NPCI approved Paytm to use Bank Migration

• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on April 18, 2024, approved Paytm's plan to move its users to other banks for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) based payment services.
• As a result of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) order for Paytm Payments Bank to stop offering basic banking services by March 15, 2024.
•  The company has begun the process of moving its consumers to the new Payment System Provider (PSP) banks after completing its integration with four major banks:

• State Bank of India,
• Yes Bank
• HDFC Bank
•  Axis Bank

Amendment Rules Under Foreign Management Act Notified

• To operationalize its decision to permit up to 100% FDI for the space sector, the government issued new guidelines under the Foreign Exchange Management Act on April 18, 2024.
• The production and operation of satellites, satellite data products, the ground segment, and the user segment are all eligible for 100% Foreign Direct Investment.
• Investments over 74% will need government permission. Up to 74% of the total investment will go through the automatic method.
• Up to 49% of funds have also been made available through automatic FDI for the development of spaceports for spacecraft landing and takeoff, as well as launch vehicles and related systems or subsystems.
• Any investments beyond 49% will need the approval of the government.
•  The production of parts and systems, or subsystems, for the user, ground, and satellite segments will be done at 100% Automatic route.

Vedanta Group’s Hindustan Zinc is World’s 3rd largest Silver Producing Company

• Hindustan Zinc, owned by the Vedanta Group, became the world's third largest silver producer on April 18, 2024.
• According to a survey, its Sindesar Khurd mine in Rajasthan is now the world's second greatest silver producer.
• Hindustan Zinc, a prominent player in the global silver industry, has experienced a 5% year-on-year improvement in production due to higher ore production and improved grades.
• Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group firm that manufactures zinc, lead, and silver, is the world's second largest integrated zinc producer and the third largest silver producer.

First ‘Miss AI’ Beauty Pageant in the World Has AI Judges

• The inaugural "Miss AI" beauty pageant will take place on April 18, 2024, in a unique event that combines the worlds of AI creators and traditional beauty pageants.
• AI-generated models will compete in this pageantry.
• The judging criteria for contestants will include beauty, technology, and social media influence, with an emphasis on how well they employ AI tools to create digital art.
• The $5000 cash prize winner of "Miss AI" will also get publicity on the Fanvue platform, a $3,000 mentorship program, and over $5000 in PR support.

SBI Life launched Ideation X

• SBI Life Insurance on April 18, 2024 launched Ideation X, a ground-breaking program designed to promote innovation in life insurance.
• Through this programme, prospective leaders from leading business schools are encouraged to come up with novel ideas to meet changing needs of customers in the insurance industry.
• Ideation X challenges students from nationally recognized B-Schools to use their imaginations and come up with novel solutions for life insurance.
• More than 1000 students from prominent B-Schools, including NIA, NIRMA, SIES, KJ Somaiya, IMI, BML Munjal, IMT, and XIME, participated in the first edition.

Successful Flight Test of Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile

• The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on April 18, 2024 successfully tested the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile in flight.
• Off the coast of Odisha, at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, a missile was fired for testing.
• The Indian Air Force's Su-30-Mk-I aircraft also tracked the missile's trajectory.
• The Gas Turbine Research Establishment's indigenous propulsion system has proven to be dependable, as demonstrated by this successful flight test.
•  To provide improved and more dependable performance, the missile is additionally outfitted with cutting-edge avionics and software.

Launch of the Indian Navy’s Submersible Platform ‘SPACE’ (Defence)

• The Indian Navy opened the state-of-the-art Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterization and Evaluation (SPACE) in Idukki, Kerala, on April 18, 2024.
•  In order to function as a top testing and evaluation hub for sonar systems utilized by the Indian Navy on diverse platforms, including ships, submarines, and helicopters, the Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory of DRDO established this platform.
• The 2 primary parts of the SPACE are a platform that floats on the water's surface and a submersible platform that can be lowered via winch systems to a depth of up to 100 meters.
• When operations are finished, the submersible platform can be effortlessly winched up and moored with the floating platform.
•  The primary purpose of SPACE will be to evaluate whole sonar systems, facilitating rapid deployment and simple retrieval of scientific packages like sensors and transducers.

Saurabh Garg

• Saurabh Garg, was given the additional responsibility of Secretary of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) by the Central Government on April 18, 2024.
•  Until a regular incumbent is appointed, Saurabh Garg, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Odisha cadre and a 1991 batch member, will hold this position.
• Saurabh Garg, the newly appointed Secretary of this vital ministry, will be responsible for maintaining the efficacy and efficiency of the ministry's activities.

SOPs Under One Health Initiative Introduced in Kerala

• As part of its One Health project, the Kerala Health Department plans to launch comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the investigation and management of outbreaks involving at least eight infectious illnesses on April 18, 2024.
• This is the first time that such extensive state-level recommendations on the One Health platform in India are being established.
• Establishing an early illness surveillance, prevention, and control mechanism in districts is the goal of the SOPs.
• The SOPs address a variety of illnesses and medical situations, such as:

1. Water-borne illnesses, such as Hepatitis A and E, severe diarrhea disorders
2. infections caused by food
3. illnesses spread by mosquitoes, such as Zika, chikungunya, and dengue
4. Acute Encephalitis Syndrome: a combination of West Nile fever and Japanese encephalitis
5. encephalitis
6. Disease of the Kyasanur Forest (KFD)
7. infection with the Nipah virus
8. Leptospirosis
9. Avian influenza

Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award

• Amitabh Bachchan, a highly regarded actor in Hindi film, will receive the renowned Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award, it was announced on April 18, 2024.
• This honour is presented by the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smriti Pratisthan Public Charitable Trust and the Mangeshkar family.
• The Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award will also be given to composer

• AR Rahman
• Padmini Kolhapure
• Roop Kumar Rathore
• Randeep Hooda
• Ashok Saraf
• Atul Parchure