists and
enthusiasts alike.

 Scientists from Utrecht University in the Netherlands have successfully developed a device that can
mimic the brain’s synapses with the help of basic ingredients like salt and water. This device is only
150 to 200 micrometres which relies on salt and water to process the information, much like our
brains. The details regarding the creation of this unique device have been published in the journal,
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Even though artificial synapses exist
with the ingredients of solid materials, this is the first time an aqueous memristor has been used to
create a neuromorphic (brain-like) computer.

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SPORTS

 17-year-old GM Gukesh Dommaraju has won the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament and is the
youngest player in history to win a Candidates Tournament. He will play GM Ding Liren for the
world championship title later this year.

 The Laureus World Sports Awards 2024, Madrid: Novak Djokovic becomes Laureus World
Sportsman of the Year for the fifth time. Novak Djokovic match the Roger Federer’s record of
achieving this award. Aitana Bonmatí became the first footballer to be named the Laureus World
Sportswoman of the Year.

 Yuzvendra Chahal, the wily leg-spinner from Rajasthan Royals, stands tall as the highest wicket-
taker (200 wickets) in IPL history.

 Novak Djokovic officially became the oldest World No. 1 in ATP Rankings history, a record
previously held by one of his greatest rivals in Roger Federer. Serbia's Djokovic, the most decorated
male tennis player in the Open era with 24 Majors, is 36 years and 321 days old.

 Former Commonwealth Games gold medalist Narsingh Pancham Yadav was elected the Chairman
of the Athletes Commission of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). With Narsingh Yadav's
election to this post, the process mandated by the world governing body of sports was completed.

 MS Dhoni also broke another record for the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in the T20 format,
reaching 300 during the game.

 The top-seeded duo of Rohan Bopanna from India and Matthew Ebden from Australia won the Men’s
Doubles Title at the Miami Open, a prestigious ATP Masters tennis tournament. In an exciting
final, they defeated the second seeds Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek.

 56th National Kho Kho championships: Maharashtra emerged champions in both men's and
women's categories at the 56th National Kho Kho championships. In the men's final, Maharashtra
defeated Railways 52-50 in a nail-biting contest. In the women's category, the team from Maharashtra
defeated Airport Authority of India 18-16 in the summit clash. The championship was held at Delhi’s
Karnail Singh Stadium and the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

 Triple world champion Max Verstappen romped to victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, leading
team-mate Sergio Perez to a dominant one-two finish for Red Bull.

 Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing claimed a resounding victory at the long awaited Chinese
Grand Prix.

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 Legendary sprinter Usain Bolt has been named the official ambassador for the upcoming ICC Men’s
T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States.

 The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the appointment of Indian cricket legend
Yuvraj Singh as an ambassador for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

 The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the appointment of Pakistan cricket legend
Sana Mir as the ambassador for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier.

 Sumit Nagal became the first Indian man to win a match in a ATP Masters 1000 tournament on
clay courts. The top-ranked Indian singles player produced a spectacular comeback effort to defeat
Italy's Matteo Arnaldi.

 Indian squash Player, Saurav Ghosal, the nation’s premier player, has announced his retirement
from professional squash.

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IMPORTANTS DATES & EVENTS

 World Autism Awareness Day: April 2. Theme: Empowering Autistic Voices.

 International Mine Awareness Day: April 4.

 International Conscience Day: April 5. Theme: Promoting a Culture of Peace with Love and
Conscience.

 National Maritime Day: April 5. Theme: Navigating the future: safety first!

 International Day of Sport for Development and Peace: April 6. Theme: Sport for the Promotion of
Peaceful and Inclusive Societies.

 National Library Day: April 6.

 World Health Day: April 7. Theme: My Health, My Right

 World Homoeopathy Day: April 10. Theme- Homeoparivar: One Health, One Family.

 World Quantum Day: April 14.

 World Chagas Disease Day: April 14. Theme- Tackling Chagas disease: detect early and care for life.

 World Art Day: April 15. Theme: A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community Through Art.

 National Civil Service Day: April 21.

 International Mother Earth Day: April 22. Theme- Planet vs. Plastics.

 International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace: April 24.

 National Panchayati Raj Day: April 24.

 World Malaria Day: April 25. Theme: Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.

 World Intellectual Property Day: April 26. Theme: ‘IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future
with Innovation and Creativity.

 International Dance Day: April 29.

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PERSONS IN NEWS
 Cinematographer-filmmaker Gangu Ramsay, one of the seven Ramsay Brothers known for cult horror
films such as Purani Haveli and Tehkhana, died in Mumbai. Among his most notable contributions are
timeless classics like 'Veerana', 'Purana Mandir', 'Bandh Darwaza', 'Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche'
etc.

 The Supreme Court has appointed Justice Aniruddha Bose as the Director of The National Judicial
Academy (NJAC), Bhopal after Justice Aniruddha Bose has retired from the Supreme Court.

 Former Indian hockey player and Dronacharya awardee Harendra Singh has been selected by Hockey
India as the coach of the senior national women’s hockey team.

 Gopichand Thotakura, an entrepreneur and pilot, has been selected as one of the six crew members for
Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin New Shepard -25 (NS-25) mission. This makes him the “first Indian space
tourist” and the second Indian to venture into space after the Indian Army's Wing Commander Rakesh
Sharma in 1984. He reportedly hails from Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada. He co-founded Preserve Life
Corp, a global centre for holistic wellness and applied health near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
Airport.

 The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has appointed Gita Sabharwal of India as the
new UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia.

 Lieutenant General JS Sidana has been appointed as the 33rd Director General of Electronics and
Mechanical Engineers (DGEME) and Senior Colonel Commandant of the EME Corps.

 The Centre has appointed Manoj Panda, former director of the Institute of Economic Growth, as a full-
time member of the Sixteenth Finance Commission. This fills up the vacancy at the finance panel,
which was till now functioning with only three full time members and Chairperson Arvind
Panagariya.

 The central government has appointed Naima Khatoon as the Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim
University (AMU), making her the first woman to hold the top post in over 100 years.

 British national Russ Cook, known as the “Hardest Geezer,” has successfully completed a challenging
trek that took him over 352 days to finish.

 Actor Ayushmann Khurrana has been roped in by the Election Commission of India to urge the
youngsters to vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

 Mr Sanjay Nayar, a well-known name in the global financial markets and Founder and Chairman, Sorin
Investment Fund has taken over as President of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry
of India (ASSOCHAM).

 Bilquis Mir, a canoeist from Jammu and Kashmir, is set to make history as the first woman from India
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to represent the country as a jury member at the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris.

 Ms Sheyphali B. Sharan has assumed charge as the Principal Director General, Press Information
Bureau, upon the superannuation (retirement) of Shri Manish Desai.

 Lindy Cameron has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of India, becoming
the first woman to serve this role for the UK in India.

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PLACES IN NEWS – SUMMITS/CONFERENCE

 Ocean Decade Conference 2024: India delegation , led by Earth Sciences Secretary M.
Ravichandran, advocated for the establishment of a region-specific ocean observation center during
the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference held in Barcelona, Spain. The conference, organized by the
Spanish government and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

 The 19th annual meeting of the secretaries of the security councils of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation (SCO) member states was held in Astana, Kazakhstan. The Indian delegation was led
by the National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

 Masdar, the UAE’s prominent clean energy company, is set to host the World Future Energy
Summit (WFES) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

 The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international

legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-4) of the
United Nations Environment Agency (UNEA) took place from 23 to 29 April 2024 at the Shaw
Center in Ottawa, Canada. The INC-4 for a global plastics treaty failed to reach an agreement.
Negotiators aim to reach a consensus by the end of 2024 at INC-5 which is scheduled for November
2024 in South Korea. The INC is a committee established by the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) in March 2022 to develop an international legally binding agreement on
plastic pollution.

STATES IN NEWS

 Matabari Pera Prasad, Rignai Pachara Textiles and Risa are the three traditional products from
Tripura have recently received Geographical Indication (GI) tag. In addition to this, the queen
pineapple of Tripura had already received a GI tag.

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BOOKS

Sr. No. Book/Autobiography Author/Writer/Compiled by

1. The Winner’s Mindset Shane Watson

2. India — the Road to Renaissance: A Vision and an Bhimeswara Challa

Agenda

3. Just a Mercenary? Notes from My Life and Career Duvvuri Subbarao

4. Knife Salman Rushdie

5. The Idea of Democracy Sam Pitroda

6. Heavenly Islands of Goa P.S. Sreedharan Pillai

7. India’s Nuclear Titans Soumya Awasthi and Shrabana Barua.

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MISCELLANEOUS
 Pin code MH-1718: India establishes second post office in Antarctica at Bharati research station,
introducing new PIN code MH-1718, while maintaining the tradition of collectors sending blank
envelopes for 'cancellation' from the Antarctic post office, renowned for its 'Maitri North Goa' mark.
India’s two research bases in Antarctica — Maitri and Bharati — are located 3,000 km apart. Notably,
both branches are part of the Goa postal division. In 1984, shortly after India’s first foray to Antarctica,
its first post office on the icy continent was set up at Dakshi Gangotri — the nation’s first scientific
base there. Dakshin Gangotri was submerged in ice in 1988-89 and was subsequently
decommissioned. On January 26, 1990, a post office branch was set up at India’s Maitri research
station in Antarctica.

 According to Heritage Auctions, a 1938 copy of ‘Action Comics No. 1’ the comic that first “introduced
Superman to the world” has sold for a record-setting $6 million.

 The union government is planning to set up dedicated labs for testing high-grade cotton in
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat and Karnataka as part of a push to establish
the Indian Kasturi cotton as a global brand.

 ‘Miss AI’ beauty pageant: The World AI Creator Awards (WAICAs) has announced the world’s
first ‘Miss AI’ beauty pageant, featuring AI-generated models competing in a unique event that blends
traditional beauty pageantry with the world of AI creators. Entrants must be entirely AI-generated,
with no restrictions on the tools used. The judging panel includes two AI-generated judges, Aitana Lopez
and Emily Pellegrini.

 A study published in "Nature" has sounded the alarm on the dire economic consequences of climate
change, revealing that the global economy is poised to suffer staggering losses, with damages estimated
at a whopping 38 trillion dollars annually by 2050. Led by scientists at the Potsdam Institute for
Climate Impact Research (PIK), the study paints a bleak picture of the economic toll of climate
change, surpassing even the costs of mitigation efforts to limit global warming.

 India imported 4.65 million metric tons of pulses in the fiscal year 2023-24 (up from 2.53 million tons
in 2022-23), the highest since 2018-19. In value terms, imports of pluses jumped 93% to USD 3.75
billion.

 In a pioneering initiative aimed at enhancing voter awareness and engagement, the Systematic Voters'
Education and Electoral Participation Cell (SVEEP) of Kamrup Election District has partnered with
Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G) to develop an innovative 3D printed dummy
ballot unit.

 In a significant stride towards sustainable development, NABARD unveiled its Climate Strategy 2030
document on the occasion of Earth Day. The document was released by Shri Shaji K V, Chairman
NABARD. This comprehensive strategy aims to address India’s escalating need for green financing.

 The Madras High Court directs Tamil Nadu government to implement guidelines against corporal
punishment in schools. The Madras High Court has issued a directive to the Tamil Nadu government,

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compelling it to enforce stringent guidelines aimed at eradicating corporal punishment within
educational institutions across the state.

 Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams is ready to fly into space for the third time as the pilot aboard
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for its the first crewed test flight. Boeing’s Starliner will blast off for the
International Space Station from Cape Canaveral in Florida. If it is successful, it will become the second
private firm able to provide crew transport to and from the ISS, alongside Elon Musk's SpaceX.

 Young Global Leaders Community program: The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced
the 20th edition of its Young Global Leaders Community. Some Indians in the list as follows- 1. Bhumi
Pednekar (Art and Culture), 2. Adwaita Nayar (Business), 3. Arjun Bhartia (Business), 4. Priya
Aggarwal Hebbar (Business) and 5. Sharad Vivek Sagar (Social Entrepreneurs).

 Sitars and tanpuras from Miraj, Maharashtra, were awarded the GI tag due to the town's historical
significance and expertise in crafting these musical instruments. This craftsmanship dates back over 300
years, with the tradition passing through seven generations.

April 2024|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|pg. 29