Current Affairs Quiz 7th January 2025 Quiz

Exp. HDFC Bank to acquire up to 9.5% in Kotak Mahindra and AU, Capital SFBs

India’s largest private sector lender HDFC Bank has received the Reserve Bank of India’s approval to pick up an aggregate stake of up to 9.5% in Kotak Mahindra Bank, AU Small Finance Bank and Capital Small Finance Bank.

In a regulatory filing, the apex bank, has given approval to HDFC Bank and its group companies— including HDFC Mutual Fund, HDFC Life Insurance, HDFC Pension Management, HDFC ERGO General Insurance, and others — to collectively acquire up to 9.5 per cent of paid-up share capital or voting rights in Kotak Mahindra Bank, AU Small Finance Bank and Capital Small Finance Bank.

The approval is valid for a period of one year from the date of RBI’s letter, i.e., till January 2, 2026.

Exp. PM Modi inaugurates Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat RRTS line worth Rs 4,600 crore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the 13-km additional section of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor.

With this inauguration, Delhi will get its first Namo Bharat connectivity. The corridor, worth Rs 4.600 crore, will include multiple stations, with key ones in Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut.

Notable stations include Sarai Kale Khan, Anand Vihar, Sahibabad, and Meerut South.

The corridor will feature India’s fastest rapid transit trains, known as Namo Bharat, operating at speeds up to 160 km/h. These trains are designed to significantly reduce travel time between Delhi and Meerut to about an hour. The fare from New Ashok Nagar station to Meerut South is Rs 150 for a standard coach and Rs 225 for a premium coach.

Exp. Telangana farmers to receive ₹12,000 per acre annually under Rythu Bharosa scheme

Farmers in Telangana will receive ₹12,000 per acre annually under the Rythu Bharosa scheme, as the State government has increased the cash benefit under the scheme by ₹2,000.

Further, families of landless farm labourers will receive a similar amount annually under the newly introduced Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa scheme.

The government decided to provide Rythu Bharosa to every acre of cultivable land owned by the farmers without any conditions.

The Rythu Bharosa scheme is not applicable to non-agricultural lands (mining, hills, real estate ventures, roads, lands used for residential, industrial, and commercial purposes, lands converted as Nala and the lands acquired by the government for various projects).

About Telangana

• Established – 2 June 2014
• Capital – Hyderabad
• Chief Minister – Revanth Reddy (replace K. Chandrashekar Rao)
• Deputy CM – Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka
• Governor – P. Radhakrishnan
• Speaker of Telangana Assembly – Gaddam Prasad Kumar
• Legislative Assembly Seats – 119

Exp. Nuclear scientist, R Chidambaram passes away at 88

Dr Rajagopala Chidambaram, who was the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, when India did the crucial Pokhran-II nuclear tests, passed away at the age of 88. 

Born in Chennai in 1936 to C Rajagopal Aiyar, a Controller of Defence Accounts and Ananthalakshmi, Chidambaram became a first ranker in Madras University, passing B.Sc (Honours). He later joined the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, in 1956, picked up his masters in one year and PhD in 1961.

Chidambaram joined Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in 1962.

Though Chidambaram’s name is usually associated with Pokhran-II (India’s second nuclear tests, in May 1998), he did play a big role in the 1974 Pokhran-I – for which he was recognized with Padma Shri award in 1975 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.

Exp. World’s oldest person Tomiko Itooka dies aged 116

A Japanese woman who was the world’s oldest person according to Guinness World Records has died.

Tomiko Itooka was 116 and died at a care home in Ashiya in the Hyogo Prefecture, according to elderly policies official Yoshitsugu Nagata.

Ms Itooka was born in 1908.

She became the oldest person last year after the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas, according to the Gerontology Research Group

Exp. Varun Tomar Clinches National Shooting Championship Title in Men’s 10m Air Pistol

Varun Tomar from the Indian Army has become the national shooting champion after winning the Men’s 10-meter Air Pistol finals of the 67th National Shooting Championship 2024 at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi.

 Varun’s teammate Pradhyumn Singh won Silver, while Rajasthan’s Aakash Bhardwaj bagged the Bronze medal.

Varun Tomar also won the Men’s Junior 10-meter Air Pistol event and his teammate Pradhyumn Singh won Bronze. While Nikhil from Uttar Pradesh won the Silver medal.

Moreover, in the Men’s Youth 10-meter Air Pistol event, Chirag Sharma from Uttar Pradesh won Gold, teammate Dev Pratap won Silver and Mayank Choudhary of Rajasthan won Bronze.

Exp. 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention 2025 to kick off in Bhubaneswar

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD Convention 2025), will be held at Bhubaneswar in Odisha from the 8th January.

The theme of this three-day convention is “The Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat”.

A large number of Indian diaspora members from over 50 different countries have registered to participate in the PBD Convention.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the PBD Convention. It will feature a virtual address by the Chief Guest, the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Express will be conducted under the Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana of the Ministry of External Affairs.

President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the Valedictory Session of the 18th PBD Convention on 10th January.

While, the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held on 8th January 2025, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Exp. Rajiv Ranjan Singh Launches India’s First Organic Fisheries Cluster in Sikkim

Union Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh has launched the country’s first organic fisheries cluster in Sikkim.

The organic fish cluster in Soreng District of Sikkim will boost farmer incomes and promote sustainability in aquaculture. The project aims to sell antibiotic, chemical, and pesticide free organic fish in eco-conscious markets across the globe.

Singh also inaugurated and laid the foundations for 50 key projects worth ₹50 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), covering all northeastern states except Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram in Guwahati.  

Exp. Costas Simitis, former Greek Prime Minister and socialist leader, dies at 88

Costas Simitis, former Prime Minister of Greece and the architect of the country’s joining the common European currency, the euro, has died at age 88.

Mr. Simitis, a co-founder of the Socialist PASOK party in 1974, eventually became the successor to the party’s founding leader, Andreas Papandreou, with whom he had an often-contentious relationship that shaped the party’s nature.  

Exp. IndiaBonds.com Launches Digital Fixed Deposits, Expanding Fixed Income Investment Opportunities

IndiaBonds.com, a SEBI-registered Stock Broker (Debt Segment) and licensed Online Bond Platform Provider (OBPP), has introduced Digital Fixed Deposits (FDs) to its platform.

This move enhances accessibility and convenience for individual investors, offering a unified solution for managing both bonds and fixed deposits seamlessly under one roof.

The launch aligns with IndiaBonds.com’s vision of providing stable and rewarding investment options while simplifying portfolio management for retail investors. With fully digital and paperless onboarding, including quick KYC completion, the platform makes it easier for investors to start their fixed-income journey.

Investors can earn up to 9.4% interest on their fixed deposit investments, supported by an integrated portfolio dashboard that tracks cash flows, returns, and allocations efficiently.

The platform also offers customisable payout options, low minimum investment thresholds, and the convenience of managing all fixed-income investments in one place. Additional fixed deposit partnerships are expected to expand its offerings in the coming weeks further.

Exp. Digit Life Insurance Unveils Glow Term Life Insurance for 300 Million Self-Employed Indians

Go Digit-Life Insurance Limited (Digit-Life), a leading new-age digital insurer, has launched its first individual pure-term life insurance plan, “Digit Glow Term Life Insurance.”

Designed to cater specifically to the evolving needs of India’s self-employed population, the plan aims to simplify insurance access for over 300 million* self-employed individuals, including gig workers, small business owners, and professionals.

Digit Glow Term Life Insurance addresses the unique challenges faced by self-employed individuals, such as fluctuating income and lack of formal income proof, by leveraging tech-enabled underwriting models and alternative credit parameters. The plan offers comprehensive protection with coverage ranging from ₹2.25 lakh to ₹1 crore, ensuring accessibility to individuals from lower-income groups.

MD & CEO of Go Digit Life Insurance – Sabyasachi Sarkar

Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector

• SBI launched two new deposit schemes for customers named Har Ghar Lakhpati and SBI Patrons
• SBI introduces TAB-based digital NRI account onboarding journey
• ICICI Prudential Life Insurance and RGA Launch First-of-Its-Kind Health Product to Cover Women-Specific Ailments named ICICI Pru Wish
• Bank of Baroda Unveils Phygital Branches to Transform Customer Banking Experience
• LazyPay Unveils ‘LazyPay EMI’ to Simplify High-Value Purchases
• Axis Bank launched the ARISE Women’s Savings Account, a specialized solution designed to cater to the financial needs of women.

Exp. FIU-IND signs pact with IRDAI to share information

Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) have signed a MoU for sharing of intelligence and information to check money laundering.

The MoU was signed as part of continued coordinated efforts to effectively implement the requirements of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and Rules.

As per the agreement, FIU-IND and Irdai will cooperate in the areas of mutual interest, including sharing of relevant intelligence and information, available in their respective databases.

Exp. Air Commodore Debakinandan Sahu Assumes Command of Base Repair Depot, Tughlakabad

Air Commodore Debakinandan Sahu assumed command of the Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Tughlakabad, succeeding Air Commodore Rishi Seth.

Commissioned into the Aeronautical Engineering branch of the Indian Air Force on May 30, 1994, Air Commodore Sahu brings an illustrious career spanning over three decades to his new command.

 A graduate of the Air Force Technical College (AFTC), Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), and the College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad, he is recognized for his comprehensive expertise in aviation systems and Guided Weapon Missile technologies.

Exp. Bengaluru to host 15th Aero India 2025

The latest edition of Asia’s biggest biennial air show and aviation exhibition – Aero India 2025 will be held at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The 15th edition of the Aero India show will be held from 10-14 February 2025.

The first edition of the Aero India show was organised in 1996 at the Yelahanka Air Force Station base and the last 14th edition was held in 2023 at the same venue.

The Aero India show is organised by the Defence Exhibition Organisation, the Department of Defence Production, Union Ministry of Defence.

The theme of the 15th Aero India is ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’.