NATIONAL NEWS

Solar Energy Corporation of India Gets 'Miniratna Category-I'

• Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has been accorded the status of Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE).

• Its formal announcement has been issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.

• SECI has achieved this feat in a short span of time due to its consistent performance, mobility and flexibility in operations.

• SECI has played a central role in the rapid addition of RE generation capacity in the country and has contributed to the country's climate commitments, carbon reduction strategies and sustainable energy transition.
• It is making steady progress towards achieving the Prime Minister's 'Panchamrit' goals and achieving 500 GW non-fossil fuel based non-fossil fuel-based capacity by 2030.

International Conference on Defence Finance and Economics

• Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the three-day International Conference on Defense Finance and Economics in New Delhi on 12 April 2023.

• The conference is organized by the Ministry of Defence.

• It will provide a platform to eminent policy makers, academicians and government officials from home and abroad to share their insights and experiences on defense finance and economics in the context of emerging security challenges and policies globally.
• It is to promote dialogue and cooperation among the participants and contribute to the defense preparedness of the country with optimum financial resources and effective implementation of the defense budget.

First Photographic Proof of Tigers

• The recently released report on the census of tigers in the country states that Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary is a new area where photographic evidence of tigers has been recorded for the first time.

• The sanctuary, located in Shravasti, Balrampur and Gonda districts of Uttar Pradesh.

• It is spread over an area of 452 sq km.

Sanjeevani Project

• To support small dairy farmers and cattle rearers, the state government launched a project called Sanjeevani to enhance their livelihood.

• The Sanjeevani project uses telemedicine and technology to provide convenient and high-quality livestock care services to farmers' doorsteps, potentially preventing outbreaks and reducing turnaround time for services.

• The Animal Husbandry Department of Himachal Pradesh collaborated with Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited (BFIL) for the National Animal Disease Control Programme-Mobile Veterinary Van (NADCP-AHD-MVU) project.

• The objective of the NADCP-AHD-MVU project is to provide door-to-door livestock care services through a toll-free telephone number.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India Grants $2 Million to African Union Transition Mission

• India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mr Ruchira Kamboj handed over the contribution of USD 2 million to the United Nations Trust Fund in support of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
• With this, the Government of India (GoI) reiterates New Delhi’s commitment to peace and stability in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
• Earlier, India had contributed USD 4 million to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
• It is to support the implementation of the Somali Transitional Plan towards a full handover of security responsibility to the Somali security forces and institutions by the end 2024.
• The primary role of ATMIS is to reduce the threat posed by the terrorist group Al-Shabaad.

BANKING

IndusInd Bank Signs Loan Agreement with Citibank and JICA

• IndusInd Bank signed a co-financing loan agreement with Citibank and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for a funding line of $125 million.
• The funding line will be used by IndusInd Bank to provide credit to the agriculture sector.
• The co-financing includes JPY 13 billion (about $97.45 million) from JICA and a $30 million loan from Citibank to IndusInd Bank.
• The collaboration between the three entities aims to support the development of the agriculture sector in India by providing financial support to farmers and other related businesses.
• IndusInd Bank is a leading private sector bank in India with a strong presence in retail banking, corporate banking and treasury operations.

Reserve Bank of India to Launch Centralized Portal PRAVAAH

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has planned to launch a secured web-based centralized portal named ‘PRAVAAH’ (Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation And Authorization) to simplify and streamline application processes.

• The portal will show time limits for deciding on the applications/approvals sought.

• The new system will bring greater efficiencies into regulatory processes and facilitate ease of doing business for the regulated entities of RBI.

• The facility will be extended to all types of applications made to RBI across all functions.
• Currently, the application and approval processes for the same take place in varied on-line and off-line modes.

SBI to Launch New Current Accounts and Savings Accounts in FY24

• The State Bank of India (SBI) is planning to launch new variants of current account (with balances of ₹50,000 and ₹50 lakh) and “Parivar” (family) savings account in FY24 to minimise the gap between deposit growth and credit growth.

• The new plans come in the wake of deposit growth lagging credit growth over the last few quarters.

• It is to increase its customer base and attract more deposits, particularly from retail customers.

• To grow retail liabilities, the bank has placed more than 500 RMCAs (Relationship Managers for Current Accounts) in various Circles and launched CA product “Shubharambh” for start-ups.

• The proposed Parivar Savings Bank Account will have additional features like insurance, health check-up and concession in locker rent.
• With the launch of this account, the bank is expecting that customers will open bank accounts for their family members.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

First Liquid-Fueled Commercial Rocket Tianlong-2

• The Chinese space startup ‘Space Pioneer successfully launched ‘Tianlong-2 rocket (TL-2) into orbit from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center located in the Gobi Desert, Inner Mongolia.

• This is the first time that a liquid fueled rocket was launched into orbit by a Chinese aerospace company.

• Also, it was the first time that a startup company Space Pioneer successfully reached orbit on its first attempt.
• The Tianlong-2 rocket is also known as Sky Dragon-2.
• Tianlong-2 is a three-stage rocket that is capable of carrying2,000 kilograms (2 tons) to low Earth orbit or 1,500 kg (1,5 tons) to a 500-kilometer-altitude sun-synchronous orbit.
• The 35-meter-wide, 32.8-meter-tall rocket is fueled by coal-based kerosene.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Human Space Flight

• The International Day of Human Space Flight is observed every year on 12 April.
• The United Nations General Assembly designated 12 April as the International Day of Human Space Flight through a resolution passed on 7 April 2011.
• The day is celebrated in honour of Yuri Gagarin, a Russian cosmonaut, the first human to orbit the Earth on April 12, 1961.
• Space exploration has led to advances in many areas, including communications, navigation, and weather forecasting.

OBITUTARY

Keshab Mahindra Passed Away

• Keshab Mahindra, Chairman Emeritus of Mahindra & Mahindra, passed away. He was at the age of 99.

• According to Forbes, he was India's oldest billionaire at the time of his death with a net worth of $1.2 billion.

• He retired in 2012 after serving as the chairman for 48 years.

• During his tenure, the Mahindra Group expanded beyond automobile manufacturing into other industries such as IT, real estate, financial services and hospitality.