1. GI Council Appoints S Prakash as CEO for the Health Insurance Ecosystem
India's health insurance sector is growing rapidly, but this growth has also brought to the fore serious challenges such as claim settlement disputes, lack of transparency in hospital billing practices, disparities in treatment costs, and fraud. For a long time, it has been felt that better institutional coordination is needed among insurance companies, hospitals, regulators, TPAs, and policyholders to address these problems.
2. Despite Global Headwinds, India's Growth Rate Projected at 6.9% in FY27: India Ratings
Amidst global trade tensions, geopolitical uncertainty, and economic slowdown in developed economies, India's economic growth is under close scrutiny. Despite this challenging global scenario, domestic demand, structural reforms, and government capital expenditure are providing stability to the Indian economy.
3. Siddaramaiah Becomes the Longest-Serving Chief Minister of Karnataka
Karnataka politics has long been known for coalition governments, defections, and short-lived chief ministerships, making it rare for a chief minister to remain in power for an extended period. In this context, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's achievement has become a significant milestone in Karnataka's political history. He has surpassed the record of former Chief Minister Devaraj Urs, becoming the longest-serving Chief Minister.
4. Centre Unveils ₹17 Lakh Crore PPP Project Pipeline for the Next Three Years
Large-scale investment in infrastructure is considered essential for maintaining India's high economic growth. Due to limited public resources and increasing capital requirements, the government has long been promoting the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. In this direction, the government has developed a three-year PPP project pipeline with the aim of improving project planning and reducing uncertainty for investors.
5. Axis Bank Launches ‘Safety Center’ to Enhance Digital Banking Security
With the rapid expansion of UPI, mobile banking, and internet banking in India, instances of digital fraud, phishing, and fraudulent messages have also increased, making customer security a major challenge. In this context, it has become essential for banks to provide self-managed security solutions.
6. Ramesh Kumar Juneja Assumes Charge as Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports
India's leather industry has long been export-oriented and makes a significant contribution to employment generation, MSME development, and foreign exchange earnings. Globally changing consumer trends, stringent environmental standards, and supply chain restructuring have posed new challenges for the sector, increasing the need for strong and visionary leadership.
7. Deals with Oman and New Zealand give a global boost to India's AYUSH system
Amidst the growing global demand for natural, holistic, and preventive healthcare systems, India is actively working to gain international recognition for its traditional medicine systems. In this direction, recent bilateral trade agreements have formally incorporated AYUSH systems.
8. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
India has one of the largest diaspora communities in the world, and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) play a significant role in the global economy, technology, education, culture, and diplomacy. To strengthen these ties, the Government of India organizes Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. This is a major annual or biennial event aimed at fostering dialogue, engagement, and collaboration with Indians living across the globe.
QUIZ
1. Which organization has created a dedicated CEO position for the health insurance ecosystem?
A - IRDAI
B - General Insurance Council
C - NITI Aayog
D - Ministry of Health
The rapid expansion of India's health insurance sector has led to challenges such as claim settlement disputes, lack of transparency in hospital billing, and fraud. To address these issues, the General Insurance Council has created a dedicated CEO position for the health insurance ecosystem.
2. What is the projected GDP growth rate for India in fiscal year 2027?
A - 6.10%
B - 6.50%
C - 6.90%
D - 7.40%
Even amid global trade tensions and economic uncertainties, India's economy remains relatively strong due to domestic demand, structural reforms, and government capital expenditure. While a slight slowdown in growth is possible in FY2027 due to a high base effect and global slowdown, the projected growth rate of 6.9 percent still places India among the fastest-growing major economies.
3. Who has become the longest-serving Chief Minister of Karnataka?
A - Ramakrishna Hegde
B - Devaraj Urs
C - Siddaramaiah
D - S.M. Krishna
Despite Karnataka's volatile political history, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has created history by becoming the longest-serving Chief Minister. He achieved this feat through consistent public support, administrative experience, and social justice-oriented politics, breaking the record held by Devaraj Urs.
4. How many projects are proposed under the three-year PPP pipeline?
A - 520
B - 650
C - 780
D - 852
To sustain India's high economic growth, the government is strengthening the public-private partnership model in the infrastructure sector. To this end, a three-year PPP project pipeline has been developed, which includes 852 projects to be launched over the next three years.
5. What type of facility does the Safety Center provide?
A - Offline security control
B - Call-based service only
C - Centralized Digital Security Dashboard
D - Manual verification system
To address the growing challenge of fraud with the rapid expansion of digital payments in India, banks have introduced self-regulated security features like the Safety Center. This digital dashboard allows customers to exercise real-time control over their account security settings. This enables protection against unauthorized transactions, fraudulent messages, and phishing, enhancing customer security and trust in digital banking.
6. Which ministry sponsors the Council for Leather Exports (CLE)?
A - Ministry of Finance
B - Ministry of Textiles
C - Ministry of Commerce and Industry
D - Ministry of Labour
India's leather industry plays a vital role in exports, employment, and MSME growth, but changing global market trends and environmental standards require strong leadership. In this context, Ramesh Kumar Juneja's leadership as Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports is considered crucial.
7. Which entity has been formally recognized in recent bilateral trade agreements?
A - Allopathy only
B - AYUSH systems
C - Modern surgery
D - Pharmaceuticals only
Amid growing global demand for natural and holistic treatments, India has taken a significant step by formally recognizing AYUSH systems in its bilateral trade agreements. This will enhance the global credibility of Indian traditional medicine systems, boost the export of herbal and wellness products, and strengthen India's soft power through health diplomacy.
8. On what date is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrated?
A - August 15
B - January 26
C - January 9
D - October 2
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, organised by the Government of India, aims to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with the Indian diaspora across the world. Celebrated on January 9, the day recognizes the economic, social, and cultural contributions of the Indian diaspora and strengthens their role in India's development through investment, innovation, and soft power.
ONE LINER
Who has become the longest-serving Chief Minister of Karnataka? – Siddaramaiah
How many projects are included in the three-year PPP pipeline? – 852 projects
What is the total estimated value of the three-year PPP project pipeline announced by the central government? – Approximately 17 lakh crore rupees
According to India Ratings, what is the projected GDP growth rate for India in FY2027? – 6.9 percent
Which new feature has Axis Bank launched for digital banking security? – Safety Center
On which date is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrated every year? – January 9
Which traditional Indian healthcare system has received global recognition through recent trade agreements? – AYUSH system
Whose record did Siddaramaiah break? – Devaraj Urs
Who has become the new Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE)? – Ramesh Kumar Juneja
Who has the General Insurance Council appointed as CEO for the health insurance ecosystem? – S. Prakash