Lok Sabha passed banking law amendments.• It allows up to four nominees in all bank accounts.• Assures successors of account-holders or FD holders do not get locked out.It both permits concurrent and successive nominations.• Redefine “substantial interest” for directorships.
8. Indian astronauts selected for joint ISRO-NASA mission to International Space Station complete initial training
ISRO: Gaganyatris Undergo Training for Axiom-4 Mission The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reported on November 29, 2024, that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, selected for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS), have successfully completed the first phase of training. Training Milestones Achieved The Gaganyatris, designated as: Key achievements during this phase include: This training commenced in August 2024 in the United States under the joint collaboration of ISRO and NASA. Second Stage of Training ISRO also shared details of the upcoming training objectives: Significance of the Ax-4 Mission The Ax-4 mission is a landmark for ISRO’s collaboration with NASA and Axiom Space, showcasing India’s growing capabilities in space exploration and strengthening international cooperation in space missions.
7. Proba-3 mission launch delayed to December 5 due to anomaly: ISRO
Proba-3 Mission Launch Update Recast Launch Mission Overview Key Features of Proba-3 Scientific Objective
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
What is SEBI? Objectives of SEBIThe main objectives of SEBI are: Evolution of SEBI Organizational Structure of SEBI Roles and Functions of SEBI Major Achievements of SEBISEBI has been instrumental in ensuring the well-functioning and development of the securities market in India. Its major achievements include: Powers of SEBISEBI holds several powers: Issues Associated with SEBI Way Forward
2. As DAP sales dip, farmers turn to more beneficial NPKS
Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) Scarcity and Its Impact on Rabi Crop Productivity Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP)
Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) Fertilizer
Red Sea Crisis Impact on DAP Supply in India
4. RS clears Bill to ease oil exploration
Rajya Sabha Approves Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 • The Rajya Sabha passed a Bill aimed at delinking petroleum operations from mining, clarifying petroleum lease grants and extensions, and introducing a new mechanism for the resolution of disputes for the exploration and production sector.• The Bill replaces all the existing laws between 1948 and 1969 by introducing the concept of ‘petroleum lease’ which is legally differentiated from the mining lease.• The Bill must be passed in the Lok Sabha to come into effect.• The Bill introduces the concept ‘Mineral Oils‘, which groups together a broad spectrum of mineral oils, from shale oil and gas hydrates to coal bed methane.
Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024
Salient Features Importance of the Amendment About the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) This amendment revitalizes the regulatory framework for oilfields, aligning with global standards to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of the energy sector.
3. EPFO´s investible corpus more than doubled in 6 years
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation’s Investment Corpus Doubles in Five Years • Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation’s investment corpus doubled in the last five years to ₹ 24.75 trillion in FY24 from ₹ 11.1 trillion in FY19.• The overall investible corpus increased to 15.8% from ₹ 21.36 trillion in FY22.• The number of active contributing subscribers increased by 7.6% to 73.7 million in FY24 from 68.5 million in FY23.
2. ´ Overreach´: USISPF, Nasscom object to Sebi´s specified digital platform plan
Advocacy Groups Slam Sebi’s Draft Circular on Digital Platforms 3. EPFO´s investible corpus more than doubled in 6 years Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation’s Investment Corpus Doubles in Five Years • Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation’s investment corpus doubled in the last five years to ₹ 24.75 trillion in FY24 from ₹ 11.1 trillion in FY19.• The overall investible corpus increased to 15.8% from ₹ 21.36 trillion in FY22.• The number of active contributing subscribers increased by 7.6% to 73.7 million in FY24 from 68.5 million in FY23.
