Current affairs 03 May 2024

GST collection hits record high of Rs 2.10 lakh crore in April 2024.

• This is the highest GST collection recorded since July 2017 of the indirect tax regime.
• The previous highest level registered under GST was Rs 1.87 lakh crore in April 2023.
• Indian States GST Revenue in April 2024.
• Maharashtra - 37,671 crore
• Karnataka - 15,978 crore
• Gujarat - 13,301 crore
• Uttar Pradesh - 12,290 crore
• Tamil Nadu - 12,210 crore
• Haryana - 12,168 crore

IIT Madras's ePlane's Electric Air Taxi set to 2025 launch.

• The ePlane Company, incubated at IIT Madras, aims to debut an electric air taxi prototype by March 2025, focusing on reducing urban congestion.
• Satya Chakravarthy, the CEO, announced plans for initial drone commercialization and a certifiable eVTOL aircraft prototype, pending DGCA certification.
• InterGlobe and Archer Aviation's partnership will start an electric air taxi service by 2026.

Global Services Export to reach $800 billion by 2030: Goldman Sachs.

• Goldman Sachs forecasts India's services exports to grow to $800 billion by 2030, strengthening against supply shocks and reducing rupee volatility.
• India's IT industry revenue surged to $245 billion by FY23, driven by digital services demand, with employment reaching 5.4 million.
• India’s services exports grew to nearly $340 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate of 11% from 2005.

Kathmandu topped the list of cities with unhealthy air in the world.

• According to IQAir's World Air Quality Index-Ranking, in terms of pollution, Kathmandu, New Delhi, Chiang Mai in Thailand, Hanoi in Vietnam, Bangkok in Thailand and Dhaka in Bangladesh are ranked first, second, third, fourth and fifth respectively.
• The Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal has urged people to wear masks given the increase in air pollution in Kathmandu valley.

IIT-Patna awarded patent for its cost-effective inverter.

• IIT Patna has been awarded a patent for a pioneering lightweight, compact inverter, aiming for self-reliance in portable power.
• The patented product, developed under the Portable Power Technology startup scheme, integrates battery and inverter in one unit, emphasizing clean energy and improved durability.
• IIT-Patna’s academic dean : A K Thakur.