Declining Legislative Productivity in Winter Session 🏛️📉
- What’s Happening? The recent Winter Session of Parliament saw significant disruptions, leading to a substantial reduction in legislative productivity.
- Why It Matters: Lok Sabha functioned for only 52% of its scheduled time, while Rajya Sabha operated at 39%, with both houses frequently disrupted.
Global Antibiotic Shortages 🌍💊
- What’s Happening? There is a growing concern over global antibiotic shortages, impacting healthcare systems worldwide.
- Why It Matters: This shortage highlights the need for improved antibiotic stewardship and the development of new antibiotics.
SMILE Program Loan Agreement 🌐💰
- What’s Happening? The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $350 million policy-based loan under the second subprogram of the Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) program.
- Why It Matters: This collaboration aims to enhance India’s logistics sector through comprehensive reforms, infrastructure development, and digital integration.
ICICI Bank and Times Internet Launch Premium Metal Credit Card 💳🌟
- What’s Happening? ICICI Bank and Times Internet have launched the ‘Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card,’ a super-premium co-branded card aimed at high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) in India.
- Why It Matters: The card combines exclusive benefits, luxury services, and a unique design, marking a step toward redefining luxury for India’s affluent customer segment.
RBI Fines Manappuram Finance and IndusInd Bank for Non-Compliance 💰📉
- What’s Happening? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed penalties on IndusInd Bank and Manappuram Finance for failing to adhere to regulatory norms.
- Why It Matters: These fines highlight the importance of regulatory compliance in the banking sector.
Tata Power and Canara Bank Partner for Rooftop Solar Loans 🌞💼
- What’s Happening? Tata Power Renewable Energy has formed a partnership with the state-run Canara Bank to provide affordable financing options for rooftop solar installations.
- Why It Matters: This collaboration is part of the government’s PM Surya Ghar Scheme, which aims to accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar systems across India.
MoD Contracts L&T for K9 VAJRA-T Guns 🚀🔫
- What’s Happening? The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a Rs 7,628.70 crore contract with Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) for 155 mm/52 calibre K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns.
- Why It Matters: This procurement enhances the firepower of the Indian Army and advances the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Northern Giant Hornet Protected Area 🐝🌳
- What’s Happening? A new protected area has been established for the Northern Giant Hornet, aiming to conserve its habitat and ensure its survival.
- Why It Matters: This initiative is crucial for preserving biodiversity and protecting endangered species.
Pemit Nexus Report 🌐📊
- What’s Happening? The Pemit Nexus Report has been released, providing insights into the interconnections between various environmental, social, and economic factors.
- Why It Matters: The report helps policymakers understand the complex relationships between different sectors and make informed decisions.
Caucasus Mountain Mapping: Kuwait 🗺️🏔️
- What’s Happening? Kuwait has initiated a project to map the Caucasus Mountains, aiming to enhance geographical knowledge and promote scientific research.
- Why It Matters: This project contributes to the global understanding of mountainous regions and supports scientific exploration.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) 📝
1. How much of its scheduled time did the Rajya Sabha function during the Winter Session?
- a) 52%
- b) 39%
- c) 75%
- d) 60%
- Answer: b) 39%
2. What is causing concern in the global healthcare systems as highlighted in the current affairs?
- a) Increasing cases of heart disease
- b) Global antibiotic shortages
- c) Rising healthcare costs
- d) Lack of medical infrastructure
- Answer: b) Global antibiotic shortages
3. What program received a $350 million policy-based loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB)?
- a) PM Kisan Scheme
- b) Ayushman Bharat Yojana
- c) Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) program
- d) Make in India Initiative
- Answer: c) Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) program
4. Which card did ICICI Bank and Times Internet launch?
- a) Times Platinum Card
- b) Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card
- c) Times Gold Card
- d) Times Silver Card
- Answer: b) Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card
5. Which companies were fined by the RBI for non-compliance with regulatory norms?
- a) HDFC Bank and Axis Bank
- b) State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank
- c) IndusInd Bank and Manappuram Finance
- d) ICICI Bank and Yes Bank
- Answer: c) IndusInd Bank and Manappuram Finance
6. Which two organizations have partnered to provide financing options for rooftop solar installations?
- a) Tata Power and State Bank of India
- b) Tata Power and Canara Bank
- c) Adani Power and ICICI Bank
- d) Reliance Power and HDFC Bank
- Answer: b) Tata Power and Canara Bank
7. What type of artillery guns are being procured by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) from Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T)?
- a) Naval guns
- b) K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns
- c) Air defense guns
- d) Anti-tank guns
- Answer: b) K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns
8. Which species is the focus of the newly established protected area?
- a) Bengal Tiger
- b) Northern Giant Hornet
- c) Great Indian Bustard
- d) Asiatic Lion
- Answer: b) Northern Giant Hornet
9. What is the focus of the Pemit Nexus Report?
- a) Climate change mitigation
- b) Environmental, social, and economic interconnections
- c) Biodiversity conservation
- d) Renewable energy sources
- Answer: b) Environmental, social, and economic interconnections
10. Which project has Kuwait initiated to enhance geographical knowledge and promote scientific research? – a) Mapping the Amazon Rainforest – b) Mapping the Sahara Desert – c) Mapping the Caucasus Mountains – d) Mapping the Great Barrier Reef – Answer: c) Mapping the Caucasus Mountains