• A five-day exchange programme for faculty members of foreign service academies within the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) member states has commenced in Dhaka, marking the first of its kind.
• Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is hosting the All India Research Scholars’ Summit (AIRSS) 2024 from 4th to 7th March 2024. Organized by the Research Affairs Council of IIT Madras, this event promises to be a gathering of minds from diverse disciplines across India, aiming to showcase and explore the latest advancements in various research domains.
• The inaugural Bharat Steam Boiler Expo 2024 has officially commenced in Guwahati, Assam, marking a significant milestone in India’s industrial journey. Launched with the objective of enhancing the growth and efficiency of sectors reliant on steam boilers, this three-day event has been inaugurated by Sanjay Kishan, the state’s Labour and Employment Minister.
• India is set to host the prestigious World Telecom Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), along with the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024. These events aim to foster global collaboration, drive telecom reforms, and showcase India’s technological prowess.
• The fourth edition of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Startup Forum convened in New Delhi on March 19, 2024, with a focus on enhancing interactions among SCO Member States’ startups, fostering innovation, creating employment opportunities, and nurturing young talent.
• India and Brazil recently held their inaugural ’ $2+2$ ’ defence and foreign ministerial dialogue, marking a significant milestone in their bilateral relations. The talks aimed to deepen cooperation across various sectors, emphasizing energy, critical minerals, technology, and counterterrorism.
• The Indian Army is organizing the first Army Commanders’ Conference for the year 2024 in a hybrid mode. The virtual segment of the conference is scheduled for 28th March 2024, followed by the physical mode in New Delhi on 1st and 2nd April 2024. The conference will be chaired by the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Manoj Pande, and attended by senior military leadership, including Army Commanders participating virtually from their respective Command Headquarters.
• The METOC seminar ‘Meghayan-24’ was conducted by the School of Naval Oceanology & Meteorology (SNOM) and the Indian Naval Meteorological Analysis Centre (INMAC) at the Southern Naval Command on March 28, 2024. It was organized in commemoration of World Meteorological Day, with the theme ‘At the Frontline of Climate Action’ set by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for 2024.

Ranks and Reports News

• Bloomberg has announced the inclusion of India’s Fully Accessible Route (FAR) bonds in its Emerging Market (EM) Local Currency Government Index and related indices, with a phased approach over ten months starting January 31, 2025. This follows JP Morgan’s similar move earlier, signaling increased foreign investment potential in Indian government securities.
• According to the latest data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India was the world’s top arms importer for the period 2019-2023. India’s arms imports witnessed a 4.7% increase compared to the 2014-2018 period.
• Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled the report “A Decade of Science - Technology Panorama for Aatmanirbhar Bharat” at Vigyan Bhavan. Under the leadership of Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, the (Office of Principal Scientific Advisor) OPSA to the Government of India, in collaboration with FAST India, has compiled a comprehensive overview of India’s technological advancements over the past decade in this report.
• India’s position on the DHL Global Connectedness Index has seen a notable rise, reflecting its burgeoning role in the global economy. From ranking 67th in 2022, India has advanced to the 62 nd position in 2023, underscoring its increasing significance in the realm of globalization.
• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its State of the Global Climate 2023 report, revealing unprecedented levels of climate change indicators. These indicators underscore the urgent need for global action to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
• The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has released its Global Trade Update report, outlining the state of global trade in 2023 and projections for 2024. Despite a $3 \%$ dip in global trade to $\$ $$\mathrm{31}$ trillion in 2023, a rebound is expected in 2024 amid geopolitical uncertainties and logistical challenges.
• In a landmark shift, Mumbai has overtaken Beijing as Asia’s billionaire capital, according to the latest report from the Shanghai-based Hurun Research Institute. This monumental achievement reflects Mumbai’s burgeoning economic landscape and underscores India’s rising prominence in global wealth distribution.
• In the latest Brand Finance Insurance 100, 2024 report, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) solidifies its position as the strongest insurance brand worldwide, maintaining a stable brand value of Rs 816 billion. With a Brand Strength Index score of 88.3 and an AAA brand strength rating, LIC showcases its unparalleled prominence in the industry.
• The International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with the Institute of Human Development (IHD) has released the ‘India Employment Report 2024,’ shedding light on the challenges faced by the Indian job market as the financial year comes to a close. Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran unveiled the report, which outlines significant shifts in employment patterns and trends in education levels among the unemployed, spanning two decades up to 2022.

Important Days