International News

Overview of Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahayan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Visit to India: 9th – 10th September 2024

• The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahayan, made his first official visit to India from 9th to 10th September 2024, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• On 9th September 2024, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with the Crown Prince at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
• On 10th September 2024, the Crown Prince attended the India-UAE Business Forum in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• The Governments of India and the UAE signed five key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in various fields, including nuclear energy and petroleum.

Summit and Conference News

Ministry of Steel Hosted “Greening Steel: Pathway to Sustainability” Event in New Delhi

• On 10th September 2024, the Ministry of Steel hosted the event titled “Greening Steel: Pathway to Sustainability” at C.D. Deshmukh Hall, India International Centre, New Delhi.
• Union Minister H.D. Kumarswamy, the chief guest, released the report on “Greening the Steel Sector in India: Roadmap and Action Plan.”
• Sanjay Singh, Former Secretary of the Ministry of Steel, chaired the technical session titled “Leadership and Innovation: Driving the Green Steel Transition.”
• The event focused on sustainable practices and innovations in the steel industry.

Rank and Reports News

MoHFW releases ‘Health Dynamics of India 2022-23’ report

• On September 9, 2024, Union Secretary Apurva Chandra, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, launched the ‘Health Dynamics of India (Infrastructure and Human Resources) 2022-23’ report in New Delhi.
• The report, previously known as Rural Health Statistics, has been published annually since 1992 and provides comprehensive insights into the country’s healthcare infrastructure and workforce.
• It examines and compares health infrastructure and manpower data from 2005 to 2023, with a special focus on the period from 2022 to 2023.
• The report is divided into two parts, offering detailed district-level information on health facilities and personnel in rural, urban, and tribal regions.

Banking and Finance News

MCA Notifies Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023 for M&As

• On September 10, 2024, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs notified provisions of the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023 to revamp the merger control regime.
• The amendments include a Deal Value Threshold, reduced review timelines for the Competition Commission of India, and new exemption criteria for certain transactions.
• Regulatory clearance from CCI is now required for deals exceeding Rs 2,000 crore if the target entity has substantial business operations in India.
• The review period for M&A transactions has been reduced from 210 days to 150 days.

Science and Technology News

PM Modi Chaired the 1st Meeting of the Governing Board of ANRF

• On 10th September 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the first meeting of the Governing Board of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) at his residence in New Delhi.
• The meeting focused on India’s Science and Technology landscape and the redesigning of research and development programs.
• Several programs were introduced, including Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) and the Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA).
• ANRF aims to enhance India’s global competitiveness in key areas and align with the goals for Viksit Bharat 2047.

National News

MSDE Signed MoU with Swiggy For Logistics & Upskilling Partnership

• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Swiggy Limited to launch ‘Swiggy Skills,’ an initiative offering employment opportunities within Swiggy’s network.
• The initiative was launched by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE in New Delhi.
• It provides internship and training opportunities in restaurant operations and various aspects of retail management.
• Swiggy’s partner platform will be integrated into the Skill India Digital Hub, benefiting 2.4 lakh delivery partners and restaurant employees.

Defence News

Indian Navy’s P8I Participates in Ex Kakadu 2024 Hosted by the Royal Australian Navy

• Exercise Kakadu 2024, the 16th edition of the biennial exercise led by the Royal Australian Navy, is being held in Darwin, Australia from September 7-20, 2024.
• The Indian Navy’s P8I aircraft, led by Captain Ajay Kanwar, is participating in the exercise.
• The exercise involves over 3,000 personnel from 32 nations and features 13 warships, a submarine, and over 10 aircraft.
• The focus is on integrating international partners in all aspects of maritime operations, including anti-submarine warfare and air defense exercises.

Defence News

India-US Defence Summit ‘INDUS-X’ Launches New Webpage To Help Investors

• A new INDUS-X web page was launched during the 3rd edition of the India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) Summit at Stanford University, California.
• The webpage serves as a platform for investors and startups to learn about the program, its objectives, and partnership opportunities.
• The summit was co-hosted by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum and Stanford University.
• The theme of the summit was ‘Harnessing Investment Opportunities to Enhance Cross-Border Defence Innovation Ecosystems.’

Rank and Reports News

Elon Musk to Become World’s 1st Trillionaire by 2027; Gautam Adani by 2028: 2024 Trillion Dollar Club

• According to an Informa Connect Academy report, Elon Musk is most likely to become the world’s first trillionaire by 2027.
• Musk, currently the richest man in the world with a net worth of USD 248 billion, needs his wealth to grow at an average annual rate of nearly 110%.
• Gautam Adani, with a net worth of USD 111 billion, is expected to become the second trillionaire by 2028.
• Among women billionaires, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is expected to become a trillionaire by 2040.

Banking and Finance News

Aviva Life Insurance Launches ‘Aviva Signature Increasing Income Plan’

• Aviva Life Insurance Company India Limited has launched the ‘Aviva Signature Increasing Income Plan,’ a non-linked, non-participating life insurance savings plan.
• The plan offers a 15% increase in income every third policy year to address inflation and rising living expenses.
• It guarantees whole-life income to the policyholder and provides financial security until the age of 100.
• The plan also offers a premium return at the end of the payout period, with the policyholder receiving 105% of the total premiums paid.

Banking and Finance News

AU Small Finance Partners with UIIC For Distribution of Insurance Products

• AU Small Finance Bank Limited has partnered with United India Insurance Company Limited to offer a wide range of general insurance solutions.
• The agreement includes motor insurance, personal accident insurance, crop insurance, property insurance, shopkeeper insurance, and cyber incident insurance.
• The partnership aims to provide reliable insurance options in various categories, leveraging UIIC’s broad network and AU SFB’s increasing infrastructure.
• This collaboration aligns with AU SFB’s goals of serving business communities and supporting Viksit Bharat.

Science and Technology News

NTPC Green Energy & Suzlon Partnered for India’s Largest Wind Energy Order of 1,166 MW

• Suzlon Group has won the order from NTPC Green Energy Limited for India’s largest wind energy order of 1,166 MW.
• The project will be executed across three sites in Gujarat, involving the installation of 370 wind turbine generators.
• This will be the first of its kind project in India to be undertaken by any Public Sector Undertaking.
• The electricity generated from the project is expected to power approximately 3 million households.

Appointments and Resignations News

Tayyab Ikram is set for 2nd Term as FIH President

• Mohammad Tayyab Ikram is set to become the President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for a second term.
• He has been serving as the 13th President of FIH since 2022 and is the sole candidate for the post.
• The election for the post of FIH President will be held during the 49th FIH Statutory Congress in Muscat, Oman on 9th November 2024.
• Ikram has previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Hockey Federation and has been a member of the FIH Executive Board since 2016.

Appointments and Resignations News

ACC Approves the Appointment of Six Senior Advocates as ASG in Supreme Court

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the appointment of six senior advocates as Additional Solicitor Generals in the Supreme Court of India.
• The newly appointed ASGs are S. Dwarakanath, Archana Pathak Dave, Satya Darshi, Sanjay Brijender Chahar, Raghavendra P. Shankar, and Rajkumar Bhaskar Thakare.
• These appointments were made for a period of three years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the office.
• With these appointments, the strength of ASGs in the Supreme Court has increased to 11.

Banking and Finance News

CCI approvals on 10 September 2024

• The Competition Commission of India approved the merger of Tata Motors Finance Limited with Tata Capital Limited, with TCL being the surviving entity.
• The CCI also approved the subscription of shares of Aditya Infotech Limited by Dixon Technologies and the acquisition of shares of AIL Dixon Technologies Private Limited by AIL.
• TCL specializes in lending, leasing, financing, and distributing financial products, while TMFL focuses on financing new and pre-owned vehicles.
• DTIL specializes in Electronic Manufacturing Services, and AIL focuses on sourcing, distributing, and marketing Electronic Security Systems.

Sports News

England Cricketer Moeen Ali Retires from International Cricket

• England’s cricketer Moeen Ali has retired from international cricket, having last played in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
• He made his international debut in 2014 and has played 138 ODIs, 92 T20Is, and 68 Tests.
• Ali scored 6,678 international runs and picked 366 wickets across the three formats.
• He was part of the England team that won the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Important Days News

National Forest Martyrs Day 2024 – September 11

• National Forest Martyrs Day is observed annually on 11 September to commemorate brave forest guards and officials who laid down their lives protecting India’s forests and wildlife.
• The day was officially declared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2013.
• It was established to remember the Khejarli Massacre of 1730, which took place in Khejarli, Rajasthan.
• The day honors the sacrifices made by forest personnel in the line of duty.