Daily GK Update: 26th December 2022

 National & International Appointments

1. Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' elected as PM of Nepal for third time

• CPN-Maoist Centre chairman, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'  has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Nepal for the third time.
• He will head the new government until 2025 as part of a deal reached with another party.
• He has replaced Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress party.
• Prachanda’s Maoist Centre party has won 32 seats in the 275-member House of Representatives.
• The UML (Party) has won 78 seats, and the rest won by smaller groups.

 Banking & Finance

2. RBI's revised bank locker rules to come into effect from 1st January

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated banks in the country to renew their locker agreements with existing locker customers by 1st January, 2023.
• All the existing locker depositors are required to furnish proof of eligibility for a renewed locker arrangement.
• RBI has advised the banks to install CCTV camera at entry and exit points of the strong room and the common areas of operation.
• It mandates to preserve its recording for a period of not less than 180 days.

 National Affairs

3. Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurates Sports Science Centre

• Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur has inaugurated the Sports Science Centre in Udupi, Karnataka.
• The government has increased the sports budget from 854 crores before 2014 to 3,100 crore rupees (2022) and spent 2700 crore rupees to enhance sporting infrastructure as against 630 crore rupees earlier.
• For Khelo India Games, the government has spent 3,136 crore rupees for a period of five years.

 Important Dates

4. India observes Veer Baal Diwas of 26th December

• India has observed first 'Veer Bal Diwas' on December 26, to honor the ‘Sahibzadas’, the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh.
• This day is observed to pay honor and tribute to the sacrifices made by Sahibzada Zorawar Singh (6) and Sahibzada Fateh Singh (9), who were laid down their lives while defending their faith in Sirhind, Punjab.
• Veer Bal Diwas has been celebrated at an event hosted by PM Narendra Modi at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Delhi.

 National Affairs

5. Consumer Affairs Minister, Piyush Goyal unveiled 'right to repair' portal

• Consumer Affairs Minister, Piyush Goyal has introduced various initiatives, including a right to repair portal and an NTH mobile app and opened new premises of the National Consumer Helpline centre.
• On this portal, manufacturers would share the manual of product details with customers so that they could either repair by self, by third parties, rather than depend on original manufacturers.
• Initially, mobile phones, automobiles and farming equipment will be covered.

 Honours & Awards

6. NHPC won 2022 ‘Best Globally Competitive Power Company of India' award

• NHPC Limited has been awarded the ‘Best Globally Competitive Power Company of India – Hydropower and Renewable Energy Sector’ award at PRAKASHmay ‘15th Enertia Awards 2022’.
• Reason: For its leadership in the hydropower sector with a gross asset class renewable energy capacity of more than 7000 MW.
• The award also recognizes that NHPC has more than 5000 MW of projects under construction and an ambitious 7000 MW plus plan for Solar capacity addition.

 State Affairs

7. Ladakh celebrates Losar Festival to mark Ladakhi New Year

• Ladakh has celebrated Losar Festival on December 24, to mark the Ladakhi New Year.
• Ladakhi New Year is the major socio-religious festival of Ladakh celebrated in winter.
• The Losar festivities continue for nine more days from the new year with the offering of prayers in the name of God and Goddess, dances and songs in honour of Ibex and the pilgrimage of Mount Kailash.
• During the festival, they perform the traditional role of the three Lama Jogis and Grandparents.

 Agreement

8. Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) signs agreements with MSMEs

• Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has signed an agreements with MSMEs for incubation of newer technologies into commercial products.
• The agreements were signed to commemorate the launch of the AIC at the BARC to hasten conversion of products from research labs to the market.
• The incubation agreements are signed specifically for technologies aligned with India’s global commitments of achieving Net Zero (carbon neutrality).

 International Affairs

9. Polar bears in a key region of Canada are in sharp decline

• According to a government survey, the Associated Press reported, Polar bears in Western Hudson Bay of Canada, an inland sea connected to the Arctic Ocean, are dying at a fast rate.
• The study has also revealed that females and younger polar bears are the worst affected.
• When the last survey took place in 2016, there were 842 bears in the area, but now only 618 bears left in Western Hudson Bay.
• The polar bear is classified as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List

 Banking & Finance

10. HDFC gets $400-million loan from IFC for homes, affordable and green

• International Finance Corporation (IFC) has provided a loan of USD 400 million to Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) Limited.
• Reason: To boost the green affordable housing finance in India.
• The loan will support India's shift towards a more sustainable growth path, creating jobs and ensuring long-term business growth.
• It focuses on its green affordable housing portfolio, with 75 per cent (USD 300 million) of the proceeds earmarked for this sector.