National News

MoPR & UNICEF Signed LoI To Strengthen Systems For Social Change

• The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) and UNICEF have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to enhance systems and engage communities for social change.
• This partnership aims to establish effective communication systems among the Ministry, Elected Representatives, Field Functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions, and Rural Communities.
• The initiative will improve service delivery to rural citizens, especially women and children, accelerating the localised Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• It will empower rural communities to make informed decisions, improve service delivery, and boost governance transparency, contributing to a more inclusive and connected rural India.

State News

PM Narendra Modi launched ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ initiatives in Gujarat

• On September 6, 2024, PM Narendra Modi virtually launched the ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ initiative in Surat, Gujarat, with an outlay of Rs 27 crore.
• The program, a collaboration between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Government of Gujarat, focuses on water conservation and community participation.
• It includes the construction of around 24,800 rainwater harvesting structures across Gujarat, aiming to enhance groundwater levels and boost water infiltration.
• The initiative aligns with the National Water Mission (NWM) and promotes water-efficient farming techniques and CSR efforts from industries.

State News

MoSPI: Telangana, TN Top in GSDP Growth among 10 Largest States in FY24

• According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan have registered the highest growth in real Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) among the 10 largest states in FY24.
• Telangana saw a GSDP growth of 9.2%, reaching Rs 7.9 lakh crore, surpassing India’s GDP growth of 8.2%.
• Tamil Nadu’s GSDP grew by 8.2% to Rs 15.7 lakh crore, while Rajasthan registered an 8% increase in its GSDP.
• The services sector significantly contributed to the GSDP growth in these states, with Telangana and Tamil Nadu showing notable performance.

Summit and Conference News

PM Narendra Modi Addressed 1st International Solar Festival Virtually in New Delhi

• On September 5, 2024, PM Narendra Modi virtually addressed the first International Solar Festival (ISF) 2024 held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
• India’s solar energy capacity has increased 32-fold in the last 10 years, with a target to achieve 500 Gigawatts (GWs) of non-fossil power capacity by 2030.
• The ISF 2024, organized by the International Solar Alliance (ISA), aims to promote affordable, reliable, and sustainable solar energy globally.
• The festival features themes focusing on youth, communities, women, and the private sector, with sessions on innovative solar solutions and global cooperation.

Science and Technology News

MeitY Launches 2nd Cohort of SAMRIDH to Support Startups

• On September 4, 2024, S Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, launched the 2nd Cohort of the SAMRIDH scheme to support startups.
• Accelerators can apply for the 2nd Cohort of SAMRIDH by October 2, 2024, aiming to select and support 125 startups.
• The initiative, led by MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), offers a 6-9 months acceleration program with matching funds up to Rs 40 lakhs.
• SAMRIDH, launched in August 2021, aims to support 300 software startups over three years, focusing on IT-based startups.

International News

Algeria joins New member of BRICS New Development Bank

• Algeria has been authorized to become a new member of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), announced during the 9th Annual Meeting of the NDB in Cape Town, South Africa.
• With Algeria joining, the total number of NDB members stands at 10, making it the 3rd Arab country to join after Egypt and the UAE.
• The NDB, established in 2015, aims to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in Emerging Markets and Developing Countries (EMDCs).
• The membership will be open to members of the United Nations (UN), with the 10th Annual Meeting scheduled to be held in Brazil in 2025.

International News

MIGA & ISA to Set up Multi-Donor Trust Fund to Support Solar Projects

• MIGA, a member of the World Bank Group, and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) announced the establishment of the ‘MIGA-ISA Solar Facility’.
• The facility, supported by the Government of India, aims to expand access to renewable energy globally, starting with Sub-Saharan Africa.
• It will offer concessional financing tools to improve project bankability and lower the cost of MIGA guarantees.
• ISA has committed USD 2 million in seed funding, aiming to raise USD 10 million for the facility, with plans for global expansion.

Banking and Finance News

DICGC Introduces Daava Soochak for Claim Status Tracking

• The Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) launched ‘Daava Soochak’, an online tool for tracking claim status.
• Depositors can check the status of claims for banks placed under All Inclusive Directions (AID) after April 1, 2024, by entering their registered mobile number on the DICGC website.
• The insurance limit was raised to Rs 5,00,000 per depositor in February 2020, with 97.8% of deposit accounts fully insured.
• In 2023-24, DICGC settled claims worth Rs 1,432 crore for liquidated banks and those under AID.

Banking and Finance News

HDBFS Becomes 1st NBFC To Launch NPCI’s e-KYC Setu System

• Housing Development Board Financial Services Limited (HDBFS) has become the first NBFC to launch NPCI’s e-KYC Setu System.
• The system, built in collaboration with UIDAI, aims to streamline the account opening process, providing a faster, simpler, and more secure way to access financial services.
• HDBFS customers can now open loan accounts without uploading documents or visiting a branch, using secure OTP-based authentication.
• This initiative ensures a hassle-free experience and accelerates customer onboarding.

Banking and Finance News

PayMate Partners with NBBL To Launch BBPS-B2B Platform

• PayMate has partnered with NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited (NBBL) to launch the ‘PayMate BBPS-B2B’ platform.
• The platform aims to serve 634 lakh MSMEs and 16.6 lakh corporate entities across India, promoting standardization and digitization of commercial operations.
• It offers a comprehensive solution for managing the invoice lifecycle, from customer onboarding to invoice generation, financing, collections, and reconciliation.
• The platform assists corporate, mid-market, and SME clients in conducting business transactions efficiently.

Awards and Recognitions News

Sundar Pichai, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Anil Kapoor among Indians on TIME 100 Most Influential People in AI 2024 List

• TIME Magazine released the “TIME 100 Most Influential People in AI 2024” list, featuring Sundar Pichai, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Anil Kapoor among the influential Indians.
• This is the 2nd edition of the list, recognizing the 100 most influential people shaping the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• The list categorizes the influential people into Leaders, Innovators, Shapers, and Thinkers.
• TIME Magazine, established in 1923, continues to highlight significant contributors to various fields.

Appointments and Resignations News

Raja Randhir Singh Becomes First Indian OCA President

• Raja Randhir Singh has been elected as the President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) for a four-year tenure (2024-2028), becoming the first Indian to hold this position.
• He was unanimously elected during the 44th General Assembly held in New Delhi, in the presence of Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and leaders from 45 Asian nations.
• Singh has a distinguished sports career, representing India in shooting at multiple Olympic Games and Asian Games.
• He has also held various administrative roles, including Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association and Member of the International Olympic Committee.

Banking and Finance News

Ministry of Finance to Sell 6.78% Stake in GIC Re for Rs 4,700 crore

• The Ministry of Finance is set to sell a 6.78% stake in the General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) through an Offer-For-Sale (OFS), aiming to raise approximately Rs 4,700 crore.
• Initially, the government will divest 3.39% of the equity, with an additional 3.39% available as a green shoe option.
• The floor price for the OFS is set at Rs 395 per share, around 6% below the Current Market Price (CMP) of Rs 420.8.
• The government’s current stake in GIC Re is 85.78%, with shares available for non-retail investors, retail investors, and GIC employees.

Science and Technology News

ISRO to Launch 1st Base Module of Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2028

• ISRO plans to launch the 1st base module of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India’s 1st space station, by 2028.
• The BAS will have 5 modules, with the entire station expected to be fully assembled in space by 2035.
• The first module, weighing 9186 kg, will lack human re-entry capabilities and can fit into the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM Mk-3).
• ISRO is also developing a new generation rocket, Soorya, to lift off the heavier modules, with capabilities exceeding the current heaviest rocket, LVM Mk-3.

Important Days News

International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies 2024 – September 7

• The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is observed annually on September 7 to raise awareness about the importance of clean air for a sustainable future.
• The 2024 theme is “Invest in #CleanAirNow,” marking the 5th annual observance of the day.
• The UN General Assembly proclaimed this day in 2019 to promote clean air initiatives globally.
• During the observance, the Swachh Vayu Survekshan (SVS) Awards 2024 were presented to the best-performing National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) cities in India.

Important Days News

First-Ever UN’s World Duchenne Awareness Day – 7th September 2024

• The first-ever UN’s World Duchenne Awareness Day (WDAD) was observed on September 7, 2024, to raise awareness about Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy (DMD/BMD).
• The theme for WDAD 2024 is ‘Raise your voice for Duchenne,’ promoting education, advocacy, and social inclusion initiatives.
• WDAD was first observed in 2014, initiated by the World Duchenne Organization (WDO).
• The UN General Assembly officially designated September 7 as World Duchenne Awareness Day starting from 2024.

Important Days News

2nd International Day of Police Cooperation – 7 September 2024

• The International Day of Police Cooperation is observed annually on September 7 to recognize and promote international cooperation between police forces.
• The 2024 theme is “Police Integrity, Accountability, and Oversight,” marking the 2nd observance of the day.
• The UN General Assembly proclaimed this day in 2022 to enhance global police cooperation.
• The day is commemorated by the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Policing (IATF-P).