Daily Current Affairs 15th October 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

International News

India Climbs to No. 2 in Supplying Russia with Restricted Tech

India has surged to become the second-biggest supplier of restricted critical technologies to Russia, US and European officials said, highlighting the challenge in efforts to choke off exports fueling President Vladimir Putin’s war machine.

State News

Maharashtra Government Renames Skills University After Ratan Tata

In a significant tribute to the late industrialist Ratan Tata, the Maharashtra government announced on October 14, 2024, that the Maharashtra State Skills Development University will be renamed the “Padma Vibhushan Ratan Tata Skills University.” This decision honors Tata’s substantial contributions to education, skill development, and social causes across India. Tata, who passed away on October 9, was revered not only for his business acumen but also for his philanthropic efforts. His body was placed for public homage at the National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA), where he was honored with full state rites.

Caste Survey Begins in Telangana, Third in India

Telangana becomes the third state to initiate a caste-based headcount, following Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. The Telangana government has initiated the process of a comprehensive household caste survey in the state aimed at targeted and equitable resource distribution among all communities.

Appointments News

Dia Mirza Appointed Jury Member for ALT Environmental Film Festival 2024

Bollywood actress and environmental activist Dia Mirza has been appointed as a jury member for the All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF) 2024, scheduled from November 22 to December 8. The festival will showcase 72 films, including 38 India premieres, focusing on critical environmental issues like climate change and wildlife conservation. Mirza expressed her honor in participating, emphasizing the festival’s role in fostering dialogue about sustainability.

S. Paramesh Assumes Office as New Director General of Indian Coast Guard

S. Paramesh officially took charge as the Director General (DG) of the Indian Coast Guard at its headquarters in New Delhi. His appointment comes following the tragic demise of his predecessor, DG Rakesh Pal, last month. Paramesh, who had been officiating as the Director General, was formally appointed by the government a day prior. Upon assuming office, he was honored with a ceremonial guard of honour.

Schemes News

From Learning to Leading the PM Internship Scheme

The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme was launched on October 3, 2024. This ambitious initiative, implemented through an online portal, aims to provide one crore young individuals with valuable internship opportunities over the next five years, allowing them to immerse themselves in diverse business environments and explore various professions. Also, Prime Minister Internship Scheme Portal went live for candidates to register at 5pm on October 12, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs said in a press release. 

Skill Ministry and Meta Partner to Launch AI Assistant for Skill India Mission

The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has partnered with Meta to introduce an AI-powered assistant for the Skill India Digital (SID) Portal and establish five Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) across India.

Banking News

Bank of Baroda Introduces Special ‘bob Utsav Deposit Scheme’ for the Festive Season

Bank of Baroda (BoB) has introduced a new 400-day term deposit scheme known as the ‘bob Utsav Deposit Scheme’, aimed at offering higher interest rates to various categories of depositors during the festive season. This scheme not only provides competitive interest rates for general depositors but also caters specifically to senior and super senior citizens, making it a beneficial investment option for a wide range of customers.

Navi Achieves 5th Spot in UPI Rankings for Second Time

Navi, a fintech company co-founded by Sachin Bansal, has made significant strides in the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) landscape, emerging as India’s fifth-largest ecosystem player. In September, the company achieved remarkable transaction volumes, processing 120.41 million transactions valued at Rs 6,549.1 crore.

Economy News

Wholesale Inflation Rises to 1.84% in September, Food Prices Surge

India’s wholesale price inflation (WPI) increased to 1.84% in September 2024, up from 1.31% in August, driven by a sharp rise in food prices, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. This surge was primarily due to a spike in vegetable prices, with onion, potato, and tomato costs rising by 78.8%, 78.1%, and 74.5%, respectively. The food price inflation rose to 11.53% from 3.11% in August, marking a two-year high. Despite deceleration in other categories such as fuel and manufactured products, food price inflation led the overall increase.

Important Days News

World Food Day 2024, Know The Date, History, Theme & Significance

World Food Day, observed annually on October 16th, serves as a global call to action in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. As we approach World Food Day 2024, it’s crucial to understand the significance of this year’s theme and the ongoing challenges in global food security.

World Student’s Day 2024, A Tribute to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Every year on October 15, World Students’ Day is observed to honor the life and contributions of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, a visionary leader, educator, and former President of India. Known as the “Missile Man of India,” Dr. Kalam is celebrated for his work in science, technology, and education, and his deep affection for students and the youth of the nation. The day marks Dr. Kalam’s birthday and serves as a reminder of his enduring legacy in inspiring young minds toward innovation and academic excellence.

Awards News

5th National Water Awards 2023 Announced, Check Complete List of Winners

The Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, proudly announces the winners of the 5th National Water Awards (NWA), 2023. These prestigious awards recognize the efforts of individuals, organizations, and institutions across India in water conservation and management. With 38 winners across 9 categories, the awards aim to raise awareness and encourage best practices in water usage and sustainability.

Mendis and Beaumont Clinch ICC Player of the Month Awards for September 2024

International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the Players of the Month for September 2024, honoring Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis and England’s Tammy Beaumont for their outstanding performances in international cricket. Both players have earned this prestigious recognition for the second time, reflecting their consistency and dominance on the global cricketing stage.

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath Receives Prestigious IAF World Space Award for Chandrayaan-3

Dr. S. Somanath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has been honored with the prestigious International Astronautical Federation (IAF) World Space Award. This accolade was awarded in recognition of the remarkable success of Chandrayaan-3, India’s lunar mission that made history with its soft landing on the Moon’s South Pole. The award ceremony took place in Milan, Italy, and marked a significant milestone in India’s growing prominence in space exploration.

Science and Tech News

India’s First Biopolymer Facility Inaugurated in Pune

In a significant step towards positioning India as a global leader in biotechnology and sustainable solutions, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, inaugurated India’s first Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers at Jejuri in Pune in October 2024. 

ShakthiSAT Mission: Empowering 12,000 Girls in Space Technology

Aerospace startup Space Kidz India has launched the ShakthiSAT mission, aiming to train 12,000 girls aged 14-18 from 108 countries in space technology, targeting a satellite launch under ISRO’s Chandrayaan-4 mission in 2026. A prototype presentation will be made to Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this year or early next year. This initiative not only emphasizes skill development in the realm of space but also seeks to inspire and empower young women globally.

Sports News

Harmanpreet Singh Becomes Most Expensive Buy in Hockey India League Auction

India’s star drag-flicker and captain, Harmanpreet Singh, emerged as the most expensive player in the Hockey India League auction on Day 1. Soorma Hockey Club secured the services of the Indian captain for a whopping Rs 78 lakh, marking the highest bid on the first day of the auction, held on Sunday. A total of 54 players, including 18 international stars, went under the hammer as eight franchises vied to strengthen their squads with top talents from India and abroad.