Current Affairs - February 15, 2024 Current Affairs

India's Wholesale Price Index (WPI) moderated to a three-month low of 0.27% in January due to decreased prices of food articles and manufacturing products. This decline marks the third consecutive month of positive territory for wholesale inflation after experiencing deflation for a significant part of the previous fiscal year.

Havildar Varinder Singh received the Vishisht Seva Medal for his remarkable contribution to military technology, specifically for his role in developing the Multipurpose Octocopter, which demonstrates innovation in drone technology and its versatility in military operations.

The report titled 'LNG as a Transportation Fuel in Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle' was released by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It explores the potential of LNG as a fuel source and outlines strategies for its utilization in commercial vehicles.

The Milkyway tablet was recently unveiled by the Epic Foundation. This tablet, designed in India, is tailored to meet the educational needs of school children. Ajai Chowdhry, the Chairman of Epic Foundation, highlighted its unique features, emphasizing sustainability and innovation in technology.

Uttar Pradesh (UP) intends to raise the grant under the "Kanya Sumangala Yojana" from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 per beneficiary annually, effective from April. This initiative aims to provide increased financial support to daughters in the state. Additionally, the government has already provided Rs. 15,000 annually to more than 17 lakh daughters through this scheme.

The Delhi High Court sought the Centre’s response to a petition challenging the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, which permits female aged between 23 to 50 to undergo surrogacy. This age range was questioned by a couple, contesting that it infringes upon their right to procreation.

India and the United Arab Emirates exchanged (UAE) MoUs during a diplomatic event, linking their instant payment platforms: UPI (India) and AANI (UAE). This initiative aims to enhance financial connectivity between the two countries, facilitating seamless cross-border transactions.

Union Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur handed over the Chess Olympiad Torch to Budapest, Hungary, the host city for the 45th edition of the Chess Olympiad. This ceremony celebrated chess as an intellectual sport, reflecting its significance in India's heritage.

International Childhood Cancer Day is observed annually on February 15th. It serves as a day to raise awareness about the challenges faced by children and adolescents battling cancer, highlighting the importance of support for affected families and the resilience of young patients.

The electoral bonds scheme was introduced in India in 2018 as a mechanism to clean financial contributions to political parties, representing a significant shift in political donation reporting and handling in the country. Although introduced in early 2017, the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry Of Finance notified the Electoral Bond Scheme 2018 in a Gazette on 2 January 2018. According to an estimate, a total of 18,299 electoral bonds equivalent to a monetary value of ₹9,857 crore, were successfully transacted during the period spanning from March 2018 to April 2022.

Saudi Arabia is preparing to debut its first luxury train, the Dream of the Desert, marking the first luxury train in the Middle East. This initiative aims to offer travellers a unique journey through the kingdom, highlighting its cultural and historical landmarks.

The Ministry of Defence achieved a procurement milestone of ₹1 Lakh Crore through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform, emphasizing its commitment to efficient spending and procurement practices, especially for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).

LIC, the Life Insurance Corporation of India, has increased its shareholding in SBI Cards & Payments Services Limited from 4.99% to 5.02% through open market purchases. This move signifies LIC's enhanced ownership in the non-banking financial company.

The Supreme Court declared the electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional, citing it as arbitrary and violative of Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution. This article guarantees the freedom of speech and expression, encompassing the right to information, including the right to know the source of political funding, deemed crucial in a democratic setup.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) consists of 31 nations. India is currently engaged in discussions with ministers from these member countries regarding its application for full membership. This reflects India's recognized strategic significance in addressing global energy and climate challenges.

The Haryana Police Force made history by being the first in India to deploy tear gas drones, a pioneering initiative aimed at enhancing crowd control measures. These drones, provided by the Drone Imaging and Information Service of Haryana Limited, mark a significant advancement in law enforcement technology.

The Prime Minister announced the establishment of a new CBSE office in Dubai during the 'Ahlan Modi' diaspora event held in Abu Dhabi. This initiative aims to enhance educational opportunities for Indian students residing in the UAE and strengthen educational ties between the two nations.

Virendra Bansal has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SBICAPS, the investment banking arm of State Bank of India (SBI). He succeeds Rajay Kumar Sinha and is tasked with leading the organization into a new chapter.

Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jain, an accomplished Indian Railway Traffic Services (IRTS) Officer of the 1990 batch, has assumed the pivotal role of Chairman & Managing Director of IRCTC. With over three decades of experience, Mr. Jain brings significant leadership skills and expertise to the position.

National World Hippo Day is celebrated annually on February 15th. It serves as an occasion to raise awareness about the challenges faced by hippos and to promote conservation efforts aimed at protecting these endangered animals.