Current affairs 21 December 2023

IndiGo becomes 1st Indian airline to carry 100 million passengers in a year.

• Indian airline IndiGo has created history by becoming the first Indian airline to carry 100 million passengers within a single calendar year.
• IndiGo has expanded with over 20 new international routes in the last six months.
• Domestically, IndiGo continues to lead, having a market share of 61.8%, and notably made a historical order of 500 Airbus A320 planes earlier this year.

India topped global remittance charts at $125 billion in 2023.

• The World Bank's latest Migration and Development Brief revealed the report.
• Remittances to low-and middle-income countries grew by an estimated 3.8% in 2023, totaling USD 669 billion.
• 1st - India (USD 125 billion).
• 2nd - Mexico (USD 67 billion).
• 3rd - China (USD 50 billion).
• 4th - Philippines (USD 40 billion).
• 5th - Egypt (USD 24 billion).

Dr Poonam Khetrapal bagged Bhutan’s National Order of Merit Gold Medal.

• Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk honoured Dr Khetrapal, an Indian national, at Bhutan’s 116th National Day celebration in Thimpu.
• Retired Punjab cadre IAS officer of 1975 batch and WHO South-East Asia regional director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh has been awarded Bhutan’s prestigious National Order of Merit Gold Medal for her distinguished services to the country.

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Share of agriculture in India's GDP declined to 15% in FY23: Govt.

• The contribution of agriculture to India's GDP has shrunk from 35% in 1990-91 to 15% in 2022-23, due to fast-paced growth in the industrial and service sectors.
• Despite the decrease, the agriculture sector has maintained an average annual growth of 4% over the past five years.
• The government is actively implementing various programs, reforms, and policies to boost agricultural productivity.

SBI touched Rs 5-trillion-mark in market capitalisation for first time.

• India’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) touched the Rs 5-trillion-mark in market capitalisation for the first time.
• The shares of the bank has hit a record high of Rs 574.65 and 574.7 per share, up around 3 % on the BSE and NSE, respectively.
• SBI currently stands at the 7th position in the overall market cap ranking of companies.