Current Affairs - National

The Department of Posts opened a second branch of the post office in Antarctica, specifically at the Bharati research station, marking a significant development after almost four decades. This expansion highlights India's continued presence and operational activities in Antarctica, supporting scientific exploration and environmental stewardship efforts on the continent.

Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi is ranked as the 10th busiest airport globally in 2023. This ranking is based on the number of passengers, with IGI Airport handling 7.22 crore passengers during that year. The Airports Council International (ACI) provides these rankings annually, highlighting the airport's significant traffic and importance on the global aviation map.

Varanasi, a historic city in Uttar Pradesh, was granted the Geographical Indication (GI) status for its Tiranga Barfi and Dhalua Murti Metal Casting Craft. This recognition highlights the cultural and artisanal significance of these iconic products from Varanasi.

The collaboration between AFMS and IIT Kanpur aims to address health issues faced by soldiers. IIT Kanpur will provide technical expertise, including developing AI diagnostic models, as part of this initiative.

Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed the long-term issuer default rating (IDR) of "BBB-" for both State Bank of India (SBI) and Canara Bank, with a stable outlook. This rating reflects their adequate capacity to meet financial commitments, despite variations in risk appetite and loan growth patterns observed by Fitch.