Best Current Affairs 2024 for Bank PO Exams by Dr Gaurav Garg - SBI PO, IBPS PO, RRB PO ENGLISH

Introduction

In this article, we cover the important current affairs for September 15, 2024, relevant for Bank PO Exams. Key highlights include significant government initiatives, partnerships, and ongoing exercises that are pertinent to aspirants looking to stay updated for various competitive examinations.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana - Fourth Phase Launched

The Union Cabinet approved the proposal from the Department of Rural Development for the implementation of the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. This rural road development scheme aims to enhance connectivity in rural areas. The total budget for this phase is ₹7,125 crores, spanning from the financial year 2024-25 to 2028-29, with a target of constructing 62,500 km of roads to connect 25,000 unconnected habitations.

The funding will be split between the central government (₹4,987 crores) and the state governments (₹2,375 crores). The scheme also emphasizes connecting unconnected habitations, which refer to areas lacking road connectivity within specified distances.

Rangin Machhi Mobile App

A new mobile app called Rangin Machhi has been launched to provide multilingual information on popular ornamental fish. Developed by the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, this app facilitates access to information for fish enthusiasts and is available in eight languages.

SWACHH SAA Campaign

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti initiated the SWACHH SAA campaign in New Delhi. This campaign will commence on September 17, the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and will run until October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. The campaign aims to promote cleanliness and public participation, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

BM e-Bus SAA Payment Security Mechanism Scheme

The Union Cabinet also approved a scheme called BM e-Bus SAA for the procurement and operation of electric buses, which will support operations for up to 12 years. The total budget is ₹3,533 crores, focusing on deploying over 38,000 electric buses across various state transport authorities.

Infrastructure Support for Hydroelectric Projects

The Cabinet approved modifications to the budgetary support scheme for enabling infrastructure for hydroelectric projects, with a total outlay of ₹12,461 crores. This support aims to develop infrastructure like roads and transmission lines necessary for hydroelectric projects from 2024 to 2032.

India-Oman Exercise Eastern Bridge

India and Oman are conducting the seventh edition of the air exercise Eastern Bridge at the Masir airbase in Oman from September 11 to 22. In addition to Eastern Bridge, India also conducts Army and Navy exercises with Oman.

National Health Authority and IIT Kanpur MoU

The National Health Authority signed an MoU with IIT Kanpur to create an open public benchmarking platform for comparing AI models in healthcare, leveraging data from the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

Reinvest 2024 and Renewable Energy

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is hosting the fourth Global Renewable Energy Conference, known as Reinvest, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from September 16 to 18. The conference aims to showcase India’s renewable energy potential and attract investment for achieving the target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030.

Amit Katla Fish Variety

The Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture introduced a new variety of fish called Amit Katla in Odhisa, which has a higher average weight than local strains. This variety is essential for food security in the region.

Open Network for Digital Commerce

RS Sharma has been appointed as the non-executive chairperson of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). This initiative aims to enhance the e-commerce landscape in India, especially for MSMEs.

Military Exercises

The Indian Army is conducting the Al Naja exercise with Oman from September 13 to 26 at Salalah, marking its fifth iteration. The exercise is part of India’s strategy to enhance military cooperation with friendly nations. Additionally, the India Defense Aviation Exposition (IDEX 24) took place in Jodhpur, showcasing advancements in Indian aviation.

NABFID as a Public Financial Institution

NABFID (National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development) has been declared a Public Financial Institution under the Companies Act of 2013, enhancing its capacity to finance large infrastructure projects across India.

Singapore Literature Prize

Prashanti Ram won the Singapore Literature Prize for English fiction for her short story titled “Nine Yards.” She is recognized for her contributions to literature and is affiliated with Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Keyword

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Rangin Machhi, SWACHH SAA Campaign, BM e-Bus SAA, Hydroelectric Projects, India-Oman Exercise, National Health Authority, Reinvest 2024, Amit Katla, ONDC, Al Naja, NABFID, Singapore Literature Prize.

FAQ

1. What is the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana?

   • It is a rural road development scheme aimed at enhancing connectivity in rural areas, recently entering its fourth phase.

2. What is the purpose of the Rangin Machhi app?

   • The app provides multilingual information on ornamental fish, developed by the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture.

3. What is the SWACHH SAA campaign?

   • A campaign initiated by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation to promote cleanliness and community participation.

4. What does the BM e-Bus SAA scheme entail?

   • It supports the procurement and operation of electric buses for up to 12 years, with a total budget of ₹3,533 crores.

5. What is NABFID?

   • NABFID is the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development, recently declared a Public Financial Institution to enhance infrastructure financing.