Current Affairs

New discovery on Moon's south pole done by ISRO Chandrayaan-3's Prayag rover

ISRO Chandrayaan-3's Prayag rover has made a new discovery on Moon's south pole according to the new data provided by the rover. On August 23, 2023, the rover landed on the surface of the Moon on Vikaram Lander.

Pragyan rover has a weight of 27 kilograms and is equipped with a camera, instrument for the analysis and collection of the samples on the lunar surface and along with a tricolour flag of India on it.

In this discovery, a small rock fragment in the area floor of small craters is located on the southern high-latitude landing area, this rock sample contributes to the the ISRO understanding of the lunar surface.



MyFi has launched AI assistant for wealth creation

Wealthtech platform MyFi, a subsidiary of TIFIN, has launched a conversational AI assistant for long-term wealth creation. MyFi leverages research-driven, fact-based investment intelligence and AI models to generate personalized investment guidance based on the user's investment portfolio. MyFi is registered with SEBI as a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and operates in strict accordance with all relevant government regulations.

Launched in Public Beta, MyFi is compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems.

Industry estimates indicate that Indian Mutual Funds have over 87.6 million SIP accounts through which investors are actively investing in mutual fund schemes. This booming landscape not only brings exciting opportunities but also a host of complexities.



Ashwin Noronha new Chief Airport Officer at Guwahati Airport

Ashwin Noronha was appointed as Chief Airport Officer of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) on Wednesday.

Ashwin is currently working as the Chief Operating Officer at Mumbai International Airport Limited.

Ashwin Noronha is a veteran of the aviation industry and has previously served at Qatar Airways Group, KPMG, and Zurich Airports in India.

Ashwin will steer Guwahati Airport in the direction of the overall vision of Adani Enterprises.



NSCS sees series of changes, Rajinder Khanna promoted as Additional National Security Adviser

The National Security Council Secretariat has seen a series of changes in the past couple of days while also maintaining continuity.

Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry, has been appointed Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA).

In a significant move, Rajinder Khanna, Deputy NSA and former chief of India’s external intelligence agency Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW), has been promoted as Additional NSA. There was no Additional NSA so far.



District Mineral Foundation Gallery Inaugurated At Shastri Bhawan In New Delhi

Minister of Mines, G. Kishan Reddy along with Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey on Tuesday (2nd July 2024) inaugurated District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Gallery at Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi.

The gallery is an exhibition for showcasing the products of Self-Help Group (SHG) formed under Pradan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojna and SHGs supported by Mining companies under their Corporate Social Responsibility.

Mr. Reddy appreciated the indigenous items created by self-help groups. Speaking to the media, he highlighted that the DMF initiative aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has directed efforts toward the welfare of people affected by mining activities. He mentioned that India has over 650 districts, with a focus on empowerment, employment generation, and the welfare of women and youth in mining-affected areas. The Minister noted that about 18 thousand projects have been completed and assured that more such upliftment work will continue in the coming days.



RBI joins ‘Project Nexus’ to enable instant cross-border retail payments

The Reserve Bank of India said it has joined “Project Nexus”, a multilateral international initiative to enable instant cross-border retail payments by interlinking domestic Fast Payments Systems (FPSs).

Nexus, conceptualised by the Innovation Hub of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), aims to connect the FPSs of four ASEAN countries (Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand); and India, who would be the founding members and first mover countries of this platform.

An agreement to this effect was signed by the BIS and the Central Banks of the founding countries -- Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Bank of Thailand (BOT), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and RBI on June 30, 2024, in Basel, Switzerland.



SBI launches online quick loan solution for MSMEs

Lender State Bank of India (SBI) has unveiled a web-based digital business loans solution for MSMEs' Invoice Financing, aimed at facilitating MSME loans with a fast turn-around-time.

The solution, named "MSME Sahaj - End to End Digital Invoice Financing", has been developed that will provide solutions ranging from applying the loan, documentation and disbursement of the sanctioned loan within 15 minutes, without any manual intervention.

According to a release from the bank put out on Monday, the closure of the loan on the due date is also automated and is carried out by the system itself.



Union Minister Shri G Kishan Reddy Launches NIRMAN Portal

Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri G Kishan Reddy launched a portal “Noble Initiative for Rewarding Mains Aspirants of National Civil Services Examination (NIRMAN)” in New Delhi today. In alignment with the vision “Mission Karmayogi” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this is a unique CSR scheme by Coal India Limited for meritorious youth of its operating districts who have qualified the Preliminary round of UPSC examination (for Civil Services & Forest Service) in 2024. Secretary, Ministry of Coal Shri Amrit Lal Meena, other senior officers of the Coal Ministry and CMDs of Coal Companies were present on the occasion.

The scheme is aimed towards providing support of Rs 1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh) to the Preliminary examination qualified candidates with annual family income less than 8 lakhs and belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, female or third gender; who are permanent residents of any of the 39 operational districts of CIL.



Air India to set up South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation (FTO) at Amravati

Tata Group-run Air India said on Monday that it is setting up South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation (FTO) at Amravati in Maharashtra as part of an initiative by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC).

The DGCA-licensed FTO at Amravati’s Belora airport will be operational by Q1 FY26 and will target to graduate 180 commercial pilots every year, the airline said.

The Air India FTO will have 31 single-engine aircraft and 3 twin-engine aircraft for training. Air India has been awarded a tender by the MADC to establish and operate the FTO for a period of 30 years.



Indian Army Contingent Departs For 13th Edition Of India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE

The Indian Army contingent departed for the 13th edition of India-Thailand joint military Exercise MAITREE being conducted from the 1st to 15th of July at Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province of Thailand.

The Contingent departed yesterday. Defence Ministry said that the Indian Army contingent comprising 76 personnel is being represented mainly by a Battalion of the Ladakh Scouts along with personnel from other arms and services. The Royal Thailand Army contingent also comprises 76 personnel mainly from 1st Battalion, 14 Infantry Regiment of 4 Division.

Exercise MAITREE aims to foster Military Cooperation between India and Thailand. The Ministry said the Exercise will enhance combined capabilities in executing Joint Counter Insurgency and Terrorist Operations in Jungle and Urban Environments under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The Exercise will focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning and joint tactical drills.