Current Affairs - National

Aarit Kapil, a 9-year-old chess prodigy, hails from New Delhi. He made history by becoming the youngest Indian to defeat a chess Grandmaster, Raset Ziatdinov, during the ninth round of the KIIT International Open Tournament. This achievement not only set a national record but also made Aarit the third-youngest player globally to defeat a Grandmaster under classical time control, showcasing his extraordinary chess talent at such a young age.

The International Conclave 2024 on "Insolvency Resolution: Evolution & Global Perspective" was hosted in New Delhi by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) in collaboration with INSOL India. The event included key discussions led by RBI Deputy Governor M. Rajeshwar Rao on the IBC's impact on bank asset quality and IBBI Chairperson Ravi Mital's insights into mediation and creditor-led insolvency resolutions, reflecting on global practices and evolving mechanisms.

The national workshop on Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban 2.0 (PMAY-U 2.0) was held in New Delhi, organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in collaboration with the National Housing Bank (NHB). The workshop aimed to enhance understanding and cooperation among stakeholders for implementing PMAY-U 2.0, targeting affordable housing solutions for urban poor and vulnerable groups. Over 250 representatives from banks, housing finance companies, and primary lending institutions participated, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to ensure the scheme’s success in addressing India’s urban housing challenges.

The European Space Agency's PROBA-3 mission was launched aboard PSLV-C59, marking the 61st flight of the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle). This mission demonstrated ISRO's proficiency in satellite deployment and highlighted its collaboration with the European Space Agency and NewSpace India Limited. The PSLV has been a reliable workhorse for ISRO, and this launch utilized the PSLV-XL configuration, a variation optimized for specific missions. This milestone underlines ISRO’s sustained excellence in space exploration and international cooperation.

The sex ratio at birth (SRB) in India has improved significantly, rising from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24, as per provisional data from the Health Management Information System. This improvement reflects ongoing efforts to address gender disparity through social and policy initiatives. Additionally, the national gross enrollment ratio of girls in secondary education has also seen an increase, highlighting progress in education access and gender equality across rural and urban areas.