Daily Current Affairs 26th April 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

Indian Historical Records Commission Unveils New Logo and Motto

The Indian Historical Records Commission (IHRC) is an apex advisory body on archival matters in India. Established in 1919, the IHRC serves as a national forum for creators, custodians, and users of records, advising the Government of India on the management of records and their use for historical research. The IHRC is headed by the Union Minister of Culture.

India’s First Multi-Purpose Green Hydrogen Pilot Project Inaugurated in Himachal Pradesh

India takes a significant step in renewable energy with the inauguration of its first multi-purpose green hydrogen pilot project at the 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station (NJHPS) in Himachal Pradesh’s Jhakri. Spearheaded by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), the project aims to produce green hydrogen through renewable energy sources.

Appointments News

Narsingh Yadav Elected Chairman of WFI Athletes Commission

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has completed the process mandated by the United World Wrestling (UWW), the global governing body for the sport. As a condition for lifting the suspension of WFI, UWW had instructed the federation to establish an Athletes Commission to address the grievances of wrestlers.

Axis Bank Re-appoints Amitabh Chaudhry as MD & CEO for Three More Years

Axis Bank’s board has approved the re-appointment of Amitabh Chaudhry as Managing Director & CEO for another three years, effective January 2025, subject to RBI approval. Alongside Chaudhry, Independent Directors Meena Ganesh and Gopalaraman Padmanabhan have also been re-appointed for four years each.

Rabi Sankar Re-appointed RBI Deputy Governor: Government Grants One-Year Extension

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the re-appointment of T. Rabi Sankar as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a one-year term, effective from May 3, 2024. Sankar, a seasoned central banker with a career spanning over three decades at the RBI, was initially appointed as Deputy Governor on May 3, 2021, for a three-year period.

Banking News

SEBI Approval for CRISIL’s ESG Ratings Unit

SEBI has granted approval to CRISIL ESG Ratings & Analytics as a Category 1 provider of ESG ratings, marking a significant development in the realm of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) assessments in India. This accreditation underscores the growing importance of independent ESG ratings in financial markets, particularly in guiding decision-making for issuers and investors towards sustainable practices.

NABARD-RBI Innovation Hub Partnership Accelerates Digital Agri Lending

In a strategic collaboration, NABARD has joined forces with the RBI Innovation Hub to revolutionize agricultural lending through digitalization. The partnership aims to streamline loan processing and enhance accessibility for farmers across India.

SBI Card MILES Launches Three Travel-Focused Credit Card Variants

SBI Card has introduced three variants of its travel-centric credit card, SBI Card MILES, catering to diverse travel needs. The variants—SBI Card MILES ELITE, SBI Card MILES PRIME, and SBI Card MILES—are designed to offer curated benefits to travelers, from frequent flyers to enthusiasts.

Business News

Unlocking the Potential of Phi-3-mini: Microsoft’s Breakthrough in AI

Phi-3-mini marks a significant milestone in AI innovation, offering unparalleled performance and efficiency. Microsoft’s latest small language model (SLM) has surpassed benchmarks, demonstrating superiority over models of similar and larger sizes. Leveraged by prominent entities like India’s ITC, Phi-3-mini showcases Microsoft’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge AI solutions.

India’s Pharmaceutical Exports Surge to $28 Billion in FY24

India’s pharmaceutical exports witnessed robust growth in the fiscal year 2023-24, reaching $28 billion, marking a 10% increase compared to the previous fiscal year. Despite a 3% dip in total exports, the pharmaceutical sector demonstrated resilience and significant expansion.

Agreements News

Air India Expands Partnership with Japan’s ANA

Air India has entered into a codeshare partnership with All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline. This agreement, effective from May 23, 2024, will allow passengers of both airlines to combine flights between India and Japan using a single ticket.

Defence News

IAF Conducts Successful Test of Air-Launched Ballistic Missile

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has achieved a significant milestone by successfully testing a new version of an air-launched medium-range ballistic missile. The missile, codenamed ROCKS or Crystal Maze 2, was test-fired from a Su-30 MKI fighter jet in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Awards News

Randeep Hooda Honoured with Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award

In a prestigious ceremony held at Mumbai’s Dinanath Mangeshkar Natyagrih, actor Randeep Hooda was bestowed with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award. This honor recognizes his remarkable contributions to Indian cinema and his recent film “Swatantrya Veer Savarkar”.

Important Days

International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day 2024 Observed on April 26th

Every year, on April 26th, we observe the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day. This day is dedicated to remembering the victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and raising awareness about this catastrophic event. On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine (formerly part of the Soviet Union) exploded, releasing a massive radioactive cloud into the atmosphere. This disaster exposed approximately 8.4 million people to harmful nuclear radiation.

World Intellectual Property Day 2024 Celebrates on 26th April

World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated annually on April 26th by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This day is dedicated to promoting the role of intellectual property (IP) in stimulating innovation and creativity. The official theme for World Intellectual Property Day 2024 is ‘IP and the SDGs: Building Our Common Future with Innovation and Creativity‘. The theme highlights the importance of IP in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and creating a better future for all.

Obituaries News

Sudhir Kakar, the “Father of Indian Psychology”, Passes Away

The world lost Sudhir Kakar, a renowned writer, cultural critic, and the “Father of Indian Psychology,” who passed away at the age of 85. Kakar’s life and work bridged the gap between Western and Eastern thought, leaving an indelible mark on the field of psychoanalysis in India.