Current Affairs-Topics

Global Fintech Fest 2024: Shaping Finance's Future

The Global Fintech Fest 2024, organized by the Payments Council of India, National Payments Corporation of India, and Fintech Convergence Council, will take place at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

Global Fintech Fest 2024 Overview

Venue: Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai between 28 to 30 August.
Theme: "Blueprint for the Next Decade of Finance: Responsible AI | Inclusive | Resilient"
Attendance: 800 experts including industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, bankers, and academics
Organized by: Payments Council of India (PCI), National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and Fintech Convergence Council (FCC)

Key features:

- Over 300 sessions including keynotes, panel discussions, and garage sessions
- GFF Expo showcasing cutting-edge fintech innovations
- Global Fintech Awards (GFA) recognizing exceptional contributions in fintech
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak at a special session highlighting fintech innovations
Industry growth: PM Modi noted $31 billion investment in fintech over the last 10 years, with 500% growth in startups

Fintech Industry Trends and Challenges

Rapid growth outpacing talent availability
G Padmanabhan (former RBI executive director) praised India's fintech space as best for investments due to:
- Available talent pool
- Innovation capacity
- Robust regulations

Key drivers of fintech growth in India:

- Cheap data
- Mobile phone proliferation
- Zero balance Jan Dhan bank accounts

Challenges:

- Hiring employable talent in a competitive market
- Keeping pace with rapid industry development

Focus areas:

- Digital payments
- Blockchain technology
- Financial inclusion
Emphasis on collaboration between fintech companies and traditional financial institutions

PM Modi's Additional Initiatives

Vadhvan Port Development:

- Location: Palghar, near Dahanu town
- Cost: ₹76,000 crores
- Purpose: Boost India's trade by improving access to international shipping routes

Fisheries Projects:

- 218 projects with a combined value of ₹1,560 crores
- Includes building fishing harbours and Integrated Aquaparks
- Introduction of new technologies like Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems and Biofloc

Vessel Communication and Support System:

- Developed by ISRO
- Cost: ₹360 crores
- Installation of one lakh transponders on motorized fishing boats across 13 coastal states and union territories
- Aim: Improve communication and efficiency for fishermen

Everything About DeepSeek Open-Source 2025

In the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence, DeepSeek open-source 2025 is quickly becoming a hot topic. With its ambitious goal of making high-level AI tools more accessible, Chines

China Strikes Back at Donald Trump’s Tariffs

Donald Trump’s Tariffs Explained The world woke up to another tremor in the global economy as China responded sharply to Donald Trump’s tariffs, sending shockwaves through stock mar

NASA Sunita Williams Back on Earth

NASA Sunita Williams Returns to Earth: A Dramatic Space Journey Ends Sunita Williams, a NASA astronaut, and Butch Wilmore, her space station crewmate, successfully returned to Earth

Mount Taranaki Granted Legal Personhood

Recently, New Zealand’s Mount Taranaki, also called Taranaki Maunga, was officially recognized as a legal person. This landmark ruling acknowledges the mountain’s deep cultural

Sunita Williams Breaks Spacewalk Record

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams set a new record for the longest spacewalking duration by a woman, exceeding Peggy Whitson’s previous record. Accumulating a total of 62 hours

Sony Appoints Hiroki Totoki as CEO to Drive Entertainment Growth

Sony has announced the appointment of Hiroki Totoki as its new CEO, starting April 1, 2025, as part of its plan to strengthen its global entertainment footprint. Totoki, a Sony veteran sin

2025 World University Rankings by Discipline

Harvard University ranks highest in Engineering and Life Sciences, with U.S. institutions leading in most fields in the 2025 rankings. In a notable shift, MIT overtook Stanford in Arts and

‘Anuja Nominated for an Oscar, Supported by Priyanka Chopra & Guneet Monga

Anuja, a short film produced by Priyanka Chopra and Guneet Monga, has been nominated for Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards. Directed by Adam J. Graves, the film follow

A Complete Overview of the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP)

Launched by the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) has become a key platform in the worldwide effort to combat plastic pollution. The

Kathmandu Kicks Off First Pashmina Festival

The first-ever International Pashmina Festival and Exhibition, organized by the Nepal Pashmina Industries Association and the Confederation of Nepalese Industries, attracted significant in