Daily & Latest Current Affairs in 2025

Correct Answer :   4

---

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday (30th August 2024) approved the upgradation of four (4) Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), including Railtel Corporation of India, Solar Energy Corporation of India, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam, and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, to a  Navratna status. This takes the total number of Navratna CPSEs in India to 25.  

Completing its 13 years of incorporation, SECI is a leading CPSE dedicated to the development and expansion of renewable energy (RE) capacity in India, with a cumulative generation awarded capacity of 69.25 gigawatt (GW) and an annual power trading volume upwards of 42 billion units. SECI is the foremost Renewable Energy Implementing Agency (REIA) of India, continuously working towards fulfilling climate goals and striving for sustainable development.

The company has posted a consolidated annual turnover of Rs 13,118.68 crore, registering an increase of 20.85 per cent over the previous year, and a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs 510.92 crore, registering a growth of 34.89 per cent in the financial year 2023-24.

“Classification as a Navratna CPSE enables SECI towards enhanced autonomy in financial and operational matters and will accelerate the company’s growth path through better agility, improved geographical presence, and technology focus,” said the finance ministry statement.

The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) in its statement said that Rail Ministry India CPSE had an annual turnover of Rs 2,622 crore and a net profit of Rs 246 crore for FY 2023-24.

“It will be the 23rd Navratna amongst the CPSEs. SECI is a Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) or @mnreindia CPSE with an annual turnover of Rs 13,035 crore and a net profit of Rs 436 crore for FY 2023-24,” said the DPE statement.

DPE further added that NHPC is a Ministry of Power (MinOfPower) CPSE with an annual turnover of Rs 8,405 crore and a net profit of Rs 3,744 crore for FY 2023-24.

“SJVN is a Ministry of Power (MinOfPower) CPSE with an annual turnover of Rs 2,833 crore and a net profit of Rs 908 crore for FY 2023-24,” it added.

The criteria for granting Navratna status to CPSEs by the government is that the CPSEs which are Miniratna I, Schedule ‘A’ and have obtained ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ MOU ratings in three of the last five years, and having a composite score of 60 or above in the following six selected performance indicators, are eligible to be considered for grant of Navratna status.

The government introduced the Navratna scheme in 1997 to identify CPSEs that had comparative advantages and to support them in their drive to become global giants. Under this scheme, the boards of Navratna CPSEs have also been delegated autonomy in the areas of enhanced powers in (i) capital expenditure, (ii) investment in joint ventures/subsidiaries, (iii) mergers and acquisitions, (iv) human resources management, etc..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   75th

---

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday (1st Sep 2024) unveiled the new flag and insignia of the Supreme Court to mark the 75th year of its establishment.

The Supreme Court's new flag and insignia symbolise justice and democracy and have been conceptualised and designed by NIFT Delhi.

The flag features the Ashoka Chakra, the Supreme Court building and the book of the Constitution of India.

It will be available in various designs, including cross table flat, single table flag, pole flag and wooden frame, thereby ensuring its presence in diverse settings.

During the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud presented a 'special green gift' to President Murmu.

As a tribute to the Supreme Court's 75 years of journey, 75 saplings of 12 different indigenous varieties from Delhi’s Central Ridge Reserve forest area were planted.

The saplings have been dedicated to President Murmu in commemoration of the Supreme Court’s 75 years and marked as a token of respect for the President being a shining example of simplicity and humility..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   IIM- Amritsar

---

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Amritsar, has launched a five-day residential Management Development Programme (MDP) from September 2 to September 6, 2024.

This program is designed for elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) from ten states : Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir (UT), Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The training is being conducted at IIM Amritsar.

Objectives of the Programme :

Strengthening Leadership and Management Skills : The primary goal is to enhance the leadership, management, and governance skills of Panchayat representatives and officials.

Improving Local Governance : The program aims to improve the ability of Panchayats to deliver better services to rural communities.

Covering Key Topics : The curriculum includes leadership, management, ethics, rural innovation, Own Source Revenue (OSR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Interactive Learning : Participants will engage in expert-led sessions, case studies, and interactive discussions to gain the necessary knowledge and tools for effective leadership.

Importance of the Programme :

Financial Sustainability : A major focus is on increasing Own Source Revenue (OSR), crucial for financial independence and enabling Panchayats to better address local needs.

Enhanced Governance : By introducing advanced management theories and tools, the program aims to bring corporate-level professionalism to rural governance.

Rural Development : Strengthening the capabilities of Panchayats will contribute to faster rural development and improved quality of life for rural citizens..

Source : Spoindia

Correct Answer :   2,817 crores

---

The Union Cabinet Committee chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the Digital Agriculture Mission today (2nd Sep 2024) with an outlay of Rs. 2817 Crore, including the central share of Rs. 1940 Crore.

The Mission is conceived as an umbrella scheme to support digital agriculture initiatives, such as creating Digital Public Infrastructure, implementing the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), and taking up other IT initiatives by the Central Government, State Governments, and Academic and Research Institutions.

In recent years, India's digital revolution has transformed governance and service delivery by creating digital identities, and secured payments and transactions. This has spurred a thriving digital ecosystem in finance, healthcare, education, and retail, positioning India as a leader in citizen-centric digital solutions.

For a similar transformation of the Agriculture Sector, the government announced the building of Digital Public Infrastructure for agriculture in the Union Budget 2023-24. Further, in the Budget 2024-25, the augmentation of the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiative for the agricultural sector has also been announced.

The Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Agriculture aims to provide comprehensive and useful data on farmers comprising of authenticated demographic details, land holdings and crops sown. It will include cultivators & tenant farmers, as per the policy of the State Government.

It would also connect to relevant Digital Public Infrastructure of the State Governments and Ministries of the Government of India to use data of farmers on livestock, fisheries, soil health, other vocations, family details and schemes and benefits availed, leading to innovative farmer-centric digital services in the agriculture sector. Aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, the DPI for Agriculture forms the core of the Digital Agriculture Mission.

 The three DPIs to be built under the Mission are Agristack, Krishi Decision Support System, and Soil Profile Mapping. Besides enabling farmer-centric digital services, these DPIs will make timely and reliable information available for the agriculture sector.

AgriStack is a farmer-centric DPI that will enable efficient, easier, and faster services and scheme delivery to farmers. It is being built in a federated structure as a collaborative project between the various agencies of the Central and State Governments. It consists of three foundational registries or databases in the agriculture sector, i.e., the Farmers’ Registry, Geo-referenced village maps and the Crop Sown Registry, all created and maintained by the State Governments/ Union Territories.

Under AgriStack, farmers will be given a digital identity (Farmer ID) similar to Aadhaar, which will be a trusted ‘Kisan ki Pehchaan’. This ‘Farmer ID’ will be linked dynamically to the State’s land records, livestock ownership, crops sown, demographic details, family details, schemes and benefits availed etc. Crops sown by farmers will be recorded through mobile-based ground surveys i.e. Digital Crop Survey to be conducted in each season.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is being signed between the Centre and State Governments to create and implement the DPI for Agriculture. So far, 19 States have signed MoUs with the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. The basic IT infrastructure for implementing AgriStack has been developed and already tested on a pilot basis, as follows:

The Krishi Decision Support System will create a comprehensive geospatial system to unify remote sensing-based information on Crops, Soil, Weather, water resources, etc..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Haryana

---

The Election Commission of India (ECI) revised the poll dates in Haryana to October 5, 2024, in response to the Bishnoi community’s request to accommodate their annual festival, which falls on the same date.

This decision reflects the ECI's commitment to ensuring inclusive voting by preventing any conflict between the festival and the polling day.

The change underscores the ECI's efforts to respect cultural and religious sentiments while upholding the democratic process, allowing all eligible voters in Haryana to participate in the election without hindrance.

Correct Answer :   Laos

---

The Indian embassy successfully rescued 47 Indians from cyber scam centres in Laos, specifically in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.

These individuals were lured into working for cybercriminals. The embassy has been actively involved in the safe return of these citizens, with 30 already back in India and 17 more expected soon.

This incident underscores the growing concerns about cyber scams targeting Indian nationals abroad, leading authorities to warn citizens to exercise caution and conduct proper due diligence to avoid falling victim to such scams.

Correct Answer :   8.2%

---

The Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) offers an attractive annual interest rate of 8.2%, providing retirees with a reliable source of income.

Eligible individuals aged 60 and above can invest up to Rs 30 lakh in this scheme, which has a maturity period of up to five years.

The SCSS can yield up to Rs 20,000 in monthly income, making it a popular choice for those seeking financial stability post-retirement. However, the income generated from this scheme is taxable.

Correct Answer :   Tamil Nadu

---

Tamil Nadu is set to host the first Formula 4 car race in South Asia, featuring a new racing circuit and global participation.

The event is being organized by the Indian Racing League and the Tamil Nadu government at the newly built Tamil Nadu Formula Racing Circuit in Chennai.

This marks a significant milestone in Indian motorsport, with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) ensuring the circuit meets global standards.

The race promises to bring excitement and showcase Tamil Nadu's capabilities in hosting international events.

Correct Answer :   Shot Put

---

Ravi Rongali represented India in the men's F40 shot put final at the Paris Paralympics, achieving a personal best of 10.63m and securing a fifth-place finish.

Although he was overtaken by world record holder Miguel Montero of Portugal, Rongali's performance showcased India's competitive presence in para-athletics.

The shot put event highlighted Rongali's skills and determination, demonstrating his ability to compete at the international level. His participation contributed to India's efforts in the Paralympics, inspiring future generations of athletes.

Correct Answer :   Supreme Court

---

The Supreme Court celebrated its 75th anniversary with the unveiling of a new flag and insignia by President Droupadi Murmu.

This milestone marks the institution's contributions to India's judicial system.

The President's address highlighted the importance of district courts, the need to address pendency and backlog of cases, and initiatives to provide justice in local languages.

The Supreme Court's anniversary is a significant event in India's legal history, showcasing its pivotal role in upholding justice and implementing new laws.