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Contents
Important News ............................................................ 1 Banking ....................................................................... 42
Books ............................................................................ 3 Science Tech............................................................... 45
Appointments ............................................................... 4 Defence ...................................................................... 51
Awards .......................................................................... 7 Index .......................................................................... 57
Obituaries ..................................................................... 9 Sports ......................................................................... 60
State News .................................................................. 12 International News .................................................... 64
National News............................................................. 24
Important News

DATE DAY THEME/ REMARK

1-Aug World Wide Web Day The WWW was created by English computer scientist Tim Berners-
Lee in 1989 in Switzerland.
1-Aug Muslim Women’s Rights Day A law against triple talaq was introduced by the central government
of India on 1 August 2019, making the practice a criminal offence.
1-Aug World Lung Cancer Day Observed since 2012
31 July-5 Aviation Security Culture Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) organised Aviation Security
Aug Week Culture Week
Event’s tagline, ‘See it, Say it, and Secure it
1-7 Aug World Breastfeeding week/ The inaugural World Breastfeeding Week was observed in 1992
Theme: "Let's make breastfeeding and work, work!
fव#व $तनपान स*ताह
6 Aug Hiroshima Day On 6th August 1945, US dropped the uranium fission bomb,
codenamed Little Boy, on Hiroshima, a city in Japan.
Three days later (9 Aug) US dropped another bomb codenamed Fat
Man, on Nagasaki.
This bombing marked the end of World War II, with Japan
surrendering to the Allies
7 Aug National Handloom Day/ The first National Handloom Day was inaugurated on 7 August 2015
by PM Narendra Modi in Chennai.
रा-?/य हथकरघा 4दवस
It was on this day in 1905, Swadeshi Movement was launched in
the Calcutta Town hall to protest partition of Bengal by the British
Government.
7 Aug Javelin Throw Day First observed in 2022 in honour of Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra,
India’s first Olympic gold medal in athletics at Tokyo.
8 Aug August Kranti Diwas On 8 August 1942 at the All-India Congress Committee session in
(Quit India Day) Bombay, Gandhiji had launched the 'Quit India' movement.
9 Aug International day of World’s Theme 2023: “Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-
Indigenous people determination.”
(World Tribal Day)
10 Aug World Biofuel Day / In honour of Sir Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the diesel engine.
International Biodiesel Day Observed by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas since 2015.
10 Aug This day was launched in 2013.
World Lion Day/ fवeव श`र
The big cat is listed as an endangered species in the IUCN Red List.
fदवस According to the data from 2020, there are 674 lions in India, which
were 523 in 2015.
12 Aug National Librarian Day In remembrance of Dr S.R Ranganathan, who was awarded Padma
Shri for his valuable contributions to Library Science
12 Aug International Youth Theme 2023 – Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World
The first IYD was observed on 12 August 2000.
day/अंतरा./0kय य¸वा fदवस
National Youth Day – 12 Jan
12 Aug World Elephant Day Theme 2023 – Ending the Illegal Wildlife Trade
World Elephant Day was first launched in 2012
13 Aug World Organ Donation Day Theme for 2023: "Step up to volunteer; need more organ donors to
fill the lacunae".
Indian Organ Donation Day is on 27th November
13 Aug International Left-Handers Theme for 2023: “Left-Handers in Sports.”
Day
14 Aug Partition Horrors PM Narendra Modi announced the event on this date in 2021
Remembrance Day Partition Horrors Remembrance Day in memory of the struggles and
sacrifices during the partition in 1947.
15 Aug 77th Independence Day / This year, the theme is 'Nation First, Always First' under the
'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebration.
77वां $वतं7ता 4दवस
Number of time flag Hoisted:
Jawaharlal Nehru-17 times
(Maximum) Indira Gandhi- 16 times
Narendra Modi-10 times
19 Aug World Humanitarian Day 14th Edition; Since 2009
Theme 2023 – No matter what"
19 Aug World Photography Day/ Theme 2023: “Landscapes.”
The first official World Photo Day was observed on August 19, 2010.
fवeव फोटो7◌ाफ8 fदवस
20 Aug Sadbhavana Diwas/ To commemorate the birth anniversary of India’s youngest Prime
Minister, Rajiv Gandhi
स8भावना 4दवस
His death anniversary is observed as Anti-Terrorism Day (May 21)
20 Aug Akshay Urja Day/ To create awareness about the importance of renewable
resources of energy
अ9य Уजा. fदवस
20 Aug World Mosquito Day/ Commemorates Sir Ronald Ross' discovery in 1897 that female
Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria between humans. Nobel
fवeव म=छर fदवस
Prize for Medicine in 1902
20-24 Aug World Water Week 2023/ Theme 2023 - Seeds of Change: Innovative Solutions for a Water-
Wise World
fव#व जल स*ताह 2023
21 Aug World Senior Citizen Day/ UN International Day of Older Persons is on 1st Oct.
fवeव व?र/ठ नाग?रक fदवस
21 Aug International Day of
Remembrance and Tribute to
the Victims of Terrorism
22 Aug International Day for Victims
of Acts of Violence Based on
Religion or Belief
23 Aug International Day for the Theme: "Fighting slavery's legacy of racism through transformative
Remembrance of the Slave education”
Trade and its Abolition
23 Aug National Space Day/ Successful Moon
landing of Chandrayaan
रा/0kय अंत?र9 fदवस
3.
Touchdown point of Chandrayaan 3 on the Moon's surface will be
called ‘Shiv Shakti’
26 Aug Women’s Equality Day Theme 2023 - “Embrace Equity”.
29 Aug International Day against
Nuclear Tests
29 Aug National Sports Day Theme 2023 – Sports are an enabler to an inclusive and fit society
(Rashtriya Khel Divas )/ 1st National Sports Day was celebrated on August 29, 2012
To commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major
रा/0kय ख`ल fदवस (रा/0kय
Dhyan Chand, who won gold medals in Olympics for India in 1928,
ख`ल fदवस) 1932 and 1936.

30 Aug National Small Industry Day 1st celebrated on August 30, 2001 (MSME Day 27th June)
30 Aug International Day of the
Victims of Enforced
Disappearances
31 Aug International Day for People Celebrated for the first time on 31 August 2021.
of African Descent
31 Aug World Sanskrit Day
Sanskrit: fवeवसंFक˛ तfदनम˛
It is celebrated on Shraavana poornima, in the Hindu calendar.
National Handloom Day is observed on:
a) 6 August
b) 7 August
c) 8 August
d) 9 August

23 August is observed as:

a) National Sports Day /रा#$ ◌ीय खेल ि◌दवस
b) National Space Day/ रा#$ ◌ीय अतं 5र6 ि◌दवस
c) National Handloom Day/ रा#$ ◌ीय हथकरघा ि◌दवस
d) Women’s Equality Day/ िमहला समानता ि◌दवस

National Small Industry Day (रा#$ ◌ीय लघु उ<◌ोग ि◌दवस) is observed on:
a) 21 August
b) 26 August
c) 30 August
d) 31 August

10 August is observed as:

a) World Elephant Day/ि◌व? हाथी ि◌दवस
b) World Lion Day/ ि◌व? शेर ि◌दवस
c) World Mosquito Day/ ि◌व? मAर ि◌दवस
d) None of the above/ इनम◌े स◌े कोई भ◌ी नह◌ी ◌ं

Which day is observed as ‘Akshay Urja Day’?

a) 10 August
b) 19 August
c) 20 August
d) 21 August

Books
Indian-origin author Chetna Maroo’s debut novel on Booker Prize longlist
Chetna Maroo, an Indian-origin author based in London, has been selected for the 2023
Booker Prize longlist with her debut novel 'Western Lane.’
The longlist comprises 13 books written by authors from various countries, including Ireland,
Canada, the US, and the UK, explore universal and topical themes

Neerja Chowdhary released a new book titled "How Prime Ministers Decide“
Veteran journalist Neerja Chowdhary recently released a new book titled "How Prime Ministers Decide".
The book throws light on the working style of the Prime Ministers of India.

Rishi Raj’s New Book “Kargil: Ek Yatri Ki Jubani” Released

Ajay Bhatt, Minister of State (MoS), Ministry of Defence (MoD), released the book and illustrations titled
“Kargil: Ek Yatri Ki Jubani” (Hindi Edition) authored by Rishi Raj.
The book portrays the lives of all the 527 soldiers, who laid down their lives for our nation in the Kargil
War.
Amrit Mathur’s autobiography ‘Pitchside: My Life in Indian Cricket’
Amrit Mathur - Long-time Indian cricket administrator

Goa governor Sreedharan Pillai authored three books on trees, nature, geopolitics
Three books authored by the Governor of Goa Shri P.S. Sreedharan Pillai - Heritage Trees of
Goa, When Parallel Lines Meet, Ente Priya Kavitakal.
West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose unveiled the book ‘Heritage Trees of Goa’
Jnanpith winner Damodar Mauzo released two other books: ‘When Parallel Lines Meet’ and
‘Ente Priya Kavitakal’.

• IAS officer Ashutosh Agnihotri launches his book “Kuch Adhure Shabd”

• A new book titled “Drunk on Love: The Life, Vision and Songs of Kabir” is written by
Vipul Rikhi.

Shivraj Singh & Anurag Thakur releases books based on speeches of PM Modi
The book titled “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” was released
by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Youth Affairs and
Sports Anurag Singh Thakur and Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj
Singh Chouhan in Bhopal.
In the release programme, the second and third volumes focusing on the
addresses of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from June 2020 to May 2022
were released.

JP Nadda releases Outlook Group's Coffee Table Book 'Sikhs and Modi
BJP President J P Nadda released the Outlook Group's Coffee Table Book 'Sikhs and
Modi (A Journey of Nine Years) in New Delhi authored by Prabhleen Singh.
J P Nadda highlighted that Narendra Modi government granted
• Foreign Contribution Regulation Act registration to Sri Harmandir Sahib -
Sikhs from across the world can make contributions to the temple.
• GST waiver on langar items.
• ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ on the day of sacrifice by young sahibzade of Guru Gobind Singh
- 26 December since 2022

Appointments
S Paramesh appointed as ADG of Coast Guard
S Paramesh has been appointed as Additional Director General of Indian Coast Guard.
DG Rakesh Pal is the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG)
ICG was established in August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 as an independent Armed force of India.

Amita Rani appointed additional DG of Military Nurse Service

Major General Amita Rani has been appointed as the Additional Director General of the Military Nursery
Service (MNS).

Parminder Chopra appointed as 1st woman CMD of PFC

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed Parminder Chopra as the
first full-time women Chairperson and Managing Director of Power Finance Corporation
(PFC) Limited.
Power Finance Corporation Ltd. is an Indian central public sector undertaking under the
ownership of the Ministry of Power, Government of India. Established in 1986, it is the
financial backbone of Indian power sector.

R Doraiswamy appoints as MD of LIC

• Centre has appointed R Doraiswamy as Managing Director of Life Insurance
Corporation of India (LIC)
• Doraiswamy replaced Ipe Mini, who superannuated
• Doraiswamy has been appointed from 1 September 2023 and up to the date of
his superannuation (31 August 2026)
• LIC had four Managing Directors — Mini Ipe, M Jagannath, Tablesh Pandey, and Sat Pal Bhanoo.

Neelkanth Mishra appointed part-time chairman of UIDAI

Neelkanth Mishra, chief economist at Axis Bank, has been appointed as part-time
chairperson of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
The board of the UIDAI comprises a chairperson, two part-time members, and the
chief executive officer, who is also the Member-Secretary of the Authority.

Umesh Revankar is appointed as new chairman of FIDC

Umesh Revankar has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Finance Industry
Development Council (FIDC), the leading Indian NBFC financing body.
Umesh Revankar's two-year term as FIDC Chairman begins on August 23, 2023.
About Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC)
• Establishment: 2004
• Accreditation: Registered with the Reserve Bank of India.
• Focus: Advocating NBFCs involved in asset and debt financing.
• Headquarters: Mumbai

Government appoints Sanjay Kumar Agarwal as new CBIC Chairman

He succeeds Vivek Johri who superannuated on May 31.
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC):
CBIC is a statutory body established under the Central Boards of Revenue Act, 1963.
CBIC was formed in 1964 when the Central Board of Revenue was split into the Central Board
of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Central Board of Excise and Customs
The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) was renamed as the Central Board of Indirect
Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in 2018 after the roll out of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Indian Oil Chairman Shrikant Madhav Vaidya’s tenure extended by a year

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the proposal of the Ministry of
Petroleum and Natural Gas for re-employment on a contract basis of Shrikant Madhav
Vaidya, Chairman, Indian Oil Corporation Limited for a period of one year
This is one of the very rare occasions when a director on the board of a PSU has been given an
extension of service beyond his retirement age.
No chairman of a Maharatna PSU has been given an extension beyond 60 years
Headquarters: New Delhi
Founded: 30 June 1959

Justice Subhasis Talapatra was officially appointed as the 33rd Chief Justice of the
Orissa High Court. The oath of office was administered by Governor Ganeshi Lal

Justice Prakash Shrivastava appointed as NGT chairperson

• Justice Prakash Shrivastava, former Chief Justice of the Calcutta High
Court, has been appointed as the new chairperson of the National Green
Tribunal (NGT)
• On July 6, 2023, the Centre had appointed Justice Sheo Kumar Singh as the
acting chairperson on the retirement of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel.
• The National Green Tribunal has been established under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
• The Tribunal comprises the Chairperson, the Judicial Members, and Expert Members.
• They shall hold office for a term of 5 years and are not eligible for reappointment.
• The Chairperson is appointed by the Central Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of
India (CJI).
• There are to be at least 10 and a maximum of 20 full-time Judicial members and Expert Members in
the tribunal.

Sachin Tendulkar recognised as 'national icon' of Election Commission to boost voter participation

• A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Tendulkar for three

years period at a function in New Delhi in the presence of the Chief Election
Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. As part of the three-year agreement, Tendulkar
will spread voter awareness.
• Last year, the commission recognised actor Pankaj Tripathi as a national icon.
BPCL announced Rahul Dravid as brand ambassador
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), the second-largest Indian oil marketing
company (OMC), announced Rahul Dravid, the current Head Coach of the Indian cricket team,
as its latest brand ambassador
BPCL operates three refineries in Bina, Kochi and Mumbai.
Headquarters: Mumbai
Founded: 1952

Infosys ropes in Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek as ambassadors for brand Infosys
and its Digital Innovation
Salil Parekh, CEO & MD of Infosys
Assam’s Kaziranga National Park to get its first woman Field Director
IFS officer Sonali Ghosh would become the first woman to hold charge as the head of the
118-year-old Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve which was designated a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 1985.
Regarded as one of the world’s conservation success stories, the 1,355 sq. km tiger
reserve is estimated to have 2,613 greater one-horned rhinos (March 2022 census).

Sunil Gavaskar joins ‘Midwicket Stories’ as principal advisor

Sunil Gavaskar is also known by the nicknames ‘Sunny’ and ‘Little Master’
The concept of ‘Midwicket Stories’ is where former players come together and talk about their time,
talk about things that happened during their time.
Gavaskar is a distinguished member of India’s maiden World Cup winning squad of 1983, Gavaskar
once held the record for scoring the most centuries in Tests.

NS Vishwanathan appointed as non-executive chairman of Axis Bank

Reserve Bank of India has granted approval for the appointment of NS Vishwanathan as
the non-executive chairman of Axis Bank for a three-year term.
Founded – 1993
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Chairman – Rakesh Makhija
MD & CEO – Amitabh Chaudhary
Tagline – Badhti Ka naam Zindagi

SBI Life appointed Amit Jhingran as MD & CEO

Appointed by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
SBI Life Insurance:
It is a joint venture between the State Bank of India (SBI) and BNP Paribas Cardif.
SBI Life is one of the largest life insurance companies in India, with a market share of over
10%.

RBI appointed PR Seshadri as MD and CEO of South Indian Bank

The Reserve Bank of India appointed PR Seshadri as MD & CEO of South Indian Bank and he will
serve for a period of three years.
Headquarters: Thrissur (Kerala)
Founded: 25 January 1929

Short News
• Rajiv Gauba got a one-year extension in service as Cabinet Secretary,
extending beyond August 30, 2023.
• PayPal appointed Alex Chriss as CEO, replaced its longest-serving chief
executive officer Dan Schulman in August 2023.
• Indian Oil has collaborated with Chef Sanjeev Kapoor as the brand ambassador for its Indane
XTRATEJ LPG brand.

Awards
Manoj Bajpayee’s 'Joram' wins awards at Durban International Film Festival
Joram has won two awards at the Durban International Film Festival.
Manoj bagged the ‘Best Actor’ trophy, the film’s cinematographer Piyush Puty won the
award for ‘Best Cinematography’.
The film is directed by Devashish Makhija.
The film deals with issues such as social inequalities, injustice with the tribal communities and deforestation.

Tamil Nadu won best State award for organ and tissue transplantation
Tamil Nadu bagged the Best Performing State award 2023 in cadaver organ donation .
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya presented the Best State Organ and Tissue
Transplant Organisation award to Health Minister Ma Subramanian at the 13th Indian Organ
Donation Day function held in New Delhi.
Tamil Nadu was ranked number one for six consecutive years from 2015-2020.

Kanwardeep received Home Minister’s award for excellence in investigation

Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police, Kanwardeep Kaur was named as the recipient
of the ‘Union Home Minister’s Medal of Excellence in Investigation’ for the year 2023.
She was given the award for her outstanding investigative work in a minor’s rape case,
which resulted in the accused being sentenced to death within 11 months of committing
the crime.
She worked the case when she was the SSP of Kapurthala district (Punjab).

The “Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation” for the year 2023 have been awarded to 140
Police personnel.
This medal was constituted in 2018, with the objective to promote high professional standards of investigation of
crime and recognize such Excellence in Investigation.
It is announced on 12th of August every year.

NAFIS gets Gold Award for fool-proof fingerprint identification system

National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) Team won Gold Award under
Excellence in Government Process Re-engineering for Digital Transformation Category-1 by the
Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DAPRG)
NAFIS has created a central database of fingerprints of criminals, which can be accessed by
users from all States, Union Territories, and Central Agencies.
About NAFIS
NAFIS helps in the quick and easy disposal of cases with the help of a centralized fingerprint database.
It assigns a unique 10-digit National Fingerprint Number (NFN) to each person arrested for a crime.

69th National Film Awards

Winners of 69th National Film Awards were announced at the National Media Center in New
Delhi.
Best Actor award - Allu Arjun won the for his movie 'Pushpa: The Rise' (Directed by:
Sukumar)
Best Actress award - Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon for Gangubai Kathiawadi and Mimi respectively.
Best Feature Film: Rocketry
Best Director: Nikhil Mahajan (Godavari)
• Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: RRR
• Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration: The Kashmir Files
• Best Supporting Actor: Pankaj Tripathi, Mimi
• Best Hindi Film: Sardar Udham
• Special Jury Award: Shershaah (Director – Vishnuvardhan)
• The National Film Awards started in 1954 in the name of “State Awards.” At that time, only best
films in different regional languages were nominated and awarded. In 1967, it started giving awards
for actors and technicians working on the films.
• President of India presents the awards
 • Nargis Dutt and Uttam Kumar were the first actress and actor to get the Best Actress (then called
Urvashi) and Best Actor (then called Bharat) Awards respectively.

Prime Minister Modi becomes first Foreign Head of Government to be awarded ‘The Grand Cross of the Order of
Honour’ by Greece
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the highest civilian honour Grand Cross of the Order of Honour
by Greek President Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou in Athens
The award recognizes PM Modi's outstanding contribution to strengthening bilateral relations between Greece and
India.
PM Modi is the first Indian prime minister to be conferred with the Grand
Cross of the Order of Honour. He is also the first foreign head of government
to be awarded the honour.
About the Grand Cross of the Order of Honor
It is awarded by the President of Greece.
Recipients include Prime Ministers and eminent personalities.
The Order of Honour was established in 1975.

SVAMITVA Yojana of Ministry of Panchayati Raj gets National Award for e-Governance 2023
In the 26th National Conference on e-Governance 2023, the National Award was
given to the SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised
Technology in Village Areas) scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
The objective of the SVAMITVA scheme is to survey the population of villages,
map rural areas with advanced technology, and provide ownership rights of
property to individuals living in rural areas.
The National Award for e-Governance was given in the category "Application of emerging technology for providing
citizen-centric services".
The 26th National Conference on e-Governance 2023 was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and jointly organized by
the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and the Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology (MeitY).
The theme was "Developing India, Empowering Citizens" with a focus on advanced technologies and effective e-
governance strategies.
Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department - Giriraj Singh

Priyan Sain Crowned Miss Earth India 2023

Rajasthan’s Priyan Sain clinched the title of Miss Earth India 2023 during the Miss Divine
Beauty 2023 national final held in New Delhi.
Praveena Aanjna was named Miss International India 2023.
The new Divine Miss Earth India and Divine Miss International India, will represent India
on the international stage in Vietnam & Japan respectively.
Short News
• 954 Police awarded Police Medals on the occasion of the Independence Day

Obituaries
Draupadi Murmu releases postage stamp in memory of Dadi Prakashmani
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu has released a postage stamp in memory
of Dadi Prakashmani, former Chief of Brahma Kumaris at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Cultural Centre.
This stamp was released under the ‘My Stamp’ initiative of the Department of
Posts, Ministry of Communications to mark the 16th death anniversary of Dadi
Prakashmani.
Under her leadership, the Brahma Kumaris became the largest women-led spiritual organization in the world.

Famous Poet-writer Jayanta Mahapatra passed away

Eminent littérateur and poet Jayanta Mahapatra passed away at the age of 95.
He was the first Indian poet to win a Sahitya Akademi award for English poetry.
He was also conferred with the Padma Shri award in 2009. However, he returned it in 2015 to
protest against “rising intolerance in India”.
He is best known for authoring poems such as “Indian Summer” and “Hunger”, regarded as classics in modern Indian
English literature.
Born in Cuttack on October 22, 1928

Legendary statistical scientist CR Rao passes away at the age of 103

C Radhakrishna Rao, one of India’s greatest mathematicians and statisticians of India, passes
away at the age of 103. He had recently received the prestigious “International Prize in
Statistics-2023”, often referred to as the “statistics’ equivalent of the Nobel Prize”.
C R Rao was born into a Telugu family in Ballari, which was part of the Madras Presidency
and is now in Karnataka.
He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan award in 1968 and the Padma Vibhushan award in 2001.

Adobe co-founder John Warnock passes away at 82/Adobe

John Warnock, who helped invent the PDF and co-founded Adobe Systems passed away at the
age of 82.
PDF - Portable Document Format

Sulabh founder Bindeshwar Pathak passes away at 80

Bindeshwar Pathak the founder of Sulabh International passed away due to a
cardiac arrest
He was a pioneer in building public toilets. The 'Toilet Man of India' built about 1.3
million toilets in Indian homes and 54 million public lavatories using reasonably
priced two-pit technology
He founded Sulabh International, a social service organization that works to promote human rights, environmental
sanitation, waste management
In 1991, He was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his work for liberating and rehabilitating manual scavengers and
also for preventing environmental pollution by providing pour-flush toilet technology
For its contribution to the government’s flagship Swachh Bharat initiative, Sulabh received the Gandhi Peace Prize in
2016. Pathak was also awarded The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence in Public Administration,
Academics, and Management in 2017.

Eminent scientist Padma MRS Rao passes away in Bengaluru at 75

M. Rangaswamy Satyanarayana Rao, popularly known as MRS Rao, an eminent Indian
scientist and Padma Shri awardee, passes away.
He was honored with the Padma Shri award in 2010 for his contributions to the field of
science and engineering.
He was also honoured by the Karnataka state government with the Sir MV Visvesvaraya
Award for his contribution to the field of science and research.
He was the first scientist to initiate Chromatin Biology research in India.
He was the President of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, from 2003-13.

Former DRDO chief VS Arunachalam passed away

Former DRDO chief V S Arunachalam, known for his contributions to engineering science and
technology, has passed away at the age of 87
He was the Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister from 1982-92.
He was conferred the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (1980), Padma Bhushan (1985), and Padma
Vibhushan (1990) for his contribution to engineering science and technology.
He launched three major programmes: Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) under an autonomous body Aeronautical
Development Agency (ADA); the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) Programme; and the IGMDP (Integrated Guided
Missiles Development Programme) to develop a family of strategic and tactical guided missiles.
In 2015, Arunachalam was awarded DRDO's Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the
field of scientific research and technology.

Renowned author Hari Narke passed away in Mumbai

Renowned author and vice-president of Samata Parishad, Hari Narke passed away at the age of 70 in
Mumbai.
Narke was the professor of Mahatma Phule chair at Savitribai Phule Pune University and a former
member of the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission.
He was also a member of the Rangnath Pathare committee which was formed to collect evidence to prove Marathi
as a classical language.

Telugu, Sanskrit scholar Kandlakunta Alaha Singaracharyulu passed away

Eminent writer and academician Kandlakunta Alaha Singaracharyulu passed away in Hyderabad.
He was known for his extensive literary works in Telugu and Sanskrit languages.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2021 for his contributions to the field of Sanskrit literature and
education.

Renowned physicist Bikash Sinha passes away at 78

Scientist Bikash Sinha, a former director of Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics and Variable Energy
Cyclotron Centre, died
Padma Shri in 2001 and Padma Bhusan in 2010.

Congress leader and former Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman passes away

Veteran Congress leader and former Mizoram Governor Vakkom Purushothaman passed away at the
age of 96.
He was the longest-served Speaker of the Kerala assembly, from 1982 to 1984 and again from 2001
to 2004.
V Purushothaman served as the 6th Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
from 1993 to 1996, the Governor of Mizoram from 2011 to 2014 and Governor of Tripura for two months in 2014.

Marathi poet Namdeo Dhondo Mahanor passes away at 80

In the field of literature, he was awarded with Padm Shri 1991.

Padma Bhushan awardee and IAS officer N Vittal passed away

N Vittal, architect of India’s IT sector, no more
As Chairman of the Telecom Commission, he also initiated the process of liberalisation in the telecom
sector and played a major role in getting the National Telecom Policy 1994 approved.
As Secretary of the Department of Electronics (1990-1996), he initiated policies for boosting software,
setting up software technology parks and strategic alliance with the industry.
He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, in 2012.
State News
In Ladakh, construction for world's new highest motorable road begins
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has started a ground breaking project to construct
the ‘Likaru-Mig La-Fukche’ road in Ladakh.
Goal: To establish the world’s highest motorable road, spanning an altitude of
approximately 19,400 feet, surpassing the previous record held by Umling La Pass.
The 64-km-long road will provide connectivity to the military’s farthest outposts in the
sensitive sector Fukche.
Reportedly, an all-woman unit of the BRO began the construction of the Likaru-Mig La-Fukche road.

India launches first hydrogen fuel cell bus service in Leh

• India's first hydrogen fuel cell bus service begins in Leh (Ladakh), marking
the first commercial trial of this futuristic technology on public roads.
• The venture is being executed by NTPC, India's largest power-generating
company.
• NTPC is supplying five hydrogen fuel cell buses to Leh Administration for
intra-city movement.
• The company has set up a fueling station and a 1.7 MW captive solar plant to generate green
hydrogen, which will be used to power buses.
• Ashok Leyland is the supplier of the buses.
• NTPC is committed to achieve 60 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2032

Rajouri’s chikri wood craft, Anantnag’s Mushqbudji rice receive GI tag

Rajouri Chikri Wood Craft from Rajouri district and Mushqbudji Rice of Anantnag district in
Jammu & Kashmir have been officially awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI)
Tag.
This achievement is the result of a collaborative effort involving NABARD, the Department of
Handicrafts & Handloom, and the Department of Agriculture, with their joint initiative dating
back to December 2020.
Earlier this year in March, Basohli Painting of Kathua and Ladakh Wood Carving of Ladakh were also bestowed with
GI Tags under NABARD's support.

Bhaderwah Rajma and Ramban Sulai honey get GI tag in Jammu and Kashmir
Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Jammu started the GI tagging process for
these products.
This recognition is expected to increase exports, increase brand presence internationally
and prevent misuse.
Jammu and Kashmir was a state of India until August 2019, when it was bifurcated as two
union territories named Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on 31 August 2019.
Capital- Srinagar (May-October), Jammu (November-April)
Lieutenant Governor - Manoj Sinha

Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 : Introduced In Lok Sabha
The government has introduced the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill,
2023 in Lok Sabha to include four communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Jammu and Kashmir.
The four communities proposed for ST status are “Gadda Brahmin,” “Koli,” “Paddari Tribe,” and “Pahari Ethnic
Group.”
Currently, the dominant ST communities in J&K are the Gujjars and Bakerwals, who were given ST status in 1991
along with the smaller groups of Gaddis and Sippis.
The proposed expansion of the ST list has caused unrest among the Gujjar-Bakerwal community, who fear a
reduction in their share of the quota benefits.
The Pahari Ethnic Group includes Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs, with some Kashmiri-origin settlers in Rajouri and
Poonch districts.
The Paddari Tribe, residing in the remote Paddar area of Kishtwar district, is also proposed for ST status.

Scheduled Tribes in India (Static)

• Article 366(25) of the Constitution defines Scheduled Tribes as “such tribes or tribal communities or
parts of or groups within such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under Article 342”.
• Article 342(1) empowers the President to specify an ST in a state or UT, after consultation with the
Governor.
• The ST list is not a nationwide list — it is state/ UT-specific.
• The Constitution does not specify the criteria to determine ST status. However, characteristics such
as “primitive traits, geographical isolation, distinct culture, backwardness and shy of contact” have
been well established.
• The recommendation of the concerned state/ UT government with full justification, and the
concurrence of the Registrar General of India (RGI) and the National Commission for Scheduled
Tribes (NCST) are essential to designate a community as ST.
• There are no notified Scheduled Tribes in Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Puducherry.

Srinagar topped the ‘Jal Jeevan Survekshan 2023’ rankings

Srinagar district has been given status of the top performing district under Jal Jeevan Survekshan (JJS-2023) among
114 Har Ghar Jal certified villages across the country.
Jal Jeevan Mission was announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
15th August, 2019.
Aim - to ensure that every rural household in India receives secure and
sufficient drinking water via individual tap connections by the year 2024.
• India's first post office near LoC has been inaugurated in Kupwara
district of Jammu and Kashmir. This post office is located on the banks of the Kishanganga River
near the Line of Actual Control (LoC).

Haryana govt planning to build a dam to prevent Yamuna Floods

The Haryana government is planning to build a dam at a cost of 6,134 crore rupees.
It will be built 4.5 km upstream from the Hathnikund Barrage in Yamunanagar district.
Once the project is completed, the state will have greater availability of irrigation water,
groundwater recharge, and aquaculture, apart from the generation of 250 MW of
electricity.
This is likely to prevent floods caused by the Yamuna in Delhi and in adjoining areas of the
river in Haryana. The dam area also shares borders with Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
9 villages will be displaced for its construction, besides shifting an 11-km stretch of NH-73.
It will also submerge a large chunk of forest land, including areas in Kalesar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.

President of India inaugurated 'UNMESHA' and 'UTKARSH' festivals in Bhopal

President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the national festival of India's folk and tribal
expressions "Utkarsh" and the international literature festival "Unmesh" in Bhopal
Culture Department Madhya Pradesh along with Sangeet Natak Akademi and Sahitya
Akademi of the Ministry of Culture is organized this event from 3rd to 5th August.
The international literature festival Unmesh is Asia's largest literary convention
15 countries participated in the Unmesh festival.
UP government to build country’s largest IT Hub in Lucknow
The Uttar Pradesh government will set up the country’s largest IT hub in Lucknow.
The IT hub will be located on 40 acres of land in the Nadarganj Industrial Area of Amausi on
Kanpur Road.
The hub will be divided into three parts: IT Park, Business Park, and International Incubation Facility Center.

Madhya Pradesh government and UNFPA launch AI-powered chatbot named 'Just Ask’
The Madhya Pradesh government in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund
(UNFPA) has introduced an AI-powered chatbot named 'Just Ask'.
The primary goal of this initiative is to provide accurate and easily accessible information
related to social issues and sexual and reproductive health and rights, targeting adolescents
and young adults.
The interactive nature of a chatbot allows it to engage users in conversation and provide
reliable information at no charge. It is designed to showcase two aspiring role models named Dhruv and Drishti.

United Nations Population Fund:

It is a subordinate body of the United Nations General Assembly, tasked to act as the responsible agency for sexual
and reproductive health matters. It was created under the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
About Madhya Pradesh
It is the second largest state of India by area after Rajasthan.
Governor - Mangubhai Patel
Chief Minister - Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Capital - Bhopal

Narendra Modi lays foundation of Sant Ravidas temple in Madhya Pradesh

PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a temple-cum-memorial for Sant Ravidas at Badtuma near Sagar in
M.P. and along with that also inaugurated developmental works which are worth Rs 4,000 crore in Madhya
Pradesh in Aug 2023
The temple will be built in Nagar style in 10,000 square feet and a museum will also be built to display the work and
personality of Sant Ravidas.
Sant Ravidas was an Indian mystic poet-saint of the bhakti movement and founder of the Ravidassia religion during
the 15th to 16th century CE

Dholpur-Karauli to be Rajasthan's 5th tiger reserve & India's 54th

National Tiger Conservation Authority approved India's 54th tiger reserve in Rajasthan's
Karauli and Dholpur districts
This will Rajasthan's fifth tiger reserve after Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundra Hills, and
Ramgarh Vishdhari
The number of tigers in India has increased from 2,967 in 2018 to 3,682 in 2022, an annual
rise of 6%
The number of tigers in Rajasthan has increased from 32 in 2006 to 88 in 2022
Madhya Pradesh has the maximum number of tigers in the country (785)

Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated Mukhyamantri Seekho-Kamao yojna scheme

The scheme has been started for the youth in the age group of 18 to 29 yrs and it facilitated on-the-
job training on the lines of 'learn and earn along with skill development
Under the scheme, the selected youth will be given training according to the requirements of the
industries and also get an 8 to 10 thousand rupees stipend

M.P. CM Shivraj announced Shri Hanuman Lok in Chhindwara

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan performed the ceremony of the Shri Hanuman Lok at the
Jam Sanwali Hanuman Temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district.
He also announced that a new district (Pandhurna), would be carved out from Chhindwara. It
would be the 55th district if created.
Earlier, Mauganj became the 53rd district of Madhya Pradesh
Shivraj Singh Chouhan had declared the industrial town Nagda as the 54th district, to be
carved out of Ujjain district.

New Amravati Station Becomes Central Railway’s Third ‘Pink Station’

Central Railway has inaugurated the New Amravati station as the 1st “Pink Station” on the
Bhusaval Division and the 3rd station on Central Railway to be fully managed by an all-women
staff.
The examples are set by Matunga station in the Mumbai division and Ajni station in the Nagpur
division.

Bihar to Constitute ‘Rhino Task Force’ for Reintroduction of Rhino Conservation Scheme
The Bihar government to constitute ‘Rhino Task Force’ for suggesting measures for the
reintroduction of rhino conservation scheme in ‘Valmiki Tiger Reserve’ in West
Champaran district.
It has been decided to increase the rhino-bearing areas in VTR by five per cent in the
next two years
India plays a crucial role in the conservation of one-horned rhinoceros, with
approximately 75% of the world population of rhino resides in India and more than 93% of the Indian rhino
population lives in just one protected area in Assam- The Kaziranga National Park.
Valimik Tiger Reserve, located in the West Champaran district of Bihar, was established as the 18th tiger reserve in
1990
VTR, the only national park in Bihar, recently recorded a 75 per cent increase in tiger numbers — from 31 in 2018 to
54 in 2022. There has been an increase of 23 tigers in the last four years.

Chhattisgarh CM transfers Rs 15 crore as part of Godhan Nyay Yojana

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel transferred in online mode more than Rs 15
crore to cattle-rearers, women SHGs and ‘gauthan’ committees as a part of his
government’s flagship Godhan Nyay Yojna (GNY)
The state government had launched GNY scheme in July 2020 under which cow dung is
procured at Rs 2 per kilogram at gauthans and is used to prepare vermicompost.

Abua Awas Yojna

On the occasion of Independence Day, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren
announced a new scheme 'Abua Awas Yojana' for the needy people of the state
Under the scheme, 3-room houses will be provided to the poor, deprived, labourers,
farmers, tribals, backward and Dalits, from Govt. fund by spending more than Rs 15,000
crore in the next two years.
Odisha launched scheme to improve banking penetration in 4,373 panchayats
The Odisha Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved to open
banking outlets in 4,373 unbanked gram panchayats at a cost of Rs 500 crore
Aim: To improve financial inclusion
The scheme will be implemented in coordination with six public sector banks - State
Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda
and Bank of India.
The cabinet also approved a new scheme NUA-Odisha —Nutana (new), Unnata
(developed), Abhilasha (aspirational) — with an outlay of Rs 385 crore that aims to skill
one lakh youth every year in the state during the next 3 years.

Tampara Lake
The National Green Tribunal, Eastern Zone, has directed the Odisha
government not to go ahead with ‘illegal’ construction in and around
Tampara Lake
Tampara Lake is one of the largest fresh water lakes in Odisha, and
is located nearby Chilika Lagoon.
It supports at least 60 species of birds, 46 species of fishes, at least 48
species of phytoplanktons, and more than seven species of terrestrial plants and macrophytes (an aquatic plant
large enough to be seen by the naked eye.)
It is already placed in the Wetland Atlas prepared by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2010.

National Green Tribunal:

Established under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal.
The Tribunal comprises the Chairperson, the Judicial Members, and Expert Members.
They shall hold office for a term of 5 years and are not eligible for reappointment.
The Chairperson is appointed by the Central Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

Odisha is the 1st state to give land rights to slum dwellers

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has distributed land right certificates to the 65,000 poor
families living in the slums of five metropolitan cities including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack,
Berhampur, Sambalpur, and Rourkela.
Odisha is the only state in the country to give land rights to slum dwellers
On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that “financial assistance will also be provided for the construction of
houses.
The second phase of the certificate will be issued next October. This campaign will continue till all the poor families
of the city get land rights.

The Jaga Mission program, which started in 2018, provides land rights to poor families living in urban slums. Till
now more than two lakh 40 thousand families got land rights in the state.
With the aim of making slum-free Odisha, all these slums are being given all kinds of basic facilities and are being
converted into Biju model colonies.
Capital – Bhubaneswar
Chief Minister – Naveen Patnaik
Governor – Ganeshi Lal

Civil Aviation Minister Inaugurates Utkela Airport and Direct Flight between Utkela and Bhubaneswar
Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia
Utkela Airport, owned by the Government of Odisha, has been set up as a regional airport under
the UDAN scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation with a project cost of Rs 31.07 crore.
This increases the number of airports in Odisha to five
Will have economic benefits and development for Kalahandi region
Odisha formation - April 1, 1936

Tata Steel and ACME Group Join Forces For India’s Largest Green Hydrogen Project
Worth Rs 27,000 Crore In Odisha
ACME Group, a prominent renewable energy company, has joined forces with Tata Steel
Special Economic Zone Ltd. (TSSEZL) to establish an expansive green hydrogen and green
ammonia project within Odisha’s Gopalpur Industrial Park.
This venture is to become the largest facility of its kind in India, marking a significant stride towards sustainable
energy production.
The green ammonia production facility will have a capacity of nearly 1.3 MTPA (million tonnes per annum). Green
hydrogen, created through the electrolysis process using renewable energy sources, will be used in the green
ammonia facility.

Kolkata becomes the third Indian city to adopt an Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS)
After Delhi and Pune
The system, developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune, aims to address rising air
pollution levels in urban areas.
AQEWS in Kolkata uses an advanced sensor network to provide real-time monitoring of the Air Quality Index (AQI).
AQI is a standardized measure of the level of air pollution, with a value ranging from 0 to 500.
The system focuses on PM2.5 (particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller) levels, which is a major
contributor to health problems due to its ability to enter the lungs.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change - Bhupendra Yadav

Assam CM launches 'Amrit Brikshya Andolan' app

The 'Amrit Brikshya Andolan' app and web portal was launched by Assam Chief Minister
Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Aims to plant 1 crore saplings in a single day on 17th September 2023, a significant
milestone in the state's efforts to boost the green economy and contribute to the fight
against global warming.
Individuals who register on the 'Amrit Brikshya Andolan' app or portal and upload their
geo-tagged photographs planting saplings will receive a reward of Rs 100 in their bank account, with an aim to
encourage more people to participate in the tree plantation drive.

About Assam:
Location: It is a state located in the north-eastern region of India. It is bounded by Bhutan to the north, Arunachal
Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya and West Bengal.
National Parks: Kaziranga, Manas, Nameri, Orang, Dibru Saikhowa, Raimona and
Dehing Patkai.
Formation (as a state) - 26 January 1950
Capital - Dispur
Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor - Gulab Chand Kataria
Official Dance - Bihu Dance
Official river – Brahmaputra

Que:The first instance of captive breeding of the Himalayan vulture in India at

which state?
Ans: Assam
Assam State Zoo in Guwahati has achieved a ground-breaking victory by
successfully breeding the Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis) in captivity
for the first time in India.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: Near Threatened.
CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora): Appendix II.
The Himalayan vulture primarily inhabits the Himalayan mountain range.
It is a common winter migrant to the Indian plains.
Its range extends across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China, where it thrives in challenging high-altitude environments.

Guwahati airport becomes first in northeast to get ‘Digi Yatra’ facility

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati, become the
first in the northeast to launch Digi Yatra for hassle-free travel.
Aim: To eliminate the need for verification of tickets and IDs at various
touchpoints.
The Digi Yatra service will be available in three major areas namely - first
entrance, check-in and boarding areas.
Passengers will be able to register their documents on the ‘Digi Yatra’ app and enter the airport by scanning their
faces.

Digi Yatra Foundation:

• The project is being implemented by the DigiYatra Foundation — a joint-venture company whose
shareholders are the Airports Authority of India (26% stake) and Bengaluru Airport, Delhi Airport,
Hyderabad Airport, Mumbai Airport and Cochin International Airport.
• Airports Authority of India (AAI) will identify their airports where Digi Yatra would be implemented
in a phased manner.

Assam enforces ban on plastic water bottles of less than 1000ml

The Assam government implemented a ban on PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) plastic water
bottles of less than 1000 ml capacity with effect from October 2.
From October 2024, bottles of less than two litres will also be banned in the state
The primary goal is to tackle the problem of plastic pollution and promote sustainable behavior.

Chokuwa Rice
Chokuwa rice had earned a GI (Geographical Indication) tag in 2020 for its
exquisiteness.
Chokuwa rice is also known as Magic rice cultivated in Assam.
It is a part of Assam’s culinary heritage; and is cultivated around the
Brahmaputra River area
It is basically semi-glutinous winter rice, known as Sali rice.
The low amylase Chokuwa rice variants are used to make soft rice, which is
known as Komal Chaul or soft rice.
This whole grain can be consumed after soaking the rice in cold or lukewarm water. This rice variety is widely
consumed for its convenience of preparation and nutritional value.

SC to Appoint All-Woman Panel to Oversee Relief in Manipur

Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud has announced the formation of an all-women panel to help bring healing
and relief to the violence-stricken region in Manipur.
The committee consists of 3 former High Court judges :
• Justice Gita Mittal, (Committee Head), who was a former Chief Justice of
the Jammu & Kashmir High Court.
• Justice Shalini Phansalkar Joshi, a retired Bombay High Court judge.
• Justice Asha Menon, a former Delhi High Court Judge.
Chief Justice, D.Y. Chandrachud also appointed a retired IPS officer, Dattatray Padsalgikar to monitor the
investigation of the cases that has been arisen from the violence.

First ABDM Microsite Project by National Health Authority launched

in Aizawl, Mizoram
The National Health Authority (NHA) announced that Mizoram has
become the first state in India to operationalize Ayushman Bharat
Digital Mission’s (ABDM) microsite project.
The National Health Authority (NHA) announced 100 microsites
project to accelerate the adoption of the Ayushman Bharat Digital
Mission (ABDM) nationwide.
Microsites will be a cluster of all small and medium scale clinics,
nursing homes, hospitals and other healthcare facilities that are ABDM-enabled. Digital health services will be
offered to the patients at these microsites centres

Hmar community: Demand For Separate Administration

NEWS: Hmar Inpui, the apex tribal body of the Hmar community, recently asked the Centre to expedite the
processes of resolving the demands of the tribal communities for separate administration for the Kuki/Hmar/Zomi
Hmar tribe, also called Mhar or Mar, are the dwellers of the North Eastern Part of India.
They inhibit the north-eastern states of Manipur, Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Tripura.
The Hmars belong to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group of tribes and are recognised as Scheduled Tribe under the
Constitution of India.
Hmar Tribes claim their origin from the Singlung, which is located in central or south-west China.
The ancestors of Hmar belong to the Chinese dynasty.

The Hmar society is based on clan system.

Each clan had a dialect of its own, though nowadays a common dialect used by the Hmar People was developed by
Christian missionaries.
The chief of the village council is called “Lal”. Everybody follows his leadership and directive.
The society is patrilineal and patriarchal in nature.
Father is the head of the family. Joint family is common among them.
Hmars built their villages on hill -tops & houses are constructed on wooden planks.

Arunachal Pradesh govt inks MoA with 3 Central govt PSUs

Arunachal Pradesh government allotted 12 stalled hydropower projects to three
Central Government PSUs by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) in
Itanagar.
The projects will be implemented by NHPC Ltd.(National Hydroelectric Power
Corporation), SJVN Ltd.(Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam), and NEEPCO Ltd.(North Eastern
Electric Power Corporation Limited)
The MoAs were signed in the presence of Union Power Minister R. K. Singh, Chief Minister Pema Khandu and
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein.
These projects were initially allotted to independent power developers about 15 years ago but remain stalled due to
various reasons.

Gujarat launches ‘Sinh Suchna’ app for tracking lions

On the occasion of World Lion Day, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched a
mobile application that will help the state forest department track the movement of lions
through the information shared by common people using the app.
This mobile will help us in locating lions in real time and also help the authorities in avoiding
human-animal conflicts
Announcement for setting up a lion safari park near Una town in Gir Somnath district to ease the burden on Gir
National Park
The central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a budget of Rs 2,900 crore under
‘Project Lion’ for the conservation of Asiatic Lions, which are found only in Gujarat

Gujarat announced 27% reservation for OBCs in local bodies like panchayat
The Gujarat government announced a 27 percent reservation for Other Backward Classes
in local bodies like panchayats, municipalities, and civic corporations.
In the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas notified areas, the reservation for OBCs
will continue to be 10 percent to protect the interest of tribals.
The existing quota for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will remain unchanged and
there has been no breach of the 50 percent reservation ceiling.

Rajasthan CM introduces scheme to provide free smartphones to women in the state -Indira Gandhi Free
Smartphone Yojana 2023
The government, under the Indira Gandhi smartphone scheme, will transfer Rs
6,800 to the e-wallet of beneficiary women after the completion of their KYC process
in special camps. The beneficiary can then purchase a mobile phone of their choice
In the first phase of the scheme, around 40 lakh women and girl students will get
smartphones with three years of free internet connectivity

Rajasthan Cabinet approved formation of 19 districts, 3 divisions in state

The Rajasthan Cabinet approved the proposal of a high-level committee to form 19 new
districts and 3 new divisions in the State.
Rajasthan will now have a total of 50 districts and 10 divisional headquarters.
According to CM Ashok Gehlot formation of new districts will improve governance and
bring relief to people who have to cover long distances to go to the district headquarters.
The 3 new divisions are Banswara, Pali and Sikar.

Rajasthan State Guru Gorakhnath Board

Rajasthan government announced the formation of Rajasthan State Guru
Gorakhnath Board, marking a significant step towards addressing the challenges
faced by the Jogi, Yogi, and Nath communities in the state.
The Board will identify the problems of Jogi, Yogi, Nath castes & give suggestions
to the state government on the basis of authentic survey report to provide basic
facilities to these classes and remove backwardness.
The Board will consist of five non-official members, including a chairman, vice-chairman, and three other members.

Rajasthan State Guru Gorakhnath Board

Rajasthan government announced the formation of Rajasthan State Guru Gorakhnath Board, marking a significant
step towards addressing the challenges faced by the Jogi, Yogi, and Nath communities in the state.
The Board will identify the problems of Jogi, Yogi, Nath castes & give suggestions to the state government on the
basis of authentic survey report to provide basic facilities to these classes and remove backwardness.
The Board will consist of five non-official members, including a chairman, vice-chairman, and three other members.

CM Ashok Gehlot launches free food packet scheme

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Nishulk Annapurna Food
Packet Scheme’ on the occasion of Independence Day. Under the scheme, families covered
under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) will get the Annapurna food packets every
month from the fair price shops (FPS) for free. Each packet will contain one kg each of gram
pulses, sugar and iodized salt, one litre soybean refined edible oil, 100 gram each of chili powder and coriander
powder. government’s resolution of ‘No one should sleep hungry in the state
Navi Mumbai to become country’s first septic tank-free city
Navi Mumbai is set to become the first city in the country to be septic tank-free and have
toilets in 100% of households soon.
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) is taking measures by building household
toilets in slums and laying drainage pipe networks, bringing down the number of septic tanks.
The NMMC has laid a network of sewage drains all over the city with 7 sewage treatment plants being set up with
the help of Central government funds.

UAS to open first-of-its-kind agriculture science museum in Bengaluru

University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) will be opening a first-of-its-kind museum on its
campus in Bengaluru.
Aim: To introduce the evolution of agricultural practices into the lives of students and the
general public
The museum will serve as a one-stop solution where they can get information about agriculture.

National Institute of Industrial Engineering becomes the 21st IIM of India

After passing the IIM (Amendment) Bill 2023 in the ongoing Monsoon Session, in the
Parliament, the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) would be officially
renamed the Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai (IIM Mumbai).
With this, NITIE becomes the 21st IIM of India and second in Maharashtra, after IIM
Nagpur.
Presently, NITIE ranked 7th in the Management Category by National Institute Ranking
Framework (NIRF) in 2023.

Maharashtra Government Launches ‘Bhagwan Birsa Munda Jodaraste Scheme’ to

Connect Tribal Villages with Main Roads
Aims to enhance road connectivity in tribal areas of the 17 districts of the state.
The project is estimated to cost Rs 5,000 crore and nearly 6,838 km of roads will be
constructed as part of the scheme.
Maharashtra Casino Act repealed:
In another decision, the Maharashtra cabinet also decided to repeal the 45-year-old Maharashtra Casinos (Control
and Tax) Act, 1976, announcing that the state will not have casinos in the future.

Maharashtra government to organize “Pro Govinda” League on Janmashtami

The Maharashtra government will host the first-ever Pro Govinda League in Mumbai on 31
August on the lines of the Pro Kabaddi League.
The Pro Govinda League would be held at the National Sports Club of India at Worli in
Mumbai.
The first prize comprises a whopping Rs 11 lakh, second Rs 7 lakh, third Rs 5 lakh, and fourth Rs 3 lakh
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde recognized Dahi-Handi as a sport in Maharashtra in 2022 on the occasion
of Janmashtami.

Zika Virus : Mumbai Reported First Case

Zika Virus is a mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in the Zika Forest of
Uganda in 1947.
It is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes
mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
It can also spread through sexual contact, blood transfusion, and from an infected
mother to her baby during pregnancy or childbirth.
Many people infected with this virus do not experience any symptoms (asymptomatic).
When symptoms do occur, they are often mild and include fever, rash, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, and red
eyes (conjunctivitis).
In a first in India, Goa to give free IVF treatment in govt hospital
Goa has become the first Indian state to offer free in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant inaugurated the Assisted reproductive technology (ART) and
intrauterine insemination (IUI), at the Goa Medical College (GMC) in Bambolim.
About IVF
During in vitro fertilization, mature eggs are collected from ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. Then a procedure
is done to place one or more of the fertilized eggs, called embryos, in a uterus.

Goa govt launches 'Gramin Mitra' scheme to promote digital empowerment

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the flagship scheme "Gramin Mitra" in August
2023
Objective: To provide doorstep delivery of government services across the state and
promote digital empowerment in rural areas.
The program will help us accelerate the delivery of e-governance services to rural areas
across the state.

‘India’s First Village Atlas’ is of Mayem In Goa

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant released a biodiversity atlas of Mayem village in North
Goa, which he termed as "India's first village atlas".
This atlas gives a socio-cultural history of Mayem village that dates back to 12th century, and
also details the floral and faunal biodiversity of the village.
There are huge funds to be tapped for villages that have registered biodiversity atlases. For
every lake, the government of India is ready to give Rs 10 crore to maintain it.

Telangana Launches Gruha Lakshmi Scheme 2023

The Telangana government is set to launch the Gruha Lakshmi scheme in 2023, a
financial assistance program for women from SC, ST, and BC communities to help them
build or improve their homes.
The scheme will provide each beneficiary with a one-time grant of Rs. 3 lakh.
The Gruha Lakshmi scheme is part of the Telangana government’s efforts to empower
women and provide them with access to affordable housing.
The scheme is being funded by a budget of Rs. 12,000 crore.

Telangana launches India’s first Agricultural Data Exchange

Telangana has launched India’s first Agricultural Data Exchange (ADeX) and Agriculture Data
Management Framework (ADMF).
The ADeX is a collaboration between the Telangana Government, the World Economic
Forum, and the Indian Institute of Science.
Both ADeX and ADMF provide the right platform to ensure fair and efficient usage of agricultural data by the
industry and startups and provide a big boost to the data economy specifically in the agriculture sector.
In Phase-I of the project, the ADeX Platform is currently deployed in Khammam district and will be expanded to the
entire State over a period.

India gets first-ever night street racing circuit in Chennai

Also, it would become the first-ever street circuit in India and South Asia that will be hosting a night race
The state government has partnered with Racing Promotions Private Limited (RRPL) for the project. RRPL is also the
promoter of the Indian Racing League and F4 Indian Championship.

Kerala Assembly passes resolution to rename state as Keralam

The resolution, moved by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, was passed unanimously. To
change the name of a state, approval from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs is
required.
Article 3 deals with the formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States.
The state of Kerala came into being on November 1, 1956. In Malayalam, the state was referred to as Keralam, while
in English it was Kerala.
Origin of the names
The earliest epigraphic record that mentions Kerala is emperor Asoka’s Rock Edict II of 257 BC. The inscription refers
to the local ruler as Keralaputra (Sanskrit for “son of Kerala”), and also “son of Chera” referring to the Chera dynasty.
About ‘Keralam’, scholars believe it could have originated from ‘Cheram’.

What is the process to rename a state in India?

Unlike in the case of renaming cities, to change the name of a state, approval from the Centre’s Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA) is required. This means that a Constitutional amendment becomes necessary to affect this change.
The proposal has to first come from the state government.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) then takes over and gives its consent after it receives No Objection
Certificates (NOCs) from several agencies such as the Ministry of Railways, Intelligence Bureau, Department of Posts,
Survey of India and Registrar General of India.
If the proposal is accepted, the resolution, introduced as a Bill in the Parliament, becomes a law and the name of the
state is changed thereafter.

Athidhi Portal : Kerala Govt

The Kerala government is set to launch the ‘Athidhi Portal’, which aims to expedite
the registration process for migrant workers in the state.
In light of recent incidents involving sexual crimes against children allegedly carried
out by migrant workers, the government is taking measures to enhance the
registration of “guest workers.”
Also to curb the exploitation of unregistered migrants by contractors and the lack of social security
The portal will introduce a unique identification system and facilitate the registration of workers by contractors,
employers, and individual workers themselves.
The goal is to ensure comprehensive registration and provide social security for all migrant workers.

Kerala launches its first AI school in Thiruvananthapuram

Former (14th) President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated Kerala's first AI (Artificial intelligence)
school at Santhigiri Vidyabhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.
It is an innovative learning method that ensures international standards and quality learning
opportunities for students with the help of artificial intelligence technology.
It is designed and molded by one of the world's most advanced educational platforms iLearning Engines USA in
collaboration with Vedhik eSchool.

Nirmala Sitharaman laid foundation stone for Adichanallur museum

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman laid the foundation stone for an archeological
museum at Adichanallur in Tamil Nadu in August 2023
To showcase 3,000-year-old artefacts from ancient Tamil civilization, excavated from this archaeological site.
This is the first onsite archaeological museum in the country
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) unearthed burial urns, metal and bronze products used by ancient Tamils and a
gold diadem. Subsequently, the Union Government decided to set-up an onsite museum at this hotspot of ancient
Tamil civilization
Adichanallur was one of the five archaeological sites declared to be developed as ‘Iconic Sites’ in the Union Budget
2020-21.

20-feet tall statue of famous Tamil philosopher “Thiruvalluvar”

20-feet tall Thiruvalluvar statue installed at Kurichi tank in Coimbatore
The sculpture, designed with 1,330 letters of the Tamil language, as a way of denoting the 1,330
Kurals (couplets) written by the poet, is expected to be a major attraction
Thiruvalluvar was a celebrated Tamil poet and scholar, and is best known as the author of Tirukkural, a collection of
couplets on a wide array of subjects such as politics, economics, ethics and love.

India's first 3D-printed post office inaugurated in Bengaluru

Built in 43 days
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually inaugurated the post office, the
construction of which was carried out by Larsen & Toubro Limited with
technological support from IIT Madras.
About two years ago, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated India's first
3D-printed house, constructed on the campus of the Indian Institute of Ttechnology
(IIT) Madras by Tvasta Manufacturing Solutions.
Contrary to traditional construction methods, 3D printing uses a robotic arm to create layers using a special concrete
mixture fed into the system. The mixture has special adhesives for quick drying and other uses.

India’s First Drone Common Testing Centre To Be Established In Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) is set to establish India’s first
Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drone) Common Testing Centre
This centre will be established on an area of 2.3 acres at the SIPCOT Industrial Park, Vallam
Vadagal near Sriperumbudur.
The testing centre to be set up at an estimated cost of ₹45 crore
The testing centre would enable the State to be a significant contributor to the self-reliance of the country in the
aerospace and defence sectors.

Short News
• National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to plant at least 10,000
trees within a month in Uttarakhand.
• Madhya Pradesh raised the financial aid given to women in the Ladli Behna Scheme from ₹1,000 to ₹1,250
per month; 35 percent reservation for women in government jobs.
• A special art exhibition titled "Together We Art" dedicated to G-20 member countries begins at Bihar
Museum, Patna
• Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 5.0 launched. It is a nationwide vaccine catch-up campaign, which
focusses on reaching zero-dose children aged between 0-5 years and pregnant women to ensure that they
do not miss out on any vaccination
• Assam government has signed an MoU with the Badminton Association of India to set up the National
Centre of Excellence for Badminton in the state.
• 9th edition of Malabar River Festival opens in Kerala
• Onam festival celebrated in Kerala, bringing happiness, unity, and a lot of cultural beauty. The festival spans
10 days, commencing on Atham (the first day of Onam) and culminating on Thiruvonam (the final day).
• The Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) has secured a grant of ₹10 crore from NITI
Aayog to establish India’s first Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) in fisheries at the University.

National News
Project Tiger merges with Project Elephant
Project Tiger and Project Elephant have been merged, meaning a common allocation will fund
both beginning this year.
A new division, ‘Project Tiger and Elephant Division,’ has been notified under the ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
The administrative setup for the two schemes will continue to exist separately, only funding is to be merged.
The amalgamated budget of Project Tiger and Project Elephant schemes in 2023-24 stands at Rs 331 crore.
Project Elephant completed 30 years in 2022 and Project Tiger completed 50 years in 2023.
A similar proposal was made by the erstwhile Planning Commission in 2011 to merge three centrally sponsored
schemes — Project Tiger, Project Elephant, and Integrated Development under Wildlife Habitat — into one.

Aspect Project Elephant Information

Launch year • 1992
Type • Centrally-sponsored scheme
• To protect elephants and improve their habitat and corridors,
Aim
reduce human-elephant conflict
• 33 elephant reserves have been notified (Terai ER in Utter Pradesh
Elephant reserves
became 33rd India’s ER); 101 elephant corridors identified

Project Tiger:
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Environment,
Type
Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) (est. 2005; HQ: New
Implementing Authority
Delhi)
• NTCA was established following a recommendation of the Tiger
About NTCA Task Force). It is a statutory body under the Wildlife (Protection)
Act, of 1972.
• Union Minister of the MoEFCC (as Chairperson)+ the Minister of
Members of NTCA State in the MoEFCC (as Vice-Chairperson)+ 3 MPs, Secretary,
MoEFCC
• Supervisory and coordination role and approval of the Tiger
Functions of NTCA
Conservation Plan prepared by the State Governments.

GI Tag To Three Famous Products: Tamil Nadu

Geographical Indications Registry granted GI tag to:
Jaderi namakatti:
• Clay sticks with white colour, finger-like shape, and smooth texture.
• Made by Jaderi Tiruman (Namakatti)
Chedibutta saree:
• Handloom saree made from art silk and cotton mix fabric, featuring the
iconic “plant and flower” motif on the border and pallu.
• Woven by skilled Sowrashtra weavers.
• Veeravanallur town, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
Kanniyakumari Matti banana:
• Traditional table banana with medicinal value, highly fragrant, sweet with a sub-acid flavour, and powdery
nature.
• Kanniyakumari district, Tamil Nadu

GI tags for Goan mangoes and bebinca, crafts from Rajasthan and U.P

Goa
Mankurad mango: The mango variety is known by several names, including malcorada, cardozo
mankurad, corado, and Goa mankur. The Portuguese originally named it malcorada, meaning
'poor colored'. Over time, it evolved into mankurad aamo (mango) in Konkani, the local language.
Goan bebinca: Bebinca is also known as the ‘queen of Goan desserts’, is a traditional Indo-
Portuguese pudding made with egg yolks, sugar, coconut milk, and flour.
Uttar Pradesh
Jalesar Dhatu Shilp: In Jalesar, Uttar Pradesh's Etah district, the Thatheras
community in the locality of Hathuras make 'Jalesar Dhatu Shilp,' which
includes anklets, bells, and other decorative metal craft and brassware.

Rajasthan
Udaipur Koftgari Metal Craft: Udaipur Koftgari Metal Craft involves exquisitely
ornamenting weapons through a complex process.

Bikaner Kashidakari Craft: It is traditionally made on cotton, silk or velvet with a variety of fine
stitches and mirror-work, mainly for objects associated with marriage, especially gift items. The
mirrors used in this craft are believed to protect against the 'evil eye' due to their reflective
surfaces.
The Meghwal community in Bikaner and nearby districts traditionally weaved fabrics by hand for this craft.
Jodhpur Bandhej Craft: It is a Rajasthani art of tying and dyeing. GPT
Bandhej is a renowned textile art form in Rajasthan, using fabrics like muslin, silk, and voile. Cotton thread is used for
tying the fabric.

Bikaner Usta Kala Craft: The 'Bikaner Usta Kala Craft,' also known as gold nakashi or gold
manauti work, is famous for its long-lasting golden color. The craft involves processing
and molding untreated raw camel hide by the skilled leather craftspeople of the Dapgar
community to meet the requirements of the Usta

Corbett Tiger Reserve : Bird Survey

In the recent bird survey at Corbett Tiger Reserve about 275 bird species, including two critically endangered, four
vulnerable ones and two endangered species, were counted.
As per the report, two species, namely white-rumped vulture and red-headed vulture, considered critically
endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list, have been documented in the survey
Corbett Tiger Reserve is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand which encompasses the Patli Dun valley.
The Ramganga, Sonanadi, Mandal, and Kosi rivers form the prominent water resource for the Corbett.

Dr. Jitendra Singh unveils the unique 'NAMOH 108' lotus and launches Lotus Mission along with innovative
initiatives
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched a new 'Lotus flower variety named 'Namoh
108' developed by CSIR-NBRI in Lucknow. This lotus has an extraordinary 108 petals and
holds religious and symbolic significance.
The unique 'Namoh 108' lotus variety blooms from March to December, rich in
nutrients.
Under the Lotus research program, NBRI (The National Botanical Research Institute
(NBRI) is a research institute of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh) in collaboration with FFDC, Kannauj introduced a garment made of lotus fiber
and a perfume named 'Frotas' extracted from lotus flowers.

He also launched the new variety of Aloe vera named ‘NBRI-Nihar’, having approximately 2.5 times high gel yield in
comparison to Aloe vera

Project Devika: North India’s First River Rejuvenation

North India’s first River Rejuvenation Project Devika is nearing its completion.
It was launched under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).
It was Built at a cost of over Rs 190 crore on the lines of ‘Namami Ganga’, the Project was launched by PM Modi in
2019.
Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Project Devika aims to rejuvenate the Devika River.
The river holds religious significance as it is revered by Hindus, as the sister of the river Ganga.
Devika River originates from the hilly Suddha Mahadev temple in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir
and flows down towards western Punjab (now in Pakistan) where it merges with the Ravi River.

Under the project, bathing “ghats” (places) on the banks of the Devika River will be developed.
Further, the encroachments will be removed, and natural water bodies will be restored.
A Solid Waste Management Project is additionally planned to further enhance the river’s restoration.
The project also includes the construction of three sewage treatment plants, the development of two cremation
ghats, protection fencing and landscaping

What is BHU-VISION?
• Bhu-Vision - a revolutionary automated soil testing and agronomy advisory
platform, officially launched at AICRP (ICAR-IIRR), Hyderabad.
• It is also known as KRISHI-RASTAA Soil Testing System.
• ICAR-IIRR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research -Indian Institute of Rice
Research)
• This system seamlessly conducts 12 key soil parameter tests in just 30 minutes.
• It provides quick and accurate results directly to farmers and stakeholders through a soil health card on their
mobile devices.
• Indian Institute of Rice Research
• It was established in 1965.
• Headquarter: Hyderabad.

Archaeologists discovered Crystal Quartz Weighing Unit of Sangam period in Keeladi

Archaeologists found a weighing unit made of crystal quartz measuring two cm in
diameter, 1.5 cm in height and eight grams in weight during the ninth phase of excavations
at Keeladi in the Sivaganga district (Tamil Nadu)
The crystal quartz from the Sangam period. This is the first such find since the start of the
Keeladi excavations in 2014.
Furthermore, these recent findings have pushed back the proposed start date of the Sangam Era to 600 BCE.
Archaeologists also found an earthen snake figurine.
These weighting units were used for weighing high-value items such as gold, precious and semi-precious stones.

THAROSAURUS INDICUS
Scientists from IIT-Roorkee and Geological Survey of India (GSI) have discovered the
oldest fossil remains of dicraeosaurid dinosaur in Jaisalmer.
Dicraeosaurid dinosaur is a long-necked, plant-eating dinosaur species.
The remains are 167 million years old and belong to a new species, unknown to scientists
thus far.
It has been named ‘Tharosaurus indicus’, the first name referring to the ‘Thar desert’ where the fossils were found,
and the second after its country of origin.
Fossils of dicraeosaurid dinosaurs have been found previously in North and South Americas, Africa and China, but
such fossils were not known from India.

India succeeds in reducing emissions rate by 33% over 14 years

According to two officials submission made to the United Nations, India’s greenhouse emissions rate dropped by a
faster-than-expected 33% in 14 years.
Reason: Renewable energy generation rose and forest cover increased
India is well on the way to meeting a commitment to the UNFCCC(United Nations Convention on Climate Change), to
reduce emissions intensity by 45% from the 2005 level by 2030.
India’s average rate of reduction in emissions increased to 3% annually during 2016-2019.
As of 2019, forests and trees covered 24.56%, or 80.73 million hectares, of India.
Recently, India has also been trying to promote green hydrogen, manufactured by splitting water molecules using
renewable energy.
The mission aims to produce 5 million metric
India announces ‘Green’ Hydrogen standard tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030,
India has announced the definition of Green Hydrogen. alongside about 125 GW of associated renewable
Defining a green hydrogen standard establishes clear criteria for energy capacity.
environmentally friendly hydrogen production Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is the nodal
authority responsible for accrediting agencies
Green hydrogen is defined as hydrogen with well-to-gate emissions not
that monitor, verify, and certify green hydrogen
exceeding two kg carbon dioxide equivalent per kg of hydrogen. This
production projects. Green hydrogen is a
includes emissions from various production stages like electrolysis, gas
colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-toxic and
purification, and more.
highly combustible gaseous substance. This form
The guidelines established by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
of hydrogen plays a key factor in transitioning
(MNRE), Government of India, delineate the emission benchmarks that towards a carbon-neutral economy
must be fulfilled for hydrogen production to qualify as ‘Green’, signifying
its origin from renewable sources.

Justice G. Rohini Commission submits report on sub-categorisation of OBCs after 6 years

The Commission set up to examine the sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes
(OBCs) submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu after receiving 13 extensions to
its tenure.
Headed by: Justice G Rohini, Retd. Chief Justice, Delhi High Court as the Chairperson
The Rohini Commission was constituted in October 2017 under Article 340 of the Constitution.
The need for sub-categorisation arises out of the perception that only a few affluent communities among the over
2,600 included in the Central List of OBCs have secured a major part of this 27% reservation.
Sub-categorisation would ensure more equitable distribution of opportunities in central government jobs and
educational institutions.
The Kalelkar Commission, set up in 1953, was the first to identify backward classes other than the Scheduled Castes
(SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) at the national level.
The Mandal Commission Report, 1980 estimated the OBC population at 52% and classified 1,257 communities as
backward.

For the first time in Asia, World Coffee Conference to be held in Bengaluru
India is all set to host the 5th World Coffee Conference (WCC) for the first time from
25-28 September 2023 in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Organized by the International Coffee Organization (ICO)
Rohan Bopanna would endorse the event as its brand ambassador.
The theme of the World Coffee Summit 2023 is "Sustainability through circular
economy and regenerative agriculture".

About International Coffee Organization (ICO)

The International Coffee Organization (ICO), established in 1963 under United Nations
ICO is headquartered in the UK, and currently has 75 member countries
The World Coffee Conference is a high-level event held every four to five years, previously held in the United
Kingdom (2001), Brazil (2005), Guatemala (2010) and Ethiopia (2016).
Its main goal is to facilitate discussion on important issues affecting the global coffee industry.

38th Meeting Of The Committee Of Parliament On Official Language:

The Union Home Minister chaired the 38th meeting of the Committee of Parliament on Official Language.
The Committee of Parliament on Official Language was set up in 1976 under Section 4 of The Official Languages
Act, 1963.
Under the provisions of the 1963 Act, the panel submits its report to the President, who “shall [then] cause the
report to be laid before each House of Parliament, and sent to all the State Governments”.

The committee consists of 30 members — 20 MPs from Lok Sabha and 10 MPs from Rajya Sabha.
The mandate of the Committee is to review the progress made in the use of Hindi for official purposes, and to
make recommendations to increase the use of Hindi in official communications.
The first Report of the Committee was submitted in 1987.

Archaeological Significance of Benisagar

• Benisagar included in the list of 100 most prominent archaeological
monuments of the country by the Archaeological Survey of India.
• Benisagar, a village located 85 kilometers from Jharkhand's West
Singhbhum district
• The place was named Benisagar because of the construction of a huge
pond by a king named Beni or Benu.
• This place was the center of learning from 5th century to 16th-17th
century.
• prevalence of Tantrism and Shaivism.
• The script of the inscriptions is Brahmi and the language is Sanskrit.

Dharmendra Pradhan and S. Jaishankar launched Study in India Portal

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar
jointly launched Study in India (SII) Portal in New Delhi to simplify international
students academic journey in India
Aim: To provide comprehensive information about Indian Higher Education
Institutions and to provide an integrated one-stop solution for the student
registration and visa application process
It will present information about the academic facilities, research support

NHAI Launched ‘Rajmargyatra’ Unified Mobile App for National Highway

Users/NHAI
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
Aim: To create a seamless, user-friendly experience for highway users
It provides real-time weather updates, timely broadcast notifications and details
about nearby toll plazas, petrol stations and hospitals
The ‘Rajmargyatra’ app also integrates FASTag services, making it even more versatile for users.
FASTags are essential for electronic toll collection, and the app allows users to recharge their FASTags seamlessly.

Ayush Visa : New Category Of Ayush

The introduction of Ayush Visa fulfills the proposal for introduction of a special visa
scheme for foreigners visiting India for treatment under Ayush systems/Indian
systems of medicine like therapeutic care, wellness and Yoga.
A new chapter i.e. chapter 11A – Ayush Visa has been incorporated after Chapter 11
- Medical visa of the Visa Manual, which deals with treatment under the Indian
systems of medicine and accordingly necessary amendments has been made in
various chapters of the Visa Manual, 2019.
It will boost Medical Value Travel in India.

Oil India Upgraded to Maharatna, ONGC Videsh to Navratna by Finance Ministry

Oil India Limited the 13th Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE).
OIL earned the status of Navaratna in 2010.
It joins the league of BHEL, BPCL, CIL, GAIL, HPCL, IOCL, NTPC, ONGC, PFC, POWERGRID, RECL(Rural Electrification
Corporation Limited) and SAIL.
To be eligible for the grant of the Maharatna status, the company should have an average turnover of over ₹25,000
crore, an average annual net worth of more than ₹15,000 crore, and an average annual net profit of over ₹5,000
crore during the last three years.
Oil India Private Limited was incorporated on February 18, 1959
In 1981, OIL became a wholly owned Government of India enterprise.
The Maharatna scheme was introduced for CPSEs, with effect from May 19, 2010, in order to empower them to
expand operations and emerge as global giants.

Finance Minister has approved the upgradation of ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) to Navratna CPSE. OVL will be 14th
Navratna amongst the CPSEs.
ONGC Videsh is a wholly-owned subsidiary and overseas arm of ONGC.
A Navratna status imparts enhanced financial and operational freedom to a company and empowers it to invest up
to ₹1,000 crore or 15 per cent of its net worth on a single project without seeking government approval.

Monitoring App for Seamless Inspection-MASI

Minister of Women and Child Development informed the Rajya Sabha about MASI
Portal.
Monitoring App for Seamless Inspection (MASI) was developed for synchronous
monitoring of the Child Care Institutions (CCIs) and their inspection mechanisms
across the country.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has developed this
application.
The effective and efficient functioning of the mechanism for inspection of CCIs provided under the Juvenile Justice
Act, 2015 (as amended in 2021).
The app is linked to the monitoring Portal where the automatic reports are generated.

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights

It is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament, the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act,
2005.
It works under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Members:
A chairperson who, is a person of eminence and has done outstanding work for promoting the welfare of children.
Six members were appointed by the Central Government out of which at least two are women, who are having
experience in Education, Child Health, Juvenile justice Elimination of child labour, Child psychology or sociology Laws
relating to children.
The members are appointed by the Central Government for a term of 3 years.

Jitendra Singh launched India’s First MRI Scanner

Union Minister of State Science & Technology Jitendra Singh launched India’s first
Indigenously developed, Affordable Next Generation Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Scanner in New Delhi.
MRI is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce
detailed images of the inside of the body.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched the NAPDDR

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched the National Action Plan for Drug
Demand Reduction.
Objective: To reach out to the masses and spread awareness about substance use with a focus
on higher educational Institutions, university campuses & schools
Reaching out & identifying dependent populations, focusing on counseling & treatment facilities in hospitals, and
Capacity building programs for service providers.

Ministry of Social Justice implements "Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the scheme of “Rashtriya
Vayoshri Yojana” in August 2023.
Objective: To provide the senior citizens, suffering from any of the age related
disability/infirmity, with assisted living devices which can restore near normalcy in their
bodily functions, such as low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and loco-motor
disabilities.
The scheme was launched on 01.04.2017
Senior citizens belonging to the BPL category and also to the senior citizens with monthly income not more than
Rs.15000/- to be covered.

Cabinet approves ₹1.39 lakh crore for BharatNet project

BharatNet - the government’s project for last-mile optical fiber-based
connectivity across 6.4 lakh villages in the country in Aug 2023
It is one of the biggest rural telecom projects in the world, implemented in a
phased manner to all 2.5 lakh gram panchayats in the country for last-mile
broadband connectivity
The National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), launched in October 2011, was
renamed the Bharat Net Project in 2015.
It is an ambitious project of the Government of India to provide broadband connectivity to all village panchayats in
the country.

RVNL, Russian partner to build 120 Vande Bharat trains

A joint venture between public sector company Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) and
Russian company Metrowagonmash is on course to manufacture and supply around
120 Vande Bharat trains to Indian Railways, at a cost of ₹120 crore per train.
The RVNL wants a larger share of 69%, leaving 26% for Metrowagonmash and 5% for a
third partner, Locomotive Electronic Systems
Blue-and-white trains, with AC, are expected to be manufactured at a railway factory in Maharashtra.

Naya Savera’ or ‘Free Coaching and Allied’ scheme

The Ministry of Minority Affairs is implementing the ‘Naya Savera’ scheme also known as the ‘Free Coaching and
Allied’ scheme.
Objective – To assist students/candidates belonging to the six minority communities namely Sikh, Jain, Muslim,
Christian, Buddhist, and Parsi by way of special coaching for qualifying examinations.
The coaching period under the scheme ranged from 3 months to 2 years.
Preparing for qualifying examinations for admission into technical/professional courses and competitive
examinations for recruitment to Group ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ services.
Minister of Minority Affairs, Smriti Zubin Irani

The 'Free Coaching and Allied Scheme' targeting candidates from minority communities was initiated on July 17th,
2007.
Since its inception, the Naya Savera Scheme (also known as the 'Free Coaching and Allied' scheme) has benefited
over 1.19 lakh beneficiaries.

NIDHI Program:
In News: The union Minister of State Science & Technology informed the Rajya Sabha about the
NIDHI Program.
National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing innovations (NIDHI) program was launched in 2016.
It is an umbrella programme conceived and developed by the Innovation & Entrepreneurship division, Department
of Science & Technology.
Aim is to nurture start-ups through scouting, supporting and scaling innovations.
Various departments and ministries of the central government, state governments, academic and R & D institutions,
mentors, financial institutions, angel investors, venture capitalists and private sectors.
Funding: By the National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB).

NIDHI- PRAYAS (Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring Innovators and Startups) program at Proof-of-
Concept level provides mentoring and financial support to innovator for converting their ideas into prototypes.
NIDHI Entrepreneurs-In-Residence (EIR) Program provides fellowships to the students opting for entrepreneurship.
NIDHI Seed Support Program provisions availability of early-stage seed support funding to startups and the NIDHI
Accelerator program speeds up the investment readiness of the startups.

India Is Committed To Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis By 2027

Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the second phase of
the annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration initiative for Lymphatic Filariasis
in New Delhi.
It will cover nine endemic States - Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand,
Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
India is committed to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027, 3 years ahead of the
global target.
He emphasized that efforts must not be limited to taking medicines, but also aid in
eliminating the spread of diseases through mosquitoes.

Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PMJAY) scam

The CAG has found glaring loopholes with regards to various aspects of the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan
Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) scheme. From patients shown as ‘dead’ getting treatment to multiple beneficiaries
being linked to the same mobile number.
States that reported the maximum number of such cases are Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Kerala and Madhya
Pradesh.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is a flagship health protection scheme launched by
the Government of India in 2018.
It aims to provide universal health coverage to the poor and vulnerable sections of society by ensuring access to
quality healthcare services

The scheme provides a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and
tertiary care hospitalization to more than 12 crore families (bottom 40% of the
population).
The scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme, which means that it is funded by both the
central and state governments.
The funding ratio is 60:40 for most states, 90:10 for north-eastern states and Himalayan
states, and 100:0 for union territories without a legislature.

MakeMyTrip and Ministry of Tourism jointly launched Traveller's Map

Online travel company MakeMyTrip(MMT) has joined hands with the
Ministry of Tourism to launch a microsite, 'Traveller’s Map of India in Aug
2023’
Aim: To showcases 600 plus destinations beyond the popular travel spots
in the country
NCERT’s Textbook Panel for Classes 3-12
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has formed a 19-
member committee is set to shape the curriculum and textbooks for classes 3 to 12.
This committee, named the National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material
Committee (NSTC), will be led by MC Pant, the Chancellor of the National Institute of
Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA).
Notable figures including Sudha Murty, author and Infosys Foundation chair, singer Shankar Mahadevan, and
economist Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council

G20 Film Festival begins in New Delhi

Veteran actor Victor Banerjee and Amitabh Kant (India's G20 Sherpa) have
inaugurated the G20 Film Festival in New Delhi.
Aims: To celebrate and showcase a vibrant and collaborative partnership existing
amongst the G20 and invited countries in the field of cinema.
It is organized by the India International Centre and the G20 Secretariat of the
Ministry of External Affairs.
Satyajit Ray's "Pather Panchali '' will be the opening film.

Government to launch Vishwakarma scheme

The government will launch the Vishwakarma scheme, with an allocation of ₹13,000 crores to
₹15,000 crores for skilled workers like barbers, goldsmiths, washer men etc.
The scheme will be launched in September, on the Vishwakarma Jayanti (17 September 2023).
The government will provide holistic institutional support to every artisan. The government will
ensure easy loans, skilling, technical support, digital empowerment, brand promotion, marketing and raw material.
This would result in the economic empowerment of such workers, especially those belonging to the Scheduled
Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Communities, women, transgender and other weaker sections of the
society.

Kirti Chakras And Shaurya Chakras:

President Droupadi Murmu has sanctioned 76 gallantry awards
for armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel on
the eve of India’s 77th Independence Day.
Among these, the Kirti Chakra, the second-highest peacetime
gallantry award, will be presented to 4 Central Reserve Police
Force (CRPF) members who lost their lives during an anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh in April 2021.
Additionally, 11 individuals will receive the Shaurya Chakra, the third-highest peacetime gallantry award, including
personnel from the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF.
5 of these awardees will be posthumously honoured.
The approved awards consist of 54 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 3 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and 4 Vayu Sena Medals
(Gallantry).

Matangini Hazra And Kanaklata Barua

President Droupadi Murmu, during her address on the eve of Independence Day, paid
tribute to women freedom fighters. She mentioned two notable figures: Matangini Hazra
and Kanaklata Barua
Matangini Hazra:
• Born in 1869 in a village near Tamluk, West Bengal, she was married at a young age
and became widowed by 18.
• After her husband’s death, she became deeply involved in the Nationalist movement, supporting Mahatma
Gandhi’s ideals.
• In the ensuing clash with British authorities, she was shot and killed, becoming a martyr for the cause of
Indian independence.
Kanaklata Barua:
• Kanaklata Barua was a young martyr of the Quit India Movement and a symbol of courage and
determination.
• At just 17 years old, she led the Mrityu Bahini, a group of freedom fighters, in an attempt to hoist the
Tricolour at the Gohpur police station in Assam on September 20, 1942.
• During the confrontation with the police, she was shot and killed while holding onto the flag.
• Her sacrifice inspired many during a time when women’s involvement in the freedom struggle was gaining
momentum.
• In 2020, a Coast Guard vessel was named after her as a tribute to her bravery.
During the 77th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s iconic Red Fort, Indigenous 105-mm Light Field Guns
were used for the ceremonial gun salute, replacing the British 25-pounder guns.

Govt planning skill training for 2 crore women under ‘Lakhpati Didi’ scheme
Aims to encourage them to start micro-enterprises.
Women would be trained in skills like plumbing, LED bulb making and operating and repairing
drones among others.

The Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
The Lok Sabha has recently approved the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment)
Bill, 2023, which introduces a significant shift towards digital birth certificates.
The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to amend the
Registration of Births and Deaths Act,1969.
The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 provides for the regulation and registration of births and deaths.
The registration of births and deaths falls under the Concurrent List, giving powers to both Parliament and state
legislatures to make laws on the subject.
Digital Birth Certificates: The bill introduces the concept of digital birth certificates, intended to serve as a
comprehensive document for multiple purposes, reducing the need for multiple documents to prove birth details.
Aadhaar Details: The Bill proposes linking Aadhaar details of parents and informants to birth certificates.
Centralized Database: A centralized database will be established to manage birth and death records, facilitating
efficient service delivery and maintaining accurate and up-to-date information.
Apart from birth certificates, the centralized database will also update the National Population Register (NPR), ration
cards, and property registrations.

The Rajya Sabha passed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi
(Amendment) Bill in New Delhi in August 2023. Rajya Sabha passes Delhi services bill. 131
votes in favour, 102 against
Aims: To make a corruption-free administration in Delhi
The Bill establishes the National Capital Civil Services Authority to make
recommendations to the LG on certain matters related to
services.
The authority consists of the Delhi Chief minister, the Chief Secretary of Delhi, and the Principal Home Secretary of
Delhi.
These include: (i) transfers and postings, (ii) matters related to
vigilance, (iii) disciplinary proceedings (iv) prosecution sanctions of
Group A of All India Services (except Indian Police Service)
• The Authority will make recommendations to Delhi Lieutenant
Governor regarding transfers and postings of officials and
disciplinary matters.
• The central government will appoint both the Principal Home
Secretary and Chief Secretary.
• All decisions of the Authority will be based on a majority vote
of the members present and voting.

The Delhi Administration Act was enacted in 1966. The LG replaced

the Chief Commissioner. On 7 November 1966 Delhi's first LG was
appointed.

Background
Article 239 AA was inserted in the Constitution by the 69th
Constitutional Amendment Act, 1991.
Based on the recommendations of S Balakrishnan Committee
(1987), it gave special status to Delhi.
It says that the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi will have an
Administrator and a Legislative Assembly.
The Legislative Assembly “shall have power to make laws for the whole or any part of the NCT w.r.t. any of the
matters in the State List or Concurrent List in so far as any such matter is applicable to Union territories”.
However, the legislative assembly of Delhi cannot legislate on the following three subjects – Police, Public Order, and
Land.
However, in the past few years, governance in the NCT has often been a subject of conflict between the Delhi
government and the L-G.

Amit Shah tables Bills for major changes to British-era criminal justice system
Union home minister Amit Shah tabled bills to replace the British-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal
Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act and to provide for capital punishment for mob lynching, sexual
assaults on minors, 20-year imprisonment for gang rape besides repeal of sedition offence.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill have been
refereed to Standing Committee on Home Affairs will submit report after three months.
The bills seek to make the visit of forensic teams mandatory in the case of offences that attract a jail term of over
seven years.
They also seek to make it mandatory to record the statement of victims of sexual violence in videographic mode.
If the bills are passed –
• Police would not be able to delay investigations anymore.
• Charge sheets will have to be filed within 90 days of the lodging of the complaints.
• The investigation will have to be completed within 180 days in all cases.
• The judge will have to give verdicts within 30 days of framing of charges.
• The judgments will have to be uploaded online within seven days.
Key provisions of the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill:
The bill makes electronic or digital records admissible as evidence, thereby they will have the same legal effect as
paper documents.

National Manuscripts Bill 2023:

According to Ministry of Culture, the government is planning to introduce the National Manuscripts Bill 2023,
possibly in the Winter Session of Parliament, to protect Indian manuscripts.
According to the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM), India possesses an estimated 10 million manuscripts in 80
ancient scripts like Brahmi, Kushan, Gaudi, Lepcha, and Maithili.
The primary aim of the Bill is to -
• Document and catalogue Indian heritage texts wherever they may be, in India or abroad,
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date information about them
The bill proposes the establishment of a 10-member National Manuscripts Authority (NMA), chaired by the Culture
Minister and including representatives from Culture, Finance, Education, and private agencies.
The NMA will oversee digitization, conservation, preservation, editing, and publication of manuscripts.
The NMA will possess civil court powers to regulate manuscript access, investigate thefts, and ensure protection
against damage or theft.
The NMA can acquire manuscripts from private owners based on content importance, with compensation
determined by an expert committee.

What are Manuscripts?

There are handwritten composition on materials like palm leaf, paper, cloth, and bark, in Sanskrit and regional
languages, dating back at least 75 years.
Manuscripts are found in hundreds of different languages and scripts. Often, one language is written in a number of
different scripts.
For example, Sanskrit is written in Oriya script, Grantha script, Devanagari script and many other scripts.
An autonomous body under the Culture Ministry, NMM was launched in 2003 with the mandate of identifying,
documenting, conserving and making accessible the manuscript heritage of India.

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023
The bill seeks to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, of 1957 which regulates the
mining sector.
The Bill will have provisions for an exploration license. As per the Bill, the exploration license will be released for 29
deep-seated and critical minerals which include gold, silver, copper, cobalt, nickel, lead, potash, and rock phosphate.
Key Provisions MMDR Act 1957 MMDR Amendment Bill
Private Sector The Act allows the only State agencies in The Bill allows the private sector to mine six out of 12
to Mine Atomic the exploration of the atomic minerals atomic minerals such as lithium, beryllium, niobium,
Minerals such as lithium, beryllium, niobium, titanium, tantalum and zirconium.
titanium, tantalum and zirconium. When it becomes an Act, Centre will have powers to
auction mining lease and composite licence for critical
minerals such as gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, nickel
etc.

A-HELP Programme
The Union Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala,
inaugurated the ‘A-HELP’ (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of
Livestock Production) programme in Gujarat.
A-HELP programme is part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative, fostering
livestock enhancement.
Focuses on critical areas of livestock health, disease management, and animal
infertility.
The ‘A-HELP’ programme enlists trained women agents for disease control, artificial insemination, animal tagging,
and livestock insurance.

Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Nirmala Sitharaman launch Kuwi and Desia books at Bhubaneswar
Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, and Union Minister
for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman launched Kuwi and Desia books at Bhubaneswar.
NCERT, for the first time, in collaboration with Central University of Odisha, has prepared two invaluable books: the
"Kuwi Primer" and "Desia Primer", for those children, who are speaking Kuwi and Desia tribal languages in the
undivided Koraput district of Odisha
These two primers will not only shape a strong educational foundation of those children but also preserve and foster
the cultural, linguistic heritage and identity of tribal community of Odisha.
Shri Pradhan mentioned that there are over 62 tribes covering 23% of total population of Odisha

SAMUDRA Mobile App:

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), a division of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has
introduced a new mobile application called ‘SAMUDRA’ – Smart Access to Marine Users for Ocean Data Resources
and Advisories.
This app offers comprehensive ocean-related information, benefiting seafarers and the fishing community. It
provides real-time updates and critical alerts on oceanic disasters like tsunamis, storm surges, high waves, and swell
surge alerts.
The app is particularly valuable for fishermen as it offers Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories, guiding them to
potential fish aggregation locations.

Cabinet approves outlay of Rs 14,903 crore to expand Digital India

The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the Digital India scheme for a
period of five years till 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs 14,903 crore.
The Digital India scheme is an umbrella programme launched on 1 July 2015
It covers plans such as Aadhaar for all, country-wide rural broadband connectivity,
common service centres, Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM), Aadhaar-enabled
payments systems and MyGov.
Under the expanded scheme approved, the government will re-skill and upskill 6,25,000 information technology
professionals under the FutureSkills Prime Programme, apart from training about 265,000 people in information
security under the information security and education awareness phase programme.
The government will also use Digital India funds under to expand the scope of the Bhashini programme to all 22
languages under Schedule 8 of the Constitution. Currently, Bhashini, an artificial intelligence-enabled multi-
language translation tool is available in 10 Indian languages.
Apart from the 18 supercomputers already deployed under the National Supercomputer Mission, the government
will add another nine supercomputers. The government also aims to support 1,200 startups in tier-2 and tier-3
towns.

NHAI’s New Design Division

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has established a dedicated Design Division to ensure effective
review and maintenance of bridges, specialized structures, and tunnels on the country’s National Highways.
This division is tasked with formulating policies and guidelines for planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining
these critical elements of infrastructure.

Nitin Gadkari launches the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme

Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari launches the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme
(Bharat NCAP) to improve road safety through raising the safety standards of motor
vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes in India.
Car manufacturers have the option of voluntarily submitting their vehicles for testing
as per the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197.
The test results will determine star ratings in two categories: Adult Occupant (AOP) and Child Occupant (COP).
Potential car buyers can refer to these star ratings to measure and compare the safety standards of different
vehicles.

Jitendra Singh launches the CSIR Prima ET11, the first indigenous e-Tractor
The Union Minister of State Science & Technology Jitendra Singh launched the CSIR Prima
ET11, the first indigenous e-Tractor developed by the Central Mechanical Engineering
Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur.

9th India Region Conference Of The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the 9th India Region Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association (CPA).
Theme: Strengthening Democracy and Good Governance in the Digital Age.
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA):-
Founded: 1911.
HQ: London, UK.
The CPA was founded in 1911 as the Empire Parliamentary Association (EPA).
It is an association to serve the Parliamentarians of the Commonwealth Countries.
Objective: to promote closer understanding and cooperation for common purposes between those engaged in the
Parliamentary form of Countries of the Commonwealth.
Mission: to promote knowledge of the constitutional, legislative, economic, social, and cultural aspects of
parliamentary democracy, with particular reference to the countries of the Commonwealth.

NESIDS with an approved outlay of Rs.8139.50 crore

The cabinet approved the continuation of the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) with
an approved outlay of Rs. 8139.50 crore.
It was approved by the Government of India as a Central Sector Scheme in 2017.
Under the scheme guidelines of NESIDS, 100% of the central funding is provided to the State Governments of North
Eastern Region.
The funding is provided for projects of physical infrastructure relating to water supply, power, and connectivity,
enhancing tourism, and Social infrastructure relating to primary and secondary sectors of education and health.
For the period from 2022-23 to 2025-26, Cabinet approved two components, , NESIDS-Road and NESIDS-Other
Than Road Infrastructure (OTRI).
Government to launch ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ GST reward scheme
Under the invoice incentivization scheme, cash prize of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore
monthly/quarterly could be given to individuals who upload invoice received from
retailer or wholesaler on the app.
The invoice uploaded on the app should have the GSTIN of the seller, invoice number,
amount paid and tax amount.
An individual would be able to upload a maximum of 25 genuine invoices in a month
on the app and the invoice should have a minimum purchase value of Rs 200.

B20 Summit India 2023 held in New Delhi

The B20 Summit India 2023 has been started in New Delhi on August 25th, 2023.
The three-day Summit will be attended by Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Dr. S
Jaishankar, G20 India Sherpa Amitabh Kant, Trade Ministers of various countries, and
several business leaders.
PM Narendra Modi will attend the special session on the 27th of August as Chief Guest.
Theme of B20 India: R.A.I.S.E: Responsible, Accelerated, Innovative, Sustainable, Equitable Businesses

26th National Conference on e-Governance to begin in Indore

The 26th National Conference on e-Governance was organized in Indore to deliberate on
providing better facilities to the citizens.
Theme: 'Developed India: Empowering Citizens’.
Aim: To focus on 11 subjects including district level initiatives, emerging technologies for
providing citizen-centric facilities and data governance.
Organized by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances and
Ministry of Electronics in collaboration with Gov of MP

IWAI signs MoU with NRL for export of Petroleum Cargo via NW 2 & IBPR
An MoU was signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of India and Numaligarh
Refinery Limited to use the National Waterways-2 (Brahmaputra) and Indo-Bangladesh
Protocol Route.
Reason: For export of petroleum products to Bangladesh and other southeast Asian
countries in Guwahati
The MoU is aimed at powering PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to boost India’s Act East Policy.
NRL will export around 10,000 MT of Petroleum & Petrochemical products per month from IWAI Jogighopa Multi
Modal terminal.
Aim: To fulfill the ‘Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for Northeast’ by enabling inland waterways transportation via NW2 and
IBPR
• The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is responsible for the timely execution of national waterways
projects and to ensure improved water transportation in India.
• Launched in October 1986, the Noida-headquartered Authority has regional offices across different cities.
• Under the National Waterways Act, 2016, 111 inland waterways have been declared as ‘national waterways’.
• Out of the 111 national waterways, there are 13 national waterways that are operational for shipping and
navigation.
• The longest national waterway is the National Waterway 1 or the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system,
running from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh to Haldia in West Bengal and covers a length of 1,620 kilometres.
 • The Manimutharu River in Tamil Nadu or the National Waterway 69 is the shortest national waterway in
India.
• National Waterway 2: Brahmaputra River (Dhubri – Sadiya)
• National Waterway 73: Narmada river
• National Waterway 100: Tapi river

Pench Tiger Reserve : Introduced Cycle Safaris

The Pench Tiger Reserve recently introduced cycle safaris, allowing visitors to experience the beauty
of nature on wheels.
Pench Tiger Reserve located in the southern reaches of the Satpura hills in the Seoni and
Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh and continues in Nagpur district in Maharashtra as a
separate Sanctuary.
It is named after the Pench River, which flows from north to south through the Reserve.
It comprises of the Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park, the Pench Mowgli Sanctuary and a buffer.
The area of the Pench Tiger Reserve and the surrounding area is the real story area of Rudyard Kipling’s famous “The
Jungle Book”.

Project AMBER
AMBER - Accelerated Mission for Better Employment and Retention
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with (GIF) and
Amazon Web Services India Private Limited (AWS India), is providing ‘cloud’ skills training to 1,500
under project AMBER.
The initiative has been undertaken under the SANKALP programme of MSDE with a focus on women to improve
gender diversification in the tech industry and underprivileged groups.
This project aims to train 30,000 youth, 50% of whom will be women.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) - National Mission for Financial
Inclusion, completes nine years of successful implementation

The PMJDY was launched on 28th August 2014.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is National Mission for Financial
Inclusion to ensure affordability in access to financial services, namely,
• Banking/ Savings & Deposit Accounts,
• Remittance,
• Credit, Insurance,
• Pension
Under the scheme, a basic savings bank deposit account can be opened in any bank branch, by persons not having
any other account.
Over 50 crore individuals have been brought into the formal banking system through Jan Dhan Accounts, with
around 55.5% of these accounts belonging to women.

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal launches Tele-Law 2.0

The Department of Justice (DOJ) hosted the Tele-Law 2.0 event at Siri Fort
Auditorium, New Delhi.
The event marks the achievement of helping 5 million citizens and highlights the
use of technology in providing pre-litigation advice to the public.
Tele-law services are being integrated with legal representation services under the
Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono) program.
The event is in line with the government's vision to strengthen the legal aid
ecosystem and ensure equitable access to justice for all.
The event has been organized by the Department of Justice in association with CSC e-Governance Services India
Limited.
Important components of organizing include Screening of a documentary showing the journey of tele-law from 2017
to 2022.
Tele-Law programme was launched by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice in 2017.
This is operating under the DISHA Scheme.
The programme connects needy and marginalised people in need of legal aid with the Panel Lawyers via video
conferencing/telephonic facilities available at Common Service Centres (CSCs) situated at the panchayat level.
Advice is free of Cost to those who are eligible for free legal aid under Section 12 of the LSA Act, 1987.

Nitin Gadkari unveils world's first hundred percent Ethanol fuelled Car
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari unveiled the world's first car that runs entirely on
ethanol in New Delhi.
The car is the first Stage-II BS-VI electrified flex-fuel vehicle, which runs entirely on
ethanol as a fuel source.
Currently, India's oil import bill stands at Rs 16 lakh crore, which highlights the need
to curb this expenditure.
Addressing environmental concerns, Minister Gadkari underlined the need for sustainable solutions, stressing that
40 percent of pollution is generated from the transport sector.
Ethanol blending not only reduces pollution but also has the potential to increase India's agricultural growth by 12 to
20 percent, thereby creating several employment opportunities.
Flex-Fuel Technology: The newly introduced flex-fuel technology allows higher levels of ethanol blending in petrol,
over 20 percent. The technology aims to reduce carbon emissions, promote sustainable mobility, and reduce
dependence on conventional fuel sources.
Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas - Hardeep Singh Puri

A Chapter On National War Memorial Included In NCERT Curriculum Of Class VII

From This Year
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has taken a
significant step towards fostering patriotism in school children by introducing a
new chapter in the Class 7 English textbook titled “A Homage to Our Brave
Soldiers”.
The newly incorporated chapter provides an insightful exploration into the history and importance of the National
War Memorial.
The National War Memorial, known as Rashtriya Samar Smarak in Hindi, stands as a powerful tribute to the heroic
soldiers who have selflessly laid down their lives to protect the nation. Inaugurated in January 2019, this national
monument holds a special place in the hearts of Indians.

India to host the first edition of the 'Global IndiaAI 2023' conference in October
The inaugural edition of 'Global IndiaAI 2023' will be hosted by India in October.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will be organizing this program.
The conference will attract leading figures in the field of AI, such as key players, researchers,
s tartups, and investors from India and around the world.
The conference will also discuss future trends in AI research, AI computing systems,
investment prospects and strategies to promote AI talent.

MoU signed by Ministry and National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development
Corporation (NSKFDC)
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and National Safai Karamcharis
Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the financial
years 2023-24 and 2024-25.
The collaboration aims to uplift sanitation workers, manual scavengers, waste pickers and their dependents across
India.
The MoU focuses on inclusive growth and effective fund allocation for targeted welfare programmes.
The partnership emphasizes initiatives on protection, education, skill development, entrepreneurship and
sustainable employment opportunities for these marginalized communities.

About NSKFDC
Establishment: Incorporated on 24 January 1997
Affiliation: Wholly owned by Government of India
Ministry: Operates under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (M/O SJ&E)
Legal Status: Registered as a non-profit company under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956
Function: Active since October 1997, working for the upliftment of sanitation workers, sweepers and their
dependents across India.
Approach: Provides diverse loan and non-loan schemes for their progress

Short News
• Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya has inaugurated India’s first medical technology expo, ‘India
MedTech Expo 2023’, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• Foxconn Technology Group, a prominent Taiwanese company and a key supplier to Apple Inc., has pledged
to invest ₹1,600 crore in establishing a manufacturing facility in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu.
• CJI Chandrachud Launches ‘SuSwagatam’ portal to give a QR code-enabled ePass to enter and exit the
esteemed halls of the Supreme Court

Banking
1st crude oil transaction in local currency undertaken between India-UAE
The first-ever crude oil transaction under the newly implemented Local Currency
Settlement (LCS) system took place between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Indian
Oil Corporation Limited.
Both Indian Rupees and UAE Dirhams were used for the transaction,
India and UAE have a strong oil and gas relationship and the UAE is a key partner for India's energy security.
The transaction involved the sale of about 1 million barrels of crude oil.
UAE is the fourth largest source of crude oil and the second largest source of LNG and LPG for India.
Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

Reserve Bank of India launched a centralized Web portal, UDGAM

RBI launched a Centralised Web Portal UDGAM (Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to
Access inforMation).
To facilitate and make it easier for public to search their unclaimed deposits across
multiple banks in one place
The launch of the web portal will aid users to identify their unclaimed deposits/
accounts and enable them to either claim the deposit amount or make their deposit
accounts operative at their respective banks
To begin with, users would be able to access the details of their unclaimed deposits in respect of seven banks (State
Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Central Bank of India, Dhanlaxmi Bank, South Indian Bank, DBS Bank India, and
Citibank N.A.) presently available on the portal.

Que: Which is the first African country to initiate a debt-for-nature swap?

Ans: Gabon
Gabon becomes the first African country to initiate the debt-for-nature swap, for up to $450 million
These so-called swaps can be useful for countries that are most vulnerable to climate change and often
unable to afford investment to strengthen climate change-related resilience.
Airtel Payments Bank Launched India’s 1st Eco-Friendly Debit Card
The debit cards will come in r-PVC material, a certified eco-friendly material, compared
to the conventional PVC cards commonly used in the market.
The r-PVC cards' production will result in a 43% decrease of hydrocarbon usage

RBI keeps key interest rate unchanged for third time

According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy, released in August 2023, the
repo rate was kept unchanged at 6.5 percent.
Other Highlights:
The standing deposit facility (SDF) rate remains at 6.25%.
The marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate at 6.75%.
RBI has revised the CPI inflation target for the current fiscal to 5.4%.
Projected real GDP growth for 2023-24: 6.5%

Sebi halves listing timeline to 3 days post IPO closure

The Securities and Exchange Board of India reduced the timeline for listing of
securities after the closing of an initial public offering to three days from the
present requirement of six working days
The reduction in timelines will benefit both issuers as well as investors

What Is the New Transaction Limit on UPI Lite?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed to increase the per transaction limit for UPI Lite in
offline mode from Rs 200 to Rs 500, without having to enter their UPI PIN.

India’s per capita income to jump 70% by 2030: Standard Chartered Bank
According to a research report by Standard Chartered Bank, the per capita income
of India is likely to grow around 70% by 2030 and is expected to reach $4,000 from
current levels of $2,450.
Telangana currently takes the top spot in the per capita income rankings with
₹2,75,443, following closely are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra
Pradesh.
Indian Bank becomes the first PSB to extend on-line Locker Agreement
Indian Bank became the First Public Sector Bank to extend facility of execution of
on-line locker agreement through Digital Document Execution (DDE) Platform of
National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL).
DDE is a fully automated contract execution platform with paperless e-stamp and
e-Sign facility.

Canara Bank Pioneers UPI-Interoperable Digital Rupee Mobile App for CBDC
Transactions
Canara Bank has taken a monumental step by introducing the UPI interoperable
digital rupee mobile application.
This places Canara Bank as the first bank across both the public and commercial
sectors to offer this pioneering feature.
The app, named the Canara Digital Rupee app, marks a significant milestone as a part of RBI’s Central Bank Digital
Currency (CBDC) pilot project.
With the Canara Digital Rupee app, customers can effortlessly scan merchant UPI QR codes, facilitating payments
using the digital currency.

Short News
• Managing Director & CEO of YES BANK is Prashant Kumar.
• Finance Ministry's Chintan Shivir at Statue of Unity Discusses Roadmap for India to Become Developed
Nation by 2047.

NCLT Approves $10 Billion Mega-Merger Between Zee and Sony

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved the merger scheme of
India’s homegrown entertainment company Zee Entertainment Enterprises
with Culver Max Entertainment (erstwhile Sony Pictures Networks India or
SPNI).
The bench comprising Justice HV Subba Rao and member Madhu Sinha, gave
approval to the scheme.
Objective – To create a $10-billion Indian media giant.

Short News
• Finance Ministry has imposed a definitive anti-dumping duty on certain optical fibre imports from China,
South Korea and Indonesia.
• AU Small Finance Bank has launched 24×7 for 365 days of Video Banking, providing customers with real-time
video calls for banking services.
• ADB Approves USD 40.5 Million Loan to Enhance Childhood Development and Maternal Mental Health in
Meghalaya
• Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif invites Turkey to join China-Pakistan Economic Corridor again
Science Tech
Chandrayaan-3 successfully lands on Moon's south pole
• India become the fourth country in the world to achieve this feat, joining the
ranks of the United States, Russia, and China.
• Chandrayaan-3 is India's third lunar mission and second attempt at achieving a
soft landing on the moon's surface.
• The mission took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC) in
Sriharikota on July 14, 2023
Objective - The mission’s main objectives are:
• To demonstrate safe and soft landing on the lunar surface
• To demonstrate rover roving on the moon and
• To conduct in-situ (on-site) scientific experiments.
Modules - Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is a composite of three modules.
• A Propulsion module (PM): Life - 3-6 months
• An indigenous Lander module (LM) - Vikram
• A Rover - Pragyan

Chandrayaan-1: 22 October 2008

• Launch Vehicle: PSLV – C11.
• Chandrayaan-1 made significant discoveries, including the detection
of water and hydroxyl on the lunar surface.
Chandrayaan-2: 22 July 2019
• Launch Vehicle: GSLV MkIII-M1
Chandrayaan 3 touchdown spot named 'Shiv Shakti', 'Tiranga' for Chandrayaan 2
• The spot where Chandrayaan-3’s moon lander landed, that point will be
known as ‘Shivshakti’.
• Place where Chandrayaan-2 left its footprint on the Lunar surface in 2019,
that crash-landed site will be known as ‘Tiranga Point’.
• The day the Chandrayaan-3 lander touched down on the lunar surface
(August 23), would be celebrated as "National Space Day".
• As the fourth nation globally to make such a landing, India has joined an elite group of countries including
the USSR, the U.S., and China.

Chandrayaan-3's Pragyan rover confirms presence of sulphur in lunar surface

• The Indian Space Research Organisation has announced that the Pragyan rover's
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope confirmed the presence of sulphur in the
lunar surface near the south pole, through the first-ever in-situ measurements.
• The rover's spectroscope also detected Aluminium, Calcium, Ferrous (Iron),
Chromium, Titanium, Manganese, Silicon, and Oxygen as expected and the search
for hydrogen is underway.

Nabhmitra Device : ISRO

• The ISRO-Space Applications Centre (Ahmedabad) successfully tested the Nabhmitra device at Neendakara.
• Nabhmitra device is a satellite-based communication system developed for the safety of fishermen.
• It enables two-way messaging services from and to the sea. The weather and cyclone warnings will be
communicated in the local language, the boats can also send distress messages to the authorities.
• Apart from providing information about shipping channels and maritime boundaries, the device will also
help to identify fishing fields.
• It was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

ISRO transfers satellite bus technology to private firm

• The Indian Space Research Organisation announced the transfer of
IMS-1 Satellite Bus technology to Alpha Design Technologies, a
Bengaluru-based private company.
• The transfer was facilitated by ISRO’s commercial arm NewSpace
India Limited through an agreement
• The IMS-1 satellite bus was developed by the UR Rao Satellite
Centre and is a small satellite platform designed to enable low-cost
access to space.
• This weighs about 100 kilograms and can carry a 30-kg payload.
• The bus can serve as a dedicated vehicle for many different payloads, facilitating Earth imaging, ocean and
atmospheric studies, microwave remote sensing and space science missions.

Centre approves establishment of new spaceport in Tamil Nadu

• The Centre has approved the establishment of a new spaceport in
Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu, for carrying out the launches of
the Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV) developed by Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO)
• The Indian Space Policy 2023 has the provision for utilisation of a
spaceport for carrying out launch activities by Non-Government
Entities (NGEs)
• The Government had set up the Indian National Space Promotion
and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) as a single-window agency for
promotion and authorization of space activities.
The budget allocations for IN-SPACe:
• 2021-22 Rs. 10 Cr
• 2022-23 Rs. 33 Cr
• 2023-24 Rs. 95 Cr
Chennai-based Agnikul Cosmos begins integration of its first satellite
• Chennai-based Agnikul Cosmos has commenced the integration
process of its groundbreaking launch vehicle, Agnibaan SOrTeD (Sub-
Orbital Technological Demonstrator), with its private launchpad
situated at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
• The rocket is driven by Agnikul’s patented Agnilet engine, which is a
3D-printed, single-piece, 6 kN semi-cryogenic engine.
• AgniKul Cosmos Private Limited, an Indian aerospace manufacturer
headquartered at the National Center for Combustion R&D of IIT
Madras in Chennai, emerges as a pioneering space technology start-up.
• Established in 2017, AgniKul Cosmos aims to create and launch its independent small-lift launch vehicle. CEO
of AgniKul Cosmos Private Limited: Srinath Ravichandran
• Agnibaan model is designed to deploy payloads of up to 100 kg into orbits spanning 700 km.

Russia’s first lunar mission in decades crashes into the moon

• Russia’s first lunar mission in decades has ended in failure with its
Luna 25 spacecraft crashing into the moon’s surface.
• The Russian lunar mission, Luna-25, was the first since 1976
• The Russian lander had eight payloads mainly to study the soil
composition, dust
particles in the polar
exosphere, and most
importantly, detect
surface water.

Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX) : India And Japan

• Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX) is a collaborative
venture between Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• The mission is scheduled to launch in 2025.
• LUPEX will use a rover and lander to study the possibility of
establishing a base on the Moon, the availability of water ice,
and surface exploration technologies.
• JAXA and ISRO are developing the rover and lander,
respectively.

Nasa’s OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft : Back To Earth

• Nasa’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, currently on a return journey from asteroid Bennu, recently made a critical
course adjustment to ensure its successful arrival back to Earth.
• OSIRIS-REx is a NASA spacecraft mission designed to study the near-Earth asteroid called Bennu.
• The name OSIRIS-REx stands for “Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith
Explorer.”
• Goal is to collect a sample weighing at least 2.1 ounces (59.5 grams) from asteroid 101955 Bennu (formerly
known as 1999 RQ36) and then bring the sample to Earth.
• The mission will help scientists investigate how planets formed and how life began, as well as improve our
understanding of asteroids that could impact Earth.
• It is the first U.S. spacecraft to collect a sample from an asteroid.
• It was launched on Sept. 8, 2016.
• It reached its asteroid target in 2018 and is bringing a small sample to Earth for study.
• The samples will arrive on Earth in 2023.
NASA, SpaceX launch sends four astronauts from four countries to ISS
• NASA and SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft has launched off carrying four
astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).
• The Dragon spacecraft carried by a Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Launch
Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
• Four astronauts from four countries, including the US, Denmark, Japan, and
Russia.
• The agency’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission is the seventh commercial crew rotation mission for NASA.

XRISM Mission And SLIM Lander: Japan

• Japan readies to launch a dual-purpose mission from one rocket,
deploying SLIM to showcase precise moon landing techniques and
XRISM for enhanced celestial analysis.
• XRISM Mission:
• The X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) is a joint
mission of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), involving contributions from the European Space
Agency (ESA) and Canadian Space Agency as well.
• Objective of the mission aims to observe X-rays coming from deep space and to identify their wavelengths
with unprecedented precision.
• It will use spectroscopy to measure changes in the brightness of celestial objects at different wavelengths.
• It detects X-rays with energies ranging from 400 to 12,000 electron volts.
• (For comparison, the energy of visible light is 2 to 3 electron volts.)

• This range will provide astrophysicists with new information about some of the universe’s hottest regions,
largest structures, and objects with the strongest gravity.
SLIM:
• SLIM, or Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, is a compact robotic moon lander with no astronauts aboard.
• Called ‘Moon Snipper’ in the Japanese language, it has lightweight equipment for advanced observations.
• The most important aim of the lander is to demonstrate accurate lunar landing techniques with a precise
touchdown.

JALDOST Airboat:
• The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) unveiled the JALDOST airboat.
• JALDOST is an airboat that operates on water.
• It is designed to remove excess aquatic weed and floating waste from water
bodies.
• According to NAL, it has a hybrid propulsion system, comprising air propulsion
and paddle wheel propulsion.
• NAL has developed two versions of the airboat — JALDOST Mark-1 and an
upgraded version JALDOST Mark-2.
• National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL)
• It is a constituent of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), established in the year 1959.
• It is the only government aerospace R&D laboratory in the country’s civilian sector.
• CSIR-NAL is a high-technology-oriented institution focusing on advanced disciplines in aerospace.

Ureilite : Rare And Ancient Meteorite

• In a recent discovery, a collaborative team of scientists from Allahabad University and
the University of Bern, Switzerland, revealed that the Dhala crater resulted from the
collision of an exceptionally rare and ancient meteorite, known as Ureilite.
• Ureilite are a rare class of primitive meteorites that constitute just a tiny fraction of
meteorites on Earth.
• It is named after the locality where the first specimen was discovered, the Novo Urei
village in Russia.
 • Ureilites contain less than 10% carbon in the form of diamond or graphite,
metal sulphides, and a few fine-grained silicates.
• Future research aims to understand the role of the Dhala crater in bringing
water to Earth and contributing to the development of life on our planet.

• India has three meteor impact craters: Ramgarh, Lonar, and Dhala.
• The Dhala crater, located in Madhya Pradesh, has recently gained attention
as Asia's largest and the world's seventh-largest impact crater.
• Dhala crater has a diameter of 11 kilometers.
• The impact occurred approximately 2500-1700 million years ago.

What is Lunar Codex Programme?

• The Lunar Codex programme is an ambitious initiative that seeks to take human to the moon.
• It was spearheaded by Samuel Peralta.
• Lunar Codex is stored on memory cards or laser etched on NanoFiche, a 21st-century
update on film-based microfiche. These will ensure that the art forms reach the lunar
surface safely.
• The collection of art is gathered from 30,000 artists, writers, filmmakers, and musicians
from 157 countries. The art forms include images, magazines, books, podcasts, movies,
and music, which are divided into four capsules.
• The first such capsule is known as the Orion collection, was launched on the Orion
spacecraft as part of NASA’s Artemis 1 mission last year.

New COVID variant Eris

• United Kingdom has witnessed the spread of new COVID variant Eris or EG.5.1 at
a faster rate across the country and become a significant contributor to COVID-19
cases in the UK, China, US and elsewhere.
• The Eris variant is believed to have originated from the Omicron lineage of the
COVID-19.
• Factors such as the virus’s ability to adapt to different conditions, including human
immune responses, might contribute to its emergence and rapid spread.

MeitY Secretary AK Sharma launches the ‘Graphene-Aurora Program’

• The ‘Graphene-Aurora program’ was launched by the MeitY Secretary Alkesh Kumar Sharma
in Kochi, Kerala.
• The program will be implemented by Digital University Kerala and has a total budget outlay
of Rs 94.85 Crore.
• A section 8 (not for profit) company called ‘India Graphene Engineering and Innovation
Centre (I-GEIC)’ will be set up to nurture the emerging Graphene technology ecosystem.
• Graphene stands out for being tough, flexible, light, and with a high resistance. It's calculated that this
material is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum. With these properties,
graphene has applications in the energy, construction, health, and electronics sectors.

Pibot : Humanoid Robot

• Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) is currently developing a
humanoid robot named ‘Pibot’ that can fly aircraft without needing to modify the
cockpit.
• Pibot is the world’s first humanoid pilot.
• It combines artificial intelligence and robotics technologies, can process the natural
language of the flight manual and control the flight’s operation in real-time.
• It is capable of memorizing global flight charts to conduct mistake-free flight missions on any air route.
• The humanoid robot can also communicate with air traffic controllers and humans in the cockpit using voice
synthesis, allowing it to act as a pilot or a first officer.
Bacteria that can eat methane
• According to a new study, a strain of bacteria could potentially
remove methane from major emission sites such as landfills, paddy
fields, and oil and gas wells,.
• Harnessing this bacteria on a large scale can keep 240 million
tonnes of methane from reaching the atmosphere by 2050, the
study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences showed.
• The bacterial strain Methylotuvimicrobium
buryatense(<मथाइलोटु fवमाइB◌ोCबयम Eयरू े टHस) 5GB1C consumes methane.
• Researchers from the University of Washington explained that the global average temperature rise can be
reduced 0.21-0.22 degree Celsius by removing 0.3-1 petagrams of methane by 2050.
• Methane-eating bacteria (methanotrophs) can be an attractive option.

What is Hurriquake?
• Hurricane Hilary, a major tropical cyclone, struck Southern California,
marking an unusual event of a hurricane and an earthquake occurring
simultaneously.
• Originating from a disturbance off Mexico’s coast, the cyclone made
landfall in Mexico’s Baja California peninsula before affecting California.
• A magnitude 5.1 earthquake also hit Southern California, though no
immediate damage was reported.
• The term “hurriquake” trended on social media due to this rare
occurrence. Experts link Hurricane Hilary to climate change, which has
caused increased natural calamities.

Demon Particle : Massless Particles

• Scientists recently discovered a 'demon particle' that could lead to superconductors that conduct electricity
at room temperature.
• Superconductors, which can conduct electricity without resistance, currently require extremely low
temperatures.
• This new discovery could potentially lead to the creation of superconductors that work at room
temperature, revolutionizing various fields, including computing and medical imaging.
Demon Particle:
• The prediction of the demon particle was first made by theoretical physicist David Pines in 1956.
• They are massless, chargeless, and transparent to light.
• They are also able to form plasmons, which are collective units of electrons that behave like waves.
• Plasmons are important in superconductivity.
What is Superconductivity?
• It is a phenomenon whereby a charge moves through a material without resistance.
• It was first discovered in 1911 by Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes when he observed the sudden
drop in electrical resistance of mercury at extremely low temperatures.
• Superconductivity is generally observed at very low temperatures, often close to absolute zero (0 Kelvin or -
273.15°C).

BHEL develops India's first catalyst set to curb NOx emissions in power plants
• Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), a government engineering firm
successfully produced the first indigenous Selective Catalytic Reactor (SCR) to
control NOx emissions from thermal power plants.
• SCR Catalysts were earlier imported.
• The initial batch of indigenous SCR Catalyst was manufactured for 5x800 MW
Yadadri Thermal Power Station in Telangana.
 • BHEL achieved indigenization of technology in collaboration with NANO, a leading company of the Republic
of Korea for the development of SCR technology.
• Burning coal converts its nitrogen content into nitrogen oxides (NOx), a major air pollutant that includes
substances such as NO, NO2, and N2O.

Smishing : New Scam

• The Indian government recently warned against a new scam called ‘Smishing’.
• The term “smishing” is a combination of “SMS” (Short Message Service) and
“phishing.”
• A type of phishing attack, smishing, often involves sending fraudulent text
messages to individuals with the aim of getting sensitive personal
information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or other
confidential data.
• Smishing simply uses text messages instead of email.
• Smishing attacks often involve messages that appear to be from
legitimate sources, such as banks, government agencies, or well-
known companies.
• Once the victim opens and clicks on the link or dials the phone number listed in the
message, they’re taken to a fraudulent website or a mobile phone line that’s designed to
resemble a legitimate source.

Short News
• Govt to Build Research Parks at 8 IITs, IISc Bangalore
• India’s Ministry of Defence has taken a decisive step by opting to replace the Microsoft operating system
with a domestically developed alternative named the ‘Maya‘ operating system, due to increasing cyber and
malware attacks on defence as well as critical infrastructure across the country

Defence
Exercise Bright Star-23
• Indian Air Force participates in Egypt's Exercise Bright Star-23 for the
first time
• The biennial multilateral tri-services exercise Bright Star-23 held at
Cairo Air Base in Egypt.
• From 27 August to 16 September 2023.
• The participating countries include the United States, Saudi Arabia,
Greece, Qatar, and India.
The IAF Contingent Included:
• Five MiG-29 aircraft
• Two IL-78 tanker aircraft
• Two C-130 transport aircraft
• Two C-17 transport aircraft
• The Garuda Special Forces and personnel from Squadrons 28, 77, 78, and 81 of the Indian Air Force are part
of the contingent.

IAF To Hold Multi-National Exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) will hold its first-ever multi-national air
exercise 'Tarang Shakti', in October 2023, the biggest air exercise
to be conducted in India.
• The exercise intends to strengthen military cooperation between
the air forces.
• The air forces of the US, the UK, France and Australia are among
those likely to take part in the exercise.
China, UAE air forces to conduct first joint training FALCON Shield-2023
• Air forces of China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will conduct a joint
training exercise in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region
• According to the ministry, the exercise, Falcon Shield-2023, will be the first
joint training between the two nation's air forces.

Russia: Exercise Ocean Shield 2023 has started in the Baltic Sea
• The Russian Defense Ministry announced the start of the Ocean Shield
2023 naval exercises in the Baltic Sea.

Exercise Malabar 2023

• 31st edition of the Malabar multilateral exercise was held off Sydney from
August 11-21.
• It was started in 1992 as a bilateral naval exercise between India and US
navy.
• It was expanded into a trilateral format with the inclusion of Japan in
2015.
• In 2020, the Australian Navy joined, making it a quadrilateral naval
exercise.
• The aim of the Malabar Exercise is to coordinate for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
• It takes place annually in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Oceans alternatively.
• The Indian Navy sent destroyer INS Kolkata and multi-role stealth frigate INS Sahyadri.

Quad
• It is a four-nation alliance of India, Australia, USA and Japan which was established in 2007.
• The idea of Quad was first mooted by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Other Exercises with Quad Countries:

• India- Japan: JIMEX (naval exercise), SHINYUU Maitri (air force exercise), and Dharma Guardian (military
exercise).
• India-US: Yudha Abhyas (Army), Vajra Prahar (Military), Spitting Cobra, SANGAM, RED FLAG, COPE INDIA.
• India-Australia: AUSINDEX (Maritime), AUSTRA HIND, Pitch Black

INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand arrive in Dubai for a bilateral exercise
• Two Indian Navy ships named INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand arrived at
Port Rashid in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• For a bilateral exercise 'Zayed Talwar 2023' with the UAE Navy
• Ffrom August 8 to 11, 2023.
• Aim: To share best practices and increase synergies between the two navies

INS Chennai engages in Passex Exercise with Royal Saudi Naval Ship
• INS Chennai Mission Deployed in the Red Sea Undertook Passage Exercise
(Passex) with Royal Saudi Naval Ship HMS Al Jubail in Aug 2023.
• INS Chennai is Indian Navy's indigenously designed and constructed guided
missile destroyer.
• It is the third and last ship of the Kolkata-class stealth-guided missile destroyers
(Project 15A).
 • It was constructed by the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) at Mumbai. INS Chennai was commissioned into the
Indian Navy on November 21, 2016.

Indian Navy takes part in US Navy-led SEACAT exercises in Singapore

• Indian Naval Ship Kulish, a guided missile Corvette visited Singapore
from August 14 to August 18 to take part in the Harbour Phase of
multinational exercise SEACAT 2023, led by US Navy. 19 other
countries participated.

CRPF switches to indigenous software COPSYSS

• The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) recently switched to indigenously developed software for
psychological screening of personnel prior to their induction in dignitary protection teams.
• Computerized Psychological Screening System (COPSYSS) is a software designed and developed by the
Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) of DRDO.
• Recently, DRDO Chairman, Dr Samir V Kamar, handed over the software to the Director General of CRPF,
Sujoy Lal Thaosen, for implementation in the force.
• The force has a tough system in place for physical fitness but this test will ensure sharp mental fitness.

“David’s Sling” Anti-Missile Defence System

• Israel approves USD 344 million sale of 'David's Sling’ Defense System to Finland
• David’s Sling is a highly sophisticated anti-missile defense system.
• The system is designed to intercept various types of missiles that may be fired
towards Israel by hostile countries, like Iran and Syria.

Spike Non Line Of Sight (NLOS) Anti-Tank Guided Missiles:

• Indian Air Force recently received Israel’s Spike Non Line of Sight (NLOS) anti-
tank guided missiles (ATGM).
• It is developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, a defence technology
company based in Israel.
• It is available in man-portable, vehicle-launched, and helicopter-launched
variants.
• Spike missiles are being used by the defence forces of Israel and another 38
countries, including India.
• It can hit targets from distances of up to 30 kilometres.
• It can be armed with different types of warheads suited to destroy tanks, air defence systems or for use in
urban combat.

Neerakshi : Underwater Vehicle For Mine Detection

• India recently launched ‘Neerakshi’- Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for mine detection.
• Named “Neerakshi” meaning “Eyes in the Water” is first of its kind in the country and is expected to
undergo user trials by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Army before a commercial launch.
• It is a collaboration of Kolkata-based warship maker Garden Reach Shipbuilders and
Engineers (GRSE) Ltd and MSME entity Aerospace Engineering Private Ltd (AEPL).
• It can be used for a variety of functions ranging from mine detection to mine disposal to
underwater survey.
• It is a 2.1-metre long cylindrical unmanned vehicle about a foot in diameter and
weighing around 45 kg. It has an endurance of nearly 4 hours, and is capable of
operating up to a depth of 300m.
Swathi Mountains: Weapon Locating Radar
• Indian Army inducted the lighter and more compact version of the indigenously
developed Weapon Locating Radar (WLR-M) called “Swathi Mountains.”
• Swathi Mountains WLR is an advanced electronically scanned phased array radar.
• It is specifically designed for operations in mountainous and high-altitude areas.
• It was developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bengaluru.
• Weapon Locating Radar employs advanced signal processing techniques to
autonomously detect and track hostile artillery, mortars, and rocket launchers.
• It even tracks friendly fire trajectories, enabling precise calculations for more accurate artillery strikes.

Vindhyagiri frigate:
• President of India launched Indian Navy’s 6th Nilgiri-Class P17A Frigate at Garden
Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited, Kolkata, on August 17.
• Vindhyagiri frigate is named after a mountain range in Karnataka.
• It is the sixth ship of the Project 17A frigates.
• Under the Project 17A programme, four ships by Mumbai-based Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)
and three by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) are being built.

• The project’s first five ships were launched by MDL and GRSE, between 2019-2022.
• These ships have been designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.
• The P-17A frigates were named after the former-Nilgiri-class frigates, which served in the IN between 1972
and 2013
• The first six ships of the series were allotted the names utilised by the older class, namely – Nilgiri,
Himgiri, Taragiri, Udaygiri, Dunagiri, and Vindhyagiri.

Mahendragiri, India’s New Warship, to be launched in Mumbai on September 1

• India’s latest warship, Mahendragiri, is set to be launched on September 1 at the
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai.
• The launch of Mahendragiri, the seventh and final stealth frigate of Project 17A,
symbolizes the remarkable progress India has made in constructing a self-
sufficient naval force.
• Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu launched Vindhyagiri, the sixth warship of
Project 17A, at GRSE on August 17.

• The first stealth ship launched under Project 17A was the Nilgiri, which was launched in 2019.
• Udaygiri, the second ship, was launched in May 2022, and are likely be commissioned in 2024.
• Project 17 Alpha frigates (P-17A) were launched by the Indian Navy in 2019 to construct a series of stealth
guided-missile frigates.

Indian submarine INS Vagir completes historic 7,000 km deployment to Australia

• Indian Navy’s fifth Kalvari class submarine, INS Vagir has successfully completed
its longest deployment ever by covering a remarkable distance of nearly 7,000
km to reach Australia. This deployment, which begins in June 2023, is a
significant achievement for the Indian Navy.
• INS Vagir will participate in various exercises with Royal Australian Navy (RAN)
units on the West Coast of Australia.
• On the East coast of Australia, Indian Naval ships and aircraft participated in Exercise AUSINDEX 23 from 22-
24 Aug 2023.
• Also known as Sand Shark, the submarine was delivered to the Indian Navy in December 2022.
• Vagir is a Kalvari-class submarine, which includes six submarines developed under Project 75.
• Four of these submarines have already been commissioned into the Navy viz. NS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS
Karanj and INS Vela.
• The sixth, INS Vagsheer, will be commissioned in the early 2024
• Built By:
 • the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in collaboration with the French M/s Naval Group
• Origin of Name:
• From Vagir, a submarine which served the Navy between 1973 and 2001.

India inducts new Heron Mark-2 drones

• The IAF inducted new four strike-capable Heron Mark 2 drones at a forward air
base in the northern sector.
• Heron Mark 2 drones, which have strike capability and can carry out
surveillance along the borders with both China and Pakistan
• The drones can operate at very long distances for close to 36 hours at a stretch
and can also laser illuminate enemy targets from very long ranges to help
fighter aircraft destroy them using their long-range weapons.
• The four new Heron Mark-2 drones can be equipped with long-range missiles and other weapons systems

India’s first long-range revolver ‘Prabal’ launched on August 18

• The revolver is manufactured by the state-owned enterprise Advanced Weapons and
Equipment India (AWEIL), based in Kanpur.
• Prabal revolver has an impressive firing range of up to 50 meters, more than twice the
reach of other revolvers in India.
• Weighing merely 700 grams (excluding cartridges), it boasts a barrel length of 76 mm
and an overall length of 177.6 mm.

Indian Army Dedicates “Bhagat Bridge” on 77th Independence Day

• On India’s 77th Independence Day, the Indian Army inaugurated the
“Bhagat Bridge” in Danna Village, the last village on the Line of
Control in the Machhal Sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
• This 115-feet long bridge is named in memory of Late Major Bhagat
Singh, Veer Chakra awardee, who valiantly defended the sector during the 1965
war.
• Indian Army engineers worked tirelessly for two months to build the bridge. It
would improve education, healthcare access, and tourism prospects in the region.

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

• Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has successfully fired the ASTRA
indigenous Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile off the coast of Goa.
• ASTRA, air-to-air missile to engage and destroy highly manoeuvring
supersonic aerial targets
• Aim: To enhance the combat power of Tejas and reduce the
dependency on imported weapons.
• It is designed and developed by Defence Research and Development
Laboratory, Research Centre Imarat and other laboratories of DRDO.

Indian Army signs deals for 130 tethered drones and 19 tank-driving simulators
• The Indian Army recently signed contracts for the procurement of 130 tethered drones and 19 tank-driving
simulators under Emergency Procurement (EP).
• The tether drone systems, which can be used in high-altitude areas, will be
acquired from Bengaluru-based firm NewSpace at an approximate value of
₹250 crore
• A tethered drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle tethered to the ground.
• It consists of a base station on the ground and the drone, which is connected
to the station through the tether (cable).
• Tethered UAVs are perfect for data capture and telemetry due to the reliability
of tethered connections.
 • They dramatically reduce technical and human error crashes in flight.
• They provide a secure line of communication between the ground station and the aircraft.
• It also does not require GPS navigation.
• Due to the restricted movement of a tethered drone, the operator does not need piloting skills and can
mainly focus on their tasks.

Goa Shipyard and Kenya Shipyard sign MoU for ship design and building cooperation
• Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and Kenya Shipyard Limited (KSL) signed an MoU for
cooperation in ship design and construction.
• The MoU was formalized during a meeting between India's Defense Minister
Rajnath Singh and Kenya's Cabinet Secretary Defense Aden Bare Duale on
August 29, 2023.
• The signing event took place in New Delhi, Delhi.

Highlights of the bilateral meeting between India and Kenya:

• Discussion Strengthening defense industry ties and cooperation in equipment development.
Symbolic gifts and technical assistance:
• Defense Minister Rajnath Singh presented 15 pairs of Glider India Limited parachutes for the Kenyan forces.
• India offered assistance in setting up an advanced CT scan facility in Kenya.
Expanded participation in various fields:
• Cooperation commitment for maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) was expanded.
• It was agreed upon for intensive cooperation in counter-insurgency training.
• Reciprocated commitment to an expanded partnership in UN peacekeeping efforts.
About Goa Shipyard Limited:
• GSL is a Miniratna Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) operating under the Ministry of Defense (MoD)
of India.
• Chairman & Managing Director - Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay
• Establishment - 1957
• Headquarters - Vasco da Gama, Goa
Index
Indore Ranked No 1 In Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan-2023
• In the category of cities with a population of more than 10 lakhs in the
Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan -2023 conducted by the Central Pollution Control
Board, Indore has secured the first position, Agra 2nd, Thane 3rd, Srinagar
4th and Bhopal 5th.
• Parwanoo or Parwanu is a municipal council in Solan district of Himachal
Pradesh.

India Smart Cities Award Contest, 2022:

• The awards are organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
under the Smart Cities Mission.
• Indore has been named the best Smart City and Madhya Pradesh as the
top State for their outstanding performance in the Smart Cities Mission.
• President Droupadi Murmu will felicitate the winners on 27th of
September in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
• Smart Cities Mission launched on 25 June 2015, is aimed at providing core
infrastructure, clean and sustainable
environment and a decent quality of
life to their citizens through the
application of ‘smart solutions’

The Ministry of Jal Shakti released the report on the sixth census on minor irrigation
schemes
• As per the report, 23.14 million minor irrigation (MI) schemes have been
reported in the country, out of which 21.93 million are Ground Water (GW) and
1.21 million are Surface Water (SW) schemes.
• For the first time, the information about gender of the owner of MI scheme was
also collected in case of individual ownership.
• Out of all the individually owned schemes, 18.1 per cent are owned by women.
• Uttar Pradesh possesses the largest number of MI schemes in the country
followed by Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The same
ranking of states follows for the GW schemes.
• Maharashtra leads in Surface Water schemes followed by Karnataka,
Telangana, Odisha and Jharkhand.
• The report also revealed that there has been an increase of about 1.42
million in MI schemes as compared to the previous census.
• Out of 23.14 million MI schemes, 94.8% are Ground Water and (5.2% are
Surface Water Schemes
 • The census was conducted under the centrally sponsored scheme “Irrigation Census”.
• Detailed information on various parameters like irrigation sources, irrigation potential created, potential
utilized, ownership, holding size of land by owner, devices used for lifting water, sources of energy, energy
conserving devices, use of non-conventional energy sources such as solar pumps, wind mills etc was
collected.
• This report will be useful for planners, policy makers, researcher scholars, agricultural and ground water
scientists & administrators

5% of birds in India are endemic, says Zoological Survey of India publication.

• Recently, the publication, titled "75 Endemic Birds of India," was released by the
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).
• According to a recent release, approximately 5% of bird species discovered in
India are endemic and do not exist in any other regions globally.
• Endemic Bird Diversity in India: India is home to 1,353 bird species, which
represents approximately 12.40% of global bird diversity. Out of these 1,353 bird
species, 78 (5%) are endemic to the country.
• Species with no record: It was highlighted that three species have not been
recorded in the last few decades. They are the:
• Manipur Bush Quail listed as ‘Endangered’ by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with its last recorded
sighting in 1907;
• Himalayan Quail listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ with its last recorded sighting in 1876;
• Jerdon’s Courser listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ with its last confirmed sighting in 2009.
• Geographical Distribution: The Western Ghats have the highest number of endemic species (28), followed
by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (25). The Eastern Himalayas, Southern Deccan plateau, and central
Indian forest each have a few endemic species.
• Zoological Survey of India was founded on 1 July 1916 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change
• Director - Dhriti Banerjee, Headquarter - Kolkata

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: High Court Order To Relocate All Residents

• The Madras High Court recently directed the Central government to release
funds to relocate all 495 residents of the Thengumarahada village in Tamil
Nadu (TN), as the village falls within the protected area of the Mudumalai Tiger
Reserve.
• Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu,
spread over 321 sq. km. at the tri-junction of three states, viz, Karnataka,
Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
• It is part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, the first Biosphere Reserve in India.
• The name Mudumalai means “the ancient hill range”. Indeed, it is as old as 65
million years when the Western Ghats were formed.
• A variety of habitats ranging from tropical evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, moist teak forest, dry
teak forest, secondary grasslands, and swamps are found here.
• It has tall grasses, commonly referred to as “Elephant Grass”, bamboo of the giant variety, and valuable
timber species like Teak, Rosewood, etc.
• The recent Oscar-winning ‘Elephant Whisperers’ was filmed at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp, located
inside the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
Punjab emerged as the top state in Nutrition Awareness Index 2023
• The ‘Right To Protein’ campaign released the ‘Nutrition Awareness
Index 2023’, a state-wise index assessing awareness, affordability,
and accessibility of nutrition in India as perceived by end-consumers
(citizens).
• Punjab emerged as the top state, scoring 11% above the national
average
• Bihar ranked at the bottom, scoring 10% below the national
average.
• The Index also found that majority Indians are unaware of vegetarian
protein sources.

Internet Resilience Index

• According to the global non-profit organisation
Internet Society
• India achieved an overall score of 43% in the
Internet Resilience Index (IRI), ranking sixth in the
South Asian region.
• Counties like Bhutan (58 percent), Bangladesh (51
percent), Maldives (50 percent), Sri Lanka (47
percent), and Nepal (43 percent) are ahead of
India in the IRI ranking.
• According to the four pillars that make up the IRI,
India scores 31 per cent in infrastructure, 40 per cent in performance, 66 per cent in security, and 35 per
cent in market readiness.

Haryana’s Nuh district ranks 2nd in Niti Aayog’s delta ranking

• Nuh secures second place in NITI Aayog’s ‘Delta ranking’ under aspirational districts programme
• Nuh tops in parameters of agriculture and water resources while in health and nutrition parameters, it
comes in second place.
• The Delta rankings for the aspirational districts measure the incremental progress made by them across the
developmental areas of health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion
and basic infrastructure.
• Aspirational District Program launched in 2018
• The programme aims at uplifting and developing the most socio-economically challenged districts in India

Maharashtra scored top position in fiscal health report

• Based on the FY23 revised budget estimates Maharashtra secured the top position as the best state in
overall fiscal health in a report conducted by a foreign brokerage firm
• The report, penned by Kaushik Das, chief economist at the Deutsche Bank, was conducted to survey the
fiscal health of 17 major states across the country
• Maharashtra is followed by Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Telangana and Jharkhand.
• Bottom 3 are Bengal, Punjab, and Kerala
• The report is based on the four key fiscal parameters--fiscal deficit; own tax revenue, state debt levels, all as
a percentage of their individual gross state domestic product; and finally the interest payment to revenue
receipts.
Sports

Gukesh D becomes India's number one chess player, overtakes Viswanathan

• India's Grandmaster Gukesh D has become as the country's top chess
player, surpassing Viswanathan Anand in Aug 2023.

R Praggnanandhaa first Indian after Anand to reach semifinals of FIDE 2023

• R Praggnanandhaa, the first Indian after Viswanathan Anand to reach the
semifinals of the FIDE World Cup 2023, held in in Baku,
Azerbaijan
• Praggnanandhaa (L) defeated Arjun Erigaisi to enter the 2023
FIDE Chess World Cup semi-final
• No Indian has reached the last four stage of the Chess World
Cup, except Anand, who won the first two editions of the
tournament in 2000 and 2002.
• It is the 10th edition of the Chess World Cup.
• Bordered by Russia (northwest), Azerbaijan (west), Iran
(south), Turkmenistan (southeast) and Kazakhstan (northeast)

Magnus Carlsen wins the Chess World Cup Final 2023

• The Norwegian chess grandmaster, Magnus Carlsen, won the
Chess World Cup Final 2023 title, after defeating India's chess
grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa in a tie-breaker.
• R Praggnanandhaa (18) was the youngest World Cup finalist ever
and the youngest World Cup winner.
• He managed to secure the Silver medal.

Spain beat England and won first FIFA Women's World Cup
• Spain secured their first FIFA Women's World Cup title 2023 by
defeating England in Sydney
• Most successful team: United States (4 titles)
• The competition has been held every four years and one year after the
men's FIFA World Cup since 1991
• The 2023 competition was hosted by Australia and New Zealand,
making it the first edition to be held in the Southern Hemisphere, the
first Women's World Cup to be hosted by two countries

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurated 132nd Durand Cup in Assam

• 132nd edition of Durand Cup kicked off in Kokrajhar, Assam on August 05, 2023
• Durand Cup - annual football competition
• Organized by the Indian Army in association with Assam Government and Bodo
Territorial Region.
• A total of 24 teams, including two foreign teams from Nepal and Bangladesh
• Mohun Bagan team beat East Bengal in final to win record 17th title
Indian women’s compound team wins historic gold medal
• The Indian women’s compound team won a gold medal at the World Archery Championships 2023.
• The team comprising of Jyoti Surekha Vennam, Parneet Kaur and Aditi
Gopichand Swami secured the nation’s first-ever gold medal in this competition.
• The Indian women defeated the Mexican team .
• World Archery Championship 2023 was held in Berlin, Germany.
• The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
• Jyothi, Kaur, Swami win India's first-ever gold medal at Archery Worlds

H.S. Prannoy won Silver medal in Australian Open Super 500 badminton 2023
• The ninth-ranked Indian shuttler HS Prannoy won silver at the Australian Open
Badminton 2023 final in Sydney
• He lost to China.

Viktor Axelsen, An Se-Young win Japan Open finals 2023

• Olympic badminton champion Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen beat Indonesia to
bag the men’s singles title
• Korean An Se-young win the women’s singles crown at the Japan Open 2023
in Tokyo.

In badminton, HS Prannoy won bronze medal at BWF World Championships

• HS Prannoy bagged a bronze medal in badminton at BWF World Championships
2023 in Denmark.
• China is the most successful team in the tournament's history, with 196 medals
• HS Prannoy became the fifth Indian men's singles player to win a medal at the
BWF World Badminton Championships.
• The 28th edition of BWF World Badminton Championships 2023, was held at
Copenhagen, Denmark from 21st to 27th August.

Mastercard inks brand partnership with ICC for upcoming World Cup
• The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a sponsorship agreement
with the American multinational financial services corporation, Mastercard.
• Under this deal, the brand has become a global partner for the upcoming ICC
Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which is set to be held in India from October 5 to
November 19, 2023.
• Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Founded: 15 June 1909
• Chairman: Greg Barclay

India shines in blind cricket at IBSA World Games: Women's team wins gold, men's team secures silver
• India's blind women's cricket team emerged victorious in the T20 final of the IBSA World Games held in
Birmingham. They defeated Australia.
• The Indian men's blind cricket team earned a silver medal after losing to Pakistan in the men's T20 cricket
final
• IBSA World Championships and the games are organized by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA)
every four years.
Que:Who has acquired the title sponsorship rights for the domestic matches of the Indian cricket team?
Ans: IDFC First Bank
• IDFC FIRST Bank has bagged the 3 year long title rights for home
international series of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
• IDFC First will be the Title Sponsor for all international matches (both
women and men), domestic cricket matches like the Irani Trophy,
Duleep Trophy, and Ranji Trophy organized by the BCCI as also all junior
cricket (Under 19 and 23) matches, held in India.

Indian Men's Hockey Team bagged Asian hockey Championship trophy 2023
• The Indian hockey team defeated Malaysia and won for the fourth time
at the Asian Champions Trophy 2023
• Final at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai.
• With four Asian Champions Trophy titles, India is in the first spot in the
history of the tournament.
• Pakistan, with three titles, is in the second spot now.

India ends World University Games campaign with record 26 medals.

• India finished at seventh spot with 11 gold, 5 silver and 10 bronze, the best
ever standing in the medal tally.
• This time, India had sent 256 athletes in the WUG.
• Host China topped the standings with a whopping 178 medals, followed by
Japan and Korea

69th edition of Nehru Trophy Boat Race held at Punnamada Lake in Kerala
• Held every year on the second Saturday of August.
• Chief Minister of Kerala Plnarayi Vijayan inaugurated the event.
• Pallathuruthy Boat Club lifts 69th edition of Nehru Trophy Boat Race
• More than 70 boats participated in the boat race, named after the first
Prime Minister of the country.

Wrestling Federation of India membership suspended on world stage

• The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), India’s governing body for wrestling,
has faced suspension from the United World Wrestling (UWW) due to
ongoing controversies and prolonged delays in conducting essential
elections.
• The WFI’s scheduled elections, initially set for June 2023, have been
repeatedly postponed due to protests by Indian wrestlers and legal
challenges from various state units.
• As a consequence, Indian wrestlers will be unable to compete under the Indian flag in the upcoming World
Championships.
• Instead, they will participate as ‘neutral athletes’ in the Olympic-qualifying World Championships.
• Wrestling Federation of India President: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
• Wrestling Federation of India Founded: 27 January 1967
• Wrestling Federation of India Headquartered in New Delhi
India secures Second Rank at 16th IOAA in Poland
• India has secured Second Rank at the 16th International Olympiad
2023 on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) in Poland With Four Gold
and One Silver Medal.
• The United Kingdom clinched the lead with five Golds.
• A total of 236 students from 50 nations participated at the Olympiad
• Warsaw is the capital and largest city of
Poland. It is located on the Vistula River
• The first International Day of Yoga was
organized in 21 cities in Poland on June
21, 2015

Asmita Women's League

• Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur has
announced that the Khelo India Women’s League will officially be known as
Asmita Women's League.
• ASMITA refers to Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through
Action.
• Khelo India Programme was launched in the year: 2018

Neeraj Chopra makes history by winning India’s first-ever gold medal at World
Athletics Championships
• Neeraj Chopra won India’s first gold medal in the men's javelin throw
event at the World Athletics Championships held in Budapest, Hungary.
• Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan secured the second position

Short News
• Indian archer, Aditi Swami has become the first-ever Indian to clinch the individual World Title at the World
Archery Championships final 2023 in Berlin.
• Sports Authority of India (SAI) under the Umbrella Campaign ‘Cheer4India’ has launched a short movie
series ‘Halla Bol’ on the journey of Asian Games bound athletes to motivate them for Hangzhou Asian
Games and spread awareness about the upcoming Asian Games.
• Max Verstappen Clinches Third Consecutive Victory at Dutch Grand Prix 2023
• World governing body FIFA has lifted the ban on the Sri Lanka Football Federation (FFSL). The ban was
imposed in January 2023 due to government interference in the federation’s affairs.
International News
Indian-origin Vaibhav Taneja: The new CFO of TESLA
• CFO - Chief Financial Officer
• Tesla Founded: 1 July 2003, California, United States
• Tesla CEO: Elon Musk

Microsoft appoints Puneet Chandok to lead India operations

• Puneet Chandok was appointed as the Corporate Vice President of Microsoft India and
South Asia by the company in Aug 2023.

Que: Who has been elected as the caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan?
Ans: Anwarul Haque Kakar ( interim)
• His appointment came after the dissolution of Pakistan’s Parliament (August 9) – three days
before the legislative body would have completed its five-year tenure.
• Then Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and opposition leader agreed to name Senator Kakar as
the caretaker premier.

Que:Who has been appointed as the new Chief Justice of Nepal?

Ans: Bishombhar Prasad Shrestha
• Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha
as the Chief Justice of Nepal.
• Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'

Geetika Srivastava becomes India’s First Woman Charge d’Affaires In Pakistan

• Indian government has appointed Geetika Srivastava, joint secretary
(Indo-Pacific) in the external affairs ministry, to head the post of chargé
d’affaires in the Indian high commission in Islamabad
• She will be the first woman diplomat to hold this post in the Indian high
commission in Islamabad.
• She will replace Suresh Kumar

Emmerson Mnangagwa was re-elected as the President of Zimbabwe for a second and final five-year term
• Capital - Harare
• Currency - United States Dollar
India to support clean water project at school in Tuvalu with 700,000 USD
• India will contribute 700,000 USD from the India-UN Development
Partnership Fund to the Tuvalu project in August 2023
• Aim: To store and supply clean water to students, teachers, and school
staff, fostering good hygiene and lowering the incidence of water-borne
illnesses.
• In May 2023, PM Narendra Modi announced the “Sagar Amrut Scholarship”
scheme for the Pacific Island countries, at the Summit of the Forum for India–
Pacific Islands Cooperation.

Vaquita Porpoise : Extinction Alert

• The International Whaling Commission (IWC) issued its first ‘extinction
alert’ on the vaquita porpoise.
• Vaquita Porpoise is the world’s smallest cetacean (aquatic mammal).
• The name vaquita means “little cow” in Spanish.
• It has the smallest range of any whale, dolphin or porpoise, and only
lives in a small 1,500 square-mile area in Mexico’s upper Gulf of
California, near the town of San Felipe.
• It only measures up to five feet in size.
• The vaquita population has been declining precipitously for
decades due to bycatch in gillnet set to catch shrimp and fish.
• Conservation status
• IUCN: Critically Endangered
• CITES: Appendix I

Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) : Belem Declaration

• Eight South American countries have united in an effort to combat deforestation
in the Amazon rainforest.
• Assembling in the Brazilian city of Belem, the members of ACTO sought to chart a
common course on how to combat climate change.
• Member countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname,
and Venezuela.
• ACTO is the only socio-environmental block in Latin America.
• The proposed goal, put forth by Colombia, was to protect 80% of the Amazon
from deforestation and degradation by 2025.
• The Belem Declaration recognizes the importance of Indigenous knowledge for
biodiversity conservation and calls for the full and effective participation of
Indigenous Peoples in decision-making.
What is the Arash-Dorra Gas Field Dispute?
• Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have recently asserted their sole
ownership of the disputed Arash-Dorra gas field, a resource-rich
offshore area also claimed by Iran.
• Known as Arash in Iran and Dorra in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the
field holds significant natural gas reserves, making it a highly
valuable resource for all involved parties.
• Located on the eastern maritime border of Kuwait, the Dorra gas
field was discovered in 1967.
• The roots of the dispute can be traced back to the 1960s when Iran
and Kuwait granted offshore concessions to different companies.
• The concessions overlapped in the northern part of the Arash-Dorra
field, leading to conflicting claims and disagreements over
ownership and exploitation rights.
• Saudi, Kuwait reject Iran claims to disputed gas field

AFI chief Adille Sumariwalla elected to World Athletics Executive Board

• AFI president Adille Sumariwalla becomes first Indian elected to World
Athletics Executive Board
• Adille Sumariwalla has been elected as one of the four vice presidents of
World Athletics, the highest post ever held by an Indian in the global track
and field governing body.
• Sumariwalla, president of Athletics Federation of India since 2012
• Athletics Federation of India Founded: 1946

India and Trinidad and Tobago have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sharing of INDIA STACK
• Both sides have agreed to cooperate in the areas of digital transformation by means of capacity building,
training programmes, exchange of best practices, exchange of public officials and experts, development of
pilot or demo solutions, among others.
• With the help of India Stack, these countries can climb up the
digitalisation ladder rapidly and transform their economies and
governance.
• Meanwhile, UPI which is also a part of India Stack, has been
accepted in France, UAE, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.
Six Year Of Minamata Convention:
• The Minamata Convention on Mercury, which marks its sixth anniversary, is a significant global agreement
aimed at safeguarding people and the environment from the harmful impacts of mercury exposure.
• Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air, water and soil.
• It may have toxic effects on the nervous system, thyroid, kidneys, lungs, immune system, eyes, gums and
skin.
• It was agreed at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in Geneva, Switzerland
2013. It entered into force in 2017.
• India has ratified the Convention.

• Minamata convention on mercury is the most recent global agreement that

aims to protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects
of mercury and its compounds.
• Minamata Convention year: The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an
international environmental treaty, adopted in 2013
• Minamata is named after the bay in Japan where, in the mid-20th century,
mercury-tainted industrial wastewater poisoned thousands of people, leading to severe health damage that
became known as the “Minamata disease.”
• The Minamata Convention entered into force on 16 August 2017
• Minamata convention is the world’s first legally binding treaty, to phase out this highly toxic substance

Chhaupadi : Period Hut Ritual Of Nepal

• Although chhaupadi was outlawed in 2005, implementation remains weak.
• Chhaupadi is an ancient practice in Nepal that deems women and girls unclean and
untouchable during menstruation.

Lake Titicaca : Threat From Climate Change

• Lake Titicaca is facing a serious threat from climate change and drought.
• It is the largest freshwater lake in South America and the highest of the
world’s largest lakes.
• The lake, which lies on the border between Bolivia and Peru, has seen its
water levels drop to near-record lows.
• The lack of rainfall and the increased evaporation due to rising
temperatures have reduced the inflow and volume of the lake.
• The lake is also home to more than 500 species of plants and animals,
some of which are endemic and endangered.

68
 Asia – Lake Baikal

Africa - Lake Victoria

Europe – Lake Ladoga

North America – Lake Michigan-Huron/Lake Superior

South America – Lake Titicaca

Australia/Oceania - Lake Eyre

Antarctica – Lake Vostok

Srettha Thavisin elected Thailand PM/

15th BRICS Summit:

• During his visit to Johannesburg in South Africa from 22nd to 24th August 2023,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 15th BRICS Summit.
BRICS Establishment: 2009.
• Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• First BRICS Summit: 2009, Russian Federation.
• Previous BRICS summit/14th BRICS Summit: 2022, China.
• 15th BRICS Summit: 2023, South Africa.
• The British Economist Jim O’Neill coined the term “BRIC” in 2001 to describe the four emerging economies
of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
• Together, BRICS accounts for about 40% of the world’s population and about 30% of the GDP (Gross
Domestic Product), 16% of the global trade.
• This trip marks the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between India and South Africa.

6 Countries Invited To Become New BRICS Members

• South African President and BRICS Chair Cyril
Ramaphosa has announced that the group has invited
Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the
UAE to become full members of the bloc from January 1,
2024.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 15th
BRICS Summit held under South Africa’s chairship, in
Johannesburg.
Nagaland shawl to Gond painting: PM Modi's special gifts for BRICS leaders
• PM Modi presented a pair of Bidri work Pair of Surahi to South African President Cyril
Ramaphosa, and Nagaland shawl to his wife and the first lady
• Bidri work is GI Tagged from Karnataka

Maitri Setu: India-Bangladesh Friendship Bridge Set To be Operational From September

• Maitri Setu has been built over the Feni River, which flows between the Indian boundary in Tripura and
Bangladesh.
• It spans 1.9 kilometres joining Sabroom (in Tripura) with Ramgarh in
Bangladesh.
• The name ‘Maitri Setu’ symbolises growing bilateral relations and
friendly ties between India and Bangladesh.
• The construction of the bridge has been overseen by National
Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.
• It has a single-span structure that allows for the smooth flow of traffic and cargo.

Feni River:
• It forms part of the India-Bangladesh border.
• It originates in the South Tripura district, passes through Sabroom town on the Indian side, and meets the
Bay of Bengal after it flows into Bangladesh.
• It is 116 kilometres in length from its source to the Bay of Bengal.
• Some of the notable tributaries of the Feni River include the Muhuri River, Raidak River, Chandkhira River,
Ryang River and Kushiyara River.

Sulina Channel
• Russia, in overnight drone strikes on August 16, targeted ports and grain
storage facilities along the Danube River in Ukraine.
• The Danube delta has provided Ukraine with an alternative passage for its
grain after Russia withdrew from the Black Sea grain deal
• Sulina is situated at the mouth of the Danube. This channel is a distributary of
the Danube River
Sulina Channel:-
• The Sulina Channel is situated in the eastern part of Romania, near the town
of Sulina.
• It connects the Danube River to the Black Sea, providing a direct passage for
ships traveling to and from the river and the sea.
• The Danube is the second largest and the longest non-Russian river in Europe.
• The river originates from the Black Forest Mountains, and after covering a length of 2850 km, it empties
itself into the Black Sea.
Last survivors of the Amazon rainforest tribe Piripkura found in Brazil
• Three remaining survivors of the Amazon rainforest tribe - Piripkura found in Brazil
• Piripkura Tribe:
• The Piripkura tribe comes from the Mato Grosso region of Brazil and leads a nomadic lifestyle.
• The tribe is known for its isolation and efforts to maintain its traditional way of life.

Former CJI NV Ramana appointed as member of International Mediation Panel

• Former CJI NV Ramana appointed to International Mediator Panel of Singapore
International Mediation Centre
• Singapore International Mediation Centre is an independent not-for-profit
organisation in Singapore providing mediation services, through its panel of
international mediators, to parties wishing to resolve their cross-border
commercial disputes amicably.

India hand over B20 presidency to Brazil to host G20 in 2024

• According to B20 India Chair N Chandrasekaran India's B20 Presidency under
the its G20 Presidency worked under the theme of Vasaudeva Katumbakam
(One Earth, One Family, One Future).

China releases new map showing territorial claims with the entire State of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin
region within China’s borders
• China has released the 2023 edition of its “standard map”, staking a claim over Arunachal Pradesh, Aksai
Chin region, Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea.
• Hours after the release of map, India lodged a strong protest through diplomatic channels.
Western Sector (Disputed sector) –
• This comprises the Aksai Chin sector. A region that originally
was a part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir is claimed by
China as part of its autonomous Xinjiang region.
• After the 1962 war, it is administered by China. It is the
second largest Indo-China border area covering over 38000
sq. km. However, it is an uninhabited land.
• While India claims the entire Aksai Chin territory as well as
the Shaksgam valley (Indian territory gifted to China by
Pakistan), China contests Indian control over Daulat Beg Oldi
(a tehsil in Leh, south of Aksai China - it is believed to host the world’s highest airstrip).

Border Dispute in Eastern Sector: McMahon Line

• The disputed boundary in the Eastern Sector of the India-China border is
over the McMahon Line.
• Representatives of China, India and Tibet in 1913-14 met in Shimla to settle
the boundary between Tibet and India, and Tibet and China.
• During the Shimla conference, Sir Henry McMahon, the then foreign
secretary of British India, drew up the 550 mile (890 km) McMahon Line as
the border between British India and Tibet.
• China accuses India of occupying areas in Arunachal, which it calls part of
Southern Tibet.
• The Arunachal Pradesh border, that China claims to be its own territory, is
the largest disputed area, covering around 90000 sq. km.
 • The map showed Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as South Tibet, and Aksai Chin occupied by it in the
1962 war.
• The map also incorporated Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory though the island sees itself as
a sovereign nation, and the nine-dash line, claiming a large part of the South China Sea.

Sri Lanka hosts its very first Karnataka cultural festival

• Sri Lanka hosted its very first Karnataka cultural festival organized by the
International Cultural Council of India in collaboration with Swami Vivekananda
Cultural Centre and M.E Global Peace Foundation
• Aim: To celebrate cultural diversity and mark a significant moment in the shared
cultural heritage of India and Sri Lanka
• The event showcased performances by over 30 artists from Karnataka including
dances, folk songs, multi-lingual poems, and captivating puppet shows

Que:The World’s first ‘Spotless giraffe’ was born in which country?

Ans: USA
• A spotless baby giraffe was born at The Brights Zoo, U.S and is believed to
be the only singularly coloured giraffe in the world.
• The female giraffe is uniformly brown in colour and lacks the distinctive
patched pattern commonly found in giraffes and also the exceptionally long
necks, they are famous for.

Kampala Declaration On Climate Change:

• A significant step has been taken by 48 African countries to adopt the Kampala Ministerial Declaration on
Migration, Environment, and Climate Change (KDMECC) to address the interconnection between human
mobility and climate change on the continent.
• The decision was discussed at a Conference of States co-hosted by Kenya and Uganda.
• The initiative was supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change’s impacts, leading to increased migration due to extreme
weather events.
• KDMECC Originally signed by 15 African states in Kampala, Uganda, in July 2022.

The Declaration calls for enhanced cooperation and action to address five areas of concern:
• Progressive desertification and land degradation creating forced mobility of people and livestock
• Unsustainable use of ecosystems and the impact of frequent and intense extreme weather events on
people and livestock
• Unplanned migration of people from rural to urban centres as a result of climate change and disasters
• Paucity of data and statistics on the impact of climate change on human and livestock mobility in the region
• Limitations of partnerships and financing to respond to the climate crisis adversely affecting the mobility of
our people and livestock in the region

Short News
• World Trade Statistical Review 2023,the annual flagship publication of the WTO, India is ranked 18th among
the Leading exporters in world merchandise trade (2022).
• Iraq has now joined the league of 17 other countries that have eliminated trachoma, which is world’s
leading infectious cause of blindness in Aug 2023.
• Experts from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have stated in a
new report that the Italian city of Venice should be added to a list of world heritage sites in danger.
• India has signed five MoUs with Laos for Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in education, health, water facility, and
IT.
• Typhoon Lan Hits Japan, Causing Flooding and Power Outages