Why in News? Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla suggested that the State police use legal options such as the National Security Act, 1980, which allows detention for a year without trial, against miscreants and troublemakers. The National Security Act (NSA) The National Security Act (NSA) of 1980 is an Indian law that allows for the preventive detention of people in certain cases. The act was introduced by the Indira Gandhi government in 1980 and came into effect on September 23, 1980.
The National Education Policy 2020
The National Education Policy of 2020 seeks to help in transforming the society of India into a knowledge-based society and also ensure all quality education across India. It relies on five key pillars such as access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability.
Current Affairs 4 January 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz4 January, 2025 International Affairs 1. India Condemns Newly Formed Chinese County in Hotan Prefecture Context: India solemnly protested against China on the formation of the two counties in the Hotan prefecture that includes parts of Ladakh territory. Key Highlights: Hotan Prefecture Region National Affairs 1. HMPV Virus Context: On Friday, the Union Health Ministry said it was strictly monitoring the supposed outbreak of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China. The Ministry said while China reported a rise in respiratory illness, particularly HMPV, India did not observe an unusual spike in winter respiratory diseases. Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) HMPV identified as a new cause emerging particularly for children below 14 years old in the northern provinces. HMPV-adenovirus-infection; respiratory virus first reported in 2001; diseases caused by this virus are mild and somewhat similar to the common cold. 2. Protests erupt in Pithampur over arrival of Bhopal Waste Chemical Waste 3. Delhi Schools’ Digital Infrastructure and Digital Divide Context: Delhi schools fare much better in digitalisation than national average, show Ministry of Education data. The data from UDISE+ show that Delhi schools have far more digital facilities than the national average. 4. One Nation, One Election framework (ONOE) Context: The ruling government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party/National Democratic Alliance, has been pursuing the One Nation, One Election framework (ONOE) with all seriousness. One Nation One Election in india 5. Fund Registration to NGO Context: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday granted foreign fund registration to the Sambhavna Trust, an NGO that provides free treatment to the victims of the 1984 Bhopal gas leak. Report FCRA violations by NGOs, govt. asks CAs 6. The Draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules 2025 Context: The Draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, will take forward the Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023. The Draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025 It comes with the objective of improving the legal framework for digital personal data by giving the required intricacies and balancing between the right to privacy of an individual and the requirement to process that personal data lawfully for carrying out those purposes. Key Findings: 7. Centralised Pension Payments System (CPPS) Context: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has completed full-scale implementation of the new Centralised Pension Payments System (CPPS) to provide PF pensions under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS). Centralised Pension Payments System (CPPS) 8. PM Surya Ghar Scheme Context: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Reviews Development Initiatives in Andaman, Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. Directs MNRE to implement ‘PM Surya Ghar‘ scheme by installing solar panels in all households. PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana The Indian government launched the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, seeking to enhance the solar rooftop capacity and empower the residential households with the ability to generate their electricity. The program is to be implemented by a National programme Implementation Agency and State Implementation Agencies. 9. NGT Issues Notice to Centre Context: The National Green Tribunal has issued notices to Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Singareni Collieries Company Limited over a proposal to fell 1,05,092 trees to facilitate an opencast coal mine in Odisha’s Angul district. National Green Tribunal 10. With the expiry of the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme for exports under advance authorisation (AA), export-oriented units (EOU) and special economic zones (SEZ) schemes on December 31, 2024 and no communication regarding its extension, exporters are uncertain about RoDTEP benefits for these schemes. 10. India’s Labour Ministry Considers Social Security Framework for gig workers Context: The Labour ministry plans to release a “Framework for social security coverage” by June 2023. Key Findings: Government Initiatives Toward Workers’ Welfare in India 11. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Context: The pharmaceutical sector has rolled out a robust wish list for the upcoming Budget, with import duty exemptions, simplification of tax procedures, and strengthening of the production linked incentive (PLI) scheme among major demands. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) 12. Forest Fires in India Context: 67% of major forest fires in India were extinguished within 24 hours in the November 2023 – June 2024 season, marking a significant improvement from 33% in the previous season, as per report of Forest Survey of India. Key Findings: 13. Vulture Conservation in India Context: The Indian government has banned several animal painkillers, including Nimesulide, Diclofenac, ketoprofen, and aceclofenac, because of their toxicity to vultures. These bans did not recover the population because the laws are poorly enforced and reproduce very slowly. Vultures Vulture Conservation in India 14. Electric vehicle (EV) Industry Context: Electric vehicle (EV) industry has “unanimously” agreed they won’t need subsidies once existing subsidy regime ends. “All sections” of the EV industry conveyed this to commerce minister Piyush Goyal in a meeting on Friday. India´s Electric Vehicle (EV) Industry PM E-DRIVE Scheme Banking/Finance 1. RBI removes restrictions on Arohan Financial Services Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) removed supervisory restrictions on Kolkata-based Arohan Financial Services Ltd. with immediate effect. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) 2. Baanknet to Aid One-Stop Property E-Auction Context: Financial Services Secretary M. Nagaraju on Friday unveiled the revamped ‘Baanknet’ portal for e-auction of properties, including commercial properties, industrial land, shops, vehicles, and agricultural and non-agricultural land. Baanknet Portal 3. Capex Declines Context: Capital expenditure (capex) in the country in November declined 9 per cent over the previous month amid expectations that it would intensify in the second half this financial year. Capital Expenditure CapEx 4. SBI Schems to Boost Deposit Mobilisation Context: State Bank of India – the country´s largest lender – has unveiled two new schemes to boost deposit mobilisation at a time when most banks are facing challenges to raise resources. The first is Har Ghar Lakhpati and second is SBI Patrons. Har Ghar Lakhpati (HGL) “Har Ghar Lakhpati” (HGL) is a customized Recurring Deposit scheme, allowing customers to accumulate ₹1 Lakh or more by depositing small savings monthly and becoming ‘LAKHPATI’ upon deposit maturity. SBI Patrons SBI is
The Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) & Global Hunger Index
The Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) The Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is a joint publication by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). Global Hunger Index
India’s Poverty Rate Declines in FY24
Context: In FY24, rural poverty declined to below 5% for the first time; this decline can be attributed to higher consumption growth in the 0% fractile, a shift from the 51% fractile in FY23 to the 5% fractile in FY24. Key Findings: The Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) The Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is a joint publication by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). Global Hunger Index Food Inflation in India Major Indexes and India’s Ranking
‘Made in India’ Chip
Context: Tata Electronics’ first “Made in India” chips are expected to be unveiled by late 2025 or early 2026. The chips will be produced at a semiconductor plant in Assam, India, and will be used in a variety of sectors, including: automotive, electronics, power, consumer goods, and healthcare. Semiconductor Chip A semiconductor chip is a tiny piece of silicon that contains an electronic circuit. They are the building blocks of modern technology, used in all sorts of gadgets and gizmos, from cell phones to automobiles and medical equipment.
Economic Indicators and Finance Ministry’s Outlook for 2024-25
Netbanking 2.0: NPCI’s Pilot for Easier Mobile Payments
Context: NPCI is piloting Netbanking 2.0 to make mobile payments easier. Key Highlights:
1New Tax Rule by Ministry of Finance
Context: No buyer will be subjected to tax deduction for purchases made by him after receipt by an International Financial Services Centre or IFSC-seller as from the 1st of January 2025. Key Highlights:
Bank Merger
A bank merger is when two or more banks combine their operations and resources to form a single entity. The resulting bank is usually larger and has more resources, which can lead to cost reductions. Recent Merged Banks Date of Merger Merged Entities Resulting Bank April 2019 Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank, and Dena Bank Bank of Baroda (BoB) April 2020 Punjab National Bank (PNB), Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC), and United Bank of India (UBI) Punjab National Bank (PNB) April 2020 Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank Canara Bank April 2020 Indian Bank and Allahabad Bank Indian Bank April 2020 Union Bank of India, Andhra Bank, and Corporation Bank Union Bank of India
