NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Gujarat becomes first Indian state to launch
semiconductor policy 2022-27: The Gujarat
government has announced a dedicated ‘Gujarat Semiconductor Policy 2022-27’
with a view to generating at least 2,00,000 new employment opportunities during
a period of five years. The Gujarat government has also decided to develop a
“semicon city” which would be a part of the Dholera Special Investment Region.
The projects approved under the Design-linked Incentive scheme of the
Government of India will not be eligible for availing of the benefits under the
new policy, said the state government press release. Under the new policy:
a) The state government will provide heavy subsidies on power, land and
water tariffs for entrepreneurs interested in investing in semiconductors or
display fabrication manufacturing.
b) The primary objective of the current government is to make Gujarat a
forerunner in developing the Electronics System Design & Manufacturing
(ESDM) ecosystem.
c) As per reports, the Gujarat policy focuses on guiding a significant
portion of investments made under these India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)
policies towards Gujarat.
d) The policy will provide additional capital assistance at 40 per cent of
the capex assistance extended by the Centre for the projects approved under
ISM.
e) The semiconductor policy will provide assistance to one project each, semiconductor
and display fabrication. In case of multiple applications, the State-appointed
high-powered committee will make recommendations on the basis of credentials of
projects.
2. Chhattisgarh CM launched ‘Mahtari Nyay Rath’ for
women rights awareness: To educate the state’s
women about their constitutional rights and laws, the Chhattisgarh Women
Commission will host the Mukhyamantri Mahtari Nyay Rath Yatra. On the occasion
of the Hareli Tihaar festival, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will set off the
“Mukhyamantri Mahtari Nyay Rath“. Through short films, messages, and booklets,
the chariots will visit all of the districts to educate people about the legal
protections for women and their constitutional rights.
Two attorneys
will ride in each chariot, listening to women’s complaints and offering
information and counsel. Through these carts, women will be able to apply to
the Women’s Commission for the resolution of their complaints. Nationally
recognised instructional short films in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi will be shown
on a sizable LED screen. For Mahtari Nyay Rath, the state government has made
specific adjustments to the DMF policy. The district will operate Nyay Rath
with the DMF money it has received.
Note: Chief
Minister of Chattisgarh: Bhupesh Baghel
3. Punjab to host the PUNJAB KHED MELA from August
29: The Punjab Sports Department will host the Punjab
Khed Mela, which will feature 30 sporting activities in six age divisions for
competitors between the ages of 14 and 60. The event’s goals are to find
talent, create a welcoming environment for sports, and raise public awareness
of health. Key Points:
a) On August 29, National Sports Day, the Punjab Khed Mela, which will take
place from the block to the state level, will officially begin. Sports Minister
Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer made this announcement in Chandigarh.
b) Three lakh Punjabi athletes are expected to take part in the Sports
Mela, according to the sports minister.
c) Athletics, Weightlifting, Badminton, Cricket, Cycling, Shooting, Archery,
Bodybuilding, Fencing, Gymnastics, Rowing, Football, Softball, Hockey, Netball,
Handball, Kick Boxing, Judo, Archery, Kabaddi, Gatka, Kho-Kho, Volleyball, Lawn
Tennis, Table Tennis, Boxing, Swimming, Wrestling, and Tug of War are just a
few of the sports in which competitions will be held.
4. India’s first teaching robot, introduced by
Indus International School: As part of a
collaborative learning strategy at its schools, Indus International School has
launched the innovative and first Teaching Robot in India, the Eagle Robot.
Three of the Indus Schools have 21 Eagle Robots deployed, with seven in each of
Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Pune. Eagle Robot is very interactive, personalises
the experience, and emulates emotions through the digital face.
Key
Points:
a) Eagle Robot is capable of instructing kids in grades 5 through 11 both
alone and in a classroom setting with a human teacher.
b) More than 30 different languages can be used to transmit knowledge, and
with the use of analytics, they can answer queries, clear up confusion, and
administer an automated exam at the conclusion of the lesson.
c) All scientific and humanities courses, including languages, are taught
by eagle robots. Children can interact with the robot’s evaluation and material
through mobile, tablet, or laptop devices.
d) To raise the standard of instruction at government schools in Karnataka,
Indus International School has already deployed 30 robots.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Pranay Kumar Verma named as new High
Commissioner of India to Bangladesh: Pranay Kumar
Verma, an experienced diplomat and IFS official from the 1994 batch, has been
chosen to serve as India’s next High Commissioner to Bangladesh. He is
currently the ambassador of India to Vietnam.
Sandeep Arya, an
IFS officer from the 1994 batch, has also been named as India’s new ambassador
to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Sandeep Arya is currently employed by the
Ministry of External Affairs as an Additional Secretary.
2. Egypt signs $8 billion agreement with India for
Suez Canal Economic Zone: Egypt and an Indian company
have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to construct a green hydrogen
factory in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, according to a cabinet announcement.
Key
Points:
a) According to the Chairman of the renewable energy company, ReNew Power
and the Egyptian government signed a preliminary deal to invest up to $8
billion to create green hydrogen there.
b) ReNew is one of numerous Indian businesses exploring the potential of
green hydrogen, which is thought to be essential for decarbonizing difficult-to-reduce
heavy industries.
c) In the upcoming years, ReNew plans to generate 2,20,000 tonnes of the
clean fuel yearly in Egypt with backing from investors including the Goldman
Sachs Group and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.
d) To support Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s goal of making India a global
leader in this field, public sector majors and conglomerates controlled by
Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani have committed significant investments in the
green hydrogen value chain.
3. World Ranger Day: 31st July: World Ranger Day is observed on 31st July every year. The International
Ranger Federation established this day to honour the contribution of Park
Rangers to the preservation of nature. World Ranger Day offers a chance to
support their vital work, which ranges from environmental campaigning to
education. The day is also an opportunity to pay tribute to rangers who have
lost their lives in the line of duty.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. 22nd Commonwealth Games kicks off at Birmingham,
UK: The 22nd edition of the Commonwealth Games kicked
off with a glitzy opening ceremony at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham,
United Kingdom. The Prince of Wales, reading out from the Queen’s letter,
declares the Games open. A total of 72 teams took part in the parade into
Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium. PV Sindhu and Manpreet Singh were India’s
flag-bearers at the parade of the CWG opening ceremony. Key Points:
a) A total of 54 nations are participating in this sports extravaganza and
6,500 athletes will compete in 280 medal events.
b) The event will be held till the 8th of August.
c) A 215-member Indian contingent, which includes 111 male players and 104
female players, will compete in 15 sporting events in Birmingham.
2. ICC Members List: Cambodia, Uzbekistan and Cote
D’Ivoire receives membership status: The
International Cricket Council has awarded membership status to three countries
during the ongoing ICC Annual Conference in Birmingham. Cambodia and Uzbekistan
from Asia, and Cote D’Ivoire from Africa, were all awarded Associate membership
status, taking ICC’s total members to 108 countries, including 96 Associates.
The two Asian teams take the total count of Asian countries to 25 while Cote
D’Ivoire is the 21st country from Africa.
Major
criteria to gain ICC Membership:
a) A major criteria to gain ICC Membership is detailed in ‘Participation
and domestic structures’ of Clause 2.1 (d) of the ICC Membership Criteria.
b) This includes having in place a proper structure with minimum team
requirements for 50-over and 20-over tournaments, aside from clear junior and
women’s pathways.
c) The three new countries satisfied these conditions, with the Cricket
Federation of Uzbekistan’s (CFU) women’s cricket plan involving 15 teams
playing organised competitions with a pathway programme for their Under-19 and
Under-17 players.
3. Cabinet authorises signing of guarantees for
FIFA Under 17 Women’s WC in India: The signing of
the guarantees for hosting the FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup in India in 2022
has been accepted by the Union Cabinet, which is presided over by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi. The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 is slated to take
place in India from October 11 to October 30. The seventh iteration of the
biennial youth competition will mark India’s first-ever hosting of a FIFA
women’s championship. Key Points:
a) The budgetary allotment for the Scheme of Aid to National Sports
Federations will be used to cover the financial outlay of Rs 10 crore
assistance to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for field of play maintenance,
stadium power, energy & cabling, stadium & training site branding, etc.
b) At the moment, Spain is the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup champion.
The seventh iteration of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will take place in
India in 2022 will include 16 nations, including India.
c) Three locations have been suggested by the AIFF for the competition
matches, Bhubaneshwar, Navi Mumbai, and Goa. The FIFA Under-17 Men’s World Cup
India-2017 was successfully held in India at six different locations.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1. India Received Highest Annual FDI Inflows of USD
84.8 billion In FY 21-22: India received the highest
annual Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of almost $85 billion in FY
21-22. India is rapidly emerging as a preferred country for FDI in the
manufacturing sector. FDI Equity inflow in Manufacturing Sectors have increased
by 76% in FY 2021-22 ($ 21.34 billion) compared to previous FY 2020-21.
India’s
Position In the World: As per the UNCTAD World
Investment Report (WIR) 2022, in its analysis of the global trends in FDI
inflows, India has moved to 7th rank among the top 20 host economies for 2021.
Highest
FDI Contributors Country-wise: Singapore
(27.01%) > USA (17.94%) > Mauritius (15.98%) > Netherland (7.86%) >
Switzerland (7.31%)
Top 5
States receiving the highest FDI Equity Inflow during FY 2021-22 :
a) Karnataka (37.55%),
b) Maharashtra (26.26%),
c) Delhi (13.93%),
d) Tamil Nadu (5.10%) and
e) Haryana (4.76%)
2. Talgo and Bharat Forge inks a contract for the
production of trains: A joint venture to produce high-speed passenger
trains has been established by BF Infrastructure Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary
of Bharat Forge Ltd., and Talgo India Pvt Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of
Spanish manufacturer Patentes Talgo S.L. The cooperation will take advantage of
forthcoming local requirements in the field as well as new economic prospects
in the railways sector.
Key
Points:
a) The Atmanirbhar Bharat programme of the Union government is anticipated
to benefit from this collaboration. It will assist in bringing cutting-edge,
high-speed rail technology and solutions.
b) The planned partnership will concentrate on establishing a hub for
production, maintenance, and life cycle support for the next generation of
lightweight, energy-efficient high-speed trains made of aluminium.
c) The project comes after the Indian Railways issued a tender for the
production and upkeep of 100 new generation, lightweight, and energy-efficient
trains.
DEFENCE
1. INS Vikrant: Navy receives India’s first
indigenous aircraft carrier: The indigenous
aircraft carrier Vikrant, which was created by the Navy’s own Directorate of
Naval Design and will likely be commissioned on Independence Day, was delivered
to the Navy by the Cochin Shipyard. It bears the name of the Indian Naval Ship
(INS) Vikrant, India’s first aircraft carrier, which was an important
participant in the war of 1971. The 262-meter-long carrier is significantly
larger and more modern than her predecessor, with a full displacement of around
45,000 tonnes. The aircraft carrier has a top speed of 28 knots and is
propelled by four gas turbines with a combined 88 MW of power. Key Points:
a) The project was completed in three phases, with the last one ending in
May 2007, the second in December 2014, and the third in October 2019, at a
total cost of just under Rs 20,000 crore. In February 2009, its keel was laid.
b) The aircraft carrier, which has a total indigenous content of 76%, is a
prime illustration of the pursuit of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat and gives the
government’s Make in India initiative a boost, according to the Navy.
c) With the delivery of Vikrant, India has joined a small group of
countries with the specialised capacity to design and construct an aircraft
carrier domestically.
d) Vikrant was developed to support a variety of fixed-wing and rotary
aircraft and features a high level of automation for ship navigation, machinery
operation, and survivability.
e) The ship would be able to fly a 30 aircraft air wing, including
indigenously produced advanced light helicopters and light combat aircraft,
Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, MIG-29K fighter planes, and light
combat aircraft.
2. Two MH-60 Romeo helicopters delivered to the
Indian Navy: At Cochin International Airport, the American Navy
delivered two MH-60 R multipurpose helicopters to the Indian Navy. All 24 MH
60R helicopters will be delivered by the end of 2025, with the third helicopter
due to arrive in August of this year. Under its Foreign Military Sales (FMS)
programme, the US Department of State has authorised the sale of 24 MH-60R
multi-mission helicopters to India. The potential is about USD 2.6 billion. Key
Points:
a) With the proposed sale, India will have the ability to carry out
secondary tasks including vertical replenishment, search and rescue operations,
and communications relay in addition to anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare
operations. India will use the improved capabilities to reinforce its domestic
defence and act as a deterrent to regional threats.
b) Under its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, the US had already
authorised the sale of 24 MH-60R multi-mission helicopters to India in 2019. To
increase the security of a significant defensive partner in the Indo-Pacific
area, the approval was given.
c) The most cutting-edge maritime multi-mission helicopter in operation
right now is the MH-60R. Modern mission-capable platforms will considerably
improve the Indian Navy’s overall capabilities to conduct anti-submarine
warfare.
d) In 2021, the US received the first three MH 60 ‘Romeo’ helicopters,
which are now being used to educate the crew of the Indian Navy.
e) As part of an around $15,000 crore contract with the US government and
in accordance with the framework of foreign military sales, India is purchasing
the helicopters. Modern avionics and sensors equip the all-weather MH-60R
helicopter, made by Lockheed Martin Corporation, to handle a variety of
missions.
DEFENCE UNICORN INSTITUTE – GANDHINAGAR |
AHMEDABAD BEST COACHING FOR:
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