NATIONAL:
1. Early Warning Systems (EWS)
Why in news: India is helping five nations develop Early Warning Systems
Key points:
• India is helping Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Mauritius to develop EWS to reduce loss of life and property due to extreme weather events.
• India's efforts are part of 'Early Warnings for All (EW4All)' initiative announced by UN in 2022.
• EWS is an integrated system of hazard monitoring, forecasting etc. and processes enabling individuals, governments to take timely action reducing disaster risks.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Conscription Law
Why in news: Ukraine’s Parliament Passed Controversial Conscription Law
Key points:
• The law aims at replenishing depleted forces as Russia continues its advance.
• It requires men aged 18 to 60 to carry military registration documents and mandates registration for military service for men applying for state service abroad.
ECONOMY:
1. India’s Economy to Grow by 6.1% in 2024
Why in news: Moody’s Analytics Forecasts India’s Economy to Grow by 6.1% in 2024
Key points:
• Moody's Analytics projects a 6.1% growth for India's GDP in 2024, slightly up from 6% earlier estimated.
• It remains lower than the 7.7% recorded in 2023.
• The report highlights concerns regarding inflation, citing India’s recent consumer price inflation hovering around 5% with no clear evidence of abating pressure.
2. Adani Green Energy
Why in news: Adani Green Energy Builds World’s Largest Renewable Energy Park in Khavda, Gujarat
Key points:
• The total capacity of the Khavda plant will be 30 GW.
• The share of solar energy in the proposed capacity of 30 GW is 26 GW, while wind energy will be 4%.
DEFENCE:
1. Missile Firing Exercise in Sikkim
Why in news: Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps conducted missile firing exercise in Sikkim
Key points:
• The Trishakti Corps recently conducted a training exercise on Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) firing at a Super High-Altitude Area of 17,000 Feet in Sikkim.
• It showcased the capability to neutralize armoured threats with high lethality in treacherous mountainous terrains.
REPORTS/INDICES:
1. WTO Report
Why in news: India Overtakes China in Digital Services Exports
Key points:
• India outpaced China in digital services exports, reaching $257 billion in 2023.
• It marks a 17 percent increase from the previous year.
• This growth outpaced that of Germany and China, which registered only 4 percent each.
2. World Cybercrime Index
Why in news: India Ranked 10th Globally in World Cybercrime Index
Key points:
• India ranked 10th on the index, with scores of 7.90 for impact, 6.60 for professionalism, and 6.65 for technical skills.
• Russia and Ukraine held the top two positions, while China and the United States ranked 3rd and 4th.
• The index has been developed by researchers from the University of Oxford, University of New South Wales, Monash University, and Sciences Po.
• The report has identified the countries that are the most significant sources of cybercriminal activity.
3. Plastic Overshoot Day 2024 Report
Why in news: Plastic Overshoot Day 2024 report released by Earth Action
Key points:
• In 2024, 220 million tonnes of plastic waste will be created.
• Plastic waste has risen by 7.11% since 2021.
• 12 countries are responsible for 60% of world’s mismanaged plastic waste.
• Top three are China, India, and Russia.
India:
• Classified as one of Low-Waste-Producing Polluters.
• Mismanaged Waste Index (MWI) is very high (68.62%).
• Annual per capita plastic waste production is 8 kg per capita per year.
• Amount of plastic waste exported is lower than imported.
Value Addition:
• Plastic Overshoot Day marks the point when amount of plastic waste exceeds the world’s capacity to manage it, resulting in environmental pollution.
• It is determined based on a country’s Mismanaged Waste Index (MWI).
• In 2024, Global Plastic Overshoot Day is projected to occur on September 5th.
• Each country has its own Plastic Overshoot Day with India’s falling on 23rd April.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Wayanad Sanctuary
Why in news: Fire destroyed 100 hectares in Wayanad Sanctuary
Key points:
• A devastating forest fire in the Sulthan Bathery forest range under the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala destroyed nearly 100 hectares of land Recently.
• This incident marked the fourth fire in the sanctuary this year.
PERSONS/PLACES IN NEWS:
1. Gopi Thotakura
Why in news: Gopi Thotakura, an accomplished Indian pilot, is set to make history as the first Indian tourist to journey into space with Blue Origin's NS-25 mission.
Key points:
• Blue Origin’s mission aims to benefit Earth while exploring the vastness of space.
• In fact, it aims to establish a private International Space Station, paving the way for expanded space tourism opportunities.
APPOINTED/ELECTED:
1. Justice Aniruddha Bose
Why in news: Justice Aniruddha Bose retired from Supreme Court and was appointed Head of National Judicial Academy.
Key points:
• The National Judicial Academy (NJA) is an institute located in Bhopal, established in 1993 under the aegis of the Supreme Court of India.
• The primary objective of the NJA is to provide training and education to judges of both trial courts and constitutional courts across the country.
IMPORTANT DAY:
1. World Chagas Disease Day 2024
Why in news: He World Health Organization (WHO) observes World Chagas Disease Day every April 14th
Key points:
• It aims to raise awareness about the neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people.
• The theme for World Chagas Disease Day 2024-- “Tackling Chagas disease: detect early and care for life”.
• Chagas disease is also known as the “silent or silenced disease”.
• It is a communicable parasitic disease that infects 6-7 million people and claims around 12,000 lives every year worldwide.
• The disease is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted by a family of bugs called ‘triatomines’ or ‘kissing bugs’.
STATE/UT:
1. Agri Project Launched in Bihar
Why in news: Climate-resilient agri project launched
Key points:
• Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University has launched an ambitious project on implementation of climate-resilient agriculture in different parts of the state.
• The project, primarily in districts like Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, East and West Champaran, Saran, Gopalganj, Madhubani, Begusarai and Sitamarhi, aims to enhance crop productivity while reducing costs and losses incurred by farmers.
2. WAMIS
Why in news: State govt to roll out new system to monitor projects of nine depts
Key points:
• The state government is all set to implement an online works accounts management information system (WAMIS) from April 1.
• It will be implemented in the nine departments for effective monitoring of the physical and financial progress of infrastructure projects.
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