Daily Current Affairs 3rd Aug, 2024

National News

President Droupadi Murmu Inaugurates Governors’ Conference

• • On August 2, 2024, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated a significant two-day Governors’ Conference at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

  • This event is focused on addressing various issues that are critical for shaping the relationships between the central and state governments, as well as advancing welfare schemes.

Appointments News

Dr. Grinson George Appointed Director of ICAR-CMFRI

• • Dr. Grinson George has been appointed as the Director of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
  • Prior to this, he was in charge of the Marine Biodiversity and Environment Management Division at CMFRI and also served as a Senior Programme Specialist at SAARC in Dhaka.

Economy News

IRDAI Fines HDFC Life Rs 2 Crore for Violations

• • The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has levied a Rs 2 crore fine on HDFC Life Insurance for violating regulatory norms.
  • This penalty, specified in an order dated August 1, 2024, follows an inspection covering the financial years from 2017-18 to 2019-20.
  • HDFC Life must pay the fine within 45 days and adhere to additional directives to address the identified violations.

Ranks and Reports News

India Ranked 39th in the Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024

• • The World Economic Forum (WEF) has published its Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) for 2024, providing a thorough assessment of India’s position in the global tourism industry.
  • India has been ranked 39th out of 119 countries in this year’s TTDI, which evaluates various factors that contribute to the competitiveness and sustainability of tourism sectors worldwide.

Banking News

RBL Bank Launches RuPay Credit Cards With UPI And NCMC Functionalities

• • RBL Bank has launched new RuPay Credit Cards that incorporate Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) functionalities.
  • These credit cards offer multiple payment options, enabling users to make secure UPI transactions and enjoy convenient travel through the NCMC feature.

RBI Re-approves MDs and CEOs for Small Finance Banks

• • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has re-approved the appointments of Inderjit Camotra and Govind Singh as Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of Unity Small Finance Bank and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank, respectively.
  • This decision highlights their successful leadership in expanding the operations and reach of their respective banks.

Science and Technology News

India Selects Crew for Axiom-4 Mission to ISS

• • India has selected two astronauts, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, for the forthcoming Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
  • This mission marks a significant step forward in the collaboration between ISRO and NASA on human spaceflight and also advances India’s own human spaceflight program.

Summits and Conferences News

14th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue Held in New Delhi

• • The 14th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue took place in New Delhi, focusing on enhancing bilateral defense cooperation.
  • Key topics discussed included new areas of cooperation such as cyber security and military medicine, culminating in the signing of a Letter of Intent to boost training exchanges.

Defence News

INS Tabar Completes MPX with Russian Ship Soobrazitelny

• • INS Tabar, a frontline frigate of the Indian Navy, arrived in St. Petersburg, Russia, on July 25, 2024, to participate in the 328th Russian Navy Day Parade celebrations.
  • This visit aimed to reinforce the longstanding maritime cooperation and friendship between India and Russia.

Business News

Rapido Becomes Unicorn With Fresh $120 Million Funding

• • Rapido has achieved unicorn status by securing $120 million in new funding. This notable growth is part of a broader trend in India’s space technology sector, which reached a record-breaking $126 million in funding for 2023.
  • This represents a 7% increase from 2022 and an impressive 235% jump from 2021, as reported in the latest Tracxn Space Tech Geo Report 2024.

Sports News

Lt Col Kabilan Sai Ashok, India’s Youngest Boxing Referee At Olympics

• Lieutenant Colonel Kabilan Sai Ashok, a serving officer in the Indian Army, has become the youngest Olympic referee in boxing from India at the Paris Olympics 2024.
• This achievement highlights his outstanding dedication, professionalism, and integrity, embodying the high standards of the Indian Army.