Recently, officials reported a 6% Non Performing Assets (NPA) rate under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), launched by India in 2020 to aid businesses hit by Covid-19.
The scheme, managed by the Ministry of Finance’s Department of Financial Services and National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd (NCGTC), provides 100% guaranteed coverage to lenders.
Phases ECLGS 1.0 to 4.0 expanded its scope across sectors.
Sanctions are based on borrower assessments, with no collateral or fees.
International Affairs
2. Who has been appointed as the President of European Commission? – Ursula von der Leyen
Science & Technology
3. What is the ‘MV Sea Change’, recently seen in news? – The world’s first commercial passenger ferry powered by 100% hydrogen fuel
The MV Sea Change, the world’s first commercial passenger ferry powered by 100% hydrogen fuel, launched at the San Francisco Ferry Building.
Built by All American Marine Shipyard for SWITCH Maritime and designed by Incat Crowther, it carries 75 passengers and operates for 16 hours, covering 300 nautical miles per refueling.
Emitting only heat and water vapor, it reaches speeds up to 20 knots and features drinkable water emissions.
Short News
Appointments
4. Which Indian para athlete has been appointed by the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) as the representative for South Asia? – Deepa Malik
5. Who has been appointed as the Chairman of the Business Advisory Committee of Lok Sabha? – Om Birla
6. Who has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the US in July 2024? – Vinay Mohan Kwatra
Awards & Honors
7. Which two Indian space scientists received the honour at the Global Space Conference from the prestigious organization Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)? – Prahlad Chandra Agrawal and Anil Bhardwaj
Indian space scientists Prahlad Chandra Agrawal and Anil Bhardwaj received prestigious awards from COSPAR during its 45th scientific assembly in Busan, South Korea.
Agrawal, a retired professor from TIFR, earned the Harrie Massey Award for contributions to X-ray astronomy and leading AstroSat.
Bhardwaj, PRL Director since 2017, won the Vikram Sarabhai Medal for his work in planetary space sciences and key roles in ISRO’s missions.
State Current Affairs
8. Recently, which state government is organizing special camps to grant Indian citizenshipto minority refugees from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh? – Rajasthan
The Rajasthan government is organizing hold special camps to grant Indian citizenship to minority refugees from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Simplified rules authorize district collectors to issue citizenship certificates.
From 2016 to 2024, 2,329 refugees gained citizenship, with 1,566 applications pending.
The Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, offers citizenship to non-Muslim communities from these countries who entered India by December 31, 2014, exempting them from penalties under immigration laws.
9. The famous Gevra and Kusmunda coal mines are located in which state? – Chhattisgarh
10. Rajaji National Park is located in which state? – Uttarakhand
Miscellaneous
11. ‘Wagh Nakh‘ was brought to India from London in July 2024, it is related to which Maratha ruler? – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
12. Which helpline has been launched to prevent drug trafficking and abuse in India? – Manas
