These current affairs today are a part of our daily current affairs. We cover a wide range of topics from state, national, and international news that are relevant and important for competitive exams. Our team prepares today’s current affairs after going through many newspapers, such as The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, PRS, etc.
Scroll down for current affairs for 18th January 2024.
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa’s Achievement:
- Praggnanandhaa surpassed Viswanathan Anand to become India’s top chess player.
- He defeated World Chess Champion Ding Liren in the Tata Steel Masters in the Netherlands.
- This victory made him the second Indian, after Vishwanathan Anand, to defeat a reigning champion.
- As a result, Praggnanandhaa overtook Anand in India’s FIDE live ratings.
FIDE (International Chess Federation) Information:
- FIDE was formed on July 20, 1924, and is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland.
- The current President of FIDE is Arkady Dvorkovich, with Viswanathan Anand serving as Deputy President.
SEBI’s Action Against Abhijit Pawar:
- Abhijit Pawar, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar’s nephew, faced a Rs 10 lakh fine from SEBI.
- The penalty was imposed for insider trading related to Magma Fincorp (now Poonawalla Fincorp Ltd).
- SEBI’s action followed alerts received in February 2021 regarding potential insider trading in Magma’s stock.
- Abhijit Pawar was directed to settle the fine within 45 days.
SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) Details:
- SEBI was formed on April 12, 1988, and acquired statutory status on January 30, 1992.
- The headquarters of SEBI is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- The current Chairperson of SEBI is Madhabi Puri Buch.
IREDA and Indian Overseas Bank Collaboration:
- IREDA partnered with Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) for co-financing renewable energy projects in India.
- The agreement facilitates co-lending and loan syndication for a diverse range of renewable energy projects.
- IREDA has previously collaborated with prominent financial institutions, including Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, and Union Bank of India.
- IREDA, under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, was founded in 1987, with headquarters in New Delhi.
IREDA Details:
- Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) is led by Chairman & MD Pradip Kumar Das and CFO Bijay Kumar Mohanty.
- IREDA promotes, develops, and extends financial assistance for projects related to new and renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency/conservation.
Sumit Nagal’s Historic Achievement at Australian Open 2024:
- Sumit Nagal made history at the 2024 Australian Open by defeating the 31st-seeded player, Alexander ‘Sasha’ Bublik, in straight sets.
- Nagal is now the first Indian male tennis player, after Ramesh Krishnan in 1989, to secure a victory in Grand Slams against a seeded player.
- In the 1989 Australian Open, Ramesh Krishnan, unseeded at the time, defeated the then-world number 1 Mats Wilander.
- Currently ranked 137th, Nagal entered the 2024 Australian Open main draw by winning three qualifying round matches.
- Despite starting 2023 ranked outside 500, Nagal’s Challenger wins and finals improved his rankings.
- Nagal, representing India in men’s singles, faced challenges entering the Australian Open due to the All India Tennis Association’s decision after he declined to play against Pakistan in the Davis Cup.
DPIIT’s Ranking of States for Startup Development:
- Gujarat and Karnataka are recognized as the ‘best performers’ in fostering a startup ecosystem, according to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
- Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal Pradesh are also acknowledged as strong contributors to the development of the startup ecosystem.
- DPIIT evaluates states and Union Territories annually, categorizing them as best performers, top performers, leaders, aspiring leaders, and emerging startup ecosystems.
- The ranking is based on efforts to create a conducive environment for startup growth, with 33 states and Union Territories participating.
- Gujarat, securing the top spot for the fourth consecutive year, and Karnataka, for the second year in a row, lead the ‘best performers’ category.
- Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya are classified as top performers.
- The exercise aims to support states and Union Territories in enhancing their startup ecosystems and sharing best practices.
- Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal released the States’ Startup Ranking 2022.
Investment Deals at Davos Summit by Karnataka:
- Karnataka has recently signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) amounting to Rs 22,000 crore with global industry leaders like Microsoft, Web Werks, Hitachi, and four other companies during the World Economic Forum 2024.
- These partnerships are anticipated to drive the state towards technological advancement, infrastructure development, and economic growth.
- The objective is to establish cutting-edge infrastructure by leveraging the existing robust ecosystem and attractive market dynamics in the region.
- The MOU between the Karnataka government and Microsoft focuses on a digital skilling initiative named Microsoft RISE, aiming to enhance livelihood opportunities for various groups, including under-served youth, job seekers, individuals with disabilities, small entrepreneurs, and those in remote areas.
- Web Werks, a data center solutions provider, has signed an MOU to set up a 100-megawatt data center park worth Rs 20,000 crore in Bengaluru.
- Real estate developer Lulu Group plans to invest Rs 300 crore in a food processing plant for exports.
Details about Karnataka:
Capital: Bangalore
Governor: Thawar Chand Gehlot
Chief Minister: Siddaramaiah
Google’s Agreement with NPCI for UPI International Payments:
- Google Pay and NPCI International Payments have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand the scope of UPI payments outside India.
- This initiative aims to allow Indian travelers to digitally transact internationally while also establishing UPI-like systems in other countries.
- The move simplifies cross-border digital payments by using UPI rails to enable remittances between countries.
- Foreign merchants can access Indian customers, who can make payments using UPI-powered apps without relying on foreign currency, credit, or forex cards.
- This collaboration aligns with NPCI’s international expansion of UPI, following agreements with entities like France’s Lyra and acceptance in countries like Bhutan, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada.
- Participating banks include Axis Bank, DBS Bank India, ICICI Bank, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, and State Bank of India (SBI).
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) Details:
Founded: 2008
Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
MD & CEO: Dilip Asbe
‘Sister City’ Agreement Between Greater Noida and Loudoun County:
- Greater Noida is poised to establish a ‘Sister City’ agreement with Loudoun County in the United States, potentially paving the way for extensive investment, academic collaboration, and cultural exchanges.
- A delegation from Loudoun County, Virginia, situated approximately 70 km from Washington DC, visited Greater Noida to discuss and finalize the agreement.
- Draft suggestions have been exchanged between the two parties, and upon approval from the government, a memorandum of understanding will be formalized soon.
- The Greater Noida Authority has long sought a ‘Sister City’ or ‘Twin City’ arrangement with Loudoun County, enabling direct exchanges in education, business, culture, biotechnology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and more.
Details about Greater Noida:
- Location: Greater Noida
- Authority: Greater Noida Authority
- Wings India 2024 Event in Hyderabad:
Wings India 2024 event to be held in Hyderabad
- The Wings India 2024 event is scheduled to take place at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad, inaugurated by Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
- Organized by the Airports Authority of India in collaboration with the Ministry and FICCI, Wings India is considered the largest civil aviation show in Asia.
- The event will showcase new-generation aircraft displays, allied aviation services, auxiliary unit industries, and advancements in the tourism sector.
- The main theme of Wings India 2024 is ‘Connecting India with the World in Amritkal,’ focusing on strategies and frameworks for the future of the aviation sector in India.
Book Release by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar:
- Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar released the book ‘Fertilising the Future: Bharat’s March Towards Fertilizer Self-Sufficiency,’ authored by Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.
- The Hindi version of the book is titled ‘Urvarak-Atmanirbharta ki Raah.’
- The book highlights India’s journey towards self-reliance in the fertilizer sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, showcasing revolutionary changes made to date.
- Details about the Book Author: Author: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
Today’s Current Affairs MCQs/ GK Quiz 18th January 2024
Latest Web Stories
Leave a Reply