ECONOMY:
1. Renewable Energy (RE)
Why in news: India added record 18 GW renewable energy (RE) capacity in FY24
Key points:
• India's RE increased 21% from previous year, primarily driven by solar installations of 12.78 GW and wind energy of 2.27 GW.
• Installed RE capacity has increased from 76.37 GW in 2014 to 178.98 GW in October 2023, i.e. an increase of around 2.34 times.
Renewable Energy Targets in India:
• India aims reaching a non-fossil fuel energy capacity of 500 GW by 2030.
• It also aims fulfilling at least half of its energy requirements via RE by 2030.
2. Strengthening Measures Against Cyber Fraud
Why in news: RBI’s Ban on Bank of Baroda World App In response to rising cyber fraud incidents
Key points:
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has halted Bank of Baroda’s customer onboarding on its ‘BoB World’ mobile app in October 2023.
• The Finance Ministry is now proposing stringent measures to combat such frauds, focusing on enhancing cybersecurity and bolstering financial institutions’ due diligence practices.
3. India’s GDP Forecast for 2024-25
Why in news: MF Raises India’s GDP Forecast for 2024-25
Key points:
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised India’s GDP growth forecast for 2024-25 upwards by 30 basis points to 6.8%.
• This projection, while robust, falls slightly below the Indian government’s forecast of 7%.
• For FY24, the IMF raised its GDP growth projection to 7.8%, reflecting continued economic momentum.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Pink Bollworm (PBW)
Why in news: Cotton farmers in North India may shift to paddy, maize, and guar due to severe PBW infestation
Key points:
• The disease is common in cotton crops.
• PBW larvae burrow into developing fruits (bolls) of cotton plants, and damage affects both weight and quality of harvested bolls.
• Issue: Pink bollworms have developed resistance to genetically modified pest-resistant Bt cotton over time.
APPOINTED/ELECTED:
1. Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
Why in news: Kuwait’s Emir has appointed Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as the new Prime Minister following the resignation of Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.
RANK/INDICES:
1. Airports Council International's (ACI) Global Rankings for 2023
Why in news: Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport secured the tenth position, handling 7.22 crore passengers annually.
Key points:
• IGI Airport has steadily climbed the ranks, from 17th in 2019 to 10th in 2023, showcasing consistent growth in passenger traffic over the years.
PERSONS/PLACES IN NEWS:
1. Sanjana Sanghi:
Why in news: SPACE India has welcomed rising Bollywood star and UNDP Youth Champion, Sanjana Sanghi, as its Brand Ambassador.
Key points: Sanjana’s commitment to education and social activism aligns perfectly with SPACE India’s vision to increase access to space education.
IMPORTANT DAY:
1. World Hemophilia Day 2024
Why in news: World Hemophilia Day is an annually observed on April 17th
Key points:
• It aims to raise awareness about hemophilia, a rare and inherited bleeding disorder.
• The theme for World Hemophilia Day 2024 is “Equitable access for all: recognizing all bleeding disorders.”
• The foundation of World Hemophilia Day was laid in 1989 by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH).
• The date of April 17th was chosen to honor the birth of Frank Schnabel, the founder of the organization.
Value Addition:
There are three main types of hemophilia:
• Hemophilia A: Caused by mutations in the F8 gene, which provides instructions for producing clotting factor VIII.
• Hemophilia B: Caused by mutations in the F9 gene, which provides instructions for producing clotting factor IX.
• Hemophilia C: Caused by a deficiency in factor XI, located on an autosome, and is considered a rare form of the disease.
AWARDS/HONOURS:
1. World Literary Prize
Why in news: Kannada Poet Mamta G. Sagar Honored with Prestigious World Literary Prize
Key points:
• Mamta G. Sagar is a renowned Kannada poet, writer, academic, and activist based in Bengaluru.
• Dr. Sagar, a facilitator at the Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, is celebrated for her diverse engagement in transdisciplinary creative writing and cultural industries.
BOOK & AUTHORS:
1. The Law and Spirituality: Reconnecting the Bond
Why in news: The book “Law and Spirituality: Reconnecting the Bond,” has been edited by Professor Raman Mittal and Professor Seema Singh.
Key points: It stands as a remarkable exploration of the intricate relationship between two seemingly disparate realms – the domain of law and the realm of spirituality.
SPORTS:
1. Rohit Sharma
Why in news: Rohit Sharma became first Indian to hit 500 T20 Sixes
Key points:
• India and Mumbai Indians star batter Rohit Sharma has become the first Indian cricketer to smash 500 sixes in the T20 format.
• This historic achievement was reached during Rohit’s stellar performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium.
Click here to download Current Affairs English PDF
Click here to download Current Affairs Hindi PDF