Daily Current Affairs April 19 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

CGTMSE ups guarantee coverage for MSEs from Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore

  • The Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) has increased the coverage ceiling under its Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme from ₹2 crore to 5 crore per borrower for credit facilities extended by lending institutions to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).
  • This move is expected to encourage the public and private sector banks, Member Financial Institutions and foreign banks to step up loans to MSEs.

Key Highlights :

  • As per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, the changes are effective April 1,2023 comes when the loan growth to the MSE segment slowed to 13.2% year-on-year as on February 24, 2023 against 24% y-o-y as on February 25, 2022,
  • As on February 24, 2023, the scheduled commercial banks’ credit to MSEs stood at 5,87,494 crore compared with ₹5,18,873 crore as on February 25, 2022.
  • The annual guarantee fee (AGF), which is generally passed on to the borrowers for loans up to 10 lakh has been reduced to 0.37% (from 0.75%) and for loans above ₹10 lakh up to ₹50 lakh to 0.55% (from 1.10%).
  • The AGF for loans above 50 lakh up to 1 crore is 0.60%; above 1 crore up to 2 crore (1.20%); and for loans above ₹2 crore up to ₹5 crore (1.35%).
  • Earlier, there was a single slab of 50 lakh up to ₹2 crore for which the AGF was 1.20%.

About CGTMSE : 

  • CGTMSE is jointly set up by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India (GoI) and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to catalyse flow of institutional credit to Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs).
  • The credit guarantee scheme (CGS) assures a lender that if an MSE unit that has availed itself of collateral-free credit facilities (fund-based and/or non-fund based) fails to discharge its liabilities, then the trust would make good the loss to the tune of 75-85% of the credit facility.

HDFC Capital Advisors Limited receives SEBI approval for control transfer in merger process  

  • HDFC Ltd stated that the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has cleared a proposal for change in control of HDFC Capital Advisors Limited (HCAL), a subsidiary of HDFC Limited and a co-investment portfolio manager subject to certain conditions.

Key Highlights : 

  • As per the proposed composite scheme of amalgamation, HDFC Investments Limited and HDFC Holdings Limited, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (HDFC Limited) would be first merged into HDFC Limited and subsequently into HDFC Bank.
  • Already, HDFC has received the required approvals from the SEBI, shareholders of HDFC and HDFC Bank, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
  • The proposed entity will have a combined asset base of around Rs 18 lakh crore.
  • Once the deal is effective, HDFC Bank will be 100%  owned by public shareholders, and existing shareholders of HDFC will own 41% of the bank.
  • Every HDFC shareholder will get 42 shares of HDFC Bank for every 25 shares owned.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Seven-day SCO Millets Food Festival begins in Mumbai, chefs from member countries showcase millet cuisines

  • Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik inaugurated the Seven-day SCO Millets Food Festival.
  • Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is organizing the seven-day festival at Hotel Taj Mahal Palace to commemorate the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023).
  • The Minister said that millet consumption can help the world meet at least six UN-mandated sustainable development goals.
  • He also congratulated Kazakhstan for the next Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Presidency.
  • India is hosting the Presidency of the SCO for the year 2023.
  • The Millet Food Festival is the fourth event being organised by the Ministry of Tourism to celebrate the P
  • It is also the last event being organised by the Ministry of Tourism to celebrate the Presidency.
  • Earlier, SCO Tourism Mart was organised from 9 to 11 February.
  • SCO Expert Level Tourism Working Group Meeting and an SCO Tourism Ministers’ Meeting were also organised.

PM Modi inaugurates Northeast’s first AIIMS in Guwahati,

  • PM Modi will inaugurate Northeast’s first AIIMS in Guwahati.
  • In addition to AIIMS Guwahati, PM will dedicate three other medical colleges to the nation.
  • He will also lay the foundation stone of the Assam Advanced Health Innovation Institute (AAHII).
  • He will also dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of various projects worth over Rs 3,400 crore.
  • PM Modi will formally launch the ‘Aapke Dwar Ayushman’ campaign in Assam.
  • PM Modi laid the foundation stone of AIIMS Guwahati in 2017.
  • It is built at a cost of Rs 1,120 crore.
  • It has a capacity of 750 beds, including 30 AYUSH beds.
  • It will have an annual capacity of 100 MBBS students every year.
  • PM Modi will also inaugurate Nalbari Medical College, Nagaon Medical College and Kokrajhar Medical College.
  • PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of a bridge over the Brahmaputra River connecting Palashbari and Sualkuchi.
  • PM Modi will also inaugurate a 500 Tons Per Day (TPD) capacity methanol plant at Namrup in Dibrugarh.
  • PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone of the project related to beautification of Rang Ghar in Sivasagar.
  • It was built by the Ahom king Swargadeo Pramatta Singha in the 18th century.
  • PM Modi will also observe a huge Bihu dance.
  • Artists from 31 districts of the state will participate in this programme.
  • More than 10,000 Bihu artists will participate in the event and will attempt to create a new Guinness World Record in the category of world’s largest Bihu dance performance at one place.
  • The Prime Minister will also attend a function to mark the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of the Guwahati High Court at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati.
  • The Prime Minister is also scheduled to dedicate five railway projects to the nation. The railway projects that will be inaugurated are as follows.
  • Doubling of Digaru-Lumding section, Gauripur – Abhayapuri section, New Bongaigaon – Dhup Dhara section
  • Electrification of Raninagar Jalpaiguri-Guwahati section
  • Electrification of Senchoa-Silghat Town and Senchoa-Marabari section.

Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog collaborate with ATMAs to promote agri innovation

  • Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) have collaborated to promote innovation in the agricultural sector.
  • AIM, NITI Aayog and MoA&FW have come together to encourage innovation in the agricultural sector among school students across India.
  • Under the initiative, they have agreed to link Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs) and Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMAs).
  • KVKs, in partnership with ATMA, will work with nearby ATLs to encourage agricultural-related innovation.
  • During the first phase, one KVK under each of the 11 Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs) will be involved.
  • After assessing the positive outcomes after two years, the pilot project will be extended.
  • Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme was launched during 2005-06.
  • It aims at making the extension system farmer-driven and farmer accountable by way of new institutional arrangements for technology dissemination in the form of an Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) at the district level.
  • Atal Tinkering Labs is a major initiative under Atal Innovation Mission to promote a creative, innovative mindset in schools.

Railways introduces HSN codes to stem losses from commodity transport

  • In a first-of-its-kind move, the Ministry of Railways has started using Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN) codes for the classification of commodities in freight transportation.
  • It is a six-digit identification code.
  • Of the six digits, the first two denote the HS Chapter, the next two give the HS heading, and the last two give the HS subheading.
  • Developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO).
  • Called the “universal economic language” for goods.
  • It is a multipurpose international product nomenclature.
  • It is used up to 8 digit level.
  • HSN classification is widely used for taxation purposes by helping to identify the rate of tax applicable to a specific product in a country that is under review.
  • It can also be used in calculations that involve claiming benefits.

Businesses with an annual turnover of 100 cr and above get 7-day window to report old invoices

  • The Government has set a seven-day timeline to report old invoices on e-invoice IRP (Invoice Registration Portal) for tax assessees having annual turnover of 100 crore or more.
  • In order to provide sufficient time for taxpayers to comply with this requirement, which may require changes to systems, we propose to implement it from May 01 onwards.
  • It clarified that to ensure timely compliance, taxpayers in this category will not be allowed to report invoices older than 7 days on the date of reporting.
  • Restriction will only apply to the document type invoice, an d there will be no time restriction on reporting debit/credit notes.
  • For example, if an invoice has a date of April 1, 2023, it cannot be reported after April 8, 2023.
  • The validation system built into the invoice registration portal will disallow the user from reporting the invoice after the 7-day window.
  • Hence, it is essential for taxpayers to ensure that they report the invoice within the 7-day window provided by the new time limit.
  • The note further clarified that there will be no such reporting restriction on taxpayers with an annual turnover of less than ₹100 crore, as of now.
  • It may be noted that under GST law, e-invoicing for business-to-business (B2B) transactions was made mandatory for companies with a turnover of over ₹500 crore from October 1, 2020, which was then extended to those with a turnover of over ₹100 crore, effective January 1, 2021.
  • From April 1, 2021, companies with turnover of over ₹50 crore were generating B2B e-invoices, and the threshold was brought down to ₹20 crore beginning April 1, 2022.
  • From October 1, 2022, the level was further lowered to ₹10 crore. Non-compliance could result in penalty.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

Uttarakhand Chief Minister launched A HELP Program 

A Help Program Launched in the state of Uttarakhand

  • The Chief Minister (CM) of Uttarakhand, Mr. Pushkar Singh Dhami launched ‘A-HELP’ (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) programme at Survey of India Auditorium Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

About ‘A-HELP’ Programme : 

  • Under this program trained A-HELPs will give their vital contribution in preventing various infectious diseases of animals, artificial insemination under Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), tagging of animals and animal insurance.
  • Under RGM, livestock breed improvement programs will be conducted with the help of a large number of trained A-HELP workers who are interested in performing Artificial Insemination by providing them additional training.
  • Shri Saurabh Bahuguna, the Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries, Uttarakhand Government, highlighted the significant role of women in livestock rearing and allied activities.
  • The programme will ensure economic upliftment of livestock owners along with active participation and involvement of women power.
  • The A-HELP will serve as the organic link between the livestock farmers and the veterinary services and become” first port of call” in times of need for the farmers.

Background : 

  • The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has launched  the novel initiative through an MoU signed between DAHD and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) under the Department of Rural Development (DoRD), Government of India (GoI). 
  • The programme was successfully piloted  in the State of Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). 

About Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying : 

  • Cabinet Minister : Parshottam Rupala
  • Minister of State : Sanjeev Balyan, L. Murugan

About Uttarakhand : 

  • Governor : Gurmit Singh
  • Chief Minister : Pushkar Singh Dhami
  • National Park : Jim Corbett National Park, Rajaji National Park, Nanda Devi National Park

Andhra Pradesh Govt renamed Bhavanapadu Port in Srikakulam as Mulapeta greenfield Port

  • The Andhra Pradesh (AP) government has renamed the proposed Bhavanapadu port in the Srikakulam district as Mulapeta greenfield port at the request of the locals.
  • Chief Minister (CM) Shri YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will lay a foundation stone for this nearly Rs 4,000 crore project on April 19, 2023.
  • The state government took this decision as farmers from Mulapeta and Vishnuchakram villages requested for the name change since Bhavanapadu village has no scope in the proposed port area, considering all the lands of Mulpeta and some from Vishnuchakram have been earmarked for acquisition

About AP : 

  • Governor : S. Abdul Nazeer
  • Chief Minister : Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy
  • Capital : Amaravati
  • National Park : Mrugavani National Park, Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park
  • Wildlife Sanctuary : Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Credai, Indian Green Building Council to erect 4,000 projects by 2030

  • The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (Credai) has partnered with the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) to build over 1,000 certified green projects across India in the next two years, and 4,000 projects by 2030.
  • This partnership was announced at Credai investiture ceremo ny, where Boman Irani was named the new president of Credai National for the term 2023-25.
  • The partnership with IGBC will allow Credai to strengthen its capabilities and knowledge, with the aim of reducing carbon footprint by 203 0 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
  • This initiative aligns with India’s vision of reaching net-zero by 2070.
  • On the occasion Boman Irani also launched the National Vision of G.R.O.W.T.H: Integrating CREDAI National and all its chapters in a unified mission.
  • CREDAI MCHI has also partnered with real estate sustainability consultant ‘Smarter Dharma’ as its Sustainability Partner for Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
  • Boman Irani, Credai National President.

NHAI enables FASTag-based payments at tiger reserve

  • NHAI incorporated company Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) signed an MoU with the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve to carry out Electronic Tolling.
  • Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is spread across the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
  • Its objective is to provide the facility for collecting the Ecosystem Management Coordination Fee through FASTag at the entry points of the tiger reserve.
  • The FASTag system employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to enable automatic toll payments at toll plazas and affixation of FASTag on all 4-wheelers & above vehicles have been mandated across India.
  • With this system, people will get rid of long lines and delays.
  • This partnership between the IHMCL and the Forest Department is an important step towards promoting sustainable tourism.

Indian Oil & US-based LanzaJet to set up India’s first green aviation fuel firm

  • Indian Oil Corporation is planning to set up a joint venture with US-based clean energy technology company LanzaJet Inc and multiple domestic airlines for production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
  • Through the proposed venture, a plant will be set up to make SAF with alcohol-to-jet technology at IOCL’s Panipat refinery in Haryana at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore.
  • The proposed plant will convert corn-based, cellulosic, or sugar-based ethanol into SAF, and would have an initial capacity to produce 85,000 tonnes of fuel annually.
  • SAF is a biofuel with properties similar to conventional jet fuel but has a smaller carbon footprint.
  • In accordance with the devised structure of the new company, IOCL will hold a 50 per cent stake while LanzaJet Inc will hold 25 per cent, while the remaining 25 per cent stake is reserved for airline companies, wherein multiple airline companies could be offered between two to five per cent stake.
  • The Central government has identified aviation as one of the primary sectors to reduce emissions and is involving airlines, airports and ground handlers to take forward such initiatives.
  • Also, Niti Aayog has suggested GST at 5 per cent on SAF and informed that the government could waive charges like passenger fees and user development fees (charged by airports) for SAF-operated flights.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND INDEX

World of Statistics releases ranking of the world’s “most criminal countries”

  • World of Statistics has shared the ranking of the world’s “most criminal countries”.
  • On the list, Venezuela has been ranked top, followed by Papua New Guinea (2), Afghanistan (3), South Africa (4), Honduras (5), Trinidad (6), Guyana (7), Syria (8), Somalia (9) and Jamaica (10),
  • India stood at 77 spots while the US and UK were ahead of India in the criminal ranking country.
  • The USA was at 55th number and the UK at 65th rank, according to the World of Statistics.
  • Turkey, Germany, and Japan were among the least criminal countries, ranking at 92nd, 100th, and 135th ranks.
  • Separately, World Population Review (WPR) ranked Afghanistan in the fourth spot on the list of countries with the highest crime rate in 2023.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Karnataka Bank appoints Sekhar Rao as interim CEO    

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Sekhar Rao as interim managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Karnataka Bank.
  • He has been appointed for a period of three months or till the appointment of regular MD and CEO whichever is earlier.
  • He replaced Mahabaleshwara M S, whose term ended on April 14, 2023 after the successful completion of his second term of three years.
  • Prior to this role, Sekhar Rao was serving as an executive director of the bank.

About Karnataka Bank : 

  • Founded : 18 February 1924
  • Headquarters : Mangalore, Karnataka, India
  • Tagline : Your Family Bank Across India

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Exercise Cope India 23 begins between Indian Air Force & United States Air Force in West Bengal  

  • The first phase of Exercise Cope India-23 (CI23) began at West Bengal’s Panagarh Air Force base, also known as Air Force Station Arjan Singh.
  • The exercise will conclude on 24 April 2023.

Aim: 

  • To enhance mutual understanding between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and United States air forces (USAF).
  • Apart from Panagarh, the war games will be held at the Air Force stations in Kalaikunda and Agra.
  • Personnel from the Japanese Air Self Defence Force will also observe the exercise and interact with the two participating air forces.

Participants : 

  • The exercise will witness participation of B1B bombers of the United States Air Force (USAF).
  • F-15 fighter aircraft of the USAF will also join the exercise subsequently.
  • The Indian Air Force (IAF) element will include the Su-30 MKI, Rafale, Tejas and Jaguar fighter aircraft. 

About Exercise Cope India : 

  • Exercise Cope India 23 is a bilateral Air Exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF).
  • Cope India began in 2004 as a fighter training exercise held at Air Station Gwalior, India.
  • The exercise will be supported by aerial refuellers, Airborne Warning and Control System and Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft of the IAF.

About Ministry of Defence : 

  • Defence Minister : Rajnath Singh
  • Minister of State : Ajay Bhatt
  • Defence Secretary : Giridhar Aramane

Raman Research Institute & Indian Navy partners to develop secure maritime communications using Quantum Technology  

  • The Indian Navy is set to collaborate with the Bengaluru, Karnataka based Raman Research Institute (RRI) to develop secure maritime communications using quantum technology.
  • The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between RRI, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and the Weapons and Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment (WESEE), the Research & Developments (R&D) establishment of the Indian Navy, was signed for a period of 5 years.
  • The MoU was signed between Professor Tarun Souradeep, Director, RRI, and Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Materiel, Indian Navy.

About the Partnership : 

  • Under this agreement, RRI’s Quantum Information and Computing (QuIC) lab will lead the research efforts towards developing quantum key distribution techniques that the Indian Navy could leverage in the nation’s efforts towards securing free space communications.
  • This lab has been leading the country’s research in the field of secure quantum communication. 
  • Some of its major achievements include the
  • Development of an end-to-end simulation toolkit named “qkdSim
  • Ensuring safety in communication platforms
  • Establishing secure communication between two buildings, and, more recently, between a stationary source and a mobile receiver.
  • QuIC is India’s first laboratory to propose and implement a wide range of applications using single and entangled photons, particularly towards establishing secure communications in strategic areas like banking, defence, and cyber security.

About RRI : 

  • Established : 1948
  • Location : Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • Director : Tarun Souradeep
  • It was founded by Nobel laureate C. V. Raman.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Kenya successfully launches first operational satellite Taifa-1  into space onboard SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket  

  • Kenya successfully launched its first operational earth observation satellite, ‘Taifa-1 satellite,’ into orbit.
  • The launch took place on a SpaceX rocket Falcon-9 from the Vandenberg Base in California, United States (US).

About the Satellite : 

  • A team of 9 Kenyan engineers from SayariLabs, designed and constructed Taifa-1 in collaboration with Bulgarian aerospace manufacturer Endurosat AD, which helped offset the design cost.
  • The satellite will collect agricultural and environmental data, including on floods, drought and wildfires, to be used for disaster management and to combat food insecurity.
  • The satellite was put together with the help of Bulgarian aerospace company Endurosat at a cost of 50 million Kenyan shillings ($372,000) over 2 years
  • This satellite will operate for 5 years and then decay over 20 years.
  • The launch rocket had 50 payloads from other countries, including Turkey, under SpaceX’s rideshare programme.

Key Statistics : 

  • Egypt was the first African country to send a satellite into space in 1998.
  • In 2018, Kenya launched its first experimental nanosatellite from the International Space Station (ISS).

About Kenya : 

  • President : William Ruto
  • Capital : Nairobi
  • Currency : Kenyan shilling

NASA’s Lucy Spacecraft Spots Jupiter’s Trojan Asteroids for the First Time                                    

  • NASA’s asteroid-hunting spacecraft, Lucy, captured its first views of four Jupiter Trojan asteroids that are thought to be leftover from the formation of the solar system.

About Trojan asteroids:

  • Trojan asteroids are mysterious space rocks which have been gravitationally trapped in Jupiter’s orbit around the Sun for billions of years
  • These are thought to be remnants of the primordial material that formed the outer planets.
  • They orbit the Sun in two loose groups, with one group leading ahead of Jupiter in its path, and the other trailing behind.
  • They are clustered around the two Lagrange points equidistant from the Sun and Jupiter, the Trojans are stabilised by the Sun and its largest planet in a gravitational balancing act.

About Lucy Mission : 

  • It was launched by NASA from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida in 2021.
  • It is a 12-year mission which will take close observations of nine of Jupiter’s Trojans and two main belt asteroids along with that.
  • It is the first spacecraft sent to study the Trojan asteroids, which orbit the Sun in the same path that the planet Jupiter takes.
  • It has recently captured the images of Eurybates, Polymele,  Leucus and  Leucus asteroids.

Türkiye launches its largest warship and world’s first drone carrier – TCG Anadolu                                    

  • Turkish President Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan unveiled Türkiye’s largest warship and the world’s first unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) carrier, TCG Anadolu, has been delivered to the country’s navy.

About TCG Anadolu : 

  • TCG Anadolu was built as part of the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship project.
  • It was built in the Istanbul shipyard Sedef.
  • Based on Spain’s flagship, the Juan Carlos I, the TCG Anadolu is a landing helicopter dock (LHD) type amphibious assault ship.
  • It is 231 metres (758 feet) long and 32 metres wide and boasts a displacement of 27,436 tons.
  • It has a top speed of around 20.5 knots, a range of 9,000 nautical miles and can operate at sea for 50 days.
  • 10 helicopters or 11 armed drones can be deployed on the flight deck of the ship, and 19 helicopters or 30 armed helicopters can be transported in the hangar.
  • The ship’s weapon, combat management, electronic warfare, infrared search and track, electro-optical search, laser warning, and torpedo defence systems, as well as radars, were developed locally.

About Türkiye : 

  • President :  Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan
  • Capital : Ankara
  • Currency : Turkish lira

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BOOKS AND AUTHOR

The new book ‘Gandhi: Siasat aur Sampradayikata’ written by Piyush Babel

  • The new book ‘Gandhi: Siasat aur Sampradayikata’ written by journalist, and writer Piyush Babel is available in Hindi.
  • The book is published by New Delhi-based Genuine Publications & Media Private Limited.
  • He is the head of the media department of the Madhya Pradesh Congress.
  • He quotes from Dr Ambedkar’s book ‘Pakistan or the Partition of India’ and other sources and claims that “contextualizing the developments leading up to the Partition of India in 1947, he shows that the spread of the Hindu South was a serious underlying Not that Mahatma Gandhi was responsible for the partition.

Daily CA One- Liner: April 19

  • The Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) has increased the coverage ceiling under its Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme from ₹2 crore to 5 crore per borrower for credit facilities extended by lending institutions to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).
  • HDFC Ltd stated that the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has cleared a proposal for change in control of HDFC Capital Advisors Limited (HCAL), a subsidiary of HDFC Limited and a co-investment portfolio manager subject to certain conditions.
  • Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik inaugurated the Seven-day SCO Millets Food Festival
  • PM Modi will inaugurate Northeast’s first AIIMS in Guwahati
  • Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) have collaborated to promote innovation in the agricultural sector
  • In a first-of-its-kind move, the Ministry of Railways has started using Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN) codes for the classification of commodities in freight transportation
  • The Government has set a seven-day timeline to report old invoices on e-invoice IRP (Invoice Registration Portal) for tax assessees having annual turnover of 100 crore or more
  • The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (Credai) has partnered with the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) to build over 1,000 certified green projects across India in the next two years, and 4,000 projects by 2030
  • NHAI incorporated company Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) signed an MoU with the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve to carry out Electronic Tolling
  • Indian Oil Corporation is planning to set up a joint venture with US-based clean energy technology company LanzaJet Inc and multiple domestic airlines for production of sustainable aviation fuel
  • World of Statistics has shared the ranking of the world’s “most criminal countries”.
  • The new book ‘Gandhi: Siasat aur Sampradayikata’ written by journalist, and writer Piyush Babel is available in Hindi
  • The Chief Minister (CM) of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami launched ‘A-HELP’ (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) programme at Survey of India Auditorium Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
  • The Andhra Pradesh (AP) government has renamed the proposed Bhavanapadu port in the Srikakulam district as Mulapeta greenfield port at the request of the locals.
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Sekhar Rao as interim managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Karnataka Bank.
  • The first phase of Exercise Cope India-23 (CI23) began at West Bengal’s Panagarh Air Force base, also known as Air Force Station Arjan Singh.

Daily Current Affairs April 18 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Small Industries Development Bank of India Launches Pilot Scheme ‘Mission 50K-EV4ECO’ for Enhanced Financing in Electric Vehicle Space

  • Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has launched the pilot financing scheme Called the Mission 50K-EV4ECO for better financing terms in the electric vehicle space (EVS) and strengthening the whole ecosystem.

Aim : 

  • To strengthen the EV ecosystem, including uptake for two, three and four-wheelers through direct and indirect lending.

Daily Current Affairs April 16 & 17 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

SEBI Unveils its New Logo on the 35th Foundation Day

  • Capital Market Regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) unveiled its new logo on its 35th Foundation Day at a ceremony conducted at the SEBI Head Office in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

About the New Logo :

  • The new SEBI logo retains its traditional blue colour palette.
  • The new logo reflects the combination of rich traditions of SEBI and new data and technology-based approach to all 3 areas of its mandate in the securities market.

Daily Current Affairs April 15 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

DBS Bank India to launch proprietary credit card

  • DBS Bank India Limited, a 100% subsidiary of Singapore headquartered DBS Bank, will by June, 2023 roll out its proprietary credit cards.
  • This credit card offering will be targeted at mass affluent and above (premium segment, including HNIs).
  • Currently, DBS Bank India has a co-branded credit card with Bajaj Finserv and a customer base of 2,00,000.

Daily Current Affairs April 14 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Reserve Bank of India released framework for the acceptance of green deposits by Regulated Entities

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the framework for the acceptance of green deposits of regulated entities (RE).
  • The framework will come into effect from June 1, 2023.

Daily Current Affairs April 13 2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

NSE Indices launches India’s 1st-ever REITs and InvITs index 

  • NSE Indices Limited, a subsidiary of National Stock Exchange (NSE), has launched India’s first ever Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) called Nifty REITs and InvITs Index.

Aim : 

  • To track the performance of REITs and InvITs that are publicly listed and traded (listed and traded or not listed but permitted to trade) at the NSE.

Daily Current Affairs April 12 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Reserve Bank of India to launch centralized portal PRAVAAH for licencing, approval applications

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has planned to launch a secured web-based centralized portal named ‘PRAVAAH’ (Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation AndAutHorisation) to simplify and streamline application processes.

Daily Current Affairs April 11 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Reserve Bank of India develops online application for Full-Fledged Money Changers & non-bank Authorised Dealers Category-II

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has developed a software application, known as ‘APConnect’ for processing applications related to licencing of Full-Fledged Money Changers (FFMCs), non-bank Authorised Dealers (AD) Category-II, authorisation as Money Transfer Service Scheme (MTSS) Agent, renewal of existing licences/authorisations, for seeking approval and submission of various statements/returns.

Daily Current Affairs April 09 & 10 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

RBI Imposes Penalty On Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services & Indian Bank

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of 6.77 crore on Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited for non-compliance with the “Non-Banking Financial Company-Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company and Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016”.
  • The statutory inspection of the company was conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020.
  • Meanwhile, the RBI imposed a fine of Rs 55 lakh on Indian Bank for non-compliance with certain provisions of the Reserve Bank of India (Know Your Customer) Directions, 2016.

Daily Current Affairs April 08 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Axis Bank introduces ‘Digital Dukaan’, an enhanced Payments & Business Management solution for merchants  

  • Axis Bank, India’s third largest private sector bank, in partnership with Visa announced the launch of an app ‘Digital Dukaan’, a comprehensive digital offering that will empower merchants to accept payments through various digital modes and also enable them to manage their day-to-day business digitally.

About ‘Digital Dukaan’ : 

  • The Digital Dukaan’ has been specifically designed to address business requirements such as accepting digital payments, inventory management and billing, among others.
  • This Android Smart POS application has an in-built camera with LED flashlight that will enable scanning of product barcodes, allow tap and pay option for transactions up to Rs 5,000 and also support other value-added services such as EMI, acceptance of Sodexo card, Buy Now Pay Later, etc.
  • It will also enable merchants to set up an online store and grow their business effortlessly by creating new channels.

Daily Current Affairs April 07 2023

 CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Union Bank of India becomes first Indian bank to open special vostro account for India-Malaysia trade settlement in rupee

  • Public sector lender Union Bank of India (UBI) becomes the first bank in the country to open Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) through its corresponding bank in Malaysia i.e. India International Bank of Malaysia (IIBM). 
  • This means that trade between India and Malaysia can now be settled in the Indian rupee, in addition to the current modes of settlement in other currencies.

Daily Current Affairs April 06 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

PhonePe Launches E-Commerce Consumer App ‘Pincode’ On ONDC Platform

  • Walmart-owned fintech company PhonePe has launched a new consumer-facing application, Pincode, which will be integrated into India’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) framework.

About Pincode : 

  • At present, Pincode is only available in Bengaluru city and will soon be launched in other cities.
  • Pincode is launching in 6 major categories, including grocery, food, pharma, electronics, home decor, and fashion.
  • The app, which will focus on hyperlocal commerce, is downloadable from Google Play and App store.
  • Pincode is built on the ONDC network, which allows us to generate demand for merchants digitised by various seller platforms in an inclusive manner, while creating new opportunities for growth and driving innovation at scale.

Daily Current Affairs April 05 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

DBS Bank India Launches ‘DigiPortfolio’ offers Morningstar-curated investments on risk preference     

  • DBS Bank India has launched an innovative investment solution, ‘digiPortfolio’, on its digibank platform.
  • DigiPortfolio uses both technology and human expertise to create a set of investment options curated by Morningstar that match the risk preferences of different investors.
  • The platform is an easy, one-stop solution for users to invest money with ready-made baskets of mutual funds.

Daily Current Affairs April 04 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

India Post Payments Bank launches WhatsApp Banking Services for customers

  • India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), in collaboration with Airtel, has launched WhatsApp Banking Services for IPPB customers in New Delhi, enabling them to access banking services on their mobile phone.

Key Highlights : 

  • The IPPB WhatsApp Banking channel will enable IPPB customers to seamlessly connect with the bank on WhatsApp and effortlessly avail a host of banking services, including doorstep service request, locating nearest Post Office.

Daily Current Affairs April 02 & 03 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Centre increases interest rates on small savings schemes for April-June Quarter of FY24

  • The Union Ministry of Finance has increased the interest rates on various small savings schemes between 10-70 basis points (bps) for the first quarter (Q1) of the fiscal year 2023-24 (FY24) starting from April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023.
  • This is the third time in the past 9 months that the interest rates on small savings schemes have been increased.

Daily Current Affairs April 01 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

RBI rejects all bids for 91-day T-bill for first time in 7 years    

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rejected all bids received for the 91-day Treasury bill (T-bill) for the first time since February 2016.

What is the Treasury bill?

  • T-bills are short-term, zero coupon debt instruments issued by the government.
  • T-bills are currently issued in 3 tenors – 91-day, 182-day and 364-day and pay no interest.
  • Treasury bills are instead issued at a discount and redeemed at the face value at maturity.

Daily Current Affairs March 31 2023

 CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

NPCI recommends up to 1.1% interchange fee on UPI transactions of over 2,000 via PPIs

  • National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has notified that an interchange fee of up to 1.1% will be applicable on merchant UPI (Unified Payments Interface) transactions done using prepaid payment instruments (PPIs) such as wallets or cards with effect from April 1, 2023.

Daily Current Affairs March 30 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Axis Bank launches India’s first pocket-sized swipe machine ‘MicroPay’                                     

  • Private sector lender Axis Bank launched ‘MicroPay’first pocket-sized swipe machine of India, based on ‘Pin on Mobile’ technology for accepting digital payments.
  • The bank launched ‘MicroPay’ along with Ezetap by Razorpay and MyPinpad as the technical solution partners.

Daily Current Affairs March 29 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

ICICI Lombard introduces country’s 1st ‘anywhere cashless’ feature

  • For the first time in the country, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited (ICICI Lombard) has launched ‘Anywhere Cashless’ feature for health insurance policyholders to avail cashless facilities at any hospital, even if not part of ICICI Lombard’s current network of hospitals.

Aim : 

  • To expand insurance coverage by setting up more network partners in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, and actively seek and provide better options to customers.

Daily Current Affairs March 28 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Asian Development Bank to provide Rs 754 cr loan to SAEL Industries

  • The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and SAEL Industries Limited have signed an agreement for a loan of up to 754 crores.
  • The loan agreement is to promote the generation of biomass energy using agricultural residue, helping diversify India’s energy mix and reduce carbon intensity.

Key Highlights : 

  • ADB’s funding will be used for the construction of 5 biomass power plants in Rajasthan.
  • These 5 biomass power plants will be constructed in the districts of Bikaner, Churu, Hanumangarh, Jhunjhunu, and Sikar.
  • Due to burning of crop stubble by farmers to remove paddy residue, fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels and air pollution rise.

Daily Current Affairs March 26 & 27 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Karur Vysya Bank enters into a bancassurance agreement with SBI Life in the life insurance category                

  • Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) has executed an agreement with SBI Lite, the insurance arm of State Bank of India (SBI) as an additional bancassurance partner in the life insurance category.

What is bancassurance?

  • Bancassurance is a relationship between a bank and an insurance company that is aimed at offering insurance products or insurance benefits to the bank’s customers.
  • This partnership arrangement can be profitable for both companies.

Daily Current Affairs March 25 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

World Bank’s IFC to invest $73 million in Mahindra’s last mile mobility unit

  • Indian automaker Mahindra and Mahindra stated that World Bank’s private investment arm, International Finance Corp (IFC), will invest 6 billion rupees ($72.58 million) in the company’s last mile electric mobility unit.
  • The investment is the IFC’s first in an electric vehicle maker in India.
  • The investment, which will be in the form of compulsory convertible instruments, will value the unit at 60.20 billion rupees.
  • IFC will own about a 9.97%-13.64% stake in the newly formed company.
  • Indian automakers and startups, such as Tata Motors, ElectricPe and Yulu, are jumping into the space and attracting multiple investments.

Daily Current Affairs March 24 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

RBI allows India & Tanzania to use national currencies for trading                            

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved for India and Tanzania to use their national currencies Ie, Indian Rupee (INR) Tanzanian Shilling (Tsh) for bilateral trade settlement.
  • Under this mechanism, authorised banks in India will open Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) of correspondent banks of Tanzania.

Daily Current Affairs March 23 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

RBI imposes Rs 2.27 crore penalty on RBL Bank for non-compliance

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of 2.27 crore on private sector lender RBL Bank for not complying with certain directives on loan recovery agents.
  • The RBI noticed “deficiencies in regulatory compliance” after it examined complaints received against the Mumbai-based lender’s recovery agents during the financial years 2018-19 to 2021-22.

Daily Current Affairs March 22 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS:BANKING & FINANCE

Kotak Mahindra Bank and IOCL launched a co-branded fuel credit card

  • Kotak Mahindra Bank and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) announced a strategic partnership to launch the Indian Oil Kotak co-branded fuel credit card.
  • The Card will be available on the RuPay network.
  • The partnership will offer more value to customers in the form of an enhanced rewards programme giving customers value on fuel spends and on special non-fuel and frequent-spend categories, such as dining and groceries.

Daily Current Affairs March 21 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

RBI imposes Rs 5 lakh penalty on HDFC for non-compliance of norms 

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (HDFC) for non-compliance with certain provisions issued by the National Housing Bank (NHB).
  • A statutory inspection of the company was conducted by NHB with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2020.

Daily Current Affairs March 19 & 20 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Bank of Baroda unveils co-branded debit card under Tamil Nadu govt Pudhumai Penn scheme for girl students

  • Public sector Bank of Baroda (BoB) has partnered with the Government of Tamil Nadu (TN) to offer co-branded RuPay Platinum Debit Card in TN offering customised solutions to its users.
  • BoB has launched the debit card that would be offered to the beneficiaries of the state government’s ‘Pudhumai Penn’ scheme.

Daily Current Affairs March 18 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Reserve Bank of India and Central Bank of UAE sign MoU to promote innovation in financial products and services

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abu Dhabi, to enhance cooperation and jointly enable innovation in financial products and services.

Daily Current Affairs March 17 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Canara Bank launches Rupay Credit Card on UPI

  • Canara Bank in collaboration with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched the Rupay Credit Card through Unified Payment Interface (UPI) using the BHIM(Bharat Interface for Money) app

Aim : 

  • To leverage the reach of UPI and the strength of credit card products.

Daily Current Affairs March 16 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

IREDA gets ‘Infrastructure Finance Company’ status from RBI

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted an ‘Infrastructure Finance Company (IFC)’ status to Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA).
  • With IFC status, IREDA will be able to take higher exposure in renewable energy (RE) financing.

Daily Current Affairs March 15 2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

SBI raises Rs. 3717 crores through Additional Tier 1 bonds                                                  

  • The nation’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) raised Rs 3,717 crore through additional tier 1 (AT1) bond sale.
  • This is the third Basel III compliant AT1 bond sale and the latest issue was closed at a coupon rate of 8.25%.

Daily Current Affairs March 14 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

RBI infuses 82650 crore into the banking system via VRR auction

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) infused liquidity amounting to 82,650 crore into the banking system via the 14-day Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction.
  • Banks borrowed ₹82,650 crore at a weighted average rate of 6.53%.
  • Notified amount under the VRR auction was 1 lakh crore.
  • This will be only the second VRR auction conducted by the RBI since February 2020.

Daily Current Affairs March 12 & 13 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Central banks of Israel, Norway and Sweden model hub for digital currency payments                          

  • Project Icebreaker, a joint initiative from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the central banks of Israel, Norway, and Sweden, has successfully concluded a study on the potential benefits and challenges of using retail central bank digital currencies (CBDC) in international payments.

Daily Current Affairs March 11 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Bajaj Finserv got SEBI licence to start mutual fund business

  • Financial services company Bajaj Finserv has received the final registration from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to start its mutual fund (MF) business operations under Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund.

Daily Current Affairs March 10 2023

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

City Union Bank rolls out credit card in partnership with 42 Card Solutions                              

  • Private sector lender City Union Bank (CUB) has launched its first-ever credit card service, the Dhi CUB Visa Signature Credit Card, in partnership with credit cards-as-a-service provider 42 Card Solutions Pvt Ltd (42 CS)