Yearly Current Affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 PDF

Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 Index S.n Topics Page No 1. Budget and economic survey...

Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 Index S.n Topics Page No 1. Budget and economic survey 2-13 2. National current affairs 31-40 3. International Current affairs 41-49 4. Defence News 50-58 5. State current affairs 59-74 6. Government schemes 75-88 7. Environment and Ecology 89-93 8. Most Important 500 One Liner 94-112 9. Science and Tech 113-125 10. Appointments 126-135 11. Indices and Ranking 136-138 12. Books and Authors 139-140 13. Sports 141-147 14. Award 148-161 15. Obituaries 162-164 16. Days and Theme 165-167 17. Most Important One Liner Current Affairs-Part-2 168-199 Compiled By. 1.Radhika ma’am 2.Mukesh Jha 3.Nauseen Nsiger P.No. 1 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 *"Pram IAS Annual Current Affairs Magazine will prove to be very useful for the upcoming 70th BPSC preliminary exam. It has been designed in such a way that it will help a lot in qualifying the preliminary exam... It covers almost all the sections of annual current affairs."* Prachi Kumari SDM -35th Rank Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 1. Budget and Economic Survey Earlier today, Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Finance Minister, presented the first budget of the current Budget Theme government. The budget, particularly, focuses on Focus on Employment, Skilling, MSMEs, And The Middle employment, skilling, MSMEs, and the middle class and for Class. all-around prosperity. The budget also details nine  Announcement of Prime Minister’s package of 5 priorities for generating ample opportunities for all and schemes and initiatives to facilitate employment, suggests specific actions and reforms required to realise skilling and other opportunities for 4.1 Cr youth over a the goal of Viksit Bharat 5-year period with a central outlay of INR 2 Lakh Cr.  Provision of INR 1.48 Lakh Cr for education, employment and skilling. P.No. 2 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 Union Budget 2024 Highlights 1. PRODUCTIVITY AND RESILIENCE IN AGRICULTURE 2. EMPLOYMENT & SKILLING The Finance Minister presented the Union Budget for 2024-25 on July 23, 2024. Earlier, interim budget 2024 was 3. INCLUSIVE HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND presented in February 2024. SOCIAL JUSTICE GDP growth - The GDP for Budget FY 2024-25 4. MANUFACTURING & SERVICES rate (Regular) is estimated at Rs. 5. URBAN DEVELOPMENT 3,26,36,912 crore which is 10.5% over 6. ENERGY SECURITY the Provisional Estimates of FY 2023-24 at Rs. 2,95,35,667 crore. 7. INFRASTRUCTURE Expenditure The total expenditure in Budget 8. INNOVATION, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AND Estimates (BE) 2024-25 is estimated at 9. NEXT GENERATION REFORMS Rs.48,20,512 crore of which total capital expenditure is Rs. 11,11,111 crore. Subsequent budgets will build on these, and add more  Compared to RE 2023-24, the capital priorities and actions. expenditure in BE 2024-25 reflects an increase of 16.9 per cent. Priority 1: Productivity and Resilience in  Effective capital expenditure, at Agriculture `15,01,889 crore in BE 2024-25 shows an increase of 18.2 per cent over RE TRANSFORMING AGRICULTURE RESEARCH 2023-24.  A comprehensive review of the agriculture research Receipts - FY25 Total Receipts estimated at Rs. setup will be undertaken to bring the focus on raising 32.07 lakh crore productivity and developing climate-resilient - Net tax receipts estimated at Rs. varieties. Funding will be provided in challenge mode, 25.83 lakh crore including to the private sector. Domain experts both - Gross market borrowings estimated from the government and outside will oversee the at Rs. 14.01 lakh crore conduct of such research.  - Net market borrowings estimated at RELEASE OF NEW VARIETIES Rs. 11.63 lakh crore  New 109 high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties Interest - Interest payments estimated at Rs. 11 of 32 field and horticulture crops will be released for payments lakh crore cultivation by farmers. Deficits - The BE for fiscal deficit is 4.9%, Revenue deficit is 1.8% and Primary NATURAL FARMING deficit is 1.4%.  In the next two years, 1 Cr farmers will be initiated into New - Rs 2 lakh crore has been allocated to natural farming supported by certification and Schemes the Department of Economic Affairs for branding. Implementation will be through scientific New Schemes. institutions and willing gram panchayats.  10,000 need-based bio-input resource centres will be established. Budget Priorities MISSIONS FOR PULSES AND OILSEEDS In line with the Viksit Bharat strategy set out in the interim  Production, storage, and marketing will be budget, the budget envisages sustained efforts on the strengthened to achieve self-sufficiency. following 9 priorities for generating ample opportunities  A strategy is being developed to for all. achieve ‘atmanirbharta’ for oil seeds such as mustard, groundnut, sesame, soybean, and sunflower. VEGETABLE PRODUCTION & SUPPLY CHAINS  Large-scale clusters for vegetable production will be developed closer to major consumption centres. P.No. 3 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024  Farmer-Producer Organizations, cooperatives and per month for 2 years towards their EPFO start-ups for vegetable supply chains including for contribution for each additional employee. collection, storage, and marketing will be promoted. PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE DIGITAL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR Working women hostels are to be established in AGRICULTURE collaboration with the industry. The partnership will also  The government, in partnership with the states, will seek to organize women-specific skilling programmes, and facilitate the implementation of the Digital Public promotion of market access for women SHG enterprises. Infrastructure (DPI) in agriculture for coverage of SKILLING PROGRAMME farmers and their lands in 3 years. Through a new centrally sponsored scheme for skilling in  During this year, digital crop survey for Kharif using the collaboration with state governments and Industry: DPI will be taken up in 400 districts. The details of 6 Cr  20 Lakh youth will be skilled over a 5-year period farmers and their lands will be brought into the farmer  1,000 Industrial Training Institutes will be upgraded in and land registries. Further, the issuance of Jan hub and spoke arrangements with an outcome Samarth based Kisan Credit Cards will be enabled in 5 orientation states.  Course content and design will be aligned with the SHRIMP PRODUCTION & EXPORT industry demand, and new courses will be introduced  Financial support for setting up a network of Nucleus for emerging needs. Breeding Centres for Shrimp Broodstocks to be provided. Financing for shrimp farming, processing Skilling Loans-Model Skill Loan Scheme to be revised to and export will be facilitated through NABARD. facilitate loans up to INR 7.5 Lakh with a guarantee from a NATIONAL COOPERATION POLICY government-promoted fund, thus benefitting 25,000 students every year.  National Cooperation Policy for systematic, orderly and all-round development of the cooperative sector Education Loans-For helping youth not covered under any will be drafted to fast-track the growth of the rural benefit under government schemes and policies, financial economy and employment generation opportunities. support for loans up to INR 10 Lakh for higher education  INR 1.52 Lakh Cr is provided for agriculture and the in domestic institutions will be provided. allied sector. Priority 3: Inclusive Human Resource Priority 2: Employment & Skilling Development and Social Justice EMPLOYMENT LINKED INCENTIVE SATURATION APPROACH  As a part of the Prime Minister’s package, three  For achieving social justice comprehensively, the schemes to be implemented for ‘Employment Linked saturation approach of covering all eligible people Incentive’: through various programmes, including those for education and health, will be adopted. SCHEME A: FIRST TIMERS  Schemes supporting economic activities by craftsmen,  To provide one-month wage (up to INR 15,000) to all artisans, self-help groups, scheduled caste, scheduled persons newly entering the workforce in all formal tribe and women entrepreneurs, and street vendors sectors. The eligibility limit will be a salary of INR 1 will be strengthened. Lakh per month. PURVODAYA SCHEME B: JOB CREATION IN MANUFACTURING  A plan for the all-round development of the eastern ✓ Incentive to be provided at specified scale directly, region, including Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, both employee and employer, with respect to Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, will be formulated. The their EPFO contribution in the first 4 years of plan will cover the development of human resources, employment. infrastructure, and the generation of economic SCHEME C: SUPPORT TO EMPLOYERS opportunities.  To cover additional employment in all sectors. The government will reimburse employers up to INR 3,000 P.No. 4 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024  On the Amritsar Kolkata Industrial Corridor, which MUDRA LOANS will catalyse the industrial development of the eastern  The limit of Mudra loans will be enhanced to INR 20 region, an industrial node at Gaya will be developed. Lakh for those entrepreneurs who have availed and  In Bihar, development of road connectivity and power successfully repaid previous loans under the Tarun projects will be supported and new airports, medical category. colleges and sports infrastructure will be constructed. ENHANCED SCOPE FOR MANDATORY ONBOARDING WOMEN-LED DEVELOPMENT IN TREDS  For promoting women-led development, the budget The turnover threshold of buyers for mandatory carries an allocation of more than INR 3 Lakh Cr for onboarding on the TReDS platform is to be reduced to INR schemes benefitting women and girls. 250 Cr. ✓ This will help MSMEs to unlock their working capital Priority 4: Manufacturing & Services by converting their trade receivables into cash. SUPPORT FOR THE PROMOTION OF MSMES ✓ This measure will bring 22 more CPSEs and 7000 more Special attention to MSMEs and manufacturing, companies onto the platform. particularly labour-intensive manufacturing. The ✓ Medium enterprises will also be included in the scope government has formulated a package covering financing, of the suppliers. regulatory changes and technology support for MSMEs. SIDBI branches in MSME clusters The following specific measures were announced:  SIDBI will open new branches to expand its reach to Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs in the serve all major MSME clusters within 3 years and provide direct credit to them. With the opening of 24 Manufacturing Sector such branches this year, the service coverage will  For facilitating term loans to MSMEs for the purchase expand to 168 out of 242 major clusters. of machinery and equipment without collateral or third-party guarantee, a credit guarantee scheme will MSME Units for Food Irradiation, Quality & be introduced. The scheme will operate on the pooling Safety Testing of credit risks of such MSMEs. A separately constituted  Financial support for setting up 50 multi-product food self-financing guarantee fund will provide, to each irradiation units in the MSME sector will be provided. applicant, a guarantee covering up to INR 100 Cr, The setting up of 100 food quality and safety testing while the loan amount may be larger. labs with NABL accreditation will be facilitated. New assessment model for MSME credit E-Commerce Export Hubs  Public sector banks will build their in-house capability  To enable MSMEs and traditional artisans to sell their to assess MSMEs for credit, instead of relying on products in international markets, E-Commerce external assessment. They will also take a lead in Export Hubs will be set up in PPP mode. These hubs, developing or getting developed a new credit under a seamless regulatory and logistic framework, assessment model, based on the scoring of digital will facilitate trade and export-related services under footprints of MSMEs in the economy. This is expected one roof. to be a significant improvement over the traditional MEASURES FOR PROMOTION OF MANUFACTURING assessment of credit eligibility based only on asset or & SERVICES turnover criteria. That will also cover MSMEs without a formal accounting system. INDUSTRIAL PARKS  Development of investment-ready plug-and-play Credit Support to MSMEs during Stress Period industrial parks with complete infrastructure in or A new mechanism for facilitating continuation of bank near 100 cities, in partnership with the states and credit to MSMEs during their stress period was private sector, by better-using town planning announced. While being in the Special Mention Account schemes. (SMA) stage for reasons beyond their control, MSMEs will  Twelve industrial parks under the National Industrial have access to credit to continue their business and to Corridor Development Programme are to be avoid getting into the NPA stage. Credit availability will be sanctioned. supported through a guarantee from a government- promoted fund. P.No. 5 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 RENTAL HOUSING DEBT RECOVERY  Rental housing with dormitory-type accommodation  Steps for reforming and strengthening debt recovery for industrial workers will be facilitated in PPP mode tribunals will be taken. Additional tribunals will be with VGF support and commitment from anchor established to speed up recovery. industries. Shipping Industry Priority 5: Urban Development  Ownership, leasing and flagging reforms will be Cities as Growth Hubs implemented to improve the share of the Indian  Working with states, the government will facilitate shipping industry and generate more employment. development of Cities as Growth Hubs. This will be Critical Mineral Mission achieved through economic and transit planning, and  For domestic production, recycling of critical minerals, orderly development of peri-urban areas utilising and overseas acquisition of critical mineral assets. Its town planning schemes. mandate will include technology development, skilled Creative redevelopment of cities workforce, extended producer responsibility  For creative brownfield redevelopment of existing framework, and a suitable financing mechanism. cities with a transformative impact, the government Offshore mining of minerals will formulate a framework for enabling policies,  Auction of the first tranche of offshore blocks for market-based mechanisms and regulation. mining, building on the exploration already carried Transit Oriented Development out.  Transit Oriented Development plans for 14 large cities Digital Public Infrastructure Applications with a population above 30 Lakh will be formulated,  Development of DPI applications at population scale along with an implementation and financing strategy. for productivity gains, business opportunities, and Urban Housing innovation by the private sector. These are planned in  Under the PM Awas Yojana Urban 2.0, the housing the areas of credit, e-commerce, education, health, law and justice, logistics, MSME, services delivery, and needs of 1 Cr urban poor and middle-class families will urban governance. be addressed with an investment of INR 10 Lakh Cr. This will include the central assistance of INR 2.2 Lakh Integrated Technology Platform for IBC eco- Cr in the next 5 years. system  Enabling policies and regulations for efficient and  An Integrated Technology Platform will be set up for transparent rental housing markets with enhanced improving the outcomes under the Insolvency and availability will also be put in place. Bankruptcy Code (IBC) for achieving consistency, Water Supply and Sanitation transparency, timely processing and better oversight  In partnership with the State Governments and for all stakeholders. Multilateral Development Banks, water supply, Voluntary closure of LLPs sewage treatment and solid waste management  The services of the Centre for Processing Accelerated projects and services for 100 large cities through Corporate Exit (C-PACE) will be extended for the bankable projects will be promoted. These projects voluntary closure of LLPs to reduce the closure time. will also envisage the use of treated water for National Company Law Tribunals irrigation and filling up of tanks in nearby areas.  Appropriate changes to the IBC, reforms and strengthening of the tribunal and appellate tribunals will be initiated to speed up insolvency resolution. Additional tribunals will be established. Out of those, some will be notified to decide cases exclusively under the Companies Act. P.No. 6 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 Priority 6: Energy Security Roadmap for ‘hard to abate’ industries  A roadmap for moving the ‘hard to abate’ industries ENERGY TRANSITION from ‘energy efficiency’ targets to ‘emission targets’  A policy document on appropriate energy transition will be formulated. Appropriate regulations for the pathways that balances the imperatives of transition of these industries from the current employment, growth and environmental ‘Perform, Achieve and Trade’ mode to the ‘Indian sustainability will be drafted. Carbon Market’ mode will be put in place. PM SURYA GHAR MUFT BIJLI YOJANA SUPPORT TO TRADITIONAL MICRO AND SMALL  PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has generated INDUSTRIES remarkable response with more than 1.28 Cr  An investment-grade energy audit of traditional micro registrations and 14 Lakh applications, and the and small industries in 60 clusters, including brass and government will further encourage it. ceramic, will be facilitated. Financial support will be  1 crore Households obtain free electricity Up to 300 provided for shifting them to cleaner forms of energy Units every month and implementation of energy efficiency measures. Pumped Storage Policy The scheme will be replicated in another 100 clusters in the next phase.  A policy for promoting pumped storage projects will be drafted for electricity storage and facilitating Priority 7: Infrastructure smooth integration of the growing share of renewable energy with its variable & intermittent nature in the Infrastructure investment by Central overall energy mix. Government Research and development of small and  Strong fiscal support for infrastructure to continue modular nuclear reactors over the next 5 years, in conjunction with imperatives of other priorities and fiscal consolidation. This year,  Nuclear energy is expected to form a significant part INR 11,11,111 Cr has been provisioned for capital of the energy mix for Viksit Bharat. expenditure. This would be 3.4% of our GDP.  The government will partner with the private sector for setting up Bharat Small Reactors, research & Infrastructure investment by state development of Bharat Small Modular Reactor, and governments research & development of newer technologies for nuclear energy.  Encouragement to states to provide support of similar scale for infrastructure, subject to their development Advanced Ultra Super Critical Thermal priorities. A provision of 1.5 Lakh Cr for long-term Power Plants interest-free loans has been made to support the states in their resource allocation.  The development of indigenous technology for Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) thermal Private investment in infrastructure power plants with much higher efficiency has been completed. A joint venture between NTPC and BHEL  Investment in infrastructure by private sector will be will set up a full-scale 800 MW commercial plant using promoted through viability gap funding and enabling AUSC technology. The government will provide the policies and regulations. A market-based financing required fiscal support. Moving forward, development framework will be brought out. of indigenous capacity for the production of high- Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana grade steel and other advanced metallurgy materials (PMGSY) for these plants will result in strong spin-off benefits for the economy.  Phase IV of PMGSY will be launched to provide all- weather connectivity to 25,000 rural habitations. P.No. 7 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05  Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 TOURISM  Government's efforts in positioning India as a global For promoting competitive federalism and incentivizing tourist destination will also create jobs, stimulate states for faster implementation of reforms, a significant investments and unlock economic opportunities for part of the 50-year interest-free loan to be earmarked. other sectors. In addition to the measures outlined in Working with the states, following reforms will be the interim budget, the following measures were initiated: proposed: Land-related reforms by state governments  Comprehensive development of Vishnupad Temple Corridor and Mahabodhi Temple Corridor will be  Land-related reforms and actions, both in rural and supported to transform them into world-class pilgrim urban areas, will cover land administration, planning and tourist destinations. and management, and urban planning, usage and COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF RAJGIR. building bylaws. These will be incentivized for  The development of Nalanda as a tourist centre completion within the next 3 years through besides reviving Nalanda University. appropriate fiscal support.  Development of Odisha’s scenic beauty, temples,  Rural land-related actions will include: Assignment of monuments, craftsmanship, wildlife sanctuaries, Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or natural landscapes and pristine beaches to make it an Bhu-Aadhaar for all lands, Digitization of cadastral ultimate tourism destination. maps, Survey of map sub-divisions as per current ownership, Establishment of land registry, and Linking to the farmers registry. These actions will also facilitate credit flow and other agricultural services. Priority 8: Innovation, Research &  Land records in urban areas will be digitized with GIS mapping. An IT-based system for property record Development administration, updating, and tax administration will  Anusandhan National Research Fund for basic research be established. These will also facilitate the and prototype development to be operationalised. improvement of the financial position of local urban Further, a mechanism to be established for spurring bodies. private sector-driven research and innovation at REFORMS commercial scale with a financing pool of INR 1 Lakh Cr.  The government will facilitate the provision of a wide SPACE ECONOMY array of services to labour, including those for With government's continued emphasis on expanding the employment and skilling. A comprehensive space economy by 5 times in the next 10 years, a venture integration of e-shram portal with other portals will capital fund of INR 1,000 Cr will be set up. facilitate such one-stop solution. Open architecture databases for the rapidly changing labour market, skill Priority 9: Next Generation Reforms requirements and available job roles, and a mechanism to connect job-aspirants with potential ECONOMIC POLICY FRAMEWORK employers and skill providers will be covered in these An Economic Policy Framework to be formulated to services. delineate the overarching approach to economic  Shram Suvidha and Samadhan portals will be development and set the scope of the next generation of revamped to enhance ease of compliance for industry reforms for facilitating employment opportunities and and trade. sustaining high growth.  To meet the financing needs of the economy, the The government will initiate and incentivize reforms for government will bring out a financial sector vision and improving productivity of factors of production, and strategy document to prepare the sector in terms of facilitating markets and sectors to become more efficient. size, capacity and skills. This will set the agenda for the These reforms will cover all factors of production, namely next 5 years and guide the work of the government, land, labour, capital and entrepreneurship, and regulators, financial institutions and market technology as an enabler of improving total factor participants. productivity and bridging inequality. P.No. 8 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 Taxonomy for climate finance  In the new tax regime, the tax rate structure is proposed to be revised, as follows:  A taxonomy for climate finance for enhancing the 0-3 lakh rupees Nil availability of capital for climate adaptation and mitigation to be developed. This will support 3-7 lakh rupees 5 per cent achievement of the country’s climate commitments 7-10 lakh rupees 10 per cent and green transition. 10-12 lakh rupees 15 per cent Variable Capital Company structure 12-15 lakh rupees 20 per cent Above 15 lakh rupees 30 per cent  Governemnt will seek the required legislative approval for providing an efficient and flexible mode for Indirect Taxes financing leasing of aircrafts and ships, and pooled funds of private equity through a ‘variable company A comprehensive review of the rate structure over the structure’. next six months will rationalise and simplify customs duty rates to facilitate trade, remove duty inversion, and Foreign Direct Investment and Overseas reduce disputes. Investment Sector-specific customs duty proposals:  The rules and regulations for Foreign Direct Investment and Overseas Investments will be Medicines and Medical Equipment simplified to facilitate foreign direct investments, nudge prioritization, and promote opportunities for  Fully exempt three more cancer medicines from using Indian Rupee as a currency for overseas customs duties. investments.  Changes in the BCD on x-ray tubes & flat panel detectors for use in medical x-ray machines under the Use of Technology Phased Manufacturing Programme, so as to synchronise them with domestic capacity addition. Adoption of technology towards digitalization of the economy to be enhanced. Mobile Phone and Related Parts Ease of Doing Business  Reduction of the BCD on mobile phones, mobile PCBA  For enhancing ‘Ease of Doing Business’, the and mobile chargers to 15%. government is already working on the Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0. Further, states will be incentivized for Critical Minerals implementation of their Business Reforms Action  The government proposed to fully exempt customs Plans and digitalization. duties on 25 critical minerals and reduce BCD on two of them. This will provide a major fillip to the Data and Statistics processing and refining of such minerals and help  For improving data governance, collection, processing secure their availability for strategic and important and management of data and statistics, different sectors like nuclear energy, renewable energy, space, sectoral data bases, including those established under defence, telecommunications, and high-tech the Digital India mission, will be utilized with active use electronics. of technology tools. Solar Energy Taxation  To support the energy transition, the list of exempted Simplifying New Tax Regime: capital goods for use in the manufacture of solar cells  Standard deduction for salaried employees increased and panels in the country is to be expanded. Further, from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000. in view of sufficient domestic manufacturing capacity of solar glass and tinned copper interconnect, the  Deduction on family pension for pensioners enhanced government proposed not to extend the exemption of from ₹15,000/- to ₹25,000/- customs duties provided to them. P.No. 9 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 Marine Products PLASTICS  To enhance competitiveness, BCD on certain  To curb imports of PVC flex banners, the BCD on them broodstock, polychaete worms, shrimp and fish feed is to be increased from 10 to 25%. to be reduced to 5%. Telecommunication Equipment  Exemption of customs duty on various inputs for the manufacture of shrimp and fish feed.  To incentivise domestic manufacturing, BCD is to be increased from 10 to 15% on PCBA of specified Leather and Textile telecom equipment.  To enhance the competitiveness of exports, the Trade facilitation government proposed to reduce BCD on real down filling material from duck or goose.  To promote domestic aviation and boat and ship MRO,  The list of exempted goods for manufacture of leather the period for exporting goods imported for repairs and textile garments, footwear and other leather will be increased to one year. articles for export to be expanded.  The time limit for re-import of goods for repairs under  To rectify inversion in duty, the government proposed warranty is to be increased from three to five years. to reduce BCD, subject to conditions, on methylene DIRECT TAXES diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) for manufacture of INVESTMENT spandex yarn from 7.5 to 5%. To bolster the Indian start-up eco-system, boost the  The export duty structure on raw hides, skins and entrepreneurial spirit and support innovation, the angel leather is proposed to be simplified and rationalised. tax is to be abolished for all classes of investors. Precious Metals  To give a fillip to cruise tourism, an employment- generating industry, a simpler tax regime for foreign  To enhance domestic value addition in gold and shipping companies operating domestic cruises in the precious metal jewellery in the country, reduction in country was proposed. customs duties on gold and silver to 6% and that on  To further promote the development of the diamond platinum to 6.4%. cutting and polishing sector, safe harbour rates to be applied for foreign mining companies selling raw Other Metals diamonds in the country.  To reduce the cost of production of Steel and copper,  To attract foreign capital for India’s development the government proposed to remove the BCD on ferro needs, nickel and blister copper. The nil BCD on ferrous scrap corporate tax rate on foreign companies will be and nickel cathode and concessional BCD of 2.5% on reduced from 40 to 35%. copper scrap continue. Electronics  To increase value addition in the domestic electronics industry, removal of the BCD, subject to conditions, on oxygen- free copper for the manufacture of resistors. Certain parts for the manufacture of connectors are to be exempted as well. Chemicals and Petrochemicals  To support existing and new capacities in the pipeline, an increase in the BCD on ammonium nitrate from 7.5 to 10%. P.No. 10 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 Economic Survey 2023-24 The Economic Survey for 2023-24 was recently tabled by ▪ Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code has been recognised the Union Minister for Finance in the parliament. It offers as an effective solution for the twin balance sheet a comprehensive view of India's economic performance problem, in the last 8 years, 31,394 corporate and future prospects. debtors involving a value of Rs 13.9 Lakh Crore have been disposed off as of March 2024. India’s economy – steady as she goes o Twin Balance Sheet Problem refers to ▪ The Economic Survey conservatively projects a real heavily indebted corporations and GDP growth of 6.5–7 per cent, with risks evenly banks burdened with bad loans, balanced. creating a vicious cycle hindering ▪ Global Growth Rate: The global economy grew by economic growth. 3.2% in 2023, slightly lower than previous years but ▪ Capital Markets: Primary capital markets higher than earlier projections of 2.8%. facilitated capital formation of Rs 10.9 lakh crore, ▪ India's real GDP grew by 8.2 per cent in FY24, approximately 29% of the gross fixed capital formation of private and public corporates in exceeding 8 per cent mark in three out of four quarters FY23. of FY24. ▪ On supply side, Gross value added (GVA) grew by 7.2 ▪ Industrial credit growth was 8.5 per cent compared to per cent in FY24 (at 2011-12 prices) and net taxes at 5.2 per cent a year ago. constant prices grew by 19.1 per cent in FY24. ▪ Insurance and Microfinance: India is poised to ▪ The retail inflation reduced from 6.7 per cent in FY23 become one of the fastest-growing insurance to 5.4 per cent in FY24. markets and has the second- ▪ Current Account Deficit (CAD) stood at 0.7 per cent of largest microfinance sector globally. the GDP during FY24, an improvement from the deficit of 2.0 per cent of GDP in FY23. Prices and Inflation – Under Control: ▪ 55% of tax collected accrued from direct taxes and remaining 45% from indirect taxes. Inflation Trends: ▪ Government has been able to ensure free food grains ▪ 29 States and Union Territories recorded inflation to 81.4 Crore people. Total expenditure allotted to below 6% in FY24. capital spending have progressively enhanced. ▪ Core services inflation eased to a nine-year low in FY24 ▪ Food inflation increased from 6.6% in FY23 to 7.5% in Monetary Management and Financial FY24. Intermediation – Stability is the Watchword ▪ Price cuts on LPG, petrol, and diesel helped in ▪ Credit Growth: Credit disbursal by Scheduled keeping retail fuel inflation relatively low. Commercial Banks (SCBs) reached Rs 164.3 lakh ▪ Future Projections: The RBI forecasts inflation to crore, growing by 20.2% by March 2024. decline to 4.5% in FY25 and 4.1% in FY26. ▪ Banking Sector: Gross and net non-performing External Sector – Stability Amid Plenty: assets are at multi-year lows, and bank asset quality has improved. ▪ Exports: India’s services exports grew by 4.9% to USD ▪ Data from the RBI’s Financial Stability Report of June 341.1 billion in FY24, with significant contributions 2024 show that the asset quality of SCBs has from IT/software and other business services. improved, with the Gross Non-Performing Assets ▪ Remittances: India remains the top global recipient, (GNPA) ratio declining to 2.8% in March 2024, a 12- with remittances totaling USD 120 billion in 2023. year low. ▪ External Debt: India’s external debt to GDP ratio stood at 18.7% as of March 2024. P.No. 11 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 ▪ Logistics Performance: India's rank in the World Bank ▪ Female Labor Force Participation: Rising for six Logistics Index improved to 38th in 2023 from 44th in consecutive years (37.0% currently). 2014. ▪ Gig Economy: Workforce expected to reach 2.35 crore ▪ Tourism: India’s share in world tourism receipts by 2029-30. increased from 1.38% in 2021 to 1.58% in 2022. ▪ Agriculture and Food Management ▪ Agricultural Growth: The sector registered an average Medium-Term Outlook – A Growth Strategy annual growth rate of 4.18% at constant prices over for New India: the last five years. ▪ Growth Strategy: To sustain a 7%+ growth rate, a ▪ Credit and Micro Irrigation: Credit disbursed to tripartite compact between the Union Government, agriculture amounted to Rs 22.84 lakh crore. State Governments, and the private sector is ▪ 90 lakh hectares covered under micro-irrigation since required. 2015-16. ▪ Key Focus Areas: Job and skill creation, ▪ Kisan Credit Cards: 7.5 crore cards issued with a Rs 9.4 agriculture, MSME bottlenecks, green transition, and lakh crore limit. addressing the education-employment gap are crucial Industry – Small and Medium Matters: for medium-term growth. ▪ Industrial Growth: Economic growth of 8.2% in FY24 is Climate Change and Energy Transition – supported by an industrial growth rate of 9.5%. Dealing with Trade-Offs: ▪ Pharmaceutical and Clothing Sectors: India’s ▪ Renewable Energy: As of May 2024, non-fossil pharmaceutical market is the world’s third-largest by sources accounted for 45.4% of installed electricity volume, valued at USD 50 billion. generation capacity. ▪ It is the second-largest clothing manufacturer globally, ▪ Energy Needs: India’s energy needs are projected to with textile and apparel exports reaching Rs 2.97 lakh grow 2 to 2.5 times by 2047. crore in FY24. ▪ Investment in Clean Energy: The clean energy ▪ Electronics Manufacturing: India’s electronics sector sector attracted investments of Rs 8.5 lakh accounts for an estimated 3.7% of the global market crore between 2014 and 2023. share. ▪ Domestic production increased to Rs 8.22 lakh crore, Social Sector – Benefits that Empower: with exports rising to Rs 1.9 lakh crore in FY23. ▪ Welfare Expenditure: Grew at a CAGR Services – Fuelling Growth Opportunities: of 12.8% between FY18 and FY24. ▪ Healthcare: Over 34.7 crore Ayushman Bharat ▪ Sector Contribution: The services sector accounted cards have been issued. for 55% of the economy in FY24 and grew by 7.6% ▪ Housing: 2.63 crore houses constructed under PM- during the year. AWAS-Gramin in the past 9 years. ▪ Digital Services: India's share in global digitally ▪ Rural Infrastructure: 15.14 lakh km of roads delivered services exports increased to 6% in 2023. constructed under the Gram Sadak Yojana since 2014- ▪ Globally, India’s services exports constituted 4.4% of 15. the world's commercial services exports in 2022 & accounted for 44% of India’s total exports in FY24. Employment and Skill Development – ▪ Aviation: 15% YoY increase in total air passengers in Towards Quality: FY24. ▪ E-commerce: Expected to cross USD 350 billion by ▪ Unemployment Rate: Declined to 3.2% in 2022-23. 2030. ▪ Net payroll additions under the Employees' Provident ▪ Start-ups: Increased from around 2,000 in 2014 to Fund Organisation (EPFO) have more than doubled to approximately 31,000 in 2023. 13.15 million in the past five years, indicating robust growth in formal employment. ▪ Youth Unemployment: Fell from 17.8% in 2017-18 to 10% in 2022-23. P.No. 12 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 Infrastructure – Lifting Potential Growth: Climate Change and India: ▪ National Highways: The pace of National ▪ Current global strategies for climate change are Highways construction increased from 11.7 km per flawed and not universally applicable. day in FY14 to approximately 34 km per day by FY24. ▪ The Western approach does not seek to address the ▪ Railways: Capital expenditure on Railways increased root of the problem, i.e., overconsumption, but rather by 77% over the past five years. chooses to substitute the means to achieve ▪ Aviation: 21 new airport terminal buildings overconsumption. operationalised in FY24. ▪ A one-size-fits-all approach will not work, and ▪ Logistics: Rank in the International Shipments developing countries need to be free to choose their category improved to 22nd in 2023 from 44th in own pathways. 2014. ▪ India’s ethos emphasises a harmonious relationship ▪ Space: India has 55 active space assets, including 18 with nature, in contrast to the culture of communication, 9 navigation, 5 scientific, 3 overconsumption in other parts of the developed meteorological, and 20 earth observation satellites. world. ▪ Digital Infrastructure: The DigiLocker platform has ▪ Shifting towards ‘traditional multi-generational over 26.28 crore registered users and over 674 crore households’ could pave the way towards sustainable issued documents. housing. ▪ Telecommunication: The overall teledensity (number ▪ “Mission LiFE” focuses on human-nature of telephones per 100 population) in India increased harmony, promoting mindful consumption rather from 75.2% in March 2014 to 85.7% in March 2024. than the overconsumption that lies at the root of the ▪ The internet density also increased to 68.2% in March global climate change problem. 2024. ▪ What are the Major Challenges and Recommended Solutions Outlined in the Economic Survey 2023-24? P.No. 13 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 2. National Current Affairs 5 Key Reasons Behind Bangladesh Protest Time Magazine 2024: Which Three Indian Destinations Are Among ‘World’s Greatest Places Of 2024’? In the latest development in Bangladesh protest, army of  TIME magazine recently released its prestigious list of Bangladesh has asked Bangladesh President Mohammed the 'World's Greatest Places' for the year 2024, Shahabuddin to form interim government. PM Hasina has highlighting 100 exceptional locations worldwide that resigned and left the country. The student protests against take the visitor’s experience to a whole another level. the government stem from several key issues. The list consists of places that provide unique and  30% quota system for civil service jobs for fresh experiences to the visitors. the descendants of the veterans of the Bangladesh  Three Indian destinations managed to make it to the freedom fight. list this year: the Museum of Solutions (MuSo), a  High Court’s decision to overturn Bangladesh unique children's museum in Mumbai; Manam government’s decision of abolishing the quota system. Chocolate, a factory in Hyderabad; and NAAR, a  High rate of unemployment in the nation has been restaurant in Himachal Pradesh. acting as fuel to this protest. Nearly 32 million young people are out of work or education in a country with a population of 170 million. Mumbai's First Underground Metro Line  Death of nearly 100 civilians during the clash between the students and the police.  Sheikh Hasina's comment on the protesters calling them 'Razakars,' a term used for collaborators with the Pakistani army during the 1971 War of Independence.  Mumbai's new underground metro line, known as the Aqua Line, will start its operations in the city very P.No. 14 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 soon. This project marks an important development Outstanding Contribution for the city's transit system. to the Modern Movement  The first phase of the Mumbai Metro 3 line will soon Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Gujarat 2014 begin, linking SEEPZ (Santacruz Electronics Export Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat Processing Zone) to BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex). Hill Forts of Rajasthan Rajasthan 2013 The central government gave the green light for the The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur Rajasthan 2010 Mountain Railways of India West Bengal, 2008  Aqua Line metro in June 2013, with an initial budget of Sikkim, Tamil Rs 23,136 crore. Nadu Red Fort Complex Delhi 2007 Graveyard of Assam Royals now a World Mountain Railways of India West Bengal, 2005 Heritage Site Sikkim, Tamil Nadu Champaner-Pavagadh Gujarat 2004 Archaeological Park Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharashtra 2004 Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) Mahabodhi Temple Bihar 2002 Complex at Bodh Gaya Mountain Railways of India West Bengal, 1999 Sikkim, Tamil Nadu The Moidams in eastern Assam, a 700-year-old burial Humayun's Tomb, Delhi Delhi 1993 system of the Ahom dynasty, were added to UNESCO’s Qutb Minar and its Delhi 1993 World Heritage List on July 26, 2024. This makes them the Monuments, Delhi first cultural site from the Northeast to be included. Buddhist Monuments at Madhya Pradesh 1989 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Cultural Sanchi UNESCO Cultural World State Year Elephanta Caves Maharashtra 1987 Heritage Site Name Great Living Chola Temples Tamil Nadu 1987 Moidams – the Mound- Assam 2024 Group of Monuments at Karnataka 1987 Burial System of the Ahom Pattadakal Dynasty Churches and Convents of Goa 1986 Sacred Ensembles of the Karnataka 2023 Goa Hoysalas Fatehpur Sikri Uttar Pradesh 1986 Santiniketan West Bengal 2023 Group of Monuments at Karnataka 1986 Dholavira: a Harappan City Gujarat 2021 Hampi Kakatiya Rudreshwara Telangana 2021 Khajuraho Group of Madhya Pradesh 1986 (Ramappa) Temple, Monuments Telangana Group of Monuments at Tamil Nadu 1984 Jaipur City, Rajasthan Rajasthan 2019 Mahabalipuram Victorian Gothic and Art Maharashtra 2018 Sun Temple, Konârak Odisha 1984 Deco Ensembles of Mumbai Agra Fort Uttar Pradesh 1983 Historic City of Ahmadabad Gujarat 2017 Ajanta Caves Maharashtra 1983 Archaeological Site of Bihar 2016 Ellora Caves Maharashtra 1983 Nalanda Mahavihara at Taj Mahal Uttar Pradesh 1983 Nalanda, Bihar UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Natural The Architectural Work of Chandigarh 2016 UNESCO Natural State Year of Le Corbusier, an World Heritage Site Notification Name P.No. 15 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 Kaziranga National Assam 1985 government had renamed the Mughal Garden at Park Rashtrapati Bhavan to 'Amrit Udyan.' Keoladeo Ghana Rajasthan 1985 National Park Manas Wildlife Assam 1985 Sanctuary 8th Pay Commission: Will Modi Government Nanda Devi National Uttarakhand 1988, 2005 Fulfil the Demands of Central Government Park and Valley of Employees? Flowers Sundarbans National West Bengal 1987 Park Western Ghats Maharashtra, 2012 Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala Great Himalayan Himachal 2014 National Park Pradesh UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Mixed Demand of Central Government Employees A mixed heritage site is a place where components of both  Central government employees are calling for an natural and cultural importance are present, making it a increase in the fitment factor from 2.57 to 3.68. This mixed kind of heritage. factor is a crucial multiplier used to determine salaries Mixed World Heritage Site State Year of and pensions. For instance, the 2.57 fitment factor Notification was used when updating salaries from the 6th Central Khangchendzonga Sikkim 2016 Pay Commission to the 7th Pay Commission. National Park  The 6th Pay Commission recommended a fitment factor of 1.86, while the 7th Pay Commission set it at Ashwini Vaishnaw launches India’s fastest, 2.57. This change increased the minimum basic pay for central government employees from Rs 7,000 to Rs Indigenously designed router 18,000 per month, reflecting a 2.57-fold rise. Now, Union Minister for Communications, Electronics, and employees are requesting the government to raise the Information Technology and Railways, Ashwini fitment factor to 3.68 to further improve their salaries Vaishnaw, unveiled India’s fastest and indigenously and benefits. developed IP/MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) Refer to the table below for a better understanding: router in Bengaluru. The router has a capacity of 2.4 Pay Fitment Minimum Percentage Terabits per second(TBPS) Commission Factor Basic Pay Increase (per month) 6th Pay 1.86 Rs 7,000 - Rashtrapati Bhawan: Another Hall Gets Commission Renamed in Modi Government 7th Pay 2.57 Rs 18,000 2.57-fold In another name-changing decision taken during the Commission increase tenure of the Modi Government, two halls of the Proposed 3.68 - 44.44% Rashtrapati Bhawan got their names changed. President Droupadi Murmu has renamed two significant Rashtrapati Bhavan halls, ‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall’, as ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Mandap’ respectively.  The decision was made to ensure that the grand building will now reflect Indian cultural values and traditions with these new names. Previously, the P.No. 16 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 Thane to Borivali: India's Longest and Union Minister launched nationwide ‘Jal Largest Urban Tunnel Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024’ On July 13, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaign inaugurated India's longest and largest urban tunnel The Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh project. The Thane Borivali Twin Tunnel by Mumbai Shekhawat launched the fifth edition of “Jal Shakti Metropolitan Region Development Authority, costing Rs. Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” campaign on 9th March, 2024 at 16,000 crore, will cut travel time between Thane and the NDMC Convention Centre in New Delhi. Borivali to 12 minutes, down from an hour. ❖ The campaign, themed “Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti”  Check the important features of India’s longest and Ministry of Jal Shakti launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan in 2019 largest urban tunnel project in the following table: as a “Jan Andolan” to initiate water conservation at the Feature Details grass-root level Tunnel Length 11.8 km Tunnel Route From Thane side to National Highway 8 at Borivali Cabinet Approves Establishment of Estimated Cost Rs. 16,600 crore International Big Cat Alliance Operational Lanes 2 operational lanes, 1 emergency The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister lane Shri Narendra Modi, has sanctioned the formation of the Travel Time More than 1 hour saved (journey International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with its headquarters Reduction completed in 12 minutes) situated in India. Carbon Emissions 1,50,000 MT per year ❖ A one-time budgetary allocation of Rs.150 crore has Reduction been approved for five years, spanning from 2023-24 Completion Target May 2028 to 2027-28. ❖ The Prime Minister articulated the need for a coalition of global leaders to combat poaching in Asia during his UP Cabinet's Decision: Tata Sons to Build address on Global Tiger Day in 2019. ₹650 Crore 'Museum of Temples' in Ayodhya ❖ This sentiment was reiterated on April 9, 2023, commemorating 50 years of India's Project Tiger, The Union government has partnered with Tata Sons to where the Prime Minister officially introduced the build a ₹650 crore museum in Ayodhya. Following a launch of the International Big Cat Alliance. cabinet meeting The initiative aims to ensure the future sustainability of ❖ Additionally, an extra ₹100 crore will be allocated for large feline populations and their habitats, drawing undertaking additional development projects in the inspiration from India's longstanding conservation efforts temple town. which may serve as a model for other countries ❖ Tourism Minister Jaivir Singh detailed the decision, explaining that the tourism department would lease Tata Sons' land for this international-level museum for ‘The Future Is Now’ As The Theme For IMC 90 years, charging a nominal fee of Re 1. 2024: J.M. Scindia The theme of the India Mobile Congress 2024, ‘The Union Minister launched nationwide ‘Jal Shakti Future is Now’, was unveiled on July 19 by Shri Abhiyan: Catch the Rain-2024’ campaign Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister for Communications and The Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Development of North Eastern Region on July 18. The Shekhawat launched the fifth edition of “Jal Shakti theme signifies how India stands at the heart of the Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” campaign on 9th March, 2024 at technological evolution and IMC 2024 bringing together the NDMC Convention Centre in New Delhi. global leaders, visionaries, pioneers, and innovators to ❖ The campaign, themed “Nari Shakti se Jal Shakti” collaborate and actively shape the technologies ❖ Ministry of Jal Shakti launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan in transforming our world today, where the future isn’t just 2019 as a “Jan Andolan” to initiate water conservation a concept, it’s happening. at the grass-root level. P.No. 17 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 BRIC-THSTI Hosts SYNCHN 2024 Industry Union Andaman & 68 Meet Territories with Nicobar High Islands Translational Health Science and Technology Institute Mammalian (THSTI), under the Biotechnology Diversity Research and Innovation Council Ladakh 59 (BRIC), hosted SYNCHN 2024 on Delhi 38 July 14th, 2024. This event aimed High Endemism Tamil Nadu 23 to strengthen academia-industry Karnataka 19 collaborations in the NCR Biotech Kerala 19 Cluster, focusing on advancing biomanufacturing and bio-innovation. High Western Ghats hill Endemism streams of Tamil About BRIC-THSTI Regions Nadu, Kerala,  THSTI, integral to the NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Karnataka, and catalyzes translational research and innovation with Andaman & robust clinical research capacities, aligning with BRIC’s Nicobar Islands mandate to integrate and optimize biotech research Monotypic Anathana Found only in India across India’s institutions Genera (Madras Treeshrew) India Becomes First Nation To Prepare Full Latidens Found only in India List of Fauna (Salim Ali’s fruit bat) The Fauna of India Checklist Portal is the first Nilgiritragus Found only in India comprehensive document Rare Megabat Latidens Monotypic genus on the faunal species Species salimalii (Salim Latidens reported from Ali’s fruit bat) India. India has become the first country in the world to prepare a checklist Yoga Mahotsav 2024 of its entire fauna, On 13th March 2024, Yoga Mahotsav 2024 took place at covering 104,561 Vigyan Bhawan, marking the species. The ‘Fauna of India Checklist Portal’ was 100-day countdown to IDY- launched on the occasion of the 109th Foundation Day of 2024. the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in Kolkata by Union  The event, aligned with environment minister Bhupender Yadav. this year's International List of the states and number of species Day of Yoga (IDY) theme Category Region Number of Species "Yoga for Women Total 455 Empowerment," celebrated the upcoming 10th Mammalian edition of IDY, observed annually on June 21st. Species in India  Yoga Mahotsav 2024 aims to propel yoga into a Highest Meghalaya 163 widespread movement focused on enhancing Mammalian women's well-being and promoting global health and Diversity peace. West Bengal 161 Arunachal 142 Pradesh Tamil Nadu 139 Assam 138 Sikkim 137 Kerala 134 P.No. 18 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 Poshan Pakhwada 2024(9th – 23rd March) prominent cooperative brands like Amul, Indian Coffee House, IFFCO, and Kerala Dinesh Beedi. During the Pakhwada,  Incorporating the latest technology such as artificial mass sensitisation and intelligence and virtual reality, the museum plans to community activities will offer interactive displays for visitors, enhancing their be held. learning experience.  Theme 2024: Poshan The project has received support from international Bhi Padhai Bhi, organizations like the International Cooperative Alliance, dietary practices and cooperatives in Europe and Japan, to make it a focused on sensitisation around nutrition and health comprehensive showcase of cooperative movements of pregnant women. worldwide  Poshan Pakhwada is celebrated for a span of 15 days in the month of March annually. UGC introduces SheRNI helping female  Similarly, the month of September is celebrated as scientists and faculty connect Rashtriya Poshan Maah. The She Research Network India(SheRNI) has been  Poshan Abhiyan, launched by PM Modi on 8th March launched by the University Grants Commission’s 2018. information and Library Network Centre.  ‘POSHAN’ stands for ‘Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition. It was established in order to locate children suffering Vice President Inaugurates ‘Prerna Sthal’ at from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) throughout all Parliament House Complex districts and give them specialized attention and nourishment Rajya Sabha Chairperson and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the ‘Prerna Sthal’ (Inspiration Site) within the Parliament House Complex. This newly Iconic Indian Brand Amul launched fresh constructed site houses statues of national icons and milk in the US freedom fighters that were previously scattered across different locations on the premises. Amul fresh milk will be available outside India for the first time as the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation(GCMMF) is set FLY91: India’s newest regional airline to launch four variants of milk in the US market. Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated Fly91, a regional ❖ The GCMMF has tied up with airline, and flagged off its maiden flight from Manohar 108-year old cooperative International Airport, Goa, to Agatti Islands, Lakshadweep. organisation Michigan Milk Producers Association. ❖ The UDAN scheme aims to connect tier 2 and tier 3 ❖ Initially, the fresh milk will be available in major cities cities, with a goal of boosting domestic air traffic to 30 such as New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Washington, crores by 2030. Dallas, and Texas, among others. ❖ Scheduled flights by Fly91 will commence from March 18, 2024, connecting Manohar International Airport, India's first museum dedicated to cooperatives Goa, with various cities including Bengaluru, is coming up in Kozhikode Hyderabad, Jalgaon, Agatti, Pune, and Nanded. ❖ The expansion of air connectivity through the UDAN International Cooperative Museum scheme will enhance tourism, promote trade and (ICM) India's first museum commerce, and offer an affordable, safe, and hassle- dedicated to cooperatives is going free travel experience. to open located in Kozhikode, The event was attended by Fly91 Chairman Shri. Harsha Kerala. Raghavan, Shri Asangba Chuba Ao, Jt. Secretary MoCA,  The museum is housed in a 14-storey building, making and other officials from AAI and the Ministry of Civil it a prominent landmark in the heart of Kozhikode. Aviation  The museum aims to showcase the history, success, and achievements of India's cooperative movement, with a particular focus on Kerala. It will highlight P.No. 19 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 NITI Aayog launches ‘Vocal for Local’  Union I & B Minister stated that the Government initiative to promote grassroots wants to facilitate the Media & Entertainment sector entrepreneurship to thrive and achieve greater heights on an international scale. He highlighted initiatives like Ease To encourage self-reliance and sustainable growth, the of Doing Business for the film industry, schemes like NITI Aayog launched the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative as part “Single window clearance” for film shooting In India, of the Aspirational Blocks Programme. and various other incentives. He urged all to create  The initiative aims to bolster local economies and good content in Indian languages and stated that promote grassroots entrepreneurship. language is not a barrier for a global audience in  Shri BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog, in his today’s hyper-connected world. keynote address urged the District Collectors and the  Addressing media persons ahead of the launch Chief Block Level Officials to collaborate with partners like Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati Gaurav Dwivedi Government e-Marketplace (GeM), and Open said that Doordarshan’s effort is to take this inspiring Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to facilitate and popular serial to a wide audience, especially the sustainable growth of micro enterprises in youth, through OTT. In this direction, we are happy to Aspirational Blocks. tie up with Amazon Prime which will take this story of the unsung sons of our nation to the youth. PM to Participate in Sashakt Nari - Viksit Country Director, Prime Video Sushant Sreeram, Producer Bharat Programme in Delhi of ‘Swaraj’, Abhimanyu Singh, and others were present on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will join the Sashakt the occasion Nari - Viksit Bharat program and observe demonstrations of agricultural drones organized by Namo Drone Didis.  It will be held at the Indian Agricultural Research Mumbai Becomes Asia’s Billionaire Capital Institute, Pusa, New Delhi on 11th March 2024. Mumbai surpasses Beijing as Asia’s billionaire capital  Namo Drone Didis from 10 different locations across according to the report from the Shanghai-based Hurun the nation will also take part in the drone Research Institute 2024. demonstrations. ❖ Mumbai boasts 92 billionaires securing its position as  The initiatives of Namo Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi Asia’s third billionaire capital trailing behind New York are central to the Prime Minister's vision of promoting (119) and London (97). economic empowerment and financial independence New Delhi falls into the Top 10 for the first time among women, particularly in rural areas. To advance this vision, the Prime Minister will honour Lakhpati Didis who have achieved success with the Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Launches "Coal support of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Logistics Plan and Policy" Rural Livelihoods Mission and are assisting and inspiring Minister of Coal, Mines, and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri other Self-Help Group members for their progress Pralhad Joshi, has inaugurated a pioneering initiative known as the "Coal Logistics Plan and Policy" at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur ❖ It was organized by the Indian National Committee launches first season of “Swaraj” on OTT World Mining Congress under the auspices of the platform Amazon Prime Ministry of Coal. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag The Coal Logistics Plan advocates for a strategic transition Singh Thakur launched the first season of “Swaraj” on OTT towards a railway-centric system in FMCs projects, aiming platform Amazon Prime, in Mumbai. ‘Sardar: The Game to achieve a 14% reduction in rail logistic costs and an Changer’, a new serial based on the life of Sardar annual cost saving of Rs 21,000 Crore Vallabhbhai Patel that will be broadcast on Doordarshan was also launched on the occasion.  He informed that the serial was commissioned by taking inspiration from the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” national campaign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. P.No. 20 3rd Floor Cheap and Best Super Mrat next to V Mart ,Boring Road Chauraha Patna-01,Mob-7250110904/05 Pram IAS Annual Current affairs Sept 2023-Aug 2024 SC ordered Election Commission to ❖ She completed an eight-week sniper training at Centre Published Data on Electoral Bond School of Weapons and Tactics in Indore and attained instructor grade. The Election Commission of India on its official website on March 14 published the electoral bonds data as ordered by the Supreme Court. Inauguration of Lighthouse Photo Exhibition  In the data on electoral bonds, the only information The Directorate of Lighthouse and Lightships, operating available about donors is the name of their company under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, is or individual. hosting a Lighthouse Photo Exhibition scheduled from 3rd Biggest donors : In the data released, 1,260 companies March 2024 to 7th March 2024. and individuals purchased electoral bonds worth ₹12,769  The four-day exhibition is showcasing a captivating crore. The top 20 companies accounted for nearly half of collection of 100 photographs portraying the beauty the total amount donated. and historical importance of lighthouses along India's Biggest individual donors : Ms SN Mohanty is the top expansive coastline. individual donor with a total donation of ₹45 crore.  It will be inaugurated by the Union Minister for Ports, Lakshmi Niwas Mittal follows with a donation of ₹35 Shipping, and Waterways & AYUSH, Shri Sarbananda crore. Sonowal on 3rd March 2024 held at AIFACS, 1 Rafi Electoral Bonds: Marg, New Delhi. ❖ Electoral bonds are money instruments like  The primary objective of the Lighthouse Photo promissory notes, which can be bought by companies Exhibition is to promote Lighthouse Tourism, aligning and individuals in India from the State Bank of India with the Ministry's commitment to transforming all (SBI) and donated to a political party, which can then lighthouses in the country into tourist destinations. encash these bonds. Grid-India Becomes a Miniratna Company ❖ The bonds are only redeemable in the designated account of a registered political party. Grid Controller of India Limited (GRID-INDIA) conferred ❖ A person being an individual can buy bonds, either with the status of Miniratna Category-I Central Public singly or jointly with other individuals. Sector Enterprise (CPSE).  GRID-INDIA holds the crucial mandate of overseeing Electoral Bond Scheme: the seamless and uninterrupted operation of the ❖ Electoral Bonds Scheme was launched in 2018 to Indian Power System, ensuring the efficient transfer of cleanse political funding in India. electric power within and across regions, facilitating The central idea behind the electoral bonds scheme was trans-national power exchanges with a focus on to bring about transparency in electoral funding in India reliability, economy, and sustainability. PM Modi Launched India's First Underwater “One Nation One Election” Committee Metro Service submit