Daily GK Update- 24th Aug, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 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, a state of the art air-to-air missile to engage and destroy highly maneuvering supersonic aerial targets Aim: To enhance the combat prowess 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.

 

2. 26th National Conference on e-Governance to begin in Indore: The 26th National Conference on e-Governance is being 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

 

3. 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.

 

4. NTCA approved India's 54th tiger reserve in Rajasthan: National Tiger Conservation Authority approved India's 54th tiger reserve in Rajasthan's Karauli and Dholpur districts This is 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)

 

5. GeM crosses one lakh crore rupees Gross Merchandise Value in FY 23-24: Government e-Marketplace, GeM has crossed one lakh crore rupees Gross Merchandise Value in the current financial year 23-24. The average GMV per day has also witnessed growth from INR 412 crore per day in FY 22-23 to INR 690 crore per day in FY 23-24.

 

6. 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. Objective: To support infrastructure development in identified sectors including connectivity in the North Eastern States. For the period from 2022-23 to 2025-26, Cabinet approved two components: NESIDS-Road and NESIDS-Other Than Road Infrastructure. The scheme is a central sector scheme with 100% central funding.

7. Jitendra Singh unveils new lotus variety ‘Namoh 108’: Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh has unveiled a new variety of lotus flower with 108 petals, named “Namoh 108”, developed by the city-based National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI). The “NBRI Namoh 108” lotus variety flowers from March to December and is the first flower whose genome is completely sequenced for its characteristics. NBRI is a constituent institution of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Singh also released apparel made from lotus fibre and the perfume ‘Frotus’, extracted from lotus flowers and developed by the NBRI under the Lotus Research Programme in collaboration with Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre, Kannauj. The minister also launched the Lotus Mission and this project was being undertaken in a mission mode like other priority schemes such as the National Honey and Bee Mission, National Bamboo Mission, National Food Security Mission, National Mission on Natural Farming, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and Gokul Mission.

 

8. Kerala’s first AI school launched in Thiruvananthapuram: The state of Kerala has introduced its first AI school situated at Santhigiri Vidyabhavan in Thiruvananthapuram. It was inaugurated by the Former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind. The pioneering AI School has been developed in collaboration with iLearning Engines (ILE) USA, a globally renowned educational platform, and Vedhik eSchool. According to Vedhik eSchool authorities, AI school introduces an innovative learning approach that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to offer students an international standard of education. This unique system ensures quality learning experiences not only during school hours but also beyond, through the school’s online portal. The AI-powered features of the school include Multi-Teacher Revision Support, Multilevel Assessment, Aptitude Tests, Psychometric Counseling, Career Mapping, Ability Enhancement, Memory Techniques, Communication and Writing Skills, Interview and Group Discussion Skills, Mathematical Skills, Behavioral Etiquette, English Language Proficiency, and the Development of Emotional-Mental Abilities Training.

 

9. Manoj Kohli appointed as Chairman of Smart eMobility: Manoj Kohli has been appointed as Chairman of Smart eMobility. Manoj Kohli, who previously held the position of Country Head at SoftBank India, is a highly accomplished entrepreneur with a proven track record. He is passionate about driving industry transformations in various fields, including mobile internet, renewable energy, digital unicorns, and electric vehicles. Smart eMobility is a fast-growing PaaS provider that offers comprehensive platform and end-to-end solutions for stakeholders in the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India becomes first nation to reach South Pole of Moon as Chandrayaan-3: India has created history as it became the first country to land (Vikram Lander) on the South Pole of the lunar surface on 23rd August 2023. The Lander Module comprising the lander (Vikram) and the rover (Pragyan), landed on the Moon. Aim: To study the composition of the lunar soil and probe for water and ice, while listening for small seismic tremors. India was the fourth nation to succeed at the task after the United States, the Soviet Union, and China.

 

2. Narendra Modi participated in the 15th BRICS Summit held at South Africa: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 15th BRICS Summit held under South Africa’s chairship, in Johannesburg. Aim: To discuss global economic recovery, partnership with Africa and the Global South, and review the progress made on the BRICS agenda so far. During his address, the PM called for a strengthened BRICS that is:

B - Breaking barriers

R - Revitalising economies

I - Inspiring Innovation

C - Creating opportunities

S - Shaping the future

 

3. ISRO's Next Moon Mission In Collaboration With Japan Gathers Steam: ISRO is preparing for one more lunar mission, in collaboration with the Japanese space agency, JAXA. This mission, called LUPEX, or Lunar Polar Exploration, is slated for 2024-25.  Aim:  To explore lunar polar region suitability for establishing a base on the Moon for sustainable activities; obtaining knowledge regarding the availability of lunar water-ice resources, and demonstrating lunar and planetary surface exploration technologies such as vehicular transport.

 

4. UAE, Among 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. Aim: To open the doors for numerous interested countries to align with a coalition committed to championing the interests of the "Global South". It can be an example of reforms in other global institutions that were established in the 20th century

 

5. ICG signs MoU with Philippine Coast Guard to enhance maritime cooperation: Indian Coastal Guard (ICG) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on enhanced maritime cooperation. The MoU was signed by DG Rakesh Pal, Director General Indian Coast Guard and CG Admiral Artemio M Abu, Commandant, PCG at the Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi. The MoU inked seeks to enhance the professional linkage between the two Coast Guards in the domain of Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE), Maritime Search & Rescue (M-SAR) and Marine Pollution Response (MPR). The implementation of this MoU will enhance bilateral maritime cooperation between the two nations for ensuring safe, secure and clean seas in the region.

 

6. Singapore’s BOC Aviation signs financing pact with Indigo: Singapore-headquartered BOC Aviation Limited and India’s largest airline IndiGo have entered into a finance lease transaction involving 10 Airbus A320NEO aircraft to further expand its fleet. All 10 aircraft powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines are scheduled for delivery in 2023. India is currently among the fastest-growing civil aviation markets in the world and these aircraft will help IndiGo consolidate its position in the region. BOC Aviation is a leading global aircraft operating leasing company with a fleet of 652 aircraft owned, managed, and on order. Its owned and managed fleet was leased to 91 airlines in 42 countries and regions worldwide as of June 30, 2023 With its fleet of over 300 aircraft, the airline is operating about 1,900 daily flights and connecting 79 domestic destinations and will soon further grow its footprint to 32 international destinations.

 

7. 6 Countries to join BRICS from 1 January 2024: In a significant geopolitical development, the BRICS alliance has announced the inclusion of six new member countries. These countries are Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, and will join Brazil, Russia, China, India, and South Africa. The membership will take effect from 1 January 2024. President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, the host nation of the recent BRICS summit, made a historic announcement on August 24th, revealing the names of the new entrants to the alliance. This move not only diversifies the alliance but also provides a platform for emerging economies from different regions to align their interests on the global stage.

 

8. India becomes the first country to Land on South Pole of the Moon: India has scripted history with the successful soft landing of its lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 on the south pole region of the Moon. With this achievement, India has become the first country to land on the Moon’s challenging South Pole region. Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar mission aimed at studying the Moon’s geology, its water resources, and its potential for future human exploration. This achievement marks India’s entry into an elite group of four nations that have touched the moon’s surface. Besides India, US, Russia and China are the only countries to successfully land a spacecraft on the lunar surface. Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2, and its objectives included; demonstrate safe and soft landing on the lunar surface, roving on the Moon, and to conduct in-situ scientific experiments. ISRO’s previous Moon mission Chandrayaan-2 had failed in its lunar phase when its lander ‘Vikram’ crashed into the surface of the Moon minutes before the touch-down following anomalies in the braking system in the lander while attempting a landing on September 7, 2019. Chandrayaan’s maiden mission was in 2008. The Rs 615 crore third Moon mission was launched on July 14 onboard Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM-3) rocket, for a 41-day voyage to reach near the lunar south pole. The moon’s south pole is one of the harder places on the lunar surface to land because it is heavily boulder strewn, without the wide, flat expanses that the Apollo astronauts and early uncrewed landers targeted in the equatorial regions of the moon’s Earth-facing hemisphere. Of the spacecraft that have crashed in the south pole, none got close enough to try to negotiate the boulder fields. That ISRO was able to do so—briefly placing Chandrayaan-3 in hover mode when it was 850 m (2,800 ft.) above the surface while it looked for a clear parking spot—is a testament both to the nimbleness of the ship and the deft touch of the engineers in mission control. India’s Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008, proved those theories correct. An on-board spectrometer confirmed the existence of the icy regolith, and a 29 kg (64 lb.) impactor probe dropped on the south pole proved the existence of water there too just before it hit. For future astronauts hoping to settle the moon and live off the land, that matters a lot. Not only can ice be harvested for drinking water, the H20 molecule can be broken down to provide reachable oxygen, and the hydrogen and oxygen can be recombined to make rocket fuel.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Amanpreet Singh clinches gold in Men’s 25 metre at ISSF World Championship: Indian shooter Amanpreet Singh won the gold medal in the Men’s 25 metre standard pistol shooting event at the ISSF World Championship 2023 in Baku. South Korea's Gunhyeok Lee had to settle for silver  while France's Kevin Chapon secured a bronze In the Women’s 25-meter Standard Pistol shooting event, Tiyana, Yashita Shokeen, and Kritika bagged bronze. The two medals on the day took India’s tally in the Championship to nine - five gold and four bronze medals.

 

2. Sports Minister Inaugurated 33 Khelo India Centres Across Rajasthan: The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated 33 Khelo India Centres (KIC) in the State of Rajasthan at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.  He also announced that a National Center of Excellence with a sports science center will be set up in Rajasthan along with an additional 18 KIC, thus taking the total number of KIC in the State to 51. The total number of KICs across India is 960, out of which 715 are operational KICs

 

3. 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. The advantages are to interact with legendary cricketers, see the Men’s Cricket World Cup trophy up close, and gain special access to games.

 

4. Khelo India Women’s League officially be known as 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. The Asmita Portal serves as a comprehensive resource, offering valuable insights into upcoming leagues among other features. It will enable any school, college, government, or private organization to host the ‘Asmita Women’s League’ and be part of Khelo India’s march towards sporting excellence. The Government’s resolute commitment to bolstering women’s sports has paved the way for enhanced opportunities, facilities, and world-class infrastructure at elite and grassroots levels. Thakur appreciated the entire team of Khelo India for conceptualizing the idea and developing Asmita Portal and new logo saying that it is a significant stride towards the digitalization of Indian Sports.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. LIC acquires 6.7% stake in Jio Financial Services via RIL demerger action: The Life Insurance Corporation of India has acquired 660 percent stake in Jio Financial Services owing to the de-merger action by Reliance Industries. Jio Financial de-merged from Reliance Industries on July 13, as a part of which shareholders of RIL were allotted one share of Jio Financial for every share held. The cost of acquisition is equivalent to 4.68 percent of the pre-de-merged cost of Reliance Industries. The country’s largest insurer held 6.49 percent stake in RIL at the end of June 2023.

 

2. CVC reconstitutes advisory board on bank frauds: The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has reconstituted the Advisory Board on Banking and Financial Frauds (ABBFF) that conducts the first-level examination of bank frauds before recommendations or references are made to investigative by agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The reconstituted APBFF will be chaired by Suresh N Patel, the former Central Vigilance Commissioner. Besides the Chairman, there are four Members and the tenure of the Chairman/ Members would be for two years with effect from August 21, according to an order issued by the CVC. The four Members of the advisory board are Ravikant, a retired IAS officer; Rajnikant Mishra, former Director General, BSF; David Rasquinha, former MD of Exim Bank; and Partha Pratim Sengupta, former MD & CEO of Indian Overseas Bank. The ABBFF has been empowered to examine the role of officials/ whole time directors (including ex-officials/ ex-whole-time directors) in public sector banks, public sector insurance companies; and public sector financial institutions in case of frauds amounting to ₹ 3 crore and above

 

3. IndusInd Bank launches multi-branded credit card with Qatar Airways: IndusInd Bank has launched a first-of-its-kind multi-branded credit card – ‘IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card’ for all customers, in partnership with British Airways Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club. This credit card aims to offer best-in-class rewards and benefits to customers, across travel, wellness, and lifestyle experiences. The card is available in a sleek ‘metal card’ variant, tailored to meet the needs of our valued customers. Customers can opt for their preferred airline loyalty programme at the time of the application as well as select their preferred international destination to maximize the opportunity to collect Avios, the rewards currency for British Airways Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club, and enjoy a host of other benefits.