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Saturday, April 8, 2023

Daily GK Update- 8th Apr, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Joint Military Exercise ‘Ex KAVACH’ concludes at Andaman & Nicobar Command: Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) has conducted a large-scale Joint Military Exercise ‘Ex KAVACH’ involving the assets of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. KAVACH exercise began on 23rd February 2023 and concluded on April 7, 2023 Aim: Fine-tuning joint warfare capabilities & SOPs and enhancing interoperability and operational synergy between the forces ANC is the first integrated theatre command in India with headquarters at Port Blair.


2. PM Modi launches multiple projects in Telangana, Tamil Nadu: PM Modi has dedicated to the nation the multiple projects like Secunderabad-Mahabubnagar electrification, re-development project of Secunderabad railway station, 13 new MMTS services, 6 national highway stretches and construction work of AIIMS Bibinagar He flagged off the prestigious Vande Bharat Express train from Secunderabad to Tirupati at Secunderabad Railway Station He inaugurated the New Integrated Terminal Building Phase -I at the Chennai Airport in Tamil Nadu.

 

3. Ladakh’s wood carving gets Geographical Indication (GI) Tag: Among the arts and crafts of Ladakh, woodcarving, which has been there for centuries and is passed down to generations as a means of invaluable cultural inheritance is to be granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag It is the importance, uniqueness, and unparallel craftsmanship of this art that earned it recognition by being the first local art Wood carving (Shingkos) in Ladakh is part of the five major fields of knowledge in the traditional education system of Ladakh

 

4. Indian Navy conducted the Prasthan exercise off Mumbai Coast.: Prashthan exercise is held every 6 months under Indian Navy and involves the participation of all stakeholders in the maritime domain It is an important element of ensuring offshore security and aims to integrate the efforts of all maritime stakeholders It was conducted on the Greatdrill Chaaya platform, which is about 30 nm South West of Mumbai Harbour Personnel from Maharashtra Police, Customs, Fisheries Department, Mumbai Port Authority, etc also participated in it

 

5. J&K LG Manoj Sinha inaugurates Tulip Garden at Sanasar in Ramban district: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has inaugurated the largest Tulip Garden of Jammu region at Sanasar tourist destination in Ramban district of Jammu division As a Tourism Mission initiative, 75 new destinations, 75 Sufi/religious sites, 75 new cultural heritage sites and 75 new tracks are being developed in J&K to open up new economic avenues. Tulip Garden is spread over 40 Kanals of land with 2.75 Lakh Tulip Bulbs of 25 different varieties 

 

6. Kiren Rijiju releases 1st edition of Dogri version of Constitution of India: Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju has released the first edition of the Dogri version of the Constitution of India at University of Jammu. The minister also remarked that although the task has been accomplished a bit late after enshrining Dogri language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution back in 2003 but furthering its impact among people should not be delayed any further.

 

7. Kerala tops GI tag list in FY 2022-23: Kerala has topped the list of states in the country with most number of products securing the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in financial year 2022-23. Between April 2022 and March 2023, 12 products were selected for recognition with two of them from overseas. Besides the 6 products from Kerala, Mithila Makhanafrom Bihar was selected for Cl recognition followed by Alibag white onion from Maharashtra. Tandur Redgram from Telangana the local variety of pea, Ladakh Raktsey Karpo Apricot from Ladakh and Gamosa handicrafts from Assam were also chosen for the honours. In the fiscal year 2021-22, as many as 50 products from domestic and overseas market were selected for the recognition, with Uttar Pradesh topping the list with seven GI tags followed by Uttarakhand at six. Handcraft products like Chunar Glaze Pottery, Banaras Zardozi, Mirzapur Pital Bartan, Banaras Wood Carving, Banaras Hand Block Print, Rataul Mango, Mau saree were selected for the GI recognition from Uttar Pradesh.

 

8. Amit Shah unveils 54 feet tall statue of Lord Hanuman at Gujarat: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti has unveiled a 54-feet-tall statue of Lord Hanuman at Sarangpur temple in Botad district, Gujarat. The idol is located in the Sarangpur Temple, a popular pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Hanuman. The idol is 54 feet tall, making it one of the tallest idols of Lord Hanuman in the country. Shah also inaugurated the temple’s new community kitchen. The new community kitchen has the capacity to serve around 4,000 pilgrims at a time, making it easier for devotees to get food during their visit to the temple.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. IGl ranked world’s 9th busiest airport: Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has broken into the club of the world’s 10 busiest airports by passengers handled, as per Airports Council International (ACI). The global trade association of airports ranked the Delhi Airport at the ninth spot for 2022, just ahead of Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport. The global trade association of airports ranked the Delhi airport at the 9th spot for 2022, the airport handled almost 5.95 crore passengers. The airport was ranked as the 13th busiest for 2021 and 17th busiest for 2019. The Delhi airport is India’s largest and is the only airport from South and Southeast Asia to feature in ACI’s list of the 10 busiest airports. The Atlanta airport in the United States retained its position as the world’s busiest airport, having handled 9.37 crore passengers last year. In fact, five of the 10 busiest airports for 2022 are in the US. These include Dallas, Denver, Chicago, and Los Angeles, apart from Atlanta. Dubai, Istanbul, and London Heathrow were the other airports in the top-10 list. The Delhi airport is currently undergoing an expansion project and will soon add a fourth runway and additional passenger handling capacity at terminals. The airport will soon have a capacity to handle over 10 crore passengers a year, catapulting it into a select league of airports globally. China is the world’s second-largest aviation market after the US.

 

2. India elected to UN Statistical Commission for 4-year term: India has been elected to the UN Statistical Commission for a four-year term. India, along with South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and China, was in the fray for two seats in the Asia Pacific states category. In the second round, China and South Korea got 25 votes each. South Korea was elected for the second seat through a draw of lots after two inconclusive rounds of secret balloting. India elected to the highest UN statistical body for a 4-year term beginning on 1 January 2024. India’s expertise in the field of statistics, diversity & demography has earned it a seat on the UN Statistical Commission. India won in the just-completed UN Statistical Commission election, securing 46 out of 53 votes, ahead of South Korea (23) China (19), and the UAE (15). India was elected as a member of this commission 20 years ago in 2004.

 

3. Aleksander Ceferin re-elected UEFA president until 2027: Aleksander Ceferin was re-elected unopposed as UEFA president at the Ordinary Congress of European Soccer’s governing body in Lisbon. The Slovenian has been re-elected to a four-year term that will last until 2027. Ceferin was elected as UEFA’s seventh president in 2016 to replace Michel Platini, who was barred from football administration in 2015 for ethics violations and was forced to resign from UEFA in 2016 after losing an appeal against his ban.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Kim Cotton becomes 1st female to umpire in ICC Men’s T201 cricket: New Zealand’s Kim Cotton has become the 1st woman on-field umpire in a full-member men’s T201 during New Zealand’s second match against Sri Lanka in Dunedin, New Zealand. Cotton has previously officiated in 54 women’s T20Is, both as an on-field and TV umpire, besides 24 women’s ODIs since 2018. Cotton first marked her presence in the men’s game as a TV umpire in 2020 during a tied contest between India and New Zealand in Hamilton. Cotton has also officiated in three T20 World Cups and an ODI World Cup since 2018, including the finals in 2020, 2022 and 2023.


Friday, April 7, 2023

Daily GK Update- 7th Apr, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Cabinet approves Indian Space Policy 2023: The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the Indian Space Policy, 2023. Under this policy roles and responsibilities of ISRO, NewSpace India Limited, and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) have been laid down. It enables the ISRO to channelize its focus on research and development of advanced space technologies. This policy would increase the participation of private players in the space sector. ISRO Chairman: S Somanath

 

2. Cabinet approves revised domestic gas pricing guidelines: The CCEA has approved the revised domestic natural gas pricing guidelines for gas produced from nomination fields of ONGC/OIL, New Exploration Licensing Policy blocks, and pre-NELP blocks. The price of natural gas shall be 10% of the monthly average of Indian Crude Basket and shall be notified on a monthly basis. For the gas produced by ONGC & OIL from their nomination blocks, the Administered Price Mechanism (APM) price shall be subject to a floor and a ceiling.

 

3. Telangana's Kanti Velugu programme screens 1 crore for eye problems: A flagship initiative of Telangana government to prevent controllable blindness, 'Kanti Velugu program', has achieved a milestone by screening 1 crore people for eye problems. The second phase of the programme started on 19th January and will continue till 15th June. Health staff is screening all individuals over 18 years old at Kanti Velugu camps set up in all Gram Panchayats in the State. A total of 1,500 teams are working towards creating a Guinness World Record.

 

4. Centre declares Tripura best state in NE for e-procurement: Tripura has been given the best state award in the northeastern region by the Centre for the successful implementation of e-procurement. To maintain transparency, the state has made it mandatory to go for e procurement if the value of any government purchase or contract goes beyond Rs 25,000. The total value of payments made through e-procurement and Government eMarketplace (GeM) portals increased from Rs 4,451 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 7441 crore in 2021-22.

 

5. Tamil Nadu CM inaugurates IIT Madras initiative: The Tamil Nadu CM, M K Stalin has inaugurated the Indian Institute of Technology Madras’ (IIT-M) initiative which connects one lakh government school students to electronic devices. This outreach programme on STEM, which is part of the ‘Anaivarukkum IITM’ (IITM for all) initiative, aims to connect one lakh rural Tamil Nadu students. The CM also distributed electronic kits to government school students which were developed by IIT Madras. 

 

6. ‘Mircha’ rice of Bihar’s West Champaran gets Gl tag: ‘Mircha’ rice of Bihar’s West Champaran has been awarded the GI tag. The size and shape of the grain appear like that of black pepper, hence it is known as Mircha or Marcha Rice. The grains and flakes of this rice have a unique aroma that makes it different.  This rice is famous for its aroma, palatability and its aromatic chura (rice flakes) making qualities. An application for GI tag was submitted on behalf of Marcha Dhan Utpadak Pragatisheel Samuh, a registered organization of paddy cultivators.

 

7. Apple Inc. To Open Its First India Store in Mumbai: Apple iPhone maker’s first company-owned store in the country will be opened in Mumbai. The store will be named as Apple-BKC. The barricade of its first retail store in India at Jio World Drive Mall, Mumbai officially marking the upcoming opening of Apple BKC. The move comes at a time when the smartphone major is ramping up plans to boost local manufacturing in a fillip to the Central government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. The move is part of the company’s landmark move to place big bets on the South Asian nation for everything from manufacturing to sales.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Government approves the appointment of Kalikesh Singh Deo as NRAI president: The government of India has approved the appointment of NRAI's senior vice-president Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo as president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI). According to the Sports Ministry directive, the heads of national sports federations (NSFs) cannot hold office for more than 12 years as per the National Sports Code. The incumbent president of NRAI, Raninder completed 12 years as president on December 29, 2022. NRAI Headquarters: New Delhi

 

2. Aleksander Ceferin re-elected UEFA president until 2027: A Slovenian lawyer, Aleksander Ceferin has been re-elected unopposed as UEFA president for a four-year term (2023-27). He was elected as the seventh president of UEFA in 2016 to replace Michel Platini, who was banned from the football administration due to ethics violations. The UEFA Champions League is an annual club football competition. It is organized by the Union of European Football Associations and contested by top-division European clubs.

 

3. World Health Day 2023: April 7: World Health Day is celebrated every year on April 7 to spread awareness about health-related issues that affect people all over the world. On this day, World Health Organisation (WHO) was founded in 1948 and this year marks the 75th founding anniversary of WHO. This year, the theme for World Health Day is ‘Health for All’. The theme highlights an opportunity for the world to look back at public health successes that have helped improve the quality of life.

 

4. India & Bhutan plan to set up first Integrated Check Post along border: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi. Both the countries reviewed their bilateral ties focusing on economic and development partnership, trade facilitation measures and cooperation in trade, connectivity, investment, energy and new sectors including space and startups. Both countries are examining and considering setting up the first Integrated Check Post along the India-Bhutan border, which would be near Jaigaon. India and Bhutan will also expedite the proposed Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link project through Govt. of India support.

 

5. Tsutsumu Otani appointed as Presiden of Honda motor: Japanese auto major Honda Motor Co Ltd has appointed Tsutsumu Otani as the President, CEO & Managing Director of Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India. He will succeed Atsushi Ogata, who returns to Shanghai, China. He is currently the Vice President at Honda Motor, Japan. He started his career with Honda Japan in 1997 and held several leadership positions in the company.

 

6. 6 April – International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP): The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is observed annually on 6 April. It is observed to celebrate the role of sports and physical activity in our individual lives and communities across the globe. Theme 2023 – Scoring for People and the Planet The United Nations General Assembly, during its 67th session, adopted resolution 67/296 on 23 August 2013, declaring 6 April as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Dhoni, Yuvraj inducted with the MCC honorary life membership: Former Indian cricket team captain, MS Dhoni was named among the five Indians to have been inducted with the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) honorary life membership. Other four Indian Cricketers: Yuvraj Singh, Maithali Raj, Suresh Raina, and Jhulan Goswami MS Dhoni had featured in 538 international games across formats, scoring over 17,000 runs during the same. Yuvraj Singh was an integral part of the Indian team that won the first T20 World Cup in 2007. Also part of the 2011 winning World Cup squad was Suresh Raina, who stitched together a crucial fifth-wicket partnership with Yuvraj to knockout the defending champions in the quarter-final

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. WTO: Global trade expected to grow 1.7% in 2023: According to the Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report, released by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the global merchandise trade volume is expected to grow by 1.7% in 2023 as compared to an earlier estimate of 1% in October 2022. It would be lower than 2.7% growth in 2022. The expectation would be ‘subpar’ due to multiple factors, including Russia-Ukraine conflict, high inflation, tighter monetary policy, and financial uncertainty. WTO DG: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala 

 

2. FY23 bank credit growth highest since FY12, up 15%,: RBI data: According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, the Bank credit rose by 15% year-on-year (YoY) in 2022-23 (FY23), against 9.6% YoY in 2021-22 (FY22). FY23 credit growth is the highest since 2011-12, when it was 19.3%. Bank deposits expanded 9.58% YoY in FY23, against 8.9% YoY growth seen in the previous financial year (FY22). The outstanding credit stood at Rs 136.75 trillion at the end of the last fortnight of FY23 (March 24, 2023).

 

3. DigiPortfolio launches by DBS Bank India: DBS Bank India has launched a new investment solution called ‘digiPortfolio’, which uses technology and human expertise to provide customized investment options for investors. The platform uses technology and human expertise to curate a set of investment options customized by Morningstar, which aligns with the risk preferences of different investors. The platform provides an easy-to-use, one-stop solution for investors to put money into ready-made baskets of mutual funds. DBS Bank India is among the first banks in India to offer this digital solution, aiming to redefine the customer experience by using advanced technologies like data and AI.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Dr.Nitya Abraham awarded young urologist of the Year award: An Indian-American physician and professor, Dr. Nitya Abraham was honored with the Young Urologist of the Year Award by the American Urological Association (AUA). She is an Associate Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Program Director for the Montefiore Urology residency program. Other honorees: Rena Malik, Jesse D. Sammon, Sarah Vij, Alexander J.Ernest, Kerri Thurmon, Zachary Klaassen, and Yahir Santiago- Lastra AUA HQ: Linthicum, Maryland

 

2. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Airport ranked 9th busiest in the world in 2022: According to the data shared by the Airports Council International (ACI) World, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has secured the ninth position in the list of the world's busiest airports in 2022. As per the data, this airport is handling 59.5 million passengers annually. IGI Airport has improved its ranking from 2021 (13th). Top: Georgia’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (93.6 million passengers)

 

3. Ukranian President awarded Poland’s highest honour: Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has been awarded the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest distinction, for his services to security, resilience and the defense of human rights. The Order of the White Eagle is the oldest and highest decoration of the Republic of Poland, awarded for great civil and military merits for the country. It is awarded to the most eminent Poles and the highest-ranking representatives of foreign countries. Zelenski received the award in recognition of his merits in deepening relations between Poland and Ukraine, for his activities for security, and his steadfastness in defending human rights.

 

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Jharkhand minister Jagarnath Mahto passes away: Jharkhand minister Jagarnath Mahto passed away at 56 in Chennai. He was the four-time JMM MLA from Dumri in the Giridih district, Jharkhand. He was also known as Tiger Mahto or Tiger Jagarnath Da. He was born on January 1, 1967, in the Alargo village of Bokaro District in Jharkhand and dropped out of high school and attended Nehru High School in 1995 before leaving his studies to pursue a career in politics.


Thursday, April 6, 2023

Daily GK Update- 6th Apr, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Suzlon board appoints J P Chalasani as Chief Executive Officer: The board of members of Suzlon Energy has appointed J P Chalasani as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company with immediate effect, i.e. from 5th April 2023. He has replaced Ashwani Kumar, who resigned from the post on account of personal reasons. He had been Group CEO of Suzlon from April 2016 to July 2020 and continued as Strategic Advisor to the Suzlon Group thereafter. He was also the Group CEO and Managing Director of Punj Lloyd.

 

2. India Justice Report 2022 released: According to the India Justice Report (IJR) 2022, an initiative of Tata Trusts, Karnataka emerged at the top among the 18 large and mid-sized states with a population of over one crore. Tamil Nadu ranked second, followed by Telangana, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. Small States (population less than 1 Crore): Sikkim (top), followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram Four core pillars of the justice system: Police, Prisons, Judiciary, and Legal aid

 

3. I&B Ministry, Amazon collaborate to boost India’s creative economy: The Information & Broadcasting Ministry and Amazon India have signed a collaboration agreement to boost India's creative economy. Amazon Prime Video will sponsor scholarships, create internship programs and job opportunities for students of the FTII and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute. International Film Festival of India Award-winning films and films produced as part of India’s international co-production treaties will be onboarded by Amazon Prime Video.

 

4. Govt forms panel to examine stalled real estate projects: The Ministry of Union Housing and Urban Affairs has set up a 14-members committee to examine stalled real estate projects and recommend ways to complete them. Headed by: Amitabh Kant (India’s G20 Sherpa and the former CEO of NITI Aayog) Other members: NOIDA CEO, Finances Services secretary of the Union Finance Ministry, Corporate Affairs secretary, chairperson of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India, and other officials.

 

5. Govt unveils plans to add 250GW renewable energy capacity in next five: The government has announced a plan to add 250 GW of renewable energy capacity in the next five years to achieve its target of 500 GW of clean energy by 2030. The government has decided to invite bids for 50 GW of renewable energy capacity annually for the next five years (2023-28). These annual bids of ISTS (Inter-State Transmission) connected renewable energy capacity will also include setting up of wind power capacity of at least 10 GW per annum.

 

6. Punjab government launched Punjab's 'CM di Yogshala' programme: The Punjab government has launched the 'CM di Yogshala' program and portal in Punjab. Aim: To create a mass movement to carve out a healthy and prosperous Punjab The initiative was initially launched for four cities of the state: Patiala, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Phagwara The formation of these Yogshalas will be under a pilot project. Trained Yoga instructors will impart free Yoga training to people in open parks and other public places. Punjab CM: Bhagwant Mann

 

7. India plans green hydrogen incentives of at least 10% of cost: India plans to give green hydrogen fuel producers incentives worth at least 10% of their costs under a $2 billion scheme by the end of June 2023. The govt has approved a 174.9 billion rupee incentive plan to promote green hydrogen to cut CO2 emissions and become a major exporter in the sector. The cost of manufacturing green hydrogen in India is about Rs 300/ kg and the government will give incentives worth at least Rs 30/kg for the production of green hydrogen fuel.

 

8. Mumbai to soon get fifty 24×7 Food Trucks across seven zones: Mumbai city will soon get at least 50 food trucks that would function round the clock across all seven zones in the city. Each of the six zones can now operate as many as seven food trucks, and the seventh zone would be permitted to operate eight food trucks. These food trucks can operate 24×7 and sell any kind of food. They would require permission from health and fire brigade officials and the approval of a monitoring committee at the ward level. The spot for the food truck should preferably be near a high football area or a university. They cannot be set up within 200m of a restaurant. The food trucks will not sell any raw vegetables or fruits. Last year, Manish Sisodia, the then Deputy CM of Delhi has announced that Delhi would be the first in the country to bring a food truck policy on the lines of US and the UK.

 

9. IIT Kanpur host Y20 Consultation under G20 Presidency of India: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur organized the Youth20 (Y20) Consultation under the G20 Presidency of India. The two-day event was attended by more than 1,200 youth delegates from across India and abroad. The Y20 Consultation is a platform that brings young people together to connect, share ideas and experiences, and deliberate on finding innovative solutions to pressing global concerns. The Y20 Consultation, under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is a pan-India activity in the run-up to the final Youth-20 Summit to be held in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India elected to UN Statistical Commission: India has been elected to the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) for a four-year term beginning on 1 January 2024. India received a resounding 46 out of 53 votes, ahead of South Korea (23), China (19), and UAE (15). India was elected by secret ballot while Argentina, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Ukraine, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the United States of America were elected by acclamation. UNSC is the highest body of the global statistical system.

 

2. India Bhutan plans to set up first Integrated Check Post: Indian PM Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in New Delhi on April 5. The two sides will set up the first integrated check post (ICP) along the border near Jaigaon and Phuntsholing. The two sides agreed to find a technically sound and cost-effective way forward for the Punatsangchhu-I plant. They also agreed to expedite the operationalization of the third international internet gateway for Bhutan.

 

3. International Day of Sport for Development and Peace: April 6: The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) takes place on April 6 to celebrate the role of sports and physical activity in our lives across the globe. 2023 theme: Scoring for People and the Planet On August 23, 2013, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 67/296 to proclaim April 6 as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. This day was supported by the International Olympic Committee.

 

4. Kenya to launch its first operational satellite on 10 April: The Kenya Space Agency is set to launch the country’s first operational earth observation satellite on 10 April 2023. Taifa-1, or one nation in Swahili, is scheduled to be launched on board the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The observation satellite is “fully designed and developed” by Kenyan engineers and will be used to provide data on agriculture and food security, among other areas. Egypt was the first African country to send a satellite into space in 1998. In 2018, Kenya launched its first experimental nanosatellite from the International Space Station.

 

5. Paris to ban e-scooters: Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo pledged to ban rented e-scooters from the French capital after a huge majority of residents backed the move. In a non-binding referendum, 89.03% of 103,084 votes cast were opposed to the freestanding scooters, which are booked on a short-term basis through apps. There were only two options, “for” or “against.” E-scooters launched in Paris in 2018, but in 2020 the number of firms with operating licenses was cut to just three: Lime, Dott, and Tier. The city also added conditions such as a 20-kilometer per hour speed limit and designated scooter parking areas. Customers who leave scooters outside these areas face a fine. Critics of the scooters say they clutter up pavements and roads, but also raise safety concerns. There were 459 accidents involving e-scooters or similar vehicles in Paris last year, including three fatalities, according to a Reuters report

 

6. India-U.S. air exercise ‘Cope India’ to begin from 10 April: The Air Forces of India and the U.S. are set to conduct the Cope India exercise from 10 to 21 April 2023 at the Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal, with Japan as an observer. The `Cope India’ exercise will “further enhance operational capability and interoperability between the two air forces”. Japan, significantly, will also take part as an “observer” in the exercise, which will witness “air combat and mobility elements” operating from multiple air bases like Kalaikunda, Panagarh, Agra and Hindon. The Japanese Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) participated in Cope India as an observer for the 1st time in Dec 2018.

 

7. 5 April – International Day of Consciene: International Day of Conscience is observed every year on 5 April to mark the value of the human conscience. It came into existence on July 25, 2019, by UN General Assembly under UN resolution 73/329. Theme 2023 –Building a Culture of Peace According to the United Nations, peace is more than just the absence of disagreements and conflicts; it is a constructive, dynamic, participatory process that is intimately linked to democracy, justice, and development for everyone.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Weightlifter Sanjita Chanu banned for four years for failing dope test: Two-time Commonwealth Games Champion Indian weightlifter Sanjita Chanu has been handed a four-year ban by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for failing a dope test. Sanjita had tested positive for an anabolic steroid — Drostanolone Metabolite — that features in the World Anti-doping Agency’s (WADA) prohibited list. Sanjita had won gold in 48kg ahead of Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. At the 2018 edition of the CWG in Gold Coast, she was crowned champion in the 53kg category.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 6.50%: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced its bimonthly monetary policy and kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.50%. The GDP is expected to jump 6.5% in the current financial year. Retail inflation is expected to moderate to 5.2% in FY2023-24. The standing deposit facility (SDF) would remain unchanged at 6.25%, and the MSF rate and the bank rate at 6.75%. In Q1FY24, CPI-based inflation is expected to be 5.1%. The real GDP growth in 2022-23 was 7%.

 

2. Canara Bank launches Premium Payroll Account: Canara Bank has introduced a “Premium PayrollPackage” for Salary account holders with competitive features. This product has been designed to meet all Banking requirements of Salaried Customers. The features such as free Term Life Insurance, Insta over Draft, free Personal & Air Accident Insurance coverage, Premium Cards are some of the unique features of the product apart of the other various features offered.

 

3. ADB cuts India GDP growth forecast to 6.4% for FY24: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has slashed its India growth forecast for FY24 to 6.4 percent from 7.2 percent estimated earlier, citing risks arising from global and domestic factors. ADB has also highlighted that India’s GDP will rise in FY25 to 6.7%. While inflation will likely moderate to 5% in 2023-24, assuming moderation in oil and food prices. Inflation will be at 4.5% in FY25.

 

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Bihar West Champaran ‘Mircha’ rice gets GI tag: Bihar's West Champaran was awarded the GI tag for its 'Mircha' rice. The size and shape of the grain appear like that of black pepper, hence it is known as Mircha or Marcha Rice. This rice is famous for its aroma, palatability, and its aromatic chura (rice flakes) making qualities. The cooked rice is fluffy, non-sticky, sweet, and easily digestible with a popcorn-like aroma. The GI tag is valid for a period of 10 years following which it can be renewed.

 

2. MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh to receive MCC honorary life membership: Former Indian cricket team captain, MS Dhoni was named among the five Indians to have been inducted with the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) honorary life membership. Other four Indian Cricketers: Yuvraj Singh, Maithali Raj, Suresh Raina, and Jhulan Goswami MS Dhoni had featured in 538 international games across formats, scoring over 17,000 runs during the same.

Yuvraj Singh was an integral part of the Indian team that won the first T20 World Cup in 2007.

 

3. Kiran Nadar conferred with France’s highest civilian award: Philanthropist and art collector Kiran Nadar was conferred “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur” (Knight of the Legion of Honour) by French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain. The highest French civilian award comes in recognition of Nadar’s outstanding contribution in the field of art, her commitment to providing greater access to culture both nationally and internationally, and her leading role in fostering Indo-French cultural ties. Nadar, chairperson of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) — a philanthropic initiative in art — and a trustee of the Shiv Nadar Foundation has played a vital role in advancing Indo-French cultural ties, and artistic cooperation.

 

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Daily GK Update- 5th Apr, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Skyroot Aerospace successfully test-fires 3D-printed cryogenic engine: Skyroot Aerospace has successfully test-fired a fully 3D-printed 'Dhawan II' cryogenic engine for 200 seconds. The company developed the engine for its heavier vehicle, Vikram II. This engine will be used as the upper stage of the updated version of Vikram-II. A cryogenic upper stage instead of a solid fuel stage enhances the payload-carrying capacity of a rocket. In 2022, Skyroot Aerospace became the first Indian private company to send a rocket into space.

 

2. IIT Kanpur host Y20 Consultation under G20 Presidency of India: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur is being hosted the Youth20 (Y20) Consultation under the G20 Presidency of India on April 5, 2023. The two-day event was attended by more than 1,200 youth delegates from across India and abroad. It is a platform that brings young people together to connect and share ideas on finding innovative solutions to pressing global concerns. It is a pan-India activity in the run-up to the final Y20 Summit to be held in Varanasi, UP

 

3. National Maritime Day 2023: April 5: India observed the 60th National Maritime Day on April 5, 2023, to commemorate the sailing of the first Indian commercial vessel, SS Loyalty. The ship sailed from Mumbai to London. This day was started by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways in 1964. The theme for 2023 has not yet been announced. The theme for National Maritime Week 2023 is 'Amrit Kaal in Shipping'. World Maritime Day is observed on 28 September.

 

4. Govt approves Army proposal to induct woman officers in Artillery: Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt informed the Lok Sabha that the central government approved the induction of women in the Regiment of Artillery. In January 2023, the proposal to induct woman officers in the Regiment of Artillery was sent to the government. The exact number of woman officers who will be inducted into the Artillery will only be known at the time of the commission of the next batch from the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai.

 

5. Telangana announces ‘cool roof’ policy to reduce heat impact on buildings: Telangana govt has launched India’s first Cool Roof Policy 2023-2028 at the CDMA office in Telangana. It is jointly launched by the state's municipal administration and urban development department.

The policy aims to drive state-wide adoption of cool roofs by making it mandatory to install cool roofing materials, such as solar reflective paints, tiles, or sheets. It is a five-year policy, that came into force on April 1, 2023, and continues till March 31, 2028.

 

6. PM applauds GI Tag for Ladakh's Wood Carving: The world-famous Basohli Paintings from the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir and the Ladakh Wood Carving of Ladakh have received the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag. The process for GI Tagging of these products was started by NABARD in consultation with and support from the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom in December 2020. A GI tag is a sign used on a product that has a special geographical origin.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Mukesh Ambani regains Asia's richest person spot: Forbes: According to the Forbes Billionaire 2023 list, Mukesh Ambani has regained his spot as Asia's richest person after rival Gautam Adani (USD 47.2 billion) tumbled to No. 24. Ambani (65) was ranked at No. 9 on the world billionaire list with a net worth of USD 83.4 billion. Bernard Arnault (CEO of LVMH) topped the Forbes Billionaires 2023 Rankings with an estimated net worth of a whopping 211 billion. Elon Musk placed second, followed by Jeff Bezos and Lary Ellison.

 

2. India US to sign Rs 2400 crore deal for missiles, torpedoes for Indian Navy: The Indian government will sign a weapons deal with the United States government to buy American weapons, including the Hellfire missiles and Mark 54 anti-submarine torpedoes. Aim: Towards strengthening their military hardware cooperation These weapons will be fitted on the 24 MH-60 helicopters that are going to be fully inducted into the Navy in the near future. The deal would be inked under the Foreign Military Sales route.

 

3. Kiran Nadar conferred with France's highest civilian award: Kiran Nadar was conferred “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur” (Knight of the Legion of Honour) by French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain in April 2023. Reason: In recognition of her contribution to the field of art, her commitment to providing greater access to culture both nationally and internationally, and her leading role in fostering Indo-French cultural ties She is a chairperson of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art.

 

4. PM Modi addresses 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed the 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) 2023 via a video message. He called upon the world for an integrated approach to deal with the impact of disasters. The summit is becoming an important forum for both advanced economies and developing economies, large and small countries. CDRI’s theme for this year’s conference is ‘Delivering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure’. Last year, the Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund was announced and this 50-million-dollar fund has generated immense interest among developing countries.

 

5. India become world’s second-largest solar manufacturer by 2026: According to the new joint report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and JMK Research and Analytics, India could become the world’s second-largest solar photovoltaic manufacturer by 2026, after China. India’s cumulative module manufacturing nameplate capacity more than doubled from 18GW in March 2022 to 38GW in March 2023. In terms of upcoming PV manufacturing installations, Gujarat is the leading state in India. It accounts for nearly 57% of all the upcoming PV manufacturing capacity. Some major reasons manufacturers chose Gujarat for setting up their PV fabrication facilities include cheaper industrial electricity prices and easy access to ports for imports and exports.

 

6. 4 April – International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action: International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is observed every year on April 4.

Objective – To raise awareness against explosive mines and gather assistance towards their eradication. The mine action community plays a significant role towards achieving the mine action goals and it is led by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). Theme 20223 – Mine Action Cannot Wait In 1997, the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention was established for signature which first led the campaign against mines and 164 countries have ratified it since then. Later, on December 8, 2005, the UN General Assembly declared April 4 as the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance for Mine Action every year globally.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Gregoria Tunjung won Spain Masters women’s title 2023: Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska Tunjung has clinched the Women’s title in the Spain Masters 2023 held in Madrid, Spain. Gregoria Mariska Tunjung defeated Indian Badminton player PV Sindhu. While Japanese badminton player, Kenta Nishimoto won the men’s title. Men’s doubles – He Jiting & Zhou Haodong (China) Women’s doubles – Liu Shengshu & Tan Ning (China) Mixed doubles – Mathias Christiansen & Alexandra Boje (Denmark)

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Canara Bank launches Premium Payroll Account: Canara Bank has introduced a “Premium Payroll Package” for Salary account holders with competitive features. This product has been designed to meet all Banking requirements of Salaried Customers. Features: Free Term Life Insurance, Insta over Draft, free Personal & Air Accident Insurance coverage, Premium Cards, etc.

Eligibility:

·       All employees of a firm/company with a minimum of 5 employees.

·       Age: 18-65 years

·       Salary Band: Rs. 50,000-Rs.1,00,000

 

2. ADB cuts India GDP growth forecast to 6.4% for FY24: According to the latest edition of ADB's flagship economic publication, Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2023, India's GDP would grow to moderate to 6.4% in FY24 (2023-24). Reason: Risks arising from global and domestic factors ADB has also highlighted that India's GDP will rise in FY25 to 6.7%. While inflation will likely moderate to 5% in 2023-24, assuming moderation in oil and food prices. Inflation will be at 4.5% in FY25.

 

3. Govt withdraws windfall gains tax on crude oil production: The government has removed the windfall tax on crude oil production to nil from 3,500 rupees ($42.56) per tonne and on diesel has been slashed to Rs 0.5 per litre from Re 1 per litre, effective from April 4, 2023. Windfall tax: It is levied by governments when an industry unexpectedly earns large profits. The tax was levied in July 2022 as high energy prices led to soaring profits for oil producers. The decision comes at a time when OPEC+ decided to cut production.

 

4. PhonePe's e-commerce app Pincode live on ONDC network: PhonePe has launched a new consumer-facing application named Pincode, which will be a part of India's Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) framework. Aim: To strengthen its e-commerce forays Pincode is a buyer app that focuses on hyperlocal commerce and is available for download on both Google Play and the App Store. It will launch in six major categories including grocery, food, pharma, electronics, home decor, and fashion.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Sahitya Akademi winner Sarah Thomas passes away: Noted author Sara Thomas passed away at the age of 88. She has written 17 novels and more than 100 short stories. Her noted work ‘Narmadipudava’ won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award in 1979. The first novel was ‘Jeevitham Enna Nathi’. Sarah Thomas’s novel ‘Muripadukal’ was made into a movie by PA Bakker called ‘Manimuzhakkam’. Her novels Asthamayam, Pavizhamuthu, and Archana have also been adapted into films. She is a two-time recipient of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award.

She was also awarded the academy’s award in 2010 for her overall contribution to Malayalam literature.