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25th Dec to 31st Dec 2023

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 INDEX

Banking, Insurance and Fintech Schemes and Missions

Economy, Trade and Business Books and Authors

National Reports, Indexes, and Rankings

International Meetings, Summits and Conferences

Sports Apps and Portals

Defence MoUs and Agreements

Awards and Honors Science and Technology

Appointments and Resignations Environment

Important Days Obituary

 2

RBI Releases Draft Licensing Framework

Banking, Insurance and Fintech for Authorised Persons Under FEMA

LIC gets time till 2032 to achieve minimum The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released a
public shareholding norms draft 'Licensing Framework for Authorised
Persons (APs)' under Foreign Exchange
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) will Management Act (FEMA), 1999. The RBI
get time till May 2032 to comply with had, in its June monetary policy meeting,
Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) norms said that the Central Bank decided to
prescribed by the Securities and Exchange rationalise and simplify the licensing
Board of India. framework for APs to effectively meet the
emerging requirements of the rapidly
As of September 30, 2023, the government growing economy.
owns 96.5 per cent in LIC. The government
divested 3.5 per cent of its shareholding in Current account gap narrows to 1% of GDP
LIC last year, and accordingly, it got listed on at $8.3 bn in Q2FY24: RBI
stock exchange.
India’s current account deficit (CAD)
RBI to offer higher amount to banks at VRR narrowed sequentially to $8.3 billion, or 1
auction on Dec 22 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), in
the quarter ended September (Q2FY24) due
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has stepped to lower merchandise trade deficit and
up the amount it is willing to offer the growth in services exports. The CAD was
banking system in the 7-day variable rate $9.2 billion, or 1.1 per cent of GDP, in Q1 and
repo (VRR) auction, scheduled on December $30.9 billion, or 3.8 per cent of GDP, in
22, to ₹1.75-lakh crore against ₹1-lakh crore Q2FY23.
offered last week to help banks overcome
liquidity deficit. Reserve Bank of India approves IDFC-IDFC
First Bank merger
IndusInd Bank Launches 'eSvarna', India’s
First Corporate Credit Card On RuPay Reserve Bank of India has given its nod for
Network the reverse merger of IDFC Ltd with its
banking subsidiary IDFC First Bank.
IndusInd Bank announced the launch of
‘IndusInd Bank eSvarna’, India’s first The boards of IDFC First Bank and IDFC
Corporate Credit Card on RuPay network. have approved the reverse merger in July.

This launch positions IndusInd Bank as the As part of the composite scheme of
first in the country to integrate UPI amalgamation, IDFC FHCL would first merge
functionality with a Corporate Credit Card. with IDFC and then IDFC into IDFC First
Bank Ltd.
The IndusInd Bank eSvarna credit card on
the RuPay network comes with an array of
exclusive perks and rewards.
 3

Life Insurers' Premium Income Rises Nearly Central Bank of India enters in co-lending
13% To Rs 7.83 Lakh Crore In FY23 partnership with Kisetsu Saison Finance for
MSME loans
Premium income of life insurance companies
grew 12.98 per cent to Rs 7.83 lakh cr. in Public sector lender Central Bank of India
fiscal 2023 while that of general insurers entered into a strategic co-lending
increased by 16.4% to Rs 2.57 lakh cr. partnership with Kisetsu Saison Finance,
Private sector life insurers have clocked a India for MSME Loans.
growth of 16.34% in premiums, while the
public sector life insurer recorded a 10.90% Bengaluru-based M/s. Kisetsu Saison
rise in premiums, as per the Irdai's annual Finance is an NBFC with AUM (Assets under
report. management) of the Company as of
September 30, 2023, was more than Rs.
RBI permits lending, borrowing in 8200 crore.
government securities except T-bills
Government issues notice to nine offshore
In a move that will add depth and liquidity to cryptocurrency platforms for
the government securities (G-Secs) market, non-compliance under Prevention of
the RBI has permitted permit lending and Money Laundering Act
borrowing of G-Secs.
The Financial Intelligence Unit India has
The RBI said G-Secs issued by the Central issued compliance show cause notices to
government excluding Treasury Bills will be nine offshore Virtual Digital Assets Service
eligible for lending/borrowing under a Providers. Virtual Digital Assets Service
Government Security Lending (GSL) Providers were brought into the ambit of
transaction. Anti Money Laundering, Counter Financing
of Terrorism (AML-CFT) framework under
SEBI Extends Deadline To June 2024 To Add the provisions of the Prevention of Money
Nominees In Mutual Funds, Demat Laundering Act, 2002 in March 2023.
Accounts
RBI tweaks D-SIB designation
Markets regulator Securities and Exchange methodology, inserts digital payments
Board of India extended the deadline to June aspect
30 next year for demat & mutual fund
account holders to provide a nomination. The Reserve Bank of India has revised the
Earlier, the deadline to nominate a methodology for designating a bank as a
beneficiary or opt out of it by submitting a Domestic Systemically Important Bank
declaration form was Dec. 31, 2023. (D-SIB) by incorporating digital payments,
value as well as volumes, under the
Madhabi Puri Buch is the current substitutability indicator in the assessment.
chairperson of the Securities and Exchange
Board of India.
 4

RBI nod for I-Pru AMC and I-Pru Life to Sebi proposes action points to ease rumour
acquire 9.95% stake in RBL Bank verification regulations

The Reserve Bank of India has accorded its SEBI proposed changes to the verification of
approval to ICICI Prudential Asset market rumours for listed companies,
Management Company Ltd. and ICICI including relaxation on the 24-hour timeline,
Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited verification only on material impact on stock
to acquire an aggregate holding of up to 9.95 prices, and clarity on the pricing of
per cent of the paid-up share capital or preferential issuances, buybacks and deals.
voting rights in RBL Bank Ltd. The approval
has been granted with reference to the It has included the suggestions of the
application made by I-Pru AMC and IPru Life Industry Standard Forum(ISF) for feedback.
to RBI.
Economy, Trade and Business
RBI reshuffles classification of domestic
systemically important banks; SBI, HDFC Domestic Coal Based Power Generation
Bank move to higher buckets increases by 8.38 % during April-Nov 2023

Reserve Bank of India issued its list of India has witnessed a remarkable 7.71
Domestic Systemically Important Banks percent surge in power generation and 11.19
(D-SIBs), in which it moved State Bank of percent in Coal-based power generation
India (SBI) and HDFC Bank to higher from April to November this year, as
buckets, while ICICI Bank continues to be compared to the corresponding period of the
continues to be in the same bucketing previous year. The Ministry said that India is
structure as last year. ranked third-largest consumer of energy in
the world, with an annual electricity demand
Based on the bucket in which a D-SIB is increase of about 4.7 percent.
placed, an additional common equity
requirement has to be applied to it. IBM to acquire Software AG’s enterprise
technology platforms, aiming to boost AI
HDFC Life and NKGSB Co-Operative Bank and Hybrid Cloud frontier
announce corporate partnership
IBM, US-based IT giant, is set to acquire
HDFC Life & NKGSB Co-operative Bank German software company Software AG’s
have entered into a corporate agency tie-up, enterprise technology platforms for $2.33
enabling NKGSB Co-operative Bank billion. The deal is aimed at enhancing its
customers to avail of life insurance products artificial intelligence and hybrid cloud
from HDFC Life. offerings. The purchase will be funded with
IBM’s available cash, and includes Software
NKGSB Co-operative Bank is a multi-state AG’s StreamSets and webMethods
co-operative bank and has been at the platforms, known for their application
forefront of adding value to its products by integration.
establishing correspondent relationships.
 5

CCI Clears Alpha Alternatives Group Stake Govt extends zero import duty & agri-cess
Purchase In Dilip Buildcon exemption on masur till March 2025

Fair trade regulator Competition The government has extended current

Commission of India has granted an approval effective zero import duty on masur dal
to Alpha Alternatives Group for the (lentil) till March 2025 in order to ensure
acquisition of a 10% stake in Dilip Buildcon. steady supply of the key pulse from
international market and keep domestic
The transaction involves the acquisition of prices under check.
9.99% of the equity stake in DBL by way of
subscription to warrants by Alpha However, the government has not extended
Alternatives Holdings Pvt Ltd, and its other the current import duty structure on three
entities. crude edible oils -- palm oil, soyabean oil and
sunflower oil.
Ravneet Kaur, current Chairperson of CCI.
Ola Electric files IPO papers with Sebi; first
Blackstone To Buy 80% Of Sony Payment by auto company in 20 years
Unit For $280 Million
Ola Electric filed preliminary papers with
Blackstone Inc. will take a majority stake in a capital markets regulator Sebi to raise funds
payment service provider under Sony Group through an initial public offering (IPO)-- the
Corp. for about $280 million. 1st issue by an automaker in India in more
than 20 years.
Sony Group also operates a financial services
business which includes Sony Bank and its The proposed IPO is a fresh issue of equity
subsidiary Sony Payment. shares up to Rs 5,500 crore and an offer for
sale (OFS) of 95,191,195 equity shares,
Sony Bank will keep a 20% minority stake in according to the draft red herring
the payment business, which is valued in prospectus (DRHP).
total at 50 billion yen ($350 million).
Competition Commission Clears IndusInd
Bharat Electronics Secures ₹445 Cr Deal International Holdings-Reliance Capital
For UP Dial 112 Project Deal

Navratna DPSU BEL has signed a contract Fair trade regulator Competition
for a value of ₹445 Cr with the UP Commission of India has cleared the
Government for next generation UP Dial proposed stake acquisition in Reliance
112 project, the company announced Capital by IndusInd International Holdings
through an exchange filing. Ltd, IIHL BFSI (India) Ltd, and Aasia
Enterprises. Reliance Capital Ltd (RCL) is an
BEL will be providing comprehensive and RBI-registered non-banking,
state-of-art hardware, AI based software non-deposit-taking systemically important
tools and Cyber Security solutions for the company (NBFC-CIC-ND-SI).
Dial 112 project, which is spread across the
entire state of UP.
 6

India makes first-ever rupee payment for Cabinet approves projects worth Rs.5,500
the purchase of crude oil from UAE crore for Bihar, N-E

India, the world's third-largest energy The Cabinet Committee on Economic

consumer, made its first-ever payment in Affairs(CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister
rupees for crude oil purchased from the Narendra Modi, gave its go ahead to
United Arab Emirates, signalling what could construction of a bridge on Bihar and
be a strategic push to promote the local widening of a road in Tripura entailing an
currency globally. The move is part of India's investment of over Rs 5500 crore.
broader efforts to diversify oil suppliers, cut
transaction costs, and establish the rupee as CCEA approved a 4.56 km-long six-lane
a viable trade settlement. bridge over the Ganga connecting Digha and
Sonepur in Bihar at a cost of Rs.3064.45
ONDC partners with Google, Meta to reach crore.
small businesses
Cabinet approves Minimum Support Price
Ministry of commerce-backed e-commerce for Copra for 2024 season
protocol Open Network for Digital
Commerce (ONDC) announced two separate The MSP for Fair Average Quality of milling
partnerships with Google and Meta, to copra has been fixed at Rs.11,160/- per
expand its outreach to small businesses quintal and for ball copra at Rs.12,000/- per
through Google Maps and WhatsApp. This, quintal for 2024 season.
in turn, will help the service scale up its net
transactions per month among consumers The MSP for 2024 season is an increase of
and large enterprises alike. Rs.300/- per quintal for milling copra and
Rs.250/- per quintal for ball copra over the
India's Steel Sector records remarkable previous season.
growth, emerges as the 2nd largest global
producer UAE initiates process of investing $2 billion
in food parks in India
India has emerged as a global force in steel
production and the 2nd largest producer of The UAE has initiated the process of
steel in the world. channelising its long-promised $2-billion
investments into food parks in India, starting
Domestic finished steel production stands at with Gujarat, after the two countries sorted
89.711 million tonnes, which is 14.3% higher out concerns on curbs imposed by the
than corresponding period last year (CPLY). Essential Commodities Act.

The domestic steel consumption stood at The investments are being made as part of
87.066 million tonnes, which is 14.9% higher the four nation I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA)
than CPLY of 75.765 million tonnes. initiative to develop a series of integrated
food parks
 7

National UP and Bihar get maximum special

assistance for capital expenditure and
UP to build India’s first AI city in Lucknow investment

Lucknow will be developed as India's first Out of ₹1,67,518.6-crore special

Artificial Intelligence city. The government of assistance(loan) allocated by Centre under
Uttar Pradesh has approved the the Scheme for Special Assistance to States
development of Lucknow, the state capital, for capital expenditure/investment, UP has
as an AI city, establishing the "city of been highest recipient, securing ₹22,857.9
nawabs" as the nation's newest IT hub. By crore(14% of the total release) over the last
2030, it is expected to contribute $15.7 4 years.
trillion to the global economy.
Ministry of Finance reveals that in
MHA declares Muslim League Jammu FY2023-24, up to December 13, the State
Kashmir , Masarat Alam faction as 'unlawful has already received ₹12,458.43 crore.
association'
PM Modi inaugurates Maharishi Valmiki
The Union Home Ministry declared the International Airport
Muslim League Jammu Kashmir Masarat
Alam faction (MLJK-MA) as an 'unlawful Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated
association' under the Unlawful Activities Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in
(Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA). the temple town of Ayodhya in Uttar
Pradesh, shortly after launching the
This organisation and its members are redeveloped Ayodhya railway station and
involved in anti-national and secessionist flagging off two Amrit Bharat and six Vande
activities in J&K supporting terrorist Bharat trains, some virtually.
activities and inciting people to establish
Islamic rule in J&K." Phase 1 of the state-of-the-art airport has
been developed at a cost of more than
LIC to open branch office in GIFT City ₹1450 crore.

Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has decided International

to open a branch office at GIFT City, the
country’s sole operational International Angola quits OPEC over oil production
Financial Services Centre. quotas disagreement

Already LIC has presence in 14 countries Angola says it will leave the Organization of
through branch offices, subsidiaries and joint the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
ventures. over a disagreement regarding production
quotas, a move that will bring the group
IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company was the down to 12 members.
first life insurer to obtain registration for
opening office in GIFT City. Angola, which first joined OPEC in 2007, has
struggled to meet production quotas over
 8

the past several years.The country is joining heritage of Marathas.

others, such as Qatar and Ecuador, that have
left OPEC. Sports

BRICS group to double in 2024 after Saudi, Women's Cricket: India achieve historic
Iran, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia join ranks feat with maiden Test victory over Australia
in one-off match in Mumbai
The BRICS club of emerging market
countries is expected to double on January India recorded their maiden victory against
1st when Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Australia in a women's test match at
Emirates, Ethiopia and Egypt join the group. Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 24
December 2023 with their comprehensive
In August 2023, the current members of the eight-wicket win in the one-off contest. This
group Brazil, Russia, India, China and South is India's first victory against Australia in 11
Africa invited six other countries to join tests since the teams first clashed in the
them. longest format in 1977.

Defence Anmol Kharb wins women’s singles title at

National Badminton Championships in
INS Imphal, India's first warship named Guwahati
after a northeastern state, commissioned
In Badminton, Anmol Kharb has won the
The Indian Navy commissioned its latest women’s singles title at the National
stealth-guided missile destroyer Imphal, at Badminton Championships 2023 in
the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. It is the first Guwahati. The teenager lost the first game
warship to have been named after a city of the final to Tanvi Sharma but fought back
from the Northeastern region, the approval to level the score. The men’s singles title
for which was accorded by the President in clash saw an upset as the unseeded Chirag
April 2019. The ship was delivered by the Sen secured the national title after defeating
Mazagon Dock Ltd to the Indian Navy on fourth-seed Tharun M.
October 20, 2023.
Former South Africa captain Dean Elgar
Navy unveils new epaulettes for Admirals announces retirement from international
cricket after India series
The new epaulettes have the new golden
Navy button carrying the new naval crest Former South Africa captain Dean Elgar has
which was unveiled last year, a red octagon announced his retirement from international
as the backing to the national emblem, and a cricket after a test series against India
sword and a telescope. concludes early next month. Elgar, who has
scored more than 5,000 runs with 13
Navy said the new design is drawn from its centuries in his 84 tests, will play his final
naval ensign and inspired from the Rajmudra test at Newlands in Cape Town starting
of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji January 3.
Maharaj, reflecting the rich maritime
 9

Indian Olympic Association forms Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Agrawal’s

3-member ad hoc panel to run WFI tenure will start on January 17, 2024, as per
a regulatory filing by the stock exchange.
The Indian Olympic Association Agrawal, a former IAS officer, previously held
(IOA)constituted a three-member ad hoc the position of Chairman at Coal India till
committee to run the day-to-day affairs of June 2023.
the WFI after the Sports Ministry suspended
the wrestling national body for not following North East SFB Appoints Satish Kumar
the provisions of its own constitution while Kalra As Interim CEO
taking decisions.
North East Small Finance Bank has
Wushu Association of India president appointed Satish Kumar Kalra as its interim
Bhupinder Singh Bajwa will be the chairman managing director and CEO.
of the panel.
Kalra's appointment has also received
World Rapid Chess C’ship: Koneru Humpy approval from the Reserve Bank of India,
wins silver in women’s event apart from the Guwahati-based bank's
board.
India’s Koneru Humpy won the women’s
individual silver medal at the 2023 World The RBI has approved the merger of fintech
Rapid Chess Championships in Samarkand, startup Slice and North East Small Finance
Uzbekistan. Bank Ltd. to ensure financial inclusion.

She lost to Anastasia Bodnaruk of Russia in a HDFC Bank board approves

tie-break sudden death on time to concede re-appointment of Atanu Chakraborty as
the title. chairman

Humpy had previously won the bronze Private lender HDFC Bank said that its
medal in 2012 at Moscow, Russia and was board has recommended the
crowned the world champion in 2019 at re-appointment of Atanu Chakraborty as the
Batumi, Georgia. part-time non-executive chairman and
independent director.
Awards and Honours
The bank further added that the matter is
with the Reserve Bank of India for a second
term of three years from May 5, 2024, to
Appointments and Resignations May 4, 2027 approval.

SEBI approves Pramod Agrawal’s RBI approves appointment of C S Rajan as

appointment as BSE Chairman part-time chairman of Kotak Mahindra
Bank
The Securities and Exchange Board of India
(SEBI) has approved the appointment of Kotak Mahindra Bank said the Reserve Bank
Pramod Agrawal as the new Chairman of the of India (RBI) has approved the appointment
 10

of C S Rajan, Independent Director of the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The day
bank, as the Part-time Chairman, for a period is celebrated on the 25th of December every
of two years, effective January 1, 2024. year to foster awareness among the people
of the country about accountability in
C S Rajan was appointed as an Independent Governance and Government.
Director on the Board of the Bank, with
effect from October 22, 2022. International Day of Epidemic
Preparedness | 27 December
Rahul Rasgotra appointed ITBP chief; Nina
Singh becomes first woman to head CISF The United Nations proclaimed on
December 7, 2020, that December 27 would
Intelligence Bureau officer Rahul Rasgotra be the International Day of Epidemic
got the charge of the Indo-Tibetan Border Preparedness. The first-ever International
Police (ITBP), Nina Singh becomes the 1st Day of Epidemic Preparedness was
woman to head the Central Industrial organised on December 27, 2020, to show
Security Force. how important it is to be ready for and fight
against epidemics.
Anish Dayal Singh has been made the
Director General of the Central Reserve Schemes and Missions
Police Force (CRPF).
Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh have
Vivek Srivastav has been appointed Director commissioned higher capacity under solar
General, Fire Service, Civil Defence and park scheme
Home Guards.
Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh – have
Deepika Padukone appointed as Hyundai deployed higher capacities through the solar
Motor India’s brand ambassador park scheme. The Scheme for “Development
of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power
Hyundai Motor India has roped in popular Projects” was rolled out in December 2014
Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone as its with an aggregate capacity of 20,000 MW.
brand ambassador, the Korean automaker Further, the capacity of the Solar Park
said. Scheme was enhanced to 40,000 MW in
March 2017 to set up at least 50 Solar parks.
Her association adds a touch of star power,
emphasising Hyundai's commitment to style, World Bank and Economic Affairs launch
performance and an unparalleled driving PPP Beginner’s e-course in infrastructure
experience, the company said in a statement. capacity-building

Important Days The PPP e-course is a infra-focused

capacity-building programme jointly
Good Governance Day | 25 December undertaken by the Infrastructure Finance
Secretariat, DEA and the World Bank. The
Good Governance Day will be celebrated course aims to provide foundational
today on the birth anniversary of former knowledge and insights to individuals keen
 11

on understanding and contributing to the RBI extends Payments Infrastructure

dynamic realm of PPPs in India. Development Fund scheme till 2025

Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has
Advisor of India. extended the Payments Infrastructure
Development Fund (PIDF) scheme till
PMKVY Trains 1.4 Crore Candidates, December 31, 2025. The scheme was first
Announces India Skills 2023-24 launched in 2021 for three years.

The Government has said that nearly one All eligible installations since the inception of
crore 40 lakh candidates have been trained the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, i.e.,
so far under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas September 17, 2023, may prefer claims
Yojana (PMKVY) since its launch in 2015. under the PIDF Scheme.
The Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship said, PMKVY aims to Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav
provide avenues for the Indian youth to launches National Transit Pass System
access short-term skilling opportunities.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender
Jal Jeevan Mission Achieves 72% Rural Tap Yadav launched the National Transit Pass
Water Coverage, Eyes 100% In 2024 System (NTPS) pan-India to facilitate the
seamless transit of timber, bamboo, and
Under Jal Jeevan Mission, approximately other forest produce across the country.
72% of rural households now have access to
tap water connections, according to official NTPS is envisioned as a ‘One Nation-One
data. Pass’ regime that will contribute to the ease
of doing business.
In 2024, the Jal Shakti ministry faces the
crucial target of achieving the 100% Sukanya Samriddhi Schemes' interest rates
coverage of tap water connection to every hiked up to 20 bps for Q4FY24
rural household -a commitment made by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019. The Centre hiked the interest rates of some
of the small savings schemes, such as
PLI schemes attracted over Rs 95,000 cr Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme, 3-year Time
investment till Sep 2023: Centre Deposit, for the January-March 2024
quarter.
The production-linked incentive (PLI)
schemes for 14 sectors have attracted over As per the latest revised list, the interest rate
Rs 95,000 crore in investment till September of Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme will be 8.2%,
this year, an official statement said. while for 3-year TD it would be 7.1% for the
According to the Commerce and Industry last quarter of the current fiscal.
Ministry, as many as 746 applications have
been approved till November 2023 under
these schemes.
 12

Books and Authors Banks log 12.2% growth in FY23, gross bad
loans down for 5th year: RBI report
Raghuram Rajan's new book "Breaking the
Mould: Reimagining India's Economic The consolidated balance sheet of scheduled
Future" launched commercial banks (SCBs) expanded in
2022-23 by 12.2%, the Reserve Bank of
Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor India (RBI) said in its Report on Trend and
Raghuram Rajan's new book 'Breaking the Progress of Banking in India 2022-23,
Mould' was released recently. Rajan's latest released on December 27. The expansion
book, written in collaboration with fellow was driven by credit to retail and services
economist Rohit Lamba, will discuss the sectors, the report said. Deposit growth also
future of India's economic development. rose; this, however, trailed credit growth.

Reports, Indexes, and Rankings India 15th in top 25 AI nations but has
'greatest upward potential'
India Skills Report finds Kerala the most
preferred State to work India may be 15th among the top 25
Artificial Intelligence nations, but it has the
Kerala is the most preferred state to work ‘the greatest upward potential’ according to
for employable talent in the country, with research by Tufts University’s business
Kochi being the top choice among Indian school, the Fletcher School.
cities for female job aspirants, according to
the ‘India Skills Report 2024’, released by At the top is the US, followed by China,
talent assessment firm Wheebox in fighting for global leadership in AI followed
partnership with organisations including by the UK, Japan, and Germany.
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and
All India Council for Technical Education. Women account for approximately 49% of
the total Ayushman cards created, says
PV Sindhu makes it into Forbes list of Health Ministry data
highest paid women athletes in 2023
Women account for approximately 49% of
Badminton star PV Sindhu has made it into the total Ayushman cards created and
the list of 2023’s highest paid women approximately 48% of total authorised
athletes by Forbes where she finished at the hospital admissions, noted data released by
16th spot alongside gymnast Simone Biles Health Ministry.
with her $7.1 million earnings. Last year
Sindhu was placed 12th with her $7.1 million Ayushman cards are made under Ayushman
earnings in a list which was led by Japanese Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana
tennis star Naomi Osaka. (AB PM-JAY), which provides health cover of
₹5 lakhs per family per year for secondary
and tertiary care hospitalisation.
 13

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers becomes strip mill at Angul in Odisha.

first woman with $100-billion net worth
after L’Oréal SA shares jump to record high JSPL said it has entered into a memorandum
of understanding (MoU) with RINL for the
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers became the operationalisation of the latter's blast
first woman to amass a $100 billion fortune, furnace-3 (BF-3).
marking another milestone for the heiress
and for France’s expanding fashion and Coca-Cola extends partnership with ICC till
cosmetics industries. 2031

Her wealth jumped to $100.1 billion on The Coca-Cola Company and International
Thursday(28 Dec), according to the Cricket Council (ICC) have signed an
Bloomberg Billionaires Index. She’s the agreement at the latter's headquarters
12th-richest person in the world, just behind extending the partnership till end of 2031,
Mexico’s Carlos Slim. becoming a brand having the longest
association with the cricket body.
Meetings, Summits, Conferences
In 2019, the Atlanta-based beverage major
had entered into a four-year partnership
with ICC covering major events.
Apps and Portals
Govt, ADB sign USD 100 mn loan
NPCI launches ASBA-like facility for agreement to improve tourism facilities in
secondary market Tripura

The 'UPI for Secondary Market' initiative is The Union government signed an agreement
supported by key stakeholders, including with Asian Development Bank (ADB) to avail
clearing corporations, stock exchanges, of a USD 100 million loan to improve urban
depositories, stockbrokers, banks, and UPI services and tourism facilities in the
app providers. northeastern state of Tripura. ADB support
will also strengthen the capacity of ULBs for
During this pilot, investors can block funds in integrated planning, including climate and
their bank accounts, which will only be disaster resilience, and identification of
debited by the clearing corporations upon community and private sector.
trade confirmation during settlement.
Union Cabinet Nod For Migration, Mobility
MoUs and Agreements Pact With Italy Inked In November

The Union Cabinet granted ex-post facto

JSPL Tie-Up With RINL To Secure Supply Of
approval to sign and ratify the Migration and
Liquid Steel To Upcoming Angul Plant
Mobility Agreement with Italy that allows
Indian students temporary residence in the
Jindal Steel Power Ltd said its partnership
European nation for up to one year after
with Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd will ensure
studies to gather professional experience.
the supply of liquid steel to its upcoming hot
 14

The agreement was signed on Nov. 2 by point L1 on January 6. This point is 1.5
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and million km away from Earth. Launched from
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Sriharikota on September 2, India's first solar
mission will perform an important
India, Russia ink pacts on construction of manoeuvre upon reaching L1.
future power units of Kudankulam nuclear
plant Indian Air Force successfully testfires
'SAMAR' air defence missile system at
India and Russia have decided to expand Exercise Astrashakti
their civilian nuclear cooperation, with
Moscow willing to share technology for a In a major success for its in-house design and
small modular reactor used in power development efforts, the Indian Air Force
generation, even as both sides are pushing has successfully testfired its SAMAR air
towards the completion of Phase 1 the of defence missile system. The IAF has
6,000MW Kudankulam nuclear power developed the Surface to Air Missile for
project in Tamil Nadu. Assured Retaliation (SAMAR) air defence
missile system by using its old Russian-origin
The small modular reactors have a power air-to-air missile systems.
generation capacity of 75MW to 300MW.
Lupin Gets USFDA Nod For Generic
Centre, Assam sign peace pact with ULFA Loteprednol Etabonate Ophthalmic
faction Suspension

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Pharma major Lupin Ltd has received
the Assam government and the pro-talks approval from the U.S. health regulator to
faction of the United Liberation Front of market its generic Loteprednol Etabonate
Asom (ULFA) signed a memorandum of ophthalmic suspension indicated for
settlement. temporary relief of seasonal allergic
conjunctivitis. The approval by the U.S. Food
The ULFA was born during the and Drug Administration (USFDA) is for the
anti-foreigners movement of 1979 abbreviated new drug application for
demanding a sovereign State for the Loteprednol Etabonate ophthalmic
Assamese people after several Bengali suspension, 0.2%.
speaking people crossed over to India post
1971. Reliance Jio joins hands with IIT Bombay to
launch Bharat GPT, to bring OS for smart
Science and Technology TVs

Aditya-L1: India’s first solar mission to Jio is set to launch its new AI project Bharat
reach destination, 1.5 million km from GPT, in a joint venture with Indian Institute
Earth, says ISRO of Technology (IIT) Bombay. Jio is planning to
introduce its AI project across all the
ISRO Chairman S Somanath has announced segments of its company, stretching across
that Aditya-L1 will arrive at the Lagrangian all the sectors of the society. Ambani said
 15

that the next 10 years will be defined by Environment

large-language models and generative AI.
UN announces 2024 as International Year
Pakistan successfully tests Fatah-II guided of Camelids
multi-launch rocket system
The UN has designated 2024 as the
Pakistan's military wing Inter-Services Public International Year of Camelids. Camels,
Relations (ISPR) claimed it had successfully llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos are an
conducted the flight test of Fatah-II, a guided important source of livelihood for millions of
multi-launch rocket system (MLRS). families - most of them pastoralists - in
Equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and dryland and mountainous rangeland
navigation system, Fatah-II is capable of ecosystems around the world. The Year is
engaging targets with high precision up to a meant to raise the public's and policymakers'
range of 400 kilometres. awareness of the significant role of camelids.

PNGRB, World Bank studying pathways for Bengal researchers discover plant-growth
transmission of Hydrogen via gas pipelines promoting bacteria, name it after visionary
Tagores
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory
Board (PNGRB) has joined hands with the A group of researchers from Visva-Bharati
World Bank and initiated a study to develop University's botany department have
pathways for transmission of Hydrogen in discovered a bacteria capable of boosting
natural gas pipelines both on its own and as plant growth and named it 'Pantoea Tagorei'
Hydrogen blended with Compressed Natural after Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
Gas (CNG). The bacteria has immense potential to
revolutionise agricultural practices,
Under the initiative of National Green microbiologist Bomba Dam, assistant
Hydrogen Mission, the Government of India professor at the varsity’s botany department
has taken significant steps. said.

IIT-M develops 3D-printed faces for black Obituary

fungus survivors
Actor and DMDK founder ‘Captain’
Researchers with the prestigious Indian Vijayakanth passes away in Chennai
Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) have
developed 3D-printed face implants for DMDK founder-leader Vijayakanth passed
people suffering from Black Fungus, whose away in Chennai at 71.
numbers have increased post Covid-19
pandemic. Fondly referred to as "Captain" owing to his
on-screen portrayal of military characters,he
This new technology is expected to help featured in 154 movies before venturing into
patients with Black Fungus from politics.
economically-weaker sections due to its
affordability.
 16

Vijayakanth founded the Desiya Murpokku

Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) in 2005 and
made its electoral debut in the 2006 Tamil
Nadu Legislative Assembly elections.

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