Important Weekly Current Affairs PDF Download (July 15th to 21st July 2024)

Dear Readers, Here we have given the list of Important Weekly Current Affairs of July 15th to 21st July 2024. Candidates those who are preparing for Upcoming SBIClerk 2024 and other competitive exams can make use of it.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

• World Day for International Justice 2024 is celebrated and observed all over the world on July 17^th
• On July 18th, Nelson Mandela International Day 2024 is celebrated and observed worldwide as an honouring event.
• International Moon Day is celebrated every year on July 20th to commemorate the anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s landing on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission and to promote international cooperation in space exploration
• World Chess Day is globally celebrated on July 20th every year to mark the date of the establishment of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in Paris in 1924.
• Every year on July 22^nd, World Brain Day is celebrated by people worldwide to prevent brain disabilities and treat and rehabilitate them.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

• State Bank of India (SBI) has increased its benchmark Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR) by 5 to 10 basis points across most tenures.
• The Capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has recognized BSE Limited as a supervisory body for Research Analysts (RAs) and Investment Advisers (IAs) to oversee their management and administration.
• Bajaj Finserv Asset Management has introduced a new financial product named Finserv Savings+ for retail investors.
• As per the government’s report, the Non-performing assets (NPA) have been around 6% under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS).
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has developed new standards for lenders to follow before categorising loan accounts as fraudulent.
• Bank of Baroda (BoB) and Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) have introduced special deposit schemes to address the increasing credit demand highlighted by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das.
• Bank of Baroda (BoB) increased its marginal cost of funds based lending rates (MCLR) by 5 basis points (bps) on select tenors.
• Bandhan Bank has introduced a payment solution using Bharat QR Code for Current and Savings account customers.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its projection of growth in India’s gross domestic product (GDP) for 2024-25 by 20 basis points to 7% amid a boost in private consumption, especially in rural areas.
• The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has partnered with India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) to use the extensive network of postmen for providing credit to micro-entrepreneurs in rural areas.
• Canara Bank has successfully raised Rs 10,000 crore by issuing infrastructure bonds.
• Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) has unveiled a new distribution structure, integrating the physical branch network, digital branch channel (encompassing mobile banking and net banking platforms), and voice channel.
• The State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a special deposit scheme called “Amrit Vrishti” offering a 7.25 per cent interest rate on deposits for 444 days. The scheme also offers an additional 0.50 per cent interest rate to senior citizens.
• According to the Asian Development Outlook July, 2024 report, India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is expected to be 7% this year with inflation averaging 4.6%.
• Capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) came out with a framework for a unit-based employment benefit scheme for investment trusts -Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs).
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $240.5 million in loans to finance rooftop solar systems in India that will help the government expand using renewable energy.
• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has imposed a penalty of Rs 2 crore on Bajaj Finance, citing violations of norms.
• Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, issued a US$15 million first tranche of the world’s first biodiversity bond that will amount to US$70 million.
• Bank of India (BoI) has raised Rs 5,000 crore at a coupon rate of 54% through 10-year infrastructure bonds.
• Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund has launched Motilal Oswal Manufacturing Fund, an open-ended equity scheme following the manufacturing theme.
• According to the data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Overseas Indians deposited close to $3 billion in non-resident Indian (NRI) deposit schemes in April-May FY25, which is over four times higher than the amount deposited in these schemes in the same period last year.
• The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) forecasts a median Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 7.0% for the fiscal year 2024-25.
• IndusInd Bank has launched the ‘Wrestle for Glory’ program as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up a committee to review the fee structure for white-label ATMs (WLAs).
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has authorised Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Rating Providers (ERPs) to operate under the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has levied a penalty of ₹1,90,000 (1.9 lakh) on Muthoot Finance Limited for non-compliance with the ‘Know Your Customer (KYC) Directions, 2016’.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed a new asset class aimed at bridging the gap between mutual funds and portfolio management services (PMS), targeting investors with investible funds ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
• India’s fintech industry is projected to grow at a cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31%, reaching approximately $420 billion by 2029.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

• The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) has called for study proposals to evaluate the socioeconomic impact of the central government’s Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
• India and South Korea are set to hold the 11th round of talks for reviewing and upgrading their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) from July 17-19, 2024, in Seoul.
• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is set to launch its new initiative, ‘One Scientist-One Product’.
• India will host the Second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation on September 11-12, 2024, in New Delhi.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel project in Mumbai.
• India has completed its fourth periodic review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) at the UN Human Rights Committee session in Geneva.
• India’s technology and electronics sector is advocating for up to ₹50,000 crore in incentives in the upcoming Union Budget 2024.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah will officially launch MANAS, India’s first-ever national toll-free telephonic helpline dedicated to addressing narcotics crimes and related issues.
• The Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has reconstituted NITI Aayog, its apex think tank, to include a mix of full-time members and union ministers, enhancing its capacity to address key policy matters.
• Mumbai’s first underground metro line, the Aqua Line, will begin operations on July 24.
• The Centre is set to launch the fourth phase of its flagship rural road scheme, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), aiming to connect 50,000 habitations with all-weather roads.
• The government is set to implement significant changes in the next phase of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY) for urban areas, aiming to better target middle-income group (MIG) beneficiaries and improve subsidy disbursement.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with renowned author and development activist Dr. R Balasubramaniam.
• NITI Aayog aims to propel India’s domestic electronics manufacturing sector to a value of $500 billion by 2030.
• Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Jitan Ram Manjhi, emphasised the Prime Minister’s vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047.
• For the first time, India will host the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting, a UNESCO event, to examine proposals for new World Heritage sites and the conservation status of existing ones.
• Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is set to participate in the BRICS trade ministers’ meeting in Moscow on July 26, focusing on enhancing trade relations and resolving export issues.
• A 22-member committee has been established by the Centre to revise the base year for various price indices including consumer, wholesale, retail, and producer price indices.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Audrey Azoulay urged its 194 Member States to improve soil protection and rehabilitation as the organisation warns that by 2050, up to 90% of the planet’s soil could be degraded.
• India has called on the 7-nation Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) grouping to infuse new energies, resources, and a fresh commitment to bolster cooperation among the Bay of Bengal countries.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

• Thazhakara has become the first grama panchayat in Alappuzha and one of the first in Kerala to update and publish a comprehensive People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) with the involvement of local communities.
• The Andhra Pradesh (AP) Government, led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, will introduce a new Act aimed at preventing illegal land-grabbing.
• The Karnataka government cleared a bill that seeks to reserve 50 per cent of management jobs and 75 per cent of non-management jobs for locals, according to the report.
• The Maharashtra government will spend Rs 5,500 crore on the Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana internship scheme for unemployed youth.
• More than 9.27 lakh applications have been received so far by authorities in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region for availing benefits under the state government’s flagship welfare scheme for underprivileged women ‘Ladki Bahin’.
• Assam’s ‘Moidams,’ the mound burial system of the Ahom dynasty, will be considered for inclusion in the World Heritage Sites list at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

• India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation climbed for the fourth consecutive month in June 2024, reaching a 16-month high of 3.36 per cent compared to 2.61 per cent in May 2024.
• Agritech firm Cropin Technology has announced the launch of Sage, the planet’s first real-time agri-intelligence solution powered by Google Gemini.
• Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd. has secured a significant contract worth ₹840 crore from the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), part of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPA) in Maharashtra aims to become India’s largest container port by 2025.
• Dilip Kumar Kushwaha, 42, a young scientist working at the country’s premier Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) or Pusa, has developed a robotic spraying machine exclusively for crops grown inside a greenhouse.
• In the second quarter of 2024, India emerged as the second largest market for Netflix regarding new paid subscriber additions, according to the company’s shareholder letter.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

• AMD has announced a partnership with the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) at IIT Bombay.
• NLC India has officially taken over the Machhakata coal mine in the Angul district of Odisha, a strategic move set to potentially double the company’s coal and lignite production and 12,000 crore planned for the development of the coal mine.
• India is focused on addressing non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and enhancing market access to achieve a significant bilateral trade target with Russia, as outlined in recent high-level discussions.
• NITI Aayog, in collaboration with IIM Bangalore, Smart Freight Centre India, CALSTART/Drive to Zero, and WRI India, has announced the launch of the NITI GearShift Challenge as part of the e-FAST India
• Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the Skill India Digital (SID) platform, marking a significant advancement in India’s approach to skill development, education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
• Global travel tech firm FlixBus has entered into a strategic partnership with fintech major Paytm, aimed at expanding its distribution network and enhancing its reach in the travel industry.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS) India Private Limited announced its support for the Tamil Nadu Technology (iTNT) Hub to launch a new generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) startup hub program.
• A long-anticipated agreement among Nepal, India, and Bangladesh for cross-border electricity trade is nearing completion.
• The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has signed a multi-year agreement with Bharti Airtel to provide network and connectivity solutions for its Taxnet-2.0 programme.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob signed a comprehensive agreement on security cooperation and support between their countries.
• A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Gandhinagar-based Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) and the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) to cooperate in the field of economic and financial security.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

• K P Sharma Oli,72 was appointed Nepal’s Prime Minister for the 3rd time to lead the new coalition government that faces the daunting challenge of providing political stability in the country.
• Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda was sworn in for his second five-year term at a ceremonial event held at the Lithuanian Parliament, the Seimas.
• Sumer Juneja, Managing Partner and Head of EMEA & India Investing at SoftBank Vision Fund, is set to join the board of Oravel Stays Limited (OYO’s parent firm) as a non-executive director.
• Vikram Misri, a seasoned diplomat and expert on China and national security, assumed charge as India’s 35th Foreign Secretary.
• Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rajeev Kumar has been reinstated as the Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal by the state government.
• Nallathamby Kalaiselvi, the first woman Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), was granted a two-year extension in service.
• Wales‘ First Minister Vaughan Gething has announced his resignation, only four months after taking the job.
• Roberta Metsola was re-elected as President of the European Parliament until 2027.
• Justice Aalia Neelum took oath as the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) of Pakistan (Lahore), making her the first woman to be elevated as the court’s top judge.
• Deepa Malik, India’s first woman Paralympic medallist, has been appointed as the sub-regional representative for South Asia by the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC).
• ESAF Small Finance Bank (SFB) has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the re-appointment of K Paul Thomas as Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for another 3 years.
• HSBC Holdings Plc has appointed Georges Elhedery as the group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective September 2, 2024.
• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) chairman Manoj Soni has tendered his resignation due to “personal reasons.”
• Justice N Kotiswar Singh, Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, took oath of office and became the first judge from Manipur to be elevated to the Supreme Court.
• Rwandan President Paul Kagame has secured a record fourth term in the election.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

• Prince Harry received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards (ESPY) in Los Angeles.
• The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) program, led by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, received the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity 2024.
• Two Indian space scientists, Prahlad Chandra Agrawal and Anil Bhardwaj, were honoured with prestigious awards by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), the world’s first scientific body dedicated to space science research.
• INS Delhi was recognised as the Best Ship of the Eastern Fleet for its excellent performance and operational achievements.
• President Droupadi Murmu awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) to Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi for their exemplary service to the nation.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

• Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has entered into a tie-up with IDFC First Bank Limited under a corporate agency arrangement.
• ONGC Videsh Limited, the overseas investment arm of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), has signed a Sale Purchase Agreement (SPA) to acquire:
• 615% Participating Interest (PI) in the Offshore Azeri Chirag Gunashli (ACG) oil field in Azerbaijan from Equinor.
• 737% shares in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline company through its wholly-owned subsidiary, ONGC BTC.
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of up to 56% shareholding of Ismartu India Private Limited (Target) by Dixon Technologies (India) Limited (Acquirer).
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition, inter alia, of ordinary shares of Berhyanda Limited (Berhyanda) and Berhyanda MidCo Limited (Berhyanda MidCo) by Platinum Poppy C 2024 RSC Limited (Platinum Poppy).
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the indirect controlling acquisition of Arjas Steel Private Limited (ASPL) and Arjas Modern Steel Private Limited (AMSPL) by The Sandur Manganese & Iron Ores Limited (SMIORE) and BAG Holdings Private Limited (BHPL).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS

• India announced a fresh list of 346 military hardware items, including “strategically important” systems and weapons, that will only be procured from state-run domestic manufacturers after a ban on their import kicks in under a staggered timeline.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) ambitious Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) mission concluded its first year-long Mars simulation, with four crew members emerging from their 1,700-square-foot 3D-printed habitat at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
• Indian scientists have created an open-source tool designed to generate an infrared star catalogue for the Adaptive Optics System (AOS) of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT).
• Lyrics for Missy Elliot’s song “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” were transmitted from the DSN’s Goldstone complex to Venus, about 158 million miles (254 million kilometers) away.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND INDEX

• According to Kantar’s Brand Inclusion Index 2024, a significant majority of global consumers are influenced by a brand’s diversity and inclusion (DEI) reputation when making purchasing decisions.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ENVIRONMENT NEWS

• Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of deep-water dogfish shark, named Squalus hima, from the Sakthikulangara fishing harbour in Kerala, along the Arabian Sea.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

• Spain triumphed over England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final, marking their re-emergence as a dominant force in international football.
• Argentina secured their 16th Copa America title by defeating Colombia 1-0 in a dramatic extra-time win.
• Saudi Arabia will host the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in 2025, marking a significant milestone in integrating esports with traditional Olympic sports.
• Vasanti Shinde and Leonie Kung clinched the doubles title at the $75,000 ITF Women’s Tennis Tournament in Rome.
• Carlos Alcaraz of Spain secured his fourth Grand Slam title by defeating Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4) in the Wimbledon men’s final.
• The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced that five American players are ranked in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Top 15 for the first time in 20 years.
• India’s Sabeera Haris clinched the bronze medal in the women’s trap event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup held in Porpetto, Italy.
• Gareth Southgate has announced his departure from the role of England coach after a successful eight-year tenure.
• The Pavilion End at Trent Cricket Stadium will be officially renamed the ‘Stuart Broad End’ during the second Test match between England and West Indies.
• India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal rose up 4 places to occupy the 6th place in the latest ICC T20I batters’ rankings.
• The 19th edition of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon is scheduled to commence in October 2024, attracting participants from around the world to the national capital.
• Star Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has been announced as the brand ambassador for MotoGP in India, bringing his dynamic energy from the cricket field to the world of racing.
• The Indian sports ministry has approved a final contingent of 117 athletes for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

• Sheraz K. Sunderji, a renowned horse trainer, passed away at the age of 64.
• Subhash Dandekar, chairman emeritus of Kokuyo Camlin, passed away on July 15 in He was 86.
• Former Sri Lankan cricketer Dhammika Niroshana was shot dead at 41 at his residence in Ambalangoda.
• Dr Marthanda Varma Sankaran Valiathan, a renowned cardiac surgeon and academic, died in Manipal at the age of 90.
• Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party and the country’s most powerful politician, passed away at the age of 80.
• The Australian Olympic Committee announced that former high-ranking IOC member and Australian Olympian Kevan Gosper has passed away at the age of 90.

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