Daily Current Affairs 14th & 15th January, 2024

Daily Current Affairs 15 January 2024 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

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NATIONAL NEWS

PM Modi releases first installment of PM-JANMAN to 1 lakh beneficiaries
Prime minister Narendra Modi released the first installment of rural housing scheme Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) to one lakh beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) via video conferencing.

• Releasing the first installment of ₹540 crore, the prime minister said that the 10 years of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government have been dedicated to the welfare of the poor.
• The PM-JANMAN, with a budget of approximately ₹24,000 crore, focuses on 11 critical interventions through nine ministries and is aimed to improve socio-economic conditions of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) by providing them with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition, electricity, road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Defence minister approves insurance scheme for BRO workers
Defence minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal to provide insurance cover to tens of thousands of casual workers employed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to build infrastructure in the country’s farthest frontiers.

• This scheme will provide ₹10 lakh as insurance in any kind of death to the family of casual paid labourers.
• These moves by the ministry have brought into focus the risky roles these workers fill in treacherous terrain.

L-G inaugurates 2-day long international ‘Patang Utsav’
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena inaugurated the much-anticipated ‘Patang Utsav’ at Baansera, the city’s first bamboo-theme park located at Sarai Kale Khan on the scenic banks of the Yamuna River.

• The two-day festival, organized by the Delhi Development Authority, promises a visual feast as over 30 professional kitists from diverse states, including Rajasthan, Sikkim, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Lakshadweep, and Gujarat, showcase their artistic prowess in the sky.
• Kites of various shapes, sizes, and colors, ranging from the tricolour to intricate designs like trains and eagles, will adorn the sky during this vibrant festival. The event seeks to celebrate the diverse artistry and creativity that the kite-flying tradition encompasses, offering spectators a delightful visual treat.

‘Yuva Nidhi’ Scheme Launched For Jobless Youth In Shivamogga, Karnataka
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently unveiled the fifth and final poll guarantee of the Congress party, named the ‘Yuva Nidhi’ scheme.

• Launched at Freedom Park in Shivamogga, this initiative aims to provide unemployment assistance to graduates and diploma holders who completed their degrees during the academic year 2022-23.
• Under the scheme, the government has committed to providing Rs 3,000 per month to degree holders and Rs 1,500 per month to diploma holders who have been unable to secure employment in the last six months and are not pursuing higher studies.

West Bengal launches ‘Yogashree’ scheme for SC/ST students
West Bengal’s Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, inaugurated the “YogyaShree” social welfare initiative, a scheme designed to offer complimentary training to SC and ST students gearing up for competitive exams.

• This move comes ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, reflecting the government’s commitment to educational empowerment.
• The Yogyasree scheme encompasses the establishment of fifty training centres across the state. These centres will offer cost-free training for SC and ST students, focusing on competitive examinations. Additionally, 46 centres will provide similar opportunities for those aspiring to secure government jobs and pursue careers in civil services.

Maharashtra Pench Tiger Reserve becomes India’s first Dark Sky Park
The Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra has been marked as India’s first Dark Sky Park and the fifth such park in Asia for protecting the night sky and preventing light pollution, making the facility ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.

• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) emphasises on the recognition of the intrinsic value of the night sky as a natural, cultural, and historical resource.
• The IUCN also highlights the need to preserve natural darkness for the sake of nature conservation, ecological integrity in protected areas, and the well-being of communities in healthy cities.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Ukraine, Britain announce security agreement during Kyiv visit by PM Sunak
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has signed a new security agreement with Ukraine’s president and announced an increase in military funding for the war-wracked country during a visit to Kyiv.

• Britain, one of Ukraine’s closest allies during the Russian invasion, will increase its support in the next financial year to 2.5 billion pounds ($3.2bn), an increase of 200 million pounds ($255m) on the previous two years.
• The funding would cover long-range missiles, air defence, artillery ammunition and maritime security.

BANKING & FINANCE

SBI launches Rupee-Denominated Green Term Deposits
The State Bank of India has introduced the green rupee term deposit to allocate funds towards environmentally friendly initiatives and projects. Green term deposits are open to resident individuals, non-individuals and non-resident Indians as well, through a branch network. Soon, the offering will be available through SBI’s YONO app and internet banking services.

• A green deposit is a fixed-term deposit for consumers who want to invest their surplus cash reserves in environmentally friendly projects.
• SBI’s green offering has tenors of 111 days, 1,777 days and 2,222 days. It would help India develop a green finance ecosystem, the public sector bank said.

SPORTS

Real Madrid thrash old rivals Barcelona 4-1 to win Super Cup
Real Madrid won the Spanish Super Cup title with a 4-1 thumping of Barcelona in Riyadh with Vinicus scoring hat-trick.

• Vinicius has given Real Madrid a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes with a brace.Robert Lewandowski pulled one back for Barcelona in the 32nd minute.Vinicus completed a first half hat-trick in the 37th minute from the penalty spot. Rodryo added a fourth in the second half.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 

DRDO launches ‘Ugram’, indigenous assault rifle for armed forces 
‘Ugram’, an assault rifle developed by the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) in collaboration with a private firm was launched.

• The weapon, developed at the Armament Research and Development Establishments (ARDE), the DRDO’s Pune-based laboratory, is designed to meet the Indian Army’s ‘GSQR’ (General Staff Qualitative Requirement) of a rifle weighing less than four kg.
• The operational prototype of the 7.62 x 51mm assault rifle was unveiled by Dr S V Gade, director general (Armament & Combat Engineering Cluster) in the presence of A Raju, director of ARDE.

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