NATIONAL:
1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
Why in news: After being re-elected for a third term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first act was to approve the 17th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) plan.
Key points:
• By giving out about Rs 20,000 crore, this new payment is expected to help about 9.3 crore farmers
PM-KISAN Scheme
• The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, launched on 24th February 2019, is a flagship government initiative aimed at providing crucial financial support to farmers across India
• Each qualified farmer gets ₹6,000 a year from the program.
• This money is given to people in need in three equal payments of ₹2,000 every four months. It is sent straight to their bank accounts.
2. PM Modi First Foreign Tour of his Third Term
Why in news: PM Modi will visit Italy in his first foreign tour of his third term.
Key points:
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi may go to Italy to attend the G7 Summit in his first foreign tour of his third term.
• The G7 meeting will be held in Italy's Apulia province from June 13 to 15 and the ongoing fighting in Ukraine and Gaza is expected to be discussed during the G7
summit.
• G7 is a group of seven most developed economies of the world which includes Canada, France, America, Britain, Germany, Italy and Japan.
• PM Modi also participated in the last G7 meeting held in Hiroshima last year.
3. Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit
Why in news: Rajasthan Govt to Invest ₹100 Cr. for Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit.
Key points:
• This announcement was made during the inauguration of the Maharana Pratap Jayanti celebration in Udaipur, where the 484th birthday of the legendary Maharana Pratap of Mewar was celebrated.
• The Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit aims to preserve the rich historical and cultural heritage of the region by developing places associated with the life of
Maharana Pratap of Mewar. These include: Udaipur Chawand Haldighati (site of the famous battle) Gogunda Kumbhalgarh Dewar Chhapli Chittorgarh
• Under the project, the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation will develop museums and basic amenities for tourists and improve the overall connectivity to these places.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Local Currency Settlement System
Why in news: India and the UAE have launched a pioneering Local Currency Settlement System (LCSS) to conduct bilateral trade in Indian Rupees and UAE Dirhams, reducing dependency on the US Dollar.
Key points:
• It aimed to transform their economic relations.
• This system allows transactions between the two nations to be conducted in their respective domestic currencies—Indian Rupees and UAE Dirhams which thus reduce reliance on intermediary currencies like the US Dollar.
• The LCSS promises to significantly cut transaction costs and settlement times, fostering a more streamlined and efficient trade environment.
2. International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
Why in news: The United Nations General Assembly has officially declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
Key points:
• The 193-member Assembly passed a resolution co-sponsored by Ghana and six other countries, acknowledging the significance of Quantum Science and Technology.
• Commemorating a Century of Quantum Mechanics The year 2025 marks a century since the publication of Werner Heisenberg’s seminal paper, which laid the foundation for quantum mechanics.
• The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) request the General Assembly to declare 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
3. Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman
Why in news: Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman Appointed Army Chief of Bangladesh.
Key points:
• Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman was named Bangladesh's next Army chief for a three-year term and will assume charge on June 23.
• Waker-Uz-Zaman will replace Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh Army General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed.
ECOMONY:
1. Visakhapatnam Port
Why in news: Visakhapatnam Port ranks 19 in the Container Port Performance Index 2023 (CPPI 2023), developed by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Key points:
• Visakhapatnam Port was ranked 19 in the Index whereas Mundra Port (ranked 27) run by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ).
• China’s Yangshan Port clinched the top rank for the second consecutive year, while Oman’s Port of Salalah retained the number two position.
• The primary aim of Index is to identify areas for enhancement for the benefit of multiple stakeholders in the global trading system and supply chains, from ports to shipping lines, national governments, and consumers
2. Special Economic Zones
Why in news: Exports from SEZ increased by four percent, contribute more than one-third of the country's total exports.
Key points:
• Exports from the country's Special Economic Zones (SEZs) increased by 4.10 percent on an annual basis to reach $163.69 billion in 2023-24.
• However, the country's total exports declined by more than three percent during this period.
• The countries to which maximum exports were made from SEZ include United Arab Emirates, America, Britain, Australia and Singapore.
• The largest number of Special Economic Zones in operation are in states such as Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.
About Special Economic Zones (SEZs):
• A Special Economic Zone or SEZ is a specially marked territory or enclave within the national borders of a country that has more liberal economic laws than the rest of the country.
• Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ) in Gujarat was the first Indian SEZ. It was set up in 1965 and in fact KASEZ was the first SEZ to be set up in Asia.
• The SEZs Rules, 2006 came into effect on 10th February, 2006
DEFENCE & SECURITY:
1. Vidyut Rakshak
Why in news: The Vice Chief of the Indian Army, Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, officially launched Vidyut Rakshak.
Key points:
• Vidyut Rakshak is a new Internet of Things enabled integrated generator tracking, protection, and control system.
• It was recently displayed during “Exercise Bharat Shakti,”, which is a big step forward in the Indian Army’s “Year of Tech Absorption.”
• Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi will assume role of next Army Chief on 30th June by replacing gen. Manoj Pandy
SPORTS:
1. French Open 2024
Why in news: Carlos Alcaraz won Men's Singles title & Iga Swiatek won Women's Singles title in French Open 2024.
Key points:
2. Mixed Martial Arts
Why in news: Sangram will become the first Indian male wrestler to join Mixed Martial Arts.
Key points:
• Commonwealth Games champion Sangram Singh is set to become the first Indian wrestler to join Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
• Sangram will become the second Indian wrestler after female wrestler Pooja Tomar to compete as an MMA fighter.
AWARDS & HONOUR:
1. Oscar Academy Gold Rising Program
Why in news: Nethra Gururaj selected for 2024 Oscar Academy Gold Rising Program.
Key points:
• This honour places her among the most promising young filmmakers and cinematographers
• Nethra Gururaj, currently based in Los Angeles, has a diverse portfolio that includes short films, feature films, documentaries, music videos, and experimental
pieces.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Jyoti Vij
Why in news: Jyoti Vij becomes Director General of FICCI
Key points:
• She joined FICCI in 1993 and is currently Additional Director General.
• She will replace Shailesh Pathak.
BIHAR:
1. New Craters On Mars Named After Town in Bihar
Why in news: Two new craters on Mars named after towns in UP, Bihar named as Mursan and Hilsa.
Key points:
• The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has approved naming these craters on the name of two small Indian towns.
• In a significant contribution to planetary exploration, scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, India, have discovered three previously unknown craters on Mars.
• The three craters, situated in the Tharsis volcanic region on Mars around 21.0°S, 209°W, have been officially designated as Lal crater, Mursan crater and Hilsa
crater.
• Hilsa is situated in Nalanda district of Bihar.
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