Daily Current Affairs November 30 2023 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

SEBI to Implement Regulatory Framework for Index Providers

• Markets watchdog Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved providing flexibility to Not for Profit Organisations (NPOs) in raising funds through the social stock exchange and also decided to introduce a regulatory framework for index providers.
• SEBI will provide flexibility for fundraising by NPOs through the social stock exchange.

Key Highlights :

• In this regard, the minimum issue size in case of public issuance of Zero Coupon Zero Principal Instruments (ZCZP) for NPOs on the social stock exchange will be reduced to Rs 50 lakh from Rs 1 crore.
• Among other decisions, a regulatory framework will be introduced for the index providers to foster transparency and accountability in governance and administration of financial benchmarks in the securities market.
• Starting from September 2024, all fresh investments made by Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs) will be required to be held in dematerialized (demat) form.
• SEBI has announced its intention to regulate online platforms that offer fractional ownership of real estate assets.
• These platforms will be registered under the framework for small and medium Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

About SEBI :

• Established : 12 April 1988 as an executive body and was given statutory powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman : Madhabi Puri Buch (first woman to lead the SEBI)
• SEBI is the regulatory body for securities and commodity markets in India under the ownership of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), GoI.

Indian Private Banks Record Largest Single-Day Government Bond Purchase in 7 Years

• Indian private sector banks executed the most significant government bond acquisition in a single session in 7 years, involving a substantial investment on behalf of a corporate entity, according to traders.
• These banks collectively acquired government bonds amounting to a net value of 83.43 billion rupees ($1 billion), marking the most substantial purchase since November 15, 2016, as reported by Clearing Corp of India data.
• This surge propelled November’s overall buying above 200 billion rupees, following net sales of 101 billion rupees in October.

Key Highlights :

• Traders indicated that a large corporate entity likely secured around 50 billion rupees of benchmark paper through a private sector bank.
• An influx of approximately 7 trillion rupees is expected over the next month as specific papers, including the 8.83% 2023, 4.56% 2023, and 7.68% 2023, reach maturity.
• Most of these funds are anticipated to be reinvested in liquid papers, particularly the five-year and benchmark 10-year paper.
• The increased trend in bond buying is reinforced by improving macroeconomic conditions, including a decline of over 55 basis points in the 10-year U.S. yield in November.
• Traders noted that the anticipation of debt sales from the central bank has diminished, contributing to improved sentiment for bond purchases due to prevailing tight liquidity conditions.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) refrained from selling bonds in the secondary market for the week ending November 10, following 185 billion rupees of sales in the preceding 10 weeks.

Indraprastha Gas Limited and IndusInd Bank Collaborate to Facilitate Digital Rupee Transactions in Delhi NCR             

• IndusInd Bank has partnered with Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) to introduce digital rupee transactions in Delhi NCR.
• The collaboration enables customers at selected IGL stations to make payments using the Digital Rupee, the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) launched by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2022.

Key Highlights :

• Through UPI interoperability, customers can scan any UPI QR using their Digital Rupee App across all IGL stations.
• As one of the pilot banks participating in the RBI’s CBDC initiative, IndusInd Bank believes in the value added by CBDC and aims to provide a seamless and comprehensive payment experience to its customers through the use of digital currency,”
• The bank is focused on contributing to the broader acceptance of Digital Rupee and fostering a ‘cashless’ economy.
• The Digital Rupee solution is available on both iOS and Android platforms, ensuring a user-friendly experience.
• It offers various features such as peer-to-peer (P2P) and peer-to-merchant (P2M) payments with complete UPI QR interoperability.

About IndusInd Bank :

• Founded : April 1994
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO : Sumant Kathpalia.
• Tagline : We Make You Feel Richer

About IGL :

• Founded : 1998
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi, India
• Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) is an Indian natural gas distribution company that supplies natural gas as cooking and vehicular fuel.
• It is a joint venture between GAIL, Bharat Petroleum, and the Government of Delhi.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

CABINET APPROVALS

I. Cabinet approves Central Sector Scheme for providing Drones to the Women Self Help Groups:

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved Central Sector Scheme for providing Drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs), with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crore for the period from 2024-25 to 2025-26.
• The scheme aims to provide drones to 15,000 selected Women SHGs from 2023-24 to 2025-2026 to provide rental services to farmers for agriculture.
• Aligning to the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the scheme seeks to empower women Self Help Groups (SHGs) and bringing new technologies through drone services in agriculture sector.
• The highlights of this scheme are as under:
• The scheme approves holistic interventions by converging the resources and efforts of Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Department of Rural development (DoRD) and Department of Fertilizers (DoF), Women SHGs and Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs).
• Appropriate clusters where usage of Drones is economically feasible will e identified and progressive 15,000 women SHGs in various States in the identified clusters will be selected for providing drones.
• Central Financial Assistance @ 80% of the cost of drone and accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of Rs. Eight Lakh will be provided to the women SHGs for purchase of drones. The Cluster Level Federation (CLFs) of SHGs may raise the balance amount (total cost of procurement minus subsidy) as loan under National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF).  Interest subvention @ 3% on the AIF loan will be provided.
• One of the members of the women SHGs who is well qualified, 18 and above years of age will be elected by the SRLM and LFCs for 15 day training comprising of 5 day mandatory drone pilot training and additional 10 day training for agriculture purpose of nutrient and pesticide application. The other member / family member of the SHG with inclination to take up repairs of electrical goods, fitting and mechanical works will be selected by the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) and LFCs who will be trained as drone technician/assistant.  These training shall be provided as a package along with the supply of drones.
• Considering the difficulties which SHGs may face in procuring the drones, repair and maintenance of drones through drone companies, the LFCs will act as a bridge between drone supplier companies and SHGs.
• LFCs will also promote use of Nano Fertilizers such as Nano Urea and Nano DAP by the drones with SHGs. SHGs will rent out the drone services to the farmers for Nano fertilizer and also for pesticide applications.

II. Cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) with total outlay of Rs.24,104 crore (Central Share:Rs.15,336 crore and State Share: Rs.8,768 crore) to focus on 11 critical interventions through 9 line Ministries.
• The Prime Minister announced the Abhiyan on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas from Khunti.
• As announced in the Budget Speech 2023-24, “to improve socio-economic conditions of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), Pradhan Mantri PVTG of Development Mission will be launched.
• This will saturate PVTG households and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
• An amount of Rs.15,000 crore will be made available to implement the Mission in the next three years under the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes (DAPST).”
• India has ST population of 10.45 crore as per 2011 census, out of which 75 communities located in 18 States and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• These PVTGs continue to face vulnerability in social, economic and educational fields.

III. Cabinet approves Terms of Reference for the Sixteenth Finance Commission

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Terms of Reference for the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
• The Terms of Reference for the Sixteenth Finance Commission will be notified in due course of time.
• The 16th Finance Commission’s recommendations, upon acceptance by the government, would cover the period of five (5) years commencing April 1, 2026.
• Article 280(1) of the Constitutions lays down that the modalities for setting up of a Finance Commission to make recommendations on the distribution of net proceeds of taxes between the Union and the States, allocation between the States of respective shares of such proceeds; grants- in-aid and the revenues of the States and measures needed to supplement the resources of the Panchayats during the award period.
• The Fifteenth Finance Commission was constituted on November 27, 2017.
• It made recommendations covering the period of six years commencing on 1st April, 2020 through its Interim and Final Reports.
• The recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission are valid upto the financial year 2025-26.

Terms of Reference for the Sixteenth Finance Commission:

The Finance Commission shall make recommendations as to the following matters, namely:

• The distribution between the Union and the States of the net proceeds of taxes which are to be, or may be, divided between them under Chapter I, Part XII of the Constitution and the allocation between the States of the respective shares of such proceeds;
• The principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the States out of the Consolidated Fund of India and the sums to be paid to the States by way of grants-in-aid of their revenues under article 275 of the Constitution for the purposes other than those specified in the provisos to clause (1) of that article; and
• The measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the Panchayats and Municipalities in the State on the basis of the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State.
• The Commission may review the present arrangements on financing Disaster Management initiatives, with reference to the funds constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (53 of 2005), and make appropriate recommendations thereon.
• The Commission shall make its report available by 31st day of October, 2025 covering a period of five years commencing on the 1st day of April, 2026.

IV. Cabinet approves continuation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts for further three years

• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of Fast Track Special Court (FTSCs) as, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) from 01.04.2023 to 31.03.2026 with financial implication of Rs. 1952.23 crore (Rs. 1207.24 crore as Central Share and Rs. 744.99 crore as State share). Central Share is to be funded from Nirbhaya Fund.
• The Scheme was launched.
• The government’s unwavering priority towards ensuring the safety and security of women and children is evident through several initiatives, such as the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ programme.
• Incidents involving the rape of girl child and women have deeply impacted the nation.
• The frequency of such incidents and the prolonged trials of offenders necessitated the establishment of a dedicated court system capable of expediting trials and delivering immediate relief to victims of sexual offenses.
• Consequently, the Central Government enacted the “The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act. 2018,” which included stringent punishment, including the death penalty for rape offenders, leading to the creation of the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs).
• FTSCs, designed as dedicated courts, are expected to ensure swift dispensation of justice, offering quick relief to victims while strengthening the deterrence framework

V. Free Foodgrains for 81.35 crore beneficiaries for five years: Cabinet Decision

• The Cabinet led by Prime Minister has decided that the Central government will provide free food grains to about 81.35 crore beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for a period of five years with effect from 1st January, 2024.
• This is a historic decision that places PMGKAY amongst the World’s biggest social welfare schemes aimed at ensuring food and nutrition security for 81.35 crore persons, at an estimated cost of Rs. 11.80 lakh crore over a 5 year period.
• The decision reflects the strong commitment of Hon. PM Shri Narendra Modi towards efficient and targeted welfare through fulfilment of basic food and nutrition requirements of the population.
• Ensuring food security at this scale during Amrit Kaal would play a pivotal role in dedicating efforts towards building an aspirational and developed India.
• Free food grains (rice , wheat and coarse grains/millets) under PMGKAY for 5 years from 1.1.2024 will strengthen food security and mitigate any financial hardship of the poor and vulnerable sections of the population.
• It would provide Nation-wide uniformity in delivery of food grains free of cost in all States/UTs through a network of over 5 lakh Fair Price Shops under a common logo.

Union WCD Minister, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani launches ‘Guide on Gender-Inclusive Communication’ at a National event held in New Delhi

• Smriti Zubin Irani, Minister of Women and Child Development (MWCD) launched a ‘Guide on Gender-Inclusive Communication’ in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
• The guide, titled “Gender-Inclusive Communication”, was prepared by the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in collaboration with UN WOMEN and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
• As a result of extensive consultation with stakeholders, the Guide provides recommendations and examples on use of Gender-Inclusive language that avoids bias towards a particular sex or social gender and is less likely to convey or amplify gender stereotypes.
• The guide covers the use of language in English, Hindi, and other Regional languages, based on the “Handbook on Combatting Gender Stereotypes” by Supreme Court of India and other national and global best practices customized to suit the requirements of the Indian citizens.
• The guide also includes a checklist for gender-related revisions and key resources for further reference.
• The guide is intended to assist in gender-inclusive writing, review, and translation of documents and communications by government officials, civil servants, media professionals, educators, and other stakeholders.
• It aims to: heighten awareness, empower individuals to navigate daily communications with a commitment to gender neutrality and inclusivity, and fundamentally reshape the narrative towards a society where language becomes an agent for positive change.
• By highlighting and acknowledging implicit biases present in everyday language, the guide can serve as a catalyst for change.

Union WCD Minister launches ‘Anganwadi Protocol for Divyang Children’ at National Outreach Program in New Delhi

• The Anganwadi Protocol for Divyang Children was launched by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in the presence of Dr Munjpara Mahendrabhai, MoS MWCD and AYUSH, Shri Indevar Pandey, Secretary, MoWCD, Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, and Dr K K Tripathy, Economic Advisor, MoHFW at a national outreach programme organized on 28th November 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan.
• The event was organised to realize the commitment to strengthening Divyang children’s overall access to improved well-being.
• The event was attended by senior officers from MoWCD, MoHFW, DEPwD, State WCD Officers, CDPOs, Lady Supervisors, Anganwadi Workers and ASHA workers from across the country and experts from key organizations such as NIMHANS.
• In her keynote address, Union Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani thanked the DEPwD and MoHFW for aligning support to MWCD’s initiative.
• Currently 4.37 crore children from age 3 to 6 years are being supported with hot-cooked meals and ECCE every day, 4.5 crore children of age group 0 to 3 years with take-home rations and home visits, and more than 8 crore children from 0-6 years age group are supported with growth monitoring and referrals to the health system to enhance early childhood development.
• The Minister shared that 16 crore home visits  have been undertaken for children in the last 4 months by Anganwadi workers.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Antarctica Releases World’s Largest Iceberg in Over Three Decades, Larger Than New York, Moving Towards South Georgia

• The colossal iceberg A23a, recognized as the world’s largest, has broken free after being lodged in the Antarctic’s Weddell Sea for more than three decades since its origin in 1986.
• Spanning an expansive 4,000 sq km (1,500 sq miles), A23a is more than double the size of Greater London, making it the largest iceberg in the world.

Key Highlights :

• Despite being grounded for several years, the iceberg is currently drifting with surprising speed and is on the verge of venturing beyond Antarctic waters.
• A23a boasts an impressive thickness of 400m (1,312 ft), surpassing even Europe’s tallest skyscraper, the London Shard, which stands at 310m.
• The colossal iceberg was part of a significant calving event from the Filchner Ice Shelf, coinciding with the period when a Soviet research station was active on the ice.
• Although grounded since 1986, the recent acceleration in A23a’s movement is prompting inquiries into the factors contributing to its newfound mobility.
• In 2020, another giant iceberg, A68, stirred fears that it would collide with South Georgia, crushing marine life on the seafloor and cutting off food access.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Dr. Mohamed Muizzu Takes Oath as the 8th President of the Maldives                  

• Mohamed Muizzu took the oath as the 8th President of the Republic of Maldives in a ceremony held at the Republic Square in the capital, Male’.
• Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef also took the oath of office during the ceremony, with the oath administered by Chief Justice of the Maldives, Ahmed Muthasim Adnan.
• Muizzu had defeated outgoing President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the runoff elections held in September.
• Apart from Mr. Solih, former Presidents, Mohamed Nasheed and Dr. Mohamed Waheed also attended the ceremony while opposition leader Abdulla Yameen chose not to attend.
• Union Minister for Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju attended the oath-taking ceremony.
• Rijiju reached Maldives yesterday to represent India at the oath taking ceremony of Dr. Muizzu as the new President.
• He met outgoing President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and highlighted the depth and progress of the India-Maldives bilateral relationship that has grown over the last few years.
• Rijiju also called on Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe and discussed India- Sri Lanka relations.

About Maldives :

• Capital : Malé
• Currency : Maldivian rufiyaa

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Boards Indigenous Twin-Seater Fighter Aircraft LCA Tejas, Designed, Developed, and Manufactured in India

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi achieved a historic milestone by flying a sortie in the indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured Tejas Twin-Seat Light Combat Fighter aircraft in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• He became the first Prime Minister to fly the Tejas on a sortie.
• The aircraft took off from the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Airport) in Bengaluru.
• Light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas has been developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with the Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

Key Highlights :

• The sortie, conducted from the Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment, Bengaluru, lasted for 30 minutes.
• During the flight, the capabilities of the Tejas fighter aircraft were demonstrated to the Prime Minister, marking the first time an Indian Prime Minister has flown a fighter aircraft sortie.
• This event is significant as it showcases the capabilities of Indian-designed and manufactured fighter aircraft.
• PM Modi, a proponent of Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance), applauded the scientists, engineers, and flight test crew involved in the design, development, and production of the Tejas fighter aircraft.

Features of Tejas Trainer Aircraft :

• The Tejas trainer is a lightweight, all-weather, multirole aircraft designed for both single-seat and twin-seat configurations.
• It serves as a fighter trainer and can undertake all roles of a single-seat Tejas fighter.
• The Tejas trainer is the first indigenous twin-seat fighter designed, developed, and manufactured in India.
• It incorporates contemporary concepts and technologies, including quadruplex fly-by-wire flight control, carefree manoeuvring, advanced glass cockpit, integrated digital avionics systems, and advanced composite materials for the airframe.
• Tejas has been part of the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet for more than seven years.
• At present, IAF operates two squadrons- ‘Flying Daggers’ and ‘Flying Bulltes’ of the Tejas aircraft.
• IAF has already ordered 83 LCA Mk-1A. It will have updated avionics, as well as an Active Electronically Steered Radar, updated Electronic Warfare suite and a Beyond Visual Range missile capability.
• The new variant of Tejas will be capable of firing many weapons from increased stand-off ranges.
• Two squadrons of the Indian Air Force (IAF), 45 Squadron and 18 Squadron, are fully operational with LCA Tejas.
• An order worth Rs 36,468 Crore for the delivery of 83 LCA Mk 1A aircraft has been placed with HAL, with deliveries scheduled to begin by February 2024.
• The current production capacity of HAL is 8 LCA aircraft per year, which is set to increase to 16 aircraft per year by 2025 and further to 24 aircraft per year in the next three years.
• More than Rs 9000 Crore have been sanctioned for the development of LCA Mk 2, an updated and more lethal version of LCA Tejas.
• Efforts to promote indigenisation, including the aircraft engine, involve Transfer of Technology for manufacturing the GE engine in India.

About Ministry of Defence :

• Defence Minister : Rajnath Singh
• Minister of State : Ministry of Defence
• Defence Secretary : Giridhar Aramane

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

North Korea Achieves Successful Launch of Military Spy Satellite on 3rd Attempt in 6 Months                             

• North Korea has achieved a successful launch of a military spy satellite on its third attempt within a span of six months.
• The rocket was launched from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, and approximately 12 minutes later, it “accurately put the reconnaissance satellite Malligyong-1 on its orbit.”
• The successful launch follows unsuccessful attempts in May and August to deploy the satellite.
• These earlier attempts, integral to North Korea’s military modernization plans, ended in failure, with the rockets plunging into the sea.
• In a parallel development, South Korea is also gearing up to launch its first spy satellite into orbit.
• This initiative is scheduled to take place later this month and involves utilizing a SpaceX rocket.

About North Korea :

• Capital : Pyongyang
• Currency : Korean People’s won

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Punjab defeats Haryana to clinch 13th senior men’s national hockey championship in thrilling penalty shootout in Chennai

• Punjab claimed the Gold medal after their penalty shootout triumph over defending Champions Haryana in the Final of the 13th Hockey India Senior Men’s National Championship 2023 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, Chennai.
• Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu overcame Karnataka in penalty shootouts to claim the Bronze Medal.
• Punjab defeated Haryana 2-2 (9-8 SO) to clinch the title. Punjab started the match strong, scoring the first goal in the 13th minute by Harjeet Singh.
• However, Haryana’s Sanjay (25′) scored from a penalty corner to level the score. In the second half, Punjab’s Captain Harmanpreet Singh (42′) scored a powerful drag flick from a penalty corner to put his team in the lead.
• But Haryana’s Rajant (50′) scored again to equalize and take the game to penalty shootouts.
• During the shootouts, Sanjay, Deepak, and Abhishek scored for Haryana while Harmanpreet Singh, Simranjeet Singh, and Sukhjeet Singh scored for Punjab, taking the match to sudden death.
• In the seventh penalty shootout, Simranjeet Singh scored, securing the hard-fought victory for Punjab.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Renowned art historian BN Goswamy Passed away

• Renowned art historian and critic Brijinder Nath Goswamy passed away in Chandigarh at the age of 90.

About Brijinder Nath Goswamy :

• Brijinder Nath Goswamy was born on 15 August 1933 in Sargodha, Punjab Province, British India.
• He initially joined the Indian Administrative Service (1956), and resigned in 1958 to pursue art studies​​.
• He researched Kangra painting and its social context.
• He joined Punjab University’s Faculty of Art History, spending his entire career there.
• He has been a member of the Governing Committee of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) and has chaired the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi.

Notable Works :

• N. Goswamy was renowned for scholarship on Pahari painting and Indian miniature paintings.
• He published over 20 books on arts and culture, including “Sakti Burman: A Private Universe” and “Masters of Indian Painting 1100-1900”.

Awards & Honors :

• He held the Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship from 1969 to 1970 and the Sarabhai Fellowship in 1994.
• He was also a Mellon Senior Fellow of the National Humanities Center, North Carolina.
• The Government of India awarded him the 4th highest civilian award of the Padma Shri in 1998 and followed it up with the third highest honour of the Padma Bhushan in 2008.

What are Indian miniature paintings?

• Indian miniature paintings are a class of paintings known for their detailed and sensitive portrayal of various themes.

Daily CA One- Liner: November 30

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved Central Sector Scheme for providing Drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs), with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crore for the period from 2024-25 to 2025-26
• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) with total outlay of Rs.24,104 crore (Central Share:Rs.15,336 crore and State Share: Rs.8,768 crore) to focus on 11 critical interventions through 9 line Ministries.
• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Terms of Reference for the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of Fast Track Special Court (FTSCs) as, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) from 01.04.2023 to 31.03.2026 with financial implication of Rs. 1952.23 crore (Rs. 1207.24 crore as Central Share and Rs. 744.99 crore as State share). Central Share is to be funded from Nirbhaya Fund.
• The Cabinet led by Prime Minister has decided that the Central government will provide free food grains to about 81.35 crore beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for a period of five years with effect from 1st January, 2024.
• Smriti Zubin Irani, Minister of Women and Child Development (MWCD) launched a ‘Guide on Gender-Inclusive Communication’ in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
• The Anganwadi Protocol for Divyang Children was launched by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in the presence of Dr Munjpara Mahendrabhai, MoS MWCD and AYUSH, Shri Indevar Pandey, Secretary, MoWCD, Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, and Dr K K Tripathy, Economic Advisor, MoHFW at a national outreach programme organized on 28th November 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan
• Markets watchdog Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved providing flexibility to Not for Profit Organisations (NPOs) in raising funds through the social stock exchange and also decided to introduce a regulatory framework for index providers.
• Indian private sector banks executed the most significant government bond acquisition in a single session in 7 years, involving a substantial investment on behalf of a corporate entity, according to traders.
• IndusInd Bank has partnered with Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) to introduce digital rupee transactions in Delhi NCR.
• The colossal iceberg A23a, recognized as the world’s largest, has broken free after being lodged in the Antarctic’s Weddell Sea for more than three decades since its origin in 1986.
• Mohamed Muizzu took the oath as the 8th President of the Republic of Maldives in a ceremony held at the Republic Square in the capital, Male’.
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi achieved a historic milestone by flying a sortie in the indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured Tejas Twin-Seat Light Combat Fighter aircraft in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• North Korea has achieved a successful launch of a military spy satellite on its third attempt within a span of six months.
• Renowned art historian and critic Brijinder Nath Goswamy passed away in Chandigarh at the age of 90.
• Punjab claimed the Gold medal after their penalty shootout triumph over defending Champions Haryana in the Final of the 13th Hockey India Senior Men’s National Championship 2023 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, Chennai