Daily GK Update- 13th May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Survey Report on Data Governance Quality Index: According to the Data Governance Quality Index for 2022-2023 Q3, conducted by DMEO, NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has secured the second position among 66 ministries. The Ministry has achieved an impressive score of 4.7 out of 5. Aim of the survey: To measure the maturity level of administrative data systems and their use in the decision-making of various Ministries and Departments on the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).

 

2. Kerala becomes first state to have Drone Surveillance in all police districts: Kerala has become the first state in the country to have a drone surveillance system in all police districts in the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan distributed the drones to all police districts and the drone pilot licences to the specially trained drone pilots. He also launched indigenously developed anti-drone software on the occasion. Kerala has been at the forefront of modernization of the police force and that since the use of drones has increased in society, the development of an anti-drone system is also important.

 

3. Mumbai to host first mining start-up Summit: The first mining start-up summit will be held on 29th May in Mumbai to encourage the participation of start-ups in the mineral and mining sector. Start-ups in the fields of exploration, virtual reality, automation, drone technology, and consultancy will participate in it. The summit will mainly focus on innovation and techniques that will support and improve performance, safety, and help in building autonomy in the field of mining and metallurgy. It will also be focusing on interaction with leading industries in the mineral exploration sector, financial institutions, and banks. The students and young professionals working in the fields of exploration, virtual reality, automation, drone technology, and consultancy will also be benefited from the event.

 

4. ICMR signs MoU with AYUSH Ministry for health research in Integrated Medicine: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has signed an MoU with AYUSH Ministry for collaborative and cooperative momentum on health research in the field of Integrated Medicine. This move will help Ayush departments in All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) evolve into departments of Integrated Medicine across the entire AIIMS infrastructure in India. The MoU will focus on identified areas of national importance in healthcare, promoting high-impact research to generate evidence utilizing modern scientific methods. The cooperation will also strengthen research capacity through the training of Ayush researchers.

 

5. Congress wins clear majority in Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023: Indian National Congress has won a clear majority in Karnataka Assembly Elections. According to the Election Commission of India, Congress has won 135 seats out of a total 224 Assembly seats. A party requires to won 113 seats for forming the government as it is the majority mark. The ruling BJP bagged 65 seats. JD(S) has come third winning 19 seats while others have won 4 seats. Outgoing Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai wins Shiggaon seat beating Congress candidate Pathan Yasir Ahmed Khan by nearly 36 thousand votes. Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who joined Congress before the elections, was defeated from Hubbali – Dharwad Central seat by BJP candidate by a margin of over 34,000 votes.

 

6. Rajiv Dhar appoints as interim CEO & MD of NIIF: Rajiv Dhar has been appointed as interim Managing Director and CEO of the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). He succeeds Sujoy Bose who is leaving after holding the position since 2016. Dhar is currently executive director and chief operating officer at NIIF, a collaborative investment platform anchored by the government for international and Indian investors. Dhar, with more than 30 years of experience, has been a critical member of the NIIFL leadership team since 2017. During this period, he oversaw some key achievements of the company. He served on the investment committee for all funds managed by NIIFL.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Geeta Rao Gupta appointed as Ambassador at Large for Global Women's Issues: Indian American Geeta Rao Gupta has been confirmed by the US Senate as the Ambassador at Large for Global Women's Issues in the State Department. She was confirmed by the US Senate by 51 to 47 votes. Prior to this, she has worked as the Executive Director of the UN Foundation’s 3D Programme for Girls and Women. She also advises the UNAIDS Global Coalition on Women and AIDS and is on the boards of InterAction and the Moriah Fund.

 

2. SpaceX partner aims to launch commercial space station: Space startup, Vast is aiming to launch a school bus-sized space station to orbit by late 2025 in association with Elon Musk’s rocket firm, SpaceX.The cylindrical spacecraft dubbed Haven-1 is the latest platform planned as a replacement for the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is expected to retire in 2030. In 2021, NASA awarded $415 million in development funds to four companies including Northrop Grumman and Blue Origin.

 

3. World Migratory Bird Day 2023: May 13: World Migratory Bird Day is observed twice a year on the second Saturday of May and October. Aim: To promote the conservation of migratory birds and raise awareness about their significance In 2023, May 13 marks the celebration of World Migratory Bird Day. 2023 theme: Water and its importance for Migratory Bird World Migratory Bird Day 2023 will be officially held on 13 May and 14 October. It is a worldwide initiative launched in 2006 by the AEWA and CMS Secretariats.

 

4. 5th edition of Global Ayurveda Festival: The fifth edition of the Global Ayurveda Festival (Gaf 2023) will be held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala from December 1 to 5. The theme of the event is ‘Emerging Challenges in Healthcare & A Resurgent Ayurveda’. Aim: To bring together Ayurveda practitioners and stakeholders from around the world to showcase Ayurveda’s potential in addressing health challenges The event will also feature over 750 research papers and 750 poster presentations on the sidelines.

 

5. Deepika Padukone appears on cover of TIME magazine: Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has been featured on the latest cover of TIME magazine. The iconic American magazine described Padukone as a ‘global star’ bringing ‘the world to Bollywood’. It had previously named Padukone among its list of 100 most influential people in the world in 2018. Deepika is called ‘the most popular actress in the world’s most populous country’. On the cover, she is seen wearing a beige oversized suit and no shoes.

 

6. Karthik Balagopalan appoints as new MD of Puma India: Sportswear retailer Puma has appointed Karthik Balagopalan as the new Managing Director of PUMA India. He will succeed Abhishek Ganguly, who worked for PUMA’s Indian business for 17 years and has been the Managing Director of PUMA India since 2014. Balagopalan earlier served as Global Director Retail and e-commerce at the company. Balagopalan has been with the company since 2006. Prior to leading PUMA’s global DTC business, he held management positions in retail operations and business development at Puma India. India has been one of the fastest-growing markets for the brand.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal scores fastest IPL 50: Rajasthan Royals opener Yashasvi Jaiswal etched his name in history by becoming the fastest fifty in the Indian Premier League 2023 against Kolkata Knight Riders. Jaiswal created history by scoring 50 off just 13 balls, surpassing KL Rahul’s 14-ball fifty in 2018. He also went past KKR’s Pat Cummins, who scored a 14-ball fifty in 2022. Yashasvi hit three sixes and seven fours in the first 50 runs.

 

2. Asian Kabaddi Championship to be held in South Korea: The Asian Kabaddi Championship 2023 is scheduled to be held in Busan, South Korea from June 27 to 30. The continental kabaddi event will be played after a hiatus of six years. The last edition was held in Gorgan, Iran in 2017.

India is the defending champions having beaten Pakistan 36-22 in the final in 2017. In the women’s category, too, India are the defending champions. They defeated South Korea 42-20 in the final in 2017. The Indian women’s kabaddi team is also the most successful side in the competition having won four gold medals while South Korea has claimed one title in the five editions so far.

 

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI imposes ₹2.92 Cr penalty on Canara Bank: RBI has imposed a penalty of ₹2.92 crore on Canara Bank for violation of various norms, including linking interest rates to external benchmarks, and opening savings accounts of ineligible entities A scrutiny of the bank was carried out by RBI in July 2020 based on a high-value fraud reported by another bank. After scrutiny, the RBI found that the bank failed to link interest on floating rate retail loans and loans to MSME to an external benchmark.

 

2. RBI, GFIN collaborate to prevent 'greenwashing: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will be participating in the Global Financial Innovation Network's (GFIN) Greenwashing TechSprint. Aim: To address the concern over exaggerated, misleading, or unsubstantiated claims related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials GFIN support financial innovation in the interest of consumers. The RBI has invited Indian firms to participate in the TechSprint to address sustainable finance as a collective priority.

 

3. RBI launches ‘100 Days 100 Pays’ campaign: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched a campaign ‘100 Days 100 Pays’ for banks to trace and settle the top 100 unclaimed deposits of every bank in every district of the country within 100 days. Aim: To reduce the quantum of unclaimed deposits in the banking system and return such deposits to their rightful owners/claimants An unclaimed deposit is one which does not see any activity for 10 years or more and is deemed as an inactive deposit.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Musharraf Farooqi wins the inaugural Armory Square Prize for translation: Author and translator, Musharraf Ali Farooqi has won the inaugural edition of the Armory Square Prize for South Asian Literature in Translation. He translated Siddique Alam’s 'The Kettledrum and Other Stories' from Urdu to English. The book will be published by Open Letter Books in 2024. The Armory Square Prize for translation was instituted by the American venture capitalist firm Armory Square. Aim: To recognize literature from underrepresented traditions

 

2. Santiniketan in tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage list: The home of Nobel laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore, Saantinketan has been recommended for inclusion in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The quaint town in West Bengal’s Birbhum district is also home to the Visva-Bharti University built by Tagore. Santiniketan, over 160 km from Kolkata, was originally an ashram built by Tagore’s father Debendranath Tagore. India has a total of 40 sites that enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage tag.

 

3. Jayant Narlikar awarded Lifetime Achievement Award by ASI: Veteran astronomer Jayant Naralikar has been conferred the first Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement Award instituted by the Astronomical Society of India (ASI). Naralikar, a past president of ASI, was the founding director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) and amongst the first to initiate cosmology research in the country. The award is named in honour of Prof. Govind Swarup (1929-2020), widely regarded to be the founder of radio astronomy in the country.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former AIFF vice-president AR Khaleel passed away: The former All India Football Federation (AIFF) Vice-President, AR Khaleel passed away at the age of 91. He also served as the president of the Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) for 28 years till 2018. He was a footballer, who ran Jawahar Union FC, one of Bengaluru’s traditional clubs. He also donned managerial roles for the Indian National Teams in various age groups.

Daily GK Update- 12th May, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. ICMR, AYUSH Ministry sign MoU for health research in Integrated Medicine : Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the AYUSH Ministry have signed an MoU for collaborative and cooperative momentum on health research in the field of Integrated Medicine. Significance: Contribution to the development and reach of Integrated Medicine This MoU will boost Ayurveda to further build its identity on the basis of scientific evidence It will also promote high-impact integrative research to generate healthcare utilizing modern scientific methods

 

2. Ladakh annual festival 'Monlam Chenmo' begins: Ladakh celebrated annual five-day-long Great Prayer Festival, "Ladakh Monlam Chenmo," in Leh on May 11. The event is being organized by the All Ladakh Gonpa Association. Smonlam Chenmo is a major annual prayer of the Sangha Community of Ladakh gathered at one platform. On the sidelines of the event, Ladakh MP, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal is organizing a special camp for Sangha Community, which is named "Seva for Sangha’, in collaboration with district administration Leh.

 

3. ISRO successfully commences testing of semi-cryogenic engine: ISRO has successfully commenced testing of its semi-cryogenic engines, that would power future launch vehicles. The very first integrated test on an intermediate configuration of the 2000 kN semi-cryogenic engine was carried out at the newly-commissioned Semicryogenic Integrated Engine & Stage Test facility at Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The test is a step towards developing a 2000 kN thrust engine, which works on Liquid Oxygen (LOX)-Kerosene propellant combination.

 

4. India extends $1bn credit line for Sri Lanka by a year: India has extended a $ 1 billion credit line for Sri Lanka by one year, a backup infusion of dollars for essential imports Post-negotiations, the credit line was extended til March 2024 The credit line, part of about $ 4 billion in emergency assistance extended by India during the peak of Sri Lanka’s financial crisis early last year, which was scheduled to end in March The situation has improved with Sri Lanka finalizing a nearly USD 3 billion bailout package from IMF

 

5. Commerce ministry recommends anti-dumping duty on optical fibre: The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) division of the commerce ministry has recommended imposing anti-dumping duties on imports of a specific type of optical fibre from China, Korea, and Indonesia. Reason: To protect the domestic industry from cheap inbound shipments The DGTR has recommended the duty after conducting an investigation on the dumped imports of 'Dispersion Unshifted Single-mode Optical Fiber' from these countries.

 

6. Varanasi’s LBSI airport gets India’s first reading lounge: The Lal Bahadur Shastri International (LBSI) Airport has become the first in India to have a reading lounge Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath's advisor Awanish Awasthi has inaugurated the lounge. Apart from books on Kashi, the lounge's library has a collection of literature and books in many international languages besides books of youth authors published under Prime Minister Yuva Yojana. The lounge has been established with the assistance of National Book Trust (NBT).

 

7. Assam CM launches Ayushman Assam Scheme: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched the Ayushman Assam Scheme under the Mukhya Mantri Jan Arogya (MMJA) in Guwahati. The scheme will be available in more than 300 hospitals. The scheme is a transformative healthcare system for the people of Assam. While this is similar to the central government’s scheme, it is slightly different because the scheme will cover treatment expenditure for all kinds of diseases. Under this scheme, beneficiaries will be able to get facilities in more than 300 empanelled hospitals in Assam and all the AB-PMJAY empanelled hospitals across the country. Approximately 2.6 million beneficiary families will be covered under the scheme. The government has also launched an e-KYC drive under AB-PMJAY and AA-MMJAY for NFSA beneficiaries.

 

8. Sarbananda Sonowal launched ‘Harit Sagar’ the Green Port Guidelines 2023: Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has launched ‘Harit Sagar’ the Green Port Guidelines 2023 at a function in New Delhi. The guidelines have launched to meet the larger vision of achieving the Zero Carbon Emission Goal set by the Ministry. Harit Sagar Guidelines – 2023 envisages ecosystem dynamics in port development, operation, and maintenance while aligning with the ‘Working with Nature’ concept and minimizing impact on biotic components of harbor ecosystem. It lays emphasis on use of clean or green energy in Port operation, developing Port capabilities for storage, handling, and bunkering greener fuels like Green Hydrogen, Green Ammonia, and Green Methanol or Ethanol. It provides a comprehensive action plan for achieving targeted outcomes in terms of quantified reduction in carbon emission over defined timelines and achieving SDG.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Sixth edition of the Indian Ocean Conference starts in Dhaka, Bangladesh: The sixth edition of the two-day International Indian Ocean Conference has been started in Dhaka, Bangladesh on May 12, 2023. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated the conference. The conference is being organized by the India Foundation in association with the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2023 theme for this conference is 'Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership for a Resilient Future'. The event is being attended by about 150 delegates.

 

2. LIGO-India: Expanding Horizons in Gravitational Wave Research: PM Modi laid the foundation stone of scientific projects worth more than Rs 5800 crore on May 11. One of the most significant projects is the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). The LIGO-India will be developed in Hingoli, Maharashtra. It is an extremely sensitive interferometer of 4 km arm length and act as 'antennae' to detect gravitational waves. It will work in synchronization with two observatories operating in the US.

 

3. International Nurses Day 2023: 12th May: International Nurses Day is observed every year on 12th May to recognize the efforts of nurses for their dedication, compassion, and expertise in delivering quality healthcare services. 2023 Theme: Our Nurses. Our Future. This day commemorates the birth of Florence Nightingale (founder of modern nursing), who was born on May 12, 1820, in Italy. She was a nurse, statistician, and social reformer. She gained prominence during the Crimean War in the 1850s.

 

4. WHO declares end of mpox global health emergency: WHO has declared mpox outbreak is no longer a global health emergency. In July 2022, WHO declared mpox, previously known as monkeypox, a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). This move indicates that the crisis due to mpox has come under control. Mpox spreads through direct contact with body fluids and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions. The WHO recently also declared an end of public health emergency status for COVID-19.

 

5. Alia Bhatt Becomes Gucci’s First Indian Global Ambassador: Alia Bhatt has been appointed as Gucci’s global ambassador. With this feat, the actress has become the first Indian to be the face of the Italian luxury fashion house. She will make her appearance as their ambassador at the Gucci Cruise 2024 show in Seoul. Gucci’s legacy has always inspired and intrigued me and I’m looking forward to the many sartorial milestones we create together. To mark the occasion, the actress, producer, and entrepreneur, was captured with the Gucci Bamboo 1947 bag.

 

6. 12 May – International Day of Plant Health: International Day of Plant Health is observed every year on 12 May. Objective – To raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect biodiversity and the environment, and boost economic development. Theme 2023 – Plant Health for Environmental Protection International Day of Plant Health was established in 2022 by the United Nations. The idea was promoted by Zambia and then adopted unanimously by the UN General Assembly. Bolivia, Finland, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Tanzania were co-signatories to the resolution. The day is deemed a “key legacy of the International Year of Plant Health.”

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. India’s Rhythm Sangwan clinches Bronze in Azerbaijan: Rhythm Sangwan has won the bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol final at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Baku, Azerbaijan. Rhythm finished behind two former Olympic champions, gold medal winner Anna Korakaki of Greece and silver medallist Olena Kostevych of Ukraine.

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. AIBEA to launch ‘Bank Clinic’ to help retail customers: The All-India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) plans to set up an online ‘Bank Clinic’ to assist bank customers with grievance redress.Once a bank’s retail customer lodges an online complaint with our “Bank Clinic”, our team will take up the complaint with the Bank for redress,” AIBEA General Secretary CH Venkatachalam said. The Bank Clinic will be one more channel through which a retail bank customer can get his grievances addressed besides the normal Banking Ombudsman channel.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. ASI awarded lifetime achievement award to Jayant Narlikar: An eminent astronomer, Prof Jayant V. Narlikar was awarded the first-ever Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement Award by the Astronomical Society of India (ASI). He was also a founder director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune. The ASI instituted the award in 2022 to recognize eminent Indian astronomers for their contributions to the field of astronomy and astrophysics. Prof Narlikar is known for his study of the Universe.

 

2. CDS awards unit citations to 3 Tri-service units for exemplary performance: Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan has conferred CDS Unit Citations award to the Strategic Forces Command, College of Defence Management, Secunderabad and 2 PARA (Special Forces). Reason: For their exemplary performance for the Year 2021-22 The CDS unit citations award was constituted after the establishment of the Office of Chief of Defence Staff in 2019. Aim: To boost jointness and integration in the Armed Forces

 

3. Uttar Pradesh CM honoured Bharat Ratna Dr Ambedkar Award: Former President of India Ram Nath Kovind honoured Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with the Bharat Ratna Dr Ambedkar Award for creating a fear-free Uttar Pradesh. The award ceremony was organized at Shanmukhananda Auditorium in Mumbai where member of the UP legislative council Lalji Prasad Nirmal received the award on behalf of Yogi Adityanath. Buddhanjali Research Foundation organized the award ceremony which was graced by Ramnath Kovind as the chief guest. Popular film actors Prem Chopra, Udit Narayan and Rajpal Yadav including talents from other regions of the country were also honoured with the 13th Bharat Ratna Dr Ambedkar Award on the occasion.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former AIFF vice-president A.R. Khaleel passes away: The former All India Football Federation (AIFF) Vice-President, AR Khaleel passed away at the age of 91 due to illness. He had also served as the president of the Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) for 28 years till 2018. He was a footballer, who ran Jawahar Union FC, one of Bengaluru’s traditional clubs. He also donned managerial roles for the Indian National Teams in various age groups.

Daily GK Update- 11th May, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. SN Subrahmanyan appointed as Chairman and MD of L&T: Larsen & Toubro board has appointed S N Subrahmanyan as Chairman and MD, with effect from October 1, 2023. He will succeed A M Naik, who steps down as Non-Executive Chairman of the L&T Group at the end of his tenure on 30 September 2023. Currently, S N Subrahmanyan is serving as the CEO and MD of L&T. He has also worked as Deputy MD & President leading L&T’s infrastructure business to its position as the country’s largest construction organization.

 

2. ‘Harit Sagar’ the Green Port Guidelines 2023 launched: Minister of Ports, Sarbananda Sonowal has launched ‘Harit Sagar’ the Green Port Guidelines 2023. Aim: To promote environment-friendly practices across all our Ports It provides a comprehensive action plan for achieving targeted outcomes in terms of quantified reduction in carbon emission over defined timelines and achieving SDG. It also aims to minimize waste through reducing, reusing, repurposing, and recycling to attain zero waste discharge from port operations.

 

3. Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy conduct 35th Indo-Thai coordinated patrol: The 35th edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy was concluded in the Andaman Sea on May 10, 2023. Aim: To reinforce maritime linkages between the two countries and ensure the safety and security of the international trade route in the Indian Ocean INS Kesari, an indigenously built LST (L), and HTMS Saiburi, a Chao Phraya Class Frigate participated in the exercise.

 

4. Smriti Irani launches “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi” campaign: Union Ministry of WCD has launched a campaign named “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi” for strengthening Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). This unique initiative is aimed at ensuring that India has a high-quality preschool network. ECCE is a significant component of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 and is envisaged under the NEP. The work will be taken by Anganwadis across the country for providing nutrition as well as better education to children.

 

5. National Technology Day 2023: May 11: National Technology Day is observed every year on May 11 across the nation to commemorate India's nuclear test success that was conducted on May 11th, 1998, at Pokhran, Rajasthan. 2023 theme: School to Startups-Igniting Young Minds to Innovate This term was coined by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee to recognize the contributions of Indian scientists. On May 11, 1998, India successfully fired the Shakti-I nuclear missile at an Army test range in Rajasthan's Pokhran.

 

6. Punjab becomes first state to enforce 'right to walk': Punjab has become the first state in India to implement the 'right to walk' by making it mandatory for all road-owning agencies to provide footpaths and cycle tracks in all future expansions of roads and construction. Reason: Every month more than 10 pedestrians/ bicycle riders are killed in road accidents due to encroachment on pedestrian footpaths Road-owning agencies include NHAI, the public works department, local bodies, and urban development departments.

 

7. India Post launches Bharat eMart portal: India Post, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), and Tripta Technologies signed an MoU for the Bharat eMart portal. This portal will provide the facility of pick-up of consignments from the premises of traders and ensure delivery at the doorsteps of the consignees across the country. In the recent past, India Post has entered into similar agreements with GeM, Regional Centers of Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED).

 

8. GST: Government lowers threshold for e-invoicing to Rs 5 crore: The Union government has lowered the threshold limit of e-invoicing from Rs 10 crore to Rs 5 crore. It will be mandatory for smaller businesses to carry out business transactions via e-invoices from August 1, 2023. In the exercise of the powers of the Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017, the government has made the amendment in the notification on the recommendations of the Council. The threshold was lowered to Rs 10 crore on October 1, 2022.

 

9. Health Ministry launches SAKSHAM Learning Management Information System: Union Health Ministry has launched a learning management information system SAKSHAM (Stimulating Advanced Knowledge for Sustainable Health Management). SAKSHAM is a platform for providing online training and medical education to all health professionals in the country. SAKSHAM was launched by Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan. This digital learning platform will ensure inclusive capacity building of health professionals. Presently, the platform is hosting more than two hundred public health and 100 clinical courses through online mode. Health professionals can register for these courses through lmis.nihfw.ac.in and get certification after undergoing requisite training and qualifying the required assessment criteria. The platform has been developed by the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi

 

10. Telangana govt introduces a Robotics Framework: The Telangana Government has introduced a Robotics Framework, for providing a roadmap to promote a robotic ecosystem in the State. This is the first-of-its-kind policy in the country. Under the initiative, the Government will set up a Telangana Robotics Innovation Centre (TRIC) to implement the framework which will focus on the key pillars of infrastructure access, business enablement, fostering research and innovation, development of a skilled workforce, and responsible deployment. The framework will promote an innovation ecosystem that will help the State manufacture robots not only for the country but for the world. The State government signed Memoranda of Understanding with IIT-Hyderabad, AgHub of State Agriculture University, and a few others to enhance the robotics ecosystem in the state and promote innovation, research, and growth in the field.

 

11. IIT Madras, DRDO develop sensor technology for underwater communications: Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have partnered with Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) scientists to develop cutting-edge sensor technology for underwater communications. Which will be advantageous to defence applications, especially in the Indian Navy. The indigenous development of this technology enables the nation to fabricate the devices at a relatively lower cost than the internationally-available foundries where the cost of fabrication is high and the number of foundries is also limited. The ‘Piezoelectric MEMS technology’ is required to develop high-performance thin films and convert ‘piezo thin film’ into state-of-the-art futuristic naval sensors and devices for underwater applications. The Piezo Thin Films are one of the vital components of piezo MEMS devices and are considered for acoustics and vibration-sensing applications.

 

12. MyGov and Ministry of Culture launches ‘YUVA PRATIBHA’: MyGov in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture has launched a YUVA PRATIBHA Singing Talent Hunt. The initial submission for the competition will be open for a period of one and half month. Singing Talent Hunt is a unique opportunity for citizens across India to display their singing talent and skills and to gain national recognition. If one wishes to be New India’s emerging artist singer, or musician, then he/she can participate in the YUVA PRATIBHA – Singing Talent Hunt and lend the melodic voice in the various genres:

 

13. 11 May – National Technology Day : National Technology Day is observed annually on May 11 in India. Objective – To commemorate the significant achievements and contributions made by Indian scientists, engineers, and technologists towards nation-building. Theme 2023 – Integrated Approach in Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future This day holds immense historical and cultural significance, highlighting the country’s commitment to innovation and its pursuit of technological advancements. May 11 was declared as National Technology Day by the Government of India to commemorate the first of the five nuclear tests under the Pokhran-II program which were conducted on May 11, 1998. The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee christened the day. On the same date, a test flight of the ‘HANSA-3,’ the first indigenous aircraft was conducted at Bengaluru.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. IBM partners NASA to convert satellite data into high resolution maps: International Business Machines (IBM) has collaborated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to launch a new geospatial foundation model. It is designed to convert satellite data into high-resolution maps of floods, fires, and other landscape changes to reveal the planet’s past and hint at its future. It is expected to be available for preview in the second half of 2023. This model would be part of IBM’s watsonx.ai, a next-gen enterprise studio.

 

2. India among top 5 countries where babies are born pre-term: UN Report: According to a report, released by the UN, an estimated 13.4 million babies were born pre-term in 2020, with 45% of them being born in just five countries, including India, Pakistan, Nigeria, China, and Ethiopia. Report title: Born Too Soon: Decade of Action on Pre-term Birth It is jointly produced by the WHO, UNICEF, and Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH). The global pre-term birth rate increased to 9.9% in 2020, compared to 9.8% in 2010.

 

3. 10 May – World Lupus Day : World Lupus Day is a global healthcare event commemorated every year on May 10. Objective – To raise awareness about this critical condition; that calls for an in-depth understanding and support for each individual who has been impacted in addition to increase the funds for more research. On this day, many local and international organizations, communities, patient advocates, and healthcare professionals gather together for a day of action to promote understanding about the disease so that people throughout the world can learn more about this crippling condition and fight against it.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Badminton Asia appoints Umar Rashid as chairman of the Technical Officials Committee: Badminton Asia appointed Umar Rasheed, joint secretary of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), as the chairman of the Technical Officials Committee. Rasheed will oversee the development and implementation of rules and regulations to elevate officiating standards in badminton tournaments across the country. Rashid also serves as the General Secretary of the Assam Badminton Association, contributing significantly to the development of badminton in Assam and the Northeast region of India.

 

2. Mastercard replaces BharatPe as global sponsor of ICC : The American multinational financial services corporation, Mastercard has replaced BharatPe as the global sponsor of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The sponsorship pact between ICC & Mastercard is a multi-year arrangement and will cover the upcoming 4 years. For the past year, Mastercard has been aiming to bag some lucrative sponsorship deals as it also secured title sponsorship rights of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) international and domestic home fixtures from Paytm. ICC primarily helms a three-year sponsorship and its partnership with BharatPe was kicked off on June 2021.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Sebi allows DMA facility to registered FPIs for participating in ETCDs: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has allowed stock exchanges to extend direct market access (DMA) to registered Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) with immediate effect. Reason: To promote institutional participation in Exchange Traded Commodity Derivatives (ETCDs) DMA facilitates the clients of a broker to directly access the exchange trading system through the broker's infrastructure to place orders without manual intervention by the broker.

 

2. YES BANK launches solar financing program to aid MSMEs: Yes Bank has launched YES KIRAN for offering financial assistance to MSMEs manufacturers, who wish to install solar panels at their premises Aim: To support the adoption of sustainable energy practices by small and midsized enterprises MSMEs will get various benefits such as reduced operational cost, a flexible loan tenure at competitive interest rates, and a broad range of tie-ups with leading solar panel manufacturers and installers to help MSMEs

 

3. Settle fee, charges on forex prepaid cards in rupee: RBI: RBI has stated that fees and charges payable in India on forex prepaid cards, store value cards, and travel cards must be denominated and settled in local currency. The use of such cards is limited to permissible current account transactions. It is subject to the prescribed limits under the Foreign Exchange Management Rules. The RBI had previously stated that no prior permission from the bank is needed for such cards.

 

4. AU Small Finance Bank launches RuPay credit card for self-employed customers: AU Small Finance Bank has partnered with RuPay to introduce the Business Cashback RuPay credit card, a solution tailored to meet the financial requirements of self-employed customers. This is aimed at providing a diverse range of benefits to small businesses. AU Small Finance Bank’s Business Cashback RuPay Credit Card simplifies financial operations for businesses with benefits like upto 2 percent cashback, 48 days interest-free credit, and instant loans. It also offers fire insurance, burglary, and housebreaking coverage, making it a one-stop solution for businesses. MD & CEO of AU Small Finance Bank – Sanjay Agarwal

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. President Droupadi Murmu confers 37 Gallantry awards: President Droupadi Murmu has conferred 37 Gallantry awards to the personnel of the Armed Forces, CAPF, and State or Union Territory Police during the Defence Investiture Ceremony (Phase-1) in New Delhi. The Gallantry awards were given to the personnel for displaying conspicuous gallantry, indomitable courage and extreme devotion to duty. Murmu conferred 8 Kirti Chakras, including 5 posthumous, and 29 Shaurya Chakras, including 5 posthumous, upon the personnel of the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces and State or Union Territory Police during Defence Investiture Ceremony (Phase-1) in New Delhi.

 

2. Argentina’s Lionel Messi wins Laureus Sportsman of the Year 2023: Argentina footballer, Lionel Messi has been named the Sportsman of the Year at the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards. Messi also became the first athlete to scoop both the World Sportsman of the Year Award and the World Team of the Year Award in the same year. He was awarded for his remarkable achievements on the pitch in the past year, which included leading Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup.

·       World Breakthrough of the Year Award – Carlos Alcaraz

·       World Comeback of the Year Award – Christian Eriksen

·       World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award – Catherine Debrunner

·       World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award – Eileen Gu

·       Laureus Sport for Good Award -TeamUp

·       World Sportsman of the Year Award – Lionel Messi

·       World Sportswoman of the Year Award – Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

·       World Team of the Year Award – Argentina Men’s Football Team