Current Affairs Quiz 5th July 2024 Quiz

Exp. NIC and Spices Board Sign MoU for AI-Based Cardamom Disease Study in Sikkim

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the Spices Board of India have signed an MoU to develop Artificial intelligence (AI) tools for detecting and classifying large cardamom diseases in Sikkim.

The project, spearheaded by NIC’s Centre of Excellence in AI in Kolkata, aims to analyze images of cardamom leaves to identify diseases early.

This initiative follows three months of discussions and marks a significant step in leveraging AI for agricultural advancements in Sikkim.

Exp. NITI Aayog to launch Sampoornata Abhiyan

NITI Aayog has launched Sampoornata Abhiyan Campaign to achieve saturation of six key indicators in Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks across the country.

This is a three-month campaign running from June 4 to September 30.

It seeks to achieve saturation in each of the six identified indicators in the 112 Aspirational Districts and 500 Aspirational Blocks under the Aspirational Districts Programme and Aspirational Blocks Programme.

NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the relevant Central Ministries and Departments, as well as the Governments of States and Union Territories, will work together to ensure the effective and rapid development of these Districts and Blocks.

This collaboration will focus on improved planning and implementation, capacity building, and establishing systems for service delivery.

Exp. Hemant Soren takes oath as Jharkhand CM for third term

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren was sworn in as Jharkhand Chief Minister for the third term.

He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan at the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi.

Champai Soren resigned from the post of Chief Minister paving the way for his predecessor.

Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on 31 January 2024, however before his arrest, he resigned from the post of Chief Minister and Champai Soren, close to the JMM family, was made the Chief Minister.

About Jharkhand

• Capital – Ranchi
• Chief Minister – Hemant Soren (replace Champai Soren)
• Governor – P. Radhakrishnan

Exp. Belarus joins SCO 10th member

The 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hosted the summit meeting.

The Eurasian country of Belarus was admitted as the 10th full member of the SCO.

The Indian Prime Minister skipped the meeting, and India was represented by the External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar.

About Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 

• Founded – 15 June 2001
• Headquarters – Beijing, China
• Member Countries – 10 (Iran, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus)
• The founding members (5) of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) were China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan. India and Pakistan officially joined this organization in 2017. Iran joined in 2023.
• Observer members – 2 (Afghanistan and Mongolia).
• Belarus, which was earlier the Observer country at the SCO, was upgraded and made the 10th full member of the SCO in 2024.
• The annual Presidency of the SCO rotates amongst the member states.

About Belarus

• Capital- Minsk
• Currency- Belarusian ruble
• Continent – Europe
• Official languages- Belarusian, Russian
• President- Aleksandr Lukashenko

Exp. NPCI international partners with Network International to expand UPI acceptance in UAE

Now Indian travellers or NRIs in UAE will be able to make Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments through QR code through Point-of-Sale machines.

NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL), in partnership with Network International, a leading digital commerce enabler across the Middle East and Africa, has facilitated the acceptance of QR-code-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments across point-of-sale (POS) terminals in the UAE.

This initiative aims to provide seamless transaction experiences for Indian tourists in the UAE.

With over 200,000 POS terminals spread in various sectors such as retail, hospitality, transport, and supermarkets, the UPI acceptance rollout will encompass a diverse range of establishments, including popular tourist and leisure attractions.

Exp. Paytm launches ‘Health Saathi’ plan for its merchant partners

One 97 Communications Limited (OCL), which owns brand Paytm, has rolled out ‘Paytm Health Saathi’, an exclusive health and income protection plan for its merchant partners.

This plan is available on the ‘Paytm for Business’ app.

The launch of ‘Paytm Health Saathi’ aims to safeguard the wellbeing of its merchants, ensuring their health and business continuity.

With this service, Paytm continues to empower its merchant partners, bolstering their resilience, while democratising access to affordable coverage.

Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector

• Bajaj Allianz Life launched the Bajaj Allianz Life Nifty Alpha 50 Index Fund to provide investors with exposure to “high-alpha stocks”
• ICICI Bank launches Sapphiro Forex Card for Indian students
• Bajaj Housing Finance launches Sambhav Home Loans for first-time home buyers
• ICICI Lombard launches AI-powered health insurance plan ‘Elevate’
• SBI launched “MSME -Sahaj”, a web-based digital business loans solution for MSMEs’ invoice financing.

Exp. NABARD partners with Online PSB Loans Ltd to digitalize Jan Suraksha Schemes for RRBs

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Online PSB Loans Ltd. have signed an MoU to smoothen the enrolment and claim settlement processes under the Jan Suraksha Schemes for all 43 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).

Under this initiative, NABARD will integrate all 43 RRBs onto the Jan Suraksha Portal to democratise access to financial protection schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna across erstwhile inaccessible corners of the country.

This initiative represents a significant stride towards bridging the financial gap in rural areas and will further empower RRBs to leverage digital solutions for seamless enrollment and efficient settlement of Jan Suraksha schemes.

Exp. RBI appoints Arnab Kumar & Charulatha S as new Executive Director

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Arnab Kumar Chowdhury and Charulatha S. Kar as executive directors.

Chowdhury and Kar will look after three departments each.

Prior to being promoted as executive director, Chowdhury was serving as Chief General Manager-in-Charge in the Department of Supervision.

As executive director, he will look after Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), foreign exchange department, and international department.

Prior to being promoted as executive director, Kar was serving as Chief General Manager-in-Charge in the Human Resource Management Department.

She will look after the Department of Communication, Human Resource Management Department, and Right to Information (First Appellate Authority).

Recent Appointment in Banking & Insurance Sector

• MD & CEO of IndiaFirst Life Insurance – Rushabh Gandhi (replace Vishakha R.M.)
• MD & CEO of SBI General Insurance – Naveen Chandra Jha (replace Kishore Kumar Poludasu)
• MD & CEO for Aditya Birla Sun Life Asset Mgmt Company – A Balasubramanian (reappointment for 3 years)
• Chairperson of Sa-Dhan – Paul Thomas
• CMD of New India Assurance Company – Girija Subramanian

Exp. Indiabulls Housing Finance renamed as Sammaan Capital

Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd’s name has been changed to Sammaan Capital Ltd, following its transformation into a board-run and diversely-held financial institution, from being a promoter-led and promoter-driven lender.

This includes the Certificate of Incorporation from the Registrar of Companies and the Certificate of Registration as an NBFC-ICC (Investment and Credit Company) from the Reserve Bank of India.

Exp. Dhirendra Ojha appointed as Director General of PIB

Senior Indian Information Service (IIS) officer Dhirendra Ojha has been appointed as Director General of Press Information Bureau (PIB).

Ojha will replace Sheyphali Sharan, who has been appointed as the Director General of the Publications Division.

Recent Appointment

• Chairperson of the National Medical Commission – Dr BN Gangadhar
• President of Medical Assessment and Rating Board – Dr Sanjay Behari
• Maharashtra’s first Woman Chief Secretary – Sujata Saunik (replace Nitin Kareer)
• Chairman of CBDT – Ravi Agrawal (replace Nitin Gupta)
• Director in Department of Consumer Affairs – Mrinal Kumar Das

Exp. India-Mongolia joint military exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant’ begins in Meghalaya

The 16th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant began at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya.

The exercise involves 45 Indian personnel from the Sikkim Scouts and other arms, and personnel from the 150 Quick Reaction Force Battalion of the Mongolian Army.

This annual training event alternates between India and Mongolia; the previous edition was in Mongolia in July 2023.

The exercise aims to enhance joint military capabilities for counter-insurgency operations under the UN mandate, focusing on semi-urban and mountainous terrain.

Recent Exercises in News

• 16th edition of Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant between India and Mongolia – Umroi, Meghalaya

• 13^th edition of Joint military Exercise MAITREE between India and Thailand – Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province of Thailand.

• 29^th edition of RIMPAC Naval Exercise – Hawaii, Pearl Harbour USA (INS Shivalik Participated)
• 1st edition of Tarang Shakti-2024 – India (August 2024)
• 8th edition of the Japan-India Maritime Exercise JIMEX-24 – Yokosuka, Japan

• 7th edition of Exercise Shakti between India and France – Umroi, Meghalaya  

Exp. P. Geetha wins first ever K. Saraswathi Amma Award for feminist studies

Writer, critic and feminist activist P. Geetha was presented with the first K. Saraswathi Amma Award for her work ”Aan Thachukal” on MT Vasudevan Nair’s scripts.

It is instituted by WINGS (Women’s Integration and Growth Through Sports) Kerala.

Saraswathi Amma published her first short story in 1938. In her time, she was dubbed as a ‘men hater’, later the feminist world hailed her as the forerunner of feminist literature.

Saraswathi Amma was a bold writer who stood alone against the then patriarchal literary world. WINGS is an organisation formed with an objective of making women bold and independent.

Founder of WINGS – N.A. Vinaya

Recent Award

• Atal Pension Yojana Annual Award for FY24 by PFRDA – Bank of India
• Sustainable Governance Champion Award 2024 – Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd.
• 12th Vishwa Hindi Samman – Dr. Usha Thakur
• UK Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2024 – Sanjana Thakur (For Aishwarya Rai)
• Pen Pinter Prize 2024 – Arundhati Roy (for Unflinching and unswerving)

Exp. 5 July – Pet Remembrance Day

Pet Remembrance Day is observed every year on 5 July every year.

It is a day to commemorate and honour the pets we love. It’s a day to share their stories, their pictures, and the special moments they had when they were alive.