Daily Current Affairs 13th August 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

Appointments News

Raj Kumar Chaudhary Takes Helm as Chairman & Managing Director of NHPC Ltd.

In a significant development for India’s hydroelectric power sector, NHPC Limited has announced the appointment of Shri Raj Kumar Chaudhary as its new Chairman & Managing Director. This appointment marks a crucial milestone for the company, bringing on board a leader with extensive experience and a proven track record in hydroelectric power development.

Banking News

RBI Tightens Norms for HFCs to Align with NBFCs

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced stricter regulations for Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) to bring their public deposit norms in line with those for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). This move aims to enhance regulatory parity between the two sectors.

Business News

Bharti Global to Acquire 24.5% Stake in BT Group

Bharti Global, the international investment arm of Bharti Enterprises, is set to acquire a 24.5% stake in the British telecom giant BT Group plc for approximately $4 billion. The shares will be purchased through Bharti Televentures UK Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharti Global. The deal signifies a major expansion of Bharti’s global telecom ambitions and is expected to enhance India-UK bilateral relations.

Economy News

Retail Inflation Eases to 5-Year Low of 3.5% in July

India’s retail inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), fell to 3.54% in July, reaching a nearly 5-year low. This decline is attributed to a high base effect and a significant drop in food prices. The inflation rate has dipped below the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) medium-term target of 4% for the first time since August 2019. Despite this, the RBI is expected to maintain its current policy stance.

Defence News

Mitra Shakti 2024: Strengthening Indo-Sri Lankan Military Ties

The Mitra Shakti military exercise, an annual bilateral engagement between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army, commenced on August 12, 2024. This year’s exercise, held at the Sri Lankan Army Training School in Maduru Oya, marks a significant milestone in the military cooperation between these two South Asian nations. Set to run until August 25, this combined training exercise exemplifies the commitment of both countries to enhance their military capabilities and foster stronger bilateral relations.

Ranks and Reports News

National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024

Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan on August 12, released the India Rankings 2024, which implements the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) drafted for this purpose by the Ministry of Education in 2015. According to the last year’s ranking, IIT Madras secured the top spot in the ‘overall’ category, followed by IISc Bengaluru and IIT Delhi in second and third place respectively.

Important Days

World Elephant Day 2024: Celebrating Earth’s Gentle Giants

Every year on August 12th, people around the globe observe World Elephant Day. This annual event aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the world’s largest land mammals. Elephants, often referred to as pachyderms, play a crucial role in our ecosystems and hold significant cultural importance in many societies.

World Organ Donation Day 2024: Know Date, History and Significance

World Organ Donation Day is observed every year on August 13 to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and encourage people to register as organ donors. Organ Donation Day serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of this life-saving act. In India, the government has taken significant steps to promote organ donation through nationwide campaigns and educational programs. These initiatives aim to dispel myths, raise awareness about the critical need for organs, and educate the public on the donation process.