NATIONAL:
1. Arunachal Pradesh (AP) is a part of India: External Affairs Minister
Why in news: The response came after China renamed 30 places in AP which it calls ‘South Tibet’
Key points:
• Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the dividing line between the two nations.
• However, border between India and China is not formally demarcated and there is no mutually agreed.
• India considers the LAC to be 3,488 km long, while China considers it to be only around 2,000 km.
• China claims the state of AP as part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region.
• LAC in this region is along the McMahon line drawn during the Simla Convention of 1914 (between British India, China, and Tibet).
• In 1949 when Communists took power in China, they pulled out of various international agreements claiming them to be unequal.
2. Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS)
Why in news: Linking CGHS beneficiary ID with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID
Key points:
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has made it mandatory to link CGHS beneficiary ID with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID from April 1.
• The move is aimed at creating digital health identification of CGHS beneficiaries and storing their digital health records.
• ABHA is a 14-digit Unique Health Identifier number under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Katchatheevu Islet
Why in news: Debate surrounding Katchatheevu islet has resurfaced which has been a flashpoint in India-Sri Lanka fishing issue.
Key points:
• Katchatheevu islet lies to the northeast of Rameswaram (India) and southwest of Jaffna (Sri Lanka).
• Maritime Boundary Agreement of June 1974 on historic waters between India and Sri Lanka placed Katchatheevu on the Sri Lankan side.
• 1974 Maritime Boundary agreement between India and Sri Lanka demarcated maritime boundary between India and Sri Lanka from Palk Strait to Adam’s Bridge.
ECONOMY:
1. India’s Coal and Lignite Production
Why in news: India’s Coal and Lignite Production hits all-time high of over 1 Billion Tonn for FY 2023-24
Key points:
• Union Minister of Coal has informed that coal and lignite production has grown by more than 70% over last 10 years owing to favourable government support.
Current Status of Coal Sector in India:
• India has 5th largest geological reserves of coal and is 2nd largest consumer of coal across the world.
• Production: Coal India Limited (CIL) is the largest producer (>70%) of coal in India.
• Import: India imported 217.75 million tonnes coal in FY 2023-24 (till Jan 2024), dominated by non-coking coal (~77% of total imports).
2. GI Tag
Why in news: Bundelkhand Wheat Variety granted GI Tag
Key points: Bundelkhand region in Uttar Pradesh, locally known as Kathiya Gehu, has been granted the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• The indigenous wheat variety from the Bundelkhand region in Uttar Pradesh, locally known as Kathiya Gehu.
• Technically classified as “Triticum Durum,” Kathiya wheat is renowned for its hardness, earning it names like Durum wheat, Dalia, pasta wheat, or macaroni wheat.
• Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a leader in acquiring GI tags, becoming the first state to achieve a remarkable 69 GI tags.
DEFENCE:
1. Agni-Prime Missile
Why in news: Agni-Prime Missile has been successfully Flight-Tested in Odisha
Key points:
• It is a canisterized surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a 1,000–2,000 km range capability.
• The Agni-P is an upgraded version of the Agni class that was developed as part of the IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme).
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation created the Agni Prime, also referred to as the Agni P, as a medium-range ballistic missile to replace the Agni-I and Agni-II missiles.
• It is the sixth ballistic missile in the Agni (missile) series.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY:
1. myCGHS iOS App
Why in news: myCGHS app for iOS Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries
Key points:
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare introduced the myCGHS app for iOS.
• It will deliver enhanced healthcare accessibility and digital experiences to Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries.
• Launched on April 3rd, 2024, the app prioritizes user safety with robust security measures.
PERSONS/PLACES IN NEWS:
1. Ayushmann Khurrana
Why in news: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has roped in popular actor Ayushmann Khurrana to encourage the youth to exercise their franchise in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
2. Juan Vicente Pérez
Why in news: World’s Oldest Man, Juan Vicente Pérez, Died at 114
Key points: Juan Vicente Pérez was a man from Venezuela who lived a very, very long life. He was born on May 27, 1909, in a town called El Cobre.
• This means he was alive for 114 years.
• Now the title of “world’s oldest man” is expected to go to a 112-year-old man from Japan named Gisaburo Sonobe.
3. Shokat Ali
Why in news: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has coordinated the return of NIA-wanted Shokat Ali from Saudi Arabia.
Key points: Ali is one of the 18 people who were charge sheeted by NIA in a case involving smuggling of over 18 kg gold bars from Saudi Arabia to Jaipur.
APPOINTED/ELECTED:
1. Sandeep Jain
Why in news: Sandeep Jain, an auto-component manufacturer and alumnus of IIT-Kanpur, has been unanimously elected as the President of the Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME) for the year 2024-25.
IMPORTANT DAY:
1. International Mine Awareness Day
Why in news: The United Nations Observes International Mine Awareness Day on 4th April.
Key points:
• International Mine Awareness Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the serious impact of landmines.
• Theme for International Day for Mine Awareness & Assistance in Mine Action 2024 is ‘Protecting Lives, Building Peace’.
• In 2005, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated 4th April as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
• The first International Mine Awareness Day was observed on 4th April 1983.
STATE/UT:
1. IIT Patna
Why in news: SJVN (Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam) Partners with IIT Patna to Enhance Tunneling Project Performance
Key points:
• The primary objective of this partnership is to leverage advanced geological models developed by IIT Patna to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of SJVN’s
tunneling projects.
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