Today's Current Affairs 25th January 2024

 INTERNATIONAL

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved an IT cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Oman

• The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given the green light for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Oman in the field of Information Technology (IT).
• The MoU, inked on December 15, 2023, between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India and Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, aims to foster comprehensive collaboration through mutual support, technology sharing, information exchange, and investments in IT.

 NATIONAL

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurates Kaushal Bhawan, marking a significant step towards empowering skills

• In a historic moment, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Kaushal Bhawan, emphasizing India's steadfast commitment to empowering its youth through skill development.
• Under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the Bhawan is set to catalyze the realization of aspirations and nurture the nation’s young talent, steering India toward a more skilled future.
• Kaushal Bhawan, equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, provides an ideal environment for ideation, collaboration, and execution of groundbreaking skill development initiatives.

 Andhra Pradesh embarks on a comprehensive caste census, following Bihar as the second state to undertake such an initiative 

• The government of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh has launched a comprehensive caste census, making it the second state in the country, after Bihar, to undertake such an extensive enumeration of castes.
• Launched with the aid of a specially designed phone app, this ambitious census aims to enumerate all castes in the state and is expected to be completed within the next 20 days to one month.
• The cornerstone of this census initiative is a dedicated phone app developed by the government, enabling a more efficient and streamlined data collection process. The app offers more than 700 caste options for the public to choose from, with a notable inclusion being the ‘No caste’ option. 

SPORTS

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announces the winners for the 2023 ICC Awards, recognizing outstanding performances in international cricket

• The ICC Awards 2023, organized by the International Cricket Council, represents the pinnacle of recognition for international cricket players.
• Bas de Leede was named as the ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year 2023 for his remarkable all-round run in the year. He was the standout player for the Netherlands at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifier and the World Cup in India.
• Queentor Abel made Kenya proud by winning the ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Year for 2023. She picked 30 T20I wickets at an unreal average of 7.36, and scored 476 T20I runs at 34.

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS 

Justice Prasanna B Varale, currently serving as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, has been appointed as a Supreme Court Judge

• Justice Prasanna B Varale, currently serving as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, will now become the third sitting judge from the Dalit community in the Supreme Court.
• One of the notable aspects of Justice Varale’s appointment is that he is the senior-most High Court Judge belonging to a Scheduled Caste.
• Furthermore, he holds the distinction of being the only Chief Justice belonging to a Scheduled Caste among the Chief Justices of High Courts across the country.

 Important Days

14th National Voters Day 2024 

• National Voters’ Day is celebrated annually on January 25 to commemorate the foundation day of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in 1950. It’s a day dedicated to strengthening the democratic process by encouraging voter participation and emphasizing the importance of every vote in shaping the nation’s future.
• National Voters Day 2024 Theme: Making Every Vote Count: No Voter to be Left Behind. This theme emphasizes the importance of inclusive and accessible elections, ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to exercise their franchise. It underscores the ECI’s commitment to reaching out to every corner of the country, bridging the gap between eligible voters and the electoral process. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

The Direct Tax-to-GDP ratio reached a 23-year high in FY23, as reported by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)

• The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) released data, revealing that the direct tax-to-GDP ratio for the fiscal year 2022-23 (FY23) reached a remarkable 23-year high, standing at 6.11%.
• Direct tax collections witnessed a robust year-on-year growth of 17.8%, totaling Rs.16.6 trillion in FY23. Notably, corporate tax collections reached Rs.8.26 trillion, marking a 16% increase, while income tax collections stood at Rs.8.33 trillion, reflecting a significant 19.6% YoY growth.
• The total number of income tax returns filed in FY23 rose to 77.82 million, compared to 73.05 million in FY22, indicating an upward trend in tax compliance.