Current Affairs 1st to 30th September 2024 PDF

SEPTEMBER 2024 – 1st to 30th 1|P a g e Contents 1. GA IN NEWS..................................................................................................................................9 FIRST IN NEWS................................................................................

SEPTEMBER 2024 – 1st to 30th 1|P a g e Contents 1. GA IN NEWS..................................................................................................................................9 FIRST IN NEWS....................................................................................................................................9 GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES.........................................................................................................12 SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES...................................................................................................17 MOUs AND AGREEMENTS............................................................................................................25 BANKING AND FINANCE................................................................................................................29 DEFENCE EXERCISES/ INITIATIVES/ TECHNOLOGY...........................................................32 ENVIRONMENT.................................................................................................................................35 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY............................................................................................................36 SPORTS...............................................................................................................................................39 AWARDS............................................................................................................................................42 APPOINTMENT.................................................................................................................................45 PERSONS IN NEWS..........................................................................................................................47 BOOKS AND AUTHORS..................................................................................................................49 FAIRS AND FESTIVALS..................................................................................................................49 PLACES IN NEWS.............................................................................................................................50 DAYS IN NEWS.................................................................................................................................51 MISCELLANEOUS............................................................................................................................55 2. GA + ESI.......................................................................................................................................58 PIB IN NEWS..........................................................................................................................................58 SOCIAL SECTORS IN INDIA – HEALTH......................................................................................58 2.1 Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas................................................................................................................58 2.2 National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP)..............................................................58 2.3 National Exit Test (NExT) for Ayush............................................................................................59 2.4 Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan............................................................................................59 2.5 Swachhata Hi Seva campaign-2024............................................................................................59 2.6 Union Health Ministry in the First 100 Days of the New Government.......................................60 2.7 Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) Campaign..........................................................60 2.8 100 Days Initiatives by the Department of Health Research......................................................61 2.9 National Medical Commission....................................................................................................62 2.10 Interactive TB Vaccines Dialogue.............................................................................................62 2.11 Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024..................................................................................................63 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.....................................63 2|P a g e 2.12 First International Solar Festival..............................................................................................63 2.13 Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ Initiative........................................................................................63 2.14 BHASKAR..................................................................................................................................64 2.15 World Ozone Day.....................................................................................................................65 2.16 Mission Mausam......................................................................................................................65 2.17 Maritime State Development Council (MSDC)........................................................................66 2.18 Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ Initiative........................................................................................66 2.19 Special Campaign 4.0...............................................................................................................67 2.20 National Seminar on ‘Sustainable Rural Livelihoods’..............................................................67 2.21 National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)...................................................................................67 2.22 8th India Water Week..............................................................................................................68 2.23 SCOMET (Special Chemicals Organisms Materials Equipment and Technologies) list...........69 2.24 International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).......................................................................................69 2.25 Ideas4LiFE................................................................................................................................70 2.26 Repairability Index...................................................................................................................70 2.27 Asian Development Bank (ADB)..............................................................................................70 2.28 National Workshop on Multi-level Action for Climate Resilient Cities...................................71 2.29 Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)..............................................................................71 2.30 Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).....................................................................................72 EMPLOYMENT GENERATION IN INDIA......................................................................................73 2.31 Centre for Rural Enterprise Acceleration through Technology (CREATE)...............................73 2.32 NCS Portal................................................................................................................................73 2.33 100 Days Programme of Office of Development Commissioner (Handlooms)......................73 2.34 ‘Create in India’ Challenges.....................................................................................................75 2.35 Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)...................................................................75 SOCIAL JUSTICE..............................................................................................................................76 2.36 Digital Life Certificate (DLC) Campaign 3.0..............................................................................76 2.37 POCSO Act, 2012......................................................................................................................76 2.38 Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA)................................................77 2.39 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)...........................................................................77 2.40 SARTHIE 1.0..............................................................................................................................78 2.41 National Workshop on Strengthening Senior Citizen Care in India........................................79 INDIAN POLITICAL SYSTEM........................................................................................................79 3|P a g e 2.42 23rd Law Commission..............................................................................................................79 2.43 27th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG)..............................................................80 2.44 National Workshop on Localization of SDGs in Gram Panchayats..........................................81 2.45 Parliamentary Committee on Official Language.....................................................................81 2.46 Competition Amendment Act 2023.........................................................................................82 2.47 Recommendations on the Connectivity to Access Service VNOs From More Than one NSO 83 2.48 High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections..................................................................83 2.49 PM's Visit to Gujarat................................................................................................................84 2.50 100 Days Action Plan of Department of Consumer Affairs.....................................................84 2.51 100 Day Programme of Textiles Ministry................................................................................85 2.52 Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa...........85 2.53 India AI Fellowship...................................................................................................................86 2.54 Department of Posts in the 100 Days......................................................................................86 2.55 Department of Telecommunications in the 100 Days.............................................................87 2.56 Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA).......................................................................................................88 2.57 Digi Yatra..................................................................................................................................88 2.58 100 Days Achievements of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.................................................89 2.59 Jan Vishwas 2.0........................................................................................................................89 2.60 Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas Abhiyan...........................................................................................90 2.61 Cruise Bharat Mission..............................................................................................................90 GLOBALIZATION..............................................................................................................................91 2.62 BRICS........................................................................................................................................91 2.63 Group of Twenty (G20)............................................................................................................92 2.64 3rd Board of Trade Meeting....................................................................................................93 2.65 Financial Action Task Force (FATF)..........................................................................................93 2.66 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)..............................................................................94 2.67 Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)..................................................................................94 2.68 Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)............................................................................................96 2.69 Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)................................................................................96 2.70 UNESCO Anti-Doping Convention............................................................................................97 2.71 G7 Ministers’ Meeting on Culture...........................................................................................97 2.72 Quad Principles for Development and Deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure..............98 2.73 India-US Relations....................................................................................................................99 4|P a g e 2.74 U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP)...........................................................100 2.75 21st ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Meeting....................................................................101 2.76 Summit of the Future............................................................................................................101 2.77 Finance Minister's Visit to Uzbekistan...................................................................................102 2.78 19th India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting.................................................103 2.79 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA)...............................................................103 2.80 Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GloBE Network)..............................................................................................................................................104 2.81 L.69 and C-10 Groupings........................................................................................................105 2.82 Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)....................................................................................106 2.83 8th Meeting of India-Myanmar Joint Trade Committee.......................................................106 2.84 3rd Edition of the Global AI Summit......................................................................................106 2.85 NATO......................................................................................................................................106 MONETARY AND FISCAL POLICY............................................................................................106 2.86 54th GST Council Meeting.....................................................................................................106 EXPORT-IMPORT POLICY..........................................................................................................107 2.87 Trade Connect e-Platform.....................................................................................................107 2.88 Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra (DNK)..............................................................................................108 2.89 Exports-Imports During April-August 2024...........................................................................108 INDIAN AGRICULTURE.................................................................................................................109 2.90 United Nations World Food Programme - Country Programme Advisory Committee (CPAC) 109 INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIA.................................................................................110 2.91 National Blockchain Framework (NBF)..................................................................................110 2.92 Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP)...................................................................................110 2.93 Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) Working Paper......................110 2.94 IP Saarthi Chatbot..................................................................................................................111 2.95 ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce).......................................................................111 2.96 Paridhi 24x25.........................................................................................................................112 2.97 Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP)............................................................................112 2.98 National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR)................................................................................................................113 2.99 Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways - 100 Days Review...............................................114 2.100 Government e Marketplace (GeM).......................................................................................115 5|P a g e PRIORITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF ECONOMIC SURVEY AND UNION BUDGET.............................................................................................................................................115 2.101 Union Budget 2024................................................................................................................115 2.102 Enhanced Monetary Limit for Filing Appeals........................................................................116 MEASUREMENT OF GROWTH...................................................................................................116 2.103 GST Collection in August 2024...............................................................................................116 2.104 India's Exceptional Growth Trajectory..................................................................................117 2.105 Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for August 2024.......................................................................117 2.106 Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) for July 2024...................................117 2.107 Index of Industrial Production (IIP)........................................................................................118 2.108 All India Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August 2024..........................................................118 2.109 Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI)........................................................................................118 CHANGES IN INDUSTRIAL AND LABOUR POLICY, SINCE REFORMS OF 1991...........118 2.110 eShram Portal........................................................................................................................118 2.111 Minimum Wage Rates for Workers.......................................................................................118 OTHER NEWS..................................................................................................................................119 SOCIAL SECTORS - EDUCATION.............................................................................................119 2.112 Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR).............................................119 2.113 Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).............................................................119 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMETAL ISSUES......................................121 2.114 International Solar Alliance...................................................................................................121 2.115 Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF)..........................................................122 2.116 Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage............................................................................122 2.117 EC Guidelines for Battery Waste Management.....................................................................122 INDIAN POLITICAL SYSTEM......................................................................................................123 2.118 Standing Committee on Statistics (SCoS)..............................................................................123 2.119 Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024........123 MONETARY AND FISCAL POLICY............................................................................................124 2.120 Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council...................................................................................124 2.121 India’s Fiscal Deficit for April-August.....................................................................................124 EXPORT-IMPORT POLICY..........................................................................................................125 2.122 India’s Exports in August 2024..............................................................................................125 REGIONAL ECONOMIC COOPERATIONS...............................................................................125 2.123 BRICS New Development Bank..............................................................................................125 6|P a g e 3. GA + FINANCE..........................................................................................................................126 PIB IN NEWS........................................................................................................................................126 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY MARKET...................................................................................126 3.1 Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA).....................................................126 FUNCTIONS OF RESERVE BANK OF INDIA.............................................................................126 3.2 Government’s Borrowing Plan for the Second Half of FY 2024-25..........................................126 FINTECH............................................................................................................................................127 3.3 Digital Payments........................................................................................................................127 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN FINANCIAL SECTOR.............................................................128 3.4 MCA21 Portal............................................................................................................................128 3.5 Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)......................................................................128 OTHER NEWS..................................................................................................................................128 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY MARKET...................................................................................128 3.6 SEBI Committee on listing obligations......................................................................................128 3.7 MSCI Emerging Market (EM) Investable Market Index (IMI)....................................................129 3.8 MSCI All Country World Investable Market Index (ACWI IMI).................................................129 3.9 SEBI Guidelines for Public Issues of Debt Securities.................................................................130 3.10 Stock Market Rules Change...................................................................................................130 3.11 Revised Rules on Bonus Shares.............................................................................................131 3.12 New Asset Class Introduced by SEBI......................................................................................131 BANKING SYSTEM IN INDIA.......................................................................................................132 3.13 National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID)..............................132 FUNCTIONS OF RESERVE BANK OF INDIA.............................................................................133 3.14 Daava Soochak for Depositors...............................................................................................133 3.15 OCI Cardholders.....................................................................................................................133 FINTECH............................................................................................................................................134 3.16 Bharat Bill Payment System...................................................................................................134 3.17 UPI Lite...................................................................................................................................134 3.18 Increase in UPI Transaction Limit..........................................................................................135 3.19 Payment Aggregator..............................................................................................................135 3.20 Unified Payments Interface (UPI)..........................................................................................136 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN FINANCIAL SECTOR.............................................................136 3.21 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)............................................................................................136 7|P a g e  3.22 FCRA (Foreign Contribution Registration Act).......................................................................137 3.23 Conference of Chairpersons of Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunals (DRATs) and Presiding Officers of Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs)........................................................................................137 Quick Revision...................................................................................................................................138 8|P a g e  1. GA IN NEWS FIRST IN NEWS S.No News Key Facts First Indian company to Company Name: Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). 1. exceed Rs 10 lakh crore in Recorded a consolidated turnover of Rs 10,00,122 crore for the annual revenue financial year 2023-24. Developed by ISRO's Space Applications Centre. Launched aboard the EOS-08 satellite. A small-sized, lightweight, low-power Global Navigation Satellite India’s first space-borne 2. System -Reflectometry (GNSS-R) instrument. precision receiver Captures reflected signals to study soil moisture, surface inundation, and ocean wind/wave measurements from 475 km above Earth. First Indian life insurer to commence operations in 3. Name: IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Ltd. Gujarat International Finance Tec City (GIFT City) Treaty Name: The Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law The world's first legally Signatories: 57 countries, including major AI developers like the US, 4. binding international treaty UK, and EU, alongside countries such as Japan, Canada, and Israel. on artificial intelligence (AI) Objective: to balance AI innovation with the protection of human rights and democracy, ensuring accountability for harmful AI outcomes while promoting responsible global cooperation. Arab world's first nuclear Name: Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. 5. power plant Location: Al Dhafra, UAE. Location: Abu Dhabi. Partner Institutions o Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence: To host internships, conduct joint research, and provide seed grants for First International Campus projects. 6. of IIT Delhi o Khalifa University: Focus on research collaborations and academic exchanges. o Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and Zayed University: To facilitate joint research projects, student exchanges, and scholarly projects. First Indian ambassador of Name: Sharath Kamal. the International Table 7. Additional Information Tennis Federation (ITTF) Sharath Kamal holds the record for the most medals ever won in Foundation table tennis at the Commonwealth Games, with a total of 13 medals. Name: YEB BANK POP-CLUB RuPay credit card 9|P a g e  Launched by POP, in collaboration with RuPay and Yes Bank. India's First Multi-Brand Co- Additional Information 8. Branded Credit Card POP, a fintech platform for direct-to-consumer brands, founded by former Flipkart employees. India's first insurance policy Name: Special Care Gold Insurance Policy. 9. in Braille Launched by Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. Ltd. Name: FWD 200B. Launched by: Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA), India's first combat 10. Bengaluru-based UAV manufacturer. unmanned aircraft A Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV)l Range: 800 km. Name: HDB Financial Services (HDBFS). About e-KYC Setu System First Non-Banking Financial Developed in collaboration with National Payments Corporation of 11. Company (NBFC) to launch India (NPCI) and Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). NPCI's e-KYC Setu System Simplifies and accelerates customer onboarding by providing a fully digital, OTP-based e-KYC process, eliminating the need for physical document submissions or branch visits. Launched by: Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund (MOMF). Fund Name: Motilal Oswal Nifty 500 Momentum 50 Index Fund. Objective: To track the performance of high-momentum stocks within India's first 500 Momentum the Nifty 500 index, providing exposure to stocks that show strong 12. 50 Index Fund price performance over 6 months to 1 year. Additional Information The Nifty 500 Momentum 50 index includes stocks from all three market capitalization segments: large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap. India's first vulture breeding Name: Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre. 13. and conservation center for Location: Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. Asian King Vultures Country Name: Mexico. First country in the world to Around 1,600 judges, including Supreme Court judges, will stand for 14. allow the popular election of election in 2025 or 2027. judges at all levels The reform was pushed by the Outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Launched by Hitachi Payment Services. India's first Android-based Developed in collaboration with the National Payments Corporation 15. Cash Recycling Machine of India (NPCI). (CRM) ATM It functions as a digital banking unit (DBU). Name: Squadron Leader Mohana Singh. She operating the The first woman fighter indigenously 'Made in India' 16. pilot to join the elite 18 LCA Tejas fighter jet 'Flying Bullets' squadron during the historic 'Tarang Shakti' exercise in Jodhpur, alongside the Vice Chiefs of the three Indian armed forces. 10 | P a g e  She is from Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. India's First Multi-Sensor, All-Weather, High-Revisit To be set up by Nibe Space Pvt. Ltd. (NSPL), a subsidiary of Nibe 17. Earth Observation Satellite Limited. Constellation Name: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portuguest Footballer). Additional Information First individual to reach one Cristiano Ronaldo also became the first football player to score 900 18. billion followers across career goals. social media platforms Milestone achieved during a UEFA Nations League match against Croatia in Lisbon. His closest rival, Lionel Messi, has scored 838 goals. First Open Water Swimming Expedition Name: ‘Expedition Param Vir’. Expedition to 21 islands of Objective: To commemorate the first anniversary of renaming the 19. the Andaman & Nicobar islands after the awardees. archipelago, named after Flagged-off on March 22, 2024 (World Water Day) from Shri Param Vir Chakra awardees Vijayapuram. India's first Silicon Carbide Location: Odisha, at EMC Park, Infovalley, Bhubaneswar. 20. manufacturing facility To be developed by RIR Power Electronics Limited. First Pakistani woman nominated to the ICC 21. Name of the Person: Saleema Imtiaz. International Panel of Development Umpires Nigeria's First Floating Name of the Initiative: UTM Offshore Ltd. 22. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Location: Offshore Akwa Ibom state. Facility Renamed to Namo Bharat Rapid Rail. Route: Ahmedabad to Bhuj; Maximum Speed: 110 km/h. India’s first Vande Metro Additional Information 23. service The first 20-coach Vande Bharat train from Varanasi to Delhi was also recently inaugurated. Manufactured at Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory (ICF). International Cricket Council (ICC) has It will begin with the Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE in 2024. announced equal prize Winners: Women’s T20 World Cup winners will receive $2.34 million. 24. money for men’s and Runners-Up: Will get $1.17 million. women’s World Cup events The total prize fund for the Women’s T20 World Cup is $7.96 million. for the first time Laucnhed in Sharjah, UAE during the Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF World’s first trade licence 2024. 25. issued entirely through Allows entrepreneurs and investors to complete the licensing process artificial intelligence (AI) in less than five minutes. Location: Singapore. First Overseas Office of About Invest India 26. Invest India The National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency. Formed in 2009 under Section 25 of the Companies Act. 11 | P a g e  Name: Certified Security Professional for Artificial Intelligence (CSPAI) program. First-ever (ANSI National Launched by Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT- Accreditation Board) ANAB- 27. In) & SISA through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). accredited AI security Designed to equip cybersecurity professionals with the skills to certification integrate AI into business applications securely and to address the evolving AI threat landscape. Developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). India’s first Oxygen Bird 28. Located near Jamtha, Nagpur along the Nagpur-Hyderabad National Park (Amrit Mahotsav Park) Highway-44 in Maharashtra. First Southeast Asian Name of the country: Thailand. 29. country to legalize same- Thailand joins Taiwan and Nepal as the third Asian country to sex marriage legalize same-sex marriage. Name of the Winner: Sangram Singh. The fight was won in one minute and thirty seconds, marking the First Indian male wrestler to fastest win ever recorded by an Indian fighter in the 93 kg division. 30. win an MMA (Mixed Martial Runner-up: Ali Raza Nasir (Pakistan). Arts) Milestone achieved during Gama International Fighting Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia. Being established in Pune, Maharashtra. India's first CO2-to- A collaboration between IIT-Delhi and Thermax Limited under a 31. methanol pilot plant Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES S.No Initiative Key Facts India's first section 8 not-for-profit company to lead the commercialization of graphene technology. Focus on applications across electronics, energy storage, healthcare, material coating, and sustainable material development. India Graphene Set up by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology 1. Engineering and Innovation (MeitY). Centre (IGEIC) R&D Setup: Located in Trivandrum, Kerala. Business Hub: Bangalore, Karnataka. Manufacturing Unit: Supported by the Kerala government, situated in Palakkad, Kerala. The initiative is part of the broader Viksit Bharat@2047 vision. Organized by National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG). 1st Advanced Leadership Beneficiaries: 22 Civil Servants from 10 Latin American & Caribbean Development Program on countries (Argentina, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Public Policy and 2. Jamaica, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Suriname). Governance for Latin Topics covered include Digital Public Service Delivery, Aadhaar as a American & Caribbean tool for Good Governance, Skill India, PM Gati Shakti, Urban Countries Governance, and Sustainable Cities. New Rail Line Project Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). 3. Between Mumbai and Cost: Rs 18,036 crore. Indore The shortest rail route between these two cities (309 km). 12 | P a g e  Supports PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity and Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. Developed by Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), a company promoted by NHAI. To be installed at 100 toll plazas across India in the initial phase based Global Navigation Satellite on congestion reports received through the National Highway System (GNSS)-based 4. helpline (1033). Electronic Toll Collection Objective: To ensure seamless movement of traffic and reduce (ETC) system congestion at toll plazas. Initially be implemented alongside the existing FASTag system in a hybrid model Launched by the Ministry of Law and Justice and NIC. Aim: to provide a seamless, efficient, and transparent system for 5. New Notary Portal notary appointments, issuance/renewal of Certificates of Practice, and submission of annual returns. Achievement: Over 52 crore saplings have been planted nationwide 6. Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam as part of the campaign. Note: Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam discussed in August 2024 CurrentTap. Organizer: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Duration: August 27 to August 30, 2024. Venues: Major Dhyan Chand Stadium and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Khel Utsav 2024 (First 7. in New Delhi. edition) Launched as a part of celebrations for the National Sports Day 2024, honoring the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. First set of rules under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (the Act). Aim: Enhance management and implementation of the Digital Bharat Nidhi, established under section 24(1) of the Act. Key Facts o Digital Bharat Nidhi replaces the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) created under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. o Funds Allocation: Target underserved areas and groups (e.g., women, persons with disabilities, economically weaker sections). Telecommunications o Eligibility/Criteria for projects funded under Digital Bharat Nidhi 8. (Administration of Digital ✓ Telecommunication services in underserved areas. Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024 ✓ Promote innovation, R&D, and indigenous technology. ✓ Next-generation telecom technologies in rural, remote, and urban areas. ✓ Support green and sustainable technologies. o Implementer Responsibility: Any funded implementer must share network services on an open, non-discriminatory basis. Aligned with Government of India’s principles of Inclusion (Samavesh), Security (Suraksha), Growth (Vriddhi), and Responsiveness (Tvarit), aiming for Viksit Bharat @ 2047. Shasan Aplya Dari Initiative of Government of Maharashtra. 9. (Government at Your Objective: Provide the benefits of various government schemes Doorstep Scheme) directly to citizens at a single location. 13 | P a g e  Launched by Ministry of Panchayati Raj in partnership with Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Amritsar. Participants: Elected Representatives and Functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) from ten States- Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Residential Management Topics: Leadership, management, rural innovation, Own Source Development Programme 10. Revenue (OSR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). (MDP) for Panchayati Raj Key Focus: Increasing Own Source Revenue to empower Panchayats Institutions (PRIs) and make them financially sustainable, supporting the vision of Saksham (capable) Panchayats. About Leadership / Management Development Programme Launched in January 2024 by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Objective: to enhance the leadership and management skills of Panchayat representatives and officials. The first-ever nation-wide IP (Intellectual Property) in Tourism sector. Ministry: Ministry of Tourism; Launch Place: Srinagar. Aim: Engage citizens to identify preferred tourist attractions across Dekho Apna Desh, People's five categories: Spiritual, Cultural & Heritage, Nature & Wildlife, 11. Choice 2024 Adventure, and Others. Will also help identify unexplored tourism destinations such as Vibrant Border Villages, Wellness Tourism, and Wedding Tourism. Outcome: Prioritize the development of top tourist attractions into world-class destinations, supported by substantial investments. Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA) plans to boost the export of Indian alcoholic and non- Promotion of Alcoholic alcoholic beverages globally. 12. Beverage Exports under Target: to reach $1 billion in export revenues in the coming years. ‘Make in India’ Initiative Additional Information India currently ranks 40th in alcoholic beverage exports. It will be modelled after Rajasthan’s Jan Soochna Portal. Information portal of 13. Objective: Strengthen the grievance redressal system and public Telangana accountability. Developed by: ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA). Supported by: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Aim: enhancing the ornamental fisheries sector, offering Rangeen Machhli mobile comprehensive resources for hobbyists, aquarium shop owners, and 14. app fish farmers. Key Features: Multilingual information on ornamental fish in eight Indian languages "Find Aquarium Shops" tool to locate shops Educational modules on aquarium care and ornamental aquaculture. Initiative of Government of Maharashtra. Tribal University in Nashik, 15. 80% of the seats will be reserved for students from tribal Maharashtra communities. 33% Reservation for Initiative of Government of Rajasthan. 16. Women in State Police Force Additional Information 14 | P a g e  The Rajasthan Cabinet also approved a 5% additional allowance for pensioners aged 70 to 75. Launched by Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT) under the Union Education Ministry. A central repository of technical and scientific terminologies in all 22 17. ‘shabd’ web portal official Indian languages. Hosts 322 glossaries with around 22,00,000 words available for search. Target: to make 450 glossaries available. Initiative of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. To be held in Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. 18. Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav Objective: To celebrate the cultural and economic heritage of the eight Northeastern states of India, collectively known as Ashtalakshmi. First Foundation Day program of the I4C held in Delhi. Initiative of launched during the event Samanvay Platform (Joint Cybercrime Investigation Facilitation System): a web-based module; a one stop portal for data repository of cybercrime, data sharing, crime mapping, data analytics, cooperation and coordination platform for LEAs across India. 'Cyber Commandos' Program o A special wing of trained 'Cyber Commandos' in States/UTs and Central Police Organizations (CPOs) to counter threats of cyber security landscape in the country. o Aims to train 5,000 cyber commandos over the next 5 years to secure the digital landscape. Indian Cybercrime Suspect Registry: A national-level cyber suspect registry to prevent 19. Coordination Centre (I4C) cybercrimes, connecting states and financial institutions for fraud risk management. Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) o Established at 14C in New Delhi. o Objective: to bring together banks, financial institutions, telecom providers, and law enforcement agencies to combat online financial crimes. About I4C Initiative of Ministry of Home Affairs.Established in New Delhi. Objective: to provide a framework and eco-system for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) for dealing with Cybercrime in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. Act as a nodal point to curb cybercrime in India. 8 new Inclusive Technology Business Incubators (i-TBIs) inaugurated at institutions across India under the program. i-TBIs (Inclusive Technology Business Incubators) is a three-year initiative. National Initiative for Aim: promoting innovation and fostering an entrepreneurial culture 20. Developing and Harnessing within educational institutions, benefiting students, faculty, Innovations (NIDHI) entrepreneurs, and surrounding communities. A new website of DST-NIDHI was also launched to commemorate 8 years of the launch of NIDHI program. DST-GDC IIT Madras INCUBATE Program for Deep Tech Startups was also launched. 15 | P a g e  All the initiatives were designed to support to innovators largely from Tier II & Tier III cities and provide targeted assistance to Start-ups at critical stages of growth. About NIDHI Launch Year: 2016. Nodal Department: Dept. of Science and Technology (DST). Objective: Nurture ideas and innovations, turning them into successful startups by fostering a robust innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem. Implemented through Technology Business Incubators (TBIs). Funding Agency: National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB). Key Components o NIDHI PRAYAS: Promotion and Acceleration of Young and Aspiring technology entrepreneurs o NIDHI EIR: Entrepreneur In Residence o NIDHI TBI: Technology Business Incubator o NIDHI iTBI: Inclusive Technology Business Incubator o NIDHI Accelerator: Startup Acceleration Programme o NIDHI SSS: Seed Support System o NIDHI COE: Centres of Excellence. A flagship initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). Aligned with Swachhata Hi Seva initiative under the Swachh Bharat Mission. Swachh Sagar, Surakshit 21. Aim: Raising awareness about marine pollution, conserving coastal Sagar 3.0 areas, and promoting cleanliness and sustainable practices to protect oceans and preserve marine ecosystems. First Edition: 2022. Uttarakhand Public and Allows for the full recovery of damages caused to public and private 22. Private Property Damage property during protests, riots, or strikes. Recovery Bill Maximum Penalty: Rs 8 lakh. Launched by Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Communication. 23. Application The app's user-friendly interface allows individuals to upload photos of the trees they plant as a tribute to their mothers. Launched by Ministry of Power in collaboration with CERT-In. Computer Security Incident Aim: to protect India's power sector from cyber threats by enhancing 24. Response Team – Power cybersecurity resilience, coordinating responses, and implementing (CSIRT-Power) proactive defense measures to safeguard this critical infrastructure. Aligns with the National Cyber Security Policy, 2013. Launched by Department of Science and Technology (DST) in partnership with the British Council. Aim: to promote gender-inclusive practices and foster women's Women in Space leadership in space sciences through a strategic leadership 25. Leadership Programme’ framework. (WiSLP) Target: to build the leadership capacity of 250 early career researchers, equipping them with the tools to navigate gender biases and build a sustainable support network. 16 | P a g e  Delivery Partner: Coventry University. SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES S.No Focus Area Key Outcomes First bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei Darussalam. The visit marks the 40th anniversary of India and Brunei's diplomatic relations. Key Outcome: Bilateral ties entered in 1984 elevated to ‘Enhanced Partnership. PM Modi’s Official Visit to Significance: Brunei is a pivotal ally in driving India’s 'Act East' Policy and 1. Brunei Darussalam- shaping its Indo-Pacific Vision Highlights Met with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, the PM of Brunei at Istana Nurul Iman , the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei. o Focus Areas of Discussion: Defence, trade, space, agriculture, education, and food security. An MoU on satellite tracking and launch cooperation was renewed. Inaugurated a new Chancery of the High Commission of India. The visit marked the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as both nations gear up for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025 Met with Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore. India’s first Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre to be opened in Singapore. MoUs were exchanged in Semiconductors, Digital Technologies, Skill PM Modi’s Official Visit to Development, and Healthcare. 2. Singapore- Highlights Reviewed progress in bilateral areas like trade, investment, defence, security, technology, and connectivity. Highlighted six pillars of cooperation identified during the Ministerial Roundtables - Advanced Manufacturing, Connectivity, Digitalization, Healthcare & Medicine, Skills Development and Sustainability. o Special focus to be provided for semiconductors and critical and emerging technologies. President of India unveiled the new Supreme Court flag and insignia. New Supreme Court flag is blue in colour. National Conference of It features the Ashoka Chakra, the Supreme Court building, and the 3. Constitution of India, with the motto "Yato Dharmastato Jayah" District Judiciary (Where there is Dharma, there is victory). Note: National Conference of District Judiciary discussed in CurrentTap August 2024. Organizers: Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of 2024 Chief Science India and the Natural Sciences Sector of UNESCO. 4. Advisers' Roundtable Venue: Paris, France. (CSAR) Theme: "Fostering open science, bridging knowledge asymmetry, and building science advice capacity globally." 17 | P a g e  Co-chairs: Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to India, and Dr. Lidia Brito, Assistant Director General (Natural Sciences) of UNESCO. Launched during India's G20 Presidency 2023 as a Sherpa-track initiative. South Africa will take this initiative forward after 2024. Organizers: Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), in Sagarmanthan: The Great partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). 5. Oceans Dialogue (1st Venue: Mumbai. edition) A platform for maritime partnerships that aligns India's maritime priorities with international goals and fosters the growth of the blue economy. Organizer: School of Business Environment, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA). Theme: Escalating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) for National Conference on Viksit Bharat; Venue: New Delhi. 6. Responsible Business Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) Data Conduct 2024 Portal was released. ‘Embracing ESG in India’ by Dr. Garima Dadhich & Dr. Ravi Raj Atrey was released. Organizer: Department of Youth Affairs. National Convention of Venue: Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. 7. District Youth Officers Themes: Viksit Bharat 2047, Seva Se Seekhen, Youth in public life, FIT India Clubs, Swachh Bharat Mission – Naya Sankalp. International Conference Organizer: ASM International, India Chapter. on Materials Engineering Venue: Mumbai, India. 8. and Technology (with Focus: The role of advanced materials in key sectors such as energy, synergic Heat Treat HTS) defense, space, healthcare, and agriculture. Organizers: Consortium of Textile Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), supported by the Ministry of Textiles. 9. Bharat Tex 2025 Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi & India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida. Theme: Resilient global value chains and textile sustainability. Organizers: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, Sankala National Conference on Foundation, supported by NITI Aayog and Ministry of Health & Family Universal Access to Welfare (MoHFW). 10. Venue: New Delhi. Healthcare: Digital Solutions Additional Information India aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030. Pacific Asia Travel Venue: Bangkok, Thailand. 11. Association (PATA) Additional Information Travel Mart 2024 In 2023, India welcomed a total of 9.24 million foreign tourists. 12. Hosted by India at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. 18 | P a g e  Key Appointment Appointee: Raja Randhir Singh (Former shooter and five-time Olympian); Tenure: 2024-2028 Position: President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Significance: First Indian to be elected as OCA President Previous Role: Acting President of OCA. Predecessor: Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah (Kuwait). Key Announcement Yoga to be featured as a demonstration sport at 2026 Asian Games in 44th General Assembly of Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. the Olympic Council of India officially announced its bid to host the 2030 Youth Olympics (5 th Asia (OCA) edition). India aims to host 2036 Olympics. Key Information Shared Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action (ASMITA)- Aimed at enhancing women’s participation in sports and promoting gender equality across 18 disciplines About Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Establishment Year: 1981; HQ: Kuwait. To be hosted by India for the first time at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. International Cooperative Organizing Body: International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). Alliance (ICA) General Theme: "Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All". 13. Assembly and Global UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 to be officially launched at Cooperative Conference the event. 2024 About International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Establishment: 1895; HQ: Brussels, Belgium. 64th Annual Session of Automotive Component Venue: New Delhi. 14. Manufacturers Key Information Shared: The auto component sector will reach the $100 Association of India billion export target by 2030. (ACMA) 5th India-Philippines Venue: Manila, Philippines. Joint Defence Significance: coincides with the 75th anniversary of India-Philippines 15. Cooperation Committee diplomatic relations and 10 years of India's Act East Policy. (JDCC) Meeting The JDCC is part of the MoU on defence cooperation signed in 2006. Venue: Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF), New Delhi, India Organizers: International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and 2nd International Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) 16. Buddhist Media Conclave Theme: "Mindful Communication for Conflict Avoidance and Sustainable Development" Guest of Honour: Baichung Bhutia. His first official visit to India. MoUs signed: Sheikh Khaled bin Signatories Objective Mohamed bin Zayed Al 17. Emirates Nuclear Energy To enhance cooperation in nuclear Nahyan, Crown Prince of Company (ENEC) and power plant operations and explore Abu Dhabi - Highlights Nuclear Power Corporation of mutual investment opportunities. India Limited (NPCIL) 19 | P a g e  Abu Dhabi National Oil For the supply of 1 MMTPA of LNG, Company (ADNOC) and marking the third such contract in a Indian Oil Corporation Limited year. (IOCL) ADNOC and India Strategic To explore additional opportunities Petroleum Reserve Limited for crude storage and renew existing (ISPRL) agreements. Urja Bharat (a JV of Indian Oil Granting concession for Urja Bharat Corporation Limited and for crude oil production in the UAE. Bharat Petro Resources Ltd) and ADNOC (Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1) Government of Gujarat and To develop food parks in Gujarat, Abu Dhabi Developmental with the project expected to Holding Company PJSC commence in Q2 2025. (ADQ) Venue: India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Theme: “Shaping the Semiconductor Future”. Organizers: Indian Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and SEMI, in 18. SEMICON India 2024 collaboration with India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA). Side event: Semiconductor Executives' Summit. Significance: “India's semiconductor market, currently valued at $23.2 billion, is projected to grow to $80.3 billion by 2028”- Invest India Report. 'Greening Steel: Pathway 19. Host: Ministry of Steel; Venue: New Delhi. to Sustainability' Event Location: Pragati Maidan, New Delhi Global Bio-India 2024 Organizer: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & 20. (4th Edition) Technology, Government of India, and BIRAC. Theme: Transforming Lives: Biosciences to Bioeconomy. Follows the first Ministerial Conference held in Beijing, China, in 2018. Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi Hosts: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. Outcome: The Draft Asia Pacific Ministerial Declaration on Civil Aviation (Delhi Declaration) was adopted unanimously. 2nd Asia Pacific o A comprehensive framework for enhanced regional cooperation, 21. Ministerial Conference on addressing challenges, and promoting sustainable growth in civil Civil Aviation aviation. The event commemorated ICAO’s 80th anniversary and the historical significance of the Chicago Convention. Additional Information India is the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world, after the United States and China. Purpose: Recognizes the key contributors to India’s impressive 4th Global Renewable milestone of surpassing 200 GW of installed non-fossil fuel capacity. 22. Energy Investment Meet Venue: Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. & Expo (RE-INVEST 2024) o Held for the first time outside Delhi. Organizers: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) & IREDA. 20 | P a g e  Central Theme: Mission 500 GW. Theme: "Invest, Innovate, and Inspire" Partner Countries: Australia, Denmark, Germany, and Norway. Partner States: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh. Industry Partner: Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Investment Commitments: o Banks, financial institutions, and renewable energy (RE) companies committed investments of Rs 32.5 trillion towards RE projects by 2030, aiming to add 570 Gw of capacity. o Top 3 Capacity Commitments: Reliance Industries (RIL) (100 Gw) NTPC (41.3 Gw) and ReNew (40 Gw). o Adani New Industries Ltd (ANIL) pledged to set up the highest 3.9 Gw of wind turbine manufacturing, followed by Suzlon Energy at 2.8 Gw. o Banks and financial institutions (FIs) submitted a commitment of Rs 24.8 trillion for financing RE projects o Among Banks, SBI made the largest announcement with Rs 5 trillion, followed by PNB with Rs 79,000 crore. o These commitments are part of the 'Shapath Patra' initiative, designed to showcase India’s investment attractiveness in the green energy sector. Key Information Shared o India needs an investment of ₹30 lakh crores to reach its goal of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. o Indi is the 4th largest country in renewable energy capacity. o India is the first G20 nation to achieve the climate commitments set in Paris, 9 years ahead of the target of 2030. o Achievements of MNRE in the First 100 Days of the Government ✓ Two Solar Parks completed. ✓ 1 Lakh Solar Pumps installed under PM KUSUM. ✓ Under PM Surya Ghar Scheme, 3.56 lakh Rooftop Solar systems installed. ✓ Cumulative 13.8 GW Solar Module production commenced in the Solar PLI Scheme. ✓ Non-Fossil Installed Capacity reached 207.76 GW. ✓ IREDA has incorporated a subsidiary “IREDA Global Green Energy Finance IFSC Ltd” in GIFT City. Venue: Kona, Hawaii, U.S. Host: Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Total Participants: 28 countries and multinational organizations 26th Indo-Pacific Chiefs of including India. 23. Defence (IP-CHOD) Theme: "The Future Indo-Pacific: Building a Resilient and conference Interconnected Region". Focus Areas of Discussion: Regional security, Counter-terrorism, Maritime domain awareness and cooperation & Joint training and exercises. 2nd International Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Conference on Green Organizers: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Office of 24. Hydrogen (ICGH 2024) the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India in association with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Department of 21 | P a g e  Science and Technology, and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Implementation Partner: Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). Knowledge Partner: EY. Industry Partner: Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI). Partner Country: US; Partner State: Gujarat. Side events: Green Hydrogen Hackathon ‘GH2THON’ and a youth session ‘Green Hydrogen for Youth’. Key Highlights and Announcements o India selected as the exclusive partner for European Hydrogen Week. o A Letter of Intent signed between Chane Terminal, Netherlands and ACME Cleantech from India for Ammonia import terminals. Key Information Shared o New Delhi G-20 Leaders’ Declaration adopted five high-level voluntary principles on Hydrogen. o India witnessed 300% increase in non-fossil fuel capacity and a 3000% increase in solar energy capacity over the past decade. o Over four crore green jobs projected by 2050 in emerging Hydrogen economy. Co-hosts: US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and Stanford University. Venue: Stanford University, California, USA. Theme: "Harnessing Investment Opportunities to Enhance Cross-Border Defence Innovation Ecosystems". Key Highlights An MoU signed between Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) under India's Ministry of Defence and the Defence Innovation Unit (DIU) under the US Department of Defense. o Objective: To increase cooperation in defence innovation, INDUS-X Summit (3rd facilitating industry, research, and investment partnerships. 25. A platform for joint showcase of next generation technologies by edition) startups/MSMEs. Enables critical dialogue through Senior Advisory Group and Senior Leaders Forum, the two advisory forums under INDUS-X. Background The INDUS-X initiative is being steered by iDEX & DIU. First edition held in June 2023. Defence Related Agreements signed between India and the US Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) Organizer: Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. World Food India 2024 Supported by nine Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, India’s Premier Food 8 associated bodies, and 26 states. 26. Innovation Event Aim: to become the largest event for the food processing and allied sectors in India. (3rd edition) Five Key Pillars: o Food Irradiation: Ensuring Safety and Extending Shelf Life. o Plant-based Proteins: Innovations and Impact 22 | P a g e  o Minimum Waste, Maximum Value o Sustainable Packaging in Food Processing Industries o Ensuring Food Safety for All from Farm to Fork. Partner Country: Japan; Focus Countries: Vietnam & Iran First Edition: Held in 2017. Side Events 2nd Global Food Regulators Summit o Host: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. o Concluded with a Pledge to Strengthen Food Safety Systems across the Globe. o Key Launches ✓ Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA) and Food Import Clearance System 2.0 (FICS 2.0) for improved food safety practices and transparency. o “Flavours of Shree Anna – Sehat aur Swaad Ke Sang,” a 13- episode show on Doordarshan promoting millet-based recipes. o MoUs/ Agreements signed ✓ FSSAI & Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA): To enhance food safety and align regulatory frameworks between India and Bhutan; Simplify the food import procedure and foster technical collaboration. ✓ FSSAI & Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), Brazil: To enhance food safety through joint projects and technical collaboration; Foster cooperation and knowledge exchange between India and Brazil in the area of food safety. Swaad Sutra- a culinary contest, showcasing regional dishes from across India. Startup Grand Challenge 2.0 o Organizers: MoFPI & Startup India. o Aim: Catalysing innovation and accelerating technological advancements. o Problem Statements: ✓ Valorisation of residue/waste emerging from Agri/food value chains. ✓ Novel Technologies for development of nutritious and palatable food products. ✓ Improving water use efficiency through process modifications. o Financial and incubation support will be provided to winners through the NIFTEM-Kundli Venue: New Delhi. Chaired by: Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs. Aim: to advance global collaboration in the fight against doping, 2nd Formal Meeting of the emphasizing the importance of integrity, fairness, and inclusivity in COP9 Bureau and the sport. 3rd Formal Meeting of the MoU was signed between NADA and National Law University (NLU) 27. Fund Approval Committee Delhi, focusing on anti-doping law, policy, education, and under the UNESCO collaboration in research and awareness initiatives. International Convention Inclusion Conclave (2nd edition) organized on the sidelines against Doping in Sport o Flagship Initiative of National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). o Aim: to create a more inclusive landscape in anti-doping efforts, focusing on diversity, accessibility, and the protection of athletes’ rights. 23 | P a g e  o NADA India’s Anti-Doping Guide was released in Braille Script. Venue: New Delhi. Organizer: Indian Ferroalloys & Producers' Association (IFAPA). Theme: “Green industrial transition and the pressing need to 4th International Ferro decarbonise the steel and ferroalloys industries”. 28. Alloys Conference About IFAPA The apex body of the domestic ferroalloys industry. Established in 1961. A platform for Divyang artisans to showcase and sell their products while promoting inclusivity and self-reliance. Venue: Visakhapatnam. Organizer: Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of 29. 19th Divya Kala Mela India, through National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC). Showcased products and craftsmanship of 100 Divyang artisans, artists, and entrepreneurs from around 20 States/UT. First edition: 2022. Organizers: CSIR in partnership with APCTT-UN ESCAP (Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology), and WAITRO (World Association of Industrial & Technological Research). Designed and coordinated by CSIR-National Institute of Science Conclave on Policy Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) with CSIR- Deliberations for 30. International International S&T Affairs Directorate (CSIR-ISTAD). Strengthening South- Hosted by NIScPR through online mode. South Cooperation Focus Areas: Strengthening cooperation among South countries in science, technology, and innovation to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for SDGs). Venue: New Delhi. Organizer: Ministry of Home Affairs. 7th National Security Discussions focused on solutions for major national security challenges. 31. Strategies Conference – Conceptualized by Prime Minister Modi during the DGsP/IGsP 2024 Conference to enhance participation and find effective solutions to security issues. Venue: New Delhi. Organizers: Indian Army, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Tourism, Border Area Development 32. Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Conclave 2024 Telecommunications, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and Centre for Land Warfare Studies. Conclave on “Buddha’s Organizers: Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the International Buddhist 33. Madhyama Marg to guide Confederation; Venue: Mumbai. future Global Leadership” Aadi Vyakhyan 06: National Seminar on Organizers: National Tribal Research Institute (NTRI) and Center for Preserving Tribal Endangered Languages (CFEL), Visva-Bharati University. 34. Languages Utilising Venue: Bhasha Bhavana, Santiniketan (Hybrid Mode). Technology & Indian Key Focus Area: Importance of preserving tribal languages to retain oral Multilingualism: Policy & history, customs, and indigenous knowledge. Practices 24 | P a g e  National Symposium of Venue: Goa. Compound Livestock 35. O.P. Choudhary , former Joint Secretary of the Department of Animal Feed Manufactures′ Husbandry and Dairying, was awarded Lifetime Achievement Award. Association (CLFMA) MOUs AND AGREEMENTS S.No Signing Entities Key Facts Comptroller and Auditor 1. General of India & Saudi Objective: To enhance bilateral cooperation in public sector auditing. General Court of Audit ReNew Power and Objective: sale of clean power, specifically 437.6 MW, to help 2. Microsoft Microsoft achieve its goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030. MoU initially signed in 2022. Focuses on Hybrid Power Projects to address energy needs for three remote islands (Delft, Nainativu, and Analaitivu) off the northern 3. India and Sri Lanka coast of Sri Lanka. India has provided an $11 million grant for the energy project. The first payment for the project was handed over recently. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) & Objective: To fabricate, supply, and launch Double-Lane Class 70 National Highway 4. modular steel and Bailey bridges, aimed at improving connectivity in Infrastructure critical forward areas along India's borders. Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) Objective: Enhance cooperation in submarine rescue operations to Indian Navy & Sou