May 2024 Current Affairs MCQ Questions and Answers

Nearly eight decades after India’s independence, the “Tirangi Barfi” of Kashi, a sweet treat regarded as the “sweet weapon” of freedom fighters during the Quit India Movement, has finally received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag. With this new addition, Uttar Pradesh retains its position as the state with the most GI-tagged products in India, reaching a total of 75.

Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi, for cooperation in research and technology, product development, in the areas of semiconductors, quantum technologies, and drones. BEL said that the MoU aims at leveraging the complementary strengths and capabilities of BEL and IIT-Mandi.

The fifth edition of the ‘Dustlik’ joint military exercise between India and Uzbekistan was held in Uzbekistan’s Termez district from 15 to 28 April 2024. The fourth edition of the joint military exercise between the two countries was held on February 20 last year at the Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully carried out a test firing of a new version of an air-launched mediumrange ballistic missile that is capable of hitting targets at a distance exceeding 250 km. The missile, also referred to as ROCKS or Crystal Maze 2, originated from Israel and underwent a test launch from a Su-30 MKI fighter jet in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has forged a strategic partnership with Bengaluru-based Blockchain For Impact (BFI) under the BFI-Biome Virtual Network Program to nurture innovations and drive advancements in healthcare in the country.

NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited (NBBL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) announced its partnership with State Bank of India (SBI) by onboarding SBI NCMC cards on its Bharat BillPay platform. The collaboration aims to boost convenience for travellers. Enabling SBI National Common Mobility Card on Bharat BillPay tries to provide a seamless experience for consumers.

NASA has recently welcomed Sweden as the 38th country to sign the Artemis Accords. The Artemis Accords were initially announced by NASA and the US Department of State in 2020 and it now has 38 signatories, including India and Japan.

Airtel Payments Bank has launched new debit and prepaid cards that are designed to be more convenient and environmentally friendly for their customers in India. The Bank has partnered with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to launch these interoperable cards that are powered by RuPay

Nasdaq-listed ReNew Energy Global Plc. has signed an initial agreement with JERA Co. Inc., Japan’s largest power-generation company, to jointly evaluate the development of a green ammonia production plant in Paradip, Odisha. Under the agreement, ReNew subsidiary ReNew E-Fuels Pvt Ltd and JERA will collaborate on the project.

Ananth Technologies Founder, CEO and Chairman Pavuluri Subba Rao has been conferred with the ‘Aryabhatta Award’ instituted by the Aeronautical Society of India (ASI). He was also presented with ASI’s ‘Distinguished Fellow’ title.

Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi became India’s new naval chief when he took over from Admiral R Hari Kumar on April 30. Tripathi was the Western Naval Command chief before he was appointed as the navy’s vice chief in January 2024. He had earlier served as the navy’s chief of personnel.

Marking a key military export milestone, India delivered the first batch of BrahMos missiles to the Philippines recently. The missiles were delivered to Manila by an Indian Air Force C 17 Globemaster III aircraft and are the first of several missiles that will be dispatched under a $375 million contract inked in 2022.

Indian Navy conducted Exercise Poorvi Lehar on East Coast under the Operational Control of The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. The exercise aimed at validation of procedures towards assessment of Indian Navy’s preparedness to meet Maritime Security challenges in the region.

State-owned power giant NTPC arm NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) said it has signed an initial pact with Indus Towers Ltd to address the need for pacing green energy objectives and the Govt of India’s efforts towards carbon neutral economy.

CSIR-IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology) and BHEL corporate R&D have joined hands to develop a technology for capturing and converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into dimethyl ether (DME) through direct catalytic conversion. This clean fuel can be blended with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for collaborative research and training with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. The MoU was signed by Director General Armed Forces Medical Services Lt Gen Daljit Singh and Director IIT Delhi Prof. Rangan Banerjee.

Revolut India said it has received an in-principle authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to issue Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) including prepaid cards and prepaid wallets in the country. This enables it to operate as a domestic player in the market, the global fintech firm said in a statement.

Aimed at empowering marginalised communities, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) will provide vocational training to tribal and underprivileged youth across multiple states. The first project aims to replicate the success of the Govardhan Eco Village (GEV) in Palghar, Maharashtra, by setting up similar self-sufficient and sustainable establishments in regions.

After years trapped in the development doldrums, NASA recently announced that the Dragonfly mission to send a flying rotorcraft to Titan has been approved. Titan is the second-largest moon in the entire solar system, second only to Jupiter’s moon Ganymede.

Two-time major champion Garbiñe Muguruza from Spain announced she’s retiring from professional tennis at age 30 after an extended time away from the court. Muguruza beat Serena Williams in the 2016 French Open final and Venus Williams in the 2017 Wimbledon final, making her the only player to defeat each Williams sister in a Grand Slam title match.

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) of India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Civil Service of Cambodia to promote human resource development in the civil service sector.

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on the occasion of Earth Day unveiled its Climate Strategy 2030 document which aims to address India’s need for green financing. NABARD said since India requires approximately $170 billion annually to reach a cumulative total of over $2.5 trillion by 2030, the current green finance inflows are critically insufficient.

AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) launched on April 23 an array of financial products to enhance customer experience. AU SFB also launched ATM Insurance, for the convenience of customers to buy insurance through AU SFB’s ATMs with their debit card.

IndusInd Bank said it has executed transactions to pay farmers for carbon credits with a programmable version of the Reserve Bank of India’s digital currency, or erupee. The RBI piloted its central bank digital currency (CBDC), which uses distributed-ledger technology, in 2022 and allows banks to offer these tokens.

Digital payments platform Razorpay has launched its own Unified Payments Interface (UPI) infrastructure, or UPI switch, in partnership with Airtel Payments Bank. The infrastructure is designed to handle up to 10,000 transactions per second, at any given time, and enable five times faster access to UPI innovations for businesses.

SJVN Limited, a key player in India’s energy sector, inaugurated the country’s first multi-purpose Green Hydrogen Pilot Project at the 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station (NJHPS) in Himachal Pradesh. The project, inaugurated by SJVN’s Chairperson and Managing Director Geeta Kapur, on April 24, 2024, is set to produce green hydrogen for both electricity generation and industrial applications.

Private lender Axis Bank’s board has approved the reappointment of Amitabh Chaudhry as the Managing
Director & Chief Executive Officer of the company for
another three years. Chaudhry’s reappointment is
subject to the approval of the Reserve Bank of India, the
bank said.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Gita Sabharwal of India as the United Nations resident coordinator in Indonesia. Previously, Sabharwal served as the UN resident coordinator in Thailand and as peacebuilding and development adviser for the United Nations in Sri Lanka.

Under the new management of the state-owned National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL), Srei Infrastructure Finance Limited (SIFL) has announced the appointment of Hardayal Prasad as its new Managing Director and CEO. Prasad, with 36 years of experience, is a former Managing Director & CEO of SBI Cards & Payment Services Ltd and PNB Housing Finance Ltd.

The government has extended the term of RBI Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar for a period of one year, according to sources. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the re-appointment of T Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor Reserve Bank of India, for a period of one year with effect from May 3, 2024, they said.

The Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) and IIT Guwahati Technology Incubation Centre (IIT Guwahati TIC) said they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote entrepreneurship and provide support to technology startups.

Despite global economic uncertainties, India’s services exports surged by 11.4% to $345 billion in 2023, outpacing China, whose shipments from the sector shrank by 10.1% to $381 billion, as per a UNCTAD report. Key sectors driving India’s growth include travel, transport, medical, and hospitality services.

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) said it has partnered with Reserve Bank’s arm Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) to put in place a system which will enable faster processing of agricultural loans.

SBI Card has launched its first travel-focused core credit card, ‘SBI Card MILES’ in three variants recently. The three variants, SBI Card MILES ELITE, SBI Card MILES PRIME, and SBI Card MILES, have been designed to elevate curated travel benefits.

Hitachi Payment Services has launched India’s first upgradable ATMs. In September 2023, the company also introduced UPI ATMs on the Android platform for cardless cash withdrawals. In the near future, they are looking to launch Android cash recycling machines that will provide a host of banking services.

Indian Navy’s indigenous, INS Sahyadri participated in Maritime Partnership Exercise with Royal Navy’s RFA Argus and RFA Lyme Bay, part of the UK Littoral Response Group South at Sea, in April 2024. The exercise provided an opportunity for both navies to exchange best practices.

HDFC Life, one of India’s leading insurers, and Peerless Financial Products Distribution Ltd. (PFPDL) have entered into a corporate agency tie-up. This partnership would enable PFPDL to distribute life insurance products of HDFC Life to its customers.

Ericsson and the Foundation for Innovation & Research
in Science & Technology (F.I.R.S.T) at Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT) Kanpur have announced a two-year
strategic partnership to drive innovation in Mobile
Financial Services (MFS) and Fintech solutions.

Yuvraj Singh, famed for his six sixes in 2007, is named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador. He joins Chris Gayle and Usain Bolt as ambassadors. Yuvraj will promote the event in the USA, including the India-Pakistan match in New York.

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural
Development (NABARD) has sanctioned a study on the
impact evaluation of Geographical Indication (GI)
products to Symbiosis School of Economics. As of today,
144 products supported by NABARD, are GI tagged.

The Ministry of Finance has assigned the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status to the gem and jewellery sector. The AEO programme was introduced as a pilot project for export oriented industries to promote ease of doing business.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed Gurugrambased company TalkCharge to refund the prepaid funds held in the wallets of its customers. This directive comes as TalkCharge has been issuing Prepaid Payment Instruments (Wallets) without proper authorisation from the central bank.

REC Ltd said it has secured a green loan for JPY 60.536
billion (about Rs 3,200 crore) to finance eligible clean
energy projects. The green facility benefits from an 80%
guarantee by Italian export credit agency, SACE (Italy). In
January, the company had issued its first yendenominated 61.1 billion green bonds under its $10-
billion global medium term notes programme.

Fintech company Cred has launched a UPI-based ‘Scan and Pay’ service that enables members to use any QR code for payments directly from their bank accounts. The launch marks Cred’s foray into the offline payments space dominated by PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm.

HCLSoftware, the software business unit of HCLTech has announced that it has been selected by the country’s largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI) for their MarTech solution as part of SBI’s digital transformation program.

The United Nation’s First International Conference on Digital Public Infrastructure was held under India’s leadership to harness the technology to propel Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and foster inclusivity, India’s Permanent Representative to UN, Ruchira Kamboj said in a press statement.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced an 8 per cent interest rate on the Floating Rate Savings Bond (FRSB) 2034. This is a variable rate bond, and the interest rate will be reset every six months. This 8% rate is calculated by taking an average of the interest rates from the previous three auctions of short-term government debt, plus a small additional fixed amount (0.98%)

Digital payments major PayU has invested $5 million in
Mumbai-based cross border payments platform BriskPe,
the company said in a press note. The investment is part
of PayU’s efforts to build a full stack payments platform
across both domestic and international payments.

The Indian economy could grow more than 7 per cent during the current fiscal amid a benign global outlook and expected above-normal monsoon, economic think tank NCAER has said. In its April 2024 issue of Monthly Economic Review (MER), NCAER said a range of highfrequency indicators reveal the resilience of the domestic economy with the PMI for manufacturing at a 16-year high and UPI, the leading digital payments system, touching the highest volume since its inception in 2016.

THDCIL – UJVNL Energy Company Limited (TUECO), a Joint Venture of THDC and UJVN Ltd, has inked an MoU with Nagar Nigam Haridwar to establish a Waste to Green Energy Plant worth of Rs 140 crores. This initiative aims to convert 400 tonnes per day of municipal solid waste into 140 tonnes of green charcoal.

Neobanking startup Fi, backed by investors such as Peak XV and Temasek, has secured a non-banking finance company (NBFC) licence from the Reserve Bank of India. In recent years, fintech startups have pursued NBFC licences to streamline their entry into lending, given the RBI’s stringent regulations on online credit disbursal.

Groww Pay, the UPI payments platform of broking firm Groww, has received in-principle authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payments Aggregator (PA). According to the latest RBI data, the online payment aggregator licence was granted on April 29.

NHPC Limited, the largest organization for hydropower development in India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with M/s Ocean Sun, a Norwegian company operating as a technology provider to the floating solar industry.

Designer Bhavi Mehta was announced the winner of the ninth edition of Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize for creating the book jacket of Pradeep Sebastian’s “The Book Beautiful”. She was felicitated by art historian and the chair of the jury Alka Pande, Shashi Tharoor, Ambassador of Norway to India May-Elin Stener and CEO of Apeejay Oxford Bookstores Swagat Sengupta.

Solomon Islands’ lawmakers elected China-friendly former foreign minister Jeremiah Manele as prime minister. Manele won 31 votes in a secret ballot of 50 MPs, said Governor-General David Vunagi. His opponent, democratic reformer and longtime opposition leader Matthew Wale, got 18 votes.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Mines and Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, aimed at providing knowledge support in the field of critical minerals. Critical minerals are crucial for India’s economic development, national security, and low-carbon energy transition.

On May 1, 2024, the Army Dental Centre of Research & Referral (ADC R&R), Delhi, a specialist dental care facility founded on May 1, 1999, celebrated its 25th anniversary (the Silver Jubilee). Lieutenant General MK Katiyar, General Officer Commanding in Chief (GoC-in-C), Western Command, unveiled the Army Postal Service’s Special Postal Cover at the ceremony.

Girish Chandra Murmu, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Toyam Raya, Auditor General of Nepal. The agreement aims to enhance collaboration and exchange of expertise in the field of auditing between the two countries’ Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs).

While the South Korea and Thailand have achieved universal health coverage, others lag behind with India having the lowest health insurance coverage among older people at 21%, a report titled ‘Aging Well In Asia’ prepared by ADB said.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has raised its growth forecast for India by 40 basis points to 6.6 per cent for 2024-25, holding that buoyant public investment and improved business confidence are expected to propel India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace Technologies, an Indian defence and aerospace company has marked a milestone in Bengaluru by unveiling the FWD-200B, pegged to be the country’s first indigenous bomber unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The FWD-200B is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle designed and manufactured entirely in India.

Fship, a tech-driven logistics platform, has partnered with the postal service India Post which is the backbone of the country’s communication network. This collaboration aims to benefit Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) startups, small and medium businesses (SMBs), and MSMEs across India by enhancing last-mile delivery services for e-commerce products.

The Reserve Bank of India has approved the reappointment of Atanu Chakraborty as part-time Chairman of HDFC Bank for three years with effect from May 5. He served the Government of India for 35 years as a member of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in Gujarat cadre.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Sanjeev Nautiyal as the managing director and chief executive officer of Ujjivan Small Finance Bank for three years with effect from July 1. Nautiyal will take over from bank’s managing director and chief executive officer Ittira Davis.

Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics Bharat, has been appointed as Chairperson of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Advisory Council (APAC), for three years. Mallika Nadda, wife of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda, has been serving as the Chairperson of Special Olympics Bharat since 2021.

Peak XV Partners-backed fabless semiconductor startup
Mindgrove Technologies said that it launched what it
claimed is India’s first commercial high-performance SoC
(system on chip). Named Secure IoT, it is designed for
Internet of Things (IoT) devices and will likely cost 30%
less than other chips in similar segments.

REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power and a leading NBFC, has received a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the Reserve Bank of India, for setting up a wholly owned subsidiary in International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT), Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Panamanians has elected José Raúl Mulino, a former
public security minister, as their next president. In a field
of eight candidates, Mr. Mulino led the polls, vowing to
return Panama to the economic growth it experienced
under Ricardo Martinelli, who was president from 2009
to 2014.

One97 Communications Limited, which runs Paytm, has
announced the appointment of Rakesh Singh as the new
CEO of Paytm Money, while Varun Sridhar, the existing
CEO, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer
of Paytm Services Private Limited (PSPL).

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken the delivery of its
second C-295 aircraft from Airbus in Spain. Tata
Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus are jointly
executing the programme. The European plane maker
will deliver 16 planes in flyaway condition, while the rest
will be assembled in India at a Tata facility in Gujarat’s
Vadodara city.

Wrestling’s world governing body United World Wrestling (UWW) has suspended Bajrang Punia till the end of this year following National Anti Doping Agency’s (NADA’s) decision to hand him a provisional suspension for refusing to undergo a dope test.

India and Ghana have agreed to work ‘expeditiously’ towards the operationalisation of India’s instant payment system Unified Payment Interface (UPI) on Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS) within six months, the government said.

India Ratings and Research has revised upward the country’s GDP growth estimate for FY25 to 7.1 per cent from 6.5 per cent earlier. The domestic rating agency said strong support from the sustained government capex, deleveraged balance sheets of corporate and banking sector, and the incipient private corporate capex cycle make it revise its estimate.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has
successfully conducted the first ignition trial of a semicryogenic pre-burner at its ISRO Propulsion Complex
(IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. This is the first time
this technology has been employed in ISRO’s semicryogenic engine development.

The Indian Army and the Air Force are planning to jointly deploy MQ-9B Predator drones at air bases in Sarsawa and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, for upgrading their surveillance capabilities all along the Line of Actual Control with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.

Every year, International Labour Day is celebrated on
May 1 to spread awareness of the contribution that
workers and the working class make to society. This year,
the theme for International Labour Day is “Ensure
workplace safety and health amidst climate change”

India and Croatia held the 11th session of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) on 30 April 2024 in New Delhi. The Indian side was led by Shri Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs and the Croatian side was led by Dr. Petar Mihatov, Director General for Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia.

The Japanese men’s U-23 football team made history by winning the AFC U-23 Asian Cup for the second time, crushing Uzbekistan in a thrilling final at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The sixth edition of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup took place in Qatar from April 15 to May 3, 2024, with 16 teams from throughout Asia competing for the coveted title.

Constitution Park, jointly developed by Indian Army and Punit Balan Group, was inaugurated in Pune on 06 May. The park was inaugurated by General OfficerCommanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Southern Command, Lt Gen Ajai Kumar Singh. Speaking after the inauguration, Singh said that in order to propel India towards development by 2047, every citizen must honor the duties outlined in the Constitution.

Groww Mutual Fund launched India’s first Nifty NonCyclical Consumer Index Fund. The fund is an openended scheme replicating/tracking the Non-Cyclical Consumer Index–TRI. The new fund offer or NFO of the scheme is open for subscription and it will close on May 16.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has celebrated its 65th Raising Day on May 07, 2024. Raised with just two projects in 1960 – Project Tusker (now Vartak) in the East and Project Beacon in the North, the BRO has today become a vibrant organisation with 18 projects operating in 11 States and three Union Territories.

A wild orangutan has astonished researchers by using a medicinal plant to treat his cheek wound. Orangutans are found only in Indonesia and Malaysia and are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Pakistan, in collaboration with China, launched its firstever lunar mission, iCube-Qamar, from the Chinese city of Hainan, with authorities saying the satellite will orbit the moon as part of Beijing’s Chang’e-6 space mission. The satellite was launched on a Chinese Long March 5 Y8 rocket

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced an AI-generated avatar as its digital spokesperson, marking a first in the world of diplomacy. The ministry introduced ‘Victoria Shi’ on social media with a small clip of herself introducing herself.

Kerala is again on high alert as the state has been reporting cases of West Nile virus — a new vector-borne disease caused by mosquito bites. High fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, stupor, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis are among the symptoms of West Nile fever.

Infosys has announced that it has been certified with ISO 42001:2023, world’s first international standard on AI management systems, by TUV India (part of TÜV Nord Group). Infosys is among the first IT services companies globally to have earned the certification for implementing an Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS) framework.

New York leads the pack, boasting 349,500 millionaires and a wealth exceeding $3 trillion. The Bay Area tech hub, Tokyo, Singapore, London, Los Angeles, Paris, Sydney, Hong Kong, and Beijing complete the top 10. These cities offer diverse opportunities and amenities, attracting affluent individuals and businesses.

India received over $111 billion in remittances in 2022, the largest in the world, becoming the first country to reach and even surpass the $100 billion mark, the United Nations migration agency the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said.

Setu, a leading Indian fintech company and part of the Pine Labs Group, unveiled Sesame, India’s first Large Language Model (LLM) specifically designed for the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector. Developed in collaboration with indigenous AI research firm Sarvam AI, the company said this marks a “ChatGPT moment” in financial services.

The nonprofit news organization ProPublica received the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service journalism for its investigation into politically connected billionaires lavishing luxurious gifts on US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. The series of reports called “Friends of the Court” prompted a national conversation and moved the nation’s high court to adopt its first ethics code.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Jindal Steel and Power (JSP) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi, aimed at bolstering the supply of indigenous marine-grade steel for shipbuilding projects. The MoU underscores the commitment of both entities to boost indigenization efforts and enhance the utilization of marine-grade steel in domestic shipbuilding initiatives.

India surpassed Japan to claim the title of the world’s third-largest solar power generator in 2023 as it has climbed from ninth ranking in 2015, according to a report from global energy think tank Ember. In 2023, solar energy achieved a milestone as it contributed 5.5 percent to global production and India alone generated 5.8 percent of its electricity from solar energy.

Recently, the world’s largest facility designed to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere started operations in Iceland. Dubbed “Mammoth,” this plant is Climeworks’ second commercial direct air capture (DAC) facility in the nation and is significantly larger than its predecessor, Orca, which began in 2021.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), in a circular, has issued guidelines that put the onus of verifying merchant details on acquiring banks for BHIM Aadhaar Pay. BHIM Aadhaar Pay enables merchants to receive digital payments from customers over the counter through Aadhaar Authentication, according to the NPCI website.

Google Wallet is finally available in India. Google
launched the digital wallet app Google Wallet in the US
in 2022. As per Google Wallet website, Google Wallet is
a ‘secure and private digital wallet’ that allows users
quick access to movie and travel passes, tickets, keys or
IDs that they share on the app.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to lift restrictions on Bank of Baroda’s BoB World app with immediate effect, allowing it to onboard customers, the bank said in the exchange filing. Earlier in October 2023, the RBI directed the Bank of Baroda to suspend any onboarding of customers onto its ‘BoB World’ mobile application, based on certain supervisory concerns

India has inked a 10-year agreement to manage the strategically located Iranian port of Chabahar, aimed at facilitating expanded trade with Central Asia. The Chabahar port, situated on the Gulf of Oman and initially proposed for development by New Delhi in 2003, will serve as a crucial gateway for Indian goods to access landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reappointed Mikhail Mishustin as prime minister. Mishustin has been credited with keeping the Russian economy stable amid the Covid-19 pandemic and following the war with Ukraine, which led to sanctions from Europe and the United States.

Rizwan Koita, Director of Koita Foundation and cofounder of CitiusTech, has been appointed as the chairperson of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH). NABH is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI) that is responsible for setting benchmarks for quality, accrediting and certifying hospitals and other healthcare organisations.

The Kadet Defence Systems, along with the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) developed India’s 1st indigenous Loitering Aerial Munitions for Armed Forces. Kadet has signed a contract to deliver over 50 systems by the end of the year to meet the future requirements of the operational needs of the Indian armed forces.

Bank of India has signed a MOU with the Indian Coast Guard, offering a Defence service Salary Package with best in class features under its “BOI Rakshak Salary/ Pension Savings Scheme”. The signing ceremony was held on May 9, at the Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi, with the Indian Coast Guard represented by Narendra Singh, Deputy Inspector General & Principal Director (Administration) and Bank of India was represented by Sharda Bhushan Rai.

HDFC Bank said it supported social sector startups in India with grants worth Rs 19.6 crore in FY24, in partnership with Atal Innovation Mission (under NITI Aayog). In FY 2023-24, 170 social start-ups received funding via 41 incubators, with a total of Rs 19.6 crore in the ‘Parivartan Start-up Grants programme.’

Former parliamentarian Dileep Sanghani, who served as a cabinet minister when Narendra Modi was chief minister of Gujarat, was re-elected as chairman of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) for the second consecutive term.

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman and Secretary, Department of Space, Government of India, S Somanath unveiled the carbon reduction initiative of SFO Technologies, the flagship company of the NeST Group.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced that one of its labs has achieved success in developing liquid Ramjet fuel for an advanced air-breathing engine. This fuel has been tested successfully at Ramjet Test bed at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) on May 8.

The 7th edition of India- France Joint Military Exercise SHAKTI is being held at Umroi, in a fully developed and modern Foreign Training Node in Meghalaya. The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 13th to 26th May 2024.

India participated in the 19th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), held at the UN Headquarters in New York from May 6th to 10th May 2024. The forum was headed by Permanent Representative of Burundi to the United Nations Ambassador Zéphyrin Maniratanga.

Three Indian literary works, Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayaloka-Locana, were added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register during the tenth meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP), held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The State Bank of India (SBI) has announced that it has secured the distinction of being the first bank to become a trading-cum-clearing (TCM) Member of India International Bullion Exchange at the GIFT City in Gujarat. This milestone enables SBI IBU Gift City to conduct trades on the IIBX platform and settle them on behalf of its clients, per an official release.

Hyderabad-based Greenko ZeroC has entered into an agreement with Norway’s Yara Clean Ammonia to supply renewable ammonia. Greenko will supply green ammonia from Phase 1 of its ammonia production facility in Kakinada, India.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) on May 14 celebrated the completion of 250 years. To mark the day, a series of events were organised in Mumbai, presided over by Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane. The celebration also included the commissioning of a Solar Electric Hybrid boat and the release of MDLs Commemorative Coin.

The seventh edition of the Indo-U.S. joint counter terrorism exercise “Tarkash”, between the elite National Security Guard (NSG) and the U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) was held in Kolkata. The previous edition of the exercise was conducted at Chennai in January 2023.

Several Indian universities have achieved positions in the annual Times Higher Education- Young University Rankings that were announced recently. As many as two Indian universities have ranked in the top 100 list. The Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala ranked 81 while Anna University, Chennai is at 96th position.

The country’s largest private sector lender, HDFC Bank, on May 14, launched PIXEL, its first virtual credit card with Visa’s network. The card is available in two variants: PIXEL Play and PIXEL Go and allows users to build their own cards with personalised benefits, offers, etc.

TATA AIG has unveiled India’s first satellite in-orbit thirdparty liability insurance policy, targeting the specific needs of satellite operators and manufacturers within the country’s rapidly growing space industry. This policy offers coverage for third-party injuries and property damage resulting from satellite operations, complying with global standards and practices.

India has decided to continue its budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a $50 million treasury bill for another year. These treasury bills are subscribed by SBI under government-to-government, a unique arrangement at zero cost (interest-free) to the Government of Maldives.

SBI General Insurance has recently collaborated with Bima Central, developed by CAMS Insurance Repository. Bima Central is industry’s first policyholder servicing platform that allows customers to aggregate their insurance portfolio through an electronic Insurance Account (eIA).

This year’s Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list represents a diverse group from 21 countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific region, with India leading with 86 entries, followed by China and Japan with 32 each, Singapore with 27, Australia with 26, and Indonesia with 18.

Economist Lawrence Wong was on 15 May sworn in as Singapore’s fourth prime minister in a planned political transition for the island state. Wong, 51, succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, 72, who relinquished his position after two decades.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed R. Lakshmi Kanth Rao as Executive Director (ED) with effect from May 10, 2024. Prior to being promoted as ED, Rao was serving as Chief General Manager-in-Charge in the Department of Regulation.

Idashisha Nongrang has been appointed the first woman Director General of Police (DGP) of Meghalaya, a hill State dominated by three matrilineal ethnic communities. Ms. Nongrang belongs to the Khasi community and served as Director General of Meghalaya Civil Defence before being appointment. She served as the acting DGP in 2021.

Japan won their first Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Trophy, defeating Pakistan 4-1 in a penalty shootout in the 30th Sultan Azlan Shah Trophy final. The final took place at Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia, on May 11, 2024.

In Trampoline, India’s Srishti Khandagale scripted history by becoming the first ever Indian to win a medal at the Asian Trampoline Gymnastics Championships. She clinched the silver medal in Women’s Individual Age group category at the 6th Asian Trampoline Gymnastics Championship held in Hong Kong, China.

Dr. Surjit Patar, a revered Punjabi writer and poet, passed away at the age of 79 due to cardiac arrest at his residence in Ludhiana’s Ashapuri area. Dr. Patar served as a professor of Punjabi at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, where he embarked on his journey in Punjabi literature. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2012.

The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 25th May as the World Football Day. The year 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the first international football tournament in history with the representation of all regions as part of the 1924 Summer Olympic Games, held in Paris.

Chandrakant Satija, the Founder and CEO of Chandra Admission Consultants, won the Global Excellence Award 2024 for being the “Most Trusted Admission Consultant in Vidarbha Region”. The award was presented to him by the famous Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra. He was adjudged as the Most Trusted Admissions Consultant in Vidarbha Region.

Japan and the US are planning to develop interceptors to shoot down hypersonic missiles by the 2030s under a contract signed by the two countries. The plan, which will reportedly cost more than $3 billion, was first announced in August when the nations’ leaders met at a summit with South Korea in Camp David outside Washington.

World Aquatics has announced the opening of the firstever competitive swimming pool at a record altitude of 2,400 meters above sea level in Bhutan. The pool is part of the Pools for All Program to promote aquatic sports in the region.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is celebrated every year in May to honour the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on May 17, 1969. This year’s World Telecommunications and Information Society Day 2024 focuses on the theme, “Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development”.

India and Zimbabwe have agreed to explore cooperation in digital transformation solutions, tele-medicines, rough diamonds, fast payment systems and traditional medicine. During the third session of India-Zimbabwe Joint Trade Committee held in New Delhi, both sides reviewed the bilateral trade and explored the vast potential that exists between the two countries.

The World Economic Situation and Prospects report as of mid-2024 said, “India’s economy is forecast to expand by 6.9 per cent in 2024 and 6.6 per cent in 2025, mainly driven by strong public investment and resilient private consumption”.

The annual inflation rate based on all India Consumer Price Index (CPI) number is 4.83% (Provisional) for the month of April, 2024 (over April, 2023). Corresponding inflation rate for rural and urban is 5.43% and 4.11%, respectively. CPI for the months of January, February and March 2024 are 5.10, 5.09 and 4.85 respectively.

Cristiano Ronaldo topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for the fourth time in his career while Spanish golfer Jon Rahm moved up to second following his sensational switch to Saudi-backed LIV Golf. Ronaldo became the world’s highest-paid athlete after his move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr and Forbes said the 39- year-old’s estimated total earnings were in the region of $260 million, an all-time high for a soccer player.

Located at over 13,000 feet above the sea level, the allweather accessible Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh has been officially recognised as the highest tunnel in the country by the International Book of Honour, England. It is an engineering marvel constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) organised the ‘ONDC Startup Mahotsav’, a first of its kind event, on 17th May 2024 at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. The event symbolized the celebration and collaboration of two of DPIIT’s flagship initiatives – the Startup India initiative and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).

SBI Mutual Fund has launched its new thematic fund – SBI Automotive Opportunities Fund. The new fund is an open-ended equity scheme following automotive and allied business activities theme. The fund has opened for subscription on May 17 and will close on May 31, 2024.

YES Bank has launched YES Grandeur, a banking program targeted at the emerging affluent section of the society. So, only banking customers with an average monthly balance (AMB) of Rs 5 lakh or a net relationship value (NRV) of Rs 20 lakh will be eligible for the program, with additional consideration to loan relationships.

The Pakistan Army successfully conducted the testlaunch of Fatah-II guided rocket system that has a range of 400 kilometres. The rocket system will significantly upgrade the reach and lethality of the army’s conventional arsenal.

In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have identified a new planet, dubbed WASP-193b, which, despite being larger than Jupiter, possesses a density so low that it has been likened to cotton candy. This remarkable finding was reported by an international team of researchers, shedding light on the unusual properties of some exoplanets.

PUMA India has signed a deal with the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to become its official kit sponsor, the sports brand said. Puma signed a multi-year deal to exclusively supply performance kits, speed suits and travel gear to every athlete under AFI representing India at both domestic and international tournaments.

World AIDS Vaccine Day, also recognized as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, is observed annually on May 18. World AIDS Vaccine Day serves as a global initiative to raise awareness about the urgent need for a vaccine to prevent HIV infection and AIDS.

The Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS), a digital platform for online reporting of damages incurred during various disasters, was launched in Guwahati by Assam Chief Secretary Dr Ravi Kota.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country’s foreign minister were found dead hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.

Reigning world champion Nikhat Zareen and Minakshi clinched gold medals as the Indian team concluded their Elorda Cup 2024 campaign with 12 medals in Astana, Kazakhstan. Besides Nikhat and Minakshi’s gold medals, Indian boxers won two silver and eight bronze medals to better their last edition’s record of five medals.

Bank of Maharashtra has emerged as the best performer among public sector banks in the last fiscal year, boasting the highest growth rates in both total business and deposit mobilisation. According to published financial data, the Pune-based lender recorded a significant 15.94% increase in total business (domestic) in FY24, surpassing even the formidable State Bank of India (SBI), which achieved a growth rate of 13.12%.

BEML Ltd has secured an order worth Rs 250 crore from Northern Coal Fields Limited (NCL) for the supply of 28 units of BH100 rear dump trucks, the company said. The BH100 rear dump truck is engineered to transport payloads of up to 100 tonnes, specifically designed for the efficient handling of overburden and coal in mining operations, they said.

Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te was sworn in as president of the democratic island in the face of growing Chinese military pressure and a hostile parliament. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has branded 64-year-old Lai a “dangerous separatist” who will bring “war and decline” to the island.

Mohammad Mokhber is Iran’s interim president now after late President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials were confirmed killed in a helic0opter crash and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei approved his accession to the role. As per the constitution, they must set things in motion for a new presidential election to be held within 50 days.

The Indian Army has started receiving the Russian AK203 assault rifles after the deal with Russia saw back-toback delays, partly due to the war in Ukraine and payment delays. As many as 27,000 rifles have been handed over to the Army so far by the Indo-Russian joint venture Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) established at Korwa in Uttar Pradesh, according to official sources.

M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt. Ltd built the LSAM 20, the 6th Barge of the 11 x ACTCM Barge Project.

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA) recently received Navratna status from the Ministry of Finance.

 The UNHCR Climate Resilience Fund aims to raise USD 100 million by 2025 to protect refugees and displaced communities from climate change impacts.

The 26th World Energy Congress was co-hosted by the World Energy Council in Rotterdam

The Asian Development Bank pledged USD 23.6 billion from its resources in 2023 to aid sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific.

The SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting was held in Kazakhstan.

The “Bima Vistaar” insurance policy for rural communities is priced at Rs 1,500 per policy.

India topped the medal tally at the 2024 Hyundai Archery World Cup Stage 1.

: The Indian Air Force deployed the Mi-17 V5 helicopter for “Bambi Bucket Operation” to control forest fires in Nainital.

Sana Mir was named the ambassador of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) received the order to set up the Raigarh Phase-II Thermal Power Plant.

 Kerala will host the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46).

Basanti Devi has been awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for 2024.

The “Global Investment Report 2024” was launched by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Hyderabad hosted the “National Women’s Parliament 2024.”

 India topped the medal tally at the 2024 Hyundai Archery World Cup Stage 1.

Bhakti Sharma became the first Indian woman to cross the English Channel solo.

Odisha launched the “CM’s Air Ambulance Scheme” to provide emergency medical assistance

The World Economic Forum (WEF) launched the “Global Gender Gap Report 2024.”

New Delhi hosted the “National Street Food Festival 2024.”

Madhya Pradesh launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Sishu Suraksha Yojana’ to protect the rights of children.

Karnataka became the first Indian state to implement “Gender Budgeting” in its state budget.

Bihar introduced the “Mukhyamantri Old Age Pension Scheme” to support senior citizens financially.

The “Global Wage Report 2024” was released by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The “PM-PRANAM” scheme promotes the use of organic fertilizers.

Madhya Pradesh launched the “Mukhyamantri Vidya Niketan Yojana” to provide quality education to students from economically weaker sections.

France became the first country to introduce a law banning the use of plastic in packaging.

The main objective of the “Setu Bharatam” program is to eliminate railway level crossings.

Haryana launched the “Mukhyamantri Krishi Ayushman Yojana” to provide health insurance to farmers

The United Kingdom became the first country to introduce a law requiring EV chargers in all new homes.

Madhya Pradesh launched the “Mukhyamantri Vridhjan Pension Yojana” to provide financial support to senior citizens.

Bhakti Sharma became the first Indian woman to cross the English Channel solo.

 The “Global Forest Resources Assessment 2024” was launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The “World Energy Outlook 2024” was released by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Rajasthan launched the “CM’s Gramin Bicycle Scheme” to promote cycling in rural areas.

 Madhya Pradesh launched the “Mukhyamantri Swasthya Yojana” to provide free healthcare services to all residents.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) launched the “Global Gender Gap Report 2024.”

The United States launched the first-ever “Global Climate Change Fund” to support climate action in developing countries.

New Delhi hosted the “National Street Food Festival 2024.”

Madhya Pradesh launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Sishu Suraksha Yojana’ to protect the rights of children.

Karnataka became the first Indian state to implement “gender budgeting” in its state budget.

Bihar introduced the “Mukhyamantri Old Age Pension Scheme” to support senior citizens financially.

Rajasthan launched the “CM’s Gramin Bicycle Scheme” to promote cycling in rural areas.

The main objective of the “Setu Bharatam” program is to eliminate railway level crossings.

Bhakti Sharma became the first Indian woman to cross the English Channel solo.

The “Global Wage Report 2024” was released by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The “PM-PRANAM” scheme promotes the use of organic fertilizers.

Madhya Pradesh launched the “Mukhyamantri Vidya Niketan Yojana” to provide quality education to students from economically weaker sections.

France became the first country to introduce a law banning the use of plastic in packaging.

 Haryana launched the “Mukhyamantri Krishi Ayushman Yojana” to provide health insurance to farmers.

Pakistan launched its maiden lunar mission, ICube Qamar (ICUBE-Q).

Mindgrove launched India’s first commercial System on Chip (SoC) named Secure Internet of Things (IoT).

 Setu unveiled “Sesame,” India’s first Large Language Model (LLM) for the BFSI sector.

ProPublica will be honored with the Pulitzer Prize 2024 for Public Service.

Kerala decided to join the Centre’s Scheme for Modernisation and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART-PDS).

Bajaj Auto is set to launch the world’s first CNG-powered motorcycle.

The state’s first international cricket stadium in Narsingarh is a collaboration between TCA and BCCI.

The government plans to replace the Explosives Act, 1884 with the Explosives Bill, 2024.

China’s men’s team won the 33rd edition of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Thomas Cup 2024.

The INROAD project is supported by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA).

 Kerala decided to join the Centre’s Scheme for Modernisation and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART-PDS).

Bajaj Auto is set to launch the world’s first CNG-powered motorcycle.

The state’s first international cricket stadium in Narsingarh is a collaboration between TCA and BCCI.

The government plans to replace the Explosives Act, 1884 with the Explosives Bill, 2024.

China’s men’s team won the 33rd edition of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Thomas Cup 2024.

 The INROAD project is supported by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA).

Yuzvendra Chahal became the first Indian bowler to take 350 wickets in T20 cricket history.

The “World Migration Report 2024” was launched by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Idashisha Nongrang became the first woman Director General of Police (DGP) in Meghalaya.

Venezuela has become the first country in modern history to lose all of its glaciers.

Madhya Pradesh launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Yuva Kaushal Yojana’ to provide skill development training to the youth.

France became the first country in the world to ban advertisements for fossil fuels.

Ravneet Kaur was appointed as the Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

ISRO launched the Oceansat-3 satellite to monitor the Indian Ocean.

Karnataka became the first Indian state to implement the ‘National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.’

The Indian Army inducted the indigenous ATAGS (Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System) under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.

Madhya Pradesh launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Solar Pump Yojana’ to provide solar pumps to farmers.

The World Bank approved a loan of USD 250 million to India for the ‘Resilient Kerala Program.’

The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) launched the ‘Matsya Sampada Yojana’ to enhance fish production and create employment opportunities in the fisheries sector.

Haryana launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Krishi Ayushman Yojana’ to provide health insurance to farmers.

Madhya Pradesh launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Divyang Pension Yojana’ to provide financial assistance to disabled persons.

The National Health Authority (NHA) is responsible for implementing the ‘Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).’

 Madhya Pradesh launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Smart Gram Yojana’ to develop model villages.

 Karnataka became the first Indian state to introduce “Gender Budgeting” in the state budget.

Rajasthan launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Anuprati Coaching Yojana’ to provide free coaching to underprivileged students.

Ravneet Kaur was appointed as the Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

The ‘Santushti Portal’ was launched to monitor and resolve grievances related to the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESIC).

Bihar introduced the ‘Mukhyamantri Old Age Pension Scheme’ to provide financial support to senior citizens.

The primary objective of establishing 1,000 Farmers’ Produce Organizations (FPOs) is to enhance farmers’ income.

Madhya Pradesh launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Solar Pump Yojana’ to provide solar pumps to farmers.

The World Bank approved a loan of USD 250 million to India for the ‘Resilient Kerala Program.’

ISRO launched the Oceansat-3 satellite to monitor the Indian Ocean.

Karnataka became the first Indian state to implement the ‘National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.’

The Indian Army inducted the indigenous ATAGS (Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System) under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.

Haryana launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Krishi Ayushman Yojana’ to provide health insurance to farmers.

The National Health Authority (NHA) is responsible for implementing the ‘Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).’

The ‘Santushti Portal’ was launched to monitor and resolve grievances related to the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESIC).

Madhya Pradesh launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Divyang Pension Yojana’ to provide financial assistance to disabled persons.