October 2024

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Current Affairs Pocket PDF – October 2024
Table of Contents
NATIONAL AFFAIRS ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
CABINET APPROVALS ............................................................................................................................................... 6
PARLIAMENT NEWS .................................................................................................................................................. 7
STATEWISE NATIONAL NEWS ................................................................................................................................. 8
LAUNCHES & INAUGURATION ................................................................................................................................. 9
FESTIVAL................................................................................................................................................................... 14
OTHER NATIONAL NEWS ....................................................................................................................................... 14
GOVT SCHEMES ............................................................................................................................................................ 20
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS ......................................................................................................................................... 23
VISITS............................................................................................................................................................................. 25
INDIAN VISITS .......................................................................................................................................................... 25
FOREIGN VISITS ....................................................................................................................................................... 26
BANKING & FINANCE .................................................................................................................................................. 28
RBI IN NEWS ............................................................................................................................................................. 28
SEBI ............................................................................................................................................................................ 30
LOANS ISSUED BY BANKS....................................................................................................................................... 32
AGREEMENTS & MoUs SIGNED.............................................................................................................................. 33
OTHER BANKING NEWS ......................................................................................................................................... 36
FINANCE NEWS......................................................................................................................................................... 38
ECONOMY & BUSINESS ............................................................................................................................................... 40
GDP & GROWTH RATE ............................................................................................................................................ 40
ECONOMY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................................... 41
BUSINESS NEWS ....................................................................................................................................................... 42
MoU’s & AGREEMENTS ............................................................................................................................................... 42
MoU’s WITH COUNTRY ........................................................................................................................................... 42
MoU’s WITH STATE ................................................................................................................................................. 43
MoU’s BETWEEN ORGANIZATION ........................................................................................................................ 44
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS .......................................................................................................................... 47
APPOINTMENTS....................................................................................................................................................... 47
NATIONAL ................................................................................................................................................................. 47
INTERNATIONAL ..................................................................................................................................................... 51
BRAND & CAMPAIGN AMBASSADORS ................................................................................................................. 52

AWARDS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 53
NOBEL PRIZE ............................................................................................................................................................ 53
AWARDS IN THE FIELD OF ARTS & CULTURE FILMS ........................................................................................ 55
OTHER IMPORTANT AWARDS .............................................................................................................................. 55
SUMMITS, EVENTS & CONFERENCE.......................................................................................................................... 60
SUMMITS ................................................................................................................................................................... 60
EVENTS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 61
CONFERENCE ............................................................................................................................................................ 64
COMMITTEES & MEETINGS........................................................................................................................................ 64
MEETINGS ................................................................................................................................................................. 64
INDEX ............................................................................................................................................................................. 66
RANKING ................................................................................................................................................................... 66
REPORTS ................................................................................................................................................................... 68
ACQUISITION & MERGERS ......................................................................................................................................... 72
DEFENCE........................................................................................................................................................................ 73
EXERCISE ................................................................................................................................................................... 73
TESTING .................................................................................................................................................................... 74
DEAL & MoU’s ........................................................................................................................................................... 74
ARMY, NAVY & AIR FORCE NEWS ......................................................................................................................... 75
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ........................................................................................................................................... 77
SATELLITES LAUNCHES .......................................................................................................................................... 77
NATIONAL ................................................................................................................................................................. 77
INTERNATIONAL ..................................................................................................................................................... 79
SPORTS .......................................................................................................................................................................... 80
CRICKET .................................................................................................................................................................... 80
BADMINTON & TENNIS........................................................................................................................................... 81
ARCHERY & SHOOTING .......................................................................................................................................... 81
ATHLETIC & FOOTBALL ......................................................................................................................................... 82
BOOKS & AUTHORS ..................................................................................................................................................... 83
OBITUARY ..................................................................................................................................................................... 84
NATIONAL ................................................................................................................................................................. 84
INTERNATIONAL ..................................................................................................................................................... 86
IMPORTANT DAYS ....................................................................................................................................................... 87
APPS & WEB PORTAL ................................................................................................................................................. 97
ENVIRONMENT............................................................................................................................................................. 97

NATIONAL AFFAIRS
CABINET APPROVALS
Union Cabinet Approved Establishment of NCoE for AVGC in Mumbai
Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved the establishment of a
National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended
Reality (AVGC-XR) in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
✓ It will be administered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoI&B).
✓ NCoE AVGC-XR established as Section 8 Company under the Companies Act, 2013 in India with
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII) representing the industry bodies as partners with the Government of India (GoI).
Cabinet Approvals on 3rd October 2024

On 3rd October 2024, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the
following,
✓ Modified Productivity Linked Reward (PLR) Scheme for the major ports and dock labour Board
employees/workers from 2020-21 to 2025-26.
✓ The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) to promote sustainable agriculture
and the Krishonnati Yojana (KY) to achieve food security for self-sufficiency.
✓ India to Join the International Energy Efficiency Hub by signing the Letter of Intent(LoI).
✓ Conferring the status of Classical Language to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali
languages.
✓ Chennai Metro Rail Project Phase II comprises three corridors.
✓ Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) for 78 days to railway employees.
✓ The National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) for 2024-25 to 2030-31.
✓ Creation of a post of the Presiding Officer for the Special Tribunal (full time) at Talcher, Odisha
under the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition & Development) Act, 1957. Click here to read full News
Cabinet Approvals on 9th October 2024

On 9th October 2024, the Union Cabinet chaired by Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India, has
approved the following proposals for,
✓ Development of the world-class National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) by Ministry of
Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) at Lothal, Gujarat, to be executed in two phases.
✓ Construction of 2,280 km of roads in Rajasthan and Punjab, with an investment of Rs 4,406
crore.
✓ Continuation of the universal supply of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) under various Central
Government schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), from
July 2024 to December 2028, at a cost of Rs 17,082 crore.
✓ The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved deals for the purchase of 31 MQ-9B High
Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) from General Atomics of the
United States of America (USA), and indigenous construction of two Nuclear Attack Submarines
(SSN). Click here to read full News
Cabinet Approvals on 16th October 2024

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved various schemes and
projects on 16th October 2024.
The Cabinet has approved,

✓ The additional instalment of 3% of Dearness Allowance(DA) to Central Government employees
and Dearness Relief(DR) to Pensioners.
✓ The Varanasi-Pt.Deen Dayal Upadhyaya multi-tracking project of the Ministry of Railways
with an estimated cost of Rs 2642 crore.
✓ Rs. 35,000 crores allotted for the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan
Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) schemes to support farmers and control price volatility.
✓ The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the increase in the Minimum
Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2025-26.
MSP for all Rabi crops for Marketing Season 2025-26
Increase in
MSP
MSP RMS
S.
Crops 2025-26 (Rs. (Absolute)
No.
per quintal)
(Rs. per
quintal)
1 Wheat 2425 150
2 Barley 1980 130
3 Gram 5650 210

Lentil
4 6700 275
(Masur)
Rapeseed
5 & 5950 300
Mustard
6 Safflower 5940 140
CCS Gave Approval to Establish New Missile Testing Range in Nagayalanka, Andhra
Pradesh
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi had given its
approval to establish a new missile testing range in Nagayalanka village, Krishna district in Andhra
Pradesh (AP).
✓ Apart from setting up new missile testing range, CCS had also approved the proposal of
purchasing 31 Predator long-endurance armed drones from the United States of
America (USA) and two nuclear submarines to be built by ATV Project India Limited for
developing strategic submarines for the Indian Navy (IN).
✓ India signed an agreement worth USD 4 billion with the United States of America(USA) to
acquire 31 MQ-9B Predator high-altitude, long-endurance drones from the USA based General
Atomics, under the foreign military sales programme.
PARLIAMENT NEWS
Supreme Court of India upholds Section 6A of Citizenship Act as Valid Law
The Supreme Court of India (SCI) upheld the constitutionality of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act,
1955, with a majority of 4:1. As per it, Section 6A does not violate Articles 6 and 7 of the Constitution,
which pertain to citizenship rights established at the Constitution's commencement in 1950.

Section 6A addresses migrants from erstwhile East Pakistan (Present Bangladesh),
specifically those who entered Assam between January 1, 1966, and March 24, 1971.
STATEWISE NATIONAL NEWS

Arunachal Pradesh
MoEFCC Declares Namdapha National Park and Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary in
Arunachal Pradesh as ESZ
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) designated Namdapha
National Park and Tiger Reserve and Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve located in
Changlang and Lohit of Arunachal Pradesh (AR) respectively, as Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ).
Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of India’s largest and most biologically diverse
protected areas within the Eastern Himalayas. It was declared as Tiger Reserve by the Government in
1983. It was the 15th Tiger Project of India.
Assam
Assam Becomes 1st State to Implement Co-Districts, the new administrative structure
Assam has become the first state in India to launch and operationalize Co-Districts, a pioneering
initiative to decentralise district administration and take governance to grassroots. Co-Districts are the
targeted administrative units in a district.
21 such co-districts were launched across Assam with an aim of bringing governance and
administrative work closer to citizens’ homes
Karnataka
Karnataka Launches ‘Shiksha Copilot’: AI Assistant for Empowering Teachers with
Technology
The Government of Karnataka has introduced ‘Shiksha Copilot’, a new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-
powered digital assistant designed to help teachers create lesson plans and improve student learning
outcomes. It was launched by Madhu Bangarappa, Minister of School Education and Literacy,
Karnataka.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Sikshana Foundation and Microsoft Research India. It is
part of Project VeLLM, (Very Large Language Model), a Microsoft Research India initiative that focuses
on developing specialized AI copilots for various users, including teachers and farmers.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra Approves to Rename Pune Airport as Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj
Airport
The Government of Maharashtra has approved renaming the Pune International Airport located in
Lohegaon as the 'Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport' during the cabinet meeting chaired by
Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister(CM) of Maharashtra.
Punjab
KAP Sinha Appointed as New Chief Secretary of Punjab
The government of Punjab has appointed KAP Sinha, a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
officer, as the chief secretary of Punjab, replacing Anurag Verma. He becomes the 43rd chief
secretary of Punjab. KAP Sinha will also hold the additional charge of principal secretary, personnel,
vigilance and general administration.

Telangana
Telangana Becomes First State to Launch a Chapter of NITI Aayog's Women
Entrepreneurship Platform
In a landmark initiative to boost women-led businesses, Telangana became the first state in India to
launch its own state chapter of National Institution for Transforming India(NITI) Aayog's Women
Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP).
✓ The ‘WEP Telangana Chapter’ was launched by BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) of NITI Aayog in the presence of State Information and Technology(IT) and Industries
secretary, Jayesh Ranjan and co-chair of WEP, Sangeetha Reddy in Hyderabad(Telangana).
Tripura
Tripura Govt launches CM-SATH Scheme to Help Meritorious Students in Higher
Education
Prof. Dr. Manik Saha, Chief Minister (CM) of Tripura launched CM-SATH Scheme to provide financial
support to meritorious students for higher education. Under this scheme, a financial assistance of Rs
60,000 (Rs. 5,000 per month) will be provided to a total of 200 students, including 100 at the
Madhyamik level for two years and 100 at the Higher Secondary level for three years
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand CM renames key schemes to make them simpler, boost rural
entrepreneurship
Uttarakhand Chief Minister(CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced the renaming of two schemes
to make them simpler and more accessible for villagers. The changes are part of the government’s
efforts to promote rural development and economic growth.
✓ The Rural Enterprise Acceleration Project (REAP)has been renamed
‘Gramothan Yojana’.
✓ TheRural Business Incubator(RBI) Scheme has been renamed ‘Chief Minister(CM)
Udyamshala Yojana’. This scheme offers financial assistance and training to rural
entrepreneurs.
Uttar Pradesh
UP CM Yogi Adityanath Unveiled Multi-Coloured Logo & App for Mahakumbh 2025
Uttar Pradesh(UP) Chief Minister(CM) Yogi Adityanath unveiled the new multi-coloured logo for Maha
Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj (earlier Allahabad),UP. During the event, the CM launched the website
and application(app) for Kumbh Mela 2025.
✓ The design of the logo features a temple, a seer, an urn, the Akshayvat tree and an image of
Lord Hanuman, representing the confluence of nature and humanity in the Sanatana civilization.
✓ The logo prominently features the city’s most sacred site, the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of
the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers
LAUNCHES & INAUGURATION

PM Modi Launches IFSC Single Window System Developed By DEV IT
Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi launched the ‘Single Window IT (SWIT)’ platform developed by
Dev Information Technology Limited (DEV IT) under the guidance of the International Financial
Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) during the event held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

MoPSW Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Launches Cruise Bharat Mission
The Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW),
launched the Cruise Bharat Mission (CBM) from the Mumbai port in Mumbai, Maharashtra to enhance
India's cruise tourism sector, and position it as a global hub for cruise tourism.
✓ CBM is designed with the ambitious goal of doubling cruise passenger traffic within five years,
targeting an increase from 4.6 lakh passengers in 2024 to 50 lakh by 2047.
✓ It aims to double volume of cruise calls from 254 in 2024 to 500 by 2030 and 1,100 by 2047.
FCI launches ANNA DARPAN: A new era of digital transformation in supply chain
management
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) under the Department of Food & Public Distribution, Ministry of
Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, has launched a comprehensive digital transformation
initiative to modernize its existing supply chain management system 'Depot Online System', with the
implementation of a new, microservices-based integrated supply chain management system named
‘Anna Darpan’.
Nitin Gadkari Unveils Rs 100 Commemorative Coin to mark the Birth Centenary of HH
Mataji Nirmala Devi Ji
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) unveiled a Rs 100
commemorative coin to mark the Birth Centenary of HH Mataji Nirmala Devi Ji at the National
Museum in New Delhi, Delhi. The Rs 100 coin features an image of HH Mataji Nirmala Devi Ji,
symbolizing her teachings and the principle, including inner peace and universal love.
Ultraviolette launches its 6th UV Space station in Visakhapatnam

Bengaluru(Karnataka) based Ultraviolette Automotive Private Limited has launched its
6th Ultraviolette (UV) space station in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh(AP) to support and expand
UV’s Electric Vehicle (EV) ecosystem in India, offering services like charging, maintenance and
community space for EV users.
President Droupadi Murmu Inaugurates 8th India Water Week in New Delhi
The 8th edition of India Water Week (IWW 2024), organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), was
conducted from 17th to 20th September 2024 at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ The theme for IWW 2024 was “Partnerships and Cooperation for Inclusive Water
Development and Management”.
✓ Woman Water Warriors – Ujiaro Bai from Madhya Pradesh and Lakemen Nongkhlaw from
Meghalaya were honoured for their grassroots efforts in water conservation in the event.
✓ iPUMPNET Unveiled by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti & Company Wins ET Infra Focus Award
2024 for Best Brand in Water Technology
✓ India and the European Union (EU) partnered for sustainable water management at the 6th EU-
India Water Forum held along with the IWW 2024.
✓ BlueVerse India Showcases Revolutionary Water-Efficient Vehicle Washing Solutions at India
Water Week 2024.

PM Narendra Modi lays Foundation Stone and Inaugurates Various Projects in
Hazaribag, Jharkhand
On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of
India, launched Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), with a total outlay of over
Rs 79,156 crores, from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.
✓ PM Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various projects in Hazaribag,
Jharkhand focusing on the empowerment and welfare of tribal communities.
✓ He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple projects under Pradhan Mantri
Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) worth over Rs 1360 crore.
ANRF Launches first 2 initiatives: PMECRG and MAHA-EV Mission

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has launched its first two significant initiatives:
the Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG) and the Mission for Advancement in High-
Impact Areas - Electric Vehicle (MAHA-EV) Mission.
These initiatives were initiated during the first Governing Board (GB) meeting on September 10, 2024,
chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi as the GB President.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan Launched Various Schemes and Laid the
Foundation Stone of 500 Km Long Newly Paved Roads in MP
On 8th October 2024, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD),
participated in the Rural Self Employment Programme organized by the MoRD at Bhairunda, Madhya
Pradesh(MP). He has launched various schemes under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), aimed at
enhancing rural infrastructure, employment, and housing across India.
✓ He also laid the foundation stone of 500 kilometer (km) long newly paved roads under
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and also launched the Gram Sadak Survey and
Planning tool.
✓ He launched the Awas Sakhi mobile application (app) for the beneficiaries of PMAY and has also
launched Community Managed Training Centres (CMTCs)about 100 of which are being rolled out
across 18 states in the country.
✓ During the event, he announced that the Government of India (GoI) has approved the setting up of
5 new Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) training centers in Madhya Pradesh
(MP).
India’s first Memorial for Unsung Heroes of Military Intelligence ‘Satark Park’ Unveiled
in Pune
The Indian Army (IA) inaugurated its first memorial, "Satark Park" in Pune(Maharashtra), dedicated
to honouring Military Intelligence (MI) personnel who lost their lives in service. The memorial is
inspired by MI's motto "Sada Satark" (always alert).
✓ The memorial has been constructed, maintained and operated by the (MINTSD) with support
from Pune based Roadway Solutions India Infra Limited (RSIIL).
Maharashtra Launches India's First State-Level Cyber Command Center to Combat

Cybercrime
The Maharashtra State Cyber Department in partnership with Vadodara(Gujarat) based Larsen &
Toubro (L&T) Technology Services Limited (LTTS) launched India's first state-level Cyber Command
and Control Center (CCC) at Mahape in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.

✓ The CCC aims to enhance the speed and efficiency of investigating cyber incidents, thereby fast-
tracking cybercrime investigations.
✓ Advanced Technology Integration: The CCC integrates state-of-the-art technologies such as
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain, alongside over 50 global forensic and cybersecurity
tools, including 17 threat intelligence tools. These technologies enable the center to monitor and
mitigate cyber threats in real-time.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal Launched District Master Plan under PM Gati Shakti for 27
Aspirational Districts
Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) launched the District
Master Plan (DMP) under PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) for 27 aspirational districts in the
country on the occasion of successful completion of 3 years of PM Gati Shakti NMP (on 13th October,
2024).
He announced that the DMP will be expanded to cover over 750 districts across the country in the next
18 months.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Announced Establishment of 4 Thematic Hubs &
Technical Groups for NQM
On 30th September 2024, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh,
Ministry for Science & Technology (MoS&T) announced the establishment of Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs)
and Technical Groups for National Quantum Mission (NQM) via video conferencing at a ceremony
held in New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ It include the establishment of 4 T-Hubs comprising of 14 Technical Groups (17 Project Teams)
across 17 states and 2 Union Territories (UTs) in India.
✓ The MoS&T also launched ‘Bharat Gen’, an pioneering initiative in generative Artificial
Intelligence (AI) designed to revolutionalize public service delivery and boost citizen engagement.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia Unveiled BSNL’s new Logo and Launched 7
Customer Centric Services
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia, Ministry of Communications (MoC) and Ministry of
Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) unveiled the new logo of Bharat Sanchar Nigam
Limited (BSNL) and launched its 7 customer centric services at Bharat Sanchar Bhavan in New Delhi,
Delhi.
✓ These newly launched services focus on delivering secure, affordable, and reliable connectivity
across India.
✓ The new logo of BSNL signifies strength, trust, and accessibility. It includes green and white
arrows surrounding India which emphasize the company’s expansive nationwide coverage, while
the orange backdrop symbolizes warmth and inclusivity.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Launches eShram – One Stop Solution for Unorganised
Workers
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E), launched the
'eShram – One Stop Solution' from New Delhi, Delhi to enhance easier access to various social security
schemes for unorganized workers.
eShram - One Stop Solution will act as a facilitator, ensuring that unorganised workers can easily access
various Government schemes. Unorganized workers aged between 16-59 years can register on this
portal.

PM Modi lays Foundation Stone for Development Projects worth Rs 7600 crore in
Maharashtra
On October 9, 2024, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone for
development projects worth over Rs 7,600 crore in Maharashtra.
✓ The PM laid the foundation stone of the upgradation of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International
Airport, Nagpur with an estimated cost of Rs 7,000 crore.
✓ He also laid the foundation stone of New Integrated Terminal Building at Shirdi Airport costing
over Rs 645 crore.
✓ The PM inaugurated the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) in Mumbai under a Public-Private
Partnership (PPP) between Tata Education and Development Trust and Government of India
(GoI).
PM Modi inaugurated ‘Lal Tipara Gaushala’, India's 1st Modern Gaushala with Bio-CNG
Plant in Gwalior, MP
On 2nd October 2024 (Swachhta diwas), Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the
‘Lal Tipara Gaushala’, India’s first modern and self-reliant Gaushala(cow shelter) with Bio
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plant in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh(MP).
DAE Inaugurates MACE Observatory: Asia’s Largest and World's Highest Imaging
Telescope in Ladakh
On 4th October 2024, Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission(AEC), inaugurated the Major Atmospheric
Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory at Hanle, Ladakh. The project aims to foster
collaborations with other countries, strengthening India’s role in global space research.
✓ MACE is the biggest Cherenkov telescope in Asia and is located at around 4,300 meters(m) above
sea level, making it the highest in the world.
✓ It is indigenously built by Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC),
with help from Hyderabad Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) and other Indian
partners.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurates India’s 1st Demonstration Facility for
Biopolymers in Pune.
Union Minister of State (Independent charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and
Technology(MoST), virtually inaugurated India’s 1st Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers at
Jejuri, Pune, Maharashtra.
✓ The facility was developed by Pune-based Praj Industries Limited, an Indian multinational
process and project engineering company.
✓ This state-of-the-art centre is designed to produce Polylactic Acid (PLA) bioplastic using
advanced, indigenously developed technology.
✓ India ranks 12th globally and 3rd in the Asia-Pacific region in biotechnology. It is the largest
vaccine producer and has the third-largest startup ecosystem.
✓ India’s bioeconomy surpassed USD 150 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 300 billion
by 2030.

PM Modi lays the Foundation Stone & Inaugurates Multiple Development Projects in
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India, inaugurated and laid the foundation for multiple
significant projects in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP) to boost connectivity and regional development.
✓ PM Modi inaugurated multiple airport projects worth over Rs 6,100 crore in Varanasi.
✓ PM Modi inaugurated RJ Sankara Eye Hospital in Varanasi. The hospital will provide
comprehensive consultation and treatment facilities for various eye conditions.
✓ PM Modi inaugurated the Phases 2 and 3 of the redevelopments of Varanasi Sports
Complex worth over Rs 210 crore under the Khelo India scheme and the Smart City mission.
✓ PM Modi also inaugurated tourism development works in Buddhism-related areas in Sarnath.
PM Modi Inaugurates ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2024 in

New Delhi
On 15th October 2024, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister(PM) of India, inaugurated the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU)– World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024
at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ PM Modi also inaugurated the 8th edition of India Mobile Congress(IMC 2024), Asia’s largest
digital technology forum during the programme.
✓ ITU-WTSA 2024 was held from 15th to 24th October 2024 hosted by India in New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ WTSA was hosted in India for the first time in ITU’s history of 150 years. This also marks the first
WTSA hosted in the Asia-Pacific.
✓ The National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology (MeitY) had set up a pavilion, ‘Digital India Innovation Zone’, at IMC 2024 to
provide firsthand experience to the delegates on India’s various Digital Public Infrastructure
(DPIs).
✓ IMC 2024 Showcases Innovations in Quantum Tech, 5G & Circular Economy
✓ Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern
Region, inaugurated the International 6G Symposium during the ITU-WTSA24 and IMC 24.
✓ Reliance Jio has introduced the JioBharat V3 and V4, the next generation of affordable 4G feature
phones at the IMC 2024.
✓ The 15th ITU Kaleidoscope (2024) was held at the ITU-WTSA 2024 with a focus on bridging the
digital divide and exploring how emerging technologies can connect underserved populations.
FESTIVAL
Ustad Allauddin Khan Festival celebrated in Maihar, MP
Ustad Allauddin Khan Festival(also known as Allauddin Khan Sangeet Samaroh)celebrated
in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh (MP) is dedicated to the legendary musician Ustad Allauddin Khan. 2024
is the Golden Jubilee year of this music festival.
OTHER NATIONAL NEWS

MoHFW Released National Health Accounts Estimates for India 2020-21 and 2021-22
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has released the National Health Accounts
(NHA) Estimates for India for 2020-21 and 2021-22. These are 8th and 9th edition of reports released
annually by the MoHFW.
✓ As per these latest NHA estimates, the Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) out of the Total Health
Expenditure has decreased significantly from 64.2% (in 2013-14) to 39.4% (in 2021-22) which
shows positive indicator in health sector.

✓ As per the NHA, share of Government Health Expenditure (GHE) in the overall Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) of the country has increased from 1.13% (in 2014-15) to 1.84% (in 2021-22).
PM Modi Laid Foundation & Dedicated Projects worth Rs.11,200 Crore Projects in
Maharashtra
On 29th September 2024, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone and
commenced various projects worth Rs.11,200 crore in Maharashtra.
✓ PM Modi inaugurated the Pune Metro section (from District Court to Swargate) marking the
completion of the Pune Metro Rail Project (Phase-1) and laid the foundation stone for Swargate-
Katraj Extension of Pune Metro Phase-1.
✓ PM Modi also dedicated to the nation Bidkin Industrial Area (BIA),
✓ PM Modi inaugurated the Solapur Airport and laid the foundation stone for the Memorial for
Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule’s First Girls’ School at Bhidewada.
Eight products used by Assam’s Bodo Tribe Received GI tag

The Geographical Indications (GI) Registry (Chennai, Tamil Nadu-TN) under the Department for
Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry(MoCI) has granted
the GI tag to 8 products from the Assam.
8 New GI Products from Assam:
GI Product Goods type
Jou Gwran
Manufactured
Maibra Jou Bidwi
Goods
Jou Gishi
Napham – Fermented
Food Stuffs
Fish
Ondla / Onla
Gwkha – Gwkhwi Agriculture
Narzi
Aronai Textiles
MoF Kept Interest Rate on Small Savings Schemes Unchanged for Q3FY25
Department of Economic Affairs (DEA-Budget Division), Ministry of Finance (MoF) has kept the
interest rate on Small Savings Schemes (SSS) unchanged for its 3rd Quarter of financial Year 2024-
25(Q3 FY25) i.e. from 1st October, 2024 to 31st December, 2024 from those notified for Q2FY25.
Interest Rates on Small Savings Schemes for Q3 FY25:
Rate of Interest
Instruments from 1st October, 2024 to
31st December, 2024
Savings Deposit 4.00%
1-Year Post Office Time
6.90%
Deposits (POTD)
7.00%
Deposits (POTD)
7.10%
Deposits (POTD)

7.50%
Deposits (POTD)
5-Year Post Office Recurring
6.70%
Deposits(PORD)
7.5% (will mature in 115
Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP)
months)
Public Provident Fund (PPF) 7.10%
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) 8.20%
National Savings Certificate (NSC) 7.70%
Senior Citizens’ Savings Scheme(SCSS) 8.20%
Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) 7.40%
Mahila Samman Savings
7.50%
Certificate (MSSC)
Bihar gets green light for second tiger reserve in Kaimur

The central government (CG) has approved the establishment of Bihar's second tiger reserve in the
Kaimur district. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and a technical committee
granted their approval during its 12th meeting.
✓ This approval is significant for wildlife conservation efforts, particularly in managing the rising
tiger population that has exceeded the capacity of the existing Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in
the West Champaran District, Bihar.
The plan includes converting the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) into a tiger reserve, with
potential relocation of some tigers from VTR to help maintain ecological balance and reduce
overcrowding in the existing reserve.
BEL Secures MCA Approval to Set Up JV with Israel Aerospace Industries

Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has received approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to
establish a Joint Venture (JV) named “BEL IAI AeroSystems Private Limited” in collaboration
with Israel Aerospace Industries Limited (IAI), Israel.
✓ BEL holds a 40% stake in the JV, while IAI owns the remaining 60%. The JV will operate both in
India and Israel.
MoP Unveils CSIRT–POWER Facility to Protect India’s Power Sector Against Cyber
Threats
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Ministry of Power(MoP), inaugurated the Computer Security
Incident Response Team – POWER (CSIRT–POWER) facility at Northern Regional Power Committee,
Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg, Qutab Institutional Area in New Delhi, Delhi.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw attends 40th RPF Raising Day Parade at Nashik
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways, attended the 40th Raising Day Parade of the
Railway Protection Force (RPF) at the Zonal Training Centre in Nashik, Maharashtra. The launch of
Hindi edition of the 'Sangyaan' mobile app was also made to improve communication within the force.
✓ As the Chief Guest, he honored 33 RPF personnel with Police Medals for Meritorious Service and
Jeevan Raksha Medals for their courageous efforts in saving passengers' lives during 2023 and
2024.

MoH&FW Increases Monthly Nutrition Support for TB patients to Rs 1000
On 7th October 2024, Union Minister Jagat Prakash (JP) Nadda, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(MoH&FW) announced significant enhancements to nutritional support for Tuberculosis (TB). The
initiatives aim to improve the health and recovery of TB patients and their household contacts.
✓ The Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) has increased monthly nutritional support from Rs. 500 per
month/patient to Rs. 1,000/month/patient for TB patients throughout their treatment.
✓ There will be introduction of Energy Dense Nutritional Supplementation (EDNS) for all patients
with a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 18.5 kilogram per meter square (kg/m^2) at the time of
diagnosis.
DoT and TSPs Launch New System to Stop Fraudulent Calls

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) which operates under the Ministry of
Communications(MoC) has teamed up with major Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to launch a two-
tiered system to addressed the growing problem of telecom fraud, where scammers use tricks to
manipulate Caller Line Identification (CLI) and commit financial scams.
✓ Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in) individuals can easily share their experiences
and alert authorities about potential fraud, enhancing the system's effectiveness.
✓ Digital Intelligence Platform that enables information sharing between local authorities, central
agencies, banks, telecom operators, and other stakeholders to prevent online scams.
Regional Labour Institute-Chennai gets Accredited as “Uttam” by Capacity Building

Commission
The Regional Labour Institute(RLI)Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN) has been awarded with Accreditation
(6890-n) by the Capacity Building Commission(CBC) under the National Standards for Civil Service
Training Institutions (NSCSTI). It has received the Certificate of Accreditation with the grading of
“Uttam”.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda Addressed 77th Session of Regional Committee of WHO
South East Asia Region
On 7th October 2024, Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(MoH&FW), addressed the 77th session of World Health Organisation (WHO) Southeast Asia Region
(SEARO), one of the 6 WHO regions, in New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ Bangladesh became the 1st country in SE Asian Region to eliminate Kala-Azar and was also
validated for the eradication of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem.
✓ Both the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Timor Leste were certified for the
elimination of rubella and Bhutan is on progress, with interruption of rubella transmission for
over 36 months.
India is all set to become the 20th to be validated for the elimination of trachoma; and Timor Leste will
become the 21st country to be validated for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health
problem.
WHO declares that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem in 2024
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that the Government of India(GoI) has
eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem. India received this honor at the 77th Regional
Conference of World Health Organization (WHO) South East Asia Region held in New Delhi.
✓ It has become the 3rd country in the South-East Asia Region after Nepal and Myanmar to secure
this milestone.

✓ Trachoma is an eye disease caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
Coal Production in India Grows 5.85% in FY 2024-25

The Ministry of Coal witnessed an increase in coal production during September 2024, achieving
68.94 Million Ton (MT). This is higher than the 2023 production of 67.26 MT for the same
month(September 2023), reflecting a notable growth of 2.49%.
✓ The cumulative coal production (up to September 2024) has reached 453.01MT (Provisional) in
the financial year 2024-2025 (FY 24-25) as compared to 427.97 MT during the same period in FY
23-24, with a growth of 5.85%.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Becomes 14th Maharatna CPSE

Department of Public Enterprise (DPE) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has upgraded the status of
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) from “Navratna” Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) to the
“Maharatna”. With this, HAL becomes the 14th “Maharatna” CPSE in India.
The new status will enhance HAL’s operational autonomy and financial powers as now; it can make
investments up to 15% of its net worth in projects and can invest maximum Rs 5,000 crore in foreign
ventures without the approval of Government of India (GoI).
MP to Declare Ratapani WLS as 8th Tiger Reserve near Bhopal

The State Wildlife Board (WLB) of Madhya Pradesh (MP) has accorded approval to declare Ratapani
Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) located near Bhopal, capital city of MP, as 8th Tiger Reserve (TR) of MP.
✓ The state WLB will now forward its recommendation to the Government of India (GoI) for the final
approval to notify the WLS as the TR.
✓ In 2011, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had given in-principle approval to
notify Ratapani WLS as a TR..
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Unveils 'Humsafar Policy' for Onboarding Service
Providers for Wayside Amenities Along the National Highways
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) launched
the ‘Humsafar Policy’ in New Delhi(Delhi) to enhance the convenience of travelling on National
Highways(NHs) and accelerate the development of the Wayside Amenities in presence of Minister of
State Ajay Tamta, MoRTH.
CCPA Issues Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading

Environmental Claims
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has released guidelines titled 'Guidelines for
Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024' aimed at
preventing and regulating greenwashing and misleading environmental claims.
These guidelines are in furtherance to the ‘Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements
and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022’.
MoE Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announces 3 CoEs in AI in Healthcare, Agriculture

and Sustainable Cities
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education (MoE), announced the establishment of 3
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centres of Excellence (CoEs) focused on Healthcare, Agriculture, and
Sustainable Cities during an event held in New Delhi, Delhi.

✓ These CoEs were announced under Para 60 of the Budget Announcement for 2023-24. The
government of India (GoI) has allocated Rs 990 crore for these centres, which will be
implemented over 5 years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28).
UNFPA Honors India’s Leadership in Maternal Health and Family Planning

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has recognized India’s extraordinary progress in
advancing Maternal Health and Family Planning.
Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, honored Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, the
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India(GoI), with a plaque and
certificate, reaffirming UNFPA's strong dedication to partnering with India to improve women's health
and well-being.
DPIIT Relaxes Mandatory Quality Control Order for Cookware and Utensils for Micro
Units
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
(MoCI), announced significant relaxations in the mandatory Quality Control Order (QCO) for
cookware and utensils, specifically targeting micro units.
✓ The QCO was extended with the amendment in name of the QCO i.e. "Cookware, Utensils, and Cans
for Foods and Beverages (Quality Control) Order, 2024" which was notified on 15th March 2024,
and effective from 1st September 2024 for Large and Medium-Scale Manufacturers and foreign
manufacturers,
✓ The QCO will now be implemented with effect from 1st April 2025. For small enterprises, it will be
effective from July 1, 2025, and from October 1, 2025, for micro enterprises.
✓ Micro-enterprises registered under the Udyam portal, with investments in plant and machinery
not exceeding Rs 25 lakh and a turnover below Rs 2 crore, are now exempt from the QCO
requirements.
IndiaAI mission selects 8 projects to enhance Safe and Trusted AI development

The IndiaAI mission has selected 8 responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects through the
Expression of Interest (EoI) floated under the Safe and Trusted AI Pillar of the IndiaAI mission. The
IndiaAI mission is in alignment with the Government of India (GoI)’s vision of leveraging AI for
inclusive growth.
These selected responsible AI projects include the development of indigenous tools and frameworks,
and framing guidelines for ethical, transparent, and trustworthy AI technologies.
CBDT amends Income Tax Rules to ease TDS, TCS Credit Claims for Salaried Employees
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has updated Income-Tax (IT) rules to simplify the process
for salaried employees to claim credit for Tax Collected at Source (TCS) and Tax Deducted at Source
(TDS). This amendment follows the guidelines set in the Union Budget 2024- 25.
✓ These amendments will tackle the cash flow issues faced by employees and to lessen the
compliance requirements linked to refund claims.
MNRE Approves 3 Pilot Projects for Green Hydrogen in Steel Sector

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has approved three pilot projects under the
National Green Hydrogen Mission(NGHM) aimed at utilizing green hydrogen in steel production. The
Government of India(GoI) has allocated Rs 347 crore to support these projects, which are expected to
become operational within the next three years.

✓ Ahmedabad(Gujarat) based Matrix Gas and Renewables Limited leads a consortium with Gensol
Engineering Ltd (Ahmedabad), the Indian Institute of Technology(IIT) Bhubaneswar (Odisha) and
Metsol AB (Sweden) working on a pilot project with a plant capacity of 50 tons per day (TPD).
✓ Bhilai(Chhattisgarh) based Simplex Castings Limited, leads a consortium with BSBK Private
Limited, (Bhilai), Ten Eight Investment, and the IIT Bhilai, Bhilai. This consortium is working on a
pilot project with a plant capacity of 40 tons per day (TPD).
✓ New Delhi(Delhi) based Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is running the largest project
under the NGHM, with a 3200 TPD plant in Ranchi(Jharkhand), aimed at advancing green
hydrogen in steel production.
Kotak Brands BKC station as Kotak Bandra-Kurla Complex Metro Station

Kotak Mahindra Group has branded the BKC station of Metro 3 Aqua Line in Mumbai(Maharashtra)
as ‘Kotak Bandra-Kurla Complex metro station’. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister(PM) of India
dedicated the first phase of the Aqua line, Mumbai’s first underground Metro, to the nation at the
newly branded station.
Dr Jitendra Singh Released “ICMR-India Diabetes ' INDIAB', Jammu Related Data of the
1st of its Kind World's Largest Survey
Union Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science & Technology(MoST), released 'ICMR-India
Diabetes 'INDIAB', Jammu related data of the ‘first of its kind’ world's largest survey to assess the
prevalence of Diabetes in India, including Jammu & Kashmir(J&K), during the event held in Jammu, J&K.
The study was conducted by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation(MDRF) with the collaboration
of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Health Research, under the
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW).
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman approves Creation of CGM Posts in 5 Nationalized

Banks
Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance(MoF) has approved the restructuring within
nationalized banks by creating and increasing the number of Chief General Manager (CGM) posts.
The restructuring is based on a review of the banks' business mixes as of March 31, 2023. The new
structure aims for a ratio of one CGM for every four GMs, ensuring a balanced distribution of
responsibilities.
GOVT SCHEMES
CENTRAL GOVT SCHEMES
Make in India Celebrates 10 Years: A Decade of Transformational Growth
“Make in India”, the flagship programme of the Government of India (GoI), completed a decade (10
years) of empowering India to become a global manufacturing hub. It has played a crucial role in
boosting domestic manufacturing, fostering innovation, enhancing skill development, and facilitating
foreign investment.
✓ Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Reforms have played a pivotal role in promoting India’s industrial
growth. Since 2014, India’s FDI inflow has increased exponentially by 119%, from USD 304 billion
(2004-14) to USD 667.4 billion (2014-24). This investment inflow spans across 31 states and 57
sectors, promoting growth across diverse industries.

✓ The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme was launched in 2020 across 14 key
manufacturing sectors, with budget allocation of Rs 1.97 lakh crores. The scheme aims to create
60 lakh new jobs and an additional production of 30 lakh crore during the next 5 years.
Government launched a new scheme ‘Jal Hi AMRIT’

Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal announced that the government had
launched the Jal Hi AMRIT scheme under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation
(AMRUT) 2.0 in its first 100 days with the goal of promoting effective water management.
✓ The government also approved 3 metro projects worth Rs 31,000 crores. This consists of
Bengaluru Metro Phase-3, Thane Internal Ring Road Metro Projects and Southward extension of
Pune Metro Rail Project.
Gov launched Prime Minister's Internship Scheme 2024

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is collaborating with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to
roll out the pilot phase of ‘Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme 2024’, a key initiative from the 2024-
2025 budget, aimed at providing 1.25 lakh internships for Indian youth, with a budget of
approximately Rs 800 crore in the Financial Year 2024-25(FY25).
✓ The aim of the PM Internship Scheme is to generate one crore internships by March 2029. It will
provide financial assistance of Rs 60,000 per annum over a period of five years.
✓ The scheme is implemented in two phases, through an online
portal(www.pminternship.mca.gov.in.) managed by the MCA, and registration is scheduled to
open between October 12 and October 25, 2024. Click here to read full News
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission Completes a Transformative 3-Year Journey towards

Enabling Digital Health
On 27th September 2024, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), a key component of
Ayushman Bharat (AB), a flagship scheme of Government of India (GoI), which emerged from the
National Health Policy 2017, successfully completed 3 years of implementation.
✓ So far, more than 67 crore ABHA have been created. These ABHAs aimed to provide citizens with
unique digital health IDs for secure access and sharing of health records.
✓ It is being implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare (MoHFW). Under the ABDM, a unique health Ayushman Bharat Digital Health
Account Identifier (ABHA ID) is assigned to every individual, which helps in storing and managing
the health records of an individual securely.
✓ Note: ABHA number is a 14-digit number that will uniquely identifie an individual in India’s digital
healthcare ecosystem.
PM Modi Celebrated 10 Years of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi participated in the Swachh Bharat Diwas program held at
Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Delhi on the occasion of 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
✓ The program was organised to commemorate the successful completion of 10 years of Swachh
Bharat Mission (SBM), one of the most significant mass movements for cleanliness in India.
✓ During the event, PM Modi launched and laid the foundation stone for several projects related to
sanitation and cleanliness, worth more than Rs 9,600 crore.
✓ The SHS 2024 campaign which was observed across India from 17th September, 2024 to 2nd
October, 2024, successfully culminated in the Swachh Bharat Diwas program.
✓ The campaign was officially launched by the Department of Drinking Water &
Sanitation (DDWS), MoJS and MoHUA during an event held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan.

✓ So far, almost 25 lakh events have been completed under the SHS campaign and had witnessed
the public participation of over 20 crore people across all walks of the society, with over 19 lakh
events across rural areas and almost 5 lakh events in urban areas.
Interest Equalisation Scheme Extended for 3 Months; Capped at Rs 50 Lakh

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has extended the Interest Equalisation Scheme on
pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit for 3 more months till 31st December 2024 to promote
India’s outbound shipments.
✓ The scheme, which was previously extended till 30th September 2024, provided interest benefits
to exporters.
✓ The scheme is fund-limited, and benefits to individual exporters were earlier capped at Rs 10
crore per annum per IEC (Import Export Code). Now the cap is Rs 50 lakh.
PM Gati Shakti NMP Completed 3 Years of Transforming India’s Infrastructure

Landscape
PM Gati Shakti-National Master Plan (NMP) for multi-modal connectivity has successfully completed
3 years of implementation and have achieved significant milestones in transforming the country’s
infrastructure landscape.
✓ It is being implemented by Logistics division of Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I).
✓ It is a “Whole-of- Government ” approach aimed to facilitate integrated planning of multimodal
infrastructure through collaboration among the concerned ministries. It was launched with the
budget outlay of Rs 100 lakh crore.
✓ It was developed as a Digital Master Planning tool by Bhaskaracharya National Institute for
Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N) and was prepared in dynamic Geographic
Information System (GIS) platform wherein data on specific action plan of all ministries/
departments have been incorporated within a comprehensive database.
✓ It is mainly driven by 7 engines such as: roads, airports, mass transport, logistics infrastructure,
railways, ports and waterways.
MNRE notifies Scheme Guidelines for Rs 500cr ‘Innovative Projects’ component under
PM-Surya Ghar : Muft Bijli Yojana
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) notified Scheme Guidelines to implement the Rs
500 crore ‘Innovative Projects’ component under the Prime Minister (PM)-Surya Ghar : Muft Bijli
Yojana.
✓ The Scheme Implementation Agency (SIA) for this component is Gurugram(Haryana) based
National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous institute under the MNRE.
✓ Financial assistance for innovative projects will be limited to 60% of the total project cost or Rs
30 crore, whichever is lower.
✓ To promote innovation in Rooftop Solar, annual awards will be given, including a citation and cash
prizes of Rs 1 crore, Rs 50 lakh, Rs 30 lakh, and 10 consolation prizes of Rs 5 lakh each.
GoI Extended “Samarth” Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector till March 2026
The Government of India (GoI) has decided to extend Samarth (Scheme for Capacity Building in
Textiles Sector (SCBTS), a demand-driven and placement oriented umbrella skilling program of the
Ministry of Textiles (MoT) for next two years i.e. Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) and FY26, with a
budget of Rs 495 crore to train 3 lakh persons in textile-related skills.

✓ The scheme aims to promote and support the industry in generating jobs in the organised textile
and related sectors, covering the entire value chain of textiles excluding spinning and weaving.
Note: Andhra Pradesh(AP), Telangana, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Gujarat are the top textile and
clothing manufacturing states in India
Regional Connectivity Scheme- Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik Completed 8 Years

On 21st October 2024, the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN, or "Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik,"
spearheaded by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), celebrated the completion of 8 years in service
to the nation. Union Minister, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, MoCA attended a special event celebrating 8
successful years of RCS-UDAN.
✓ 21st October 2024 marks the 8th anniversary of RCS UDAN, which was launched on 21st
October 2016.
✓ RCS UDAN was a vital component of India’s National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP)
2016 launched by MoCA in 2016 with a 10-year vision. Click here to read full News
STATE GOVT SCHEMES

Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma launches GREEN Meghalaya Plus Scheme
Meghalaya Chief Minister(CM) Conrad Kongkal Sangma launched the GREEN (Grassroot level
Response Towards Ecosystem Enhancement and Nurturing) Meghalaya Plus (GMP) Scheme in
Tura, West Garo Hills District to provides financial incentives of up to Rs 20,000 per hectare annually
to communities and individuals involved in forest conservation.
✓ The GREEN Meghalaya Plus initiative is a key component of the state government's Payment for
Ecosystem Services (PES) program, which was introduced in 2022 to promote forest
conservation.
✓ The Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) scheme in Meghalaya was launched on June 13,
2022, by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
Chhattisgarh Govt Renames 2 Urban Schemes After Deendayal Upadhyay

The Chhattisgarh government has named the 2 urban administration schemes after Pandit
Deendayal Upadhyay, the ideologue of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the forerunner of Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP). The schemes were previously named after former Prime Minister (PM) Rajiv Gandhi.
The Rajiv Gandhi Swavalamban Yojana will now be known as the Pandit Deendayal
Upadhyay Swavalamban Yojana and the Rajiv Gandhi Aajeevika Kendra Yojana has been
renamed as the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Aajeevika Kendra Yojana.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
UNGA Elects 18 new members to Human Rights Council for 2025-2027 Term
On 9th October 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) elected 18 new members to the
United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the term 2025-2027.
✓ The newly elected 18 members are Benin; Bolivia; Colombia; Cyprus; Czechia; Democratic
Republic of the Congo; Ethiopia; Gambia; Iceland; Kenya; Marshall Islands; Mexico; North
Macedonia; Qatar; Republic of Korea; Spain; Switzerland; and Thailand.
✓ The elected members will serve 3-year terms beginning on 1st January 2025.
✓ The UNHRC consists of 47 member states elected directly by the UNGA through a secret ballot,
ensuring a democratic process for selection.

India elected to the steering committee of the GlobE Network
India was elected to the 15-member GlobE Steering Committee of the Global Operational Network of
Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) during the 5th plenary meeting and the
8th Steering Committee meeting of the GlobE Network in Beijing, China.
✓ The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) serves as the Central Authority for GlobE Network in India,
while the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public
Grievances(MoPP&P) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), Ministry of Finance(MoF) representing
India as member authorities.
India’s CDSCO Becomes Affiliate Member of International Medical Device Regulators

Forum
India has joined the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF) as an affiliate
member, as the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), under the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) has received Affiliate Membership from IMDRF.
Bilateral Investment Treaty Between India & UAE Comes into Effect
The Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came into
effect on August 31, 2024. BIT was signed in Abu Dhabi, UAE on 13th February 2024. The treaty
replaces the earlier Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) between
India and UAE which expired on 12th September 2024, ensuring ongoing investment protection for
both nations' investors. BIPPA was signed in December 2013.
India’s Jubilant Ingrevia Joins WEF's Global Lighthouse Network

Noida, Uttar Pradesh (UP)-based Jubilant Ingrevia Limited, science products and innovative solutions
provider, has become the latest Indian firm to join as the member of the Global Lighthouse Network
(GLN) of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
✓ Jubilant Ingrevia is the only Indian firm among the cohort of 2024 welcomed by the WEF.
✓ In 2024, A total of 22 innovative manufacturers have joined GLN as members.
India extends 1st ever Rupee-Denominated LoC, Mauritius gets Rs 487.60cr

The Government of India(GoI) has extended a new Line of Credit (LoC) worth Rs 487.60 crore to the
Government of Mauritius for financing of a water pipeline replacement project. This is India’s first
ever rupee-denominated LoC for project financing to any country under the Indian Development and
Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS).
✓ The formal offer for the project was made by the Union Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar,
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), GoI to Maneesh Gobin, Mauritian Attorney General and
Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, and accepted by the Government of Mauritius.
✓ It will be financed by the State Bank of India (SBI) at concessional terms.
India Advances in 6G Race, Ranks Among Top 6 in Global Patent Filings

According to various studies, India ranks among the top 6 countries globally in filing patents related
to 6G technology, indicating the potential influence of India on the 6G standard-setting process.
✓ According to the official data from MaxVal, a global Intellectual Property (IP) management firm,
India has been ranked at 6th spot with 188 6G-related patents, based on the Government of India
(GoI)’s data.

✓ China emerged as the top player in global patent filings with 6,0016G-related patents, followed by
the United States of America (USA) (3,909 patents); South Korea (1,417 patents); Japan (584
patents); and the European Union (EU) (214).
✓ India’s ranking is significant in 6G patents, as it has surpassed major economies like: the United
Kingdom (UK) (151 patents), Germany (84 patents), Sweden (74 patents), and France (73
patents).
ICMR Study on BRICS Nations: Cancer Cases and Deaths to Surge between 2022 and
2045 in India
According to the Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR)-National
Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR)’s latest study, cancer cases and deaths are
expected to surge between 2022 and 2045 in India and South Africa.
✓ The study has mainly examined cancer cases, deaths and the impact on the quality of life in
the BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
✓ The study reported a 12.8% increase in the incidence of cancer cases in India in 2025 compared
to 2020.
FATF Revised Grey Listing Criteria to Focus on Nations Posing Great Risk to Global
Financial System
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has revised the criteria for placing countries on its grey list.
The main objective of these changes is to reduce the burden on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and
to focus on those nations that pose great risks to the international financial system.
As per the revised criteria, jurisdictions will be prioritized for active review if they meet the referral
criteria and are:
✓ Country which is a member of FATF;
✓ Country on the World Bank’s High Income Countries (HICs) list (excluding those with a financial
sector of two or fewer banks);
✓ Country that has financial sector assets more than USD 10 billion (measured by broad money).
Egypt Declared ‘Malaria-Free’ by WHO; 2nd Country in 2024

Egypt was officially declared malaria-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) on October 20,
2024, a significant public health milestone for a country with more than 100 million inhabitants. Egypt
became the 2nd country globally to receive this status in 2024, following Cabo Verde.
Note: Globally, a total of 44 countries and 1 territory have reached this milestone.
VISITS
INDIAN VISITS
Highlights of Jamaican PM Andrew Holness’s 4 Day Visit to India
Andrew Holness, Prime Minister(PM) of Jamaica, paid a 4-day visit to India from 30th September
2024 to 3rd October 2024 to strengthen bilateral ties in key areas including trade and investment.
✓ Narendra Modi, PM of India, highlighted that the India-Jamaica relationship is defined by 4Cs-
culture, cricket, Commonwealth and Caribbean.
✓ India and Jamaica exchanged 4 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of Digital
Public Infrastructure, Cultural Exchange and Sports.

✓ NPCI International Payments Limited (India), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National
Payments Corporation of India(NPCI) signed an MoU with Egov Jamaica Limited to support
Jamaica in adopting India’s UPI (Unified Payments Interface) technology for better digital payment
solutions.
Overview of State Visit of Mohamed Muizzu, President of Maldives, to India: 6-10

October 2024
Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of Maldives, visited India from 6th to 10th October 2024, marking a
significant milestone in the relationship between India and Maldives. This marks his first official visit
as President.
✓ It aimed to solidify India-Maldives relations, aligning with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy
and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
✓ PM Modi and Mohamed Muizzu jointly virtually inaugurated the new runway at Hanimaadhoo
International Airport (HIA) in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives to improve connectivity for the
Maldives.
✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has entered into a Currency Swap Agreement with the Maldives
Monetary Authority (MMA) under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
Currency Swap Framework for 2024-2027.
✓ Rashtriya Raksha University in Lavad, Gujarat signed a MoU with the National College of
Policing and Law Enforcement in Addu City, Maldives, to enable the exchange of best practices
and expertise to enhance security cooperation, particularly in combating regional threats such as
terrorism and organized crime.
✓ Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of the
Maldives signed a MoU to strengthen institutional transparency and integrity, fostering
collaboration between Indian and Maldivian anti-corruption agencies.
✓ MoU between National Judicial Academy of India (NJAI) and the Judicial
ServiceCommission (JSC) of the Maldives was renewed to focuses on training and capacity-
building programs for Maldivian judicial officers, aiming to enhance the professionalism and
effectiveness of the judiciary in the Maldives.
Overview of PM Modi’s visit to Maharashtra on 5th October, 2024

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was on one-day visit to Washim and Thane in Maharashtra on 5th
October, 2024. PM Modi launched several initiatives related to the agricultural and animal husbandry
sector worth around Rs 23,300 crore in Washim, Maharashtra.
✓ He inaugurated over 7,500 projects under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), worth more
than Rs 1920 crore.
✓ PM launched two programmes of the animal husbandry department namely, Unified Genomic
Chip for cattle and indigenous sex-sorted semen technology for the benefit of livestock.
FOREIGN VISITS
PM Modi visited the USA from 21st-23rd September 2024: Attended Quad Summit &
Addressed UNGA Session
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India, made a 3-day visit to the United States of America (USA)
from 21st to 23rd September 2024. PM Modi attended the 4th Quad(Quadrilateral Security Dialogue)
Leaders’ Summit held in Wilmington, Delaware and hosted by Joseph R. Biden, Jr., the President of the
USA.

✓ The Leaders welcomed India as the host of the 2025 Quad Leaders Summit and the USA as the
host of the 2025 Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting.
✓ PM Modi participated in the Quad Cancer Moonshot event hosted by President Biden on the
sidelines of the Summit.
✓ India will host the inaugural session of the new Regional Maritime Initiative for Training in the
Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), to train Quad partners in monitoring and securing their waters, enforcing
their laws, and discourage unlawful behaviour.
✓ The U.S. Coast Guard, Japan Coast Guard, Australian Border Force, and Indian Coast Guard(ICG)
have planned to launch the 1st-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, a joint coast guard
exercise, in 2025 in the Indo-Pacific.
✓ HFCL partners with General Atomics to elevate India’s defence technology. Click here to read full
News
Highlights of MoCI Minister Piyush Goyal visit to Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic
Republic
The Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), visited Vientiane, Lao
People’s Democratic Republic (Laos PDR) from 20th to 21st September 2024 to participate in the
21st ASEAN-India Economic Ministers (AEM-India Consultation) meeting and the 12th East Asia
Summit Economic Ministers Meeting (EAS EMM).
✓ The meeting highlighted that two-way trade between ASEAN and India reached USD 100.7 billion
in 2023, with Indian Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows at USD 5.6 billion. India ranked as
ASEAN's eighth largest trade partner and source of FDI among ASEAN Dialogue Partners in 2023.
✓ The combined nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of EAS participating countries was USD
62.3 trillion in 2023.
✓ ASEAN merchandise trade with non-ASEAN EAS countries totaled USD 1.7 trillion in 2023.
✓ FDI flows from non-ASEAN EAS countries to ASEAN reached USD 124.6 billion in 2023.
Highlights of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Visit to Uzbekistan

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF) was on an official visit to Uzbekistan
from 24th to 28th September 2024 and led the Indian delegations of officials from MoF.
✓ During her visit, She attended the 9th Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of AIIB (Asian
Infrastructure Investment Bank) held in Samarkand from 25th to 26th September 2024.
✓ A Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and Uzbekistan was signed by Indian Finance
Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister (PM) Khodjayev Jamshid
Abdukhakimovich in Tashkent.
✓ She also co-chaired India-Uzbekistan Business Forum in Tashkent, with Uzbekistan’s Deputy
PM. An Intergovernmental Agreement on the Promotion and Mutual Protection of Investments
was signed after the event.
Highlights of PM Modi’s visit to Vientiane, Lao PDR from 10-11 October 2024
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India, visited Vientiane, the capital of Lao People's Democratic
Republic (LPDR or Laos), from 10th to 11th October 2024 at the invitation of Sonexay Siphandone,
PM of Lao, to strengthen the bilateral relations between India and Laos.
✓ During his visit to Laos, PM Modi attended the 21st Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN)-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, hosted by Laos, the current Chair of
ASEAN.
✓ PM Modi announces celebrating 2025 as ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, allocates USD 5 mn
for joint initiatives

✓ India and Laos signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements in various
fields like defence cooperation, customs, audio-visual, and preservation of heritage. Click here to
read full News
Highlights of President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Algeria, Mauritania and Malawi

Droupadi Murmu, President of India, was on a three nation tour to Algeria, Mauritania and Malawi from
13th to 19th October 2024. The three nation tour aimed to strengthen India’s bilateral relations with
these African nations.
✓ President Murmu visited Algeria from 13th to 15th October2024 at the invitation of H.E. Mr.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.
o President Droupadi Murmu was awarded the Honorary Doctorate in Political Science by Sidi
Abdellah Science and Technology Pole University in Algiers on 14th October 2024.
✓ President Droupadi Murmu held a bilateral meeting with Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi
to further strengthen the India-Malawi relationship.
o The meeting led to the signing of 4 MoUs: art and culture, cooperation on youth matters, sports
cooperation and pharmacopeial cooperation.
✓ President Droupadi Murmu held a bilateral meeting with Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, President
of Mauritania. Four Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed between India and
Mauritania to strengthen the bilateral ties.
o Foreign ministries of India and Mauritania signed an agreement to enhance bilateral
relations in areas of mutual interest, contributing to international peace and security.
o India and Mauritania also signed an agreement for the exemption from visa requirements for
holders of diplomatic and official/service passports.
o India and Mauritania also signed a MoU regarding the India cultural exchange program for
the years 2024-2028.
o Signed a MoU to enable cooperation in mutually beneficial areas.
BANKING & FINANCE

RBI IN NEWS
Highlights of RBI's 4th Bi-monthly MPC Meeting 2024 : RBI Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged
at 6.5%; Retains 7.2% GDP Growth for FY25
The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met from 7th October to 9th
October 2024 and released its fourth Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy of Financial Year 2024-25
(FY25) which continues to expect India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow at 7.2% in
FY25. The October FY25 meeting was RBI’s 51st MPC meeting.
✓ RBI has projected the real GDP growth for 2024-25 with Q2 at 7.0%; Q3 at 7.4% and Q4 at 7.4%.
The real GDP growth for Q1:2025-26 is projected at 7.3%.
✓ The repo rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) was kept unchanged at 6.50% for
the 10th consecutive time with a majority vote of 5:1. Nagesh Kumar voted to reduce the policy
repo rate by 25 basis points.
✓ The RBI has maintained 4.5% as Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation projection for FY25 with
Q2 at 4.1%, Q3 at 4.8% and Q4 at 4.2%.
✓ RBI increases UPI 123Pay transaction limit to Rs.10,000 and UPI Lite wallet limit
to Rs.5,000
✓ The UPI Lite Wallet limit has been increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 to simplify small-value
digital transactions for users.

✓ The RBI also increased the per transaction limit of UPI Lite to Rs.1000 from Rs.500.
✓ The RBI has proposed to create a data repository named ‘The Reserve Bank – Climate Risk
Information System (RB-CRIS)’ to monitor climate related risks.
✓ RBI bars lenders from levying pre-payment fines on loans from MSEs
RBI’s Policy Rates:
Category Rate
Policy Repo Rate 6.50%
Fixed Reverse Repo Rate 3.35%
Standing Deposit Facility
6.25%
(SDF)Rate
Marginal Standing Facility (MSF)
6.75%
Rate
Bank Rate 6.75%
Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) 4.50%
Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) 18%
Click here to read full News
RBI Grants White-Label ATM Licence to Mumbai-based EPS Company

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted a White Label Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
License (WLA) after a gap of 10 years to Mumbai-based Electronic Payment and Services Limited
(EPS), a privately-owned ATM outsourcing company.
✓ With this, EPS has become the 5th company to receive a license to operate WLAs in India.
RBI Approved the Merger of Tata Capital & Tata Motors Finance
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the merger of Tata Motors Finance Limited (TMFL) with
Tata Capital Limited (TCL), creating India's 12th largest Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC).
✓ As a consideration for the merger, TCL will issue its equity shares to the shareholders of TMFL
resulting in TML effectively holding a 4.7% stake in the merged entity. As of 31st March 2024, Tata
Sons holds 92.83% of Tata Capital, while the remaining shares are owned by other Tata Group
companies and trusts.
✓ RBI has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 28.30 lakh on SG Finserve Limited (formerly known
as M/s Moongipa Securities Limited) for non-compliance with specific conditions under which the
company was issued the Certificate of Registration (CoR) by RBI under section 45IA (5) of RBI Act,
1934.
✓ RBI has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 14 Lakh on Arunachal Pradesh Rural Bank for non-
compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Strengthening of Prudential Norms-
Provisioning Asset Classification and Exposure Limit’ and 'Know Your Customer (KYC)'.
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank receives RBI approval for foreign exchange services
Bangalore (Karnataka) based Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Limited (Ujjivan SFB) received approval from
the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for foreign exchange services, enabling it to offer a range of foreign
exchange (forex) products and services.
✓ USFB received the ‘Authorised Dealer Category 1 licence’ granted under Section 10(1) of the
Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 enabling the bank to offer a wider range of
foreign exchange services and transactions.

RBI approves Piramal Payment Services to launch 'Piramal Pay' Prepaid Payment
Instrument
Piramal Payment Services Limited(PPSL), a subsidiary of Piramal Capital & Housing Finance Ltd
(Piramal Finance), has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) to set up a Prepaid
Payment Instrument (PPI) service called ‘Piramal Pay’. This authorisation was granted under the
Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
RBI Revised Access Criteria to its NDS-OM Electronic Trading Platform

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has expanded direct access to its Negotiated Dealing System-Order
Matching (NDS-OM) electronic trading platform to a wider range of Regulated Entities (REs) such as
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Local Area Banks (LABs), Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs),
including Housing Finance Companies(HFCs), among others.
✓ Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and Corporate Companies will continue to have indirect
access to NDS-OM.
✓ Provident Funds(PF), pension funds, and regulated Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) too
will have direct access to the platform.
RBI Census: USA Continues to be Largest Source of FDI in India

According to the annual Census on Foreign Liabilities and Assets of Indian Direct Investment
Entities for 2023-24 from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the United States of America (USA)
continued to be the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India, followed by
Mauritius, Singapore and the United Kingdom (UK).
✓ It showed that total FDI in India increased by 23.3% at market-value in rupee terms during the
Financial Year 2023-24(FY24), mainly due to large valuation gains as well as fresh FDI inflows
while, the ODI growth was much lower at 3.4%.
SEBI
SEBI Allows MFs to Sell Credit Default Swaps to Boost Corporate Bond Liquidity
On 20th September 2024, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has now allowed Mutual
Funds (MFs) to sell Credit Default Swaps (CDSs), a move which aimed to boost liquidity in the
corporate bond market.
SEBI Amended Delisting Regulations; Introduced Fixed Price Process for Voluntary
Delisting
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has amended the Delisting of Equity Shares
Regulations, 2024 which has now allowed companies to delist shares through a fixed price process as
an alternative to the Reverse Book Building (RRB) process. This will help in facilitating ease of doing
business for listed firms.
✓ As per the new framework, promoters can offer to buy back all publicly held shares at a price that
is at least 15% higher than the “fair price” of the stock.
✓ SEBI has reduced the limit for delisting success under the Reverse Book Building (RBB) process
from 90% to 75% of public shareholder participation, provided that minimum 50% of public
shareholding has been tendered.

SEBI Established FPI Outreach Cell for Seamless Market Access
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has established a dedicated Foreign Portfolio
Investor(FPI) Outreach Cell to focus on direct engagement with FPIs and to support FPIs in accessing
the Indian Securities Market seamlessly. This was as part of SEBI’s Alternative Investment Fund (AIF)
and FPIs Department (AFD).
SEBI Mandates UPI For Public Debt Securities Applications

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has mandated individual investors applying for amounts
up to Rs 5 Lakh through intermediaries (like syndicate members, registered stock brokers, registrar to
an issue and transfer agent and depository participants) to use only the Unified Payments Interface
(UPI) to block funds.
✓ These provisions will apply to public issues of debt securities starting from 1st November 2024.
SEBI Announced New Framework to Curb Excessive Speculation in Stock Market

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced 6 measures to the index derivatives trading
framework to curb excessive speculation amid growing concerns about the mounting losses incurred by
individual traders. These new measures will be implemented in a phased manner with effect from 20th
November, 2024.
✓ SEBI has mandated the collection of options premium upfront from option buyers by the Trading
Member (TM) or Clearing Member (CM) and will come into effect from 1st February, 2025.
The 6 measures are,
Effective
S.no Measures
From
Upfront collection of
1st February
1 Option Premium from
2025
buyers
Removal of Calendar
1st February
2 spread treatment on the
2025
Expiry Day
Intradaymonitoring of 1st April
3
position limits 2025
20th
Contract size for index
4 November
derivatives
2024
Rationalization of Weekly 20th
5 Index derivatives November
products 2024
Increase in tail risk 20th
6 coverage on the day of November
options expiry 2024
SEBI Introduced New Regulations for InvITs and REITs to Boost Liquidity and Ease
Business Compliance
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced certain amendments in the “ SEBI
(Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014, and in the “ SEBI (Real Estate Investment
Trusts) Regulations, 2014” in exercise of powers given under section 30 read with sections 11 and 12
of the SEBI Act, 1992 (15 of 1992).

✓ The most significant change introduced by the SEBI for InvITs is that it has reduced the trading lot
size of privately placed Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) to Rs 25 lakh.
✓ As per new regulations, SEBI has fixed the timeline for undertaking distributions to unit holders
by Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and InvITs to 5 working days from the record date.
JFSL & Black Rock Received In-Principle Approval from SEBI to Set up Mutual Fund
Business
Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL), a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) backed by Reliance
Industries Limited (RIL) has received the in-principal approval from the Securities and Exchange
Board of India (SEBI), to establish a Mutual Fund (MF) business, in partnership with New York (the
United States of America (US))-based BlackRock Financial Management Inc., the world’s largest asset
manager.
SEBI Changes Nomination Rules for Demat Account, Mutual Fund Investments
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has changed the nomination rules between Mutual
Funds (MF) and Demat Accounts allowing the holders of both instruments to include up to 10
nominees. The change was made during the SEBI board meeting held on 30th September 2024 in
Mumbai, Maharashtra.
SEBI Extends Digital Relaxation for AGMs Until September 2025

On 4th October 2024, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) extended the relaxation given
to listed companies from sending physical copies of financial statements to shareholders for Annual
General Meetings (AGMs) by one more year till 30th September 2025. The relaxation was valid till
September 2024.
LOANS ISSUED BY BANKS

LOANS ISSUED RECEIVED AMOUNT KEY NOTES
BY BY
Asian Maharashtra USD 42 million The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a
Development loan of USD 42 million to enhance coastal and
Bank riverbank protection ecosystems in Maharashtra,
boosting the resilience of local communities and their
natural environments.
✓ ADB will support the Maharashtra Maritime
Board in enhancing its capacity for shore
management planning, including the creation
of a coastal infrastructure management unit.
Asian Himachal USD 162 On 3rd October 2024, the Asian Development Bank
Development Pradesh million (ADB) approved a USD 162 million loan to support
Bank sustainable and inclusive tourism development
projects in Himachal Pradesh(HP). The project will
promote heritage and cultural centres, restoring the
castle, beautification of public spaces, construction of
convention centres and facilities in the districts of
Mandi, Hamirpur, Kullu and Kangra.

International Axis Bank USD 500 International Finance Corporation (IFC), private
Finance Limited million (about lending arm of the World Bank Group (WBG) has
Corporation Rs 4,200 crore) partnered with Axis Bank Limited, India’s leading
(IFC) Private Sector Bank, to provide a loan worth USD
500 million (about Rs 4,200 crore) to help develop a
blue finance market and scale up financing of green
projects in India.
This marks the first blue investment by the IFC in
India and the 1st blue transaction by a financial
institution in the country. As of 2022, the water and
wastewater treatment market size was estimated at
USD 1.6 billion and is expected to reach USD 3
billion by 2029.
Asian Vivriti Capital USD 25 million Vivriti Capital Limited (VCL), a non-banking finance
Development Limited (VCL) company (NBFC), raised a USD 25 million senior
Bank secured debt facility from the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) to lend towards its climate finance
initiatives. This 4-year tenor bond is the 1st by an
NBFC which will be used to expand its green finance
portfolio.
World Bank Andhra Rs 15,000 The World Bank (WB), in collaboration with the
Pradesh crore Asian Development Bank (ADB), has approved an in-
principle loan of Rs 15,000 crore to Andhra Pradesh
(AP) for developing Amaravati as its capital city.
✓ The total project cost is estimated at Rs
49,000 crore, with Rs 15,000 crore being a
soft loan from the WB.
The loan features a 15-year moratorium on
repayment, shared by the Central and state
governments in a 90:10 ratio.
AGREEMENTS & MoUs SIGNED

BANKS SIGNED WITH KEY NOTES
PNB & Bandhan Bank SLCM New Delhi(Delhi) based Sohan Lal Commodity
Management Limited (SLCM) has partnered with
New Delhi based Punjab National Bank (PNB)
and Kolkata(West Bengal, WB) based Bandhan
Bank Limited to provide 'Unified Collateral
Management Solutions' aimed at enhancing the
agricultural sector.
NIPL Trinidad and Tobago NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Payments
Corporation of India (NPCI), entered into a strategic
partnership with the Ministry of Digital
Transformation (MDT) of Trinidad and Tobago to
build a real-time digital payments system modeled
after the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India.

✓ With this, Trinidad and Tobago became the
first Caribbean nation to adopt UPI.
RuPay BOBCARD Limited BOBCARD Limited, a Non-Banking Financial
Company (NBFC) and a wholly owned by Bank of
Baroda (BoB), has partnered with RuPay to
launch an Equated Monthly Installment (EMI)
feature on Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
payments, allowing users to convert their
purchases into EMIs for a more convenient
payment experience.
AU Small Finance Kotak Mahindra Life To offer life insurance solutions, expanding AU SFB's
Bank (AU SFB) Insurance Company product offerings and enhancing financial security for
Limited its customers. This partnership will strengthen AU
SFB’s presence in southern India by leveraging
Kotak Life's portfolio.
ICICI Bank Limited PhonePe ICICI Bank Limited, India’s leading Private Sector
Bank, announced that it has partnered with PhonePe,
India’s largest digital platform, to offer instant credit
on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to its pre-
approved customers through the
PhonePe application (app).
Aditya Birla Finance Google To enhance its financial services on Google Pay at the
Limited(ABFL) and 10th edition of Google for India event held on 3rd
Muthoot Finance October 2024 in New Delhi, Delhi.
Limited Google has partnered with Aditya Birla Finance
to offer personal loans and with Muthoot Finance
to provide gold-backed loans.
NPCI Bharat BillPay Pension Fund To integrate the National Pension System (NPS) as a
Limited (NBBL) Regulatory and biller category on the Bharat Connect platform
Development Authority (formerly known as Bharat Bill Payment System-
(PFRDA) BBPS).
Bajaj Allianz Life Indian Navy The Indian Navy (IN) has signed a Memorandum of
Insurance Company Understanding (MoU) with Pune(Maharashtra) based
Limited (BALIC) Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Limited
(BALIC), a private life insurance company, marking a
significant initiative to enhance the welfare of its
civilian personnel.
This initiative aligns with the IN’s declaration of the
2024 as 'Year of Naval Civilians,' aimed at
enhancing the work environment and welfare
measures for civilian staff.
India Exim Finserve VoloFin Services Private Gandhinagar(Gujarat) based India Exim Finserve
IFSC Private Limited Limited IFSC Private Limited (Exim Finserve), a wholly
(Exim Finserve) owned subsidiary of Export-Import Bank of India
(India Exim Bank) has collaborated with Singapore
based VoloFin Services Private Limited to provide

comprehensive receivables financing solutions to
Indian exporters.
This collaboration will assist underserved Small and
Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) exporters who play
an important role in the country's economic growth.
Nine Public Sector Ministry of Rural The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has
Banks(PSBs)and one Development (MoRD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
Private Sector Bank nine Public Sector Banks(PSBs)and one Private
Sector Bank under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-
National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) at
the National Conclave on Women led
Entrepreneurship held in New Delhi(Delhi).
The PSBs involved in the agreement are: Bank of
Baroda (BOB), Bank of India (BOI), Bank of
Maharashtra (BOM), Canara Bank (CB), Central Bank
of India (CBI), Indian Bank (IB), Indian Overseas
Bank (IOB), Punjab National Bank (PNB) and United
Commercial Bank (UCO). The Private Sector Bank
involved in the agreement is Industrial Development
Bank of India Limited (IDBI Bank Ltd).
Asian Development Assam government The Assam government, in collaboration with the
Bank Asian Development Bank (ADB), has initiated a
project ‘Sustainable Wetland and Integrated Fisheries
Transformation (SWIFT) with a budget of Rs 796.88
crore to restore 129 wetlands, known locally as
beels, covering an area of 3,800 hectares.
✓ From the total outlay, 80% funding from ADB
and 20% from the State Government.
✓ This initiative aims to enhance flood
mitigation efforts, improving water
management and supporting local fisheries.
These wetlands have been geo-mapped by the Assam
State Application Centre (ASSAC).
Mastercard Inc. Citigroup Inc. Citigroup Inc.,an American multinational investment
bank and financial service, has partnered with
Mastercard Inc.,an American multinational payment
card service, to enable 24/7 cross-border payments
through debit cards, providing consumers and
businesses with a new, seamless option for global
transactions.
Citigroup is the first global bank to facilitate cross-
border payments to Mastercard debit cards through
‘Mastercard Move’, leveraging the speed, security,
and transparency of the MasterCard network.
Power Finance Bharat Earth Movers Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to
Corporation Limited finance and implement critical infrastructure
projects, particularly in the areas of defense, rail
transportation and infrastructure development.

The MoU was signed between Shantanu Roy,
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of BEML and
Parminder Chopra, CMD of PFC on 18th October
2024.
Axis Bank Limited Mintoak Innovations Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Mintoak Innovations
Private Private Limited(Mintoak ), a merchant software-as-
Limited(Mintoak ) a-service (SaaS) platform, has partnered with
Mumbai based Axis Bank Limited to make
payment solutions more seamless for Small and
Medium-sized Enterprises(SMEs).
OTHER BANKING NEWS

PNB Introduces Multi-Currency World Travel Card for International Travelers
Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched the “PNB Multi-Currency World Travel Card (MCWTC)”, a
prepaid foreign currency card, which allows users to load and manage multiple currencies on a single
card.
The card supports 6 major foreign currencies: United States Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), British
Pound Sterling (GBP), United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED), Canadian Dollar (CAD), and
Singapore Dollar (SGD).
India Extends USD 50 Million Budgetary Support to Maldives for another Year
India has extended the budgetary support to the Government of Maldives in the form of rollover
worth USD 50 million Treasury Bills (T-bills) for another year, at the request of Maldivian
government. This extension has been granted by the State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest Public
Sector Bank (PSB), which has subscribed the USD 50 million T-bills issued by the Ministry of Finance,
Maldives for another year.
IDBI Bank Launches OTS scheme for retail NPA borrowers to Boost Recovery
IDBI Bank has launched the 'Sugam Rinn Bhugtan Yojana (SUGAM Scheme)', a one-time settlement
(OTS)/Negotiated Settlement scheme aimed at recovering non-performing retail loans. The scheme is
available to borrowers with outstanding principal between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 10 crore, offering
relaxed terms for loans classified as Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) as of March 31, 2021, and
continuing through August 31, 2024.
✓ Borrowers must pay at least 10% of the settlement amount by 31st December 2024, with the
balance due within 90 days of the Letter of Approval (LOA) without interest.
SATYA Micro Capital Secures Rs 1000 Mn from Mizuho Bank, Empowering Women
Entrepreneurs
New Delhi (Delhi) based-SATYA Micro Capital Limited, a Non-Banking Financial Company-
Microfinance Institution(NBFC-MFI), has successfully raised Rs 100 Crore from Tokyo(Japan) based
Mizuho Bank Limited, a subsidiary of Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.,.
BoB launches ‘Masterstroke Savings Account’ for High-End Customers

On 7th October 2024, Bank of Baroda (BoB) launched ‘BoB Masterstroke Savings Account’, a new
savings bank account, designed especially for high-end customers desiring premium services. BoB also
named Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as its global brand ambassador.

✓ BoB is set to sell its Oman operations to Bank Dhofar as part of its strategy to rationalize foreign
operations. This acquisition is on a going concern basis. It has been approved by BoB, but has
pending approval from relevant regulatory authorities.
SBI Card & Singapore Airlines Launched 2 Co-Branded Credit Cards: KrisFlyer SBI Card
& KrisFlyer SBI Card Apex
SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited (SBI Card), a non-banking financial company, has partnered
with Singapore Airlines (SIA) to launch two co-branded credit cards namely the “KrisFlyer SBI Card”
and the “KrisFlyer SBI Card Apex”.
✓ These contactless cards are available on American Express and Mastercard platforms, offer
frequent flyers curated rewards.
ICICI Bank and MakeMyTip Launched co-branded Premium Credit Card

Mumbai( Maharashtra) based ICICI Bank Limited has partnered with MakeMyTrip (MMT), a leading
Travel company, to launch a premium co-branded credit card named “MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit
Card” specially curated for the aspirational travellers of India.
This card is issued as a dual offering which comes with the convenience of two cards, one each
powered by Mastercard and RuPay. There is a joining fee of Rs 999 and there is an
annual/renewal fee from the second year.
Jio Payments Bank Secures Mutual Fund Distribution License from AMFI
Jio Payments Bank Limited, a subsidiary of Jio Financial Services, has obtained a Category 1 Execution-
Only Platform (EOP) license from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) for Mutual Fund
(MF) distribution.
✓ This license enables the bank to distribute direct MF plans and receive transaction fees capped at
Rs 2 per transaction. Currently, there are 15 Category 1 EOPs registered with AMFI.
✓ The AMFI gives MF distributors a unique code, the ARN (AMFI Registration Number). It is a key
identifier. It ensures that a mutual fund distributor has a registration and follows industry rules.
Visa unveils platform for global banks to issue stablecoins, other tokens
Visa Inc.,an American multinational payment card services corporation, has launched the Visa
Tokenized Asset Platform (VTAP), a platform to help banks issue stablecoins and other fiat-backed
tokens internationally. VTAP is expected to go live in 2025.
VTAP will enable banks to “mint, burn and transfer” tokens offering infrastructure for
financial institutions aiming to leverage the advantages of blockchain technology.
IOB launches ‘IOB-Mahila Shaksham scheme’ to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has launched the ‘IOB -Mahila Shaksham Scheme’ aimed at empowering
individual women Self Help Group (SHG) members for entrepreneurial activity.
✓ This initiative is under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-
NRLM) offering financial assistance to individual members of Women SHGs. Women can avail
loans minimum at Rs 75,000 and upto Rs 10,00,000.

Bank of Baroda Introduces bob Utsav Deposit Scheme
Vadodara(Gujarat) based Bank of Baroda (BoB) announced the launch of the ‘bob Utsav Deposit
Scheme’, a 400-day period term deposit scheme. The scheme offers interest rates of 7.30% per annum
(p.a.) for the general public, 7.80% p.a. for senior citizens, 7.90% p.a. for super senior citizens (aged 80
years & above) and up to 7.95% p.a. on Non-Callable Deposits.
FINANCE NEWS
MMRDA Secured Rs 31,673.79 Crore Loan from PFC to Fast Track Mumbai’s 9
Infrastructure Projects
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has secured a loan worth Rs
31,673.79 crores from the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) under the Ministry of Power (MoP) to
fast track the development of 9 key infrastructure projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region(MMR).
New UPI AutoPay rule: No 24-hour pre-debit notification for these two UPI recurring
payments
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced changes to the Unified Payments
Interface (UPI) Autopay framework with immediate effect. Following this, auto-replenishment of the
National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) FASTag and RuPay National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)
will no longer require the standard 24-hour pre-debit notification.
DFC invests USD 272 million in India to Boost Economic Growth

The United States(U.S.) International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has made a significant
commitment of over USD 272 million to support India’s economic growth and sustainability.
This investment includes key allocations, such as a USD 40 million loan to
Mumbai(Maharashtra) based APAC Financial Services Private Limited, which aims to
expand lending to low-income and microenterprises.
CBDT Released New Guidelines for Handling Delayed Tax Refund Claims
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) under the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance
(MoF) has released new guidelines for handling delays in submitting Income Tax Returns (ITR) that
include claims for refunds on carrying forward losses under Section 119 (2) (b) of the Income-Tax
(IT) Act, 1961.
✓ CBDT has introduced a 3-tier system for processing applications based on claim amounts.
✓ As per the new guidelines, the time limit for filing such applications within 5 years from the end
of assessment year will apply to applications filed on or after 1st October, 2024.
✓ The concerned authorities are expected to process these applications within a time period of 6
months of receipt.
WHO Secured USD 1 billion for 2025-28, with USD 700 million in New Funding
The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that it has secured USD 1 billion in pledges for its
next budget i.e. for 2025-28, of which nearly USD 700 million pledges was made in terms of new
funding commitments from various European nations, foundations and organisations and the
remaining USD 300 million was from the previous commitments made by the European Union (EU)
and African Union (AU).
✓ The announcement was made during the WHO Investment Round Signature Event which was co-
hosted by Germany, France, and Norway, held at the World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany.

✓ Germany emerged as the major contributor to WHO’s funding among all European nations and
has pledged nearly USD 400 million for a period of 4 years, with USD 260 million in new
voluntary funding.
✓ Other European nations like: the European Union (EU), Norway and Ireland have made the
commitment of USD 250 million, USD 100 million and USD 30 million, respectively to WHO budget
for 2024-28.
PFC Secures largest-ever foreign currency term loan of USD 1.265 billion
Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC), a Maharatna public sector company and one of India’s top
non-banking financial companies (NBFC), operating under the Ministry of Power(MoP), secured its
largest ever foreign currency loan of USD 1.265 billion.
✓ PFC plans to use this fund to finance projects not related to thermal power (coal based), promoting
green and sustainable energy initiatives. This supports India’s goals of reducing carbon
emissions and increasing renewable energy capacity.
Indian and South Korean Bonds to Join FTSE Russell Government Indexes in 2025
On 8th October 2024, London (the United Kingdom, UK)-based index provider Financial Times Stock
Exchange(FTSE) Russell announced that the Indian and the South Korean government bonds are set
to join FTSE Russell Government Indexes in 2025 to attract billions of dollars of foreign investment
into their local bond markets.
✓ Market Accessibility Level for India will be reclassified from 0 to 1 and the Indian sovereign bonds
will be included to its Emerging Markets Government Bond Index (EMGBI) from September
2025.
✓ It has also announced the inclusion of the South Korean government bonds to its World
Government Bond Index (WGBI) after 2 years on its watch list.
India Pledged USD 300 million to WHO; USD 250 Million will be spent on CoE for
Traditional Medicine
India, the 6th largest global contributor to the World Health Organization (WHO), pledged over USD
300 million to support the WHO's core programmes from 2025 to 2028.
Around USD 250 million will be dedicated to the establishment of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for
Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
IREDA Received DIPAM Approval to Set Up Subsidiary to Handle Retail, B2B biz in
Renewable Energy Segment
State-owned Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited(IREDA), under the Ministry of
New and Renewable Energy (MNRE, has received the in-principal approval from the Department of
Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), Ministry of Finance (MoF), to set up a wholly-
owned subsidiary to undertake retail and Business-to-Business (B2B) business in the Renewable
Energy (RE)sector.
Tata AMC Launches India’s 1st Index Fund Based on Nifty Capital Markets Index
Tata Asset Management Company (AMC) has launched the “Tata Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund”,
the India’s 1st index fund to invest in companies from the Nifty Capital Markets Index to track the
performance of selected companies from the Nifty 500 Index.

India & UAE to Interlink UPI & AANI for Seamless Cross-Border Transactions
The Government of India and the United Arab Emirates(UAE) are working on interlinking India’s
Unified Payment Interface (UPI) with UAE’s instant payments platform AANI to enable seamless cross-
border transactions between the two countries.
✓ This will benefit over 3 million Indians residing in the UAE enabling them to use the power of UPI
and AANI.
IRDAI Extended the Implementation deadline of IFRS 17 to FY27

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has extended the timeline for
the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS 17) regulations by the
Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27). This move will give ample time to both bank-sponsored and non-bank
sponsored insurance companies for implementation of IFRS 17 regulations.
It was developed by London(the United Kingdom, UK) based International Accounting Standards Board
(IASB) and was introduced in May 2017. It has replaced IFRS 4 and came into effect on 1st January,
2023.
LIC Reduces 1st-year Agent Payout to 28% after Surrender Value Revision
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has reduced the first-year agent commission from 35% to
28% including a bonus after revising its surrender value norms and decreased from 25% to 20%
without bonus. The new surrender norms came into effect from 1st October 2024.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS

GDP & GROWTH RATE
ORGANIZATION YEAR RATE
World Bank FY25 7%
On 10th October 2024, the World Bank(WB) released
a report titled “South Asia Development October
2024 Update: Women, Jobs and Growth”. It has
retained India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
growth forecast for Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) to
7% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y). This growth projection is
mainly attributed to higher agricultural production
and robust employment growth from policy
initiatives, which further boosting the private
consumption.
✓ The World Bank has also retained India’s GDP
growth forecast at 6.7% for FY26 (2025-26).
The World Bank has raised its growth projection for
the South Asia region to 6.4% in 2024 from its
previous estimate of 6.0%.
World Trade Organisation 2025 3%
On 10th October 2024, the World Trade Organisation
(WTO) released its latest bi-annual trade outlook
titled “Global Trade Outlook and Statistics:
October 2024”. It has reduced its previous

projection of world merchandise trade growth from
3.3% to 3% in 2025.
✓ While, it increased its merchandise trade
growth projection for year 2024 to 2.7%, up
from its previous estimate of 2.6%.
✓ The report has also projected that the global
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at
market exchange rates will remain at 2.7%
for both 2024 and 2025.
The report highlighted that global merchandise
trade witnessed the growth of 2.3% with Year-
on-Year (Y-o-Y) increase in the 1st half of 2024.
This rebound came against the backdrop of
slump of 1.1% in 2023, driven by high inflation
and increasing interest rates.
ECONOMY NEWS
Fossil Fuel Dominance in Electricity Generation to end by 2030: RBI report
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in its latest report, forecasts that the dominance of fossil fuels in
India's electricity generation will end by 2030, with renewable energy expected to surpass 50% of
global electricity generation.
✓ Tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 is crucial to meeting global net-zero emission targets
by mid-century. A fully decarbonized global energy system by 2050 is estimated to cost USD 215
trillion.
Total Employment in Manufacturing Industries up 7.5% in FY23: ASI by MoSPI

The Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation (MoSPI) revealed that total employment in manufacturing industries rose by 7.5% in
the Financial Year 2022-2023 (FY23), reaching 1.85 crore from 1.72 crore in FY 2021-22 (FY22).
✓ Employment in manufacturing exceeded pre-pandemic levels (2018-19) by 22.14 lakh.
✓ Average emoluments per person increased by 6.3% compared to FY22.
✓ Total employment grew from 1,72,15,350 in FY22 to 1,84,94,962 in FY23, with prior years'
figures being 1,60,89,700 (FY21), 1,66,24,291 (FY20), and 1,62,80,211 (FY19).
NITI Aayog Raised Asset Monetisation Target for FY25 to Rs 1.9 trillion
The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) has raised the Asset Monetisation(AM)
target for Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) by Rs 23,000 crore to Rs 1.9 trillion. This move will bring
closer to achieve the overall target of Rs 6 trillion set under the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP)
for a period of 4 years i.e. from FY22 to FY25.
✓ It has estimated that highways monetisation will generate Rs 54,000 crore for the centre
government in FY25. Also, coal block monetisation is expected to generate Rs 55,000 crore.
India becomes fourth country to cross $700 billion in foreign reserves

According to the Reserve Bank of India(RBI)’s data, India's foreign exchange reserves surpassed
$700 billion for the first time ever in September 2024. This milestone makes India, the fourth country
in the world , alongside China, Japan, and Switzerland, to reach this level of reserves.

✓ The foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 12.59 billion to hit an all-time high of USD
704.885 billion in the week ended September 27, 2024.
MoSPI Releases Unemployment Rates for 2023-24, Highlighting Trends Among

Religious Minorities
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Periodic Labour Force
Survey (PLFS), which indicates unemployment rates among India's religious minorities for 2023-24
(1 July 2023 to 30 June, 2024)
✓ According to the survey, Sikhs faced the highest unemployment rate among religious minorities,
rising from 5.1% in 2022-23 to 5.8% in 2023-24.
✓ Similarly, the unemployment rate among Muslims rose from 2.4% to 3.2%,
✓ The unemployment rate among Christians rose from 4.5% to 4.7% during the same period.
✓ The overall labor force participation rate (LFPR) in India rose from 36.9% in 2017-18 to 45.1% in
2023-24.
BUSINESS NEWS
AGEL and AESL join the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance to aid India's decarbonisation
march
Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) and Adani Energy Solutions Limited (AESL) have joined the
Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA), an international coalition which operates under the guidance of
the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the UN Climate Change High-Level
Champions.
✓ Both companies have committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050, a goal in line with India's
broader energy transition objectives. AESL, focused on enhancing grid reliability for renewable
energy transmission, aims to reduce direct emissions by 72.7% by 2030.
InCorp Global Becomes First Firm at GIFT IFSC to Receive BATF Licence Approval
Singapore based InCorp Global Pte Limited, a corporate solutions and professional services provider,
has become the first firm at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) International Financial
Services Centre (IFSC) to obtain a BATF (Bookkeeping, Accounting, Taxation, and Financial Crime
Compliance) licence.
MoU’s & AGREEMENTS

MoU’s WITH COUNTRY
COUNTRY MoU’s WITH FIELD / PURPOSE
India Nepal India and Nepal signed 12 Memorandum of
Understanding (MoUs) for High Impact Community
Development Projects (HICDPs) in Nepal covering key
sectors such as education, health, agriculture, drinking
water and culture for strengthening bilateral ties.
The projects will be supported by grant assistance of
NRs (Nepalese Rupees) 474 million (approximately Rs
47.4 crore) by the Government of India (GoI)
India Colombia India and Colombia signed an Audio-Visual Co-
Production Agreement to enhance collaboration in film

production and strengthen cultural ties, and goodwill
between the two nations. With this, Colombia becomes
the 17th country to sign such an agreement with India.
✓ The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
(MIB), Government of India(GoI), has played a
pivotal role in promoting these partnerships.
✓ The agreement was signed by India’s Union
Minister of State (MoS) Dr. Loganathan
Murugan, MIB; and Jorge Enrique Rojas
Rodriguez, Colombia’s Vice Minister of Foreign
Affairs in New Delhi(Delhi).
India Seychelles The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and
Office of the Auditor General Auditing (OAG), Republic
of Seychelles have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) in Victoria, Seychelles to boost
training opportunities and information sharing between
their respective Auditor General's offices.
The agreement was signed by Girish Chandra Murmu,
the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, and
Gamini Herath, the Auditor General of the Republic of
Seychelles during the CAG Girish Chandra Murmu's
official visit to Seychelles.
United States of Japan & South Signed the Digital Infrastructure Growth Initiative for
America Korea India Framework (DiGi Framework) to strengthen the
digital infrastructure development in India.
The framework was signed between US International
Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the Japan
Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and the
Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank-
KEXIM) at the DFC headquarters in Washington D.C., the
USA.
MoU’s WITH STATE

STATE MoU’s WITH FIELD / PURPOSE
Rajasthan REC Limited REC Limited (formerly Rural Electrification Corporation
Private Limited), a Maharatna Central Public Sector Unit
(CPSU) under the administrative control of Ministry of
Power (MoP) has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the Government of
Rajasthan (GoR) to provide financial support of Rs 3
lakh crore to fund infrastructure projects in the state.
According to the MoU, REC Limited will provide financial
support of Rs 50,000 crore per annum (increased from
Rs 20,000 crore) to fund projects across power and non-
power infrastructure for period of 6 years (up to 2030).

Andhra Pradesh Karnataka To address wildlife and forest management
challenges at an Inter-State coordination meeting in
Vijayawada, AP.
✓ Aim: To strengthen cross-border conservation
efforts, mitigate human-animal conflicts, and
promote sustainable forest management
practices.
Meghalaya Bill & Melinda Gates To work together towards improving population health
Foundation (BMGF) outcomes of Meghalaya, particularly related to maternal
and newborn health, family planning, nursing education
and agriculture and livestock development.
Nagaland Wales The Government of Nagaland has signed Wales, a

country which is a part of the United Kingdom(UK), as
one of the Country Partners for the 25th Hornbill
Festival.
Nagaland Chief Minister(CM) Neiphiu Rio, who is on an
official visit to Wales, signed an agreement with the
Welsh Government, the British Council, and Wales Arts
International representatives in Cardiff, Wales.
MoU’s BETWEEN ORGANIZATION

ORGANIZATION MoU’s WITH FIELD / PURPOSE
Department of National Legal Services Department of Social Justice and Empowerment
Social Justice and Authority (NALSA) (DoSJE) under the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment Empowerment (MoSJE) has signed a Memorandum of
(DoSJE) Understanding (MoU) with the National Legal Services
Authority (NALSA) to enhance public awareness about
various Acts, Rules and Schemes of DoSJE, especially
those framed to support the marginalized and
vulnerable sections of society in India.
✓ Under this collaboration, State Legal Services
Authorities (SLSAs) and District Legal Services
Authorities (DLSAs), will conduct awareness
camps across India through the para-legal
volunteers and panel lawyers.
During the event, Union Minister Virendra Kumar
launched SARTHIE 1.0, a joint initiative of DoSJE and
NALSA aimed to empower disadvantaged
communities, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other
Backward Classes (OBCs), senior citizens, Denotified
and Nomadic Tribes (DNT), among others.
International Indian Institute of Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Energy Agency Technology (IIT) Delhi on the role of energy technology innovation in
(IEA) reducing emissions and leading clean energy
transitions.

Ministry of Labour Amazon Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) signed a
& Employment Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Amazon
(MoLE) in New Delhi(Delhi) to enhance employment
accessibility in India.
The MoU also highlights the joint commitment to
leveraging the National Career Service (NCS)
portal to boost job opportunities. The portal is
developing as a one-stop platform for accessing
employment opportunities across sectors and
industries.
Bharat Electronics Reliasat Inc. Canada Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna
Limited (BEL) Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the
Ministry of Defence(MoD), signed a Teaming
Agreement with Reliasat Inc. Canada to
collaborate in the area of space products, at BEL’s
Corporate Office in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Tata Electronics Powerchip Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) has
Private Limited Semiconductor completed the Definitive Agreement with Taiwan-
(TEPL) Manufacturing based Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing
Corporation (PSMC) Corporation (PSMC) under which PSMC will provide
design and construction support to build India’s 1st
Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled greenfield fab in
Dholera(Gujarat).
Ministry of Military College of The Ministry of Electronics and Information
Electronics and Telecommunications Technology (MeitY) and Indore(Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Information Engineering (MCTE) based Military College of Telecommunications
Technology (MeitY) Engineering (MCTE) have partnered to foster
innovation and drive technological advancements
for defence applications.
Department of Amazon Seller Services The Department of Posts (DoP) under the Ministry of
Posts Private Limited Communications, and Amazon Seller Services
Private Limited signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the logistics and
e-commerce in India.
The agreement expands the previous
collaboration with Amazon using India's vast
postal network to send and receive packages.
All India Council for Society of Indian Defence To ‘create a future-ready workforce for the Defence
Technical Manufacturers (SIDM) and Aerospace sectors’ in New Delhi, Delhi.
Education (AICTE) The MoU was exchanged between the Chairman of
AICTE, Prof. T.G. Sitharam and the president of
SIDM, Rajinder Singh Bhatia, in the presence of
Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of
Defence(MoD).

Indian Oil Nepal Oil Corporation Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Nepal
Corporation Oil Corporation (NOC) signed a Business to
Limited Business (B2B) Framework Agreement for the
development of petroleum infrastructure in Nepal
with a total investment of around Rs.15 billion.
Global Biofuels Government of India The Government of India(GoI) has signed a Host
Alliance Country Agreement(HCA) with the Global Biofuels
Alliance (GBA) to officially establish the GBA
Secretariat in India. The agreement was signed at a
ceremony in New Delhi (Delhi). This will facilitate the
alliance in achieving its objectives of promoting
biofuels on a global scale.
The HCA grants GBA legal recognition, including
privileges and immunities under the United
Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act of
1947, ensuring smooth operations within India’s
legal framework.
Adani Group Google Ahmedabad(Gujarat) based Adani Group and the
United States of America(USA) based Google have
announced a partnership to enhance the sustainability
efforts and contribute to the growth of clean energy
in India. This collaboration will help Google to achieve
its "24/7 carbon-free energy goal" by ensuring that
cloud services and operations in India are powered by
sustainable energy.
SKYBER Aerospace Sibia Technologies SKYBER Aerospace Private Limited, an advanced air
Private Limited mobility firm, has announced a strategic partnership
with Dubai (The United Arab Emirates-UAE)-based
Sibia Technologies, to market and sell made-in-India
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) across the Middle
East and Africa (MEA).
✓ With an expected market size of USD 5.3
billion by 2029, the MEA region presents vast
opportunities in both government and
commercial sectors.
The partnership targets both military and commercial
sectors, including industries such as oil and gas,
construction, and agriculture. Significant consumers
are expected from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
RITES Limited Etihad Rail Gurugram(Haryana) based RITES Limited, formerly
known as Rail India Technical and Economic Service
Limited, signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of
the United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Rail
Network, to explore collaboration and leverage
capabilities in the development of railways and

associated infrastructure services in the UAE and the
wider region.
Government of Meta Platforms Inc. Launched the “Scam se Bacho“, a national user
India awareness campaign, in New Delhi (Delhi) to combat
the increasing prevalence of online scams.
This two-month-long safety campaign was launched
by Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting (MIB).
MSDE Meta The Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has partnered with
Meta, parent company of the social network Facebook,
to enhance the Skill India Mission through the
development of an Artificial
Intelligence(AI) Assistant and the establishment of
five Centers of Excellence (CoEs) focused on Virtual
Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR).
Five CoEs will be established at National Skill
Training Institutes (NSTIs) located
in: Hyderabad(Telangana), Bengaluru(Karnataka),
Jodhpur(Rajasthan), Chennai(Tamil Nadu,TN),
Kanpur(Uttar Pradesh, UP).
MoU’s IN CONTENT FORMAT

ISRO, IN-SPACe & NSIL sign 5 TTA with Non-Governmental Entities
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Indian National Space Promotion and
Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) have signed 5
Technology Transfer Agreements (TTAs) with Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs).
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

APPOINTMENTS
NATIONAL
PERSON NAME APPOINTED AS ENTITY / PLACE KEY NOTES
Nayab Singh Saini Chief Minister Haryana Nayab Singh Saini took oath as the
Chief Minister (CM) of Haryana at the
swearing-in ceremony in Panchkula,
Haryana. This marks his 2nd tenure as
CM of Haryana. Previously served as the
CM of Haryana from March 2024 to
October 2024 after Manohar Lal
Khattar resigned ahead of 2024 Lok
Sabha elections.
Haryana Governor
Bandaru Dattatreya administered the
oath of office and secrecy to all of them.

Udhayanidhi Stalin Deputy Chief Tamil Nadu On 29th September 2024, Tamil
Minister Nadu(TN)’s Minister of Youth Welfare
and Sports Development, Udhayanidhi
Stalin took oath as the Deputy Chief
Minister(Dy CM) of TN. The post has
been vacant since 2021. Udhayanidhi
was sworn in as Dy CM by TN Governor
R.N. Ravi. He became the youngest
person in TN’s history to hold the post
of Dy CM.
Omar Abdullah Chief Minister Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah (54 years old), Vice
President (VP)of Jammu & Kashmir
National Conference (JKNC) was
officially sworn-in as new Chief Minister
(CM) of Union Territory (UT) Jammu &
Kashmir (J&K). He became the CM of
J&K for the 2nd time.
✓ With this, he becomes the 1st
CM of UT J&K since the
abrogation of Article 370 by the
Government of India (GoI) in
2019.
Along with him, Surinder Kumar
Choudhary took oath as the Deputy CM
of UT J&K.
Noel Naval Tata Chairman Sir Ratan Tata Noel Naval Tata, half-brother of Ratan
Trusts Tata, has been selected unanimously by
the Board members of Sir Ratan Tata
Trusts as the chairman and all trusts
covered under it. He will succeed Ratan
Tata who passed away at the age of 86
on October 9, 2024.
Noel Naval Tata is currently the
chairman of Trent Limited, Tata
International Ltd, Voltas Ltd and Tata
Investment Corporation Ltd. He is also
the vice chairman of Tata Steel Ltd and
Titan Company Ltd.
Indra Sena Reddy Acting Governor Mizoram Indra Sena Reddy
Nallu Nallu (73), Governor of Tripura, sworn
in as the acting Governor of
Mizoram at the Durbar Hall in Raj
Bhavan, Aizawl, Mizoram. The oath was
administered by Justice Nelson Sailo,
judge of the Gauhati High Court.
He has been given additional charge of
Mizoram by President of
India, Droupadi Murmu, as a result of

Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, the
incumbent Governor of Mizoram, taking
medical leave due to a lung infection.
Paramesh Sivamani Director General Indian Coast Paramesh Sivamani has took over as
Guard the 26th Director General (DG) of the
Indian Coast Guard (ICG). He has been
serving as the DG (additional charge)
of ICG since August 2024 after the
death of then DG Rakesh Pal. Paramesh
Sivamani has been serving as the
Additional DG of ICG since September
2022.
Ajit Kumar Saxena Chairman and Rashtriya Ispat Ajit Kumar Saxena has been given
Managing Nigam Limited additional charge of Chairman and
Director Managing Director(CMD)
of Visakhapatnam(Andhra Pradesh,
AP) based Rashtriya Ispat Nigam
Limited (Vizag Steel), Central Public
Sector Undertaking(CPSU) under the
Ministry of Steel(MoS). He would take
on the new responsibility with
immediate effect.
Martin Schlegel Chairman Governing Board On 1st October 2024, Martin Schlegel
of the Swiss took over as the new Chairman of the
National Governing Board of the Swiss
Bank(SNB) National Bank(SNB) succeeding
Thomas Jordan. He also took over as
the Head of SNB’s Department I in
Zurich, Switzerland
Partha Pratim Managing Bandhan Bank On October 8, 2024, the Reserve Bank of
Sengupta Director (MD) Limited India (RBI) has approved the
and Chief appointment of Partha Pratim
Executive Sengupta, as the Managing Director
(MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Officer (CEO)
of Bandhan Bank Limited for 3 years
from the date of taking charge and that
should not be later than 10th November
2024.
Partha Pratim Sengupta will replace
Ratan Kesh, who was appointed as the
interim MD and CEO after Chandra
Sekhar Ghosh stepped down on July 9,
2024.
Ravi Ahuja CEO Sony Pictures Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), a
Entertainment subsidiary of Tokyo(Japan)-based Sony
Group Corporation, announced that
Tony Vinciquerra, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of SPE will step

down from his role as SPE CEO on 2nd
January 2025.
Vinciquerra will remain in an advisory
role for SPE as non-executive Chairman
until December 2025.
Thachat Chairman World Steel Thachat
Viswanath (TV) Association Viswanath (TV) Narendran, the Chief
Narendran (Worldsteel) Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing
Director (MD) of Tata Steel, was
elected as the chairman of the World
Steel Association (Worldsteel) for the
term 2024-25.
✓ He will succeed Leon Topalian,
CEO of the United States of
America (USA)-based Nucor
Corporation, who served as
Chairman of Worldsteel (2023-
24).
He became the 2nd Indian to hold the
position as the Chairman of Worldsteel
after Sajjan Jindal, the chairman of JSW
Group, who served as the chairman
from 2021-22.
Manoj Kumar Chairman & Indian Railway Manoj Kumar Dubey has been
Dubey Managing Finance appointed as the Chairman & Managing
Director (CMD) Corporation Director (CMD) and Chief Executive
and Chief (IRFC) Officer (CEO) of the Indian Railway
Finance Corporation (IRFC) with effect
Executive
from October 10, 2024 for 5 years. He
Officer (CEO)
will succeed Shelly Verma.
He is an awardee of National Award for
Outstanding Service at the Ministry of
Railways(MoR) level in 2011.
Vijaya Kishore Chairperson National Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar has been
Rahatkar Commission for appointed as the 9th Chairperson of
Women the National Commission for Women
(NCW) with immediate effect. She
succeeded Rekha Sharma, whose
tenure as NCW chief ended on August 6,
2024.
✓ Vijaya Kishore
Rahatkar appointment was
made under Section 3 of
the NCW Act, 1990. Her tenure
is for three years or until she
reaches the age of 65, whichever
comes first.

Dr. Archana Majumdar has been
designated as a member of the
commission for a three-year term.
Amit Kumar Chairman and AIAHL The Public Enterprise Selection Board
Managing (PESB) appointed Amit Kumar as the
Director Chairman and Managing Director
(CMD) of AI Assets Holding Limited
(AIAHL), a Schedule ‘B’ Central Public
Sector Undertaking (PSU).
INTERNATIONAL
PERSON NAME APPOINTED AS ENTITY / KEY NOTES
PLACE
Kais Saied President Tunisia Tunisian President Kais Saied won the
presidential election for the second term with
90.69% of the vote. He was first elected in the
2019 Presidential election, following the death of
former president Beji Caid Essebsi, Tunisia's first
president freely elected by universal suffrage after
the revolution.
✓ Kais Saied was the first President to be
born after Tunisia achieved independence
from France in 1956.
Prabowo President Indonesia Former general Prabowo Subianto

Subianto Djojohadikusumo (73) of Great Indonesia
Djojohadikusumo Movement Party (Gerindra Party) was appointed
as the 8th President of Indonesia (2024-2029).
He succeeded Joko Widodo, who served as the
President of Indonesia from 2014 to 2024.
✓ Gibran Rakabuming, son of Joko Widodo,
was appointed as the Vice President of
Indonesia.
Prabowo Subianto served as the Defence
Minister of Indonesia from 2019 to 2024.
Luong Cuong President Vietnam Vietnam's National Assembly elected General
Luong Cuong(67-year-old) as the 14th president
of Vietnam, during a session held in Hanoi,
Vietnam.
He replaced To Lam, who served as the 13th
President of Vietnam from May 2024 to October
2024. To Lam was appointed as the general
secretary of the ruling Communist Party in August
2024.
Tom Fletcher Under- Humanitarian United Nations (UN) Secretary-General (SG)
Secretary- Affairs and António Guterres appointed Tom Fletcher of the
General Emergency United Kingdom (UK) as Under-Secretary-General
for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief

Relief Coordinator, Office for the Coordination of
Coordinator Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
✓ Tom Fletcher will succeed Martin
Griffiths of the UK, who stepped down
from the post in July 2024 due to health
reasons.
Shubha Tole President-elect International Indian neuroscientist Shubha Tole has been
Brain appointed as the president-elect of the
Research International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO),
Organisation marking her as the first scientist from a
developing country to attain this prestigious
(IBRO)
position. She will replace Tracy Bale, an
American neuroscientist.
Shubha Tole will join the IBRO advisory board on
January 1, 2025 for one year term and will assume
her role as president on January 1, 2026. Her
tenure will end on December 31, 2028, after which
she will also serve a two-year term on the IBRO
advisory board as past president.
BRAND & CAMPAIGN AMBASSADORS

PERSON NAME BRAND / CAMPAIGN KEY NOTES
Mahendra Brand Ambassador Former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh(MS)
Singh(MS) Dhoni Dhoni has been roped as the Brand Ambassador
of Chennai(Tamil Nadu, TN) based Garuda Aerospace,
one of India’s leading drone startups, and raised his stake
in the drone startup.
✓ Garuda Aerospace is a drone solutions provider
that uses innovative techniques to meet India's
growing need for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
(UAVs).
Mary Kom & Sunil Brand Ambassadors Utkarsh Small Finance Bank (SFB) has appointed
Chhetri Olympic boxer Mary Kom and the former Indian football
team Captain Sunil Chhetri as its Brand Ambassadors.
The brand ambassadors will work on Utkarsh SFB
initiatives like financial literacy campaigns, product
launches, branch inaugurations, and social media
campaigns for inclusion and resilience.
Shreyanka Patil Brand Ambassador BOBCARD LIMITED, a subsidiary of Bank of
Baroda(BoB), has chosen Indian cricketer
Shreyanka Patil as its brand ambassador.

OTHER APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
RBI's Monetary Policy Committee Reconstituted; Aviral Jain Appointed as Executive
Director
Government of India(GoI) has revamped the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy
Committee (MPC), a key body that guides the country’s monetary policy decisions, with new external
members.
✓ The new external members are Ram Singh, Saugata Bhattacharya, and Nagesh Kumar. They
will replace Ashima Goyal, Shashanka Bhide, and Jayanth R. Varma whose four-year terms have
come to an end. The external members are appointed for a term of 4 years, with no provision for
reappointment.
✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed Aviral Jain as its Executive Director(ED), with effect
from October 1, 2024.
Deputy Governor of RBI Rajeshwar Rao gets a one-year extension

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), Chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi,
has approved the re-appointment of M. Rajeshwar Rao as Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) for one year with effect from 9th October 2024, or until further orders.
ACC Extended Tenure of Registrar General Mritunjay Kumar Narayan;

Appointed Praveen Vashista as Special Secretary, MHA
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the extension of Mritunjay Kumar
Narayan's tenure as Registrar General beyond 6th December 2024, for a period up to 4th August
2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
✓ Mritunjay Kumar Narayan is a 1995-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the
Uttar Pradesh (UP) cadre. He took charge as the Registrar General and Census Commissioner
of India in November 2022.
✓ ACC has also appointed Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Praveen Vashista, as Special
Secretary (Internal Security) in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). He will succeed Sivagami
Sundari Nanda, who is set to retire on 31st December 2024.
AWARDS
NOBEL PRIZE
AWARD NAME AWARD FIELD KEY NOTES
WINNER
Victor Ambros Physiology or Victor Ambros, an American developmental
& Gary Bruce Medicine biologist, and Gary Bruce Ruvkun, an
Ruvkun American molecular biologist, were jointly
awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or
Medicine 2024 by the Nobel Assembly at
Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
They were honoured “for the discovery of
microRNA and its role in post-
transcriptional gene regulation”.

David Chemistry American biochemist David Baker, Demis
Baker, Demis Hassabis, the Chief Executive Office (CEO ) of
Hassabis & DeepMind Technologies Limited, a subsidiary
John Jumper of Google, and American chemist John Jumper
were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in
Chemistry 2024 by the Royal Swedish
Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, Sweden
on 9th October 2024.
✓ The Nobel Prize is awarded to David
Baker “for computational protein
design” and to Demis Hassabis and
John Jumper “for protein structure
prediction”.
Prize amount: 11 million Swedish kronor,
with one half to David Baker and the other
half jointly to Demis Hassabis and John
Jumper.
John J. Hopfield Physics American physicist John J. Hopfield and
& Geoffrey E. British-Canadian Computer scientist
Hinton Geoffrey E. Hinton were jointly awarded the
Nobel Prize Nobel Prize in Physics 2024 by the Royal
Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm,
Sweden on 8th October 2024.
✓ They were awarded "for foundational
discoveries and inventions that
enable machine learning with
artificial neural networks".
Prize amount: 11 million Swedish kronor will
be shared equally between the laureates.
Han Kang Literature South Korean writer & novelist Han Kang
won the Nobel Prize in Literature 2024 “for
her intense poetic prose that confronts
historical traumas and exposes the fragility of
human life.”
✓ She became the first South Korean
to win a Nobel prize in literature
and the 2nd Nobel laureate from
South Korea after Former South
Korean President Kim Dae Jung, who
won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in
Stockholm, Sweden announced the award on
10th October 2024.
Japanese NGO Peace Japanese Non-Governmental Organization
Nihon (NGO) Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots
Hidankyo movement of Hibakusha- the atomic bomb
survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, has
been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for

2024 by the Norwegian Nobel Committee
in Oslo, Norway.
✓ The award recognised their efforts to
achieve a world free of nuclear
weapons and for demonstrating
through witness testimony that
nuclear weapons must never be used
again.
Prize Amount: 11 million Swedish Kronor.
AWARDS IN THE FIELD OF ARTS & CULTURE FILMS

AWARD NAME AWARD FIELD KEY NOTES
WINNER
Dadasaheb Phalke Mithun Chakra Indian cinema Veteran Indian Actor-turned-Politician and
Lifetime Achievement borty Padma Bhushan Awardee
Award Mithun Chakraborty will be honoured with
the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime
Achievement Award for his lifetime
contribution to Indian cinema for the year
2022. He will be the 54th recipient of this
award. It was announced by Union minister
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Information
and Broadcasting(MoI&B).
✓ He will be presented with the Dada
Saheb Phalke award at the 70th
National Film Awards ceremony
scheduled to be held on 8th October,
2024 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi,
Delhi.
✓ In 2024, He was honoured with
the Padma Bhushna, India’s 3rd
highest civilian award in the category
of Arts, presented by President
Droupadi Murmu during a ceremony
held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New
Delhi, Delhi
OTHER IMPORTANT AWARDS

AWARD NAME AWARD WINNER FIELD KEY NOTES
2024 SASTRA Alexander Dunn Mathematics Alexander Dunn, a prominent

Ramanujan Prize mathematician from Georgia Institute of
Technology, the United States of America
(USA), has been awarded the 2024
SASTRA Ramanujan Prize instituted by
the Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology &
Research Academy (SASTRA), a private

deemed university in Thanjavur, Tamil
Nadu (TN).
✓ He is recognized for his significant
work in analytic number theory,
especially his collaboration with
Maksym Radziwill in solving the
Kummer-Patterson Conjecture,
which pertains to bias in cubic
Gauss sums.
Note: The award will be presented during
the International Conference on Number
Theory at SASTRA University in
Kumbakonam, Thanjavur from 20-22
December 2024.
2024 IACP 40 Pritpal Kaur The United States of America(USA) based
Under 40 Award International Association of Chiefs of
Police(IACP) selected an Indian Police
Service (IPS) officer Pritpal Kaur,
Superintendent of Police (SP) of the Phek
district(Nagaland) for ‘2024 IACP 40
Under 40’ award. She is the only Indian
- selected for this year award.
✓ Pritpal Kaur is among 40 police
officers selected from 6 countries
around the world for the award.
She has been invited to Boston,
Massachusetts(the USA) to receive the
'2024 IACP 40 Under 40’ award on October
22, 2024.
Lifetime Muthuvel Contributions Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin (MK
Achievement Karunanidhi to Human Stalin), Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu
Award Stalin (MK Stalin) Resource (TN), was honoured with the Lifetime
Management Achievement award by the Asia Human
Resource Development (Asia HRD)
Academy in recognistion of his exceptional
contributions to Human Resource (HR)
management.
The award was presented by Fahmi
Jowder, Former Minister of Bahrain and
Chairman of Asia HRD Award Committee
and Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik,
Vice Chairman of Asia HRD Awards
Committee, and former President of
Maldives, at the Chief Secretariat in
Chennai, TN.
SEEMS Platinum Sardar Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International
Award Vallabhbhai Patel (SVPI) Airport in
Ahmedabad(Gujarat), managed by

International Adani Airport Holdings Limited
(SVPI) Airport - (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani
Enterprises, has won the Platinum
Award in the Airport Sector under
Facility Category at the Society of
Energy Engineers and Managers
(SEEM) Awards held in New Delhi,
Delhi.
Sveriges Riksbank Daron Acemoglu, Economic The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Prize Simon Johnson & Sciences has honoured Turkish-American
James A. economist, Daron Acemoglu; British
Robinson American economist, Simon Johnson; and
British economist and political scientist,
James A. Robinson with the Sveriges
Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in
Memory of Alfred Nobel 2024 on 14th
October 2024.
✓ They were awarded “for studies of
how institutions are formed and
affect prosperity”.
Prize amount: 11 million Swedish kronor,
to be shared equally between the laureates
UNHCR’s Nansen Sister Rosita Sister Rosita Milesi (79), Brazilian nun,
Refugee Award Milesi lawyer and social worker was honoured
with the 2024 United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Nansen Refugee Award’s Global Laureate
for championing the rights and dignity of
refugees and migrants of different
- nationalities in Brazil for nearly four
decades.
✓ The award was presented at a
ceremony held in Geneva,
Switzerland on 14th October, 2024.
✓ Regional Winners 2024:
Maimouna Ba (from Africa region,
Jin Davod (from Europe region;
Nada Fadol (from Middle East and
North Africa region);
Deepti Gurung (from Asia-Pacific
region).
Vayalar Ramavarma Ashokan Charuvil Kattoorkadavu The Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust
Memorial Literary (Novel) has conferred the 48th Vayalar
Award Ramavarma Memorial Literary
Award(2024)to Ashokan Charuvil, an
Indian short writer in Malayalam-language,
for his novel ‘Kattoorkadavu’.

The award includes a cash prize of 1
lakh rupees and a bronze sculpture
,which was designed by renowned artist
Kanai Kunhiraman.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS IN CONTENT FORMAT

Hurun India Under-35 List: Isha Ambani, Parita Parekh, Ghazal Alagh among Top Young
Entrepreneurs
According to the Hurun India’s latest inaugural edition of the “2024 Hurun India under
35s”, Isha Ambani, Non-Executive Director, Reliance Retail, Parita Parekh, co-founder of Toddle, an
online platform for educators, Ghazal Alagh, founder of Mamaearth are among the top young
entrepreneurs featured on the list.
Top 5 Young Entrepreneurs under the age 35:
Rank Name Age Company Name Industry
Ankush
1 Sachdeva 31 ShareChat Media & Entertainment (M&E)
2 Neethish Sarda 31 Smart works Real Estate
3 Akshit Jain 31 Goldmedal Electricals Consumer Goods
4 Chaitanya Rathi 31 Bijnis E-Commerce
5 Jay Vijay Shirke 31 BG Shirke Construction Technology Real Estate
President of India Droupadi Murmu Conferred 5th National Water Awards for Year
2023; Odisha Won the Best State Award
On 22nd October 2024, the President of India Droupadi Murmu has conferred the 5th National
Water Awards (NWAs) for the year 2023 on 38 winners including joint winners across 9 different
categories such as: Best Village Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body (ULB), Best Industry, Best Water User
Association, Best Institution (other than school or college), and Best Civil Society.
List of NWAs for 2023:
Best State
Rank Name of the State

1 Odisha
2 Uttar Pradesh(UP)
3 Puducherry and Gujarat
Best District
Zone (one
S.NO. award per Name of the District
zone)
Visakhapatnam, Andhra
1 South
Pradesh (AP)
2 North East Dhalai, Tripura

North (Joint
3 Banda, UP
Winner)
North (Joint Ganderbal, Jammu & Kashmir
4
Winner) (J&K)
5 West Indore, Madhya Pradesh (MP)
6 East Balangir, Odisha
Best Village Panchayat
Rank Name of the Village
1 Pullampara, Thirvananthapuram, Kerala
2 Masulpani, Kanker, Chhattisgarh
Hampapuram, Anantapur, AP and Khliehrangnah,

3
West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya (Joint Winners)
Click here to read full News
Mukesh Ambani Tops Forbes’ India’s 100 Richest 2024 List; Gautam Adani Ranked 2nd
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), has
retained the top spot on Forbes India’s 100 Richest 2024 List with an estimated net worth of USD
119.5 billion across diversified assets, up by USD 27.5 billion compared to USD 92 billion in 2023.
✓ Gautam Adani, Chairman of Adani Group , was ranked 2nd on the list with an estimated net worth
of USD 116 billion.
✓ He is followed by Savitri Jindal, the matriarch of the OP Jindal Group, jumped by 1 place to
3rd position on the list for the 1st time with a net worth of USD 43.7 billion, up by USD 19.7 billion
from 2023.
Top 10 Richest Indians Tycoons:
Net
worth Company
Rank Name
(in USD Name
Billion)
Reliance
1 Mukesh Ambani 119.5 Industries
Limited (RIL)
Gautam Adani
2 116 Adani Group
& Family
Savitri Jindal & OP Jindal
3 43.7
Family Group
HCL
4 Shiv Nadar 40.2
Technologies
Sun
Dilip Shanghvi
5 32.4 Pharmaceutical
& Family
Industries

Shaktikanta Das receives A+ grade in Central Bank Report Cards 2024
Shaktikanta Das, the Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) received an ‘A+’ grade in Central Bank
Report Cards 2024 for the second consecutive year during an event in Washington D.C., the United
States of America (USA).
Denmark's Christian Kettel Thomsen, and Switzerland's Thomas Jordan have also been
ranked under the 'A+' category of central bankers.
Former Indian Spinner Neetu David along with AB de Villers, Alastair Cook Inducted
into ICC Hall of Fame
Former Indian spinner Neetu Lawrence David, along with South Africa’s legendary cricketer Abraham
Benjamin de Villiers and former England Cricket team Captain Sir Alastair Nathan Cook
were inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s Hall of Fame as the Class of 2024.
✓ With this, Alastair Cook, Neetu David and AB de Villiers became 113rd, 114th and 115th inductee
in the long list of cricket legends in the Hall of Fame.
✓ NeetuLawrence David become the 2nd women from India and 10th Indian to be inducted into the
ICC Hall of Fame following the induction of Diana Fram Edulji in 2023.
Fortune Released the 2024 100 Most Powerful Women in Business ; Topped by Mary
Barra
On 2nd October 2024, Fortune, an American global business magazine, released the latest list of ‘2024
100 Most Powerful Women (MPW) in Business’, which has featured 100 leading business women
across various sectors of business such as: finance, technology, health care, telecommunication, retail,
energy, and other industries.
It is the 27th edition of the Fortune MPW in business, and has featured women from 6 continents, 19
countries and territories, and 14 different industries.
SUMMITS, EVENTS & CONFERENCE

SUMMITS
SUMMITS VENUE KEY POINTS
12th Confederation of New Delhi Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport
Indian Industry (CII) and Highways(MoRTH), addressed the 12th
Bioenergy Summit Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Bioenergy
Summit held in New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ The theme of the summit was “Fueling the Future
- Securing India’s Green Growth Goals”.
✓ Nitin Gadkari highlighted that ethanol blending in
petrol has increased from 1.53% in 2014 to 15% in
2024, with a target to reach 20% by 2025.

EVENTS
EVENTS VENUE KEY POINTS
79th session of the United New York The 79th session of the United Nations General
Nations General Assembly Assembly (UNGA 79) was held from 10th to 30th
(UNGA 79) September 2024 at the United Nations (UN)
headquarters in New York, the United States of
America (USA). Philemon Yang, the former Prime
Minister of Cameroon, was the President of the 79th
session of UNGA.
✓ During UNGA 79, the State of Palestine, a non-
member observer state of the UNGA, was given
a seat in the General Assembly Hall among the
UN member States.
✓ The Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR), organised the “CSIR for
Connect, Collaborate, Converge and
Convert (5C) for Global Sustainable
Development” on 18th and 19th September
2024 at the 9th edition of the Science Summit
(2024) at the UNGA 79.
✓ G20 member countries agreed to push for
modernising the UN, the World Trade
Organization (WTO) and multilateral lenders
after one-and-a-half months of negotiations.
✓ India has signed an agreement called the
Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction
(BBNJ) Agreement, or the “Treaty of the High
Seas” at the United Nations General Assembly.
✓ India Joins US-Led Minerals Security Finance
Network. Click here to read full News
75th International Milan, Italy The 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC
Astronautical Congress 2024) was held from October 14 to 18, 2024 at the
Milano Congress Center (Allianz MiCo), Europe’s
largest conference venue in Milan, Italy. It was
organized by the International Astronautical
Federation (IAF) and co-hosted by the Italian
Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIDAA)
and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and Leonardo.
✓ The significant highlights of the congress
included the the awarding of the IAF World
Space Award 2024 to ISRO Chairman Dr. S.
Somanath, launch of ESA's Moonlight
Programme for lunar communication, and the
unveiling of the AxEMU spacesuit by Axiom
Space and Prada.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched the
Lunar Communications and Navigation
Services (LCNS) programme or the Moonlight

program at the IAC 2024, aimed at
establishing Europe’s first-ever satellite
constellation for telecommunication and navigation
services on the Moon.
3rd edition of World Food New Delhi The 3rd edition of World Food India (WFI 2024), the
India (WFI 2024) biennial mega food event, organised by The Ministry
of Food Processing Industries(MoFPI), was held from
19th to 22nd September 2024, in Bharat Mandapam,
New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ World Food India 2024 was organised under
the theme 'Processing for Prosperity'.
✓ During World Food India 2024, the National
Institute of Food Technology,
Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM)-
Kundli, Haryana signed 19 MoUs,
completed 3 technology transfers and
launched 2 products.
✓ Sarathi, the Internet of Things (IoT)-based
hybrid dryer, biodegradable packaging films,
and rapid detection kits is one of the main
attractions.
✓ Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW),
inaugurated the 2nd edition of the Global
Food Regulators Summit (GFRS 2024) held
from 20th to 21st September 2024 in New
Delhi, Delhi.
FSSAI sign MoU with Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture
and Livestock in the area of food safety. India and
Bhutan Deepen Cooperation on Food Safety and
Regulatory Standards.
Climate and Health New Delhi Climate and Health Solutions (CHS) India Conclave,
Solutions (CHS) India which was organised by the Ministry of Health &
Conclave Family Welfare (MoHFW), in collaboration with the
Asian Development Bank (ADB), held in New
Delhi(Delhi).
The 2-day conclave focused on the important issue of
climate change and public health in India, by
bringing together policymakers, experts, and
stakeholders to develop actionable strategies for the
health sector.
6th consecutive India-US USA Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce
Commercial Dialogue and Industry (MoCI) and Gina Raimondo, United
States (US) Secretary of Commerce, co-chaired the 6th
consecutive India-US Commercial Dialogue held in
the US Department of Commerce, in Washington D.C.,
the United States of America (USA).

India and the USA signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to expand and diversify the
critical minerals supply chain at a bilateral commercial
dialogue held in Washington DC.
ITU WTSA Hackathon New Delhi The Phase-2 of the International Telecommunication
2024 Phase-2 Union (ITU) World Telecommunication
Standardization Assembly (WTSA) Hackathon 2024
concluded on October 8, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam in
New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ It was organized by the ITU and hosted by the
Department of Telecommunications (DoT),
Ministry of Communications (MoC) of India
under the theme “AI Bharat 5G/6G Sandbox."
This event served as a precursor to the WTSA 2024,
which will take place from October 15-24, 2024, with
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurating it
alongside the India Mobile Congress (IMC) in New
Delhi.
Modern Technologies in New Delhi Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of
Survey-Resurvey for Rural Development (MoRD), virtually inaugurated an
Urban Land Records International Workshop on "Modern Technologies in
Survey-Resurvey for Urban Land Records" at the
Dr. Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC) in New
Delhi, Delhi
149th Inter-Parliamentary Geneva, The 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly
Union (IPU) Assembly Switzerland was held from 13th to 17th October 2024 in Geneva,
Switzerland. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla headed the
Indian Parliamentary Delegation(IPD) at the IPU
Assembly.
✓ The overall theme of the 149th IPU Assembly
was “Harnessing science, technology and
innovation (STI) for a more peaceful and
sustainable future”.
✓ The Assembly adopted a resolution on the
emergency item titled – Response by
Parliamentarians to the urgent plea by the
UN Secretary-General to recommit to
multilateralism for global peace, justice,
and sustainability.
The IPU welcomed back the Parliament of Jamaica as
its 181st Member Parliament at the 149th IPU
Assembly in Geneva, Jamaica had previously been a
member of the IPU from 1983 to 1996. Till now, the
IPU had 180 member parliaments and 15 associate
members.

CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE VENUE KEY POINTS
National Conference New Delhi Union Minister of State (MoS) Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel,
on the PESA Act Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) inaugurated and
addressed National Conference on the Panchayats
(Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) at Dr.
Ambedkar International Central in New Delhi, Delhi.
The conference witnessed the launch of
PESA - GPDP (Gram Panchayat Development Plan)
portal and seven action-oriented Specialized
Training Modules aimed to enhance the effectiveness
of GPDPs and training initiatives.
COMMITTEES & MEETINGS

MEETINGS
MEETINGS VENUE KEY POINTS
4th Global RE-INVEST Gujarat Global Renewable Energy Investor’s Meet and Expo
Renewable Energy Investors (RE-INVEST) 2024, the 4th edition of the flagship
Meet & Expo event by the Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy(MNRE), was held at the Mahatma Mandir
Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar,
Gujarat from 16th to 18th September 2024.
✓ REC Limited, formerly Rural Electrification
Corporation Limited, has signed a
Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with
renewable energy (RE) developers to fund
projects worth around Rs.1.12 lakh crore.
✓ During Global RE-INVEST 2024, Gujarat has
won numerous awards for its renewable
energy achievements. Gujarat was ranked
among the top 3 in overall renewable energy
capacity, solar power capacity and wind power
capacity.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, MNRE, stated that the
4th Global RE-INVEST drew investment commitments
worth Rs 32.45 lakh crore in the form of Shapath
Patra by 2030. Click here to read full News
1st meeting of the Country New Delhi Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of
Programme Advisory Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DoA&FW) under
Committee the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
(MoA&FW), chaired the 1st meeting of the Country
Programme Advisory Committee (CPAC) to review the
implementation of the Country Strategic Plan (CSP)
2023-2027 with representatives of the United Nations

World Food Programme (UN WFP) in New Delhi,
Delhi.
194th meeting of the New Delhi Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of
Employees’ State Insurance Labour & Employment (MoL&E), chaired the 194th
Corporation meeting of the Employees’ State Insurance
Corporation (ESIC) at its headquarters in New Delhi,
Delhi.
✓ Extension of
Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna:The
unemployment allowance scheme for insured
persons has been extended from 1st July 2024
to 30th June 2026 to provide continued
support during job searches.
✓ The Minister announced provision of Medical
Care to ESIC Beneficiaries under convergence
program of ESIC with Ayushman Bharat
Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-
PMJAY) on pan India basis.
Establishment of 10 New ESIC Medical Colleges To
enhance medical education, the ESIC approved the
establishment of 10 new medical colleges across
various states viz. Andheri (Maharashtra),
Basaidarapur (Delhi), Guwahati-Beltola (Assam),
Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Jaipur (Rajasthan),
Ludhiana (Punjab), Naroda-Bapunagar (Gujarat),
Noida & Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), and Ranchi
(Jharkhand).
Meeting of the Shanghai Islamabad, The 23rd Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation
Cooperation Organization Pakistan Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government
Council of Heads of (CHG) was held on 16th October 2024, in Islamabad,
Government Pakistan under the leadership of the Pakistan Prime
Minister(PM) Shehbaz Sharif.
Union Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry
of External Affairs(MEA), Government of India(GoI),
addressed the 23rd SCO CHG in Islamabad. He became
the first Indian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in
nearly a decade

INDEX
RANKING
INDEX / SURVEY NAME RELEASED BY / KEY NOTES
CONDUCTED BY
Economic Freedom of Fraser Institute According to the Vancouver (Canada)-based public policy
the World (EFW) 2024 research organisation Fraser Institute’s latest report
Annual Report titled “Economic Freedom of the World (EFW) 2024
Annual Report, Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (SAR), People’s Republic of China, with ratings of
8.58, has reclaimed title as the world’s largest freest
economy from Singapore, which has been ranked at
2nd position with overall ratings of 8.55.
✓ India has improved its ranking by 3 places, from
87th (In EFW 2023) to 84th (In EFW 2024) with
the ratings of 6.58.
Top 5 Countries in 2024 EFW Annual Report:
Overall
Rank Country
Ratings
Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region
1 8.58
(SAR), People’s Republic of
China
2 Singapore 8.55
3 Switzerland 8.43
4 New Zealand 8.39
The United States of America
5 8.09
(USA)
84 India 6.58
Asia Power Index 2024 Lowy institute According to the ‘Asia Power Index 2024 Edition' released
Edition by Lowy institute, based in Sydney, Australia, India is
ranked 3rd with score of 39.1 out of 100 surpassing Japan
amid strong post-COVID 19 economic growth.
The 2024 index is topped by the United States of
America (USA) with a score of 81.7, followed by China at
2nd place (72.7). Papua New Guinea, ranked last at 27th
with a score of 4.2.
Top 5 on Asia Power Index 2024:
Rank Country Score/100
1 USA 81.7
2 China 72.7
3 India 39.1
4 Japan 38.9
5 Australia 31.9

‘Global Innovation World Intellectual According to the World Intellectual Property
Index (GII - 2024)- Property Organization’s (WIPO) report titled 17th edition of
Unlocking the Promise Organization’s the ‘Global Innovation Index (GII - 2024)- Unlocking
of Social the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship’, India secured
the 39th position out of a total of 133 economies with a
Entrepreneurship
score of 38.3. In GII 2023, India’s rank was 40th with a
score of 38.1.
✓ The index has been topped by Switzerland for the
14th consecutive year. It is followed by Sweden
at 2nd rank and the United States of
America (USA) at 3rd.
Top 5 Countries in GII 2024:
Ranking Country Score
1 Switzerland 67.5
2 Sweden 64.5
3 USA 62.4
4 Singapore 61.2
United
5 Kingdom 61
(UK)
39 India 38.3
World Talent Ranking IMD According to Switzerland based Institute for Management
(WTR) 2024: The Socio- Development (IMD)’s ‘World Talent Ranking (WTR)
Economic Implications 2024: The Socio-Economic Implications of AI in the
of AI in the Workplace Workplace’, Switzerland has topped the list as the
world’s most competitive country for the 11th
consecutive year, with overall score of 100.
✓ As per the report, India’s ranking at 2024 IMD
WTR has dropped by 2 places, from 56th position
(in 2023) to 58th position (in 2024), with overall
score of 40.7.
✓ Singapore has been ranked at 2nd position with
overall score of 85.65, followed by Luxembourg,
Sweden and Denmark, ranked at 3rd, 4th and 5th
position respectively.
Top 5 Countries:
Overall
Rank Country
Score
1 Switzerland 100
2 Singapore 85.65
3 Luxembourg 81.69
4 Sweden 81.02
5 Denmark 78.49
58 India 40.47
‘Global Hunger Index - According to the 19th edition of ‘Global Hunger Index
(GHI 2024): How (GHI 2024): How Gender Justice Can Advance Climate
Gender Justice Can Resilience and Zero Hunger’, India has been ranked at
105th position among 127 countries with an overall score

Advance Climate of 27.3. India has improved its ranking by 6 places, from
Resilience and Zero 111th (2023).
Hunger’ ✓ As per the report, India is among 42 countries that
have been placed under the “serious” category for
hunger levels, alongside Pakistan (109th) and
Afghanistan (116th).
Top 5 worst performing countries: Somalia (127th),
Yemen (126th), Chad (125th), Madagascar (124th),
Democratic Republic of Congo (123rd).
REPORTS
REPORT NAME SUBMITTED BY KEY NOTES
World Social Protection International Labour The International Labour Organisation's (ILO)
Report 2024-26 : Organisation report, ‘World Social Protection Report 2024-26 :
Regional companion Regional companion report for Asia and the
report for Asia and the Pacific’, highlights significant challenges in extending
unemployment benefits in Asia-Pacific.
Pacific
✓ The Asia-Pacific region has achieved a 53.6%
coverage, for the first time, of its population by
at least one social protection benefit, but it
spends only 11.8% of Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) on social protection, below the global
average of 19.3%.
About 2.1 billion people remain unprotected from
lifecycle and socio-economic risks, with uneven
progress in social protection.
Comprehensive Annual Ministry of Statistics This survey was conducted as part of the 79th round
Modular Survey (CAMS) and Programme of the National Sample Survey (NSS), conducted from
: July 2022- June 2023 Implementation July 2022 to June 2023. The survey is not conducted in
some of the villages in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
✓ It is conducted by the National Sample Survey
Office (NSSO) under the Ministry of Statistics
and Program Implementation (MoSPI).
✓ In rural areas, approximately 96.5% of
individuals aged 15-24 years can read and
write simple statements in their everyday lives
and perform basic arithmetic calculations. In
urban areas, this figure is around 97.9%.
✓ In terms of medical expenses, households in
rural areas spent an average of Rs 4,129 on
hospitalization over the past year, while urban
households spent Rs 5,290.
Digital Skills– Among individuals aged 15-24, 95.7%
in rural and 97.0% in urban areas could use a mobile
phone. Click here to read full News
NABARD All India Rural National Bank for National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
Financial Inclusion Agriculture and (NABARD) has released the results of its
Rural Development 2nd ‘NABARD All India Rural Financial Inclusion

Survey (NAFIS) for Survey (NAFIS) for 2021-22’, which provides
2021-22 primary data based on a survey of 1 lakh rural
households, covering various economic and financial
aspects in the post-COVID period.
✓ The average monthly income of households has
witnessed a significant increase of 57.6% over
the last 5 years, from Rs 8,059 (in 2016-17) to
Rs 12,698 (in 2021-22).
According to the survey, the average monthly
expenditure of rural households has increased
significantly in last 5 years from Rs 6,646 (in 2016-
17)to Rs 11, 262 (in 2021-22). Click here to read full
News
2024 Living Planet World Wide Fund for The World Wide Fund for
Report- A system in Nature Nature(WWF) released the 15th edition of its biennial
Peril assessment ‘2024 Living Planet Report- A system in
Peril‘ stating that the average size of monitored
wildlife populations has decreased by 73% in just 50
years (1970-2020).
✓ The WWF uses the Living Planet
Index (LPI), provided by ZSL (Zoological
Society of London), to track wildlife population
trends, covering nearly 35,000 populations of
5,495 species from 1970 to 2020.
✓ The steepest declines in wildlife populations
are in Latin America and the Caribbean
(95%), Africa (76%), and Asia-Pacific (60%).
The highest decline is reported in freshwater
ecosystems (85%), followed by terrestrial (69%) and
marine (56%).
Poverty, Prosperity, and World Bank India has 129 million citizens living in extreme
Planet Report 2024- poverty as they are surviving on less than Rs 180
Pathways Out of the (USD 2.15) per day.
Polycrisis ✓ This figure marks a significant decline from
431 million in 1990, yet challenges remain,
particularly due to population growth and a
high poverty threshold for middle-income
countries.
✓ Individuals are classified as extremely poor if
they earn less than Rs 180 (USD 2.15) daily. On
the other hand, the increased poverty
threshold of USD 6.85 (around Rs 576) for
middle-income countries results in more
individuals below this line compared to 1990.
✓ Extreme poverty in India is expected to drop
below 3% by the end of the decade, indicating
a potential decline in India's share of global
extreme poverty.

Renewable Energy and International 347 GigaWatts (GW) of photovoltaic (PV) capacity
Jobs Annual Review Renewable Energy were added to power generation globally in 2023. This
2024 Agency (IRENA) & marks an increase of 74% compared to 2022.
International ✓ As per the report, China alone constituted 63%
(216.9 GW) of the new PV capacities added in
Labour Organisation
year 2023.
(ILO)
✓ Also, the year 2023 witnessed the largest ever
increase in jobs in renewable energy sector i.e.
from 13.7 million (in 2022) to 16.2 million (in
2023).
✓ Globally, 7.1 million jobs were created in solar
PV in 2023(increased significantly from 4.9
million in 2022), which accounted 44% of the
world’s total RE workforce.
✓ The report has estimated that 1.02 million
jobs were created in RE in 2023.
✓ India had cumulative installed wind power
capacity of 44.7 GW in 2023 and ranked
at 4th position globally. India added wind
capacity of 2.8 GW in 2023 after the 5 years of
slower growth.
NCPCR Report NCPCR According to the National Commission for Protection
of Child Rights (NCPCR)’s latest report, over 11.5 lakh
children across the 27 states and 7 Union Territories
(UTs) of India were found to be “vulnerable” to child
marriage in 2023-24.
✓ As per the report, Uttar Pradesh (UP) with
over 5 lakh vulnerable children, topped
among the states, followed by Assam with 1.5
lakh children and Madhya Pradesh (MP) has
nearly 1 lakh such children.
While, UTs like Lakshadweep and Andaman &
Nicobar Islands has identified no children vulnerable
to child marriage.
‘World Energy Outlook International Energy The International Energy Agency's (IEA) has
(WEO 2024)’ Agency released its flagship report titled ‘World Energy
Outlook (WEO 2024)’. It states that India is on track
to become the third-largest economy in the world by
2028.
✓ Global electricity demand is on track to double
by 2050, mainly due to China’s large scale
energy transition, according to the Carbon
Tracker’s statement on the IEA’s WEO 2024.
✓ The report states that while global growth in
electricity demand is projected to accelerate to
an average of 3.4% from 2024 through 2026.

✓ India became the fastest growing economy
with output increasing by 7.8% and is
expected to become the third-largest economy
in the world by 2028.
✓ The report showed that by 2035, iron and steel
production in India are on track to grow
by 70%. The cement output will increase by
nearly 55%.
✓ By 2035, India’s carbon dioxide(CO2)
emissions will amount to 2.5 billion
tonnes in 2035 which is 25% below the level
in the STEPS.
India Digital Payments Worldline According to the Worldline’s report titled “India
Report for 1H 2024 Digital Payments Report for 1H 2024”, UPI(Unified
Payments Interface) has maintained its dominant
position with the total number of transactions grew by
52% Year-on-Year(YoY) in 1st Half of 2024(1H 2024 :
from Jan to June), has increased from 51.9 billion(in
1H 2023) to 78.97 billion(in 1H 2024).
✓ As per the report, the value of these UPI
transactions increased by 40% from Rs 83.16
trillion (1H 2023) to Rs 116.63 trillion (1H
2024). Top UPI Players: As of June 2024,
PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm dominate the
market, collectively accounting for 94.83% of
all transactions by volume against 95.68% a
year prior.
✓ Cards in Circulations: The report noted a
growth of 11% in terms of number of cards in
circulation. In June 2024, the total number of
cards in circulation was 1.451 billion, of which
credit cards (103.8 million), debit cards
(979.71 million) and prepaid cards (367.5
million).
✓ Top 5 issuers of credit cards: HDFC Bank,
SBI, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and KMBL.
Top 5 issuers of debit cards: SBI, Bank of
Baroda (BoB), Canara Bank, Union Bank of India (UBI),
HDFC Bank. Click here to read full News
October 2024 World International On 22nd October 2024, the International Monetary
Economic Outlook Monetary Fund Fund (IMF) released its latest report titled ‘October
(WEO): Policy Pivot, 2024 World Economic Outlook (WEO): Policy Pivot,
Rising Threats Rising Threats’. It has retained India’s Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) growth forecast at 7% and 6.5% for
Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) and FY26, respectively.

✓ As per the report, the growth outlook for
India will moderate from 8.2% in FY24 to
7% in FY25
✓ The report estimated that the global growth
will remain stable at 3.2% in 2024 and 2025.
However, it has marginally decreased the
global growth rate for 2025 by 10 basis points
(bps) from 3.3% to 3.2%.
The report projected India’s headline inflation
rate at 4.4% for the FY25 and 4.1% for FY26.
ACQUISITION & MERGERS

TIGA Investments gets CCI's nod to Acquire Stake in Dream11
TIGA Investments, a Singapore-based investment firm, has received approval from the Competition
Commission of India (CCI) to acquire a stake in Dream11's parent company, Dream Sports Inc (DSI).
The deal is reportedly valued at over USD 150 million.
✓ CCI has approved Mankind Pharma Ltd.'s acquisition of Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited (BSV)
for Rs 13,630 crores, involving a complete takeover (100% stake) of BSV's shareholding.
DGCA Approves Merger of AIX Connect and Air India Express

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved the merger of AIX Connect (formerly
AirAsia) with Air India Express (AIX), w.e.f. October 1, 2024. This strategic move aims to create a
unified low-cost carrier operating under the name 'Air India Express' with a single airline code, IX.
The merger received backing from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation
Security (BCAS), and other key stakeholders. This merger will be followed by the upcoming integration
of Vistara into Air India on November 12, 2024.
CCI Approved JM Financial’s 43% Stake Buy in JM Fin Credit Solutions

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of 43% of the total paid up
share capital of JM Financial Credit Solutions Limited (JMFCSL) by JM Financial Limited (JMFL), the
operating cum holding company of the JM Financial Group, for consideration of approximately Rs 1,282
crore.
✓ The board of CCI has also approved the acquisition of 71.79% of the total paid-up share capital of
JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (JMFARC), subsidiary of JMFL, by JMFSCL, for
a consideration of Rs 856 crore.
✓ The CCI has approved the proposed acquisition of Home and Personal Care (HPC) business
division (non-food business) of Patanjali Ayurved Limited (PAL), one of the promoters of Patanjali
Foods by Patanjali Foods Limited (PFL) for Rs 1100 crore.
LIC Increases Stake in BoM from 4.05% to 7.10% through QIP

Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) increased its shareholding in the
Pune(Maharashtra) based Bank of Maharashtra (BOM) from 4.05% to 7.10%, after being allotted
25.96 crore shares as part of the bank’s Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) Process. LIC has
acquired additional 3.376% at an average price of Rs. 57.36 per share.

GoI sold 5% Stake worth Rs 2,026cr in Cochin Shipyard Limited
The Government of India (GoI) divested 5% of its stake in Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), through
an Offer for Sale (OFS) priced at Rs 1,540 per share. The total value of the stake is estimated to be
around Rs 2,026 crore.
CCI Approved Proposed Acquisition of 24.9% Shareholding in FGIICL and 25.18% in

FGILICL by Central Bank of India
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposed acquisition of 24.9%
shareholding in Future Generali India Insurance Company Limited (FGIICL), a general insurance
company and 25.18% shareholding in Future Generali India Life Insurance Company Limited
(FGILICL) by Central Bank of India, a scheduled commercial bank.
✓ The CCI has approved the proposal of Bharti Airtel Limited (Bharti Airtel) to increase its stake in
Indus Towers Limited (Indus Towers), passive telecom infrastructure provider, to 50.005%
(from previous shareholding of 48.95%) pursuant to buy back of shares by Indus Towers.
✓ The CCI has approved the proposal of Aquilo House Pte. Limited (AHPL) to acquire Aavas
Financiers Limited (AFL) (Target), registered with the National Housing Bank (NHB) as a non-
deposit taking housing finance company.
DEFENCE
EXERCISE
EXERCISE NAME VENUE / KEY NOTES
PARTICIPATING
COUNTRIES
India-Brazil-South Africa South Africa Indian Naval Ship (INS) Talwar, frontline stealth
Maritime (IBSAMAR frigate of Indian Navy (IN) arrived at Simon’s Town
VIII) in South Africa (SA) to participate in the 8th edition
of India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime (IBSAMAR
VIII), a joint multinational maritime exercise
among the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa.
The exercise is based on Blue Water Naval
Warfare, covering the dimensions of Surface and
Anti-Air Warfare.
Exercise KAZIND Uttarakhand / India- The 8th edition of India-Kazakhstan Joint
Kazakhstan Military ‘Exercise KAZIND’, an annual bilateral
exercise, commenced on 30th September 2024 at
Surya Foreign Training Node, Auli, Uttarakhand.
The exercise is being held from 30th September to
13th October 2024.
The exercise was renamed as “Exercise KAZIND”
after the second edition. In 2023, the exercise
includes Air Force personnel, making it a Bi-service
Exercise.
MALABAR (2024) Visakhapatnam, Andhra The 28th edition of the multi-national maritime
Pradesh exercise MALABAR (2024) commenced off the
coast of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh(AP)

under the Eastern Naval Command (ENC). The
exercise saw participation from the Indian Navy
(IN), the United States Navy (USN), the Japan
Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the
Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from October 8-18,
2024.
The MALABAR 2024 Exercise is hosted by the IN to
enhance interoperability and strengthen maritime
cooperation.
Naseem Al Bahr Indian Navy & Royal The Indian Navy(IN) and Royal Navy of
Navy of Oman Oman(RNO) successfully conducted 'Naseem Al
Bahr', the Indo-Oman bilateral naval exercise off
Goa’s coast from 13th to 18th October 2024. The
exercise enhanced interoperability and
understanding of each other’s best
practices. ‘Naseem Al Bahr’ is also known as "Sea
Breeze”.
TESTING
MISSILES NAME TESTING FEATURES
LOCATION
VSHORADS Pokhran Field Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Firing Ranges in successfully conducted three flight tests of the advanced 4th
Rajasthan Generation technically-advanced miniaturised Very Short
Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) at the Pokhran Field
Firing Ranges in Rajasthan, demonstrating its capabilities
against high-speed targets.
The VSHORADS, designed as a Man Portable Air Defence
System, was developed by Hyderabad, Telangana based
Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other
DRDO labs. These are fully digital and heat-seeking. It has a a
strike range up to 6 km.
DEAL & MoU’s

Tata Motors to build 150 WhAP Armoured Vehicles for Morocco.
Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and the Royal Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Morocco signed a
contract to locally manufacture 150 Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) Combat vehicles for
Moroccan Defence forces. The delivery will be completed over a period of 3 years.
✓ WhAP is designed and developed indigenously in collaboration with the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) and Tata Motors.
DRDO & IIT Delhi develop ABHED Light Weight Bullet Proof Jackets
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with researchers from the
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi(Delhi), has developed ‘ABHED (Advanced
Ballistics for High Energy Defeat)’, a Light Weight Bullet Proof Jacket.
✓ ABHED was developed at the DRDO Industry Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT
Delhi.

ARMY, NAVY & AIR FORCE NEWS
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Accords Warm Send-Off to 7,000 km “Vayu Veer
Viejta” Car Rally to mark 92nd Anniversary of IAF
Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) gave a warm send-off to “Vayu Veer
Vijaeta” car rally from the National War Memorial in New Delhi(Delhi) to commemorate the
92nd anniversary of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 8th October 2024.
✓ The rally will formally flag-off from Thoise in Ladakh , one of the world’s highest altitude air force
station at 3,068 meter (m) above mean sea level on 8th October, 2024 and will culminate at
Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh (AR) on 29th October, 2024.
✓ The IAF also organised an Airshow with the theme ‘Saksham, Sashakta, Amtanirbhar (Potent,
Powerful, Self-reliant)’ in Chennai(Tamil Nadu) at Marina Beach on October 6, 2024. This was one
of the biggest air show conducted by the IAF.
Lokesh Machines Delivers India’s First Indigenous SMGs to Indian Army

Hyderabad, Telangana based Lokesh Machines Limited has successfully delivered the first major
order for its 9x19 millimeter(mm) Sub-Machine Gun (SMG) “Asmi” to the Northern Command of the
Indian Army(IA). This is India's first SMG developed indigenously by the private sector.
The delivery was part of a contract valued at approximately USD 550,000 for 550 ASMI 9×19-
millimeter SMGs.
Indian Navy Launched 4th Nuclear-Powered Submarine ‘S4*’ in Visakhapatnam, AP

The Indian Navy(IN) has launched its 4th nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (also known as
Ship, Submersible, Ballistic, Nuclear, SSBN) under the code name “S4*” at the Ship Building Centre
(SBC) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP). This marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to
enhance its naval capabilities and maintain strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
✓ The launch of S4* follows the commissioning of Indian Naval Ship (INS) Arighaat (2nd SSBN) by
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 29th August, 2024, while INS Aridhaman(3rd SSBN) is
expected to be commissioned in 2025.
✓ It is equipped with K-4 ballistic missiles that have a target range of 3,500 kilometers (kms) and
can be launched through vertical systems, compared to 1st SSBN, INS Arihant which carries K-15
nuclear missiles with a range of 750 kms.
ICG Launched Two Fast Patrol Vessels ‘Adamya’ & ‘Akshar’ Built by GSL
On 28th October 2024, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched two domestic Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs),
named ‘Adamya’ and ‘Akshar’, built by the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
✓ Each FPV has a length of 52 meters(m) and a breadth of 8m.
The FPV with Controllable Pitch Propeller-based propulsion system can attain a maximum
speed of 27 knots, and displacement of 320 tons.
Zen Technologies Unveils Next-Generation Remote Weapon Systems

Hyderabad(Telangana) based-Zen Technologies Limited has launched a series of advanced remote-
controlled weapon and surveillance systems to enhance the defence capabilities of India. These
innovations were developed in collaboration with AI Turing Technologies Private Limited.
The newly launched systems include RCWS - 7.62 x 51 MMG (Parashu), Tank Mounted RCWS -
12.7 x 108 HMG (Fanish), Naval RCWS – 12.7 x 99 HMG (Sharur), and Artillery Rugged Camera
(Durgam).

Indian Army gets High-Altitude Firing Range in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
The Indian Army (IA) has opened a new artillery firing range in the Tawang sector of Arunachal
Pradesh (AR), which falls under the Eastern Command of the IA. This is the first artillery firing range
in a high-altitude area. This range will allow the IA to practice firing howitzers and other weapon
systems.
2 Women Navy Officers are Set To Sail Around The World For 8 Months
Lieutenant Commander (Lt. Cdr) Dilna K. and Lt. Cdr Roopa A., the two women officers of the Indian
Navy (IN) have embarked on a voyage to circumnavigate the globe in a sailboat, named ‘Navika Sagar
Parikrama’ on the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini.
The 2nd edition of Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition was flagged off at the Ocean Sailing
Node, INS Mandovi near Panaji, Goa by Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi on 2nd October
2024.
HAL delivers first AL-31FP aero engine to IAF for Su-30MKI aircraft
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over the first AL-31FP Aero Engine
manufactured under a 240-engine contract to the Indian Air Force(IAF) at Koraput, Odisha in
the presence of Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production), Ministry of Defence(MoD) and
Dr D K Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of HAL.
GRSE Delivered INS Nirdeshak, Second of Four Survey Vessels to the Indian Navy
On 8th October 2024, Kolkata (West Bengal, WB)-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers
(GRSE) Limited delivered Indian Naval Ship (INS) Nirdeshak (Yard 3026), the second of four Survey
Vessel Large (SVL) ships, to the Indian Navy (IN).
✓ It is steered by Warship Design Bureau of IN and being constructed at GRSE headquarters in
Kolkata, WB.
✓ The SVL ships are designed and built according to the classification rules of Indian Register of
Shipping by M/s GRSE, Kolkata.
USA approves 53 MK-54 torpedoes to India for Enhanced Navy Capabilities

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Government of the United States of America
(USA), has approved the sale of 53 MK-54 lightweight torpedoes All-Up Rounds (AURs) to India.
These torpedoes are valued at approximately USD 175 million (Rs 14.7 billion).
✓ The torpedoes are intended for use with India's MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to enhance naval
capabilities.
✓ The MK 54 torpedo is an advanced lightweight weapon developed by Raytheon Integrated
Defense Systems in collaboration with the US Navy. It can be launched from various platforms,
including surface ships, fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters.
Indian Army unveils its first upgraded T-90 ‘Bhishma’ Tank

Indian Army (IA) unveiled its first upgraded T-90 ‘Bhishma’ tank, marking a significant move toward
enhancing the operational capabilities of its armored units. The rollout ceremony was attended by the
Chief of the Army Staff(CoAS) of the IA, Upendra Dwivedi.
✓ The T-90 tanks, manufactured under a license agreement with Russia, are produced at the Heavy
Vehicles Factory (HVF) in Avadi, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN).

IN launches Missile-Cum-Ammunition Barge LSAM 12
The Indian Navy (IN) launched the ‘Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 12 (Landing Ship
Ammunition) (Yard 80)’, which will enhance its naval logistics and firepower.
✓ This is the sixth vessel of 8 Missile Cum Ammunition Barge project, aimed at strengthening the
Navy's operational capabilities.
✓ It is built by M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd (SEPPL), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
(AP).
✓ Indigenously designed, built under Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) regulations, with model
testing at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory.
INS Samarthak: 1st ship of L&T’s Multi-Purpose Vessel Launched in Chennai

On 14th October 2024, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) launched the first of class Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV)
Yard No. 18001 named Indian Naval Ship (INS) Samarthak, built for the Indian Navy (IN), from L&T
Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN).
✓ The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Chennai (Tamil Nadu) Based L&T Shipbuilding Limited signed
a contract for the construction of 2 MPVs on 25th March 2022.
✓ The MPV is 106 meters long and 16.8 meters wide, capable of reaching a top speed of 15 knots.
✓ It is designed to tow other vessels, which is essential for naval operations.
Indian Army Launches Multi-Target Detonation Device “Agniastra” in Gangtok

Indian Army (IA)’s Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi launched the "Agniastra,"
a multi-target portable detonation device (WEDC), during the Army Commanders Conference (ACC)
held in Gangtok, Sikkim. It was developed by Major Rajprasad RS from the Indian Army's Corps of
Engineers.
WEDC was created to improve the safety and reliability of executing multiple-target
detonations, addressing shortcomings of older systems like the Exploder Dynamo Capacitor.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

SATELLITES LAUNCHES
SATELLITE NAME COUNTRY PURPOSE
Jilin-1 Kuanfu 02B China China successfully launched six new satellites - “Jilin-1
(01-06) Kuanfu 02B (01-06)” into space from the Taiyuan Satellite
Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province. Jilin-1
Kuanfu (wideband) 02B satellites numbers 1-6 were
launched aboard a Long March-2D carrier rocket.
NATIONAL
Chandrayaan-3 Vikram Lander Landed Within a Buried Impact Crater
Scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
stated that India’s Lunar Mission, Chandrayaan-3 with the Vikram-lander and the Pragyan rover, has
landed within a buried impact crater of diameter 160 kilometres (Km) and 4.4 km deep.
✓ The crater is expected to be one of the oldest craters on the Moon (older than the South Pole
Atkin (SPA) basin, an ancient and the largest impact basin in the Solar System).

Earth Gets a Temporary 'Mini-moon': Asteroid 2024 PT5 to Orbit Earth for 2 Months
Earth has gained a temporary “mini-moon”, an asteroid named ‘2024 PT5’, which will revolve around
Earth from 29th September 2024 until 25th November 2024. This will revolve in a horseshoe shape
for around 55 days and then escape Earth’s gravitational pull without completing the full revolution.
ISRO Gears up for 'Space Handshake' SPADEX; Private Firm Delivers two Satellites
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has acquired two 400kg satellites that are part of an
important upcoming mission known as Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX). As part of this mission,
these two satellites will be ejected into slightly different orbits by a single rocket.
✓ Ananth Technologies Private Limited (ATL), has facilitated the integration of two 400kg
satellites for ISRO and were provided to them at ISRO's Udupi Ramachandra Rao Satellite
Centre (URSC), Bengaluru - the facility which is meant for designing and developing satellites.
IIA Astronomers map the Differential Rotation of the Sun’s Chromosphere using 100
Years of Kodaikanal Data
Astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics(IIA) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, have discovered
that the Sun’s outer layer “the chromosphere” rotates at different speeds from its equator(25 days) to
its poles(35 days). The discovery was made using the 100 years of daily records from the Kodaikanal
Solar Observatory, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu(TN).
PSLV-37 Upper Stage Makes Safe Re-Entry after 8 Years in Earth’s Atmosphere
The successful re-entry of Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) upper stage of the Polar
Satellite Launch Vehicle C-37 (PSLV C-37) into Earth’s atmosphere was made on October 6, 2024. This
marks a significant milestone in ISRO’s efforts and aim to achieve a Debris Free Space Mission (DFSM)
by 2030 through ongoing proactive measures.
✓ The orbital altitude had decayed to 134x148 km, and re-entry occurred at the North Atlantic
Ocean.
National Space Commission Clears India's 5th Lunar Mission 'Lupex'

The National Space Commission, India’s apex body on space missions, has approved the Lunar Polar
Exploration Mission (Lupex), India's 5th Lunar mission. This will be conducted in collaboration
between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Japan's Japan Aerospace Exploration
Agency (JAXA).
✓ Mission Duration: Lupex aims for a lunar surface duration of up to 100 days, significantly longer
than Chandrayaan-3's 20 days.
✓ Lander and Rover: JAXA will develop the rover and rocket, while ISRO will create the lander
system. The Lupex rover will weigh about 350 kg, much larger than the 26 kg Pragyan rover
from Chandrayaan-3.
Google made AI-led collaborations for India's Health, Sustainability, & Agriculture
Sectors
Google made a series of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-led collaborations aimed at enhancing India's
healthcare, sustainability, and agriculture sectors. This initiative was unveiled during a roundtable
event in Bengaluru, Karnataka, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of Google’s Research Lab in the
city.
Forus Health (Bengaluru, Karnataka), AuroLab (Madurai, Tamil Nadu/TN), Perceptra (Thailand) and
Saahas Zero Waste/SZW (Bengaluru).

INTERNATIONAL
Iran Unveils Powerful Suicide Drone 'Shahed-136B'
Iran, for the first time, showcased “Shahed 136B”, a one-way attack drone which is also known as a
'kamikaze' drone or ‘suicide’ drones , and “Jihad”, a single-stage liquid-fuel ballistic missile, at the
Armed Forces military parade held in September 2024, marking the anniversary of the start of the
1980-88 war with Iraq.
Small rocky planet ‘Barnard b’ detected by ESO’s VLT

Astronomers have discovered an exoplanet orbiting Barnard’s star, a red dwarf star, the closest single
star to our Sun using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT). The
discovery of this new exoplanet was published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics(A&A).
✓ This new exoplanet is known as ‘Barnard b’, it is estimated to have a diameter about 6,000 miles
(9,700 kilometre/km), or roughly three-quarters that of Earth.
NASA’s Spacecraft Europa Clipper Blasts off to Find out if Jupiter Moon Can Support Life
On 14th October 2024, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched its Europa
Clipper spacecraft under the Europa mission to Jupiter and its moon Europa, one of Jupiter’s 95 known
moons.
✓ The spacecraft aboard a Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) Falcon Heavy
rocket and was lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida, the
United States of America (USA).
✓ NASA’s Europa mission is part of its Artemis program, which aims to send astronauts back to the
Moon and eventually to Mars. The cost of the mission is USD 5.2 billion.
✓ During the mission, the spacecraft will make nearly 50 flybys of Europa at closest –approach
altitudes as low as 16 miles (25 kms) above the surface.
SpaceX Launches Mega Starship Rocket on 5th test flight

Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) successfully launched the 5th test flight of the
Starship, the 2-stage fully reusable super heavy-lift launch vehicle, from Starbase near Boca Chica,
Texas, The United States of America(USA).
The empty Starship blasted off from Texas near the Mexican border at a height of around 400
feet (121 meters). The rocket arched over the Gulf of Mexico like the other previous 4
Starships.
James Webb telescope discovers Carbon Dioxide, Hydrogen Peroxide on Pluto’s moon
Charon
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) James Webb Space Telescope
(JWST) detected Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) on the surface of
Charon, Pluto's largest moon. The discoveries were made using Webb’s Near-Infrared
Spectrograph(NIRSpec).

SPORTS
CRICKET
Dwayne Bravo Retires from All Forms of Cricket; Joins KKR as Mentor
West Indies cricketer Dwayne Bravo(40-year-old), two-time Men's Twenty20 (T20) World Cup
winner, has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He retired from international cricket in
2021. He has completed a 21-year journey in the field of cricket. His final appearance was cut short by
an injury during the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
✓ He was a key member of the West Indies team that won the International Cricket Council (ICC)
Champions Trophy 2004 and the ICC World T20 World Cup in 2012 and 2016.
✓ As a part of the IPL team CSK, he has also won four IPL titles in different roles - 2011, 2018, 2021
as a player and 2023 as a coach.
Bangladesh Tour of India Test Series 2024: India won the 2-Match Series
The Bangladesh cricket team captained by Najmul Hossain Shanto are touring India in September
and October 2024 to play against India. The tour includes 2 Test matches and 3 Twenty20 International
(T20I) matches. Indian Men’s Cricket team captained by Rohit Sharma won the Two-match test series
against Bangladesh (2-0).
✓ This marks Team India’s 180th win in Test history. With this, India secured the 4th Place in the
list of most Test wins. the list is topped by Australia (414) followed by England (397) and West
Indies (183).
✓ R Ashwin becomes the Indian bowler with the most Test wickets in Asia: With this, he surpassed
the record for most test wickets in Asia held by Anil Kumble, who had 419 wickets in Asia.
✓ Virat Kohli becomes fastest to hit 27,000 international runs; surpasses Sachin.
2024-25 Irani Cup: Mumbai Cricket Team won the title for 15th Time
Mumbai Cricket team captained by Ajinkya Rahane won the 2024–25 Irani Cup, the 61st edition of
the first-class cricket tournament in India, by defeating the Rest of India Team captained by Ruturaj
Gaikwad, based on the first-innings lead. This marks Mumbai’s 15th Irani Cup title and the first title
since 1997.
✓ The 2024–25 Irani Cup was held from 1st to 5th October 2024 at the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari
Vajpayee Eakana Stadium in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh(UP).
✓ Mumbai Team received a cash prize of Rs 50 Lakhs from the Board of Control for Cricket in
India(BCCI) and an additional Rs 1 crore from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: New Zealand won its maiden title by defeating South
Africa
New Zealand’s Women's Cricket team won their first-ever International Cricket Council (ICC)
Women’s Twenty20 (T20) World Cup title, by defeating South Africa’s Women's cricket team by 32
runs in the finals of the ICC Women's T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 held at the Dubai International
Cricket Stadium, The United Arab Emirates (UAE).
✓ The winning team (New Zealand) received a cash prize of USD 2.34 million (Rs 19.6 crore).
✓ The first runners-up South Africa received USD 1.17 million (Rs 9.8 crore).
✓ Player of the tournament(POT): Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)
✓ Player of the match(POM) (Finals): Amelia Kerr

BADMINTON & TENNIS
ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships 2024 held in Kazakhstan: India Finished 7th
with 3 Bronze
Indian Table Tennis contingents won 3 bronze medals and finished 7th on the Medal tally of the
27th edition of International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Asian Table Tennis Championships
(2024). The 2024 championship was held from 7th to 13th October 2024 at the Beeline Arena in
Astana, Kazakhstan.
List of Indian Medal Winners:
Players Category Medal
Ayhika Mukherjee and Women’s
Bronze
Sutirtha Mukherjee doubles
Manika Batra, Ayhika
Mukherjee and Sutirtha Women’s team Bronze
Mukherjee
Achanta Sharath Kamal,
Manav Thakkar, and Men’s team Bronze
Harmeet Desai
Spanish Tennis Player Rafael Nadal Announces Retirement After 2024 Season
On 10th October, 2024, Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal (38 years old) announced that he will be
retiring from professional tennis at the end of 2024. Nadal's final tournament will be the Davis Cup
2024 which is scheduled to be held in November 2024 in Malaga, Spain.
✓ Rafael Nadal started his professional career in 2001 at just 15 years of age. He has won a total of
92 Singles career titles including 22 Grand Slam, 11 doubles and 6 team titles.
✓ In 2008, He completed the Career Golden Slam at the age of 24 and became the youngest male
player to achieve the feat. He is the only player to achieve Career Golden Slam and win Olympic
gold in singles and doubles history.
✓ In 2010, He also achieved the Surface Slam by winning majors on 3 different surfaces in the same
year.
ARCHERY & SHOOTING

ISSF World Cup Final 2024 held in New Delhi: India Finished 9th with 4 Medals
India finished 9th on the medal tally of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup
Final Rifle / Pistol / Shotgun 2024 with 4 medals (2 Silver and 2 Bronze).
✓ China topped the medal tally with 8 medals (5 Gold and 3 Bronze) followed by Italy with 5 medals
(1 Gold, 3 Silver and 1 Bronze) and Germany with 3 Medals (1 Gold and 2 Silver).
✓ India’s Sonam Maskar secured the silver medal in the women’s 10m air rifle event at the ISSF
World Cup Final 2024.
✓ Vivaan Kapoor won the silver medal in Men's Trap (Shotgun) event in the ISSF World Cup Final
with 44 points.
✓ Akhil Sheoran won the bronze medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Position Men final at the ISSF World Cup
Final 2024.
Anantjeet Singh Naruka won the bronze medal in the men’s skeet event with a total of 43 points.

ATHLETIC & FOOTBALL
Football: India won the SAFF U-17 Championship 2024 held in Bhutan
India’s Under-17 men's football team(the Blue Colts), won the 2024 South Asian Football Federation
(SAFF) U-17 Championship by defeating Bangladesh (2-0) in the final held at the Changlimithang
Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan.
✓ The 2024 SAFF U-17 Championship is the 9th edition of the international football competition for
men's U-17 national teams. The competition was held from 20th to 30th September 2024.
OTHER SPORTS NEWS

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar unveils Logo, Mascot for Women's Asian Champions Trophy-
2024
Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister (CM) of Bihar, unveiled the Logo and mascot named “Gudiya” of the
Women's Asian Champions Trophy-2024 which is scheduled to be held from 11th to 20th November
2024 in Rajgir, Bihar.
✓ Gudiya, holding a hockey stick, symbolizes the sport, while the goalkeeper's glove and nearby
hockey ball represent strategy and teamwork, emphasizing the government's commitment to
women’s empowerment. The logo featurs the Bodhi tree and a hockey stick.
✓ 2024 Women's Asian Champions Trophy is the 8th edition of the Women's Asian Champions
Trophy, a biennial field hockey tournament for the six best Asian women's national teams.
Indian Olympian Gymnast Dipa Karmakar Announces Retirement

On 7th October 2024, Dipa Karmakar, India's first female gymnastics Olympian, announced her
retirement from professional competition at the age of 31. She had a career of 25 years in this
professional sport.
✓ Dipa Karmakar won a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the United
Kingdom (UK), becoming the first Indian female gymnast to do so in the Commonwealth Games.
✓ Dipa represented India in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil becoming the 1st
Indian female gymnast ever to compete in the Olympics. She secured 4th place in the vault.
✓ Awards: The government of India(GoI) has honoured her with Padma Shri (Sports) in 2017;
Arjuna Award (Gymnastics) in 2015 and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2016.
Formula 1: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc won the 2024 United States Grand Prix
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (Monaco) won the title at the Formula 1(F1) United States (US) Grand Prix
(GP) 2024 held on 20th October 2024 in the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, The United States
of America(USA). This marks Charles Leclerc’s 3rd title of the 2024 season after Italy GP and Monaco
GP.
Result:
Position Winners Team
Charles Leclerc
1 Ferrari
(Monaco)
Carlos Sainz
2 Ferrari
(Spain)
Max Verstappen Red
3
(Netherlands) Bull

Formula 1: Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz won the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz (Spain) won the Mexico City Grand Prix (GP) 2024 (officially Formula 1(F1)
Gran Premio De La Ciudad De México 2024) on 27th October 2024 at the Autodromo Hermanos
Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico. This marks Carlos Sainz’s 4th career title and 2nd title of the 2024
season.
✓ Lando Norris of McLaren finished 2nd (18 points) and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished 3rd.
✓ Mexico City GP 2024 is the 20th round of the 2024 F1 World Championship.
India is set to host the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in 2025
The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), in association with the International Kho Kho
Federation, announced that India is set to host the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in 2025 and
will feature 16 men's and women's teams from 24 countries and six continents.
India’s Arjun Erigaisi won the WR Chess Masters Cup 2024

Indian Chess Grandmaster (GM) Arjun Erigaisi won the Wadim Rosenstein (WR) Chess Masters
Cup 2024 by defeating French GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in an Armageddon tiebreaker.
✓ WR Chess Masters Cup 2024, organised by entrepreneur Wadim Rosenstein, was held from 14th
to 18th October 2024, at the Langham Hotel, London, United Kingdom (UK).
Top 5 of the WR Chess Masters Cup 2024
Rank Name Rating
1 Arjun Erigaisi (India) 2797
Nodirbek Abdusattorov
2 2783
(Uzbekistan)
3 Alireza Firouzja (France) 2767
4 Viswanathan Anand (India) 2751
Rameshbabu
5 2746
Praggnanandhaa (India)
BOOKS & AUTHORS

BOOK NAME AUTHOR KEY NOTES
“Jalandhar Peeth Ka Rahsya” Ajay Parashar On 19th September 2024, Sukhvinder Singh
and “Mushtarka Khata” Sukhu, Chief Minister (CM) of Himachal
Pradesh (HP) released two books,
“Jalandhar Peeth Ka Rahsya” and
“Mushtarka Khata”. Both these books are
authored by Ajay Parashar, Director,
Information and Public Relations (IPR) of
North-East Council.
“Mother Mary Comes to Me” Arundhati Roy Renowned Indian Author and 1997 Booker
Prize winner Arundhati Roy, is set to publish
her first memoir titled “Mother Mary Comes
to Me” in September 2025. The book will be
published by Penguin Random House.
Note: She received the Booker Prize for The
God of Small Things in 1997.

“LARA: The England Brian Charles Lara Former Trinidadian cricketer, Brian Charles
Chronicles” Lara, nicknamed "The Prince of Port of Spain"
or "The Prince”, has penned his memoir titled
“LARA: The England Chronicles”. The book is
published by the American publishing house
Simon & Schuster LLC.
Witness Sakshi Malik Sakshi Malik, former Indian freestyle wrestler,
and Olympic bronze medalist, has unveiled her
memoir titled “Witness” co-authored by
journalist Jonathan Selvaraj, offering readers
an intimate glimpse into her life, struggles,
triumphs, and an unwavering refection on her
journey, both in and out of the wrestling ring.
✓ The book, published by Juggernaut
Books, chronicles Malik's ascent to
prominence, beginning with her
childhood in Rohtak, Haryana, and
leading to her role as a trailblazer for
women in sports.
Mountain Mammals of the Launched by Dr. M.K. Dr. M.K. Ranjitsinh, a prominent wildlife
World Ranjitsinh conservationist, has launched his fourth book
titled ‘Mountain Mammals of the World’,
published by Penguin Random House. The book
was launched by former politician-author
Padma Vibhushan Dr Karan Singh at WWF
India’s (World Wide Fund for Nature-India)
headquarters in New Delhi, Delhi.
Bharatvakya Launched by Prime Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi launched

Minister Narendra the book titled 'Bharatvakya', the biography of
Modi renowned classical musician Dr. Bharat
Balvalli written by Pravin Vitthal Tarde, an
eminent actor and screenwriter. This bilingual
book, published by Sakal Media News
Publication, is available in both Marathi and
English.
OBITUARY
NATIONAL
PERSON NAME FIELD BORN PLACE KEY NOTES
Ratan Naval Tata Chairman Bombay Veteran Indian Industrialist &
Emeritus of Presidency, Philanthropist Ratan Naval Tata, Chairman
Tata Sons British India Emeritus of Tata Sons, passed away at the
(now known age of 86 at Breach Candy Hospital in
Mumbai, Maharashtra. He was born on 28th
as Mumbai )

December, 1937 in Bombay Presidency,
British India (now known as Mumbai ).
✓ He started his career with Tata
Group in 1961 by joining the Tata
Steel as shop floor manager.
✓ In 1971, he was appointed as the
director-in-charge of National Radio
and Electronics, a company within
Tata Group.
✓ Following the retirement of
Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy (J.R.D.)
Tata, he was appointed as the
chairman of Tata Sons in 1991 and
held that post till 2012, with an
interim role in 2016-17.
✓ Ratan Tata was honoured with
Padma Bhushan, India’s 3rd
highest civilian honour in 2000 and
the Padma Vibhushan, India’s 2nd
highest civilian honour in 2008 by
the Government of India (GoI) for
his exceptional contribution to trade
and industry.
✓ He was bestowed with the Oslo
Business for Peace Award in 2010.
✓ In 2014, Queen Elizabeth II
conferred him with the prestigious
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of
the British Empire, one of the
highest civilian honours in the
United Kingdom (UK).
✓ In 2020, the Government of
Singapore awarded him the
Honorary Citizen Award,
acknowledging his influence and
contributions to their society
Pappammal alias Indian organic Tamil Nadu Padma Shri Awardee Pappammal alias
Rangammal farmer Rangammal, an Indian organic farmer from
Tamil Nadu(TN), has passed away at the age
of 109. She was born in 1914 and resides in
Thekampatti near Mettupalayam,
Coimbatore, TN. The Government of India
(GoI) honoured her with Padma
Shri(Others) in 2021.
Keki N. Daruwalla Former IPS Lahore, Padma Shri Awardee Keki N. Daruwalla, a
officer & British India former Indian Police Services (IPS) officer
English Poet (now in and a celebrated English Poet, passed away
Pakistan) in September 2024, at the age of 87 in New

Delhi, Delhi. He was born on 24th January
1937 in Lahore, British India (now in
Pakistan).
✓ He received the Sahitya Akademi
Award (English) in 1984 for “The
Keeper of the Dead (Poetry)”.
The government of India(GoI) honoured him
with the Padma Shri Award (Literature and
Education) in 2014
Dr. Panangipalli Cardiac Andhra Padma Bhushan Awardee Dr. Panangipalli
Venugopal surgeon and Pradesh Venugopal, a prominent cardiac surgeon
Former and the Former Director of All India
Director of Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS),
passed away at the age of 82 in New Delhi,
AIIMS
Delhi. He was born on 6th July 1942 in
Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh(AP).
✓ The government of India honoured
him with Padma Bhushan in 1998
for his contribution to the field of
Medicine.
Book: His memoir titled “Heartfelt - A
Cardiac Surgeon's Pioneering Journey”,
co-authored with his wife, Priya Sarkar, was
published in 2023.
Dhaneswar Majhi Former Rajya Passed away at the age of 83 in Kalahandi,
Sabha MP & Odisha. He was born on 5th July 1941. He
tribal leader was a five-time Member of the Legislative
- Assembly (MLA). representing the Kesinga
and Narla constituencies in Kalahandi
district, Odisha.
INTERNATIONAL
PERSON NAME FIELD BORN PLACE KEY NOTES
Alex Salmond Former leader West Lothian, Former leader of Scottish National Party
of Scottish Scotland (SNP) Alex Salmond, who served as the
National Party First Minister of Scotland from 2007 to
2014, passed away at the age of 69 in Ohrid,
North Macedonia. He was born on 1st
December 1954 in Linlithgow, West
Lothian, Scotland.
He also worked as an economist in the
Royal Bank of Scotland (1980-87)
Salvatore Schillaci Italian Striker Palermo Italian Striker Salvatore Schillaci, famously
known as ‘Toto’ Schillaci, who was top
scorer at 1990 International Federation of
Association Football (FIFA) World Cup, has
died at the age of 59 in Palermo, Italy. He
was born in Palermo in 1964.

He scored six goals during the 1990 World
Cup and received the FIFA Golden Boot
award and the FIFA Golden Ball award.
Dame Maggie Smith British actor UK British actor Dame Maggie Smith, a double
Oscar winner who is well known for her
role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the
Harry Potter film series, passed away at the
age of 89 in London, the United Kingdom
(UK). She was born as ‘Margaret Natalie
Smith’ on 28th December 1934 in Ilford,
Essex, UK.
She won the Academy Awards (Oscars) for
Best Actress for “The Prime of Miss Jean
Brodie” (1969) and Best Supporting Actress
for “California Suite” (1978)
IMPORTANT DAYS
OBSERVED DATE / DAYS KEY NOTES
WEEK
23 September 2024 Haifa Day Annually observed by the Indian Army(IA) on
September 23 to honour the martyrs of the Battle of
Haifa fought on 23rd September 1918. A memorial
service is annually held to commemorate the fallen
soldiers of the Jodhpur and Mysore lancers.
26 September 2024 United Nations (UN)’s Annually observed across the globe to educate the
International Day for the public regarding the benefits of the elimination of
Total Elimination of nuclear weapons and raise awareness about the risk
Nuclear Weapons posed to humanity by such weapons.
26 September 2024 World Contraception Day World Contraception Day is annually observed
across the world on 26th September to improve
awareness of all contraceptive methods available and
enable young people to make informed choices on
their sexual and reproductive health.
✓ 26th September 2024 marks the observance
of the 18th World Contraception Day.
The theme for World Contraception Day 2024 is “A
Choice for all. Freedom to plan, power to choose.”
26 September 2024 World Environmental Celebrated every year to raise awareness for a safe
Health Day (WEHD) and robust environment and to encourage sustainable
practices. 2024 marks the 13th World Environmental
Health Day.
The theme of WEHD 2024 is “Environmental
Health: Creating Resilient Communities through
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change
Mitigation and Adaptation”.

27 September 2024 United Nations (UN)’s The United Nations (UN)’s World Tourism
World Tourism Day (WTD) is annually observed across the world
Day (WTD) on 27th September to create awareness about the
importance of tourism. The day also promotes
tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive
development and environmental sustainability and
offers leadership.
✓ 27th September 2024 marks the observance
of the 44th World Tourism Day.
✓ The annual observance of WTD is led by the
United Nations World Tourism
Organization (UN WTO or UN Tourism).
✓ Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President (VP) of
India, graced the World Tourism Day 2024
celebration hosted by the Ministry of Tourism
at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi(Delhi).
✓ The VP launched two initiatives – Paryatan
Mitra and Paryatan Didi piloted in 6 tourist
destinations across India: Orchha (Madhya
Pradesh, MP), Gandikota (Andhra Pradesh,
AP), Bodh Gaya (Bihar), Aizawl (Mizoram),
Jodhpur (Rajasthan), and Sri Vijaya Puram
(Andaman & Nicobar Islands).
28 September 2024 World Rabies Day Annually observed across the globe to create
awareness about rabies, a viral, zoonotic and
neglected tropical disease. The day emphasises the
importance of rabies prevention and highlights
progress in defeating rabies.
✓ The day also marks the death anniversary
of Louis Pasteur, a French chemist and
microbiologist, who developed the first rabies
vaccine in 1885.
28th September 2024 marks the observance of the
18th World Rabies Day. The theme of World Rabies
Day 2024 is “Breaking Rabies Boundaries”.
28 September 2024 United Nations Observed across the globe to create awareness about
(UN)’s International Day the significance of universal access to information.
for Universal Access to 28th September 2024 marks the 5th observance of
Information (IDUAI) UN’s IDUAI.
29 September 2024 United Nations (UN)’s Annually observed across the globe to create
International Day of awareness of the importance of the food loss and
Awareness of Food Loss waste issue and promote global towards resolving it.
and Waste (IDAFLW) 29th September 2024 marks the 5th observance of
the IDAFLW. The theme of IDAFLW 2024 is “Climate
Finance for Food Loss and Waste Reduction”.

23 to 29 September International Week of Annually observed across the globe on the last full
2024 Deaf People (IWDP) week of September (Monday through Sunday) to
create awareness about the rights of people who are
deaf or hard of hearing/hearing impaired.
✓ The theme of IWDP 2024 is “Sign up for Sign
Language Rights”.
International Day of the Deaf is annually
observed across the world on the last Sunday of
September.
29 September 2024 World Heart Day(WHD) Observed across the world to create awareness about
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) including heart
disease & stroke and to promote actions to prevent,
detect and manage CVD.
The theme of World Heart Day 2024 is “Use Heart for
Action”
30 September 2024 United Nations The United Nations (UN)’s International
(UN)’s International Translation Day (ITD) is annually observed across
Translation Day the globe on 30th September to honour the efforts of
language professionals, whose work is crucial in
uniting nations, fostering communication,
understanding, cooperation, aiding development, and
enhancing global peace and security.
The theme of ITD 2024 is “Translation, an art worth
protecting: Moral and Material rights for
Indigenous Languages”.
1 October 2024 United Nation’s(UN) Annually observed across the globe, to recognize the
International Day of Older important role older people (defined as those aged 65
Persons years or older) play in society. 1st October,2024
marks the observance of 34th Anniversary of IDOP.
The Theme of IDOP 2024 is- “Ageing with Dignity:
The Importance of Strengthening Care and
Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide.”
1 October 2024 International Coffee Day Annually observed across the globe on October 1, to
honor coffee and the people behind it. The 2024
Theme of International Coffee Day is, “Coffee: your
daily ritual, our shared journey.”
1 October 2024 World Vegetarian Day Annually celebrated across the globe on October 1 to
encourage people to enjoy vegetarian food and
highlights the benefits of living a vegetarian lifestyle.
World Vegetarian Day also marks the beginning of
Vegetarian Awareness Month, which runs from
October 1 to November 1 (World Vegan Day).
2 October 2024 United Nations’ The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Non-
(UN) International Day of Violence is observed annually across the globe on
Non-Violence October 2, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader
of the Indian Independence Movement, who is
celebrated for his philosophy of non-violence and
peace.2nd October 2024 is the 155th Birth

Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and
18th International Day of Non-Violence.
2 to 8 October Wildlife Week Wildlife Week is annually observed across India from
2nd to 8th of October to raise awareness about the
importance of wildlife conservation and protecting
India’s rich biodiversity.
✓ The year 2024 marks the observance of the
70th Wildlife Week in India.
✓ The theme of Wildlife Week 2024 is “Wildlife
Conservation through Coexistence”.
4 to 10 October United Nations (UN)’s The United Nations (UN)’s World Space Week (WSW)
World Space Week is annually observed across the globe from 4th to
10th of October to motivate and unite people
worldwide, emphasizing the strong collaboration
between space technology and climatic science.
The theme of World Space Week 2024 is “Space and
Climatic Change”
6 October World Cerebral Palsy Day Observed across the globe to raise awareness of
Cerebral Palsy (CP) to ensure a future where children
and adults with cerebral palsy have the same rights,
access, and opportunities as everyone else in society.
The theme of World Cerebral Palsy Day 2024 is
“#UniquelyCP”. In 2012, the Cerebral Palsy
Alliance declared 6th October as WCPD.
1 to 31 October Breast Cancer Awareness Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) is observed
2024 Month globally from October 1 to 31 every year to raise
awareness about breast cancer and its impact
worldwide.
The theme for Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2024
is "No one should face breast cancer alone."
4 October 2024 World Animal Day Annually observed across the globe to emphasize the
significance of animals and raise awareness about
their welfare to maintain ecological balance.
The theme for World Animal Day 2024 is “The world
is their home too”.
5 October 2024 World Teacher’s Day The United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)’s World Teacher’s
Day (WTD) is observed annually across the globe on
5th October to acknowledge the vital contributions of
teachers and their impact on shaping future
generations.
The theme of World Teachers’ Day 2024 is “Valuing
teacher voices: towards a new social contract for
education”.
7 October 2024 United Nations (UN)’s Annually observed across the globe on the first
World Habitat Day Monday of October to reflect the condition of our

habitats and to emphasize the fundamental right of
every individual to adequate shelter.
✓ The WHD 2024 was observed on 7th October
2024.
✓ The theme of WHD 2024 is “Engaging youth
to create a better urban future”.
The WHD 2024 global ceremony was held in Mexico
at the “Educational Cultural Center of the state of
Querétaro”.
7 October 2024 United Nations (UN)'s Annually observed across the globe to raise the
World Cotton Day visibility of the cotton sector and create awareness
about its critical role in economic development,
international trade and poverty alleviation.
7th October 2024 marks the observance of the 4th
World Cotton Day.
7 to 11 October National Post Week Annual celebration Indian postal services which
2024 reflects the emerging role of India Post in driving the
socio-economic development of the nation. The
annual observance is led by the Department of Posts
under the Ministry of Communications.
✓ National Post Week 2024 was held from 7th
to 11th October 2024.
✓ The theme of NPW 2024 is “Dak Seva: Jan
Seva” (“Postal Service-Public Service”).
9 October 2024 World Post Day 2024 Annually observed across the globe on 9th October
to commemorate the anniversary of the
establishment of the Universal Postal Union(UPU) in
1874 in Bern, Switzerland.
The theme of 2024 WPD which marks the 150th
Anniversary of the establishment of UPU, is “150
years of enabling communication and
empowering peoples across nation”.
8 October 2024 India Air Force Day Annually observed across India to commemorate the
establishment of the Indian Air Force(IAF) on 8
October 1932, an auxiliary air force of the British
Empire. The day reflects on IAF’s contribution
towards protecting India and its people.
✓ 8th October 2024 marks the observance of
the 92nd IAF Day or 92nd IAF Raising Day.
The theme of the 92nd IAF day is “Bhartiya Vayu
Sena - Saksham, Sashakt, Atmanirbhar” (Potent,
Powerful, and Self-Reliant).
10 October 2024 World Mental Health Day Annually observed across the globe on 10th October
to spread awareness of mental health issues and
encourage efforts to support those experiencing
mental health issues.
✓ The theme of UN’s WMHD 2024 is “Mental
Health at Work’.

World Mental Health Day (WMHD) was started as
an annual activity of WFMH in 1992 by then Deputy
Secretary General of WFMH, Richard Hunter.
10 October 2024 World Day Against the Observed across the globe on October 10th to raise
Death Penalty awareness about the death penalty and to demand
its abolition.
the 22nd World Day Against the Death
Penalty.
The theme of World Day Against the Death Penalty
2024 is “Death Penalty and Safety”.
10 October 2024 World Sight Day World Sight Day (WSD), also known as World Eye
Day or World Vision Day, is observed annually on the
second Thursday of October across the globe to
focus global attention on blindness and vision
impairment. It is coordinated by the London(the
United Kingdom, UK) based International Agency for
the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and the
Geneva(Switzerland) based World Health
Organization(WHO).
✓ WSD 2024 falls on October 10th 2024. The
theme of the WSD 2024 is “Children, Love
Your Eyes”.
In 1999, the World Health Organization (WHO)
officially launched the WSD and WSD was first
observed on October 12, 2000.
11 October 2024 World Egg Day Annually observed across the globe on the 2nd
Friday of October to raise awareness of the high-
quality protein and vital nutrients found in eggs and
the vital role of egg farmers around the world.
✓ The 28th World Egg Day (WED 2024) was
observed on 11th October 2024.
✓ The theme of WED 2024 is “United by Eggs”.
✓ World Egg Day was established by the
International Egg Commission (IEC), the only
organisation that represents the global egg
industry.
11 October 2024 United Nations Annually observed globally on October 11 to address
(UN’s) International Day the challenges faced by girls and to promote their
of the Girl Child empowerment and the fulfillment of their human
rights.
✓ The 2024 International Day of the Girl theme
is ‘Girls’ vision for the future’. The first
International Day of the Girl Child was
observed on 11 October 2012.
✓ The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
released its ‘First global and regional
estimates on sexual violence against

children’, published before the International
Day of the Girl Child.
As per the above published report, more than 370
million girls and women – or 1 in 8 -experienced rape
or sexual assault before the age of 18.
12 October 2024 World Arthritis Day Annually observed across the globe on 12th October
to raise awareness about Rheumatic and
Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs), their prevention
and the importance of accessing effective treatments
for arthritis.
the 29th WAD.
The theme of WAD 2024 is “Informed Choices,
Better Outcomes”
12 October 2024 United Nations (UN)’s Biannually observed across the globe on the 2nd
World Migratory Bird Day Saturday of May and October, to raise awareness of
(WMBD) migratory birds and the need for international
cooperation to conserve them.
✓ The WMBD 2024 falls on 11th May 2024 and
12th October 2024.
The theme/campaign slogan of WMBD 2024 is
“Protect Insects, Protect Birds”.
13 October 2024 United Nations Annually observed across the globe on 13 October to
(UN’s) International Day promote a global culture of risk awareness and
for Disaster Risk disaster reduction.
Reduction ✓ IDDRR also encourages the implementation of
frameworks such as the Sendai Framework
for Disaster Risk Reduction(SFDRR) 2015-
2030 which focuses on reducing disaster risk
and enhancing preparedness globally.
✓ The theme of IDDRR 2024 is “Empowering
the next generation for a resilient future”.
✓ The SFDRR 2015-2030 was adopted at the 3rd
UN’s World Conference on Disaster Risk
Reduction in Sendai(Japan) on March 18,
2015.
14 October 2024 World Standards Day World Standards Day (WSD) also known as
International Standards Day is annually observed
across the globe on October 14th to highlight the
importance of standards-related efforts and honour
the collaborative contributions of individuals and
organizations committed to developing voluntary
standards.
The theme of WSD 2024 is “Shared Vision for a
Better World: Standards for the Changing
Climate”.

15 October 2024 United Nations Annually observed across the globe on 15 October to
(UN’s) International Day recognise the contribution of rural women, including
of Rural Women indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and
rural development, improving food security, and
eliminating rural poverty.
The theme of International Day of Rural Women
2024 is “Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for
All”.
15 October 2024 Global Handwashing Day Observed across the globe on 15th October to raise
awareness about the importance of handwashing with
soap and water in preventing the spread of infections
and diseases.
the 17th GHD
The theme of Global Handwashing Day 2024 is “Why
are clean hands still important?”
15 October 2024 World Students’ Day World Students’ Day (WSD) is annually observed
on 15 October to commemorate the birth
anniversary of Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, the 11th
President of India (from 2002 to 2007), who is fondly
known as the Missile Man of India. 15th October 2024
marks the 93rd birth anniversary of Dr. APJ Abdul
Kalam.
The theme of WSD 2024 is “Empowering Students to
be Agents of Change”. The day honours the
contributions of students and promote awareness
about the importance of education.
16 October 2024 United Nations The United Nations (UN) World Food Day (WFD) is
(UN) World Food Day annually observed across the globe on 16 October to
raise awareness about healthy diets, promote action
against malnutrition and food security, and the need
for regular access to nutritious food.
✓ The day also commemorates
the establishment of the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN in
1945.
✓ The theme of WFD 2024 is, “Right to Food
for a Better Life and a Better Future”.
17 October 2024 International International Abhidhamma Divas 2024 was
Abhidhamma Divas celebrated by the Ministry of Culture, Government of
India(GoI), in collaboration with the International
Buddhist Confederation (IBC) on 17th October 2024
in Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, Delhi.
International Abhidhamma Divas is
annually observed across the globe to
commemorate the descent of Lord Buddha
from Tavatimsa-devaloka, the celestial realm
of the thirty-three divine beings, to Sankassiya

(now Sankisa Basantapur in Uttar
Pradesh(UP).
17 October 2024 World Trauma Day World Trauma Day is annually observed across the
globe on 17th October to create awareness about
trauma which refers to an injury to the body or an
event that causes long-term mental or emotional
damage.
the 14th World Trauma Day.
The theme for World Trauma Day 2024 is
"Workplace Injuries: Prevention & Management”.
17 October 2024 United Nations (UN)’s Annually observed across the globe on October 17 to
International Day for the promote understanding and dialogue between people
Eradication of Poverty living in poverty and wider society.
(IDEP) ✓ 17th October 2024 marks the 32nd
commemoration of IDEP.
The theme of IDEP 2024 is “Ending Social and
Institutional Maltreatment Acting together for
just, peaceful and inclusive societies”.
20 October 2024 National Solidarity Day National Solidarity Day is annually observed across
India to pay tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives
in the line of duty to the nation during the 1962 Indo-
China War, which began on 20th October 1962 and
ended on 21st November 1962.
The day also honours the bravery and strength of
the personnel of the Indian armed forces. 20th
October 2024 marks the 62nd Anniversary of the
1962 Indo-China War.
20 October 2024 World Osteoporosis Day Annually observed across the globe, is a global
awareness campaign to highlight the importance of
Osteoporosis and to raise global awareness of the
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Osteoporosis
and metabolic bone disease.
✓ The WOD campaign is a global initiative
supported by the International
Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF).
The 2024 campaign theme and message
is ‘Say no to fragile bones’.
21 October 2024 World Iodine Deficiency Annually observed across the globe on 21st October
Day (or) Global Iodine to raise awareness about the crucial role of iodine in
Deficiency Disorders human health and the serious consequences of iodine
Prevention Day deficiency.
The theme of World Iodine Deficiency Day 2024 was
‘A daily dose of iodine keeps you fit and fine’.
19 to 25 October Karmayogi Saptah – On 19th October 2024, Narendra Modi, Prime
2024 National Learning Week Minister (PM) of India, launched the ‘Karmayogi
Saptah’ – National Learning Week(NLW), running

from 19th to 25th October 2024, at Dr Ambedkar
International Centre in New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ The week-long program aims to foster a 'One
Government' vision by instilling a
commitment to lifelong learning and self-
improvement for over 30 lakh central civil
servants.
✓ The observance of the week-long Karmayogi
Saptah was extended to 27th October 2024.
✓ On 21st October 2024 (3rd day of National
Learning Week), Union Minister, G Kishan
Reddy, Ministry of Mines, awarded the
Adarsh Karmayogi Awards to 13 employees
who completed over 100 courses on the iGOT
Karmayogi portal.
Sanjay Kumar Aggarwal, Chairman of the Central
Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC),
under the Department of Revenue under the
Ministry of Finance, launched a nationwide
Behavioral Sensitization program in CBIC.
21 October 2024 Police Commemoration Annually observed across India to honour police
Day personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The day remembers the martyrdom of 10 policemen
who were killed by Chinese troops during a
reconnaissance mission in Hot Springs, Ladakh, in
1959.
23 October 2024 World Snow Leopard Day Annually observed across the globe to raise
(or) International Snow awareness about the conservation and protection
Leopard Day of Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia), one of the
world’s most elusive and endangered big cats, and
their natural habitat.
✓ The theme of WSLD 2024 is “Safeguarding
Snow Leopard Habitats for Future
Generations”.
During the Global Snow Leopard Conservation Forum
held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, from 22-23 October
2013, the 12 snow Leopard range countries adopted
the Bishkek Declaration on the Conservation of the
Snow Leopard and declared the 23rd October of
every year as the International Snow Leopard Day.
20 to 26 October International Lead Annually observed across the globe in the last full
2024 Poisoning Prevention week of October to raise awareness about the
Week harmful effects of lead poisoning(lead exposure).
The 12th ILPPW (2024) took place from 20th -
26th October 2024. The annual observance of
ILPPW is led by the Global Alliance to Eliminate
Lead Paint(Lead Paint Alliance), jointly with the

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
and the World Health Organisation(WHO)
APPS & WEB PORTAL

APP & WEB NAME LAUNCHED BY PURPOSE
e-Migrate V2.0 web Dr S. Jaishankar On 14 October 2024, Union Minister Dr S.
portal and mobile app Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of
Labour and Employment (MoLE), launched the e-
Migrate V2.0 web portal and mobile app at
Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
✓ This aligns with Goal 10 of the United
Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development: “Reduce inequality within
and among countries”.
✓ e-Migrate V2.0 is an updated version of the
e-Migrate portal, developed by MEA in
2014.
✓ With a partnership with the State Bank of
India (SBI), the portal allows digital
payment services with no transaction fees.
ENVIRONMENT
Exostoma sentiyonoae: New Catfish Species Discovered from Nagaland
Scientists have discovered a new species of glyptosternine catfish, Exostoma sentiyonoae, has been
discovered in the Dzuleke River, a tributary of the Barak River in Nagaland. The details of the discovery
is published in journal Zootaxa, a peer-reviewed scientific mega journal for animal taxonomists.
Recent Discoveries in Biodiversity: DiCaprio's Himalayan Snake, New Tenkana Spider,

and Two New Orchid Species
According to recent research, scientists have discovered new species of snake , spider and orchid in the
Western Himalayas, Southern India, and Northeast India. These findings highlight the region's rich
biodiversity.
✓ A team of researchers from India, Germany, and the United Kingdom(UK) discovered this new
snake species named ‘Anguiculus dicaprioi’ in the western Himalayas.
✓ A new species of orchid named ‘Crepidium assamicum’ was discovered in Dibru Saikhowa
National Park, Assam and another species of orchid named ‘Coelogyne tripurensis’ was
discovered in Jampui Hills in the North District of Tripura

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Cabinet Approvals on 3rd October 2024

Cabinet Approvals on 9th October 2024

Cabinet Approvals on 16th October 2024

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STATEWISE NATIONAL NEWS

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LAUNCHES & INAUGURATION

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Ultraviolette launches its 6th UV Space station in Visakhapatnam

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ANRF Launches first 2 initiatives: PMECRG and MAHA-EV Mission

Maharashtra Launches India's First State-Level Cyber Command Center to Combat

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PM Modi Inaugurates ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2024 in

OTHER NATIONAL NEWS

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Eight products used by Assam’s Bodo Tribe Received GI tag

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Bihar gets green light for second tiger reserve in Kaimur

BEL Secures MCA Approval to Set Up JV with Israel Aerospace Industries

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DoT and TSPs Launch New System to Stop Fraudulent Calls

Regional Labour Institute-Chennai gets Accredited as “Uttam” by Capacity Building

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Coal Production in India Grows 5.85% in FY 2024-25

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Becomes 14th Maharatna CPSE

MP to Declare Ratapani WLS as 8th Tiger Reserve near Bhopal

CCPA Issues Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading

MoE Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announces 3 CoEs in AI in Healthcare, Agriculture

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UNFPA Honors India’s Leadership in Maternal Health and Family Planning

IndiaAI mission selects 8 projects to enhance Safe and Trusted AI development

MNRE Approves 3 Pilot Projects for Green Hydrogen in Steel Sector

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Kotak Brands BKC station as Kotak Bandra-Kurla Complex Metro Station

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman approves Creation of CGM Posts in 5 Nationalized

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Government launched a new scheme ‘Jal Hi AMRIT’

Gov launched Prime Minister's Internship Scheme 2024

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission Completes a Transformative 3-Year Journey towards

PM Modi Celebrated 10 Years of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

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Interest Equalisation Scheme Extended for 3 Months; Capped at Rs 50 Lakh

PM Gati Shakti NMP Completed 3 Years of Transforming India’s Infrastructure

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Regional Connectivity Scheme- Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik Completed 8 Years

STATE GOVT SCHEMES