1 RTGS and NEFT transactions will be more secure: RBI
Taking a big step , the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday directed all banks to provide the facility to the remitters to verify the name of the beneficiary’s bank account before initiating a transaction using the RTGS or NEFT system . This move of the central bank will make transactions through RTGS and NEFT more secure. RBI has given a deadline of April 1, 2025 to all banks to implement this facility. According to the circular issued by RBI, all banks which are direct members or sub-members of RTGS and NEFT have been advised to provide this facility before April 1, 2025. With the introduction of this facility, remitters can input the beneficiary’s account number and branch IFSC code after which the name of the beneficiary will be displayed. This facility will increase confidence in the customers as it is likely to reduce the chances of wrong credit and fraud. RTGS is a real-time payment system. In this, money can be transferred easily in real time without any delay. This facility is available 24/7. The minimum limit for transactions is Rs 2 lakh. NEFT is also a payment system. Compared to RTGS, it takes some time for the money to reach the beneficiary when transactions are made through it. It can be from a few minutes to a few hours. However, there is no minimum limit for transactions in this.
2 Significant increase of 15 billion cubic metres in total annual groundwater recharge in the country
There has been a significant increase of 15 billion cubic meters in the total annual groundwater recharge in the country , while groundwater withdrawal has decreased by three billion cubic meters in the year 2024. Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil released the Dynamic Groundwater Resources Assessment Report for the year 2024. According to this report, the total annual groundwater recharge has been assessed to be more than 446 billion cubic meters . Annual groundwater withdrawal for all uses is more than 245 billion cubic meters . The report states that 100 percent of groundwater samples in the northeastern states are in the excellent category for irrigation . This assessment was done jointly by the Central Ground Water Board and the states and union territories. The ministry said that out of a total of 6 thousand 746 assessment units in blocks, mandals and talukas, more than 73 percent of the assessment units have been placed in the safe category and about three percent of the assessment units have been placed in the critical category.
3 The 18th edition of military exercise Suryakiran started in Rupandehi of Lumbini to expand bilateral relations between India and Nepal
The 18th edition of military exercise Suryakiran started at Rupandehi in Lumbini to expand bilateral relations between India and Nepal . The objective of this battalion-level joint military exercise is counter-terrorism in difficult conditions, establishment of peace mission as per the United Nations Charter, disaster management and relief operations, internal capacity building and environmental protection.
4 The Central Government has declared the massive landslide that occurred in Wayanad, Kerala on July 30 as a very severe natural disaster
The Central Government has declared the massive landslide in Wayanad, Kerala on July 30 as a very severe natural disaster in view of its widespread impact . The Union Home Ministry has informed the Kerala Government that in addition to the initial assistance provided from the State Disaster Management Fund, additional assistance will be provided from the National Disaster Relief Fund after assessment by the inter-ministerial Central Team . In view of the magnitude and damage caused by the landslide in Meppadi in Wayanad district , the Central Team has considered it a disaster of very severe nature. The massive landslide in Choorlamala and Mundakkai areas of Wayanad on July 30 , triggered by heavy rainfall, killed over two hundred people, injured many and displaced thousands. It was one of the most dangerous natural disasters in Kerala.
5 GNPA of Indian banks reached the lowest level in last 12 years
According to the latest Financial Stability Report of the Reserve Bank of India , the asset quality of Indian banks has improved and their gross non-performing assets (GNPA) have declined to 2.6 percent of total advances in September 2024. This is the lowest in the last 12 years . The net NPA ratio has been around 0.6 percent during this period. The share of large borrowers in the GNPA of banks has declined steadily in the last two years. The asset quality of large borrowers of banks has improved significantly. The GNPA ratio has fallen from 4.5 percent in March 2023 to 2.4 percent in September 2024. It is noteworthy that none of the top 100 lenders has been declared NPA in September 2024. The profitability of scheduled commercial banks has also improved. Their profit after tax has increased by 22.2 percent year-on-year. Public sector banks and private sector banks recorded growth of 30.2 per cent and 20.2 per cent respectively, while foreign banks achieved a growth of 8.9 per cent.
6 Steel Authority of India Limited awarded Great Place to Work status for the second time
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has been awarded the prestigious ‘ Great Place to Work ‘ status by the Great Place to Work Institute, India from January 2025 to January 2026. SAIL has received this certificate for the second time. Earlier, it was given this status from December 2023 to December 2024. This information has been given by the Press Information Bureau of the Government of India through a press release. The Great Place to Work Institute is a global organization that recognizes the preparation of excellent employees by employers by adopting a rigorous evaluation process. The institute has granted this status to SAIL on the basis of direct feedback from SAIL employees in a comprehensive survey.
7 Vitul Kumar became Director General of CRPF
IPS officer Vitul Kumar became the new Director General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) . Earlier, Vitul Kumar was working as ADG Operations in CRPF . He is a 1993 batch UP cadre IPS. In 2009, he was made Deputy Inspector General of UP Police, while in 2012 he became Inspector General. Then on January 1, 2018, he got promoted again and was made Additional Director General, i.e. ADG in CRPF. Vipul has also received many awards due to his work, including Police Medal to President’s Police Medal. On 26 January 2021, he received the President’s Police Medal, while on 15 August 2009 he received the Police Medal.
8 airlines are required to provide data of foreign passengers to the customs department
Airlines will have to provide data of all international passengers to the Customs Department from April 1, 2025. This rule will be implemented under the ‘ Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) ‘ of the Indian Customs Department . Its purpose is to identify passengers coming and going from abroad in advance and reduce any kind of security threat. Under this, airlines will have to send the name, passport number, travel route, ticket information, and other important information of the passengers to the Indian Customs Department 24 hours before leaving and arriving from India. There may be a penalty for not following the rules. According to the new rules, information about the mobile number and payment methods of the passengers will also have to be given 24 hours before the flight.
9 Syed Kirmani’s autobiography ‘Stumped’ launched
India’s 1983 World Cup winning wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani launched his autobiography ‘ Stumped ‘. Kirmani has told about his life and cricket career in the autobiography. It has been published by Penguin ‘s London publication . Along with Kirmani, Debashish Sengupta and Dakshesh Pathak are also the authors of the book. Wicketkeeper Kirmani played 88 Tests and 49 ODIs for India . He scored 2,759 runs in Tests and 373 runs in ODIs .
10 Rajat Verma appointed CEO of DBS Bank India
Rajat Verma , who currently heads DBS Bank India ‘s Institutional Banking Group , has been appointed as the new CEO of DBS Bank India with effect from March 1, 2025. The announcement follows the retirement of Surojit Shome, who held the position since 2015. Verma’s appointment, which is subject to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approval, marks the beginning of a new phase for DBS India as the bank continues its growth journey in India, one of its key markets. Verma, who has over 27 years of banking experience, comes after making significant contributions to DBS India operations, including leading significant growth in the institutional banking sector.
11 China introduced the prototype of the world’s fastest high-speed train
China has introduced the CR450 , the world’s fastest high-speed train prototype , with test speeds reaching 450 km/h. It is a significant step forward in rail technology, surpassing the current CR400 Fuxing trains (350 km/h) , improving speed as well as energy efficiency, safety and passenger comfort. The innovation coincides with China’s ambitious plans to expand its high-speed rail network to 70,000 km by 2035, further strengthening its leadership in global rail systems. The CR450 surpasses its predecessors, reaching a maximum commercial operating speed of 400 km/h and a test speed of 450 km/h, achieved after 200,000 km, 3,000 simulations and 2,000 platform tests.
12 24th National Vanvasi Sports Competition concluded in Raipur, Chhattisgarh
The twenty four National Vanvasi Krida Competition held in Chhattisgarh ‘s capital Raipur has concluded. In the final football match played on the last day, Santhal Pargana won the title by defeating Kerala by four goals to one in a tie breaker. Kerala’s team remained runner-up and Jharkhand’s team got third place. In this competition, mainly football and archery matches were held. In the National Vanvasi Krida Competition, about six hundred tribal boys and girls from twenty nine states of the country as well as Nepal took part.
13 Bumrah and Nitish’s name in MCG’s honours board
The names of Bumrah and Nitish are written on the honours board of Melbourne Cricket Ground . Nitish Reddy is the 11th Indian batsman to make it to the honours board of MCG , while Bumrah is the sixth bowler . The list of batsmen on the board includes Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli , while the list of bowlers includes Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble . Players who have given memorable performances on any ground are included in the honours board. Usually, batsmen who score centuries and bowlers who take 5 or 10 wickets in an innings get a place in it. Bumrah took a total of 9 wickets in both the innings, while Nitish Reddy scored a century of 114 runs in the first innings.