Daily GK Update- 14th Oct, 2023

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Petroleum Minister inaugurates 26th Energy Technology Meeting in New Delhi: Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh has inaugurated the 26th Energy Technology Meet at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Objective – To provide a common forum for refiners and technology service providers for the exposition of recent advances. India had exceeded its biofuel blending targets, which are an important component of the country’s green energy policy. The aim of 20% biofuel blending, which was originally set for 2030, has been pushed back to 2025.

 

2. Kerala’s first 3D-printed building to be inaugurated: Named Amaze-28, Kerala’s first building built using 3D printing technology has been inaugurated. Inaugurated by revenue minister K Rajan. The building with a 380 sq ft one-room summer house is in Kerala State Nirmithi Kendra (Kesnik) campus at PTP Nagar of Thiruvananthapuram. Designed as a demonstration project, Amaze-28 is a model that was completed in just 28 days. The project was completed by Kera State Nirmiti Kerndra with the support of Tvasta, a Chennai-based construction tech start-up launched by some IIT-Madras alumni. 3D printing is layer-by-layer printing. In 3D printing basically, there are 3 processing. First is data processing, second is material processing and 3rd is robotic printing. In material processing what we do is when you have an object or structure, we convert that into a 3D model. The building was named ‘Amaze 28’ as it was constructed in a record 28 days.

 

3. Pankaj Bohra takes over as national president of IACC: Pankaj Bohra, a Chartered Accountant from Ahmedabad has become the first-ever person from Gujarat to assume the role of National President of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC). The IACC is a 55-year-old apex chamber of commerce and is engaged in promoting bilateral trade and investments between India and the USA IACC with 14 offices in India and 27 partner organizations in the US. Today bilateral trade between India and USA is experiencing rapid growth with USA emerging as the largest trading partner of India. The bonds between the two nations are stronger than ever and are ready to enter into a new orbit. With a professional experience spanning over four decades, Bohra currently serves as the senior partner at Pankaj Bohra & Co., Chartered Accountants.

 

4. Health Minister inaugurates Nagaland’s first Medical College in Kohima: Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated Nagaland’s first Medical College - Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research ( NIMSR), at Phreibagei in Kohima. Nagaland’s first Medical College will not only serve the purpose of providing medical education but will also contribute to research and finding solutions to any rare diseases for the people of Nagaland.

 

5. Indian Army installs first ever mobile tower at Siachen Glacier: The Indian Army has installed a mobile tower in collaboration with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited for the first time at Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield. The Base Transceiver Station (BTS) was established at the forward post of the highest battlefield on October 6 for the Army soldiers. The Siachen Glacier is a glacier located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra appointed Laureus Ambassador: India’s Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic and world javelin champion, was named a Laureus ambassador. The 25-year-old Chopra became the second Indian to be named Laureus ambassador after former cricketer Yuvraj Singh was honoured in 2017. Laureus is a global sports-based charity that works to improve the lives of young people. The organization leverages its Sport for Good initiative, the World Sports Academy, the ambassador programme and the World Sports Awards to harness the inspirational influence of sports as a catalyst for positive change. Cricketers Kapil Dev, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar are part of Laureus World Sports Academy, which under the chairmanship of former New Zealand rugby union captain Sean Fitzpatrick, performs the crucial role of voting for the winners of the Laureus Awards. Last year, Neeraj Chopra, who won the Olympic gold medal in 2021 to become the first Indian track and field athlete to win an Olympic medal, was nominated for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award for 2022. However, the award went to British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu. Chopra is only the third Indian – after wrestler Vinesh Phogat and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar – to be nominated for a Laureus award.

 

2. 14 October 2023 – World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD): World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated every year on the second Saturday in May and the second Saturday in October. This year 13 May and 14 October are celebrated as World Migratory Bird Day. It’s a day that highlights the importance of migratory birds and their conservation efforts. Theme 2023 – Water: Sustaining Bird Life In 1993, the United States initiated the idea of a day dedicated to migratory birds. It was a joint effort by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. Their aim was to encourage bird festivals and educational programs nationwide. Later, in 2016, the first global World Migratory Bird Day was celebrated, thanks to the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) and the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

 

3. PM Modi inaugurates 141st session of International Olympic Committee: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 141st International Olympic Committee Session in Mumbai. India is hosting the International Olympic Committee session for the second time and after a gap of about 40 years. The IOC's 86th session was held in New Delhi in 1983. Important decisions regarding the future of the Olympic Games are made at the IOC Sessions.

 

4. World Standards Day is observed on 14th October: On October 14, people worldwide observe World Standards Day, also known as International Standards Day.  The theme 2023 is “Shared Vision for a Better World: Incorporating Sustainable Development Goal for Good Health and Well-Being.” Aim: To educate consumers, policymakers, and businesses on the importance of standardization.  It serves as an opportunity to raise awareness among nations and their citizens and encourages them towards a better quality of life.

 

5. International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed on 13th October: The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, held each year on 13 October, celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to natural hazards. In 2023, the International Day focuses on the reciprocal relationship between disasters and inequality  The theme of  International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2023 is  “Fighting inequality for a resilient future”.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Ayush Shetty wins bronze medal at BWF World Junior Championships 2023: India’s Ayush Shetty has won a bronze medal at the BWF World Junior Championships held in Spokane, USA.

The 23rd edition of the BWF World Junior Championships was held in Spokane, United States of America (USA). Indonesia’s Alvi Farhan won the BWF World Junior Championships gold medal.

Ayush Shetty won the bronze medal in the competition, losing to Alvi Farhan. Another semi-finalist, France’s Alex Lanier, also won a bronze medal. India has won 11 medals at the BWF World Junior Championships since 1992, including 1 gold, 4 silver and 6 bronze medals. Saina Nehwal’s gold medal wins in 2008 remains India’s best achievement at the BWF World Junior Championships, and she also earned a silver medal in 2006. At the 2022 Championships in Spain, India’s Shankar Muthusamy Subramanian won the silver medal.

 

2. Gill and Athapaththu named ICC Players of the Month for September: India’s talented young batter Shubman Gill won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for September after run-scoring feats in his country’s trophy-winning Asia Cup campaign. Gill claims his second Player of the Month prize for 2023 after overcoming compatriot Mohammed Siraj, and England’s Dawid Malan, both of whom displayed outstanding form in shorter formats of the international game ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. While Influential Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu wins her first Women’s Player of the Month accolade after spearheading a historic T20I series win in England. The Sri Lanka skipper led from the front to secure her side’s maiden series victory in any format on English soil in September, overcoming defeat in the first outing to secure a 2-1 win.

 

 

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI Penalizes Paytm Payment Bank with Rs 5.39 crores for KYC Violations: The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a monetary penalty of five crore and thirty-nine lakh rupees on Paytm Payments Bank Limited for violation of Know Your Customer (KYC) and a few other norms. RBI said, the bank had also violated certain provisions of ‘RBI Guidelines for Licensing of Payments Banks’, ‘Guidelines on reporting of unusual cyber security incidents’ and ‘Securing mobile banking applications including UPI ecosystem’.

 

2. RBI Cancels Registration Certificate Of Ind Bank Housing Ltd: The Reserve Bank of India has canceled the Certificate of Registration of Chennai-based Ind Bank Housing Ltd. Indian Bank and HUDCO (Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd) are major shareholders in the housing finance company, holding 51 per cent and 25 per cent stake, respectively. The company was set up in 1991. The housing finance company’s net loss widened to ₹55.78 lakh in FY23 against ₹12.93 lakh in FY22.

 

3. ICICI Bank Introduces ‘iFinance,’ A One-Stop Solution: ICICI Bank announced the launch of ‘iFinance’ to get a consolidated view of their savings and current accounts in one place. The ‘iFinance’ facility is available across our mobile banking and internet banking platforms which provide ease of access to account information to the customers. Objective: To enable our customers as well as customers of other banks to view their account data in one place and provide them better control over their finances. 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. NTPC features in Forbes “World’s Best Employers 2023” List: India’s largest integrated energy conglomerate, NTPC Limited has been recognized as one of the “World’s Best Employers 2023” in the Forbes World’s Best Employers list 2023. It ranked 261st out of top 700 companies in the World ranking and is the only Indian PSU to figure in the list. This is a testimony that the people practices at NTPC are at par with the top companies in the world. Every year Forbes publishes the World’s Best Employers List through independent market research to identify top 700 companies which offer exciting working and a positive environment, opportunities for training and career advancement, employee benefits, employee centric and workplace diversity. Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to create the seventh annual list of the World’s Best Employers this year. This recognizes NTPC’s progressive and “People before PLF” approach, excellence in the development and management of its Human Resources through continuous process improvement, creating a caring, learning and engaging workplace, employee well-being and care and creating a meaningful, collaborative employee experience by putting the needs of employees first and adopting people practices aligned strategically to business needs.

Daily GK Update- 13th Oct, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Minister Harshdeep Singh Puri launches 12th CGD Bidding in Delhi: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri launched the 12th City Gas Distribution(CGD) Bidding Round of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board in Delhi. Post this Bidding round, almost the entire country except Mizoram, Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep, would have access to CGD networks.

He said that from a 14 thousand-kilometer-long pipeline network in 2014 to a 23 thousand 500 long network in the present day, the goal is to achieve a 32 thousand-long network.

 

2. Ladakh Zanskar Festival 2023 starts at Padum in Zanskar: In Ladakh, the two-day Ladakh Zanskar Festival 2023 (8th edition) started at Padum in Zanskar, Ladakh.    Exhibition stalls displaying traditional cuisine, attire, lifestyle, ethnicity and unique Zanskar culture. Major attractions of the festival will be cultural presentations from famous cultural troops, Folk Songs, and dance.

 

3. Nitin Gadkari launches India Jewellery Shopping Festival (IJSF) 2023: Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has launched the India Jewellery Shopping Festival (IJSF) 2023 in New Delhi. This industry provides employment to lakhs of people and contributes to the nation’s growth through exports. He added that there is a bright future for this industry. The launch will be held across the country from 15th October to 22nd November. The B2C scheme will run from 13 October to 17th November. While B2B scheme has been running since 1st June and will continue till 31 October. The festival will offer benefits to both the B2B and the B2C segments wherein business owners can be a part of the festival by paying an enrollment fee.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi inaugurates 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20): Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) at YashoBhumi in New Delhi. In line with the theme of India’s G20 Presidency, the theme of the P20 Summit is Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, One Future. During this, 25 speakers, 10 Deputy Speakers along with 50 members of Parliament among others are going to participate.

The Pan African Parliament will also participate in the G20 event for the first time in India.

 

2. ADB to provide 338m for vaccine production in Bangladesh: Asian Development Bank (ADB) agreed to provide $338 million to Bangladesh for manufacturing vaccines against various diseases. This initiative will reduce the dependency on vaccine imports and facilitate more production in the country. The ADB committed $3.5 billion financing to Bangladesh in the current fiscal year of which around $2 billion would be concessional while the rest of $1.5 billion would be regular.

3. China witnesses record-low number of births last year: As per the data published by the National Health Commission, China witnessed a record-low number of births in 2022. China had just 9.56 million births in 2022. The number of babies born last year was the lowest figure since records began in 1949. Last year, the country's population also fell for the first time in sixty years. Its population was recorded to be 1.41 billion people. Nearly 40 percent of Chinese newborns last year were the second child.

 

4. India ranks 111 out of 125 countries in Global Hunger Index: India ranks 111 out of a total of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2023 India’s ranking is based on a Global Hunger Index score of 28.7 on a 100-point scale where 0 is the best score (no hunger) and 100 is the worst India’s severity of hunger as 'serious' The GHI score is based on a formula which combines four indicators that together capture the multi-dimensional nature of hunger, including under-nourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality.

 

5. First flight from Israel under Operation Ajay brings home 212 Indian nat: The first flight under Operation Ajay, carrying 212 Indian nationals from Israel, arrived at Delhi airport. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the launch of Operation Ajay to facilitate the return of those Indians who wish to come back home. The decision was taken after the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas a terror outfit based in Gaza, Palestine.

 

6. 8th BRICS International Competition Conference held in New Delhi: The 8th BRICS International Competition Conference was held in New Delhi. The theme of the conference is new issues in competition law and policy, dimensions, perspectives, and challenges. The conference is a seminal event to be held in India after a decade. More than 600 delegates from the competition authorities of BRICS and non-BRICS nations, competition law experts, non-government advisors, and domestic invitees are expected to participate in the conference.

 

7. 12 October – World Arthritis Day: World Arthritis Day is observed on October 12 every year.

It aims to create awareness about rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMSs). Theme 2023 – Living with an RMD at all stages of life. Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common types of arthritis. The inflammation and tenderness of one or more joints due to arthritis contribute to joint pain and stiffness. This condition worsens with age. Arthritis can drastically lower a person’s quality of life. There is no cure for arthritis.

 

8. 13 October – International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDR) is celebrated every year on 13 October. Objective -To create awareness about disasters, their impact on living beings, and preventive measures. Theme 2023 – Fighting inequality for a resilient future. One of the main aims behind observing this day is to educate communities about the risks posed by disasters and prepare them to survive through both natural and human-made disasters. The International Day for Disaster Reduction was first established by the United Nations in to foster a culture of disaster awareness and reduction.

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. World Athletics nominate Neeraj Chopra for Athlete of the Year award 2023: The global governing body of Athletics, World Athletics has nominated Neeraj Chopra for the Men's Athlete of the Year award 2023. Javelin thrower Neeraj is an Indian Olympic and World Championships Gold medalist. World Athletics has confirmed a list of 11 nominees, selected by an international panel of athletics experts, comprising representatives from all six continental areas of World Athletics.

 

2. Rohit Sharma Smashes India’s Fastest World Cup Century: India captain Rohit Sharma slammed his 31st ODI century in the World Cup 2023 at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. He completed his hundred off 63 balls, fetching him the record for the fastest century ever by an Indian in the history of World Cup surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar for the most hundreds. Before Rohit, the milestone belonged to Kapil Dev off 72 balls against Zimbabwe in 1983, the India captain bested the former all-rounder’s accomplishment by nine balls as India dominated Afghanistan in their chase of 273 and won by 8 wickets. Earlier during his innings, Rohit knocked down two more impressive milestones. First, he completed 1000 runs in World Cup, becoming only the fourth Indian to the landmark after Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly and then struck three sixes to become the leading six-hitter in international cricket, surpassing ‘Universe Boss’s Chris Gayle.

 

3. National Games 2023 to be held in Goa: The 37th edition of the National Games 2023 will be held in Goa from October 26 to November 9. This will be the first time Goa will host the National Games. The National Games are India’s homespun Olympic-style multi-sport event where athletes from the various states and Union Territories compete for medals. Several prominent Indian athletes like Neeraj Chopra, Sania Mirza, Mirabai Chanu, Sajan Prakash and Manu Bhaker among others have participated in the National Games. The National Games were first held in Lahore, undivided India, in 1924 and were known as the Indian Olympic Games until 1938. This year’s National Games will have a record number of 43 sports, including Olympic and indigenous sports. Last year, over 7,000 athletes featured in 36 sports. Kho Kho, yogasana and mallakhamb made their National Games debut.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IMF raises India’s FY24 growth forecast to 6.3% from 6.1%: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its FY24 growth projection for India by 20 basis points to 6.3 percent, citing stronger-than-expected consumption between April and June. India is one of the large emerging economies that (have) been doing better than expected for quite a while now. (It) is one of the one of the growth engines in the world economy. The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) kept its global growth forecast unchanged at 3 percent for 2023 and pared down the 2024 projection by 10 basis points to 2.9 percent. Growth in India is projected to remain strong, at 6.3 percent in both 2023 (FY24) and 2024 (FY25), with an upward revision of 0.2 percentage (points) for 2023 (FY24), reflecting stronger-than-expected consumption during April-June.

 

2. RBI raises monetary ceiling of gold loans for UCBs: In order to remove difficulties faced by the Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the monetary ceiling of gold loans under Bullet Repayment Scheme from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh for UCBs. The move will strengthen cooperatives and treat them on par with other economic entities. The RBI announced the increase in the monetary ceiling of gold loans that can be granted under the bullet repayment scheme from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh for UCBs who have met the overall PSL target and sub-targets as of March 31. The Ministry of Cooperation recently had also taken another historic decision to provide funds to the registrar of cooperatives of states and Union Territories (UTs) and Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (ARDBs) by the Center for Computerization.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Tamil writer Sivasankari presented with Saraswati Samman 2022: Tamil writer Sivasankari has won the prestigious ‘Saraswati Samman’ in 2022 for her memoirs, “Surya Vamsam”. The book was selected by a Chayan Parishad (Selection Committee), led by former Supreme Court judge Arjan Kumar Sikri. Surya Vamsam, a two-volume work, offers a profound glimpse into the life of an innocent child who evolved into an acclaimed author.

Daily GK Update- 12th Oct, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Northeast's first defence tech show begins in Guwahati: The first-ever defence tech show in Northeast India, called 'East Tech', has begun in Guwahati. Aim: To expose manufacturers to the needs of the armed forces and enable direct procurement of their products The Indian Army and the Assam government organized the tech event, which also featured MSMEs, defence PSUs, and start-ups showcasing their goods Nearly 200 manufacturers have set up their booths at the two-day ‘East Tech’ event, launched by Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita

 

2. Dept Of Animal Husbandry And Dairying Launched ‘A-HELP’ Programme: The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India launched the ‘A-HELP’ (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) programme in the State of Jharkhand. Aim: To empower women by engaging them as Accredited Agent who contribute significantly to disease control, animal tagging, and livestock insurance.   The new scheme would enhance access to veterinary services at the farmer's doorstep and empower Pashu Sakhis.

 

3. Petroleum Minister Inaugurates 26th Energy Technology Meet in New Delhi: Hardeep Singh inaugurated the 26th Energy Technology Meet at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Aim: To provide a common forum for refiners and technology service providers for the exposition of recent advances. He announced that India had exceeded its biofuel blending targets, which are an important component of the country's green energy policy.  The aim of 20% biofuel blending, which was originally set for 2030, has been pushed back to 2025.

 

4. Govt Introduces Shreshta Scheme For Quality Education Of SC Students: The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has introduced the 'Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas' (SHRESHTA).  Aim: To extend the impact of government development programs and bridge service gaps in areas predominantly inhabited by SC communities within the education sector. The scheme's core strategy involves fostering collaboration between grant-in-aid institutions managed by NGOs and residential high schools 

 

5. Navneet Munot elected Chairman of the AMFI: The Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) has elected Navneet Munot and Anthony Heredia as its new chairman and vice-chairperson. Currently, Munot is the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HDFC Asset Management. Heredia is the MD and CEO of Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund. The election brings an end to a two-year term of A Balasubramanian as the chairman and Radhika Gupta as the vice-chairperson. Though the association holds elections for the two positions every year, the elected representatives generally get a two-year term. The election took place at the 28th annual general meeting (AGM) of Amfi in September 2023. Munot and Heredia will take charge from 16 October 2023.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India, Italy sign defence agreement: India and Italy signed an agreement on defence cooperation during defence minister Rajnath Singhs. Aim: To promote bilateral cooperation in areas such as security and defence policy, research and development, education in military field, maritime domain awareness, sharing of defence information The relationship between India and Italy was elevated to strategic partnership in March 2023 during the visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to India.

 

2. IOC and Reliance Foundation Join Forces to Promote Olympic Values: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) with the Olympic Museum has aligned with Reliance Foundation Aim: To build on the success of the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) in India and signed a new cooperation agreement.  It underscores the organisations’ shared priority to promote Olympic values through sport among young people. Aim: To increase access to sport and bring the health and societal benefits of physical activity to communities across the globe.

 

3. Operation Ajay set to evacuate Indian nationals from Israel: India has launched Operation Ajay to facilitate the return from Israel of its citizens who wish to return. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar announced this operation, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian nationals abroad. Special charter flights and other arrangements are being organized to bring back Indian citizens from Israel. The Indian Embassy in Israel has initiated contact with registered Indian citizens, starting with the first group, for the special flight. Subsequent flights will follow, and communication will be made accordingly.

 

4. UAE Chairs International Conference 2023 on Climate Change: The UAE has chaired the 2023 International Conference on Climate Change and Nuclear Energy, organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The conference aims to provide a platform for Member States, representatives of low-carbon energy sectors, international organizations, and other relevant bodies to exchange information on the role of nuclear energy in the path to eliminating carbon emissions, in line with the goals of limiting global warming. This event is an ideal opportunity to discuss relevant policies and strategies with various international bodies and exchange expertise on the role of peaceful nuclear energy in addressing climate change. Notably, the United Arab Emirates will also host the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai Expo City. The decision of the UAE to host the international conference affirms its commitment to working to mitigate the effects of climate change at multiple levels.

 

5. 12 October 2023 – World Sight Day: World Sight Day is observed across the globe on the second Thursday of October every year and this year was celebrated on12 October. Objective – To raise awareness about blindness and vision impairment. Theme 2023 – Love your eyes at work The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has organized several events to create awareness about visual impairment among the masses. World Sight Day has been observed since the year 2000 and is now coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness alongside the World Health Organization. It was initially observed as part of a SightFirst campaign by the Lions Club International Foundation. The occasion has had an associated theme for most of its 22-year history.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Rohit Sharma Smashes India’s Fastest World Cup Century: India captain Rohit Sharma slammed his 31st ODI century in the World Cup 2023. He completed his hundred off 63 balls, fetching him the record for the fastest century ever by an Indian in the history of World Cup surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar for the most hundreds (7) in World Cup history. 

He completed 1000 runs in World Cup, becoming only the fourth Indian to the landmark He struck 3 sixes to become the leading six-hitter in international cricket

 

2. National Games 2023 To Be Held In Goa From Oct. 26 To Nov. 9: The state's sports minister Govind Gaude confirmed that the 37th edition of the National Games 2023 will be held in Goa from October 26 to November 9. The National Games are India’s homespun Olympic-style multi-sport event where athletes from the various states and Union Territories compete for medals. This will be the first time Goa will host the National Games. Goa was awarded the hosting rights for the 36th edition, initially scheduled for 2016.

 

3. Shubhi Gupta wins U-19 Girls National Chess Championship: Shubhi Gupta has won the U-19 Girls’ National Chess Championship 2023 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Shubhi is an integral member of the Cohort sponsored and supported by the esteemed Pravaha Foundation as part of their laudable Initiative, “64 Squares.” The “64 Squares” initiative encompasses a group of immensely talented chess players, spanning various age groups and levels of expertise.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI Bank of Baroda to halt new customer onboarding on its mobile app: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has ordered Bank of Baroda (BoB) to suspend further customer onboarding on its ‘bob World’ mobile app with immediate effect, citing material supervisory concerns. Under section 35A, the RBI has power to give directions to banks ‘to prevent the affairs of any banking company being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interests of the depositors or in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the banking company’.

2. Navneet Munot Elected Chairman of the AMFI: Navneet Munot, MD and CEO of HDFC Asset Management has been appointed as the Chairman of the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI). He replaced A Balasubramanian. He is a Chartered Accountant and a CFA charter holder and has over three decades of experience in financial services AMFI was incorporated as a non-profit organization. As of now, all the 44 asset management companies that are registered with SEBI, are its members.

 

3. RBI plan to include PM Vishwakarma Scheme beneficiaries in PIDF Scheme: Reserve Bank Governor has decided to include PM Vishwakarma under the Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) Scheme as well as extend the tenure of the scheme by another two years. It is now proposed to extend the PIDF Scheme by a further period of two years, that is up to December 31, 2025, the RBI said while announcing a bi-monthly monetary policy. Operationalized in January 2021, the PIDF Scheme aims at incentivizing the deployment of payment acceptance infrastructure such as physical Point of Sale (PoS), Quick Response (QR) codes in tier-3 to tier-6 centres, north-eastern states and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. As per the original plan, the tenure of the PIDF scheme was fixed for three years till December 2023. Governor Das said, beneficiaries of PM SVANidhi Scheme in Tier-1 and 2 centres were later included in August 2021 under the PIDF scheme.

 

4. RBI stops Bank of Baroda from adding new customers on its Mobile App: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed the Bank of Baroda (BoB) to stop on-boarding new customers into its mobile banking facility – ‘bob World’ — with immediate effect. The action is based on certain material supervisory concerns observed in the manner of onboarding of their customers onto this mobile application. In order to add customers, the bank will have to rectify the existing deficiencies observed and strengthen the process according to the RBI standards. BoB assured that existing customers would not face any disruption and would continue to have uninterrupted services on the mobile app. The regulator also said that the existing customers of the application will not face any disruption in their services on account of the RBI mandate. This order does not impact any of the bank’s other digital banking channels such as Net Banking, WhatsApp Banking, Debit Cards, ATMs, etc. for servicing its existing customers as well as for onboarding of new customers.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Hansal Mehta’s Scoop wins Best Series at Busan International Film Festival: Hansal Mehta’s newsroom drama series Scoop has been awarded the Best Asian TV Series at the ongoing Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). Starring Karishma Tanna in the lead role, the series is inspired by Jigna Vora’s book ‘Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison’. Scoop also starred Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and Harman Baweja, among others in pivotal roles.

Daily GK Update- 11th Oct, 2023

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. ISRO in collaboration with VIBHA organizes exhibition Space on Wheels: The ISRO in collaboration with Vijnana Bharati is organizing an exhibition called “Space on Wheels” in Arunachal Pradesh Objective: To provide valuable insights into ISRO’s activities and India’s space missions to school and college students Aim: To sensitize the youth about the exciting and rewarding career opportunities in the field of space science and to bring the wonders of space exploration to the doorstep of students and enthusiasts across the region

 

2. Mukesh Ambani overtakes Gautam Adani become richest Indian on Hurun list: Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani overtook Gautam Adani and reclaimed the title of the richest Indian, according to Hurun India Rich List 2023.  Adani's wealth fell significantly due to the effect of the Hindenburg report on the group’s shares. Cyrus S Poonawalla and family remained in third position.  Industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla and family and Niraj Bajaj and family re-entered the top 10.

 

3. Gaganyaan" Test Vehicle Development flight (TV-D1) in Sriharikota: ISRO will launch of the "Gaganyaan" Test Vehicle Space flight, that is, the "Gaganyaan" Test Vehicle Development flight (TV-D1) on 21october ISRO will also test the efficacy of the Crew Escape System which is the crucial part of "Gaganyaan" mission, resulting in unmanned and manned missions to outer space by 2024 The test is to be conducted at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota Crew Module will carry the astronauts during the Gaganyaan mission to outer space

 

4. Bihar govt announces 10% reservation for EWS in judicial services: Bihar government announced 10 per cent reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in the judicial services and state-run law colleges and universities. The announcement came just a day after the government released the first set of data from the state's caste survey. According to the data, Extremely Backward Communities (EBCs) account for 36.01% of the population, while Backward Classes comprise an additional 27.12%.

 

5. NLC India Ltd Secures 810 MW Solar PV Project In Rajasthan: State-run NLC India (NLCIL) has secured a 810 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) project from Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Nigam (RRVUNL) in Bikaner district. NLCIL has successfully garnered the entire capacity of the 810 MW tender floated by RRVUNL for developing the project of 2,000 MW ultra mega solar park. The LoI for this project has been issued by RRVUNL representing a significant step forward in NLCIL’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy solutions.

 

6. Dhami launches ‘Yuva U’khand app’ to boost self-employment: CM Dhami inaugurated the Rozgar Prayag portal in the Uttarakhand Yuva Mahotsav -2023 He also launched the ‘Yuva Uttarakhand’ application and self employment centres at the employment exchanges of the State in the programme Aim: To help the unemployed by providing information about the posts in different departments to be filled by outsourcing MoUs signed with the IIT Roorkee and Microsoft International for technical support to the state government in skill development

 

7. Air India commissions mega warehouse facility in Delhi: Air India has commissioned a mega warehouse facility in Delhi for storing over 1,000,000 engineering spares for aircraft maintenance. Spread across 54,000 square feet and located near Terminal 3, at Delhi Airport’s cargo complex, the centralized warehousing facility will improve the turnaround time of flights operating out of Delhi. The facility will offer a one-stop solution for storing aircraft spares, tools, and ground support equipment ranging from hardware to sophisticated and complex avionics, hydraulics, structural, pneumatic, and mechanical components. This facility will not only boost Air India’s fleet and operational efficiency but will also strengthen India’s aviation ecosystem. The warehouse will offer us more proximate access to and better control over our aircraft spares enabling us to meet any engineering requirement promptly — leading to improved punctuality of flights.

 

8. Uttar Pradesh declares Dolphin as State Aquatic Animal: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has declared the Gangetic Dolphin as the state aquatic animal. CM Yogi emphasized the need to maintain the purity of ponds and rivers. These dolphins are found in rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Ghaghra, Rapti, and Gerua. The estimated population of Gangetic dolphins in Uttar Pradesh is estimated at around 2000. Teams of the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Forest Department have been recently counting dolphins with the help of GPS in Garh Ganga at the Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh. These dolphins are found in rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Ghaghra, Rapti, and Gerua.

 

9. JioMart ropes in MS Dhoni as brand ambassador: Reliance Retail’s JioMart has signed up Mahendra Singh Dhoni as its brand ambassador. Dhoni’s association comes alongside the rebranding of their festive campaign JioMart to “JioUtsav, Celebrations of India. The JioUtsav campaign is designed to celebrate India’s vibrant culture, its people, and the various festivals that mark the country’s calendar. The campaign encourages everyone to celebrate all occasions of happiness, festivities, and special moments with loved ones. It positions shopping as an integral part of these celebrations, highlighting JioMart as the go-to platform for all shopping needs.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. International Day of the Girl Child is observed on 11 October: International Girl Child Day is observed on October 11 to recognise the challenges girls face globally and boost their rights. Aim: To focus on the importance of girls' education, their rights, and promoting gender equality.  The theme of 2023 is "Invest in Girls' Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being," It urges the global community to move beyond reaffirming commitments and invest boldly in the action needed to make changes that could empower girls.

 

2. India re-elected as President of the Asia-Pacific Institute: India has been elected as President of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development General Conference (AIBD GC) for the 3rd successive term to lead the prestigious international organization. India had already served two terms as President from 2018–2021 and 2021–2023. This milestone has happened for the first time in the history of AIBD, which is a 50-year-old organization and this indicates the confidence of the broadcasting organizations across the Asia Pacific and the world that India can show the way, lead the way in providing a new value of broadcasting. AIBD, established in 1977 under the auspices of UNESCO, is a unique regional inter-governmental organization, that currently has 92 member organizations from across 44 countries, including 26 Government Members (countries) represented by 48 broadcasting authorities and broadcasters, and 44 Affiliates (organizations) of which represented by 28 countries and regions in Asia, Pacific, Europe, Africa, Arab States and North America.

 

3. Sri Lanka hosts IORA Council of Ministers meeting in Colombo: Sri Lanka has assumed the Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) during the 23rd Council of Ministers meeting held in Colombo. The association’s member states will hold discussions on collaboration in various sectors, including trade and investment, maritime safety and security, fisheries management, disaster risk management, and the blue economy, among others. Sri Lanka will hold the chairmanship of the association from 2023 to 2025, with the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh ceremoniously handing over the chairmanship to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry. The IORA, an intergovernmental organization established in 1997, comprises 23 member states and 11 dialogue partners hailing from regions surrounding the Indian Ocean.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Ayodhya to host National Archery Championship in November 2023: The Senior National Archery Championship will be held in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh from 25 to 30 November 2023. The championship will feature individual, team, and mixed team events under Indian, recurve, and compound rounds. The competition will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on November 25. Union sports minister Anurag Thakur will participate in the closing ceremony.

 

2. Iran’s Shadloui becomes costliest player in Pro Kabaddi League auction at ₹2.35 Crore: Iran’s Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh emerged as the costliest player in the history of the Pro Kabaddi League auction after he was bought for Rs 2.35 crore by Puneri Paltan.This made him the league’s most expensive foreign player, overtaking Fazel Atrachali’s previous price of ₹1.38 crore last year with Puneri Paltan. While India’s Maninder Singh was roped in by Bengal Warriors for Rs 2.12 crore. A total of 137 matches will be played in the 10th edition of PKL. As many as 132 league stage matches will be followed by the playoff comprising five matches — two eliminators, two semifinals and the final.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IMF Raises India’s FY24 GDP Growth Forecast to 6.3%: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its FY24 growth projection for India by 20 basis points to 6.3 per cent, citing stronger than expected consumption between April and June. The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) kept its global growth forecast unchanged at 3 per cent for 2023 and pared down the 2024 projection by 10 basis points to 2.9 per cent.   The IMF’s inflation projection for India has been revised upward to 5.5 per cent for FY24.

 

2. India’s Net Direct Tax Collections Surge by 21.8%: India’s net direct tax collections grew 21.8% to ₹9.57 lakh crore by October 9, surpassing over half of the Budget estimates for 2023 with personal income tax revenues rising 32.5% and corporate taxes increasing 12.4%. While tax refunds amounting to ₹1.5 lakh crore have been remitted to taxpayers so far, some refunds are being withheld on the basis of pending tax demands from the past that taxpayers are being given a chance to address.

 

3. India’s Fiscal Deficit Rose To Rs 6.42 trillion, 36% Of The FY24 Target: India's fiscal deficit in the first five months of the financial year 2023-24 (FY24) stood at Rs 6.42 trillion, 36 per cent of the full-year target of Rs 17.87 trillion. In the same period in FY23, the fiscal deficit was 32.6 per cent of the full-year target.  Aim: To narrow its fiscal deficit to 5.9 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) by the end of the current financial year, against 6.4 per cent last year.

 

4. Star Health Insurance introduces surrogacy cover and oocyte donor cover: Star Health and Allied Insurance has added surrogacy cover and oocyte donor cover to its popular women-centric policy, Star Women Care Insurance Policy Aim: To address a growing demand for assisted reproduction treatment, extending health insurance coverage to surrogate mothers and oocyte donors while also offering reassurance to expectant couples  It provides inpatient hospitalization coverage for post-partum delivery complications experienced by the surrogate mother