Daily GK Update- 3rd Aug, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. UAS to open first-of-its-kind agriculture science museum in Bengaluru: The University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) will be opening a first-of-its-kind museum on its campus in Bengaluru. Minister of Agriculture N. Cheluvarayaswamy would inaugurate the museum. Aim: To introduce the evolution of agricultural practices into the lives of students and the general public increasingly cut-off from the experience by the "urban buzz". The museum will serve as a one-stop solution where they can get information about agriculture.

 

2. Government launched piliot digital crop survey in 12 states: The Government has launched a digital crop survey in 12 states on a pilot basis from Kharif season of this year for better sowing data collection Aims: To create a single and verified source of truth about the crop sown data which is useful for accurate crop area estimation and development of farmers' solutions The 12 selected states are Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Odisha, Assam and Telangana

 

3. India's overall unemployment rate falls to 7.95% in July from 8.45% in June: According to data released by private forecaster Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, the total unemployment rate fell to 7.95% in July, from 8.45% in June Rural unemployment rate fell to 7.89%, from 8.73% in June, while the urban unemployment rate ticked up, to 8.06% from 7.87% in the same period Rural unemployment rate falls due to increased demand for laborers for farming work Labour force rate in urban areas also fell, indicating a broader weakness in the economy.

 

4. U.P. Cabinet approves Water Tourism and Adventure Sports Policy: The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved the Uttar Pradesh Water Tourism and Adventure Sports Policy 2023. Aims: To make the state a water tourism and adventure sports destination.  According to Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh, this policy will be valid for 10 years from the date notified by the state government The policy will be applicable to all inland land-based, air-based and all adventure activities to be carried out on various water bodies and land parcels in the state.

 

5. Government launched the scheme - Vivad se Vishwas-II: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has launched the scheme, “Vivad se Vishwas 2 in the Union Budget 2023-24 Aims: To resolve the govt's contractual disputes with private parties, clear the backlog of litigation, and improve the ease of doing business Objective: To settle contractual disputes of government and government undertakings, wherein arbitral award is under challenge in a court, a voluntary settlement scheme with standardized terms will be introduced

 

6. Centre owes ₹6,366 crores in MGNREGS wages to 18 States and UT: According to Minister of State for the Ministry Of Rural Development Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti the Centre owes Rs 6,366 crore in dues to states and Union Territories under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme Central government owes the highest amount – Rs 2,770 crore – to West Bengal. MGNREGS aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to unskilled manual work

 

7. Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society have signed MoU with AIFF: Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society (SMSES) have signed MoU with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the first time ever. Aim: To promote football at the grassroots level SMSES would form a Subroto XI  team under Junior Boys (Under-17) from this edition onwards.  According to SMSES member Alok Sharma that the team will also participate in AIFF Youth Competition from the 2023-24 season. Workshop will be held by AIFF for coaches to update and educate them.

 

8. Bharat Dynamics Limited hands over first Radio Frequency to DRDO: The  Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), has handed over the first Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker of Akash - the Next Generation Weapon System to Defence Research and Development Organization. Seeker is a critical and technology intensive subsystem used in Surface-to-Air Missiles and Air-to-Air Missiles for target tracking in the terminal phase. RF Seeker has been designed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat, and produced by BDL at its state-of-the-art Seeker Facility Centre 

 

9. President of India inaugurated 'UNMESHA' and 'UTKARSH' festivals in Bhopal: President Draupadi Murmu will inaugurate the national festival of India's folk and tribal expressions "Utkarsh" and the international literature festival "Unmesh" in Bhopal Culture Department Madhya Pradesh along with Sangeet Natak Akademi and Sahitya Akademi of the Ministry of Culture is organizing this event from 3rd to 5th August. The international literature festival Unmesh is Asia's largest literary convention 15 countries will participate in the Unmesh festival.

 

10. 2.46 lakh farmers have been benefitted from PM-KUSUM Scheme: The government has said that nearly 46 lakh farmers have benefitted from the PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) Scheme till June 2023. The scheme provides for the installation of solar pumps, solarization of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps and installation of grid-connected renewable power plants. New and Renewable Energy Minister R. K. Singh said this in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha. He also said PM-KUSUM Scheme has been extended till 31st March 2026. With 785 big cats,

 

11. Madhya Pradesh retains its spot as Tiger state: Madhya Pradesh has retained its tag of the ‘tiger state’ having accounted for 785 big cats, according to a census released on International Tiger Day by Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand. The population of tigers increased by 49% in the state, which is the highest in India despite recording the maximum number of deaths. Between 2012 to 2022, 278 tiger deaths were reported in Madhya Pradesh. In Madhya Pradesh, 563 tigers were found in six tiger reserves while 222 were found outside the protected areas. In 2018, Madhya Pradesh accounted for 526 tigers, only two more than Karnataka. On International Tiger Day, with 165 tigers, the highest number of tigers was recorded in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve making it the fourth highest in India after Jim Corbet, Bandipur and Nagarhole.

 

12. Shohini Sinha named as special agent in FBI: An Indian-American Shohini Sinha, known for her work on counter-terrorism investigations, has been named as a special agent in charge of the FBI’s field office in Salt Lake City in the US state of Utah. Sinha, who most recently served as executive special assistant to the Director at FBI Headquarters in Washington DC was named the special agent in charge by FBI Director Christopher Wray. Sinha joined the FBI as a special agent back in 2001. In recognition of her outstanding performance, she earned a promotion to supervisory special agent in 2009 and was transferred to the Counterterrorism Division in Washington, DC. In 2021, Sinha’s exceptional performance and leadership qualities were recognized once again when she was chosen to serve as the executive special assistant to the FBI Director in Washington.

 

13. BCAS organized Aviation Security Culture Week: Akasa Air has collaborated with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to commemorate Aviation Security Culture Week, which will take place from 31st July to 5th August 2023. This development aims to intensify security awareness and promote a positive security culture in aviation operations across the country. The initiative is designed to encourage the industry to prioritize security practices and behaviors, emphasizing that security is a shared responsibility among all stakeholders. The event’s tagline, ‘See it, Say it, and Secure it,’ urges every individual to remain vigilant about their surroundings and promptly report any suspicious activities.

 

14. 3 August – National Watermelon Day: National Watermelon Day is celebrated every year on August 3. On this day, people across the world celebrate the delicious and refreshing fruit that has a long history dating back to Ancient Egypt. Cultivation of this fruit dates back to 2000 B.C., with the first watermelon harvest on record occurring approximately 5,000 years ago in Egypt. Traces of watermelon and its seeds have been discovered on sites of the 12th Egyptian Dynasty, including in the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Paintings of different types of watermelon have also been found in ancient Egyptian inscription. Every part of the watermelon is edible, including the often-discarded rind, which packs a punch with its array of nutrients and health-promoting properties. With its impressive water content of 92%, watermelon also provides a guilt-free indulgence for those seeking a refreshing treat while staying hydrated.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India is fifth amongst spacefaring countries in the world: According to Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh, India is the fifth among spacefaring countries in the world having end-to-end capabilities in space research and development. India has the capability to launch from its own land and operate programmes of earth observation, satellite communication, meteorology, space science and navigation, and ground infrastructure. After space sector reforms, the NewSpace industries are also emerging at a fast pace.

 

2. Govt launch e-CARe portal for seamless transfer of bodies of Indians abroad: The Government will launch the e-CARe (e-Clearance for Afterlife Remains) portal to facilitate the swift transfer of mortal remains of Indians who die abroad. Aims:  To avoid delay during the transportation of the deceased human remains across international borders. According to Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, through this portal intimation will be sent through email, SMS, and WhatsApp to the Central International Health Division, Nodal Officer and the Airlines.

 

3. India & Finland to set up sustainability working group: India and Finland to set up a governmental working group on sustainability, with a focus on energy investments in biofuels in India. The group will be represented by the Ministries of Environment, Power & Renewable Energy, and NITI Aayog. The focus of the grouping is to be on energy, given that Finland is pushing investments in biofuels and renewable energy in India. Finland is also lending its expertise to India since New Delhi is planning to study the Nordic power grid. India, which proposed the creation of this group, will be represented by the Ministries of Environment, Power and Renewable Energy and Natural Gas. NITI Aayog may also be a part of the group. Finland’s new Digitalization, Education, Sustainability, Innovation (DESI) partnership aims to develop smart grids and deepen cooperation on sustainability.

 

4. China & UAE air forces to conduct first joint training FALCON Shield-2023: The air forces of China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will conduct their first joint training in China’s Xinjiang in August 2023. The FALCON Shield-2023 training aims to deepen pragmatic exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries and enhance mutual understanding and trust. The joint training between China and the UAE comes months after the latter signed up to buy several L-15 advanced training jets from China. In 2017, the UAE bought Blue Arrow 7 anti-tank missiles from China for use on its Wing Loong 2 fleet, the report said, citing the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The UAE has also been planning to buy CR500 Golden Eagle helicopter drones made by Norinco, a Chinese state-owned defence contractor.

 

5. 3 August – Cloves Syndrome Awareness Day: Cloves Syndrome Awareness Day is observed every year on 3 August. The day aims to spread awareness about the rare genetic disorder. Its emphasis is on action to gather community support. CLOVES stands for Congenital Lipomatous Overgrowth, Vascular Malformations, Epidermal Nevis, Spinal/Skeletal Anomalies/Scoliosis syndrome, a very rare congenital disorder characterized by a combination of vascular, skin, spinal, and bone abnormalities. It can vary significantly from one patient to another and is believed to be caused by mutations in a gene called PIK3CA. At present, only about 200 cases have been identified worldwide. The observance encourages the general public to advocate for additional funding for rare disease research.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Diego Godin announced his retirement from football: Former Uruguay captain Diego Godin announced his retirement from professional football. The announcement came after Velez Sarsfield’s final Argentine league game of the season, a 1-0 loss to Huracan. This marked the end of an illustrious career that spanned two decades and saw Godin make 627 professional appearances, score 38 goals, and win 10 titles. His accolades include two Europa League trophies and three UEFA Super Cups, all won during his tenure as captain of Atletico Madrid. He participated in four World Cups and spent a significant part of his club career in Spain.

 

2. India bags 6 medals at World University Games: Indian shooters and archers bagged six medals including four golds at the World University Games in Chengdu, China. Shooters Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Divyansh Singh Panwar and Arjun Babuta joined forces to outclass local favourites China to win the 10m air rifle men’s team gold. Aishwary also secured gold in the 10m air rifle men’s individual event. Avneet Kaur pipped USA’s Alyssa Grace Sturgill in a thrilling shoot-off to clinch the compound women’s individual gold. Sangampreet Bisla and Aman Saini clinched the gold and bronze medals in the men’s individual event. India have won 17 medals, nine gold, three silver and five bronze, and are second in the tournament. Hosts China lead the standings with a haul of 21 medals.

 

3. Siddhanta Gogoi crowned 61kg junior Asian champion: India’s Siddhanta Gogoi clinched the men’s 61kg junior title while Gyaneshwari Yadav and Koyel Bar secured silver medals in the women’s 49kg event at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships. The 19-year-old Siddhanta lifted 265kg (116kg+149kg) to give hosts India their first gold medal of the ongoing edition. Another Phillippine lifter Jhodie Peralta won the gold 160kg (73 kg+87 kg).

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. 28 % GST on online gaming & casinos to be effective from Oct 1 2023: According to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, 28 percent GST on casinos and online gaming is expected to be implemented from the 1st of October. 28% GST would be applicable on the amount being paid at the entry level for online gaming. GST Council recommended certain amendments in the CGST Act 2017 and IGST Act 2017, including amendment in Schedule III of CGST Act, 2017, to provide clarity on the taxation of supplies in casinos, horse racing and online gaming.

 

 

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Manoj Bajpayee’s 'Joram' wins awards at Durban International Film Festival: Manoj Bajpayee headliner Joram has won two awards at the Durban International Film Festival.  Manoj bagged the ‘Best Actor’ trophy, the film’s cinematographer Piyush Puty won the award for ‘Best Cinematography’.  The film is a psychological thriller about a hunted displaced man who is on the run to protect his daughter directed by Devashish Makhija. The film also deals with issues such as social inequalities, injustice with the tribal communities and deforestation.

 

2. Deepak Shenoy honored with Global Visionary Entrepreneur Award: Medec Dragon Pvt Ltd, India’s fastest-growing research-driven Pharmaceutical API intermediates Contract Manufacturing Company, was awarded the most prestigious “Best Managed Pharmaceutical Sustainable Organizations 2023”. Deepak Shenoy (Managing Director, Medec Dragon Pvt Ltd) was as “Global Visionary Entrepreneur of the year 2023″ at the 6th Edition of South Asia Pacific Healthcare Summit & Business Award 2023 organized by Brandscouncil Ratings & Medilinks in Mumbai. The event was organized by Brandscouncil Ratings & Medilinks in Mumbai. The awards were presented by India’s first Mrs. World, Aditi Govitrikar.

Daily GK Update- 2nd Aug, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Jitendra Singh launched India’s First Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scanner: Union Minister of State Science & Technology Jitendra Singh launched India’s first Indigenously developed, Affordable Next Generation Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanner in New Delhi. MRI is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body.  It is an achievement for the National Biopharma Mission, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, and the Department of Biotechnology.

 

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

 

3. NHPC and ALIMCO sign MoU for providing aids and assistive devices: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited and Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) have signed a MoU in the presence of Shri Uttam Lal, Director (Personnel), NHPC at  NHPC Headquarters in Faridabad. Objective: To provide CSR support for distribution of aids and assistive devices to around 1,000 Divyangjans (Persons with Disabilities) in the vicinity of NHPC Projects located in North and North Eastern states.

 

4. Ministry of Social Justice implements "Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the scheme of “Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana” in August 2023. Objective: To provide the senior citizens, suffering from any of the age related disability/infirmity, with assisted living devices which can restore near normalcy in their bodily functions,  Scheme:  In the assessment camp, the ALIMCO identifies the beneficiaries, suffering from the age related disability, for required aids & appliances.

 

5. 12 countries responsible for 52% of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste: According to Swiss-based research consultancy Earth Action Earth saw its first Plastic Overshoot Day which means the point at which the amount of plastics exceeds the global waste management capacity.  India is among the 12 countries which are responsible for 52% of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste. When it comes to plastic consumption on a per-person basis, the world’s worst offender is Iceland The global average consumption of plastic per person per year is 20.9 kg

 

6. Mumbai -Thane to get India’s First-Ever Vertical University Campus: The state of Maharashtra will approve setting up Vertical University Campus (VUC) in Mumbai and Thane due to less space available in the city thus becoming the first state in the country to approve such campuses. This concept is adopted by the United States (US) and other Western countries as of now. In the previous policy, a private university can be established on a minimum land of 25-acre in rural areas, 15-acre in district headquarters and 10-acre in regional headquarters, Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR). The idea of a vertical university campus was conceived to deal with the issue of land scarcity, which is common in major cities such as Mumbai and international metropolises like New York City, Washington DC and Tel Aviv, Israel. No area of the building can be used for commercial purposes in any way. It should have a scope for further construction in case there is a rise in the number of students. The classrooms shall be set up in accordance with University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) guidelines. Of the total area, it requires 40% reserve space for the playground following the provisions of unified development control and promotion regulations (UDCPR) and development control promotion regulations (DCPR), 2034. Also, the building shall have a hostel facility for students or nearby the premises.

 

7. Smriti Irani inaugurates the G20 EMPOWER Summit in Gandhinagar: Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Zubin Irani has inaugurated the G20 EMPOWER Summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The summit, organized around the theme- ‘Women-Led Development: ensuring a Sustainable, inclusive, and equitable global economic growth’, will witness the participation of delegates from across G20 nations, invited guest countries and international organizations in addition to many global experts, policymakers and stakeholders. The inaugural session launched of key outcomes under the G20 EMPOWER agenda this year including the G20 EMPOWER Tech Equity Digital Inclusion Platform, the Best Practices Playbook, the KPI Dashboard, and the adoption of the G20 EMPOWER Communique 2023. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal Ministry for EMPOWER which is the G20 Alliance for Empowerment and Progress of Women’s Economic Progression. It is a private sector-led initiative under the Sherpa Track that aims to accelerate women’s leadership and empowerment in the private sector across G20 countries.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Brics' New Development Bank elected Thuraiya Alhashmi as a board member: Thuraiya Hamid Alhashmi, Director of International Financial Relations and Organisations Department at the UAE Ministry of Finance, has been elected as a member of the Board of Directors and a Constituency Director at BRICS' New Development Bank. With her appointment at the multilateral bank, She become the first Emirati and Arab woman to assume a Director’s position

She will contribute to the UAE's financial interests on a global scale and in various financial sectors.

 

2. Indian-origin author Chetna Maroo’s debut novel on Booker Prize longlist: Chetna Maroo, an Indian-origin author based in London, has been selected for the 2023 Booker Prize longlist with her debut novel 'Western Lane.' The novel, set in the British Gujarati milieu, skillfully uses the sport of squash as a metaphor for intricate human emotions, earning praise from the Booker judges. The longlist comprises 13 books written by authors from various countries, including Ireland, Canada, the US, and the UK, explore universal and topical themes

 

3. China, UAE air forces to conduct first joint training FALCON Shield-2023: Ministry of National Defense announced the air forces of China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will conduct a joint training exercise in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region  According to the ministry, the exercise, Falcon Shield-2023, will be the first joint training between the two nation's air forces Aims: To deepen pragmatic exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries and enhance mutual understanding and trust, the ministry added.

 

4. Bhutan's success in increasing its tiger population: Bhutan's Tiger population has increased by 27 percent since its last count in 2015. The latest survey estimates there now 131 tigers in the country. It reflected the success of Tiger conservation efforts in the South Asian Himalayan landlocked nation situated between China and India. It was in 2010 that Bhutan continued its commitment to protecting its wildlife when the country joined the global effort to double the number of tigers in the wild by 2022.

 

5. For the first time in Asia, World Coffee Conference to be held in Bengaluru: For the first time, World Coffee Conference (WCC) will take place in India in The fifth edition of the global conference will take place from September 25 to 28 in This year, tennis player Rohan Bopanna will serve as the brand ambassador of the conference. “Sustainability through Circular Economy and Regenerative Agriculture” is the central theme for the event. Producers, curers, roasters, exporters, policymakers, and researchers from 80-plus countries would gather at WCC 2023. The conference has been organized by the International Coffee Organization and the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The ICO was organized under the aegis of the United Nations. It came into existence in 1963. It is the only inter-governmental organization for coffee and represents 93% of world coffee production and 63% of world consumption. The organization works to strengthen the global coffee sector and promote its sustainable expansion in the market. CEO and Secretary of Coffee Board of India – KG Jagadeesha

 

6. 1 – 7 August – World Breastfeeding Week 2023: World Breastfeeding Week is an annual event that takes place from 1-7 August every year. Objective – To raise awareness and promote the importance of breastfeeding for the health and well-being of both infants and mothers. Theme 2023 – Let’s make breastfeeding and work, work! Breast milk is considered the best food for newborns because of its many benefits, including the presence of antibodies that help protect babies from various common childhood diseases. Despite its importance, current data from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that less than half of infants under 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed. World Breastfeeding Week was established in1992 under the initiative of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA). This annual week-long event is held in honour of the 1990 Innocence Proclamation.

7. 1 August – World Lung Cancer Day: World Lung Cancer Day is observed every year on 1 August. Objective – To raise awareness around the deadly disease and encourage more research on it to break the stigma around the disease. The campaign for World Lung Cancer Day was recognized in the year 2012 though the momentum was set in the preceding years. The campaign was organized by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies in collaboration with the International Association for the study of Lung Cancer and the American College of Chest Physicians. Since then, the awareness around lung cancer picked pace most of which centred around being aware of the cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks along with other symptoms of lung cancer.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Diego Godin announced retirement from football: Former Uruguay captain Diego Godin announced his retirement from professional football after a remarkable career spanning two decades. ( In July 2023) He made 627 professional appearances, scored 38 goals, and earned 10 titles, including two Europa League trophies and three UEFA Super Cups, all during his captaincy at Atletico Madrid He participated in four World Cups and spent a significant part of his club career in Spain.

 

2. Hyderabad to host India’s first IAU 50 Km World Championships in November: Hyderabad will host India’s first International Athletic Union’s Ageas Federation Life Insurance 50 km World championship on 5 November 2023. The competition will feature four categories – men and women in individual and team events – besides the Master’s segment. The event will also see three other runs – 21.1 half marathon, 10K and 5K Runs organized by NEB Sports. Top ultrarunners from the USA, Germany, Japan, Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain, India, and other countries will participate. Bengaluru also successfully hosted the IAU 100km Asia Oceania Championship in July 2023.

 

3. Anurag Thakur inaugurates Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting 2023: Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has inaugurated the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships 2023 in Greater Noida. The event is being held in India for the first time. The international event will see the participation of more than 30 Indian weightlifters, including many Khelo India Athletes who in the past month alone gave India its best-ever performance at the Weightlifting Commonwealth Championships by winning 61 medals in total. India is hosting this prestigious event where more than 15 nations from the Asian region, 200 athletes, and more than 50 technical staff and coaches are participating. It will conclude on the 5th of August.

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Karnataka Bank hosted the first edition of ‘KBL - FinOne’: Karnataka Bank hosted the first edition of ‘KBL - FinOne’, a fintech partnership event, in Bengaluru in July  Objective: To develop innovative business models, provide a seamless banking experience and offer a complete product suite.  The first edition of ‘KBL - FinOne’ featured over 30 speakers from various fintech, delving into some of the interesting and relevant topics such as emerging lending models, neo-banks

 

2. GST collection rises 11% to Rs 1.65 lakh crore in July: According to the finance ministry, the gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenues for the month of July 2023 are 11% higher than the GST revenues in the July 2022. It is for the fifth time since the rollout of the regime that the gross GST collection crossed the Rs 1.65 lakh crore mark. The total revenue of Centre and the States in the month of July 2023 after regular settlement was Rs 69,558 crore for CGST and Rs 70,811 crore for the SGST. GST collections cross ₹1.6-lakh cr mark for 5th time: According to the Ministry of Finance, the GST collection for the month of July was recorded at Rs 1,65,105 crore. GST collection crossed the Rs 1.6 lakh crore mark for the fifth time since the inception of the goods and services tax. The revenues for July are 11 per cent higher than the GST revenues in the same month last year. The government settled Rs 39,785 crore to CGST and Rs 33,188 crore to SGST from IGST. The total revenue of Centre and the states in July is Rs 69,558 crore for CGST and Rs 70,811 crore for the SGST, after regular settlement. Of the gross GST of Rs 1.65 lakh crore collected in July, Rs 29,773 crore is CGST and Rs 37,623 crore is SGST. Rs 85,930 crore is IGST, including Rs 41,239 crore that was collected on import of goods, and cess is Rs 11,779 crore, including Rs 840 crore collected on import of goods. GST revenue for the previous month stood at Rs 1,61,487 crore, which was an increase of 12 percent on-year. However, it was a marked dip from the record-high GST collection of Rs 1.87 lakh crore in April and a sizeable increase from the GST collection of Rs 1,57,090 crore in May.

 

3. SBI raises 10,000 cr via 15-year Infrastructure bonds: State Bank of India (SBI) has raised Rs 10,000 crore at a coupon rate of 7.54 percent through its third infrastructure bond issuance. The proceeds will be directed towards bolstering long-term resources for funding critical infrastructure projects and supporting the affordable housing segment. The bank attracted bids of Rs 21,698 crores, a staggering 4.34 times the base issue size, indicating robust demand for these financial instruments. The investors range from various sectors including provident funds, pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds, corporates, etc. Bidding for the 15-year tenor bonds took place on July 31.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Deepak Shenoy honored with Global Visionary Entrepreneur Award: Medec Dragon Pvt Ltd received the prestigious "Best Managed Pharmaceutical Sustainable Organizations 2023" award, while Deepak Shenoy, Managing Director of Medec Dragon was honored as the "Global Visionary Entrepreneur of the year 2023" at the 6th Edition of South Asia Pacific Healthcare Summit & Business Award 2023.  The event was organized by Brandscouncil Ratings & Medilinks in Mumbai. The awards were presented by India's first Mrs. World, Aditi Govitrikar.

 

2. PM Modi honored with Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received the Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Maharashtra’s Pune, on the 103rd death anniversary of freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The award, according to the organizers, honours his extraordinary leadership, which helped India move up the progress ladder. PM Modi is the 41st recipient of this award. Every year on 1st August, the death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak, this award is bestowed upon individuals who have made remarkable and extraordinary contributions to the progress and development of the nation.

Daily GK Update- 1st Aug, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated the G20 EMPOWER Summit in Gandhinagar: Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Zubin Irani will inaugurate the G20 EMPOWER Summit in Gandhinagar in July 2023. Theme- ‘Women-Led Development Aims: To accelerate women’s leadership and empowerment in the private sector across G20 countries. Objective: To ensure sustainable, inclusive, and equitable global economic growth. Highlights: G20 EMPOWER agenda including the G20 EMPOWER Tech Equity Digital Inclusion Platform and the Best Practices Playbook

 

2. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India signed MoU with C-DoT: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Centre for Development of Telematics have signed MoU. Aims: To establish the mechanism of technical and institutional cooperation in telecommunications. According to Secretary of the Department of Telecommunication T K Rajaraman, this partnership will open new horizons in policy research, regulatory studies, and knowledge dissemination of upcoming technologies in the telecom and broadcasting sectors.

 

3. For the first time in Asia, World Coffee Conference to be held in Bengaluru: India is set to host its inaugural World Coffee Conference, organized by the International Coffee Organization (ICO), in Bengaluru, marking its fifth edition ICO serves as the chief intergovernmental organization aimed at advancing coffee trade and encouraging collaboration among coffee-producing and consuming countries K G Jagadeesha, CEO, and Secretary of Coffee Board of India, revealed that tennis player Rohan Bopanna would endorse the event as its brand ambassador.

 

4. Muslim Women’s Rights Day is observed on 1 August: Muslim Women's Rights Day is observed across the nation on August 1 to celebrate the enactment of the law against triple talaq The central gov enacted the law on August 1, 2019, that has made the practice of instant triple talaq a criminal offence. The government has strengthened self-reliance, self-respect and self-confidence of the Muslim women of the country and protected constitutional, fundamental and democratic rights by bringing the law against the triple talaq.

 

5. CAIT launched National Digital Nagrik Forum to digitalise traders: Confederation of All India Traders introduced the creation of an online platform National Digital Nagrik Forum(NDNF). Aims: To advance the rights of traders and consumers and other sections of society and shape policy to boost the digital trade economy. NDNF will focus on five core themes. First, consumer protection and online safety with a core focus on efficient grievance redressal.  Objectives: To conduct awareness camps, digital and physical dialogues and training

 

6. India’s tiger population estimated to 3,925 with annual growth rate of 6.1%: India’s tiger population is estimated to be 3,925 with an annual growth rate of 6.1%per annum. This was revealed in a report released by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ashwini Kumar on the occasion of Global Tiger Day. Last year during the celebration of 50 years of the Project Tiger at Mysuru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared the minimum tiger population of 3 thousand 167, which is the population estimated from the camera-trapped area. Now the further analysis of data done by the Wildlife Institute of India, from both camera-trapped and non-camera-trapped tiger presence areas, suggested that the upper limit of the tiger population is estimated to be 3,925 and the average number is 3,682 tigers, reflecting a commendable annual growth rate of 6.1 percent per annum. India currently harbors almost 75 percent of the world’s wild tiger population. The largest population of tigers is found to be in Madhya Pradesh followed by Karnataka, Uttarakhand.

 

7. Nisha Biswal becomes Deputy CEO of US finance agency: The United States Senate confirmed Indian-American policy expert and businesswoman Nisha Desai Biswal as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Biswal has over 30 years of experience in US foreign policy and international development programs within the Executive Branch, Congress, and the private sector. In her position as SVP at the Chamber of Commerce, she oversees the US India Business Council and US Bangladesh Business Council. She earlier served as Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs at the US Department of State from 2013 to 2017, overseeing the US-India strategic partnership and the launch of an annual US-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue. Biswal serves as the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid and is on both the Board of the National Democratic Institute and the US Institute of Peace International Advisory Council.

 

8. 1 August – National Mountain Climbing Day: National Mountain Climbing Day is observed every year on 1 August in the United States. The day was established to honour Bobby Matthews and his friend Josh Madigan. On 1 August 2015, Mathews and Madigan had achieved the feat of successfully scaling all 46 peaks of the Adirondack Mountains in the state of New York. They scaled the final of the 46 peaks — the White Face Mountain — on August 1. Later, in May 2016, they were formally inducted into the Adirondack 46er Club.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World Wide Web Day celeberated on August 1 : World Wide Web Day is a day dedicated to web browsing and is celebrated on August 1 Aims: To highlight the importance of the web in improving people's lives by facilitating communication, access to information and resources, education and empowerment.  The World Wide Web was created between 1989 and 1993 by Sir Tim Berners-Lee when he was employed at CERN (the European Organisation for Nuclear Research).

 

2. James Ferguson ‘Jim’ Skea elected new IPCC chairman in Nairobi: James Ferguson ‘Jim’ Skea of the United Kingdom was elected as the new chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in Nairobi, Kenya. Skea beat his nearest rival, Thelma Krug of Brazil, in a run-off. He won 90 votes while Krug won 69. The election took place at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi, where the IPCC is holding its 59th Session. With nearly 40 years of experience and expertise in climate science, James Ferguson ‘Jim’ Skea will lead the IPCC through its seventh assessment cycle.

 

3. 1 August – Yorkshire Day: Yorkshire Day is an annual celebration that takes place on August 1st to honour the historic county of Yorkshire in England. It’s a day for Yorkshire residents and people with connections to the county to come together, showcase their pride in their Yorkshire heritage, and celebrate the region’s rich history, culture, and traditions. The concept of Yorkshire Day was first proposed in 1974 by the Yorkshire Ridings Society, a group dedicated to preserving and promoting the three historic ridings of Yorkshire – North, East, and West. On this day in 1759, the Battle of Minden took place during the Seven Years’ War. Soldiers from Yorkshire, known as the “White Rose County,” played a crucial role in the battle, distinguishing themselves with valor and bravery. Thus, August 1st became the date to commemorate not only Yorkshire’s historical contributions but also to foster unity among Yorkshire’s communities

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Sangampreet Singh, Avneet Kaur clinch gold medals in World University Games: Indian archers Sangampreet Singh Bisla and Avneet Kaur bagged gold medals each in the individual events in World University Games  2023 in China  Indian archers defeated South Africa’s de Klerk in a finale. India bagged a total of nine gold, three silver, andv5 bronze medals, securing fourth position. China with 17 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze medals, followed by Korea with 10 gold, 10 silver, and 5 bronze medals, and Japan with 10 gold, 6 silver, and 7 bronze medals.

 

2. Iga Swiatek won Women’s Tennis Association title 2023: Polish Player Iga Swiatek secured her fourth Women’s Tennis Association title of the year 2023 by defeating Germany’s Laura Siegemund  in Warsaw He currently holds the position of world No. 1 in singles according to the Women’s Tennis Association rankings. She has earned the title of four-time major singles champion, conquering the French Open in 2020, 2022, and 2023 as well as the US Open in 2022. She became the first player from Poland to achieve a major singles title. 

 

3. England pacer Stuart Broad announced his retirement: England pacer Stuart Broad announced his retirement from international cricket He sits fifth on the all-time list of wicket-takers and is one of only two fast bowlers to take over 600 wickets He has also played in 167 test matches, 121 one-day internationals, and 56 international T20 games. In Test cricket, he stands as the sole English player boasting two hat-tricks to his credit Broad is only the second fast bowler and second bowler for England to reach the milestone

 

4. Viktor Axelsen, An Se-Young win Japan Open finals 2023: Olympic badminton champion Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen beat Indonesian Jonatan Christie to bag the men’s singles title while Korean An Se-young outplayed He Bing Jiao of China to win the women’s singles crown at the Japan Open 2023 in Tokyo. World number one Axelsen, who recently retained his European title in Poland,to win his third BWF title of the year. In the women’s singles, world number two is  Se Young from Korea.

 

5. Shooter Aishwarya clinches Gold medal at FISU World University Games 2023: Shooter Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar clinched a gold medal for India on the 2nd day of the FISU World University Games 2023 in Chengdu, China. Olympian Tomar, competing in men’s 50 meter rifle three positions, secured the top podium by scoring a total of 461.7 points in the final. Earlier, the Indian men’s 25-meter pistol rapid-fire team of Vijayveer Sidhu, Udhayveer Sidhu and Adarsh Singh claimed silver. The Indian trio of Tomar, Sartaj Singh Tiwana and Surya Pratap Singh joined forces to secure Bronze in the men’s 50 meter rifle 3 position team event. The mixed compound archery team of Aman Saini and Pragati also clinched a Gold medal. Now, Indian archers have a Gold, a Silver and two Bronze medal.

 

6. India won 14 medals in Sri Lanka Athletics National Championships: Indian contingent finished their Sri Lanka Athletics National Championships with 14 medals including 9 gold, 4 silvers and 1 bronze. Indian athletes clinched six medals on the final day of the event at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo. The Indian 4×400 meter mixed relay team of Amoj Jacob, Aishwarya Mishra, Muhammed Anas and Himanshi Malik won the first gold medal of the day. The event also featured a second Indian relay team comprising Nihal Joel William, Subha Venkatesan, Mijo Chacko Kurian and Vithya Ramraj, who bagged the silver medal. Amoj Jacob, an Asian Athletics Championships gold medallist, then teamed up with Muhammed Anas, Rajesh Ramesh and Muhammed Ajmal to secure the gold medal in the 4×400 meter men’s relay event. India’s gold medalist javelin thrower Kishore Kumar Jena received the coveted Best Male Thrower troph

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Core sector growth hits 5-month high of 8.2% in June 2023: Data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on July 31 shows that India's eight core sectors registered a growth of 8.2 percent in June is the highest in the past five months. The growth rate of 8.2 percent in June for India's eight key infrastructure sectors, which include coal, crude oil, steel, cement, electricity. The core sector growth for May has been revised upward from 4.3 percent to 5.0 percent. The core sector growth in June 2022 was 13.1 percent.

 

2. SIDBI has been collaborating with CIIE at IIM, Ahmedabad: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI),announced its partnership with the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad’s (IIM-A) startup incubator Centre for Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship Aims: To promote Deep Tech and science-led Innovation by facilitating access to seed capital.  Objective: To support startups with meritorious ideas and technologies important for India’s goals for 2047 to become self-reliant.

 

3. India’s per capita income to jump 70% by 2030: Standard Chartered Bank: According to a research report by Standard Chartered Bank, the per capita income of India is likely to grow around 70% by 2030 and is expected to reach $4,000 from current levels of $2,450. The boost in income will help the country to become a middle-income economy with a GDP of $6 trillion and half of it will be coming from household consumption. Since 2001, the per capita GDP grew from $460 to $1,413 in 2011 to $2,150 in 2021. The primary factor propelling significant economic growth will be external trade, which is anticipated to nearly double to $2.1 trillion by 2030. This substantial increase would be a remarkable jump from the $1.2 trillion recorded in fiscal 2023 when the GDP stood at $3.5 trillion. The report assumes an annual nominal GDP growth of 10% going forward. Telangana currently takes the top spot in the per capita income rankings with ₹2,75,443 (equivalent to $3,360). Following closely are Karnataka with ₹2,65,623, Tamil Nadu with ₹2,41,131, Kerala with ₹2,30,601, and Andhra Pradesh with ₹2,07,771.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. PM Narendra Modi honored with Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2023: The Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2023 in Pune will be conferred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 41st recipient of this award will be the PM. Every year on 1st August, the death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak, this award is bestowed upon individuals who have made remarkable and extraordinary contributions to the progress and development of the nation. To inaugurate the services of the completed second phase of the Pune Metro, the PM will flag off the metro rail.

 

2. Ratan Tata to get Maharashtra govt’s first ‘Udyog Ratna’ award: The Maharashtra government has decided to confer the first ‘Udyog Ratna’ award (Maharashtra Bhushan award) on veteran industrialist and chairman of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata. The award is the state’s highest honor given to eminent individuals, has led the Maharashtra government to introduce Udyog Ratna Award from this year onward. The first recipient of this award will be the renowned industrialist, Ratan Tata. The award is a recognition of his outstanding achievements in the industrial sector. The ‘Udyog Ratna’ award is a state-level award given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the industrial sector of Maharash