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

National News

Central Silk Board Celebrates 75 Years of Advancing India’s Silk Industry

On September 20, 2024, the Central Silk Board (CSB) marked a significant milestone with the celebration of its Platinum Jubilee in Mysuru. The event, commemorating 75 years of dedicated service to India’s silk industry, was graced by numerous dignitaries and witnessed several important launches and releases.

States News

Kolkata’s Famous Trams Face Discontinuation After 150 Years

The Kolkata trams, which have operated since the late 19th century, are a testament to the city’s rich transportation history. The Kolkata tram is set to be discontinued soon due to congestion. However, one route will still be operational.

Mankidia community becomes 6th PVTG to get Habitat Rights over forests in Odisha

Recently, the Mankidia community became the 6th particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) PVTG to get habitat rights over forests in Odisha.The Mankidia are a semi-nomadic community known for their traditional skill of rope making, trapping and eating monkeys.

International News

IMF Approves $7 Billion Loan for Pakistan

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has taken a significant step to support Pakistan’s struggling economy by approving a new $7 billion loan. This decision, announced on Wednesday, comes more than two months after initial negotiations between the IMF and Pakistani authorities reached a staff-level agreement.

Thailand to allow same-sex couples to marry in January

Thailand the third place in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to allow same-sex marriage. The bill grants full legal, financial and medical rights for marriage partners of any gender. Thailand’s landmark marriage equality bill was officially written into law allowing same-sex couples to legally wed.

Appointments News

Centre Notifies Appointment Of Chief Justices Of 8 High Courts

The Central Government, through the Ministry of Law and Justice, notified the appointment of Chief Justices to eight High Courts to fill key judicial positions and ensure the smooth functioning of the judicial system in various states. Union Law Minister (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal announced the appointment of Chief Justices to eight High Courts.

New Appointments

1. Justice Manmohan(presently Acting CJ of Delhi High Court) – Chief Justice of Delhi High Court.
2. Justice Rajiv Shakdher (presently Judge of Delhi HC) – Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court.
3. Justice Suresh Kumar Kait (Judge of Delhi HC) – Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court.
4. 4. Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji (Judge of Calcutta HC) – Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court.
5. Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar (Judge of Bombay HC) – Chief Justice of Kerala High Court.
6. Justice Tashi Rabstan (Judge of J&K&L HC) – Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir & Ladakh High Court.
7. Justice KR Shriram (Judge of Bombay HC) – Chief Justice of Madras High Court.
8. Justice MS Ramachandra Rao (presently CJ of HP HC) – Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court.

Banking News

Axis Bank and Mastercard Launch MyBiz Credit Card for Small Business Owners

Axis Bank, a leading private sector bank in India, has partnered with Mastercard, a global payments technology firm, to launch the MyBiz credit card, specifically designed for sole proprietors and small business owners. This premium World Mastercard® offers a comprehensive suite of business and travel benefits tailored to meet the diverse needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Bank of Baroda and EaseMyTrip Launch Co-Branded Travel Debit Card

Bank of Baroda, in collaboration with EaseMyTrip.com, has introduced the Bank of Baroda EaseMyTrip Co-branded Travel Debit Card, aiming to cater to frequent travelers and those with a penchant for entertainment and lifestyle. This initiative marks the first co-branded travel debit card launched by a public sector bank in India, reflecting the growing trend towards customized financial products.

Economy News

ADB Retains India’s Economic Growth Forecast at 7% for FY24, 7.2% for FY25

The Asian Development Bank (ADB), in its September 2024 Asian Development Outlook, projects India’s GDP growth at 7% for FY2024 and 7.2% for FY2025. The report attributes this sustained growth to the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts and resilience amidst global geopolitical challenges. ADB highlights agricultural improvements, robust performance in the industrial and services sectors, and rural spending as key growth drivers for FY2024. For FY2025, private investments, urban consumption, and job creation through employment-linked incentives are expected to further boost economic growth.

Moody’s Upgrades India’s Economic Growth Forecast to 7.1% for CY 2024

Moody’s has revised its forecast for India’s GDP growth in calendar year (CY) 2024, raising it to 7.1% from its earlier projection of 6.8% made in June. This upgrade highlights India’s key role in driving growth in the Asia-Pacific region, which is expected to outperform global economies in the coming years. Other global institutions like the World Bank and the IMF have also adjusted their projections, reflecting increasing confidence in India’s economic momentum despite potential global challenges.

UPI Now Mandatory for Bids Up to ₹5 Lakh in Public Debt Issues

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has implemented new guidelines requiring retail investors to use the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to block funds when applying for public issues of debt securities amounting up to ₹5 lakh.  This regulation aims to streamline the application process for individual investors engaging with public debt issues, including non-convertible redeemable preference shares, municipal debt securities, and securitized debt instruments. The new rule will take effect on November 1, 2024, and is part of SEBI’s effort to enhance efficiency and align the process with equity share applications.

Business News

Dassault Aviation Expands Footprint in India with New Military MRO Subsidiary

Dassault Aviation, the renowned French aircraft manufacturer famous for its Rafale fighter planes, has taken a significant step towards expanding its presence in the Indian market. On Wednesday, the company announced the establishment of a new subsidiary dedicated exclusively to military Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations in India.

Defence News

India’s DRDO, IIT Delhi develop ABHED LightWeight Bullet Proof Jackets

India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), along with researchers of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has developed Light Weight Bullet Proof Jackets named ABHED (Advanced Ballistics for High Energy Defeat).

Schemes News

CM-SATH Scheme Officially Launched to Support Meritorious Students

Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha officially launched the CM-SATH scheme to boost the educational prospects of the state’s brightest students. The scheme, designed to provide financial support to meritorious students for their higher education, reflects the state government’s commitment to quality education. 

Launch of ‘Paridhi 24×25’ by Union Minister of Textiles

On September 5, 2024, Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, alongside Union Minister of State for External Affairs & Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, launched the India-specific fashion trend book “Paridhi 24×25,” a bilingual web portal of VisioNxt, and an AI Taxonomy e-book. This significant event attracted over 150 industry leaders from the fashion, textiles, and retail sectors, as well as prominent craftsmen and weavers from various craft clusters. VisioNxt has already produced over 60 micro trend reports, more than 10 close-to-season trend reports, 3 research papers, and the inaugural AI Taxonomy book on Indian wear categories.

Important Days

World Maritime Day 2024: Navigating the Future with Safety First

World Maritime Day 2024, celebrated on 26 September 2024, embraces the theme “Navigating the Future: Safety First!” This theme underscores the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) commitment to enhancing maritime safety and security, protecting the marine environment, and ensuring that regulatory developments keep pace with technological advancements.

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, September 26

In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) took a significant step towards global nuclear disarmament by declaring September 26 as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, also known as Nuclear Abolition Day. This declaration was formalized through UNGA Resolution 68/32.

Miscellaneous News

Mountaineers scale unclimbed peak in Arunachal Pradesh, name it after Sixth Dalai Lama

An extraordinary mountaineering achievement, of a team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS), has successfully scaled an unnamed and unclimbed 6383 MSL or 20,942 ft high peak in Gorichen range of Arunachal Pradesh Himalayas on Tawang-West Kameng region.