Our Current Affairs February 2024 events will help you to get more marks in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, CLAT and all State Government Exams. Also, try our Latest Current Affairs Quiz and Monthly Current Affairs 2023 PDF which will be a pedestrian to crack your exams.
Read Current Affairs in CareersCloud APP, Course Name – Learn Current Affairs – Free Course – Click Here to Download the APP
We are Hiring – Subject Matter Expert | CA Video Creator | Content Developers(Pondicherry)
Click here for Current Affairs 25 & 26 February 2024
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated 9th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi
ii.The PM of Greece was the Chief Guest of the inaugural session.
iii.It is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), with a support from number of institutions, organisations and individuals.
iv.As a part of Dialogue, Union Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam (S.) Jaishankar unveiled a logo in New Delhi, commemorating the 75th anniversary of India’s diplomatic ties with Finland and Denmark.
About Finland:
Capital– Helsinki
Currency– Euro
President– Alexander Stubb (from March 1,2024)
>> Read Full News
Dharma Guardian: 5th Edition of the India-Japan Annual Military Exercise Commenced in Rajasthan
- The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 25th February to 9th March 2024.
Aim: To strengthen bilateral Military Cooperation between India and Japan and combined capabilities to execute joint operations in the semi-urban environment under Chapter VII of the United Nations (UN) Charter.
Participants:
The exercise is conducted between the Indian Army (IA) and the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF).
- IA contingent, comprising 40 personnel, is being represented by a Battalion from the Rajputana Rifles.
- The Japanese contingent, comprising 40 personnel, is being represented by troops from the 34th Infantry Regiment.
5th Dharma Guardian:
i.The Dharma Guardian exercise is conducted alternatively in India and Japan.
ii.The exercise also aims to develop inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between IA & JGSDF.
iii.The Exercise would focus on a high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills and basics of special arms skills.
iv.The Tactical drills include establishing of Temporary Operating Base, creating an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Grid, setting up a Mobile Vehicle Check Post, executing Cordon and Search Operations in a hostile village, Heliborne operations and House Intervention Drills.
v.There is also a plan to organise ‘A Weapon and Equipment Display’ to showcase the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and the growing defence industrial capability of India.
vi.The exercise will also strengthen bilateral relations between India and Japan and enhance the level of defence cooperation between the two forces.
Additional Info:
i.Lieutenant General Togashi Yuichi, Commanding General, of Eastern Army, JGSDF will be visiting Mahajan Field Firing Ranges on 3rd March 2024 to witness the Combat Shooting demonstration, Special Heliborne Operation (SHBO) & House Intervention Drills.
ii.The 4th edition of Dharma Guardian was held at Camp Imazu in the Shiga province of Japan in 2023.
About Indian Army(IA):
Chief of the Army Staff – General Manoj Pande
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Established in – April 01, 1895
PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates 2 Institutes of Ministry of Ayush in Jhajjar & Pune
- The 2 major hospitals and research centers related to Yoga and Naturopathy in Maharashtra and Haryana are aimed at advancing the holistic healthcare landscape in India.
Note: NIN Pune which came into force in 1986, is an autonomous body under the Ministry of AYUSH.
Central Research Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy (CRIYN) – Jhajjar, Haryana:
i.This is an Apex-level Yoga and Naturopathy research and education facility.
ii.A tertiary level Yoga and Naturopathy healthcare infrastructure will be created through this project.
iii.Facilities include a 200-bedded Hospital, Outpatient Department (OPD), Treatment Block, Academic block, Hostel, Residential Block, Yoga Block, and Diet Block.
Estimation: The 19-acre project has been built with a total cost of Rs. 63.88 crore.
National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN) – ‘NISARG GRAM’ in Pune, Maharashtra:
i.It is a 250-bed hospital with a Multi-disciplinary Research and Extension Service Centre.
ii.It houses a Naturopathy Medical College offering Undergraduate/Post Graduate (UG/PG)/Para Medical Courses.
iii.The college also features residential & non-residential facilities including a Boys & Girls Hostel, Auditorium, Yoga Hall, Cottages, and the iconic Gandhi Memorial Hall.
Estimation: This 25-acre project has been built with a total cost of Rs. 213.55 crore.
Significance of the Institutes:
i.These institutions represent significant milestones in promoting holistic healthcare through Traditional Healthcare systems.
ii.Utilisation of diverse approaches such as hydrotherapy, massage, clinical nutrition, and yoga therapy.
iii.Addressing the growing prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
iv.State-of-the-art infrastructure and educational programs empower individuals to prioritise health and well-being.
India & Bangladesh Collaborated under ITHCP for Transboundary Tiger Conservation in Sunderbans
- The initiative aims to mutually understand the tiger conservation process of India and Bangladesh in Sunderbans.
Note –
i.The Sundarbans is the world’s largest mangrove forest spread over India and Bangladesh in the delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal.
ii.It supports the single largest population of tigers in the world.
iii.It was designated as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site in 1987.
Key Points:
i.It is a first-of-its-kind cross-border initiative which aims to preserve biodiversity in both India and Bangladesh by focusing on harmonious coexistence with tigers in the Sunderbans.
ii.The initiative is jointly done by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Lokamata Rani Rashmoni Mission, Joynagar (West Bengal) and WildTeam of Bangladesh.
iii.The initiative is attended by WTI’s primary response team (PRT) members, “Bagh Bondh’s” (friends of the tiger), teachers & students from India and Bangladesh.
iv.Shared Experience: Prevention of people from going into tiger’s territory to pick up firewood.
v.Indian side: Indian people are provided with smokeless cooking stoves and livelihood supports like poultry and goats.
vi.Bangladesh side: People were educated on growing paddy that could withstand the high salinity in water.
About ITHCP:
i.ITHCP is supported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Germany’s KfW Development Bank.
ii.The program was initiated in 2014 and is set to run till 2027.
iii.The program consists of four phases that invest in high-quality projects in key Tiger Conservation Landscapes in countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Nepal and Myanmar.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Outcomes of FATF’s 5th Plenary held in Paris, France from 21-23 February 2024
- The 5th Plenary also concluded the FATF Week (19-23 February 2024).
- Ms. Elisa de Anda Madrazo of Mexico was appointed as the next President of the FATF for a fixed 2-year term, starting on 1 July 2024.
- FATF suspended membership of the Russian Federation on 24 February 2023
- Ukraine is not a member of FATF.
- Black Listed countries as of February 24, 2024 – Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Iran, and Myanmar.
- Grey List– Kenya and Namibia are newly added to the existing 23 countries.
About Financial Action Task Force (FATF):
FATF is the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog. This inter-governmental body sets international standards to prevent these illegal activities.
President– T Raja Kumar (Singapore)
Headquarters– Paris, France
Established in– 1989
Members– 39 Countries
>> Read Full News
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Power Finance Corporation Partnered with Italy’s SACE to Secure ECA-backed Financing Facility
Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has entered into a partnership with Servizi Assicurativi del Commercio Estero (SACE), Italy’s Export Credit Agency (ECA), to secure an innovative ECA-backed financing facility.
- It marks PFC as the first government-owned Indian entity to engage with SACE under its “Push Strategy” initiative.
- Under the partnership, PFC will benefit from an 80% guarantee by SACE on financing up to 200 million euros. HSBC will serve as the coordinating bank, lead arranger, and facility agent.
- This finance facility will help Indian firms in the power and infrastructure sectors access cutting-edge Italian technology and strengthen collaborations with Italian firms.
Note:
Export credit agencies offer loans, loan guarantees, and insurance to help domestic companies limit the risk of selling goods and services in overseas markets.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Feleti Teo Set to be Appointed as 14th PM of Tuvalu
- It is the first time in Tuvalu that a PM has been nominated unopposed.
- He will succeed Kausea Natano, who has been serving the post since 2019.
About Feleti Penitala Teo:
i.In 1991, Feleti Teo was appointed as the first attorney general of Tuvalu.
ii.He served Forum Fisheries Agency as Director General(DG) and Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat as Interim Secretary General & Deputy Secretary General.
iii.Feleti Teo served as the Executive Director (ED) of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) from 2015 to 2023.
2024 Tuvaluan General Election:
i.2024 Tuvaluan General Election was conducted on 26th January 2024.
ii.The general election aims to elect a new 16-Members Parliament (MPs) from eight constituencies.
iii.It is to be noted that there are no political parties in Tuvalu; It indicates that all candidates run as independents.
iv.PM Kausea Natano lost his seat in the general election.
v.Feleti Teo, representing the Niutao constituency, has secured 581 votes.
vi.Paulson Panapa, belonging to the Vaitupu constituency secured the highest votes (585 votes) in the general election.
About Tuvalu:
Prime Minister – Kausea Natano
Capital – Funafuti Atoll
Currency – Australian Dollar
Former MD & CEO of Bank of Maharashtra A S Rajeev appointed as Vigilance Commissioner
Aeratu S. Rajeev, former managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Bank of Maharashtra (BoM), was appointed as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
- He served as MD and CEO of BoM from December 2018 until he voluntarily retired from the post on February 2024.
- The CVC consists of a Central Vigilance Commissioner as Chairperson and not more than two Vigilance Commissioners as Members.
- As of February 2024, Praveen Kumar Srivastava is a Central Vigilance Commissioner, and Arvinda Kumar is the other Vigilance Commissioner.
About CVC:
i.CVC is an apex governmental body in India that is responsible for promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability in the country’s public administration.
ii.It was established in 1964 based on the recommendations of the Santhanam Committee on the Prevention of Corruption.
Indian-Origin Samir Shah set to be Appointed as BBC Chairman
Indian-Origin Samir Shah is set to be appointed as the chairman of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) with effect from 4th March 2024 for a period of four years until March 2028.
- He was born in Aurangabad, Maharashtra in 1952 and moved to England in 1960.
- Shah was honoured with a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 for services to television and heritage.
- He replaces acting BBC chairwoman Dame Elan Closs Stephens.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
CCI Gives INSCO its Green Channel Approval for Acquisition of HNGIL
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has given INSCO (Independent Sugar Corporation) the green channel approval for proposed acquisition of Hindusthan National Glass & Industries Limited (HNGIL)
- INSCO is a Madhvani Group company based in Africa.
- The clean chit was given to INSCO after its competitive bidder, AGI Greenpac, filed a complaint with the CCI challenging the green channel approval granted to INSCO.
- About HNGIL: It is India’s first fully automated Glass manufacturing unit founded by C.K. Somany in 1946.
- The ‘Green Channel’ route provides for automatic approval of certain combinations without having to get formal approval from the commission.
SPORTS
India Wins 18 medals at BWF Para-Badminton World Championships 2024
The Indian shuttlers won 18 medals (3 gold, 4 silver, and 11 bronze) at the BWF (Badminton World Federation) Para-Badminton World Championships 2024, held from 20th -25th February 2024 in Pattaya, Thailand.
- The 14th edition of the bi-annual event organized by BWF PARA – Badminton Association of Thailand.
Indian Gold Medal Winners:
i.Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics silver medallist, won the gold in the men’s singles SL 4 category by beating Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan.
ii.Krishna Nagar won the gold medal in the men’s singles SH 6 category by beating China’s Naili Lin.
iii.Pramod Bhagat won the gold medal in the men’s singles SL 3 category by beating England’s Daniel Bethell.
- He was the first Indian to win a gold medal in badminton at the Paralympic Games, winning a gold medal in the men’s singles SL3 class.
List of Indian Silver & Bronze Medallists:
| No. | Athlete/Team | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Medallists | ||
| 1 | Manisha Ramadass | women’s singles SU 5 |
| 2 | Chirag Baretha/Rajkumar | men’s doubles SU 5 |
| 3 | Manasi Girishchandra Joshi/Thulasimathi Murugesan | women’s doubles SL 3 – SU 5 |
| 4 | Rachana Shaileshkumar Patel/Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan | women’s doubles SH 6 |
| Bronze Medallists | ||
| 1 | Sukant Kadam | men’s singles SL 4 |
| 2 | Nitesh Kumar | men’s Singles SL 3 |
| 3 | Manoj Sarkar | men’s Singles SL 3 |
| 4 | Manasi Girishchandra Joshi | women’s singles SL 3 |
| 5 | Palak Kohli | women’s singles SL 4 |
| 6 | Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan | women’s singles SH 6 |
| 7 | Pramod Bhagat/Sukant Kadam | men’s doubles SL 3 – SL 4 |
| 8 | Nehal Gupta/Naveen Sivakuma | men’s doubles SL 3 – SL 4 |
| 9 | Mandeep Kaur/Manish Ramadass | women’s doubles SL 3 – SU 5 |
| 10 | Chirag Baretha/Mandeep Kaur | mixed doubles SL 3 – SU 5 |
| 11 | Pramod Bhagat/Manisha Ramadass | mixed doubles SL 3 – SU 5 |
OBITUARY
National Award-winning Indian Filmmaker Kumar Shahani Passed Away
National Awards of Kumar Shahani:
i.He directed his first long feature movie, Maya Darpan in 1972, which won a National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi in 1973.
ii.In 1984, he directed his first full-length movie Tarang, for which he won the 2nd National Award in Special Mention.
iii.In 1991, he directed the movie Bhavantarana, which made him win the 3rd National Award for Best Biographical Film.
International Recognition:
i.Kumar Shahani’s work found acclaim at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), in Rotterdam Netherlands, where some of his films earned recognition like:
- Var Var Vari (IFFR, 1988); Char Adhyay (IFFR, 1998).
ii.His film Khayal Gatha (1989) secured the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) prize at IFFR in Rotterdam in 1990.
iii.He also won the 1998 Prince Claus Award for the invention of a new cinematic idiom.
iv.In 2019, his early works were showcased at the Pingyao International Film Festival.
Other works of Kumar Shahani:
i.His other notable works include A Ship Aground (1988), Kasba (1990), and As The Crow Flies (2004), which is the only digital film directed by him.
ii.He was a key member of the advisory council of the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF).
STATE NEWS
Bihar Govt Presents Rs 2.79 Lakh Crore Budget for FY 2024-25
- The budget expenditure has increased by Rs 16840.32 crore from Rs 2,61,885.40 crore in FY24.
Highlights:
i.The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Bihar is estimated to grow by 15.5%.
ii.Expenditure (excluding debt repayment) in 2024-25 is estimated to be Rs 2,56,333 crore.
About Bihar:
Chief Minister– Nitish Kumar
Governor– Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
Tiger Reserve– Valmiki Tiger Reserve
Wildlife Sanctuary– Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary; Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary
>> Read Full News
Himachal CM presents Rs 58,444 crore budget for 2024-25
ii.It is 9.1% higher than the budget of Rs 53,413 crore in FY24.
iii.The government did not propose any new tax for FY25.
iv.It was a rural-oriented Budget focused on strengthening farming and animal husbandry sectors, and to make the HP self-reliant.
v.Total estimated receipts for FY25 is Rs 61438.71 crore.
About Himachal Pradesh (HP):
Chief Minister– Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Governor– Shiv Pratap Shukla
National Parks– Great Himalayan National Park, Pin Valley National Park
Wildlife Sanctuaries– Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary , Chail Wildlife Sanctuary
>> Read Full News
BSTF and SIDBI signed an MoU to enhance the Startup Ecosystem in Bihar
- The collaboration will provide a conducive environment for startups to contribute to economic growth and by focussing on innovation, the BSSFF addresses the challenges faced by the economy and society.
Signatories:
The agreement was formally signed by Pankaj Dixit, Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Director Industries at the Department of Industries, Government of Bihar; and Arijit Dutt, General Manager representing SIDBI.
Fund Structure:
The BSSFF operates as a Fund of Funds, a unique model managed by SIDBI, where the fund doesn’t directly invest in startups. Instead, it invests in other venture capital funds, and these funds, in turn, make direct investments in startups.
Bihar Start-Up Fund Trust (BSFT):
i.BSFT serves as a nodal Agency, constituted by the Department of Industries, Government of Bihar, to implement Bihar’s Start-Up Policy of the Government of Bihar.
ii.This policy is designed to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, fostering an ecosystem conducive to startup growth in the state.
Impressive Corpus:
i.Under Bihar’s start-up policy, the Government of Bihar established BSFT, with an initial corpus of Rs. 500 crores, to provide robust support for startups.
ii.Out of this fund, BSSFF has been set up with an initial Rs. 50 crores for scaling up funding support to startups.
UGC Granted Category 1 University Status to CUSB, 1st time for a University in Bihar
The University Grants Commission (UGC) granted Category-I University status to the Central University of South Bihar (CUSB), the 1st time for a university in Bihar.
- The UGC examined CUSB at its 577th meeting on February 13, 2024, and officially approved Category-I University status.
- This recognition aligns with the UGC (Categorisation of Universities (only) for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations, 2018.
Objective:
The categorisation of universities aims to recognise and reward high-quality institutions, fostering a culture of excellence.
- Greater autonomy empowers universities to generate resources independently.
Benefits of Category-1 Status:
i.Section 12B Inclusion: CUSB is automatically deemed under Section 12B of the UGC Act, 1956, without the need for inspections.
ii.Research Grants Eligibility: The university is now eligible for research grants, fostering a conducive environment for academic research.
iii.Autonomy for New Initiatives: CUSB can introduce new courses, programs, schools, or centers without seeking additional approvals.
iv.Global Collaborations: CUSB will be eligible for benefits as stipulated under clause 4 of the regulations such as establishing off-campus centers; skill courses, etc.
*******
List of Less Important News – Click Here
Current Affairs Today (AffairsCloud Today)
| Current Affairs 27 February 2024 |
|---|
| PM Narendra Modi inaugurated 9th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi |
| Dharma Guardian: 5th Edition of the India-Japan Annual Military Exercise Commenced in Rajasthan |
| PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates 2 Institutes of Ministry of Ayush in Jhajjar & Pune |
| India & Bangladesh Collaborated under ITHCP for Transboundary Tiger Conservation in Sunderbans |
| Outcomes of FATF’s 5th Plenary held in Paris, France from 21-23 February 2024 |
| Power Finance Corporation Partnered with Italy’s SACE to Secure ECA-backed Financing Facility |
| Feleti Teo Set to be Appointed as 14th PM of Tuvalu |
| Former MD & CEO of Bank of Maharashtra A S Rajeev appointed as Vigilance Commissioner |
| Indian-Origin Samir Shah set to be Appointed as BBC Chairman |
| CCI Gives INSCO its Green Channel Approval for Acquisition of HNGIL |
| India Wins 18 medals at BWF Para-Badminton World Championships 2024 |
| National Award-winning Indian Filmmaker Kumar Shahani Passed Away |
| Bihar Govt Presents Rs 2.79 Lakh Crore Budget for FY 2024-25 |
| Himachal CM presents Rs 58,444 crore budget for 2024-25 |
| BSTF and SIDBI signed an MoU to enhance the Startup Ecosystem in Bihar |
Aspirant: Does Affairscloud covers all the Current affairs topics related to examinations?
Affairscloud: We Guaranteed All the Important topics related to examination are covered in Our Daily CA content and Daily CA Quizzes.
Aspirant: Why is there a delayal in news?
Affairscloud: As some of the major news sites doesn’t provide the required data on the exact day, we take extra time for important data to be presented to the aspirants on the examination basis to ensure nothing is missed.
Example: In ‘Important Days’ topics the International Organisations publish their reports and Rankings in the evenings, to make sure every data is covered, we delay the topics to the next day.
| Candidates appearing for Competitive Exams. Kindly Share the General Awareness questions,which asked in their respective exams to “gaanalysis.ac@gmail.com” |
|---|
