CSIR-CASE
2023-24 SO/ASO
Current Events
Of National &
International
Importance

12
MONTH
S
NEW
S NE
WS

Short Revision Notes

+91 91222 34717

www.learnfinite.com
[email protected]
 Contents
01 History & Culture 1 ƒ Digitization of Courts..................................................... 10
ƒ NCST functioning with less than 50% of sanctioned
ƒ World’s first Palm-leaf Manuscript Museum in Kerala strength......................................................................... 10
capital............................................................................. 1
ƒ State Police Chief Appointment..................................... 10
ƒ Tulu likely to get second official language status from
Karnataka....................................................................... 1 ƒ World Government Summit 2023.................................. 11
ƒ Lavani Dance.................................................................. 1 ƒ Role of Governors and their appointment..................... 11
ƒ Banjara Dharmaguru Santh Sevalal Maharaj Jayanti...... 1 ƒ Foreigner can’t claim vested right to be guardian for
person with disabilities: HC........................................... 11
ƒ Vedic Heritage portal....................................................... 1
ƒ SC rejects sealed cover suggestions............................ 11
ƒ Vaikom Satyagraha......................................................... 2
ƒ Aadhaar Linkage with Voter IDs.................................... 12
ƒ Hakki-Pikki tribes............................................................ 2
ƒ Centre extends term of 22nd Law Commission till Aug
ƒ Thirunelli temple............................................................. 2 2024.............................................................................. 12
ƒ INational Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal............... 2 ƒ Govt portal to report unresolved social media complaints
ƒ PM shares article on revival of Kashmir’s centuries-old goes live........................................................................ 12
‘Namda’ craft................................................................... 2 ƒ Supreme Court verdict on ECI appointments................ 12
ƒ Tankai method................................................................. 3 ƒ Back Centre releases guidelines for celebrities, social
ƒ ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day............................. 3 media influencers.......................................................... 12
ƒ Operation Jericho............................................................ 3 ƒ Bar council allows foreign lawyers, legal firms to practice
in India.......................................................................... 13
ƒ Kolkata Metro to join elite club of London, Moscow,
Istanbul, says Centre...................................................... 3 ƒ Disqualification MPs...................................................... 13
ƒ Rabindranath Tagore’s Santiniketan in Birbhum gets ƒ Par panel recommends new law to define power,
UNESCO’s World Heritage List tag................................. 3 functions of CBI............................................................ 13
ƒ International conference on “Shared Buddhist Heritage.. 4 ƒ Guillotine in Parliament................................................. 13
ƒ Draft Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics Bill................... 4 ƒ Tele-Law Programe....................................................... 13
ƒ Inscription at Hemavati details education system of 7th ƒ PM inaugurates Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Central
century............................................................................ 4 Bureau of Investigation in New Delhi............................ 14
ƒ PM shares article on revival of Kashmir’s centuries-old ƒ AAP gets ‘national party’ status..................................... 14
‘Namda’ craft................................................................... 4 ƒ Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023.................................. 14
ƒ Tankai method................................................................. 4 ƒ Anti-Money Laundering Law......................................... 14
ƒ Initiatives taken up under NEP 2020............................... 5 ƒ Supreme Court Rules in Favour of Delhi Govt in Tussle
ƒ 28-foot-tall Nataraja statue installed at Summit venue in with Centre.................................................................... 14
Delhi............................................................................... 5 ƒ District Good Governance Index................................... 15
ƒ Operation Polo................................................................ 5 ƒ National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA)........................... 15
ƒ Red Fort to host India’s maiden art, architecture and ƒ Retain sedition in IPC, make it tougher: Panel.............. 15
design biennale............................................................... 5
ƒ Govt Sets Up Panel To Recommend Reforms In
ƒ Kakori Train Robbery...................................................... 6 Arbitration Law.............................................................. 15
ƒ Report on Panchayat Development Index..................... 16
02 Polity & Governance 8 ƒ ECI opens web portal for political parties to file financial
accounts....................................................................... 16
ƒ Election Commission begins delimitation of constituencies ƒ National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment
in Assam......................................................................... 8 (NeSDA) portal.............................................................. 16
ƒ Election Commission develops EVM prototype for ƒ Data Protection Bill approved by Cabinet...................... 16
migrants.......................................................................... 8
ƒ Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB)............. 16
ƒ Karnataka reclassifies Vokkaligas, Lingayats to raise their
OBC quota share............................................................ 8 ƒ ATR Module of AuditOnline........................................... 17
ƒ Draft rules for online gaming........................................... 8 ƒ Increase Retirement Age Of SC Judges To 67 Years And
HC Judges To 65 Years................................................. 17
ƒ Indian Telegraph (Infrastructure Safety) Rules 2022....... 8
ƒ No Confidence motion in Lok Sabha............................. 17
ƒ Centre to end discretionary Haj quota............................. 9
ƒ New bill on election body appointments........................ 17
ƒ Amphex 2023.................................................................. 9
ƒ Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill 2023.................................. 17
ƒ MPLADS Scheme........................................................... 9
ƒ Monsoon Session Of Parliament Adjourns Sine Die...... 18
ƒ India tops list of global internet shut-offs: Report............ 9
ƒ Back Parliament clears 28% GST on online gaming,
ƒ Centre sets up three grievance committees to take up casinos.......................................................................... 18
user complaints against social media platforms............ 10
Page : ii

ƒ Annual Capacity Building Plan of Department of Rural

ƒ Pvt broadcasters to undertake public service broadcasting Development................................................................. 18
for 30 mins daily............................................................ 10
ƒ Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal-II................................. 18
ƒ Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in the State Term of Office) Bill, 2023............................................... 27
of Telangana................................................................. 18 ƒ Crime against women................................................... 27
ƒ Tripura becomes fourth state to introduce e-cabinet ƒ Centre tables Bill to push deadline for regularising illegal
system.......................................................................... 19 colonies in Capital......................................................... 28
ƒ UGC to train over 1,000 teachers to teach Indian knowledge ƒ Revised criminal reform Bills in Parliament................... 28
systems from degree level................................................... 19
ƒ Supreme Court’s verdict upholding the abrogation of
ƒ Digital India Act............................................................. 19 Article 370..................................................................... 28
ƒ Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS) 2.0.. 19 ƒ Forest Rights Act........................................................... 28
ƒ Rights of Unborn Child................................................. 19 ƒ Selecting Election Commissioners................................ 28
ƒ One Nation One ID card for School.............................. 20 ƒ Post Office Bill, 2023..................................................... 29
ƒ Amendment to Aircraft Rules, 1937.............................. 20 ƒ Telecommunications Bill,2023....................................... 29
ƒ Supreme Court refers electoral bonds case to 5-judge ƒ One person, one vote, one value.................................. 29
Constitution Bench........................................................ 20
ƒ The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special
ƒ Same-Sex Marriage Verdict.......................................... 20 Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2023................. 29
ƒ ST status for Meiteis was considered and rejected in 1982 ƒ 14th Amendment of the US Constitution....................... 29
and 2001....................................................................... 20
ƒ ED’s powers of arrest.................................................... 30
ƒ OBCs and subcategories.............................................. 21
ƒ Indian Penal Code to Nyaya Sanhita............................ 30
ƒ Supreme Court to not allow same-sex marriage........... 21
ƒ Concerns about Post Office Bill 2023............................ 30
ƒ Dam Safety Act............................................................ 21
ƒ Number of CAG audits on Union govt. tabled in
ƒ One-nation, one-poll..................................................... 21 Parliament hits a low in 2023........................................ 30
ƒ How are symbols allotted to political parties in India?... 21 ƒ Telecom Bill................................................................... 30
ƒ Centre to roll out DNA, face matching systems at police ƒ Press and periodicals Bill 2023..................................... 31
stations across India..................................................... 22
ƒ How the Centre plans to regulate content on OTT and
ƒ Food labels to have QR code to help the visually disabled digital media?................................................................ 31
22
ƒ ULFA peace accord....................................................... 31
ƒ Lok Sabha Ethics Committee........................................ 22
ƒ History of Northeast...................................................... 31
ƒ Telangana’s law under scanner..................................... 22
ƒ Census to be delayed till at least October 2024............ 32
ƒ One nation, One Student ID.......................................... 22
ƒ .The T.N. experience on caste surve............................. 23
ƒ Supreme Court allows surrogacy, strikes down rule 03 international relations 34
banning use of donor gametes...................................... 23
ƒ India-Bangladesh Friendship pipeline........................... 34
ƒ Parliamentary panel withholds draft report on Bills
replacing criminal laws.................................................. 23 ƒ Indus Water Treaty........................................................ 34
ƒ DNA systems in Police stations..................................... 23 ƒ Iran tests military drones in wargame near Strait of
Hormuz......................................................................... 34
ƒ Anti -Defection law........................................................ 23
ƒ Austria Inks Pact with India to Return ‘Illegal Migrants.. 34
ƒ Issues in Electoral Bonds.............................................. 24
ƒ Croatia adopts the Euro................................................ 34
ƒ eCourt project & National Judicial Data Grid................. 24
ƒ India to take over Asian Pacific Postal Union leadership..
ƒ National Deep Tech Startup Policy................................ 24 35
ƒ Broadcast regulation 3.0, commissions and omissions.24 ƒ India to host virtual ‘Voice of Global South Summit’...... 35
ƒ Understanding simultaneous elections.......................... 25 ƒ U.S. ‘Title 42’ immigration policy................................... 35
ƒ History of UNLF, Meitei insurgent group that signed peace ƒ Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA).......................... 35
deal with Centre............................................................ 25
ƒ US launches programme allowing private ‘sponsorship’ of
ƒ President Murmu advocates for All India Judicial Service. refugees........................................................................ 35
25
ƒ UNESCO dedicates International Day of Education 2023
ƒ Impact of liquor prohibition in Bihar............................... 25 to Afghan girls, women.................................................. 36
ƒ India, disability inclusion and the power of ‘by’.............. 25 ƒ China builds new dam in Tibet that could affect flows
ƒ Re-criminalising adultery as a gender-neutral offence.. 26 downstream.................................................................. 36
ƒ RS passes Post Office Bill to amend 125-year-old Indian ƒ Bengaluru all set to host the first G20 Energy Transition
Post Office Act.............................................................. 26 Working Group Meeting................................................ 36
ƒ Parliament passes Advocates Amendment Bill............. 26 ƒ Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Inaugurates 3rd Unit Of
Nuclear Power Plant..................................................... 36
ƒ Centre of Excellence for transgender healthcare.......... 26
ƒ US offers critical technologies to India under iCET....... 36
ƒ Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill.26
ƒ India to be theme country at 2025 Madrid International
ƒ Supreme Court hearing on the challenge to Section 6A of Book Fair...................................................................... 37
the Citizenship Act........................................................ 27
ƒ India welcomes Congo to International Solar Alliance... 37
ƒ Supreme Court to deliver verdict on Article 370............ 27
ƒ Paris Club..................................................................... 37
ƒ J&K Resident................................................................ 27
ƒ Visva-Bharati University................................................ 37
Page : iii

ƒ The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election

Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and ƒ Earthquake in Turkey.................................................... 38
ƒ India-ASEAN Digital Work Plan 2023............................ 38 ƒ Kakhovka Dam.............................................................. 47
ƒ Nord Stream gas pipelines............................................ 38 ƒ Silent Barker................................................................. 47
ƒ UAE To Host First I2U2 Business Forum Vice-Ministerial ƒ Atlantic Declaration....................................................... 47
Meeting......................................................................... 38
ƒ ADB, India sign $130 million loan to promote horticulture
ƒ India’s UPI and Singapore’s PayNow are now integrated. in Himachal Pradesh..................................................... 47
38
ƒ India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership
ƒ World Bank chief David Malpass to step down by June- Agreement.................................................................... 48
end................................................................................ 39
ƒ W20 Summit Women-Led Development; Transform,
ƒ New START.................................................................. 39 Thrive and Transcend................................................... 48
ƒ Doha Political Declaration............................................. 39 ƒ US wants to rejoin UNESCO......................................... 48
ƒ Interpol Red Notice....................................................... 39 ƒ UNGA adopts resolution introduced by India................ 48
ƒ India ranks 42nd out of 55 nations in global IP index.... 40 ƒ First Muslim Woman to Be Federal Judge Confirmed by
ƒ Myanmar Teak Wood.................................................... 40 Senate.......................................................................... 48
ƒ United Nations High Seas Treaty.................................. 40 ƒ India can lead multilateralism at WTO........................... 49
ƒ World Bank commits $1 billion to India for public ƒ India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem
healthcare infra............................................................. 40 (INDUS X)..................................................................... 49
ƒ India, Japan to improve bilateral cooperation towards ƒ India joins Nasa’s Artemis Accords............................... 49
clean energy transition.................................................. 40 ƒ GE Aerospace signs pact with HAL to manufacture fighter
ƒ Windsor Framework...................................................... 41 jet engines for IAF......................................................... 49
ƒ Doha Political Declaration............................................. 41 ƒ H-1B visa renewal......................................................... 49
ƒ Denmark’s undersea graveyard for imported CO2........ 41 ƒ U20 Engagement Group of G20.................................... 50
ƒ ICC issues arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin for war crimes ƒ Conference of India and ASEAN on Traditional Medicines
in Ukraine...................................................................... 41 50
ƒ Civil20 India Inception Meet starts at Nagpur................ 41 ƒ UNESCO’s Asia Pacific Cultural Heritage award........... 50
ƒ Global Tourism Investors’ Summit................................. 42 ƒ Bastille Day Parade...................................................... 50
ƒ Technology and Innovation Report 2023....................... 42 ƒ ASEAN Countries Conference on Traditional Medicines.50
ƒ Dilma Rousseff.............................................................. 42 ƒ PM Modi conferred with France’s highest award........... 51
ƒ Finland Becomes 31st NATO Member After Turkey’s ƒ India-USA Strategic Clean Energy Partnership............. 51
Approval........................................................................ 42 ƒ Regional Office of Universal Postal Union (UPU) gets
ƒ Europe’s Proba-3.......................................................... 42 inaugurated in New Delhi.............................................. 51
ƒ Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans- ƒ India supports U.N.’s efforts in continuing Black Sea Grain
Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)......................................... 43 Initiative........................................................................ 51
ƒ The demand for Scottish independence........................ 43 ƒ Stapled visa.................................................................. 52
ƒ India elected to UN Statistical Commission................... 43 ƒ Havana Syndrome........................................................ 52
ƒ UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF)..................................... 43 ƒ India, China, and Iran set up pavilions at Army 2023 in
Moscow......................................................................... 52
ƒ India to chair Commonwealth group on reform of financial
architecture................................................................... 43 ƒ Russia’s Luna 25.......................................................... 52
ƒ G7 Members vow to ensure carbon-free power by 2035.44 ƒ India participates in 20th ASEAN-India Economic
Ministers’ Meeting......................................................... 53
ƒ Gum Arabic................................................................... 44
ƒ Prime Minister’s participation in the 15th BRICS Summit..
ƒ India-UK ‘NET Zero’ Innovation Virtual Centre.............. 44 53
ƒ Major infra project discussed between MBS and NSAs of ƒ Srettha Thavisin............................................................ 53
India, UAE, US.............................................................. 44
ƒ India, Asian Development Bank to set up climate change
ƒ Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Startup Forum and health hub in Delhi................................................. 53
2023.............................................................................. 44
ƒ PM Modi To Visit Jakarta To Attend ASEAN-India Summit.
ƒ Sixth Indian Ocean Conference set to begin in 53
Bangladesh................................................................... 44
ƒ African Union becomes permanent member of G20 under
ƒ India & Bangladesh launch ‘50 Start-ups Exchange India’s presidency......................................................... 54
Programme................................................................... 45
ƒ India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)... 54
ƒ G7 Summit.................................................................... 45
ƒ Delhi Declaration........................................................... 54
ƒ Quad Leaders’ Summit................................................. 45
ƒ India-UK hold 12th Economic and Financial Dialogue
ƒ 76th Session of the World Health Assembly.................. 45 (EFD)............................................................................ 54
ƒ India secures approval for second hydropower project in ƒ Eastern Economic Forum, 2023.................................... 54
Nepal............................................................................ 46
ƒ NATO to launch biggest military exercise since cold war.
ƒ Phukot Karnali Hydro Electric Project (480MW) in Nepal.. 55
46
ƒ 17th International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement.
ƒ Minerals Security Partnership....................................... 46 55
Universal Postal Union.................................................. 46
Page : iv

ƒ ƒ Merkava Mark 5............................................................ 55

ƒ Phukot Karnali Hydro Electric Project (480MW) in Nepal.. ƒ India-UK hold 12th Economic and Financial Dialogue
47 (EFD)............................................................................ 55
ƒ India re-elected AIBD GC president for third successive ƒ Mission Antyodaya Survey (MAS) 2022-23................... 66
term.............................................................................. 56 ƒ Shivamogga airport....................................................... 66
ƒ Israel- Palestine Conflict............................................... 56 ƒ Central Government launches High Price Day Ahead
ƒ BRICS International Competition Conference............... 56 Market and Surplus Power Portal (PUShP)................... 67
ƒ INdia likely to skip China’s BRI summit......................... 56 ƒ India ranks 42nd out of 55 nations in global IP index.... 67
ƒ Israel used white phosphorus in Gaza, Lebanon.......... 56 ƒ India approves $3.9 bn hydropower project near China
border in northeast........................................................ 67
ƒ Israel’s missile defence shield....................................... 57
ƒ Women, Business and the Law report.......................... 67
ƒ India-Middle East-Europe mega economic corridor...... 57
ƒ RBI initiates 75 digital villages programme................... 67
ƒ India likely to sign deal with U.S. for 31 MQ-9B drones by
February 2024............................................................... 57 ƒ Centre planning hallmarking of gold bullion mandatory.68
ƒ Australia’s referendum to include an Indigenous ‘Voice’ in ƒ Ministry brings crypto assets under Prevention of Money
its Constitution.............................................................. 57 Laundering Act.............................................................. 68
ƒ Earthquakes in Afghanistan.......................................... 57 ƒ IREDA gets ‘Infrastructure Finance Company’ status from
RBI................................................................................ 68
ƒ Drought grips the Amazon rainforest............................. 58
ƒ Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES)............. 68
ƒ 1961 Vienna Convention............................................... 58
ƒ Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2022....................... 69
ƒ Visa Shopping............................................................... 58
ƒ Invest India................................................................... 69
ƒ Olympic cities Selection................................................ 58
ƒ Income Tax department launches AIS app for taxpayers.69
ƒ Japan-India Semiconductor Supply Chain Partnership.59
ƒ DigiClaim...................................................................... 69
ƒ Qatar court sentences 8 ex-Indian Navy officers to death.
59 ƒ Chenab bridge.............................................................. 69
ƒ India,Qatar natural gas................................................. 59 ƒ Daylight Saving Time.................................................... 70
ƒ The UNGA vote on Gaza war........................................ 59 ƒ Deep Ocean Mission..................................................... 70
ƒ 10 years of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.................. 59 ƒ European Commission grants GI tag for Himachal’s
Kangra tea.................................................................... 70
ƒ Tamil Nadu’s Cumbum grapes get Geographical Indication
04 Economy 62 tag................................................................................. 70
ƒ Hydrogen for Heritage................................................... 62 ƒ Sagarmala Innovation and Start-up Policy.................... 70
ƒ India to launch hydrogen-powered trains on heritage ƒ New foreign trade policy............................................... 71
routes by Dec 2023....................................................... 62 ƒ No charges on UPI........................................................ 71
ƒ CEA releases disaster management plan for power sector ƒ India Post Payments Bank launches WhatsApp Banking
62 Services........................................................................ 71
ƒ SEBI asks exchanges to set up system shielding against ƒ Sagar Setu Mobile App................................................. 71
broker’s tech glitch........................................................ 62
ƒ Major achievements of Indian Railways in Financial Year
ƒ International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 kick starts....... 62 -2022-23....................................................................... 71
ƒ RBI launches Utkarsh 2.0 for the period 2023-2025..... 63 ƒ National Electricity Plan (2022-27)................................ 72
ƒ SBI, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank continue to be too big to fail ƒ Marcha Rice gets GI tag............................................... 72
63
ƒ Skill ministry launches digital version of employability
ƒ Draft rules for online gaming......................................... 63 skills curriculum............................................................ 72
ƒ Cabinet clears ₹19,744-cr National Green Hydrogen ƒ State Energy Efficiency Index 2021-22......................... 72
Mission.......................................................................... 63
ƒ Dabba Trading.............................................................. 72
ƒ Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development
(BIND)........................................................................... 63 ƒ Kochi Water metro........................................................ 73
ƒ Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela.............. 64 ƒ Indiahandmade portal................................................... 73
ƒ Eat Right Station........................................................... 64 ƒ National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign-
2023.............................................................................. 73
ƒ Kerala becomes country’s first fully digital banking state.64
ƒ Nationwide AHDF KCC campaign................................. 73
ƒ 3,700 dams in India will lose 26% storage capacity by
2050: UN study............................................................. 64 ƒ Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) granted Navratna
Status........................................................................... 73
ƒ BharatPe receives in-principle nod from RBI for online
payment aggregator...................................................... 64 ƒ India’s First International Multimodal Logistics Park...... 74
ƒ Cabinet approves Setting up of a national level multi-state ƒ India’s 1st undersea twin tunnels in Mumbai................. 74
cooperative seed society......................................................... 65 ƒ Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit
ƒ Incentive scheme for promotion of RuPay Debit Cards (C-PACE)...................................................................... 74
and low-value BHIM-UPI transactions (P2M)................ 65 ƒ Pashmina Certification Centre...................................... 74
ƒ Fssai notifies comprehensive regulatory standards for ƒ International Conference on Chemicals and
Basmati Rice................................................................. 65 Petrochemicals............................................................. 74
ƒ Sethusamudram project................................................ 65 ƒ Vande Bharat Express.................................................. 75
ƒ WEF’s Center for Fourth Industrial Revolution to be set up ƒ ADB, India sign for industrial corridor development in
in Hyderabad................................................................ 66 Andhra Pradesh............................................................ 75
Page : v

ƒ States’ gross fiscal deficit set to fall in 2022-23: RBI..... 66 ƒ India’s longest sea bridge Mumbai Trans Harbour Link
ƒ Narayani River.............................................................. 66 (MTHL).......................................................................... 75
ƒ New rules for computation of tax on winnings from online ƒ PM inaugurates SemiconIndia 2023 in Gandhinagar,
gaming.......................................................................... 75 Gujarat.......................................................................... 85
ƒ International Conference on Green Hydrogen............... 76 ƒ National Pension System Trust..................................... 85
ƒ Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare signed a MOU ƒ Consumer Protection Act, 2019.................................... 85
with Pixxel Space India Pvt. Limited............................. 76
ƒ Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation)
ƒ Draft aircraft bill............................................................. 76 Amendment Bill, 2023................................................... 85
ƒ Time of Day Tariff.......................................................... 76 ƒ Roadmap to making India a $5 trillion economy............ 86
ƒ ADB launches India strategy for 2023-27...................... 76 ƒ GI tags for Goan mangoes and bebinca, crafts from
ƒ Lightweight payments system....................................... 77 Rajasthan and U.P........................................................ 86
ƒ 100 Entrepreneurship Awareness Programmes............ 77 ƒ ‘Rajmargyatra’ app........................................................ 86
ƒ RBI launches ‘100 Days 100 Pays’ campaign to return ƒ Port Health Organisation (PHO) under Sagar Setu....... 86
unclaimed deposits....................................................... 77 ƒ Digital India RISC-V’ Symposium.................................. 86
ƒ Enhanced surveillance for MSME................................ 77 ƒ Bharat Campaign under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.87
ƒ Railway kavach system................................................. 77 ƒ Rajouri Chikri Wood Craft and Mushqbudji Rice Receive
ƒ E-commerce policy....................................................... 78 GI Tags......................................................................... 87
ƒ Kerala first state to set up own service provider............ 78 ƒ One District One Product ‘ODOP Wall’ launched.......... 87
ƒ Gurgaon Metro.............................................................. 78 ƒ NCLT gives final nod for merger of Sony and Zee......... 87
ƒ RBI revises OTS guidelines.......................................... 78 ƒ Global summit on traditional medicine.......................... 87
ƒ RBI gives green signal to first loss default guarantee ƒ 19th Maritime State Development Council meeting
(FLDG) framework........................................................ 78 (MSDC)......................................................................... 88
ƒ Sahakar se Samridhi..................................................... 79 ƒ Bureau of Port Security................................................. 88
ƒ Daily limit on UPI transactions...................................... 79 ƒ Bharat New Car Assessment Programme..................... 88
ƒ India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership ƒ RBI’s pilot project for facilitating frictionless credit........ 88
Agreement.................................................................... 79 ƒ Khanan Prahari App...................................................... 88
ƒ The Global 2000” List of top companies........................ 79 ƒ Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar scheme.................................. 89
ƒ Cochin harbour modernisation project.......................... 79 ƒ RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das leads global central
ƒ Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2023-24........................ 80 bankers in A+ rating...................................................... 89
ƒ Sebi Bars Online Bond Platforms From Selling Unlisted ƒ Jal Jeevan Mission........................................................ 89
Bonds............................................................................ 80 ƒ First set of infra loans for tier 2, tier 3 cities to be
ƒ NHAI Launches ‘Knowledge Sharing Platform.............. 80 disbursed soon.............................................................. 89
ƒ Back Apple to launch its credit card in India, planning to ƒ Bharat Drone Shakti 2023............................................. 89
tie-up with HDFC Bank................................................. 80 ƒ Adoption of CBDCs can make cross-border payments
ƒ New Drug and Inoculation System................................ 80 more efficient................................................................ 90
ƒ Utprerak........................................................................ 81 ƒ NPCI launches new products; users can now make voice-
enabled UPI payments.................................................. 90
ƒ 9 Years’ achievement of Department of Animal Husbandry
& Dairying..................................................................... 81 ƒ One hour trade settlement............................................ 90
ƒ New CSR guidelines ‘Sagar Samajik Sahayog............. 81 ƒ First Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights................. 90
ƒ Seven products from Uttar Pradesh get Geographical ƒ Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting
Indication tag................................................................ 81 (BRSR) Workshop......................................................... 90
ƒ Mahila Samman Savings Certificate............................. 82 ƒ World’s Highest Fighter Airfield In Ladakh’s Nyoma...... 91
ƒ Unified Logistics Interface Platform (Ulip)..................... 82 ƒ International Conference on Dam Safety...................... 91
ƒ Grain-Ex system........................................................... 82 ƒ National Logistics Policy............................................... 91
ƒ CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal........................................ 82 ƒ Indigenous communication-based train control system.91
ƒ Global Maritime India Summit 2023.............................. 82 ƒ International Convention and Expo Centre, called
‘Yashobhoomi............................................................... 91
ƒ India makes presentation on e-Shram, world’s largest
database of unorganised workers................................. 83 ƒ Samudrayaan project.................................................... 92
ƒ Global Food Regulators Summit 2023.......................... 83 ƒ India gets its first C-295 aircraft.................................... 92
ƒ National Conference On Rural WASH Partners’ Forum.83 ƒ National Workshop on e-NAM 2.0WW.......................... 92
ƒ 5th Helicopter & Small Aircraft Summit......................... 83 ƒ Annual Capacity Building Plan (ACBP) of Department of
Fisheries....................................................................... 92
ƒ Cannabis Research Project.......................................... 83
ƒ National Policy on Research and Development and
ƒ Banks get ₹5,729 crore from “Depositor Education and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector in India............. 92
Awareness” (DEA) Fund............................................... 84
ƒ North Koel Reservoir Project......................................... 93
ƒ NADA has launched an Anti-Doping helpline number
(1800-119-919)............................................................. 84 ƒ Bhashini Set To Introduce RBI’s Multilingual Frictionless
Credit Platform.............................................................. 93
ƒ Bharat Mandapam........................................................ 84
ƒ RuPay Domestic Card Scheme Agreement between India
Page : vi

ƒ Summit on “Global Chemicals and Petrochemicals and the UAE................................................................. 93

Manufacturing Hubs in India......................................... 84
ƒ PATA and India to jointly promote Travel for LiFE in Asia-
ƒ Greenfield Airports........................................................ 84 Pacific region................................................................ 93
ƒ Bullet repayment scheme.............................................. 94 ƒ Dharma Guardian....................................................... 104
ƒ Mumbai airport gets ‘Disabled Aircraft Recovery Kit’..... 94 ƒ India, Uzbekistan begin two-week military exercise in
Pithoragarh................................................................. 104
ƒ RBI extends prompt corrective action framework to govt
NBFCs.......................................................................... 94 ƒ LCA Mk2 can carry 8 BVR missiles, integrate French,
Russian weapons........................................................ 104
ƒ Indigenous Intelligent Transportation Systems Solutions
for Traffic Scenario........................................................ 94 ƒ Ndian Air Force To Participate In Exercise Desert Flag Viii
104
ƒ Sagar Maitri Mission-4.................................................. 94
ƒ Exercise Cobra Warrior............................................... 105
ƒ India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)...... 95
ƒ PM Modi To Inaugurate 3-Day Raisina Dialogue......... 105
ƒ Vizhinjam international seaport project......................... 95
ƒ Inter-services Organisations Bill.................................. 105
ƒ Cabinet approves Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for
Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2024-25................... 95 ƒ Frinjex-2023................................................................ 105
ƒ Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project............................... 95 ƒ Cutlass Express 23..................................................... 105
ƒ Inform customers when banks ask for their credit score.95 ƒ Amphibious Exercise AMPHEX................................... 106
ƒ Jio demonstrates India’s first satellite-based giga fiber ƒ Shaliza becomes 1st woman to command combat unit in
service.......................................................................... 96 IAF.............................................................................. 106
ƒ Importance of QR codes on Food labels....................... 96 ƒ Maritime Partnership Exercise (Mpx).......................... 106
ƒ India bans exports of some rice varities........................ 96 ƒ Exercise La Perouse – 2023....................................... 106
ƒ India re-elected to International Maritime Organisation.96 ƒ Colonel Geeta Rana is first woman to lead army unit near
China border in Ladakh............................................... 106
ƒ Mining for critical minerals............................................ 97
ƒ DRDO conducts two consecutive successful flight tests of
ƒ Environmental Impact of what we eat........................... 97 VSHORADS missile’................................................... 107
ƒ Marks, financial status no bar for overseas higher studies ƒ Joint India Singapore Exercise ‘Bold Kurukshetra....... 107
97
ƒ Exercise Sea Dragon 23............................................. 107
ƒ 2023 Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS)
survey........................................................................... 97 ƒ “Security Bond-2023” exercise.................................... 107
ƒ Dharavi revamp............................................................. 97 ƒ Defence Ministry signs Rs 3000 crore contract with BEL..
107
ƒ Working of Touchscreens.............................................. 98
ƒ Exercise Vayu Prahar.................................................. 108
ƒ New initiatives for tourists Uttarakhand......................... 98
ƒ Search And Rescue (Sar) Exercise............................. 108
ƒ India’s jobs crisis........................................................... 98
ƒ Project Akashteer........................................................ 108
ƒ India-ASEAN set to review trade pact for modernisation in
early 2024..................................................................... 98 ƒ India successfully tests sea-based ballistic missile
interceptor................................................................... 108
ƒ Are graduates facing unemployment?........................... 98
ƒ Slinex-23..................................................................... 109
ƒ T+0, instant settlement cycle........................................ 99
ƒ Exercise Cope India 23............................................... 109
ƒ Exercise Orion............................................................ 109
05 Defence & secuirty 101
ƒ Exercise Iniochos-23................................................... 109
ƒ Government starts process to buy 100 more K9-Vajras.101 ƒ Ajeya Warrior – 2023.................................................. 109
ƒ Veer Guardian-2023.................................................... 101 ƒ Imphal, Indian Navy’s Third Ship Of Project 15b......... 109
ƒ Village Defence Guards.............................................. 101 ƒ Tu-160 strategic bombers........................................... 110
ƒ Prithvi-II missile successfully tested-fired in Odisha.... 101 ƒ Asean India Maritime Exercise.................................... 110
ƒ VSHORAD Missile Systems........................................ 101 ƒ Army’s common uniform for officers of Brigadier rank and
ƒ 21st edition of naval exercise ‘Varuna’ between India and above.......................................................................... 110
France begins............................................................. 102 ƒ Indo-Thai Coordinated Patrol (Corpat)........................ 110
ƒ Sri Lanka, US to conduct joint exercises to maintain free ƒ Samudra Shakti - 23................................................... 110
Indo-Pacific................................................................. 102
ƒ Soaring Eagle exercise................................................111
ƒ Fifth Kalvari Class Submarine Vagir............................ 102
ƒ Indian Navy test-fires BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
ƒ India & Russia begin joint manufacturing of AK 203 rifles 111
in UP........................................................................... 102
ƒ Exercise Jal Rahat......................................................111
ƒ Indo-Egypt Joint Training Exercise Cyclone - I
Commences in Rajasthan........................................... 102 ƒ Vaghsheer....................................................................111
ƒ Exercise Poorvi Aakash.............................................. 103 ƒ Air Defender 23............................................................111
ƒ DRDO’s Fuel Cell-based Air Independent Propulsion ƒ China to join Indonesia’s multilateral naval drills despite
system........................................................................ 103 rising tension............................................................... 112
ƒ Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise ƒ Indian Navy’s Green Initiatives.................................... 112
(Tropex-23)................................................................. 103 ƒ Varunastra Torpedo..................................................... 112
ƒ North Korea fires ballistic missile to bolster nuclear ƒ India-France-Uae Maritime Partnership Exercise........ 112
capacity....................................................................... 103
ƒ Combined Operations Of Ins Vikramaditya And Ins Vikrant
ƒ 70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft................................. 103 113
Page : vii

ƒ Indian Army organises integrated exercise ‘Trishakri ƒ Ekuverin Exercise....................................................... 113

Prahar’ in North Bengal............................................... 104
ƒ Tactical LAN radio....................................................... 113
ƒ Anjadip........................................................................ 113
ƒ Sanshodhak................................................................ 113
06 Ecology & Enviroment 124
ƒ Ex Khaan Quest 2023................................................. 114 ƒ Nipah Virus Outbreak.................................................. 124
ƒ Integrated Simulator Complex ‘Dhruv’........................ 114 ƒ India becomes the 13th nation to issue OIML certificates.
124
ƒ Acquisition of MQ-9B drones...................................... 114
ƒ Medical Tourism Index (MTI)....................................... 124
ƒ Tarang Shakti.............................................................. 114
ƒ Etalin hydel Project.................................................... 124
ƒ Light Combat Aircraft Tejas......................................... 115
ƒ Silent Valley bird species goes up to 175.................... 124
ƒ Japan India Maritime Exercise 2023........................... 115
ƒ Indore tops clean air survey among cities with mn-plus
ƒ In-Us Salvex............................................................... 115 people......................................................................... 125
ƒ Ex ‘Op Southern Readiness - 2023............................. 115 ƒ Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA)..................................... 125
ƒ Nomadic Elephant – 2023........................................... 115 ƒ M Sand Projects.......................................................... 125
ƒ Talisman Sabre........................................................... 116 ƒ Ozone Layer Is Slowly Recovering- UN Report.......... 125
ƒ Israel approves USD 344 million sale of ‘David’s Sling’ ƒ T.N. government sets up Nilgiri Tahr conservation project.
defense system to Finland.......................................... 116 126
ƒ Malabar-2023.............................................................. 116 ƒ Mobile App ‘Floodwatch.............................................. 126
ƒ Bilateral Naval Maritime Partnership Exercise............ 116 ƒ No rhinos poached in Assam in 2022 for 1st time in 45
ƒ Launch Of Y - 3024 (Vindhyagiri)................................ 116 years........................................................................... 126
ƒ Tarang Shakti.............................................................. 117 ƒ Silent Valley bird species goes up to 175.................... 126
ƒ India, China, and Iran set up pavilions at Army 2023 in ƒ White Tufted Royal Butterfly........................................ 127
Moscow....................................................................... 117 ƒ Centre puts Neelakurinji on the list of protected plants.127
ƒ LCA Tejas successfully test-fires ASTRA air-to-air missile. ƒ Asian Water Bird Census” (AWC) 2023....................... 127
117
ƒ Air Quality Monitoring System (AI-AQMS v1.0)........... 127
ƒ 5th Edition Of Ausindex-23 At Sydney......................... 117
ƒ Rare species of duck sighted in Manipur’s Loktak lake
ƒ Exercise Bright Star-23............................................... 117 after over 90 years...................................................... 127
ƒ Launch Of Y - 12654 Mahendragiri............................. 118 ƒ Spot Bellied Eagle Owl............................................... 127
ƒ Dsc A 20 (Yard 325)’ First Ship Of 05 X Diving Support ƒ Kelp forests losing unique traits due to climate change,
Craft............................................................................ 118 says study................................................................... 128
ƒ Naval Commanders’ Conference, 2023...................... 118 ƒ For the first time, genetically modified trees have been
ƒ Naval Exercise ‘Varuna’ – 2023.................................. 118 planted in a US forest................................................. 128
ƒ India gets its first C-295 aircraft.................................. 119 ƒ PM inaugurates India Energy Week 2023 in Bengaluru.128
ƒ Simbex 23................................................................... 119 ƒ Senna spectabilis........................................................ 128
ƒ India-Indonesia-Australia Trilateral Maritime Exercise.119 ƒ World Wetland Day 2023............................................ 129
ƒ Exercise Yudh Abhyas-23........................................... 119 ƒ Yaya Tso to become Ladakh’s first biodiversity heritage
site.............................................................................. 129
ƒ Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference....................... 119
ƒ Rajasthan plans zoo for dolphins, rhinos inside Bharatpur
ƒ Sampriti-Xi.................................................................. 120 sanctuary.................................................................... 129
ƒ 49th All India Police Science Congress....................... 120 ƒ 145 bird species spotted in Sundarban during first bird
ƒ Chakravat 2023........................................................... 120 festival’........................................................................ 129
ƒ Coastal Security Exercise – East Coast...................... 120 ƒ First Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Framework :
Puducherry................................................................. 129
ƒ Mid-Planning Conference For Multilateral Naval Exercise
(Milan) – 24................................................................. 120 ƒ Govt gives in-principle approval to nine ethanol blending
projects....................................................................... 130
ƒ Indigenous Destroyer Imphal...................................... 121
ƒ Over 1,200 pangolins trafficked in India in 5 years: Report
ƒ Project Udbhav........................................................... 121 130
ƒ Army to start phasing out Cheetah, Chetak helicopters ƒ For the first time, genetically modified trees have been
from 2027.................................................................... 121 planted in a US forest................................................. 130
ƒ Exercise Harimau Shakti-2023.................................... 121 ƒ Rhododendrons.......................................................... 130
ƒ Kazind-2023................................................................ 121 ƒ Climate risk: 9 Indian states among top vulnerable places
ƒ CISF set to take over Parliament security................... 122 in the world................................................................. 130
ƒ INS Imphal commissioned.......................................... 122 ƒ Himachal Pradesh to become first state in India to have
organised cultivation of Mulethi................................... 131
ƒ Navy unveils new epaulettes for Admirals................... 122
ƒ Indo Pacific Humpback dolphins spotted at Injambakkam.
ƒ INS Imphal.................................................................. 122 131
ƒ Landslide Atlas of India............................................... 131
ƒ Delhi ranks #4 on list of world’s most polluted cities... 131
ƒ Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana.................................... 132
Page : viii

ƒ Carbon Credit Trading Scheme for Decarbonisation... 132

ƒ Himachal Pradesh to formulate green hydrogen policy.132
ƒ Zero Budget Natural Farming...................................... 132 ƒ Green Credits scheme................................................ 141
ƒ NASA launches device to monitor air pollution from space ƒ COP28 summit............................................................ 142
132 ƒ Climate finance........................................................... 142
ƒ Bandipur completes 50 years as Project Tiger Reserve.... ƒ Feeding humans has trapped the world in debt,
133 degradation: FAO report............................................. 142
ƒ Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary................................... 133 ƒ Status of the UN treaty to end plastic pollution........... 142
ƒ New butterfly species discovered in Kerala................. 133 ƒ To achieve net-zero target, do not rely on burying
ƒ Researchers find three new species of bush cricket... 133 emissions underground, says scientist........................ 142
ƒ Eravikulam National Park............................................ 134 ƒ Global Cooling Pledge at COP28................................ 143
ƒ 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient ƒ Natural vegetation on nearly 12,850 sq. km in the Cauvery
Infrastructure............................................................... 134 basin has been lost..................................................... 143
ƒ Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary........................................... 134 ƒ India’s extreme rain was restricted to a ‘corridor’ during
1901-2019................................................................... 143
ƒ PM Modi releases Tiger Census figures...................... 134
ƒ What does ‘unabated’ fossil fuels mean ?................... 143
ƒ World’s first Asian King Vulture Conservation and
Breeding Center.......................................................... 134 ƒ COP 28 important decisions....................................... 143
ƒ First Ever Census on Water Bodies in India................ 135 ƒ The limitations of CCS and CDR and their grip on our
future climate.............................................................. 144
ƒ Millets Experience Centre (MEC)................................ 135
ƒ Chennai’s hydrology................................................... 144
ƒ Periyar Tiger Reserve welcomes Arikomban............... 135
ƒ Phasing out fossil fuel................................................. 144
ƒ India to launch its own heat index next year to quantify
heat hazard................................................................. 135 ƒ COP-28 mean for cities............................................... 144
ƒ Project Cheetah.......................................................... 135 ƒ Types of Sanitation systems....................................... 144
ƒ 18 Swamp Deer Shifted from Kanha to Bandhavgarh ƒ Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA)............................... 145
Tiger Reserve............................................................. 136 ƒ Achievements of National Tiger Conservation Authority
ƒ Shri Bhupender Yadav launches Meri LiFE App.......... 136 (NTCA) during the year 2023...................................... 145
ƒ Nepali sherpa, 46, becomes second person in the world to
climb Mount Everest 26 times..................................... 136 07 Science & Tech 147
ƒ Cyclone Mocha........................................................... 136
ƒ PM inaugurates SemiconIndia 2023 in Gandhinagar,
ƒ End Plastic Pollution................................................... 137 Gujarat........................................................................ 147
ƒ Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR)................. 137 ƒ National Pension System Trust................................... 147
ƒ National Campaign for Updation and Verification of ƒ Roadmap to making India a $5 trillion economy.......... 147
People’s Biodiversity Register Launched.................... 137
ƒ GI tags for Goan mangoes and bebinca, crafts from
ƒ Nilgiri martens............................................................. 137 Rajasthan and U.P...................................................... 147
ƒ Over 60 crore people would be exposed to dangerous ƒ Port Health Organisation (PHO) under Sagar Setu..... 148
heat............................................................................. 137
ƒ Digital India RISC-V’ Symposium................................ 148
ƒ Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building
and Livelihood Programme......................................... 138 ƒ Bharat Campaign under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund...
148
ƒ UAE to Host World’s Largest Conservation Conference in
2025............................................................................ 138 ƒ CarbonLite Metro Travel............................................. 148
ƒ Cyclone Biprajoy......................................................... 138 ƒ One District One Product ‘ODOP Wall’ launched........ 148
ƒ National Working Plan Code-2023.............................. 138 ƒ NCLT gives final nod for merger of Sony and Zee....... 149
ƒ Bringing the Aravallis back to life................................ 138 ƒ Global summit on traditional medicine........................ 149
ƒ IFSCA and Climate Policy Initiative sign MoU to cooperate ƒ 19th Maritime State Development Council meeting
on Sustainable Finance.............................................. 139 (MSDC)....................................................................... 149
ƒ Solar geoengineering.................................................. 139 ƒ Centre appoints R Doraiswamy as LIC Managing Director
149
ƒ 4th G20 Energy Transition Working Group Meeting.... 139
ƒ Bureau of Port Security............................................... 149
ƒ Western Tragopan...................................................... 139
ƒ Bharat New Car Assessment Programme................... 150
ƒ Bhutan’s roaring success in tiger conservation........... 139
ƒ India participates in 20th ASEAN-India Economic
ƒ Bhutan becomes country with ‘net zero carbon emissions’ Ministers’ Meeting....................................................... 150
140
ƒ RBI’s pilot project for facilitating frictionless credit...... 150
ƒ Canalisation of rivers.................................................. 140
ƒ Khanan Prahari App.................................................... 150
ƒ ‘Namoh 108’ Variety Of Lotus...................................... 140
ƒ Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar scheme................................ 150
ƒ Biodiversity loss.......................................................... 140
ƒ Kolkata Metro to join elite club of London, Moscow,
ƒ Indore tops clean air survey among cities with mn-plus Istanbul, says Centre.................................................. 151
people......................................................................... 140
ƒ RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das leads global central
ƒ Kampala Declaration on climate change..................... 141 bankers in A+ rating.................................................... 151
ƒ Gujarat Declaration..................................................... 141 ƒ National KCC Conference for Fisheries,Animal Husbandry
Page : ix

ƒ Loss and damage fund................................................ 141 & Dairying................................................................... 151

ƒ Adoption of CBDCs can make cross-border payments ƒ Lama........................................................................... 160
more efficient.............................................................. 151 ƒ James Webb telescope spots 6 monster galaxies....... 160
ƒ 28-foot-tall Nataraja statue installed at Summit venue in ƒ Scientists discover fifth layer of Earth......................... 160
Delhi........................................................................... 151
ƒ Neutrinos.................................................................... 160
ƒ NPCI launches new products; users can now make voice-
enabled UPI payments................................................ 152 ƒ India tops list of global internet shut-offs: Report........ 160
ƒ First Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights............... 152 ƒ Swayatt....................................................................... 161
ƒ Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting ƒ Integrated Pensioners’ Portal...................................... 161
(BRSR) Workshop....................................................... 152 ƒ The World’s First 3D-Printed Rocket........................... 161
ƒ World’s Highest Fighter Airfield In Ladakh’s Nyoma.... 152 ƒ World’s fastest single-shot camera confirms how flames
ƒ International Conference on Dam Safety.................... 152 form soot..................................................................... 161
ƒ Indigenous communication-based train control system.153 ƒ ISRO brings down weather satellite Megha Tropiques-1...
161
ƒ International Convention and Expo Centre, called
‘Yashobhoomi............................................................. 153 ƒ Venus’ volcanoes may be active, show decades-old radar
images........................................................................ 162
ƒ India gets its first C-295 aircraft.................................. 153
ƒ India’s first indigenous quadruped robot and exoskeleton.
ƒ National Workshop on e-NAM 2.0............................... 153 162
ƒ Annual Capacity Building Plan (ACBP) of Department of ƒ 6G In India.................................................................. 162
Fisheries..................................................................... 153
ƒ Monster black hole that could eat 30 billion suns
ƒ India to launch hydrogen-powered trains on heritage discovered.................................................................. 162
routes by Dec 2023..................................................... 154
ƒ Dhawan-II engine........................................................ 162
ƒ 99.9% water contaminants removed in 10 seconds.... 154
ƒ Unified Portal of Central Bureau of Narcotics Launched...
ƒ Intelligent Tray Retrieval System (ITRS)..................... 154 163
ƒ Snapdragon Satellite................................................... 154 ƒ India to soon get Ligo to catch gravitational waves..... 163
ƒ Doppler Weather Radar Network by 2025................... 154 ƒ IIT Indore develops low-cost camera in collaboration with
ƒ ISRO ‘Shukrayaan’ mission to planet Venus reportedly Nasa, Caltech............................................................. 163
shifted to 2031............................................................ 155 ƒ The Juice Mission to Explore Jupiter’s Moons............ 163
ƒ BharOS India’s indigenous mobile operating system by IIT ƒ National Quantum Mission.......................................... 163
Madras........................................................................ 155
ƒ Seed Traceability portal.............................................. 164
ƒ Europe’s mission to Jupiter’s icy moons Juice satellite is
ready........................................................................... 155 ƒ Ningaloo Eclipse 2023................................................ 164
ƒ NASA to cooperate on Israeli astrophysics mission.... 155 ƒ Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager
(RHESSI) spacecraft................................................... 164
ƒ India’s first mission to study the Sun will be launched by
June-July.................................................................... 155 ƒ TeLEOS-02................................................................. 164
ƒ Artificial Synapse for Brain-Like Computing Developed by ƒ India successfully tests sea-based ballistic missile
Indian & Australian Scientists...................................... 156 interceptor................................................................... 164
ƒ BioAsia to be held in Hyderabad................................. 156 ƒ Bio-electronic uric acid detecting device..................... 165
ƒ Muons......................................................................... 156 ƒ AP to host second whole genome sequencing lab...... 165
ƒ NISAR......................................................................... 156 ƒ IFFCO Nano DAP (Liquid).......................................... 165
ƒ Skye Air launches India’s first traffic management system ƒ Bluebugging................................................................ 165
for drones.................................................................... 157 ƒ UGC launches ‘CU-Chayan portal.............................. 165
ƒ Qualcomm announces world’s first satellite-based two- ƒ Google moves towards ‘password-less future............. 166
way messaging solution.............................................. 157
ƒ China approves safety of first gene-edited crop.......... 166
ƒ ISRO Successfully Launches New Rocket To Deploy 3
Satellites Into Orbit..................................................... 157 ƒ India’s Geological Survey discovers second lithium
reserve in Rajasthan................................................... 166
ƒ 5.9 million tonnes Lithium deposits found in J-K......... 157
ƒ Cyber Surakshit Bharat............................................... 166
ƒ Saudi Arabia to send its first woman to space............. 157
ƒ SAKSHAM Learning Management Information System.166
ƒ Black soldier fly larvae................................................ 158
ƒ UGC to launch user-friendly website........................... 167
ƒ Scientists discover new ‘quasicrystal’ in Nebraska, US.158
ƒ Indian government launches CEIR tracking system for lost
ƒ Country’s first waste-to-hydrogen plant to be set up in or stolen mobile phones.............................................. 167
Pune........................................................................... 158
ƒ calcium-41 for radiometric dating................................ 167
ƒ Antaris™ JANUS-1 smallsat is successfully launched by
the ISRO’s SSLV-D2 rocket......................................... 158 ƒ PCIM&H ‘e-office’ and online portal............................. 167
ƒ Delhi Metro launches its first-ever train control system.158 ƒ ISRO Successfully Launches Next-Gen Satellite........ 167
ƒ World’s Highest Weather Station Rebuilt on Mount ƒ Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing (ERSO)....... 168
Everest........................................................................ 159 ƒ ‘India conducts Asia’s first demo of performance-based
ƒ Vedanta-Foxconn selects Dholera SIR for first navigation for copters.................................................. 168
semiconductor facility in India..................................... 159 ƒ Nyaya Vikas Portal...................................................... 168
ƒ India’s first hybrid sounding rocket.............................. 159 ƒ First indigenously developed animal-derived tissue
Page : x

ƒ Haryana To Host Northern India’s First Nuclear Power engineering scaffold.................................................... 168
Plant........................................................................... 159 ƒ Dugdh Sankalan Sathi Mobile App.............................. 168
ƒ Gemcovac®-Om......................................................... 169 ƒ WOAH approves India’s self-declaration stating it is free
from bird flu................................................................. 178
ƒ IIT-K conducts artificial rain test through cloud seeding.169
ƒ Egypt is racing to eliminate hepatitis C....................... 178
ƒ Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare signed a MOU
with Pixxel Space India Pvt. Limited........................... 169 ƒ Dashboard for Data on Adoption and Forecasts of Electric
Vehicles...................................................................... 178
ƒ International Conference on Green Hydrogen............. 169
ƒ Web portal ‘Apna Chandrayaan’................................. 179
ƒ Mission Gaganyaan.................................................... 170
ƒ SIM Card..................................................................... 179
ƒ Social Trailblazer Program for entrepreneurs.............. 170
ƒ The new made-in-India EV charging standard for bikes
ƒ Bharat Internet Utsav.................................................. 170 and scooters............................................................... 179
ƒ Meta officially launches Twitter rival Threads.............. 170 ƒ 7th Edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC)........... 179
ƒ OpenKylin................................................................... 170 ƒ IITM Pune demonstrates cloud seeding can produce
ƒ G20 Conference on Crime and Security in the age of rainfall......................................................................... 180
NFTs, AI and Metaverse.............................................. 171 ƒ Importance of QR codes on Food labels..................... 180
ƒ AI model for predicting knee osteoarthritis severity from ƒ The act of photocopying.............................................. 180
X-ray images............................................................... 171
ƒ ndia is building its own ‘sovereign AI’.......................... 180
ƒ India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2023.............................. 171
ƒ BCG revaccination study in high-risk adults to begin in 23
ƒ SAGAR SAMPARK..................................................... 171 States......................................................................... 180
ƒ China beats US, Europe, India to launch 1st methane- ƒ IThe transformative benefits of population-level genome
powered rocket to space............................................. 171 sequencing................................................................. 181
ƒ NADA has launched an Anti-Doping helpline number ƒ Understanding how the Global Positioning System (GPS)
(1800-119-919)........................................................... 172 works.......................................................................... 181
ƒ World’s largest private satellite Jupiter-3 set to launch.172 ƒ 22 nations, including US, commit to tripling nuclear
ƒ PM inaugurates SemiconIndia 2023 in Gandhinagar, capacity by 2050......................................................... 181
Gujarat........................................................................ 172 ƒ Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module retraces steps to Earth
ƒ Akira, a ransomware................................................... 172 orbit............................................................................. 181
ƒ UIDAI is using AI to tackle payment fraud................... 173 ƒ Regulating deepfakes and generative AI in India........ 181
ƒ 6.4 lakh villages to get broadband connectivity........... 173 ƒ Google Gemini............................................................ 182
ƒ CarbonLite Metro Travel............................................. 173 ƒ India’s first Pompe disease patient passes away........ 182
ƒ Maisie’s galaxy............................................................ 173 ƒ Use of fractals............................................................. 182
ƒ Digital Innovation Alliance Summit.............................. 173 ƒ ISRO to launch Chandrayaan-4 to bring back samples
from Moon in 4 yrs...................................................... 182
ƒ Russia’s Luna-25 sends first pictures from its journey to
Moon........................................................................... 174 ƒ Delhi Declaraion on AI................................................ 182
ƒ Bio-Trace Minerals Project.......................................... 174 ƒ How do web browsers work?...................................... 183
ƒ Chandrayaan-3 Moon Landing Successful.................. 174 ƒ CT scans associated with increased risk of blood cancers
183
ƒ Aditya-L1..................................................................... 174
ƒ ketamine drug............................................................. 183
ƒ TRINETRA - Enterprise Security Operation Centre
(ESOC)....................................................................... 175 ƒ An overview of the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence
Act.............................................................................. 183
ƒ World’s first prototype of the BS 6 Stage II ‘Electrified Flex
fuel vehicle’ launched.................................................. 175 ƒ Telecommunications Bill,2023..................................... 183
ƒ FBI’s Duck Hunt operation takes down Qakbot........... 175 ƒ The era of CRISPR therapeutics................................. 184
ƒ India’s first indigenously developed nuclear power plant ƒ AI tool for Weather forcasting...................................... 184
unit begins operation at full capacity........................... 175 ƒ Paat Mitro................................................................... 184
ƒ Japan launches rocket with lunar lander and X-ray ƒ Concept of national time............................................. 184
telescope.................................................................... 176
ƒ Ransomware attacks on Indian IT firms...................... 185
ƒ Cybercrime Investigation Tool developed can track
cyberattacks targeting human..................................... 176 ƒ Research shows India can shorten tuberculosis treatment
185
ƒ Innovative Mobile Application and Web Portal for General
Crop Estimation Survey.............................................. 176 ƒ SLIM lunar landings.................................................... 185
ƒ Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS) 2.0.. 176 ƒ Huntington’s disease................................................... 185
ƒ India’s NavIC will now be supported by ‘Made in India’ ƒ Indian organisations at very high risk of cyber attacks,
chipsets....................................................................... 176 says survey................................................................. 185
ƒ Green War Room........................................................ 177 ƒ Pegasus spyware........................................................ 186
ƒ Significance of quantum dots in nanotechnology........ 177 ƒ A call for disability inclusion that must be heeded....... 186
ƒ Aditya L1 corrects trajectory....................................... 177 ƒ ISRO to launch XPoSat and 10 other payloads on
January 1.................................................................... 186
ƒ Bharat NCX 2023........................................................ 177
ƒ National Survey Network............................................. 177
ƒ Draft National Strategy on Robotics............................ 178
Page : xi
 ƒ Gender Inclusion Fund................................................ 196
08 Social Issues 188 ƒ National Deep Tech Startup Policy.............................. 197
ƒ Centre to launch PM PVTG Development Mission...... 188 ƒ National Medical Commission Achieves Prestigious
WFME Recognition Status.......................................... 197
ƒ UGC released draft guidelines to set up foreign
educational campuses in India.................................... 188 ƒ Centre releases draft guidelines to make Railways more
user-friendly for persons with disabilities.................... 197
ƒ Kuki-Chin Refugees Issue........................................... 188
ƒ NMC releases draft rules for timetable, duration, grades,
and papers.................................................................. 188 09 Schemes & Policies 199
ƒ NAMASTE scheme..................................................... 189
ƒ Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana........................ 199
ƒ Impact Study of Poshan Abhiyaan.............................. 189
ƒ Centre to launch PM PVTG Development Mission...... 199
ƒ Over 3 Crore Candidates Enrolled in Online Courses on
Swayam...................................................................... 189 ƒ MISHTI Scheme for Mangrove plantations.................. 199
ƒ DHARA....................................................................... 189 ƒ ATMANIRBHAR CLEAN PLANT PROGRAM.............. 199
ƒ One Nation, One Organ Allocation Policy................... 189 ƒ PM PRANAM Yojana To Promote Organic Farming.... 199
ƒ SC refuses to entertain PIL for menstrual leave for women ƒ Scheme launched in the Budget 2023-24................... 200
in schools, workplaces................................................ 190 ƒ PM-KUSUM scheme gets 3-year extension till 2026... 200
ƒ Centre opposes recognition of same-sex marriage in SC ƒ Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana..................................... 200
citing personal laws..................................................... 190
ƒ Red Line Campaign.................................................... 200
ƒ Marketing and Logistics Development for Promotion of
Tribal Products............................................................ 190 ƒ MIIRA Initiative............................................................ 200
ƒ ISRO offers training programme for PG, final-year UG ƒ Vibrant Villages Programme........................................ 201
students...................................................................... 190 ƒ ‘The National Education Policy 2020 envisaged play-
ƒ Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi............................................... 190 based learning teaching material................................ 201
ƒ Stand-Up India Scheme completes 6 years................ 191 ƒ RBI initiates 75 digital villages programme................. 201
ƒ Biotech-KISAN scheme............................................... 191 ƒ Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana................................... 201
ƒ SAKSHAM Learning Management Information System.191 ƒ Govt to launch Pattaya Mission................................... 201
ƒ Shipping ministry ranked second in Data Governance ƒ MSME Competitive (LEAN) Scheme under MSME
Quality Index among ministries................................... 191 Champions Scheme.................................................... 202
ƒ UGC to launch user-friendly website........................... 191 ƒ Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES)........... 202
ƒ Indian government launches CEIR tracking system for lost ƒ Research, Education and Training Outreach
or stolen mobile phones.............................................. 192 (REACHOUT)............................................................. 202
ƒ Government releases pre-draft of National Curriculum ƒ Pm-Devine Scheme.................................................... 202
Framework for schools................................................ 192 ƒ PM Mitra..................................................................... 203
ƒ National Credit Framework......................................... 192 ƒ Nehru Memorial Museum and Library......................... 203
ƒ NCPCR issues guidelines for assessment of child ƒ Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.................... 203
suspects in heinous offences...................................... 192
ƒ National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)
ƒ Cabinet approves CITIIS 2.0 from 2023 to 2027......... 192 scheme....................................................................... 203
ƒ PM SVANidhi.............................................................. 193 ƒ DigiClaim.................................................................... 203
ƒ India’s missing Census............................................... 193 ƒ Sagar Manthan dashboard.......................................... 204
ƒ Unique ID now mandatory for doctors......................... 193 ƒ National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems
ƒ 8th edition of World’s Largest Urban Cleanliness Survey (NPCA) scheme.......................................................... 204
Begins......................................................................... 193 ƒ Atal Innovation Mission Launches Three Innovative
ƒ Scheme for Critical care and Support to POCSO victims.. Resources to Empower India’s Young Minds.............. 204
193 ƒ Samudrayaan Project................................................. 204
ƒ Child Helpline.............................................................. 194 ƒ Sukh-Ashray Yojana.................................................... 204
ƒ Uniform Civil Code...................................................... 194 ƒ Language friendship bridge......................................... 205
ƒ Govt releases new UGC regulations........................... 194 ƒ Himachal Pradesh launches project Sanjeevani......... 205
ƒ Odisha Recommends Kui’s Inclusion In 8th Schedule Of ƒ HELP Program............................................................ 205
The Constitution.......................................................... 194
ƒ Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI)....... 205
ƒ Jan Vishwas Bill.......................................................... 194
ƒ NAMAN Programme................................................... 205
ƒ Masi Portal For Monitoring Child Care Homes............ 195
ƒ Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihood
ƒ Study in India (SII) Portal............................................ 195 Mission........................................................................ 206
ƒ Initiatives taken up under NEP 2020........................... 195 ƒ UDAN 5.0.................................................................... 206
ƒ NCERT’s Key 19-Member Panel To Develop Textbooks, ƒ Inclusive Development CampaignW.......................... 206
Syllabus...................................................................... 195
ƒ Parvatmala Pariyojana................................................ 206
ƒ Supreme Court handbook on gender stereotypes....... 196
ƒ 100 Food Streets in 100 Districts Across Country....... 207
Page : xii

ƒ Panel calls for uniformity in tenures, selection process of

heads of various akademis......................................... 196 ƒ eShram Portal............................................................. 207
ƒ National Curriculum Framework for School Education.196 ƒ SWAGAT initiative....................................................... 207
 ƒ Free legal aid and advice through Nyaya Bandhu
ƒ Safe City Project......................................................... 207 program...................................................................... 216
ƒ Atal Pension Yojana (APY).......................................... 207 ƒ Amrit Bharat Station Scheme...................................... 216
ƒ Production-Linked Incentve scheme for the automotive ƒ Digital Health Incentives Scheme (DHIS).................... 217
sector.......................................................................... 208
ƒ Bharat Campaign under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund...
ƒ Revamped CGTMSE Scheme.................................... 208 217
ƒ Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PWMJDY)............. 208 ƒ Special skill initiative for North-East Region................ 217
ƒ Vivad se Vishwas scheme........................................... 208 ƒ Graphene-Aurora Program......................................... 217
ƒ National SC-ST Hub Scheme...................................... 208 ƒ ‘A-HELP’ Programme.................................................. 217
ƒ Wayanad Tops Swachh Bharat’s ODF Plus Rankings.208 ƒ PM-eBus Sewa ....................................................... 218
ƒ Project Dantak............................................................ 209 ƒ PM Vishwakarma........................................................ 218
ƒ Project SMART........................................................... 209 ƒ Digital India programme.............................................. 218
ƒ Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana....................... 209 ƒ Amrit Sarovars............................................................ 218
ƒ Target Olympic Podium Scheme................................. 209 ƒ Initiative to Promote Rail-Sea-Rail Transportation....... 219
ƒ Pradhan Mantri MatsyaSampada Yojana(PMMSY)..... 209 ƒ First ABDM microsite under NHA ‘100 microsites project’
ƒ Production Linked Incentive Scheme – 2.0................. 210 launched in Mizoram................................................... 219
ƒ 5G technology training programme............................. 210 ƒ Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar scheme................................ 219
ƒ STARS Program......................................................... 210 ƒ Launch of Tele-Law 2.0............................................... 219
ƒ Parakh........................................................................ 210 ƒ SANKALP Programme................................................ 219
ƒ Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building ƒ SVAMITVA Scheme.................................................... 220
And Livelihood Programme......................................... 210 ƒ Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)................ 220
ƒ I-T brings e-appeal scheme to resolve small disputes.211 ƒ Sagar Parikrama Phase VIII........................................ 220
ƒ Unified Registration Portal For Gobardhan................. 211 ƒ Centre approves Startup Guidelines dedicated to
ƒ Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention and Technical Textiles........................................................ 220
Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) ƒ Adopt a Heritage 2.0 programme................................ 220
211
ƒ Waterbody Management Project “TAMARA................ 221
ƒ Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research....... 211
ƒ Pharma-MedTech sector (PRIP) scheme.................... 221
ƒ Exploration of Coal and Lignite Scheme..................... 212
ƒ PM-DAKSH yojana..................................................... 221
ƒ PLI Schemes............................................................... 212
ƒ Malaviya Mission......................................................... 221
ƒ VAIBHAV Fellowship ProgWramme............................ 212
ƒ Govt, Meta sign three-year partnership to skill 500,000
ƒ India Infrastructure Project Development Funding Scheme entrepreneurs............................................................. 221
212
ƒ Viability Gap Funding for development of Battery Energy
ƒ Indian Languages Programme.................................... 212 Storage Systems (BESS)............................................ 222
ƒ DAKSHTA Programme................................................ 213 ƒ Industrial Development Scheme................................. 222
ƒ Purvodaya................................................................... 213 ƒ Scheme for recognition of Internet Service Providers
ƒ Scheme for Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services (ISPs).......................................................................... 222
in the States................................................................ 213 ƒ BIS initiates nationwide sensitisation workshops for Gram
ƒ Gramodyog Vikas Yojna.............................................. 213 Panchayat Presidents and Secretaries....................... 222
ƒ Odisha announces state forest rights scheme to benefit ƒ Education Ministry asks States to bring all data under one
over 7 lakh households............................................... 213 platform....................................................................... 222
ƒ Govt launches scheme for shelter, aid to pregnant minor ƒ Ayushman Bhav Campaign......................................... 223
rape victims................................................................. 214 ƒ Cabinet approves eCourts Phase III for 4 years.......... 223
ƒ Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector ƒ Skill India Digital......................................................... 223
(SAMARTH)................................................................ 214
ƒ Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana.............................. 223
ƒ Heralding Accelerated Rural and Agriculture
Transformation Campaign........................................... 214 ƒ Swachhata Hi Seva- 2023 launched........................... 223
ƒ Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana........................................ 214 ƒ SHREYAS scheme...................................................... 224
ƒ Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North ƒ Mukhya Mantri Shramik Kalyan Yojana....................... 224
Eastern Region........................................................... 214 ƒ Arogya Manthan.......................................................... 224
ƒ Bharat Dal................................................................... 215 ƒ Amazon Future Engineer Programme......................... 224
ƒ Madhya Pradesh government launches ambitious plan for ƒ PM Modi to launch week-long programme ‘Sankalp
9,000 ‘CM Rise’ schools.............................................. 215 Saptaah...................................................................... 225
ƒ First ever “Credit Guarantee Scheme” for Livestock ƒ 50 Lakh Street Vendors Covered Under Pm Svanidhi
Sector......................................................................... 215 Scheme....................................................................... 225
ƒ Industry Leaders Forge Alliance for increasing Demand of ƒ Shreyas scheme......................................................... 225
Electric Freight Vehicles.............................................. 215
ƒ Bullet repayment scheme............................................ 225
ƒ PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras..................................... 215
Page : xiii

ƒ Scheme For Residential Education For Students In High

ƒ Prime Minister inaugurates Six EMRSs in Rajasthan.. 216 Schools In Targeted Areas.......................................... 225
ƒ ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign................................. 216 ƒ Cabinet approves establishment of an autonomous body
ƒ National Programme for Dairy Development............... 216
 Mera Yuva Bharat....................................................... 226
ƒ Mdoner “Data Analytics Dashboard” And “Poorvottar
Sampark Setu” Portal.................................................. 226
ƒ Green Credit Program and Ecomark scheme............ 226
ƒ Retailer Skill Development Program........................... 226
ƒ ‘Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha’....................................... 226
ƒ Yuva Sangam.............................................................. 227
ƒ Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana..... 227
ƒ PM SVANidhi Scheme................................................ 227
ƒ Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana....................... 227
ƒ Abua Awas Yojna....................................................... 227
ƒ Centre approves fourth phase roll-out of GIAN scheme....
228
ƒ Three sub-schemes under the RAMP programme-..... 228
ƒ Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-
JANMAN).................................................................... 228
ƒ PM JANMAN scheme................................................. 228
ƒ Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High
Schools in Targeted Areas (Shreshta)......................... 229
ƒ Women participation in NREGS continues to rise, 59%
this fiscal..................................................................... 229

Page : xiv
 Learn BITS
Annual Current Affairs Compilation
HISTORY & CULTURE

Page : xv

PART 1
 JAN-DEC 2023
01 History & Culture
World’s first Palm-leaf Manuscript Museum in Kerala capital
• Kerala Chief Minister(CM) Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated the Palm leaf Manuscript Museum with modern
audio-visual technology at the renovated Central Archives, Fort area in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
• Billed as the world’s first palm leaf manuscript museum, the facility is essentially a repository of curious
nuggets of administrative, socio-cultural and economic facets of Travancore spanning a period of 650 years till
the end of the19th century, besides documents relating to territories of Kochi in the state’s middle and Malabar
further north
• The museum, which opened last week, has 187 manuscripts chronicling a mine of stories based entirely on primary
sources: Documents written on cured and treated palm leaves consigned to the corners of the records rooms.

Tulu likely to get second official language status from Karnataka

• ‘The Karnataka government is likely to make Tulu the second official language of the state after Kannada
• A committee has been already constituted regarding it and it will soon submit the report to the state government
• The demand to declare Tulu as the second official language is longstanding and in 2008, former CM BS Yediyurappa
also said that Tulu will be declared as the official language
• Apart from Kannada and Tulu, languages like Kodava, Byari and Koraga are also spoken in different areas
of the state
• Currently, there are 22 official languages in India which include Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada,
Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu,
Bodo, Santhali, Maithili and Dogri

Lavani Dance
• ‘NCP leader Ajit Pawar has directed members of his party to not organise raunchy public shows in the name of
Lavani, a folk song-and-dance performance that is popular in Maharashtra
• Lavani became well known outside Maharashtra — throughout India and even outside the country — following
its use in popular media such as cinema
• Over the past few years, with the explosion in the use of social media, short clips of dances have become very
popular
• There are several sub-genres of Lavani, of which the most popular is the Shringarik (erotic) kind, in which the
lyrics are often teasing, with sensuous dance steps and delicate gestures employed to convey erotic meaning

Banjara Dharmaguru Santh Sevalal Maharaj Jayanti

• For the first time ever, the year long commemoration of birth anniversary of Santh Sevalal Maharaj , the Spiritual
& Religious Leader of Banjara Community is being celebrated by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India
• Like every year, this year also Banjaras from all over the country are gathering in Delhi to celebrate this birth
anniversary
• A special train has also been run from Karnataka, in which more than 2500 people of the Banjara community of
Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have reached Delhi
• Santh Sevalal Maharaj was born on 15 February 1739 at Surgondankoppa in Shivamogga district of Karnataka
• He is considered a social reformer and spiritual teacher of the Banjara community.

Vedic Heritage portal

• The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) has recently launched the Vedic Heritage Portal, a digital
repository of vedic knowledge and traditions from across the country
• This portal is the result of a seven-year effort and an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore
Page : 1

• The Vedic Heritage Portal is a one-stop solution for researchers and others who seek information about the Vedic
heritage of India
• It was launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy during the
 IGNCA’s 36th Foundation Day celebrations
• The Vedic Heritage portal now has audio-visual recordings of the four Vedas. These recordings contain over
18,000 mantras of the four Vedas, with a total duration of over 550 hours

Vaikom Satyagraha
• The Tamil Nadu government is planning to hold year-long events to commemorate the Vaikom Satyagraha
• Vaikom Satyagraha was a historic non-violent movement against untouchability and caste discrimination in the
country
• The Satyagraha took place between March 30, 1924 and November 23, 1925 and also marked the start of temple
entry movements across India
• The movement was spearheaded by Congress leader T.K. Madhavan, as an opposition against social injustice
• The Congress Untouchability Committee decided to start the movement at the Mahadeva temple in Vaikom,
because of the temple board’s extremely stringent rules regarding entry
• On March 30, 1924, the Satyagrahis walked towards the forbidden public roads in Vaikom. They were stopped
by the police

Hakki-Pikki tribes
• ‘Thousands of Indians are stranded in Sudan, which has been witnessing violence since last weekend
• Out of these nationals, more than 100 belong to the Hakki Pikki tribe from Karnataka
• They are a nomadic tribe living across western and southern India. Hakki means ‘bird’ in Kannada, and Pikki
translates to ‘catchers
• Traditionally, a tribe of bird catchers and hunters, who mostly lived in forest areas, the members now dwell in
Karnataka’s Mysuru, Davangere, Kolar, Hassan and Shivamogga districts
• Hakki Pikkis are a matriarchal community where the groom gives dowry to the bride’s family
• Hakki Pikkis were displaced from forests and resettled around Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya and borders of Tamil
Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Thirunelli temple
• ‘The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has urged the government to conserve the
historically significant structures, including the 600-year-old ‘Vilakkumadom
• It is also referred to as the ‘Kashi of the South’ and is considered as an important pilgrimage center for Hindus
• It is located at the confluence of three rivers – Papanasini, the holy river, which is believed to have the power to
wash away sins, Kudamurutti, and Koothappuzha
• The temple structure has a history dating back to the 15th century AD, and stories related to the architecture and
style of the temple are associated with it

INational Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal

• ‘Under the Sagarmala programme, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is developing a National
Maritime Heritage Complex, a world-class facility at Lothal, Gujarat
• NMHC would be developed as an international tourist destination, where the maritime heritage of India from
ancient to modern times would be showcased and an edutainment approach using the latest technology would be
adopted to spread awareness about India’s maritime heritage
• The unique feature of NMHC is the recreation of ancient Lothal city, which is one of the prominent cities of the
ancient Indus valley civilization dating to 2400 BC
• Apart from that, the evolution of India’s Maritime Heritage during various eras would be exhibited through
various galleries

PM shares article on revival of Kashmir’s centuries-old ‘Namda’ craft

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared an article on his twitter handle over revival of Kashmir’s centuries-old
Namda craft
Page : 2

• Mr. Modi said, he is delighted that Kashmir’s centuries-old Namda craft is reviving and now reaching global
shores after years
• He said this is a testament to Indian artisans’ skills and resilience. The Prime Minister added that this revival is
 great news for India’s rich heritage
• Namda craft is widely thought to have originated in the 11th century during the reign of Mughal emperor
Akbar
• Namda craft is a rug made of sheep wool through a felting technique instead of the normal weaving process.

Tankai method
• ‘The Ministry of Culture and the Indian Navy have joined hands to revive and preserve a 2000-year-old technique
of shipbuilding
• The technique is known as ‘Tankai’ method or the “stitched shipbuilding method
• The Indian Navy will oversee the implementation and execution of the entire project
• As custodians of maritime security and experts in the field, the Indian Navy’s involvement ensures “seamless
project management and adherence to the highest standards of safety and precision
• The stitched ship holds significant cultural value in India, given its historical importance and the preservation of
traditional craftsmanship
• The project aims at leveraging the expertise of the remaining traditional shipwrights in India and showcase their
exceptional craftsmanship.

‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day

• The ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’ or ‘Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas’ is observed on August 1
• This day was announced by the Prime Minister in 2021 to remember all those who lost their lives due to the
partition of the nation and were uprooted from their origins
• The partition caused one of the largest migrations in human history, affecting about 20 million people
• Millions of families had to abandon their ancestral villages/towns/cities and were forced to start anew as refugees
• About 6 million non-Muslims moved out from what had become West Pakistan and another 6.5 million
Muslims moved out from the Indian part of Punjab, Delhi, etc., into West Pakistan
• The number of migrants from Sind in November 1947 was 2,50,000, which rose exponentially and reached
4,78,000 in January 1948 and 10,00,000 in June 1948.

Operation Jericho
• The use of air power in Mizoram in 1966 has become a hot topic of discussion after Prime Minister Narendra
Modi mentioned it in the Lok Sabha while replying to the no confidence motion recently
• Operation Jericho, led by the Mizo National Front, was initiated as a response to the decision of the Centre to state
• IAF played a critical role by conducting air operations against rebel-held positions
• The airation another Assam Rifles battalion in the Mizo Hills, alongside existing security forces
• attacks, utilizing aircraft like Toofani and Hunters, helped the Army regain control of strategically important areas
• Flight lieutenant SK Sareen and Group Captain Jasper Bouche received commendations, with references to their
roles in the Mizo operations

Kolkata Metro to join elite club of London, Moscow, Istanbul, says Centre
• Kolkata Metro Railway is all set to embark on a groundbreaking transformation as it transitions from its
conventional steel Third Rail system to a cutting-edge composite aluminium third rail system
• Aligning itself with the exclusive league of elite global metros in cities like London, Moscow, Berlin, Munich and
Istanbul, which have already embraced this innovative technology
• The advantages of the aluminium composite third rail over its steel counterpart are significant
• Firstly, it reduces resistive current loss due to its lower resistance, resulting in improved traction voltage levels
• Secondly, this transition promises capital investment savings, with one less Traction Substation required for a 10-
km corridor, translating to an estimated savings of approximately?210 crores for a 35-km metro corridor

Rabindranath Tagore’s Santiniketan in Birbhum gets UNESCO’s World Heritage List

tag
Page : 3

• Santiniketan, the cultural and educational hub founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, has earned a
coveted spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
• Santiniketan’s inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List is a testament to its cultural and educational
 significance
• This recognition reaffirms the importance of preserving and promoting the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore and the
institution he built
• In 2010, the Centre had first tried to get the World Heritage tag for Santiniketan and mounted its campaign again
in 2021, whose fresh dossier was prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India with the help of Visva Bharati
authorities and submitted to Unesco

International conference on “Shared Buddhist Heritage

• ‘An international conference on “Shared Buddhist Heritage” will be held on 14-15 March, with focus on India’s
civilizational connect with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) nations 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan, New
Delhi
• The event, a first of its kind, under India’s leadership of SCO
• The aim of the Conference is to re-establish trans-cultural links, seek out commonalities, between Buddhist art of
Central Asia, art styles, archaeological sites and antiquity in various museums’ collections of the SCO countries
• The Conference is a unique meeting of the minds, where countries from different geographical regions but with a
common thread connecting them based on a shared civilization legacy

Draft Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics Bill

• ‘According to the Geological Survey of India, a Geo-heritage site is a place that provides insights into the evolution
of the earth
• Also, the place should be culturally significant. The Mawmluh Cave of Meghalaya was the first geo-heritage site
of India
• The Ministry of Mines recently notified a bill on geo-heritage sites of India
• The bill also has features of Geo-relics
• Geo-relic means rock or sediment or mineral or meteorite. he bill gives full power to the central government to
declare a site as the geo – heritage site
• No onstruction, repair, or renovation is allowed within the geo-heritage area
• Fines shall be imposed for removing or destructing the site. Offenders shall be fined RS 5 lakh and six
months of imprisonment

Inscription at Hemavati details education system of 7th century

• The inscriptions on the pillars of the 7th-century Siddheswara Temple at Hemavati (Henjeru) elicit interesting
facts about how education used to be promoted and supported by the Nolamba Pallavas and their predecessors
• Built by Nolamba rulers under the lordship of Pallavas between the 7th and 10th centuries for the propagation
of Shaivism, the regions around the temples built in those days promoted education in a very passionate manner
• The inscription also mentions the names of the kings who ruled over 32,000 villages in the region.

PM shares article on revival of Kashmir’s centuries-old ‘Namda’ craft

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared an article on his twitter handle over revival of Kashmir’s centuries-old
Namda craft
• Mr. Modi said, he is delighted that Kashmir’s centuries-old Namda craft is reviving and now reaching global
shores after years
• He said this is a testament to Indian artisans’ skills and resilience. The Prime Minister added that this revival is
great news for India’s rich heritage
• Namda craft is widely thought to have originated in the 11th century during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar
• Namda craft is a rug made of sheep wool through a felting technique instead of the normal weaving process

Tankai method
• The Ministry of Culture and the Indian Navy have joined hands to revive and preserve a 2000-year-old technique
of shipbuilding
Page : 4

• The technique is known as ‘Tankai’ method or the “stitched shipbuilding method

• The Indian Navy will oversee the implementation and execution of the entire project
• As custodians of maritime security and experts in the field, the Indian Navy’s involvement ensures “seamless
project management and adherence to the highest standards of safety and precision
• The stitched ship holds significant cultural value in India, given its historical importance and the preservation of
traditional craftsmanship
• The project aims at leveraging the expertise of the remaining traditional shipwrights in India and showcase their
exceptional craftsmanship

Initiatives taken up under NEP 2020

• National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) unequivocally endorses and envisions a substantial increase in public
investment in education by both the Central government and all State Governments to reach 6% of GDP
• The Policy also calls for the rejuvenation, active promotion, and support for private philanthropic activity in the
education sector
• There has been increase in budget allocation from Rs. 99,311.52 crore (2020-21) to Rs. 1,12,899.47 crore (2023-
24), which is around 13.68 % increase
• NEP 2020 provides for facilitation of research/teaching collaborations and faculty/student exchanges with high-
quality foreign institutions
• So far, 12 institutions have been notified as ‘Institutions of Eminence’ (loE) which include 08 institutions from the
public category and 04 institutions from the private category

28-foot-tall Nataraja statue installed at Summit venue in Delhi

• A towering 28-feet-tall statue of ‘Nataraja’, believed to be the world’s tallest, has been installed at Bharat
Mandapam, the venue of the upcoming G20 Summit in Delhi
• Built by eighteen people, the world’s tallest Nataraja statue stands at the entrance of the convention hall at Bharat
Mandapam. The statue symbolises Lord Shiva as the ‘Lord of Dance’ and his cosmic power of creation and
destruction
• A ‘Culture Corridor’ envisioned by the Ministry of Culture will also be unveiled at Bharat Mandapam on the
opening day of the Summit
• The sculpture follows the Chola period’s Nataraja models, specifically those from Chidambaram and
Konerirajapuram
• It stands at 22 feet in height, with a 6-foot pedestal, making the complete structure 28 feet tall.

Operation Polo
• Havaldar Bachittar Singh, Havaldar Amar Singh and Naik Narbahadur Thapa, were some of the heroes of the 109-
hour war that led to the annexation of Hyderabad on September 17, 1948
• This operation, also known as the “Police Action,” led to the Nizam of Hyderabad’s forces surrendering to the
Indian Army by September 18, 1948.
• The Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Shah, was reluctant to join India or Pakistan after India’s Independence
in 1947.
• He exploited the diversion of Indian resources towards the Kashmir conflict, signing a standstill agreement with
India in November 1947, maintaining the status quo in Hyderabad.

Red Fort to host India’s maiden art, architecture and design biennale
• The maiden India Art, Architecture & Design Biennale (IAADB) will be held from December 9 to December 15.’
• The maiden India Art, Architecture & Design Biennale (IAADB) to be held from December 9-15 will also include
seven “especially-curated” thematic exhibitions which will be housed in three British-era barracks located on the
premises of the Mughal-era monument.
• The day-wise seven themes include in that order -- ‘Doors of India’, ‘Gardens of India’, ‘Baolis of India’, ‘Temples
of India’, ‘Architectural Wders of Independent India’, ‘Indigenous Design’ and ‘Women in Architecture and
Design’.
• A ‘student biennale’ will also be parallelly organised under the banner of the main biennale this
Page : 5
Kakori Train Robbery
• ‘In 1927, four revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement were hanged on December 17 (Rajendranath
Lahiri) and December 19 (Ashfaqullah Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil, Thakur Roshan Singh).’
• This came two years after the Kakori Train Robbery, in which members of the Hindustan Republican Association
(HRA) had looted a train transporting money to the British treasury. It is renamed because the word ‘Kand’ refers
to the sense of humiliation of the incident during India’s freedom struggle.
• The Kakori Train Action was a train robbery, committed by the revolutionaries of the Indian independence
movement against the British Raj on August 9, 1925, in a village called Kakori near Lucknow.

Page : 6
 Learn BITS
Annual Current Affairs Compilation
POLITY & GOVERNANCE

LAW &
LAW & JUSTICE
JUSTICE

1
Page : 7

PART

 JAN-DEC 2023

02 Polity & Governance
Election Commission begins delimitation of constituencies in Assam
• The Election Commission recently said it has started the delimitation process of Assembly and parliamentary
constituencies in Assam
• Census data of 2001 will be used for the process. A delimitation exercise refers to demarcating boundaries of
Assembly and parliamentary constituencies as well as civic wards
• Under Article 82, Parliament is to enact a Delimitation Act after every Census
• At present, Assam has 14 Lok Sabha, 126 Assembly and seven Rajya Sabha seats
• The Commission is supposed to determine the number and boundaries of constituencies in a way that the
population of all seats, so far as practicable, is the same
• The Commission is also tasked with identifying seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Election Commission develops EVM prototype for migrants

• The election Commission of India (ECI) has developed a prototype for the Remote Electronic Voting Machine
(RVM) aimed to facilitate voting for domestic migrants across India
• The Commission in association with a renowned Public Sector Undertaking is now ready to pilot a Multi
Constituency Remote Electronic Voting Machine (RVM) for facilitating participation of domestic migrants
from their remote locations itself i.e., the places of their current residence for purposes of education/employment,
etc., for voting for their home constituencies
• This modified form of EVM can handle up to 72 multiple constituencies from a single remote polling booth
• The ECI has invited all eight recognized national and 57 state political parties to a demonstration of the RVM on
January 16th

Karnataka reclassifies Vokkaligas, Lingayats to raise their OBC quota share

• Recently, Karnataka has categorized the two dominant communities, Vokkaligas and Lingayats, as “moderately
backward” from the “backward” category in a move that could increase their share in reservation for Other
Backward Classes (OBC)
• Karnataka currently has 32% quota for OBC, and 17% and 7% quota for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes, respectively, taking the total to 56%
• The Panchamasali sub-sect of Veerashaiva Lingayats has demanded inclusion in the 2A category which has
15% quota from their current 3B category which has 5% quota
• The Vokkaliga community, which is currently in the 3A category, will be moved to a newly-created 2C category
with 4% reservation
• And the Lingayat community, which is in the 3B category, will now be in a new 2D category with 5% reservation.

Draft rules for online gaming

• ‘A self-regulatory body, mandatory know-your-customer norms for verification, and a grievance redressal
mechanism are among the key proposals in the draft rules for online gaming
• Online games will have to register with a self-regulatory body, and only games cleared by the body will be
allowed to legally operate in India
• The revenue of the Indian mobile gaming industry is expected to reach $5 billion in 2025
• The industry grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38 per cent in India between 2017-2020, as
opposed to 8 per cent in China and 10 per cent in the US
• It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15 per cent to reach Rs 153 billion in revenue by 2024.

Indian Telegraph (Infrastructure Safety) Rules 2022

Page : 8

• The Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications has formulated the Indian
Telegraph (Infrastructure Safety) Rules 2022
• The Central government has envisioned fulfilling the communication needs of the citizens and enterprises through
 establishment of a resilient, secure, accessible and affordable Digital Communications Infrastructure and Services
• Any person, who has dug/excavated any property causing damage to a telegraph infrastructure, shall be liable to
pay the damage charges to the telegraph authority
• The damage charges shall be computed based on such expenses as may be incurred in restoring damage

Centre to end discretionary Haj quota

• Union Minister for Minority Affairs Smriti Irani said that the Centre has done away with the discretionary Haj
quota for pilgrims
• The Haj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims
• It is considered to be a mandatory religious duty for all adult Muslims physically and financially capable of doing
so
• According to the 2018-22 policy document, 70 per cent of India’s total quota goes to the HCoI and 30 per cent
goes to private operators
• While private operators are free to charge as they wish and take anyone who pays, the majority of pilgrims
traditionally go through the HCoI which runs a subsidised tour on the part of the government (though the subsidy
is being phased out)

Amphex 2023
• All three defense forces of India, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force participated in AMPHEX recently
• AMPHEX is a tri-service exercise and was held in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh
• Also, it is an amphibious exercise, meaning both land and sea forces will act together simultaneously
• The 2023 AMPHEX is the largest of all the AMPHEX exercises held so far
• Several Amphibious ships participated in the exercise. INS Jalashwa. INS Airavat, INS Shardul, and INS Gharial
are some of the amphibious ships of the Indian Navy
• Amphibious ships do not mean they can run on land and water
• Amphibious ships are those ships that aid the land forces during an operation

MPLADS Scheme
• The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implemntation (MoSPI)
Rao Inderjit Singh released the Revised Guidelines on Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme
(MPLADS)-2023 recently
• The Hon’ble Minister also launched the new Web-Portal, for implementation of the Revised Fund Flow Procedure
under MPLADS
• The objective of MPLAD Scheme is to enable the Hon’ble Members of Parliament (MPs) to recommend works of
developmental nature with emphasis on the creation of durable community assets based on the locally felt needs
• The revised set of guidelines aims to broaden the scope of the Scheme so as to enable the Hon’ble MPs to
recommend the developmental works as per the changing needs of the community.

India tops list of global internet shut-offs: Report

• In 2022, the Indian government ordered 84 internet shutdowns
• India has been at the top of the list for cutting off the internet to its citizens for five years consecutively
• With 49 shutdowns to its credit, Jammu and Kashmir experienced the most shutdowns in 2022
• This number includes the 16 back-to-back orders for three-day shutdowns in the region in January and February
2022
• The government of Rajasthan imposed shutdowns on 12 different occasions. West Bengal ordered seven shutdowns
in 2022
• Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, govern the
internet shutdown regulations in the country
• The law says temporary suspensions can be implemented “due to public emergency or public safety.
Page : 9
Centre sets up three grievance committees to take up user complaints against
social media platforms
• ‘The Union government has notified the formation of three grievance appellate committees that will address user
complaints against social media and other internet-based platforms
• These panels will also be empowered to oversee and revoke content moderation-related decisions taken by these
platforms
• Each of the three grievances appellate committees (GACs) will have a chairperson, two whole-time members
from different government entities and retired senior executives from the industry for a term of three years from
the date of assumption of office
• The GACs will act also act as a layer of a tech-sector regulator that the ministry is expected to prescribe under the
upcoming Digital India Bill, which is the successor to the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Pvt broadcasters to undertake public service broadcasting for 30 mins daily

• ‘The Union government has said that topics of national importance and social relevance, if found in programmes
shown by private television channels, would count as fulfilment of recent guidelines that require them to broadcast
such content for 30 minutes a day
• The content need not be of 30 minutes at a stretch, can be spread over smaller time slots and shall be counted
cumulatively on a monthly basis i.e. 15 hours per month
• Any content broadcast from midnight to 6 am shall not count
• The channels can “modulate” content to fulfil this obligation except where it may not be feasible, such as in the
case of sports channels.

Digitization of Courts
• The Government has launched the eCourts Integrated Mission Mode Project in the country for computerization of
District and subordinate courts with the objective of improving access to justice using technology
• As part of the National eGovernance Plan, the project is under implementation since 2007 for ICT development
of the Indian Judiciary based on the “National Policy and Action Plan for Implementation of Information and
Communication Technology in the Indian Judiciary
• eCourts project is being implemented in association with e-Committee Supreme Court of India and Department
of Justice
• Phase I of the project was implemented during 2011-2015. Phase II of the project started in 2015 under which
18,735 District & Subordinate courts have been computerised.

NCST functioning with less than 50% of sanctioned strength

• Recently, the data presented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) in Lok Sabha revealed that the National
Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) is currently operating with less than half of its sanctioned strength.
• It is becoming increasingly difficult to carry out its functions without the necessary staffers
• According to Commission data, the ST panel consists of one Chairperson, one Vice-Chairperson, and three
Members (two among V-C and Members must be from ST community)
• It currently has only one Chairperson (Harsh Chouhan) and one Member (Ananta Nayak), with all other
positions, including the mandatory ST Member, vacant for the last three years

State Police Chief Appointment

• The Nagaland government recently issued an order appointing Rupin Sharma as Director General of the state
police, and relieved him of the charge of Home Guards and civil defence
• DGP is selected from the three senior-most officers who have been empanelled for promotion by the UPSC
“on the basis of their length of service, very good record, and range of experience for heading the police force
• The empanelment committee selects the panel of three officers based on merit
• The DGP should have a fixed tenure of two years in the post, irrespective of the date of retirement
Page : 10

• A DGP can be removed only in exceptional circumstances.

World Government Summit 2023
• ‘The World Government Summit 2023 is set to begin on 13th February 2023 in Dubai
• The World Government Summit will be held under the theme of “Shaping Future Governments
• It will bring together global thought leaders, global experts, and decision-makers to share and contribute to the
development of tools, policies, and models that will be critical in shaping future governments
• The World Government Summit will feature 20 presidents, including Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi;
President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan; President of Senegal and Chairperson of the African
Union, Macky Sall, among others.
Uttarakhand govt approves promulgation of ordinance to ensure transparency and fairness in competitive
examinations
• Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen (retd) Gurmit Singh recently gave consent to an ordinance meant to prevent the use
of unfair means in recruitment examinations in the state
• The ordinance called the Uttarakhand Competitive Examination (Measures for prevention of Unfair Means in
Recruitment) has become law
• Under this law, those facilitating the use of unfair means in recruitment examinations will now be liable for a
maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore
• The Law is applicable public examinations for recruitment to posts under the state government, autonomous
bodies run by the government, and authorities, corporations, and institutions operated with grants of the state
government.

Role of Governors and their appointment

• ‘The Rashtrapati Bhavan recently announced the appointments of governors to 12 states and the lieutenant governor
of the Union territory of Ladakh, in a major gubernatorial rejig that has come ahead of assembly elections in some
states and the general elections next year
• Article 153 of the Constitution says “There shall be a Governor for each State
• According to Article 155 “the Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand
and seal
• Under Article 156, “the Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President”, but his term shall be
five years
• He/she is appointed by the President and holds his office during the pleasure of the latter
• A Governor’s normal term of office is five years

Foreigner can’t claim vested right to be guardian for person with disabilities: HC
• ‘The Chief Justice of Delhi High Court recently upheld the validity of Indian laws that allows only Indian citizens
to be appointed as the Guardian of a person with a disability
• The observations were made while hearing the case of an Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholder man
whose adopted son had severe mental retardation
• It was alleged by the petitioner that Rule 17(1)(iii)(a) and Regulation 12(1)(i) of the abovesaid statutes are “ultra
vires” of the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and
Multiple Disabilities Act, 1993 (the Act)
• The main question before the court was whether or not Rule 17 read with Regulation 12 gives a foreigner the right
to be appointed as a guardian.

SC rejects sealed cover suggestions

• The Centre has told the Supreme Court that the “truthfulness” of allegations made by US short-seller Hindenburg
Research against the Adani Group should be examined by an expert panel in order to protect investors
• The Supreme Court had recommended an expert committee to review the matter and review the current framework
for protecting investors in the event of a sharp drop in share prices
• The committee should ascertain and submit a report regarding truthfulness of the allegations made against the
Adani Group in the Hindenburg report
Page : 11

• The committee should submit a report regarding Hindenburg’s claims of taking a short-position in the Adani
group prior to publication of its report.
Aadhaar Linkage with Voter IDs
• ‘The Election Commission of India has said that over 60% of India’s 94.5 crore voters in India have linked their
Aadhaar number to their voter IDs
• In December 2021, the Central Government passed The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 which amended
the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Representation Act, 1951 to implement certain electoral reforms
• The amendment stated that an electoral registration officer may require a person to furnish their Aadhaar number
• The amendments also stated that no individual will be denied inclusion in the electoral roll, nor have their names
deleted from the roll if they are unable to furnish their Aadhaar number due to “sufficient cause as may be
prescribed

Centre extends term of 22nd Law Commission till Aug 2024

• Recently, the Union Cabinet extended by one-and-a-half years the term of the 22nd Law Commission which is
mandated to identify laws that are “no longer relevant” and recommend for their repeal
• The 22nd law panel was constituted for a period of three years on 21 February, 2020 and its chairperson, Justice
(retired) Rituraj Awasthi, assumed office on 9 November, 2022
• Among other things, its responsibilities include identification of laws which are no longer relevant and recommend
the repeal of obsolete and unnecessary enactments
• It is also mandated to suggest enactment of new legislations as may be necessary to implement the Directive
Principles and to attain the objectives set out in the Preamble of the Constitution.

Govt portal to report unresolved social media complaints goes live

• ‘Next time you have a problem with a social media platform that has not been satisfactorily resolved, you can
approach the government’s Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) that has just been launched
• The GAC will have to address your appeal within 30 days
• The digital platform, Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC), is a powerful tool for ensuring accountability of
platforms to their users
• The GAC was one of the provisions in the recently amended Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines
and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
• The framework, which proposes three GACs
• The purpose is to ensure that your Constitutional rights are not contravened by any big-tech platform
• IT Rules 2021 mandates a grievance officer for social media intermediaries like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp
so that you can report rule violations.

Supreme Court verdict on ECI appointments

• A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court recently unanimously ruled that a high-power committee consisting of
the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India must pick the Chief Election
Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs)
• Article 324(2) reads: “The Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and such
number of other Election Commissioners, if any, as the President may from time-to-time fix and the appointment
of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners shall, subject to the provisions of any law
made in that behalf by Parliament, be made by the President

Back Centre releases guidelines for celebrities, social media influencers

• The Department of Consumer Affairs, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has
released a set of guidelines called “Endorsements Know-hows
• The guidelines will help celebrities, influencers, and virtual influencers on social media platforms that they do not
mislead their audiences when endorsing products or services
• The guidelines state that the disclosure must be placed in the endorsement message in a manner that is clear,
prominent, and extremely hard to miss
Page : 12

• Disclosures should not be mixed with a group of hashtags or links

• For endorsements in a picture, disclosures should be superimposed over the image enough for viewers to
notice.
Bar council allows foreign lawyers, legal firms to practice in India
• The Bar Council of India (BCI) recently allowed foreign lawyers and law firms to practice in India on a reciprocity
basis
• Reciprocal laws are statutes of one state that give rights and privileges to the citizens of another state if it extends
similar privileges to the citizens of the former
• According to the rules, a foreign lawyer or law firm is not entitled to practice law in India without registering
with the BCI
• Foreign lawyers will only be allowed to advise on international laws and will not be permitted to appear before
any Indian courts and tribunals
• A primary qualification required from them is a certificate from the competent authority of their country that they
are entitled to practice law in that country.

Disqualification MPs
• ‘Recently, an MP (Member of Parliament) was sentenced to two years in jail in a 2019 Defamation Case over his
remarks about another political leader by the Surat Court
• Article 102 of the Constitution establishes the conditions to disqualify a member of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya
Sabha
• According to Article 103, the President is the final authority on matters relating to the disqualification of
Members of Parliament under the provisions of Article 102(1)
• The President should take the opinion of the Election Commission and act accordingly in such cases
• Under the provisions relating to the Anti-Defection Act, the matter is decided by the Speaker or Chairman of the
House
• Disqualified Mps can challenge the decisions of disqualification in the High Courts.

Par panel recommends new law to define power, functions of CBI

• A parliamentary committee has said that an existing law governing the federal probe agency has “many limitations”
and there is a need to enact a new legislation to define its status, functions and powers
• The department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and
Justice said that according to the provisions of the DSPE Act, the consent of the state government is a prerequisite
for any investigation by the CBI and as on date, nine states have withdrawn the general consent
• The panel said that vacant posts in the CBI are not being filled up at the required pace and recommended that
“every effort should be made to fill up vacancies at the earliest
• A total of 1,709 posts are vacant in the CBI against its sanctioned strength of 7,295.

Guillotine in Parliament
• The Finance Bill 2023, which gives effect to the tax proposals for the fiscal year beginning April 1, was passed in
the Lok Sabha with 45 amendments as opposition members were protesting
• The Guillotine Parliamentary Procedure is a process used in Parliament or state assemblies to group together
and expedite the passage of financial business
• During the Budget session, the procedure is used to save time when all the clauses of a measure cannot be
discussed in the allotted time
• Each Bill is allotted a specific amount of time for consideration in Parliament
• A Bill is usually composed of several clauses. Once the allotted time to discuss the clauses of the Bill is over, the
Speaker of the House rolls out guillotine closure.

Tele-Law Programe
• The Tele-Law programe under the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice achieved a new milestone
with 40 Lakh beneficiaries across the country having been empowered with pre-litigation advice. It enables anyone
to seek legal advice without wasting precious time and money
Page : 13

• The service is free for those who are eligible for free legal Aid as mentioned under Section 12 of Legal Services
Authorities Act, 1987
• It is a service that uses video conferencing facilities and telephone services to connect lawyers to litigants who
need legal advice
• This service aims to reach out to the needy, especially the marginalised and disadvantaged.

PM inaugurates Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Central Bureau of Investigation in

New Delhi
• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI) at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi
• He released a Postage Stamp and Commemorative Coin marking the Diamond Jubilee Celebration year of CBI
and also launched the Twitter handle of CBI
• He also released the updated Administration Manual of CBI, an Almanac on Bank Frauds – case studies and
learning
• In pursuit of justice - Supreme Court Judgements in CBI Cases and a handbook on International Police cooperation
for the exchange of foreign located intelligence & evidence
• As part of the celebrations, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed office complexes of CBI in
three cities – Shillong, Pune, and Nagpur

AAP gets ‘national party’ status

• ‘The Election Commission recently granted national party status to Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
while de-recognised Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congres Party (NCP) and Mamata Banerjee’s TMC as national
parties
• A national party tag allows an organisation to get a common poll symbol across the country, more star campaigners,
free air time on national broadcasters for election campaigns and by convention office space in Delhi
• The Commission said AAP has been named as a national party as it fulfilled the condition of Para 6B(iii) of the
Symbols Order 1968 that accords such status to a state party based on electoral performance in four states Delhi,
Goa, Punjab and most recently in Gujarat.

Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023

• The Central government has recently issued the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, which are designed to comply
with the guidelines set by the Supreme Court in a writ petition involving the Animal Welfare Board of India
(AWBI) and the People for Elimination of Stray Troubles
• The Supreme Court had issued several orders emphasizing that the relocation of dogs was not permissibl
• The rules mandate the implementation of Animal Birth Control programmes for stray dogs by local bodies,
municipalities, municipal corporations, and panchayats
• Effective implementation of the rules can help reduce the stray dog population and address animal welfare issues
• Municipal corporations must jointly implement the Animal Birth Control and Anti Rabies Programmes.

Anti-Money Laundering Law

• Chartered accountants, company secretaries and works accountants who buy property, establish a company and
execute financial transactions on behalf of their clients will now be covered under the anti money laundering law
• Chartered accountants, company secretaries, and works accountants will need to examine ownership and financial
position including clients’ sources of funds
• The amendments have been made in the sub-clause (vi) of clause (sa) of sub-section (1) of Section 2 of the PMLA,
which defines ‘relevant persons’ and firms covered under the anti-money laundering law
• Earlier, the act did not include these professionals
• Now, chartered accountants, company secretaries and cost and works accountants have become ‘reporting entities.

Supreme Court Rules in Favour of Delhi Govt in Tussle with Centre

Page : 14

• The Supreme Court recently ruled unanimously in favour of Delhi government on the issue of who controls the
bureaucracy in the national capital.
• The 5-judge constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, held that the legislature
has control over bureaucrats in administration of services, except in areas outside the legislative powers of the
 National Capital Territory (NCT)
• There are three areas outside the control of Delhi government: public order, police and land
• In 2018, a five-judge Bench comprising then CJI Dipak Misra and Justices Sikri, Bhushan, A M Khanwilkar, and
(now CJI) Chandrachud interpreted Article 239AA of the Constitution which contains special provisions for the
national capital

District Good Governance Index

• Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel will release Gujarat’s First “District Good Governance Index”,
of Gujarat
• Gujarat stood first in the GGI 2021 with an incremental growth of 12.3% over GGI 2019
• The DGGI represents a deeper study of the Gujarat Model of Governance documenting the success stories of
Gujarat that could be adopted by other Districts of the country
• The Index benchmarks governance in all the 33 Districts of Gujarat on 126 data points under 65 indicators spread
across 10 sectors
• It is a uniform tool across Districts of Gujarat to assess the status of governance and impact of various interventions
taken up by the Central and State Governments

National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA)

• The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs inaugurated a two-day National Workshop on the National e-Vidhan
Application (NeVA
• The main objective of this workshop is to promote the adoption of the NeVA platform by all State and Union
Territory Legislatures
• By utilizing technology, the aim is to bring transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to their legislative
proceedings
• NeVA is part of the “Digital India Programme” initiated by the Government of India and is classified as one
of the 44 Mission Mode Projects (MMPs)
• Till now 21 States Legislatures have signed MoU for implementation of the NeVA and the project has been
sanctioned for 17 legislatures and funds have been released to them for implementation of the project
• Among them 9 Legislatures have already become fully digital and are live on NeVA platform.

Retain sedition in IPC, make it tougher: Panel

• The Law Commission of India has recommended the retention of the 153-year-old colonial law on sedition in
India
• The Commission said that Section 124A has its utility in combating anti-national and secessionist elements as it
seeks to protect the elected government from attempts to overthrow it through violent and illegal means
• In 2022, the SC effectively put on hold the colonial-era penal provision, and asked the Centre/states to desist from
arresting/prosecuting people under the contentious provision
• The Union government recently informed the top court that the legislative process of reviewing/reforming the
sedition law was in the “final stages

Govt Sets Up Panel To Recommend Reforms In Arbitration Law

• ‘The Indian government has formed an expert panel with the aim of establishing India as an international arbitration
hub.’
• The panel, set up by the Union law ministry, aims to recommend reforms in the Arbitration and Conciliation Act.
• Attorney General N Venkataramani is also part of the expert committee set up by the Department of Legal
Affairs in the Union law ministry.
• The panel will devise strategy for developing a competitive environment in the arbitration services market for
domestic and international parties that can subserve the interests of the users, particularly in building a regime of
cost-effective arbitration.
Page : 15

• The composition of the Committee is as under: Dr. T.K. Vishwanathan - Former Secretary, Department of Legal
Affairs as the Chairperson.
Report on Panchayat Development Index
• ‘A ‘Panchayat Development Index’ has been formulated by the Centre to evaluate different indicators responsible
for ensuring targeted development in villages.’
• The Index will be a compact statistical tool to measure and monitor development at panchayat level.
• On a pilot basis, data from four districts in Maharashtra Pune, Sangli, Satara and Solapur was compiled.
• PDI will provide a matrix to monitor the progress of panchayats through the scores achieved by them, and the
panchayats will be graded on that basis.
• PDI is the logical culmination of the efforts of the last 10 years. It will tell what happens to the money that is spent
on development, its outcome and what needs to be focused upon.

ECI opens web portal for political parties to file financial accounts
• ‘Election Commission of India (ECI) recently announced that political parties will now be able to file financial
accounts online.’
• This step taken by ECI is a part of the poll panel’s 3C strategy that comprises of clean up, crackdown and
compliance to strengthen transparency and accountability in poltiical funding and expenditure.
• The parties who don’t intend to use the online mode and wish to stick to the traditional way will need to convey
their reasons for doing so.
• After submitting the reason, they may continue to file reports in hard copy format along with CDs or pen drive in
the prescribed formats.
• The step has been taken with twin objectives viz. to overcome difficulties in filing physical reports, and to ensure
timely filing in a standardised format.

National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA) portal

• ‘DARPG has embarked on the journey of third edition of the study- NeSDA 2023.’
• NeSDA 2023 framework has been revised in-line with the contemporary citizens need, leading global digital
government trends and UN e-Government Survey studies.
• It is a periodic assessment intended to improve the effectiveness of States/Union Territories and the Central
Government in delivery of their online services to citizens.
• It is released by Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
• In this assessment, the service portals were evaluated alongside their parent Ministry/portal Department’s in this
project.
• The assessment was conducted by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG)
in association with its knowledge partners NASSCOM and KPMG in 2021.

Data Protection Bill approved by Cabinet

• ‘The Union cabinet recently approved the long-awaited Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill, which will
become India’s first legislation on data privacy and protection once Parliament clears it.’
• This bill empowers the Data Protection Board (DPB) to levy a penalty of up to Rs.250 crore on the organizations
found to be in breach.
• The penalty levied on organization that are in breach can be increased up to Rs.500 crore with cabinet approval
and there is no requirement of any amendment in the law to increase the penalty.
• In Digital Personal Data Protection bill, there is a provision to form a Data Protection Board to monitor the
provisions of the Act.
• All online and offline data will fall under the legal domains of this bill.

Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB)

• ‘Chief election commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar has said that the Association of World Election Bodies
(A-WEB), as a global association, plays a critical role in fostering cooperation amongst Election Management
Bodies (EMBs).’
Page : 16

• Adding that the EMBs, through forums like A-WEB could work together on pressing challenges, including
countering fake narratives which are trying to derail the election integrity worldwide.
• One of the main agendas raised in the meeting by the CEC included setting up an A-WEB portal to serve as a
 repository of electoral best practices and initiatives.
• Kumar also pitched for establishing A-WEB Global Awards for EMBs who make significant contributions and
take important initiatives in the democratic processes.

ATR Module of AuditOnline

• ‘The Action Taken Report (ATR) Module of AuditOnline was launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR)
through video conferencing.’
• To promote greater transparency and accountability in panchayat audits, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched
the AuditOnline application on April 15, 2020.
• States have achieved significant progress, generating over 200,000 Audit Reports in the two last two audit periods
2020–21 and 2021–22.
• As on date, 256,795 Panchayats have been registered; 2,103,058 observations have been documented and 211,278
(approximately 80%) PRI Audit Reports have been generated for audit period 2021–22.
• ATR Module of AuditOnline will enable Panchayats to become more accountable, efficient, empowered and
corruption-free, ensuring a seamless management and utilization of funds at Gram Panchayat level across the
country.

Increase Retirement Age Of SC Judges To 67 Years And HC Judges To 65 Years

• A parliamentary committee has urged the government to hike the retirement age of Supreme Court and high court
judges to tide over their shortage in higher judiciary
• The parliamentary standing committee on law and personnel said that to reduce the pendency of cases, the existing
vacancies for judges need to be filled up immediately
• It said the vacancies arising in the future should be filled up “strictly” as per guidelines laid down by the apex
court in a 1993 judgement
• It recommended that the retirement age of SC judges be raised to 67 years from the present 65 and that of HC
judges to 65 from the present 62

No Confidence motion in Lok Sabha

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi replied to the Motion of No Confidence in Lok Sabha
• Under Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, a No Confidence Motion is
a formal request made by the opposition against the current administration in the Lok Sabha
• After the motion is passed, the ruling party is required to quit if it cannot demonstrate its majority in the Lok Sabha
• The Lok Sabha’s No Confidence Motion is a crucial weapon against the Council of Ministers
• The Speaker may convene the members to request leave to introduce the motion, according to Rule 198 (1) (a).
• According to Rule 198 (1)(b), the opposition members requesting the motion shall provide the Lok Sabha
Secretary-General with a formal notice by 10 AM on the proposal day

New bill on election body appointments

• The government introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha that seeks to negate a March 2023 Supreme Court verdict
on the selection of the chief election commissioner (CEC) and other election commissioners (ECs) in the Election
Commission
• The bill says that if the leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha has not been recognised as such, then the
leader of the largest party in the Opposition in the Lower House shall be deemed the LoP
• Currently, the CEC and election commissioners are appointed by the President on the aid and advice of the
Council of Ministers
• The judiciary does not have any say in the appointments
• The appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners shall not be invalid merely
by reason of any vacancy in or any defect in the constitution of the Selection Committee

Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill 2023

Page : 17

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three bills in the Lok Sabha which aims to replace British-era laws
in a bid to overhaul the criminal justice system in India.’
• The latest in this list are three bills that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha
Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 that have been introduced by Amit Shah in Lok Sabha.
• The sedition law was drafted by Thomas Macaulay in 1837 and was added to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in 1870
by James Stephen as Section 124A.
• The IPC, which was framed by the British in the year 1860, has been the core of the criminal justice system of the
country for more than 160 years.

Monsoon Session Of Parliament Adjourns Sine Die

• The Monsoon Session, 2023 of Parliament which commenced on 20th of July, 2023 has been adjourned sine die
• During the Session 20 Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha and 5 Bills were introduced in Rajya Sabha
• 22 Bills were passed by Lok Sabha and 25 Bills were passed by Rajya Sabha. One Bill each was withdrawn with
the leave of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively
• Total number of Bills passed by both Houses of Parliament during the Session is 23
• The sitting of the Parliament in both the Houses can be terminated only by adjournment, adjournment sine die,
prorogation and dissolution (not applicable for Rajya Sabha)

Back Parliament clears 28% GST on online gaming, casinos

• ‘The Parliament has approved the necessary legislative modifications for implementing the Goods and Services
Tax (GST) Council’s proposal to levy a 28% tax on the full value of deposits made by individuals to online gaming
platforms, casinos, and horse racing clubs
• The laws will come into effect in October. It’s important to note that the 28% GST applies solely to instances
involving wagering on gaming sites
• GST will not be imposed on casual gaming services offered by the platforms
• Any payment made for these activities in crypto assets will also be taxable
• Besides, activities wherein players make deposits or pay in monetary form or in the form of virtual digital assets
(VDAs) with the expectation of winning money or an equivalent, including VDAs, fall under the scope of online
money gaming

Annual Capacity Building Plan of Department of Rural Development

• Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh today launched the Annual Capacity Building
plan of his Ministry at a function in New Delhi
• The Annual Capacity Building Plan is a comprehensive strategic document designed to aid in the development
and improvement of skills of individuals
• The capacity building will enhance the work efficiency of the officials and will help remove the shortcomings in
the nature of working
• The ACBP will play a pivotal role in service delivery, program implementation and performing core governance
functions

Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal-II

• The Cabinet has approved the terms of reference of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal that will govern the
division of the river water between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. ‘
• KWDT (Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal) will provide new terms of reference under which the tribunal will
divide the water of the Krishna River among both states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, in the future.
• It will allocate water on a project-wise basis for the proposed projects in both states that are intended for
developmental or future purposes.
• Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II was constituted by the Central Government on 02.04.2004 on requests made
by the party States under Section 3 of the ISRWD Act, 1956.

Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in the State of Telangana

• The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval to the amending of the Central Universities Act, 2019 for
setting up of Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University at Mulugu district of Telangana.’
Page : 18

• The new university will increase access, improve the quality of higher education in the state and promote avenues
of higher education as well as advance knowledge by providing instructional and research facilities in tribal art,
culture and traditional knowledge system for the benefit of the tribal population in the state.
• This new university will also create additional capacity and will strive to remove regional imbalances.
Tripura becomes fourth state to introduce e-cabinet system
• In a significant leap towards a more technologically advanced and environmentally responsible governance
system, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha recently introduced the state’s e-cabinet system.’
• This move positions Tripura as the fourth Indian state, and the second in the Northeast region, to adopt an e-cabinet
system after Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• The introduction of this system signifies a commitment to paperless cabinet meetings, reducing the carbon footprint
and promoting environmental sustainability through the use of digital tablets by ministers and bureaucrats.
• The launch of the system was made possible through collaboration between the National Informatics Centre and
the state’s information and cultural affairs department.

UGC to train over 1,000 teachers to teach Indian knowledge systems from degree level
• ‘More than 1,000 university teachers across the country are being equipped with a working understanding of
Indian traditions, culture and way of life, to enable them to teach relevant courses on Indian knowledge systems.’
• The training is being imparted, keeping in mind the University Grants Commission’s plans to start two credit
courses giving an overview of Indian culture and traditions in the first years of both the UG and PG programmes
in varsities across the country.
• In fact, UGC intends to train 15 lakh teachers in IKS over the next two years.
• The main areas being covered are parampara (tradition), drishti (perspective), and loukik prayojan (modern
relevance) of ancient Indian knowledge systems.
• The six-day training has been divided into four parts.

Digital India Act

• ‘Nations worldwide are grappling with the need to update their legal frameworks to adapt to the evolving digital
landscape. India, with its ambitious ‘Digital India’ initiative, is no exception.’
• The recent announcement of the Digital India Act 2023 (DIA) represents a significant step towards establishing
a future-ready legal framework for the country’s burgeoning digital ecosystem.
• This move by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) signals a proactive approach
to regulating and shaping the digital future of the nation.
• The DIA, poised to replace the two-decade-old Information Technology Act of 2000 (IT Act), is designed
to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the dramatic growth of the internet and emerging
technologies.

Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS) 2.0

• Union Minister of State Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the Intelligent Grievance Monitoring
System (IGMS) 2.0 Public Grievance portal of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances
(DARPG).’
• This is a major upgradation of Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS)
portal using AI/ML in terms of its capabilities.
• The IGMS 2.0 Dashboard has been developed by the team at IIT Kanpur comprising Professor Shalabh,
Professor Nisheeth Srivastava, and students.
• The CPGRAMS portal receives around 20 lakh grievances annually.
• The classification and monitoring of grievances cannot be done manually.
• The upgraded IGMS portal will assist the DARPG with the creation of a draft letter for the selected scheme/
ministry and expedite the grievance redressal process by the concerned ministry/department.

Rights of Unborn Child

• ‘The Supreme Court is hearing a married woman’s request to end her 26-week pregnancy.’
• The 27-year-old married woman, who already has two boys, has argued that the pregnancy was unplanned.
• She has said that her family income is insufficient to support another child, and that she is under medication for
Page : 19

post partum depression after the birth of her second child.

• Section 3B of the Rules under the MTP Act lists seven categories of forced pregnancies, including statutory rape
in case of minors or sexual assault; women with disabilities; or when there is a change in marital status of women
during pregnancy.
One Nation One ID card for School
• ‘As a part of the National Education Policy(NEP) 2020, the Union Ministry has come up with a plan to create
unique ID numbers for school students across India. ‘
• This ID, which will be unique to each student, will track the educational progress, achievements and other
particulars about specific student.
• Ministry of Education will generate APAAR ID based on Aadhaar number of each student for which separate
consent of the parents is required.
• The state has also asked teachers to update blood group, height and weight of students in UDISE data.

Amendment to Aircraft Rules, 1937

• ‘In a bid to enhance the aviation industry’s business-friendly environment, the government has extended the
validity of commercial pilot licenses to ten years.’
• Earlier, the validity of the Commercial Pilot License (CPL) was five years and had to be renewed after the period
ended.
• The Civil Aviation Ministry has amended the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
• It said the change will help reduce the administrative load on pilots and aviation authorities like the DGCA,
fostering a more efficient and streamlined licensing procedure.
• The validity of licenses in relation to Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) and Commercial

Supreme Court refers electoral bonds case to 5-judge Constitution Bench

• ‘Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud referred the challenge to the validity of the electoral bonds scheme,
which facilitates anonymous donations to political parties, to a Constitution Bench of five judges.’
• Advocate Prashant Bhushan, for petitioner NGO Association for Democratic Reforms, had pressed the court to
hear and decide the electoral bonds issue before the Lok Sabha election in 2024.
• The court has agreed to the petitioners’ urging to focus primarily on two issues concerning the electoral bonds
scheme, that is, the legalisation of anonymous donations to political parties and the violation of citizens’ right to
information about the funding of political parties, promoting corruption.
• The two issues concern violation of Articles 19, 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

Same-Sex Marriage Verdict

• ‘The Supreme Court of India has delivered its verdict on the issue of same sex marriage in India in the country.’
• The court was hearing a bunch of petitions, asking for legalization of Same Sex Marriage in India, citing rights of
LGBTQIA+ people.
• The bench recognised equal rights for queer people and their protection, and called for sensitisation of the public
to ensure they are not discriminated against.
• The bench was unanimous that marriage is a statutory right and not a fundamental right guaranteed by the
Constitution and, hence, a subject matter for the Parliament and state legislatures.
• The centre had also decided to form a committee headed by the cabinet secretary to examine the administrative
steps for addressing “genuine human concerns” of same-sex couples.

ST status for Meiteis was considered and rejected in 1982 and 2001
• ‘A proposal on the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes list has been examined and rejected
twice over the last four decades.’
• The Union and Manipur governments have not made this information public during the ongoing ethnic conflict in
the State, nor presented these records in the Manipur High Court court case on the Meitei petition for inclusion.
• Meiteis are the largest community in Manipur and there are 34 recognized tribes broadly classified as ‘Any Kuki
Tribes’ and ‘Any Naga Tribes’.
• The Imphal valley in the state, at the centre of Manipur, accounts for about 10% of its landmass and is home
Page : 20

primarily to the Meitei and Meitei Pangals who constitute roughly 64.6% of
OBCs and subcategories
• ‘The Minister for Backward Classes Welfare in Andhra Pradesh said recnetly that the state will begin a backward
classes census.’
• The publication of the results of the caste survey in Bihar earlier this month had raised the possibility that other
states too would announce similar exercises as the country enters a new cycle of elections.
• The enumeration of castes, as well as the sub-categorisation of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in order to
ensure equity in the distribution of reservation benefits have been hot-button issues for long.
• The expression ‘OBC’ was coined to denote backward/ marginalised communities and castes that were not
Scheduled Castes (SCs) or Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Supreme Court to not allow same-sex marriage

• ‘Recently, a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, declined to legalise same-sex marriage, leaving
it to Parliament to legislate on the subject. The Bench ruled that there is no fundamental right to marry, and the
court cannot intervene.’
• Though all five judges accepted that it was time to end discrimination against same-sex couples, they failed to
reach a consensus on giving queer couples the status of a legally recognised “civil union,” with a majority of three
judges holding that any legal status to such a union can only be through enacted law.
• The Supreme Court said it could not issue a mandamus to Parliament; it determined the scope and effect
of certain fundamental rights, and then ruled that the Constitution does not recognise marriage as a fundamental
right.

Dam Safety Act

• ‘Nations worldwide are grappling with the need to update their legal frameworks to adapt to the evolving digital
landscape. India, with its ambitious ‘Digital India’ initiative, is no exception.’
• The recent announcement of the Digital India Act 2023 (DIA) represents a significant step towards establishing a
future-ready legal framework for the country’s burgeoning digital ecosystem.
• This move by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) signals a proactive approach to
regulating and shaping the digital future of the nation.
• • The DIA, poised to replace the two-decade-old Information Technology Act of 2000 (IT Act), is designed
to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the dramatic growth of the internet and emerging
technologies.

One-nation, one-poll
• ‘The Law Commission, headed by Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, former Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, is
likely to support the idea of holding elections to Parliament and all state assemblies together.’
• If elections were to be held simultaneously in 2029, the EC would require a total of 53.76 lakh ballot units, 38.67
lakh control units, and 41.65 lakh VVPATs.
• The anticipated shortfall is 26.55 lakh ballot units, 17.78 lakh control units and 17.79 lakh VVPATs, for
which the government would need to allocate close to Rs 8,000 crore.
• The increased demand for voting machines and VVPATs in 2029 is due to the growing number of voters and
polling stations.
• The latter is expected to increase from 11.8 lakh in 2024 to 13.57 lakh in 2029.

How are symbols allotted to political parties in India?

• The Supreme Court refused to entertain a petition filed by the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) party in
Telangana, challenging the allotment of election symbols to two other parties.’
• BRS argued that the symbols of ‘road roller’ and ‘chapatti roller’, which were allotted to a ‘Yuga Thulasi Party’
and ‘Alliance of Democratic Reforms Party’ respectively, looked similar to BRS’s symbol of a car.
• This might confuse the voters during elections, it said. However, the SC declined the petition, saying voters were
intelligent enough to differentiate between the symbols.
Page : 21

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for the allotment of symbols.
• This is done under The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
Centre to roll out DNA, face matching systems at police stations across India
• ‘More than a year after the Criminal Procedure Identification Act (CrPI) was passed by Parliament, the Centre is
all set to roll out ‘DNA and Face Matching’ systems at 1,300 police stations across the country.’
• The provisions of the Act are yet to be implemented entirely on the ground.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has constituted a Domain Committee for the successful implementation
of the Act with representatives from State police, Central law enforcement agencies and other key stakeholders.
• A technical sub-committee for preparing the SOPs for capturing DNA as a measurement has also been constituted.
• The States have been asked to identify the locations and prepare the sites where the Measurement Collection
Unit (MCU) may be established as suggested by the NCRB.

Food labels to have QR code to help the visually disabled

• ‘The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended the inclusion of QR code on food
products for accessibility by visually impaired individuals.’
• FSSAI has recently notified the draft Regulations on Food Recall Procedure to provide guidance to Food Business
Organisations (FBO).
• This will enhance the present regulatory system.
• This will ensure access to safe food for all including individuals with special needs such as visually impaired
individuals.
• To enhance accessibility, Food Business Operators are encouraged to incorporate provisions that facilitate
easy access to nutritional information for visually impaired individuals.
• The FSSAI notes that ensuring inclusive access to information is a fundamental right of citizens.

Lok Sabha Ethics Committee

• ‘The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee received an affidavit from businessman Darshan Hiranandani, who alleged that
he paid Moitra to raise questions in Parliament on his behalf.’
• The Ethics Committee was first constituted in the Rajya Sabha in 1997 and in the Lok Sabha in 2000.
• It was made a permanent committee in the Lok Sabha in 2015.
• The Ethics Committee in the Lok Sabha consists of 15 members.
• The Speaker appoints members of the committee for one year.
• The primary role of the Ethics Committee is to oversee and maintain the moral and ethical conduct of members
of Parliament.
• It examines cases of misconduct referred to it.
• The committee has the authority to entertain complaints against members of Parliament submitted by any person,
including other members of Parliament.

Telangana’s law under scanner

• ‘As Telangana gears up for Assembly polls next month, its stringent preventive detention law is under the spotlight.’
• In at least three separate instances, the Supreme Court has red-flagged the Telangana government’s use of the law.
• The latest was in a ruling recently, where a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Dutta underlined that the
“pernicious trend prevalent in the state of Telangana” has not escaped the Court’s attention.
• Preventive detention means detention of a person by the state without trial and conviction by court, but merely
on suspicion.
• The detention could be up to a year unless extended.

One nation, One Student ID

• ‘Recently, several state governments requested schools to seek parental consent for the creation of a new student
identity card known as the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR).’
• This is part of the ‘One nation, One Student ID’ initiative of the Union government, stemming from the new
National Education Policy of 2020.
Page : 22

• APAAR, which stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry, is envisioned as a special ID
system for all students in India, starting from childhood.
• The goal behind introducing APAAR is to make education hassle-free and reduce the need for students to carry
physical documents.
• This initiative was launched as part of the National Education Policy 2020 by the Education Ministry

.The T.N. experience on caste surve

• ‘Recently, the Government of the State of Bihar released findings of the Caste Survey, 2023 which revealed that
Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) together constitute 63 % of the state’s
total population.’
• The last caste census was conducted in 1931, and data was made publicly available by the British Government
of the day.
• This caste census became the basis for the implementation of Mandal Commission Reports and subsequent
reservation policies by the government for Other Backward Classes.
• The Second Backward Classes Commission (1982-85) in Tamil Nadu even recommended a reduction in
reservation percentages.
• The First BC panel (1969-70), led by A.N. Sattanathan, suggested raising BC reservations, but the idea of a
creamy layer hasn’t gained political backing.

Supreme Court allows surrogacy, strikes down rule banning use of donor gametes
• ‘Two-judge Bench comes to the rescue of a woman suffering from the rare medical condition of Mayer Rokitansky
Kuster Hauser syndrome by staying the operation of a law which threatened to wreck her hopes of becoming a
mother.’
• Medical board records showed she has “absent ovaries and absent uterus, hence she cannot produce her own
eggs/oocytes”.
• The couple had begun the process of gestational surrogacy, through a donor.
• The 2023 amendment contradicted the Sections 2(r) and 4 of the Surrogacy Act, 2021 which recognised the
situation when a medical condition would require a couple to opt for gestational surrogacy in order to become
parents.

Parliamentary panel withholds draft report on Bills replacing criminal laws

• ‘The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affair postponed its adoption of a draft report on three Bills
seeking to replace the existing criminal laws.’
• One of the key points of contention, the Hindi nomenclature of the Bills, has not been accepted in the draft reports
circulated so far.
• The panel’s report on the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, states that since the text of the Bill is in
English, it does not violate the provisions of Article 348 of the Constitution.
• Which says that the language to be used in the Supreme Court and High Courts as well as for Acts, Bills, and other
legal documents shall be English.

DNA systems in Police stations

• ‘In April 2022, the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act (CrPI) was passed by Parliament.’
• The Act enables police and central investigating agencies to collect, store and analyse physical and biological
samples including retina and iris scans of arrested persons.
• The rules that would govern the Act were notified in September 2022.
• However, the Act is yet to be implemented fully as the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the nodal agency,
is still preparing the guidelines and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to implement the legislation.
• The NCRB operates under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• The NCRB has said that these measures will be rolled out in around 1,300 locations across the country.

Anti -Defection law

• ‘The Supreme Court on October 30 directed Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar to decide
Page : 23

disqualification petitions filed under the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection law) of the Constitution against the Chief
Minister Eknath Shinde camp in the Shiv Sena dispute by December 31, 2023.’
• The current situation can be traced back to the post-poll scenario in Maharashtra in 2019.
• That year, the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance won 161 of the 288 Assembly seats.
• However, a one-month deadlock occurred amid an intensifying power struggle over the CM’s chair.

Issues in Electoral Bonds

• A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud is expected to hear a
batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Centre’s electoral bonds scheme.’
• The Centre’s rationale behind introducing the electoral bonds scheme was to “cleanse the system of political
funding in the country” and bring about “transparency in electoral funding in India”.
• The Finance Act(s) of 2016 and 2017 amended four separate legislations to make way for the electoral bonds
scheme, including the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010; the RPA, 1951; the Income Tax Act, 1961;
and the Companies Act, 2013.
• The plan will enhance the abilities of the officials by attending need based training to acquire relevant competencies
to enable them to perform better.

eCourt project & National Judicial Data Grid

• ‘The Wide Area Network (WAN) Project under eCourts project is aimed at connecting all District and Subordinate
court complexes, spread across the country using various technologies like OFC, RF, VSAT.’
• e-Courts project is being implemented in association with e-Committee Supreme Court of India and the Department
of Justice.
• Open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have been introduced in 2020 to allow Central and State
Governments and institutional litigants including local bodies to access NJDG data to improve pendency
monitoring and compliance.
• 7 platforms have been created to provide real-time information on case status, cause lists, judgements, etc. to
lawyers/Litigants.
• Video-conferencing (VC) facilities have also been enabled between court complexes and corresponding jails.

National Deep Tech Startup Policy

• The government recently issued a Draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy to address the challenges faced by
startups as well as for policy interventions to enhance the ecosystem
• The draft NDTSP suggests necessary changes in nine policy areas such as nurturing research, development
and innovation; strengthening the intellectual property regime; facilitating access to funding; enabling shared
infrastructure and resource sharing; creating conducive regulations, standards, and
• Certifications; attracting human resources and initiating capacity building; promoting procurement and adoption;
ensuring policy and program interlinkages; and sustaining deep tech startups
• The draft policy was shaped by the National Consortium and Working Group set up by the Prime Minister’s
Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC), which received inputs from over 200
stakeholders within and outside the deep tech startup ecosystem

Broadcast regulation 3.0, commissions and omissions

• ‘The Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill released recently by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
(MIB) is part of an arc of endeavours to regulate broadcasting in an integrated manner.’
• The last initiative to take on this ambitious task was back in 2007, in the form of the Broadcasting Services
Regulation Bill.
• Ten years before that, when cable and satellite broadcasting was in its infancy, the Broadcasting Bill of 1997
scripted the first effort to visualise an integrated regulatory framework for this sector.
• The recent third rendition of a Broadcasting Bill comes on the heels of a pre-consultation paper on ‘National
Broadcasting Policy’ by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), a document initiated following a
reference from the MIB.
Page : 24
Understanding simultaneous elections
• ‘Recently, the Union Government notified the formation of a six-member panel to ‘examine and make
recommendations for holding simultaneous elections’ in the Lok Sabha, State assemblies and local bodies.’
• For this purpose, the panel has been entrusted with the task of proposing specific amendments to the Constitution
and any other legal changes necessary to enable simultaneous elections.
• The panel also has to give its opinion on whether the proposed amendments shall require the assent of half
of the State assemblies, as stipulated in Article 368.
• On October 25, the panel had an interaction with the Law Commission to discuss the roadmap to synchronise
Parliamentary and Assembly elections by 2029.

History of UNLF, Meitei insurgent group that signed peace deal with Centre
• ‘The accord signed recently by the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) in Manipur with the government of
India is, therefore, a welcome move.’
• The significance of striking a peace accord with the oldest insurgent group in the state cannot go unnoticed as it
sets an example for others.
• UNLF is only one of the nine valley-based insurgent groups to sign the accord and Manipur has abrogated the
Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Kuki militant groups.
• Over the years, UNLF has experienced divisions, leading to the emergence of the Pambei faction in 2021.
• The terms of the agreement are not known. The involvement of militants in the latest ethnic conflict may complicate
the issue further.

President Murmu advocates for All India Judicial Service

• ‘During her inaugural address at the Supreme Court’s Constitution Day celebration, President Droupadi Murmu
called for an “all-India judicial service” to recruit judges, saying this will help make the judiciary diverse by
increasing representation from marginalised social groups.’
• There can be an all-India judicial service which can select brilliant youngsters and nurture and promote their
talents from lower levels to higher levels.
• Those who aspire to serve the Bench can be selected from across the country to create a larger pool of talent.
• Such a system can offer opportunities to the less-represented social groups too.
• Article 312 of the Constitution provides for the establishment of an All-India Judicial Service (AIJS), along the
lines of the central civil services.

Impact of liquor prohibition in Bihar

• ‘The Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that there would be a fresh “house-to-house” survey to assess the
impact of liquor prohibition in Bihar. ‘
• The survey is likely to begin from mid-December. There have been two surveys on the impact of the liquor ban in
the State — in August 2018 and February 2023, initiated by the State government.
• The first survey, conducted by Patna-based Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI) said there has been
a positive impact after prohibition on people of the State as 1.64 crore have quit drinking, and spent the money
saved to buy milk, vegetables and clothes.

India, disability inclusion and the power of ‘by’

• ‘Disability as an identity and entity exists at the intersection of multiple vulnerabilities — social, economic and
gender — with each facet requiring careful consideration when conceptualising action for equity.’
• In India, the Central and State governments have various schemes for persons with disabilities and a unique id for
persons with disabilities (UDID) card, established as part of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016).
• The first step is awareness to ensure last-mile connectivity of the benefits enumerated for people with disabilities
by the government, which begins with the capacity-building of community leaders who can advocate for this at
the grass-roots level.
Page : 25
Re-criminalising adultery as a gender-neutral offence
• ‘Recently, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, examining the three new criminal law Bills
set to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act,
recommended the criminalisation of adultery but on gender-neutral lines.’
• This follows almost five years after a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court unanimously
decriminalised adultery in 2018 on several grounds including discriminationThe Committee reasoned that
adultery be criminalised in a gender-neutral manner on the ground that it is crucial to safeguard the sanctity of the
institution of marriage.
• Opposition MPs have however refuted this claim by underscoring that it is “outdated to raise marriage to the level
of a sacrament” and that the State has no business to enter into the private lives of couples and punish the alleged
wrongdoer.

RS passes Post Office Bill to amend 125-year-old Indian Post Office Act
• ‘The Rajya Sabha recently passed the Post Office Bill to govern all services offered by post offices, such as saving
accounts, benefit transfer by the government, and insurance schemes, replacing the 125-year-old Indian Post
Office Act that mainly dealt with mail delivery.’
• The new Bill will make India Post globally competitive, boost trade, facilitate international delivery and logistics,
and promote financial inclusion in rural areas.
• The Bill allows the interception of a shipment being transmitted through the post on certain grounds such as any
“public emergency” or in the interest of “public safety” or tranquillity and sought the Centre’s clarification on
both the terms.
• Such interceptions may be carried out by Central, State governments or any officer specially authorised by them.

Parliament passes Advocates Amendment Bill

• ‘The Lok Sabha recently passed a Bill that seeks to regulate the legal profession by targeting “touts”.’
• The Advocates (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides that every High Court and District judge can frame and publish
lists of touts, who procure clients for legal practitioners in return for any payment.
• The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023, was introduced in Rajya Sabha on August 1, 2023. It amends the
Advocates Act, 1961.
• The Bill repeals certain sections related to touts under the Legal Practitioners Act, 1879.

Centre of Excellence for transgender healthcare

• ‘The All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), New Delhi, recently announced its plans to open a Centre of
Excellence for transgender healthcare in 2024.’
• Transgender people have been historically discriminated against and marginalised — pathologised and labelled
mentally diseased.
• They have been subject to unscientific and inhuman practices like “conversion therapy” by medical practitioners.
• The community lacks access to healthcare because of structural barriers like exclusionary infrastructure,
lack of services and trained and sensitised healthcare workers.
• In 2019, Parliament enacted the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act that re-emphasised the role
of governments in holistic healthcare services to the community — providing sex reassignment surgery, hormone
therapy, counselling services, HIV sero-surveillance and mental health services.

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill

• ‘The Jammu & Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 is aimed at amending the Jammu and Kashmir
Reservation Act, 2004.’
• The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 provided reservation in jobs and admission in professional
institutions to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and other socially and educationally backward
classes.
Page : 26

• The amendment Bill suggests a change in the nomenclature of a section of people who were earlier described as
“weak and under privileged classes (social castes)” to “other backward classes”.
• The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to amend the 2019 Act and provide
 representation in the Legislative Assembly to the Kashmiri Migrants and

Supreme Court hearing on the challenge to Section 6A of the Citizenship Act

• ‘The Supreme Court directed the Union Government to furnish data on the number of immigrants who were
conferred Indian citizenship through Section 6A(2) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.’
• It is a special provision inserted into the 1955 Act in furtherance of a Memorandum of Settlement called the
‘Assam Accord’ signed on August 15, 1985, by the then Rajiv Gandhi Government with the leaders of the Assam
Movement to preserve and protect the Assamese culture, heritage, linguistic and social identity.
• The provision establishes March 24, 1971, as the cut-off date for entry into the State – those who came to the
State on or after January 1, 1966, but before March 25, 1971, were to be declared as “foreigners” and would have
all the rights and obligations of Indian citizens except that they would not be able to vote for 10 years.

Supreme Court to deliver verdict on Article 370

• ‘Article 370 is a constitutional provision that gave Jammu and Kashmir its special status.’
• The provision was incorporated in Part XXI of the Constitution: Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions.
• Pandit Nehru, on the floor of Lok Sabha on 27th November 1963, said that Article 370 has been eroded and the
process of gradual erosion is going on.
• Under Article 370 of the Constitution of India, the President had the power of issuing orders for the application
of provisions of the Constitution of India with modifications, exceptions and amendments in the provisions.

J&K Resident
• ‘After the August 5-6, 2019 amendment of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K into two Union Territories, the
central government redefined “permanent residents” of J&K as “domiciles”.’
• The new definition said that anyone could be a domicile of the UT of J&K if they had resided therein for 15 years;
or studied there for seven years and appeared for their Class 10/12 examination in an educational institution in
J&K; or those who had registered as migrants, and their children.
• On November 17, 1956, the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir adopted a separate constitution for the
then state, which redefined state subjects as “permanent residents”.

The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment,

Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023
• ‘The Rajya Sabha passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment,
Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, the legislation that will guide the appointment of the Chief Election
Commissioner (CEC) and the Election Commissioners (EC) in future.’
• The Law Minister said the 1991 Act did not have a clause related to the appointment of the CEC and other ECs.
• He said the names of the Commissioners had so far been decided by the government, and from now on, a search
and selection committee would overlook the process.
• A clause related to protection from initiation of legal proceedings against the CEC and ECs for actions taken
while carrying out their duties has also been introduced through the Bill.

Crime against women

• ‘The crime rate may have declined in 2022 (258.1 per lakh population compared to 268 per lakh population in
2021), but crimes against women rose 4% in 2022 compared to 2021.’
• The NCRB’s report reveals that over 4.45 lakh cases of crimes against women were registered in 2022, equivalent
to nearly 51 FIRs (first information report) every hour.
• The rate of crimes against women per lakh population stood at 66.4 while the filing of charge sheets in such cases
was pegged at 75.8.
• The representation of women in the police force (as of January 1, 2022) remained at 11.7% of the total state police
force.
Page : 27
Centre tables Bill to push deadline for regularising illegal colonies in Capital
• ‘The Union government introduced a Bill in Parliament to extend for a period of three years the validity of a
Central Act, which provides for the recognition of unauthorised colonies and relocation of slum dwellers.’
• The Bill amends this to provide that unauthorised colonies will be identified for regularisation as per the National
Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Act, 2019, and
the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies)
Regulations, 2019.
• The legislation provides that the unauthorised colonies which existed as on 1st June 2014, and have 50 per cent
development as on 1st January, 2015, will be eligible for regularisation.

Revised criminal reform Bills in Parliament

• ‘Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed members of the Lok Sabha that the three criminal codes that seek to
replace the British-era laws will be withdrawn and replaced with three new Bills after incorporating the changes
recommended by a parliamentary committee.’
• The Bills were referred to the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs on August
18 for consideration.
• The three criminal codes — Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Bill, 2023, and
the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Bill, 2023 — that sought to replace the Indian Evidence Act,
1872, Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.

Supreme Court’s verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370

• ‘A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the power of the President to abrogate Article
370 of the Constitution, which in August 2019 led to the reorganisation of the State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)
into two Union Territories and denuded it of its special privileges.’
• It reasoned that Article 370 was only a ‘temporary provision’ to ease the accession of the then princely State to
the Union at a time of internal strife and war.
• J&K became an integral part of the territory of India with the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950,
the Chief Justice observed— “Any interpretation of Article 370 cannot postulate that the integration of Jammu
and Kashmir with India was temporary”.

Forest Rights Act

• ‘Recently, the Rajya Sabha endorsed the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of
Forest Rights) Act, enacted by the Lok Sabha.’
• This Act, commonly known as the Forest Rights Act, or FRA, marks a watershed in India’s socio-environmental
legislation, as it attempts to put an end to the long-drawn conflict over supposed ‘forest encroachments’.
• Simultaneously, it seeks to create a much more democratic, bottom-up forest governance.
• The implementation of the FRA has been plagued by political opportunism, forester resistance and bureaucratic
apathy, and the discourse around it by deliberate canards and misconceptions.
• Hence, 17 years after it was enacted, the FRA has barely begun to deliver on its promise of freeing forest-dwellers
from historic injustices and democratising forest governance.

Selecting Election Commissioners

• ‘Recently, the Rajya Sabha passed The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners
(Appointment, Conditions of Office and Terms of Office) Bill, 2023.’
• It is likely to be enacted into a law after being passed by the Lok Sabha in the current winter session.
• It provides for the procedure for appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the other two
Election Commissioners (ECs).
• Article 324 provides for the composition of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• It consists of the CEC and two other ECs.
Page : 28

• In South Africa, the President of the Constitutional Court, representatives of the Human rights Court and
gender equality are involved.
• In the U.K., the House of Commons approves the candidates, whereas in the U.S., the appointment is by the
President and confirmed by the Senate.
Post Office Bill, 2023
• ‘The Post Office Bill, 2023, seeks to repeal the 125-year-old Indian Post Office Act and consolidate and amend
the law relating to post offices in the country.’
• The new bill introduces a range of changes, redefining the role of the central government, empowering the
Director General of Postal Services, and addressing key aspects such as interception of postal articles, liability
exemptions, and the removal of certain offences and penalties.
• The existing Indian Post Office Act of 1898 also provides for interception, albeit with some differences.
• Section 26 of the Act empowered the central government, state government, or a specially authorized officer
to issue a written order for the interception, detention, or disposal of any postal article or a specific class or
description of postal articles.

Telecommunications Bill,2023
• ‘The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, introduced in the Lok Sabha,allows the government to take over, manage
or suspend any or all telecommunication services or networks in the interest of national security.’
• The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, aims to replace the 138-year-old Indian Telegraph Act that governs the
telecom sector.
• The new bill proposes the government be vested with the power to waive off entry fees, licence fee, penalty etc.
in the interest of consumers, ensuring competition in the market, availability or continuity of telecom networks,
and national security.
• The bill had also proposed to curb the power of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), on which
industry players had raised concerns.

One person, one vote, one value

• ‘Political equality in liberal democracies is not only about equality of opportunity to participate in the political
decision-making process, but also about carrying a vote value that is equal to that of other members of the
community.’
• Quantitative dilution happens when votes receive unequal weight due to huge deviations in the population among
the constituencies.
• Qualitative dilution happens when a voter’s chance of electing a representative of their choice is reduced due to
gerrymandering (redrawing of boundaries to favour a candidate/party).
• Thus, delimitation of constituencies plays a major role in strengthening or weakening democracy.
• The government has constituted four delimitation commissions so far: in 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amend-
ment) Bill, 2023
• ‘The Parliament passed a Bill to extend by three years the protection given to unauthorised constructions in
slums, farm houses and other colonies in the national capital from facing any official action.’
• Out of the 2-2.5 crore people, 40 lakh benefited by authorisation of unauthorised colonies but still some sections
not covered in the initial list but more will be benefited.
• Land pooling will benefit more than 70 lakh people.
• Delhi is not only a city growing in population but also in economic strength and a lot of rebuilding is taking
place.
• This Bill seeks extension for three years which will give us time and cushion for carrying out wide-ranging
consultation for orderly development of unauthorised colonies

14th Amendment of the US Constitution

• ‘The top court in the US state of Colorado ordered former US President Donald Trump to be taken off the ballot
in the state for the Presidential elections next year.’
• The Supreme Court in Colorado ruled that Trump stands “disqualified from holding the office of President under
Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution”.
Page : 29

• The judgment was related to Trump’s alleged role in the January 6, 2021 attacks on the US Capitol – the
seat of the country’s government.
• Trump supporters were protesting the election victory of Democratic candidate Joe Biden in 2020, claiming the
polls were rigged.
• They rioted and entered the premises of government offices in Washington DC. At least five people died in the
aftermath and some were injured.

ED’s powers of arrest

• ‘The Supreme Court ruled that it is enough for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to orally inform an accused of
the grounds of their arrest at the time of arrest.’
• However, the court said that the written grounds of arrest must be supplied to the accused within 24 hours of their
arrest.
• Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which deals with the ED’s power to arrest,
says that the agency “shall, as soon as may be, inform him (the person arrested) of the grounds for such arrest.”
• The Justices Trivedi and Sharma Bench held that the phrase “as soon as maybe” must be interpreted to mean “as
early as possible”, “without avoidable delay”, “within reasonably convenient” or a “reasonably requisite” period
of time.

Indian Penal Code to Nyaya Sanhita

• ‘The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded the passage of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023,
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 by the Parliament and called it a historic
moment in India’s history.’
• New criminal law bills will free people from a colonial mindset. The three laws were made during the time of
English rule.
• The old laws had listed rape under Section 375-376, the new bill has the crime listed under Section 63, murder
was listed under Section 302 now it is Section 101, kidnapping was under Section 359 and now it is Section 136.
• The new laws will include a definition of terrorism.Till now there was no definition of terrorism in any law.

Concerns about Post Office Bill 2023

• ‘The Rajya Sabha passed the Post Office Bill, 2023, that seeks to replace the colonial-era Indian Post Office Act,
1898.’
• According to the government, the legislation is an attempt to ensure the effective functioning of the Postal
Department as a messenger service and as a provider of banking facilities.
• The Bill encourages state surveillance.
• The Bill exempts the Post Office from incurring any liability pertaining to its services.
• It specifically stipulates that no officer shall incur any liability unless the officer has acted fraudulently, or wilfully
caused any loss, delay, or mis-delivery of service.

Number of CAG audits on Union govt. tabled in Parliament hits a low in 2023
• ‘In the calendar year 2023, only 18 audit reports on the Union government’s accounts, prepared by the Comptroller
and Auditor General (CAG), were tabled in Parliament.’
•
• On average, 22 reports were tabled each year between 2019 and 2023, compared to the 40 reports tabled between
2014 and 2018.
• The number of reports tabled peaked in 2015 at 53, but in four of the past six years, 20 or fewer reports were
tabled.
• The CAG is a constitutional authority which heads the Indian Audit and Accounts Department (IA&AD).
• The two entities are known as the Supreme Audit Institution of India (SAI).

Telecom Bill
• ‘The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, was passed in Parliament this week.’
• When it receives the assent of the President, the Bill will replace three archaic laws such as the Telegraph Act of
Page : 30

1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933 and The Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950.
• It aims to consolidate the law for wireless networks and Internet service providers, and simplify the process
of application for licences and permits for telecom operators.
• The Bill is welcomed for providing relief to the infrastructure industry from the additional exorbitant tax burden.
• Most of the contentious provisions are contained in Chapter IV, which grants emergency powers to the Central
government in the interest of public safety and national security.

Press and periodicals Bill 2023

• ‘The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 was passed by the Parliament recently.’
• It replaces the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, which governed the registration of print and publishing
industry in the country since 1867
• The Press & Registration of Books Act, 1867 is a colonial era Act enacted with an aim to regulate the Printing
Presses and newspapers with severe penalties including imprisonment for non-compliances of its provisions.
• The processes under the Act were cumbersome and complex causing unnecessary hardships to publishers
for running a newspaper.
• The 2023 Bill provides for the registration of periodicals, which include any publication containing public news
or comments on public news.
• Periodicals do not include books or scientific and academic journals.

How the Centre plans to regulate content on OTT and digital media?
• ‘The Centre’s new draft Bill, which seeks to overhaul the regulatory system for the broadcasting sector, expands
the scope from traditional services like television — both news and entertainment — to OTT (over-the-top)
platforms and digital content.’
• The government aims to establish a single legal framework to regulate various broadcasting services in the country
through the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023.
• The proposed legislation aims to replace the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, which has been in
effect for about three decades, and suggests several new regulations for the sector.
• These include mandatory registration, the creation of ‘content evaluation committees’ to encourage self-regulation
on digital platforms, the establishment of programme and advertisement codes, and a three-tier regulatory
mechanism.

ULFA peace accord

• ‘The peace pact between the pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the central
government recently, has made it the red-letter day in the history of the Assam insurgency.’
• The peace accord was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister
Himanta Biswa Sarma.
• It took nearly 12 years of consistent negotiations between the central government and the ULFA faction, led by
Arabinda Rajkhowa to seal the pact.
• The pact is also expected to end decades-old insurgency in Assam.
• The organisation was formed on April 7, 1979, in Sivasagar, Assam.
• The main motive of the founding members was to establish a “sovereign Assam” for the indigenous people of
the state.

History of Northeast
• ‘On December 30, 1971, two laws — the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act and the North-Eastern Council
Act — were enacted by Parliament.’
• Today, ‘Northeast India’, or just ‘the Northeast’, is commonly used by Indians to refer to the diverse region, with
its inhabitants becoming ‘Northeasterners’, regardless of how they themselves self-identify.
• Yet the term took root only in the 1970s.Pre-Independence, five of these eight present-day states (Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram) were a part of colonial Assam.
• Manipur and Tripura were princely states, with resident British political officers answering to the governor of
Assam.

Census to be delayed till at least October 2024

Page : 31

• ‘The deadline to freeze the administrative boundaries of districts, tehsils, towns, and municipal bodies, among
others, has been extended till June 30, 2024.’
• This means that the decennial Census exercise, initially scheduled to be begin in 2020, will now be postponed till
at least October 2024 as it usually takes about three months after the boundaries are set to identify and train the
enumerators.
• This also delays the implementation of the law reserving 33% seats for women legislators in Parliament and
the State Assemblies, as that is also dependent on the completion of the Census. India has conducted the
Census every 10 years since 1881.
• The first phase of this decade’s Census was expected to begin on April 1, 2020, but had to be postponed due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.

Page : 32
 Learn BITS
Annual Current Affairs Compilation
INTERNATIONAL RELATION

1
Page : 33

PART

JAN-DEC 2023

03 international relations
India-Bangladesh Friendship pipeline
• The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline Project, signed in 2018 , will connect Siliguri in West Bengal in India
and Parbatipur in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh
• The Friendship pipeline from India will start supplying diesel to Bangladesh from June
• The 131.5 kilometer long pipeline has been constructed for importing diesel from India, 126.5 km of which is in
Bangladesh and 5 km in India
• The IBFPL project aims to facilitate the transportation of imported fuel oil and reduce its transport costs
for Bangladesh
• The pipeline has a capacity of one million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) and is being built under grant
assistance from the government of India

Indus Water Treaty

• The decision of the Government of India to issue a notice to Pakistan on 25 January 2023 seeking a modification
in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960 comes just two days before the sitting of a court of arbitration set up on
the dispute over the Kishenganga and Rattle hydroelectric power projects being constructed by India
• India was “compelled to issue notice of modification” under Article XII (3) of the IWT because of “Pakistani
intransigence” on its technical objections to India’s Kishenganga and Ratle Hydro Electric Projects (HEPs) in
Kashmir
• While the Kishenganga HEP is operational, the Ratle project is under construction.
• The notice for modification provides Pakistan an opportunity to enter into intergovernmental negotiations within
90 days to rectify the material breach of the IWT

Iran tests military drones in wargame near Strait of Hormuz

• Iran’s military tested new attack drones in the coastal area of the Gulf of Oman and near the strategic Strait of
Hormuz on Saturday as part of its ongoing annual drill
• The Ababil-5 attack drone was used during wargames for the first time and successfully hit its target with a bomb
after traveling 400 kilometers (250 miles)
• Iran has tested many other military drones over the past decade.
• The Strait of Hormuz is located at the mouth of the Persian Gulf and is crucial to global energy supplies, with
about a fifth of all oil traded at sea passing through it

Austria Inks Pact with India to Return ‘Illegal Migrants

• ‘Austria and India have signed a comprehensive migration and mobility partnership agreement that will facilitate
the return of illegal migrants back to their country.’
• Another significant aspect of the MMPA is that it will regulate multiple entry visas for professionals and student
exchange programs.
• These programs will be reviewed regularly by a Joint Working Group (JWG) to ensure that they are meeting their
objectives and delivering the desired outcomes.
• Last year, we experienced the highest number ever of asylum seekers in Austria over 100,000.
• The numbers of Indians coming in illegally via Serbia to Austria reached 18,000 last year from 600 asylum
applications from Indian citizens in 2021

Croatia adopts the Euro

• On New Year, Croatia ditched its kuna currency to adopt the euro and entered Europe’s passport-free Schengen
Page : 34

zone
• Any of the euro area’s 340 million citizens who travel to Croatia will no longer need to exchange their cash for
kuna currency
• The new Croatian euro coin will depict scientist Nikola Tesla on one side
• It will also feature a map of the country and the national checkerboard design
• Croatia will benefit from “deeper financial ties with the currency’s 19 other users and with the European Central
Bank
• With Croatia joining the Schengen zone, the Croatians would now be able to move freely around the EU’s 27

India to take over Asian Pacific Postal Union leadership

• ‘India is all set to assume the leadership of Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU).’
• Vinaya Prakash Singh was elected as the Secretary General of the APPU for a tenure of 4 years (from Jan 2023).
• This is the first time an Indian is leading an international organization in the postal sector.
• APPU, headquartered in Bangkok (Thailand), is an intergovernmental organization of 32-member countries of the
Asian-Pacific region.
• It is the only Restricted Union of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) (a UN specialised agency) in this region.
• APPU aims to extend, facilitate and improve postal relations between member countries and to promote
cooperation in the field of postal services

India to host virtual ‘Voice of Global South Summit’

• India will host ‘The Voice of Global South’ Summit next week. As many as 120 countries will participate in the
summit next week
• This initiative is inspired by PM Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka
Prayas
• It is also underpinned by India’s philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
• India will work to ensure that the valuable inputs generated from partner countries in the Voice of Global South
Summit deliberations receive due cognizance globally
• This is in line with the Prime Minister’s statement that India’s G20 Presidency will be shaped in consultation with
not just our G20 partners but also our fellow-travellers in the Global South, whose voice often goes unheard

U.S. ‘Title 42’ immigration policy

• ‘The United States announced recently that it will extend COVID-19 pandemic-era restrictions, known as Title
42, to expel migrants from Nicaragua, Cuba and Haiti caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border back to Mexico, a
move would block more nationalities from seeking asylum in the United States.’
• At the same time, the White House said it would open more legal pathways for migrants from those nations to
apply to enter the country from abroad.
• The order was implemented under Republican former President Donald Trump, whose administration sought to
greatly curtail both immigration.
• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said at the time it was needed to stem the spread of
COVID-19 in crowded detention settings

Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA)

• The World Economic Forum on Tuesday launched the Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA) to help unlock the
USD 3 trillion of financing needed each year to reach net-zero, reverse nature loss and restore biodiversity by 2050
• The global initiative to fund and grow new and existing public, private and philanthropic partnerships (PPPPs) is
supported by more than 45 partners. GAEA’s growing body of philanthropic partners includes Active Philanthropy,
the African Climate Foundation, Andre Hoffmann Family Office, the Arab Foundations Forum, Bezos Earth Fund,
BMW Foundation and Children’s Investment Fund Foundation

US launches programme allowing private ‘sponsorship’ of refugees

• The United States is launching a new programme that will allow groups of people and organisations in the US to
“sponsor” refugees seeking sanctuary in the country.’
• The US Department of State announced the introduction of “Welcome Corps”, which will enable the general
Page : 35

public to help cover the costs of resettlement for refugees arriving through the US Refugee Admissions Program
(USRAP).
• It is designed to strengthen and expand the capacity of the USRAP by harnessing the energy and talents of
Americans from all walks of life desiring to serve as private sponsors.
• Welcome Corps will initially apply only to refugees who have already been approved for entry into the US

UNESCO dedicates International Day of Education 2023 to Afghan girls, women

• ‘Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay has decided to dedicate the 2023 International Day of Education
(January 24) to Afghan girls and women.’
• Since 15 August 2021, the de facto authorities have barred girls from attending secondary school, restricted
women and girls’ freedom of movement, excluded women from most areas of the workforce and banned women
from using parks, gyms and public bath houses.
• These restrictions culminate with the confinement of Afghan women and girls to the four walls of their homes.
• According to a UNICEF report released in August, the fact that girls in Afghanistan are deprived of secondary
education has cost the country’s economy at least USD 500 million over the past 12 months, which amounts to
2.5 per cent of GDP

China builds new dam in Tibet that could affect flows downstream
• China is building a new dam in Tibet on a tributary of the Ganga, close to the tri-junction of its borders with India
and Nepal, that could be used to control the flow of water downstream.’
• The Mabja Zangbo River flows into Nepal’s Ghaghara or the Karnali River before it joins the Ganga River in India
• A new dam there would be capable of generating hydropower three times more than that of central China’s Three
Gorges Dam, which has the largest installed hydropower capacity in the world
• A report of 2016 mentioned that China had built several thousand dams.
• These could have included reservoirs and dikes
• With these dams and dikes, China could cause floods by suddenly releasing water or could create droughts by
turning off the tap

Bengaluru all set to host the first G20 Energy Transition Working Group Meeting
• The first G20 Energy Transition Working Group (ETWG) Meeting under India’s Presidency will be held in
Bengaluru
• The meeting will have over 150 participants including G20 member countries, nine special invitee guest countries
– Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, UAE and Spain
• G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation representing around 85% of the global
GDP, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.
• During the course of its G20 Presidency, India will host about 200 meetings in 32 different sectors in multiple
locations across India
• During India’s Presidency, Indonesia and Brazil along with India would form the G20 Troika

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Inaugurates 3rd Unit Of Nuclear Power Plant

• Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently inaugurated the third unit of the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant
(KANUPP) built with Beijing’s assistance under the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
• Known as the K-3, the plant will provide 1,100 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.
• The K-3 is a step forward in the Pak-China cooperation and the electricity projects under the China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC) are greatly contributing to meeting the country’s energy demands.
• The USD 60 billion CPEC is part of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a pet project of Chinese
President Xi Jinping
• With the introduction of K-3 into the national grid, the share of nuclear power in the energy mix of Pakistan will
exceed 10 per cent

US offers critical technologies to India under iCET

• India and the United States launched a programme to enhance their strategic partnership with delegations led by
Page : 36

the National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and his American counterpart, Jake Sullivan at their meeting in
Washington for the inaugural dialogue of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET)
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US President Joe Biden had announced the decision to elevate and expand
 the Strategic Technology Partnership as well as Defence Industrial Cooperation in 2022 on the sidelines of the
QUAD Leaders summit in Tokyo.
• New bilateral defence Industrial Cooperation roadmap announced
• This is expected to speed up defence technology cooperation in the areas of joint development and production,
especially related to jet engines and other technologies

India to be theme country at 2025 Madrid International Book Fair

• ‘India will be invited as the focal country at the Madrid International Book Fair in 2025, the Ambassador of Spain
to India, Jose Maria Ridao said.’
• Spain is the theme country at the 46th International Kolkata Book Fair.
• The Madrid International Book Fair is an annual event held in the Buen Retiro Park in Madrid.
• The fair mostly sells books of Spanish speaking people. However, it promotes books of the guest country.
• In 2025, Indian books will be promoted at the fair.In 2018 the guest country was Romania; in 2019 it was the
Dominican Republic.
• The event scheduled for 2020 and 2021 were suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain

India welcomes Congo to International Solar Alliance

• India has welcomed Congo to International Solar Alliance
• The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for
increased deployment of solar energy technologies
• Its basic motive is to facilitate energy access, ensure energy security, and drive energy transition in its member
countries
• The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through
deployment of solar energy solutions
• The ISA is guided by its ‘Towards 1000’ strategy which aims to mobilise USD 1,000 billion of investments
in solar energy solutions by 2030, while delivering energy access to 1,000 million people using clean energy
solutions and resulting in installation of 1,000 GW of solar energy capacity
• This would help mitigate global solar emissions to the tune of 1,000 million tonnes of CO2 every year

Paris Club
• The Paris Club, an informal group of creditor nations, will provide financial assurances to the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) on Sri Lanka’s debt
• Sri Lanka needs assurance from the Paris Club and other creditors in order to receive a USD 2.9 billion bailout
package from the IMF, following an economic crisis in 2022.
• Paris Club describes itself as a forum where official creditors meet to solve payment difficulties faced by debtor
countries
• All 22 are members of the group called Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• A debtor country that signs an agreement with its Paris Club creditors, should not then accept from its non-Paris
Club commercial and bilateral creditors such terms of treatment of its debt that are less favourable to the debtor
than those agreed with the Paris Club

Visva-Bharati University
• Founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1921, Visva-Bharati University will soon get the ‘heritage’ tag from UNESCO
to take the distinction of world’s first living heritage university
• For the first time in the world, a living university which is functioning is going to get the heritage tag from
UNESCO
• When founded in 1921 on 1,130 acres of land, it was named after Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore until
Visva-Bharati Society was registered as an organisation in May 1922
• Rabindranath donated some of his property, including land and a bungalow, to the society.
• Until Independence, it was a college and the institution was given the status of Central University in 1951 through
Page : 37

a central Act
• Its first vice-chancellor was Rathindranath Tagore, the son of Rabindranath Tagore
Earthquake in Turkey
• ‘Three earthquakes measuring — 7.8, 7.6, and 6.0 — magnitude has devastated Turkey and Syria, while impacting
regions as far away as Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel, and Egypt.’
• The epicentre is located near the city of Gaziantep in south-central Turkey, which houses more than two million
people.
• Turkey is located on the Anatolian tectonic plate, which is wedged between the Eurasian and African plates.
• Arabia is moving northwards into Europe, causing the Anatolian plate (which Turkey sits on) to be pushed out
westwards.
• The movement of the tectonic plates builds up pressure on fault zones at their boundaries. It is the sudden release
of this pressure that causes earthquakes and ground shaking

India-ASEAN Digital Work Plan 2023

• ‘The 3rd ASEAN Digital Ministers (ADGMIN) meeting with India was held recently on a virtual platform.’
• The Ministers meeting approved the India-ASEAN Digital Work Plan 2023.
• The workplan includes the capacity building and knowledge sharing in emerging areas in the field of Information
and Communication Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Security, Application of IoT & AI in
Next Generation Smart City & Society 5.0, Sustainable Data and Transport Network for Future.
• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand,
with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely
Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand

Nord Stream gas pipelines

• ‘According to a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) carried out the bombing
of the Nord Stream pipelines on orders from the United States.’
• Ever since it became operational in 2011, Nord Stream, the first of the two pipelines, had been one of the major
sources of energy supplies for not just Germany but also other countries in Europe.
• It is essentially a network of underwater gas pipelines in Europe to supply natural gas from Russia to Germany
through the Baltic sea.
• The 1,224 km-long Nord Stream pipeline runs from Vyborg in northwest Russia to Lubmin in northeastern
Germany

UAE To Host First I2U2 Business Forum Vice-Ministerial Meeting

• The United Arab Emirates is set to host the first vice-ministerial meeting of the I2U2 in Abu Dhabi this week.
• It will be attended by senior officials from the four countries – India, Israel, the United States and the UAE.
Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W Fernandez will lead the US
delegation at the meeting in Abu Dhabi on February 21-22.
• This is the first meeting of its kind. During the meeting, the leaders discussed regional cooperation
opportunities and investment opportunities among the countries.
• They also discussed food insecurity and energy crisis issues.
• The leaders of the initiative aim to increase private sector investments in the field of clean energy, emerging
technologies, and waste treatment

India’s UPI and Singapore’s PayNow are now integrated

• ‘State Bank of India, the country’s largest lender, recently announced that its BHIM SBIPay has been integrated
with the new real-time payments system between India and Singapore.’
• The linkage will allow fund transfers from India to Singapore through registered mobile numbers and from
Singapore to India using UPI ID.
• The UPI-PayNow linkage is a significant milestone towards development of infrastructure for cross-border
Page : 38
 payments between India and Singapore.
• Using their mobile numbers, Singapore National Registration Identity Card (NRIC), Foreign Identification
Number (FIN), or virtual payment address (VPA), Singapore nationals can send and receive money instantly
between banks or e-wallets.
• Through the UPI system, Indians can send or receive money through their mobile phone numbers in a similar
manner

World Bank chief David Malpass to step down by June-end

• David Malpass, the former World Bank President resigned before his term was completed due to climate-related
controversies
• After his resignation, US President Joe Biden recently nominated the former Master Card CEO Ajay Banga as the
new World Bank President
• Ajay has expertise in handling climate change-related economic issues
• The bank has historically been headed by someone from the United States, its largest shareholder, while a European
heads the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but developing countries and emerging markets have pushed to
widen those choices
• The World Bank is an international financial institution that lends and gives money to the governments in low- and
middle-income nations to fund capital projects

New START
• ‘Days before the first anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin announced in
an address to his nation recently that Russia is suspending its participation in the New START.’
• The name START comes from the original “Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty”, known as START-I.
• New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) was the last remaining arms reduction pact between the former
Cold War rivals and caps to 1,550 the number of nuclear warheads that can be deployed by Russia and United
States of America.
• It entered into force on 5th February, 2011.
• It continues the bipartisan process of verifiably reducing U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear arsenals by limiting
both sides to 700 strategic launchers and 1,550 operational warheads

Doha Political Declaration

• The Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) concluded with adoption of the
‘Doha Political Declaration’ by the world leaders
• DPoA (2022-2031) consisted of six key focus areas including eradicating poverty, leveraging the potential of
science and technology to fight against multidimensional vulnerabilities and to achieve the SDGs, addressing
climate change, environmental degradation, recovering from COVID-19 pandemic and building resilience against
future shocks?for risk-informed sustainable development
• The 46 LDCs are being hit the hardest by multiple crises including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate crisis,
growing inequalities, rising debt burdens and economic shocks
• They have contributed minimally to carbon dioxide emissions, but disproportionately bear the burden of climate
change impacts

Interpol Red Notice

• The Punjab National Bank scam accused Mehul Chinubhai Choksi’s name was removed from Interpol database
of Red Notices recently
• The Interpol has said that India has failed to provide sufficient information to support its case
• The Interpol, or International Criminal Police Organization, is an inter-governmental organization comprising 195
member countries, which helps police forces in all these countries to better coordinate their actions
• It enables member countries to share and access data on crimes and criminals and offers a range of technical and
operational support
• It is run by a secretary general with its headquarters in Lyon, France, with a global complex for innovation in
Page : 39

Singapore, and several satellite offices in different regions

India ranks 42nd out of 55 nations in global IP index
• India has been ranked 42nd out of 55 countries in the latest International Intellectual Property Index report
• According to the report released recently, Morocco and Thailand at 2.5% each and Vietnam at 2.02% had the
largest improvements in their overall score.
• The annual International Intellectual Property (IP) Index for 2023, says it evaluates the protection of IP
rights in 55 of the world’s leading economies, together representing around 90% of global GDP.
• The report covers everything from patent and copyright laws to the ability to monetise IP assets and the ratification
of international agreements.
• The report claims that Intellectual property (IP) was “critical to how nations, businesses, and individuals managed
through and emerged from the COVID pandemic

Myanmar Teak Wood

• After the military junta took control of Myanmar, the state-owned company, which had exclusive rights over the
country’s precious timber and teak trade, also came under the military
• Since the February 2021 coup in Myanmar, the military junta has also taken control of Myanmar Timber Enterprises
(MTE).
• MTE the state-owned company has exclusive rights over the country’s precious timber and teak trade.
• The MTE has held an estimated dozen timber auctions since the coup. The revenue generated after the sales are a
key revenue stream for the military regime.
• China is the largest importer.
• India has not banned teak imports from Myanmar – for exports to the US and EU.Teak from Myanmar’s deciduous
and evergreen forests is considered the most tensile and durable hardwood, resistant to water and termites

United Nations High Seas Treaty

• After more than a decade of negotiations, the countries of the United Nations have agreed the first ever treaty to
protect the world’s oceans that lie outside national boundaries
• The UN High Seas Treaty places 30% of the world’s oceans into protected areas, puts more money into marine
conservation and means new rules for mining at sea
• Two-thirds of the world’s oceans are currently considered international waters
• That means all countries have a right to fish, ship and do research there
• According to the IUCN, Nearly 10% of marine species on the high seas were found to be at risk of extinction
mainly due to overfishing and pollution

World Bank commits $1 billion to India for public healthcare infra

• The World Bank and India recently signed two complementary loans of USD 500 million each to support and
enhance the country’s healthcare infrastructure
• India’s performance in health has improved over time
• According to the World Bank estimates, India’s life expectancy—at 69.8 in 2020, up from 58 in 1990—is higher
than the average for the country’s income level
• The under-five mortality rate (36 per 1,000 live births), infant mortality rate (30 per 1,000 live births), and
maternal mortality ratio (103 per 100,000 live births) are all close to the average for India’s income level, reflecting
significant achievements in access to skilled birth attendance, immunizations, and other priority services

India, Japan to improve bilateral cooperation towards clean energy transition

• Japan’s Asia Energy Transition Initiative (AETI), launched in 2021, initially supported the Association of South
East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries towards achieving net zero emissions, including financial assistance of
$10 billion for renewable energy
• Japan now looks forward to supporting India’s clean energy transition by including the country in the AETI.
• This partnership would work on the agenda covered in the India-Japan Energy Dialogue 2007 and will subsequently
Page : 40

expand into areas of mutual benefit

• India and Japan have made important strides in developing the vision of a secure, resilient, sustainable energy
network
• India has set an ambitious target of achieving net zero by 2070

Windsor Framework
• The ‘Windsor Framework’ will replace the Northern Ireland Protocol, which had proved to be among the thorniest
of Brexit fall-outs, creating problems both economic and political
• The two Irelands have been disputing for a long time.
• They settled their disputes through the Belfast Agreement only in 1998.
• The agreement is also called the Good Friday Agreement.Northern Ireland Protocol was a part of the
Brexit agreement.
• According to the agreement, checks were to be conducted between Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and not
between Northern Ireland and Ireland. However, there was waste of time and resources. And also taxation issues

Doha Political Declaration

• The Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) concluded with adoption of the
‘Doha Political Declaration’ by the world leaders
• DPoA (2022-2031) consisted of six key focus areas including eradicating poverty, leveraging the potential of
science and technology to fight against multidimensional vulnerabilities and to achieve the SDGs, addressing
climate change, environmental degradation, recovering from COVID-19 pandemic and building resilience against
future shocks?for risk-informed sustainable development.
• The 46 LDCs are being hit the hardest by multiple crises including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate crisis,
growing inequalities, rising debt burdens and economic shocks.
• They have contributed minimally to carbon dioxide emissions, but disproportionately bear the burden of climate
change impacts

Denmark’s undersea graveyard for imported CO2

• ‘Denmark becomes first country in the world to bury CO2 that has been imported from abroad, with the carbon
injected 1,800 meters below the seabed to prevent further warming of the atmosphere.’
• The CO2 graveyard, where the carbon is injected to prevent further warming of the atmosphere, is on the site of
an old oil field led by British chemical giant Ineos and German Oil Company Wintershall Dea, the “Greensand”
project is expected to store up to eight million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030.
• The North Sea is particularly suitable for this type of project as the region already has pipelines and potential
storage sites after decades of oil and gas production

ICC issues arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin for war crimes in Ukraine
• ‘The International Criminal Court recently issued an arrest warrant for war crimes for President Vladimir Putin
and a second Russian official.’
• The court said in a statement “that there are reasonable grounds to believe that each suspect bears responsibility
for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population and that of unlawful transfer of population from occupied
areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.
• The International Criminal Court was created two decades ago as a standing body to investigate war crimes,
genocide and crimes against humanity under a 1998 treaty known as the Rome Statute

Civil20 India Inception Meet starts at Nagpur

• ‘In Maharashtra, delegates from across the globe have arrived recently for attending the C-20 inception summit to
be held this afternoon in the Orange city and sub-capital city of the State- Nagpur.’
• Civil Society- C-20 is one of the engagement groups working under G-20 secretariat which provides a platform
for Civil Society organisations and NGOs to voice their concerns and brainstorm on various issues.
• The speakers highlighted the interdependence of humans on their surroundings and nature, emphasizing that we
are not separate from nature but a part of it.
• They discussed how climate change and other environmental challenges have far-reaching impacts on human
Page : 41

health and well-being, particularly for vulnerable communities

Global Tourism Investors’ Summit
• ‘Ministry of Tourism organised a roundtable interaction with heads of mission in New Delhi as a run up to first
Global Tourism Investor’s Summit.’
• As an initiative under India’s G20 Presidency, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India shall be organizing
the country’s first Global Tourism Investors’ Summit (GTIS) in New Delhi from 17-19 May 2023.
• In order to showcase investible opportunities to investors, till now 25 states have shared 350 plus investable
projects with a total investment potential of around Rs. 64,000 Cr. (USD 7.7 billion) with the Ministry of Tourism.
• GTIS will also have several knowledge sessions focused on topics such as sustainability, digitalization, technology,
insights, state-specific issues, and other sub-sectors of tourism.
• These sessions will facilitate business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) engagements

Technology and Innovation Report 2023

• ‘The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has warned that green technologies,
such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and electric vehicles, may deepen global economic inequality.’
• The report analyses the market size of 17 green and frontier technologies, such as artificial intelligence, the
Internet of Things and electric vehicles, and their potential to create jobs.
• UNCTAD calls on their governments and business communities to invest in more complex and greener sectors,
boost technical skills and scale up investments in the technology infrastructure needed to grow green industries.
• UNCTAD estimated that green technologies could create a market worth $9.5 trillion by 2030, up from $1.5
trillion in 2020.
• These technologies can be used to produce goods and deliver services with smaller carbon footprints

Dilma Rousseff
• ‘Former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has been “unanimously elected” as the head of New Development
Bank (NDB), a multilateral financial institution set up by the five BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South
Africa) countries, replacing Marcus Troyjo, who is also from Brazil.’
• The NDB was established with the purpose of mobilising resources for infrastructure and sustainable development
projects in BRICS and other emerging market economies and developing countries, the bank says in its statement
of purpose.
• In 2021, NDB initiated membership expansion and admitted Bangladesh, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and
Uruguay as its new member countries.
• The NDB has so far approved $7.2 billion for over 20 projects in India.

Finland Becomes 31st NATO Member After Turkey’s Approval

• Finland received the green light to join NATO when Turkey ratified the Nordic country’s membership recently,
becoming the last country in the 30-member Western military alliance to sign off
• All NATO members must vote unanimously to admit a new country into the alliance.
• The addition of Finland, which shares a 1,340 kilometer (832 mile) border with Russia, will more than double the
size of NATO’s border with Russia.
• Finland and neighboring Sweden jointly applied for NATO membership in May 2022.
• The countries, which have close cultural, economic and political ties, planned to enter the alliance simultaneously.
• NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is an intergovernmental military alliance established in 1949

Europe’s Proba-3
• The two spacecraft forming the European Space Agency’s Proba-3 mission are ready with instruments and sensors
allowing them to maneuver to a millimeter-scale precision relative to one another
• The spacecraft will fly into space on India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in 2024.
• The 340-kilogram spacecraft will be deployed by PSLV in a high Earth orbit with an orbital period of 19.7 hours
• They will be placed in a highly elliptical orbit of 600 x 60530 km. After a short preparatory period, the two
Page : 42

satellites will be separated and injected into a safe relative tandem orbit.
• Known as the workhorse of the Indian Space Research Organisation, PSLV is the third-generation launch vehicle
capable of placing multiple payloads into orbit in a single mission.
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
• Britain recently agreed to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
(CPTPP), a trade pact based around the Pacific rim, as it seeks to build ties around the world after leaving the
European Union
• Britain will become the 12th member, and the first to join since the partnership since its inception
• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office said that CPTPP countries will have a combined GDP of 11 trillion pounds
($13.6 trillion) once Britain joins, or 15% of global GDP.
• It does not have a single market for goods or services, and so regulatory harmonisation is not required, unlike the
European Union, whose trading orbit Britain left at the end of 2020

The demand for Scottish independence

• Recently, the British Prime Minister rejected a call from the new First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, to
hold a second referendum for Scotland’s independence from the U.K
• The independent Kingdom of Scotland was formed in the 9th century and it indulged in various wars to remain
independent from the Kingdom of England.
• The two kingdoms, however in 1603, signed a personal union agreement and were ruled by the same monarchs.
• Further, in 1707, both British as well as Scottish Parliaments enacted the Acts of Union to enter into a political
union under the name of Great Britain on account of various economic and political vulnerabilities prevailing on
both sides

India elected to UN Statistical Commission

• In a significant victory, India was overwhelmingly elected to the UN Statistical Commission, returning to the
world organisation’s highest statistical body after a gap of two decades in a “competitive” election
• In the election, South Korea won over China for the other seat in the Asia Pacific States category through a draw
of lots after inconclusive rounds of secret-ballot voting.
• India was elected by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as a member of the UN Statistical
Commission, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and the Programme Coordinating Board of the Joint UN
Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), an important subsidiary body of the UN organ focussed on economic,
social and environmental issues.

UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF)

• India is among the top contributors to the UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF) whose mission is to promote democracy
across the world through local and international NGOs and civil society organisations (CSOs) — many of these
are linked to Soros’s philanthropic empire
• UNDEF was created by UN Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan in 2005 as a United Nations General Trust Fund to
support democratization efforts around the world.
• It was welcomed by the General Assembly in the Outcome Document of the 2005 World Summit.
• UNDEF subsists entirely on voluntary contributions from Governments.
• UNDEF funds projects that empower civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all
groups in democratic processes.

India to chair Commonwealth group on reform of financial architecture

• Finance ministers from various Commonwealth countries have called for a systemic reform of the global financial
architecture to enhance access to development financing for vulnerable countries
• The ministers agreed for India to be the chair and Nigeria to be the deputy chair of the Finance Ministers Working
Group for a Commonwealth Call for Reform of the Global Financial Architecture.
• Their collective call for reform came at the Commonwealth Finance Ministers High-Level Working Group
Meeting in Washington D.C.
• The Commonwealth Secretariat paper entitled ‘Fiscal Policy Options for Resilient and Sustainable Development’
considers the multi-dimensional vulnerabilities and socio-economic development challenges faced by countries
Page : 43

and recommends several fiscal and policy reforms to facilitate more resilient and sustainable development
outcomes.
G7 Members vow to ensure carbon-free power by 2035
• After the two-day G7 Ministers’ Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Japan, ministers and envoys
from the member countries vowed to work towards ensuring carbonfree electricity production by 2035.’
• Its main goal was to discuss how to help the G7 members achieve their goal of becoming carbon neutral by the
year 2050 by reducing their reliance on fossil fuels and increasing their use of renewable energy sources.
• Japan is set to host the G7 Summit in Hiroshima from May 19-21, 2023.
• The country assumed the G7 presidency this year and has several meetings planned in its calendar.

Gum Arabic
• Sudan’s eruption into conflict has affected the supplies of gum Arabic across the world
• It is a natural gum derived from the hardened sap of two species of the Acacia tree Senegalia Senegal and
Vachellia seyal.
• The gum is harvested commercially from wild trees, mostly in Sudan (80%) and throughout the Sahel (from
Senegal to Somalia).
• Gum Arabic first found its way to Europe via Arabic ports, hence the name.
• It is soluble in water, edible and used primarily in the food industry and soft-drink industry as a stabiliser.

India-UK ‘NET Zero’ Innovation Virtual Centre

• India and United Kingdom will together jointly create India-UK “NET Zero” Innovation Virtual Centre
• The UK has emerged as India’s second largest international research and innovation partner.
• The India-UK Science & Technology (S&T) collaboration has been growing at a rapid pace and the joint research
programme has gone from an almost zero base to close to £300-400 million now.
• India is fast moving to become an economic powerhouse driven by its extraordinary technological and innovative
capabilities, especially after the Covid vaccine success story.
• India is committed to achieving ambitious net-zero targets through consistent efforts towards developing mitigation
and monitoring solutions for environmental pollution and techno-based pathways for reducing carbon emissions.

Major infra project discussed between MBS and NSAs of India, UAE, US
• ‘Recently, National Security Advisers of the US, UAE and India met in Saudi Arabia with Crown Prince and
Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.’
• The objective of the meeting was to further expand a “shared vision of a more secure and prosperous Middle East
region interconnected with India and the World.
• The new grouping might announce plans to develop joint infrastructure that connects Gulf and Arab countries via
a railway network and also extends to India via shipping lanes.
• The initiative would include connecting Arab countries in the Levant and the Gulf via a network of railways that
will also connect to India through seaports in the Gulf.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Startup Forum 2023

• The Department of Promotion for Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce organized the third edition
in the form of first-ever physical Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Startup Forum in New Delhi recently
• The engagement aimed at expanding the startup interactions amongst the SCO Member States, nurturing the spirit
of innovation, generating more employment and encouraging young talent to build innovative solutions.
• The forum witnessed physical participation from SCO Member States including a delegation of government
officials, private industry players, incubators and startups.

Sixth Indian Ocean Conference set to begin in Bangladesh

• Bangladesh will host the 6th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) scheduled to be held between May 12-13 in Dhaka
• High-level government delegations and think tanks from about 25 countries are expected to take part in the IOC.
• The meeting will discuss aspects strengthening cooperation between the countries of the Indian Ocean region.
Page : 44

• The 6th edition of the Conference is being organised by India Foundation in association with the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh and S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
• The Conference endeavours to bring critical states and principal maritime partners of the region together on a
 common platform to deliberate upon the prospects of regional cooperation for Security And Growth for All in the
Region (SAGAR).

India & Bangladesh launch ‘50 Start-ups Exchange Programme

• The first group of 10 start-up companies under the 50 start-ups exchange programme between India and Bangladesh
returned to Dhaka
• These Start-ups belong to sectors such as e-commerce, health, transport and logistics, energy, education and skill
development
• Under this programme, 50 Start-ups from Bangladesh and 50 Start-ups from India will exchange visits to each
other’s countries for exploring partnerships, expanding business relations, sharing experience and knowledge and
expanding youth and entrepreneurial cooperation.
• The framework of the programme was decided by the Prime Ministers of the two countries during their recent
bilateral summits.
• This visit of 10 Bangladeshi Start-ups to India has kick started the 50 Start-ups exchange programme.
• It has the potential of augmenting cooperation in new and emerging areas, cutting edge technology, entrepreneurship
and innovation.

G7 Summit
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7
Summit in Japan’s Hiroshima
• This is the first time the two leaders have held a meeting since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• The leaders discussed ways to synergise efforts of their respective G-20 and G-7 presidencies.
• The prime minister stressed the need to highlight the concerns and priorities of the Global South.
• PM Modi and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida held talks focusing on boosting bilateral cooperation in
areas of green hydrogen, high technology, semiconductors and digital public infrastructure.

Quad Leaders’ Summit

• ‘Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the third in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit in Hiroshima,
Japan recently.’
• The Leaders had a productive dialogue about developments in the Indo-Pacific which affirmed their shared
democratic values and strategic interests.
• Guided by their vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, they reiterated the importance of upholding the
principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful resolution of disputes.
• In this context, they released the Quad Leaders’ Vision Statement – Enduring Partners for the Indo-Pacific” which
articulates their principled approach.
• The Leaders agreed on the need to preserve the integrity of the UN, its Charter and its agencies.
• They agreed on continuing their efforts to strengthen and reform the multilateral system, including through an
expansion of the UNSC membership in both permanent and non-permanent categories.

76th Session of the World Health Assembly

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the 76th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva,
Switzerland
• The Prime Minister gave examples of the world’s largest health insurance scheme - Ayushman Bharat, the massive
ramping up of health infrastructure, and the drive to provide sanitation and drinking water to millions of families
in the country
• Underlining that many of India’s efforts are aimed at boosting health at the last mile in the country, the Prime
Minister suggested that an approach which works with the scale of India’s diversity can also become a framework
for other nations
• The Prime Minister expressed confidence that supporting equal access to resources will be a top priority for the
WHO in the coming years
Page : 45
India secures approval for second hydropower project in Nepal
• Nepal recently decided to allow India’s Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited to develop a second hydropower
project in the country
• At present SJVN is developing a 900-MW Arun -III hydroelectric project, a run-of-river located on the Arun River
in Eastern Nepal, scheduled to be completed in 2024.
• The development of this 669-MW transformative project will prove to be a milestone for the socio-economic
development of the country
China recently successfully launched the Shenzhou-16 manned spaceship, sending three astronauts, includ
• ing the first civilian to its space station combination for a five-month mission
• Once ready, China will be the only country to own a space station as the International Space Station (ISS) of
Russia is a collaborative project of several countries.
• The ISS station is also set to be decommissioned by 2030.
• The significant feature of China’s space station is its two robotic arms, especially the long one which has the
ability to grab objects, including satellites from space.
• After entering orbit, the Shenzhou-16 spaceship will make a fast, automated rendezvous and docking with the
space station combination.

Phukot Karnali Hydro Electric Project (480MW) in Nepal

• In a significant collaboration, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Vidhyut Utpadan
Company (VUCL) have signed an initial pact for the development of the Phukot Karnali hydroelectric project
• The Phukot Karnali project is designed as a Peaking Run-of-River (PRoR) type scheme.
• This scheme allows for the optimal utilization of river flow variations by storing water during high-flow periods
and releasing it during peak demand periods.
• This ensures a stable and reliable power supply while minimizing the impact on the river’s ecosystem.
• NHPC, a premier government enterprise with ‘Miniratna’ status, holds expertise in the development of hydropower
projects.
• VUCL holds the responsibility for the development, construction, ownership, and operation of significant
hydropower projects in Nepal, operating within a model of collaboration between the public and private sectors

Minerals Security Partnership

• The global initiative known as the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), also referred to as the critical minerals
alliance, was announced in June 2022.’
• The primary goal of this partnership is to ensure the availability of stable supplies of critical minerals for
participating countries’ economies while reducing China’s dominance in the global critical mineral market.
• Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the
United States, and the European Commission are part of the partnership.
• The MSP partners are committed to building robust, responsible critical mineral supply chains to support economic
prosperity and climate objectives

Universal Postal Union

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved to establish a Regional Office
of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in New Delhi, India.’
• To undertake UPU’s development cooperation and technical assistance activities in the region by entering into an
agreement with UPU.
• The approval enables India to play active role at multilateral organizations in postal sector with emphasis on
South-South and Triangular cooperation.
• India will provide a Field Project Expert, staff and office set up for UPU’s regional office.
• Projects on capacity building and trainings, improving efficiency and quality of postal services, enhancement of
Postal technology, e-commerce and trade promotion etc will be prepared and implemented for the region by this
Page : 46

office in coordination with UPU.

Phukot Karnali Hydro Electric Project (480MW) in Nepal
• In a significant collaboration, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Vidhyut Utpadan
Company (VUCL) have signed an initial pact for the development of the Phukot Karnali hydroelectric project
• The Phukot Karnali project is designed as a Peaking Run-of-River (PRoR) type scheme
• This scheme allows for the optimal utilization of river flow variations by storing water during high-flow periods
and releasing it during peak demand periods
• This ensures a stable and reliable power supply while minimizing the impact on the river’s ecosystem.
• NHPC, a premier government enterprise with ‘Miniratna’ status, holds expertise in the development of hydropower
projects
• VUCL holds the responsibility for the development, construction, ownership, and operation of significant
hydropower projects in Nepal, operating within a model of collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Kakhovka Dam
• A significant event has unfolded in southern Ukraine, where the Kakhovka Dam on the Dnipro River, separating
Russian and Ukrainian forces, was breached.’
• It held back a vast reservoir that supplied water to communities upstream, and provided cooling water to the
nuclear power station at Zaporizhzhia, around 160km (100 miles) away, which is under Russian control.
• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said there was no immediate nuclear safety risk but it was
monitoring the situation.
• The dam was also a vital channel carrying water from the river to Russian-occupied Crimea, meaning water
supplies there are likely to be affected.

Silent Barker
• The US Space Force is set to launch a constellation of satellites this summer to track Chinese or Russian space
vehicles that can potentially disable or damage orbiting objects.’
• The network would be the first of its kind to complement ground-based sensors and low-earth orbit satellites.
• The satellites will be placed about 22,000 miles (35,400 kilometers) above the Earth and at the same speed it
rotates, known as geosynchronous orbit.
• The Silent Barker satellite constellation is scheduled for launch after July on board an Atlas V booster operated by
the Boeing Co.-Lockheed Martin Corp.’s United Launch Alliance.
• The new constellation “will dramatically increase Space Force’s ability to track on-orbit, adversary satellites that
could be maneuvering around or in proximity to our satellites

Atlantic Declaration
• ‘The United States and Britain recently announced a new strategic pact as their leaders rededicated the “special
relationship” to counter Russia, China and economic instability.’
• An “Atlantic Declaration” adopted by the leaders aims to boost industry ties on defense and renewable energy, in
the face of growing competition from China.
• The Atlantic Declaration is focused on building a resilient, diversified, and secure supply chain, reducing strategic
dependencies.
• The signing of the Atlantic Charter in 1941 laid the foundation for a rules-based international order.
• The New Atlantic Charter signed in 2021 reaffirmed the commitment to shared values and refreshed the vision of
the partnership

ADB, India sign $130 million loan to promote horticulture in Himachal Pradesh
• The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $130 million loan to increase
agricultural productivity, improve access to irrigation and promote horticulture agribusinesses to raise farmers’
income in the state of Himachal Pradesh
• The project builds upon a pilot financed by ADB’s project readiness facility which demonstrated the subtropical
horticulture production over 200 hectares and prepared the draft water user association (WUA) act and the draft
Page : 47

state horticulture development strategy

• The project interventions will help increase the income and resilience to the effects of climate change of at least
 15,000 farm households across 7 districts of the state namely Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Sirmour, Solan,
and Una

India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

• ‘India and UAE successfully held the 1st Meeting of the Joint Committee (JC) of the India-UAE CEPA.’
• Both the ministers also participated in a B-2-B event which was organized by the Department of Commerce in
partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
• The goal to achieve USD 100 billion non-oil trade was set in the first meeting of the Joint Committee of India-
UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
• In the meeting, it was also decided to set up a new sub-committee to handle issues related to services trade.
• India’s exports to the UAE also recorded a remarkable growth of 12%, reaching USD 31.6 billion in 2022-2023.

W20 Summit Women-Led Development; Transform, Thrive and Transcend

• India took over the presidency from W20 Indonesia on 12 December 2022
• W20, under India’s presidency, is focused on actualizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Women-
Led Development” with a with the vision to create a world of equality and equity where every woman lives with
dignity and where every woman gets the opportunity to thrive, transcend and transform their lives and those of
others
• W20, 2023 is focusing on removing barriers to women-led development and ensure an enabling environment
and ecosystem for women to realize their full potential, transforming their lives as well as of others.
• The goal that has been set by the W20 2023 is to ensure continuity of the W20 agenda from the past presidencies
while establishing a stronger W20 global and national network

US wants to rejoin UNESCO

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) announced recently that the
United States will rejoin it in July, after four years
• The issue goes back to 2011, when UNESCO inducted Palestine as a member. This led to the US halting the
agency’s funding, worth millions of dollars, under then President Barack Obama.
• Palestine is not recognised as a sovereign state by the United Nations.
• It was included as a non-member observer State over Israel’s objections in 2012, meaning it could participate in
General Assembly proceedings but lacked voting rights.
• The Palestinians claim the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip — territories captured by Israel in the 1967
war — for an independent state

UNGA adopts resolution introduced by India

• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has recently adopted a resolution titled Memorial wall for fallen
United Nations peacekeepers
• India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj introduced the draft resolution titled
‘Memorial wall for fallen United Nations peacekeepers’ in the UN General Assembly Hall and it was adopted by
consensus
• The resolution was submitted by 18 countries including Bangladesh, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, France,
India, Indonesia, Jordan, Nepal, Rwanda and the US.
• It received a record 190 co-sponsorships

First Muslim Woman to Be Federal Judge Confirmed by Senate

• Nusrat Choudhury, a civil rights lawyer, was confirmed by the Senate recently as a federal judge in New York,
making her the first female Muslim American and first Bangladeshi American to hold that distinction in U.S.
history.’
• Judge Choudhury, mostly recently the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, was
confirmed by a vote of 50-49, with every Democrat but one supporting her.
Page : 48

• As a federal judge, Nusrat Choudhury will serve at the prestigious US District Court for the Eastern District of
New York.
• This court’s jurisdiction covers various aspects of federal law and plays a critical role in upholding justice within
the region.

India can lead multilateralism at WTO

• The recently concluded meeting of the G20 working group on trade and investment focused on the important issue
of WTO reform. ‘
• This has been on the global agenda for a while including that of the G20, whose members are key players in the
WTO.
• The WTO, created in that era, was aimed at legalising and policing economic interdependence.
• However, today’s world is dominated by geoeconomic considerations and heightened securitisation of international
economic relations.
• The pursuit of unilateralism in international economic relations, especially by developed countries like the US, is
on the rise with scant regard for WTO law.
• WTO officially began operations on January 1, 1995, in accordance with the 1994 Marrakesh Agreement.

India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X)

• The US Department of Defence (DoD) and the Ministry of Defense launched the India-US Defense Acceleration
Ecosystem (INDUS-X) at an event in Washington DC
• The program seeks to “expand the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation” between
the two countries.
• The initiative aims to foster collaboration and innovation between Indian and US defence startups, promoting
technological advancements in the sector.
• The event featured a joint showcasing of innovative technologies by 15 Indian start-ups and 10 US start-ups,
spanning multiple domains such as maritime, AI, autonomous systems, and space.
• INDUS X also hosted panel discussions and round-tables focused on deepening collaborations across various
sectors, including government, academia, and industry, with particular emphasis on startups.

India joins Nasa’s Artemis Accords

• ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed the Artemis Accords during his state visit to the United States, marking
India’s commitment to global space cooperation and lunar exploration.’
• Grounded in the United Nations Outer Space Treaty of 1967, the Artemis Accords serve as a non-binding
multilateral arrangement between the US government and other world governments participating in the Artemis
program.
• This US-led initiative aims to land humans on the Moon by 2025 and foster future space exploration endeavors.
• India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and NASA have agreed to launch a joint
mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024.
• This collaboration exemplifies India’s growing role in international space endeavors and opens avenues for
scientific and technological cooperation between the two nations.

GE Aerospace signs pact with HAL to manufacture fighter jet engines for IAF
• ‘In a landmark deal that gives a massive boost to ties between the US and India, General Electric (GE) Aerospace
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) The F414 engines
will power the IAF’s Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 jets.’
• India’s first indigenous fighter jet LCA Tejas is powered by GE’s F404 engines – India failed to develop a jet
engine despite repeated attempts by DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment.
• The GE-404 engine, the basic design of which has been replicated in the F414, was developed in the 1970s.
• F414 engines are unmatched and will offer important economic and national security benefits for both countries as
we help our customers produce the highest quality engines to meet the needs of their military fleet.

H-1B visa renewal

Page : 49

• The United States government officials have said that H-1B visa holders could soon renew their visas within the
country.’
• The United States Department of State is going to launch a pilot to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain
 petition-based temporary work visas later this year, including for Indian nationals with the intent to implement
this for an expanded pool of H-1 and L visa holder.
• H-1B is a category of non-immigrant US visas that are issued for three years to workers who are hired to peform
specialised work requiring technical expertise.
• As things stand today, H-1B workers have to travel back to their country of origin to renew their visa at a US
consulate, because the US government stopped its policy of renewing these visas within the country in 2004.

U20 Engagement Group of G20

• Gujarat’s Ahmedabad is all set to host the Urban20 (U20) Mayoral Summit on 7-8 July
• It is expected to bring together several city leaders and mayors from across G20 nations
• More than 20 mayors from across the world and about 25 mayors from Indian cities will share the stage and share
their experiences of their respective city-level actions and initiatives.
• Six white papers focusing on the six U20 priorities will also be released in these sessions by the dignitaries.
• Another exclusive session for mayors will be a round table on climate finance.
• As part of the Mayoral Summit, participating mayors and delegates would also be taken for city excursions to
Ahmedabad’s historic streets and monuments and introduced to the city’s vibrant culture.

Conference of India and ASEAN on Traditional Medicines

• A conference on traditional medicines was held recently and attended by delegates from India and ASEAN
member countries.’
• The conference provided a platform to deliberate on various dimensions of traditional systems of medicine for
attaining sustainable development goals and strategizing on modalities for advancing traditional medicine systems
• India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes in the principle of “vasudhaiva
kutumbakam”.
• Traditional medicine systems have great potential to play a major role in achieving the aim of “One Health”.
• A total of 75 delegates from India and ASEAN participated in the Conference

UNESCO’s Asia Pacific Cultural Heritage award

• Recently, the heritage Byculla Railway station which has been restored to its original glory, received the UNESCO
award
• Byculla Railway Station is railway station on the Central line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway.
• It is considered to be one of the oldest railway station that is still in operation.
• With a history dating back 169 years, the station stands as a testament to the rich heritage of India’s railway
system.
• Since 2000, UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation have been recognising the
achievement of the private and public sector initiatives in successfully conserving or restoring structures, places
and properties of heritage value in the region.

Bastille Day Parade

• The Indian Navy Marching Contingent, as part of the Tri services contingent, arrived in France for participation
in the Bastille Day Parade at Paris on 14 Jul 23
• The National Day of France, also known as Bastille Day, is celebrated on July 14 every year
• Known as La Fete Nationale or Le 14 Juillet in French, the day is celebrated with fireworks and a parade
• The fall of the Bastille was a significant moment in the French Revolution, as it symbolized the people’s victory
over the monarchy and the end of the old regime
• The event also marked the beginning of a period of intense violence and social upheaval in France, as the
revolutionaries began to seize power and establish a new order

ASEAN Countries Conference on Traditional Medicines

• A Conference on Traditional Medicine between India and ASEAN Countries will be conducted on 20th July.
Page : 50

• This conference aims to increase traditional Indian Medicine across the globe.
• The Conference will also provide a platform to share the recent developments in regulatory framework in ASEAN
member states for promoting Traditional Medicine.
• The ASEAN conference will provide a platform to share the research outcomes of various projects
implemented by the Ministry of Ayush.
• Similarly, ASEAN countries will also share their experiences.
• The India ASEAN conference on Traditional Medicine being held after almost a decade is a major step towards
deepening cooperation of India with ASEAN

PM Modi conferred with France’s highest award

• The big highlight of the visit of PM Narender Modi was the historic moment in which French president Emmanuel
Macron bestowed the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour on the Indian leader
• It is France’s highest award in military and civilian honours. Modi has become the first Indian premier to receive
this prestigious recognition
• The Legion of Honour is the highest French decoration and one of the most famous in the world.
• For more than two centuries, it has been awarded by the head of state to the most deserving citizens in all fields
of activity
• The award is divided into five categories Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight, with the
Grand Cross being the highest
• The PM was awarded the first honour

India-USA Strategic Clean Energy Partnership

• The Ministerial meeting of the U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) was held between Indian
Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, HE Hardeep S. Puri and U.S. Energy Secretary
• The sides reviewed the ambitious and dynamic SCEP mandate, which over the years has deepened and strengthened
collaboration across a wide breadth of clean energy work streams, including clean and reneable energy, energy
efficiency, increased collaboration in emerging technologies like battery storage and swapping technologies, gas
hydrates, advanced biofuels, and hydrogen and electrolyzer production.
• The sides welcomed the addition of Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage as a work stream under the Emerging
Fuels and Technology Pillar
India, UAE Agree On Trade Settlement In Local Currencies, Linking Fast Payment Systems
• India and the UAE recently agreed to start trade settlement in their currencies and link their fast payment systems
to make international financial interactions simpler
• Under the MOU on ‘Payments and Messaging Systems’, the central banks of the two countries agreed to cooperate
on linking their Fast Payment Systems – Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India with the Instant Payment
Platform (IPP) of the UAE
• The MoU, signed by Shaktikanta Das, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor, and Khaled Mohamed Balama,
the Central Bank of UAE (CBUAE) counterpart, seeks to promote the use of the Indian Rupee (INR) and the UAE
Dirham (AED) for cross-border transactions
• It establishes a Local Currency Settlement System (LCSS) that covers current account transactions and permitted
capital account transactions

Regional Office of Universal Postal Union (UPU) gets inaugurated in New Delhi
• Minister of State for Communication Shri Devusinh Chauhan and Director General, Universal Postal Union (DG
UPU) Mr Masahiko Metoki inaugurated the Regional Office of UPU.
• India will provide staff, an office setup, and a project expert for field work, to implement training and capacity
building projects, e-commerce and trade promotion, and enhance postal technology in coordination with UPU.
• This initiative will strengthen diplomatic ties and enhance India’s presence in the global postal forum, with
particular emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region.
• The Universal Postal Union (UPU), founded under the Treaty of Bern in 1874, has its headquarters in the
Swiss city of Bern
• It operates as a United Nations (UN) specialized agency and is responsible for regulating postal policies and
services among member nations worldwide
Page : 51

India supports U.N.’s efforts in continuing Black Sea Grain Initiative

• India has thrown its weight behind the United Nations’ efforts to continue the Black Sea Grain initiative and has
called for a swift resolution to the impasse
• The Black Sea Initiative holds significant importance for Ukraine’s agricultural sector, known as “Europe’s
breadbasket,” which faces disruptions due to the Russian invasion in February 2022
• The Black Sea Grain Initiative ensured the continuity of Ukraine’s grain exports via the Black Sea route,
contributing to stabilizing world food prices and preventing severe food shortages.
• The Black Sea Grain Initiative played a crucial role in mitigating the economic hardship caused by the Russian
invasion in Ukraine
• Since the war’s onset, Ukraine’s agricultural output has decreased by nearly 35%, with prolonged battles making
planning and planting increasingly difficult and elevating costs

Stapled visa
• ‘India withdrew its 8-athlete wushu contingent from the Summer World University Games, after China issued
stapled visas to 3 athletes from the team who belong to Arunachal Pradesh
• A ‘stapled visa’ is different from a regular visa that a country gives to foreign citizens
• Instead of stamping directly in the passport, it is a separate piece of paper attached (stapled) to the visa.
• This practice allows China to avoid placing official stamps on the passport
• When a person with a stapled visa returns to their home country, the entry and exit passes on the stapled visa are
torn off.
• This means that no details of the trip are recorded
• It is also an expression of China that it does not acknowledge Arunachal Pradesh and J&K as part of India

Havana Syndrome
• The Indian government has recently taken a significant step by committing to investigate the potential existence
of the perplexing ‘Havana Syndrome’ within its borders.’
• Havana Syndrome, a term that has garnered attention worldwide, refers to a collection of psychological and
physiological symptoms encountered primarily by United States intelligence and embassy personnel deployed
across various nations.
• These symptoms encompass auditory sensations in the absence of external noises, vertigo, nausea, headaches,
memory lapses, and issues with balance.
• The origins of the term can be traced back to 2016 when US embassy officials stationed in Havana, Cuba, were
the first to report these baffling symptoms

India, China, and Iran set up pavilions at Army 2023 in Moscow

• India, China, and Iran have established pavilions at the ongoing Army 2023, the 9th International Military-
Technical Forum hosted by Russia
• The Indian pavilion features stalls from the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and three
Defense Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).
• This pavilion was inaugurated by India’s Ambassador to Russia, Pavan Kapoor, and garnered attention from
Russian government officials, including Defense Minister General Sergei Shoigu.
• The DPSUs present are Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), and
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
• China and Iran, which like India operate a large variety of Russian equipment, have set up huge pavilions,
displaying a range of locally developed equipment.

Russia’s Luna 25
• Russia’s lunar lander mission, Luna 25, which aimed to land near the lunar south pole at the Boguslawsky crater,
crashed on the Moon’s surface during de-orbiting due to technical glitches
• The mission was launched on August 10, 2023, atop a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
• Luna 25 was the first lunar probe sent by Russia’s space agency Roscosmos and would have been the first to land
on the lunar south pole
• The mission carried eight Russian science instruments for various analyses, including neutron and gamma-ray
Page : 52
 analysis of regolith, plasma measurement in the exosphere, infrared spectrometry of minerals, dust and micro-
meteorite measurement, thermal properties measurement, imaging, and Moon libration and ranging experiments

India participates in 20th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers’ Meeting

• India and the 10-nation bloc Asean have agreed to fast track negotiations for the review of the existing free trade
agreement in goods between the two regions
• The issue was discussed during the twentieth Asean Economic Ministers-India Consultation meeting, held at
Semarang, Indonesia.
• The commerce ministry said that the main agenda of this year’s meeting was the timely review of Asean-India
Trade in Goods Agreement which was signed in 2009 and implemented in January 2010.
• India and ASEAN registered a bilateral trade of USD 131.5 billion in 2022-23. The trade with ASEAN accounted
for 11.3% of India’s global trade in 2022-23

Prime Minister’s participation in the 15th BRICS Summit

• ‘Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the 15th BRICS Summit held under South Africa’s chairship,
in Johannesburg.’
• The e summit will provide a useful opportunity for its members to identify future areas of cooperation and review
institutional development.
• BRICS is a grouping of the world economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The summit will
be held from August 22-24.
• This will be Modi’s third visit to South Africa and the trip marks the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship
between India and South Africa.
• This year’s BRICS is under the presidency of South Africa.
• The theme of this year’s summit is: “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for mutually accelerated growth, sustainable
development and inclusive multilateralism

Srettha Thavisin
• ‘Srettha Thavisin has been elected the 30th Prime Minister of Thailand.’
• Srettha was born into a wealthy family in Bangkok on 15 February, 1963.
• Srettha is the sole child of Capt Amnuay Thavisin and Chodchoi Jutrakul.
• In 1990, Srettha and his cousins founded a firm that would become Sansiri – one of Thailand’s biggest real estate
companies.
• Sansiri in 2022 posted a revenue of $1.01 billion.
• Under Srettha, the company also recorded its highest-ever profit of $117 million.
• He became an adviser for Pheu Thai’s economic team and helped promote the party’s policies, including a plan to
give 10,000 baht ($290) in digital money to all Thais age 16 and above, which created a major buzz.

India, Asian Development Bank to set up climate change and health hub in Delhi
• India is now all set to open a climate change and health hub in the national capital Delhi in partnership with the
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• Earlier, India had bagged the first WHO Centre for Global Traditional Medicine.
• WHO Centre for Global Traditional Medicine was set up in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
• The new hub for climate change and health will facilitate knowledge sharing, promote partnerships and innovations,
and also help countries beyond the G-20, especially developing countries.
• ADB (founded in 1966) is an international development finance institution.
• Its mission is to help its developing member countries reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of their
people.

PM Modi To Visit Jakarta To Attend ASEAN-India Summit

• Right ahead of the much awaited multilateral event of the year, the 18th G20 Summit to be hosted by India, Prime
Page : 53

Minister Narendra Modi is all set to travel to Jakarta, Indonesia on 06-07 September 2023 at the invitation of H.E.
Mr. Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia
• During his visit, PM Modi will attend the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and 18th East Asia Summit being hosted by
 Indonesia as current Chair of ASEAN
• The East Asia Summit is expected to provide an opportunity for Leaders of ASEAN countries and its eight dialogue
partners, including India, to exchange views on issues of regional and global significance

African Union becomes permanent member of G20 under India’s presidency

• India’s move of including the African Union as a member of G20 in June this year has paid off
• The grouping that represents 55 countries was admitted as a new member of the G20 recently
• The idea was floated in June this year, when Modi wrote to G20 leaders to propose that the African Union be given
“full membership at the upcoming Delhi Summit of G20, as requested by them
• The G20 member nations collectively account for approximately 85 percent of the world’s GDP, more than 75
percent of global trade, and roughly two-thirds of the global population

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

• Leaders from India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy, and the
European Union have jointly unveiled a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that directly challenges China’s
expansive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which seeks to establish trade and infrastructure networks connecting
Asia, Europe, and Africa
• The announcement of the new India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, which also involves Israel and
Jordan, comes at an inopportune moment.
• Data reveals that the value of new foreign contracted projects under the BRI has stagnated since its peak in 2019,
coinciding with China’s domestic real estate debt crisis.
• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor is expected to attract additional Asian countries, boosting
manufacturing, food security, and supply chains within its sphere of influence

Delhi Declaration
• India’s presidency of the G20 has seen significant accomplishments and highlights, as it brought together member
countries to address critical global issues, particularly the war in Ukraine, and amplified the voice of emerging
markets as mediators
• The G20 Summit’s first day featured the issuance of the New Delhi Declaration, which set the stage for discussions
on crucial economic topics
• Notably, it introduced a groundbreaking figure of $5.9 trillion for green financing requirements in developing
nations, emphasizing climate financing
• The declaration recognized the contributions of Turkey and the UN-brokered Istanbul Agreements in ensuring the
unhindered delivery of grain, foodstuffs, and fertilizers between Russia and Ukraine

India-UK hold 12th Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD)

• The 12th annual India-UK Economic Financial Dialogue meeting was held in New Delhi recently under the joint
leadership of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt
• India and the UK have reaffirmed their commitment to expeditiously finalise a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
between the two countries.
• The UK expressed willingness to further extend its footprint in the GIFT City International Financial Services
Centre and foster a robust FinTech partnership.
• The Finance Minister expressed happiness over the tangible progress achieved through the India-UK financial
partnership which has evolved into a leading public and private sector collaborative forum for dialogue across the
financial sector.

Eastern Economic Forum, 2023

• The Eastern Economic Forum is being held at the Russian port city of Vladivostok, and the Union Minister of
Ports Sarbananda Sonowal has gone for Russia to represent India there.’
Page : 54

• The 8th Eastern Economic Forum 2023 is taking place on 10–13 September 2023 in Vladivostok on the Far
Eastern Federal University (FEFU) campus.
• It was first held in September 2015, at Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, to support the economic
 development of Russia’s Far East and to expand international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
• This forum is sponsored by the organizing committee appointed by Roscongress.In 2019 India announced a
commitment to an “Act Far-East” policy.
• This policy is an important part of a special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia

NATO to launch biggest military exercise since cold war

• The NATO Countries are planning to hold the biggest military exercise since the Cold War. ‘
• It will start in the spring next year. It is expected to involve between 500 and 700 air combat missions, more than
50 ships, and about 41,000 troops.
• The exercise is designed to model potential manoeuvres against an enemy modelled on a coalition led by
Russia, named Occasus for the purposes of the drill.
• It is to practice repelling a Russian attack against a member of the alliance.
• The “Steadfast Defender” exercises is part of NATO’s push to transform from crisis response to a war-fighting
alliance.
• The drills will be carried out on the territory of Germany, Poland, and the Baltic countries.

17th International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement

• India’s successful bid to host the esteemed International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement (ICCC) in New
Delhi in 2027 is a significant achievement
• It reflects the country’s recognition and participation in the global scientific community, particularly in the field
of cement chemistry
• This event provides a platform for experts and researchers to share their knowledge and advancements in cement
chemistry, contributing to the development of this crucial industry.
• India previously hosted the 9th Congress in New Delhi in 1992, organized by NCCBM, and the current 16th ICCC
is being held in Bangkok, Thailand, from September 18 to 22, 2023

Merkava Mark 5
• Israel unveiled its cutting-edge main battle tank, the Merkava Mark 5, known as “Barak,” signifying a significant
leap in technological advancement and military capability.’
• The Barak tank, comes equipped with a sophisticated sensor array that enables the seamless sharing of battlefield
information between the MBT and other IDF assets.
• The tank, which is described by Israeli sources as a fifth generation MBT, boasts touchscreens and a heads-up
display broadly reminiscent of systems featured by modern jet fighters.
• The Barak tank uses components from a star-studded lineup of leading Israeli firms, including Rafael and Elbit
Systems.
• The Merkava family-- introduced with the Merkava Mark I which made a strong debut against Syrian T-72 tanks
in the 1982 Lebanon War-- has served as Israel’s primary MBT since 1979.

India-UK hold 12th Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD)

• The 12th annual India-UK Economic Financial Dialogue meeting was held in New Delhi recently under the joint
leadership of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt
• India and the UK have reaffirmed their commitment to expeditiously finalise a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
between the two countries
• The UK expressed willingness to further extend its footprint in the GIFT City International Financial Services
Centre and foster a robust FinTech partnership.
• The Finance Minister expressed happiness over the tangible progress achieved through the India-UK financial
partnership which has evolved into a leading public and private sector collaborative forum for dialogue across the
financial sector
Page : 55
India re-elected AIBD GC president for third successive term
• India has been elected as the President of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) General
Conference (GC) for the third consecutive term.’
• Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster, represents the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,
Government of India, at the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development.
• India previously served two terms as President for the AIBD GC from 2018 to 2021 and from 2021 to 2023.
• This also underscores the global trust in both India and Prasar Bharati as leaders in the broadcasting arena.
• The 21st General Conference and Associated Meetings 2023 (GC 2023) of the AIBD were held from 2-4 October
2023 in Port Louis, Mauritius.
• The conference was chaired by Gaurav Dwivedi, Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati.

Israel- Palestine Conflict

• The Israel-Palestine conflict has escalated dramatically as Hamas, the armed Palestinian group, initiated “Operation
Al-Aqsa Flood,” firing over 5,000 rockets into Israel
• The situation quickly escalated into a full-scale war, resulting in significant casualties and widespread fear among
civilians.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a state of war, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
• The Indian embassy in Israel issued an advisory to its citizens, urging them to remain vigilant and follow safety
protocols provided by local authorities.
• The escalating conflict raised concerns globally, emphasizing the urgency for diplomatic intervention.
• The conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants, particularly Hamas, dates back to 2007.
• The latest escalation followed heightened tensions, exacerbated by Israel’s closure of borders to Gazan workers.

BRICS International Competition Conference

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) will be hosting the 8th BRICS International Competition Conference
(BRICS ICC) 2023.’
• The theme of the conference is New issues in competition law and policy, dimensions, perspectives, and
challenges.
• The Conference is a seminal event to be held in India after a decade. More than 600 delegates from the competition
authorities of BRICS and non-BRICS nations, competition law experts, non-government advisors and domestic
invitees are expected to participate in the conference.
• The last time, India hosted the conference was in 2013.
• The conference aims to discuss various emerging issues and challenges in competition enforcement in BRICS
countries and take forward the agenda of cooperation among the BRICS competition authorities.

INdia likely to skip China’s BRI summit

• India is likely to skip China’s third summit marking President Xi Jinping’s signature Belt and Road Initiative
(BRI), in the Chinese capital.’
• Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing, with the
Russian leader also present at the previous two summits in 2017 and 2019.
• Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe is also likely to attend.
• India did not attend the summits in 2017 and 2019, having raised concerns about the BRI, particularly
over the flagship China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project which runs through Pakistan-occupied
Kashmir.
• The total investment in the plan had reached $380 billion between 2013 and 2022.

Israel used white phosphorus in Gaza, Lebanon

• Human Rights Watch accused Israel of using white phosphorus during its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.’
• White phosphorus, which is used for marking or signaling, has a significant incendiary effect that can severely
Page : 56

burn people and set structures, fields, and other objects on fire.
• The use of white phosphorus in Gaza, one of the most densely populated areas in the world, magnifies the risk to
civilians and violates the international humanitarian law prohibition on putting civilians at unnecessary risk,” the
 human rights body alleged.
• In 1972, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling incendiary weapons a “category of arms
viewed with horror.”

Israel’s missile defence shield

• Palestine-based Hamas militants launched a barrage of rockets on Israel recently infiltrating the towns near the
Gaza Strip through land, air and sea.’
• Israel’s Iron Dome system is a short-range air defence system which is known to have a 96 per cent success rate
in intercepting rockets.
• The Iron Dome system intercepted 90 per cent of the rockets fired by Hamas in the recent attack.
• The system was developed by state-owned Rafael Advanced Defence Systems with the backing of the United
States in order to counter rockets fired by the terror group Hezbollah from Lebanon during the 2006 war and by
Palestine’s Hamas.
• The air-defence system became operational in 2011.

India-Middle East-Europe mega economic corridor

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe mega economic corridor.’
• The project includes India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, France, Italy, Germany and the US.
• The project will aim to enable greater trade among the involved countries, including energy products.
• It could also be one of the more ambitious counters to China’s massive infrastructure program.
• It would increase prosperity among the countries involved through an increased flow of energy and digital
communications.
• The project would help deal with the lack of infrastructure needed for growth in lower- and middle-income
nations.
• The project could be seen as Biden’s attempt to further strengthen the G20 group to counter the dominance of
China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

India likely to sign deal with U.S. for 31 MQ-9B drones by February 2024
• The deal for 31 MQ-9B Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with the U.S. is expected to be concluded by February
2024 and deliveries will begin from February 2027.’
• As part of this plan, General Atomics (GA) is scheduled to establish a global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul
(MRO) facility in India.
• But its location has not yet been finalised, the source stated, adding that it could likely be in Bengaluru.
• The MQ-9B, which will significantly boost the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
capabilities of the Indian armed forces, has two variants - the Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian, its maritime variant.
• MQ-9B is designed to fly over the horizon via satellite for up to 40 hours, depending on configuration, in all types
of weather.

Australia’s referendum to include an Indigenous ‘Voice’ in its Constitution

• A bill passed by the Australian Parliament has set the stage for a historic referendum on constitutional recognition
for the Indigenous people, who account for 3.2% of the country’s nearly 26 million population.’
• The Senate approved the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023, which
proposes a change in the Constitution to establish a representative body that will advise Parliament and the
government on matters related to Indigenous people.
• Aboriginal people are known to have occupied mainland Australia for at least 65,000 years.
• In 2008, the government committed to “close the gap” to achieve better health and life expectancy outcomes for
Indigenous peoples affected by intergenerational trauma.

Earthquakes in Afghanistan
• An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck Western Afghanistan on October 15, barely a few days after multiple
Page : 57

earthquakes of similar strength killed at least a thousand people in the Herat province
• The U.N.’s humanitarian office had said that around 1,300 people had died. Afghanistan has faced widespread
 destruction from intense earthquakes over the years
• Afghanistan is located over multiple fault lines in the region over the area where the Indian and the Eurasian
tectonic plates meet
• These plates collide often, leading to significant tectonic activity in the region.
• An earthquake occurs when blocks of lithosphere suddenly slip past one another, releasing energy and sending
seismic waves through the ground.

Drought grips the Amazon rainforest

• The Amazon rainforest is reeling from an intense drought.’
• Numerous rivers vital for travel have dried up. As a result, there is no water, food, or medicine in villages of
Indigenous communities living in the area.
• The latest calamity is another addition to the long list of causes that are accelerating the destruction of the Amazon,
called the planet’s lungs.
• It covers nearly seven million square kilometres, or about the area of Australia, and stores more than 150
billion metric tonnes of carbon.
• The present spell of drought began in June and has stubbornly persisted since.
• The extreme dry conditions have made the rainforest more vulnerable to wildfires too. So far this month, the
Amazonas state has witnessed 2,700 blazes.

1961 Vienna Convention

• The India-Canada crisis took a fresh turn as 41 diplomats were withdrawn from the country.’
• Both Canada and the US have since called for New Delhi to uphold its obligations under the 1961 Vienna
Convention on Diplomatic Relations while the MEA insists that its actions had not gone against international
laws.
• The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations is an international treaty signed by 61 countries in 1961.
• It puts forth a framework for diplomatic interactions between independent nations and aims to ensure the
‘development of friendly relations among nations’.
• At present 193 countries are party to the document. India insists that its actions are consistent with the tenets set
forth in Article 11.1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

Visa Shopping
• The practice of ‘visa shopping’ has been gaining popularity in several Indian states, including Punjab, where travel
companies often facilitate this setup for travellers.’
• Visa shopping refers to obtaining visas for countries that individuals may or may not visit during the granted visa
period.
• Several individuals also do visa shopping for the Schengen region to enter Portugal, where it is easier to find work
with the assistance of local agents.
• They help them obtain documents for a work visa to help them finally settle there, according to a Schengen Visa
consultant.
• This practice is not illegal if the traveller adheres to the norms and guidelines of the visa process and gets valid
permission to stay in that country.

Olympic cities Selection

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly declared India’s intention to host the Olympic Games, preferably in 2036,
during the opening ceremony of the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC).’
• He also mentioned India’s ambition to host the Youth Olympics in 2029 although the quadrennial event is currently
scheduled for 2030.
• Only three Asian countries have ever hosted the Olympics — China, South Korea and Japan, with Japan
hosting the games twice in 1964 and 2020.
• With India throwing its hat into the ring, there are at least five confirmed countries interested in hosting the 2036
Page : 58

Games and nine others reportedly in various stages of preparations and discussions internally and with the IOC.
Japan-India Semiconductor Supply Chain Partnership
• The Union Cabinet recently approved the memorandum of cooperation that was signed between India and Japan
for improving the semiconductor supply chain in July.’
• This current MoC on the Japan-India Semiconductor Supply Chain Partnership, along with IJDP and India-Japan
Industrial Competitiveness Partnership (IJICP), will further broaden and deepen the cooperation in the field of
electronics ecosystem.
• The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) has been established under Digital India Corporation (DIC) to drive
India’s strategies for the development of the semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
• The government has introduced the Programme for Development of Semiconductor and Display Manufacturing
Ecosystem to extend fiscal support for establishment the of Semiconductor Fabs.

Qatar court sentences 8 ex-Indian Navy officers to death

• Eight former Indian Navy personnel have been sentenced to death by a court in Qatar.’
• They were arrested by Qatari authorities on August 30, 2022 and have since been under solitary confinement.
• Their trial began on March 29 this year.
• The reasons for the veterans’ long custody in Qatar, and the awarding of the death penalty, are not in the
public domain.
• The families of the veterans were not apprised of the formal charges under which the trial was being held.
• The case presents a significant diplomatic challenge for the Indian government.
• The men were picked up by the State Security Bureau, the Qatari intelligence agency.
• The Indian Embassy first learnt about the arrests in mid-September last year.

India,Qatar natural gas

• The death sentence given to eight former personnel of the Indian Navy by a court in Qatar presents the biggest
challenge yet to India’s historically friendly ties with Doha.’
• This situation is particularly concerning due to the pivotal role of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the trade
partnership between the two nations.
• LNG constitutes nearly half of India’s total imports (in terms of value) from Qatar, amplifying the complexity of
the challenge at hand.
• Government-owned Petronet LNG, India’s largest LNG importer, has a long-term contract with Qatar for the
import of 8.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG.
• In addition, Qatari gas has a sizable share in India’s LNG purchases from the spot market.

The UNGA vote on Gaza war

• The government defended its decision to abstain in a U.N. General Assembly vote on resolution that called for a
humanitarian truce and ceasefire in Gaza, saying it did not include “explicit condemnation” of the October 7 terror
attacks in Israel.’
• The resolution, titled the “Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations”, proposed by
Jordan on behalf of the Arab League and co-sponsored by about 40 countries, was passed in the UNGA on October
27 with 120 votes in favour, 14 including the U.S. and U.K. against, and 45 abstentions, including India.
• The resolution adopted had condemned “all acts of violence aimed at Palestinian and Israeli civilians, including
all acts of terrorism and indiscriminate attacks, as well as all

10 years of China’s Belt and Road Initiative

• China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is celebrating its 10th anniversary.’
• This colossal project, in 2013, aims to reshape global trade and infrastructure development.
• The BRI, represents a multifaceted development strategy aimed at enhancing global connectivity and
cooperation.
• It was launched in 2013 and aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with
a network of land and sea routes.
Page : 59

• The project was first named the ‘One Belt, One Road’ but renamed as the BRI to convey a more open and
 inclusive initiative as opposed to a Chinese-dominated one.
• The primary goal of the BRI is to boost international connectivity by enhancing infrastructure, trade, and economic
cooperation.

Page : 60
 Learn BITS
Annual Current Affairs Compilation
ECONOMY

£ $

¥
€
$

Page : 61

PART 1
 JAN-DEC 2023
04 Economy
Hydrogen for Heritage
• Indian Railways (IR) has envisaged to run 35 (thirty five) Hydrogen trains under “Hydrogen for Heritage” at an
estimated cost of ? 80 crores per train and ground infrastructure of ? 70 crores per route on various heritage/hill
routes
• The hydrogen-powered trains will be implemented on both narrow gauge and meter gauge lines
• It is estimated that the initial running cost of Hydrogen fuel train-set will be higher which will subsequently reduce
with increase in number of trains
• To operate the hydrogen-powered trains on these heritage roots, a number of technical changes are being made
• A propulsion unit will be installed in every coach to ensure smooth operation

India to launch hydrogen-powered trains on heritage routes by Dec 2023

• Envisioned on the lines of hydrogen trains running in China and Germany, Indian Railways plans to roll out
hydrogen-powered trains on its narrow gauge heritage routes by December2023, turning them “completely green
• Currently, the railways are developing a prototype of a hydrogen fuel-based train at the Northern Railway workshop
which will test-run on the Sonipat-Jind section in Haryana
• The newly-built hydrogen-powered trains will be called Vande Metro and will be manufactured in large numbers
to replace the current set of trains that were manufactured in the 1950s and 1960s
• The majority of the trains in India now are powered by diesel or electricity

CEA releases disaster management plan for power sector

• The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has released the disaster management plan (DMP) for the power sector
in a bid to evolve a proactive and integrated approach to strengthen disaster mitigation, preparedness, emergency
response, and recovery efforts.
• The DMP provides a framework and direction to the utilities in the power sector for all phases of the disaster
management cycle (Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery)
• It is intended to guide all agencies within the sector with a general concept of potential emergencies and roles and
assignments before, during, and following emergency situations
• The plan comes close on the heels of the Government investigating instances of land subsidence in Uttarakhand’s
Joshimath, the gateway to pilgrimage sites, such as Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib

SEBI asks exchanges to set up system shielding against broker’s tech glitch
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has asked stock exchanges to set up an Investor Risk Reduction
Access (IRRA) platform to enable investors to square-off or close their open positions and cancel pending orders
in case of a technical glitch at the stockbroker
• Stock exchanges will also be able to initiate the service suo moto by monitoring parameters like connectivity,
order flow and social media posts
• Stock exchanges will be required to issue details like cut-off times, scenarios of open positions, framework for
reverse migration, make amendments to relevant bye-laws and will need to update the markets regulator on the
status of implementation in their monthly reports

International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 kick starts

• The Government of India has sponsored the proposal for the International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023, which has
been accepted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
• This has given the Indian Government the opportunity to celebrate the IYM and position India as the global hub
for millets
Page : 62

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also shared his vision for the IYM to become a “People’s Movement”.
• ‘Millets’ were among the first crops to be domesticated in India with several evidence of its consumption during
the Indus valley civilization
• Being grown in more than 130 countries at present, Millets are considered traditional food for more than half a
billion people across Asia and Africa
• In India, millets are primarily a kharif crop, requiring less water and agricultural inputs than other similar staples

RBI launches Utkarsh 2.0 for the period 2023-2025

• RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das launched Utkarsh 2.0, the second phase of the central bank’s medium-term strategy
for strengthening regulatory and supervisory mechanism
• Utkarsh 2.0 harnesses the strengths of Utkarsh 2022 by retaining the six Vision statements as well as Core
Purpose, Values, and Mission statement
• The first strategy framework (Utkarsh 2022) covering the period 2019-2022 was launched in July 2019
• It became a medium-term strategy document guiding the Bank’s progress towards realization of the identified
milestones
• Utkarsh 2.0 would allow the central bank to both react and act proactively to confront socio-economic challenges
• It includes six vision statements that are designed to improve the performance of the RBI’s statutory and other
functions, enhance its relevance and significance at the national and global levels, and improve its internal
governance, infrastructure, and human resources.

SBI, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank continue to be too big to fail

• The top three Indian lenders - State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, and HDFC Bank - stayed Domestic Systemically
Important Banks (D-SIBs) for the banking regulator as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lists out lenders that are
too big to fail
• D-SIBs are those interconnected entities, whose failure can impact the whole of the financial system and create
instability
• Systemically important banks attract closer supervision and regulation from the country’s central bank as these
entities are considered to be too big-to-fail banking companies
• The D-SIB framework requires the central bank to disclose the names of banks designated as D-SIBs starting from
2015 and place these banks in appropriate buckets depending upon their systemic importance

Draft rules for online gaming

• A self-regulatory body, mandatory know-your-customer norms for verification, and a grievance redressal
mechanism are among the key proposals in the draft rules for online gaming
• Online games will have to register with a self-regulatory body, and only games cleared by the body will be
allowed to legally operate in India
• The revenue of the Indian mobile gaming industry is expected to reach $5 billion in 2025
• The industry grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38 per cent in India between 2017-2020, as
opposed to 8 per cent in China and 10 per cent in the US
• It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15 per cent to reach Rs 153 billion in revenue by 2024.

Cabinet clears ₹19,744-cr National Green Hydrogen Mission

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved National Green
Hydrogen Mission
• The initial outlay for the mission is kept at Rs.19,744 crore. Out of this, the government has allocated Rs. 17,490
crore for the SIGHT programme, ?1,466 for the upcoming pilot projects, ?400 crore for R&D, and Rs. 388 crore
towards other mission components
• The incentive aims to make green hydrogen affordable and bring down its cost over the next five years.
• MNRE or the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will formulate the scheme guidelines for its implementation
• The main objective of the government is to develop a green hydrogen capacity of at least 5 MMT (million metric
tonnes) per annum

Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND)

Page : 63

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently said the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND)
scheme will augment the broadcasting infrastructure, particularly in the remote areas
• This will also help in diverse sectors like health, education and entertainment
• The Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) scheme is aimed at providing financial
support to the public broadcaster in the expansion and upgradation of its infrastructure, content development and
civil work
• The BIND scheme will enable the public broadcaster to undertake a major upgradation of its facilities with better
infrastructure which will widen its reach, including in the LWE, border and strategic areas and provide high
quality content to the viewers

Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela

• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has announced that the Pradhan Mantri National
Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM) will be held on January 9th, 2023
• PMNAM is a platform that fast-tracks the meeting of apprenticeship aspirants and employers and allows the
aspirants to have one on one interaction with the employers and provide them with the opportunity to know about
the industry in which they want to train and build a career
• The event will witness the participation from many companies representing various sectors.
• The participating organizations will have the chance to meet potential apprentices on a single platform and choose
applicants on the spot, providing them with an opportunity to strengthen their livelihood and learn new skills

Eat Right Station

• The Varanasi Cantt railway station has been awarded a 5- star ‘Eat Right Station’ certification by the Food Safety
and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for providing quality and nutritious food to passengers
• The “Eat Right Station” certification is awarded by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to
the railway stations that set benchmarks (as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006) in providing safe and
wholesome food to passengers
• FSSAI is an autonomous statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• The stations are awarded a certificate following the completion of an FSSAI-empanelled third-party audit

Kerala becomes country’s first fully digital banking state

• ‘Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recently declared Kerala as the first state in the country to go fully digital in its
banking service and said this recognition would boost the state economy
• According to the State-Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), the state now has at least one product enabled digitally
in 3.76 crore accounts
• The state government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has implemented this move under the ‘Expanding
and Deepening of Digital Payments Ecosystem’ scheme of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• The K-FON will ensure internet facility to everyone in the state and 17,155 km-long optic fibre cable network has
been laid
• Once the project gets completed, internet will be available to everyone in the state either for a cheaper price or for
free-of-cost

3,700 dams in India will lose 26% storage capacity by 2050: UN study
• Around 3,700 dams in India will lose 26 per cent of their total storage by 2050 due to accumulation of sediments
which can undermine water security, irrigation and power generation in future, warns a new study by the United
Nations
• The Central Water Commission, had in 2015, reported that among 141 large reservoirs which are over 50-years-
old, one quarter had lost at least 30 per cent of their initial storage capacity
• Trapped sediment has already robbed roughly 50,000 large dams worldwide of an estimated 13 to 19 per cent of
their combined original storage capacity
• The loss of 1,650 billion cubic metre storage capacity is roughly equal to the annual water use of India, China,
Indonesia, France and Canada combined

BharatPe receives in-principle nod from RBI for online payment aggregator
Page : 64

• ‘Fintech unicorn BharatPe recently said it has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) to operate as Payment Aggregator
• This in-principle approval will help catapult our expansion plans and enable us to reach out to millions of
 merchants, provide digital payment acceptance solutions
• Payment aggregators are entities that facilitate e-commerce sites and merchants to accept various payment
instruments from the customers
• The merchants do not need to create a separate payment integration system of their own.
• RBI had issued a payment aggregator framework, mandating payment gateways to get a license for acquiring
merchants and provide them with digital payments acceptance solutions.

Cabinet approves Setting up of a national level multi-state cooperative seed society

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved a historic decision
to set up and promote a national level multi-state seed cooperative society under Multi State Cooperative Societies
(MSCS) Act, 2002.’
• Primary to national level cooperatives societies including primary societies, district, state and national level
federations and multi state cooperative societies can become its member.
• All these cooperatives will have their elected representatives in the Board of the society as per its bye-laws.
• The proposed society will help to increase the seed replacement rate, varietal replacement rate, ensuring the role
of farmers in quality seed cultivation and seed variety trials, production and distribution of certified seeds with a
single brand name.

Incentive scheme for promotion of RuPay Debit Cards and low-value BHIM-UPI
transactions (P2M)
• The Union Cabinet recenrtly approved the incentive scheme for the promotion of RuPay Debit cards and low-
value BHIM-UPI transactions (person-to-merchant)
• The incentive scheme has a financial outlay of Rs 2,600 crore
• Acquiring banks will be provided financial incentives for promoting Point-of-Sale (PoS) and e-commerce
transactions for the current financial year FY 2022-23
• With this, the government aims to build a robust digital payment system and promote UPI Lite and UPI 123 Pay
as economical and user-friendly digital payments
• The government has been taking initiatives for the promotion of digital payments across the country.
• Over past years, digital payment transactions have witnessed high growth

Fssai notifies comprehensive regulatory standards for Basmati Rice

• ‘For the first time in the country, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has specified the identity
standards for Basmati Rice (including Brown Basmati Rice, Milled Basmati Rice, Parboiled Brown Basmati Rice
and Milled Parboiled Basmati Rice)
• As per these standards, Basmati rice shall possess natural fragrance characteristic of basmati rice and be free from
artificial colouring, polishing agents and artificial fragrances
• Being a premium quality rice and fetching a price higher than the non-basmati varieties, Basmati rice is prone to
various types of adulteration for economic gains which may include, among others, undeclared blending of other
non-basmati varieties of rice
• Therefore, in order to ensure supply of standardised genuine Basmati rice in domestic and export markets, FSSAI
has notified regulatory standards for Basmati rice

Sethusamudram project
• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has recently moved a resolution in the state assembly seeking the revival
of the Sethusamudram Project, a proposed shipping canal project in India that would connect the Gulf of Mannar
and the Palk Strait
• The canal would facilitate movement from Gulf of Munnar to Palk Straits
• Coastal security would be strengthened, and the handling of transhipment cargo would not go to ports in foreign
countries, including Sri Lanka
• The distance and travelling time of ships would be reduced, and the cargo handling capacity would increase.
Page : 65

Commissioned in 2005, the project came to a halt in light of protests by rightwing groups claiming that the project
may harm the ‘Ram Setu’ bridge, which is believed to have been built by Lord Ram to reach Sri Lank.
WEF’s Center for Fourth Industrial Revolution to be set up in Hyderabad
• The World Economic Forum Center for Fourth Industrial Revolution, “the first thematic centre in India to focus
on life sciences and healthcare,” will be set up in Hyderabad.’
• The Centre - C4IR Telangana - will be an autonomous, non-profit organization, leading on policy and governance
for healthcare and life sciences.
• The centre will play an important role in transforming the regional, national and global healthcare sector, and
improving patient access and outcomes.
• It will accelerate product development and delivery innovation within the overall Indian healthcare system.
• C4IR Telangana is the only centre of the World Economic Forum in India with a thematic focus on healthcare and
life sciences.
• Telangana is regarded as a leading life sciences hotspot in Asia

States’ gross fiscal deficit set to fall in 2022-23: RBI

• The Gross fiscal deficit (GFD) of states is budgeted to narrow to 3.4 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in
2022-23 from 4.1 per cent in 2020-21, helped by broad-based economic recovery and higher revenue collections,as
per RBI report.’
• While the outstanding liabilities of states have moderated from their pandemic time peaks, debt consolidation at
the individual state level warrants urgent attention.
• The report said that states have budgeted for higher revenue receipts in 2022-23, driven primarily by state goods
and services tax (SGST), excise duties, and sales tax collections.
• The debt of the States is expected to ease from 31.1 percent of GDP in 2020–21 to 29.5 percent in 2022–23,
although it is still more than the 20 percent suggested by the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management
Review Committee in 2018.

Narayani River
• Under Namami Gange Program, the development of river front on Narayani River in the district of Gopalganj,
Bihar has been undertaken and two Ghats have been constructed at a total cost of Rs. 6.62 crore
• River Gandak (Narayani River) was declared as National Waterway (NW)-37 from Bhaisalotan Barrage to Gandak
and Ganga river confluence at Hajipur along with 111 NWs in the country vide National Waterways Act, 2016
• Based on the findings of the study reports of Gandak River, the waterways was found feasible for development of
shipping and navigation
• The Narayani River, also known as Gandaki River, is one of the major rivers in Nepal
• It is a left bank tributary of the Ganges in India

Mission Antyodaya Survey (MAS) 2022-23

• The Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Shri Giriraj Singh inaugurated the Mission
Antyodaya Survey (MAS) 2022-23 including launching of its portal and mobile application at a function in New
Delhi
• The Department of Rural Development has been conducting Mission Antyodaya Survey across all Gram
Panchayats in the country since 2017-18 with the purpose of transforming lives and livelihoods of people on
measurable outcomes through convergence of various schemes
• Annual survey in Gram Panchayats across the country is an important aspect of Mission Antyodaya
framework
• The survey aims to lend support to the process of participatory planning for Gram Panchayat Development
Plan (GPDP) which will improve service delivery, enhance citizenship, create pace for an alliance of people’s
institutions, and groups and improve governance at the local level

Shivamogga airport
• The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly constructed Shivamogga Airport along with
Page : 66

various development projects that cost over Rs 3,600 crore in Shivamogga, Karnataka.’
• The Prime Minister also laid the foundation for two railway projects, the Shivamogga Shikaripura Ranebennur
new Railway line and Koteganguru Railway coaching depot, and several road development projects totalling over
Rs 215 crore.
• The Prime Minister also unveiled multi-village schemes worth over Rs 950 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission and
inaugurated 44 Smart City Projects worth over Rs 895 crore in Shivamogga city.

Central Government launches High Price Day Ahead Market and Surplus Power Por-
tal (PUShP)
• ‘The Central Government has launched a High Price Day Ahead Market and Surplus Power Portal (PUShP) - an
initiative to ensure greater availability of power during the peak demand season
• This move rationalized the price for buyers. Because of the high prices of gas in the international market; the
electricity made by using gas was expensive - more than Rs.12 per unit - and this capacity could not be sold on
the market
• Similarly, the imported coal-based plants and the Renewable Energy stored in battery-energy storage systems
could not be brought into operation, as their generation cost was high
• This year it is expected that the demand will be much higher than last year therefore, the gas-based plants and the
imported coal-based plants will need to be scheduled

India ranks 42nd out of 55 nations in global IP index

• India has been ranked 42nd out of 55 countries in the latest International Intellectual Property Index report
• According to the report released recently, Morocco and Thailand at 2.5% each and Vietnam at 2.02% had the
largest improvements in their overall score
• The annual International Intellectual Property (IP) Index for 2023, says it evaluates the protection of IP rights
in 55 of the world’s leading economies, together representing around 90% of global GDP
• The report covers everything from patent and copyright laws to the ability to monetise IP assets and the ratification
of international agreements
• The report claims that Intellectual property (IP) was “critical to how nations, businesses, and individuals managed
through and emerged from the COVID pandemic

India approves $3.9 bn hydropower project near China border in northeast

• India approved its largest ever hydropower project in the mountainous northeastern region bordering China as the
country seeks to build renewable generation to meet rising power demand.’
• The 2,880-megawatt Dibang project in Arunachal Pradesh is estimated to take nine years to build.
• The project envisages the construction of a 278m high Concrete Gravity Dam (above the deepest foundation
level), 6 Nos. horseshoe-shaped head race tunnels of length varying from 300m to 600 m with 9 m diameter, an
underground Power House.
• Dibang Multipurpose Project is intended to be a hydroelectric project based on storage, with flood control serving
as the primary objective.

Women, Business and the Law report

• ‘Recently, the World Bank released the Women, Business and the Law 2023 report
• The Report relies on eight indicators to measure if women are on an equal standing with men .A perfect score of
100 on the Index means that women are on an equal standing with men.only 14 countries scored a perfect 100
• India scored 74.4 in the index which was higher than the 63.7 average for the South Asian region, but lower than
Nepal which had the region’s highest score of 80.6.
• Women are discriminated against in senior positions. Women hold only 5 percent of Fortune 500 CEO positions,
and represent on average 17 percent of global Board positions

RBI initiates 75 digital villages programme

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched a programme to adopt 75 villages and convert them into digital
payment enabled villages
• Under the initiative, payment system operators (PSOs) will adopt these villages across the country and conduct
two camps in each of these villages with an aim to improve awareness and onboard merchants for digital payments
Page : 67

• India’s payment systems have evolved over the years and there are now multiple systems available round the clock
facilitating instant payments
• The payment systems in the country have witnessed over 1000 crore transactions every month since December
2022
• The volume of UPI transactions has increased multi fold from 0.45 crore in January 2017 to 804 crore in January
2023

Centre planning hallmarking of gold bullion mandatory

• To protect consumers and enhance their confidence in hallmarked gold jewellery, the Bureau of Indian Standards
(BIS) has prohibited from April 1 their sale and also that of gold artefacts without a six-digit alphanumeric
Hallmark Unique Identification Number (HUID)
• Hallmarking scheme for hallmarking of Jewelry was started by BIS in the year 2000.
• However, Mandatory Hallmarking has been successfully implemented in 288 districts of the country with effect
from 23 June 2021 vide Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts Order, 2022, and its amendment dated
04 March,2022
• At present more than 3 lakh gold articles are being hallmarked with HUID every day. At present, 339 districts
have at least one AHC

Ministry brings crypto assets under Prevention of Money Laundering Act

• ‘The central government has brought the trading of cryptocurrency and digital assets within the ambit of the
Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) through a gazette notification.’
• The move comes even as the legislation to govern the cryptocurrency sector is still awaited, and at a time when
India — as Group of 20 (G20) President — is looking to drive the narrative among global leaders and regulators
on the dangers of crypto–currency.
• It mandates entities dealing in crypto to follow KYC, anti-money laundering regulations and due diligence as
followed by banking and other financial entities which fall under the classification of reporting entities under
PMLA.

IREDA gets ‘Infrastructure Finance Company’ status from RBI

• State-owned Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) said it has received Infrastructure Finance
Company status from the Reserve Bank of India.
• The recognition of IREDA as an IFC will increase the investors’ confidence, enhance the brand value and generate
a positive outlook in the market
• The grant of IFC status is a recognition of IREDA’s 36 years of infrastructure financing and development with
focused development of renewable energy
• With IFC status, IREDA will keep contributing towards the government target of 500 GW installed capacity of
non-fossil fuels by 2030
• It finances all RE technologies and value chains such as solar, wind, hydro, bio-energy, waste to energy, energy
efficiency, e-mobility, battery storage, biofuel and new and emerging technologies.

Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES)

• The Department of Commerce, Government of India, is implementing the Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme
(TIES) w.e.f. FY 2017-18 to assist Central and State Government agencies in creating appropriate infrastructure
for the growth of exports
• Under the scheme, financial assistance in the form of grants-in-aid is provided to Central/State Government
owned agencies (or their Joint Ventures with major stake-holding by them) for setting up or up-grading export
infrastructure in States/UTs
• The States can avail of the scheme through their implementing agencies for infrastructure projects with significant
export linkages like Border Haats, Land customs stations, quality testing and certification labs, cold chains, trade
promotion centres, export warehousing and packaging, SEZs and ports/airports cargo terminuses
Page : 68
Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2022
• Union Minister (FAHD) Shri Parshottam Rupala unveiled the department’s annual publication, the ‘Basic Animal
Husbandry Statistics 2022’ recently.’
• It is the primary source of data on production estimates of four Major Livestock Products (MLPs) like Milk, Egg,
Meat and Wool for the year 2021-22 and other technical aspects of Integrated Sample Survey (ISS).
• It contains data of secondary information like livestock population as per latest 20th Livestock Census, import
and export data of livestock and livestock products, incidence of livestock disease, infrastructure and economic
contribution of livestock sector.
• In the current year 2021-22, the milk production has registered an annual growth rate of 5.29%.

Invest India
• Invest India has appointed Manmeet Nanda as its next Managing Director and CEO (CMD) after Deepak Bagla
resigned. ‘
• Invest India, set up in 2009, is a non-profit venture under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal
Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
• It is the national investment promotion and facilitation agency.
• Invest India focuses on sector-specific investor targeting and development of new partnerships to enable sustainable
investments in India.
• In addition to a core team that focuses on sustainable investments, Invest India also partners with substantial
investment promotion agencies and multilateral organizations.
• Invest India also actively works with several Indian states to build capacity as well as bring in global best practices
in investment targeting, promotion and facilitation areas

Income Tax department launches AIS app for taxpayers

• The income tax department recently said it has launched the ‘AIS for Taxpayer’ mobile app, which will help
taxpayers get a comprehensive view of information related to the tax deducted or collected at source, interest,
dividends and share transactions.’
• All information is part of the Annual Information Statement (AIS) that was launched by the Central Board of
Direct Taxes (CBDT) a few years ago, to help provide all available data to taxpayers at the time of filing returns.
• The AIS also offers the option to provide feedback in case of discrepancies in the data.
• The app is aimed to provide a comprehensive view of the AIS/TIS to the taxpayer which displays the information
collected from various sources pertaining to the taxpayer

DigiClaim
• ‘Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar launched National Crop Insurance
Portal’s digitized claim settlement module namely DigiClaim under the ambit of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima
Yojana (PMFBY) at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi
• This would directly impact the claim reversal ratio, which is expected to go down with DigiClaim
• Another noteworthy feature of this digital advancement is that farmers would be able to track the claim settlement
process on their mobile phones in real-time and avail the scheme’s benefits
• With this, now farmers’ claims will be processed directly to their respective bank accounts in a transparent and
accountable manner
• This technology has been enabled through the integration of the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) and
Public Finance Management System (PFMS)

Chenab bridge
• The world’s highest railway bridge being built by Indian Railways is expected to be ready in the coming months.’
• This arch bridge is an engineering marvel in the challenging terrain of Himalayas.
• The Chenab bridge is part of the strategically important Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramullah (USBRL) railway link
Page : 69

which will connect Jammu & Kashmir to the rest of India.

• The Chenab Bridge is 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris, making it the world’s highest rail bridge.
• The 1.3 km long bridge has a design speed of 100 kmph for trains and a lifespan of 120 years.
Daylight Saving Time
• Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a practice of setting the clocks forward one hour from the standard time during the
summer and back again in the autumn.’
• Although it was initially intended to make better use of natural daylight and save energy, today, it remains a
subject of controversy.
• DST involves resetting clocks ahead by an hour in spring, and behind by an hour in autumn.
• Hence, those in favour of DST argue that it means a longer evening daytime.
• Individuals will complete their daily work routines an hour earlier, and that extra hour of daylight means or is
supposed to mean a lower consumption of energy.
• In April 1916, during World War I, Germany and Austria introduced DST to minimise the use of artificial lighting.

Deep Ocean Mission

• ‘Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology;Dr. Jitendra Singh said that in the years
to come, “Blue Economy” will be major contributor to India’s overall economy and the Deep Ocean Mission
announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the core component of it.’
• The Minister was chairing the first-ever high-level Steering Committee Meeting of Deep Ocean Mission today at
Prithvi Bhawan, New Delhi.
• The Deep Ocean Mission is a high-level multi-ministerial, multi-disciplinary programme for better understanding
of the deep sea living and non-living resources of the Indian Ocean and will aid in India’s efforts to attain the Blue
Economy status.

European Commission grants GI tag for Himachal’s Kangra tea

• ‘The European Union (EU) has granted the Geographical Indicator (GI) tag to Kangra tea.’
• This will help the tea growers of Kangra export their produce to Europe.
• Kangra tea is grown 900-1,400 meters above sea level, on the slopes of the Dhauladhar mountain range in the
Western Himalayas. It has a nutty, woody aroma and a sweet aftertaste.
• India-EU relations date to the early 1960s, with India being amongst the first countries to establish diplomatic
relations with the European Economic Community.
• They both lay strong emphasis on GI, attaching high importance to local food, maintaining local traditions and
preserving and promoting rich cultural heritage.

Tamil Nadu’s Cumbum grapes get Geographical Indication tag

• ‘The Cumbum grapes have recently been given the Geographical Indication tag or GI tag.’
• These grapes were introduced in Tamil Nadu in 1832 by a French priest.
• A unique factor is that in this Cumbum valley the ‘panneer’ grapes are available and harvested all through the year
as against only during January and April in the rest of India.
• The grapes grown are suitable for making wine, spirit, jams, canned grape juice and raisins.
• The grapes are rich in vitamins, tartaric acid, and antioxidants, and reduce the risk of some chronic diseases.

Sagarmala Innovation and Start-up Policy

• ‘A nation’s growth is augmented by start-ups and entrepreneurs. In order to build a strong innovation ecosystem,
the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) issued draft on ‘Sagarmala Innovation and Start-up
Policy’.’
• This draft policy aims at nurturing start-ups and other entities to co-create the future of India’s growing maritime
sector.
• This entails intensive collaboration of the organizations to build a strong eco-system facilitating innovation and
Startups in the country that will drive sustainable growth and generate large scale employment opportunities.
• This enhances the cooperation and coordination between academic institutions, public sector, private sector and
convergence of different schemes and programs to groom fresh ideas and approaches to resolve the issues and
Page : 70

challenges.
New foreign trade policy
• ‘India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, presented the new Foreign Trade Policy 2023-2028.’
• The major highlight of this policy was the internationalisation of the rupee trade.
• In light of the slowdown in global trade, the policy aims to boost exports of India’s goods and services.
• It will come into effect on April 1, 2023. The previous five-year policy was set to expire in March 2020.
• Nevertheless, following the breakout of Covid-19, it was extended until March 31, 2023.
• The objective is to improve India’s global potential through exports.
• The FTP 2023 would boost the growth of e-commerce export, which is estimated to reach USD 200-300 billion
by 2023.

No charges on UPI
• ‘The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) recently clarified about the recently introduced interchange
charges, saying they are only applicable for the prepaid payment instruments (PPI) transactions and there is no
charge to customers.’
• The interchange fee can be associated with card payments and is levied to cover the costs of accepting, processing,
and authorising transactions.
• The introduction of interchange fees is aimed at increasing revenue for banks and payment service providers.
• The interchange fee will be applicable in the range of 0.5-1.1 per cent on various services.
• An interchange fee of 0.5 per cent will be applicable on fuel, 0.7 per cent for telecom, utilities/post office, education,
agriculture, 0.9 per cent for supermarkets, 1 per cent for mutual fund, government, insurance and railways.

India Post Payments Bank launches WhatsApp Banking Services

• ‘India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), in collaboration with Airtel, has launched WhatsApp Banking Services to
provide easy and convenient banking services to its customers.’
• With this new service, customers can now easily access various banking services from their WhatsApp account.
• Airtel has been working with IPPB to deliver as many as 250 million messages per month to the bank’s customers
many of whom are located in mofussil towns and Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
• The addition of WhatsApp messaging will increase customers accessibility to connect with the bank at their
fingertips.
• IPPB is a public sector bank that was launched in 2018 with the aim of providing banking services to the unbanked
population of India

Sagar Setu Mobile App

• ‘Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal launched the App Version of
National Logistics Portal (Marine) ‘Sagar-Setu’.’
• The SAGAR-SETU app of the National Logistics Portal (Marine) would help custodians in easier access to
functionalities on a handheld device.
• Mobile App will ensure data mobility such that approvals & monitoring shall be at the finger tips of port &
ministry officials and stakeholders as well’.
• It will provide real-time information of activities that are generally not in reach of the importer, exporter, and
customs broker including vessel-related information, gate, container freight stations and transactions on fingertips.

Major achievements of Indian Railways in Financial Year -2022-23

• ‘During the Financial Year 2022-23, Indian Railways (IR) achieved milestones in various categories including
freight loading, electrification, New Line/ Doubling/ Gauge Conversion, Loco production and also the integration
of technology for ensuring safety.’
• During FY 2022-23 IR has achieved revenue of Rs. 2.44 Lakh Crores as compared to Rs.1.91 Lakh Crores during
2021-22 registering an increase of 27.75%.
• Following the Mantra, “Hungry For Cargo”, IR has made sustained efforts to improve the ease of doing business
as well as improve the service delivery at competitive prices which has resulted in new traffic coming to railways
Page : 71

from both conventional and non-conventional commodity streams.

National Electricity Plan (2022-27)
• ‘A fresh draft for India’s energy planners, the National Electricity Plan for 2022-27, appears to have affected a
major change so far as the expansion of coal-fired capacity is concerned keeping in mind the increasing needs.’
• The Electricity Act 2003 stipulates that the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) shall prepare a National Electricity
Plan in accordance with the National Electricity Policy and notify such plan once in 5 years.
• The fresh draft, in a tacit admission of the ground realities, cites the need for fresh coal-based capacity ranging
from 17 GW to nearly 28 GW till 2031-32.
• Battery Energy Storage systems(BESS) especially based on Lithium-ion batteries are one of the storage options.

Marcha Rice gets GI tag

• ‘The Mircha rice variety from West Champaran district of Bihar has recently been granted the GI tag.’
• The grains of this rice are similar in size and shape to black pepper, which is why it is called Mircha or Marcha
rice.
• The rice has a distinct aroma, and its grains and flakes are known for their palatability.
• The rice is also famous for its ability to produce aromatic chura (rice flakes).
• When cooked, the rice is fluffy, non-sticky, and sweet with a pleasant aroma resembling that of popcorn.
• The application for the GI tag was submitted by the Marcha Dhan Utpadak Pragatisheel Samuh, a registered
organization of paddy cultivators.

Skill ministry launches digital version of employability skills curriculum

• ‘The Union Minister of Education and Skill Development Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled the digital version of the
Employability Skills curriculum for students enrolled in India’s Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) at the Future
Skills Forum recently. ‘
• The curriculum, consisting of revised and extended 120-hour curriculum in Hindi and English, is slated to benefit
more than 2.5 million students in around 15,000 ITIs.
• The digital lessons include modules on financial and digital literacy, diversity and inclusion, career development,
goal setting and entrepreneurship.
• These are drawn from the upgraded employability skills curriculum which was launched by the skill ministry last
year.
• Aimed at fulfilling the need for anytime, anywhere learning, these modules will be accessible to more than 2.5
million learners through the Government of India’s Bharat Skills Portal as well as other platforms.

State Energy Efficiency Index 2021-22

• ‘Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri R. K. Singh recently released the report of State
Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2021-22.’
• The SEEI was released during the RPM (Review, Planning and Monitoring) meeting of States and State Utilities
in New Delhi.
• The index developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, in
association with Alliance for an Energy-Efficient Economy (AEEE), assesses, the annual progress of states and
UTs in energy efficiency implementation, for FY 2020-21 and 2021-22.
• SEEI 2021-22 has an updated framework of 50 indicators aligned with national priorities. Programme-specific
indicators have been included this year to track outcomes and impacts of state-level energy efficiency initiatives

Dabba Trading
• ‘Recently, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) issued a string of notices naming entities involved in ‘dabba
trading’.’
• The bourse cautioned retail investors to not subscribe (or invest) using any of these products offering indicative/
assured/guaranteed returns in the stock market as they are prohibited by law.
• It added that the entities are not recognised as authorised members by the exchange.
Page : 72

• Dabba (box) trading refers to informal trading that takes place outside the purview of the stock exchanges.
• Traders bet on stock price movements without incurring a real transaction to take physical ownership of a particular
stock as is done in an exchange.

Kochi Water metro

• ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the country’s first water metro service, connecting Kochi’s islands to
the mainland.’
• The one-of-its-kind project will provide safe, affordable, and pocket-friendly travel for people in and around
Kochi and also boost tourism.
• In the first phase, the water metro will start sailing with eight electric-hybrid boats on two routes, High Court to
Vypin and Vyttila to Kakkanad.
• The single journey ticket fare for the High Court to Vypin route has been pegged at Rs 20.
• The fare for Vyttila to the Kakkanad route will be Rs 30.
• The estimated travel time from the Vyttila Water Metro terminal to Kakkanad terminal is around 25 minutes.
• Initially, the water metro service will start at 7 am and continue till 8 pm.

Indiahandmade portal
• To provide products from more than 35 Lakh Handloom weavers & 27 Lakh Handicraft artisans directly to the
consumers while eliminating the middlemen, the Ministry of Textiles has developed an E-Commerce portal.’
• With the help of this virtual Indian store, the artisans will get remunerated fairly with no middlemen to manipulate
prices and city dwelling urban Indians will get access to 100% authentic & best handcrafts products emerging
straight from the heart of India.
• Indiahandmade portal offers a wide range of products, including clothing, home decor, jewellery, accessories, and
more.
• All their products are handmade by skilled artisans, and they pride themselves on offering unique and authentic
pieces that showcase India’s diverse cultural heritage.

National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign- 2023

• Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurated National Conference on Agriculture for
Kharif Campaign 2023-24 at NASC Complex, New Delhi.’
• The priority of government is agro-ecological based crop planning for diversion of land from excess commodities
like rice and wheat to deficit commodities like oilseeds and pulses and high value export earning crops.
• Special Mustard programme was initiated during rabi 2020-21 that has brought most spectacular results.
• Mustard production has jumped by 40% from 91.24 to 128.18 lakh tonnes in last 3 years.
• The Conference set the national targets for production of foodgrains and other commodities. National targets for
total food grains production set at 3320 lakh tonnes for the year 2023-24.

Nationwide AHDF KCC campaign

• ‘As part of AazadiKaAmritMahostav, Union Cabinet Minister for Fisheries, Animal husbandry and
Dairying,officially launched the Nation wide AHDF KCC Campaign for 2023-24.’
• In order to expand the benefit of Kisan Credit Card to all eligible animal husbandry, dairy and fishery farmers
in the country, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, in association with the Department of Fisheries
(DOF) and the Department of Financial Services (DFS), is organizing a “Nationwide AHDF KCC Campaign”.
• Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in association with Department of Financial Services
are organizing various campaign since June 2020 for providing Kisan Credit Card facility to all eligible Animal
Husbandry and Fishery Farmers.
• As a result, more than 27 lakh fresh KCC were sanction to Animal Husbandry and Fishery Farmers.

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) granted Navratna Status

• ‘Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Central Public Sector Enterprises of Ministry of Railways, has been granted
Navratna Status.’
Page : 73

• The company began its operation in 2005 with the appointment of Board of Directors.
• The company was granted Mini-Ratna status in September 2013.
• The authorized share capital of the company is Rs. 3000 Crore, with paid up share capital of Rs. 2085 crore.
• The grant of “Navratna” status to RVNL leads to enhanced delegation of powers, more operational freedom and
financial autonomy which will give huge impetus to RVNL’s progress, particularly so, when RVNL is extending
its footprints in sectors beyond Railways and even in projects abroad.

India’s First International Multimodal Logistics Park

• ‘Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed the progress of
India’s first International Multi Modal Logistics park in Jogighopa, Assam.’
• The MMLP at Jogighopa will come on a 317-acre plot of land along the Brahmaputra that used to belong to the
now-defunct public-sector Ashok Paper Mill.
• The first phase of the project will be completed by 2023 and contracts for construction works worth Rs 280 crore,
including Rs 171 crore for road construction, Rs 87 crore for erecting the structure, and Rs 23 crore for rail lines,
has already been awarded.
• The MMLP will have all the facilities like, warehouse, railway siding, cold storage, custom clearance house, yard
facility, workshops, petrol pumps, truck parking, administrative building, boarding lodging, eating joints, water
treatment plant, etc.

India’s 1st undersea twin tunnels in Mumbai

• ‘India’s first undersea twin tunnels in South Mumbai are nearing completion, and are set to open in November
2023.’
• The tunnels are 2.07-km long and are a part of Rs 12,721-crore Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP).
• The famous tunnels are being constructed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
• The Mumbai Coastal Road Project connects Marine Drive to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
• It takes commuters about 45 minutes to reach their desired destination.
• The most important and highlight-worthy part of the project is the usage of the largest ever tunnel boring machine
in the history of India, named ‘Mavala’.
• The name has been given in honour of Shivaji’s warfare experts from the Koli and Kunbi community.

Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE)

• ‘The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has taken a significant step forward in streamlining the strike-off
process of companies with the establishment of the Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE).’
• This institution aims to simplify procedures, reduce the burden on the Registry, maintain a clean registry, and
provide valuable data to stakeholders.
• The primary objective is to offer stakeholders a hassle-free filing experience and ensure timely and process-bound
striking off of company names from the Register.
• This development is part of the MCA’s continuous efforts to enhance the Ease of Doing Business and facilitate
smooth exits for companies.

Pashmina Certification Centre

• ‘Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav inaugurated Pashmina
Certification Centre(PCC) set up in Wildlife Institute of India,Dehradun.’
• Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun had signed an ‘Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Export
Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), New Delhi, for setting up a ‘Pashmina Testing Facility’.
• Through this MoU, the EPCH collaborated with WII to establish a Pashmina Certification Center (PCC) for its
associated members involved in Pashmina Trade.
• The purpose of setting up this PCC is to streamline the Pashmina Trade and to provide a one-stop testing facility
to certify genuine Pashmina Product free from any prohibited fibers to the associated manufacturers, exporters,
and traders.

International Conference on Chemicals and Petrochemicals

Page : 74

• ‘Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals is organizing a B20 conference for the global business community,
in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with focus on the Chemicals & Petrochemical sector
at New Delhi.’
• More than 500 delegates from India and Oversees from Industry/Association/Federation across B20 Nations,
Government representatives will participate in the conference.
• The aim of the Conference is to improve the safety and sustainable ecosystem for chemicals and petrochemicals
industry across the four pillars of De-carbonization, Circular Economy, Biodiversity and Water Conservation.
• Chemicals & Petrochemical industry being one of the fastest growing industries, is playing a instrumental role in
development the Indian economy.
• It finds application in providing building blocks and raw materials for allied downstream products.

Vande Bharat Express

• ‘The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi flagged off the inaugural run of Vande Bharat Express from Dehradun
to Delhi via video conferencing.’
• He also dedicated to the nation, newly electrified rail sections and declared Uttarakhand a 100% electric traction
state.
• Delhi Dehradun Expressway will make the journey faster and easier. He also talked about the Ropeway connectivity
in Uttarakhand.
• “Parvat Mala Project is going to change the state’s fortune in the coming days”. He remarked that the Rs 16,000
cr Rishikesh-Karanprayag Rail Project will be completed in 2-3 years.
• The Project will make a big part of Uttarakhand accessible and will push investment, industry and employment.

ADB, India sign for industrial corridor development in Andhra Pradesh

• ‘The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $141.12 million loan to support the
development of high-quality internal infrastructure.’
• Such as roads, water supply systems and electricity distribution network in three industrial clusters in the state of
Andhra Pradesh.
• In Srikalahasthi-Chittoor node, the project will help develop the start-up area of the 938-ha Chittoor–South
industrial cluster, and improve a 9.5-km access road to the Chittoor-South industrial cluster and an 8.7-km access
road to the Naidupeta industrial cluster.
• The program will formulate a plan to improve operation and maintenance of start-up industrial clusters, and will
roll out a toolkit with gender-responsive and socially inclusive guidance to integrate industrial and urban planning
including industry housing in areas adjacent to industrial clusters.

India’s longest sea bridge Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL)

• ‘The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed the Mumbai-bound
carriageway of the project, also known as the Sewri-Nhava Sheva Trans Harbour Link.’
• A six-lane access-controlled expressway grade road bridge. The bridge begins in Sewri in south Mumbai and
terminates at Chirle near Nhava Sheva.
• The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link will be the longest sea bridge in the country with a total stretch of 16.5 km above
the sea.
• The bridge connecting Mumbai with Navi Mumbai is expected to provide major relief to commuters in Mumbai
Metropolitan Region by mitigating traffic congestion, and also promote economic development.
• It will allow people to travel from Sewri in central Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai in 15 to 20 minutes.

New rules for computation of tax on winnings from online gaming

• ‘The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) recently issued a new set of guidelines on online gaming platforms,
stating that the platforms need not deduct tax at source (TDS) on winnings withdrawn by players if the amount is
less than Rs 100 a month and meets certain riders.’
• The CBDT said the guidelines were aimed at addressing difficulties faced by taxpayers.
• Online gaming companies paying any income by way of winnings to the players during the financial year should
deduct income tax on the net winnings in his user account as per Section 194BA of the Income Tax Act. The new
rules will take effect on July 1.
Page : 75
International Conference on Green Hydrogen
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will organise an International Conference on Green Hydrogen,
ICGH-2023 from 5th to the 7th of next month in New Delhi
• The objective of the conference is to bring together the global scientific and industrial community to discuss recent
advances and emerging technologies in the entire green hydrogen value chain
• The fundamental aim of the Conference is to explore how India can establish a Green Hydrogen ecosystem and
foster a systemic approach for meeting the global goals for decarbonization through Green Hydrogen
• The conference will also discuss green financing, human resource upskilling, and startup initiatives in this area
• The conference seeks to bring the best brains together to explore solutions for developing and strengthening the
national green hydrogen ecosystem

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare signed a MOU with Pixxel Space India Pvt.
Limited
• The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Pixxel
Space India Pvt Limited
• The MOU aims to develop various geospatial solutions for the Indian Agriculture Ecosystem using Pixxel’s
hyperspectral dataset.
• The project focuses on utilizing Pixxel’s pathfinder satellites’ hyperspectral data to develop analytics models for
crop mapping, crop stage discrimination, crop health monitoring, and soil organic carbon assessments.
• The collaboration will enable the Government to leverage hyperspectral dataprovided by Pixxel for developing
use cases and implementing suitable methodologies.
• Hyperspectral remote sensing technology, which involves spectral measurements in narrow wavelength bands by
satellites, offers unique capabilities for monitoring agriculture.

Draft aircraft bill

• ‘The Civil Aviation Ministry has issued a draft bill to provide a simplified approach for regulations pertaining to
meet the current needs of the civil aviation sector.’
• The proposed Draft Aircraft Bill, 2023, has been prepared after reviewing the existing Aircraft Act 1934.
• The preamble to the Draft Aircraft Bill, 2023 stated that it aims to have an Act to make better provisions for
regulation and control of the design, manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import and export of aircraft
and for connected matters, and to remove the redundancies in the 1934 law.
• The existing Aircraft Act, 1934 has been reviewed and accordingly a bill providing for regulating provisions in a
simplified manner, identifying existing redundancies to meet the current needs for regulation of civil aviation in
a simplified language.

Time of Day Tariff

• ‘Union government introduced an amendment to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, recently.
Under the ToD system, electricity rates vary in day and night.’
• According to the government statement, tariff during the solar hours (eight hours duration set by state electricity
regulatory commissions) will be 10-20 per cent cheaper than normal tariff while the rate for electricity during peak
hours, generally observed in non-solar hours, will be 10-20 per cent higher than normal tariff.
• The government plans to implement the system for commercial and industrial consumers with maximum load of
10 KW and above by April 1, 2024.
• To ensure implementation of the new system, installation of smart meters would be required.

ADB launches India strategy for 2023-27

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently rolled out its 2023-27 country partnership strategy for India
• That identifies accelerating structural transformation and job creation, promoting climate-resilient growth, and
deepening social and economic inclusiveness as key focus areas
Page : 76

• The Manila-headquartered multilateral bank said it is focussed on deepening its engagement with the country and
supporting the country’s drive for robust, climate-resilient, and inclusive growth for the next five years
• The bank plans to contribute to national flagship programmes on industrial corridors, multimodal logistics systems,
urban infrastructure, skill ecosystem, and small businesses
• It also plans to meet its objectives using public-private partnerships

Lightweight payments system

• ‘The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has conceptualised a lightweight payment and settlements system, which can
be operated from anywhere by a bare minimum staff in exigencies such as natural calamities or war.’
• This system is designed to ensure minimal downtime during critical situations, maintaining the liquidity pipeline
of the economy.
• By processing transactions vital for the stability of the economy, including government and market-related
transactions, the system plays a pivotal role in safeguarding financial operations.
• The RBI describes the lightweight payment system as a bunker equivalent in payment systems.
• During catastrophic events like natural calamities or war, the lightweight system can serve as a reliable and
resilient solution.

100 Entrepreneurship Awareness Programmes

• The National Commission for Women (NCW) in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute
of India (EDII) announced the launch of 100 Entrepreneurship Awareness Programmes (EAPs).’
• For potential women entrepreneurs across the country at Vikram University in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain.Rural
areas have especially progressed with subsidies to women to set up enterprises.
• Under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, training and development opportunities have opened up for women
• The collaboration between National Commission for Women and Entrepreneurship Development Institute
of India will help build capacity of women entrepreneurs and also sensitize relevant stakeholders

RBI launches ‘100 Days 100 Pays’ campaign to return unclaimed deposits
• ‘The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently initiated the ‘100 Days 100 Pays’ campaign, aimed at tracing and
settling the top 100 unclaimed deposits of every bank in every district within a span of 100 days.’
• This campaign is part of the RBI’s ongoing efforts to reduce the quantum of unclaimed deposits in the banking
system and ensure their rightful return to owners or claimants.
• With the launch of this campaign, the RBI hopes to bring attention to the issue of unclaimed deposits and facilitate
their resolution.
• The RBI has announced the establishment of a centralized web portal designed for the public to search for
unclaimed deposits across multiple banks.

Enhanced surveillance for MSME

• To curb volatility in small-cap counters, leading stock exchanges BSE and NSE have put in place an enhanced
surveillance mechanism for companies that have a market cap of less than ?500 crore
• The securities of public sector enterprises, public sector banks and the securities on which derivative products are
available will be excluded from the process of shortlisting under the ESM framework.
• The security shall be part of the framework for a minimum period of three months.
• However, in case a security is under Stage II of the framework, it shall be retained under Stage 2 for a minimum
period of one month.
• Securities that complete three months in the framework shall be eligible for stage-wise exit if they no longer meet
the entry criteria

Railway kavach system

• ‘Recently, a collision involving three trains near Odisha’s Balasore district led to the death of 275 people and left
over a 1,000 injured.’
• Domestically developed, Kavach is a form of ‘Traffic Collision Avoidance System’, or TCAS (pronounced ‘tee-
kas’), designed to prevent two vehicles from colliding.
Page : 77

• In order to do this, the system detects the distance between the vehicles and the rate at which it changes.
• TCAS has been widely used in aircraft to reduce mid-air collisions since the early 1980s.
• In 2019, a mid-air collision between a Boeing and an Airbus over Mumbai airspace was averted due to the
activation of TCAS,enabling one of the planes to immediately climb higher.

E-commerce policy
• ‘The national e-commerce policy will seek to create a conducive environment for the overall development of the
sector and boost exports.’
• The policy will put in place a streamlined regulatory framework for the ease of doing business, adoption of
modern technologies and the integration of supply chains.
• Local traders’ associations have been demanding an empowered regulatory body to check against the violation of
e-commerce rules.
• India allows 100% FDI in the marketplace model of e-commerce but no FDI is permitted for the inventory-based
model.
• From time to time, traders have been alleging that the policy of barring deep discounts and preference to select
sellers are being flouted by e-commerce platforms.

Kerala first state to set up own service provider

• Kerala has become the first state to have its own internet service after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated
the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) project.’
• The project will initially provide internet access to 100 houses in each assembly constituency of the state.
• The KFON project aims to end the digital divide by ensuring internet access for all.
• KFON has installed IT infrastructure capable of setting up 40 lakh internet connections across the state.
• At present, KFON has been installed at 26,492 government offices, of which 17,354 offices have live internet
access.
• It is estimated that 2,50,000 commercial connections will be provided in the first year, which could facilitate the
profitability of the project.

Gurgaon Metro
• ‘The Union cabinet has approved the elevated Gurugram metro project to connect Cyber City with Huda City
Centre with spur to Dwarka Expressway covering a total of 28.5 km.’
• The cost of the project has been pegged at Rs. 5,452 crore and expected to be completed in four years.
• The new metro line will run between New Gurugram with Old Gurugram having a total of 27 stations which will
connect with the railway station, with an objective to link it with the Indira Gandhi International airport.
• The main line from Huda City Centre to CyberHub, passing through Subash Chowk, Hero Honda Chowk, and
Palam Vihar, will span 26.65km, while the spur from Basai village to Dwarka Expressway will be 1.85km long.

RBI revises OTS guidelines

• The Reserve Bank of India has issued instructions to regulated entities that include the UCBs, regarding
compromise settlements and technical write-offs in respect of stressed accounts.’
• Now UCBs Boards can decide to write off its bad debts and this will lead to good health for the sector
• The primary objective of the detailed guidelines provided by the RBI is to establish a comprehensive framework
for OTS and technical write-offs.
• These guidelines aim to define the process, set precedents, and outline a graded framework for staff accountability,
all within specific timelines.
• The methodology for arriving at the realizable value of the security shall also form part of the policy.

RBI gives green signal to first loss default guarantee (FLDG) framework
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken a significant step by allowing a ‘first loss default guarantee’ (FLDG)
arrangement between regulated entities and lending service providers.’
• This regulatory framework is based on the principle that lending business can be carried out only by entities that
are either regulated by the Reserve Bank or entities permitted to do so under any other law.
Page : 78

• Regulated entities, such as banks and NBFCs, can now enter into default loss guarantee (DLG) arrangements with
lending service providers or other regulated entities.
• These arrangements offer a credit-risk sharing agreement where a third party guarantees to compensate up to a
certain percentage of default in the loan portfolio of the regulated entity.

Sahakar se Samridhi
• The Central Government recently announced four important initiatives to strengthen 1,514 Urban Co-operative
Banks (UCBs) in the country.’
• UCBs can now open new branches in order to expand their business; UCBs can also do one-time settlements at par
with Commercial Banks; revised timelines for Priority Sector Lending (PSL) targets given to UCBs; and
• There will be a designating nodal officer in RBI. UCBs can now open new branches up to 10 per cent (maximum
five branches) of the number of branches in the previous financial year without prior approval of RBI in their
approved area of operation.
• In order to avail of this facility, UCBs have to get the policy approved by their board and comply with the
Financially Sound and Well Managed (FSWM) Norms.

Daily limit on UPI transactions

• Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions have been on the rise since its introduction by the National Payments
Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016.’
• UPI payments saw a record high of ?149.5 trillion UPI, card transactions in 2022, as per Worldline report. But,
now, banks like HDFC, State Bank of India (SBI) and ICICI have set a limit on UPI transactions.
• NPCI has set out guidelines for UPI transactions stating that a person can initiate a maximum payment of ?1 lakh
per day through UPI.
• The UPI limit varies from small banks like Canara Bank which allows ?25,000 transactions, to big banks like SBI
that have set a limit of ?1 lakh.

India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

• India and UAE successfully held the 1st Meeting of the Joint Committee (JC) of the India-UAE CEPA.’
• Both the ministers also participated in a B-2-B event which was organized by the Department of Commerce in
partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
• The goal to achieve USD 100 billion non-oil trade was set in the first meeting of the Joint Committee of India-
UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
• In the meeting, it was also decided to set up a new sub-committee to handle issues related to services trade.
• India’s exports to the UAE also recorded a remarkable growth of 12%, reaching USD 31.6 billion in 2022-2023.

The Global 2000” List of top companies

• NTPC Limited, India’s largest power generation company, has climbed 52 positions to secure the 433rd rank in
Forbes’ “The Global 2000” List for 2023.’
• Rising from 485th rank in the list in the year 2022, the climb of 52 positions in just one year demonstrates NTPC’s
emergence as a strong force in the global market.
• It is evidence of the company’s steady expansion, sound financial condition, and persistent dedication to excellence.
• “The Global 2000” List recognizes the world’s largest companies based on four key metrics: sales, profits, assets
and market value.
• Reliance Industries improved its ranking in the prestigious listing of global corporates from 53 in 2022 to 45 in
2023.

Cochin harbour modernisation project

• ‘The Cochin Fisheries Harbour in Thoppumpady will be modernised by March 2024.’
• Established in 1978 on 27.86 acres of land owned by Cochin Port Trust, the Cochin Harbour has a wharf length
of 350 metres and more than 700 fishing vessels, including trawlers, gillnet boats and purse seine boats, operate
from here.
• The modernisation project aims to provide infrastructure facilities on a par with international standards at the
Page : 79

harbour.
• Once the project is complete, the harbour will be able to handle 415 tonnes of fish daily and will be able to earn
Rs 1,500 crore per annum through the export of fish and fish products.
• The development of the harbour will also improve hygienic conditions.

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2023-24

• ‘The central government has fixed the issue price at ?5,926 per gram of gold for the first tranche of the Sovereign
Gold Bond Scheme 2023-24.’
• The issue price of the Bond during the subscription period shall be ?5,926 (Rupees Five Thousand Nine Hundred
Twenty Six only) per gram.
• The SGBs will be sold through Scheduled Commercial banks (except Small Finance Banks, Payment Banks and
Regional Rural Banks), Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), Clearing Corporation of India
Limited (CCIL), designated post offices, and recognised stock exchanges -- National Stock Exchange of India
Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange Limited.
• The bonds are denominated in multiples of gram(s) of gold with a basic unit of 1 gram.

Sebi Bars Online Bond Platforms From Selling Unlisted Bonds

• Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) recently permitted online bond platform providers to offer
government securities, sovereign gold bonds and several other instruments, enhancing investors’ options
• A holding company, subsidiary or associate of an Online Bond Platform Provider or any third party shall not
utilise the name/ brand name/ any name resembling that of the Online Bond Platform Provider or the Online Bond
Platform for undertaking any activity or offering products/ securities or services (including the offering of unlisted
securities) that are not regulated by a financial sector regulator viz. SEBI, RBI, IRDAI, or PFRDA.
• Any separate platforms or websites providing such non-compliant offerings must be divested.
• Additionally, providers must remove any links or tabs on their platforms that direct users to such offerings.

NHAI Launches ‘Knowledge Sharing Platform

• National Highways Authority of India, NHAI has launched Knowledge Sharing Platform for inclusive development
of National Highways
• This initiative will help the authority to collaborate with experts and citizens who want to share knowledge and
insights related to topics such as road design, construction, road safety, environment sustainability and related
fields.
• The platform will encourage sharing of best practices from around the world and will contribute towards holistic
development of the National Highway infrastructure in the country.
• Road Transport and Highways Ministry said, the best practices can be uploaded on the NHAI web portal.
• The Ministry said, with the help of innovation and modern technology, NHAI is developing National Highway
infrastructure at a rapid pace.

Back Apple to launch its credit card in India, planning to tie-up with HDFC Bank
• ‘iPhone maker Apple is in talks with banks and regulators to launch its credit card, dubbed “Apple Card,” in India.’
• The technology giant is also holding discussions with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to
possibly launch Apple Pay in the country.
• The advantage of launching a Rupay Credit Card is that it can be linked to UPI as well.
• In India, only banks are allowed to launch credit cards. UPI allows customers to make seamless and fast payments
by scanning QR codes through mobile phones.
• Apple currently operates a premium credit card in the US, which was launched in partnership with Goldman Sachs
and Mastercard.
• This card is made of titanium metal and is positioned as a high-end offering.

New Drug and Inoculation System

• ‘Union Minister Parshottam Rupala recently launched the Nandi portal, aimed at facilitating the process of
granting No Objection Certificates (NOC) for veterinary drugs and vaccines.’
• The Nandi portal, developed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) in collaboration
Page : 80

with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), will streamline the regulatory approval process
for veterinary products.
• It will enhance transparency and efficiency in assessing and examining proposals for veterinary drugs and vaccines.
• The Nandi portal will seamlessly integrate with the SUGAM portal of the CDSCO, further simplifying the
approval process for veterinary products.
• It will enable end-to-end coordination between departments, committees, subcommittees, and applicants, ensuring
smooth and efficient operations.

Utprerak
• The Ministry of Power has set up a dedicated Centre of Excellence to accelerate industry adoption of clean
technologies and thus scale up India’s contribution to the global energy transition. ‘
• As its name indicates, the advanced industrial technology demonstration centre will demonstrate and showcase
energy-efficient technologies in key industry sectors.
• It will act as an exhibition cum information centre and knowledge repository.
• It will be a knowledge exchange platform, where best practices from across various key sectors could be diffused
among industry professionals through workshops and seminars.
• UTPRERAK will also serve as a strategic capacity-building institution and seeks to be a one-stop solution provider
for energy professionals from across India for trainings and education in energy efficiency.

9 Years’ achievement of Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying

• Union Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala said while addressing media that the Department of Animal Husbandry
and Dairying has taken several important initiatives during the last nine years for improvement of per animal
productivity.’
• Increase in productivity will help in production of more Milk, meat and livestock products for the domestic market
and export market.
• Department is implementing several programs for complete control and eradication of major livestock diseases
and Infrastructure Development.
• The Department is also dovetailing and synergizing efforts with other Ministries and stakeholders especially in the
context of common objective of helping the farmers increase their income through the livestock sector.

New CSR guidelines ‘Sagar Samajik Sahayog

• The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal launched the ‘Sagar Samajik
Sahayyog’, the new guidelines of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping &
Waterways.’
• The new guidelines unveiled will empower ports to undertake CSR activities directly.
• The guidelines will impact projects and programmes relating to activities specified in Section 70 of the Major Port
Authorities Act, 2021.
• For the purpose of planning and implementing CSR projects, a Corporate Social Responsibility Committee shall
be constituted in each major port.
• For ports, whose annual net profit is above ?500 crores per year, the CSR expenses can be between 0.5% and 2%
of its net profit.
• 20% of CSR expenses must be earmarked to Sainik Kalyan Board at district level.

Seven products from Uttar Pradesh get Geographical Indication tag

• The Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai has given tags to seven different products from Uttar Pradesh.’
• Amroha Dholak’, ‘Mahoba Gaura Patthar Hastashlip’, ‘Mainpuri Tarkashi’, ‘Sambhal Horn Craft’, ‘Baghpat
Home Furnishings’, ‘Barabanki Handloom Product’ and ‘Kalpi Handmade Paper’ are the products that been given
the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• The Amroha Dholak is a musical instrument made of natural wood. Mango, jackfruit and teakwood is preferred
for making the dholak’s.
• Wood from mango and sheesham trees are used to carve the multiple sized and shaped hollow blocks, which are
later fitted with animal skin, mostly goatskin, to create the instrument.
• It is learnt that there are around 300 small units producing wood-based drum instruments (dholak), which provide
Page : 81

employment to over 1,000 artisans.

Mahila Samman Savings Certificate
• ‘Mahila Samman Saving Certificate (MSSC) 2023 accounts, the newest small savings scheme, can now be opened
in 12 public sector banks and four private sector banks.’
• The Central Government hereby specifies that all public sector banks and ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank
Ltd and IDBI Bank shall be authorised to operate the Scheme namely, Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, 2023.
• The two-year tenure scheme offers an attractive and fixed interest of 7.5 per cent interest.
• The scheme has flexible investment and partial withdrawal options with a maximum limit of Rs 2 lakh.
• The minimum investment amount is Rs 1,000, and the maximum amount is Rs 2 lakh per financial year.
• Additionally, the scheme allows premature withdrawal after one year with some nominal penalty charges

Unified Logistics Interface Platform (Ulip)

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has hailed the role of Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) in
transforming India’s logistics sector
• ULIP has a dedicated portal that makes the process of data request simpler, faster, and transparent
• The portal can be accessed through “https://goulip.in/”.
• A dedicated support team is working round the clock to provide support to the industry players for registration on
the portal. After the registration, users need to submit their use-cases, which will then be reviewed based on the
proposed usage of the requested data.
• After the successful review, users requesting for data will have to sign a ‘Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)’.

Grain-Ex system
• ‘Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Additional Secretary Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar has
inaugurated Product Design Centre (PDC).’
• The centre has prototyping and system designing facilities equipped with all the software and printing technologies
for system designing, prototyping, ideation and fabrication.
• An appearance based detection system i.e., Grain-Ex through machine vision technology for pulses developed
under ‘National programme on Electronics and ICT applications in Agriculture and Environment (AgriEnIcs)’
alongwith ICAR-IARI, New Delhi was also launched on this occasion.

CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal

• Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will launch ‘CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal’ in New Delhi
• Cooperation Ministry has taken a number of initiatives to strengthen the cooperative movement in the country and
to protect the interests of the members of the cooperatives.
• In order to address the grievances of genuine members and depositors of Sahara Group of Cooperative Societies
for payment of their legitimate deposits, the Ministry filed an application in Supreme Court.
• In March this year, Supreme Court had directed that 5000 crore rupees be transferred out of the “Sahara-SEBI
Refund Account” to the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies for disbursement against the legitimate dues of
the genuine depositors of the Sahara Group of Cooperative Societies.

Global Maritime India Summit 2023

• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways is going to host the third edition of the prestigious ‘Global India
Maritime Summit’ this year
• The Curtain Raiser for the ‘Global Maritime India Summit 2023’ will provide a glimpse into the grandeur and
significance of the main summit, highlighting India’s strength in the maritime sector and setting the stage for
fruitful collaborations and new investment opportunities.
• The official brochure of the ‘Global Maritime India Summit 2023’ will be unveiled.
• The ‘Global Maritime India Summit 2023’ is scheduled from 17-19th October 2023.
• More than 30 countries are expected to participate in the event
Page : 82
India makes presentation on e-Shram, world’s largest database of unorganised
workers
• India made a presentation on e-Shram, the world’s largest database of unorganized workers and National Career
Service (NCS) Portal at the 4th Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting under India’s G20 Presidency at
Indore, Madhya Pradesh.’
• The delegates from Indonesia and Brazil also made statements in the opening session.
• eShram portal was launched in August 2021 by the Union Labour Ministry to create a National Database for
migrant or unorganized workers across India.
• It is India’s first national-level database of unorganized workers- including gig workers and platform workers.
• The database in the eShram portal will help deliver a Universal Account Number (UAN) for unorganized or
migrant workers.

Global Food Regulators Summit 2023

• ‘Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya has called for creating a Global forum in
line with World Health Assembly for detailed discussions and deliberations on food safety.’
• The two-day Summit which has been organised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, is aimed at
creating a global platform for regulators on enhancing food safety systems and regulatory frameworks through
collaboration.
• It will provide an opportunity to exchange knowledge and strategies for ensuring safe food throughout the food
value chain.
• Considering the evolving landscape of emerging food hazards, new technologies, and changing consumer needs,
the summit envisages developing a cohesive approach to food safety policy frameworks.

National Conference On Rural WASH Partners’ Forum

• ‘Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will inaugurate a two-day National Conference of Rural WASH
Partners’ Forum at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.’
• He will address the stakeholders from Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector to deliberate on the progress
made and the way ahead to support the expeditious implementation of the Jal Jeevan and Swachh Bharat Mission.
• The Ministry of Jal Shakti said, under the theme of “Accelerating Progress towards a Swachh Sujal Bharat”, the
Conference will provide a forum for partners to share their experiences, learn from each other, and identify new
ways to collaborate across the WASH sector.
• The Rural WASH Partners’ Forum (RWPF) is a leading platform for development partners and sector partners
working in the rural WASH sector in India.

5th Helicopter & Small Aircraft Summit

• ‘The 5th Helicopter & Small Aircraft Summit will be held at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh
• The event will be jointly organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Government of Madhya Pradesh, Pawan
Hans Ltd., and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
• The Summit will be inaugurated by Chief Minister, of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Union
Minister of Civil Aviation & Steel Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.
• The objective of the Summit includes enhancing the scope of the UDAN scheme in remote and hilly terrains.
• The event’s theme is “Reaching the Last Mile: Regional Connectivity through Helicopters & Small Aircraft

Cannabis Research Project

• ‘Union Minister of State Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said, Jammu is going to pioneer India’s first
Cannabis Medicine Project.’
• The Minister said, this project of CSIR-IIIM is also important from the perspective of Atma- Nirbhar Bharat
as after getting all the approvals, it will be able to produce export quality drugs meant for different kinds of
neuropathies, diabetic pains etc.
Page : 83

• Dr. Jitendra Singh said, since J&K and Punjab are affected by drug abuse, this kind of project will spread awareness
that this substance of abuse has diverse medicinal uses especially for the patients suffering from malignancies and
other diseases.
Banks get ₹5,729 crore from “Depositor Education and Awareness” (DEA) Fund
• The “Depositor Education and Awareness Fund Scheme, 2014”, was notified by Reserve Bank of India (RBI),
which covers norms related to unclaimed deposits and outlines details of utilisation of fund.’
• RBI has also launched campaign “100 Days 100 Pays” for banks to trace and settle top 100 unclaimed deposits of
every bank in every district of the country within 100 days, commencing from 1.6.2023 to 8.9.2023.
• The banks are required to take specific actions regarding unclaimed deposits.
• These actions include displaying the list of inactive/inoperative unclaimed deposits on their websites.
• Moreover, banks must diligently seek the whereabouts of customers and their legal heirs to facilitate the return of
unclaimed deposits.

NADA has launched an Anti-Doping helpline number (1800-119-919)

• National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has launched an Anti-Doping helpline number for the athletes and athlete
support personnel to provide information about Anti-Doping rules and guidelines.’
• The helpline number is 1800-119-919. The Government is committed to eradicate doping/drug abuse by
sportspersons.
• To this end, set up under Government of India, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), an autonomous
organization, conducts Anti-Doping education awareness programmes in association with the Sports Authority of
India (SAI) as well as the National Sports Federations (NSFs), for all stakeholders, including the young athletes.
• To report any drug abuse or Doping activities in sports, NADA also provides the “Speak Up!” portal, where is
intended for athletes and others to report any alleged Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs).

Bharat Mandapam
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC)
complex ‘Bharat Mandapam’ in Delhi.’
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) complex
to the nation which has been developed at a cost of about Rs. 2,700 crore.
• With a campus area of approximately 123 acres, the IECC complex has been developed as India’s largest MICE
(Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination.
• It is a grand architectural marvel, designed to host large-scale international exhibitions, trade fairs, conventions,
conferences, and other prestigious events.
• It is equipped with multiple meeting rooms, lounges, auditoriums, an amphitheatre and a business centre, making
it capable of hosting a wide range of events.

Summit on “Global Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturing Hubs in India

• ‘Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers will organize the 3rd edition of the Summit on Global Chemicals and
Petrochemicals Manufacturing Hubs- GCPMH 2023 in New Delhi.’
• The summit will bring together global leaders, government authorities, key industry players, state governments,
and experts from around the globe in an open dialogue to discuss the key developments and way forward with
respect to Indian chemicals and petrochemicals industry.
• The Ministry in a statement said that the aim of the summit is to develop possible strategies and address the
challenges that will shape the Chemicals and Petrochemicals Industry in India and across the world.

Greenfield Airports
• ‘The Central Government has recently accorded “In Principle” approval for setting up 21 greenfield airports
across India.’
• Government of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation has formulated a Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008 for development
of Greenfield Airports across the country.
• An applicant proposing to set up an airport has to submit an application in the prescribed format to the Steering
Page : 84

Committee for ‘site clearance’ and ‘in principle’ approval.

• Of these 21 greenfield airports, nine have been operationalized.
• These are Kannur, Durgapur, Shirdi, Pakyong, Kalaburagi, Orvakal (Kurnool), Sindhudurg, Kushinagar, and
Donyi Polo, Itanagar.
• Ministry of Civil Aviation has also launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (UdeDeshkaAamNagrik)
on 21-10-2016 to stimulate regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable to the masses.

PM inaugurates SemiconIndia 2023 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Semicon India 2023’, a national-level event focusing on the
semiconductor industry, in Gandhinagar recently
• The ‘Semicon India 2023’ inaugural programme will highlight investment opportunities in India’s semiconductor
sector through an informative presentation and a stimulating panel discussion led by industry, a government
release said.
• The event aims to catalyse the semiconductor industry’s progress through networking, technology demonstrations
and lucrative business prospects.
• More than 300 such prominent colleges have been identified in India where courses on semiconductors will be
available
• The Chips to Startups Program will help engineers.
• It is estimated that in the next 5 years, more than one lakh design engineers are going to be produced in our country

National Pension System Trust

• Dr. Deepak Mohanty, Chairman, Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA) launched the
revamped website of the National Pension System Trust.’
• The National Pension System Trust (NPS Trust) is a trust set up by the Government of India in 2004 to administer
the National Pension System (NPS).
• The NPS is a voluntary, defined contribution pension scheme that is open to all citizens of India.
• The NPS Trust is governed by a board of trustees, which is headed by the chairman of the Pension Fund Regulatory
and Development Authority (PFRDA).
• The board of trustees is responsible for the overall management of the NPS Trust, including the investment of
pension funds.

Consumer Protection Act, 2019

• To further strengthen the provisions for consumer protection especially in the new era of globalization, online
platforms, e-Commerce markets etc., the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 was enacted to replace the Consumer
Protection Act 1986
• The 2019 Act replaced the Consumer Protection Act, 1986
• It enforced consumer rights and provides a mechanism for redressal of complaints regarding defect in goods and
deficiency in services
• A consumer is defined as a person who buys any good or avails a service for a consideration.
• It does not include a person who obtains a good for resale or a good or service for commercial purpose
• It covers transactions through all modes including offline, and online through electronic means, teleshopping,
multi-level marketing or direct selling.

Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023

• The Rajya Sabha recently passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023
• The bill seeks to grant exploration licence to private sector players for critical minerals.
• It also empowers the central government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite licence for certain
critical minerals
• The proposed exploration licence would facilitate, encourage and incentivize private sector participation in
all spheres of mineral exploration for critical and deep-seated minerals.
• The Bill also has provisions to remove six minerals from the list of 12 atomic mineral list.
• These minerals have various applications in the space industry, electronics, communications, energy sector, and
electric batteries and are critical in the net-zero emission commitment of India
• Due to their inclusion in the list of atomic minerals, their mining and exploration are reserved for government
Page : 85

entities
Roadmap to making India a $5 trillion economy
• ‘The government’s roadmap to makinge India a $5 trillion economy comprises measures like focussing on
inclusive growth, promoting digital economy, fintech, technology-enabled development, energy transition and
climate action, and relying on a virtuous cycle of investment and growth
• The Union Budget 2023-24 has taken further steps to sustain the high growth of India’s economy, which include
a substantial increase in capital investment outlay for the third year in a row by 33% to ?10 lakh crore (3.3% of
GDP).he Central Government’s capital expenditure has increased from 2.15% of GDP in 2020-21 to 2.7% of GDP
in 2022-23
• According to the IMF’s World Economic Outlook, the size of the Indian economy will increase from $3.2 trillion
in 2021-22 to $3.5 trillion in 2022-23 and cross $5 trillion in 2026-27

GI tags for Goan mangoes and bebinca, crafts from Rajasthan and U.P
• Seven products from across India, including four from Rajasthan, were given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag
by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai
• The GI tags were secured by ‘Jalesar Dhatu Shilp’ (a metal craft), ‘Goa Mankurad Mango’, ‘Goan Bebinca’,
‘Udaipur Koftgari Metal Craft’, ‘Bikaner Kashidakari Craft’, ‘Jodhpur Bandhej Craft’, and ‘Bikaner
Usta Kala Craft
• From Rajasthan, four different crafts received the GI tags
• The ‘Udaipur Koftgari Metal Craft’ involves exquisitely ornamenting weapons through a complex process that
includes etching designs, embedding gold and silver wire into the metal, pressing and flattening it with moonstone,
and finally polishing it
• The ‘Jodhpur Bandhej Craft’ is a famous textile art form in Rajasthan, involving the art of tying and dyeing

‘Rajmargyatra’ app
• To enhance highway user experience, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced
‘Rajmargyatra,’ a unified mobile application aimed at providing comprehensive information and efficient
complaint redressal for national highway users
• The app offers real-time weather conditions, timely broadcast notifications, and details about nearby toll plazas,
petrol pumps, hospitals, hotels, and other essential services, ensuring a seamless and safe journey on National
Highways.
• Users can report highway-related issues and attach geo-tagged videos or photos for clarity.
• Complaints will be handled promptly, with system-generated escalations to higher authorities in case of delays.
Users can track the status of their grievances for transparency.

Port Health Organisation (PHO) under Sagar Setu

• In a significant move to promote Ease of Doing Business (EODB) in the maritime sector, Sarbananda Sonowal, the
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) and Ayush, launched the Port Health Organisation
(PHO) module under Sagar Setu – National Logistics Portal (Marine)
• This digital initiative aims to create a faster and simpler ecosystem to facilitate seamless operations for citizens,
port workers, and various stakeholders in the maritime industry.
• The PHO module enables Shipping Agents, PHOs, Port Authorities, Customs, and other stakeholders to access
functionalities of PHO clearance easily and conveniently through an online platform
• Through an integrated online process, stakeholders can efficiently collaborate and seek approvals, streamlining
various aspects of maritime operations

Digital India RISC-V’ Symposium

• ‘Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, IIT Madras and IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation
are collaborating to present the “Digital India RISC-V Symposium, a one-day event showcasing the future of
Electronics” in India through the RISC-V pathway.’
Page : 86

• This Symposium will feature insightful tech talks by esteemed academicians and industry experts, interactive
stalls showcasing indigenous RISC-V processors, an engaging hackathon, and a special Investor meeting.
• ‘RISC’ stands for ‘Reduced Instruction Set Computer’ and ‘V’ stands for the fifth generation.
• The RISC-V project began in 2010.The RISC-V foundation was formed in 2015 with IIT Madras being one of the
founder members.

Bharat Campaign under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund

• Agriculture Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Manoj Ahuja launched a new campaign for
banks under Agri Infra Fund name BHARAT (Banks Heralding Accelerated Rural & Agriculture Transformation)
• The scheme envisages provision of Rs. 1 Lakh Crore by banks and financial institutions as loans with interest
subvention of 3% per annum and credit guarantee coverage under Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and
Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) for loans up to Rs. 2 Crores.
• As on date, loans amounting to Rs. 26,064 Crores have been sanctioned for 33,369 projects and these sanctioned
projects have mobilized an investment of Rs. 44,208 crores in the agriculture sector

Rajouri Chikri Wood Craft and Mushqbudji Rice Receive GI Tags

• In a celebratory move, Jammu and Kashmir’s distinct regional contributions, the Rajouri Chikri woodcraft and the
Mushqbudji rice, have recently been honored with the Geographical Indication (GI) tags.’
• The Rajouri district is renowned for its meticulous Chikri woodcraft, Anantnag stands out for its aromatic
Mushqbudji rice, characterized by its short, bold grains.
• More than a badge of authenticity, a Geographical Indication tag serves as an intellectual property right.
• This not only ensures the protection of the regional specialties but also underscores their unparalleled nature,
deeply rooted in the very soil and culture they emanate from.

One District One Product ‘ODOP Wall’ launched

• The One District One Product (ODOP) initiative has collaborated with the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna - National
Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) to unveil the captivating ‘ODOP Wall’ in a bid to showcase India’s
diverse and exceptional craft heritage
• Under this collaboration, products are being identified from all districts to be promoted for their unique qualities
and cultural significance which include various handicrafts, handloom, and agricultural products that have been
associated with the identity of their place of origin
• This collaboration aims to drive consumers towards emporia, boosting sales and increasing the visibility SARAS
products even further to promote indigenous crafts and artisans of rural SHGs women

NCLT gives final nod for merger of Sony and Zee

• The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) recently approved the proposed merger of Zee Entertainment
Enterprises Ltd with Sony India
• The NCLT had initially reserved its verdict on the merger between Zee Entertainment Enterprises and Culver Max
Entertainment (previously known as Sony Pictures Networks India) on July 10
• This is a key regulatory approval for the mega merger, aimed at creating a $10-billion media giant, which was
announced in 2021 but has been delayed for multiple reasons.
• The total public shareholding of ZEE is 96.01 per cent, of which 70 per cent is held by public institutions
• About 25.88 per cent is held by public non-institutions, while the promoters hold only 3.99 per cent.

Global summit on traditional medicine

• A first-of-its-kind global summit on Traditional Medicine, organised by the World Health Organization (WHO)
and co-hosted by the Ministry of Ayush, is set to take place at Gandhinagar, Gujarat
• The summit will take into account the vast experience and expertise of the country and this highly anticipated
event will serve as a platform for experts and practitioners to delve into the latest scientific advancements and
evidence-based knowledge in the sector, with the ultimate goal of ensuring health and well-being for all.
• G20 health ministers, regional directors of WHO and invitees from countries across WHO’s six regions are expected
to grace the event along with scientists, practitioners of traditional medicine, health workers and members of civil
society organisations.
Page : 87
19th Maritime State Development Council meeting (MSDC)
• Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) embarked upon the 19th Maritime State Development
Council (MSDC) at Kevadia, Gujarat
• The council engages with ministers overseeing ports in maritime states, union territories’ administrators, the navy,
coast guard, and stakeholders integral to the maritime ecosystem.
• The GMIS 2023 is congregation of maritime sector luminaries, designed to unveil opportunities, assess challenges,
and catalyze investments within India’s maritime domain.
• Building upon the successes of its 2016 and 2021 predecessors, the third iteration endeavors to expand horizons
for domestic and international maritime stakeholders and investors.

Bureau of Port Security

• ‘The Central Government will soon put together the Bureau of Port Security towards upgrading security across
all ports in the country.’
• The Government’s focus on sustainable development and shared about the Ministry’s ambitious plan to develop
Hydrogen Hubs across the Central Government and State Government ports.
• All Central Government and State Government ports will explore the possibility of creating Hydrogen Hubs.
• The Country’s commitment to quadrupling its port capacity under the Amrit Kaal Vision for Ports.
• He underlined that all major ports have prepared their Port Master Plans for 2047, and states are also getting their
Port Master Plans for 2047 ready.
• The total country’s Port capacity will increase from existing around 2,600 MTPA to more than 10,000 MTPA in
2047.

Bharat New Car Assessment Programme

• Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will launch the much-awaited Bharat New Car
Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) on 22 August 2023
• The launch will mark a step forward in the government’s commitment to improve road safety by raising the safety
standards of motor vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.
• Demand for safer cars is expected to increase as a result, encouraging car manufacturers to comply with customers’
needs.
• With higher safety standards, Indian cars also will be able to compete better in the global market, increasing the
export potential of Indian car manufacturers.
• Bharat NCAP standard is aligned with global benchmarks and it is beyond minimum regulatory requirements.

RBI’s pilot project for facilitating frictionless credit

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched a pilot program to assess the feasibility of a ‘Public Tech Platform for
Frictionless Credit,’ aiming to enable seamless credit delivery by facilitating the smooth flow of necessary digital
information to lenders
• The platform is being developed by RBI’s wholly-owned subsidiary, the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH).
• It is designed with an open architecture, featuring open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
• This design choice allows for seamless integration with the systems of various participants in the financial sector.
• The implementation of this platform is anticipated to yield several benefits.
• These include reduced operational costs, expedited loan disbursal processes, and enhanced scalability for lenders.

Khanan Prahari App

• The Government of India has launched a mobile app “KhananPrahari” and a web app Coal Mine Surveillance and
Management System (CMSMS) for reporting unauthorized coal mining activities
• The objective of the development and launching of the CMSMS application was to detect citizens’ participation
against illegal mining by receipt of citizen complaints through a mobile app – KhananPrahari
• The app will help to monitor and take action on any kind of illegal coal mining activity being carried out within
the leasehold boundaries of any Coal Mining Project in the Coalfield Areas
Page : 88

• A committee/task force has been constituted at different levels (block level, sub-divisional level, district level,
state level) in some subsidiaries of CIL to monitor different aspects of illegal mining.
Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar scheme
• In a significant move towards enhancing transparency in financial transactions and empowering consumers, the
Indian government is set to launch the ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar‘ invoice incentive scheme.’
• This pioneering scheme, scheduled to commence from September 1, aims to promote the habit of requesting bills
during purchases, thereby fostering a culture of fiscal responsibility and accountability.
• The ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ scheme, conceptualized by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
(CBIC), is designed to instill a sense of confidence and assurance among consumers while making purchases.
• The scheme is geared towards creating awareness about the importance of receiving genuine invoices for business-
to-consumer transactions, fostering a more transparent economy

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das leads global central bankers in A+ rating

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has been rated ‘A+’ in the Global Finance Central Banker
Report Cards 2023.’
• The Bank Governors who earned an ‘A+’ grade in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2023 are
Shaktikanta Das from India, Thomas J. Jordan (Switzerland), Nguyen Thi Hong (Vietnam).
• The grades are based on a scale from A to F for success in inflation control, economic growth goals, currency
stability, and interest rate management.
• An ‘A’ represents an excellent performance and an ‘F’ stands for an outright failure.
• The Central Banker Report Cards, published annually by Global Finance since 1994, grades central bank governors
of 101 countries on the basis of their performance.

Jal Jeevan Mission

• The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has achieved a remarkable milestone by providing tap water connections to 13 crore
rural households, marking a transformative journey since its launch on India’s 73rd Independence Day, August
15, 2019
• This mission, driven by the principles of speed and scale, has swiftly expanded access to clean water in rural areas,
soaring from 3.23 crore households in August 2019 to an impressive 13 crore in just four years.
• The Jal Jeevan Mission operates in collaboration with states and union territories, leveraging the combined efforts
of various stakeholders, including development partners.
• Since January 1, 2023, an average of 87,500 tap connections have been provided daily, with Uttar Pradesh leading
the progress chart for the current fiscal year.

First set of infra loans for tier 2, tier 3 cities to be disbursed soon
• The Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF), as announced in the FY24 Budget, is set to disburse its first
tranche of loans soon.’
• The UIDF has been introduced to provide low-cost loans to 459 tier-2 cities with a population between 1 lakh and
9,99,999, as well as 580 tier-3 towns with a population between 50,000 and 99,999, according to the 2011 Census.
• The UIDF can provide funding for projects such as water supply, sanitation, road construction, comprehensive
area development, local area planning for decongestion, heritage conservation, town-planning schemes, and parks
with open gyms that do not involve major construction.
• According to NHB guidelines, cities are eligible for loans at a rate of 5.25 per cent, that is 1.5 per cent points lower
than the prevailing bank interest rate.

Bharat Drone Shakti 2023

• To capitalize on its experience with unmanned platforms, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is teaming up with the Drone
Federation of India to co-host ‘Bharat Drone Shakti 2023
• This event, scheduled for September 25th and 26th, 2023, will take place at the IAF’s airbase in Hindan (Ghaziabad)
and feature live aerial demonstrations by the Indian drone industry.
• Drone technology has sparked a revolution in civil and defense fields, boosting efficiency, lowering risks, and
enhancing capabilities. India is witnessing a rising adoption of drones, both in the military and civilian sectors
Page : 89

• ‘Bharat Drone Shakti 2023’ will showcase the full potential of the Indian drone industry, with more than 50 live
aerial demonstrations displaying various types of drones, including survey drones, agriculture drones, fire-fighting
drones, tactical surveillance drones
Adoption of CBDCs can make cross-border payments more efficient
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das said the adoption of Central Bank Digital Currency
(CBDC), or digital currency, can help in making cross border payments more efficient
• India is one of the few countries that has launched CBDC or e-rupee pilots in wholesale and retail segments.
• The RBI launched pilots for digital rupee in the wholesale in November 2022 and in the retail segment in December
2022
• RBI is committed to promoting responsible innovation and has taken several steps such as setting up of the FinTech
department and Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), and putting in place a Regulatory Sandbox framework

NPCI launches new products; users can now make voice-enabled UPI payments
• ‘The NPCI recently launched a slew of new payment options on popular payments platform UPI, including
conversational transactions
• One of the products is Hello! UPI that will enable users to make voice-enabled UPI payments via apps, telecom
calls, and IoT devices in Hindi and English
• It will soon be available in several other regional languages also.
• NPCI said the credit line on UPI facility will enable customers access pre-sanctioned credit from banks via UPI
• The UPI Tap & Pay facility, in addition to the conventional scan-and-pay method, will allow customers to simply
tap Near Field Communication- (NFC-) enabled QR codes at merchant locations to complete their payments
• Users can simply give voice commands to transfer funds and input UPI PIN to complete the transaction

One hour trade settlement

• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which had in July announced it was working to launch real-time
settlement of trades, is now planning to implement one-hour settlement of trades first
• Settlement is a two-way process which involves the transfer of funds and securities on the settlement date.
• A trade settlement is said to be complete once purchased securities of a listed company are delivered to the buyer
and the seller gets the money
• The migration to the T+1 cycle came into effect in January this year.
• India became the second country in the world to start the T+1 settlement cycle in top-listed securities after China,
bringing in operational efficiency, faster fund remittances, share delivery, and ease for stock market participants

First Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights

• President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the first-ever global symposium on farmers’ rights at the Pusa complex
• Murmu will also unveil the Plant Authority Centre and confer awards to six farmer communities and 20 individual
farmers for conservation efforts in agro-biodiversity.
• The four-day symposium from September 12-15 is being held for the first time since the adoption of the International
Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in 2001.
• The symposium will deliberate on the need to understand the challenges and opportunities of implementing
farmers’ rights by the contracting parties and interested stakeholders.
• It will also focus on gathering insights and ideas for developing future work on the implementation of farmers’
rights, including the use of the inventory and options.

Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) Workshop

• Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), organised a workshop on Business Responsibility and Sustainability
Reporting (BRSR) in collaboration with UNICEF and National Stock Exchange at the NSE premises
• The BRSR framework is a mandatory disclosure mechanism for top 1000 listed companies or businesses to report
their performance on environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects and demonstrate their commitment to
responsible business practices.
• The workshop was facilitated by eminent experts from UNICEF, StepChange and IICA, a leading institute in the
field of ESG, CSR, BHR, and corporate sustainability
Page : 90

• The workshop received an overwhelming response from the participants, who appreciated the quality and relevance
of the content and delivery
World’s Highest Fighter Airfield In Ladakh’s Nyoma
• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is set to achieve a remarkable feat as it embarks on the construction of the
world’s highest fighter airfield at Nyoma in Ladakh
• The foundation stone of this ambitious project is scheduled to be placed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
• The BRO aims to enhance India’s infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), aimed at surpassing
China in infrastructure development along the LAC within the next two to three years.
• The Indian government has significantly increased the budget for border infrastructure development in recent
years, supporting the BRO’s efforts to improve connectivity and defense capabilities in border areas

International Conference on Dam Safety

• The Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation is
organizing the International Conference on Dam Safety (ICDS) from September 14th to 15th, 2023, in Jaipur
• The conference will be inaugurated by the Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, under the theme “Safe &
Secure Dams Ensure Nation’s Prosperity
• This global conference will bring together experts and leaders in dam safety from India and around the world.
• This event focuses on enhancing dam safety, discussing cutting-edge topics, and highlighting the Dam Rehabilitation
and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase II and III.
• ICDS 2023 aims to strengthen dam safety globally by facilitating discussions among experts and leaders in the
field and promoting the importance of safe dams

National Logistics Policy

• India marked one year of the National Logistics Policy on September 17, 2023, after Prime Minister Narendra
Modi launched the NLP last year to complement PM GatiShakti’s National Master Plan (NMP)
• The vision of NLP is to drive economic growth and business competitiveness of the country through an integrated,
seamless, efficient, reliable, green, sustainable and cost-effective logistics network by leveraging best-in-class
technology, processes and skilled manpower.
• This will reduce logistics costs and improve performance. he targets of the NLP are to reduce the cost of logistics
in India, improve the Logistics Performance Index ranking,
• The endeavour is to be among the top 25 countries by 2030 and create a data-driven decision support mechanism
for an efficient logistics ecosystem

Indigenous communication-based train control system

• The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) recently joined hands to develop an
indigenous communication-based train control (i-CBTC) system
• With this partnership, the Delhi Metro and BEL are set to “usher in a new era of rail transportation in India”,
driving innovation, reducing costs, and fostering self-reliance in the field of train control signalling systems.
• The i-CBTC project signifies a significant leap forward for the Delhi Metro.
• By embracing this cutting-edge Communication-Based Train Control System, which is widely adopted by leading
metros worldwide, the DMRC aims to optimise train operations, increase frequency, and enhance passenger
services while efficiently utilising rail infrastructure.

International Convention and Expo Centre, called ‘Yashobhoomi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the ?5,400 crore first phase of the India International
Convention and Expo Centre (IICC) project, named as “Yashobhoomi”, in Dwarka.’
• The first phase is built on nearly 8.9 lakh square metres with a built-up area of over 1.8 lakh square metres.
• The project is being touted as the world’s largest Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE)
facility.
• The convention centre has the largest LED media facade in the country.
• The plenary hall in the centre is equipped with a seating capacity of around 6,000 guests.
• The venue is equipped with high-tech security provisions to ensure safety for the visitors.
Page : 91
• The underground car parking facility for over 3,000 cars is also equipped with more than 100 electric charging
points.

Samudrayaan project
• Union Minister of Earth Sciences, Shri Kiren Rijiju said the Samudrayaan project is aimed to send three personnel
to 6000m depth in a submersible, to study the deep sea resources and to biodiversity assessment.’
• The Deep Ocean Mission supports the Blue Economy policy of the Government having potential for country’s
GDP growth, and envisages sustainable utilization of ocean resources for economic growth of the country,
improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.
• National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous Institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences,
had developed and tested a ‘personnel sphere’ for a manned submersible system for 500 metre water depth rating

India gets its first C-295 aircraft

• ‘The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently took the delivery of its first C-295 transport aircraft from Airbus Defence
and Space.’
• The aircraft is the first of the 56 such planes ordered by the IAF under a ?21,935-crore project to modernise its
transport fleet.
• The European plane maker will deliver 16 aircraft in flyaway condition, while the rest will be assembled in India
at a Tata facility in Gujarat’s Vadodara.
• The first aircraft is expected to fly to India soon, following which a formal induction ceremony will be held at the
Hindon airbase.
• The manufacturing of more than 13,000 parts, 4,600 subassemblies and all major component assemblies will be
carried out in the country

National Workshop on e-NAM 2.0WW

• National Workshop on e-NAM 2.0 and Agri Marketing Reforms was conducted recently in New Delhi
• Till 31st August 2023, 1361 APMCs were integrated on e-NAM, encompassing 23 States and 4 UTs , where in
209 commodities are being traded altogether, with a farsighted vision, to provide multifaceted benefits to farmers,
Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and buyers/traders transacting via e-NAM
• To further strengthen e-NAM, 28 new mandis are approved recently for integration to take the total count of
mandis to 1389
• e-NAM has been able to bring competence in APMC mandi operations via technology interventions: accuracy in
weighment via digital weighbridge and weighing scale; accuracy in assaying via advance assaying equipment;
real-time online information on commodity prices

Annual Capacity Building Plan (ACBP) of Department of Fisheries

• Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala launched the Annual Capacity
Building Plan (ACBP) of Department of Fisheries in New Delhi
• This is the need of the hour to identify the capacity building needs of our officers and staff and develop the action
plan for their capacity building to meet the priorities of the Department
• While launching the Annual Action Plan for Capacity Building Union Minister highlighted that ACBP of
Department of Fisheries will play a pivotal role in service delivery, program implementation and performing core
Government functions and will enhance the abilities of the officials by attending basic training to acquire relevant
competencies and to enable them to perform better

National Policy on Research and Development and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech

Sector in India
• Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya recently launched the National Policy on Research and
Development and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector in India
• The policy will help to create an ecosystem of skills and capacities including the academia and the private sectors,
Page : 92

and “give impetus to new talent among the youth through start-ups
• Indian pharmaceutical industry is the 3rd largest pharmaceutical industry in the world by volume with current
market size of around USD 50 Billions
• The industry could potentially grow to USD 120-130 Billion over the next decade; one of the key drivers for this
growth to be expansion of the industry’s presence in the innovation space

North Koel Reservoir Project

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a proposal by the Jal Shakti Ministry to increase
its share of funding for the under-construction North Koel Reservoir, an inter-State irrigation project spanning
Bihar and Jharkhand.’
• The Centre committed to contribute ?1,836 crore against the ?1,378 crore approved in 2017.
• This increases the project’s total cost from ?1,622 crore in 2017 to ?2,430 crore at present.
• On completion, the project would provide additional annual irrigation to 42,301 hectares in the four drought-prone
districts of Jharkhand and Bihar.
• The Bihar government began work on the dam in 1972 from its own resources.
• The work continued till 1993 when it was stopped by the State Forest Department over concerns that it threatened
the Betla National Park and Palamu Tiger Reserve.

Bhashini Set To Introduce RBI’s Multilingual Frictionless Credit Platform

• The Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) has joined forces with the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), a
subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).’
• This strategic partnership is poised to revolutionize financial services by enabling communication in local
languages.
• As a significant initial step, Bhashini plans to launch a Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit in multiple
languages.
• This platform aims to streamline and enhance credit delivery by financial institutions, contributing significantly
to greater financial inclusion.
• This collaboration signifies a pivotal stride toward integrating them into the established financial ecosystem.
• The goal is to make financial services more accessible and user-friendly for everyone, regardless of the language
they speak.

RuPay Domestic Card Scheme Agreement between India and the UAE
• ‘NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation
of India (NPCI), has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Al Etihad Payments (AEP) for the
implementation of the Domestic Card Scheme (DCS) in UAE.’
• NIPL will also assist AEP in formulating the operating regulations for their domestic card scheme.
• Apart from facilitating the growth of e-commerce and digital transactions in the UAE, DCS aims to bolster financial
inclusion, support the digitisation agenda, increase alternate payment options, reduce the cost of payments and
enhance the Middle Eastern nation’s competitiveness as a global payments leader.
• Over 750 million RuPay cards are in circulation as of date, and RuPay cards comprise over 60% of the total cards
issued in India.

PATA and India to jointly promote Travel for LiFE in Asia-Pacific region
• ‘The Ministry of Tourism, India, took center stage as it organized the inaugural ceremony for the Pacific Asia
Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart 2023 in the vibrant city of New Delhi.’
• The 46th edition of this prestigious event is being held at the magnificent International Exhibition-cum-
Convention Centre (IECC) within Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
• The Ministry of Tourism unveiled the ‘Travel for LiFE‘ initiative on World Tourism Day 2023.
• This sector-specific initiative falls under the broader Mission LiFE, underscoring the unwavering dedication to
foster sustainable tourism.
• Travel for LiFE embodies the spirit of the Pro Planet People and functions on the basic principles of “Lifestyle of
the planet, for the planet and by the planet”.
Page : 93
Bullet repayment scheme
• The Reserve Bank of India recently announced doubling the lending limits for gold loans under the bullet
repayment scheme for urban cooperative banks to Rs 4 lakh.’
• A bullet repayment scheme is one where a borrower repays interest and the principal amount at the end of a loan
tenure without worrying about repayment during the loan tenure.
• Among banks, UCBs have a relative advantage as their customers, being predominantly from the middle-class/
lower middle-class, are more likely to be gold loan clients.
• As such, regulatory prescriptions in this regard need to be supportive of the growth of this portfolio of the UCBs.

Mumbai airport gets ‘Disabled Aircraft Recovery Kit’

• In a monumental stride towards enhancing passenger safety and operational resilience, the Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has commissioned Asia’s first ‘Disabled Aircraft Recovery Kit’ (DARK)
to help stranded aircraft.’
• The DARK facility comprises ‘high pressure lifting bags’ of superior durability but requiring minimal
manpower and providing a more efficient aircraft recovery process compared with the conventional low-pressure
counterparts.
• Runway excursion is a scenario when the aircraft veers off or overruns the runway during take-off or landings,
a major concern in aviation, and requires swift but meticulous intervention to ensure safety of passengers, the
aircraft and the airport operations.
• The recent incident in September in which a private jet veered off the runway at CSMIA, causing a temporary
halt in flight operations, highlighted the need for better recovery capabilities to be set in place.

RBI extends prompt corrective action framework to govt NBFCs

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said it has extended the prompt corrective action (PCA) framework for NBFCs
to government NBFCs with effect from October 1, 2024.’
• The central bank introduced the PCA Framework for NBFCs on December 14, 2021.
• The Reserve Bank mentioned three risk threshold for applying PCA to NBFCs.
• The objective of the PCA Framework is to enable Supervisory intervention at appropriate time and require the
Supervised Entity to initiate and implement remedial measures in a timely manner, so as to restore its financial
health.
• The PCA Framework is also intended to act as a tool for effective market discipline.

Indigenous Intelligent Transportation Systems Solutions for Traffic Scenario

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched several applications under the
Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) as part of the InTranSE- II program to improve India’s traffic scenario.’
• The ODAWS algorithm is used to interpret sensor data and offer real-time notifications to the driver, boosting
road safety.
• The government said that the “ODAWS incorporates vehicle-borne sensors for monitoring driver propensity and
vehicle surroundings to deliver acoustic and visual alerts for driver assistance”.
• The developed system will minimize person delay by providing priority to public transport buses, either through
Green extension or Red truncation.

Sagar Maitri Mission-4

• Sagardhwani, an oceanographic research vessel operated and maintained by the Indian Navy for the Naval Physical
& Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), will embark on a two-month-long Sagar Maitri Mission-4.’
• Sagar Maitri is a unique initiative of NPOL/DRDO, which aligns with the broad objective of PM’s policy
declaration ‘Safety And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), aimed to promote closer co-operation in socio-
economic aspects as well as greater scientific interaction, especially in ocean research among Indian Ocean Rim
(IOR) countries Oman, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Myanmar.
Page : 94
• Under the aegis of this policy, DRDO initiated a scientific component named ‘MAITRI (Marine and Allied
Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative)’, which focuses on establishing long-term collaboration
with IOR countries in the field of ‘Ocean Research and Development’.

India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)

• ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the priority section of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor at
Sahibabad RapidX Station, Uttar Pradesh on 20th October.’
• RRTS project is being developed. RRTS is a new rail-based, semi-high-speed, high-frequency commuter transit
system.
• With a design speed of 180 Kmph, RRTS is a transformational, regional development initiative, which is designed
to provide high-speed trains for intercity commuting every 15 minutes, which can go up to a frequency of every
5 minutes as per requirement.
• RRTS being developed in the country, is a state-of-the-art regional mobility solution, and is comparable to
the best in the world.
• It will provide safe, reliable and modern intercity commuting solutions in the country.

Vizhinjam international seaport project

• ‘The Rs 7,600 crore transshipment deepwater multipurpose seaport project is being built by Adani Ports and SEZ
Private Limited. It’s India’s first deepwater transshipment port.’
• Vizhinjam can handle giant megamax container ships.
• These ships are the largest container ships currently in operation, with a capacity of over 24,000 twenty-foot
equivalent units (TEUs).
• These ships are used for long-haul international shipping routes as they bring economies of scale by saving costs
and increasing efficiency in the shipping business.
• They cover multiple transshipment hubs on their route.
• Vizhinjam is ideally located along the international shipping route from the Persian Gulf and the Arabian
Sea to Southeast Asia.

Cabinet approves Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2024-25
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has
approved the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season
2024-25.
• Government has increased the MSP of Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2024-25, to ensure remunerative prices
to the growers for their produce.
• The absolute highest increase in MSP has been approved for lentil (masur) at Rs.425 per quintal followed
by rapeseed & mustard at Rs.200 per quintal.
• For wheat and safflower, an increase of Rs.150 per quintal each has been approved. For barley and gram an
increase of Rs.115 per quintal and Rs.105 per quintal respectively, has been approved.

Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project

• In a move aimed at boosting irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydroelectric power generation, the Cabinet
Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave the green light to
including the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project of Uttarakhand.’
• The essence of the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project lies in the construction of a dam adjacent to Jamrani
village, spanning the Gola River, a tributary of the Ram Ganga River, situated in Uttarakhand’s Nainital district.
• This dam will supply water to the existing Gola barrage through a 40.5-kilometre-long canal system and a
244-kilometre-long canal system, which was initially completed in 1981.

Inform customers when banks ask for their credit score

• ‘The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked credit information companies (CICs) to send alerts through SMS or
Page : 95

email to customers when their credit information report (CIR) is accessed by credit institutions (CIs), wherever
mobile number or email ID details of the customers are available.’
• Further, such alerts should also be sent by CIs (including banks, non-banking finance companies, housing finance
 companies, and credit card companies) when they submit information to CICs regarding default or Days Past Due
(DPD) in existing credit facilities.
• RBI said the alerts should be sent by CICs only when the CIR inquiry reflects in the CIR of the customer.

Jio demonstrates India’s first satellite-based giga fiber service

• ‘Reliance Jio Infocomm (Jio), demonstrated India’s first satellite-based giga fiber service to provide high-speed
broadband services in previously inaccessible geographies in the country.’
• Four of the remotest locations in India -- Gir in Gujarat, Korba in Chattisgarh, Nabrangpur in Odissa and ONGC-
Jorhat, Assam -- have been connected with JioSpaceFiber.
• Currently, Jio delivers high speed broadband fixed line and wireless services to over 450 million Indian
consumers.
• The satellite network will also support additional capacity for mobile backhaul, enhancing the availability and
scale of Jio True5G in the remotest parts of the country.
• Jio in partnership with with SES, would access the world’s latest in medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite technol-
ogy, the only MEO constellation capable of delivering truly unique Gigabit, fiber-like services from space.

Importance of QR codes on Food labels

• ‘The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended the inclusion of a QR (quick
response) code on food products for accessibility by visually impaired individuals.’
• Every consumer has the right to know exactly what he is paying for and if he is getting what he is promised and
advertised.
• With this new initiative an informed choice will be offered to consumers.
• A QR code is a type of two-dimensional matrix barcode, invented in 1994, by the Japanese company Denso
Wave for labelling automobile parts.
• According to market experts, for the food manufacturers, using QR codes on food products can help improve their
brand image, customer loyalty, and operational efficiency.

India bans exports of some rice varities

• ‘In July this year, India banned the export of non-basmati white rice amid depleting public stock in the Central
pool, elevated cereal prices, and looming threat of the uneven monsoon.’
• India is the biggest exporter of rice in the world.
• As per the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), India accounted for about 40 per cent of the total rice
exports (56 million tonnes) in the world during calendar year 2022.
• India’s rice exports are broadly categorised into basmati and non-basmati rice.
• The non-basmati rice category includes 6 sub-categories— rice in husk of seed quality; other rice in husk; husked
(brown) rice; rice parboiled; non-basmati white rice; and broken rice.

India re-elected to International Maritime Organisation

• ‘India was re-elected to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council with the highest tally, and the
term of council will be for the biennium 2024-25.’
• The highest votes are indicative of the government’s determination to strengthen India’s varied contributions to
international maritime operations.
• The council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the assembly, for supervising the work of the
organization.
• The council performs the functions of the assembly, except that of making recommendations to governments
on maritime safety and pollution prevention.
• According to the statement, under the MIV 2030 to enhance representation at IMO, India aims at appointing
permanent representatives at IMO London.
Page : 96
Mining for critical minerals
• ‘This is the first time that rights related to the mining of lithium ore are being auctioned to private parties.’
• There are seven blocks in Tamil Nadu, four in Odisha, three in Bihar, two in Uttar Pradesh, and one each in
Gujarat, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
• The two blocks of lithium reserves, one each in J&K and Chhattisgarh, are up for auction for a CL.
• The Geological Survey of India has taken up 125 projects in the current fiscal to explore critical mineral reserves
in the country.
• In the preceding eight fiscal years, a total of 625 mineral exploration projects were undertaken.

Environmental Impact of what we eat

• ‘Due to its vast size and consumer market, India is a global anchor of the trade in agricultural products.’
• It has also undergone remarkable social and economic development over the last several decades.
• This has led to an increasing demand as well as supply of these products.
• Large land areas in India are used to service the international demand for grains, fruits, and vegetables,
among other products, which puts pressure on national soil and water resources.
• At the same time, India’s vast consumer market means that large amounts of land, even outside its borders, are
used to satisfy domestic demand.

Marks, financial status no bar for overseas higher studies

• ‘38% of students who opted for foreign studies from Kerala had marks below 75%; significant rise in number of
girl students pursuing overseas education.’
• The new wave of migration reveals that a significant proportion of the students who recently migrated to countries
such as the U.K., Canada, Germany, the U.S., and Australia—the most preferred destinations of students— for
higher studies have scored less than 75% marks for degree or secondary-level education.
• The 2018 Kerala Migration Survey reported women’s participation in migration at 15.8%.
• In the latest survey, female students represented 32% of the total respondents.

2023 Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) survey

• ‘At a time when India is increasingly pitching itself as a possible alternative to China, greater competitiveness
in logistics could help the country fend off the challenge from competitors such as Vietnam and Indonesia and
improve overall manufacturing competence.’
• While the Centre has stepped up its spending on infrastructure, deep-seated problems in logistics continue to hurt
Indian manufacturing and efforts to boost exports.
• The survey results on the quality of roads and terminals said that Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, and
Chhattisgarh have received low perception scores on these counts while user satisfaction in Telangana, Uttar
Pradesh, and Punjab improved.

Dharavi revamp
• ‘Recently, wielding flags and banners bearing slogans like “Remove Adani, Save Dharavi”, thousands of protesters
led by Opposition parties in Maharashtra marched towards billionaire Gautam Adani’s Mumbai office to express
their dissent against the ?23,000 crore Dharavi Redevelopment Project.’
• Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum cluster, and the third largest in the world, is home to nearly 58,000 families who
migrated to India’s financial capital from across the subcontinent over decades.
• It stands on a 300-hectare slice of prime land in the heart of the city overlooking the Bandra-Kurla Complex
(BKC), India’s premium business district.
• The Maharashtra government is highly optimistic about completing the entire process of rehabilitation and
redevelopment in seven years starting next year.
• Although a Dubai-based consortium - Seclink Technologies Corporation - successfully bid against Adani
in January 2019, the tender was not awarded due to the decision to incorporate 47.5 acres of Railway land
into the redevelopment project.
Page : 97
Working of Touchscreens
• The computing power of the smartphones in our pockets have often drawn comparisons to computing machines
of the mid-20th century, which themselves were powerful for their time.’
•
• Our access to such a powerful technology owes itself to advances in electronics, signalling, and fabrication – but
its ultimate ubiquity owes itself to a human-machine interface that has become so intuitive as to make smartphones
an extension of our arms: the touchscreen.
• A touchscreen is a surface that combines two functions: to receive inputs for a computer (say, tapping on an
app) and to display the output (launching the app).
• The two most common types of touchscreens are capacitive and resistive; there are other techniques as well.

New initiatives for tourists Uttarakhand

• A gyrocopter is a mix between a helicopter and an airplane. It has a big rotating blade on top, like a helicopter, but
it does not use an engine to spin it.’
• Instead, when it moves forward, the air pushes through the blades, making them spin, which helps it stay up in
the air.
• Gyrocopters are generally considered safe and stable. They are also nimble and maneuverable, allowing pilots to
fly closer to attractions.
• Gyrocopters don’t require extensive runways for take-off and landing, so they can operate from smaller airfields
or even open spaces.

India’s jobs crisis

• There are many indications everywhere that India continues to be going through a jobs crisis.’
• The Indian economy has historically been characterised by the presence of both open unemployment (out of work
job-seekers) as well as high levels of informal employment consisting of the self-employed as well as casual wage
workers.
• The last is also called “disguised unemployment” because, being similar to open unemployment, it also
indicates a lack of adequate employment opportunities in the formal sector.
• In India, the employment growth rate of the formal and non-agricultural sector remained unresponsive despite
a significant rise in the GDP growth rate and the value added growth rate during the 2000s as compared to the
decade of the 1980s and 1990s.

India-ASEAN set to review trade pact for modernisation in early 2024

• India and the ten-member ASEAN will begin negotiations in February to “modernise” their decade-and-a-half-old
free trade agreement (FTA) and bring in more balance in the pact currently weighed against New Delhi.’
• The aim is to revamp the ASEAN India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITGA) by 2025.
• The negotiations will focus on introducing product-specific rules and trade remedies to make the FTA more
efficient.
• The modernized AITGA will include changes in the Rules of Origin (ROO) and a chapter on trade remedies to
protect domestic industries.

Are graduates facing unemployment?

• Official data shows a decline in the national unemployment rate from 6.1% in 201718 to 3.2% in 202223.’
• Despite a decline in overall unemployment rates, highly educated youth face disproportionate challenges in
securing employment, remaining a consistent structural issue in India’s economy.
• The analysis spanning from 1993-94 to 2022-23 demonstrates that individuals with higher education face
consistently higher unemployment rates, notably reaching 13% in 202223 for graduates.
• Young graduates aged 18 to 29 encountered particularly high unemployment rates, with around 36% facing long
spells of unemployment in 201718, declining to 27% by 2022-23 but still higher than previous periods.
Page : 98

• As enrolment rates continue to rise, the share of graduates in the labour force will increase, leading to increases
in the aggregate unemployment rate. The problems of young job-seekers are not an aberration, but a worrying
feature of the Indian labour market.
T+0, instant settlement cycle
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed the introduction of a facility for clearing and
settlement of funds and securities on T+0 (same day) and instant settlement cycle on an optional basis.’
• The facility will be in addition to the existing T+1 (trade plus one day) settlement cycle in the secondary markets
for the equity cash segment.
• The markets regulator, in a consultation paper, has proposed to introduce a shorter settlement cycle in two phases.
• It proposed to implement it in two phases – Phase 1: T+0 Settlement Cycle and Phase 2: Instant Settlement
Cycle.
• In Phase 1, an optional T+0 settlement cycle (for trades till 1:30 PM) is envisaged, with settlement of funds and
securities to be completed on the same day by 4:30 PM.

Page : 99
 Learn BITS
Annual Current Affairs Compilation
DEFENCE & SECURITY

1
Page : 100

PART

JAN-DEC 2023

05 Defence & secuirty
Government starts process to buy 100 more K9-Vajras
• The Defence Ministry has started the process for the procurement of 100 more K9-Vajra tracked self-propelled
howitzers, which are built in India by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) using technology transferred from South Korean
defence major Hanwha Defense Co. Ltd.
• K9 howitzers operate in groups with the K10 automatic ammunition resupply vehicle variant.K9-Vajras Tracked
Self-Propelled Howitzer
• The K9-Vajra is a 155-mm, 52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer based on the K9 Thunder
• It has an operational range of 360 km.
• The K9 is of welded construction, using 20,000 kilograms (44,000 lb) of MIL-12560H armor steel.
• The K9 has both manual (mechanical and optical) and automatic (electronic) fire control system.

Veer Guardian-2023
• An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent will depart for Hyakuri Air Base, Japan for the maiden edition of the
Exercise Veer Guardian to be held with Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) from January 12 to 26
• The joint air exercise Veer Guardian-2023 is intented to promote air defence cooperation between India and Japan
• The IAF contingent participating in the air exercise will include four Su-30 MKI, two C-17 and one IL-78 aircraft,
while the JASDF will be participating with four F-2 and a similar number of F-15 fighter planes

Village Defence Guards

• ‘The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will provide arms training to village defence guards or VDGs in
Jammu and Kashmir to counter any terror attack in their areas.’
• The VDGs comprise local village volunteers.
• They were first active in the 1990s in several districts and played a significant role in self defence, assisting forces
in counter-terrorism operations and maintaining vigil in respective border villages.
• They remained inactive for several years thereafter.
• VDGs have also been activated along the India-Pakistan International Border (IB) in Jammu, Samba and
Kathua districts.
• In 2020, the policy of Village Defence Committees was revamped and Village Defence Groups were introduced,
members of whom are called Village Defence Guards (VDGs).

Prithvi-II missile successfully tested-fired in Odisha

• ‘India successfully carried out a test launch of the tactical ballistic missile Prithvi-II from a test range off the
Odisha coast recently.’
• The missile successfully struck its target with “high accuracy”.
• The test validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile, which is an integral part of India’s
nuclear deterrence capabilities.
• It is well-established system that has been an integral part of India’s nuclear deterrence.
• This missile system will enable India to target enemy’s assets with high accuracy, and it will make the country’s
defense more robust.

VSHORAD Missile Systems

• Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the proposal for procurement of VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile
system under design and development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO).’
• India has been in talks with Russia since 2018 to procure the Igla-S air defence missiles at a cost of $1.5 billion
under the VSHORAD programme in a bid to replace the Russian Igla-M systems which have been in use with the
Army
Page : 101

• It is a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS).

• These are short-range, lightweight and portable surface-to-air missiles that can be fired by individuals or small
groups to destroy aircraft or helicopters
• DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian
Industry Partners

21st edition of naval exercise ‘Varuna’ between India and France begins
• The 21st edition of the bilateral naval exercise between India and France commenced on the western seaboard
recently
• Initiated in 1993, the exercise was christened ‘Varuna’ in 2001 and has become “a hallmark of IndiaFrance
strategic bilateral relationship.
• This edition of the exercise will witness participation of indigenous guided missile stealth destroyer INS Chennai,
guided missile frigate INS Teg, maritime patrol aircraft P-8I and Dornier, integral helicopters and MiG29K fighter
aircraft.
• The exercise facilitates operational level interaction between the two navies to foster mutual cooperation for good
order at sea, underscoring the shared commitment of both nations to security, safety and freedom of the global
maritime commons

Sri Lanka, US to conduct joint exercises to maintain free Indo-Pacific

• Sri Lanka and the US will conduct a week-long joint military exercises to prepare for disaster relief and maintain
a free and open Indo-Pacific, amid China’s increasing military manoeuvring in the strategic region
• This is the fifth CARAT/MAREX exercise between the US and Sri Lanka, and this year includes participants from
the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Maldives National Defence Force.
• CARAT/MAREX Sri Lanka is a bilateral exercise between Sri Lanka and the US designed to promote regional
security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime interoperability
• The week-long exercise is designed to enhance US and partner navies’ abilities to operate together in response to
traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges

Fifth Kalvari Class Submarine Vagir

• ‘On 23 January, the fifth submarine of the scorpene-class, Vagir, will be commissioned by the Indian Navy.’
• The Indian Navy has already received the commissioning of four Kalvari class submarines.
• On 1 November, 1973, the former Vagir was put into service and carried out many operational tasks, such as
patrols intended to deter.
• After serving the nation for approximately three decades, the submarine was retired in January 2001.
• Vagir is capable of carrying out a variety of missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare,
information gathering, mine laying, and surveillance missions.
• Vagir will improve the Indian Navy’s potential to further India’s maritime interests.

India & Russia begin joint manufacturing of AK 203 rifles in UP

• India and Russia have begun the joint production of AK 203 rifles at a factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh
• With the launch of series production of Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles, high-quality, convenient and modern
small arms will begin to enter service in India’s defence and law enforcement agencies
• More than six lakh rifles are to be manufactured in India as part of a joint venture Indo Russia Rifles Private Limited
established between the Indian Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Kalashnikov Concern, and Rosoboronexport,
(both subsidiaries of the Rostec State Corporation
• While OFB has a 50.5 per cent stake in the joint venture, Kalashnikov has 42 per cent and Rosoboronexport 7.5
per cent.
• According to the roadmap, an initial lot of 70,000 rifles are to be Made in India with lesser indigenous content

Indo-Egypt Joint Training Exercise Cyclone - I Commences in Rajasthan

• The first-ever joint exercise between the special forces of the Indian Army and the Egyptian Army named “ is
underway in Rajasthan
• It aimed at bolstering defence cooperation between the two nations and focus on sharing professional skills and
Page : 102

interoperability of the special forces in desert terrain while undertaking counter-terrorism, reconnaissance, raids
and other special operations.
• The participants would also undertake joint planning and drills for special forces operations in a mechanised
warfare setting as well as surgical strikes on terrorist camps/ hideouts to include sniping of high-value targets.
• The joint exercise would provide an insight into the culture and ethos of both the armies thereby fostering
military cooperation and interoperability to further strengthen the diplomatic relations between India and
Egypt

Exercise Poorvi Aakash

• ‘The Indian Air Force (IAF) will be conducting its annual Command-level exercise, Poorvi Akash, in the
northeastern part of the country during the first week of February this
• The Eastern Air Command will conduct the exercise
• The air combat military drill is being conducted after a gap of two years due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• The military drill will be conducted in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and other northeastern states amid tension in
the eastern sector of the Line of Actual Control
• The exercise will involve the activation of the Command’s fighter, helicopter and transport assets towards the
routine practice of aerial drills, including joint exercises

DRDO’s Fuel Cell-based Air Independent Propulsion system

• ‘In a major boost to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, Fuel Cell-based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system of DRDO’s
Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) will soon be fitted onboard INS Kalvari.’
• Air-independent propulsion (AIP), or air-independent power, is marine propulsion technology that allows a non-
nuclear submarine to operate without access to atmospheric oxygen (by surfacing or using a snorkel).
• AIP can augment or replace the diesel-electric propulsion system of non-nuclear vessels.
• The indigenous AIP propulsion system developed by DRDO is a modular system that can be easily configured for
any conventional submarine platform.
• Fuel cell technology-based AIP generates power through the reverse electrolysis of oxygen and hydrogen.
• In this process, the two elements chemically combine, thereby generating electricity to charge the submarine’s
batteries.

Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (Tropex-23)

• India’s major maritime exercise TROPEX, is currently underway in the Indian Ocean Region(IOR).’
• This operational level exercise takes place biennially with participation not only from the Indian Navy but also
from Indian Army, Indian Airforce and Coast Guard
• The maritime exercise also facilitates operational-level interaction with the Indian Army, Indian Airforce and the
Coast Guard, which will further strengthen interoperability and joint operations in a complex environment
• The Theatre Level exercise aims to validate the Navy’s offensive defence capabilities, safeguard national interests
in the maritime domain and promote stability and peace in the IOR.
• The naval war game is part of the military exercise which represents the actual conditions under the various
possible scenarios of modern naval warfare

North Korea fires ballistic missile to bolster nuclear capacity

• The HWASONG-15 is one of the three major ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) of North Korea
• All the ICBMs of North Korea use liquid propellants. North Korean missiles are of big trouble and great concern
to the west for this reason
• The liquid fuels used in the ICBMs of North Korean missiles can stay stable only under controlled conditions.
• The solid-fueled ICBMs are difficult to detect and NK is now building them.
• The missile was fired at a high angle and reached a maximum altitude of about 5,770 kilometers (3,585 miles),
flying a distance of about 990 kilometers (615 miles) before accurately hitting a pre-set area in the waters between
the Korean Peninsula and Japan

70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft

• Ministry of Defence,recently signed contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Larsen & Toubro
Limited (L&T) for procurement of 70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft & three Cadet Training Ships
Page : 103

• The Cabinet had cleared signing of contract with L&T for acquisition of three Cadet Training Ships from L&T,
worth more than Rs 3,100 crore under Buy {Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)}
category.
• The HTT-40 is a turbo prop aircraft possessing good low speed handling qualities and provides better training
effectiveness.
• The HTT-40 contains approx. 56% indigenous content which will progressively increase to over 60% through
indigenisation of major components and subsystems.

Indian Army organises integrated exercise ‘Trishakri Prahar’ in North Bengal

• The Indian Defense Forces conducted firepower exercises called the “TRISHAKTI PRAHAR” to synergize the
firepower assets and to orchestrate a battle
• The exercise is important to keep the forces ready for battle
• The exercise was conducted by the Indian Air Force, CAPF, and the Indian Army.
• It was a firepower exercise. The exercise held at Teesta Field Firing Ranges. It is near Siliguri.
• The Siliguri is strategically important to India. This narrow 20 to 30-km-wide passage touches Bangladesh in the
south and Bhutan in the north.
• The Integrated Fire Power Exercise demonstrated the ability of the Indian Armed Forces to apply resources
from the Indian Air Force, Airborne Special Forces, and Security Forces in a coordinated manner in a networked
environment.

Dharma Guardian
• The 4th edition of joint military exercise, “EX DHARMA GUARDIAN”, between India and Japan is being
conducted at Camp Imazu in Shiga province, Japan from 17 February to 02 March 2023
• Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN which is an annual training event with Japan, is crucial and significant in terms
of security challenges faced by both nations in the backdrop of current global situation.
• The scope of this exercise covers platoon level joint training on operations in jungle and semi urban/urban terrain.
• The training will focus primarily on high degree of physical fitness and sharing of drills at the tactical level.
• During the exercise, participants will engage in a variety of missions ranging from joint planning, joint tactical
drills, basics of establishing integrated surveillance grids, including employment of aerial assets.

India, Uzbekistan begin two-week military exercise in Pithoragarh

• The armies of India and Uzbekistan recently began a two-week military exercise in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh
with an aim to enhance operational interoperability
• The 14 days long joint exercise would focus on joint counter-terrorist operations in mountainous and semi-
urban scenarios under the UN mandate and will include field training exercises, combat discussions, lectures,
demonstrations and culminate with a validation exercise
• Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of tactical drills for neutralisation of likely threats, while
learning to exploit new generation equipment and technology for conducting joint operations.
• Due emphasis is being laid on increasing interoperability between forces

LCA Mk2 can carry 8 BVR missiles, integrate French, Russian weapons
• The indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2 is not only able to carry eight Beyond-Visual-Range
(BVR) missiles at once but can also integrate all indigenous weapons as well as a number of advanced weapons
from other nations
• The LCA Mk2 has a significantly enhanced range over the LCA Tejas Mk1 in terms of technology.
• For fighting a war, the LCA Tejas Mk1 has a mission endurance of 57 minutes, whereas the LCA Tejas Mk2 has
a mission endurance of 120 minutes
• There will be 11 hardpoints (an airframe weapon station intended to hold external weight) on the Mk2.
• The LCA Mk2 will be able to carry 6.5 tonnes of weapons and will be powered by a GE-414 engine from General
Electric

Ndian Air Force To Participate In Exercise Desert Flag Viii

Page : 104

• The exercise Desert Flag VIII was held in the UAE air base Al Dhafra. Indian Air Force participated in the exercise
• The other countries that participated were the USA, Korea, Spain, Morocco, Bahrain, the UK, Australia, Kuwait,
France, and UAE. For the first time, LCA Tejas of India is participating in a military exercise that was held outside
the country.
• India sent two C-17 transport aircraft and five Tejas to the exercise.
• Six countries; UAE, USA, France, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain apart from India participated with aerial assets
• Jordan, Greece, Qatar, Egypt and South Korea participated as observer forces.
• The aim of the exercise is to participate in diverse fighter engagements and learn from the best practices of various
Air Forces

Exercise Cobra Warrior

• The Cobra Warrior Exercise is to be held at Waddington Air Force Base in the UK in March 2023.’
• It is a multinational exercise. Countries like Singapore, Finland, the USA, South Africa, and Sweden will
participate in the exercise
• India is also participating in the exercise
• The IAF will send five Mirage 2000 fighters along with IL-78 mid-air refueller aircraft, and two C-17 Globemaster
• During the exercise, the Royal British Air Force offers Qualified Space Instructors Courses, surveillance, Multi-
Engine Tactics, Qualified Weapons Instructors, etc.
• To qualify for these war strategies the Air Force crew has to seek intense training provided by the British Royal
Air Force

PM Modi To Inaugurate 3-Day Raisina Dialogue

• The 8th Edition of the Raisina Dialogue will be held in New Delhi
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Dialogue.
• Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni will join the inaugural session as the Chief Guest.
• The theme of the 2023 Edition of Dialogue is “Provocation, Uncertainty, Turbulence: Lighthouse in the
Tempest
• The Raisina Dialogue 2023 will witness the participation of representatives from over 100 countries including
Ministers, Military Commanders, Captains of the Industry, Technology Leaders, Scholars on Strategic Affairs,
Experts from leading Think Tanks and Youth. This year’s edition assumes special significance coming against the
backdrop of India’s G20 Presidency.

Inter-services Organisations Bill

• The commander-in-chief and officer-in-command of the inter-services organisations will soon be able to exercise
control over all the personnel serving/attached under their command but belonging to different services
• The government has introduced a bill titled ‘Inter-services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill’
in the Lok Sabha to this effect.
• The proposed Bill will essentially empower the Heads of the Inter-services Organisations to exercise effective
command, control and discipline on all personnel of regular Air force, Army and Navy and to persons of other,
who are serving in or attached to an Inter-services Organisation, without amending the respective Acts

Frinjex-2023
• The maiden Joint Military Exercise FRINJEX-23 between Indian Army and French Army will be conducted at
Pangode Military Station in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram on March 7-8, 2023
• FRINJEX-23 would be the first Joint Military Exercise in which armies of both nations will engage in this format
with each contingent comprising a Company Group each from the Thiruvananthapuram-based Indian Army troops
and French 6th Light Armoured Brigade
• The scope of the exercise involves the establishment and operationalisation of a joint command post to secure
an envisaged area for undertaking joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, establishing an Internally
Displaced Population (IDP) camp and move of disaster relief material

Cutlass Express 23
• INS Trikand is participating in the International Maritime Exercise/ Cutlass Express 2023 (IMX/CE-23) being
held in the Gulf region
Page : 105

• She will exercise with participants from over 50 nations and international maritime agencies with the common
aim of enhancing maritime security and keeping sea lanes in the region safe for maritime commerce.
• IMX/CE-23 is one of the largest multinational maritime exercises in the world. While this is Indian Navy’s
maiden IMX participation, it also marks the second occasion where an Indian Naval ship is participating in an
exercise conducted by the CMF
• It enables the Indian Navy in strengthening relationships and enhancing interoperability and collective maritime
capability with maritime partners in the IOR

Amphibious Exercise AMPHEX

• Indian Navy’s major Operational level exercise TROPEX for the year 2023, conducted across the expanse of IOR
over a duration of four months from Nov 22 - Mar 23, culminated this week in the Arabian Sea
• The overall exercise construct included Coastal Defence exercise Sea Vigil and the Amphibious Exercise AMPHEX
• Together, these exercises also witnessed significant participation from the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and
the Coast Guard.
• TROPEX 23 witnessed participation of approximately 70 Indian Navy ships, six submarines and over 75 aircraft

Shaliza becomes 1st woman to command combat unit in IAF

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has for the first time selected a woman officer to command a frontline combat unit in
the Western sector facing Pakistan
• Group Captain Shaliza Dhami is an experienced helicopter pilot. Group Captain (equivalent to Colonel in the
Army) Dhami was commissioned in 2003 as a helicopter pilot and has logged over 2,800 hours of flying experience.
• She is the first qualified woman flying instructor in the IAF and has served as flight commander of a helicopter
unit in the Western sector.
• Dhami’s selection highlights the IAF’s efforts to provide women with more opportunities in combat and command
roles.
• At present, a total of 1,875 women officers are serving in the IAF, which has opened all its branches, including the
special forces unit Garud, for women.

Maritime Partnership Exercise (Mpx)

• Indian Navy’s indigenously built guided missile frigate, INS Sahyadri participated in a Maritime Partnership
Exercise (MPX) with French Navy (FN) ships FS Dixmude, a Mistral Class Amphibious Assault Ship and FS La
Fayette, a La Fayette Class Frigate, in the Arabian Sea recently
• The exercise witnessed a wide spectrum of evolutions at sea which included cross deck landings, boarding
exercises and seamanship evolutions.
• The seamless conduct of the exercise reaffirmed the interoperability and high level of cooperation between the
two navies.
• INS Sahyadri is fitted with state-of –the art weapons and sensors, which makes her capable of detecting and
neutralising air, surface and sub-surface threats

Exercise La Perouse – 2023

• ‘The two-day multi-lateral maritime exercise ‘La Pérouse’, involving participation of personnel, ships and integral
helicopters of Royal Australian Navy, French Navy, Indian Navy, Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal
Navy and the United States Navy, kick-started in the Indian Ocean Region recently.’
• The biennial exercise La Perouse is conducted by the French Navy and aims to enhance maritime domain awareness
and optimise maritime coordination among participating navies in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Exercise La Perouse will include complex and advanced naval operations, including surface warfare, anti-air
warfare, air defence exercises, cross-deck landings and tactical manoeuvres.
• This exercise helped in forming stronger ties between the participating nations to be ready to face maritime
challenges around the world.

Colonel Geeta Rana is first woman to lead army unit near China border in Ladakh
Page : 106

• ‘A woman officer has, for the first time, taken over the command of an independent unit in the sensitive Ladakh
sector where India and China have been locked in a lingering border row for almost three years.’
• She is from the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME). Around 50 of them are set to head units
in operational areas, including forward locations, under the Northern and Eastern Commands that are responsible
 for guarding India’s borders with China.
• She is the daughter of a junior commissioned officer from Mahar Regiment.
• She trained at the Chennai-based Officers’ Training Academy, and was commissioned into the army in 2000.
• In her 23-year military career, she has served at different places including Sikkim and Jammu and Kashmir.

DRDO conducts two consecutive successful flight tests of VSHORADS missile’

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently conducted two consecutive successful
flight tests of the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile at Chandipur off the coast of
Odisha.’
• VSHORADS is a man-portable air defence system (MANPAD) meant for neutralising low-altitude aerial threats
at short ranges.
• The missile incorporates many novel technologies including Dual-band IIR Seeker, miniaturised reaction control
system, and integrated avionics.
• The propulsion is provided by a dual thrust solid motor.
• VSHORADS missile incorporates many novel technologies including a miniaturized Reaction Control
System (RCS) and integrated avionics, which have been successfully proven during the tests.
• The missile, meant for neutralizing low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges is propelled by a dual-thrust solid
motor

Joint India Singapore Exercise ‘Bold Kurukshetra

• The Singapore Army and Indian Army participated in the 13th edition of Exercise Bold Kurukshetra, a bilateral
armour exercise from 6 to 13 March at Jodhpur Military Station, India
• The ten-day long joint training that commenced on 5th March fostered a common understanding of mechanised
warfare in emerging threats and evolving technologies, developing inter-operability through a computer simulation-
based Wargame using joint operational and tactical procedures controlled through a joint command post
• Both contingents not only learnt about each other’s operating drills and procedures but also exchanged ideas and
best practices being followed in a modern combat zone

Exercise Sea Dragon 23

• ‘A P8I aircraft of the Indian Navy arrived at Guam, USA recently to participate in ‘Exercise Sea Dragon 23’, the
third edition of the coordinated multi-lateral ASW exercise for Long Range MR ASW aircraft, conducted by the
US Navy.’
• Ex Sea Dragon 23 will test the capabilities of participating aircraft in tracking simulated and live underwater
targets, whilst also sharing mutual expertise.
• The Exercise would witness representation by an Indian Navy P8I, along with P8A of the US Navy, P1 from the
Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, CP 140 from the Royal Canadian Air Force and P3C from the RoKN.
• The Exercise aims to achieve high levels of synergy and coordination between the friendly navies, which is based
on their shared values and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific.

“Security Bond-2023” exercise

• Naval forces from China, Iran and Russia — all countries at varying degrees of odds with the United States are
staging joint drills in the Gulf of Oman.
• The exercises come amid heightened tensions between the US and China over a range of issues, including China’s
refusal to criticise Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine and continuing support for the Russian economy
• The US and its allies have condemned the invasion, imposed punishing economic sanctions on Russia and supplied
Ukraine with defensive arms.
• Iran and the US have been adversaries since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979 and the taking of US
diplomats as hostages

Defence Ministry signs Rs 3000 crore contract with BEL

Page : 107

• Ministry of Defence, signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Hyderabad for procurement of
two Integrated Electronic Warfare Systems ‘Project Himshakti’ at an overall cost of approximately Rs 3,000 crore
• The project is under the Buy {Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)} category
 comprising contemporary and niche technologies
• The EW system is designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in
collaboration with its manufacturing partner BEL
• The Himshakti EW system is designed for operations in mountainous terrain, with a specific focus on countering
Chinese military threats
• The system is equipped with a low-power ECM chain and Electro-Optical (EO) Sensor subsystem, enabling it to
detect and disrupt enemy communications

Exercise Vayu Prahar

• The Indian Army and the Indian Air force recently conducted a joint exercise, ‘Vayu Prahar
• The main aim of the Vayu Prahar exercise was to enable coordination and rehearsal among various agencies
for quick mobilisation, transportation and deployment of forces within a theatre, which can be executed across
theatres
• The scope of the joint exercise included the rapid mobilisation of a rapid reaction force from the hinterland, which
was then tasked with air-land operations in a nominated advance landing ground (ALG).
• The conduct of Vayu Prahar exercise enabled coordination and rehearsal among various agencies for quick
mobilisation, transportation and deployment of forces within a theatre which can be executed across theatres.

Search And Rescue (Sar) Exercise

• The Indian Coast Guard conducted Regional Search and Rescue exercise recently at Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh
• The aim of the exercise was to simulate a real time maritime distress scenario and highlight the functioning of
Search and Rescue (SAR) organisation for a mass rescue operation
• The exercise involved all stakeholders with effective use of available resources towards M-SAR (Maritime Search
and Rescue) contingency efficiently
• Sea area off Kakinada was chosen as the venue for the exercise considering the large-scale exploration and
production activities in the Krishna Godavari basin which makes the area potential to emergencies necessitating
large scale SAR response.
• The two-day long workshop and exercise enhanced knowledge and understanding, promoting cooperation and
coordination amongst member agencies

Project Akashteer
• ‘The Ministry of Defence, recently signed three contracts – two with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad
and one with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) – at a total cost nearly Rs 5,400 crore, to bolster the defence
capabilities of the country.’
• The first contract with BEL pertains to procurement of Automated Air Defence Control & Reporting System
‘Project Akashteer’ worth Rs 1,982 crore for the Indian Army.
• The second contract with BEL relates to acquisition of Sarang Electronic Support Measure (ESM) systems along
with associated Engineering Support Package from BEL, Hyderabad at an overall cost of Rs 412 crore for the
Indian Navy.

India successfully tests sea-based ballistic missile interceptor

• India has successfully carried out the maiden flight trial of an endo-atmospheric interceptor missile from a ship off
the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal as part of its ambitious ballistic missile defence programme
• The BMDs are capable of intercepting incoming long-range nuclear missiles and hostile aircraft including AWACS
(airborne warning and control systems)
• The purpose of the trial was to engage and neutralize a hostile ballistic missile threat thereby elevating India into
the elite club of nations having naval BMD capability.
• India has been developing capabilities to intercept hostile ballistic missiles both inside and outside the earth’s
atmospheric limits
Page : 108
Slinex-23
• The 10th annual SLINEX-2023 bilateral maritime exercise between India and Sri Lanka has commenced in
Colombo, Sri Lanka
• The exercise is divided into two phases, the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase, each lasting three days.
• The Indian Navy is represented by INS Kiltan and INS Savitri, while the Sri Lanka Navy is represented by SLNS
Vijayabahu and SLNS Samudura
• In addition, the exercise also includes participation from the Indian Navy’s Chetak helicopter and Dornier Maritime
Patrol Aircraft, as well as Sri Lanka Air Force’s Dornier and BEL 412 helicopters.
• The exercise will also feature the Special Forces of both navies working together

Exercise Cope India 23

• The first phase of Exercise Cope India-23 began recently at West Bengal’s Panagarh Air Force base, also known
as Air Force Station Arjan Singh, aiming to enhance mutual understanding between the Indian and US air forces
• The exercise aims at enhancing mutual understanding between the two Air Forces and sharing their best practices
• In the exercise C-130J, C-17, MC-130J aircrafts are participating
• The India-US air exercise, which began in 2004, has grown over the years exponentially and will now see paving
the way for greater interoperability between India and US as far as the fighters are concerned.
• US is keenly watching India’s mega 114 multi-role fighter programme run by the IAF

Exercise Orion
• Exercise Orion, a bilateral military drill between the Indian Air Force and the French Air and Space Force (FASF)
started at the Mont-de-Marsan airbase in France recently
• The exercise will be conducted from 17 April to 05 May 2023, with the IAF Contingent comprising four Rafale,
two C-17, two ll-78 aircraft, and 165 air warriors.
• This would be the first overseas exercise for the IAF’s Rafale aircraft
• Orion is reportedly the largest ever multinational exercise being carried out by the French defence forces which
have involved their Army, Navy and Air Force along with their allies the US and the UK
• The Rafale aircraft are the latest fighters to have been inducted into the Indian Air Force

Exercise Iniochos-23
• Exercise INIOCHOS-23, a multi-national air exercise hosted by the Hellenic Air Force, will feature the Indian
Air Force (IAF)
• The exercise’s goal is to improve international collaboration, synergy, and interoperability among the participating
air forces
• The exercise will take place in a realistic combat scenario with a variety of air and surface assets.
• The exercise will be conducted in a realistic combat scenario involving multiple types of air and surface assets.
• During the combined training exercise between the Indian and Greek air forces, Greece will use its F-16 and
Rafale fighter jets, the heart of its Air Force, to give assist to the exercise’s land and sea forces

Ajeya Warrior – 2023

• The 7th edition of joint military exercise “AJEYA WARRIOR-23” between India and the United Kingdom is
being conducted at Salisbury Plains, United Kingdom from 27 April to 11 May 2023.
• Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR is a biennial training event with the United Kingdom which is conducted alternatively
in the United Kingdom and India, the last edition was held at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand in October 2021.
• The scope of this exercise involves a Command Post Exercise (CPX) at the Battalion level and Company level
Field Training Exercise (FTX)
• Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR” is yet another significant milestone in defence cooperation between the Indian
Army and British Army which will further foster the bilateral relations between the two nations

Imphal, Indian Navy’s Third Ship Of Project 15b

Page : 109

• Imphal, Indian Navy’s third indigenous stealth destroyer of the Project 15B class, planned to be commissioned
later this year, undertook her maiden sea sortie.
• The ship incorporates several niche technologies and high indigenous content and is designed in-house by the
Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Ltd. (MDL).
• Imphal will add significantly to the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities. With the recent commissioning of her
predecessor INS Mormugao in December 2022 and the fifth Project 75 submarine INS Vagir in January 2023.
• The Destroyers come next only to an Aircraft Carrier (INS Vikramaditya) in terms of their reach and endurance

Tu-160 strategic bombers

• ‘Russia has reportedly deployed the world’s largest bomber, the Tu-160, in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine
• The Tu-160, also known as the Blackjack in NATO countries, is a strategic bomber developed by Russia’s Tupolev
Design Bureau in the 1980s
• The Tu-160 bomber is fitted with an advanced avionics suite, which comprises a digital fly-by-wire control system,
advanced communication and navigation systems, and sophisticated targeting systems
• It has a crew of four, consisting of a pilot, co-pilot, navigator, and weapons officer
• Russia’s Air Force has been using the Tu-160 bomber since 1987, and the bomber has received numerous upgrades
over the years to enhance its capabilities and extend its lifespan

Asean India Maritime Exercise

• In a further step, in the expanding India-ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) military cooperation,
the maiden ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) is set to begin on May 2 with war games in South China Sea
• INS Delhi, India’s first indigenously-built guided missile destroyer and INS Satpura, an indigenously-built guided
missile stealth frigate are a part of Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam .
• AIME 2023 will provide an opportunity for Indian Navy and ASEAN navies to work together closely and conduct
seamless operations in the maritime domain.
• This is the first time India has been involved in exercises with the ASEAN though there have been exercises with
ASEAN nations separately--Singapore and Vietnam, for instance

Army’s common uniform for officers of Brigadier rank and above

• ‘ndian Army will adopt a common uniform for Brigadier and above rank officers irrespective of the parent cadre
and appointment
• This recognition of distinct identity within the Arms or Regiment or Services is essential for junior leadership and
the rank and file to further strengthen camaraderie, esprit de corps and regimental ethos which is the bedrock of
soldiering
• The headgear, shoulder rank badges, gorget patches, belts and shoes of senior officers of Brigadier and above
ranks will now be standardised and common.
• The flag-rank officers will not wear any lanyards in the common uniform. The changes will be implemented from
01 August 2023

Indo-Thai Coordinated Patrol (Corpat)

• ‘The 35th edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the
Royal Thai Navy was conducted recently
• Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari, an indigenously built LST (L) and His Thai Majesty’s Ship (HTMS) Saiburi,
a Chao Phraya Class Frigate, along with Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies participated in the CORPAT
along the IMBL in the Andaman Sea
• The exercise is aimed towards reinforcing maritime links between the two countries and with an aim of keeping
this vital part of the Indian Ocean safe and secure for international trade.
• It facilitates institution of measures to prevent and suppress unlawful activities like Illegal Unreported Unregulated
(IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy

Samudra Shakti - 23
Page : 110

• The fourth edition of the India-Indonesia bilateral exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’ is scheduled from May 14-19
• Indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette INS Kavaratti arrived at Indonesia’s Batam to participate in
the bilateral exercise
• Samudra Shakti -23 will showcase the high level of interoperability between the two navies and their shared
 commitment towards peace and stability in the region.
• An Indian Navy Dornier Maritime Patrol aircraft and Chetak helicopter will also participate in the ‘Samudra
Shakti’ exercise
• For the bilateral exercise, the Indonesian Navy will be represented by KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, CN 235
Maritime Patrol aircraft and AS565 Panther helicopter.

Soaring Eagle exercise

• ‘The South Korea Air Force recently commenced the Soaring Eagle exercise, a large-scale training program aimed
at enhancing its combat capabilities and ensuring the country’s defense posture.’
• The exercise comes amidst heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula following North Korea’s firing of a
purported solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile.
• The goal is to enhance the pilots’ ability to respond effectively in critical situations, minimizing the time required
to eliminate potential threats.
• This exercise is aimed at ensuring we are equipped with capabilities to rapidly respond to enemy provocations,
and with the best operational capabilities through the verification of our strike capabilities against high-threat
target

Indian Navy test-fires BrahMos supersonic cruise missile

• Using its frontline guided missile destroyer INS Mormugao, the Indian Navy successfully test fired a BrahMos
supersonic cruise missile recently
• BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd is an India-Russian joint venture, responsible for producing supersonic cruise missiles
that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms.
• The successful Brahmos firing marked a significant achievement for INS Mormugao.
• The destroyer, equipped with advanced weaponry and sensors, demonstrated its capability to engage targets with
precision and effectiveness.
• The missile’s accurate hit confirmed the ship’s readiness and showcased the Navy’s commitment to bolster its

Exercise Jal Rahat

• Gajraj Corps of the Indian Army conducted a Joint Flood Relief ‘Exercise Jal Rahat’ at Hagrama Bridge on Manas
River, Assam to validate joint drills and coordinate preparedness by multi-agency flood relief columns.’
• Apart from Indian Army- SSB, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF),
District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and police representatives took part
• The event included coordination and rehearsals for rescue mission of people from inundated areas by joint efforts
of specialist teams from Army, NDRF and SDRF
• Practice on use of innovative expedients by the flood relief columns was also organised in which teams of Army
and SSB demonstrated use of local resources during such calamity

Vaghsheer
• The sixth submarine of Project 75, Yard 11880, Indian Navy’s Kalvari class commenced her sea trials recently.
• The submarine was launched in 20 Apr 22 from the Kanhoji Angre Wet Basin of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders
Limited (MDL)
• MDL has ‘Delivered’ three submarines of the Project – 75 in 24 months and the commencement of sea trials of
the sixth submarine is a significant milestone.
• This is indicative of the boost towards AatmaNirbharBharat
• The submarine will now undergo intense trials of all its systems at sea, these include propulsion systems, weapons
and sensors
• Vagsheer is named after the sand fish, a deep sea predator of the Indian Oceane 2023

Air Defender 23
Page : 111

• The multinational exercise, Air Defender 23, is set to make history as the largest air force deployment exercise
conducted by NATO
• This joint endeavor involves 25 nations coming together to train in the airspace above Europe in a display of
transatlantic solidarity
• The exercise will include operational and tactical-level training, primarily in Germany, but also in the Czech
Republic, Estonia and Latvia
• This exercise focuses on supplementing the permanent United States presence in Europe” as well as
providing training” on a larger scale than what was usually accomplished on the continent.
• Air Defender” was conceived in 2018 in part as a response to the Russian annexation of Crimea from Ukraine

China to join Indonesia’s multilateral naval drills despite rising tension

• The Asia-Pacific region has witnessed an escalation in tensions, leading to increased military exercises and
diplomatic maneuvers by various countries
• A notable event on the horizon is the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) hosted by Indonesia.
• The drills come as China and the United States ramp up military diplomacy in the region, staging more frequent
war games with allies and partners around Taiwan, the busy waterway of the South China Sea, and the west Pacific
• Its aims are to enhance facilitating multilateral engagement with greater international partners.
• Three exercises have taken place: 2014, 2016 and 2018
• The first KOMODO was held in 2014, around Batam

Indian Navy’s Green Initiatives

• On the eve of World Environment Day, the Navy shared some of the noteworthy initiatives towards a ‘Clean and
Green Navy’
• The Navy has commissioned solar power with a cumulative capacity of 15.87 MW which is in line with the its
objective of fulfilling the government’s ‘Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM)’ mission
• The Navy said in collaboration with IISc, Bangalore, it has operationalised a first-of-its-kind 100KW capacity AC
plant in the country based on the natural refrigerant carbon dioxide
• To reduce the overall carbon footprint and enhance environmental sustainability, the Navy is “geared Up and
committed” to march towards pursuit of green initiatives, realising the national aim, to ensure a ‘greener and
cleaner future for our next generations

Varunastra Torpedo
• ‘In a significant development for the Indian Navy the indigenously developed Varunastra a ship-launched anti-
submarine heavy weight torpedo (HWT) was successfully test fired.’
• This indigenous HWT will enhance the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities and make it a formidable
force.
• Vizag-based Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) of the Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) designed the Varunastra missile system and Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) is responsible for
its production.
• The Varunastra HWT is an electrically-powered torpedo capable of anti-submarine and anti-ship operations.
• It has a maximum strike range of 40 kilometers and can travel at speeds of more than 70 kilometers per hour at a
maximum depth of 600 mts.

India-France-Uae Maritime Partnership Exercise

• The first edition of the India-France-UAE Maritime Partnership Exercise concluded recently in the Gulf of Oman
after two days of successful participation by the three navies.’
• The exercise scheduled over two days witnessed a wide spectrum of naval operations, such as surface warfare,
tactical firing and drills for missile engagements on surface targets, helicopter cross-deck landing operations,
advanced air defence exercises and boarding operations
• The maiden naval exercise aimed at enhancing trilateral cooperation between the three navies and paved the
way forward for adopting measures towards addressing traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime
environment.
Page : 112

• The exercise also provided an opportunity to enhance collaboration in ensuring the safety of mercantile trade
Combined Operations Of Ins Vikramaditya And Ins Vikrant
• As indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant gears up to become fully operational later this year, the Indian Navy
has put on display its multi-carrier operations, with the coordinated deployment of Vikrant, INS Vikramaditya and
more than 35 aircraft in the Arabian Sea
• This marks a significant milestone in the Indian Navy’s pursuit of enhancing maritime security and the projection
of its power in the Indian Ocean and beyond.
• The exercise involved seamless integration of two aircraft carriers — INS Vikramaditya and the indigenously
built INS Vikrant — along with a diverse fleet of ships, submarines and aircraft, showcasing India’s technological
expertise in the maritime domain.
• This demonstration of naval prowess underscores India’s commitment to safeguarding its national interests,
maintaining regional stability, and fostering cooperative partnerships in the maritime domain.

Ekuverin Exercise
• ‘India and Maldives have been conducting Exercise Ekuverin meaning ‘Friends’ in the Maldivian language since
2009
• The 14 days Joint Exercise is held alternatively in India and Maldives.
• It focuses on enhancing interoperability between the two forces for carrying out counter insurgency and counter-
terrorism operations in a semi-urban environment under the United Nations mandate
• The exercise will go a long way in strengthening India’s relations with Maldives amidst emerging security
dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region.
• It is a natural method of building a strong relationship among two countries, breaking down the language barrier,
and laying the foundation of a long-term alliance.

Tactical LAN radio

• ‘The Indian Army recently said it has sealed a deal with a Bengaluru-based company to procure the indigenously-
developed “tactical LAN radio
• The “tactical LAN radio” is a state-of-the-art high-bandwidth backhaul wireless radio equipment for the
provisioning of reliable communication.
• It is the second contract that the Army has firmed up under the framework of Innovations for Defence Excellence
(iDEX).
• The iDEX was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2018.
• The Army said the LAN radio solution offers an enhanced range of communication and embedded frequency
hopping mechanism to preclude chances of interception.
• The system also incorporates enhanced safety features and can operate continuously for 48 hours on a single-set
basis, without any breakdown.

Anjadip
• GRSE is building eight ASWSWCs and four SVLs for the Navy and the ships are at various stages of completion
• INS Anjadip was the third vessel of this series and INS Sanshodhak is the fourth and last in the series of SVLs
being built by GRSE
• ASWSWCs require less draft and can operate close to the coast, searching for underwater threats and neutralizing
enemy assets such as midget submarines and mines.
• Equipped with advanced sonar and armed with the latest weaponry, such as lightweight torpedoes and ASW
rockets, these warships will pack a tremendous punch, once they become operational
• INS Anjadip is the reincarnation of a soviet era ASW Ship of the Indian Navy which was decommissioned in
December 2003

Sanshodhak
• ‘Sanshodhak’, the fourth of four ships of Survey Vessels (Large) (SVL) Project, being built by L&T/ GRSE for
Page : 113

Indian Navy.’
• The Survey Vessels Large will have over 80% indigenous content by cost, ensuring defence production by Indian
manufacturing units with a spin off in employment generation and warship building capability in the country.
• Launch of the fourth Survey Vessel reinforces our resolve in indigenous shipbuilding, as part of the Government’s
vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’.
• GRSE is building eight ASWSWCs and four SVLs for the Navy and the ships are at various stages of completion.
• INS Anjadip was the third vessel of this series and INS Sanshodhak is the fourth and last in the series of SVLs
being built by GRSE

Ex Khaan Quest 2023

• ‘The Indian Army Contingent is participating in the multinational peacekeeping Joint Exercise Ex Khaan Quest
2023 in Mongolia
• The Indian Army is represented by a contingent from the Garhwal Rifles.
• The 14-day exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability of the participating nations, sharing experience, and
training uniformed personnel for the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations
• The exercise will prepare participants for future UN Peacekeeping missions, develop peace operations capabilities
and enhance military readiness.
• The exercise includes Command Post Exercise, Field Training Exercises, combat discussions, lectures, and

Integrated Simulator Complex ‘Dhruv’

• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Integrated Simulator Complex (ISC) ‘Dhruv’ at Southern
Naval Command, Kochi recently
• The ISC ‘Dhruv’ hosts modern state-of-the-art indigenously-built simulators which will significantly enhance
practical training in the Indian Navy.
• These simulators are envisaged to give real-time experience on navigation, fleet operations and Naval tactics.
• These simulators will also be utilised for training of personnel from friendly countries.
• The development of these indigenous simulators within the ISC ‘Dhruv’ reflects the spirit of the ‘Aatmanirbhar
Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiative
• These cutting-edge simulators, designed and manufactured within the country, not only meet the Indian Navy’s
training needs but also hold tremendous potential for defense exports.

Acquisition of MQ-9B drones

• ‘The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recently, accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for acquisition
of 31 MQ-9B (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian).’
• The deal for the 31 drones is estimated to cost around $3.5 billion or almost Rs 29,000 crore.
• As per this deal, 15 Sea Guardians will be inducted into the Navy, eight Sky Guardians each will be inducted into
the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force
• The MQ-9B Reaper drones are high-altitude long-endurance drones having strike missiles that can eliminate
enemy targets with absolute accuracy.
• Besides this, these drones will be utilised for long-range surveillance along borders and maritime areas of the
country.
• The drones are equipped with air-to-ground missiles and smart bombs for long-range precision strikes.

Tarang Shakti
• The Indian Air Force is preparing to host a mega exercise later this year that is expected to bring together 12 air
forces, with the focus being on improving interoperability, imbibing best practices from one another and boosting
military cooperation among the participating countries
• The exercise, named Tarang Shakti, will be the biggest multi-nation air exercise to be conducted in the country
and will involve fighter jets, military transport aircraft, mid-air refuellers and airborne warning and control system
(AWACS) aircraft.
• Tarang Shakti is set to be the largest multinational air exercise ever held in India
• The exercise will feature a range of aircraft, including fighter jets, military transport aircraft, mid-air refuelers, and
airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft
Page : 114
Light Combat Aircraft Tejas
• On 01 July 2023, the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) will complete seven years of service in the Indian
Air Force
• Christened Tejas in 2003, the aircraft is a multi- role platform that ranks amongst the best in its class
• It has been designed to undertake the Air Defence, Maritime Reconnaissance and Strike roles
• The inherently unstable Tejas offers carefree handling and enhanced manoeuvrability
• This capability is further enhanced with its Multi-Mode Airborne radar, Helmet Mounted Display, Self-protection
suite and Laser Designation Pod
• Ex-Desert Flag in the United Arab Emirates in March 2023 was the Tejas’ maiden exercise on foreign soil

Japan India Maritime Exercise 2023

• The seventh edition of the bilateral Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2023 (JIMEX 23) hosted by the Indian Navy,
is being conducted at/ off Visakhapatnam from 05 -10 July 2023
• This edition marks the 11th anniversary of JIMEX, since its inception in 2012.
• Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) units under the command of RAdm Nishiyama Takahiro,
Commander Escort Flotilla One, and Indian Naval ships under the command of RAdm Gurcharan Singh, Flag
Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet are participating in the exercise
• Multi-faceted tactical exercises involving weapon firings, cross deck helicopter operations and complex surface,
anti-submarine and air warfare drills will consolidate coordination developed by the two navies.

In-Us Salvex
• The seventh edition of Indian Navy – US Navy (IN – USN) The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) rescue
exercise, SALVEX was conducted from June 26 to July 06, 23 in Kochi
• IN and USN have been participating in joint salvage and EOD exercises since 2005.
• The exercise featured participation from both navies which included the vessels: INS Nireekshak and USNS
Salvor, as well as Specialist Diving and EOD teams
• Over the course of 10 days, dive teams from both countries shared maritime rescue experiences and trained
together in various aspects of EOD operations on land and at sea
• SALVEX also witnessed the conduct of joint training exercises to enhance interoperability, cohesion and mutually
gain from best practices in maritime rescue and EOD operations

Ex ‘Op Southern Readiness - 2023

• ‘INS Sunayna was at Seychelles from 10-12 Jul 23 to participate in Op Southern Readiness 2023 conducted by
Combined Maritime Forces(CMF)
• This not only reinforces the Indian Navy’s commitment to maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region but also
marks the maiden participation of an Indian Navy ship in the CMF exercise
• CMF’s main focus areas are counter-narcotics, counter-smuggling, suppressing piracy, encouraging regional
cooperation, engaging with regional and other partners to strengthen relevant capabilities in order to improve
overall security and stability
• The joint training exercise is being attended by representative delegations from USA, Italy, Australia, Canada,
New Zealand and ship participation from UK, Spain & India

Nomadic Elephant – 2023

• An Indian Army contingent comprising 43 personnel left for Mongolia on Sunday to take part in a joint military
exercise — ‘Nomadic Elephant 2023’ — between India and Mongolia
• This will be the 15th edition of the exercise between the two nations
• The exercise is scheduled at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from July 17-31
• The exercise — ‘Nomadic Elephant’ — is an annual training event between India and Mongolia, which is conducted
alternatively in the two countries,adding that the last edition of the joint drills was held at Special Forces Training
School, Bakloh, in October 2019
Page : 115

• This exercise aims to build positive military relations, exchange best practices, and develop inter-operability,
bonhomie, camaraderie and friendship between the two armies
Talisman Sabre
• The two-week-long military exercise, known as Talisman Sabre 2023, officially commenced recently. ‘
• The largest ever ongoing Australia-US joint military exercise, which involves 13 countries, has been deemed as a
“paper tiger” by Chinese experts.
• It is the largest since 2005, with more than 30,000 military personnel from 13 countries participating.
• During the exercises, Australia is closely monitoring a Chinese ship off the east coast, which is reportedly
shadowing the drills.
• This presence underscores the importance and sensitivity of the region’s security dynamics and highlights the
significance of the joint military exercises as a display of collective readiness and determination.

Israel approves USD 344 million sale of ‘David’s Sling’ defense system to Finland
• Israel’s Ministry of Defense revealed that the US Government approved the sale by Israel of the country’s David’s
Sling” anti-missile defence system to Finland
• It can protect any country that uses it against large-calibre rockets, short-range ballistic missiles, and other
developing threats. It’s scheduled to be operational in two weeks
• Unlike, the mobile Iron Dome, David’s Sling is stationary and can protect the entirety of Israel from its permanent
location
• Rafael boasts that David’s Sling’s “advanced, multi-mission interceptor,” also known as the Stunner or the
SkyCeptor, a joint endeavour of Rafael & Raytheon.
• David’s Sling system is capable of intercepting missiles fired towards Israel by enemy countries such as Iran and
Syria

Malabar-2023
• In a groundbreaking event, the waters off Sydney, Australia, are about to host the highly anticipated Exercise
MALABAR 2023
• This maritime exercise is set to spotlight unprecedented naval collaboration and expertise
• The MALABAR series of maritime exercises, which started in 1992 as a joint venture between the Indian Navy
and the US Navy, has evolved into a symbol of cooperative maritime security
• Now involving four significant naval forces in the Indo-Pacific Region, this exercise stands as a pillar of regional
stability
• The 27th edition is particularly remarkable as it marks the first time the Royal Australian Navy assumes the role
of host

Bilateral Naval Maritime Partnership Exercise

• In a display of naval collaboration, two Indian naval ships, INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand, coordinated a
bilateral Naval Maritime Partnership Exercise with the UAE Navy at Port Rashid, Dubai
• The exercise aimed to sharpen the synergy between the two naval forces, facilitating cross-training in tactics,
techniques, and procedures
• It was an exercise not just in naval maneuvers, but also in forging enduring professional connections.
• It seeks to bolster maritime security and assemble a joint front capable of executing Humanitarian Assistance &
Disaster Relief operations if the need should ever arise.
• The bilateral Naval Maritime Partnership Exercise between the Indian Navy and the UAE Navy marks an
illustrious chapter in their collaborative maritime history

Launch Of Y - 3024 (Vindhyagiri)

• ‘President Droupadi Murmu will launch Vindhyagiri, a Project 17A frigate, at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and
Engineers Limited, Kolkata, on August 17.’
• INS Vindhyagiri—which was the sixth and last of the Nilgiri class frigatesin its nearly 31 years of service from 8
July 1981 to 11 June 2012, had seen many multinational exercises and performed maritime surveillance, coastal
Page : 116

patrol and anti-piracy operations.

• It was decommissioned after being damaged in an accident with a merchant vessel in 2011.
• The newly christened Vindhyagiri stands as a symbol of India’s determination to embrace its rich naval heritage
while propelling itself towards a future of indigenous defence capabilities

Tarang Shakti
• ‘The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to host its first-ever multi-national air exercise called ‘Tarang Shakti‘ in October-
November this year.’
• With the participation of several nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Australia, this
exercise aims to strengthen military cooperation and foster strategic alliances.
• ‘Tarang Shakti’ is anticipated to be the largest multi-national air exercise ever hosted by India, showcasing the
IAF’s commitment to global engagement.
• The exercise promises a unique learning opportunity for Indian pilots, allowing them to engage with foreign
counterparts, exchange tactics, and enhance their operational readiness.

India, China, and Iran set up pavilions at Army 2023 in Moscow

• India, China, and Iran have established pavilions at the ongoing Army 2023, the 9th International Military-
Technical Forum hosted by Russia
• The Indian pavilion features stalls from the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and three
Defense Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs)
• This pavilion was inaugurated by India’s Ambassador to Russia, Pavan Kapoor, and garnered attention from
Russian government officials, including Defense Minister General Sergei Shoigu.
• The DPSUs present are Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), and Goa
Shipyard Limited (GSL)
• China and Iran, which like India operate a large variety of Russian equipment, have set up huge pavilions,
displaying a range of locally developed equipment

LCA Tejas successfully test-fires ASTRA air-to-air missile

• Tejas, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) LSP-7 successfully fired the ASTRA indigenous Beyond Visual Range (BVR)
air-to-air missile off the coast of Goa
• The missile release was successfully carried out from the aircraft at an altitude of about 20,000 feet and all the
objectives of the test were achieved with a perfect launch.
• It is jointly designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Research
Centre Imarat (RCI) and other laboratories of DRDO.
• The launch of the ASTRA missile would significantly enhance the combat prowess of Tejas and reduce the
dependency on imported weapons.
• Astra is extremely effective in a multi-target scenario and therefore, has been described as the most potent weapon
system for IAF’s combat aircraft.

5th Edition Of Ausindex-23 At Sydney

• ‘USINDEX, a naval exercise between India and Australia, was conducted to share a comprehensive strategic
partnership to build and maintain a strong and stable military cooperation between the two nations
• The bilateral relationship between India and Australia reached a watershed moment
• The largest-ever peacetime deployment of Australian defence assets and troops to India during this joint naval
exercise
• In 2015 India hosted this for the first time. Australia hosted this recent exercise in 2021
• Its goal is to empower the general commitment to global and regional security concerns in the Indo-Pacific area,
fostering peace, security, and stability

Exercise Bright Star-23

• In a major development towards fostering global defence cooperation, an Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent will
be participating in Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23, a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise scheduled to be held
Page : 117

at Cairo (West) Air Base, Egypt

• The IAF’s participation showcases India’s commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships and enhancing
joint operational capabilities
• The IAF’s involvement in international exercises is not merely a display of military capabilities in fact, such
exercises are instrumental in strengthening diplomatic relations. India and Egypt have strong defence cooperation
• Recent visits by India’s Defence Minister and Prime Minister to Egypt have further intensified this defence
cooperation
• The two countries have also enhanced their joint training with regular exercises between their armed forces

Launch Of Y - 12654 Mahendragiri

• The final Project 17A Frigate, named Mahendragiri, is set to be launched by Dr. (Smt.) Sudesh Dhankhar, the wife
of Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar.’
• Named after a prominent mountain peak in the Eastern Ghats located in the state of Odisha, Mahendragiri is the
seventh ship of the Project 17A Frigates.
• These frigates are a continuation of the Project 17 Class Frigates (Shivalik Class) but with enhanced stealth
features, advanced weaponry, sensors, and platform management systems.
• The Project 17A frigates will be the most advanced warships in the Indian Navy.
• They will be equipped with a range of weapons and sensors.
• The Project 17A frigates will be able to operate in all weather conditions and in a variety of threat environments.

Dsc A 20 (Yard 325)’ First Ship Of 05 X Diving Support Craft

• ‘The titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) launched the first diving support craft (DSC) for the Indian Navy at
its shipyard in Titagarh, West Bengal.’
• TRSL is building five such vessels for the Indian Navy.
• The DSC is a major boost to the Indian Navy’s capabilities and will help it maintain its edge in the maritime
domain.
• It is also a significant achievement for the Indian shipbuilding industry and demonstrates the country’s growing
self-reliance in the defence sector.
• Indian Navy has taken a giant leap forward in making India self-reliant in the maritime domain.
• In fact, with its advanced technological capabilities and TRSL’s shipbuilding expertise, these DSCs will act as a
flag bearer of the Indian Government’s ‘Make for the World’ initiative.

Naval Commanders’ Conference, 2023

• The second edition of Naval Commanders’ Conference, 2023 will be held in New Delhi
• The conference is the apex-level biannual event facilitating interaction between the Naval Commanders for
deliberation and formulation of important policy decisions
• During the three-day Conference, being conducted in a Hybrid format, the senior leadership of the Indian Navy
will review major operational, materiel, logistics, training, and administrative activities undertaken during the
previous six months
• The Conference will provide an opportunity for institutionalised interaction of Naval Commanders with senior
Government officials to take ahead several inter-ministerial initiatives toward the development of a safe and
secure maritime environment

Naval Exercise ‘Varuna’ – 2023

• The Indian and French Navies, steeped in rich maritime traditions and strategic cooperation, recently concluded
the Phase II of the 21st edition of the Varuna naval exercise, Varuna-23
• Held in the Arabian Sea, this exercise exemplifies the commitment of both nations to enhance their warfighting
capabilities, improve interoperability, and promote peace, security, and stability in the region.
• The roots of the Varuna naval exercise trace back to 1993 when Indian and French naval forces initiated their
bilateral engagement
• Over the years, this exercise has evolved significantly, earning the moniker ‘Varuna’ in 2001
• Today, Varuna stands as a testament to the enduring India-France strategic relationship
Page : 118
India gets its first C-295 aircraft
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently took the delivery of its first C-295 transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and
Space
• The aircraft is the first of the 56 such planes ordered by the IAF under a ?21,935-crore project to modernise its
transport fleet
• The European plane maker will deliver 16 aircraft in flyaway condition, while the rest will be assembled in India
at a Tata facility in Gujarat’s Vadodara
• The first aircraft is expected to fly to India soon, following which a formal induction ceremony will be held at the
Hindon airbase
• The manufacturing of more than 13,000 parts, 4,600 subassemblies and all major component assemblies will be
carried out in the country

Simbex 23
• A Maritime Bilateral Exercise between Singapore and India is known as SIMBEX Exercise. In 1994, the Singapore
and Indian navy launched SIMBEX
• Improving marine cooperation between Singapore and India is the core objective of SIMBEX. SIMBEX-2023 is
being conducted in two phases - Harbour Phase at Singapore from 21 to 24 September 2023, followed by a Sea
Phase
• Besides Ranvijay, Kavaratti and Sindhukesari, Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I is also participating in
the exercise
• SIMBEX holds the distinction of being the longest continuous naval exercise that Indian Navy has with any other
country

India-Indonesia-Australia Trilateral Maritime Exercise

• In a remarkable showcase of naval cooperation and interoperability, the Indian Navy’s indigenous warship, INS
Sahyadri, participated in its inaugural trilateral Maritime Partnership Exercise.’
• This joint endeavour featured the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Indonesian Navy, reinforcing their
collective commitment to fostering a stable, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region.
• During the trilateral Maritime Partnership Exercise, INS Sahyadri and its counterparts engaged in complex tactical
and manoeuvring exercises.
• These exercises rigorously assessed the combat readiness of the participating ships while fostering increased
interoperability among the naval forces.
• Cross-deck visits and cross-deck landings of integral helicopters further facilitated the exchange of experiences
and expertise among the crews.

Exercise Yudh Abhyas-23

• The 19th edition of “EXERCISE YUDH ABHYAS” will be conducted from 25th September to 8th October 2023
in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, USA
• It is an annual exercise conducted jointly by the Indian Army and the United States Army. The previous edition of
the Exercise was conducted in Auli, Uttarakhand, India in November 2022
• Indian Army contingent comprising of 350 personnel will participate in this edition of the Exercise
• The Exercise will also involve exchange of views and best practices in drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills
including combat engineering, obstruction clearance, mine and Improvised Explosive Devices warfare.
• “EX YUDH ABHYAS-23” will facilitate both Armies to mutually learn from each other and further strengthen
the bonds between the two armies.

Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference

• India hosted the three-day Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs’ Conclave (IPACC) from September 25 in New Delhi
• The 13th edition of IPACC witnessed the largest participation ever, from 30 countries, reflecting New Delhi’s
commitment to fostering collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
Page : 119

• This was for the first time that such a mega military event happened in India wherein the role of military diplomacy
in mitigating various crises, enhancing collaboration between the armed forces of the region and boosting
interoperability were deliberated upon.
• IPACC, instituted as a biennial event in 1999, is attended by army chiefs of countries of the Indo-Pacific region
to discuss issues of mutual interest

Sampriti-Xi
• ‘India and Bangladesh have kicked off the 11th edition of their annual joint military exercise, SAMPRITI, on
October 3, 2023, in Umroi, Meghalaya.’
• This exercise, which alternates between the two nations, highlights the strong bilateral defense cooperation
between them.
• The exercise focuses on enhancing cooperation and interoperability while conducting Sub-Conventional
Operations as per Chapter VII of the UN mandate.
• It consists of a Command Post Exercise (CPX), a Field Training Exercise (FTX), and a Validation Exercise.
• SAMPRITI-XI aims to bolster defense cooperation between India and Bangladesh.
• The exercise promotes deeper bilateral relations, cultural understanding, and mutual benefits by sharing experiences
in Sub-Conventional Operations.

49th All India Police Science Congress

• The 49th All India Police Science Congress (AIPSC) organized by the Uttarakhand Police commenced recently,
at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun.’
• With the theme of “Policing in Amrit Kaal,” this annual event, held under the auspices of the Bureau of Police
Research and Development (BPR&D), promises to be a platform for insightful discussions on various aspects
of modern policing.
• The Uttarakhand Police, through the Cyber Crime Police Station and SDRF, will also have their respective stalls
to share their expertise and achievements.
• Students from various schools and colleges in Dehradun have been invited to the technical exhibition to foster
interest in law enforcement technology.

Chakravat 2023
• The Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise is an important event that originated from
the directive of the Hon’ble Prime Minister during the Combined Commanders’ Conference in 2015.’
• Since its inception in 2015, the AJHE, named CHAKRAVAT, has evolved into a multi-agency endeavor involving
the participation of all three Services (Army, Navy, and Air Force), Paramilitary Forces, various disaster response
organizations, NGOs, academic institutions, and international organizations.
• The 2023 edition of this exercise aims to further enhance collaboration at the national level among all stakeholders
and will involve the participation of eight countries from the Indian Ocean Region.
• This collaborative effort will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and best practices in disaster response
and humanitarian assistance.

Coastal Security Exercise – East Coast

• A two-day comprehensive coastal security exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ involving all maritime security agencies was
conducted by the Indian Navy in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry recently.’
• The exercise, was executed under the aegis of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command,
FOCINC (East) who also exercises the authority of Commander-in-Chief, Coastal Defence (East).
• About 2,500 personnel from the Indian Navy, coast guard, state and the union territory administration, marine
Police, fisheries, customs, intelligence agencies, lighthouses, ports, and forest were engaged in the exercise.

Mid-Planning Conference For Multilateral Naval Exercise (Milan) – 24

• ‘The Mid Planning Conference (MPC) of MILAN 24 (Multilateral Naval Exercise - 2024), to be hosted by the
Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam from 19 - 27 Feb 24, was conducted recently.’
• The aim of the exercise is to hone operational skills, imbibe best practices and procedures, and enable doctrinal
learning in the maritime domain, through professional interaction between friendly navies.
Page : 120

• It is a biennial multilateral naval exercise incepted by the Indian Navy in 1995 at the Andaman and Nicobar
 Command. Since its inception, the event has been held biennially except for 2001, 2005, 2016, and 2020.
• While the 2001 and 2016 editions were not held due to International Fleet Reviews, the 2005 edition was
rescheduled to 2006 due to the 2004 Tsunami.
• The 2020 edition was postponed to 2022 due to Covid-19.

Indigenous Destroyer Imphal

• ‘The Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) recently handed over Imphal (Yard 12706) - the third in the
series of 15B Class stealth guided missile destroyers - to the Indian Navy.’
• Imphal is the first naval warship with dedicated accommodation of women officers and sailors.
• The ship is constructed using indigenous steel DMR 249A and is amongst the largest Destroyers constructed in
India, with an overall length of 164 meters and a displacement of over 7500 Tons.
• The ship is a potent platform capable of undertaking a variety of tasks and missions, spanning the full spectrum
of maritime warfare.
• It is armed with supersonic Surface-to-Surface ‘Brahmos’ missiles and ‘Barak-8’ Medium Range Surface to Air
Missiles.

Project Udbhav
• ‘An ambitious effort for the integration of India’s “ancient strategic acumen” into the contemporary military
domain and develop an “indigenous strategic vocabulary”, rooted in India’s “philosophy and culture” was launched
under ‘Project Udbhav’, by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.’
• The project’s objective is to synthesise ancient wisdom with contemporary military practices, forging a unique and
holistic approach to address modern security challenges.
• Project Udbhav, a collaboration between the Army and the United Service Institution of India (USI), a defence
services think tank, was launched at the first Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF) being organised by the USI.

Army to start phasing out Cheetah, Chetak helicopters from 2027

• ‘The Army will start phasing out the first lot of the vintage Cheetah and Chetak helicopters from 2027.’
• The Army currently has 190 Cheetah, Chetak and Cheetal helicopters of the original 246.
• Of these, at anytime around 25 of them are at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for maintenance, which
is a deficiency of around 37% in this segment.
• A bulk of the fleet, close to 130 of the 190, are between 30 and 50 years old.
• Of the 190 Cheetah and Chetaks in service, around 134 helicopters or over 70% of them are over 30 years old.
• The light helicopter fleet is the lifeline in transporting supplies and for evacuations in the high-altitude areas,
including the Siachen glacier and the commitments on the northern borders have significantly gone up since the
2020 stand-off.

Exercise Harimau Shakti-2023

• A joint military exercise involving troops of India and Malaysia began recently with an aim to enhance inter-
operability in the planning and execution of various operations in the jungle terrain.’
• The India-Malaysia joint military exercise, ‘Harimau Shakti-2022’, commenced at Pulai, Kluang, Malaysia,
and will culminate on December 12.
• The exercise is an annual training event between the Indian Army and the Malaysian Army being held since 2012.
• The scope of this exercise involves command planning at the battalion level and company-level field training on
sub-conventional operations in jungle terrain.
• Harimau Shakti will enhance the level of defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the Malaysian
Army, which in turn will further foster the bilateral relations between the two nations.

Kazind-2023
• ‘Indian Army and Indian Air Force contingent comprising 120 personnel departed for Kazakhstan today to take
part in the 7th edition of Joint Military ‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’.
Page : 121

• Indian Army contingent comprises 90 personnel led by a Battalion from the DOGRA Regiment.
• The Kazakhstan contingent is represented by personnel from Regional Command South of Kazakh Ground
Forces.
CISF set to take over Parliament security
• ‘The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to take security
charge of the Parliament building from the Delhi Police.’
• The CISF will first conduct a survey of the premises prior to the deployment of its security and fire wing.
• This comes a week after th Parliament security breach, in which two individuals jumped into the Lok Sabha
chamber from the visitors’ gallery, and opened canisters emitting yellow smoke.
• It was first inducted at the Fertilizer Corporation of India manufacturing plant in Trombay, Maharashtra,
on November 1, 1969.
• Initially, its remit was restricted to protecting government-owned industries, but this was expanded to include
joint-ventures and private undertakings in 2009.

INS Imphal commissioned

• ‘INS Imphal will have the unique distinction of being the largest and the most advanced destroyer to be ever
named after a city from the North-east.’
• This is a befitting tribute to Manipur’s sacrifices and contributions in India’s freedom struggle, be it the Anglo-
Manipur War of 1891, or Netaji Subash Chandra Bose’s hoisting of the INA flag for the first time on April 14,
1944 at Moirang,
• Or the pitched Battle of Imphal between British and Imperial Japanese forces, with Indians on both sides,
that turned the tide of the Burma campaign and shaped the outcome of the Second World War and the new
world order.
• The commissioning of Imphal, thus, underscores the salience and contribution of the city of Imphal, the state of
Manipur and the larger North-eastern region to national security, sovereignty and prosperity.”

Navy unveils new epaulettes for Admirals

• ‘The navy has unveiled the new design of senior officers’ epaulettes, a shoulder piece that signals rank, inspired
by the seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.’
• In the new design, the navy has done away with the Crown-inspired red background on which the national emblem
sits and replaced it with an octagon derived from the Maratha king’s rajmudra or royal seal.
• The octagon represents the eight cardinal directions, indicative of an all-round long-term vision.
• The naval ensign was unveiled during the commissioning of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant
at Kochi in September 2022.
• The navy chief dons four stars as an admiral, vice admirals wear three and rear admirals don two.

INS Imphal
• ‘Recently, the third of four P-15B ‘Visakhapatnam’ class stealth guided missile destroyer was commissioned into
the Indian Navy as INS Imphal at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.’
•
• Imphal has the unique distinction of being the first warship to be named after a city in the Northeast.
• In addition, the time taken to build Imphal and for her trials is the shortest for any indigenous destroyer, according
to the Navy.
• The ship measures 163m in length, and 17m in breadth with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and is amongst
the most potent warships built in India.
• It is propelled by four powerful Gas Turbines, in a Combined Gas and Gas configuration, and is capable of speeds
in excess of 30 knots.
Page : 122
 Learn BITS
Annual Current Affairs Compilation
ECOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT

1
Page : 123

PART

JAN-DEC 2023

 06 Ecology & Enviroment
Nipah Virus Outbreak
• In the wake of the Nipah virus in Kerala, neighboring states Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have increased vigil in the
bordering districts to prevent the spread of the virus
• The Nipah virus was first identified in 1998 during an outbreak of illness among pig farmers in Malaysia and
Singapore
• It can infect humans directly through contact with the bodily fluids of infected bats and pigs, with some documented
cases of transmission among humans
• There are no vaccines to prevent or cure the Nipah virus. Infected people initially develop symptoms that include
fever, respiratory distress, headaches, and vomiting, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.
• Encephalitis and seizures can also occur in severe cases, leading to coma

India becomes the 13th nation to issue OIML certificates

• ‘India has become the Internationally Accepted OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) Certificates
Issuing Authority
• The OIML stands for International Organisation of Legal Metrology
• Established in 1955 and headquartered in Paris, the OIML is an international standard-setting body.
• It develops model regulations, standards and related documents for use by legal metrology authorities and industry
• These standards are crucial in harmonizing national laws and regulations concerning the performance of measuring
instruments, such as clinical thermometers, alcohol breath analyzers, radar speed measuring instruments, ship
tanks at ports, and petrol dispensing units
• The OIML-CS (Certificate System) is a globally recognized system for issuing, registering, and using OIML
certificates, along with their associated OIML type evaluation/test reports

Medical Tourism Index (MTI)

• India has been ranked 10th in Medical Tourism Index (MTI) for 2020-2021 out of 46 destinations of the world by
Medical Tourism Association
• The number of foreign tourists arriving in India for medical purposes was 1.83 lakh in 2020 and 3.04 lakh in 2021.
• With an aim to improve medical tourism in the country, the Ministry of Tourism formulated a National Strategy
and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism in 2022.
• The Medical Tourism Index (MTI) ranks American perceptions of 46 international healthcare destinations,
providing insight into how consumers view 41 criteria across three primary dimensions, including Destination

Etalin hydel Project

• ‘The Etalin hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh has been rejected in its present form by the Forest Advisory
Committee in the face of overwhelming opposition to its construction.’
• The project was being executed through the Etalin Hydro Electric Power Company Limited, a JV company
of Jindal Power Limited and Hydro Power Development Corporation of Arunachal Pradesh Limited (A Govt of
Arunachal Pradesh Undertaking).
• The installed capacity of the project is 3097 MW as per the detailed project report.
• It is envisaged as a run-of-the-river scheme on rivers Dri and Tangon in the Dibang Valley District of Arunachal
Pradesh.

Silent Valley bird species goes up to 175

• A bird survey conducted at the Silent Valley National Park in Kerala has identified 141 species of which 17 were
new
Page : 124

• So far, 175 species of birds have been spotted in Silent Valley.Silent Valley National Park is located in Palakkad
district in Nilgiri Mountains of Kerala
• It was declared as a National Park in 1984 and formally inaugurated in the year 1985
• The park is located in the rich biodiversity of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
• Mukurthi peak, the fifth-highest peak in South India and Anginda peak are also located in its vicinity.
• Bhavani River, a tributary of Cauvery River originates in the vicinity of Silent Valley.

Indore tops clean air survey among cities with mn-plus people
• Union Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the results of the Swachh
Vayu Sarvekshan 2023 (clean air survey) in Bhopal, with Indore, Madhya Pradesh, claiming the top spot among
million-plus population cities
• The survey, in its second year, included 130 identified cities under the National Clean Air Programme. Agra, Uttar
Pradesh, secured the second rank, followed by Thane, Maharashtra, in third place.
• The awards were categorized by city population size based on the 2011 census
• This year, the 4th International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (Swachh Vayu Diwas 2023) is to create
stronger partnerships, increase investment, and share responsibility to overcome air pollution, with the global
theme “Together for Clean Air

Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA)

• ‘Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi along with the leaders of Singapore, Bangladesh, Italy, USA, Brazil,
Argentina, Mauritius and UAE, launched the Global Biofuel Alliance on 9 September 2023, on the sidelines of
the G20 Summit in New Delhi
• The Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) is an initiative by India as the G20 Chair
• The Alliance intends to expedite the global uptake of biofuels through facilitating technology advancements,
intensifying utilization of sustainable biofuels, shaping robust standard setting and certification through the
participation of a wide spectrum of stakeholders
• The alliance will also act as a central repository of knowledge and an expert hub
• GBA aims to serve as a catalytic platform, fostering global collaboration for the advancement and widespread
adoption of biofuels

M Sand Projects
• ‘Coal India Ltd to launch M-Sand Projects
• Coal India Ltd (CIL) has envisaged processing the overburden rocks for sand production in mines where OB
material contains about 60% sandstone by volume which is harnessed through crushing and processing of
Overburden.
• OB to M-Sand initiative of CIL is facilitating the processing of waste overburden in its OC Mines
• Manufactured Sand (M-Sand) from the overburden of coal mines has several benefits in terms of economy
and environmental sustainability.
• Manufactured sand can have a consistent grain size and shape, which can be beneficial for construction projects
that require a specific type of sand.
• Using manufactured sand can help to reduce the amount of water required for construction projects, as it does not
require washing before use.

Ozone Layer Is Slowly Recovering- UN Report

• The Earth’s protective ozone layer is expected to recover within four decades, according to a United Nations-
backed panel of experts
• The ozone layer is important as it shields the Earth from the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation, which has been
linked to skin cancer, eye cataracts, weakened immune systems and even damages to agricultural land.
• The ozone layer started to thin out in the 1970s
• The main reasons for depletion were attributed to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were frequently found in
spray cans, refrigerators, foam insulation and air conditioners.
• Subsequently, the discovery of a hole in the ozone layer was announced by scientists in May 1985
• Paleontologists Find Fossil of 119-Million-Year-Old Beaked BirdThe fossil remains of a 119 million-year-
old beaked bird were recently discovered in China.’
Page : 125

• The new species belonged to Confuciusornis, a genus of extinct crow-sized beaked birds in the family
Confuciusornithidae.
• Confuciusornis shifan weighed less than 200 grams and was smaller than most other confuciusornithid
species.
• “Confuciusornithidae is a clade of Early Cretaceous pygostylian birds known from the Jehol Biota of East Asia,
and represents the earliest known toothless, beaked birds.
• The nearly complete and mostly articulated skeleton, preserved on a single slab, of Confuciusornis shifan was
recovered from the Jiufotang Formation near Xiaotaizi village in the Chinese province of Liaoning.

T.N. government sets up Nilgiri Tahr conservation project

• In India’s first-of-its-kind initiative, the Tamil Nadu government recently announced the ‘Nilgiri Tahr project’
aimed at restoring the state animal’s original habitat and stabilising its population.’
• The five-year programme, with a budgetary provision of Rs 25.14 crore, will have a dedicated team chaired by a
project director to deal with species conservation.
• Nilgiri Tahr is an endangered wild goat species living on mountains in Southern India.
• As per WWF data from 2015, the species was earlier found along the entire stretch of the Western Ghats, but they
now remain restricted to small fragmented pockets in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Locally known as Varaiaadu, they are protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972

Mobile App ‘Floodwatch

• A FloodWatch mobile app has been launched for real time flood forecast situations across the country.’
• The app aims to disseminate information related to the flood situation and forecasts up to seven days on a real-
time basis.
• The Chairman of Central Water Commission Kushvinder Vohra launched the app in New Delhi recently.
• The app utilizes advanced technologies such as satellite data analysis and real-time monitoring to deliver accurate
and timely flood forecasts.
• The user-friendly app will make it easy for anyone to stay informed and minimise risk during flood events.
• The user-friendly app is available for download on Android devices, providing widespread accessibility to users
globally

No rhinos poached in Assam in 2022 for 1st time in 45 years

• Assam recorded zero poaching of endangered rhinos, which are known for their horns that fetch big money
because of their supposed medicinal value, for the first time in nearly 45 years in 2022.’
• As many as 191 rhinos were poached in Assam between 2000 and 2021.
• In 2013 and 2014, 27 rhino deaths each were reported.
• In 2020 and 2021, two rhinos each were killed.
• A special task force against was created in June 2021 with Singh as its head.
• It has 22 senior police and forest department officials including chief wildlife warden MK Yadava. All members
of the task force also coordinated on WhatsApp groups.
• The task force focused on recent incidents of poaching, nabbed all criminals involved and recovered weapons
from them.

Silent Valley bird species goes up to 175

• A bird survey conducted at the Silent Valley National Park in Kerala has identified 141 species of which 17 were
new.’
• So far, 175 species of birds have been spotted in Silent Valley.Silent Valley National Park is located in Palakkad
district in Nilgiri Mountains of Kerala.
• It was declared as a National Park in 1984 and formally inaugurated in the year 1985.
• The park is located in the rich biodiversity of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
• Mukurthi peak, the fifth-highest peak in South India and Anginda peak are also located in its vicinity.
• Bhavani River, a tributary of Cauvery River originates in the vicinity of Silent Valley.
Page : 126
White Tufted Royal Butterfly
• A team of butterfly observers and researchers have found white tufted royal butterfly, a rare butterfly species in
Kannur, Kerala.’
• The White Tufted Royal is a rare species of butterfly that has recently been observed by a team of researchers in
Kalliyad, in the north of Kerala.
• The species had previously been spotted in the Agasthyakoodam Biosphere Reserve in 2017 and the Shendurney
Wildlife Sanctuary in 2018.
• The butterfly belongs to the genus Pratapa, species deva, and subspecies deva.
• It has a wingspan of 32-40 mm and during its larvae stage feeds on Scurrula Parasitica (cinnamon mistletoe), a
plant belonging to the Loranthaceae family.

Centre puts Neelakurinji on the list of protected plants

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) has listed Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana)
under Schedule III of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including it on the list of protected plants.’
• This move is aimed at protecting the plant from being destroyed or uprooted, which has become a major threat to
the flowering areas.
• The new order also includes strict penalties for those found guilty of destroying or uprooting the plant.
• Neelakurinji is among the exotic flora found in the forests of Munnar here is the Neelakurinji.

Asian Water Bird Census” (AWC) 2023

• Agra Partially increased species diversity was traced during the latest Asian Water Bird Census 2023 conducted
at Jodhpur Jhal, a wetland on the border of Agra and Mathura districts.
• The most shocking aspect was that duck species like Northern Shoveler, Common teal and Eurasian wigeon,
sighted in the previous surveys, were totally missing this time around
• The species diversity of water birds increased from 51 to 54 and the population increased from 1374 to 1758.
• Out of 54 species traced this year, there were 22 resident species and 32 migratory species which included 7 IUCN
Red Listed threatened species
• Last year, there were 29 migratory species, including 8 IUCN Red Listed threatened species

Air Quality Monitoring System (AI-AQMS v1.0)

• The Secretary, MeitY, Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma has launched the Technology for Air Quality Monitoring System
(AI-AQMS v1.0) developed under MeitY supported projects
• According to the WHO, India’s air pollution, which is among the worst in the world, shortens most Indians’ lives
by more than three years
• India is home to 13 of the top 20 most polluted cities in the world.
• The 660 million Indians who live in cities have a 3.2-year reduction in life expectancy due to air pollution.
• India is placed 155 out of 177 countries in a 2014 worldwide survey of how nations address environmental

Rare species of duck sighted in Manipur’s Loktak lake after over 90 years
• A rare species of duck, Greater Scaup, was recently sighted in Loktak lake in Manipur’s Bishnupur district after
a gap of over 90 years
• The Greater scaup is locally known as Sadangman.
• It is a medium-sized diving duck species that belongs to the family of Anatidae.
• The greater scaup species is distributed in Asia, Europe, the United States and Canada. It is a rare visitor to the
Indian Subcontinent
• The greater scaup species are highly migratory, breeding near arctic regions and migrating to the warmer south
from August onwards

Spot Bellied Eagle Owl

Page : 127

• Recently, a “Spot Bellied Eagle Owl” (Bubo Nipalensis) was discovered by a wildlife team for the first time in the
Seshachalam forest and for the third time in Andhra Pradesh
• But it was sighted only twice in the State earlier, and both times it was at Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger
 Reserve(NSTR).
• The bold predatory bird, measuring 20-25 inches in length and weighing between 1.5 kg and 2 kg, feeds on small
rodents and lizards
• The bird makes a strange scream similar to humans and it is hence called the ‘Ghost of the Forest’ in India and
‘Devil Bird’ in Sri Lanka.
• It is a forest-inhabiting species found in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia

Kelp forests losing unique traits due to climate change, says study
• ‘Recently, a study published in the Nature journal showed that underwater ecosystems called kelp forests were
declining because of climate change
• Climate change has caused warming at or beyond thermal tolerance levels in the particularly vulnerable
equatorward ranges of kelp forests
• Kelp forests are underwater ecosystems formed in shallow water by the dense growth of several different species
called kelps
• Kelps are large brown algae seaweeds. They exist in waters that are between 5 to 20 degrees Celsius in temperature
• Kelp forests can be found all around the world in temperate and polar coastal waters while some species
have been observed exclusively in tropical oceans
• Kelp forests are rarely shallower than 20 feet and never deeper than 80 feet

For the first time, genetically modified trees have been planted in a US forest
• ‘Recently, in a low-lying tract of southern Georgia’s pine belt, a half-dozen workers planted row upon row of
twig-like poplar trees
• The poplars may be the first genetically modified trees planted in the United States outside of a research trial or a
commercial fruit orchard
• The poplars have been genetically engineered to grow wood faster while absorbing more carbon dioxide from the
air
• Critics have however expressed concern that opening the door to commercial plantings still requires in-depth
research on repercussions and long-term impacts on native ecosystems

PM inaugurates India Energy Week 2023 in Bengaluru

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated ‘India Energy Week 2023’ in Bengaluru and said that it is the
first major energy event in India’s G20 presidency calendar
• India is moving towards a target of 20 pc ethanol blending with petrol.India’s gas pipeline network will epand to
35,000 km in next four-five years from 22,000 km presently
• India is working on increasing refining capacity from 250 MMTPA to 450 MMPTA
• India has fourth-largest crude refining capacity in the world
• India has become the second largest producer of mobile phones
• India is one of strongest voices in the world in energy transition
• India Energy Week 2023 first major event of G20 under India’s presidency

Senna spectabilis
• The Nodal Centre for Biological Invasions (NCBI) at the Kerala Forest Research Institute(KFRI) has come out
with a management plan to eradicate Senna spectabilis
• Senna spectabilis is an invasive plant. It was introduced in India as an ornamental species and for use as firewood
in South and Central America.
• Senna spectabilis is a deciduous tree native to tropical areas of America.
• It grows up to 15 to 20 metres in a short period of time and distributes thousands of seeds after flowering.
• The thick foliage of the tree arrests the growth of other indigenous tree and grass species.
• Thus, it causes food shortage for the wildlife population, especially herbivores
Page : 128
World Wetland Day 2023
• World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on February 2nd to raise awareness about the vital role that wetlands
play in our ecosystem
• This year, the theme for World Wetlands Day 2023 is “It’s Time for Wetlands Restoration”.
• Wetlands are crucial habitats that support an astonishing array of plant and animal species, many of which are
endangered
• In addition, wetlands serve as vital sources of clean water, help regulate local climates, and protect against natural
disasters such as floods and hurricanes
• Wetlands are among the most productive and diverse ecosystems on the planet, providing vital services to both
people and wildlife
• By raising awareness about the importance of wetlands and encouraging people to take action, World Wetlands
Day provides a platform for communities to come together and make a difference

Yaya Tso to become Ladakh’s first biodiversity heritage site

• The Biodiversity Management Committee, the panchayat of Chumathang village, along with SECURE Himalaya
Project recently resolved to declare Yaya Tso as Ladakh’s first Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) under the
Biological Diversity Act
• Yaya Tso is also known as birds’ paradise for its beautiful lake and is located at an altitude of 4,820 meters.
• Yaya Tso is a nesting habitat for a large number of birds and animals, such as the bar-headed goose, black-necked
crane and brahminy duck
• It is also one of the highest breeding sites of the black-necked crane in India
• The Indian State Government can notify the Biodiversity Heritage Sites in consultation with local governing
bodies under Section 37 of Biological Diversity Act of 2002

Rajasthan plans zoo for dolphins, rhinos inside Bharatpur sanctuary

• ‘Rajasthan’s Keoladeo National Park, popularly known as Bharatpur bird sanctuary, is likely to feature a zoo with
a range of wetland species, including rhinos, water buffaloes, crocodiles, dolphins and other exotic species
• The purpose of the zoo would be to rejuvenate the bio-diversity of Keoladeo National Park and boost its outstanding
universal values.
• The proposed zoo was in the pasture-cum-conservation area near Deeg-Kumher, about 28 km away from the
Bharatpur bird sanctuary.
• The Rs 15-crore WESCE plan for Bharatpur is part of the ambitious RFBDP for which Agence Française de
Développement (AFD), the overseas development arm of the French government, has agreed to fund up to Rs
1,200 crore over eight years.

145 bird species spotted in Sundarban during first bird festival’

• As many as 145 species of birds were spotted in the Sundarban during the first two-day bird festival held this week
in the world’s largest mangrove delta.’
• The species recorded during the Bird Festival included 78 forest birds and 42 species of waders, raptors etc.
• Among the threatened species of the Sundarbans, Eurasian Curlew was spotted. Birders were able to spot seven
of the nine species of kingfishers found in the Sundarbans.
• Despite being home to so many species of birds the habitats face different threats including plantation activity
along the chars (river islands) which disturbs the birds, and illegal activities along chars and uninhabited islands.
• The threats also include climate change and the use of destructive fishing nets in the Sundarbans.

First Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Framework : Puducherry

• ‘Puducherry has launched the country’s first Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) framework as part of a pact under the
Indo-Norway Integrated Ocean Initiative.’
• The initiative known as Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) will be implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences
Page : 129

(MoES) through National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) for India.
• In its primary phase, NCCR will develop a marine spatial planning framework for Puducherry and Lakshadweep.
• These sites have been chosen for the pilot project in view of their setups with unique opportunities for multiple
 sectors (such as industries, fisheries, and tourism) to flourish.
• The Government of India’s initial investments for undertaking the studies and planning are estimated to be around
INR 8-10 crores per annum.

Govt gives in-principle approval to nine ethanol blending projects

• Government has given in-principle approval to nine more ethanol projects under its ethanol interest subvention
scheme.’
• These projects are expected to add to the additional capacity of about 35 crore litres.
• Out of these nine projects, five projects are grain-based and three projects are molasses-based and one project is
based on dual feed stock.
• These projects have potential to bring investment of about Rs 1,034 crore and will create hundreds of employment
opportunities in their respective locations.
• Under the new window of ethanol interest subvention scheme since April 22, 2022, 299 projects with expected
capacity of about 1,481 crore litres have been granted in-principle approvals.

Over 1,200 pangolins trafficked in India in 5 years: Report

• As many as 1,203 pangolins, the most trafficked wild mammal in the world, were poached for illegal wildlife trade
in India from 2018-2022, a new report showed
• Pangolins, their scales and derivatives were recovered in 342 seizure incidents across 24 states and one Union
territory of India, according to the analysis by TRAFFIC, a global wildlife conservation non-profit, and World
Wide Fund for Nature-India.
• These included 1,025 individuals (199 live) and 885 kilogram of their derivatives.
• In the nine years preceding the current analysis period, from 2009-2017, 6,000 pangolins were trafficked in India.
• India, pangolins, both Indian and Chinese, are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972
that prohibits its hunting, trade or any other form of utilisation

For the first time, genetically modified trees have been planted in a US forest
• Recently, in a low-lying tract of southern Georgia’s pine belt, a half-dozen workers planted row upon row of twig-
like poplar trees.
• The poplars may be the first genetically modified trees planted in the United States outside of a research trial or a
commercial fruit orchard.
• The poplars have been genetically engineered to grow wood faster while absorbing more carbon dioxide from the
air.
• Critics have however expressed concern that opening the door to commercial plantings still requires in-depth
research on repercussions and long-term impacts on native ecosystems

Rhododendrons
• Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas are home to more than one-third of all types of rhododendrons found in India,
reveals the latest publication of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI)
• The publication titled ‘Rhododendrons of Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalaya- An Illustrated Account’ lists 45 taxa
of rhododendrons (36 species, 1 subspecies, 1 variety, and 7 natural hybrids).
• Rhododendron is a very large genus of about 1,024 species of woody plants in the heath family.
• They can be either evergreen or deciduous.
• Most species are native to eastern Asia and the Himalayan region, but smaller numbers occur elsewhere in Asia,
and in North America, Europe and Australia.
• It is the national flower of Nepal, the state flower of Washington and West Virginia in the United States.

Climate risk: 9 Indian states among top vulnerable places in the world
• Nine Indian states are among the top 50 states globally that have become vulnerable to climate change, according
Page : 130

to the latest report by Cross Dependency Initiative (XDI)

• As per the 2023 Gross Domestic Climate Risk Report by XDI, these states are Punjab, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh,
Assam, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Gujarat.
• As per the report, while Bihar has been ranked at 22nd position, Uttar Pradesh and Assam positioned at 25th and
 28th spot, respectively in the list.
• Punjab has been ranked at 48th position, Rajasthan has been ranked 32nd,whereas Tamil Nadu has been
ranked 36th in the list.
• Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Kerala have been ranked at 38th, 44th, and 50th positions, respectivel

Himachal Pradesh to become first state in India to have organised cultivation of Mu-
lethi
• ‘The commercial cultivation of licorice (Mulethi) has only recently started in Himachal Pradesh, making it the
first state in India to have organised Mulethi agriculture.’
• Mulethi, also referred to as licorice, is a perennial shrub with a sweet flavour.
• It has long been recognised and utilised in Ayurvedic medicine for regeneration (known as “Yashtimadhu” in
Ayurveda).
• Mulethi is used in herbal treatments because of its inherent sweetness.
• Also, it is utilised in conventional treatments for lung and chest conditions.
• It is used to flavour fake and natural sweeteners, cigarettes, wine, and candies.
• Antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties are present.
• Due to the rise in macrophage and lymphocyte production, it is known to strengthen immunity.

Indo Pacific Humpback dolphins spotted at Injambakkam

• ‘Recent sightings of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins off the coast of Injambakkam have generated excitement
among marine biologists and conservationists.’
• A group of over 30 to 40 dolphins were spotted swimming about 500 meters away from the coast.
• Each dolphin had a unique coloration of pink and grey, making them easy to identify and track.
• In recent years, the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin has come under threat due to human activities such as fishing,
pollution, and habitat destruction.
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the species as “Vulnerable” on its Red List
of Threatened Species, indicating that it is at risk of extinction in the wild.

Landslide Atlas of India

• The Indian Space Research Organisation in its latest analysis has revealed that Rudraprayag in India is the most
vulnerable to landslides
• Overall, 147 districts across the country are part of the list released by the National Remote Sensing Centre
(NRSC).
• A landslide is the rapid movement of a mass of rock, earth, or debris down a slope.
• Different types of landslides such as debris slides, debris flows, rock slides, rock fall can be triggered by rainfall,
undercutting of slopes due to flooding or excavation, earthquakes, snowmelt, and other natural causes.
• Chamoli district, where Joshimath is grappling with a land-subsidence crisis, has been ranked at 19th, Uttarkashi
21st, Pauri 23rd, Dehradun 29th, Bageshwar 50th, Champawat 65th, Nainital 68th, Almora 81st and Pithoragarh
86th.

Delhi ranks #4 on list of world’s most polluted cities

• Delhi ranked fourth on a list of 50 of the world’s most polluted cities in terms of PM2.5 levels in 2022, according
to the World Air Quality Report prepared by IQAir
• Delhi had an average PM2.5 level of 92.6 μg/m3 in 2022, a little below the average of 96.4 μg/m3 in 2021.
• The most polluted city in the world was found to be Lahore, followed by Hotan in China, and Bhiwadi in Rajasthan.
• IQAir is a Swiss air quality technology company that prepares annual world air quality reports based on data from
monitoring stations operated by governments and other institutions and organisations across the world.
• The 2022 report is based on PM2.5 data from 7,323 cities and 131 countries.
Page : 131
Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana
• Minister of State for Health Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar launched the third phase of the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana
of the Health Ministry in New Delhi
• The project is being supported by Coal India Limited as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility initiative to
commemorate World Thalassemia Day.
• She also launched the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana Portal
• Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes the body to have less hemoglobin than normal.
• Health Ministry has been implementing the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana since 2017 under the National Health
Mission and recently completed its second phase in March this year

Carbon Credit Trading Scheme for Decarbonisation

• ‘Union ministries of power and environment, forests & climate change will develop a carbon credit trading scheme
for decarbonisation.’
• The government plans to develop the Indian Carbon Market (ICM) where a national framework will be established
with an objective to decarbonise the Indian economy by pricing the Green House Gas (GHG) emission through
trading of the carbon credit certificates.
• The Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power along with Ministry of Environment, Forest &
Climate Change are developing the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme.
• Currently, India has an energy savings-based market mechanism and the new avatar scheme will enhance the
energy transition efforts with an increased scope that will cover the potential energy sectors.

Himachal Pradesh to formulate green hydrogen policy

• To create a favourable environment for the production of green hydrogen, Himachal Pradesh is formulating a new
Green Hydrogen Policy
• The primary objective of the policy is to attract investments in large-scale renewable energy projects, ensuring a
consistent and sustainable supply of green electricity for electrolysis.
• By leveraging its natural advantages, Himachal Pradesh aims to create a favourable environment for the production
of green hydrogen.
• This will not only contribute to the global fight against climate change but also make the State a pioneer in
sustainable development.
• Formulation of the new policy is expected to place Himachal Pradesh at the forefront of India’s clean energy
transition.
• By promoting the production and adoption of green hydrogen, the state will significantly contribute to global
efforts against climate change.

Zero Budget Natural Farming

• As per a new study, Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in Andhra Pradesh has led to significantly higher crop
yield compared to organic or conventional (synthetic fertilisers and pesticides) farming under the state’s APCNF
programme
• It was observed that the yield for the conventional treatment reduced from the first to the third season (1>2>3),
whereas the organic and ZBNF mean yield increased slightly through the three seasons
• The researchers called it the most extensive on-ground assessment of ZBNF performance in the region to date.
Conventional treatment involves the use of synthetic pesticides / fertilisers.
• Organic treatment does not use any synthetic pesticides or fertilisers and mulch but uses purchased organic inputs,
such as farmyard manure and vermicompost

NASA launches device to monitor air pollution from space

Page : 132

• ‘NASA’s Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) instrument has successfully launched,
marking a significant step forward in the monitoring of major air pollutants.’
• The instrument will provide unprecedented resolution, allowing scientists to observe air quality from space with
 accuracy down to just four square miles
• The TEMPO mission aims to revolutionize the way air quality is monitored, helping to improve life on
Earth.
• The instrument is designed to measure several key pollutants, including ozone, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide,
and formaldehyde
• These pollutants are all known to have harmful effects on human health and the environment, so monitoring their
levels is important for understanding and mitigating their impacts

Bandipur completes 50 years as Project Tiger Reserve

• ‘The country is celebrating 50 years of Project Tiger Reserve, implemented for the conservation of tigers.’
• On April 1, 1973, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi launched the Tiger Project to increase the declining tiger
population and promote their conservation in India.
• Since then, this project has succeeded in increasing the number of tigers and conserve tigers.
• Project Tiger is one of the largest species conservation initiatives in the world and has been praised worldwide for
successfully conserving tigers.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Bandipur Tiger Reserve on April 9 to mark celebration of 50 years.
he last tiger census of 2018 showed a rise in the tiger population.
• From 1,411 tigers in 2006 to 2,967 tigers in 2018, the number shows the successful implementation of Project
Tiger.

Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary

• ‘A ‘SEED bank’, which collects and stores seeds of species of plants that are native to the Aravallis, is gradually
taking shape at a nursery at the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, after a few years of efforts at collecting seeds
from across the city and other state.’
• The project, being implemented jointly by the Forest Department and the Bombay Natural History Society
(BNHS), began in 2015
• With the purpose of providing saplings that are native to the city and bringing back species that are now difficult to
find in the city with some having lost out to invasive species like the vilayatikikar which have taken over the Ridge

New butterfly species discovered in Kerala

• A group of lepidopterists has discovered a butterfly subspecies from the fringes of Akkulam and Vembanad lakes
in Kerala
• The newly-described taxon Caltoris bromus sadasiva has been discovered by Travancore Nature History Society
research associate KaleshSadasivan
• It is also the first record of the species Bromus swift( Caltorisbromus).The species Bromus swift (Caltoris Bromus),
is a skipper butterfly belonging to the Hesperiidae family of Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), from the Western
Ghats and Peninsular India
• Caltoris is an Indo-Australian genus has over 15 species distributed across southeast Asia.
• Caltoris Bromus is one of them and has two other subspecies Caltorisbromusbromus and Caltorisbromusyanuca

Researchers find three new species of bush cricket

• A JOINT research team comprising members of the zoology departments of Panjab University (PU) and those
from Ashoka University, Sonipat, and those from National Institute of Science Education and Research, Orrisa
• Has discovered three new species of predatory bush cricket (scientific name Hexacentrus) in India.
• Two new species found in Haryana and were named Hexacentrus tiddae borrowing heavily from the local dialect
where bush crickets are referred to as tiddaes and Hexacentrus ashoka, respectively.
• In India, the genus Hexacentrus is represented by seven species of which six are morphologically characterized
while one is only acoustically characterized.
• Bush crickets, like other insects, are preyed upon by animals in their ecosystem.
Page : 133

• They are a major source of food for bats

Eravikulam National Park
• ‘The Eravikulam National Park (ENP) in Kerala, the natural habitat of the Nilgiri tahr in Munnar, has a new
attraction — a fernarium set up inside the park.’
• According to officials, this is the first time such a fern collection is being set up in the hill station.
• The ENP is one of the rich biodiversity areas, and the new initiatives aim to provide visitors with awareness of
the park’s biodiversity.
• The Fernarium is a collection of ferns that have been planted inside the park.
• As per the officials, 52 varieties of ferns have already been planted, and the plan is to cover all 104 varieties of
ferns that are found in the park.
• The Fernarium is located near the orchidarium.

5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

• ‘5th ICDRI 2023 is an annual international conference and platform to continue building an engaged global
community for disaster and climate resilient infrastructure.’
• International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) 2023 aims to bring together member
nations, organizations, institutions, and stakeholders involved in infrastructure to enhance the worldwide dialogue
on disaster and climate-resilient infrastructure.
• The 5th ICDRI conference program will offer an opportunity to discuss, exchange ideas, and identify concrete
solutions and actions to integrate resilience principles into sector-wide policies, processes, and practices across
various stakeholder groups.
• The conference will facilitate engagement with effective partnerships, existing models, best practices, and lessons
learned on infrastructure resilience to make informed decisions throughout the lifecycle of infrastructure assets
and their overall governance and financing frameworks.

Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary

• ‘The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) chief announced that the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary in
Arunachal Pradesh would soon be notified as a tiger reserve.’
• The Idu Mishmi is a sub-tribe of the larger Mishmi group (the other two Mishmi groups are Digaru and Miju) in
Arunachal Pradesh and neighbouring Tibet.
• Known for their weaving and craftsmanship skills, the Idu Mishmis primarily live in Mishmi Hills, bordering
Tibet.
• Their ancestral homelands are spread over the districts of Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley as well as parts
of Upper Siang and Lohit.
• The Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary a biodiversity hotspot home to rare Mishmi takin, musk deer, goral as well as
clouded leopards, snow leopards and tigers was notified in 1998.

PM Modi releases Tiger Census figures

• ‘The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the program ‘Commemoration of 50 years of Project
Tiger’at Mysuru University in Mysuru, Karnataka.’
• He released the publications - ‘Amrit Kaal Ka Vision For Tiger Conservation’, a summary report of the 5th cycle
of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves, declared tiger numbers and released the summary
report of All India Tiger Estimation (5th cycle).
• He also released a commemorative coin on the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger.
• The International Big Cats Alliance is being launched which will focus on the protection and conservation of
seven major big cats of the world, viz. Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar and Cheetah, with a
membership of the range of countries harbouring these species.

World’s first Asian King Vulture Conservation and Breeding Center

• The world’s first conservation and breeding center for the critically endangered Asian king vulture is set to open
Page : 134

in Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj district

• The center, named Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre (JCBC), is spread over 1.5 hectares and is
 designed to maintain a sustainable population of the species by breeding king vultures in captivity and releasing
them into the wild
• The JCBC, worth approximately Rs 15 crore, features multiple aviaries, including breeding and holding
aviaries, nursery aviaries for juveniles, hospital and recovery aviaries, a food processing center, and an incubation
center.
• The Asian king vulture, protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, is localized primarily to northern India
and has been listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red
List since 2007

First Ever Census on Water Bodies in India

• For the first time in India, the government has conducted the first-ever census of water bodies.
• The census provided a comprehensive inventory of India’s water resources, including natural and man-made
water bodies like ponds, tanks, lakes, and more, and to collect data on the encroachment of water bodies.
• The census highlighted disparities between rural and urban areas and varying levels of encroachment and revealed
crucial insights into the country’s water resources.
• About 2,424,540 water bodies have been enumerated in the country by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, out of which
97.1 per cent are in rural areas and only 2.9 per cent are in urban areas.

Millets Experience Centre (MEC)

• ‘Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, along with NAFED, commemorated
the launch of the first of its kind ‘Millets Experience Centre (MEC)’ at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi
• Acting upon India’s proposal supported by 72 countries, the United Nations General Assembly declared the year
2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023).
• The declaration positioned India at the forefront of the celebrations and the Government of India has been working
on ‘mission mode’ to champion millets as a crop good for farmer, environment and consumer.
• This would help widen the horizon for consumers who are actively looking for healthier alternatives and bring
visibility to India’s robust millet-based start-up community.

Periyar Tiger Reserve welcomes Arikomban

• Following more than three months of planning and a two-day mammoth operation, Arikomban was successfully
captured recently
• The sanctuary comprises tropical evergreen, semi evergreen, moist deciduous forests and grasslands.
• About 1966 species of flowering plants grow in the sanctuary
• Of this about 516 are endemic to the Western Ghats
• There are six tribal communities nestled inside the reserve such as Mannans, Paliyans, Malayarayans, Mala
Pandarams, Uralis and Ulladans

India to launch its own heat index next year to quantify heat hazard
• ‘India will launch its own heat index next year to quantify the impact of heat on its population and generate
impact-based heatwave alerts for specific locations.’
• It will be an effective indicator of heat stress for people.
• Along with temperature and humidity, it will integrate other parameters such as wind and duration of exposure.
• Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can significantly reduce crop yields and cause many crops to fail.
• Around 380 million people, which is approximately 75% of the workforce in India, experience heat-related stress.
• In India, about 75% of workers (around 380 million people) experience heat-related stress.

Project Cheetah
• ‘Five cheetahs — three females and two males — will be released from the acclimatisation camps into Kuno
National Park’s free-ranging conditions before the monsoon as part of “Project Cheetah” led by the National Tiger
Conservation Authority.’
Page : 135

• The project hopes to benefit global cheetah conservation efforts by providing up to 100 000 km2 of habitat in
legally protected areas and an additional 600 000 km2 of habitable landscape for the species.
• Cheetahs fulfil a unique ecological role within the carnivore hierarchy and their restoration is expected to enhance
 ecosystem health in India.
• As a charismatic species, the cheetah can also benefit India’s broader conservation goals by improving general
protection and ecotourism in areas that have been previously neglected.

18 Swamp Deer Shifted from Kanha to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

• ‘The second phase of Barasingha Reintroduction Programme completed by shifting another 18 reindeer or swamp
deer or Barasingha from Kanha National Park to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve recently.’
• The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve management team brought the swamp deer from Kanha National Park, located
approximately 200 kilometers away from the tiger reserve.
• The number of swamp deer in BTR has now increased to 37.
• Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has a unique ecosystem that comprises hills, valleys, rivers, marshes, and meadows,
giving rise to diverse vegetation.
• The reserve is home to a healthy population of tigers, as well as 34 species of mammals, nearly 260 species of
birds, and 70 species of butterflies.

Shri Bhupender Yadav launches Meri LiFE App

• ‘Meri LiFE App has been launched by Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate
Change.’
• Upon successful sign-up, users will be guided to participate in a series of LiFE related tasks under the following
5 themes, namely- Save Energy, Save Water, Reduce Single Use Plastic, Adopt Sustainable Food Systems and
Adopt Healthy Lifestyle.
• This app is inspired by the concept of LiFE, envisioned by the Prime Minister at COP 26, which emphasizes
mindful and deliberate utilization instead of mindless and wasteful consumption.
• This app will showcase the power of citizens, especially young people in saving the environment.
• He mentioned that through this app, the impacts of simple actions in daily lives can be understood, which can have
a larger climate impact.

Nepali sherpa, 46, becomes second person in the world to climb Mount Everest 26
times
• Pasang Dawa Sherpa, also known as Pa Dawa, successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest for the 26th
time, equaling the record set by another Nepalese guide
• Accompanied by a Hungarian climber, the 46-year-old achieved this feat.Kiani, a 37-year-old banker based in
Dubai, had climbed four of the world’s 14 highest mountains before Everest.
• Nepal has issued a record of 467 permits this year for foreign climbers seeking to reach the summit of Everest
• Each climber is usually accompanied by at least one sherpa guide, fuelling fears that a narrow section below the
summit, known as the Hillary Step, could get crowded
• Everest has been climbed more than 11,000 times since it was first scaled by Sir Edmund Hillary.

Cyclone Mocha
• A catastrophic event is unfolding as Cyclone Mocha barrels toward Myanmar and Bangladesh coasts recently
• According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), wind speeds could be as high as 210 kilometers (130
miles) per hour at the time of Cyclone Mocha’s landfall.
• The storm will be equivalent to a category 4 hurricane.
• The World Meteorological Organization, a United Nations agency, has warned the super cyclone will cause heavy
rain, flooding, and landslides around the coasts of the two countries.
• In 2020, Cyclone Amphan continued to travel over eastern India for days and caused extensive devastation.
• Cyclone Mocha intensified into a category-five hurricane.
Page : 136
End Plastic Pollution
• ‘The UNEP recently released a report titled “Turning off the Tap: How the world can end plastic pollution and
create a circular economy”.’
• The report emphasizes the importance of adopting a circular economy approach in curbing plastic pollution across
the world.
• The reports suggested setting and implementing design and safety standards for disposal of non-recyclable plastic
waste, and making manufacturers responsible for products shedding microplastics, among others.
• A further $3.25 trillion would be saved from avoided externalities such as health, climate, air pollution, marine
ecosystem degradation, and litigation-related costs. This shift could also result in a net increase of 700,000 jobs
by 2040.

Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR)

• Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) recently recorded a slight rise in tiger population with a tigress giving
birth to four cubs in the protected area
• According to the recent All India Tiger Estimation report, the reserve is currently home to an estimated 12 to 17
tigers.
• This data highlights the significance of NNTR as a vital habitat for the majestic big cats.
• NNTR is characterized by the dominant presence of the Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest, which creates
an ideal habitat for a wide range of wildlife.
• Apart from tigers, the reserve is home to various large carnivores, including leopards, wild dogs, wolves, jackals,
and sloth bears. The presence of more than 300 bird species further emphasizes the richness of NNTR’s biodiversity.

National Campaign for Updation and Verification of People’s Biodiversity Register

Launched
• ‘The National Campaign for Updation and Verification of People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) was launched in
Goa.’
• In addition to the campaign launch, an exhibition showcasing unique products from each Biodiversity Management
Committee was inaugurated during the event.
• The occasion also witnessed the distribution of special awards for the Best Biodiversity Management Committee
in North and South Goa, the Green Journalist Award, and individual contributions to preserving biodiversity.
• The biodiversity act was enacted in 2002, it aims at the conservation of biological resources, managing its
sustainable use and enabling fair and equitable sharing benefits arising out of the use and knowledge of biological
resources with the local communities.

Nilgiri martens
• ‘Around 62 percent of the habitat of the Nilgiri marten ( Martes gwatkinsii), a rare species of marten endemic to
the Western Ghats, lies outside protected areas, ‘
• And as a consequence, could be lost to development and agriculture, a recent study indicates. Martens are small
carnivores belonging to the weasel and badger families.
• With less than 1,000 estimated individuals believed to exist in the wild, this fragmentation of the Nilgiri marten’s
habitat could weaken the existing population, caution researchers who conducted the study.
• The results of the study were published in a paper titled, ‘Distribution and conservation status of the endemic
Nilgiri marten,’ in the journal Mammalia.

Over 60 crore people would be exposed to dangerous heat

• ‘More than 200 crore people worldwide, including over 60 crore in India, would be exposed to dangerously hot
temperatures even if all countries meet their promised emission cuts, a new research says.’
• In “worst-case scenarios” of 4.4-degrees Celsius global warming, 50 per cent of the world’s population could be
exposed to unprecedented hot temperatures, posing what the researchers call an “existential risk”.
• According to climate scientists, current climate policies will result in 2.7-degrees Celsius warming by the end of
Page : 137

the century (2080-2100), a rise that is likely to increase the frequency of extreme weather events, such as deadly
heatwaves, cyclones and floods, and sea-level rise globally.
Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India envisages to
celebrate the World Environment Day 2023 with a thrust on the Mission LiFE
• The concept of LiFE, introduced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, aims to promote sustainable living by
encouraging individuals to make changes in their lifestyles and emphasizes responsible and conscious use of
resources to safeguard and conserve the environment.
• To generate widespread awareness and advocacy for LiFE across India, a month-long mass mobilization campaign
on Mission LiFE is currently underway
• Environmental Information System (ENVIS) was renamed as EIACP (Environmental Information, Awareness,
Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme)
• ENVIS came into existence as a plan programme in 1983

UAE to Host World’s Largest Conservation Conference in 2025

• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has won the bid to host the 2025 World Conservation Congress (WCC) of the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• The WCC is the world’s largest and most important gathering of conservationists, and it is expected to draw more
than 10,000 delegates from over 160 countries
• The event will be an opportunity for conservationists from around the world to come together and discuss the most
pressing environmental challenges facing our planet
• The WCC is also expected to produce a number of important resolutions and recommendations that will help to
guide future conservation efforts
• The IUCN WCC in 2025 in Abu Dhabi is expected to bring an estimated 10,000-15,000 delegates from over
160 countries across the globe

Cyclone Biprajoy
• ‘Cyclone Biparjoy is a low-pressure area that is currently forming over the Southeast Arabian Sea.’
• It is expected to intensify into a depression in the next 48 hours and may reach cyclonic storm intensity in the
subsequent 72 hours.
• IMD has predicted a normal monsoon with rainfall that is 96% of the long period average. This is at the lower end
of the normal category.
• According to India’s agriculture ministry, almost half of India’s farmed area, accounting for around 40% of
production, is rain-fed, making the monsoon critical.
• With 47% of the country’s population dependent on agriculture for their livelihood (according to this year’s

National Working Plan Code-2023

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate change has released the National Working Plan Code-2023” for
scientific management of forests and evolving new approaches
• The National Working Plan Code-2023 will act as a guiding principle for State Forest Departments in preparation
for the working plan for different forest divisions in the country
• For the first time, the National Working Plan Code-2023 has prescribed state forest departments to engage in
continuous data collection and its updation in a centralized database
• The “Indian Forest Management Standard” which is a part of this code, takes into account the diverse forest
ecosystem in our country, while trying to bring in uniformity in management

Bringing the Aravallis back to life

• The Aravallis spanning Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan have been infamous for stone mining to fuel the construction
boom in the National Capital Region
• Since the early 2000s, numerous crusher units mushroomed to scoop up precious gravel or bajri using heavy-duty
machines which succeeded in denuding the mountain range.
Page : 138

• The Aravallis act as a barrier between the fertile plains in the east and the sandy desert in the west.
• Historically, it is said that the Aravalli range checked the spread of the Thar desert towards the Indo-Gangetic
plains, serving as a catchment of rivers and plains.
• The Aravalli is rich in biodiversity and provides habitat to 300 native plant species, 120 bird species and many
exclusive animals like the jackal and mongoose

IFSCA and Climate Policy Initiative sign MoU to cooperate on Sustainable Finance
• Offshore financial transaction regulator IFSCA recently said it has signed an agreement with think tank Climate
Policy Initiative for cooperation to increase mobilisation of global sustainable capital flows into India.
• IFSCA (International Financial Services Centres Authority) has taken significant steps to accelerate global
sustainable capital flows by creating a conducive regulatory environment, based on international best practices,
focused especially on the needs of India and developing countries
• The commencement of India’s G20 Presidency begins with the theme “One Earth, One Family, One Future
• Sustainable development is a key priority that runs across the priorities of G20 working groups
• Mobilisation of sustainable finance is critical to achieve transition to green and resilient economies

Solar geoengineering
• The United States is eyeing a controversial tool to counter global warming: Solar radiation management (SRM),
which involves reflecting a small fraction of sunlight into space
• In a report released recently, the White House stated that public or private actors could carry out activities such as
injecting aerosols and brightening marine clouds to reflect more sunlight into space.
• Many scientists have expressed concerns over the high environmental, social, and geopolitical risks that come
with SRM
• The report was developed in coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other
key US federal agencies.
• The framework is expected to provide guidance on transparency, engagement, and risk management for publicly
funded work in solar geoengineering research

4th G20 Energy Transition Working Group Meeting

• The 4th Energy Transitions Working Group Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency will be held in Goa during July
19 – 20, 2023.’
• It will be attended by more than 1,500 delegates from G20 nations, special invitee countries and international
organisations like International Energy Agency (IEA) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
• The ETWG was established to address global challenges of energy transition and sustainability.
• This fourth meeting will serve as a crucial platform for discussions, collaborations and exchange of best practices
in achieving a sustainable and inclusive energy future

Western Tragopan
• ‘Himachal Pradesh’s State bird – Western Tragopan (Tragopan-melanocephalus) – has been facing habitat loss in
parts of the country.’
• But because of authorities’ efforts, there has been a gradual increase in the population of this rare species at the
State’s Sarahan pheasantry, the conservation breeding centre, bringing a glimmer of hope for its survival and
growth.
• The Sarahan pheasantry in Shimla has over the years seen successful captive breeding of western tragopan, which
faces threats due to habitat loss, hunting, and other anthropogenic factors.
• According to Himachal Pradesh Wildlife Wing’s latest report, “Western Tragopan Biannual Report 2020-2022”,

Bhutan’s roaring success in tiger conservation

• Bhutan’s Tiger population has increased by 27 per cent since its last count in 2015.
• The numbers were announced on International Tiger Day and reflected the success of Tiger conservation efforts
in the South Asian Himalayan landlocked nation situated between China and India.
• Bhutan will also host a conference on Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes in 2024 in collaboration with
a coalition of major tiger conservation Non-Government Organisations and Inter-Governmental Organisations.
Page : 139

• The total number of tigers in Bhutan is up by 27 per cent, from 96 in 2015 to 131 in 2021-2022.
• Meanwhile, in India, home to two-thirds of the world’s tigers, the rise in tiger population accounts for an annual
increase of six per cent with an average total of 3,682 tigers
Bhutan becomes country with ‘net zero carbon emissions’
• Bhutan has emerged as a country with net zero emissions and not only curbed its carbon footprints, but has also
transformed into a carbon sink, absorbing more carbon dioxide (CO2) than releasing
• Bhutan’s government has a policy of sustainable development, which includes protecting the environment.
• Bhutan has invested in renewable energy, such as hydroelectric power.Bhutan plans to reach net zero greenhouse
gas emissions and zero waste by 2030
• Bhutan is increasing its reliance on renewable energy sources, such as wind, biogas, and solar power.
• Bhutan has planted millions of trees in recent years, including a world record of 49,672 trees in one hour.
• Bhutan is investing in park conservation to prevent hunting and poaching and help communities manage natural
resources efficiently

Canalisation of rivers
• Several teams of the National Disaster Response Force, Army and the BSF have been pressed into service for
rescue operations in flood-hit areas of Punjab’s Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur and Rupnagar districts
• Canalisation, the process of controlling water flow through channels and structures, is proposed as a solution.
• While Punjab has major dams and embankments, inherent weaknesses make them vulnerable to breaches.
• Canalisation could divert water and manage releases from dams, offering a comprehensive flood prevention
strategy.
• The recent floods, caused by overflowing rivers and local waterways, highlight the need for canalisation to manage
both heavy rainfall and dam discharges.
• Long-term canalisation strategies and strengthened embankments are suggested to avert future disasters.

‘Namoh 108’ Variety Of Lotus

• Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh recently unveiled a new variety of lotus flower with 108
petals, named “Namoh 108”, developed by the city-based National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI)
• Singh also released apparel made from lotus fibre and perfume ‘Frotus’, extracted from lotus flowers and developed
by the NBRI under the Lotus Research Programme in collaboration with Fragrance and Flavour Development
Centre, Kannauj.
• The minister also launched the Lotus Mission and said this project was being undertaken in a mission mode like
other priority schemes such as the National Honey and Bee Mission, National Bamboo Mission, National Food
Security Mission, National Mission on Natural Farming, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and Gokul
Mission.

Biodiversity loss
• The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has recently released an
“Assessment Report on Invasive Alien Species and their Control.” ‘
• The report reveals the presence of approximately 37,000 alien species, introduced by human activities, across
various regions and biomes.
• Of these, more than 3,500 are classified as invasive alien species, posing severe threats to local ecosystems.
• About 6% of alien plants, 22% of alien invertebrates, 14% of alien vertebrates, and 11% of alien microbes are
known to be invasive.
• The water hyacinth is the world’s most widespread invasive alien species on land. Lantana, a flowering shrub, and
the black rat are the second and third most widespread globally.

Indore tops clean air survey among cities with mn-plus people
• Union Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the results of the Swachh
Vayu Sarvekshan 2023 (clean air survey) in Bhopal, with Indore, Madhya Pradesh, claiming the top spot among
million-plus population cities
• The survey, in its second year, included 130 identified cities under the National Clean Air Programme. Agra, Uttar
Page : 140

Pradesh, secured the second rank, followed by Thane, Maharashtra, in third place
• The awards were categorized by city population size based on the 2011 census
• This year, the 4th International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (Swachh Vayu Diwas 2023) is to create stronger
partnerships, increase investment, and share responsibility to overcome air pollution, with the global theme
“Together for Clean Air

Kampala Declaration on climate change

• The Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment, and Climate Change (KDMECC) is a significant
agreement adopted by 48 African countries to address the complex relationship between human mobility and
climate change
• This declaration, initially signed by 15 African states in 2022, provides an action-oriented framework for member
states to manage climate-induced migration effectively
• The KDMECC holds significance as the first comprehensive, action-oriented framework driven by African
member states to address climate-induced migration practically
• This is particularly crucial due to the direct influence of climate change on migration patterns.
• By tackling this issue, the KDMECC aims to mitigate the adverse effects of climate-induced mobility

Gujarat Declaration
• World Health Organization (WHO) has released the outcome document of first WHO Traditional Medicine Global
Summit 2023 in form of “Gujarat Declaration
• The declaration reaffirmed global commitments towards indigenous knowledges, biodiversity and traditional,
complementary and integrative medicine.
• WHO underlined that the application of rigorous scientific methods is needed to better understand, assess and,
where appropriate, apply more holistic, context-specific, complex and personalized approaches for health and
well-being for all.
• The highlight of summit was how to enable the appropriate development and application of digital health
technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI) in particular, to advance digital health resources on TCIM for people’s
health and well-being

Loss and damage fund

• ‘A loss and damage fund to help vulnerable countries cope with the impact of climate change has been officially
launched recently.’
• The initial funding is estimated to be $475 million — host UAE pledged $100 million, the European Union
promised $275 million, $17.5 million from the US, and $10 million from Japan.
• The loss and damage fund was first announced during COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, last year.
• However, it was not until a few weeks before COP 28 that rich and poor countries managed to iron out some of
their differences and agree on key points of the fund.
• Research shows that 55 vulnerable countries have suffered $ 525 billion combined climate crisis-fuelled losses in
the last 20 years.

Green Credits scheme

• ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi together with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of UAE, co-
hosted the High-level event on ‘Green Credits Programme’ at COP-28.’
•
• The Green Credit Initiative has been conceptualized as a mechanism to incentivize voluntary pro-planet actions,
as an effective response to the challenge of climate change.
• It envisions the issue of Green Credits for plantations on waste/degraded lands and river catchment areas,
to rejuvenate and revive natural eco-systems.
• This global initiative aims to facilitate global collaboration, cooperation and partnership through exchange of
knowledge, experiences and best practices in planning, implementation and monitoring of environment positive
actions through programs/mechanisms like Green Credits.
Page : 141
COP28 summit
• ‘Recently, for the first time in 28 years of climate change negotiations, the climate-health nexus will take centre
stage at the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP28) summit in the UAE.’
•
• Unabated greenhouse gas emissions are triggering extreme weather events, air pollution, food insecurity, water
scarcity and population displacement, which in turn, are altering the trajectory of vector-borne diseases.
• And Africa, Asia, South and Central America, and small island states, which have contributed the least to climate
change, are bearing the brunt.
• Addressing these issues, 123 governments endorsed the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health.
• In India, particulate air pollution is said to be the “greatest threat to human health”, and heat-related deaths may
kill an additional 10 lakh people annually by 2090.

Climate finance
• ‘The United Arab Emirates, which is hosting the ongoing COP28 climate summit, announced that it would
contribute $30 billion to a new fund aiming to divert private sector capital towards climate investments and
improve financing for the Global South.’
• UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan said the fund was “specifically designed to bridge the climate
finance gap” and stimulate further investment of $250 billion by 2030.
• Climate finance refers to large-scale investments required for actions aiming to mitigate or adapt to the
consequences of climate change.
• In 2022, Nicholas Stern, a renowned climate economist, in his report estimated that about $2 trillion will be
needed each year by 2030 to help developing countries cut their greenhouse gas emissions and cope with the
effects of climate breakdown.

Feeding humans has trapped the world in debt, degradation: FAO report
• ‘A groundbreaking report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), published recently,
has laid bare the staggering hidden costs of our global agrifood systems, surpassing an astonishing $10 trillion.’
• The report blames “unsustainable business-as-usual activities and practices” for these escalating costs, pointing to
a need to transform agrifood systems.
• In middle-income countries like India, these costs constitute nearly 11% of the GDP, which manifests
as higher poverty, environmental harm, and health-related impact (including undernourishment and
unhealthy dietary patterns).
• A systemic shift in food regimes, from local to global value chains, is essential. The starting point for addressing
these complex systemic issues could arise from local efforts, such as the diversification of farms.

Status of the UN treaty to end plastic pollution

• ‘The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), under the United Nations Environment Programme, met
in Nairobi on November for its third round of negotiations to develop an international legally binding instrument
to end plastic pollution worldwide.’
• Under the UNEA Resolution 5/14, the INC is responsible for delivering a global plastics treaty by 2025.
• The INC-3 was a make-or-break opportunity as countries came together to negotiate the ‘zero draft’ text
developed by the Committee’s Secretariat, with various options for core obligations and control measures.
• The zero draft was a good starting point for the negotiations because it catered to ambitions at all levels: strong
and binding, moderate and flexible, weak and voluntary.
• unsound solutions.

To achieve net-zero target, do not rely on burying emissions underground, says sci-
entist
• ‘A new study found there had been no cost reductions in any part of the CCS process as the technology progressed
Page : 142

in the last 40 years.’

• Emission pathways that require the world to put up to 20 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide underground in 2050 to
achieve net-zero could cost at least US$ 30 trillion more than the pathways in which only about 5 billion tonnes
 have to be stored.
• The fact that governments are not rapidly scaling up CCS technologies means even they realise it is not a very
feasible option.
• It is useful in certain situations, like when it is applied to sectors like cement or iron and steel.

Global Cooling Pledge at COP28

• ‘Sixty-three countries, including the US, Canada, and Kenya, signed up to the world’s first-ever pledge to
drastically cut cooling emissions at the ongoing COP28 climate summit.’
•
• The Global Cooling Pledge commits the countries to reduce their cooling emissions by at least 68% by 2050 and
outlines several strategies to tackle them.
• CFCs were largely replaced by two groups of chemicals, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons
(HCFCs), but they presented a new problem.
• HFC-134a, a form of HFC and most commonly used in domestic fridges, has a global warming potential of 3,400
times that of CO2. The other source of cooling emissions is the electricity used to run the cooling appliances.

Natural vegetation on nearly 12,850 sq. km in the Cauvery basin has been lost
• ‘Natural vegetation on nearly 12,850 sq. km of land in the Cauvery basin was lost in the 50 years between 1965
to 2016.’
• Areas that suffered adverse changes in the extent of forest cover include the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary,
Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
• In respect of Tamil Nadu, the extent of area under irrigation rose from 6,556 sq. km in 1928 to 20,233 sq. km now
and in the case of Karnataka, it was from 1,193 sq. km to 8,497 sq. km.

India’s extreme rain was restricted to a ‘corridor’ during 1901-2019

• ‘The total seasonal rainfall has also trended downwards for more than seven decades, due to the differential
heating of the land versus the ocean due to global warming.’
• India’s monsoon forecasts rely heavily on its relation to the El Niño and the La Niña phenomena, although this
relation holds only about 60% of the time.
• Traditional statistical methods tend to miss the complex relations between multiple nodes of rainfall centers.
• The main candidate for the geographic trapping of synchronised extreme rainfall is likely to be the range of
mountains running along the west coast and across Central India.

What does ‘unabated’ fossil fuels mean ?

• ‘According to a new deal struck at COP28 recently, countries need to phase-down ‘unabated’ coal power.’
• Climate vulnerable nations and experts, however, are concerned that this would allow countries and fossil fuel
companies to continue to burn coal as long as they capture the emissions and store it underground.
• That would mean capturing at least 90% of CO2 from power plants, or up to 80% of the methane that leaks
during energy production and transport, the report suggests.
• A Germany-based climate science and policy institute, revealed that reliance on CCS could release an extra 86
billion tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere between 2020 and 2050.

COP 28 important decisions

• ‘The COP28 climate meeting delivered some important outcomes — a first-time acknowledgement of the need to
move away from fossil fuels.’
• However, like all previous COPs, it still remained an underachiever, unable to measure up to the expectations,
particularly in galvanising more ambitious climate action in the immediate term.
• COP28 was being seen as possibly the last opportunity to ensure that the world had some hopes of keeping
within the 1.5 degree Celsius warming threshold.
• COP28 was being held at a time when global warming was breaking new records. The year 2023 is already
Page : 143

confirmed to emerge as the hottest year ever.

The limitations of CCS and CDR and their grip on our future climate
• ‘CCS refers to technologies that can capture carbon dioxide (CO?) at a source of emissions before it is released
into the atmosphere.’
• The IPCC AR6 report states CDR ought to be used “to counterbalance hard-to-abate residual emissions.
• CDR methods like afforestation, reforestation, BECCS, and direct air capture are constrained by their need for
land.
• The term “abated fossil fuels” should be used only in the context of highly effective CCS applications, with a
capture rate of 90-95% or more, the captured emissions being stored permanently, and methane emissions leakage
from upstream oil and gas production processes being kept under 0.5% (approaching 0.2%).

Chennai’s hydrology
• ‘Unusually heavy rainfall years have been becoming more frequent in recent decades in India.’
• As a result, people are also experiencing more frequent occurrences of floods in several parts of the country
including Chennai.
• These are considered climate change-induced floods/disasters.
• Chennai suffered the serious impacts of floods in 2005, 2015 and, again, in 2023.
• Although each one of these floods is unique in their own way, the impact has been devastating, increasing year
after year.
• The flood in 2023 is considered the worst in the past 47 years. Chennai has lost many water bodies (lakes and
ponds) and much of the Pallikaranai marsh land and coastal wetlands.

Phasing out fossil fuel

• ‘The COP28 concluded in Dubai this week with 198 signatory countries agreeing that the world must “transition”
away from fossil fuels in a “just, orderly and equitable manner” to achieve net zero by 2050.’
• The Dubai Consensus is significant only because this is the first time since 1995, when the first ever COP was
held in Berlin, that there is a formal acknowledgement that emissions from fossil fuels are the main culprit driving
global warming.
• But because there are no timelines yet, fossil fuels are going to be the mainstay of economies everywhere in the
years to come.

COP-28 mean for cities

• ‘The 28th Conference of Parties (COP-28) in Dubai has been described by some as being a mixed bag.’
• Even though it could not come up with a profound statement of ending fossil fuels, at least a discussion was
triggered.
• A few ambitious delegates described it as the “beginning of the end of an era of fossil fuels”.
• Currently, 55% of the global population is urban and this is expected to reach 68% by 2050.
• The urban world today consumes nearly 75% of primary energy and is responsible for roughly 70% of CO2 (76%
of total GHG) emissions.
• In most countries, and in India particularly, 40% of the urban population live in slums. Pollution is a major
contributor in reducing life expectancies and social and economic inequities are quite inherent in their systems.

Types of Sanitation systems

• ‘Apart from the water we drink and consume through our food, we use water for cooking, cleaning ourselves and
our homes, and washing clothes and utensils.’
• Where does the used waterfrom our homes go?
• Common answers to this question are into the ground, into the open space around the house, into pipes underground
or into open drains or canals, among other water bodies.
• Some of these responses are not entirely wrong, but the key concern is where this used water should go.
• It should go into sanitation systems designed to contain, convey, treat, and either dispose of or reuse the used water
Page : 144

(given its value as a resource, the term ‘used water’ is preferred over ‘wastewater’) – ensuring good public health
and reducing environmental pollution.
Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA)
• ‘The 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC), in Dubai, was notable in terms of stopping the lackadaisical approach of the international
community to the adaptation concern.’
• Guided by the Paris Agreement on Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), the efforts put in at COP26 and
COP27 were what culminated in the adoption of the framework for GGA at COP28.
• The material progress on the implementation of the GGA requires that future climate change negotiations should
show more urgency in treating adaptation on a par with mitigation as the world is witnessing extreme weather
events, with devastating consequences.
• These climate change events are happening at only 1.1° Celsius as compared to pre-industrial levels.

Achievements of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) during the year

2023
• ‘The year 2023 holds special significance for conservation community and for the National Tiger Conservation
Authority (NTCA).’
• Tigers have been re-introduced in the western part of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve (Uttarakhand), Madhav National
Park (Madhya Pradesh), Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve and Ramgarh Vishdhari (Rajasthan).
• Efforts are on to reintroduce tigers in the Buxa Tiger Reserve soon.
• Maharashtra has registered the highest number of deaths at 45 followed by Madhya Pradesh at 40, Uttarakhand at
20, Tamil Nadu at 15 and Kerala at 14.
• While the average of a tiger in the wild is around 10-12 years, 40 percent of tiger deaths in 2023 are composed
of cubs and subadults, age classes which have naturally high mortality rates due to tiger land tenurial dynamics.

Page : 145
Learn BITS


Annual Current Affairs Compilation

Page : 146
 07 Science & Tech
PM inaugurates SemiconIndia 2023 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Semicon India 2023’, a national-level event focusing on the
semiconductor industry, in Gandhinagar recently
• The ‘Semicon India 2023’ inaugural programme will highlight investment opportunities in India’s semiconductor
sector through an informative presentation and a stimulating panel discussion led by industry, a government
release said
• The event aims to catalyse the semiconductor industry’s progress through networking, technology demonstrations
and lucrative business prospects
• More than 300 such prominent colleges have been identified in India where courses on semiconductors will be
available
• The Chips to Startups Program will help engineers
• It is estimated that in the next 5 years, more than one lakh design engineers are going to be produced in our country.

National Pension System Trust

• Dr. Deepak Mohanty, Chairman, Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA) launched the
revamped website of the National Pension System Trust
• The National Pension System Trust (NPS Trust) is a trust set up by the Government of India in 2004 to administer
the National Pension System (NPS)
• The NPS is a voluntary, defined contribution pension scheme that is open to all citizens of India
• The NPS Trust is governed by a board of trustees, which is headed by the chairman of the Pension Fund Regulatory
and Development Authority (PFRDA)
• The board of trustees is responsible for the overall management of the NPS Trust, including the investment of
pension funds

Roadmap to making India a $5 trillion economy

• The government’s roadmap to makinge India a $5 trillion economy comprises measures like focussing on inclusive
growth, promoting digital economy, fintech, technology-enabled development, energy transition and climate
action, and relying on a virtuous cycle of investment and growth
• The Union Budget 2023-24 has taken further steps to sustain the high growth of India’s economy, which include
a substantial increase in capital investment outlay for the third year in a row by 33% to ?10 lakh crore (3.3% of
GDP).he Central Government’s capital expenditure has increased from 2.15% of GDP in 2020-21 to 2.7% of GDP
in 2022-23
• According to the IMF’s World Economic Outlook, the size of the Indian economy will increase from $3.2 trillion
in 2021-22 to $3.5 trillion in 2022-23 and cross $5 trillion in 2026-27.

GI tags for Goan mangoes and bebinca, crafts from Rajasthan and U.P
• Seven products from across India, including four from Rajasthan, were given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag
by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai
• The GI tags were secured by ‘Jalesar Dhatu Shilp’ (a metal craft), ‘Goa Mankurad Mango’, ‘Goan Bebinca’,
‘Udaipur Koftgari Metal Craft’, ‘Bikaner Kashidakari Craft’, ‘Jodhpur Bandhej Craft’, and ‘Bikaner
Usta Kala Craft
• From Rajasthan, four different crafts received the GI tags
• The ‘Udaipur Koftgari Metal Craft’ involves exquisitely ornamenting weapons through a complex process that
includes etching designs, embedding gold and silver wire into the metal, pressing and flattening it with moonstone,
and finally polishing it
• The ‘Jodhpur Bandhej Craft’ is a famous textile art form in Rajasthan, involving the art of tying and dyeing.
Page : 147
Port Health Organisation (PHO) under Sagar Setu
• In a significant move to promote Ease of Doing Business (EODB) in the maritime sector, Sarbananda Sonowal, the
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) and Ayush, launched the Port Health Organisation
(PHO) module under Sagar Setu – National Logistics Portal (Marine)
• This digital initiative aims to create a faster and simpler ecosystem to facilitate seamless operations for citizens,
port workers, and various stakeholders in the maritime industry
• The PHO module enables Shipping Agents, PHOs, Port Authorities, Customs, and other stakeholders to access
functionalities of PHO clearance easily and conveniently through an online platform
• Through an integrated online process, stakeholders can efficiently collaborate and seek approvals, streamlining
various aspects of maritime operations.

Digital India RISC-V’ Symposium

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, IIT Madras and IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation
are collaborating to present the “Digital India RISC-V Symposium, a one-day event showcasing the future of
Electronics” in India through the RISC-V pathway
• This Symposium will feature insightful tech talks by esteemed academicians and industry experts, interactive
stalls showcasing indigenous RISC-V processors, an engaging hackathon, and a special Investor meeting
• ‘RISC’ stands for ‘Reduced Instruction Set Computer’ and ‘V’ stands for the fifth generation
• The RISC-V project began in 2010.The RISC-V foundation was formed in 2015 with IIT Madras being one of the
founder members.

Bharat Campaign under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund

• Agriculture Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Manoj Ahuja launched a new campaign for
banks under Agri Infra Fund name BHARAT (Banks Heralding Accelerated Rural & Agriculture Transformation)
• The scheme envisages provision of Rs. 1 Lakh Crore by banks and financial institutions as loans with interest
subvention of 3% per annum and credit guarantee coverage under Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and
Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) for loans up to Rs. 2 Crores
• As on date, loans amounting to Rs. 26,064 Crores have been sanctioned for 33,369 projects and these sanctioned
projects have mobilized an investment of Rs. 44,208 crores in the agriculture sector

CarbonLite Metro Travel

• The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has unveiled a pioneering initiative called CarbonLite Metro Travel
to educate passengers about their significant contribution towards reducing carbon emissions by choosing metro
trains
• The feature will be available on QR code-based tickets
• The data concerning the reduction of CO2 emissions as a result of metro travel will be “prominently showcased”
on both physical tickets and mobile QR code tickets, aiming to create widespread awareness about the favorable
outcomes of eco-friendly public transportation
• This initiative is supported by a comprehensive research conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
• The initiative underscores that each kilometer travelled by metro train instead of road vehicles “results in a
noteworthy reduction of 32.38 grams of CO2 emissions

One District One Product ‘ODOP Wall’ launched

• The One District One Product (ODOP) initiative has collaborated with the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna - National
Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) to unveil the captivating ‘ODOP Wall’ in a bid to showcase India’s
diverse and exceptional craft heritage
• Under this collaboration, products are being identified from all districts to be promoted for their unique qualities
and cultural significance which include various handicrafts, handloom, and agricultural products that have been
associated with the identity of their place of origin
Page : 148

• This collaboration aims to drive consumers towards emporia, boosting sales and increasing the visibility SARAS
products even further to promote indigenous crafts and artisans of rural SHGs women.
NCLT gives final nod for merger of Sony and Zee
• The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) recently approved the proposed merger of Zee Entertainment
Enterprises Ltd with Sony India
• The NCLT had initially reserved its verdict on the merger between Zee Entertainment Enterprises and Culver Max
Entertainment (previously known as Sony Pictures Networks India) on July 10
• This is a key regulatory approval for the mega merger, aimed at creating a $10-billion media giant, which was
announced in 2021 but has been delayed for multiple reasons
• The total public shareholding of ZEE is 96.01 per cent, of which 70 per cent is held by public institutions
• About 25.88 per cent is held by public non-institutions, while the promoters hold only 3.99 per cent

Global summit on traditional medicine

• A first-of-its-kind global summit on Traditional Medicine, organised by the World Health Organization (WHO)
and co-hosted by the Ministry of Ayush, is set to take place at Gandhinagar, Gujarat
• The summit will take into account the vast experience and expertise of the country and this highly anticipated
event will serve as a platform for experts and practitioners to delve into the latest scientific advancements and
evidence-based knowledge in the sector, with the ultimate goal of ensuring health and well-being for all
• G20 health ministers, regional directors of WHO and invitees from countries across WHO’s six regions are expected
to grace the event along with scientists, practitioners of traditional medicine, health workers and members of civil
society organisations

19th Maritime State Development Council meeting (MSDC)

• Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) embarked upon the 19th Maritime State Development
Council (MSDC) at Kevadia, Gujarat
• The council engages with ministers overseeing ports in maritime states, union territories’ administrators, the navy,
coast guard, and stakeholders integral to the maritime ecosystem
• The GMIS 2023 is congregation of maritime sector luminaries, designed to unveil opportunities, assess challenges,
and catalyze investments within India’s maritime domain
• Building upon the successes of its 2016 and 2021 predecessors, the third iteration endeavors to expand horizons
for domestic and international maritime stakeholders and investors.

Centre appoints R Doraiswamy as LIC Managing Director

• Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) said the government has appointed R Doraiswamy as the managing
director
• Doraiswamy is currently executive director at the central office in Mumbai
• The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB), the headhunter for directors of state-owned banks and financial
institutions, had in June recommended the name of Mr. Doraiswamy as MD
• The FSIB is headed by Bhanu Pratap Sharma, former secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)
• Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is an Indian multinational public sector life insurance company
headquartered in Mumbai
• It is India’s largest insurance company as well as the largest institutional investor with total assets under
management worth ?45.7 trillion (US$570 billion) as of March 2023

Bureau of Port Security

• The Central Government will soon put together the Bureau of Port Security towards upgrading security across all
ports in the country
• The Government’s focus on sustainable development and shared about the Ministry’s ambitious plan to develop
Hydrogen Hubs across the Central Government and State Government ports
• All Central Government and State Government ports will explore the possibility of creating Hydrogen Hubs
• The Country’s commitment to quadrupling its port capacity under the Amrit Kaal Vision for Ports
Page : 149

• He underlined that all major ports have prepared their Port Master Plans for 2047, and states are also getting their
Port Master Plans for 2047 ready
• The total country’s Port capacity will increase from existing around 2,600 MTPA to more than 10,000 MTPA in
2047.

Bharat New Car Assessment Programme

• Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will launch the much-awaited Bharat New Car
Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) on 22 August 2023
• The launch will mark a step forward in the government’s commitment to improve road safety by raising the safety
standards of motor vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes
• Demand for safer cars is expected to increase as a result, encouraging car manufacturers to comply with customers’
needs
• With higher safety standards, Indian cars also will be able to compete better in the global market, increasing the
export potential of Indian car manufacturers
• Bharat NCAP standard is aligned with global benchmarks and it is beyond minimum regulatory requirements.

India participates in 20th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers’ Meeting

• India and the 10-nation bloc Asean have agreed to fast track negotiations for the review of the existing free trade
agreement in goods between the two regions
• The issue was discussed during the twentieth Asean Economic Ministers-India Consultation meeting, held at
Semarang, Indonesia
• The commerce ministry said that the main agenda of this year’s meeting was the timely review of Asean-India
Trade in Goods Agreement which was signed in 2009 and implemented in January 2010
• India and ASEAN registered a bilateral trade of USD 131.5 billion in 2022-23. The trade with ASEAN
accounted for 11.3% of India’s global trade in 2022-23.

RBI’s pilot project for facilitating frictionless credit

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched a pilot program to assess the feasibility of a ‘Public Tech Platform for
Frictionless Credit,’ aiming to enable seamless credit delivery by facilitating the smooth flow of necessary digital
information to lenders
• The platform is being developed by RBI’s wholly-owned subsidiary, the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH)
• It is designed with an open architecture, featuring open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
• This design choice allows for seamless integration with the systems of various participants in the financial sector
• The implementation of this platform is anticipated to yield several benefits
• These include reduced operational costs, expedited loan disbursal processes, and enhanced scalability for lenders.

Khanan Prahari App

• The Government of India has launched a mobile app “KhananPrahari” and a web app Coal Mine Surveillance and
Management System (CMSMS) for reporting unauthorized coal mining activities
• The objective of the development and launching of the CMSMS application was to detect citizens’ participation
against illegal mining by receipt of citizen complaints through a mobile app – KhananPrahari
• The app will help to monitor and take action on any kind of illegal coal mining activity being carried out within
the leasehold boundaries of any Coal Mining Project in the Coalfield Areas
• A committee/task force has been constituted at different levels (block level, sub-divisional level, district level,
state level) in some subsidiaries of CIL to monitor different aspects of illegal mining

Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar scheme

• In a significant move towards enhancing transparency in financial transactions and empowering consumers, the
Indian government is set to launch the ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar‘ invoice incentive scheme
• This pioneering scheme, scheduled to commence from September 1, aims to promote the habit of requesting bills
during purchases, thereby fostering a culture of fiscal responsibility and accountability
Page : 150

• The ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ scheme, conceptualized by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
(CBIC), is designed to instill a sense of confidence and assurance among consumers while making purchases
• The scheme is geared towards creating awareness about the importance of receiving genuine invoices for business-
to-consumer transactions, fostering a more transparent economy
Kolkata Metro to join elite club of London, Moscow, Istanbul, says Centre
• Kolkata Metro Railway is all set to embark on a groundbreaking transformation as it transitions from its
conventional steel Third Rail system to a cutting-edge composite aluminium third rail system
• Aligning itself with the exclusive league of elite global metros in cities like London, Moscow, Berlin, Munich and
Istanbul, which have already embraced this innovative technology
• The advantages of the aluminium composite third rail over its steel counterpart are significant
• Firstly, it reduces resistive current loss due to its lower resistance, resulting in improved traction voltage levels
• Secondly, this transition promises capital investment savings, with one less Traction Substation required for a 10-
km corridor, translating to an estimated savings of approximately ?210 crores for a 35-km metro corridor

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das leads global central bankers in A+ rating

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has been rated ‘A+’ in the Global Finance Central Banker
Report Cards 2023
• The Bank Governors who earned an ‘A+’ grade in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2023 are
Shaktikanta Das from India, Thomas J. Jordan (Switzerland), Nguyen Thi Hong (Vietnam)
• The grades are based on a scale from A to F for success in inflation control, economic growth goals, currency
stability, and interest rate management
• An ‘A’ represents an excellent performance and an ‘F’ stands for an outright failure
• The Central Banker Report Cards, published annually by Global Finance since 1994, grades central bank governors
of 101 countries on the basis of their performance

National KCC Conference for Fisheries,Animal Husbandry & Dairying

• Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala chaired National KCC Conference
for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying’ in Maharashtra
• He urged that KCC should be given to all fisheries’ applicants, pending applications should be dealt with at the
earliest and return applications either from bank or applicant should be taken up
• Like the state scheme of Gujarat that finances loan at 0%, such a provision should also be proposed to the cabinet
• He also urged that small scale vendors and women vendors should be treated as vendors to make implementation
easy
• He suggested that Banks should participate proactively in promoting the scheme and door to door mobilisation
for KCC should take place

Adoption of CBDCs can make cross-border payments more efficient

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das said the adoption of Central Bank Digital Currency
(CBDC), or digital currency, can help in making cross border payments more efficient.
• India is one of the few countries that has launched CBDC or e-rupee pilots in wholesale and retail segments
• The RBI launched pilots for digital rupee in the wholesale in November 2022 and in the retail segment in December
2022
• RBI is committed to promoting responsible innovation and has taken several steps such as setting up of the FinTech
department and Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), and putting in place a Regulatory Sandbox framework

28-foot-tall Nataraja statue installed at Summit venue in Delhi

• A towering 28-feet-tall statue of ‘Nataraja’, believed to be the world’s tallest, has been installed at Bharat
Mandapam, the venue of the upcoming G20 Summit in Delhi
• Built by eighteen people, the world’s tallest Nataraja statue stands at the entrance of the convention hall at Bharat
Mandapam. The statue symbolises Lord Shiva as the ‘Lord of Dance’ and his cosmic power of creation and
destruction
• A ‘Culture Corridor’ envisioned by the Ministry of Culture will also be unveiled at Bharat Mandapam on the
opening day of the Summit
Page : 151

• The sculpture follows the Chola period’s Nataraja models, specifically those from Chidambaram and
Konerirajapuram
• It stands at 22 feet in height, with a 6-foot pedestal, making the complete structure 28 feet tall.
NPCI launches new products; users can now make voice-enabled UPI payments
• ‘The NPCI recently launched a slew of new payment options on popular payments platform UPI, including
conversational transactions
• One of the products is Hello! UPI that will enable users to make voice-enabled UPI payments via apps, telecom
calls, and IoT devices in Hindi and English
• It will soon be available in several other regional languages also
• NPCI said the credit line on UPI facility will enable customers access pre-sanctioned credit from banks via UPI
• The UPI Tap & Pay facility, in addition to the conventional scan-and-pay method, will allow customers to simply
tap Near Field Communication- (NFC-) enabled QR codes at merchant locations to complete their payments
• Users can simply give voice commands to transfer funds and input UPI PIN to complete the transaction.

First Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights

• President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the first-ever global symposium on farmers’ rights at the Pusa complex
• Murmu will also unveil the Plant Authority Centre and confer awards to six farmer communities and 20 individual
farmers for conservation efforts in agro-biodiversity
• The four-day symposium from September 12-15 is being held for the first time since the adoption of the International
Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in 2001
• The symposium will deliberate on the need to understand the challenges and opportunities of implementing
farmers’ rights by the contracting parties and interested stakeholders
• It will also focus on gathering insights and ideas for developing future work on the implementation of farmers’
rights, including the use of the inventory and options.

Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) Workshop

• Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), organised a workshop on Business Responsibility and Sustainability
Reporting (BRSR) in collaboration with UNICEF and National Stock Exchange at the NSE premises
• The BRSR framework is a mandatory disclosure mechanism for top 1000 listed companies or businesses to report
their performance on environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects and demonstrate their commitment to
responsible business practices
• The workshop was facilitated by eminent experts from UNICEF, StepChange and IICA, a leading institute in the
field of ESG, CSR, BHR, and corporate sustainability
• The workshop received an overwhelming response from the participants, who appreciated the quality and relevance
of the content and delivery.

World’s Highest Fighter Airfield In Ladakh’s Nyoma

• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is set to achieve a remarkable feat as it embarks on the construction of the
world’s highest fighter airfield at Nyoma in Ladakh
• The foundation stone of this ambitious project is scheduled to be placed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
• The BRO aims to enhance India’s infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), aimed at surpassing
China in infrastructure development along the LAC within the next two to three years
• The Indian government has significantly increased the budget for border infrastructure development in recent
years, supporting the BRO’s efforts to improve connectivity and defense capabilities in border areas

International Conference on Dam Safety

• ‘The Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation is
organizing the International Conference on Dam Safety (ICDS) from September 14th to 15th, 2023, in Jaipur
• The conference will be inaugurated by the Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, under the theme “Safe &
Secure Dams Ensure Nation’s Prosperity
• This global conference will bring together experts and leaders in dam safety from India and around the world
• This event focuses on enhancing dam safety, discussing cutting-edge topics, and highlighting the Dam Rehabilitation
Page : 152

and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase II and III

• ICDS 2023 aims to strengthen dam safety globally by facilitating discussions among experts and leaders in the
field and promoting the importance of safe dams.
Indigenous communication-based train control system
• The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) recently joined hands to develop an
indigenous communication-based train control (i-CBTC) system
• With this partnership, the Delhi Metro and BEL are set to “usher in a new era of rail transportation in India”,
driving innovation, reducing costs, and fostering self-reliance in the field of train control signalling systems
• The i-CBTC project signifies a significant leap forward for the Delhi Metro
• By embracing this cutting-edge Communication-Based Train Control System, which is widely adopted by leading
metros worldwide, the DMRC aims to optimise train operations, increase frequency, and enhance passenger
services while efficiently utilising rail infrastructure.

International Convention and Expo Centre, called ‘Yashobhoomi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the ?5,400 crore first phase of the India International
Convention and Expo Centre (IICC) project, named as “Yashobhoomi”, in Dwarka
• The first phase is built on nearly 8.9 lakh square metres with a built-up area of over 1.8 lakh square metres
• The project is being touted as the world’s largest Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE)
facility
• The convention centre has the largest LED media facade in the country
• The plenary hall in the centre is equipped with a seating capacity of around 6,000 guests
• The venue is equipped with high-tech security provisions to ensure safety for the visitors
• The underground car parking facility for over 3,000 cars is also equipped with more than 100 electric charging
points.

India gets its first C-295 aircraft

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently took the delivery of its first C-295 transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and
Space
• The aircraft is the first of the 56 such planes ordered by the IAF under a ?21,935-crore project to modernise its
transport fleet
• The European plane maker will deliver 16 aircraft in flyaway condition, while the rest will be assembled in India
at a Tata facility in Gujarat’s Vadodara
• The first aircraft is expected to fly to India soon, following which a formal induction ceremony will be held at the
Hindon airbase
• The manufacturing of more than 13,000 parts, 4,600 subassemblies and all major component assemblies will be
carried out in the country.

National Workshop on e-NAM 2.0

• National Workshop on e-NAM 2.0 and Agri Marketing Reforms was conducted recently in New Delhi
• Till 31st August 2023, 1361 APMCs were integrated on e-NAM, encompassing 23 States and 4 UTs , where in
209 commodities are being traded altogether, with a farsighted vision, to provide multifaceted benefits to farmers,
Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and buyers/traders transacting via e-NAM
• To further strengthen e-NAM, 28 new mandis are approved recently for integration to take the total count of
mandis to 1389
• e-NAM has been able to bring competence in APMC mandi operations via technology interventions: accuracy in
weighment via digital weighbridge and weighing scale; accuracy in assaying via advance assaying equipment;
real-time online information on commodity prices

Annual Capacity Building Plan (ACBP) of Department of Fisheries

• Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala launched the Annual Capacity
Building Plan (ACBP) of Department of Fisheries in New Delhi
• This is the need of the hour to identify the capacity building needs of our officers and staff and develop the action
Page : 153

plan for their capacity building to meet the priorities of the Department
• While launching the Annual Action Plan for Capacity Building Union Minister highlighted that ACBP of
Department of Fisheries will play a pivotal role in service delivery, program implementation and performing core
 Government functions and will enhance the abilities of the officials by attending basic training to acquire relevant
competencies and to enable them to perform better.

India to launch hydrogen-powered trains on heritage routes by Dec 2023

• Envisioned on the lines of hydrogen trains running in China and Germany, Indian Railways plans to roll out
hydrogen-powered trains on its narrow gauge heritage routes by December2023, turning them “completely green
• Currently, the railways are developing a prototype of a hydrogen fuel-based train at the Northern Railway workshop
which will test-run on the Sonipat-Jind section in Haryana
• The newly-built hydrogen-powered trains will be called Vande Metro and will be manufactured in large numbers
to replace the current set of trains that were manufactured in the 1950s and 1960s
• The majority of the trains in India now are powered by diesel or electricity.

99.9% water contaminants removed in 10 seconds

• South Koran scientists have come up with a new system of water purification that they claim can remove 99.9 per
cent of the contaminants out of water in just 10 seconds
• The technology is unrivalled with the world’s highest purification efficiency, removing more than 99.9 per cent of
phenolic microplastics and volatile organic compound (VOC) contaminants in water at ultra-high speeds.
• The team has produced a water treatment membrane capable of evaporating water using solar energy as a driving
force through the developed polymer’s ability to absorb light broadly and convert the absorbed light into heat.
• The water treatment membrane coated with the oxidised polymer was confirmed to purify phenolic contaminants
through sunlight.

Intelligent Tray Retrieval System (ITRS)

• Union Minister for MSME, Shri Narayan Rane, inaugurated virtually Intelligent Tray Retrieval System (ITRS),
Manufactured by M/s SJK Innovations Pvt. Ltd, a MSME-Make in India Company at MOPA (GOA) International
airport
• The ITRS is an Artificial Intelligence based fully automatic machine that helps in providing enhanced passenger
security with advanced screening technology
• The machine is equipped with image analysis software with advanced tools that makes it easy for the screener to
take correct decisions against every baggage
• The ITRS machine is one of its kind that gives passengers a unique travel experience during the hand
baggage screening at the airport.

Snapdragon Satellite
• ‘Snapdragon Satellite feature will be available only on phones that run Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
and its X70 Modem system
• The company has partnered with Iridium and Garmin to introduce the satellite connectivity for two-way texting
in remote or no internet connectivity areas
• To send SMS via satellite, you will need a clear sky and time to set up a connection between your phone and the
satellite
• Once the connection is set up, you can start sending SMS messages
• The Satellite messaging feature only to its premium chips with plans to expand it to laptops, tablets, IoT
and vehicles

Doppler Weather Radar Network by 2025

• On the occasion of 148th Foundation Day of India Meteorological Department (IMD), Union government had
inaugurated the Doppler radar systems
• The DWR will help the people of both the Jammu and Srinagar region to get the accurate weather information and
it will add a new dimension in the making of a Naya Kashmir
Page : 154

• The Weather Department is making best use of Space based observation of INSAT-3D and 3DR, OceanSat
satellites for prediction of other weather events
• The radars and satellite data processing system launched last year is adding feathers in the cap of IMD to carry out
 its responsibilities with full accuracy

ISRO ‘Shukrayaan’ mission to planet Venus reportedly shifted to 2031

• The ISRO has not yet received approval from the Indian government for the Venus mission and that, as a result,
the mission may be delayed until 2031
• Shukrayaan I, the ISRO Venus mission, was scheduled to launch in December 2024
• In the budget year 2022–2023, ISRO was given an allocation of 13,700 crores, a small increase from the previous
year
• The best time to launch from Earth to Venus is once every 19 months or thereabouts.Shukrayaan-I will be
a mission for an orbiter
• A high-resolution synthetic aperture radar and a ground-penetrating radar are two of its current scientific payloads.

BharOS India’s indigenous mobile operating system by IIT Madras

• An IIT Madras (IIT Madras)-incubated firm has developed a mobile operating system with the help of JandK
Operations Private Limited
• The developers have named it ‘BharOS,’ and announced that this OS can benefit the country’s 100 crore mobile
phone users
• It provides users more freedom, control, and flexibility to choose and use only the apps that fit their needs
• This innovative system promises to revolutionize the way users think about security and privacy on their mobile
devices
• The good thing about this mobile operating system is that this one comes with No Default Apps (NDA)
• This basically means that users will get most of storage space, unlike Android

Europe’s mission to Jupiter’s icy moons Juice satellite is ready

• The European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) has been confirmed for launch from the
agency’s spaceport in French Guiana in April 2023
• The mission will explore the large, frigid worlds that orbit Jupiter, Ganymede, Callisto and Europa
• Once launched on the Ariane 5 rocket, JUICE will perform several flybys of the Earth, the Moon and Venus to
sling the craft towards Jupiter
• JUICE’s ‘handlers’ at the European Space Agency will monitor the craft’s voyage using an expansive network
of deep space antennas across Europe, Australia and South America controlled from its space operations centre
in Germany
• JUICE is the first satellite from the earth to enter the orbit of Ganymede.

NASA to cooperate on Israeli astrophysics mission

• The United States and Israel are finalizing an agreement that would see NASA contribute to an upcoming Israeli
astrophysics mission
• The mission is currently being developed by Israel Space Agency and Germany
• ULTRASAT will operate in Geo Stationary orbit
• It is to carry a UV telescope
• The main objective of ULTRASAT is to look for UV signatures in space
• Precisely it will look for UV emissions from mergers (collision of neutron stars) and supernova explosions
• NASA would provide the launch of Ultrasat, which will operate in geostationary orbit
• NASA will likely arrange to fly Ultrasat as a secondary payload on a commercial GEO launch
• Ultrasat will carry an ultraviolet telescope with a wide field of view

India’s first mission to study the Sun will be launched by June-July

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is aiming to launch the Aditya-L1 mission by June or July this
year
Page : 155

• The Aditya-L1 is the first Indian space mission to observe the Sun and the solar corona
• Scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru have spent over 15 years building and assembling
nearly 40 different optical elements in a payload
• The Aditya-L1 satellite will carry six additional payloads, including a magnetometer, the solar ultraviolet
imaging telescope (SUIT), the plasma analyser package for Aditya (PAPA), the Aditya Solar Wind Particle
Experiment (ASPEX), the high energy l1 orbiting X-ray spectrometer (HEL1OS), the solar low energy X-ray
spectrometer (SoLEXS), and the solar low energy X-ray.

Artificial Synapse for Brain-Like Computing Developed by Indian & Australian Scien-
tists.
• A team of scientists at Bengaluru’s Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an
autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, who were working on
nitride-based materials has used their background for developing hardware for neuromorphic computing
• They used ScN to develop a device mimicking a synapse that controls the signal transmission as well as remembers
the signal
• Scientists have used scandium nitride (ScN), a semiconducting material with supreme stability and Complementary
Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility, to develop brain-like computing
• This invention can provide a new material for stable, CMOS-compatible optoelectronic synaptic functionalities at
a relatively lower energy cost and hence has the potential to be translated into an industrial product

BioAsia to be held in Hyderabad

• The State Government of Telangana, along with the Union Government, and several other international
organizations organize the BIO ASIA forum in the Genome Valley
• The forum is one of the largest international biotech forums in the world. And several leading biotech companies
look forward to it
• In 2023, India joins hands with the UK government in hosting the forum
• This year, the forum is to focus on the MSME sector
• BioAsia has played an instrumental role in the development of the Healthcare Industry around the world
• Asia’s largest life-sciences and healthcare forum BioAsia 2023, will witness the participation of prominent
government dignitaries, industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and other delegates

Muons
• As per a new study, researchers are examining the fortress wall of Xi’an, an ancient city in China, by using
tiny outer space particles ‘Muon’ that can penetrate hundreds of metres of stone surfaces. Muons are subatomic
particles raining from space
• They are created when the particles in Earth’s atmosphere collide with cosmic rays — clusters of high-energy
particles that move through space at just below the speed of light
• About 10,000 muons reach every square metre of the Earth’s surface a minute
• These particles resemble electrons but are 207 times as massive.Apart from archaeology, muography has found
use in customs security, internal imaging of volcanoes and others
• Around 2015, scientists used the technique to look inside the Fukushima nuclear reactors after the 2011 earthquake
and tsunami in Japan.

NISAR
• ‘Jointly developed by NASA and the ISRO, an Earth-observation satellite, called NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic
Aperture Radar), got a send-off ceremony at the American space agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
• This mission will be a powerful demonstration of the capability of radar as a science tool and help us study Earth’s
dynamic land and ice surfaces in greater detail than ever before
• In 2014, ISRO and NASA signed an agreement to build the 2,800 kg satellite
• According to the NASA website, NISAR will help scientists to gain a better comprehension of the speed and
impact of climate change
• It will also collect data aimed at helping people across the world manage natural resources and hazards better
Page : 156

Skye Air launches India’s first traffic management system for drones
• Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari unveiled Skye UTM, which is the most cutting-
 edge unmanned traffic management system in the world, which is capable of handling 4,000 flights per hour and
96,000 flights per day
• Skye UTM is a Cloud-based aerial traffic management system that integrates unmanned air traffic with manned
aviation airspace
• Skye UTM has been built towards providing situational awareness, autonomous navigation, risk assessment, and
traffic management to all drone/other aerial mobility operators across the airspace
• The Skye UTM captures more than 255 parameters of UAV movements and stores them in its ‘Blackbox’ which
is a published systematic description of the entire flight

Qualcomm announces world’s first satellite-based two-way messaging solution

• Qualcomm launched the first satellite-based two-way messaging. It is called Snapdragon Satellite
• This means this you can use SMS just like WhatsApp. In two-way messaging like Whatsapp, both participants can
send or receive messages simultaneously
• But in one-way messaging apps offering SMS services, only one operation is possible
• In terms of connectivity, Snapdragon Satellite can be expanded to other devices such as tablets, vehicles,
laptops and IoT
• Notably, the Satellite system us developed to support 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), as NTN satellite
infrastructure and constellations can be easily available
• This new Snapdragon satellite has global coverage from north to south pole

ISRO Successfully Launches New Rocket To Deploy 3 Satellites Into Orbit

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently tested maiden success in the small satellite launch
vehicle segment, with its SSLV D2 rocket injecting three satellites into an intended circular orbit
• Along with EOS-07 two more satellites were placed in the required orbit
• Janus-1 through NSIL (NewSpace India Ltd) and from ANTARIS and AzaadiSat through In-Space, realised
by SpaceKidz
• EOS-07 is a 156.3 kg satellite which has been designed, developed and realised by ISRO
• AzaadiSAT-2, weighing about 8.2 kg is a combined effort of about 750 girl students across India guided by Space
Kidz India, Chennai
• It aims to demonstrate amateur radio communication capabilities, measure radiation, among others
• SSLV is capable of launching mini, micro or nano satellites in the 10-500 kg segment into the 500 km planar orbit.

5.9 million tonnes Lithium deposits found in J-K

• ‘The Indian government recently announced that large reserve of lithium has been found for the first time in the
country
• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) said that 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves have been found in Reasi
district of Jammu and Kashmir
• Lithium is a light metal used in many fields, including treatment on bipolar disorder, helping to stabilise wild
mood swings caused by the illness
• The name, lithium, comes from “lithos,” the Greek word for “stone.”Lithium is a non-ferrous metal and is
one of the key components in batteries of electric vehicles (EVs)
• The batteries made with lithium and ion have higher energy densities than lead-acid batteries or nickel-metal
hydride batteries.

Saudi Arabia to send its first woman to space

• Saudi Arabia is set to send a woman astronaut on a space mission for the first time ever
• Rayyana Barnawi will join Ali Al-Qarni on a 10-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS)
• This is a historical moment for the country that had centuries of restrictions against Muslim women
• Rayyana is to travel to the International Space Station along with Ali Al-Qarni, a fighter jet pilot. SpaceX Falcon
9 rocket is to carry them
• The crews are to be launched from Florida
Page : 157

• The Royal Prince of Saudi Arabia Prince Sultan Bin Salman was the first Saudi Arabian to travel to space in 1985
• He too travelled in a US-organized space flight.
Black soldier fly larvae
• India is among the top five chicken and egg producers in the world, but there are challenges to the business for
small poultry farmers because of the quality, quantity and cost of feed
• Black soldier fly, since it has a high nutritional value can be one of the substitutes to address these challenges
• A black soldier fly larvae is capable of converting the organic waste into wide range of useful vitamins and
minerals
• They are thus are rich in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and
so on, which makes them a promising candidate for livestock feed
• Black soldier fly larvae can be a high-quality feed replacement to conventional soya and corn-based feeds.

Scientists discover new ‘quasicrystal’ in Nebraska, US

• Scientists have discovered a new type of quasicrystal, one with 12-fold symmetry, in the Sand Hills of north
central Nebraska, USA, according to a recent study
• It said that this quasicrystal was formed during an accidental electrical discharge, possibly by a lightning strike
or a downed power line in a dune
• According to the study, it’s also the first time that researchers have found a quasicrystal somewhere other than
meteorites or the debris from nuclear blasts
• Notably, scientists have been producing them in laboratories for years now, but it’s quite rare to discover naturally
occurring quasicrystals
• The first one was identified in a meteorite, found in 2009 near the Khatyrka River in Chukhotka, Russia.

Country’s first waste-to-hydrogen plant to be set up in Pune

• The Government of India is to set up the first waste-to-hydrogen plant at a cost of Rs 430 crores in Pune
• The plant will be built by a private company Green Billion Limited
• The company has signed an agreement with the Pune Municipal Corporation for 30 years
• The objective of the plant is to treat 350 tonnes of solid waste daily
• From this, it will produce ten tonnes of Hydrogen every day. The plant is to be built in Hadapsar Industrial Estate
in Pune
• The plant is the first of its kind in the country.The project aims to demonstrate the technological and financial
feasibility of waste to hydrogen generation
• The Pune Municipal Corporation will pay Rs 347 per tonne as fees to treat the waste.

Antaris™ JANUS-1 smallsat is successfully launched by the ISRO’s SSLV-D2 rocket

• The Antaris JANUS-1 smallsat has successfully reached orbit — JANUS-1 rode on the Indian Space Research
Organization’s (ISRO) SSLV-D2 rocket, which was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre of India
under a commercial arrangement with New Space India Limited (NSIL)
• The satellite features five payloads from a range of global providers and those will be commissioned and begin
nominal operations during the coming days
• JANUS-1 is a 6U satellite featuring payload and subsystem technologies from AICRAFT, Morpheus Space,
Netra, SayariLabs Kenya, SpeQtral, Transcelestial and Zero-Error Systems (ZES) that will perform Internet of
Things (IoT) communications, advanced experimental laser communications, radio communications and machine
learning (ML) during orbit

Delhi Metro launches its first-ever train control system

• ‘ndia’s first-ever Indigenous Automatic Train Supervision System (i-ATS) has been developed by a joint team of
DMRC and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), under the government of India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar
Bharat’ initiatives for metro rail transit systems
• The i-ATS was installed on the Red Line that runs between Rithala and Shaheed Sthal
• i-ATS can be used in the operations of other rail-based systems including the Indian Railways
Page : 158

• This technology has been developed with flexibility to work with different signalling vendor’s systems with
suitable changes
• The development of the i-ATS is a major step towards the development of an indigenously built CBTC
(Communication Based Train Control) based signalling system for metro railway since the ATS is an important
 sub-system of the CBTC signalling system
• ATS is a computer-based system, which manages train operations.

World’s Highest Weather Station Rebuilt on Mount Everest.

• The world’s highest altitude weather station was destroyed due to hurricane-force winds on Mount Everest and a
team of scientists and Sherpa have again placed its new version atop Mount Everest
• The group has been led by a 31-year-old electrician and mountain guide Tenzing Gyalzen Sherpa
• According to the Guinness World Records report, the team of mountaineers and scientists has installed a record-
breaking weather station at an altitude of 8,810 meters just 39 meters (128 ft) below Everest’s summit
• According to Chinese media reports, Beijing has eight stations set up from 5,200 metres to 8,800 metres on
Mt Everest, with four stations exceeding 7,000 metres at 7,028 metres, 7,790 metres, 8,300 metres, and 8,800
metres.

Vedanta-Foxconn selects Dholera SIR for first semiconductor facility in India

• The Vedanta group and the Foxconn of Taiwan have come together to build the first semiconductor manufacturing
unit in Dholera of Gujarat
• The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Gujarat Government
• According to the agreement, they will invest Rs 1,54,000 crores in this project
• The MoU to build the semiconductor plant was signed in 2022
• The project is being implemented under the Gujarat Semiconductor Policy 2022-27
• The project aims to generate at least 2 lakh new employment opportunities
• It manufactures ICs and semiconductor material
• The semiconductor materials are made usable for electronic applications through a process called Doping.

India’s first hybrid sounding rocket

• ndia’s first hybrid sounding rocket by private players was successfully launched from Pattipulam village in the
Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu
• Martin Foundation, in association with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation and Space Zone India,
launched the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Satellite Launch Vehicle Mission- 2023
• The student team included 200 from the fishermen community in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, 100 students from
tribal communities across India, and 60 from Tamil Nadu
• Hybrid rockets are generally simpler and less expensive to manufacture than liquid rockets, while providing more
control than solid rockets
• They are also safer than both liquid and solid rockets, since the fuel and oxidizer are stored separately and can be
easily shut off in case of an emergency

Haryana To Host Northern India’s First Nuclear Power Plant

• Haryana may soon become home to Northern India’s first nuclear plant as a 1,400 MW nuclear power plant is
under construction near Gorakhpur village, which is located about 150 km north-west of New Delhi
• Purchase orders for major long manufacturing cycle equipment/components like Primary Coolant Pumps,
Calandria, Reactor Headers, Refuelling Machines Heads, Moderator and other D20 Heat Exchangers, etc. are
already in place
• End Shields and all Steam Generators for the first unit have been received at site
• The plant is to be built on 560 hectares of land. It will generate 2800 MW
• The foundation stone was laid in 2014. However, construction is just beginning
• The first phase is to be complete by 2025 and the second phase is by 2028.

Lama
• Meta is releasing its generative AI model called “LLaMA” to drive research into what it called an “important,
fast-changing field,” in the wake of OpenAI’s viral success with ChatGPT
Page : 159

• Meta is making LLaMA available at several sizes (7 billion, 13 billion, 33 billion, and 65 billion parameters)
• Large language models -- natural language processing (NLP) systems with billions of parameters -- have shown
new capabilities to generate creative text, solve mathematical theorems, predict protein structures, answer reading
 comprehension questions, and more
• They are one of the clearest cases of the substantial potential benefits AI can offer at scale to billions of people
• LLaMA works by taking a sequence of words as an input and predicts a next word to recursively generate
text.

James Webb telescope spots 6 monster galaxies

• James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has discovered six extraordinarily massive first-generation galaxies, formed
roughly 500-700 million years after the Big Bang, according to a new study
• These galaxies challenge our current understanding of galaxy formation as they should not have existed so early
in their life
• Researchers turned the telescope to a patch of the sky close to the Big Dipper, which appears to harbour a group
of stars that form a pattern in the night sky. Hubble space telescope first observed this region in the 1990s
• The galaxies are in the same area in the sky but are not close to each other in three-dimensional space
• Some are much further away than others

Scientists discover fifth layer of Earth

• The recent frequent earthquakes have helped scientists discover a new core
• This fifth inner core is a solid ball of nickel and iron and is the innermost layer
• The team assessed the seismic waves that travel directly through the Earth’s center and ‘spit out’ at the opposite
side of the globe to where the earthquake was triggered
• The waves then travel back to the source of the quake
• The team analysed the variation of travel times of seismic waves for different earthquakes
• They found that crystallised structure within the inner core’s innermost region is likely different from the outer
layer

Neutrinos
• ‘An experiment in Japan recently reported that it failed to find “strong evidence” that the neutrinos are their own
anti-particles
• Physicists working with the Kamioka Liquid Scintillator Antineutrino Detector (KamLAND) in Japan recently
reported that after analysing two years’ data, they could not find signs that neutrinos could be their own anti-
particles
• KamLAND looks for an event called neutrinoless double beta-decay
• Neutrinos are the second most abundant particles in the world, after photons, or the light particle
• Neutrinos are mysterious particles, produced copiously in nuclear reactions in the Sun, stars, and elsewhere
• They also “oscillate”– meaning that different types of neutrinos change into one another

India tops list of global internet shut-offs: Report

• In 2022, the Indian government ordered 84 internet shutdowns
• India has been at the top of the list for cutting off the internet to its citizens for five years consecutively
• With 49 shutdowns to its credit, Jammu and Kashmir experienced the most shutdowns in 2022
• This number includes the 16 back-to-back orders for three-day shutdowns in the region in January and February
2022
• The government of Rajasthan imposed shutdowns on 12 different occasions. West Bengal ordered seven shutdowns
in 2022
• Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, govern the
internet shutdown regulations in the country
• The law says temporary suspensions can be implemented “due to public emergency or public safety.

Swayatt
Page : 160

• A function was held to commemorate the success of “SWAYATT”, an initiative to promote Start-ups, Women and
Youth Advantage Through eTransactions on Government eMarketplace (GeM) in New Delhi
• SWAYATT is an initiative to promote Start-ups, Women and Youth Advantage Through eTransactions on
Government e Marketplace (GeM)
• This will bring together the key stakeholders within the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem to Government
e-Marketplace the national procurement portal
• GeM has been envisaged as National Procurement Portal of India
• It has been developed by Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (Ministry of Commerce and Industry)
with technical support of National e-governance Division (Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology)

Integrated Pensioners’ Portal

• Union Minister of state for Science and Technology recently launched the Single Integrated Pensioners’ Portal.
• This will mitigate the problems faced by the pensioners with the banks like Change of bank, Submission of life
certificate, Submission of death certificate of pensioners, Pension slip and retrieval of pension slip, Income tax
deduction data/form 16, Pension receipt information, the websites of Pension Disbursing Banks will also be
integrated with the Integrated Pensioners Portal
• In November 2014, an Aadhar based scheme for online submission of digital life certificate, “Jeevan Pramaan”
was launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure transparency and “Ease of Living” for pensioners
while submitting their life certificate.

The World’s First 3D-Printed Rocket

• The launch is part of the “Good Luck, Have Fun” (GLHF) mission
• Terran 1 will be the largest 3D-printed object to attempt an orbital flight, weighing 9,280 kilograms and standing
110 feet tall and 7.5 feet wide
• 85% of the rocket was manufactured using 3D-printing technology
• The two-stage rocket is novel in that 85% of its structure by mass is 3D-printed, including its nine first-stage
Aeon-1 engines, which are fueled by liquid methane in another U.S. orbital first
• Terran 1 is designed to carry payloads of up to 2,700 pounds (1,250 kilograms) to low Earth orbit and can haul
1,980 pounds (900 kg) to a sun-synchronous orbit at a cost of about $12 million per flight

World’s fastest single-shot camera confirms how flames form soot

• Scientists from Germany and the U.S. have built the world’s fastest single-shot laser camera – 1,000x faster than
its predecessors at capturing extremely short-lived events
• They used the camera to provide the most precise view yet of how a hydrocarbon flame produces soot, which can
teach us about how this important climate pollutant is produced in kitchen stoves, car engines, and wildfires
• The device’s technique is called laser-sheet compressed ultrafast photography (LS-CUP)
• It “can resolve a plane of a three-dimensional object like a flame or spray or any turbid media and can “resolve
physical or chemical processes” in space and time.

ISRO brings down weather satellite Megha Tropiques-1

• ‘The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the first time brought down a satellite - Megha Tropiques-1,
in a controlled manner after its end of life
• Megha-Tropiques-1 was launched into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) on October 12, 2011, as a joint mission developed
by Isro and the French space agency, CNES, for tropical weather and climate studies
• The mission was initially planned to operate for three years, but it was extended later as it continued to deliver key
data about the climate for a decade
• Isro crashed the satellite as part of its commitment to the United Nations Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination
Committee (UNIADC) following the end of the mission life

Venus’ volcanoes may be active, show decades-old radar images

• Venus and Earth are often called sister planets due to similarities in size, mass, density and volume.
• A study looking into decades-old radar images has presented new evidence to indicate they have another feature
in common: Active volcanoes
Page : 161

• Though Venus has over 1,600 major volcanoes, none were assumed to be active. Previous studies have found
evidence of possible ongoing volcanic activities, which are still being debated
• Radar imaging uses radio wavelengths to take images of the surface.
• Magellan used radar to image Venus’ surface from different orbits.
• A few locations, including those suspected to have volcanic activity, were observed two or three times over two
years.

India’s first indigenous quadruped robot and exoskeleton

• ‘Hyderabad-based Svaya Robotics has developed India’s first indigenous quadruped (four-legged) robot and
exoskeleton for the defence sector
• Quadruped robots are four-legged robots which can walk or run on uneven and rough terrains
• For example, in Leh, where soldiers have to navigate through unfavourable conditions, these robots can be used.
• Exoskeletons are wearable devices that work in tandem with the user
• The opposite of an exoskeleton device would be an autonomous robot that works instead of the operator
• It is developed to suit Indian soldiers’ anthropometry and augment soldier strength for walking long distances
• These active exoskeletons, when worn by soldiers, can carry heavy loads without expending much effort

6G In India
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently unveiled India’s 6G mission, which visualises a focused initiative for the
next-generation tech in India, and the official 6G testbed project to allow research on new network technologies
• The government has launched the Bharat 6G project, and appointed an apex council to oversee it
• India is the second-largest telecom market globally with 1.2 billion digital subscribers
• The government formed a 22-member innovation group headed by Telecom Secretary K Rajaraman to create a
vision for the 6G road-map in India
• The new 6G testbed is being co-developed by a consortium of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), including
Guwahati and Madras.

Monster black hole that could eat 30 billion suns discovered

• When a star collapses at the end of its life, it gives birth to black hole, the villains of the universe that do not even
let light pass through them
• Astronomers have now discovered the biggest black hole in the universe, one that could consume not a million but
billions of suns like the one in our Solar System
• Being termed one of the biggest black holes discovered by astronomers, it is estimated to have over 30 billion
times the mass of our Sun
• In simple terms, this black hole could fit an equivalent of 30 billion suns in it, making it one of the most interesting
discoveries of our times

Dhawan-II engine
• ‘Private space vehicle company Skyroot Aerospace has test-fired its 3D-printed Dhawan II engine for a duration
of 200 seconds
• The engine was developed by the company for its heavier vehicle, Vikram II
• The Skyroot carried out its first sub-orbital flight in November last year
• The launch used a single-stage solid fuel Vikram S rocket
• The Vikram-1 rocket, the first in the series of rockets being developed by the company, will use three solid-fuel
stages to take satellites to orbit
• Skyroot plans to carry out its first orbital flight by the year-end, with the updated Vikram II rocket scheduled to
become launch-ready by next year
• This schedule will make the company the first private launcher from South Asia.

Unified Portal of Central Bureau of Narcotics Launched

• Revenue secretary Sanjay Malhotra recently launched the unified portal of the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN),
which will instil efficiency and transparency and reduce the time taken by the pharma industry to get a trade licence
• The launch of the unified portal of Central Bureau of Narcotics will prove as a stepping stone in ease of doing
Page : 162

business of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances (NDPS) and controlled substances in the country with
transparent and better compliance
• Central Bureau of Narcotics is a central government organization dealing with the international trade of narcotic
 drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursor chemicals under the ambit of various United Nations Conventions
and the provisions of NDPS Act, 1985

India to soon get Ligo to catch gravitational waves

• When two big black holes collide, they release a massive ripple in the vastness of space that contains information
about their origins, properties, and answers to some of the biggest secrets in the universe
• An Indian observatory will soon be able to not just catch those waves but also reveal the secrets they hide
• The Centre has cleared the way for the construction of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory
(LIGO) in the country
• The facility will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 2,600 crore by the year 2030
• The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) is the world’s most powerful observatory that
exploits the physical properties of light and of space itself to detect and understand the origins of gravitational
waves

IIT Indore develops low-cost camera in collaboration with Nasa, Caltech

• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore in collaboration with the NASA-Caltech from the US and Sweden’s
University of Gothenburg has developed a low-cost camera setup which can provide multispectral imaging of four
chemical species in a flame using single DSLR camera
• Using only a single DSLR camera, it can simultaneously capture multiple spectral three-dimensional images of
four chemical species in a flame, whereas earlier scientific imaging required a complex system with four cameras
• The primary objective of this research was to study the combustion of fuels and improve the efficiency of
engines and burners while reducing carbon emissions
• The elements released due to fuel combustions in industrial burners and engines can be studied by analysing the
images captured by the CL-Flam device.

The Juice Mission to Explore Jupiter’s Moons

• The European Space Agency launched its maiden mission to explore the moons of the largest planet in the solar
system
• The Jupiter ICy Moons Explorer (Juice) mission launched onboard Europe’s Ariane-5 rocket to the outer solar
system
• The spacecraft will observe Jupiter and its three largest moons: Callisto, Europa, and, in particular, Ganymede
• The moon’s buried oceans could tell us whether life can arise in different environments across the cosmos
• The objective is to explore the moons for habitability and to explore if it is possible to live around giants
• The mission will reach Jupiter in July 2031 with the aid of momentum and direction gained from four gravity-
assist fly-bys of the Earth-Moon system, Venus, and, twice, Earth

National Quantum Mission

• ‘The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved the National Quantum
Mission (NQM) at a total cost of Rs.6003.65 crore from 2023-24 to 2030-31
• The four thematic hubs will be established in different institutions across the country to boost research and
development in the field
• The mission will be led by the Department of Science & Technology under a mission director
• The center outlining the eight-year-long framework for the mission said that it will work at developing 20-50
qubit quantum computers and quantum communication over a distance of 2000 kilometers in the next three years
• It will provide a huge boost to National priorities like digital India, Make in India, Skill India and Stand-up India,
Start-up India, Self-reliant India and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Seed Traceability portal

• Union agriculture and farmers welfare minister Narendra Singh Tomar recently launched the Sathi (Seed
Traceability, Authentication and Holistic Inventory) portal and mobile app
Page : 163

• A centralized online system designed to address seed production challenges, seed quality identification, and
certification
• The portal aims to curb the sale of spurious seeds and ensure quality seeds reach farmers
• The portal, consisting of integrated seed chain verticals, will offer quality assurance, seed source identification,
and direct subsidies to registered farmers’ bank accounts
• There will be a QR code under this system, through which the seeds can be traced
• Training should be imparted through Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Krishi Vigyan Kendras and
State Governments.

Ningaloo Eclipse 2023

• A solar eclipse known as the ‘Ningaloo Eclipse’, is a combination of two types of solar eclipses set to happen on
April 20
• The Ningaloo Eclipse is referred to as a hybrid solar eclipse because it will transition from being an annular
eclipse to a total eclipse in certain regions of the world before becoming an annular eclipse again
• The Total Solar Eclipse will have the shadow of the moon pass over the Ningaloo region in a 40-kilometre-wide
track
• The area surrounding the seascape that has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site will be the greatest
spot on land to view the ensuing 62-second light show during this limited period

Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) spacecraft

• NASA’s retired Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) spacecraft is expected to
reenter Earth’s atmosphere in April, almost 21 years after launch
• From 2002 to its decommissioning in 2018, RHESSI observed solar flares and coronal mass ejections from its
low-Earth orbit, helping scientists understand the underlying physics of how such powerful bursts of energy are
created
• Data from RHESSI provided vital clues about solar flares and their associated coronal mass ejections
• These events release the energy equivalent of billions of megatons of TNT into the solar atmosphere within
minutes and can have effects on Earth, including the disruption of electrical systems. Understanding them has
proven challenging.

TeLEOS-02
• The PSLV-C55 mission will lift off with two big satellites with the TeLEOS-2, a Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite
as the primary mission and Lumelite-4 a technology demonstration nano-satellite, will be a co-passenger satellite
• The two satellites combined weigh around 757 kilograms
• The TeLEOS-2 satellite was developed under a partnership between DSTA (representing the Government of
Singapore) and ST Engineering and will be used to support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies
within the Government of Singapore
• The spacecraft will provide imagery that could be used for hotspot monitoring and haze management, air crash

India successfully tests sea-based ballistic missile interceptor

• ‘India has successfully carried out the maiden flight trial of an endo-atmospheric interceptor missile from a ship
off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal as part of its ambitious ballistic missile defence programme
• The BMDs are capable of intercepting incoming long-range nuclear missiles and hostile aircraft including AWACS
(airborne warning and control systems)
• The purpose of the trial was to engage and neutralize a hostile ballistic missile threat thereby elevating India into
the elite club of nations having naval BMD capability
• India has been developing capabilities to intercept hostile ballistic missiles both inside and outside the earth’s
atmospheric limits.

Bio-electronic uric acid detecting device

• A new flexible bio-electronic uric acid detecting device has been fabricated that can be used for various applications
such as wearable sensors and point-of-care diagnostics
Page : 164

• Uric acid is one of the most important antioxidants that maintain blood pressure stability and reduce oxidative
stress in living beings
• The usual range of uric acid in blood ranges from 0.14 to 0.4 mmol dm-3, and for urine, 1.5 to 4.5 mmol dm-3
• With the increase in uric acid concentration, the current density increases and shows a maximum current of about
1.35 ×10-6 A
• The fabricated device shows reversibility in interaction with the uric acid, which repeatedly enables the use of the
device for sensing experiments

AP to host second whole genome sequencing lab

• Andhra Pradesh will have one more whole genome sequencing lab, in Guntur, with a capacity to test 192 samples
per week
• A genome is a genetic material that provides instructions for the development, growth, and functioning of all living
organisms, composed of DNA with a sequence of chemical bases that determines an organism’s characteristics.
Genome sequencing is the process of determining the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome
• It involves identifying the order of nucleotides (A, T, C, G) that make up the DNA molecule in each of the
chromosomes of an organism
• The Human Genome Project (1990 to 20003) was an international scientific research project with the goal of
determining the base pairs that make up human DNA.

IFFCO Nano DAP (Liquid)

• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah launched IFFCO Nano DAP (Liquid) at New
Delhi
• 384 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizer is produced in the country, out of which cooperative societies produced 132
lakh metric tonnes
• Out of this 132 Lakh metric tonnes of fertilizer, IFFCO has produced 90 Lakh metric tonnes. Liquid DAP contains
8 per cent nitrogen and 16 per cent phosphorous
• Its application will help reduce usage of granular urea by about 14% and that of DAP initially by 6% and later by
20%
• It will lead to saving in foreign exchange reserves of the country, improvement in plant nutrition and 100%
availability of nutrients in the soil.

Bluebugging
• Concerned over an increase in instances of cybercrime, Prakasam district Superintendent of Police Malika Garg
has asked the people to be wary of “bluebugging
• Bluebugging is a type of malicious attack that allows hackers to gain access to your Bluetooth-enabled devices
• Bluetooth is a wireless technology that enables people to use their mobile devices for audio, navigation, and
more while remaining hands-free
• Numerous products, including computers, iPads, headphones, mobile phones, and laptops, have Bluetooth enabled,
which can be an invitation for hackers to breach this feature

UGC launches ‘CU-Chayan portal

• The UGC has introduced a new platform to hire faculty members in central universities
• The portal, CU-Chayan, will provide a consolidated list of job openings across all 46 central universities under
the Union Ministry of Education
• According to the Union Government’s recent submission in the Lok Sabha, nearly 31% of sanctioned positions in
central universities are vacant
• This portal will address this issue by fast tracking the recruitment process
• The portal will offer a range of features including a consolidated listing of job openings across all participating
universities
• Applicants will have a single login for applying to any of the universities, and personalised dashboards to help
manage the application process

Google moves towards ‘password-less future

Page : 165

• Google has announced a feature which eliminates the need to remember passwords to sign into Google apps and
websites
• According to Google, passkeys are both easier and more secure than passwords and with these, people will be
 able to sign-in to apps and sites in the same way as they unlock their devices: a fingerprint, face scan, or a screen
lock PIN
• Passkeys are the future of secure sign-in because they offer a much higher level of security than traditional
passwords
• Passwords are often weak and easy to guess, and many people use the same password for multiple accounts,
making it easy for hackers to steal login information

China approves safety of first gene-edited crop

• China has approved the safety of a gene-edited soybean, its first approval of the technology in a crop, as the
country increasingly looks to science to boost food production
• Unlike genetic modification, which introduces foreign genes into a plant, gene editing alters existing genes
• United States-based company Calyxt(CLXT.O) also developed a high oleic soybean, producing a healthy oil that
was the first gene-edited food to be approved in the U.S. in 2019
• The company is researching about 20 other crops that have been gene-edited, including rice, wheat, and corn with
higher yield, herbicide-resistant rice and soybeans, and lettuce with high vitamin C content

India’s Geological Survey discovers second lithium reserve in Rajasthan

• ‘India recently discovered lithium reserves in Rajasthan’s Degana (Nagaur), marking another step towards
achieving the country’s net zero emissions goal
• This is the second lithium reserve to be discovered in India, after the 5.9 million tonnes lithium reserves in were
found in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir three months prior
• Lithium, known as “white gold,” has become a highly sought-after metal, especially for the electric vehicle (EV)
industry, given India’s ambitious targets of achieving 30 per cent electric vehicle sales of total new vehicle sales
and increasing non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030
• In India, lithium was first discovered in Jammu & Kashmir in 1999. But back then, lithium was a non-glamourous
metal.

Cyber Surakshit Bharat

• National e-Governance Division (NeGD), under its Capacity Building scheme, organised 36th CISO Deep-Dive
training programme recently
• The Cyber Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan was launched by India’s Ministry of electronics and information
technology to ensure cyber-secure Bharat
• The Cyber secure Bharat was launched in association with NeGD, the National e-Governance Division
• The cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative launched took place on the 19th of January 2018 in Delhi
• The main objective of the cyber Surakshit Bharat Abhiyan is to create awareness about the various cyber-attacks
and crimes that take place

SAKSHAM Learning Management Information System

• Union Health Secretary launched the SAKSHAM (Stimulating Advanced Knowledge for Sustainable Health
Management), a Learning Management Information System (LMIS) of MoHFW
• This digital learning platform has been developed by the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW),
New Delhi
• SAKSHAM is a dedicated and unified platform for providing online training and medical education to all health
professionals in the country
• This digital learning platform will ensure inclusive capacity building of health professionals from primary health
centres located in rural and remote areas all the way up to tertiary care and corporate hospitals in metropolitan
cities
• Health professionals can register themselves for these courses on the portal through url: https://lmis.nihfw.ac.in/
and get the certification after undergoing requisite training and qualifying the required assessment criteria.
Page : 166

UGC to launch user-friendly website

• In its bid to transform higher education, the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) M Jagadesh
Kumar had launched the two new portals
• UGC has redesigned the website to make it more user-friendly, informative, and dynamic
• All information is categorized as per the type of stakeholders, such as students, faculty, and Universities. It helps
to ease in getting information
• The home page covers key initiatives, student corners, faculty corners, and information about different types of
universities, dashboards, and e-Governance portals of UGC initiatives and schemes
• The main objective of this portal is to keep close track of the implementation of the National Education Policy
2020 and its strategic initiatives in HEIs

Indian government launches CEIR tracking system for lost or stolen mobile phones
• In an effort to combat mobile phone theft and enhance user security, the Indian government is introducing the
Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) system
• Scheduled for a pan-India launch on May 17, this innovative tracking system aims to empower individuals to
block and track their lost or stolen mobile phones across the country
• The system has been designed to discourage mobile phone theft and facilitate the tracing of lost or stolen mobiles
to the police, detection of cloned or counterfeit mobiles, and restriction of the use of such cloned mobiles
• Furthermore, the CEIR system will safeguard the interests of consumers by providing them with information
related to fake and cloned mobile phones, thereby preventing them from falling prey to fraudulent activities

calcium-41 for radiometric dating

• A recent study has proposed using calcium-41 as a new method for radiometric dating, similar to carbon-14 dating
but with several advantages
• Calcium-41 is a rare long-lived radioisotope of calcium with a half-life of 99,400 years
• It is produced through cosmic ray interactions in the soil and is found in the Earth’s crust
• Calcium-41 occurs less frequently than carbon-14
• ATTA is a technique proposed by researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China
• It is based on laser manipulation and detection of neutral atoms
• The sample is vaporized, and the atoms are laser-cooled and loaded into a light and magnetic field cage.

PCIM&H ‘e-office’ and online portal

• Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal visited Pharmacopoeia
Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), Ghaziabad and inaugurated “e-Office portal of
PCIM&H” and “Online portal
• Online portal is for selling the softcopies of pharmacopoeial monographs
• The positive features of the Indian systems of medicine namely their diversity and flexibility; accessibility;
affordability, a broad acceptance by a large section of the general public; comparatively lesser cost and growing
economic value, have great potential to make them providers of healthcare that the large sections of our people
need.

ISRO Successfully Launches Next-Gen Satellite

• ‘Indian space agency ISRO today successfully launched a navigation satellite, NVS-01, on board an expendable
rocket, GSLV-F12, from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh
• ISRO developed the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system to meet the positioning, navigation and
timing requirements of the country, particularly with regard to civil aviation and military requirements
• NavIC was earlier known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System
• Some of the applications of NavIC include terrestrial, aerial and maritime navigation, precision agriculture,
location-based services in mobile devices and marine fisheries, among many others
• NavIC is designed with a constellation of seven satellites and a network of ground stations that operate 24x7
• NavIC offers two services -- Standard Position Service (SPS) for civilian users and Restricted Service for strategic
users

Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing (ERSO)

Page : 167

• The government of India will launch a pilot project with the objective of capturing a significant share of the global
electronics repair industry
• Led by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), this initiative aims to promote India as
a hub for repairing electronic goods
• The country’s abundant availability of cheap labor is considered a key advantage in achieving this goal
• The pilot is being held in Bengaluru and will be run for a period of three months
• Five companies, namely Flex, Lenovo, CTDI, R-Logic & Aforeserve have volunteered for the pilot. Post the pilot
a detailed assessment will be carried out and modifications made in the process and policy as necessary.

‘India conducts Asia’s first demo of performance-based navigation for copters

• ‘India’s first demonstration of performance-based navigation for helicopters was conducted successfully between
Juhu, Mumbai and Pune
• GAGAN uses a system of ground stations to provide necessary augmentation to the GPS standard positioning
service navigation signal
• The system is more helpful for the helicopters as they often have to land at places having hardly any prominent
landmarks
• GAGAN helps pilots to pinpoint their location during the flight and landing as it provides additional
accuracy
• GAGAN is one of the four Space-Based augmentation systems available in the world
• The other three systems are with Europe, Japan and the United States
• The technology was jointly developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and the Airports Authority
of India (AAI).

Nyaya Vikas Portal

• ‘Nyaya Vikas Portal allows four efficient ways of logging into the portal, thereby empowering stakeholders with
seamless access to information pertaining to funding, documentation, project monitoring and approval
• The Department of Justice has been implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Development of
Infrastructure Facilities for Districts and Subordinate Judiciary since 1993-94
• This will help in improving the functioning and performance of the Judiciary in the country and will be a new step
towards building better courts for a new India
• The upgraded “Nyaya Vikas-2.0” web portal and mobile application is used for monitoring physical and financial
progress of CSS judicial infrastructure projects by geo-tagging completed and ongoing projects.

First indigenously developed animal-derived tissue engineering scaffold

• ‘The Indian Drugs Controller has granted approval to the first tissue engineering scaffold developed within the
country using mammalian organs
• This animal-derived Class D Biomedical Device is capable of promoting rapid and cost-effective healing of skin
wounds with minimal scarring
• This achievement establishes the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) as
the first institution in India to successfully develop Class D medical devices that meet all the necessary regulatory
standards set by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, Government of India
• The concept of using animal-derived materials as advanced wound care products is not new
• However, the lack of indigenous technology has hindered the production of high-quality products that comply
with the requirements of the Drugs Controller General.

Dugdh Sankalan Sathi Mobile App

• Union minister of heavy industries Mahendra Nath Pandey launched the groundbreaking “Dugdh Sanakalan Sathi
Mobile App” in Mussorie, Uttarakhand
• The app, developed by Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL), a “Mini Ratna” Central Public
Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, aims to bring about a significant transformation in the
Indian dairy industry by addressing key challenges in the milk collection process
• The REIL has developed a comprehensive cloud-based solution that leverages the latest state-of-the-art platform
Page : 168

• This forward-thinking initiative reflects the Government of India’s commitment for digitizing processes and
facilitating direct beneficiary transfers of the government subsidies to milk producers.
Gemcovac®-Om
• ‘Pune-based Gennova Pharmaceuticals said its Omicron-specific mRNA-based Booster vaccine developed using
the indigenous platform technology has been given emergency use authorisation by the Drug Controller General
of India (DCGI)
• GEMCOVAC-OM is a thermostable vaccine, which does not require ultra-cold chain infrastructure, making it
easy for pan-India deployment
• The mRNA vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna need to be stored in temperatures as low as -80 degree Celsius
• The vaccine was tested on 3,000 subjects across 20 centres in 13 cities across the country
• It has also shown favourable results against the latest XBB variant of Covid.

IIT-K conducts artificial rain test through cloud seeding

• ‘IIT Kanpur, renowned for its research and innovation, has made a significant stride in the field of weather
modification
• After years of dedicated efforts, scientists at the institute have successfully conducted a test of artificial rain
through cloud seeding
• Using cloud seeding technology, the aircraft released chemical powder into the clouds, stimulating the formation
of raindrops
• Shortly after, rainfall was observed in the surrounding areas, validating the effectiveness of the artificial rain
technique
• Cloud seeding is the process of spreading either dry ice or more commonly, silver iodide aerosols, into the upper
part of clouds to try to stimulate the precipitation process and form rain.

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare signed a MOU with Pixxel Space India Pvt.
Limited
• The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Pixxel
Space India Pvt Limited
• The MOU aims to develop various geospatial solutions for the Indian Agriculture Ecosystem using Pixxel’s
hyperspectral dataset
• The project focuses on utilizing Pixxel’s pathfinder satellites’ hyperspectral data to develop analytics models for
crop mapping, crop stage discrimination, crop health monitoring, and soil organic carbon assessments
• The collaboration will enable the Government to leverage hyperspectral dataprovided by Pixxel for developing
use cases and implementing suitable methodologies
• Hyperspectral remote sensing technology, which involves spectral measurements in narrow wavelength bands by
satellites, offers unique capabilities for monitoring agriculture.

International Conference on Green Hydrogen

• ‘The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will organise an International Conference on Green Hydrogen,
ICGH-2023 from 5th to the 7th of next month in New Delhi
• The objective of the conference is to bring together the global scientific and industrial community to discuss recent
advances and emerging technologies in the entire green hydrogen value chain
• The fundamental aim of the Conference is to explore how India can establish a Green Hydrogen ecosystem and
foster a systemic approach for meeting the global goals for decarbonization through Green Hydrogen
• The conference will also discuss green financing, human resource upskilling, and startup initiatives in this area
• The conference seeks to bring the best brains together to explore solutions for developing and strengthening the
national green hydrogen ecosystem

Mission Gaganyaan
• The first batch of crew recovery team of Mission Gaganyaan completed Phase-1 of training at Indian Navy’s
Water Survival Training Facility (WSTF) at Koch
• Utilising the state of the art facility, the team comprising of Indian Naval Divers and Marine Commandos
Page : 169

underwent recovery training of crew module in varied sea conditions

• The team trained at WSTF will now be involved in the recovery of test launches planned by ISRO in the
forthcoming months.

Social Trailblazer Program for entrepreneurs

• Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan addressed a
Social Enterprise Conclave organized by Institute of Rural Management, Anand in partnership with LIC Housing
Finance Limited in New Delhi
• Social enterprises will have to play an important role in defining this next wave of growth
• He also called upon entrepreneurs to dream big, think global and scale up their enterprise with purpose and ethics
• A financial award of up Upto INR 15, 00,000 in the form of Equity Funding and INR 7, 50,000 in the form of
Grant Funding will be offered to the top 10 selected startups
• This program also offers 1-year of personalized incubation and acceleration support at the IRMA ISEED
Foundation.

Bharat Internet Utsav

• Bharat Internet Utsav” is an initiative by the Ministry of Communications to work towards sharing of various
empowering real-life stories on the transformation brought by Internet in the various aspects of life of citizens
• Mobile connectivity, Fibre to the Home, Fibre to the Business, PM Wi-Fi Access Network Initiative (PM-WANI),
and other initiatives have played a significant role in improving life, particularly in rural areas and during COVID
• Access to revolutionary tools such as UPI, DBT, COWIN, Digi Locker, and others has been made possible by
digital infrastructure
• Under the Utsav campaign, the Ministry is adopting the feature of sharing the revolution of internet across the
country especially in rural and remote areas

Meta officially launches Twitter rival Threads

• Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has recently developed a new app called Threads to compete with Twitter
• However, the launch of the app in the European Union (EU) has been postponed due to regulatory concerns
• Meta’s Threads app, designed to provide a platform for discussions and community engagement, is currently not
being launched in the EU
• The company’s decision stems from regulatory concerns regarding compliance with the DMA, a framework
introduced to address the dominance of large digital platforms and ensure fair competition within the digital
market
• Unlike Twitter, which has a sophisticated search function that allows you to explore tweets and trending topics,
Threads only lets you search for people to follow.

OpenKylin
• China launched country’s first open-source desktop operating system (OS) named as OpenKylin 1.0 with the
motive to create an independent software system and cut reliance on US technology
• The OpenKylin system has been developed with the contribution from various companies and organizations
• Several Chinese Companies are currently working on creating operating system that can replace Microsoft’s
Windows and Apple MacOS
• One of these companies is Union Tech Software Technology Co. ltd. is in the process of developing its own
operating system called ‘Unity
• The main supporter in launching this open-source desktop system OpenKylin is the China Industrial Control
System Emergency Response Team, which is overseen by the industry and Information Technology Ministry and
additional more than ten software companies

G20 Conference on Crime and Security in the age of NFTs, AI and Metaverse
• Two days G20 Conference on Crime and Security in the Age of NFTs, AI, and Metaverse will be organized in
Page : 170

Gurugram, Haryana
• The conference is envisaged as an opportunity to forge a global partnership to build a safe cyberspace and to
 prioritize cyber security concerns
• During the conference, extensive deliberations will be held on cyber security and measures to counter cybercrime
in the context of new and emerging technologies like Non-Fungible Tokens, Artificial Intelligence, and Metaverse
• The conference will provide a platform for sharing cutting-edge ideas and knowledge exchange
• According to the Ministry, the deliberations on cyber security and cybercrime prevention at the G20 forum will
also help in the development of an information-sharing framework.

AI model for predicting knee osteoarthritis severity from X-ray images

• Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed an AI-based framework
called Osteo HRNet
• This framework aims to revolutionize the assessment of Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) severity through the automatic
analysis of X-ray images
• The AI-based model is built on the High-Resolution Network (HRNet), one of the most recent deep learning
models, to effectively capture multi-scale features present in knee X-rays
• This model can pinpoint the area which is medically most important to decide the severity level of knee osteoarthritis
thus helping medical practitioners detect the disease accurately at an early stage
• The AI-based model employs an efficient Deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), specifically an algorithm
designed for image recognition.

India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2023

• The seventh edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC), co-hosted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) will be held from October 27-October 29 in New Delhi this
year
• The premier digital technology exhibition is an annual event and this year’s theme is “Global Digital Innovation”
• The 2023 iteration of IMC at Pragati Maidan is expected to witness around more than 1 lakh
participants, over 5,000 CXO-level delegates, over 350 speakers and love 400 exhibitors
• This year’s edition of IMC would include the key programmes that would put the spotlight
on 6G, advancements in 5G networks, the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in
telecommunications and other domains, Edge Computing, Industry 4.0, and the emergence
of India Stack.

SAGAR SAMPARK
• In an initiative aimed at boosting the digitalisation in the maritime sector, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping
and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal recently inaugurated an indigenous Differential Global Navigation Satellite
System (DGNSS) called Sagar Sampark
• It is an enhancement system that “corrects the errors and inaccuracies in the Global Navigation Satellite System
(GNSS) and provides more accurate positioning information
• The made-in-India navigation system will provide accurate information to the ships for safe navigation and will
reduce the risk of collisions, groundings, and accidents in the port and harbour areas
• This will lead to the safe and efficient movement of vessels.

China beats US, Europe, India to launch 1st methane-powered rocket to space
• China has launched the world’s first methane-liquid oxygen rocket.Methane and liquid oxygen are the propellants
used in a methane-liquid oxygen rocket
• Methane is a hydrocarbon fuel that can be produced from various sources, including natural gas
• It offers several advantages as a rocket fuel, such as high energy density, good combustion characteristics, and
availability
• This was Landscape’s second attempt after a launch failed in December
• This landmark achievement signifies a paradigm shift in the race towards cleaner, safe and reusable space travel
technology
Page : 171

• The key differences between methane-liquid oxygen rockets and traditional launch vehicles lie in the propellant
choice and performance characteristics
• However, traditional launch vehicles using other propellant combinations have a long history of operational
experience, established infrastructure, and reliability

NADA has launched an Anti-Doping helpline number (1800-119-919)

• National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has launched an Anti-Doping helpline number for the athletes and athlete
support personnel to provide information about Anti-Doping rules and guidelines
• The helpline number is 1800-119-919. The Government is committed to eradicate doping/drug abuse by
sportspersons
• To this end, set up under Government of India, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), an autonomous
organization, conducts Anti-Doping education awareness programmes in association with the Sports Authority of
India (SAI) as well as the National Sports Federations (NSFs), for all stakeholders, including the young athletes
• To report any drug abuse or Doping activities in sports, NADA also provides the “Speak Up!” portal, where is
intended for athletes and others to report any alleged Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs).

World’s largest private satellite Jupiter-3 set to launch

• Elon Musk-led SpaceX will launch the world’s largest private satellite to space. Developed by Maxar Technologies
in Palo Alto, California, the satellite named JUPITER-3 is the largest commercial communications satellite ever
built
• Jupiter 3 is not just impressive in size but also in its abilities
• Once fully deployed, the satellite’s size will rival the wingspan of a commercial airliner, measuring between 130-
160 feet (40-50 meters)
• However, it’s not just the size that makes Jupiter 3 extraordinary, but also its advanced technological features and
capabilities
• The satellite is expected to double the capacity of the company’s satellite fleet with an additional 500 Gbps,
enabling them to serve more customers, particularly in areas where cable and fiber connectivity are unavailable
or unreliable.

PM inaugurates SemiconIndia 2023 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat

• ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Semicon India 2023’, a national-level event focusing on the
semiconductor industry, in Gandhinagar recently
• The ‘Semicon India 2023’ inaugural programme will highlight investment opportunities in India’s semiconductor
sector through an informative presentation and a stimulating panel discussion led by industry, a government
release said
• The event aims to catalyse the semiconductor industry’s progress through networking, technology demonstrations
and lucrative business prospects
• More than 300 such prominent colleges have been identified in India where courses on semiconductors will be
available
• The Chips to Startups Program will help engineers
• It is estimated that in the next 5 years, more than one lakh design engineers are going to be produced in our country.

Akira, a ransomware
• Recently, the Indian government’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued a warning about the
Akira ransomware, which has emerged as a significant cybersecurity threat, targeting both Windows and Linux
devices
• Akira is malicious software that poses a significant threat to data security
• It targets both Windows and Linux devices, encrypting data and demanding a ransom for decryption
• Akira ransomware spreads through various methods, including spear phishing emails with malicious attachments,
drive-by downloads, and specially crafted web links in emails
• Once infected, Akira ransomware steals sensitive data and encrypts it, rendering it inaccessible to the victim
• Attackers then demand a ransom for decryption and threaten to leak the stolen data on the dark web if their
Page : 172

demands are not met.

UIDAI is using AI to tackle payment fraud
• As more frauds related to the Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS) come to the fore, the Unique Identification
Authority of India (UIDAI), has turned to artificial intelligence-based systems in a bid to limit the cases — this
includes developing technologies around fingerprinting and facial recognition
• To prevent AePS frauds by the use of spoofed fingerprints during Aadhaar authentication, the UIDAI has rolled
out an in-house Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning technology-based Finger Minutiae Record – Finger
Image Record (FMR-FIR) modality which is able to check the liveness of a fingerprint to detect the use of cloned
fingerprint during the authentication process
• The new two factor/layer authentication has added add-on checks to validate the genuineness (liveness) of the
fingerprint so as to further cut down the chances of spoofing attempts.

6.4 lakh villages to get broadband connectivity

• The Union Cabinet has approved a last-mile broadband connectivity plan for 6.4 lakh villages across the country
under the BharatNet project with an outlay of Rs 1.39 lakh crores
• Around 1.94 lakh villages have been connected under the BharatNet project at present, and the balance is likely
to be connected in two and a half years
• The last-mile connectivity will be provided by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), an arm of state-
owned BSNL, in partnership with village level entrepreneur (VLE)
• The model to take fibre-to-the-home, with the help of a local entrepreneur, was finalised after the successful
completion of a pilot project
• The pilot project was initially carried out to connect villages in four districts and then expanded to 60,000 villages
across most states

CarbonLite Metro Travel

• The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has unveiled a pioneering initiative called CarbonLite Metro Travel
to educate passengers about their significant contribution towards reducing carbon emissions by choosing metro
trains
• The feature will be available on QR code-based tickets
• The data concerning the reduction of CO2 emissions as a result of metro travel will be “prominently showcased”
on both physical tickets and mobile QR code tickets, aiming to create widespread awareness about the favorable
outcomes of eco-friendly public transportation
• This initiative is supported by a comprehensive research conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
• The initiative underscores that each kilometer travelled by metro train instead of road vehicles “results in a
noteworthy reduction of 32.38 grams of CO2 emissions.

Maisie’s galaxy
• Maisie’s galaxy, discovered by the James Web Telescope last year, is the earliest one we have ever discovered
• The telescope is observing it as it was just 390 million light-years after the big bang
• Spectroscopic confirmation of Maisie’s Galaxy marks a significant milestone, as the universe’s rapid expansion
poses challenges in dating early galaxies
• The CEERS team is also exploring nearly ten other galaxies from an even earlier epoch. JWST’s observations
continue to reshape our grasp of the cosmos
• The original estimate of the redshift of light from Maisie’s galaxy was based on photometry, or the brightness of
light in images using some wide-frequency filters.

Digital Innovation Alliance Summit

• Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar recently forecast that
the digital economy will contribute more than 20 per cent of the country’s GDP in 2026
• Addressing the ‘G20 Digital Innovation Alliance Summit’ here, he said India is a preeminent nation that adopted
technology very fast and has started offering solutions to the world
Page : 173

• The digital economy has gone from 4-4.5 per cent in 2014 of the total GDP to 11 per cent of the total GDP today
• And we expect the digital economy to contribute over 20 per cent of our GDP by 2026
• The Summit is focused on discussions on ‘Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)’, ‘Security in the Digital Economy’,
and ‘Digital Skilling
• The user-friendly app is available for download on Android devices, providing widespread accessibility to users
globally
• The app can be downloaded free of charge from the Google Play Store.

Russia’s Luna-25 sends first pictures from its journey to Moon

• In a significant milestone for Russia’s space exploration, the Luna-25 spacecraft has successfully captured and
transmitted its first images from space
• The black-and-white photo collection showcases the Russian flag and mission patch on the spacecraft’s structure,
along with striking images of Earth and the moon set against the vast expanse of space
• Luna 25 marks Russia’s return to lunar exploration after 47 years, aiming to reclaim its reputation in space
exploration
• Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar mission and second attempt at achieving a soft landing on the moon’s
surface
• The Luna-25 mission aims to study the composition of the moon’s surface and the plasma and dust that make up
its thin atmosphere over a year-long expedition.

Bio-Trace Minerals Project

• The Technology Development Board (TDB), operating under the Department of Science & Technology (DST),
announced its strategic partnership with M/s Chemlife Innovations Pvt. Ltd., headquartered in Bengaluru,
Karnataka
• This collaboration marks a significant stride in advancing the project titled “Commercialization and Manufacturing
of Bio-Trace Minerals used in Feed for Animals,” a visionary endeavour that harmonizes seamlessly with TDB’s
commitment to fostering impactful scientific innovation
• Their comprehensive approach, fortified by global certifications, exemplifies their commitment to green chemistry
principles and sustainable resource utilization
• Innovative products like MinBioZen address the indispensable need for bio trace minerals—zinc, copper,
manganese, iron, and selenium—in optimizing livestock health and growth
• Aptly named MinBioZen, the product seamlessly integrates bioavailability and stability, symbolizing their
dedication to innovation and environmental stewardship’

Chandrayaan-3 Moon Landing Successful

• India’s Chandrayaan-3 has landed on the moon’s south pole
• The successful moon mission has made India the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface after
the US, China, and the erstwhile Soviet Union
• The Vikram lander began its descent toward the moon surface at a velocity of 1.68 km per second
• It then slowed down before beginning a powered vertical descent to the surface of the moon
• Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar mission and second attempt at achieving a soft landing on the moon’s surface
• It consists of an indigenous Lander module (LM), Propulsion module (PM) and a Rover with an objective of
developing and demonstrating new technologies required for Inter planetary missions

Aditya-L1
• Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Chief S Somanath announced that Aditya-L1 mission, the first
space-based Indian observatory to study the Sun will be likely launched by the first week of September
• Aditya L1 would be the first space-based Indian mission to study the Sun
• The spacecraft shall be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, which is
about 1.5 million km from the Earth
• A satellite placed in the halo orbit around the L1 point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun
Page : 174

without any occultation/eclipses

• Aditya L1 will study the Sun’s corona (Visible and Near infrared rays), Sun’s photosphere (soft and hard X-ray),
chromosphere (Ultra Violet ), solar emissions, solar winds and flares, and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), and
will carry out roundthe-clock imaging of the Sun.
TRINETRA - Enterprise Security Operation Centre (ESOC)
• Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier Telecom R&D centre of the Department of
Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, observed its 40th Foundation Day
celebration
• C-DOT organized a technical conference centered on “Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning (ML)
• Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) was established in August 1984 as an autonomous Telecom R&D
centre of Dept o Telecommunication, Govt. of India
• It is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.C-DOT has designed and developed India’s
first indigenous Terabit Router
• Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) was established in August 1984 as an autonomous Telecom
R&D centre of Dept o Telecommunication, Govt. of India
• It is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860
• It is a registered ‘public funded research institution’ with the Department of Scientific and Industrial
Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India
• C-DOT as a torch bearer of indigenous telecom R&D continues to develop latest technology products in areas like
Optical, Switching, Wireless, Security and Network Management while also working on futuristic technologies
like M2M/IOT, 5G, AI, etc

World’s first prototype of the BS 6 Stage II ‘Electrified Flex fuel vehicle’ launched
• Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari launched the world’s first prototype of the BS 6
Stage II ‘Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle’, developed by Toyota Kirloskar Motor
• The innovative vehicle is based on the Innova Hycross and is engineered to adhere to India’s stricter emission
standards, marking it as the first-ever BS 6 (Stage II) Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle prototype
• The prototype vehicle is based on the Innova Hycross and is engineered to adhere to BS 6 (Stage II) standards
making it the first Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle globally
• The world’s first BS 6 (Stage II) Electrified Flex Fuel vehicle prototype, which has both the flex fuel engine as
well as an electric powertrain, thereby offering higher use of ethanol combined with better fuel efficiencies

FBI’s Duck Hunt operation takes down Qakbot

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the US government’s domestic intelligence and security agency, announced
it successfully dismantled the notorious Qakbot botnet and removed the malware from 7,00,000 machines
worldwide
• QakBot, a notorious Windows malware family, has compromised over 700,000 computers worldwide, engaging
in financial fraud and ransomware distribution
• The operation has seized more than $8.6 million in cryptocurrency profits obtained through illicit activities
• QakBot facilitated the propagation of major ransomware families, including Conti, ProLock, and REvil
• The collaborative effort, with technical support from cybersecurity company Zscaler, neutralized the botnet traffic,
preventing further harm
• The operation follows a similar takedown of Emotet in 2020 and highlights the ongoing battle against cybercriminals’
infrastructures

India’s first indigenously developed nuclear power plant unit begins operation at full
capacity
• ‘In a significant development for India’s energy sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the 700
MW nuclear power plant located in Kakrapar, Gujarat, has commenced its operations at maximum capacity
• This milestone marks a pivotal moment in India’s quest for energy self-sufficiency and underscores the nation’s
commitment to harnessing indigenous nuclear technology
• Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is responsible for constructing two 700 MW pressurized
heavy water reactors (PHWRs) at Kakrapar, Gujarat
• Kakrapar is already home to two 220 MW power plants, and with the new 700 MW unit coming online, it
Page : 175

strengthens India’s nuclear power generation capacity.

Japan launches rocket with lunar lander and X-ray telescope
• Japan launched a rocket recently carrying an X-ray telescope that will explore the origins of the universe, as well
as a small lunar lander
• JAXA is developing “pinpoint landing technology” to prepare for future lunar probes and landing on other planets
• While landings now tend to be off by about 10 kilometers (6 miles) or more, the Smart Lander is designed to
be more precise, within about 100 meters (330 feet) of the intended target, JAXA official Shinichiro Sakai told
reporters ahead of the launch
• The XRISM mission has two instruments—Resolve and Xtend developed in collaboration by both space agencies.
Resolve is “microcalorimeter spectrometer.

Cybercrime Investigation Tool developed can track cyberattacks targeting human

• A new cybercrime investigation tool would soon be able to track cyberattacks targeting humans, like insurance
fraud, online matrimonial fraud and so on
• The technology can create an approximate crime execution path and suggest a crime path based on user derived
set of keywords
• It can also compare modus operandi (Mode of Operation) used in different crimes and manage user roles and track
activity for crime paths
• The TTPs-based investigation framework could be highly effective as it restricts the numbers of forms and methods
the investigation can be conducted and primarily relies on criminals’ TTPs
• This leads to precise and rapid conviction of cybercriminals.

Innovative Mobile Application and Web Portal for General Crop Estimation Survey
• In-line with the Prime Minister’s vision towards maximizing digital technology for social benefit, Shri Manoj
Ahuja, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) launched the mobile application
and the web portal for GCES
• He mentioned that the accuracy of the data is a very important component for truthful and reliable outcome
generation and the responsibility of ensuring accuracy of the data lies with the data providers as well
• Hence, he requested all the states to adopt GCES portal and application to ensure creditability
• It has been developed by Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare for leveraging technology to enhance
the reach, scope, and outcome of government actions in the course of development

Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS) 2.0

• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, who holds several key portfolios, including Science & Technology and Public
Grievances, launched an innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven Grievance Monitoring System, the IGMS
2.0 Public Grievance portal, and Automated Analysis in the TREE Dashboard portal
• These initiatives are part of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances’ (DARPG) efforts
to enhance government responsiveness and efficiency
• The significance of grievance redressal for transparent and citizen-centric governance
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently emphasized the importance of timely grievance resolution as a
cornerstone of government accountability
• The average time taken to address public grievances by Central Ministries and Departments has been reduced to
16 days due to DARPG’s reforms in the CPGRAMS.

India’s NavIC will now be supported by ‘Made in India’ chipsets

• India’s NavIC will now be supported by ‘Made in India’ chipsets
• NavIC uses seven satellites which cover India and neighbouring areas, including the Indian Ocean region
• The independent navigation satellite system will improve further when more satellites are added to the existing
network, which will enable NavIC to be available in other countries as well
• Apple is the latest adopter of NavIC, while some Chinese brands such as Xiaomi, Poco, Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus use
Page : 176

the system in some of their models

• NavIC is a satellite based navigational system, developed by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which
enables users to determine their precise geographic location and track their movements anywhere in India and
1500 kms beyond India’s territorial boundary.

Green War Room

• ‘The Delhi government’s control centre to monitor air pollution and redress complaints- ‘Green War Room’-
started functioning round-the-clock with a larger team of analysts and experts.’
• Delhi grapples with high levels of air pollution caused by various sources, including vehicles, industry, and
construction.
• Stubble burning by farmers in neighboring Punjab and Haryana exacerbates the pollution levels, especially in
winter.
• Separate and specific action plans have been designed for each of the 13 air pollution hotspots in Delhi based on
real-time data collected from 40 air quality monitoring stations in the capital.
• Over 70,684 complaints have been registered on the Green Delhi App, with an impressive 90% of them successfully
resolved.

Significance of quantum dots in nanotechnology

• ‘Three scientists named Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus and Alexei I. Ekimov have jointly been awarded this
year’s Chemistry Nobel prize for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots.’
• These smallest parts of nanotechnology now spread their light from TVs and LED lights, and can likewise guide
surgeons when they eliminate tumour tissue, among numerous different things.
• The Nobel Prize amount for 2023 is set at Swedish kronor (SEK) 11.0 million for each full Nobel Prize.
• Quantum dots are what illuminate QLED-based computer monitors and TV screens.
• They likewise add subtlety to the light of a few LED lamps, and biochemists and doctors utilise them to map
biological tissue.

Aditya L1 corrects trajectory

• ‘The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has performed a trajectory correction manoeuvre (TCM) on the
Aditya-L1 space craft which is headed to the Lagrangian 1 (L1) point.’
• The TCM was performed to correct the trajectory evaluated after tracking the Trans-Lagrangian Point 1
Insertion (TL1I) manoeuvre performed on September 19, 2023.
• TCM ensures that the spacecraft is on its intended path towards the Halo orbit insertion around L1.
• The TL1I manoeuvre marked the beginning of Aditya-L1’s 110-day journey towards the L1 point which lies
between the sun-earth line.
• Aditya-L1 is the first space based observatory class Indian solar mission to study the Sun from a substantial
distance of 1.5 million kilometers.
• It will take approximately 125 days to reach the L1 point.

Bharat NCX 2023

• is being conducted as a hybrid exercise over a period of 12 days from October 9.’
• This flagship event serves as an unifying platform for over 300 participants, representing a diverse spectrum of
government agencies, public organisations, and the private sector, all resolutely committed to the safeguarding of
critical information infrastructure through training sessions, live fire and strategic exercises.
• ‘Bharat NCX’ will help strategic leaders to better understand cyber threats, assess readiness, and develop skills for
cyber crisis management and cooperation.
• This will also help develop and test cybersecurity skills, teamwork, planning, communication, critical thinking,
and decision-making.

National Survey Network

• ‘Union Minister of State Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh launched
Page : 177

state-of-art latest National Survey Network.’

• CORS data will also aid in various scientific studies like Upper Atmosphere and Space weather studies,
Meteorology and weather forecast, Plate motion and Tectonic studies, Seismology and Hydrology etc.
• Nationwide CORS based services will be available to business and pubic, which will not only ensure coherence
in geospatial data generated by different stake holders by providing them common reference, but will also increase
their productivity.
• Two main goals of National Geospatial Policy were to develop a coherent national framework and to enable
easy availability of valuable Geospatial data collected utilizing public funds, to businesses and the general public.

Draft National Strategy on Robotics

• ‘The government unveiled a report on the country’s artificial intelligence programme, which
it believes will be a kinetic enabler for India to achieve the goal of USD 1 trillion digital
economy by 2026.’
• This is a deep, multi-year roadmap to make Indian AI work for being a kinetic enabler of
the trillion dollar digital economy.
• The report recommends creation of India data sets platform to be used by domestic
startups and researchers, building GPU (graphical processing unit)-based computer
infrastructure to provide resources for development of AI engines or models to indigenous
firms.
• Indian AI will also support development of AI chips in partnership with the Semicon India
Program.

WOAH approves India’s self-declaration stating it is free from bird flu

• ‘The government said the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has approved India’s self-declaration
stating that it is free from HPAI, commonly known as bird flu, in specific poultry compartments.’
• This recognition by WOAH signifies India’s commitment to international biosecurity standards and will contribute
to enhancing the export potential of Indian poultry and poultry products, including meat and eggs.
• During 2022-23, India exported poultry and poultry products to 64 countries, generating revenue of USD 134
million.
• India, as the third-largest producer of eggs (129.60 billion) and the fifth-largest producer of poultry meat
(4.47 million tonnes) globally.

Egypt is racing to eliminate hepatitis C

• ‘The World Health Organization (WHO) congratulates Egypt for its unprecedented progress towards eliminating
hepatitis C, becoming the first country to achieve “gold tier” status.’
• Globally, 58 million people are living with chronic hepatitis C infection.
• While there is no vaccine, the disease can be cured with highly effective and curative short-course treatments that
last 8–12 weeks.
• Globally, however, 4 out of 5 people living with hepatitis C do not know that they are infected.
• Egypt has diagnosed 87% of people living with hepatitis C and provided 93% of those diagnosed with curative
treatment, exceeding the WHO gold tier targets of diagnosing at least 80% of people living with hepatitis C and
providing treatment to at least 70% of diagnosed people.

Dashboard for Data on Adoption and Forecasts of Electric Vehicles

• ‘Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister RK Singh launched the EV-Ready India Dashboard evreadyindia.
org’.
• The dashboard is a free digital platform focusing on near real-time electric vehicle adoption and forecasts,
associated battery demand, charging density, and market growth trends.
• The dashboard is expected to facilitate greater inclusion across audiences, for the industry, policymakers and end
users of electric vehicles.
• The dashboard has forecast a 45 per cent growth in electric vehicles by 2030.
• Developed by policy and industry experts at thinktank OMI Foundation, the dashboard is a free digital platform
focussed on near real-time Electric Vehicle adoption and forecasts, associated battery demand, charging density,
Page : 178

and market growth trends.

Web portal ‘Apna Chandrayaan’
• ‘Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched a
web portal ‘Apna Chandrayaan’.’
• This web portal, developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) under
the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, aims to provide activity-based support
materials related to Mission Chandrayaan-3.
• The launch ceremony took place in New Delhi and included the release of 10 special modules dedicated to
Chandrayaan-3.
• 10 special modules were released in multiple languages for the stakeholders on the success of Chandrayaan 3 that
will motivate Indian youth to venture more and more into science and technology.
• Report on India Semiconductor Research Centre (ISRC)
• ‘The India Semiconductor R&D Committee handed over the report on the India Semiconductor Research Center
(ISRC) to Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT Shri Rajeev
Chandrasekhar.’
• The ISRC report is part of a decadal strategy, that will significantly impact India, our young Indian scientists,
researchers, and startups.
• It aligns with the PM’s vision for ‘Viksit Bharat’.
• In the next 4-5 years, the ISRC will become one of the leading semiconductor research institutions in the
world.
• In December 2021, the Indian government committed an impressive Rs 76,000 crore (~US$10 billion) to catalyse
the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in India.

SIM Card
• ‘In 2021, there were more than 14 billion cellular devices in the world even though there were only 7 billion
people.’
• ‘SIM’ stands for ‘subscriber identification module’.
• Specifically, it is an integrated circuit, or a microchip, that identifies the subscriber on a given network.
• SIM cards are a type of smart card, and the history of smart cards begins in the late 1960s, when West German
engineer Helmut Gröttrup reportedly first had the idea to stick an integrated circuit in a plastic panel the size of a
credit card.
• The size and architecture of this microchip evolved in leaps and bounds in the subsequent decades, following
Moore’s law.

The new made-in-India EV charging standard for bikes and scooters

• ‘The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has approved an indigenously developed AC and DC combined charging
connector standard for light electric vehicles (LEVs) such as scooters, bikes, and rickshaws.’
• Electric vehicle (EV) charging connector standards are conceptually similar to charging connector standards for
mobile phones, such as the USB Type-C charger or Apple’s lightning charger.
• The indigenously developed charging standard is the first in the world that combines alternating current (AC) and
direct current (DC) for LEVs.Japan’s predominant charging standard is called CHAdeMO, a charging standard
developed in 2010.
• CHAdeMO is being phased out in North America, where the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are
among the few EVs that are only compatible with CHAdeMO charging stations.

7th Edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC)

• ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently virtually inaugurated the 7th Edition of the India Mobile Congress 2023
(IMC) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.’
• IMC is the largest telecom, media, and technology forum in Asia, being held till October 29 with the theme
‘Global Digital Innovation’.
• During the programme, Mr. Modi awarded 100 ‘5G Use Case Labs’ to educational institutions across the country.
Page : 179

• Five institutions are from Andhra Pradesh.

• They are Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing (Kurnool), Koneru Lakshmaiah
 Education Foundation (Guntur), GITAM Deemed to be University (Visakhapatnam), Vignan’s Foundation for
Science, Technology and Research (Guntur) and IIT Tirupati.
• The objective of the labs is to build competencies and engagement in 5G and beyond technologies for students
and start-up communities.

IITM Pune demonstrates cloud seeding can produce rainfall

• ‘A cloud seeding experiment carried out in Solapur city, which falls on the leeward side of the Western Ghats.’
• The area was able to achieve 18% relative enhancement in rainfall, which is approximately 8.67mm more rainfall.
• The relative enhancement of accumulated rainfall was seen over two hours after seeding the clouds.
• In all, the total enhancement of water availability through cloud seeding experiments was 867 million litres.
• The approximate cost of producing water through cloud seeding was 18 paisa per litre; the cost will drop by more
than 50% if we use indigenous seeding aircraft.
• Calcium chloride flare was used for seeding the clouds. A cloud seeding flare releases these particles when
triggered.

Importance of QR codes on Food labels

• ‘The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended the inclusion of a QR (quick
response) code on food products for accessibility by visually impaired individuals.’
• Every consumer has the right to know exactly what he is paying for and if he is getting what he is promised and
advertised.
• With this new initiative an informed choice will be offered to consumers.
• A QR code is a type of two-dimensional matrix barcode, invented in 1994, by the Japanese company Denso
Wave for labelling automobile parts.
• According to market experts, for the food manufacturers, using QR codes on food products can help improve their
brand image, customer loyalty, and operational efficiency.

The act of photocopying

• ‘Photocopying is a set of techniques with which to duplicate some content using, among other things, light.’
• Both the word ‘xerography’ and the name ‘Xerox’ come from the Greek root-word ‘xero’, meaning ‘dry’.
• Inspired by the work of the Hungarian engineer Paul Selenyi, an American attorney named Chester F. Carlson
came up with a rudimentary version of xerography by 1938
• Both the word ‘xerography’ and the name ‘Xerox’ come from the Greek root-word ‘xero’, meaning ‘dry’.
• This is because xerography is a type of photocopying method whose process doesn’t involve messy liquid
chemicals.
• Xerographic machines are in ubiquitous use around the world today to quickly and cheaply reproduce printed
material.

ndia is building its own ‘sovereign AI’

• ‘India has pitched itself as a country that has effectively used technology to develop and deliver governance
solutions at a mass scale.’
• The examples it cites to support the argument, especially made to nations in the Global South, include the biometric
identity programme Aadhaar and payments solution Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
• These solutions form the bedrock of what New Delhi calls Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) – where the
underlying technology is sanctioned by the government and is later offered to private entities to develop various
use cases.
• Now, India wants to take the same DPI approach with artificial intelligence (AI).

BCG revaccination study in high-risk adults to begin in 23 States

• ‘Twenty-three States have consented to participate in the BCG revaccination study in adults that will be undertaken
Page : 180

in a “programme implementation study mode” to evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccine in reducing TB disease
incidence.’
• The study will target some high-risk groups — those older than 50 years, prior TB disease, underweight adults,
diabetics, and those who smoke and consume alcohol.
• The phase-1 of the study will be conducted in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
• NIRT in Chennai will be conducting a BCG booster dose clinical trial in children aged 6-18 years, the BCG
revaccination study in adults is being undertaken mainly based on the retrospective data analysis of a small sub-
group of the Chingleput BCG vaccination trial conducted in 1968.

IThe transformative benefits of population-level genome sequencing

• ‘Recently, the UK announced the completion of half a million whole-genome sequences, almost 0.7% of its
population.’
• Asia, and India, are not far off vis-à-vis population-level sequencing either.
• A pilot programme for population genomes in India named IndiGen provided an early view of more than a
thousand genomes of individuals from cosmopolitan areas in India.
• Population-scale genome efforts have significantly diverse objectives.
• Many programmes take advantage of a unique population composition to understand disease prevalence and
biomarkers for diseases, and use that to inform the discovery of novel therapeutic targets.

Understanding how the Global Positioning System (GPS) works

• ‘Few everyday technologies have had the kind of revolutionary impact that the Global Positioning System (GPS)
has.’
• From civilians to the military, from precision scientific studies to urban planning and disaster risk estimation, GPS
has significantly changed our expectations of where we are and our sense of place.
• In 2021, according to one estimate, there were 6.5 billion global navigation satellite system (GNSS) devices
installed worldwide. The figure is expected to rise to 10 billion by 2031.
• The clocks onboard the modern-day GPS constellation are all synchronised to within just 10 nanoseconds of each
other, and with reference clocks on the ground.

22 nations, including US, commit to tripling nuclear capacity by 2050

• ‘In a bid to attain a net-zero emissions status, more than 20 countries have pledged to triple the global nuclear
installed capacity by 2050, at the COP28 climate meeting.’
• A recent study by the International Energy Agency said nuclear power had avoided nearly 70 billion tonnes of
carbon dioxide equivalent emissions — in the last 50 years.
• As of now, about 370 GW of operational nuclear power capacity is installed in 31 countries, providing about
10 per cent of the world’s total electricity, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• A tripling would see this go up to at least 1,000 GW by the middle of the century.

Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module retraces steps to Earth orbit

• ‘Scientists have brought the Propulsion Module (PM) of the Chandrayaan-3 mission — which took the Vikram
lander to within 100 km of the surface of the Moon.’
• The Chandrayaan-3 PM carried only an instrument called the Spectro Polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth
(SHAPE), an experimental payload to look back at Earth and study the signatures that make it habitable, so as to
identify habitable exoplanets.
• The main function of PM is to carry the LM [or Lander Module] from launch vehicle injection till final
lunar 100 km circular polar orbit and separate the LM from PM.
• ISRO has been able to understand what is involved in the “planning and execution of trajectory and manoeuvres
to return from Moon to Earth” for a small spacecraft.

Regulating deepfakes and generative AI in India

• ‘Recently, a video featuring actor Rashmika Mandanna went viral on social media, sparking a combination of
shock and horror among netizen.’
Page : 181

• Deepfakes are digital media — video, audio, and images edited and manipulated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Other countries are also grappling with the dangerous consequences of rapidly evolving AI technology.
• Recently, the presidential polls in Argentina became a testing ground for deepfake politics — while Javier Milei
 was portrayed as a cuddly lion, his contender, Sergio Massa, was seen as a Chinese communist leader.
• Deepfakes are created by altering media — images, video, or audio using technologies such as AI and machine
learning, thereby blurring the lines between fiction and reality

Google Gemini
• ‘Google recently unveiled Gemini AI, its latest large language model, designed to be more powerful and capable
than its predecessor.’
• The new LLM comes in three sizes: Nano, Pro, and Ultra, catering to various needs of the users.
• Nano has been developed for fast on-device tasks, Pro serves as a versatile middle-tier, and Ultra is the most
powerful.
• The integration of Gemini with Google’s chatbot Bard brings a significant improvement in user interaction.
• Gemini’s advanced capabilities allow Bard to better understand user intent, leading to more accurate and high-
quality responses.
• Gemini Pro is currently accessible within the Bard chatbot for free, developed to enhance the chat experience.

India’s first Pompe disease patient passes away

• ‘Recently, India’s first patient diagnosed with the Pompe disease died after spending nearly six years in a semi-
comatose state.’
• It is a rare inherited disorder that affects one child per million.
• Mutations in the GAA gene cause Pompe disease.
• The GAA gene provides instructions for producing an enzyme called acid alpha-glucosidase (also known
as acid maltase).
• This enzyme is active in lysosomes, which are structures that serve as recycling centres within cells.
• The enzyme normally breaks down glycogen into a simpler sugar called glucose, which is the main energy source
for most cells.

Use of fractals
• ‘Physicists use the fractal geometry approach to study quantum systems in dimensions like 1.55 or 1.58, or in fact
anything between one and two dimensions.’
• On the macroscopic scale, fractals can be seen as irregular, complex patterns at all scales and in all views, near
or far.
• Some remarkable examples include human fingerprints, stumps of trees, human veins, river networks as seen from
above, veins in a plant leaf, the edges of a snowflake, and so on
• The value of fractals is that they describe a new kind of order in systems that we may have overlooked.
• They pave the way to potential new insights from otherwise familiar shapes like lines, planes, and points, in the
unfamiliar milieu of a space with non-integer dimensions.

ISRO to launch Chandrayaan-4 to bring back samples from Moon in 4 yrs

• ‘The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has planned to launch Chandrayaan-4 to bring back samples
from the Moon in four years, said its chairperson S Somanath while elaborating on the space agency’s Vision
2047.’
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously called on the space agency to set up a space station by 2035 and
send a man to the Moon by 2040.
• Somanath said that for sustained presence of Indians in space, ISRO is also working on developing an inflatable
habitat module where the astronauts will be able to walk around and conduct experiments.
• ISRO is in discussion with NASA and the European Space Agency to build a common interface between the
Indian space station and that of these countries.

Delhi Declaraion on AI
Page : 182

• ‘The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), an alliance of 29 members, has unanimously adopted
the New Delhi declaration underscoring the need to mitigate risks arising from the development and deployment
of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, and promoting equitable access to critical resources for AI innovation,
including computing and high-quality diverse datasets.’
• The declaration stands out as a contrast from the agreement signed at the United Kingdom AI Safety Summit at
Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, a month ago, where countries had committed to first tackle the risks emanating
from AI systems.
• The New Delhi declaration has attempted to find a balance between innovation and the risks associated with AI
systems.

How do web browsers work?

• ‘Web browsers are our digital passports to the vast universe of the internet.’
•
• Their simplicity is deceptive: beneath their user-friendly interfaces lies a world of intricate processes that transform
clicks into the web pages we interact with every day. In late 1990s witnessed a fierce battle among browser
developers – a period dubbed the ‘Browser Wars’.
• Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE) and Netscape Navigator were the primary contenders. This competition
spurred rapid innovation, with each browser striving to outperform the other in terms of speed, features, and
compatibility.
• By 2000, IE had emerged as the dominant browser, due in large part to its integration with the Windows operating
system. But this period of monopoly also caused development and innovation to stagnate.

CT scans associated with increased risk of blood cancers

• ‘CT’s potential for increased cancer risks and relatively high cumulative doses from multiple scans have raised
concerns among the medical and scientific community.’
• Radiation doses at moderate to high values are known to cause haematological malignancies (blood cancers) in
both children and adults and other cancers.
• However, there has been uncertainty about risk at low doses that are typically associated with diagnostic
CT examinations.
• A recent study suggests that even low doses of radiation have a small probability to cause blood cancer. Researchers
estimated that for every 10,000 children examined today (mean dose 8 mGy), one-two persons are expected to
develop a haematological malignancy attributable to radiation exposure in the subsequent 12 years.

ketamine drug
• ‘In recent years, ketamine has been a subject of widespread debate due to its growing use for treating depression
and other serious mental health issues.’
• While some experts and patients call it lifesaving, others say it’s addictive and causes bladder ailments.
• Ketamine is an anaesthetic that has been listed as a hallucinogen by the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
• It’s referred to as a “dissociative anaesthetic hallucinogen” because it creates a feeling of detachment from
pain and the environment.It’s hard to say.
• Some doctors have emphasised that if taken only for medicinal purposes and in the right doses, ketamine is safe
to consume and very effective in treating mental illnesses.

An overview of the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act

• ‘The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act is a significant legislative initiative aimed at regulating
artificial intelligence technologies within the EU.’
• With the growing influence of AI across various sectors, the EU seeks to strike a balance between fostering
innovation and ensuring ethical and responsible AI development.
• The objectives of the EU AI Act are to create a regulatory framework for AI technologies, mitigate risks
associated with AI systems, and establish clear guidelines for developers, users, and regulators.
• The act aims to ensure the responsible use of AI by protecting fundamental rights and promoting transparency in
AI applications.
• The EU AI Act emphasises transparency and accountability in AI development and deployment.

Telecommunications Bill,2023
Page : 183

• ‘The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, introduced in the Lok Sabha,allows the government to take over, manage or
suspend any or all telecommunication services or networks in the interest of national security.’
• The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, aims to replace the 138-year-old Indian Telegraph Act that governs the
telecom sector.
• The new bill proposes the government be vested with the power to waive off entry fees, licence fee, penalty etc.
in the interest of consumers, ensuring competition in the market, availability or continuity of telecom networks,
and national security.
• The bill had also proposed to curb the power of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), on which
industry players had raised concerns.

The era of CRISPR therapeutics

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a pair of gene therapies for sickle cell disease, including
the first treatment based on the breakthrough CRISPR gene editing technology.’
• The Vertex/CRISPR gene therapy uses the breakthrough gene editing technology that won its inventors the Nobel
Prize in 2020.
• Sickle cell disease is a painful, inherited blood disorder that can be debilitating and lead to premature death.
• It affects an estimated 100,000 people in the United States, most of whom are Black.
• In sickle cell disease, the body makes flawed, sickle-shaped hemoglobin, impairing the ability of red blood cells
to properly carry oxygen to the body’s tissues.

AI tool for Weather forcasting

• At the recent COP28, NASA and IBM announced that an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool called watsonx.ai would
be available on the open-source AI platform Hugging Space.’
• Watsonx.ai will help users monitor the Earth from space, measuring environmental changes that have already
happened while also making predictions about the future.
• Utilising NASA’s trove of data and IBM’s AI technology, the model can help scientists estimate the past and future
extent of wildfires, floods, and urban heat maps.
• The model is also designed to be extremely simple to use.
• A user would merely need to select a location and a date, and the model will highlight changes in floodwater,
reforestation efforts and other relevant factors.

Paat Mitro
• The Jute Corporation of India took a significant step toward supporting jute farmers by launching the ‘Paat-Mitro’
app.’
• The app provides details on jute gradation parameters, helping farmers understand and enhance the quality of their
jute produce.
• The new app will help jute farmers and revitalizing the industry. With increased access to information, technical
advancements, and market opportunities, Indian jute farmers can unlock a brighter future and contribute to the
sustainable development of the sector.
• The app includes weather forecasts, aiding farmers in making informed decisions based on weather
conditions.
• Currently available in English, the ‘Paat-Mitro’ app is set to be launched in six vernacular languages in the future.
• This expansion will ensure that a broader spectrum of jute farmers across regions can benefit from the app’s
resources and information.

Concept of national time

• ‘Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that India, more specifically Ujjain, set the world’s time
some 300 years ago, before the Prime Meridian was shifted, first to Paris, and then to Greenwich (London).’
• The meridian which passed through Greenwich, where the British Royal Observatory is located.
• This meridian is considered as the Prime Meridian.
• Its value is 0° longitude and from it, we count 180° eastward as well as 180° westward.
• The Prime Meridian and 180° meridian divide the earth into two halves, the Eastern Hemisphere and the Western
Page : 184

Hemisphere.
Ransomware attacks on Indian IT firms
• Recently, IT services provider HCL Technologies, in its quarterly report, shared that it was hit by a ransomware
incident within a restricted cloud environment.’
• Following the attack, the company stated there was no “observable” impact on the overall HCL Tech network
• HCL Tech is an Indian information technology company providing solutions in the digital realm, including end-
to-end digital offerings, cloud-based solutions, and software.
• A ransomware group claimed responsibility for the attack, impacting the company’s revenue due to
containment measures implemented to mitigate the damage.
• Ransomware attacks are often launched through phishing emails, malicious attachments, and compromised
websites.
• These malicious files find their way on the targeted system, making their way to the network. Then they encrypt
files and display instructions on how to pay the ransom.

Research shows India can shorten tuberculosis treatment

• ‘In the last decade, the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), along with the private sector, has
successfully found and treated 17.14 million people with TB, including an estimated 1.4 million children.’
• However, the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected TB care and has threatened to reverse the gains made in
reducing India’s burden.
• Additionally, the growing problem of drug-resistant TB also threatens the progress we have made in basic disease
management.
• TB is curable but treatment is challenging. For drug-sensitive TB, a patient must take the medication for six
months, and this is a long period for most people.

SLIM lunar landings

• Japan launched its lunar exploration spacecraft aboard a homegrown H-IIA rocket, clearing a path to become the
world’s fifth country to land on the moon early next year.’
• Dubbed the “moon sniper”, Japan aims to land SLIM within 100 metres of its target site on the lunar surface.
• The $100-million mission is expected to reach the moon by February.
• SLIM will also mark the second Japanese attempt this year to soft-land on the moon: the HAKUTO-R M1
lander, built by Japanese company ispace, crashed in late April after its engines shut down too soon during the
landing.

Huntington’s disease
• ‘Every month, the medical genetics clinic in the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, sees about
three to four people with Huntington’s disease.’
• The numbers might appear small, but in each case behind the individual lies a family devastated.
• Each one of us has two copies of the HTT gene: one we inherited from the father and one from the mother.
• The disease is triggered even if only one copy of the gene is mutated while the other is normal.
• That is, the mutant gene is said to be dominant to its normal counterpart.
• In the new study from Hungary, the researchers genetically engineered fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) to
express the polyglutamine tract of a mutated human HTTgene in their nervous system.

Indian organisations at very high risk of cyber attacks, says survey

• ‘The PwC’s 2023 Global Risk Survey- India edition said that 38 percent of all the respondents of the survey felt
that their company is highly exposed to cyber threats.’
• The survey results show that more than half of the respondents plan to invest in cybersecurity tools (55 per cent)
and AI, machine learning and automation technologies (55 per cent) in the next 1-3 years.
• Further, 61 percent global firms and 71 percent Indian firms are gathering and analysing cybersecurity and IT
data for risk management and opportunity identification in an effort to reduce the cyber attack threat.
Page : 185

• The most recent cyber attack in India was against the e-Nagarpalika portal of Madhya Pradesh, where the data of
people living in 413 cities was compromised.
Pegasus spyware
• In the wake of the ‘Pegasus Project’ revelations, activists filed several petitions with the Supreme Court alleging
a mass surveillance exercise by the government to muzzle free speech and democratic dissent.’
• The alleged incursion was identified in October 2023 following a forensic analysis after phone maker Apple had
issued security notifications to its users that their iPhones were targeted by “state-sponsored attackers”
• The Centre refused to comply, contending that such a public affidavit would compromise the country’s
national security.
• The two journalists who Amnesty International claimed were targeted with Pegasus are Siddharth Varadarajan,
Founding Editor of The Wire, and Anand Mangnale, South Asia Editor, Organised Crime and Corruption Report
Project (OCCRP).

A call for disability inclusion that must be heeded

• ‘It is almost a month since the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (December 3) passed.’
• Yet, we must pause and consider the importance of novel and innovative solutions that enhance two important
outcomes for the people affected, i.e., activities of daily life and quality of life.
• By calling for “transformative solutions that will lead to inclusive development, leaving no one behind”, the
United Nations has shifted the focus back on innovations that reduce disability.
• In the important medical field of “neuropsychiatry” that straddles the brain-mind interface, there have
been several treatment innovations with the potential to enhance outcomes.
• Neuropsychiatric disorders are, by definition, disabling and present themselves across the lifespan.

ISRO to launch XPoSat and 10 other payloads on January 1

• ‘In a significant development, space technology startups Dhruva Space, Bellatrix Aerospace, and TM2Space are
poised to launch their payloads on the upcoming Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) - C58 XPoSat Mission of
the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on January 1, 2024.’
• This will be ISRO’s first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite mission. Over its five-year lifespan, India’s XPoSat mission
will assess the orientation of vibrations in light waves, providing insights into the radiation mechanisms and
geometry of celestial sources.
• Bellatrix Aerospace, based in Bengaluru, plans to launch two payloads, including the Rudra 0.3 HPGP green
monopropellant thruster and ARKA 200, another thruster variant.
• Satellite propulsion systems, commonly known as thrusters, serve as the engines responsible for maintaining
satellites in orbit throughout their operational lifespan, typically between 10 and 15 years.

Page : 186
 Learn BITS
Annual Current Affairs Compilation
SOCIAL ISSUES

1
Page : 187

PART

JAN-DEC 2023

08 Social Issues
Centre to launch PM PVTG Development Mission
• Article 336 of the constitution allows GoI to make special arrangements for certain communities
• Using this provision, the Government created the category of ST
• However, some of the tribes in the country prefer to live isolated and remain secluded.
• Such tribes do not receive social benefits from the schemes launched by GoI.
• They are referred to as the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group.
• During the 2023 Budget, the GoI launched the PM PVTG Development Mission.
• In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, who are
less developed among the tribal groups
• In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as PVTGs

UGC released draft guidelines to set up foreign educational campuses in India

• The University Grant Commission (UGC) has unveiled draft norms to allow foreign universities to set up campuses
in India
• The draft rules namely, the University Grants Commission (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign
Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations 2023 is intended to regulate the entry and operations of
Foreign Universities to conduct various degrees, diplomas and certificate programmes.
• The Foreign Universities will have the autonomy to decide their fee structure and admission process in India.
Foreign universities with campuses in India will not be permitted to offer courses through online or ODL (open
and distance learning) modes.
• They will also not be allowed to offer any programs of study that compromise national interests or standards of
higher education in India

Kuki-Chin Refugees Issue

• The central committee of Young Mizo Association or Central YMA (CYMA) will stage a sit-in- demonstration on
Monday to extend solidarity to the Kuki-Chin (Mizo) refugees from Bangladesh
• Many Kuki-Chin people had fled their homes in Bangladesh and entered into Mizoram due to armed conflict in
the neighbouring country
• The objectives of the proposed demonstration is to extend solidarity and acknowledge the hardships faced by the
ethnic Kuki-Chin refugees from Bangladesh
• The term Chin is used for the people in the neighbouring Chin state of Myanmar whereas Chins are called Kukis
on the Indian side
• The Chins of Myanmar, the Kukis of Bangladesh and the Mizos of Mizoram (India) share the same ancestry
and are collectively called the Zo people

NMC releases draft rules for timetable, duration, grades, and papers
• ‘The National Medical Commission recently issued the proposed draft regulations related to the National Exit
Test (NExT).’
• As per the draft regulation, the objective of these regulations is to bring uniformity in the summative evaluation
across the country with reference to the minimum common standards of education and training of a medical
graduate.
• The NExT will comprise two separate exams called ‘Steps
• The minimum marks for passing shall be 50 per cent of the total marks in each subject in Step 1.
• The criteria to pass Step 2 shall be satisfactory demonstration of competencies that are evaluated.
• All the students who have completed the final MBBS course from a Commission-recognised medical college
would be eligible to appear in the exam
Page : 188
NAMASTE scheme
• ‘Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) has formulated a scheme “National Action for Mechanized
Sanitation Ecosystem” (NAMASTE).’
• National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme is a central sector scheme of the
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE).
• National Safai Karamchari Financial Development Corporation(NSKFDC) would be implementing agency
for NAMASTE.
• At the apex of the structure will be the National NAMASTE Monitoring Unit (NNMU) under Managing Director,
NSKFDC, which will report to concerned Division head in the MoSJE, Government of India.
• Maximum monitoring and reporting will be on real time basis through mobile app and dedicated website

Impact Study of Poshan Abhiyaan

• ‘POSHAN Abhiyaan launched on 8th March 2018 is a multi-ministerial convergence mission with the vision to
ensure attainment of malnutrition free India.’
• POSHAN Abhiyaan provides a platform to converge the activities of various stakeholders towards attaining the
goal of ‘Suposhit Bharat’.
• NITI Aayog was mandated to conduct monitoring and evaluation periodically to assess the progress and impact
of the programme.
• In the report Preserving Progress on Nutrition in India: Poshan Abhiyaan In Pandemic Times NITI Aayog
assessed the implementation of POSHAN Abhiyaan since its inception and also analysed the impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic on nutrition and health services

Over 3 Crore Candidates Enrolled in Online Courses on Swayam

• ‘Government-run Swayam Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) has more enrolment than any other e-learning
platform in the country.’
• Swayam has over 2.4 crore registrations in courses that earn credits. Since its introduction in 2017, the MOOC
platform has already administered examinations to over 26 lakh applicants, and there are currently 8.8 lakh active
assignment submissions, according to the ministry.
• It also offers credit transfer after an exam for a minimal cost, and there are currently more than 3,000 MOOC-free
courses available from a variety of fields.
• Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM), was launched on July 9, 2017 by the
Ministry of Human Resource Development to provide one integrated platform and portal for online courses

DHARA
• ‘DHARA is being organised by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in association with National
Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) from 13th to 14th February in Pune.’
• DHARA 2023 will provide a platform for senior officials including Commissioners, Addl. Commissioners,
Chief Engineers and Senior Planners of the 95-member river cities in India to co-learn and discuss solutions for
managing local water bodies.
• DHARA 2023 is being organised for the Municipal Commissioners of the member cities to initiate in-depth
discussions and come up with possible learning solutions for urban river management.
• The expected outcome of DHARA 2023 is to inspire members of the RCA to engage in progressive actions for
urban river management in their cities.

One Nation, One Organ Allocation Policy

• The Union health ministry recently modified national organ transplantation guidelines to allow even those above
65 years of age to register to receive an organ for transplantation from deceased donors.
• The change, which is an acknowledgement of the increasing longevity of Indians, will also make it possible for
several end-stage patients suffering from organ-related diseases to make it to the waitlist.
Page : 189

• Organs from deceased donors accounted for nearly 17.8% of all transplants in 2022 in the country.
• The number of transplants has increased over the years.The total number of organ transplants – with organs from
both deceased and living donors – increased from 4,990 in 2013 to 15,561 in 2022, according to data shared by
the government
SC refuses to entertain PIL for menstrual leave for women in schools, workplaces
• The Supreme Court recently refrained from entertaining a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directive to all
the state governments to frame rules for menstrual pain leaves to female students and working-class women at
their respective workplaces
• It is a type of leave where women may have the option of taking a paid or unpaid leave from their workplace when
they are menstruating.In Japan, the legislation has been in effect for over 70 years now
• Approved in 1947, Article 68 of the Labour Standards Law states, “When a woman for whom work during
menstrual periods would be specially difficult has requested leave, the employer shall not employ such woman on
days of the menstrual period

Centre opposes recognition of same-sex marriage in SC citing personal laws

• The Supreme Court of India (SC) recently referred the pleas seeking legal validation of same-sex marriages to a
five-judge constitution bench for adjudication
• It also referred to Article 145(3) of the Constitution.
• Article 145(3) of the Constitution says there should be at least five judges to hear cases that involve “a substantial
question of law as to the interpretation” of the Constitution, or any reference under Article 143, which deals with
the power of the President of India to consult the SC.
• The Centre pointed out that “recognition of marriage necessarily brings with it right to adopt and other ancillary
rights”.
• Therefore it is “necessary that such issues are left for being decided by the competent Legislature where social,
psychological and other impacts on society, children etc., can be debated

Marketing and Logistics Development for Promotion of Tribal Products

• Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda will launch Marketing and Logistics Development for Promotion of Tribal
Products from North-Eastern Region (PTP-NER) scheme at Manipur
• The new scheme has been introduced for the benefit of the Scheduled Tribes of the North-Eastern Region.
• It aims to provide backward and forward linkages through incubation support, aggregation, skill and entrepreneurship
development, sourcing and procurement, marketing, transportation and publicity to tribal artisans in the region.
• As part of the scheme, 68 Tribal Artisan Melas (TAMs) will be organised from April to May in the northeast to
empanel tribal artisans from the region.
• These TAMs will provide tribal artisans a platform to showcase their products and enhance their income

ISRO offers training programme for PG, final-year UG students

• ‘ISRO has now come up with a new introductory-level online training programme, which is called the Space
Science and Technology Awareness Training (START).’
• START will cover various domains, such as space science, that includes Astronomy and Astrophysics, Heliophysics,
Instrumentation, Aeronomy, and Sun-Earth interaction.
• This will be delivered by scientists from the Indian academia and ISRO centres.
• It also aims to build a human capacity which will lead space science and research in the future.
• The programme is aimed at PG and final-year UG students of Physical Sciences and Technology.
• The programme is intended to provide students with an introductory-level training in Space Science and
Technology, giving them an overview of different facets of the field, research opportunities, and career options

Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development is launching “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, a pathbreaking ECCE
program
• The government plans to focus on early childhood care and education in 14 lakh Anganwadi centres, reimagining
them as pre-schools providing early learning opportunities.
Page : 190

• Target Age Group is Children under 6 years, especially under 3 years.

• All States will follow the national ECCE taskforce recommendations for a play-based, activity-based learning
pedagogy, targeted specifically at developmental milestones of 0-3-year olds as well as 3-6-year olds, including
special support for Divyang children.
Stand-Up India Scheme completes 6 years
• The sixth anniversary of the Stand Up India scheme is being celebrated recently
• Over 30 thousand 160 crore rupees have been sanctioned under Stand Up India Scheme to more than 1 lakh 33
thousand 995 accounts since inception of the Scheme
• Stand Up India scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5th April 2016.
• It facilitates loans to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and women borrowers for setting up a greenfield enterprise
in manufacturing, services, or trading sector
• The objective of the Stand Up India Scheme is to facilitate loans between 10 lakh and one crore rupees to at least
one Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe borrower and one woman borrower per bank branch.
• In 2019-20, the Stand Up India scheme was extended till 2025

Biotech-KISAN scheme
• The Government said that over 1 lakh 60,000 farmers have received benefits during the Biotech-KISAN scheme
in the last one year.
• Biotech-KISAN scheme has been launched to counsel and to provide solutions to the farmers on the problems
related to water, soil, seeds and marketing?
• Under the scheme farmers are provided counselling and demonstrations on improved seed, planting stock of
vegetable, interventions for use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR’s)/bio-fertilizers, irrigation &
protected cultivation technologies, improved livestock (goat, pig), poultry and fishery as well as health management
of livestock/poultry.
• Biotech-KISAN Hubs have been established covering all 15 agroclimatic zones and Aspirational Districts in the
country

SAKSHAM Learning Management Information System

• Union Health Secretary launched the SAKSHAM (Stimulating Advanced Knowledge for Sustainable Health
Management), a Learning Management Information System (LMIS) of MoHFW
• This digital learning platform has been developed by the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW),
New Delhi
• SAKSHAM is a dedicated and unified platform for providing online training and medical education to all health
professionals in the country
• This digital learning platform will ensure inclusive capacity building of health professionals from primary health
centres located in rural and remote areas all the way up to tertiary care and corporate hospitals in metropolitan
cities
• Health professionals can register themselves for these courses on the portal through url: https://lmis.nihfw.ac.in/
and get the certification after undergoing requisite training and qualifying the required assessment criteria

Shipping ministry ranked second in Data Governance Quality Index among ministries
• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has been ranked at the second position in the influential
assessment known as the Data Governance Quality Index (DGQI)
• Administered by the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) under NITI Aayog, the DGQI
survey has the objective of evaluating the level of maturity of administrative data systems and their application in
the decision-making process.
• The DGQI assessment covers six key areas, which are Data Generation, Data Quality, Technology Utilization,
Data Analysis, Utilization and Distribution, Data Security and HR Capability, and Case Studies

UGC to launch user-friendly website

• In its bid to transform higher education, the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) M Jagadesh
Kumar had launched the two new portals
• UGC has redesigned the website to make it more user-friendly, informative, and dynamic.
Page : 191

• All information is categorized as per the type of stakeholders, such as students, faculty, and Universities. It helps
to ease in getting information.
• The home page covers key initiatives, student corners, faculty corners, and information about different types of
universities, dashboards, and e-Governance portals of UGC initiatives and schemes.
• The main objective of this portal is to keep close track of the implementation of the National Education Policy
2020 and its strategic initiatives in HEIs.

Indian government launches CEIR tracking system for lost or stolen mobile
phones
• In an effort to combat mobile phone theft and enhance user security, the Indian government is introducing the
Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) system
• Scheduled for a pan-India launch on May 17, this innovative tracking system aims to empower individuals to
block and track their lost or stolen mobile phones across the country
• The system has been designed to discourage mobile phone theft and facilitate the tracing of lost or stolen mobiles
to the police, detection of cloned or counterfeit mobiles, and restriction of the use of such cloned mobiles
• Furthermore, the CEIR system will safeguard the interests of consumers by providing them with information
related to fake and cloned mobile phones, thereby preventing them from falling prey to fraudulent activities

Government releases pre-draft of National Curriculum Framework for schools

• The Education Ministry released a “pre-draft” of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for school education
recently.’
• The ministry launched the NCF for foundational stage (NCF-FS) for children between ages 3-8 years in October
2022. In continuation of that policy, the next NCF for school education is being prepared.
• Revamping class 10 and 12 board exams, aligning the shift from 10+2 structure to 5+3+3+4 structure and emphasis
on developmental perspectives suggesting curricular and pedagogical shifts at different stages — foundational,
preparatory, middle and secondary are among the recommendations made in the pre-draft.
• The NCF has been revised four times - in 1975, 1988, 2000 and 2005.
• The new proposed revision will be the fifth of the framework

National Credit Framework

• The University Grants Commission (UGC) released the NCrF, which will allow students to earn educational
credits at all levels, irrespective of the mode of learning i.e. homeschooling, offline, online, or blended.’
• The NCrF is a broad enabling framework for all regulatory organizations and all universities, including institutions
of national importance.
• They will be free to notify their detailed implementation guidelines with flexibility for catering to their academic
requirements.
• It is a meta-framework to seamlessly integrate the credits earned through school education, higher education, and
vocational and skill education.
• Credit is the recognition that a learner has completed a prior course of learning, corresponding to a qualification
at a given level

NCPCR issues guidelines for assessment of child suspects in heinous offences

• The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has issued guidelines for the first time for
conducting a preliminary assessment
• To determine whether a child should be treated as a minor or not in criminal cases which come under the “heinous”
offences category of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
• Child suspects should be assessed by a team of experts, including a child psychologist or psychiatrist, a medical
doctor, and a social worker
• The assessment should take into account the child’s age, developmental stage, and maturity level, as well as any
history of trauma or abuse

Cabinet approves CITIIS 2.0 from 2023 to 2027

Page : 192

• ‘The Union government approved the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) 2.0 programme
that seeks to support projects promoting a circular economy with a focus on integrated waste management at the
city level.’
• The programme envisages supporting competitively selected projects promoting a circular economy with a
focus on integrated waste management at the city level, climate-oriented reform actions at the state level, and
institutional strengthening and knowledge dissemination at the national level.
• CITIIS 2.0 aims to leverage and scale up the learnings and successes of CITIIS 1.0 which was launched jointly by
the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, AFD, EU and NIUA, in 2018 with a total outlay of ? 933 crore

PM SVANidhi
• ‘Shri Hardeep S. Puri, Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs complimented the Prime Minster Street Vendor’s
AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme on its successful completion of 3 momentous years.’
• PM SVANidhi is a central sector scheme launched in June 2020.
• It is a special micro-credit facility plan to provide affordable loans of upto Rs 10,000 to more than 50 lakh street
vendors,who had their businesses operational on or before 24 march.
• The scheme would benefit vendors,hawkers and people involved in goods and services related to
textiles,apparel,artisan products,barbers shops,laundry services etc in different areas.
• The duration of scheme is until march 2022.Small Industries Development Bank Of India (SIDBI) is the technical
partner for implementation of this scheme

India’s missing Census

• The 2021 Census had to be postponed because of the Covid pandemic, the first time in the 150-year history of
India’s census operations that the exercise was not completed on time
• The Census Act of 1948 was passed just after Independence and a separate office of Registrar General of India
(RGI) was established under the home ministry.
• In 2020, at least 18 countries postponed their census to 2021 while four countries postponed it to 2022 or beyond,
according to a March-April 2020 survey by the United Nations Statistics Division.
• The census provides information on size, distribution and socio-economic, demographic and other characteristics
of the country’s population

Unique ID now mandatory for doctors

• Doctors will now have to get a Unique Identification Number (UID) to be able to practice medicine in the country,
as per the new regulations by the National Medical Commission (NMC)
• The UID will be generated centrally by the NMC ethics board and thereby grant the practitioner, registration in
NMR and eligibility to practice medicine in India.
• There will be a common national medical register for all the registered medical practitioners of the country.
• The same will be maintained by the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) under the NMC.
• This register will contain all the entries of the registered medical practitioners of all State Registers maintained
by the various State Medical Councils and will have all relevant information regarding the medical practitioner.

8th edition of World’s Largest Urban Cleanliness Survey Begins

• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched the Field Assessment for the 8th edition of urban
cleanliness survey Swachh Survekshan - Mera Shehar, Meri Pehchan.’
• From the first of next month, around three thousand assessors will evaluate over four thousand 500 cities across
46 indicators within a month.
• The survey aims to promote sustainable sanitation and waste management through competition and engagement
with citizens.
• This year’s focus is on waste-to-wealth initiatives and scientific waste management.
• The survey includes new indicators such as waste processing, segregation at source, and cleanliness of public
areas.
• It is expected to engage with a whopping 10 Crore citizens during this year’s assessment making it the world’s
largest annual urban cleanliness survey

Scheme for Critical care and Support to POCSO victims

Page : 193

• ‘Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani launched a scheme to provide shelter, food and
legal aid for pregnant minor victims of sexual assault who have no family support.’
• The fund will help in setting up shelters for such victims.
• This could be in the nature of standalone shelters, or wards earmarked for such victims in existing child care
institutions (CCIs), as state governments see fit.
• In case of wards inside existing CCIs, the person in-charge of the institution will ensure that a separate safe space
is provided to minor rape victims, “as her needs may be different from other children residing there’’.

Child Helpline
• Childline Services is defined in Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015 under section 2(25) as
a twenty-four hours emergency outreach service for children in crisis which links them to emergency or long-term
care and rehabilitation service
• The service can be accessed by any child in crisis or an adult on their behalf by dialing a four digit toll free number
(1098).
• As part of the broader vision of One Nation One Helpline, and as prioritised during the 2nd National Chief
Secretaries’ Conference, the Ministry has taken a decision of integration of Women Helpline, Child Helpline with
ERSS-112 (Emergency Response Support System)

Uniform Civil Code

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was imperative for
India, citing the impracticality of maintaining a dual legal system that caters to distinct communities
• A Uniform Civil Code would provide for one law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities,
in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, etc.
• The framers of the Constitution recognised the need for uniform personal laws, but placed it in the Directive
Principles of State Policy
• Article 44 of the Constitution says that “the State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code
throughout the territory of India

Govt releases new UGC regulations

• A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is no longer mandatory to apply for the post of assistant professor at higher
education institutions.’
• The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken back its 2018 regulation that had made PhD a must for the
appointment of teachers in colleges and universities.
• A PhD degree is optional for applying to assistant professor posts in colleges and universities. Candidates who
have cleared NET, SET or SLET will be eligible for appointment.
• These new regulations came into effect on 1 July 2023.
• In certain disciplines such as policy-making, design, foreign languages, law, architecture and other similar subjects,
universities often find it difficult to get candidates with a PhD

Odisha Recommends Kui’s Inclusion In 8th Schedule Of The Constitution

• The state cabinet on Monday approved a proposal to recommend the inclusion of the Kui language in the eighth
schedule of the Constitution of India.’
• Inclusion of Kui in the eighth schedule will help in the preservation, promotion and propagation of the language
and culture.
• It will create an eco-system to facilitate research and studies anchored around the preservation, promotion and
propagation of the Kui language.
• The cabinet maintained that more than seven lakh Kui-speaking indigenous people will benefit from the decision.
• Besides, it will also have no financial implications.
• The Kui language is predominantly spoken in regions such as Phulbani (Kondhamal), Boudh, Koraput, Kalahandi,
Rayagada, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Sonepur, Angul, and Dhenkanal districts of South and
central Odisha
Page : 194
Jan Vishwas Bill
• The Union Cabinet has reportedly approved amendments to the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill,
2023
• The proposed changes aim to decriminalize minor offences by amending 183 provisions across 42 Acts administered
by 19 ministries.
• The objective is to promote ease of doing business and reduce the backlog of court cases.
• The bill introduces a unique feature whereby the minimum amount of fine and penalty levied will increase by 10%
after every three years once the bill becomes law.
• Acts such as the Indian Post Office Act, 1898, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Public Liability
Insurance Act, 1991, and the Information Technology Act, 2000, will be amended

Masi Portal For Monitoring Child Care Homes

• About 3,410 inspections of child-care homes have so far been carried out across the country through the
government’s MASI (Monitoring App for Seamless Inspection) since its launch in 2021
• The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has also launched the “GHAR — GO Home and Re-
Unite” portal (for restoration and repatriation of children), which addresses the amended roles of the CWCs and
district child protection officers (DCPOs) for children in need of care and protection.
• Through this, the children’s home database has been synced with an app and the authorities in districts or child
welfare committee (CWC) members are on this app
• They can choose a child home randomly on the system to ensure that the inspection of child-care homes is carried
out periodically

Study in India (SII) Portal

• The government launched the Study In India (SII) portal, a one-stop platform to simplify the journey of international
students in India
• The portal was launched by Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Education Minister Dharmendra
Pradhan.
• The launch of this portal is aimed at making India a hub of global education by welcoming students from diverse
backgrounds.
• The website-portal will present information about the academic facilities, research support, and related information.
• The new website will now have the provision for students to apply in more than one institute/course of their
choice.
• The new portal will provide an integrated one-stop solution for student registration and visa application process.

Initiatives taken up under NEP 2020

• National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) unequivocally endorses and envisions a substantial increase in public
investment in education by both the Central government and all State Governments to reach 6% of GDP.
• The Policy also calls for the rejuvenation, active promotion, and support for private philanthropic activity in the
education sector.
• There has been increase in budget allocation from Rs. 99,311.52 crore (2020-21) to Rs. 1,12,899.47 crore (2023-
24), which is around 13.68 % increase.
• NEP 2020 provides for facilitation of research/teaching collaborations and faculty/student exchanges with high-
quality foreign institutions.
• So far, 12 institutions have been notified as ‘Institutions of Eminence’ (loE) which include 08 institutions from the
public category and 04 institutions from the private category

NCERT’s Key 19-Member Panel To Develop Textbooks, Syllabus

• NCERT has constituted a committee including author and Infosys Foundation chair Sudha Murthy, singer Shankar
Mahadevan, and economist and member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council Sanjeev Sanyal, to
Page : 195

finalise the curriculum, textbooks and learning material for classes 3 to 12

• The committee will work to align the curriculum with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education
 (NCF-SE) developed by the K Kasturirangan-led steering committee as a part of the implementation of the
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
• To support the functioning of NSCT, NCERT has also constituted a National Oversight Committee (NOC) that
will be chaired by the chancellor, Central University of Punjab, Jagbir Singh

Supreme Court handbook on gender stereotypes

• The Supreme Court has released a 30-page handbook aimed at eliminating gender stereotypes from legal language
and proceedings.’
• It aims to free the judiciary and the legal community from the mechanical application of gender-stereotypical
language in judgments, orders, and court pleadings.
• The Supreme Court suggests using more neutral and respectful terms like “woman,” “wife,” “street sexual
harassment,” and “intersex” instead.
• The handbook discusses assumptions made about a woman’s character based on her clothing choices and sexual
history
• These assumptions can influence how the court assesses her actions, particularly in cases involving sexual violence,
and may undermine the importance of consent in such cases

Panel calls for uniformity in tenures, selection process of heads of various akade-
mis
• A Parliamentary Standing Committee has sought uniformity in the tenures and selection processes for heads and
governing bodies of autonomous institutions run by the Ministry of Culture.’
• It recommended that one Member of Parliament be included in the Governing Bodies to provide “ground reports
• The report highlighted the need for consistency among institutions like the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts,
the Lalit Kala Akademi, the Sahitya Akademi, and the National School of Drama.
• The report emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, ethical conduct, and integrity in the
functioning of these institutions.
• The committee recommended the formulation of a policy that ensures uniformity in terms of tenure, representation,
and the frequency of meetings

National Curriculum Framework for School Education

• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has released National Curriculum Framework for School
Education in New Delhi
• The framework marks an important and transformative step towards the implementation of National Education
Policy - 2020
• The board examinations will be conducted twice a year, providing students with the opportunity to secure their
best scores
• This strategic move aims to reduce the high-pressure environment often associated with single annual exams.
• It addresses the entire educational journey from foundational to secondary stages and it covers all the four stages
of schooling
• The framework introduces multidisciplinary education, nurturing values, fostering creative pedagogies, and
preparing students for practical problem-solving.
• The textbooks for class 3 to 12 will be aligned with 21st Century requirements, making them rooted and futuristic

Gender Inclusion Fund

• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisages equitable and inclusive education for all, with special focus
on children and youth, especially girls, from socially and economically disadvantaged groups
• The policy’s focus is important because despite effort to educate women, the dropout rate for girls is still high after
secondary education
• The enrolment ratio too dips at the secondary and higher secondary levels
Page : 196
• Among many reasons, the onset of menstruation and the lack of availability of hygienic toilets are responsible for
girls leaving school without completing education
• The objectives of NEP for equitable and quality education for girl children are being met through specific
provisions under Samagra Shiksha 2.0 by allocating dedicated resources for Socio-Economically Disadvantaged
Groups (SEDGs)

National Deep Tech Startup Policy

• The government recently issued a Draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy to address the challenges faced by
startups as well as for policy interventions to enhance the ecosystem
• The draft NDTSP suggests necessary changes in nine policy areas such as nurturing research, development
and innovation; strengthening the intellectual property regime; facilitating access to funding; enabling shared
infrastructure and resource sharing; creating conducive regulations, standards, and
• Certifications; attracting human resources and initiating capacity building; promoting procurement and adoption;
ensuring policy and program interlinkages; and sustaining deep tech startups.
• The draft policy was shaped by the National Consortium and Working Group set up by the Prime Minister’s
Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC), which received inputs from over 200
stakeholders within and outside the deep tech startup ecosystem

National Medical Commission Achieves Prestigious WFME Recognition Status

• The National Medical Commission (NMC), India has achieved the remarkable feat of being granted the coveted
World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Recognition Status for a remarkable tenure of 10 years
• This recognition is a testament to NMC’s unwavering commitment to the highest standards in medical education
and accreditation.
• As part of this recognition, all the 706 existing medical colleges in India will become WFME accredited and the
new medical colleges that will be set up in the coming 10 years will automatically become WFME accredited

Centre releases draft guidelines to make Railways more user-friendly for persons
with disabilities
• ‘The government has released draft guidelines on accessibility of railway stations, facilities there and in trains for
people with disabilities, highlighting the need for integrating technology-enabled features such as text-to-speech
and user-friendly pictograms.’
• Integration of accessible features in new train coaches, prominent signage, Braille coach numbers, and
contrasting colours for exteriors are recommended and inclusive coach interiors with accessible toilets and seating
arrangements are also part of the proposed guidelines.
• The existing system of station inspections by multi-disciplinary committees will continue to monitor Divyang-
friendly facilities.
• Accessible lifts at platforms and well-coordinated lighting systems are outlined in the guidelines.
Page : 197
 Learn BITS
Annual Current Affairs Compilation
SCHEMES & POLICIES

1
Page : 198

PART

JAN-DEC 2023

09 Schemes & Policies
Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana
• In a bid to encourage eco-friendly agriculture, the Agriculture Department of Himachal Pradesh introduced a
‘Mobile Van Program’ as part of the ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana’ in Shimla
• This initiative, launched in Shimla, focuses on delivering fresh, organic produce directly to consumers while
promoting organic and chemical-free farming
• The scheme’s five-year plan aims at reducing farming costs, increasing income, and protecting human health and
the environment
• Over 89,000 natural farming farmers have already registered under the scheme, with efforts to expand its reach
and create farmer-product enterprises
• The government aims to connect all 9,61,000 farmers in Himachal Pradesh with the ‘Subhash Palekar Natural
Farming’ (SPNF) method to establish the state as a ‘Natural Farming State

Centre to launch PM PVTG Development Mission

• Article 336 of the constitution allows GoI to make special arrangements for certain communities
• Using this provision, the Government created the category of ST
• However, some of the tribes in the country prefer to live isolated and remain secluded.
• Such tribes do not receive social benefits from the schemes launched by GoI.
• They are referred to as the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group
• During the 2023 Budget, the GoI launched the PM PVTG Development Mission.
• In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, who are
less developed among the tribal groups.
• In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as PVTGs

MISHTI Scheme for Mangrove plantations

• Budget 2023-24 announced that mangrove plantations will be taken up along the country’s coastline apart from
salt pans, wherever feasible, through the convergence of the job guarantee scheme MGNREGS, the Compensatory
Afforestation Fund, and other funding sources
• Building on India’s success in afforestation, ‘Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes’,
MISHTI, will be taken up for mangrove plantation along the coastline and on salt pan lands.
• MISHTI comes at a time when mangrove resources are under the threat of commercialisation for aquaculture,
coastal development, and industrial activities
• Promoting mangrove plantations will help in ecological stabilisation, provide protection against cyclones, support
biodiversity, and create blue carbon sinks

ATMANIRBHAR CLEAN PLANT PROGRAM

• The Indian horticulture sector contributes 33% of the GVA of the country
• The industry is labor intensive and therefore, a small push will increase employment opportunities exponentially
• Today, only 10% of the Indian land is under horticultural use.
• But it contributes 33% of agricultural revenue.
• To increase the value of horticultural crops and to boost productivity, the GoI launched the Atmanirbhat
Horticulture Clean Plant Programme
• The main objective of the program is to increase the availability of disease-free plant material.
• This will help in improving the value of the horticultural crops. The GoI allocated Rs 2,200 crores for this scheme.

PM PRANAM Yojana To Promote Organic Farming

• The Central Government plans to introduce the PM PRANAM scheme
Page : 199

• It stands for PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother Earth.
• The main objective of the scheme is to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers
• The scheme will be financed by the “savings of existing fertiliser subsidy” under the schemes run by the Department
 of Fertilisers scheme and will not have a separate budget
• 50% subsidy savings will be given as a grant to the state that saves money.
• The PM PRANAM scheme could be a game-changer for the agricultural industry as it would encourage natural
farming, lower the burden of subsidies, increase yield, and encourage states

Scheme launched in the Budget 2023-24

• The Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Union Budget 2023-24
in Parliament
• The Union Budget of India is the annual financial statement presented by the Finance Minister of India in Parliament
• It outlines the government’s receipts and expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year and provides an overview of
the country’s financial health
• Digital public infrastructure for agriculture will be built as an open source, open standard and interoperable public
good
• This will enable inclusive, farmer-centric solutions through relevant information services for crop planning and
health, improved access to farm inputs, credit, and insurance, help for crop estimation, market intelligence, and
support for the growth of the agri-tech industry and start-ups

PM-KUSUM scheme gets 3-year extension till 2026

• To boost the solar power installation in rural areas under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan
Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) PM-KUSUM scheme, the government has extended it till March 2026
• Launched in 2019, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) aimed at
adding solar capacity of 30,800 MW by 2022 with total central financial support of Rs 34,422 crore, including
service charges to the implementing agencies
• MNRE is monitoring the scheme through regular meetings with states on a weekly/fortnightly basis.
• State implementation agencies submit progress reports on a monthly basis
• The scheme aims for installation of 10,000 MW of solar capacity by installing small power plants of capacity up
to 2 MW

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana

• Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana generated 1.12 crore net additional employment from 2015 to 2018
• Out of the total 81 lakh loans extended in the State of Rajasthan, more than 52 lakh loans have been extended to
Women entrepreneurs in the last three financial years. This amounts to 64% of loans to Women.
• Since FY 2017-18, loans sanctioned for purchase for Tractors and Power Tillers are included as eligible loans
under PMMY, subject to the upper ceiling of Rs. 10 lakh
• Further, from 2018-19 onwards, loans sanctioned for purchase of two-wheelers by individuals for commercial
purpose have also been included under PMMY.

Red Line Campaign

• The Government is aware of the challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance, which is created by the overuse of
antibiotics
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has taken following initiatives to promote judicious use of
antimicrobials.
• MoHFW launched Red Line awareness campaign on Antimicrobials Resistance, urging people not to use medicines
marked with a red vertical line, including antibiotics, without a doctor’s prescription.
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released treatment guidelines for antimicrobial use in common
syndromes which contain guidelines for use of antibiotics for viral bronchitis and low-grade fever.
• Antibiotics are included in Schedule H and H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945

MIIRA Initiative
• India is planning to launch of a global initiative to encourage the consumption and production of millets
Page : 200

• MIIRA or Millet International Initiative for reasearch and awareness will be aimed at coordinating millet research
programmes at hte international level
• India’s proposal to observe an International Year of Millets in 2023 was approved by the Food and Agriculture
 Organisation (FAO) in 2018 and the United Nations General Assembly has declared the year 2023 as the
International Year of Millets.
• Millet is a collective term referring to a number of small-seeded annual grasses that are cultivated as grain crops,
primarily on marginal lands in dry areas in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions.
• Some of the common millets available in India are Ragi (Finger millet), Jowar (Sorghum), Sama (Little millet).

Vibrant Villages Programme

• Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) has been announced in the Finance Minister’s Budget Speech 2022
• The programme envisages coverage of border villages on Northern border having sparse population, limited
connectivity and infrastructure, which often get left out from the development gains
• The scheme will provide funds for development of essential infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities
in 19 Districts and 46 Border blocks 4 states and 1 UT along the northern land border of the country which will
help in achieving inclusive growth and retaining the population in the border areas.
• There will not be overlap with Border Area Development Programme
• Out of financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore 2500 crore rupees will be used for roads

‘The National Education Policy 2020 envisaged play-based learning teaching material
• In accordance with the policy, Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan recently launched the “JADUI PITARA
• It is a play-based learning material for children between the age of 3 to 8 years. It is available in 13 different Indian
languages
• It was developed under the National Curriculum Framework. The material is easy to use and can be downloaded
and printed on paper.
• The material focuses on five major developmental activities namely literacy development, positive learning habits,
cultural development, cognitive development, socio-emotional development, and ethical development
• The Government of India is in the footsteps of creating AMRIT GENERATION. The teaching material will help
India achieve this

RBI initiates 75 digital villages programme

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched a programme to adopt 75 villages and convert them into digital
payment enabled villages
• Under the initiative, payment system operators (PSOs) will adopt these villages across the country and conduct
two camps in each of these villages with an aim to improve awareness and onboard merchants for digital payments.
• India’s payment systems have evolved over the years and there are now multiple systems available round the clock
facilitating instant payments.
• The payment systems in the country have witnessed over 1000 crore transactions every month since December
2022
• The volume of UPI transactions has increased multi fold from 0.45 crore in January 2017 to 804 crore in January
2023

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, has approved a subsidy of Rs.200 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12
refills per year to be provided to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana(PMUY)
• The total expenditurewill be Rs.6,100 crore for financial year 2022-23 and Rs.7,680 crore for 2023-24.
• The subsidy is credited directly to bank accounts of the eligible beneficiaries
• To make Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), a clean cooking fuel, available to the rural and deprived poor households,
Government launched Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in May 2016, to provide deposit free LPG connections to
adult women of poor households
• Average LPG consumption of PMUY consumers has increased by 20 percent from 3.01 refills in 2019-20 to 3.68
in 2021-22

Govt to launch Pattaya Mission

Page : 201

• Revenue and Housing Department Minister K. Rajan has said that the Pattaya Mission will be formed in the state
by next April with the aim of getting land for all and documents for all.’
• The Pattaya Mission will work under the supervision of the MLAs and People’s Representatives of the respective
area.
• The aim of the government is to provide a person with the right to at least one surname.
• The processes of digitization of all revenue records are in progress.
• Institutions from village office to secretariat will be fully digitized.
• The objective is to make the revenue services available transparently and at the earliest.

MSME Competitive (LEAN) Scheme under MSME Champions Scheme

• Union Minister for MSME Shri Narayan Rane launched the MSME Competitive (LEAN) Scheme recently
• This Scheme is an extensive drive to create awareness amongst MSMEs about LEAN Manufacturing practices and
motivate and incentivize them to attain LEAN levels while also encouraging them to become MSME Champions
• To support MSMEs, Government will contribute 90% of implementation cost for handholding and consultancy
fees
• There will be an additional contribution of 5% for the MSMEs which are part of SFURTI clusters, owned by
Women/SC/ST and located in NER
• There is a unique feature to encourage Industry Associations and OEMs for motivating their supply chain vendors
to participate in this scheme

Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES)

• The Department of Commerce, Government of India, is implementing the Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme
(TIES) w.e.f. FY 2017-18 to assist Central and State Government agencies in creating appropriate infrastructure
for the growth of exports.
• Under the scheme, financial assistance in the form of grants-in-aid is provided to Central/State Government
owned agencies (or their Joint Ventures with major stake-holding by them) for setting up or up-grading export
infrastructure in States/UTs
• The States can avail of the scheme through their implementing agencies for infrastructure projects with significant
export linkages like Border Haats, Land customs stations, quality testing and certification labs, cold chains, trade
promotion centres, export warehousing and packaging, SEZs and ports/airports cargo terminuses

Research, Education and Training Outreach (REACHOUT)

• Union Minister of State, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Dr Jitendra Singh said that an umbrella scheme
Research, Education and Training Outreach (REACHOUT) is being implemented by the Ministry of Earth
Sciences for capacity building
• MoES implements REACHOUT, which is an umbrella scheme of the following six sub-schemes
• Research and Development in Earth System Science (RDESS).
• Outreach and awareness.
• Knowledge Resources Center Network (KRCNet)
• BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate (BCWC)
• International Training Centre for Operational Oceanography (ITCOocean)
• Program for development of skilled workforce in Earth system sciences (DESK)

Pm-Devine Scheme
• PM-DevINE was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 to address development gaps in the North Eastern
Region (NER)
• It is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% Central fundin
• The new scheme, to be implemented during the remaining four years of the 15th Finance Commission from 2022-
23 to 2025-26 have an outlay of Rs.6,600 crore.
• The PM-DevINE is in addition to the quantum of resources available for the development of the NE region.
• It will not be a substitute for existing central and state schemes.
• The scheme will be implemented by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region through North Eastern
Page : 202

Council or Central Ministries/ agencies

PM Mitra
• The Government of India recently announced the sites for setting up of 7 PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and
Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks for the Textile industry
• PM MITRA Parks will help in creating world-class industrial infrastructure that would attract large scale investment
including foreign direct investment (FDI) and encourage innovation and job creation within the sector.
• These are aimed at helping India to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9: “Build resilient
infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation”.
• It is hoped that the PM MITRA Parks will have world-class industrial infrastructure which would attract cutting-
edge technology and boost FDI and local investment in the textiles sector.

Nehru Memorial Museum and Library

• Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) has launched an ambitious project to digitize the research material
in its possession
• Under this project, the goal is to ensure the conversion of the entire India House Collection of the Library
consisting of 40,000 books, reports, periodicals (containing around 70,00,000 pages), 55,00,000 pages of archival
documents, and of 30,000 microfilms and 57,000 microfiches (consisting of approximately 2.5 crore images) to
digital form
• The digitization project is being implemented with the help of three outsourced agencies which are working on the
digitization of India House Collection, the archival papers, and the microfilms and microfiches.
• In order to ensure the safety of records and authentication of scanned images, NMML staff is working on the
project in collaboration with the outsourced agencies

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana

• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched during the year 2015-16, with an aim to enhance
physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use
efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc
• It was launched in 2015 and is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, providing central grants to the State Governments
for specific activities (90:10 for NE states & 75:25 for rest).
• The overreaching vision of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is to ensure access to some means
of protective irrigation to all agricultural farms in the country, to produce ‘per drop more crop’, thus bringing
much desired rural prosperity

National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) scheme

• Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) is implementing National Programme for Dairy
Development (NPDD) scheme across the country since Feb-2014
• The scheme has been restructured/ realigned in July 2021 for implementation from 2021-22 to 2025- 26with
following two components
• The Component ‘’A’’ of NPDD focuses on creating/strengthening of infrastructure for quality milk testing
equipment as well as primary chilling facilities for State Cooperative Dairy Federations/ District Cooperative
Milk Producers’ Union/SHGs/Milk Producer Companies/Farmer Producer Organizations
• The Component ‘B’ of the NPDD scheme “Dairying through Cooperatives” aims to increase sale of milk and dairy
products by increasing farmer’s access to organized market, upgrading dairy processing facilities and marketing
infrastructure and enhancing the capacity of producer owned institutions

DigiClaim
• Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar launched National Crop Insurance
Portal’s digitized claim settlement module namely DigiClaim under the ambit of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima
Yojana (PMFBY) at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi
• This would directly impact the claim reversal ratio, which is expected to go down with DigiClaim.
• Another noteworthy feature of this digital advancement is that farmers would be able to track the claim settlement
Page : 203

process on their mobile phones in real-time and avail the scheme’s benefits.
• With this, now farmers’ claims will be processed directly to their respective bank accounts in a transparent and
accountable manner.
• This technology has been enabled through the integration of the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) and
Public Finance Management System (PFMS)

Sagar Manthan dashboard

• The Real-time Performance Monitoring Dashboard of MoPSW called ‘Sagar Manthan’ was virtually launched by
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonowal
• The digital platform is designed to have all integrated data related to the ministry and other subsidiaries.
• The platform, which was developed in-house under the guidance of Sudhanshu Pant, the Secretary of MoPSW,
was completed efficiently in less than 1.5 months
• The newly launched dashboard is expected to enhance the functioning of different departments by providing well-
coordinated and up-to-date information in real-time

National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) scheme

• Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) provided financial assistance to the States/Union
Territories under the National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP) and National Lake Conservation Plan
(NLCP)
• For conservation and management of identified wetlands and lakes respectively
• MoEF&CC is currently implementing NPCA scheme for conservation and management of wetlands (includes
lakes) in the country on cost sharing basis between Central Government and respective State Governments.
• The total wetland area estimated is 15.98 million hectare (mha) including rivers and excluding paddy field areas
that is around 4.86% of the geographic area of the country

Atal Innovation Mission Launches Three Innovative Resources to Empower India’s

Young Minds
• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, has launched three new resources aimed at fostering innovation and
creativity among India’s youth
• The launch event introduced the ATL Tinkering Curriculum, Equipment Manual, and the Calendar of Activities
for 2023-24
• The ATL Tinkering Curriculum is a structured learning pathway designed to help students develop and hone their
innovation skills
• The Calendar of Activities for 2023-24 outlines a year-long schedule of events, workshops, and competitions
aimed at promoting innovation and entrepreneurship among students.
• The calendar has the latest Tinkering Curriculum and Equipment Manual integrated into it

Samudrayaan Project
• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology;Dr. Jitendra Singh said that Samudrayaan
Project was launched in September, 2021 under Deep Ocean Mission with a budgetary outlay of Rs 119 Crores
• MoES/NCPOR has collected comprehensive oceanographic, geophysical, geological, and biological data
in the deep-sea regions of mid-ocean ridges in the Indian Ocean to explore potential locations of multi-metal
hydrothermal sulphides
• It is India’s first manned ocean mission, with the goal of sending men deep into the ocean in a submersible vehicle
for deep-ocean exploration and rare mineralextraction
• It will carry three people to a depth of 6000 metres in the sea in a manned submersible vehicle called MATSYA
6000 for deep underwater research

Sukh-Ashray Yojana
• Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Sing Sukhu said that Sukh-Ashray Yojana will ensure better life
Page : 204

and education for orphans and the destitute

• He said that Sukh- Ashray Yojana addresses a long-neglected issue
• He said that in order to benefit deprived and needy children and to improve the quality of their lives the Government
has started the Yojana which has now been given a legal shape during the budget session.
• The Himachal Pradesh Sukh-Ashraya (Care, Protection and Self-Reliance of Children) Bill, 2023 will make the
destitute children the responsibility of the state government
• The state government will take steps to nurture these children as guardians and help them reintegrate into the
mainstream of society

Language friendship bridge

• Recently, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) intends to establish a pool of specialists in ten languages
from neighboring nations and others having a shared cultural history with India
• It seeks to spread its cultural impact in nations with which it has historical links, especially those in its immediate
neighborhood
• India intends to establish a pool of specialists in languages spoken in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, and
Indonesia in order to allow improved people-to-people relations
• Until recently, the focus of language study in India has been on European languages such as Spanish, French, and
German, as well as major Asian economies such as China and Japan

Himachal Pradesh launches project Sanjeevani

• ‘The economy of Himachal Pradesh is predominantly reliant on agriculture and animal husbandry
• The rural households in the state consider livestock care as a crucial aspect, given the livestock population of
approximately 4.41 million
• The state government has initiated a project named Sanjeevani to uplift the livelihood of small dairy farmers and
livestock owners
• The project aims to enhance the lives of farmers by providing them with convenient and high-quality livestock
care services at their doorstep, utilizing telemedicine and technology.
• This will aid in reducing the turnaround time for services and potentially prevent outbreaks.
• The project intends to ensure the timely delivery of quality treatment to livestock, saving farmers the additional
expenses of traveling for availing veterinary services like artificial insemination, medicines, vaccination, surgery,
and infertility testing

HELP Program
• The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Mr. Pushkar Singh Dhami launched ‘A-HELP’ (Accredited Agent for Health
and Extension of Livestock Production) programme in the State of Uttarakhand
• Pashu-Sakhis of the self-help groups of the State Rural Livelihood Mission were trained as A-Help workers in
a programme organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and
Dairying in collaboration with the state animal husbandry department with the objective of boosting rural economy
• This is a concerted effort towards women empowerment, which will set new dimensions in the production of milk,
poultry and organic manure management in the country.
• A-Help trained workers will help in giving pace to vaccination programmes, obtaining loan for entrepreneurship
development,marking the tagging of animals and registering them on INAPH portal and livestock insurance etc

Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI)

• The Union government has drawn up the country’s first animal pandemic response plan in collaboration with
the World Bank, which will be implemented as a central government scheme to deal with outbreaks such as the
devastating lumpy skin disease among cattle in 2021-2022
• The programme seeks to ramp up surveillance, treatment and diagnostics infrastructure across 151 districts in five
states with a federal funding of ?1,229 crore
• India has one of the largest national livestock populations in the world at 536.76 million, according to the livestock
census, 2019, and is a key source of income of nearly 80 million farmers
• Livestock accounts for 30% of the country’s gross value added, or GVA, in the farm sector
• GVA is a measure of income that subtracts net taxes from gross domestic product, or GDP

NAMAN Programme
Page : 205

• The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and NGO Ashraya Hastha Trust (AHT)
signed an MoU recently to test the feasibility of a model comprehensive rural mental health program named
 “NAMAN
• NIMHANS-AHT Comprehensive Mental-Health Action Program for Rural Communities in two taluks before
launching it nationwide
• The pilot mental healthcare programme will be implemented over three years in four phases, which include
resource building, situational analysis, intervention and evaluation
• Nimhans will develop and implement the overall road map of the programme
• The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, will collaborate with Nimhans to deliver the
programme in Uttarakhand
• The governments of Karnataka and Uttarakhand will be the implementation partners

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission

• The Ministry of Rural Development’s Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-
NRLM) today launched “Sangathan Se Samridhhi– Leaving no Rural Woman Behind”, a national campaign under
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Samaveshi Vikaas
• The campaign’s primary objective is to mobilize disadvantaged rural communities unaware of the benefits of the
DAY-NRLM program.
• The campaign will be organized in all states, with the expectation of forming more than 1.1 lakh SHGs during the
period.
• The campaign was launched by Shri Giriraj Singh, Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in New
Delhi.
• This campaign to mobilize an additional 1 crore women to the 9 crore women already part of the SHG movement.

UDAN 5.0
• The government recently launched the fifth round of the regional air connectivity scheme to further enhance the
connectivity to remote and regional areas
• Under UDAN 5.0, viability gap funding (VGF) will be capped at 600 kilometres stage length for both priority and
non-priority areas, which was earlier capped at 500 km.
• Besides, no pre-determined routes would be offered. Only network and individual route proposals by airlines will
be considered
• This new and stronger version of the scheme will raise the momentum, connecting new routes and bring us closer
to the target of operationalising 1,000 routes and 50 additional airports, heliports and water aerodromes in the
near future

Inclusive Development CampaignW

• ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch nine campaigns on inclusive development, and also inaugurate a
website and a mobile app on ‘Samaveshi Vikas
• The campaigns will be launched on National Panchayati Raj Day in Reqa, Madhya Pradesh
• Out of the nine campaigns under this theme, five are of the Ministry of Rural Development
• These include — Samagra Awaas under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), Financial Literacy at
District Level, Promoting Digital Transaction at Gram Panchayat Level and Social Mobilisation of Eligible Rural
Women into Self Help Group (SHG) Network
• A campaign for Plantation Drive on River Banks under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is also on the list.

Parvatmala Pariyojana
• The government plans to develop over 250 projects with a ropeway length of more than 1,200 km over the next
five years
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) is responsible for development of Highways and
regulating the road transport sector across the country. Parvatmala will be taken up on PPP mode, which will be a
preferred ecologically sustainable alternative in place of conventional roads in difficult hilly areas
Page : 206

• The idea is to improve connectivity and convenience for commuters, besides promoting tourism
• This may also cover congested urban areas, where conventional mass transit system is not feasible

100 Food Streets in 100 Districts Across Country

• Union Health Ministry in collaboration with Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has requested states/UTs to
develop 100 food streets in 100 districts across the country
• This initiative is being taken up as a pilot project to create an example for other such streets to come up across the
country for ensuring hygienic and safe food practices
• The aim of this project is to encourage safe and healthy food practices among food businesses and community
members, thus, reducing foodborne illnesses and improving the overall health outcomes.100 such food streets will
be opened up in 100 districts across the country (List given below)
• This assistance will be provided under National Health Mission (NHM) in the ratio of 60:40 or 90: 10

eShram Portal
• Union labour minister Bhupender Yadav launched new features on eShram portal including the one which will
help in capturing family details of migrant workers for providing the benefit of child education and women centric
schemes
• Registered workers can now connect with employment opportunities, skilling, apprenticeship, pension scheme,
digital skilling and states’ schemes through eShram portal
• The new features added in eShram portal will enhance the utility of the portal and facilitate ease of registration
for unorganised workers
• The Union minister also formally launched Data Sharing Portal (DSP) for sharing of eShram data with states and
Union Territories

SWAGAT initiative
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 20th anniversary of the State Wide Attention on Grievances by
Application of Technology (SWAGAT) initiative in Gujarat
• The main purpose of the scheme was to act as a bridge between the citizens and the government using technology
by solving their day-to-day grievances in a quick, efficient and time-bound manner.
• Over the past twenty years, the Swagat initiative has successfully resolved the grievances of numerous citizens
in Gujarat and has received recognition at both national and international levels. Notably, it was honored with the
United Nations’ Public Service Award in 2010

Safe City Project

• ‘Delhi will soon have a seamless network of sensors implemented as part of the first phase of the Safe City Project.’
• Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena reviewed the progress of the Central government-funded initiative and
issued instructions to Delhi Police to operationalise the ?798-crore project by Auust to ensure technology-enabled
enhanced policing and better security for citizens, especially women
• It aims to create a safe, secure and empowering environment for women in public places
• It is a cutting-edge security system meant for preventing and investigating crimes
• It will further maintain surveillance at crucial public installations.It will enable citizens and especially women to
pursue all opportunities without the threat of gender-based violence and/or harassment

Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

• Total enrolment under Atal Pension Yojana crossed 5.20 crore mark as on 31 March 2023
• The scheme enrolled more than 1.19 crore new subscribers in FY 2022-23 as compared to 99 lakh in the last
financial year, depicting a growth of more than 20%
• In the Public Sector Banks (PSBs) category, 9 banks achieved the annual target while Bank of India, State Bank
of India, and Indian Bank sourced more than 100 APY accounts per branch.
• Under this social security scheme, a subscriber receives a minimum guaranteed pension of 1000 to 5000 per
month from the age of 60 years, depending upon his contribution
Page : 207
Production-Linked Incentve scheme for the automotive sector
• The Union government recently announced the standard operating procedure of the production linked incentive
scheme for automobile sector, whereby applicants can submit applications for testing and certification of advanced
automotive technology products, which will help them qualify for incentives.
• The PLI-Auto Scheme proposes financial incentives to boost domestic manufacturing of advanced automotive
technology (AAT) products and attract investments in the automotive manufacturing value chain.
• The Government of India, with a view to promoting ease of doing business, has taken care to devise simple
procedures with the minimum paperwork needed to file an application under the PLI scheme

Revamped CGTMSE Scheme

• ‘Union Minister for MSME Shri Narayan Rane launched the revamped CGTMSE Scheme in Mumbai
• It was launched in 2000 by the Government of India (GoI) to make available collateral-free credit to the micro
and small enterprise sector
• CGTMSE will collaborate with National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ni-msme), Hyderabad
for setting up a Centre of Financial Inclusion for MSME.
• Government has set a target of increasing credit guarantee to ?50,000 crores under this scheme, which is a jump
of about 67% over the last year

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PWMJDY)

• In the past two financial years, only 329 of the 647 claims filed for accident insurance cover provided to bank
account holders under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) have been settled
• PMJDY was announced by Prime Minister in 2014, and has been a key initiative towards the commitment to
provide financial inclusiveness and support to the marginalized and hitherto socio-economically neglected classes
• The key condition to avail the accident insurance is that the beneficiary must have performed at least one successful
transaction (financial or non-financial) using the card in the 90 days prior to date of accident.
• This condition, however, makes filing claims difficult

Vivad se Vishwas scheme

• The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, has launched the scheme, “Vivad se Vishwas I – Relief to
MSMEs” for providing relief to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for COVID-19 period
• Under the scheme, ministries have been asked to refund performance security, bid security and liquidated damages
forfeited or deducted during the Covid-19 pandemic
• Certain relief has also been provided to MSMEs debarred for default in execution of contracts during the Covid-19
period
• The finance ministry through this scheme has decided to give certain additional benefits to eligible MSMEs,
affected during the Covid-19 period like refunding 95 per cent of the performance security forfeited earlier during
the pandemic

National SC-ST Hub Scheme

• The MSME ministry’s scheme to support scheduled caste and scheduled tribe entrepreneurs to fulfill the mandate
of 4 per cent public procurement from central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) — National Scheduled Caste and
Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) has benefitted over 1 lakh entrepreneurs
• The aim is to create a conducive environment that fosters and supports SC/ST entrepreneurs in meeting the
mandated 4% procurement by Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) as specified in the Government’s Public
Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises.
• The scheme was launched in October 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is implemented by MSME
Ministry’s National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC)

Wayanad Tops Swachh Bharat’s ODF Plus Rankings

Page : 208

• Recently, Wayanad became the first district in the country to be declared ODF (open defecation-free) Plus
• Wayanad district topped the Swachh Bharat Mission’s ODF Plus rankings in the three-star category, followed by
Mancheriyal district in Maharashtra and Anupur district in Madhya Pradesh
• This is a significant milestone in the country’s efforts towards maintaining cleanliness and sanitation under the
Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission)
• ‘Open defecation free’ (ODF) is a term used to describe communities that have shifted to using toilets instead of
open defecation.
• Ending open defecation is one of the indicators used to track progress toward Sustainable.

Project Dantak
• The Prime Minister has praised the initiative by Border Roads Organisation Project Dantak to commemorate 64th
Raising Day. DANTAK helped in strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Bhutan
• Project DANTAK was established on April 24, 1961 as a result of the visionary leadership of His Majesty the
Third King and then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru
• Over the years, the Project has completed approximately 1600 km of blacktopped roads and 120 km of tracks in
Bhutan with 5000 meters of bridges over them

Project SMART
• The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and Ministry of Railways jointly signed an MoU with Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for ‘Station Area Development
• Project-SMART envisages to develop surrounding areas of Mumbai - Ahmedabad High Speed Railway (MAHSR)
Stations to enhance accessibility and convenience of commuters & other stakeholders and to promote economic
activities in the vicinity of station areas
• The project would facilitate and enhance institutional capacity of State Governments, Municipal Corporations and
Urban Development Authorities to plan, develop and manage surrounding areas of MAHSR stations.
• To achieve this objective, MoHUA, the governments of Gujarat and Maharashtra, and JICA are organizing a series
of seminars and field visits in Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana

• The Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and
Atal Pension Yojana (APY) have recorded enrolments of 16.2 crore, 34.2 crore and 5.2 crore, respectively in eight
years of its existence
• These schemes have covered over 556 million beneficiaries in eight years providing exigency support of ?15,592
crore nearly eight lakh people under the first two insurance schemes.
• PMJJBY, PMSBY and APY were launched by the Prime Minister on May 9, 2015 in Kolkata
• While PMJJBY provided support to 6.64 lakh families receiving claims of ?13,290 crore, under PMSBY scheme
more than 1.15 lakh families received claims for ?2,302 crore

Target Olympic Podium Scheme

• Atanu Das, an Olympic Archer and World Championship Silver Medallist, has been re-admitted to the Target
Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS)
• This decision was made due to his outstanding performances in the Archery World Cup in Antalya and the domestic
circuit.
• After a break of one and a half years, Atanu returned to international outdoor competition and secured the fourth
spot in the Men’s Recurve individual rankings with a score of 673 points
• The Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS), an initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, was
launched in September 2014 with the aim of helping India win Olympic medals in the 2016 (Rio) and 2020
(Tokyo) Olympics

Pradhan Mantri MatsyaSampada Yojana(PMMSY)

• For giving fresh impetus to deliverables under the flagship Pradhan Mantri MatsyaSampada Yojana(PMMSY)
seven major field studies are being carried out by the autonomous body, National Productivity Council (NPC)
• PMMSY has proved to be transformative in boosting the contribution of fisheries sector to country’s GDP.
Page : 209

• Innovative and proactive measures by the Government of India along with stakeholders is bringing about a new
 blue revolution
• The new field studies by NPC would help the Department further strengthen its mechanisms of delivery.
• PMMSY is a scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries
sector in the country at an estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crores

Production Linked Incentive Scheme – 2.0

• The Union Cabinet of India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the implementation
of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme 2.0 for IT hardware
• The scheme, with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 17,000 crore, aims to promote electronics manufacturing in the
country
• Over the past eight years, the electronics manufacturing sector in India has experienced steady growth, with a
compounded annual growth rate of 17%
• This year, the industry crossed the milestone of $105 billion (approximately Rs. 9 lakh crore).
• India has become the world’s second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones, with mobile phone exports exceeding
$11 billion (around Rs. 90 thousand crore)

5G technology training programme

• The Uttar Pradesh government will launch a 5G technology training programme under its Skill Development
Mission to train youths in new and future employable technologies
• Under the programme, the government will train the youths and make also arrangements for their employment.
• According to the proposal, at least 1,000 youths have to be trained and given jobs under this programme in eight
months.
• The programme is likely to be started shortly in five districts among Lucknow, Kanpur, Gautam Buddha Nagar,
Moradabad, Agra, Gorakhpur, Varanasi and Prayagraj

STARS Program
• Ministry of Education and World Bank organised a one of its kind workshop on School-to-Work Transition under
the STARS Program in Mumbai recently
• The workshop was also attended by the Secretaries of Education and Skill Department of the six STARS states i.e.
Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
• The workshop focussed on discussion on a Skill Gap analysis of the six STARS States and Uttar Pradesh along
with convergence of vocational and skill.
• A broad-based strategy was proposed with focus on vocational education, industry tie-ups, integrating vocational
studies with school curricula and modifying the existing school syllabus to meet industry demands and make
students job ready after class 12th

Parakh
• The Ministry of Education and PARAKH - the national assessment centre, organised the first national-level
workshop on assessment with the states and union territories (UTs)
• The workshop was organised in New Delhi and focused on school assessment, examination practices and equality
between educational boards nationwide.
• The workshop discussed the rote learning culture in India and emphasised designing standardised question papers,
balancing the weightage given to formative and summative assessments and reducing the burden associated with
higher education institutions.
• Along with this, the workshop also focused on the analysis of the results of secondary and higher secondary
examinations.
• Parakh is an organisation under the National Council of Research and Training (NCERT)

Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building And Livelihood Pro-

gramme
Page : 210

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India envisages to
celebrate the World Environment Day 2023 with a thrust on the Mission LiFE
• The concept of LiFE, introduced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, aims to promote sustainable living by
encouraging individuals to make changes in their lifestyles and emphasizes responsible and conscious use of
resources to safeguard and conserve the environment
• To generate widespread awareness and advocacy for LiFE across India, a month-long mass mobilization campaign
on Mission LiFE is currently underway
• Environmental Information System (ENVIS) was renamed as EIACP (Environmental Information, Awareness,
Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme).
• ENVIS came into existence as a plan programme in 1983

I-T brings e-appeal scheme to resolve small disputes

• To reduce the disputes associated with the Income-Tax department, the government is taking continuous steps
• In line with this effort, the government has introduced the e-appeal scheme
• Taxpayers can now file their appeals electronically before the Joint Commissioner against decisions made by the
income tax officer.
• The government aims to expedite the resolution of minor tax-related disputes through this scheme
• Under the e-scheme, aggrieved taxpayers can present their cases before the Joint Commissioner (Appeals) against
I-T orders.
• Appeals can be made against assessment orders passed under Section 143(3) or best judgment assessment orders
issued under Section 144.
• The entire process between the appellant and the Joint Commissioner (Appeals) will be conducted electronically.

Unified Registration Portal For Gobardhan

• The union minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the unified registration portal for
‘GOBARdhan
• Which will act as a one stop repository to assess investment and participation in biogas or compressed biogas
(CBG) sector at pan-India level and streamline the process of setting up biogas plants in India
• Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) is a umbrella initiative of government of India,
based on the whole of government approach and aims to convert waste to wealth towards promoting circular
economy
• The Unified Registration Portal of GOBARdhan is an example of cooperative federalism as the stakeholder
central ministries, all line departments of centre and states have come together in development and deployment
of the portal

Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention and Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation

Scheme (PIC/S)
• ‘India is set to join an international regime that fosters cooperation between countries and regulatory authorities in
good manufacturing practices (GMP) in order to improve the quality of their medical products
• The move to join the Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention and Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme
(PIC/S) was triggered by the deaths of 66 children in Gambia that were linked to toxic Indian-made cough syrups
• A second factor was market access problems faced by Indian medical products in quality-conscious UAE and Gulf
Cooperation Council
• Under PIC/S, India’s industry, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises, will be required to adopt global
standards, specifically focusing on good manufacturing practices.
• This step will not only help avert tragedies similar to the Gambia incident but also facilitate market access in
advanced economies

Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research

• ‘The Ministry of Power and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy are collaborating on a new initiative
called the National Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR)
• This mission aims to identify and develop emerging technologies in the power sector within and outside of India.
• MAHIR will foster collaboration among industry, academia, and government to create an ecosystem for innovation
Page : 211

and research translation in the power sector.

• The mission will engage with prominent institutions such as IITs, IIMs, NITs, IISERs, and universities, while also
working with startups and established industries in the power sector
Exploration of Coal and Lignite Scheme
• Ministry of Coal has approved a plan called the “Exploration of Coal and Lignite Scheme” with an estimated
expenditure of ?2,980 crore
• The approval will provide an outlay of Rs.1650 crore for Promotional (Regional) Exploration and Rs.1330 crore
for Detailed Drilling in Non-CIL areas.
• Approximately, 1300 sq. km area will be covered under Regional exploration and approximately 650 sq. km area
will be covered under Detailed exploration.
• The central sector scheme aims to explore coal and lignite resources in the country, estimate their availability, and
prepare detailed project reports for coal mining

PLI Schemes
• ‘The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes have led to a significant increase in production, employment
generation, economic growth and exports in the country
• There was a significant increase of 76% in FDI in the Manufacturing sector in FY 2021-22 (USD 21.34 billion)
compared to previous FY 2020-21 (USD 12.09 billion)
• The PLI schemes as envisioned by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the objective of making India
‘AatmaNirbhar’ is built on the foundation of 14 sectors with an incentive outlay of Rs. 1.97 lakh crore (about US$
26 billion) to strengthen their production capabilities and help create global champions

VAIBHAV Fellowship ProgWramme

• The Government has launched a new fellowship programme to connect the Indian STEMM diaspora with Indian
academic and R&D institutions for collaborative research work leading to sharing of knowledge, wisdom, and
best practices in the frontier areas of science & technology
• The Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) fellowships programme to be implemented by the Department of
Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, would be awarded to outstanding scientist/
technologists of Indian origin (NRI/OCI/PIO) who are engaged in research activities in their respective countries
• The 75 selected fellows would be invited to work in 18 identified knowledge verticals including quantum
technology, health, pharma, electronics, agriculture, energy, computer sciences, and material sciences amongst
others

India Infrastructure Project Development Funding Scheme

• The IFS has revamped its website www.pppinindia.gov.in for its enhanced value to the stakeholders involved in
PPP projects
• PPPININDIA is a website dedicated to promoting and facilitating Public Private Partnerships in India and helps
in bridging the gap between the public and private sectors
• The website serves as a digital platform that brings together government entities, private companies, investors and
entrepreneurs fostering collaboration and innovation for sustainable growth
• Through this revamped website, the IFS aims to create a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures partnership, encourages
investment, and facilitates the exchange of knowledge and resources.
• To promote Digital India initiative of the Government of India, the IFS has launched the IIPDF Portal for submitting
applications for consideration under IIPDF Scheme

Indian Languages Programme

• Google recently launched the ‘Indian Languages Programme’ under its News Initiative to support local news
publishers in India
• The Indian Languages Programme is a comprehensive initiative designed to empower publishers through various
components, including access to training, technical support, and funding, to help them improve their digital
operations and reach more readers
• The GNI (Google News Initiative) Indian Languages Programme follows a structured format that includes various
Page : 212

components to support and empower publishers, which includes a range of activities, including scaled inspiration
series and virtual workshops
• Selected publishers will also undergo a diagnosis process to assess their page speed, core web vitals performance,
and other relevant parameters

DAKSHTA Programme
• A new curated collection, DAKSHTA (Development of Attitude, Knowledge, Skill for Holistic Transformation in
Administration) For Young Professionals, is now Live on the iGOT Karmayogi Platform
• The iGOT (Integrated Government Online Training) Karmayogi platform (https://igotkarmayogi.gov.in/) is a
comprehensive portal to guide government officials in their capacity-building journey.
• The portal combines six functional hubs for online learning, competency management, career management,
discussions, events and networking.
• Karmayogi Bharat, a government-owned, not-for-profit special purpose vehicle, has been established by the
Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and is entrusted with the responsibility for owning, managing,

Purvodaya
• Dr Jitendra Singh while inaugurating the “ Purvoday” Conclave showcasing incredible transformation in Northeast
during the last 9 years
• From 2014 to 2022, 1,350 projects worth Rs.15,867 crore have been sanctioned under the schemes of the Ministry
of DoNER and NEC in the North-Eastern States
• The Armed Forces Special Protection Act (AFSPA) has been completely removed from Tripura and Meghalaya,
and majorly removed from Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh barring some areas.
• Over 3.37 lakh crore in the North-east region from 2014-15 to 2021-22 under 10% GBS and is expected to reach
Rs. 5 lakh crores with the allocated expenditure for 2022-23 and 2023-24

Scheme for Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States

• The Centre has launched a scheme for “expansion of modernisation of fire services in the states” for which ?5,000
crore has been earmarked
• Several key initiatives are being taken to ensure ‘zero death’ and minimum loss of property during disasters by
strengthening disaster risk reduction system in India to make it disaster resilient
• The objective of the scheme is to expand and modernize fire services in the states with a view that activities for
strengthening fire services at the state-level through preparedness and capacity-building component of the NDRF
will be ensured.
• The state government concerned will have to contribute 25% of the total project cost - the north-eastern and
Himalayan states shall contribute only 10% - from their budgetary resources

Gramodyog Vikas Yojna

• The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, distributed Honey Bee-Boxes and Toolkits to 130
beneficiaries
• The program was organized under the ‘Gramodyog Vikas Yojna’ of Khadi and Village Industries Commission
(KVIC), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, State Office Delhi, Government of India
• During the program, 100 Bee-Boxes and Bee-Colonies were distributed to 10 beneficiaries, while Plumber
Toolkits were provided to 20 trained beneficiaries and Footwear Repairing Tool Kits to 50 beneficiaries under the
Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (GVY)
• The financial year 2022-23 witnessed remarkable achievements for KVIC, with a turnover exceeding Rs 1.34 lakh
crore, the highest in its 66-year history

Odisha announces state forest rights scheme to benefit over 7 lakh households
• The Odisha government has recently introduced a groundbreaking scheme named Mo Jungle Jami Yojana, aimed
at bolstering forest rights among tribal communities and forest dwellers across the state
• With this initiative, Odisha is set to become the first state in India to recognize both individual and community
forest rights
Page : 213

• The Mo Jungle Jami Yojana scheme operates in conjunction with the 2006 Recognition of Forest Rights Act
(FRA), which focuses on acknowledging the rights of scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers.
• The state is home to 62 different tribes of which 13 are recognised as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
(PVTG).
• The tribal population is estimated at 9,590,756 which amounts to 22.85 per cent of the overall population

Govt launches scheme for shelter, aid to pregnant minor rape victims
• ‘Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani recently launched a scheme to provide shelter,
food and legal aid for pregnant minor victims of sexual assault who have no family support
• The proposal for “critical care and support for accessing justice to rape/gang rape survivors and minor girls who
get pregnant” has been approved by the WCD Ministry with an outlay of Rs 74.10 crore and will be applicable
across the country.
• The scheme aims to provide shelter, food, daily needs, safe transportation for attending court hearings and legal
aid to minor girls who have been abandoned by their family due to forced pregnancy, either due to rape or gang
rape, or due to any other reason, and have no other means to support themselves

Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector (SAMARTH)

• In a meeting of the Empowered Committee for Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector (SAMARTH)
held recently, the panel of implementing partners has been broadened with empanelment of 43 new implementing
partners and additional target of training around 75,000 beneficiaries has been allocated to the training partners to
enable imparting of skill to the workforce
• The Funding pattern has also been revised with an increment of 5% in cost norms, which will give much needed
additional financial support to industries imparting skill under this Scheme.
• SAMARTH is a demand driven and placement-oriented umbrella skilling programme of the Ministry of Textiles
formulated under the broad skilling policy framework adopted by M/o Skill Development & Entrepreneurship

Heralding Accelerated Rural and Agriculture Transformation Campaign

• Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja launched a new campaign for banks under Agri Infra Fund titled BHARAT
(Banks Heralding Accelerated Rural & Agriculture Transformation)
• He complimented the banks for their active involvement and support to promote this scheme which has resulted
in creation of more than 31, 850 agri infra projects in the country with Rs 24,750 crore as loan amount under AIF
with an outlay of Rs 42,000 crore
• AIF provides support of 3% interest subvention, credit guarantee support through Credit Guarantee Fund Trust
for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme for loan of up to Rs. 2 crore and facility of convergence with
other Central and State Government schemes

Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana

• ‘The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has been working towards creating an inclusive and equitable
society for all its citizens
• The Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), introduced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is a
comprehensive initiative aimed at empowering senior citizens in India
• This scheme recognizes the invaluable contribution made by the elderly to society and seeks to ensure their well-
being and social inclusion
• By recognizing the invaluable contributions of the elderly to society, the government aims to empower and uplift
them, ensuring their active participation and inclusion in all aspects of life.
• Nearly 1.5 lakh beneficiaries are staying in the Senior Citizen homes. 361 districts across the country have been
covered

Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region

• The meeting was organized to review the progress of Phase-III of the Mission Organic Value Chain Development
for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)
• A Centrally Sponsored Scheme which aims to develop end to end organic value chains in North Eastern States
Page : 214

• MOVCDNER scheme launched during 2015-16 has helped in bringing 1.73 lakh ha area under organic farming
benefiting 1.89 lakh farmer
• During this period 379 FPOs/FPCs were formed involving creation of 205 Collection, Aggregation and Grading
units, 190 Custom Hiring Centres and 123 Processing unit and Pack houses.
• 7 Brands have also been developed
• The scheme supports the development of the entire value chain from inputs, seeds, certification to collection
facilities, processing, marketing and brand building

Bharat Dal
• Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal launched the sale of subsidised chana dal at Rs 60 per
kg under a brand name ‘Bharat Dal’ to provide pulses at an affordable rate to consumers
• Chana dal is being sold in Delhi-NCR through the retail outlets of National Agricultural Cooperative Maketing
Federation (NAFED)
• The chana dal, under this arrangement, is also made available to state governments for supplies under their welfare
schemes, police, jails, and also for distribution through their consumer cooperative outlets
• Chana is the most abundantly produced pulse in India and consumed in several forms all over India
• Chana whole is soaked and boiled to make salad and roasted chana is served as snacks

Madhya Pradesh government launches ambitious plan for 9,000 ‘CM Rise’ schools
• ‘The Madhya Pradesh government will set up 9,000 ‘CM Rise’ schools to provide quality education
• 9000 CM Rise schools will be set up to provide quality education and these will have ‘smart classes’ through
which teachers from Delhi and Mumbai can teach students
• Atal Tinkering Lab will also be set up in these schools for promoting innovations and creativity
• The schools will have modern labs, sports grounds etc
• These innovative classrooms will provide students with the opportunity to learn from experienced teachers from
Delhi and Mumbai, ensuring access to top-notch educational resources.

First ever “Credit Guarantee Scheme” for Livestock Sector

• Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and
Dairying recently announced the launch of a new credit guarantee scheme
• The credit guarantee scheme facilitates access to finance for the un-served and under-served livestock sector, making
the availability of financial assistance from lenders to mainly first-generation entrepreneurs and underprivileged
section of society, who lack collateral security for supporting their ventures.
• The aim was to incentivize investments by entrepreneurs, private firms, MSMEs, farmers’ producers organizations
(FPOs) and Section 8 companies to establish dairy processing and value addition infrastructure; meat processing
and value addition infrastructure; animal feed plant; breed improvement technology and breed multiplication
farm; etc

Industry Leaders Forge Alliance for increasing Demand of Electric Freight Vehi-
cles
• ‘NITI Aayog, in collaboration with World Resources Institute (WRI), India, launched the country’s first national
electric freight platform – e-FAST India (Electric Freight Accelerator for Sustainable Transport – India).’
• It will help strengthen partnerships and identify and support innovative freight solutions.
• The platform also aims to raise awareness on freight electrification bolstered by on-ground demonstration pilots
and evidence-based research.
• It will also support scalable pilots and inform policies aimed at accelerating freight electrification in India.
• The website www.efastindia.org provides access to the latest advancements and success stories in freight
electrification, as well as to an extensive repository of relevant resources and upcoming events

PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras

• The 1.25 lakh PM Kisan Samruddhi Kendras, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to nation during
his visit to Sikar in Rajasthan, will play key role in marketing of fertilizers, soil testing and scrutinizing seed
quality.
• In one centre they will have access to quality seeds, fertilizers, agriculture tools, soil testing facilities and kits.
Page : 215
• It will minimize the efforts and hardships faced by farmers who are essentially concentrated in rural areas.
• The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is one of the world’s largest Direct Benefit Transfer
schemes.
• A flagship scheme of the Government of India, it exemplifies the continued commitment of the Government of

Prime Minister inaugurates Six EMRSs in Rajasthan

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated 6 Eklavya Model Residential Schools located in districts of
Udaipur(2), Banswara(2), Partapgarh(1) and Dungarpur(1) in Rajasthan
• Under the visionary leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi, 740 Eklavya Residential Model Schools are being set
up, one in every tribal block with 50% or more ST population and 20,000.
• The construction cost of EMRS was enhanced in 2021-22 from Rs. 20 cr and Rs. 24 cr in Plain and Hilly areas to
Rs. 38cr and Rs. 48 cr respectively for 452 new schools
• More than 38,000 teachers will be recruited in a phased manner in next 3 years. Eklavya Model Residential
Schools are being developed to impart quality education to tribal students

‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 103rd edition of Mann Ki Baat, announced ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign
that will be launched to honour martyred brave heart men and women
• Under this, several programmes will be organised across the country in the memory of immortal martyrs.
• In the memory of these luminaries, special inscriptions will also be installed in lakhs of village panchayats of the
country,” besides, “Amrit Kalash Yatra, carrying soil in 7500 urns from every corner of the country will conclude
in Delhi
• The Yatra will also carry with it saplings from different parts of the country.
• Amrit Vatika’ will be built near the National War Memorial by fusing the soil and saplings that would arrive in
7500 urns

National Programme for Dairy Development

• ‘Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) is implementing “National Programme for Dairy
Development (NPDD)” scheme across the country since Feb-2014
• The NPDD scheme is designed to provide technical and financial assistance for the dairy development .
• This scheme is implemented with the view to dairying activities in a scientific and holistic manner.
• Dairying have the most important role in providing income-generating opportunities and employment opportunities
particularly for marginal and women farmers
• National Dairy Plan Phase-I (NDP-I) will cover the case of States (i.e, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat,
Karnataka, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, West Bengal, Uttar
Pradesh)

Free legal aid and advice through Nyaya Bandhu program

• The Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) is the Government of India’s primary initiative to establish a
framework for dispensation of pro bono legal services across the country
• Under the programme, practicing advocates, interested in undertaking legal pro bono work, are connected, via
mobile technology, with eligible marginalised beneficiaries, after due scrutiny for delivery of pro bono (free of
charge) legal services.
• In order to strengthen the Nyaya Bandhu network, Department of Justice proposed to set up and integrate pro bono
panel of lawyers in each High Court (curated and moderated by the respective High Courts), within its Nyaya
Bandhu programme.
• It envisages integrating the Nyaya Bandhu programme within the institutional framework of the justice system in
India, so as to ensure its optimum utilization and impact.

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

Page : 216

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to lay the foundation stone for the work of re-development of 500 railway
stations across the country
• These 500 stations will be revamped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which has a budget of Rs 20,000
 crore
• Some of the major stations where PM Modi will lay the foundation stone are Prayagraj, Vijayanagaram, Delhi
Cantonment and Aurangabad
• The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is a plan that envisions the re-development of railway stations
• It aims to improve the infrastructure of selected railway stations on a continuous basis.
• It aims to upgrade to modernise 1,309 railway stations in the country
• The identified stations include 87 in Gujarat, 83 in Rajasthan, 80 in Madhya Pradesh and 34 in Haryana

Digital Health Incentives Scheme (DHIS)

• The National Health Authority (NHA) has extended its digital health incentives scheme (DHIS) under the
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) till 31 December
• The scheme has significantly spurred the adoption of digital health technologies and practices across the nation
• companies to earn up to ?4 crore in incentives, determined by the number of digital health records linked to
patients’ Ayushman Bharat Health Account numbers.
• This incentive can be availed by the health facilities (hospitals, diagnostic labs) and Digital Solution Companies,
registered with ABDM’s Health Facility Registry (HFR) and fulfilling the eligibility criterion specified under the
scheme
• Till June 2023, close to 120 health facilities and seven health tech companies have received incentives of around
?4.84 crore

Bharat Campaign under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund

• Agriculture Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Manoj Ahuja launched a new campaign for
banks under Agri Infra Fund name BHARAT (Banks Heralding Accelerated Rural & Agriculture Transformation)
• The scheme envisages provision of Rs. 1 Lakh Crore by banks and financial institutions as loans with interest
subvention of 3% per annum and credit guarantee coverage under Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and
Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) for loans up to Rs. 2 Crores.
• As on date, loans amounting to Rs. 26,064 Crores have been sanctioned for 33,369 projects and these sanctioned
projects have mobilized an investment of Rs. 44,208 crores in the agriculture sector

Special skill initiative for North-East Region

• The government launched a special initiative to create a robust skill-centric and industry-ready ecosystem in the
northeastern region
• The initiative, ‘Transforming lives, building futures: Skill development and entrepreneurship in North-East’, was
launched by union education and skill development minister Dharmendra Pradhan, culture and tourism minister
G Kishan Reddy and minister of state for skill development and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar
• 250,000 youth of the northeastern region will be provided with industry relevant skill training programmes through
a wide array of schemes and initiatives, under the initiative.
• The government has earmarked a substantial fund of ?360 crore to facilitate inclusive development, nurture

Graphene-Aurora Program
• A graphene-manufacturing unit of excellence will shortly open at Maker Village in Kalamassery as a Rs 94.85-crore
joint venture of the Central and Kerala governments
• The proposed project aimed at boosting the production of the valuable allotrope of carbon will mark a new chapter
of innovation in the country’s technological field.
• Maker Village, which is a pioneering startup initiative of the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology, has the Indian Institute of Information Technology-Trivandrum as the implementation agency and the
Kerala Startup Mission as the supporting partner
• Kerala is set to complete an array of startup-boosting projects in the next five years

‘A-HELP’ Programme
Page : 217

• The Union Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala has unveiled the ‘A-HELP’
(Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) programme along with an Infertility Camp
in the State of Gujarat
• ‘A-HELP’ are community-based women activists, who assist veterinarians in local departmental activities help
livestock farmers to take loans for entrepreneurship development, fill out applications, mark the ear tagging of
animals and register them in the INAF portal and help with insurance etc.
• They assist in implementing various schemes and in providing information to the farmers at the grassroots level
• They will give vital contributions to preventing various infectious diseases of animals, artificial insemination
under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), tagging animals and animal insurance

PM-eBus Sewa
• ‘The Union Cabinet approved the Rs 57,613-crore PM-eBus Sewa scheme according to which the central
government will give financial support of Rs 20,000 crore for operations of 10,000 electric buses
• PM-eBus Sewa is aimed at augmenting city bus operations in cities, mostly those which don’t have organised bus
services
• The scheme will be implemented on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis
• The scheme will cover cities having a population of 300,000 and above according to Census 2011.
• Under this, 169 cities are eligible for PM-eBus Sewa and the final candidates for the electric buses will be selected
through a competition.
• Cities with populations of 2–4 million will be eligible for 150 electric buses, while those with populations of
500,000 to 2 million and 3–5 million will get 100 and 50 buses, respectively

PM Vishwakarma
• Union Cabinet recently approved the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Scheme and the budgetary outlay of ?13,000
crore
• The scheme is aimed at giving loans on liberal terms to the local workers who drive majority of the rural economy
• The PM Vishwakarma Scheme will cover 18 traditional trades in the first instance
• The scheme will have a financial outlay of Rs. 13,000 crore
• In its first instance, as many as 18 rural traders will be covered under this scheme including carpenter, boat maker,
blacksmith, locksmith, potter, goldsmith, barber, tailor, mason, garland maker among others.
• Artisans and craftspeople will be provided a recognition through PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card.
• The scheme has a provision of credit support of up to ?1 lakh (first tranche) and ?2 lakh (second tranche) with a
concessional interest rate of 5%.

Digital India programme

• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the expansion of the Digital India
programme with an outlay of ?14,903 crore
• The AI-enabled multi-language translation tool, Bhashini, currently available in 10 languages, will be extended to
cover all 22 Schedule 8 languages.
• This move is expected to break language barriers and foster better communication across diverse linguistic
communities
• A significant emphasis will be placed on cybersecurity and cyber awareness.
• Cyber awareness courses will be made available for 12 crore college students, while initiatives will be taken to
boost CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team - India) and take this organisation to the next level.
• The programme will also introduce new cybersecurity tools and integrate more than 200 sites with the National
Cyber Coordination Centre

Amrit Sarovars
• States have taken efforts to achieve the District level target of 75 Amrit Sarovar in each of the districts of the State
with a exception in case of West Bengal, Punjab, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Bihar and Rajasthan
• Amrit Sarovar Mission was launched on 24th April 2022 with a view to conserve water for the future
• The Mission is aimed at developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district of the country as a part of
celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav
Page : 218

• In total, it would lead to the creation of 50,000 water bodies of a size of about an Acre or more
• The Mission encourages mobilisation of citizen and non-govt resources for supplementing these efforts
Initiative to Promote Rail-Sea-Rail Transportation
• The Ministry of Coal has taken an initiative to promote Rail-Sea-Rail which aims to integrate Rail-Sea-Rail (RSR)
transportation for the efficient movement of domestic coal
• This multimodal transportation system allows for the seamless transportation of coal from mines to ports and then
to end-users, reducing transportation costs and improving logistic efficiency.
• Currently, railways account for about 55% of coal evacuation, with a target to increase this share to 75% by FY’30
• The Ministry of Coal is emphasizing the need to augment coal evacuation and enhancing alternative routes of
evacuation to avoid congestion such as RS/RSR mode by FY’30
• The committee has recommended several measures to promote RSR evacuation of coal to reach 112 MT by 2030,
from the existing 40MT

First ABDM microsite under NHA ‘100 microsites project’ launched in Mizoram
• The National Health Authority (NHA) had announced 100 Microsites project for accelerated adoption of Ayushman
Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) across the country
• Mizoram becomes the first state in India to operationalize an ABDM Microsite in its capital city Aizawl.
• Under this, all healthcare facilities including the private clinics, small hospitals and labs in the region shall be
made ABDM-enabled and will offer digital health services to the patients
• The ABDM microsites are geographical regions where efforts are made to onboard small and medium-scale
private healthcare providers
• State mission directors of the ABDM implement these microsites
• All the patients can link their health records generated at these facilities with their Ayushman Bharat health
accounts (ABHAs)

Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar scheme

• In a significant move towards enhancing transparency in financial transactions and empowering consumers, the
Indian government is set to launch the ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar‘ invoice incentive scheme
• This pioneering scheme, scheduled to commence from September 1, aims to promote the habit of requesting bills
during purchases, thereby fostering a culture of fiscal responsibility and accountability
• The ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ scheme, conceptualized by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
(CBIC), is designed to instill a sense of confidence and assurance among consumers while making purchases.
• The scheme is geared towards creating awareness about the importance of receiving genuine invoices for business-
to-consumer transactions, fostering a more transparent economy

Launch of Tele-Law 2.0

• Committed to fulfill the Constitutional mandate of Article 39 A to ensure Access to Justice, Department of Justice
(DoJ) is celebrating its Tele-Law 2.0 at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi
• The event would be graced by Minister of State (I/C) for Law and Justice ,Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal
• The event is seminal as it commemorates the reaching of 50 Lakh milestone, that earmarks rendering of pre-
litigation advice to the common citizens through the use of technology
• The Event will also witness the felicitation of the frontline functionaries who are the grassroot soldiers and ensures
delivery of legal services at its doorstep

SANKALP Programme
• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has called for SANKALP Scheme to focus on district-
level skilling ecosystem through convergence and coordination
• The automation and other technological advancements are changing the nature of jobs and providing immense
economic growth potential to India
• Collaborating with AWS re/Start is crucial for those individuals who need cloud computing skills and to open up
more opportunities for women to pursue tech careers
Page : 219

• Outcome-based skills training initiatives like Project AMBER will help tap the enormous potential of India’s
youth.
• AWS re/Start brings entry-level talent into the workforce and helps individuals to launch successful cloud careers,
organizations to increase their competitive edge with in-demand talent, and communities to thrive

SVAMITVA Scheme
• SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme of
Ministry of Panchayati Raj has been conferred with the prestigious National Award for e-Governance 2023 (Gold)
• For Application of Emerging Technologies for Providing Citizen Centric Services at the 26th National Conference
on e-Governance (NCeG) organized by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances
(DARPG), Government of India
• The National e-Governance Awards were presented under 5 categories viz. Government process re-engineering
for digital transformation, application of emerging technology for providing citizen-centric services, district-
level initiative for e-Governance, research on citizen-centric services by academic and research institutions, and
application of emerging technology in e-Governance by start-ups

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)

• The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) – the National Mission for Financial Inclusion - completes nine
years of successful implementation recently
• Financial Inclusion (FI) promotes equitable and inclusive growth as well as delivery of financial services at an
affordable cost to vulnerable groups such as low-income groups and weaker sections that lack access to basic
banking services
• Financial Inclusion also brings savings of the poor into the formal financial system and provides an avenue to
remit money to their families in villages besides taking them out of the clutches of the usurious money lenders
• The 9 years of PMJDY-led interventions and digital transformation have revolutionised financial inclusion in India

Sagar Parikrama Phase VIII

• Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Parshottam Rupala and Minister of State Dr
L Murugan will jointly launch Sagar Parikrama Phase-VIII on 31st August in Thengapattanam Fishing harbour in
Kanyakumari district
• Sagar Parikrama is an initiative that aims to resolve the issues of the fishers and other stakeholders and facilitate
their economic upliftment through various fisheries schemes and programs being implemented by the Government
of India such as ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana’ (PMMSY).
• The primary objective is to directly interact with these individuals, listening to their concerns, suggestions, and
feedback in order to enhance and uplift the fisheries sector for the welfare of fishers and other stakeholders

Centre approves Startup Guidelines dedicated to Technical Textiles

• The Central government has approved a new scheme for providing financial assistance of up to ?50 lakh to
startups and individuals engaged in technical textiles
• The scheme, called Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles
(GREAT), provides the grant-in-aid for up to a period of 18 months
• The guidelines focus on supporting individuals and companies to translate prototypes to technologies and products
including commercialization
• To strengthen authenticity and commitment towards the project, a minimum investment of 10% of the funding
from the incubatee in two equal instalments is mandated
• The startup guidelines (GREAT) will provide much needed impetus for the development of the technical textiles
startup ecosystem in India

Adopt a Heritage 2.0 programme

• The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) will launch the “Adopt a Heritage 2.0” programme on September 4
• Under this programme, corporates will be invited to enhance the amenities at monuments by utilizing their CSR
funds
Page : 220

• The programme is a revamped version of the earlier scheme launched in 2017 and clearly defines the amenities
sought for different monuments as per AMASR Act 1958
• Further, a user-friendly mobile app named ‘Indian Heritage’ will be launched on the same day, which will showcase
 heritage monuments.
• The app will feature state-wise details of monuments along with photographs, list of public amenities available,
geo-tagged location and feedback mechanism for citizens

Waterbody Management Project “TAMARA

• In a significant step towards responsible waterbody management and environmental preservation, the Technology
Development Board (TDB) is providing support to M/s Bariflo Labs Private Limited, Odisha, for their pioneering
venture “Development and Commercialization of Intelligent Water Body Management System (IWMS)-TAMARA
• TDB’s approval of ?89.00 lakhs contributes to the project’s overall cost of ?150.00 lakhs
• The AMRUT 2.0 initiative emerges as a significant stride, with a specific focus on conserving vital water bodies
and championing circular water economy practices
• This mission holds a dual purpose: rejuvenating water bodies and curtailing water wastage, all while enhancing
urban planning strategies
• It harmonizes seamlessly with the concept of the Blue Economy, advocating for sustainable utilization of ocean
resources to drive economic progress while safeguarding marine ecosystems

Pharma-MedTech sector (PRIP) scheme

• In a bid to push research and innovation across pharma and medtech sector, the Health Ministry is planning to
allocate ?700 crore fund to set up seven Centres of Excellence across various National Institutes of Pharmaceutical,
Education & Research (NIPER)
• Another Rs.4,250 crore will be allocated to push research in private sector though milestone-based support.
• The Union Cabinet approved the Promotion of Research & Innovation in Pharma-MedTech sector (PRIP) scheme
with an outlay of ?5,000 crore for five years, from 2023-24 to 2027-28
• The scheme will be in two parts: preparing capacity in PSUs; provide support to private sector for research

PM-DAKSH yojana
• ‘The Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana, a Central Sector Scheme,
was launched during 2020-21
• The cost of training is as per common norms issued by Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship;
Government of India and it varies as per duration of the course. Up-skilling for Safai Karamcharis including waste
pickers is for 35 hours/5 days with average cost of Rs.3000/- per candidate
• The Cost of the training to trainees is free of cost.
• The stipend under this scheme of Rs.1,500/- per month to SCs and Safai Karamcharis and Rs.1,000/- per month
to OBCs/EBCs/DNTs for non-residential Short Term and Long Term training courses

Malaviya Mission
• Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan launched the Malaviya Mission- Teachers Training Programme
by the University Grants Commission at Kaushal Bhawan in New Delhi recently
• He also inaugurated the Portal of the Programme and released its information brochure. Organised by the
University Grants Commission, in association with the Ministry of Education, the Malaviya Mission - Teacher
Training Programme aims to provide tailored training programmes for teachers.
• This programme will work for the capacity building of faculty members in higher educational institutions.
• He also announced the renaming of Human Resource Development Centres (HRDCs) as Madan Mohan Malaviya
Teachers’ Training Centre.
• He mentioned that this programme will ensure continuous professional development and help in building capacities
of 15 lakh teachers of Higher Educational Institutions

Govt, Meta sign three-year partnership to skill 500,000 entrepreneurs

• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Education and Meta signed a three-year
partnership to take digital skills to the grassroots, thus building talent pool capacities and seamlessly connecting
Page : 221

students, youth, and micro-entrepreneurs across the country

• The partnership will facilitate training of 5 lakh budding and existing entrepreneurs in digital marketing skills
through Meta platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram in seven regional languages.
• The initiative will help make India the skill capital of the world as it takes digital skilling to the grassroots,
connecting students, youth, the workforce and micro-entrepreneurs with futuristic technologies
• Meta launched the Creators of Metaverse programme with AICTE under which 100,000 students and 20,000
educators are being enabled in augmented reality, virtual reality and artificial intelligence

Viability Gap Funding for development of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
• The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister approves the Scheme for Viability Gap Funding
(VGF) for development of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
• Under the scheme, the government will provide financial support of up to 40% of the capital cost of BESS projects
totalling 4,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) till FY31
• The scheme aims to reduce the levelized cost of storage (LCoS) to ?5.50-6.60 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), making
storage a viable option to manage peak power demand
• According to industry estimates, the LCoS currently stands at around ?10-11 per kWh.
• BESS developers will be selected for VGF grants through competitive bidding.
• This approach, according to the government, “will foster healthy competition and encourage the growth of a
robust ecosystem for BESS

Industrial Development Scheme

• The Cabinet recently approved additional allocation of ?1,164.53 crore for an industrial development scheme
2017 for Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
• The additional fund was required to meet the committed liabilities under the scheme up to 2028-29.
• The financial outlay of IDS, 2017 for the State of Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand was only Rs.131.90 crore,which
was released during 2021-2022.
• Further, to meet the committed liabilities through the additional requirement of funds under the scheme up to
2028-29, the cabinet has approved the additional financial outlay amounting to Rs.1164.53 crore under the scheme.

Scheme for recognition of Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

• The Department of Telecommunications has launched a scheme to recognize Internet Service Providers for their
exceptional efforts in expanding Fiber-to-the-Home broadband connections in rural areas
• The Communication Ministry said, that under this scheme, the Ministry has decided to recognize nine Internet
Service Providers, three of categories A, B, and C, who have provided a maximum number of connections in rural
areas in a year
• The recognition will include a certificate and the name of the Internet Service Providers will be displayed on the
Department of Telecommunications website.
• The Ministry said, this initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to enhancing digital access and connectivity
in rural areas

BIS initiates nationwide sensitisation workshops for Gram Panchayat Presidents and Secretaries
• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has embarked on a mission to create awareness and promote compliance
with Indian standards at the grassroots level
• In an endeavour to ensure the effective implementation of government programs and schemes in villages, BIS has
undertaken a comprehensive initiative to sensitize Gram Panchayat Presidents and Secretaries across the country
• BIS, the National Standards Body of India, plays a pivotal role in formulating standards and conducting conformity
assessments of products and services.
• Recognizing the critical importance of adhering to Indian standards for the well-being of citizens, the environment,
and the overall quality of products and services, BIS has initiated this outreach program.
• BIS has also appealed all concerned departments at the state and district levels to provide their support in
facilitating these workshops

Education Ministry asks States to bring all data under one platform
Page : 222

• ‘Under the National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR), the Ministry of Education is pushing States to
open Vidya Samiksha Kendras (VSKs), a data repository which will have data from all schemes run by the
Ministry of Education (MoE)
• VSK is aimed at leveraging data and technology to bring a big leap in learning outcomes.
• VSK will keep track of enrolled students including learning outcomes, Dropouts, support required by teachers
and schools, etc
• VSK will monitor and track field level academic and non-academic activities at state level and also empower
administrators and teachers in the field to take data driven decisions
• Currently, at the Central level, a VSK centre is housed in the Central Institute of Educational Technology building
in the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) campus

Ayushman Bhav Campaign

• A campaign to ensure optimum delivery of health schemes to every intended beneficiary, including those in the
last mile was launched by the President of India
• The government will declare “Ayushman gram” or “Ayushman villages” where tuberculosis and leprosy have
been completely eradicated and 100 percent COVID-19 verification cards have been reported.
• An Ayushman Mela will be organised at over a lakh health and wellness centres where all poor and middle-class
people will be diagnosed and treated.
• All block-level hospitals and medical colleges will organise health camps on their premises.
• A cleanliness drive or “Swacchta Abhiyaan” will be run at healthcare institutions across the country including
hospitals and dispensaries

Cabinet approves eCourts Phase III for 4 years

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the eCourts Project Phase III
as a Central Sector Scheme spanning four years (2023 onwards) with financial outlay of Rs.7210 crore
• As part of the National eGovernance Plan, the e-Courts Project is under implementation since 2007 for ICT
enablement of the Indian Judiciary the Phase II of which has concluded in 2023
• Phase III of the e-Courts Project in India is rooted in philosophy of “access and inclusion”.
• The e-Courts Phase-III aims to usher in a regime of maximum ease of justice by moving towards digital, online
and paperless courts through digitization of the entire court records including legacy records and by bringing in
universalization of e-Filing/ e-Payments through saturation of all court complexes with e-Sewa Kendras

Skill India Digital

• Dharmendra Pradhan, union minister, education, skill development, and entrepreneurship, inaugurated Skill India
Digital (SID), an all-encompassing digital platform with the mission of harmonising and revolutionising India’s
skills, education, job market and entrepreneurial environment
• This platform symbolises the hopes and aspirations of countless Indians striving for improved prospects and a
more promising tomorrow by providing industry-relevant skill training, employment prospects and entrepreneurial
assistance
• This platform seamlessly aligns with the objectives outlined in the G20 framework for establishing DPI and
fostering a digital economy that promotes digital skills and literacy.
• Skill India Digital is committed to being user-friendly, with an easy-to-use interface adaptable to various devices
for accessibility

Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana

• The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has introduced the Nandini Krishak
Samriddhi Yojana under the Nand Baba Mission to enhance cattle breeds and boost milk production in the state
• A sum of ?50 per day per cow will be given in temporary cow shelters in the state in the current fiscal.
• This fund will help cover daily expenses on care, treatment, proper nutrition and suitable sheds for cows in these
shelters.
• As per plan, officials from the animal husbandry department in all districts will undertake regular visits to ensure
that these shelters are providing optimal conditions for cows, including proper healthcare.
• District magistrates, block officers and village panchayat officers will also have the responsibility of inspecting
Page : 223

these facilities from time to time

Swachhata Hi Seva- 2023 launched
• The “Swachhata Hi Seva” programme was launched by Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat,
Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh
• Ninety-five per cent wards in India have 100 per cent door-to-door collection of waste.
• More than 88 per cent of the wards have source segregation of waste.
• This was possible because the Swachh Bharat Mission evolved to become a ‘Jan Andolan’ instead of a typical
sarkari programme
• “Swachhata”, or cleanliness, has become a foundational tenet in not just every government scheme but also in the
way of life of citizens

SHREYAS scheme
• The umbrella scheme of “SHREYAS” which comprises 4 central sector sub-schemes namely Top Class Education
for SCs Free Coaching Scheme for SCs and OBCs”, “National Overseas Scheme for SCs and National Fellowship
for SCs
• The primary scheme will be operated in conjunction with National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
which provides for placing of apprentices upto 10% of the total work force in every business/industry.
• Education with skills is the need of the hour and the SHREYAS will be a major effort in this direction to make
degree students more skilled, capable, employable and aligned to the needs of our economy so that they contribute
to country’s progress and also obtain gainful employment.

Mukhya Mantri Shramik Kalyan Yojana

• Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has announced the rollout of a new scheme titled ‘Mukhya
Mantri Shramik Kalyan Yojana’ for the welfare of the labour force of the state
• Under the scheme, maternity benefit for families of workers has been enhanced from 1,000 rupees to 6,000 rupees;
natural death compensation from 50,000 rupees to 2 lakhs rupees and accidental death compensation from 1 lakh
rupees to 4 lakh rupees
• To encourage sports amongst the children of workers, the scheme will have cash incentives of 15,000 rupees for
Gold, 10,000 rupees for Silver, and 8,000 rupees for Bronze in any state-level tournament or competition.
• For those excelling at the national level, 30,000 rupees for Gold, 20,000 rupees for Silver, and 15,000 rupees for
bronze will be provided under the scheme

Arogya Manthan
• The National Health Authority (NHA), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is organising ‘Arogya
Manthan’ to celebrate five years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and two
years of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, launched on 23rd September 2018, has scripted a saga of health, productivity and
prosperity
• With 5.5 Cr free hospitalizations worth Rs. 69,000 Cr, scheme has not only ensured good health for crores of poor
and downtrodden families but has also protected their families from catastrophic healthcare expenditure
• The ABDM, launched on 27th September 2021, is a very ambitious scheme of government aimed at creating a
digital highway connecting different stakeholders of healthcare ecosystems

Amazon Future Engineer Programme

• National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), under Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, launched the
Phase II of the ‘Amazon Future Engineer Programme’ in 54 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) spread
across Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana
• The second phase would include an Advanced Block Programming and Artificial Intelligence curriculum.
• Course modules will include Computer Science Fundamentals, Introduction to Coding, Logical Sequencing,
Learning Loops, Block Programming using open secure source platforms like code.org, Class Chat Sessions to
Page : 224
 discuss tech space, different tech initiatives, etc.
• Modern Information Technology will enable early exposure to and bolster the preparedness of students for future
careers in STEM education

PM Modi to launch week-long programme ‘Sankalp Saptaah

• ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a week-long programme for Aspirational Blocks in the country called
Sankalp Saptaah in New Delhi
• The inaugural programme will witness the participation of about three thousand panchayat and block-level
people’s representatives and functionaries from across the country in Bharat Mandapam.
• In addition, about two lakh people including block and panchayat level functionaries, farmers, and persons from

50 Lakh Street Vendors Covered Under Pm Svanidhi Scheme

• The Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, has achieved a momentous
milestone by extending its support to more than 50 lakh street vendors across the nation.’
• Street vendors have long played an integral role in the urban informal economy, providing essential goods and
services to urban residents.
• The PM SVANidhi scheme has been instrumental in bringing them into the formal economic fold, presenting fresh
avenues for upward mobility.
• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) will be the implementation partner of the Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs for scheme administration.
• SIDBI will leverage the network of lending Institutions including the SCBs, RRBs, SFBs, Cooperative Banks,
NBFCs & MFIs for scheme implementation.

Shreyas scheme
• In a significant effort to empower economically disadvantaged Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward
Classes (OBCs), the Government’s umbrella scheme, “SHREYAS,” comprising four central sector sub-schemes,
has been making a substantial impact over the past nine years, from 2014-15 to 2022-23.’
• The “Top Class Education for SCs” scheme, which covers SC students pursuing studies beyond 12th class in
renowned institutes, has disbursed 398.43 crore rupees benefiting 21,988 students.
• This initiative provides full financial support, including tuition fees, academic allowances, and living expenses.
• Under the “National Overseas Scheme for SCs,” 197.14 crore rupees have been released to aid 950 beneficiaries
in pursuing masters and Ph.D. level courses abroad.

Bullet repayment scheme

• ‘The Reserve Bank of India recently announced doubling the lending limits for gold loans under the bullet
repayment scheme for urban cooperative banks to Rs 4 lakh.’
• A bullet repayment scheme is one where a borrower repays interest and the principal amount at the end of a loan
tenure without worrying about repayment during the loan tenure.
• Among banks, UCBs have a relative advantage as their customers, being predominantly from the middle-class/
lower middle-class, are more likely to be gold loan clients.
• As such, regulatory prescriptions in this regard need to be supportive of the growth of this portfolio of the UCBs.

Scheme For Residential Education For Students In High Schools In Targeted Areas
• The scheme SHRESHTA (Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas) has been
launched for the purpose of providing seats for the meritorious SC boys and girls in the best private residential
schools in the country.’
• Every year, it is expected that about 3000 students would be selected for admission in Class 9 and Class 11 under
the scheme.
• Provides an entry at Class 9th and 11th in CBSE-affiliated residential schools for completion of education
Page : 225
 till 12th.
• Grants are directly disbursed to the schools covering school fees and hostel fees for the students, subject to a
ceiling of Rs. 75,000/- per annum per student of class 9 and 10 and Rs. 1,25,000/- per annum per student of class
11 and 12.

Cabinet approves establishment of an autonomous body Mera Yuva Bharat

• The Union Cabinet recently approved the establishment of an autonomous body -- ‘Mera Yuva Bharat’ (MY
Bharat) .’
• The body will be dedicated to the nation on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on October 31.
• It will provide equitable access to youths to actualise their aspirations and build a developed India by utilising
their energy.
• It seeks to harness the immense energy of youth for nation-building.
• It will help achieve youth-led development through ‘Kartavya Bodh’ (sense of duty) and ‘Seva Bodh’ (sense of
service) during the Amrit Kaal.
• This will improve the leadership skills of youths through experiential learning by shifting from isolated physical
interaction to programmatic skills and investing more in youths to make them social innovators and community
leaders.

Mdoner “Data Analytics Dashboard” And “Poorvottar Sampark Setu” Portal

• Minister of State, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Shri B.L. Verma launched
MDoNER “Data Analytics Dashboard” and “Poorvottar Sampark Setu” portal recently.’
• The “Poorvottar Sampark Setu” portal, is a powerful tool designed to streamline and enhance monitoring of
Fortnightly visits of Union Ministers to NER.
• This initiative is set to redefine the landscape of Ministerial visits, meticulously crafted to elevate their efficacy,
transparency, and profound influence.
• Its fundamental mission is to unequivocally ensure that the benefits of Central Government Schemes should reach
to every citizen in the North East Region of India.

Green Credit Program and Ecomark scheme

• ‘To create a mass movement around environmental positive actions and realise the vision of “Mission LiFE”
through pro-planet-people and entities to achieve India’s net zero goal of 2070, the Indian government is coming
up with Green Credits.’
• The Green Credits Programme is designed to incentivise voluntary environmental actions undertaken by
individuals, private sectors, small scale industries, cooperatives, forestry enterprises and farmer-produce
organisations for their environmental actions.
• Apart from incentivizing individual/community behavior, the Green Credit Programme will encourage private
sector industries and companies as well as other entities to meet their existing obligations, stemming from other
legal frameworks, by taking actions which are able

Retailer Skill Development Program

• ‘The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) announced a partnership with Coca-Cola India to launch
the ‘super power retailer’ programme under the Skill India Mission.’
• The pilot programme was launched in the state of Odisha.
• The NSDC, working under the aegis of the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship (MSDE), aims
at empowering the retailer community in the states of Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.
• The programme will provide 14 hours of quality retail training through the Skill India Digital Portal to 1.40
crore retailers of the country.
• The retailers will be trained on how to plan and implement business strategies and utilise the vast opportunities
extended by digital platforms.
Page : 226

‘Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha’

• ‘Ahead of the simultaneous General and Assembly elections in Odisha due in April-May 2024, Chief Minister
rolled out a scheme, ‘Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha’ (our Odisha, new Odisha).’
• Under the scheme, 90,723 projects will be implemented in 6,794 panchayats with each getting an assistance of
Rs 50 lakh.
• Villages will get internet connectivity, science parks, skill development centres and banking facility.
• Under the scheme, steps will also be taken for the preservation of Jagannath culture, sites of historical significance,
and development of places of worship in villages.

Yuva Sangam
• Yuva Sangam, launched under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB), draws inspiration from the National Education
Policy (NEP) 2020 and focuses on experiential learning and imbibing knowledge of the rich diversity of India.’
• It is an ongoing cultural exchange with the celebration of diversity at its core wherein participants gain an
immersive experience of diverse facets of life, natural landforms, development landmarks, recent achievements,
and youth connect in the host state.
• Twenty eminent institutions across India have been identified for Phase III of Yuva Sangam.
• Yuva Sangam has been organized collaboratively on the model of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) and has
assembled immense response and participation from all corners of India.

Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana

• ‘Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana (PM- AJAY) is a merged scheme of 03 Centrally Sponsored
Scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes
Sub Plan ( SCA to SCSP) and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana(BJRCY).’
• It has been implemented since 2021-22 with an aim to reduce poverty of the SC communities by generation of
additional employment opportunities through Skill development, income generating schemes and other initiatives
and to improve socio-economic developmental indicators by ensuring adequate infrastructure and requisite
services in the SC dominated villages.
• Under Adarsh Gram Component, a total of 1260 villages have been declared as Adarsh Gram during the
current FY 2023-24.
• A total of 09 new hostels have been sanctioned under Hostel component of the scheme.

PM SVANidhi Scheme
• ‘The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, shared an in-depth research by the State Bank of India that provides a
clear picture of the transformative impact of PM SVANidhi.’
•
• It is a Central Sector Scheme i.e., fully funded by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• The scheme provides for the rise of the credit limit on timely/ early repayment of loans i.e. if a street vendor
repays the installments on time or earlier, he or she can develop his or her credit score that makes him/her eligible
for a higher amount of term loan.
• The scheme incentivises digital transactions by the street vendors through monthly cash back.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana

• ‘The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) will take centre stage in a national event scheduled to be
held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra.’
•
• This occasion will mark the release of a ‘User Manual on PMMVY,’ the launch of a ‘New Portal and Mobile
App,’ and the initiation of ‘Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)’ to beneficiaries across the country.
• A noteworthy highlight of this event is the first-time release of benefits for the second girl child under the PMMVY.
• This portal incorporates advanced features, including ‘online and face authentication technology’ by UIDAI
for beneficiary verification and NPCI verification of beneficiary bank accounts to ensure smooth fund transfers
via DBT.

Abua Awas Yojna

• ‘The Jharkhand Cabinet, approved the ‘Abua Awas Yojna’ (AAY) — a housing scheme for the poor, which will
Page : 227

provide eight lakhs pucca houses to the homeless in the state, and has a total budget of Rs 1,6320 crore.’
• The scheme will be implemented in three phases, with a target of 2 lakh houses in the current financial year; 3.5
lakh houses in FY 2024-25 and 2.5 lakh houses in FY 2025-26.
• Existing Union Government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Rural or Ambedkar Awas Yojna have
been around for a while.
• As per data from the state government, 16 lakh families have been beneficiaries of PMAY-Rural, and 50,000
families have benefited from Ambedkar Housing Scheme since the formation of Jharkhand in 2000.

Centre approves fourth phase roll-out of GIAN scheme

• ‘Eight years after its inception, past its brief discontinuation during the COVID period, the Ministry of Education
is gearing up to restart the fourth phase of the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN).’
• Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) is a program of the Ministry of Human Resources and
Development (MHRD).
• This program will include the participation of foreign faculty/scholars in Indian Institutions as a professor,
guest teacher, visiting faculty, etc. National coordinator for GIAN is IIT, Kharagpur.
• An honorarium is paid to the foreign experts to cover their travels and other expenses.
• This programme was first launched to establish collaboration between India and The United States of America,
but later, the scope of the programme was extended.

Three sub-schemes under the RAMP programme-

• ‘Union Minister for MSME Shri Narayan Rane launched three sub-schemes under the aegis of the RAMP
programme.’
• The key objectives of RAMP are to accelerate centre-state collaboration in MSME promotion and development,
enhance the effectiveness of existing schemes of the MSME Ministry for technology upgradation, strengthen the
receivable financing market for MSMEs, enhance the effectiveness of CGTMSE, promote guarantee for greening
initiatives of MSEs and women-owned MSEs, and reduce cases of delayed payments to MSEs.
• The ZED scheme aims to promote manufacturing without any negative impact on the environment, has now
been made completely free for women-led MSMEs.
• In addition, the government will guarantee payment of 100 per cent financial support for the certification cost
under the scheme.

Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN)

• ‘The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has initiated an Information, Education, and Communication campaign on Pradhan
Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan.’
• The campaign is meant to raise awareness and ensure hundred percent saturation of Government schemes in
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) majority tribal habitations.
• The campaign aims to reach out to twenty-two thousand PVTG tribal habitations in two hundred districts across
the country.
• The Ministry said that this initiative will ensure to cover every Vulnerable Tribal Groups household that has
remained unreached because of distance, lack of road and digital connectivity and will provide facilities at their
doorstep.
• The hashtags #EmpoweringTribalsTransformingIndia and #PMJANMAN will be strategically employed across
all social media handles/posts, amplifying the campaign’s impact and fostering a broader online dialogue.

PM JANMAN scheme
• ‘Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has brought to light the ambitious Pradhan Mantri-Janjati Adivasi Nyaya
Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) Scheme.’
• PM JANMAN is a government scheme that aims to bring tribal communities into the mainstream.
• The scheme (comprising Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes) will be implemented by the
Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with the State governments and the PVTG communities.
• The scheme will concentrate on 11 critical interventions overseen by 9 line Ministries, ensuring the implementation
of existing schemes in villages inhabited by PVTGs.
• In 1973, the Dhebar Commission established Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a distinct category, encompassing
tribal communities characterized by a declining or stagnant population, the use of pre-agrarian technology,
Page : 228

economic backwardness, and low literacy.

Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas
(Shreshta)
• ‘Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment implements Central Sector Scheme namely Scheme for Residential
Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA). ‘
•
• The scheme is being implemented in two Modes: One is SHRESHTA schools, (Best CBSE/State Board affiliated
Private Residential Schools).
• Second Mode is NGO/VO operated Schools/Hostels. Schools/Hostels run by VOs/NGOs and other organizations
having higher classes (up to class 12) and who have been receiving Grant-in-aid will be continued, subject to
satisfactory performance.
• Provisions have been incorporated for a bridge course in the selected schools for students selected under the
Scheme, outside-the-school-hours after identifying the individual academic requirements.
• Bridge course will target at enhancing the capability of the student to easily adapt to the environment of the school.

Women participation in NREGS continues to rise, 59% this fiscal

• ‘The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has witnessed a significant
surge in women’s participation, marking a historic high in the current financial year of 2023-24.’
•
• Southern states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Goa showcase notably high rates of women’s
involvement, surpassing 70%, while northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh lag behind at around
40% or below.
• Despite historical disparities, some states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Lakshadweep show recent
improvements in women’s participation rates in the ongoing financial year, attributed to incremental percentages.

Page : 229