Daily Current Affairs February 16

Dear Champions, as you all know that a lot of competitive exams have been notified consequently. Candidates have to prepare themselves according to the level of competition and expectation of the Recruitment board. Regarding that one of the most important topic is Daily Current Affairs February 16. Current Affairs in the form of contemporary events of national & international play a crucial role in almost every competitive exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC, UPSC, TNPSC, Railway etc.

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February 16| Daily Current Affairs 2024

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs February 16

1. When is World Anthropology Day observed each year?
A) Second Thursday in February
B) First Thursday in February
C) Third Thursday in February
D) Fourth Thursday in February
E) Last Thursday in February
Answer: C) Third Thursday in February

• World Anthropology Day is observed on the third Thursday in February.
• To promote the field of anthropology and raise awareness about its significance in understanding human diversity, cultures and societies worldwide, Anthropology Day was established by the American Anthropological Association (AAA) in 2015 and initially called National Anthropology Day.
• It was changed in 2016 to World Anthropology Day.
• Anthropology is the study of humans, their culture and evolution but anthropology is not only the study of ancient societies instead, it is very much related to current social formations as well

Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs February 16

2. Under which legal provision did the Reserve Bank of India impose business restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL)?
A) Section 42 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
B) Section 22 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
C) Section 18 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949
D) Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949
E) Section 12 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
Answer: D) Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949

• The Reserve Bank of India, in exercise of its powers under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, had put certain business restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL or the bank).
• Keeping in view the interest of customers (including merchants) of PPBL who may require a little more time to make alternative arrangements and the larger public interest, the following Directions are issued by the Reserve Bank of India under section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 in partial modification of the earlier Directions dated January 31, 2024:

1. No further deposits or credit transactions or top ups shall be allowed in any customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, FASTags, National Common Mobility Cards, etc. after March 15, 2024 (extended from the earlier stipulated timeline of February 29, 2024), other than any interest, cashbacks, sweep in from partner banks or refunds which may be credited anytime.
2. Withdrawal or utilisation of balances by its customers from their accounts including savings bank accounts, current accounts, prepaid instruments, FASTags, National Common Mobility Cards, etc. are to be permitted without any restrictions, upto their available balance (no change).
3. No banking services, other than those referred in (ii) above, like fund transfers (irrespective of name and nature of services like AEPS, IMPS, etc.),
4. BBPOU and UPI facility should be provided by the bank after March 15, 2024 (extended from the earlier stipulated timeline of February 29, 2024). However, for the purpose of (ii) above (viz. for withdrawal or utilisation of available balance by customers or wallet holders), such fund transfers including AEPS, IMPS and UPI may be allowed anytime.
5. The Nodal Accounts of One97 Communications Ltd and Paytm Payments Services Ltd maintained by Paytm Payments Bank Limited are to be terminated at the earliest, in any case not later than February 29, 2024 (no change).
6. Settlement of all pipeline transactions in nodal accounts referred to in item (iv) above (in respect of all transactions initiated on or before February 29, 2024) shall be completed by March 15, 2024 and no further transactions shall be permitted thereafter (no change).
7. It is also directed that withdrawals upto their available balance should be facilitated by the bank from all accounts and wallets, excluding the ones that are frozen or lien marked by Law Enforcement or judicial authorities.

• Further, it is directed that the bank shall facilitate a seamless withdrawal of customer deposits that are parked with partner banks under the automatic ‘sweep-in sweep-out’ facility without causing any inconvenience to such customers

National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs February 16

3. Where is India’s first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) set to be launched?
A) All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi
B) All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh
C) Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai
D) Apollo Hospitals in Chennai
E) Fortis Hospital in Bengaluru
Answer: B) All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh

• India is set to launch its first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) in Uttarakhand.
• The HEMS will be stationed at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh and will be able to airlift accident victims within a radius of 150 km to the medical facility.
• This service aims to provide timely transportation for accident victims and patients from hilly terrains to AIIMS, ensuring they receive critical care during the ‘golden hour’ after an accident.

4. What is Digital Twin technology primarily used for?
A) Creating physical replicas of assets
B) Enabling monitoring, simulation, and analysis of physical assets
C) Generating virtual reality experiences
D) Designing new infrastructure projects
E) Enhancing traditional communication networks
Answer: B) Enabling monitoring, simulation, and analysis of physical assets

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced the ‘Sangam: Digital Twin’ initiative, inviting Expressions of Interest (EoI) from various sectors.
• Digital Twin technology creates virtual replicas of physical assets, enabling monitoring, simulation, and analysis for adaptive outcomes.
• ‘Sangam: Digital Twin’ consists of two stages, the first being exploratory for creative exploration, and the second for the practical demonstration of specific use cases, creating a future blueprint for collaboration in future infrastructure projects.
• Digital Twin’ integrates 5G, IoT, AI, AR/VR, AI native 6G, Digital Twin and next-gen computational technologies to break silos and promote a whole-of-nation approach.

5. What is the primary objective of the ‘Van Mitra’ scheme?
A) To promote wildlife conservation
B) To encourage tree cutting in forest areas
C) To incentivize afforestation efforts
D) To discourage community participation in environmental activities
E) To reduce the survival rate of afforestation
Answer: C) To incentivize afforestation efforts

• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched the ‘Van Mitra’ scheme and its portal to encourage community participation in tree planting activities in non-forest areas.
• The members of families with an annual income of less than Rs 1.80 lakh can register to become ‘Van Mitras’.
• The objective of this scheme is to directly involve the local public in increasing forest areas across the state, ensuring an increase in the survival rate of afforestation, and promoting tree planting in non-forest areas.

About Van Mitra:

• Each van mitra will receive an incentive based on the maintenance of the plant and they can plant a maximum of 1,000 saplings.
• Any individual aged between 18 and 60 can become a van mitra.
• In the first phase of the scheme, the selection of 7500 van mitra will be done through the portal.
• A van mitra can choose non-forest land for tree planting in their village, town, or city.
• If the planted tree grows on the van mitra’s own land, they will be considered the owner of the tree.
• In the first year, van mitras will receive Rs 20 for each dug pit upon uploading geo-tagging and photograph of the pit on the mobile app.
• After geo-tagging, van mitras will receive Rs 30 for each planted tree.
• They will receive Rs 10 per living plant for the maintenance and security of trees planted.
• In the second year, van mitras will receive Rs 8 per living plant each month.
• In the third year, they will receive Rs 5 per living plant each month, and in the fourth year, this amount will be Rs 3 per living plant.
• In case the van mitras wish not continue under the scheme, the Forest Department will take over the trees

6. Which entities recently signed an MoU to explore collaboration in various areas including materials processing and modelling, energy and environment, and low carbon steel production?
A) Tata Motors and IIT Kanpur
B) Tata Steel and IIT Bhubaneswar REP
C) Reliance Industries and IIT Bombay
D) Adani Group and IIT Delhi
E) Mahindra Group and IIT Madras
Answer: B) Tata Steel and IIT Bhubaneswar REP

• Tata Steel and IIT Bhubaneswar REP, a company promoted by IIT Bhubaneswar, have joined hands to explore collaboration in different areas including materials processing and modelling, energy and environment, and low carbon steel production and circular economy.
• The MoU was inked during the 100-Cube Start-up conclave in the presence of the Union Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan.
• The 100-Cube initiative is a commendable step by the government to promote Odisha’s entrepreneurial spirit and build a stronger India through technology and innovation.

Keyperson:

• CEO & MD of Tata Steel, T V Narendran

7. How much money has the Centre released to Karnataka as the third instalment under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for the financial year 2023-24?
A) Rs 200.56 crores
B) Rs 235.14 crores
C) Rs 300.98 crores
D) Rs 150.32 crores
E) Rs 270.75 crores
Answer: B) Rs 235.14 crores

• The Centre has released Rs 235.14 crores to Karnataka as third instalment under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for financial year 2023-24.
• The Centre has approved the procurement of Bengal Gram (chana) in the State at Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 5,440 per quintal for a maximum quantity of 1,39,740 tonnes for 2023-24 rabi season under the price support scheme.
• The State will use the amount to implement components of the RKVY scheme such as soil health and fertility, rainfed area development, paramparagat krishi vikas yojana and submission on agriculture mechanisation (SMAM), per drop more crop, agroforestry and crop diversification programme.
• The amount approved will be utilised for the improvement of infrastructure in the agriculture sector under the above components for the construction of godowns, water harvesting structures, the establishment of primary demonstration units, procurement of tractors, power tillers and drones, promotion of integrated farming, soil health fertility and setting up of custom hiring centres etc.
• The Department of Agriculture has allocated a total amount of Rs 761.89 crore for the year 2023-24 under RKVY to Karnataka to implement all the above components in Karnataka for the welfare of the farmers.

Note:

• In January, the Ministry gave an additional allocation of Rs 178.65 crore to Karnataka under the RKVY scheme.
• The additional allocation is approved for the implementation of SMAM (Rs 120 crore), Soil Health Card (Rs 12.00 crores) and RKVY – DPR (Rs 46.65 crore).
• The initial allocation under the RKVY scheme was Rs 583.24 crore, which has been increased to Rs 761.89 crore for 2023-24.
• To date, the Centre has released a total amount of Rs 526.75 crore out of the total allocation of Rs 761.89 crore and the remaining balance amount will be released after utilisation of the amount already released to the State.

8. What amount was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council for various capital acquisition proposals?
A) Rs 56,840 crore
B) Rs 102,345 crore
C) Rs 84,560 crore
D) Rs 70,210 crore
E) Rs 93,675 crore
Answer: C) Rs 84,560 crore

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for various capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 84,560 crore.
• The DAC has accorded AoN under the Buy Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) category for procurement of a new generation of anti-tank mines having seismic sensors and provision of remote deactivation with additional safety features.
• The AoN under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category has been accorded for procurement of Canister Launched Anti-Armour Loiter Munition System.
• The AoN also has been accorded for procurement of Air Defence Tactical Control Radar under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category to strengthen Air Defence Systems, especially capabilities to detect slow, small and low-flying targets as well as surveillance, detection and tracking of different targets.
• To enhance surveillance and interdiction capabilities of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the AoN for procurement of medium range maritime reconnaissance and multi-mission maritime aircraft, through the Buy and Make category.
• The AoN under the Buy (Indian) category has been accorded for procurement of Active Towed Array Sonar having capabilities to operate at low frequencies and various depths for long range detections of adversary submarines.
• The AoN has also been accorded for procurement of Heavy Weight Torpedoes for enhancing attacking capabilities of Kalvari Class submarines.
• The AoN for sustainment support through Follow On Support (FOS) and Repair Replenishment support through Follow On Supply Support (FOSS) for 24 MH60R aircraft under Foreign Military Sale route with the US Government has also been accorded.
• The DAC accorded AoN for procurement of Flight Refueller Aircraft for enhancing the operational capabilities and reach of the Indian Air Force.
• The AoN under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category for procurement of Software Defined Radios for the ICG has also been granted.

9. What is the name of the new agricultural scheme launched by Karnataka to promote sustainability and profitability for farmers?
A) Karnataka Krishi Vikas Yojana
B) Karnataka Raitha Samruddhi Yojane
C) Karnataka Kisan Samman Yojana
D) Karnataka Agriculture Prosperity Scheme
E) Karnataka Sustainable Farming Initiative
Answer: B) Karnataka Raitha Samruddhi Yojane

• Karnataka plans to consolidate various agri schemes to launch a new one to help farmers make agriculture sustainable and lucrative.
• To encourage integrated agriculture, various schemes related to agricultural sector will be consolidated and a new scheme called Karnataka Raitha Samruddhi Yojane will be started from this year.
• The new scheme will provide the farmers with
  • Guidance and support in securing a stable income by taking up comprehensive agriculture Inclusive of agriculture, animal husbandry horticulture and dairy farming
  • Selecting crops based on the soil characteristics and market demands
  • Providing information on soil testing and soil characteristic
  • Supporting farmers by raising awareness about new agricultural practices and technologies
  • Making farmers aware of opportunities related to storage and value addition
  • Creating market linkages for farmers to get a good price for their produce.
  • About 5,000 water bodies will be created over five years to promote sustainable agriculture in drought-affected and rainfed areas of the State.
  • Krishi Bhagya Yojane which had become extremely popular during the earlier tenure of Government has been reintroduced and grants of Rs 200 crore were provided during 2023-24.
  • A Community Seed Bank will be set up to preserve locally bred seeds, which are on the verge of extinction.
  • A separate Food Processing Directorate will be constituted under the Agriculture Department which will focus on avoiding wastage of agricultural produce and help farmers in earning a reasonable price for their crops.
  • Further, to promote processing, value addition and export of agricultural and horticultural produce, food parks will be established near airports under public-private partnership.
  • In the current year, food parks will be established at Sogane in Shivamogga district, Ittangihala in Vijayapura District and Pujenahalli village in Bengaluru rural district.

10. Which two central banks recently signed terms of reference for integrating their fast payment systems?
A) Reserve Bank of India and Bangladesh Bank
B) Reserve Bank of Nepal and State Bank of India
C) Reserve Bank of India and Nepal Rastra Bank
D) Reserve Bank of Pakistan and Reserve Bank of India
E) Reserve Bank of Bhutan and Reserve Bank of India
Answer: C) Reserve Bank of India and Nepal Rastra Bank

• State-owned Central banks of India and Nepal signed terms of reference for the integration of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and National Payments Interface (NPI).
• The Reserve Bank of India and Nepal Rastra Bank signed the terms of reference.
• The integration is aimed at facilitating cross-border remittances between India and Nepal by enabling users of the two systems to make instant, low-cost fund transfers.
• The collaboration between India and Nepal in linking their fast payment systems through the UPI-NPI linkage will further deepen financial connectivity and reinforce the enduring historical, cultural, and economic ties between the two countries.

Over All Review

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