Current Affairs Quiz 30th April 2024 Quiz

Exp. India’s Ecommerce Market will be World’s Third Largest by 2030

India’s e-commerce landscape is poised for a monumental gain by 2030, a report by investment promotion and facilitation agency Invest India has claimed.

Forecasting a substantial surge to $325 billion by 2030, the report added that the nation’s digital economy is expected to reach an impressive $800 billion by the same time.

Currently valued at $70 billion, India’s online shopping makes up approximately 7 per cent of the country’s total retail market, therefore presenting a huge opportunity for growth.

In the coming years, several factors, like high internet penetration, low-cost internet services, and substantial increase in rural smartphone users, are expected to propel the sector towards a promising future.

With a staggering 881 million users, India boasts the world’s second-largest internet user base, positioning itself to emerge as the third-largest online retail market by 2030, driven by the rapid expansion of its digital economy.

Exp. Innovative 3D Printed Dummy Ballot Unit unveiled by IIT Guwahati

The Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation Cell (SVEEP) of Kamrup Election District has partnered with Indian Insitute of Technoloy-Guwahati to develop a innovative 3D printed dummy ballot unit.

The inauguration of the dummy ballot unit was held at the IIT Guwahati campus and was attended by several dignitaries.

Crafted with the objective of acquainting citizens, particularly new voters, and senior citizens, with the intricacies of voting procedures, the 3D printed dummy ballot unit aims to dispel any apprehensions, anxiety or uncertainties associated with the voting process.

By offering a hands-on experience, the dummy ballot unit endeavours to foster maximum voter participation.

IITs in News

• ADIF and IIT Guwahati incubation center sign MoU to boost startup ecosystem
• C-DOT and IIT Jodhpur sign agreement for “Automated Service Management in Network of 5G
• BEL signs MoU with IIT-Mandi for co-operation in research
• AFMS partnered with IIT Kanpur to Address Healthcare Challenges for Soldiers
• Lightstorm signed with IIT Madras to launch employment skilling initiative

Exp. IREDA gets ‘Navratna’ status

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) was granted ‘Navratna’ status by the Department of Public Enterprises.

A non-banking financial institution under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, IREDA is engaged in promoting, developing and extending financial assistance for setting up projects related to new and renewable sources of energy.

The Indian government grants Navratna status to premier public sector undertakings (PSUs), empowering them to execute significant investments of up to ₹1,000 crore without requiring approval from the central authority.

These firms are permitted to allocate up to 30 per cent of their net worth annually, provided it remains under ₹1,000 crore. Additionally, they have the option to participate in joint ventures, forge partnerships, and set up overseas subsidiaries.

Established in March 1987, the company offers financial assistance to projects that produce electricity using fresh and sustainable sources. The government holds a 75 per cent ownership stake in the company.

This takes the total number of Navratna PSEs to 17.

Exp. Tata Motors partners with South Indian Bank for commercial vehicle finance

Tata Motors has tied up with South Indian Bank to offer financing solutions to its commercial vehicle customers and dealerships.

Objective – To empower fleet owners and dealerships to achieve their business goals.

As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), South Indian Bank will offer financing solutions across the auto major’s entire commercial vehicle portfolio.

Recent MoUs Signed in Banking Sector

• NABARD & RBI Developed Innovation Hub to fasten digital Agri lending
• Indian Bank ties up with Tata Solar Power to finance Central Rooftop Solar scheme
• SIDBI inks MOU with Jeevika Bihar, UMED Maharashtra to extend Prayaas to rural livelihood mission
• Bank of India signed with IMGC for mortgage guarantee on home loans
• Karnataka Bank partnered with FISDOM to offer 3-in-1 accounts (savings, demat, and trading) through its mobile banking app, KBL Mobile Plus.
• PhonePe partners with eSewa and Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) Pokhara to promote UPI in Nepal

Exp. FPI limit in G-sec unchanged at 6% of outstanding stocks of securities: RBI

Reserve Bank kept the limits for FPI investment in government securities (g-secs), state government securities (SGSs) and corporate bonds will remain unchanged at 6 per cent, 2 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, of outstanding stocks of securities for the current fiscal (2024-25).

As of now, all investments by eligible investors in the ‘specified securities’ will be reckoned under the fully accessible route (FAR).

The allocation of incremental changes in the g-sec limit over the two sub-categories – ‘General’ and ‘Long-term’ – shall be retained at 50:50 for 2024-25.

Further, the aggregate limit of the notional amount of Credit Default Swaps sold by FPIs shall be 5 percent of the outstanding stock of corporate bonds. Accordingly, an additional limit of Rs 2,54,500 crore has been set.

Exp. Dinesh Kumar takes charge as the SAT Presiding officer

Retired Justice Dinesh Kumar took charge as the Presiding Officer of the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) for a four-year term.

Before taking over as the presiding officer of SAT, Justice Dinesh Kumar was the chief justice of the Karnataka High Court. He retired from the post in February 2024.

The SAT has been functioning without a presiding officer for the last four months, as the last presiding officer, Justice Tarun Aggarwal, retired in December 2023.

Dheeraj Bhatnagar also took charge as the technical member of the tribunal. He has been appointed for a term of four years or till he reaches the age of 67, whichever is earlier. Dheeraj Bhatnagar retired as principal chief commissioner of Income Tax Delhi.

Recent Appointment

• Director in Department of Land Resources – Sarvadanand Barnwal
• CVO of Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Authority – Manoj Kumar
• Director of MoHUA – Sunil Kumar Yadav
• Executive Chairman of Coromandel International – Arun Alagappan (replace A. Vellayan)
• Chairman of Wrestling Federation of India’s Athletes’ Commission – Narsingh Pancham Yadav

Exp. MAHE Confers Honorary Doctorate on K.V. Kamath

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) held a special convocation in Manipal to confer an honorary doctorate upon KV Kamath, Chairman of National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) and Chairman of Jio Financial Services Ltd.

This honorary doctorate signifies the profound impact Mr Kamath has had, and we are confident his example will continue to inspire our students to pursue excellence in their chosen fields.

Recent Awards

• 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards – Gina Justus
• Global media award – India Today Group’s AI news anchor, Sana
• Miss Universe Buenos Aires title – Alejandra Rodríguez (Argentina)
• Newsweek’s 2024 list of the ‘World’s Best Hospitals’ – Medanta Gurugram
• World Press Photo of the Year award 2024 – Mohammed Salem  

Exp. Hema Malini, Saira Banu to get Pt. Lacchu Maharaj Award

Noted Hindi film superstars Hema Malini and Saira Banu as well as other prominent personalities from the fields of art and culture, will be honoured with the prestigious Pandit Lacchu Maharaj Award.

The award will be given on 31 August 2024 at a ceremony in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

The Lacchu Maharaj Award, Instituted in memory of the famous kathak exponent Lacchu Maharaj, was not given after 2014. Thus, the Pandit Lacchu Maharaj Ballet Foundation has decided to honour 10 personalities this year.

No award has been announced for the year 2020 due to COVID-19.

The awardees are:

Exp. V Senthilkumar wins Batch Open Squash Title

National men’s Squash champion Velavan Senthilkumar defeated Melvil Scianimanico of France to win the Batch Open Challenger Squash.

This was the eighth PSA (Professional Squash Association) title for the US-based Indian Velavan Senthilkumar.

The Batch Open was organised by the world squash governing body Professional Squash Association with the host French Squash Federation at Jeu de Paume, Paris, France, from 24-28 April 2024.

Earlier in the semifinal, Senthilkumar defeated Hong Kong’s Andes Ling to set the title clash with Melvil Scianimanico.

Exp. Indian men’s team bag historic gold in archery after 14 years

The Indian men’s recurve team has won a historic gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage-1 by defeating the world-champion South Korean team for the first time ever.

The gold medal ended a 14-year gold medal drought at the men’s recurve team event at the Archery World Cup.

The Indian men’s recurve team of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai and Pravin Jadhav defeated the World no.1 ranked South Korean team in the final.

The Indian team defeated South Korea’s team consisting of World and Asian Games champions Lee Wooseok and Olympic champions Kim Je Deok and Kim Woojin 5-1 (57-57, 57-55, 55-53) to win a gold medal after 14 years.

India finished the Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai with eight medals – five gold, two silvers and one bronze.  This is India’s highest medal tally at any single edition of an archery World Cup.

Exp. 29 April – World Wish Day

World Wish Day is celebrated on April 29 each year.

This national holiday is sponsored by the “Make-A-Wish Foundation” — an organization that focuses on making the wishes of terminally ill children come true.

It is a holiday that even children take joy in celebrating — as it primarily has to do with them.

World Wish Day was first celebrated on April 29, 2010. It is a holiday inspired by the touching story of a young leukemia patient back in 1980.

Christopher James Greicius was a seven-year-old, highly spirited boy, battling blood cancer. However, even with his illness, Greicius’ one wish was to be a police officer

Exp. 30 April – Ayushman Bharat Diwas

Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated annually on 30 April in India to raise awareness of the objectives of the government’s Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) is also known as the Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

It is a healthcare scheme launched by the Indian government to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to about 50 crore people who are economically disadvantaged.

The government introduced Ayushman Bharat Yojana scheme after it saw the problem of many people facing difficulties in accessing essential medical care due to financial constraints.

Under this scheme, the government will provide medical expenses of up to Rs 5 lakh annually to people who are financially backward.

History of Ayushman Bharat Diwas

• The Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PM-JAY) is a healthcare scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.
• Under this scheme, free health insurance of Rs 5 lakh is provided to more than 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families every year under the PM-JAY scheme.
• Through this scheme, the government provides three days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days of pre-hospitalization care to the patients.

Exp. 30 April – International Jazz Day

International Jazz Day is celebrated every year on 30 April.

This day is dedicated to the city of Tangier, Morocco, and the cultural heritage of jazz in Africa.

Tangier is known for its rich history of jazz and is home to many world-renowned jazz artists.

The four-day celebration of International Jazz Day includes a series of educational programs, cultural activities, and performances. The All-Star Global Concert, the highlight of the event, is held at the new Palace of Arts and Culture of Tangier.

This concert, which features a range of jazz musicians, is broadcast live on YouTube, Facebook, the United Nations, and UNESCO to millions of viewers worldwide.

The history of International Jazz Day dates back to November 2011, when the UNESCO General Conference proclaimed April 30 as International Jazz Day.  

Exp. 30 April – National Honesty Day

National Honesty Day is celebrated on 30 April, every year.

It is a day dedicated to promoting honesty and building trust. The day is counterbalanced by April Fools’ Day, which is known for jokes and deception.

Honesty Day was first suggested by M. Hirsh Goldberg, the author of The Book of Lies in the early 1990s.