Today's Current Affairs 22nd December 2023

NATIONAL

Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh Lead in Solar Park Scheme Capacities

• Two prominent Indian states, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, have taken significant strides in deploying higher capacities under the “Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects” scheme.
• This initiative, launched in December 2014 with an initial capacity of 20,000 MW.

About Rajasthan:

Founded: 30 March 1949

Chief Minister: Bhajanlal Sharma

Governor: Kalraj Mishra

Capital: Jaipur (Executive Branch)

 SPORTS

Most Expensive Player in IPL 2024

• The Australian speedster Mitchell Starc emerged as the costliest player in IPL history with a staggering bid of Rs 24.75 crore.
• Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured Starc’s services, banking on his stellar performance in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.
• The World Cup-winning Australian captain, Pat Cummins, fetched a whopping Rs 20.50 crore, making him the second-most expensive player in IPL history.

About IPL:

Founded: 2008, India

Format: Twenty20

Headquarters: Cricket Centre, Churchgate, Mumbai, Maharashtra

India’s Hardik Singh Clinched Men’s FIH Player of the Year 2023

• Indian hockey team midfielder, Hardik Singh, clinched the prestigious title of Men’s FIH Player of the Year at the FIH Hockey Star Awards 2023.
• Dutch player Xan de Waard emerged victorious as the Women’s FIH Player of the Year.

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

ICICI Bank Secures RBI Nod for Sandeep Batra’s Re-Appointment as Executive Director

• ICICI Bank received RBI approval to reappoint Sandeep Batra as Executive Director, effective from December 23, 2023, to December 22, 2025.

About ICICI Bank:

Founder: Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India

Founded: 1994, Vadodara

Headquarters: Mumbai

 IMPORTANT DAYS

National Mathematics Day 2023: 22nd December

• National Mathematics Day is observed on December 22 each year to honor the birth anniversary of the renowned Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.

 AWARDS & RECOGNITION

President Droupadi Murmu Awards Crompton for Energy Conservation 2023

• Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. (CGCEL) has been honored with the prestigious National Energy Conservation Award 2023.
• The award ceremony unfolded at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, where Promeet Ghosh, Managing Director and CEO, and Sachin Phartiyal, Business Head, Home Electricals, represented CGCEL in accepting the award.

About Crompton:

CEO: Mathew Job (Sept 2015)

Founded: 1937

Headquarters: Mumbai

IREDA’s Pradip Kumar Das Wins ‘CMD of the Year’ for the second Straight year

• Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director of Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), has been honored with the esteemed “CMD of the Year” award. under the Mini-Ratna category at the 13th PSE Excellence Awards.
• The event was hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi.

About IREDA:

Headquarters: India

Founded: 1987

 RANKING

Bhupender Yadav Unveils NITI Aayog’s Report on Global Green Growth

• Shri Bhupender Yadav, the Hon’ble Minister for the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and the Ministry of Labour & Employment, launched a G20 report titled ‘A Green and Sustainable Growth Agenda for the Global Economy’ today in New Delhi.

About NITI Aayog:

Founded: 1 January 2015

Founder: National Democratic Alliance

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

LIC Granted Extension till 2032 to Achieve 25% Public Shareholding

• The Ministry of Finance has granted a one-time exemption to Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) regarding the 25% Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) rule.
• LIC announced a reduction in its stake in Tata Motors to 3.09%.
• In Dixon, LIC diluted its stake and currently holds 3% equity.

About LIC:

Founder: Government of India

Founded: 1 September 1956

Headquarters: Mumbai

RBI Proposes Draft Framework for Self-Regulatory Organisations (SROs) in Banking and NBFCs

• The move aligns with RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das’s September suggestion for fintech firms to establish an industry SRO.

About RBI:

Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata

Founder: British Raj

Governor: Shaktikanta Das

Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India