IMPORTANT DAY

World Tuna Day 2024 celebrated on 2 May

• May 2 marks World Tuna Day, an annual occasion dedicated to raising awareness about the significance of tuna and advocating for sustainable fishing methods.

• The United Nations General Assembly, in 2016, unanimously voted to recognize this day, with its inaugural celebration taking place in 2017.

• Tuna, a widely consumed fish globally, faces significant threats primarily due to overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices.

BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE

In April, GST collection hits a record high of Rs 2.10 lakh crore.

• GST collection reached a record high of Rs 2.10 lakh crore in April, with a growth of 12.4 per cent over the year.

•  After accounting for refunds, the net GST revenue for April 2024 stands at ₹1.92 lakh crore.

• The Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) was Rs 43,846 crore, while the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) stood at Rs 53,538 crore.

• The highest GST has been recorded due to a strong increase in domestic transactions (up 13.4 per cent) and imports (up 8.3 per cent).

•From the IGST collected, the central government settled ₹50,307 crore to CGST and ₹41,600 crore to SGST.

• This is the highest level of GST collections recorded since the indirect tax reform occurred in July 2017.

• The previous highest level was registered in April 2023 at Rs 1.87 lakh crore.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

India will host the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting

• India is set to host the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, along with the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26) in Kochi, Kerala, from May 20 to 30, 2024.

• This significant gathering will facilitate global discussions on environmental stewardship, scientific collaboration, and cooperation in Antarctica.

• More than 350 delegates from 60+ countries are expected to attend the 46th ATCM and 26th CEP this year

• The ATCM and meetings of the CEP are held annually under the Antarctic Treaty System.

• The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 and entered into force in 1961. It established Antarctica as a region for peaceful purposes, scientific cooperation, and environmental protection.

• The CEP was established under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Madrid Protocol) in 1991.

• The CEP advises the ATCM on environmental protection and conservation in Antarctica.

• Since 1983, India has been a consultative party to the Antarctic Treaty.

SPORTS

BWF World Junior Badminton Championships will be hosted by Guwahati’s National Centre of Excellence in 2025.

• The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has recently awarded the hosting rights for the 2025 BWF World Junior Championships to the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati. This decision, announced during the BWF Annual General Meeting held in Chengdu alongside the BWF Thomas & Uber Cup 2024, underscores India's stature as a prominent hub for global badminton.

• India's image as one of the leading centers of world badminton will be further boosted.

• The prestigious tournament, which India will host for the second time, will be held at the new state-of-the-art National Centre of Excellence.

• In August 2023, the National Centre of Excellence has also earned acclaim globally from all quarters for its facilities and stadium capacity since its inauguration.

• The National Center of Excellence in Guwahati has 14 badminton courts, an international standard gymnasium, and a seating capacity of about 4000 spectators.

• In 2008, the last time India hosted the BWF World Juniors was in Pune, where SainaNehwal became the first Indian to win the World Junior title.

• In 2009, India hosted the BWF World Championships in Hyderabad.

• In 2014, India successfully hosted the Thomas and Uber Cup finals in New Delhi.

DEFENCE

DRDO successfully tested a long-range 'SMART' anti-submarine missile system.

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a flight test of the Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART).

• Its main aim is to enhance the Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

• It is equipped with several advanced subsystems, including a two-stage solid propulsion system, electromechanical actuator system, and precision inertial navigation system.

• The capability of the missile was successfully demonstrated during the test.

• SMART (Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo):

• It comprises a long-range supersonic missile carrier that can travel up to 643 km, a lightweight torpedo with a range of 20 km and a 50 kg high explosive warhead as the payload.

• It is equipped with an advanced lightweight torpedo. It was launched from a ground mobile launcher.