Why in news?

• The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) predicted that India will regain sixth position from France next year and become the third-largest economy in 2031, a year later the previously

About CEBR analysis on Indian economy

• (CEBR) has predicted that India will regain sixth position from France next year and become the third-largest economy in 2031, a year later the previously
• CEBR, one of the UK’s leading economics consultancies, in its annual World Economic League Table also predicted that China will overtake the US in 2030, two years later than forecast a year
• The London-based think tank said, over the next 15 years, India will see an improvement in its ranking in the World Economic League Table (WELT), rising from 7th place in 2021 to be the world’s third-largest economy in
• India will again take over France to regain its 6th place in WELT ranking for 2022, which it briefly lost to France in 2021, the CEBR

Why in news?

• Rishabh Pant has set a new Indian record for the fastest wicketkeeper to 100 dismissals. He broke the joint- record held by MS Dhoni and Wriddhiman Saha by affecting his 100th dismissal in his 26th Test which came at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 28,

About Rishabh Pants record

• Rishabh Pant picked up his 100th dismissal as wicketkeeper when he caught Temba Bavuma off Mohammed Shami’s bowling on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test in
• Pant needed 3 dismissals in the Boxing Day Test to eclipse his idol, Dhoni. He got there on Day 3 as India pacers dominated the South African bowling attack after the visitors posted 327 on the board. Pant took the catches of Bavuma, Dean Elgar and Wiaan Mulder at the SuperSport Park to achieve the

Why in news?

• China recently launched a new satellite with a camera that can take pictures of the ground with a resolution of five

About “Ziyuan-1 02E”

• The satellite, called “Ziyuan-1 02E” or “five-meter optical satellite 02,” was launched by a Long March-4C rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in north China’s Shanxi province.
• Ziyuan-1 02E weighs about 2.5 kilograms and is equipped with infrared, near-infrared and hyperspectral
• The cameras can take full-colour panchromatic images of the Earth, state-run CGTN-TV

Why in news?

• The committee formed is to suggest withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) from Nagaland will comprise seven members and will submit its report within three

About the Committee

• Dr Vivek Joshi, Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India, is the chairman while J Alam, chief secretary of Nagaland is a member. Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen PC Nair, DGP Nagaland T John Longkumer, Dr MS Tuli joint director of Intelligence Bureau are

Why in news?

• The Belgian government has reached a deal to close seven ageing nuclear reactors by

About Belgium closing the ageing nuclear reactors

• The reactors, housed at two plants in Doel and Tihange, have long been controversial. They have been shut down repeatedly for safety checks and have sparked fear in neighbouring
• A compromise was reached after years of debate and overnight talks by government
• The plan in principle was confirmed at a press conference
• Closures will begin in 2022 with the aim of both plants being safely decommissioned and demolished by 2045, Reuters news agency
• Some reactors at the plants, operated by utility company Engie, have been operational since the 1970s and have long been a source of regional

Why in news?

• As part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ – to celebrate 75 years of Independence, REC Limited, a public

infrastructure finance company under the Ministry of Power organized a ‘Bijli Utsav’ at Karsada sub-station in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

About ‘Bijli Utsav’

• The event highlighted the benefits of electricity, the challenges faced during electrification in rural areas and how the quality of life improved with access to power. The event also witnessed several beneficiaries of Saubhagya Yojana who were invited on stage to share their
• To engage with the villagers, various cultural programmes such as Nukkad Natak and a Lok Gayan were held along with that a quiz on various Government programmes, on awareness about usage of electricity, billing, energy efficiency etc. was conducted to impart knowledge to the public. The event concluded with the distribution of LED bulbs as prizes to the winners of the
• Given the large gathering, it was ensured that all Covid safety protocols such as social distancing and wearing of masks were adhered In addition, masks were also distributed to all the attendees.

About REC Limited

• (Rural Electrification Corporation) REC Limited is a Navratna NBFC focusing on Power Sector Financing and Development across India. Established in 1969, REC Limited has completed over fifty years in the area of its
• It provides financial assistance to state electricity boards, state governments, central/state power utilities, independent power producers, rural electric cooperatives and private sector
• Its business activities involve financing projects in the complete power sector value chain; different types of projects include Generation, Transmission, Distribution and Renewable Energy segments. REC’s funding illuminates every fourth bulb in

Why in news?

• Pawan Hans has assured Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur that the fares of the Shimla-Dharamsala heli-taxi services will be reduced to promote tourism in the state.
• The Chief Minister met Sanjeev Razdan, Managing Director, Pawan Hans Ltd., in New Delhi today and reviewed the government company’s operations in Himachal Pradesh.
• He asked Razdan to reduce the fare of the Shimla-Dharamsala heli-taxi services and operate direct flights from Shimla to Dharamsala and Shimla to Manali at the earliest.

Why in news?

• Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) activists took out a candlelight march in McLeodganj last night to protest the demolition of a 99-feet-tall statue of the Buddha by the Chinese government in Tibet.
• The bronze statue was built with the contributions of Tibetans in Drakgo which cost around 40,000,000 Yuan (around 6.3 million USD). In 1973, Drakgo had witnessed a massive earthquake that caused widespread damage. The statue was built on October 5, 2015, to ward off natural disasters.

Why in news?

• Iit Mandi innovate new fabric to mix Artica Parviflora
• found from Himalayans) with cotton under his Startup programs
• This fabric will be suitable for both summer And winter seasons.
• This innovation help also to Planatation programs in the forests.

Why in news?

• IndusInd Bank has announced the launch of ‘green fixed deposits’, whereby the deposit proceeds will be used to finance projects and firms supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

About ‘green fixed deposits’

• Investing in green deposits allows customers to build a cleaner and better society
• These deposits will be offered to both retail and corporate customers.
• The Bank will use the proceeds from these deposits to finance a wide array of sectors falling under the SDG category including, energy efficiency, renewable energy, green transport, sustainable food, agriculture, forestry, waste management and greenhouse gas reduction.