September 2024 Current Affairs MCQ Questions and Answers

The ‘First Policy Makers’ Forum’ inaugurated by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilisers JP Nadda, was held in New Delhi. To elevate India’s position in the global pharmaceutical sector, the Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Indian in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of External Affairs, hosted an international delegation of policymakers and drug regulators from 15 countries.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar Yojana, aimed at delivering nutritious food to children in government-run schools. During the launch in Hamirpur, Sukhu stated that this initiative would com lement the existing midday meal scheme, targeting students from nursery to Class 8 across 15,181 schools.

Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist Sumit Antil and shot- put star Bhagyashri Jadhav were the flagbearers of Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the Paris Paralympics. The Paralympic Games is being held from 28 August to 08 September 2024.

The Union Minister of Power and Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, launched three online portals DRIPS, PROMPT, and JAL VIDYUT DPR during an event held in New Delhi. This portal is a strategic initiative by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) aimed at bolstering the development of hydropower and pumped storage projects (PSPs) in the country

The 510 MW Teesta 5 power station of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) in Sikkim was damaged by a severe landslide in August 2024. In a statement, NHPC said that the landslide has affected the “TRT Gate hoist structure and part of the GIS Building”.

The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has appointed Satya Prakash Sangwan as the Chef de Mission (CMD) of the Indian contingent for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Sangwan, is also the Vice-President of PCl. Sangwan’s extensive experience and passion for para- sports have made him a respected figure in the community.

Amid political unrest in Bangladesh, International Cricket Council (ICC) moved the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup out of the country. The global cricket governing body had a virtual board meeting and United Arab Emirates has been zeroed in as the new venue.

Bengaluru headquartered BEML, signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with the Directorate of Marine Engineering, Indian Navy. The collaboration will enhance indigenous marine engineering capabilities, ensuring that both current and future naval projects are equipped with state-of-the-art, domestically produced technology.

The Reserve Bank of India has announced that the RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has received an “A ” rating in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2024 for the second consecutive year. The Global Finance magazine has been publishing the Central Banker Report Cards every year since 1994.

In a significant development for India’s green energy sector, the union minister of new and renewable energy Pralhad Joshi, chaired the signing ceremony of the first- ever agreement for the export of Green Ammonia from India to Japan. This project offtake agreement marks a crucial step forward in India’s aim to become a global leader in green hydrogen and ammonia production.

B2B e-commerce company Udaan has partnered with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to transform fair price shops (FPSs) into Jan Poshan Kendras (JPK), the company announced in a press release.

The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology joined its BRICS counterparts on the launch of a Centre for Industrial Competences in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to support the development of Industrial skills and capabilities.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced a new feature called ‘UPI Circle’ on its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform. This feature allows primary UPI account holders to securely delegate payment responsibilities to trusted secondary users.

In August 2024, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Geoscience Awards (NGA) for 2023 to 21 geoscientists, including academicians and professionals from across the country. Prof Dhiraj Mohan Banerjee received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work on phosphorites, isotope geology, and organic geochemistry.

India edged out Chinese Taipei and China to bag the silver medal at the Maruhaba Cup, a team event in the Asian Surfing Championships 2024 held in the Maldives. The silver came just a day after India secured its first-ever Asian Games quotas in surfing.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India reported a significant surge in internet subscribers from 88.1 crore in March 2023 to 95.4 crore by March 2024, marking an 8.30% annual growth. Broadband users also saw a notable rise, increasing by 9.15%, alongside higher wireless data usage, leading to an overall tele-density of 85.69% by March 2024.

Overseas Indians deposited around $4 billion in nonresident Indian (NRI) deposit schemes in April – June FY25, up 79 per cent over the amount deposited in these schemes in the same period last year, data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) showed.

Aditya Birla Finance Limited (ABFL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital and AU Small Finance Bank Limited, India’s largest small finance bank (SFB), has announced the launch of Aditya Birla Finance AU credit cards, powered by and available on Visa and RuPay payment networks.

Former cricketer and chief selector Faruque Ahmed replaced Nazmul Hasan Papon as the new president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after the incumbent resigned in the wake of the political unrest in the country. The BCB held an emergency meeting on 21 August during which the 58-year-old Ahmed was elected.

LIC Housing Finance Limited has launched a home loan scheme called ‘Griha Rakshak’ for the armed forces. Under the Griha Rakshak scheme, eligible applicants with a CIBIL score of 750 and above can avail of home loans up to Rs 2 crore at a competitive interest rate of 8.4 percent per annum.

The International Day of Charity, established by the United Nations in 2012, is observed annually on September 5 to honor the life and work of Mother Teresa, who passed away on this day in 1997. Mother Teresa, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, dedicated her life to the poor and sick, earning global recognition for her acts of compassion. This day promotes charitable efforts and humanitarian work across the world, inspiring global solidarity and social responsibility. The focus is on raising awareness about the need for charity and encouraging individuals and organizations to take part in philanthropic activities.

Teachers’ Day in India is celebrated annually on September 5 in honor of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was born on this day in 1888. Radhakrishnan was not only India’s second President but also a distinguished philosopher and educationist. When his students wanted to celebrate his birthday, he requested that the day be dedicated to all teachers. Since 1962, September 5 has been marked as a day to honor the dedication and contributions of teachers, recognizing their role in shaping society and nurturing future generations.

Legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, cofounder of Studio Ghibli, has been honored with the Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2024. This award, often referred to as Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize, recognizes individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to society in various fields, including governance, literature, and arts. Miyazaki, known for creating iconic films like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, received the award for his contributions to environmental protection and peace advocacy through animation. His work often explores themes of environmentalism, pacifism, and the human connection to nature.

The Union Ministry of Finance has announced plans to sell a 6.78% stake in General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), a public-sector reinsurance company. This is part of the government’s efforts to divest its holdings in state-owned enterprises. The sale is expected to raise around Rs 4,700 crore through the offer-for-sale (OFS) route. Non-retail investors had the opportunity to participate in this sale, and the floor price was set at Rs 395 per share, which represents a 6% discount on the current market price. This is the first major stake sale in GIC Re since its IPO in 2017.

Mohan Natarajan, a prominent figure in Tamil cinema, passed away recently after suffering from age-related ailments. He was a well-respected producer who produced several successful films under his banner, Sri Rajakaliamman Enterprises. Some of his most notable works include Kannukkul Nilavu starring Vijay, Deiva Thirumagal featuring Vikram, and Vel with Suriya. In addition to producing films, Natarajan also appeared in several movies, often portraying villainous roles. His contribution to the Tamil film industry, both as a producer and actor, made him a respected figure in Indian cinema.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment launched a Building and Other Construction Workers (BoCW) Management Information System (MIS) portal to review the preparedness of states and union territories in the finalisation of draft rules under the four Labour Codes and progress of implementation of welfare schemes for BoCW.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has recently inaugurated the new GST Bhavan in Udaipur located in the Hiran Magri area of the city. The new GST Bhawan has a conference hall, meeting hall, data analytics cell, library, interrogation cell, and a guest house, officials said.

The Centre has appointed 1992 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer B Srinivasan as the new director general of National Security Guard (NSG). Srinivasan takes over as NSG director general after Nalin Prabhat’s departure to being deputed as Jammu and Kashmir’s Special Director General of Police.

Oil and gas company Petronet LNG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sri Lanka’s LTL Holdings Limited to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to LTL’s dual-fuel power plants in Colombo. The LNG will be transported via ISO tank containers using a multimodal transport system.

IT industry body national association of software services companies (NASSCOM) announced the appointment of Rajesh Nambiar as its president-designate. Nambiar, who resigned as chairman and managing director of Cognizant India, succeeds Debjani Ghosh at NASSCOM, who completes her tenure in November 2024.

India and Denmark have joined hands to establish a ‘smart laboratory on clean rivers’ (SLCR) in Varanasi to bring excellence in small river rejuvenation and management. The alliance is a tripartite initiative between the Government of India, the Indian Institute of Technology-Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU), and the Govt of Denmark.

India has signed a loan package of USD 500 million with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to improve access to quality and affordable tertiary health care and medical education in Maharashtra. The loan will help establish four medical colleges attached to tertiary care teaching hospitals incorporating climate- and disaster-resilient, gender-responsive, and socially inclusive features in under-served districts.

Tata AIA Life Insurance introduced a term insurance plan called Sampoorna Raksha Promise, which offers term insurance with immediate payouts on death claims, flexible premium payments, and benefits for terminal illness diagnoses.

Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, one of the leading private general insurers in India, and HSBC India have announced a strategic partnership to offer Bajaj Allianz General Insurance’s comprehensive suite of insurance products and services to HSBC’s vast customer base in India.

Assam has recorded the mithun (Bos frontalis) for the first time, generations after the semi-wild gaur-like animal began to be reared by tribals in the state’s hill district of Dima Hasao. Mithun is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland and found also in the hills of Mizoram and Manipur.

In a significant advancement of its ongoing initiative to establish a standardized, geo-coded addressing system in India, the Department of Posts (DoP) has signed a pivotal memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Amrit Lal Meena, Secretary of the Ministry of Coal launched the National Coal Mines Safety Report Portal. The portal aims for comprehensive safety audits and zero accidents. It includes an Accident Module for prompt reporting and a Safety Audit Module to strengthen processes.

Flipkart’s Supply Chain Operations Academy (SCOA) exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) at the Samarth event with the mission to upskill thousands of employable youths across India.

Piramal Capital and Housing Finance Limited and Central Bank of India have announced a strategic partnership to expand their co-lending business. The collaboration will provide loans to middle and low-income borrowers with focus on rural and semi-urban regions.

Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd (TPSSL) has signed an agreement with ICICI Bank to provide financing for solar units to residential and corporate customers. As part of the agreement, the customers can avail themselves of loans up to Rs 90 lakh with collateral-free options and tenure extending up to 5 years.

Dawid Malan, England’s former world No. 1 T20I batter, has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 37. The batter played 22 Tests, 30 ODIs and 62 T20Is for England. He was one among the only two England batters in the men’s team, alongside Jos Buttler to have scored centuries across all the three formats in international cricket.

The Reserve Bank is piloting an application for frictionless credit —Unified Lending Interface (ULI). It will be launched nationwide soon and will become the UPI on the credit side, Governor Shaktikanta Das said. The new technology is aimed at reducing the time taken for appraisal, especially for small borrowers in rural areas, he added.

Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) Limited signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) to finance various upcoming projects. As part of the MoU, REC will provide funds of up to Rs 45,000 crore for JNPA’s infrastructure projects, including the development of the Vadhavan port.

GAIl (India) said that it has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Petron Scientech Inc (Petron) to jointly explore setting up of a 500 Kilo Tons per Annum (KTA) bio-ethylene plant in India. In line with the MoU, GAIL and Petron will jointly undertake feasibility studies to ascertain technical viability and financial prospects of the project.

The bank’s commitment to excellence and innovation was recognized at the prestigious 2nd ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards, where it clinched four coveted awards. Jana Small Finance Bank was honoured with the titles of Best Small Finance Bank, India, Best Performance on Profitability (Runners-up), Best Performance on Asset Quality, and Best Performance on Risk Management.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Jal Jeevan Mission: Har Ghar Jal on August 15, 2019, aiming to ensure safe and sufficient drinking water access for rural households. On March 7, 2024, the Jal Jeevan Mission marked a significant landmark, having furnished tap water connections to more than 75% of households nationwide.

With the objective of fostering collaboration in the field of cooperative management within the fisheries sector, the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE) and the Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MicroSave Consulting (MSC) to optimize the utilization of Community Investment Funds (CIF) and enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).

Private sector lender Yes Bank, has entered into a colending partnership with Newtap Finance to provide personalised financing solutions to creditworthy individuals on CRED. Dreamplug Technologies Private Limited (DTPL), which operates CRED, will serve as the Lending Service Provider (LSP) for Yes Bank and Newtap Finance in this partnership.

Naspers-backed fintech firm PayU has partnered with Amazon Pay Later to provide instant digital credit access to Indian shoppers. As part of this partnership, Amazon Pay Later will be integrated into PayU’s checkout infrastructure, allowing online merchants to offer an instant credit line to their customers.

Kerala Tourism was presented the globally acclaimed Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award 2024 for its online contest ‘Holiday Heist’ in the Digital Marketing Campaign category, at a function PATA Travel Mart 2024 in Bangkok.

The Disaster Management Division of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in collaboration with the National Telecommunications Institute for Policy Research, Innovation, and Training (NTIPRIT) and LSA, Delhi successfully organized the conference on “Experience Sharing and Capacity Building in Disaster Management”.

The Ministry of Textiles has approved four start-ups with a grant of approximately fifty lakh rupees each under the ‘General Guidelines for Enabling of Academic Institutes in Technical Textiles’ (GREAT) scheme at the eighth Empowered Programme Committee meeting.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) unveiled two new products at the Global Fintech Fest 2024: Bharat BillPay System (BBPS) for Business and UPI Circle for delegated payments. Shaktikanta Das, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), introduced these products at the event.

The Reserve Bank of India has recognised Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) as an Self-Regulatory Organisation in FinTech Sector (SRO-FT). Earlier in May 2024, the RBI finalised the framework for establishing SROs within the FinTech industry, aiming to promote “healthy and sustainable development” under the central bank’s oversight.

In a significant move aimed at bolstering workplace safety for women, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, under the leadership of Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi, has launched the new SHe-Box portal in an event on 29 August 2024.

RailTel Corporation of India Ltd (RailTel) was awarded the ISO 14001:2015 certification, a globally recognized standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). This achievement underscores RailTel’s dedication to not only adhering to regulatory requirements but also prioritizing environmental protection.

IndiaFirst Life has become the first Indian life insurer to commence operations in Gujarat International Finance Tec City (GIFT City). Headquartered in Mumbai, IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Ltd, with a paid-up share capital of Rs 754 crore, is one of the country’s youngest life insurance companies.

V Satish Kumar took over as the chairman of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the nation’s largest oil firm. Kumar, who is director (marketing) at IOC, was given additional charge of chairman following delays in finding a full-time chairman

Shriram Capital, the holding company of the Shriram Group, has appointed Subhasri as its new Managing Director and CEO, effective 1 September. Subhasri, who previously served as Joint Managing Director, has been a key figure in the company since joining as an Officer in the NBFC business in 1991.

The Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) an arm of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American digital payments company, Visa to upskill at least 20,000 Indian youth in tourism-relevant skills.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE Accountability Authority during a bilateral meeting with the President of the UAE Accountability Authority. The MoU aims to foster collaboration between the two Supreme Audit Institutions.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a scheme for trading and settlement of sovereign green bonds (SGrBs) in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in India. The scheme will apply to investments in SGrBs issued by the Government of India to eligible investors in the IFSC in India.

HDFC Bank has introduced GIGA, a financial suite designed for gig workers and freelancers. The programme aims to address the financial needs of India’s burgeoning gig economy. GIGA will cater to this diverse group’s financial requirements.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL), for the fabrication, supply, and launching of Double-Lane Class 70 modular steel and Bailey bridges.

The Armed Forces Festival, organised by Surya Command, unfolded on September 3 at Surya Khel Parisar in Lucknow Cantonment. The three-day event from September 3 to 5, was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed an airframer contract with SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd. (SAFHAL) to begin the joint design, development, manufacture, supply and support of a new generation high power engine ‘Aravalli’ for two helicopters which it is designing and developing.

The Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United World Wrestling (UWW), the global governing body for wrestling, to develop the sport in India. The agreement aims to establish a collaborative framework for developing wrestling in India through various mutually beneficial programs, initiatives, projects, and activities.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya (IIM BG), has organised a transformative 5-day residential Management Development Programme (MDP) from 2nd September to 6th September, 2024

The Union Cabinet Committee chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the Digital Agriculture Mission with an outlay of Rs. 2817 Crore, including the central share of Rs. 1940 Crore. For a similar transformation of the Agriculture Sector, the government announced the building of Digital Public Infrastructure for agriculture in the Union Budget 2023-

The United Nations released $100 million for humanitarian emergencies in 10 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean. Acting UN humanitarian chief Joyce Msuya said a lack of funding in these countries is preventing aid agencies from providing life-saving assistance, and that is heart-wrenching.

Tata AIA Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (Tata AIA) has launched its offshore branch at Gujarat International Finance TecCity (GIFT City), India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). Tata AIA has introduced its first product, the USD-denominated Life Protect Supreme, a comprehensive term insurance plan. The new offering provides policy benefits in US dollars and covers various risks including death, accidents, disability, and critical illness, with coverage extending up to 100 years of age.

Ferrari’s Monacan racing driver Charles Leclerc claimed the Formula One (F1) Italian Grand Prix (GP) 2024 (formally known as the F1 Pirelli Gran Premio D’Italia 2024), which took place at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza, Italy. Leclerc’s triumph marks his second Italian Grand Prix title. He previously won the Italian Grand Prix title in 2019.

India’s economic growth slowed to a 15-month low of 6.7 per cent in April-June 2024-25, mainly due to poor performance of the agriculture and services sectors, National Statistical Office (NSO) data showed. The gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 8.2 per cent in the April-June quarter of 2022-23.

In a ceremony that underscored his exceptional contributions to the Olympic movement, President Emmanuel Macron of France was awarded the Olympic Order in gold. This prestigious distinction was bestowed upon him by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in recognition of his unwavering support for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched a Rs 750-crore fund ‘AgriSure’ to provide financial support to agritech startups even as he underlined the need for increasing public as well as private investments in the farm sector.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched a series of blockchain-based solutions, aimed at enhancing transparency, security, and efficiency in digital service delivery. The VishvasyaBlockchain Technology Stack is designed to offer Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) with a geographically distributed setup to support a range of permissioned blockchain applications.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and the National Test House (NTH) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening India’s Standards & Labeling (S&L) Program. The initiative, crucial for promoting energy efficiency nationwide, will enhance the accuracy and reliability of energy performance standards, impacting millions of consumers.

Indian Navy’s frontline stealth frigate, INS Tabar commanded by Captain MR Harish had recently visited Toulon, France from 29 Aug 24 to 01 Sep 24 and later upon departure participated in the 22nd edition of IN – FN Bilateral Exercise VARUNA from 02 – 04 Sep 24 in the Mediterranean Sea.

Fintech startup POP, founded by former Flipkart employees, has introduced India’s first multi-brand cobranded credit card, the YES BANK POP-CLUB RuPay credit card, developed in collaboration with RuPay and YES Bank.

The 27th National Conference on e-Governance was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadanvis on 03 September at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The theme of the 27th edition of the Conference was ‘Viksit Bharat: Secure And Sustainable e- Service Delivery’.

For the first time in para-athletics, India had a historic one-two finish when Dharambir and Pranav Soorma won the men’s club throw F51 at the Paris Paralympics 2024. In the Stade de France, the 35-year-old Dharambir from Sonipat, Haryana won the gold medal in the event with a record 34.92 meters and broke the Asian record in the process.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that August 20 will be observed and celebrated as Sootea Day to mark the region’s importance in the freedom movement. From now onwards, 20 August will be observed and celebrated as Sootea Day with government’s patronage where people of Sootea will also render adequate support in celebration of the day, he said.

The International Day of Charity is observed annually on September 5 in honour of Mother Teresa. This day was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations to educate individuals, NGOs, and stakeholders about the significance of participating in charitable causes.

President Droupadi Murmu has sanctioned the constitution of the 23rd Law Commission of India, which will serve from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2027. According to a notification, the commission will comprise a full-time Chairperson, four members, and additional ex-officio and part-time members.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched a series of blockchain-based solutions, aimed at enhancing transparency, security, and efficiency in digital service delivery. The VishvasyaBlockchain Technology Stack is designed to offer Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) with a geographically distributed setup to support a range of permissioned blockchain applications.

The Indian Navy and the South African Navy have signed an Implementing Agreement (IA) that ensures the safety of the South African Navy’s submarine crew in times of distress or accident. Under this agreement, the Indian Navy will provide assistance by deploying its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) when required, further strengthening the collaborative ties between the two navies.

Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh launched the ‘VisioNxt Fashion Forecasting Initiative’ of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), a bilingual web portal and the India-specific Fashion Trend Book ‘Paridhi 24×25’.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has set up a 22-member advisory committee to streamline the rules for listing obligations and disclosures. The expert group will be chaired by R Gandhi, former deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund launched the Nifty 500 Momentum 50 Index Fund on September 4, 2024. This fund is an open-ended index fund designed to track the performance of the Nifty 500 Momentum 50 Total Return Index.

Panchayati Raj Ministry and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have collaborated for strengthening service delivery and engaging communities for social change. According to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, this collaboration will help accelerate progress on localised Sustainable Development Goals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari” initiative in Gujarat’s Surat, a step aimed at strengthening community involvement in water conservation. The initiative aligns with the ongoing “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain” campaign.

The United Nations General Assembly designated 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air to raise awareness and drive action on combating air pollution. UNEP says the day “aims to build a global community of action, encouraging countries to collaborate in tackling air pollution to protect our ecosystems.”

On September 5, 2024, Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister (PM), virtually addressed the two-day inaugural International Solar Festival (ISF) 2024, organized by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi. India’s solar energy capacity has expanded 32-fold during the last decade, he said.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on 04 September launched the second cohort of SAMRIDH. Secretary, MeitY S. Krishnan, launched the programme. It is a part of the 100-day agenda of the Government of India to select and support 125 startups through potential accelerators so as to achieve the target of nurturing 300 startups.

Algeria’s incumbent President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, 78, has been re-elected to the position with an emphatic vote, says the country’s electoral authority. “Of 5,630,000 voters recorded, 5,320,000 voted for the independent candidate Abdelmadjid Tebboune, accounting for 94.65 percent”, they told reporters.

Surat has been ranked as the top major city in India for air quality improvements followed by Jabalpur and Agra. The Union Environment Ministry presented the “National Clean Air City” Awards during the Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024 held at a national workshop celebrating the “International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies” in Jaipur.

The Indian contingent concluded its historic Paris Paralympics campaign with 29 medals, including seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze medals, marking the country’s best performance in the competition’s history.India also crossed the 50-medal mark in Paralympic Games history with this impressive performance.

India’s Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw secured a coveted spot on TIME magazine’s “Most Influential People in AI 2024”. “India, the world’s fifth largest economy, is trying to become a major player in the world of AI. The country’s electronics and information technology minister, Aishwini Vaishnaw, leads its efforts,” said the magazine.

The Rajasthan Cabinet has approved 33 per cent reservation to women in the police force and five per cent additional allowance to pensioners. Deputy Chief Minister Dr Prem Chand Bairwa said an amendment to the Rajasthan Police Subordinate Services Rules, 1989, was approved in the cabinet meeting, paving the way for the one-third quota for women in police.

International Literacy Day (ILD) was first declared by UNESCO in 1965, and it was celebrated for the first time on September 8, 1967. The theme for International Literacy Day 2024 is “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.”

Michel Barnier is France’s new prime minister. Barnier has served as the Cabinet Minister of Environment, European Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Agriculture and Fisheries under four different conservative Prime Ministers.

The Council decided to reduce the GST rate on cancer drugs Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib and Durvalumab from 12% to 5%. The 54th GST Council meeting, held in New Delhi on Monday (September 9, 2024) announced several changes to the existing Goods and Services Tax (GST) slabs.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah was unanimously reelected as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language. The decision was taken in a meeting of the committee, which was held in New Union Home Minister Amit Shah was unanimously reelected as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language. The decision was taken in a meeting of the committee, which was held in New

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh has launched Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojna in an event in New Delhi. Mr Singh also released Standard Operating Procedure on Production and Processing Clusters in the Fisheries Sector.

The Union health ministry has approved the introduction of the BPaLM regimen, a novel treatment for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) under its National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) as a highly effective and shorter treatment option.

Union Bank of India announced its decision to become a signatory to the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF). This step aligns with the growing global emphasis on climate risk management and the recent draft guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on climate risk disclosures.

Two anti-submarine warfare shallow watercrafts vessels
(ASWCWC) of the Indian Navy were launched at Cochin
Shipyard in Kerala. Once commissioned by the Indian
Navy, the vessels will be called INS Malpe and INS Mulki.
The ships, with a displacement about 900 tons, are
designed to fit the indigenously developed sonar for
underwater surveillance.

World No.1 Jannik Sinner made history after becoming the first Italian to win the US Open men’s singles title. On September 8, the 23-year-old defeated USA’s Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Sinner took two hours and 16 minutes to beat Fritz, who played in his maiden Grand Slam final.

Each year, the first Saturday in September marks International Vulture Awareness Day, a global initiative dedicated to the preservation of vultures. This year it was observed on 07 September. This day is intended to raise awareness around the most imperiled group of birds in the world all while celebrating their importance within our ecosystems.

The State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced the third edition of its flagship Asha Scholarship programme, pledging to assist 10,000 academically gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds across the country. Applications are open until 1st October, with details on eligibility and forms available at the official website.

Nepal has become the 101st country to join the International Solar Alliance-ISA as a full member. In a social media post, the Ministry of External Affairs said that Nepal handed over its Instrument of Ratification to the ISA in New Delhi.

The Ministry of Steel successfully hosted the event ‘Greening Steel: Pathway to Sustainability’ at C.D. Deshmukh Hall, India International Centre, New Delhi. The Chief Guest, Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries, released the Report titled “Greening the Steel Sector in India: Roadmap and Action Plan.”

The Union Cabinet, under PM Narendra Modi, has approved the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana – IV (PMGSY-IV) for FY 2024-25 to 2028-29 with a total outlay of Rs 70,125 crore. In total, around 62,500 kilometers of rural roads will be constructed during this phase, with fresh connectivity to 25,000 unconnected habitations.

A new species of snake with a remarkably long snout has been discovered in India, marking an exciting addition to the country’s rich biodiversity. The species, named the long-snouted vine snake (Ahaetulla Longirostris), was identified after two specimens were found in vastly different regions, Bihar in the eastern part of the country and Meghalaya in the northeastern region.

The Indian Army and Indian Air Force has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya to enhance the skills and capability building of personnel in logistics operations. On this occasion, the Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh said that it is a monumental partnership to build a world-class and future proof logistics system and achieve self-reliance in defence sector.

Saleema Imtiaz became the first Pakistani woman to be nominated to the ICC international panel of development umpires, the Pakistan Cricket Board said. Imtiaz’s nomination on the panel makes her eligible to officiate in women’s bilateral international matches and ICC women’s events.

Ayodhya has edged out Varanasi to emerge as the top tourist attraction in Uttar Pradesh, with 11 crore domestic and international tourists visiting the temple town in the first six months of this year as compared to 4.61 crore visiting Varanasi.

Himalaya Diwas is celebrated every year on 9th September in the state of Uttarakhand. It is celebrated with the aim to conserve Himalayan ecosystem and region. It was officially declared as Himalaya Day in 2015 by the then Chief Minister.

The Union Cabinet has approved the PM E-drive Scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore for two years in a bid to boost the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India. As per the new scheme, subsidies worth Rs 3,679 crore will reportedly be offered to incentivise the adoption of battery-driven two and three-wheelers, ambulances, trucks and other emerging electric vehicles (EVs).

Health Ministry released the “Health Dynamics of India (Infrastructure and Human Resources) 2022-23”. Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra has released the annual publication in New Delhi. The publication offers comprehensive data on health infrastructure and human resources as of March 31st of each year.

The government will launch the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) programme designed to elevate research capabilities in higher education institutions (HEIs). The decision was taken during the inaugural Governing Board meeting of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).

Swiggy has joined hands with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to launch Swiggy Skills, an initiative designed to offer a range of skilling and employment opportunities within its food delivery and quick commerce network.

The Indian Navy’s P8I aircraft, led by Commanding Officer Captain Ajay Kanwar, has visited Australia’s Darwin to participate in the 16th edition of Exercise Kakadu 2024. The Indian Navy participated in the exercise alongside more than 30 nations with the theme of ‘Regional Cooperation through Trusted and Proven Partnerships.’

World Ozone Day is celebrated on 16th September each year to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol, an international environmental treaty for phasing out of production and consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances, that came into force on this day in 1987.

The Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has quietly dissolved the 14-member Standing Committee on Statistics (SCoS) headed by eminent economist and former chief statistician of the country Pronab Sen, allegedly after its members questioned the delay in conducting the census.

The Trade Connect e-Platform is a single window initiative that is fast, accessible and transformational as it will enable exporters to add newer markets. This was stated by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal during the launch of the Trade Connect ePlatform in New Delhi.

In a boost to the semiconductor industry, the groundbreaking ceremony for India’s first silicon carbide manufacturing facility was held in the Bhubaneswar city. The facility, to be built at an investment of Rs 620 crore over three years, is set to generate over 500 jobs and signifies a vital step in Odisha’s entry into the power electronics industry.

NASA has selected Indian private spacecraft company Pixxel for a new contract to provide Earth-observation data and services. Pixxel, which specialises in hyperspectral imaging and Earth observation, is one of the eight companies selected for NASA’s USD 476 million “Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Programme OnRamp1 Multiple Award” contract.

Switzerland has been ranked as the number one country in the world by US News & World Report in its ‘Best Countries Ranking 2024’. India ranked at number 33 on the list this year, dropping three spots from its place on the list in 2023. Only Japan, Singapore, China and South Korea managed to crack the top 25 from Asia.

The second edition of the International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2024) was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event held from 11-13 September, brought together thought leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and innovators from around the world to explore the latest advancements in Green Hydrogen technology.

The National Health Authority (NHA) and IIT Kanpur have inked an MoU for development of digital public goods for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. The platform will subsequently be operated and governed by the NHA, thereby unlocking the immense potential of AI for improving health outcomes.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully completed Exercise Eastern Bridge VII with the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) at the RAFO airbase in Masirah. The IAF contingent has returned to India after participating in a comprehensive series of training missions, which featured the participation of MiG-29 and Jaguar aircraft from IAF, F-16 and Hawk from RAFO.

Hindi Diwas, observed on September 14, marks the anniversary of Hindi’s recognition as an official language in 1949. While the Constitution of India does not give any language the status of national language, Hindi in Devanagari script is the official language of the central government and the Union as per Article 343.

World Food India 2024 – A Mega Food Event in Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi was held from 19th-22nd September 2024. Addressing the gathering at World Food India 2024, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi welcomed the global dignitaries and highlighted India’s remarkable journey in achieving food security, sustainability, and innovation.

The government has notified the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) as a public financial institution under the Companies Act. This will help the government fortify the nation’s infrastructure finance structures.

The India Defence Aviation Exposition (IDAX-24) was officially inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on September 12, 2024, at Jodhpur. This major event coincided with Exercise Tarang Shakti-24, one of the largest multinational air exercises hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Quality Council of India (QCI) has given provisional approval to National Test House (NTH), Ghaziabad, as a certification body for drones. This significant milestone aligns with the Government of India’s push towards fostering a robust and globally competitive drone ecosystem under the Drone Rules 2021.

Shriram Finance has announced the appointment of former Indian cricket team coach and legendary cricketer, Rahul Dravid, as its new brand ambassador. Known for his unwavering discipline and trustworthiness, Dravid embodies the qualities that Shriram Finance values and aims to project.

National Engineers’ Day is celebrated on September 15 every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, one of the greatest engineers of India. He was born on September 15, 1861, and is widely regarded as a pioneering engineer and statesman who made significant contributions to the development of India.

The Centre has decided to rename Port Blair Sri Vijaya Puram, in a move aimed at shedding the colonial legacy associated with the Andaman and Nicobar. The decision to give an Indian name to the Andaman and Nicobar capital follows nearly six years after the Centre, renamed three islands of the Union Territory as it honoured the freedom fighter.

The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT), under the aegis of the Union Education Ministry, has launched a unique website which provides technical terms in all 22 official Indian languages. The web portal ‘shabd.education.gov.in’ aims to be a central repository for all the terminologies prepared for Indian languages.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Ram Nath Thakur led the Indian delegation at the G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting. A bilateral meeting between Shri Thakur and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan Shri Sakamoto was held on 12 September 2024, in Brazil.

Fintech startup Moneyview has turned unicorn after bagging about Rs 38.6 crore ($4.6 million) in fresh funding from Accel and Nexus Venture Partners. Moneyview joins Krutrim, Perfios, Porter, Rapido, and Ather to become the sixth Indian unicorn this year.

An Indian-origin lecturer at Nanyang Technological University has won the Singapore Literature Prize for English fiction for her short story – ‘Nine Yard Sarees’. Prasanthi Ram, 32, debut work was published in late 2023.

Fabindia announced its strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) under the Central Government’s PM Vishwakarma Scheme. The PM Vishwakarma Scheme, a program initiated by the Government of India, seeks to empower traditional artisans across the country by providing them with financial support, skill development, and marketing assistance.

JBM Auto’s arm, JBM Ecolife Mobility said it has secured strategic funding of USD 100 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The newly infused fund will be used to supply and operate electric buses across multiple states in India under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, implemented in a phased manner, it said.

‘Aditi’, a GenAI-powered virtual relationship manager by Bank of Baroda, is designed for customer service by acting as a 24×7 virtual relationship manager to answer all customer queries. Available on the bank’s web portal, Aditi supports audio, video, and chat-based interactions, offering round-the-clock banking services with multilingual support.

PhonePe has partnered with Liquid Group to expand its merchant acceptance network in Singapore, allowing users to pay using UPI at various tourist locations. The partnership also enables Indian travellers to receive international remittances through UPI.

On 15 November 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 18 September as International Equal Pay Day. The resolution was introduced by the Equal Pay International Coalition