1 ISRO’s START 2024 program to inspire youth in space science
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will conduct the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) 2024 program during April and May . ISRO is inviting Expression of Interest (EOI) from educational institutions, universities and colleges of India offering UG and PG courses in Physical Sciences and Technology to host START-2024.
2 Abhay Thakur appointed as India’s Ambassador to Myanmar
Senior diplomat Abhay Thakur has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Myanmar . He is currently working as Officer on Special Duty in the Ministry of External Affairs. This was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on March 26. Abhay Thakur is a 1992-batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). He served as Sous-Sherpa (Deputy Representative) for the G20 process during India’s chairmanship of the influential group of 20 major economies.
3 Michel Tallagrande receives the Abel Prize for 2024
The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters has awarded the 2024 Abel Prize to Michel Tallagrand of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), Paris, France . Talgrand received the prestigious award “for his groundbreaking contributions to probability theory and functional analysis with outstanding applications in mathematical physics and statistics.”
4 Hansha Mishra appointed as director in UPSC
Hansa Mishra, a 2010 batch Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) officer, has been appointed as Director in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Delhi . His appointment comes after he was recommended for central deputation by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
5 Luis Montenegro becomes the new Prime Minister of Portugal
After eight years of socialist rule in Portugal , Luis Montenegro, leader of the centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD), has been appointed as the new Prime Minister. However, his minority government faces challenges due to its refusal to form a coalition with the far-right Chega party.
6 Gujarat Education Minister launches online learning platform Education Reforms
Gujarat ‘s Minister of State for Education Prafulla Pansheriya in Surat online learning platform Shiksha Reform . The event was attended by renowned educationist Deepak Rajguru, Trustee, Principal, Kimmo Nikkanen, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, Finland and educationist Antti Isovita. Education Reform is a collaborative effort with Microsoft and a leading Finnish university . It aims to provide high quality courses by experienced and highly qualified teachers to revolutionize education, especially technology.
7 Satellite based toll collection system will be used in India
Recently, Union Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced plans to launch a satellite-based toll collection system . This innovative system aims to collect toll based on the distance traveled by the vehicles, which will directly deduct the amount from the bank accounts of the users. The move is expected to reduce toll taxes, ease travel and improve the overall efficiency of India’s highway infrastructure. The proposed system will use global navigation satellite systems, including India’s own GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) satellite navigation system, which has an accuracy of about 10 metres. An on-board unit (OBU) will be fitted to the vehicles to facilitate accurate mapping and toll calculation. The system will use digital image processing and software algorithms to capture the coordinates of the entire length of the country’s national highways, set toll rates, and calculate the toll amount based on the distance traveled by each vehicle.
8 Appointment of Directors General in NIA, BPRD and NDRF
The Government of India has appointed National Investigation Agency (NIA) , National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has announced key appointments in key security agencies including , and Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) . These appointments signal a restructuring within India’s security apparatus to enhance efficiency and address emerging challenges. Sadanand Vasant Date, a distinguished 1990 batch IPS officer of Maharashtra cadre, has been appointed as the new Director General of NIA. Piyush Anand, a 1991 batch IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been given the responsibility of chief of NDRF. Rajasthan cadre IPS officer Rajiv Kumar has been appointed as Director General of BPR&D.
9 First flight of LCA Tejas Mark 1A fighter aircraft
On March 28, 2024, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) successfully completed the maiden flight of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark 1A fighter jet in Bengaluru . The plane remained in the air for 15 minutes during its first flight. Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is a single-engine, multi-role light combat aircraft designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. It is the smallest and lightest among contemporary supersonic fighter aircraft in its class. Tejas is designed to carry air-to-air, air-to-surface, precision-guided and standoff weapons, and has a maximum payload capacity of 3,500 kg.
10 Neeraj Chopra becomes the new brand ambassador of Eveready
Leading battery brand, Eveready Industries India (EIIL) has announced its partnership with reigning Olympic gold medalist and world No. 1 in men’s javelin throw, Neeraj Chopra, as its new brand ambassador.
11 LIC, GIC Re and New India Assurance designated as D-SII by IRDAI
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has designated three insurers as domestic systemically important insurers (D-SII) for the year 2023-24 . These insurers, namely Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), and New India Assurance Company Limited, have retained their D-SII status since last year. D-SIIs are insurers of significant size and market importance whose distress or failure could disrupt the domestic financial system.
12 Florida bans social media for minors
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that bars minors under the age of 14 from having social media accounts . By law, 14- and 15-year-olds need parental permission to create accounts on Meta, TikTok and other platforms. All social media users in Florida must submit identification documentation to verify their age.
13 ILO report on dire employment scenario in India
The International Labor Organization (ILO) in collaboration with the Institute for Human Development (IHD) has released the ‘ India Employment Report 2024 ‘, which highlights the challenges facing the Indian job market as the financial year draws to a close. Chief Economic Adviser V. Ananth Nageswaran unveiled the report, which outlines significant changes in employment patterns and education levels among the unemployed over the two decades to 2022. The share of unemployed youth with secondary or higher education is expected to almost double from 35.2% in 2000 to 65.7% in 2022. Youth now constitute around 83% of the country’s unemployed workforce.
14 Morgan Stanley raises India’s GDP forecast to 6.8 percent
Morgan Stanley revised India ‘s GDP growth forecast for the financial year 2024-25 (FY25) to 6.8% percent. to 6.8% percent . This is higher than the company’s previous forecast of 6.5%. The firm has revised the growth forecast for the current financial year FY24 to 7.9 percent. This revised estimate of the agency has come in view of an optimistic outlook on India’s economic situation. Morgan Stanley has expressed its confidence in the strength and stability of the country.
15 Hyderabad made the biggest score in IPL history
In the eighth match of IPL 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad have set a string of records against Mumbai Indians at their home ground. In this match played at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Sunrisers, batting first after losing the toss, scored a total of 277 runs after losing three wickets in 20 overs. This is the biggest score in IPL history is . In this matter, he broke the 11 year old record of Royal Challengers Bangalore. In 2013, Bengaluru scored 263 runs against Pune Warriors at Chinnaswamy after losing five wickets.
16 Haryana becomes champion in Boxing Sub Junior National Championship
Haryana won the team titles in both boys and girls categories at the Boxing Sub Junior National Championship with an impressive combined lead of 19 medals . Haryana showed its dominance by topping both the categories. 612 boxers participated in the tournament, which included 337 boys and 275 girls.
