Current Affairs August 2023

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

  • The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) to enhance the socio-economic upliftment of Safai Karamcharis, manual scavengers, waste pickers, and their families.
  • On August 31, India’s first indigenously developed 700-Megawatt Electric (MWe) Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project Unit-3 (KAPP3) in Gujarat has commenced operations at full capacity.
  • Amazon has made an agreement with India Post to make it easier to send goods to other countries for small and medium-sized businesses. They made this deal at the Amazon Smbhav Summit, which was their fourth one, on August 31, 2023, in New Delhi.

❱ The MoU was signed during the 4th Amazon Smbhav Summit was held in New Delhi.

❱ During the event, Amazon introduced “Amazon सह-AI”, a generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) -based personal digital assistant.

  • The Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), which is part of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare under the Ministry of Defence, has agreed to a deal with Genpact India Private Limited. This agreement aims to create job opportunities for people who have retired from the Defence Services.
  • World Health Organization (WHO) has released the outcome document of first WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit 2023 in form of “Gujarat Declaration”. The declaration reaffirmed global commitments towards indigenous knowledges, biodiversity and traditional, complementary and integrative medicine.
  • The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Meta have started a three-year partnership called 'Education to Entrepreneurship: Empowering a generation of students, educators, and entrepreneurs' in New Delhi.
  • During National Teachers' Day 2023 , Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Minister for the Ministry of Education, inaugurated the Malaviya Mission for Teacher Training. This program, established by the University Grants Commission (UGC), at Kaushal Bhawan in New Delhi.
  • Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, launched Sanchi in the Raisen district as India’s first Solar City. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal to establish a solar city in every state by the year 2070.
  • Indian Railways’ Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) in Vadodara, Gujarat, and Airbus, a European multinational aerospace corporation, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and improve India's aviation industry.
  • The Geographical Indications Registry has awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag to 'Koraput Kalajeera Rice' from Odisha, often referred to as the 'Prince of Rice'. This variety of rice has a long-standing tradition of being exclusively cultivated by the tribal communities and local farmers in the Koraput district of Odisha.
  • The Indian Navy has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uber, a prominent ridesharing application, aiming to offer efficient, convenient, safe, and cost-effective transportation options for the personal travel and daily commutes of Navy personnel and their families throughout India. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is in line with the vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) for 'Happy Personnel', as part of the 'SHIPS FIRST' strategy, and represents the first initiative of its kind within the Armed Forces.
  • The Indian Navy and the French Navy conducted the Phase II of the 21st edition of the Varuna (Varuna 2023), the bilateral maritime exercise, in the Arabian Sea.
  • India and the United Kingdom (UK) unveiled the UK-India Infrastructure Financing Bridge (UKIIFB) during the 12th Ministerial India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) in New Delhi. This initiative is aimed at attracting long-term investment in critical infrastructure sectors within India.
  • Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan alongwith Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, inaugurated the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
  • The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) held a workshop focused on Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) in partnership with UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE). This event took place at the NSE's facilities in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
  • Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, embarked on a two-day visit to Gujarat from September 12 to September 13, 2023. During her visit, she inaugurated the 'National e-Vidhan Application' (NeVA), a project designed to digitize the operations of the State Assembly, transforming it into a 'Digital House' and facilitating paperless functioning.
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has cancelled the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licenses of three organizations: Bal Raksha Bharat, Srinivas Malliah Memorial Theatre Crafts Museum, and the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).
  • The Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the foundation stone for ten projects, including the 'Power and Renewable Energy Manufacturing Zone' in Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Parshottam Rupala, the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), unveiled the Shrimp Crop Insurance scheme at the 2nd edition of the Shrimp Farmers Conclave 2023 in Navsari, Gujarat. This scheme, developed by the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), aims to provide insurance coverage to shrimp farmers.
  • The Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) has awarded GI tag to ‘Atreyapuram Pootharekulu’, a sweet delicacy made from rice and jaggery originating in Andhra Pradesh, and it has been registered under the ‘Food Stuffs’ category.
  • The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the IIT-Bombay,  Maharashtra, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing food security, nutrition, climate resilience, and livelihoods across India.
  • The Government of India (GoI) has launched the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP), a series of new National Awards in Science, Technology, and Innovation. These awards are designed to honor and acknowledge the significant and inspiring contributions of scientists, technologists, and innovators, either individually or as part of teams, across various disciplines. The RVP will include 3 Vigyan Ratna awards, as well as 25 Vigyan Shri, 25 Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, and 3 Vigyan Team awards.
  • Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), has launched "Kisan e-Mitra", an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based chatbot, designed for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme.
  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment and All World Gayatri Pariwar  aims to disseminate the objectives of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) among youth, women, students, and the community under the auspices of All World Gayatri Pariwar.
  • India has been successful in securing the opportunity to host the 17th International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement (ICCC) in 2027, which will take place in New Delhi. This announcement was made during the 16th ICCC (2023) in Bangkok.
  • The inaugural 'Bharatiya Prakash Sthamb Utsav' or 'Indian Lighthouse Festival', a three-day event aimed at promoting lighthouses as tourist destinations, took place in Goa from September 23rd to 25th, 2023.
  • India has reached a significant landmark in Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II, with 75% of villages attaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus status under this phase of the mission. A village designated as ODF Plus not only maintains ODF status but also implements comprehensive Solid Waste and Liquid Waste Management systems.
  • The State Government of Madhya Pradesh has introduced its 7th Tiger Reserve, named 'Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.'
  • Tata Motors delivered first-of-its-kind two Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) buses to Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL).
  • At an event in New Delhi, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers introduced two key initiatives: the National Policy on Research and Development and Innovation in the Pharma-MedTech Sector, and the Scheme for Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech (PRIP) These programs are designed to advance research and development in the pharmaceutical field, with a focus on traditional medicines, phyto-pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
  • The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), operating under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, initiated Phase II of the 'Amazon Future Engineer Programme' across 54 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) located in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana.
  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a 'Special Category' in its online Food Safety Compliance System portal. This new provision is aimed at fostering gender equality and providing equal opportunities to women and transgender entrepreneurs in the food business sector.
  • Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of the Ministry of Education introduced the "CRIIIO 4 GOOD" online life skills learning module at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This program, aimed at promoting gender equity among girls and boys, was launched in collaboration with the International Cricket Council (ICC), Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
  • The International Air Transport Association (IATA), representing the global airline industry, has assigned the three-letter code 'DXN' to the new greenfield airport being developed at Jewar in the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (Noida) area of Uttar Pradesh. This code 'DXN' is indicative of the airport's location, highlighting its accessibility to Noida, Delhi, and the western region of Uttar Pradesh.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

  • At a joint meeting, the United States Department of Energy and India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy unveiled the US-India Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) as a part of the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership.
  • The 2nd edition of Surya Nepal Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) was held from 1st to 3rd September 2023 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp has proclaimed October as 'Hindu Heritage Month', a time dedicated to honoring the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of India and celebrating the heritage of Hinduism.
  • Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 20th ASEAN- India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS), both of which were hosted by Indonesia, as the current ASEAN Chair. In 2023, Indonesia assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship, adopting the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”.
  • The National Judicial Academy (NJA) of India, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Singapore Judicial College of the Supreme Court of Singapore. This agreement focuses on fostering collaboration in the fields of judicial education and research.
  • India has been recognised as an authorized entity to issue OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) pattern approval certificates, enabling the global sale of weights and measures. This distinction makes India the 13th country worldwide with the capability to issue such OIML certificates. Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs will now issue the OIML certificates.
  • India and Russia have reached an agreement to train Indian seafarers in navigating polar and Arctic waters. This training will be conducted at Russia's Maritime Training Institute in Vladivostok, which is named after GI Admiral Nevelsky.
  • Santiniketan in West Bengal (WB) has been inscribed as the 41st site and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas as the 42nd on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List.
  • In the Digital Quality of Life (DQL) Index- 2023, the 5th edition of the annual study by Surfshark Limited, India improved its position to 52nd rank with a ranking index of 0.5154, up from 59th rank in 2022.

❱ France leads with a ranking index of 0.902, followed by Finland, Denmark, Germany, and Luxembourg. In the regional ranking for Asia, India stands at 13th, with Singapore leading the region at the global rank of 10.

  • The Indian Navy (IN) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) are taking part in the 30th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX 2023). This joint naval combat exercise is being conducted from September 21st to 28th, 2023, in the southern regions of the South China Sea, near the coast of Singapore. SIMBEX 2023 consists of two phases: the land phase and the sea phase.
  • During September 21-22, 2023, the Indian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Indonesian Navy conducted their first trilateral Maritime Partnership Exercise. The Indian Navy was represented by the warship INS Sahyadri, which is currently on a mission deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • The 2023 Annual Report of the Economic Freedom of the World (EFW), published by the Fraser Institute, a Canadian think tank, ranks Singapore as the world's freest economy with a score of 8.56. India is positioned at 87th place in this index.
Rank Country
1 Singapore
2 Hong Kong
3 Switzerland
4 New Zealand
5 United States of America (USA)
87 India
  • The 2023 Global Crypto Adoption Index, published by Chainalysis, a firm specializing in crypto-analysis, reveals that India leads the ranking at the top position among 154 countries, scoring 1.0. Following India, Nigeria and Vietnam are ranked second and third, with index scores of 0.642 and 0.568 respectively.
  • In response to the growing global demand for sustainable finance support and enhancement, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has introduced an innovative e-Learning Programme.
  • The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India, in collaboration with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), has released the 'Caring for Our Elders Institutional Responses: India Ageing Report 2023'. Key data and analytics from the report include: Senior citizens currently make up 10% of India’s population, which is projected to increase to 14.36% by 2036 and further to 20.8% by 2050. Additionally, the decadal growth rate of India’s elderly population (age 60 and above) is estimated to be 41% between 2021 and 2031.
  • The Electoral Commission of Seychelles (ECS) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Election Commission of India (ECI). This agreement is focused on collaborative efforts to improve electoral management and administration. It aims to leverage shared experiences and facilitate the exchange of knowledge to enhance the electoral processes in both nations.
  • The 45th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and concluded on September 25. During this session, 42 new sites were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with the adoption of other significant resolutions and decisions.

❱ Santiniketan in West Bengal and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas in Karnataka, both located in India, have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

BANK/FINANCE/ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

  • Savart, a top investment advisory company in India, has introduced 'The Ad Astra Fund,' the world's first fully automated Portfolio Management Service (PMS), in Hyderabad, Telangana. This fund employs an Artificial Intelligence (AI) research system named Advanced Process Automation & Research Technology (APART) for its investment decision-making.
  • Punjab National Bank (PNB), a Public Sector Bank launched the PNB GST Sahay App, a mobile application based on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Sahay scheme. This digital tool enables seamless lending based on GST invoices, marking a significant milestone as PNB becomes the inaugural Public Sector Bank (PSB) to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with digital credit accessibility through this platform.
  • PhonePe, an Indian digital payment platform, entered the online stock broking business with a new trading app, Share.Market under its subsidiary PhonePe Wealth Broking. The app can be used to invest in stocks, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds or Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).
  • PayNearby, in partnership with the Grameen Foundation for Social Impact (GFSI), has initiated the 'Scaling Agent Viability and Quality in India' program, which aims to enhance the competencies of 1.5 lakh business correspondents (BCs) and to incorporate an additional 15,000 female BCs by providing them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and support across rural India.
  • Hitachi Payment Services Private Ltd has been launched India’s first-ever Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-Automated Teller Machine (ATM) as a White Label ATM, in association with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), offering secure cardless cash withdrawals.
  • SBI Cards & Payment Services Limited (SBI Card) has introduced the ‘SimplySAVE Merchant SBI Card’, a credit card specifically for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This card is crafted to provide MSME merchants with interest-free short-term credit facilities and additional exclusive advantages.
  • NTPC Limited and Oil India Limited (OIL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pursue potential cooperative ventures in the realms of Renewable Energy (RE), green hydrogen and related compounds, as well as decarbonization efforts, which include tapping into geothermal energy resources.
  • Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).The signing ceremony was held in Bengaluru. The MoU focuses on the area of Short Range Air Defense System. The MoU is in line with India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) and 'Make in India' policies.
  • Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das has been ranked as the top central banker globally by US-based Global Finance magazine. He has been rated ‘A+’ in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2023.
  • The Global Fintech Fest (GFF), a premier three-day fintech conference, took place from September 5 to September 7, 2023, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

❱ Hitachi Payment Services has launched India's first-ever UPI-ATM.

❱ The State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced the country's first Transit Card: the RuPay NCMC Prepaid Card.

❱ At the Global Fintech Awards 2023, Adeeb Ahamed received the Leading Fintech Personality of the Year Award.

  • During the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2023 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, HSBC India unveiled 'Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) in a Box', a comprehensive solution for corporates to engage with the ONDC platform. With this initiative, HSBC India becomes the first foreign bank in the country to provide an ONDC-enabled offering.
  • Union Bank of India (UBI) has launched two new debit card variants in partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI): the HNI Emperio RuPay Metal Debit Card and the RuPay Empower Her Debit Card. This makes UBI the first Public Sector Bank (PSB) to offer Metal Debit Cards.
  • Bharti AXA Life Insurance has introduced Income Laabh, a personal savings plan designed to offer financial security along with a steady income stream for the duration of the policy.
  • 'Mastercard', in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Invest India, has launched Priceless.com. This platform is aimed at showcasing India's rich history and culture, leveraging the latest travel trends. Priceless.com is set to support the "Dekho Apna Desh" initiative of the Tourism Ministry.
  • The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced the 7 Ring, a RuPay ON-THE-GO (OTG) ring, marking India's first contactless payment wearable ring. This innovative product was unveiled at the Global Fintech Fest, 2023.
  • The United States-based chipmaker NVIDIA Corporation has formed separate partnerships with Reliance Industries Limited and Tata Group to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) Supercomputers in India.
  • Air India has initiated "Project Abhinandan," aimed at offering personalized and smooth ground services to its passengers. Under this project, specially trained Service Assurance Officers (SAOs) will be deployed at 16 major airports across India to assist and support Air India's guests.
  • Indian Bank has introduced a new program named SAATHI (Sustainable Access and Aligning Technology for Holistic Inclusion). This initiative aims to offer essential banking services for a minimum of four hours daily at fixed outlets via the business correspondent (BC) channel, ensuring accessibility at all centers.
  • Axis Bank launched 'NEO for Business', a distinctive one-stop Transaction Banking platform for Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
  • Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Limited (KMAMCL), in partnership with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), has introduced an Investor Education and Awareness Initiative named “Seekho Paiso ki Bhasha”.
  • Karnataka Bank Limited (KBL) has launched a new Door-Step Gold Loan service named “KBL-Swarna Bandhu” for its customers. This service revolutionizes the gold loan process through complete digitalization, facilitating the provision of gold loan services directly at the customers' homes. Additionally, it aims to expand the bank's Gold Loan Portfolio.
  • The Indian Railways has entered into a supply agreement with Kinet Railway Solutions, an Indo-Russian Joint Venture (JV), for the production of Vande Bharat trains. Under this contract, Kinet Railway Solutions is tasked with manufacturing 120 Vande Bharat trains and providing maintenance services for these trains over a period of 35 years.

AWARDS

  • The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) has declared the details of the 65th Ramon Magsaysay Award for the year 2023, bearing the theme "Transforming Asia, Inspiring the World." This esteemed event is scheduled to take place in Manila, Philippines, on November 11th, 2023.

    The honorees of the 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Award are as follows:
      • Ravi Kannan, recognized as the "Hero for Holistic Healthcare" from India.
      • Miriam Coronel–Ferrer, recognized as the "Women in Peace-Building Pioneer" from the Philippines.
      • Eugenio Lemos, acknowledged as the "Food Sovereignty Visionary" from Timor-Leste.
      • Korvi Rakshand, acknowledged as the "Education-for-All Champion" from Bangladesh.
  • The 26th edition of the National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG) took place at the Brilliant Convention Centre in Indore, Madhya Pradesh (MP), with a focus on enhancing service delivery to citizens.

    Key highlights from the conference included:

❱ The conference, centered on the theme 'Viksit Bharat, Empowering Citizens', discussed various strategies for empowering citizens through digital governance.

❱ The National Crime Records Bureau's NAFIS received the DARPG Gold Award for Excellence in the first category.

❱ The Government of West Bengal's Suvidha Vehicle System was honored with the Gold Award for Efficient Trade Facilitation.

❱ The SVAMITVA scheme, executed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, was also among the notable mentions won Gold in National Award on e-Governance 2022-23.

  • Shanta Thoutam, the female Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) of Telangana, received the World Innovation Award at the first BRICS Innovation Forum, which took place in Moscow, Russia.
    The award recognizes her dedicated efforts in advancing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-4 by methodically executing innovative solutions. The Award was established by the World Organisation for Development.
  • The Vijayawada Railway Station in Andhra Pradesh (AP) has been awarded the prestigious "Green Railway Station" certification at the Platinum level, which is the highest rating given by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
  • 23-year-old Praveena Anjana from Udaipur clinched the title of Miss International India 2023 and is set to represent India at the Miss International contest scheduled for October 2023 in Japan.
  • The 8th edition of the U.S. News & World Report's Best Countries Rankings for 2023 shows that India has advanced its position, moving up one place to the 30th rank with an overall score of 40.8. This is an improvement from its 31st position out of 85 countries in the previous year, 2022. The list is topped by Switzerland,
  • On the "International Day of Clear Air for Blue Skies" held on September 7, 2023, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) presented awards to the winners of the ‘Swachh Vayu Survekshan-2023’. This survey, which marked its second edition in 2023, was carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the MoEFCC’s initiative.

    In the ‘National Clean Air City’ Awards, the results were as follows:
      • In Category 1, for cities with populations over 10 lakh, Indore (Madhya Pradesh) claimed the first rank, with Agra (Uttar Pradesh) and Thane (Maharashtra) securing the second and third places, respectively.
      • Category 2 saw Amravati (Maharashtra) leading, followed by Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) and Guntur (Andhra Pradesh) in the respective second and third positions.
      • In Category 3, Parwanoo (Himachal Pradesh) achieved the top rank, followed by Kala Amb, also in Himachal Pradesh.
  • The French Government has bestowed the prestigious "Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) upon Indian Fashion Designer Rahul Mishra. This honor recognizes his accomplishments in the realm of fashion design and his dedication to showcasing and promoting Indian craftsmanship on a global stage. Rahul Mishra originates from Uttar Pradesh (UP), India.
  • The "Global Leader Approval Rating Tracker" survey conducted by Morning Consult, a consulting firm based in the United States of America (USA), has named Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, as the "Most Popular Global World Leader." He achieved the highest approval rating globally at 76%. Additionally, Modi received a disapproval rating of 18%, while 5% of respondents did not express an opinion.
  • At the 33rd Annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony held on September 14th, 2023,Ig Nobel Prizes were presented. In this year's awards, a team of scientists from India, China, Malaysia, and the United States of America (USA) clinched the Ig Nobel in the 'Mechanical Engineering' category.
  • The National Medical Commission (NMC) of India has been awarded the Recognition Status by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) for a period of 10 years with immediate effect.
  • Biswanath Ghat, situated along the Brahmaputra River and often referred to as 'Gupta Kashi', is named after the historic Biswanath Mandir. The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has announced that Biswanath Ghat has been recognized as the Best Tourism Village of India for the year 2023 by the Ministry of Tourism.
  • Swati Nayak, an Indian scientist, has been honored as the recipient of the 2023 Norman E. Borlaug Award for 'Field Research and Application'. She holds the distinction of being the third Indian and the first scientist from Odisha to receive this prestigious award in the field of Field Research and Application.
  • The prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award for the year 2021 will be conferred upon the celebrated Indian actor and Padma Awardee, Waheeda Rehman. She will be the 53rd recipient of this esteemed honor and the 8th female artist to be recognized with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award.

APPOINTMENT

  • Chief of the Gabonese Republican Guard, General Brice Oligui Nguema, was unanimously selected to serve as the Transitional President of Gabon and to preside over the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions.
  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has sanctioned the appointment of Jaya Varma Sinha to the position of Chairperson & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board, marking her as the first woman to assume this role since the Railway Board's inception in 1905.
  • The Union Government established a committee, chaired by former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, to examine the feasibility of implementing "One Nation One Election," a concept proposing the concurrent conduct of General (Lok Sabha) and State legislative elections.
  • Indian-origin Singapore-born economist Tharman Shanmugaratnam has been elected as the 9th President of Singapore.
  • NV Ramana, Former Chief Justice of India (CJI), has been appointed member of the Singapore International Mediation Panel.
  • Rajesh Nambiar, the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Cognizant India, has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM).
  • Vumlunmang Vualnam has officially been appointed as the new Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) for the Government of India, with his term commencing on September 1, 2023.
  • The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) appointed actor R Madhavan as the president of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Society and chairperson of the governing council.
  • Dr. Vasudha Gupta, a senior officer of the Indian Information Service, assumed the post of Principal Director General in the Akashvani and News Services Division.
  • Srinivasan K. Swamy, the Executive Chairman of R.K. Swamy Hansa Group, has been elected as the Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) for the 2023-2024 term.
  • Vivek Bhasin took charge as the 14th Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
  • The Asian Development Bank has appointed Bhargav Dasgupta as Vice-President (Market Solutions) for a period of 3 years.
  • ICICI Lombard General Insurance Limited has named Sanjeev Mantri as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
  • Bollywood star Katrina Kaif has been appointed as the first Indian Brand Ambassador for Uniqlo, a renowned Japanese multinational fashion retail brand.
  • Intel Corporation, has appointed Gokul Subramaniam as the President of Intel India.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

  • The Kolkata Metro Railway, which operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has decided to adopt a composite Aluminium Third Rail across all future routes, as well as to upgrade the existing corridors currently equipped with steel third rails. This move will position Kolkata Metro Railways among the select league of metro systems worldwide that have transitioned from Steel to Aluminium Third Rails.
  • SpaceTech start-up GalaxEye has unveiled an advanced Aerial drone-based Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) System capable of high-resolution imaging. This state-of-the-art system is designed to provide extremely detailed images regardless of weather conditions, maintaining high resolution even through rain or cloud cover.
  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully deployed Aditya-L1, India's first observatory-class mission dedicated to solar observation, on September 2, 2023. The spacecraft was sent into space aboard the PSLV-C57 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) rocket from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
  • Grene Robotics of Hyderabad, Telangana, in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), has introduced 'Indrajaal.' This system holds the distinction of being India’s first and sole AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) driven counter-drone technology designed to neutralize drone-based threats.
  • North Korea has inaugurated its inaugural tactical nuclear attack submarine, known as Submarine No. 841 and named "Hero Kim Kun Ok". This vessel is specifically engineered to deploy strategic nuclear weapons from beneath the water's surface.
  • The Indian Army has added six hundred indegenously produced self-neutralizing anti-tank mines, named “Vibhav”, to its arsenal. These mines are designed to disable enemy armored vehicles.
  • The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully conducted a trial of the indigenously developed 'Type V Heavy Drop System' from a cargo aircraft. This system is designed for the aerial delivery of arms, ammunition, and various equipment to remote or challenging locations, including battlefields.
  • Israel has revealed its advanced main battle tank, the Merkava Mark 5, also called "Barak," marking a notable advancement in technology and military strength. The technological and combat features of the Barak tank hold significance for global military innovation.
  • Google, in partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has launched its Android Earthquake Alerts System in India. This collaboration will support the Central Government's initiatives in delivering prompt earthquake warnings and safety information.
  • Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen inaugurated the country's first domestically constructed submarine, the "Hai Kun," in a ceremony held at the vessel's shipyard in Kaohsiung, a city in southern Taiwan.

SPORTS

  • Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated East Bengal Football Club 1-0 to win the Durand Cup 2023 trophy held in Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan(Salt Lake Stadium), Kolkata, West Bengal.
  • In Hockey, India beat Pakistan in penalty shootout in the final to win the inaugural Men’s Hockey 5s Asia Cup 2023 in Salalah, Oman. The win also served as Asia’s qualifying tournament for the FIH Men’s Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024. Subsequently, India qualified for the FIH Men’s Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024.
  • Sharath Kamal, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, and Harmeet Desai, representing the Indian men's team, clinched the bronze medal at the 2023 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Asian Table Tennis Championships.
  • The Maharashtra Government has signed a MoU with Germany’s professional association football league, ‘Bundesliga’, to build a football team for players under the age of 14.
  • US Open 2023, Novak Djokovic clinched his 24th Grand Slam title by triumphing over Daniil Medvedev in the men’s singles final. This notable victory took place at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, a hard court venue in New York City, New York, United States of America.
  • The Tata Steel Chess India Rapid and Blitz tournament took place at the National Library of India in Kolkata, West Bengal. In this event, India's International Master Divya Deshmukh emerged victorious in the women's category of the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid title.
  • The German men's basketball team secured victory at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Basketball World Cup 2023, clinching the title by defeating Serbia in the finals. This event took place in Manila, Philippines.
  • Indian archer Prathamesh Samadhan Jawkar secured a silver medal in the Men’s Compound event at the Hermosillo 2023 Hyundai Archery World Cup Finals.
  • Kiran George from India clinched the men’s singles title at the BNI Indonesia Masters 2023, which was conducted from September 5th to 10th, 2023, in Medan, Indonesia. Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo of Indonesia won the women’s singles.

OBITUARY

  • Former Netherlands goalkeeper Jan Jongbloed who played in two Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup finals for the Netherlands passed away.
  • Heath Hilton Streak, Former captain of the Zimbabwe Cricket team, passed away at the age of 49.
  • Sir Ian Wilmut, the British scientist renowned for leading the team at the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh that created Dolly the Sheep in 1996, has passed away at the age of 79.
  • Dr. NS. Srinivasan, a renowned highway and traffic expert, and Founder Director of the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC), passed away at the age of 89.
  • Mircea Snegur who served as the first President of the independent Moldova has passed away.
  • Renowned Flautist and Padma Shri Awardee Sikkil Natesan Neela, the younger of the renowned ‘Sikkil Sisters’ duo from Tamil Nadu, passed away.
  • Gita Mehta, a Renowned Indian-American Writer-Filmmaker, journalist and Author, passed away.
  • Malini Rajurkar, a noted Hindustani classical vocalist and one of the foremost exponents of Gwalior Gharana passed away at the age of 82.
  • Bharatanatyam Dancer and Padma Bhushan Awardee Saroja Vaidyanathan passed away at the age of 86.
  • Giorgio Napolitano, Former President of Italy (2006 to 2015) and leader of Italian Communist Party, passed away at the age of 98 in Rome, Italy.
  • Veteran Malayalam film director and National Award winner Kulakkattil Geevarghese (KG) George passed away at the age of 77.
  • Indian agricultural scientist and Padma Awardee Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan (MS Swaminathan), who is popularly known as the Father of India's Green Revolution, passed away at the age of 98 in Chennai.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

  • Apurva Chandra, the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), has released an ebook named "People's G20". This publication offers a detailed account of India's experiences and activities during its presidency of the G20.
  • Under its Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has published a comic book titled ‘Chacha Chaudhary aur Chunavi Dangal’. This book is aimed at educating children about elections, voting, and the overall electoral process.
  • Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has launched a book titled 'Nation Calling - Holistic Approach for Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination', written by IAS officer Sonal Goel.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Occasion Date Theme/ other important information
World Sanskrit Day Celebrated on 31st August This day is annually observed across India on the Poornima Tithi (Full Moon day) of Shravana month in the Hindu Calandar, to honour Sanskrit, the world's oldest known languages
National Nutrition Week September 1st to 7th, This aims to foster nutritional understanding across India through a theme centered on “Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat”
World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day 1st August This aims to foster nutritional understanding across India through a theme centered on “Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat”
National Bone and Joint Day 7th September The theme for 2023 is “Duchenne: Breaking Barriers“.
International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies 7th September The 2023 theme of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is, "Together for Clean Air".
International Literacy Day 8th September The 2023 theme is, ‘Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies’.
Himalaya Diwas 9th September --
World First Aid Day 9th September The theme of World First Aid Day 2023 is “First Aid in the Digital World”.
World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September The theme for 2023 is “Creating Hope Through Action”.
National Forest Martyrs Day 11th September The day is also observed as an annual commemoration of the Khejarli massacre in 1730.
International Day for South-South Cooperation 12th September The theme for 2023 is “Solidarity, Equity, and Partnership: Unlocking South-South Cooperation to Achieve the SDGs”.
Hindi Diwas 14th September cy
International Day of Democra 15th September The theme for 2023 is “Empowering the next generation.”
World Ozone Day 16th September The theme for 2023 is “Montreal Protocol: fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change.”
International Coastal Clean-up Day 16th September This day is observed on 3rd Saturday of September. The theme for 2023 is “#SeatheChange”
World Patient Safety Day 17th September The theme for 2023 is “Engaging patients for patient safety“.
World Bamboo Day 18th September --
International Equal Pay Day 18th September --
International Day of Peace 21st September The theme for 2023 is "Actions for peace: Our ambition for the #GlobalGoals".
World Rhino Day 22nd September --
International Day of Sign Languages 23rd September The theme of 2023 is, “A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere”
World Pharmacists Day 25th September The theme of 2023 is, "Pharmacy Strengthening Health Systems."e”
Antyodaya Diwas Day 25th September The term ‘Antyodaya’ means the “rise and development of the last person in society”, one of the concepts promoted by Deendayal Upadhyaya.
World Contraception Day 26th September The theme of 2023 is “The Power of Options”
World Environmental Health Day 26th September The theme of 2023 is
“Global Environmental Public Health: Standing up to protect everyone’s Health each and every day“. s
World Tourism Day 27th September The theme of 2023 is “Tourism and green investment”
World Rabies Day 28th Septemberr The theme of 2023 is “Rabies: All for 1, One Health for All”.
World Maritime Day 28th September The theme of 2023 is “MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on".
World Heart Day 29th September The theme for the World Heart Day 2023 is "Use Heart, Know Heart."

STATE NEWS

  • On the occasion of Independence Day, August 15th, 2023, Ashok Gehlot, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, inaugurated the Mukhyamantri Nishulk Annapurna Food Packet Scheme (Chief Minister's Free Annapurna Food Packet Scheme).
  • Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh (HP), unveiled the Mukhya Mantri Sporting Abilities, Rebuilding Aspirations and Livelihood (SABAL) Scheme in Nadaun, located in the Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh. The launch occurred during an event co-hosted by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Sampark Foundation. This scheme aims to enhance the quality of life for specially-abled children by facilitating their inclusion in mainstream society.
  • The Andhra Pradesh Food Processing Society (APFPS), operating under the Department of Agriculture & Marketing of the Andhra Pradesh Government, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Bank of India (SBI). The agreement is aimed at the development and enhancement of at least 7,500 micro-food processing units across Andhra Pradesh.
  • The Telangana government has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tabreed, a National Central Cooling Company based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), known for its cooling-as-a-service offerings. This collaboration is set to create the largest District Cooling System (DCS) in Asia, located in Hyderabad, Telangana.
  • The Gujarat government launched live trading under the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Following this initiative, Ahmedabad is now the second city in both India and Gujarat to adopt an ETS for particulate pollution, with Surat being the first.
  • The Jharkhand Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, has given its approvals for the inclusion of the transgender population in the state's universal pension scheme, known as the 'Mukhyamantri Rajya Samajik Suraksha Pension Yojana.' Under this initiative, members of the transgender community who are 18 years or older and possess a voter ID card will be entitled to receive financial assistance of Rs 1000 per month.
  • Hyderabad is set to welcome a new 23-kilometer-long cycling track, distinguished by its innovative solar panel roofing. This path has been named the Solar Roof Cycling Track.
  • S Abdul Nazeer, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh (AP), unveiled six special postal covers dedicated to "Manyam Viplava Saradhi Alluri Sitarama Raju" as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. This initiative aims to commemorate unsung heroes through philately.
  • Gulab Chand Kataria, the Governor of Assam, initiated the launch of ‘Sarpanch Samvad’, a mobile application developed by the Quality Council of India (QCI), at Raj Bhavan in Guwahati, Assam. This initiative aims to offer extensive support to sarpanchs throughout India, fostering their growth and development as leaders.
  • Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar introduced a new e-Bhoomi portal, designed to simplify the process of acquiring land for government development projects. This initiative is aimed at ensuring transparent land purchases, done with the consent of the landowners.
  • M K Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (TN), inaugurated the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai (Thogai) Thittam, a women's rights grant scheme. This initiative is designed to offer a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1000 to women identified as the heads of their families.
  • The administration of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has issued an order to rename the Udhampur railway station, located in the Udhampur district of J&K, to “Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Railway Station”.
  • Pema Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, has launched a new welfare scheme named ‘Mukhya Mantri Shramik Kalyan Yojana (MMSKY)’ aimed at supporting the labor force of the state.
  • The Uttar Pradesh Government has unified its Maa Navjaat Tracking app (MaNTrA) with the birth registration system. This integration allows for the immediate issuance of birth registration certificates for newborns at Government health facilities in UP.
  • Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha, has introduced two new schemes, 'Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana' and 'Pada Pushti Yojana'. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing the health of pregnant women, children, and adolescent girls in the state.
  • Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, has inaugurated the first-of-its-kind Vigilance Complaint Information Management System (VCIMS) portal. This platform allows people to lodge complaints of corruption against government employees at any time and from any location.
  • Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel, has initiated the "Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Nyay Yojana," a scheme designed to offer assistance in building homes for qualified beneficiaries throughout the state.
  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has officially classified Mithun (scientifically known as Bos frontalis), a bovine species similar to a cow, as a 'food animal'. Mithun, often referred to as the “Cattle of the Hills”, is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, highlighting its profound cultural significance.
cow
Table Of Contents−
General Knowledge Book For Competitive Exams
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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
  • The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) to enhance the socio-economic upliftment of Safai Karamcharis, manual scavengers, waste pickers, and their families.
  • On August 31, India’s first indigenously developed 700-Megawatt Electric (MWe) Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project Unit-3 (KAPP3) in Gujarat has commenced operations at full capacity.
  • Amazon has made an agreement with India Post to make it easier to send goods to other countries for small and medium-sized businesses. They made this deal at the Amazon Smbhav Summit, which was their fourth one, on August 31, 2023, in New Delhi.
      • The MoU was signed during the 4th Amazon Smbhav Summit was held in New Delhi.
      • During the event, Amazon introduced “Amazon सह-AI”, a generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) -based personal digital assistant.
  • The Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), which is part of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare under the Ministry of Defence, has agreed to a deal with Genpact India Private Limited. This agreement aims to create job opportunities for people who have retired from the Defence Services.
  • World Health Organization (WHO) has released the outcome document of first WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit 2023 in form of “Gujarat Declaration”. The declaration reaffirmed global commitments towards indigenous knowledges, biodiversity and traditional, complementary and integrative medicine.
  • The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Meta have started a three-year partnership called 'Education to Entrepreneurship: Empowering a generation of students, educators, and entrepreneurs' in New Delhi.
  • During National Teachers' Day 2023 , Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Minister for the Ministry of Education, inaugurated the Malaviya Mission for Teacher Training. This program, established by the University Grants Commission (UGC), at Kaushal Bhawan in New Delhi.
  • Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, launched Sanchi in the Raisen district as India’s first Solar City. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal to establish a solar city in every state by the year 2070.
  • Indian Railways’ Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) in Vadodara, Gujarat, and Airbus, a European multinational aerospace corporation, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and improve India's aviation industry.
  • The Geographical Indications Registry has awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag to 'Koraput Kalajeera Rice' from Odisha, often referred to as the 'Prince of Rice'. This variety of rice has a long-standing tradition of being exclusively cultivated by the tribal communities and local farmers in the Koraput district of Odisha.
  • The Indian Navy has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uber, a prominent ridesharing application, aiming to offer efficient, convenient, safe, and cost-effective transportation options for the personal travel and daily commutes of Navy personnel and their families throughout India. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is in line with the vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) for 'Happy Personnel', as part of the 'SHIPS FIRST' strategy, and represents the first initiative of its kind within the Armed Forces.
  • The Indian Navy and the French Navy conducted the Phase II of the 21st edition of the Varuna (Varuna 2023), the bilateral maritime exercise, in the Arabian Sea.
  • India and the United Kingdom (UK) unveiled the UK-India Infrastructure Financing Bridge (UKIIFB) during the 12th Ministerial India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) in New Delhi. This initiative is aimed at attracting long-term investment in critical infrastructure sectors within India.
  • Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan alongwith Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, inaugurated the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
  • The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) held a workshop focused on Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) in partnership with UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE). This event took place at the NSE's facilities in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
  • Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, embarked on a two-day visit to Gujarat from September 12 to September 13, 2023. During her visit, she inaugurated the 'National e-Vidhan Application' (NeVA), a project designed to digitize the operations of the State Assembly, transforming it into a 'Digital House' and facilitating paperless functioning.
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has cancelled the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licenses of three organizations: Bal Raksha Bharat, Srinivas Malliah Memorial Theatre Crafts Museum, and the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).
  • The Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the foundation stone for ten projects, including the 'Power and Renewable Energy Manufacturing Zone' in Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Parshottam Rupala, the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), unveiled the Shrimp Crop Insurance scheme at the 2nd edition of the Shrimp Farmers Conclave 2023 in Navsari, Gujarat. This scheme, developed by the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), aims to provide insurance coverage to shrimp farmers.
  • The Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) has awarded GI tag to ‘Atreyapuram Pootharekulu’, a sweet delicacy made from rice and jaggery originating in Andhra Pradesh, and it has been registered under the ‘Food Stuffs’ category.
  • The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the IIT-Bombay,  Maharashtra, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing food security, nutrition, climate resilience, and livelihoods across India.
  • The Government of India (GoI) has launched the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP), a series of new National Awards in Science, Technology, and Innovation. These awards are designed to honor and acknowledge the significant and inspiring contributions of scientists, technologists, and innovators, either individually or as part of teams, across various disciplines. The RVP will include 3 Vigyan Ratna awards, as well as 25 Vigyan Shri, 25 Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, and 3 Vigyan Team awards.
  • Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), has launched "Kisan e-Mitra", an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based chatbot, designed for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme.
  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment and All World Gayatri Pariwar  aims to disseminate the objectives of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) among youth, women, students, and the community under the auspices of All World Gayatri Pariwar.
  • India has been successful in securing the opportunity to host the 17th International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement (ICCC) in 2027, which will take place in New Delhi. This announcement was made during the 16th ICCC (2023) in Bangkok.
  • The inaugural 'Bharatiya Prakash Sthamb Utsav' or 'Indian Lighthouse Festival', a three-day event aimed at promoting lighthouses as tourist destinations, took place in Goa from September 23rd to 25th, 2023.
  • India has reached a significant landmark in Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II, with 75% of villages attaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus status under this phase of the mission. A village designated as ODF Plus not only maintains ODF status but also implements comprehensive Solid Waste and Liquid Waste Management systems.
  • The State Government of Madhya Pradesh has introduced its 7th Tiger Reserve, named 'Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.'
  • Tata Motors delivered first-of-its-kind two Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) buses to Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL).
  • At an event in New Delhi, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers introduced two key initiatives: the National Policy on Research and Development and Innovation in the Pharma-MedTech Sector, and the Scheme for Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech (PRIP) Sector. These programs are designed to advance research and development in the pharmaceutical field, with a focus on traditional medicines, phyto-pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
  • The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), operating under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, initiated Phase II of the 'Amazon Future Engineer Programme' across 54 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) located in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana.
  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a 'Special Category' in its online Food Safety Compliance System portal. This new provision is aimed at fostering gender equality and providing equal opportunities to women and transgender entrepreneurs in the food business sector.
  • Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of the Ministry of Education introduced the "CRIIIO 4 GOOD" online life skills learning module at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This program, aimed at promoting gender equity among girls and boys, was launched in collaboration with the International Cricket Council (ICC), Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
  • The International Air Transport Association (IATA), representing the global airline industry, has assigned the three-letter code 'DXN' to the new greenfield airport being developed at Jewar in the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (Noida) area of Uttar Pradesh. This code 'DXN' is indicative of the airport's location, highlighting its accessibility to Noida, Delhi, and the western region of Uttar Pradesh.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
  • At a joint meeting, the United States Department of Energy and India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy unveiled the US-India Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) as a part of the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership.
  • The 2nd edition of Surya Nepal Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) was held from 1st to 3rd September 2023 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp has proclaimed October as 'Hindu Heritage Month', a time dedicated to honoring the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of India and celebrating the heritage of Hinduism.
  • Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 20th ASEAN- India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS), both of which were hosted by Indonesia, as the current ASEAN Chair. In 2023, Indonesia assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship, adopting the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”.
  • The National Judicial Academy (NJA) of India, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Singapore Judicial College of the Supreme Court of Singapore. This agreement focuses on fostering collaboration in the fields of judicial education and research.
  • India has been recognised as an authorized entity to issue OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) pattern approval certificates, enabling the global sale of weights and measures. This distinction makes India the 13th country worldwide with the capability to issue such OIML certificates. Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs will now issue the OIML certificates.
  • India and Russia have reached an agreement to train Indian seafarers in navigating polar and Arctic waters. This training will be conducted at Russia's Maritime Training Institute in Vladivostok, which is named after GI Admiral Nevelsky.
  • Santiniketan in West Bengal (WB) has been inscribed as the 41st site and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas as the 42nd on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List.
  • In the Digital Quality of Life (DQL) Index- 2023, the 5th edition of the annual study by Surfshark Limited, India improved its position to 52nd rank with a ranking index of 0.5154, up from 59th rank in 2022.
      • France leads with a ranking index of 0.902, followed by Finland, Denmark, Germany, and Luxembourg. In the regional ranking for Asia, India stands at 13th, with Singapore leading the region at the global rank of 10.
  • The Indian Navy (IN) and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) are taking part in the 30th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX 2023). This joint naval combat exercise is being conducted from September 21st to 28th, 2023, in the southern regions of the South China Sea, near the coast of Singapore. SIMBEX 2023 consists of two phases: the land phase and the sea phase.
  • During September 21-22, 2023, the Indian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Indonesian Navy conducted their first trilateral Maritime Partnership Exercise. The Indian Navy was represented by the warship INS Sahyadri, which is currently on a mission deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • The 2023 Annual Report of the Economic Freedom of the World (EFW), published by the Fraser Institute, a Canadian think tank, ranks Singapore as the world's freest economy with a score of 8.56. India is positioned at 87th place in this index.

RankCountry
1Singapore
2Hong Kong
3Switzerland
4New Zealand
5United States of America (USA)
87India
  • The 2023 Global Crypto Adoption Index, published by Chainalysis, a firm specializing in crypto-analysis, reveals that India leads the ranking at the top position among 154 countries, scoring 1.0. Following India, Nigeria and Vietnam are ranked second and third, with index scores of 0.642 and 0.568 respectively.
  • In response to the growing global demand for sustainable finance support and enhancement, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has introduced an innovative e-Learning Programme.
  • The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India, in collaboration with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), has released the 'Caring for Our Elders Institutional Responses: India Ageing Report 2023'. Key data and analytics from the report include: Senior citizens currently make up 10% of India’s population, which is projected to increase to 14.36% by 2036 and further to 20.8% by 2050. Additionally, the decadal growth rate of India’s elderly population (age 60 and above) is estimated to be 41% between 2021 and 2031.
  • The Electoral Commission of Seychelles (ECS) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Election Commission of India (ECI). This agreement is focused on collaborative efforts to improve electoral management and administration. It aims to leverage shared experiences and facilitate the exchange of knowledge to enhance the electoral processes in both nations.
  • The 45th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and concluded on September 25. During this session, 42 new sites were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with the adoption of other significant resolutions and decisions.
      • Santiniketan in West Bengal and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas in Karnataka, both located in India, have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
BANKING AND FINANCE
  • Savart, a top investment advisory company in India, has introduced 'The Ad Astra Fund,' the world's first fully automated Portfolio Management Service (PMS), in Hyderabad, Telangana. This fund employs an Artificial Intelligence (AI) research system named Advanced Process Automation & Research Technology (APART) for its investment decision-making.
  • Punjab National Bank (PNB), a Public Sector Bank launched the PNB GST Sahay App, a mobile application based on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Sahay scheme. This digital tool enables seamless lending based on GST invoices, marking a significant milestone as PNB becomes the inaugural Public Sector Bank (PSB) to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with digital credit accessibility through this platform.
  • PhonePe, an Indian digital payment platform, entered the online stock broking business with a new trading app, Share.Market under its subsidiary PhonePe Wealth Broking. The app can be used to invest in stocks, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds or Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).
  • PayNearby, in partnership with the Grameen Foundation for Social Impact (GFSI), has initiated the 'Scaling Agent Viability and Quality in India' program, which aims to enhance the competencies of 1.5 lakh business correspondents (BCs) and to incorporate an additional 15,000 female BCs by providing them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and support across rural India.
  • Hitachi Payment Services Private Ltd has been launched India’s first-ever Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-Automated Teller Machine (ATM) as a White Label ATM, in association with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), offering secure cardless cash withdrawals.
  • SBI Cards & Payment Services Limited (SBI Card) has introduced the ‘SimplySAVE Merchant SBI Card’, a credit card specifically for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This card is crafted to provide MSME merchants with interest-free short-term credit facilities and additional exclusive advantages.
  • NTPC Limited and Oil India Limited (OIL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pursue potential cooperative ventures in the realms of Renewable Energy (RE), green hydrogen and related compounds, as well as decarbonization efforts, which include tapping into geothermal energy resources.
  • Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).The signing ceremony was held in Bengaluru. The MoU focuses on the area of Short Range Air Defense System. The MoU is in line with India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) and 'Make in India' policies.
  • Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das has been ranked as the top central banker globally by US-based Global Finance magazine. He has been rated ‘A+’ in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2023.
  • The Global Fintech Fest (GFF), a premier three-day fintech conference, took place from September 5 to September 7, 2023, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
      • Hitachi Payment Services has launched India's first-ever UPI-ATM.
      • The State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced the country's first Transit Card: the RuPay NCMC Prepaid Card.
      • At the Global Fintech Awards 2023, Adeeb Ahamed received the Leading Fintech Personality of the Year Award.
  • During the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2023 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, HSBC India unveiled 'Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) in a Box', a comprehensive solution for corporates to engage with the ONDC platform. With this initiative, HSBC India becomes the first foreign bank in the country to provide an ONDC-enabled offering.
  • Union Bank of India (UBI) has launched two new debit card variants in partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI): the HNI Emperio RuPay Metal Debit Card and the RuPay Empower Her Debit Card. This makes UBI the first Public Sector Bank (PSB) to offer Metal Debit Cards.
  • Bharti AXA Life Insurance has introduced Income Laabh, a personal savings plan designed to offer financial security along with a steady income stream for the duration of the policy.
  • 'Mastercard', in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Invest India, has launched Priceless.com. This platform is aimed at showcasing India's rich history and culture, leveraging the latest travel trends. Priceless.com is set to support the "Dekho Apna Desh" initiative of the Tourism Ministry.
  • The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced the 7 Ring, a RuPay ON-THE-GO (OTG) ring, marking India's first contactless payment wearable ring. This innovative product was unveiled at the Global Fintech Fest, 2023.
  • The United States-based chipmaker NVIDIA Corporation has formed separate partnerships with Reliance Industries Limited and Tata Group to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) Supercomputers in India.
  • Air India has initiated "Project Abhinandan," aimed at offering personalized and smooth ground services to its passengers. Under this project, specially trained Service Assurance Officers (SAOs) will be deployed at 16 major airports across India to assist and support Air India's guests.
  • Indian Bank has introduced a new program named SAATHI (Sustainable Access and Aligning Technology for Holistic Inclusion). This initiative aims to offer essential banking services for a minimum of four hours daily at fixed outlets via the business correspondent (BC) channel, ensuring accessibility at all centers.
  • Axis Bank launched 'NEO for Business', a distinctive one-stop Transaction Banking platform for Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
  • Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Limited (KMAMCL), in partnership with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), has introduced an Investor Education and Awareness Initiative named “Seekho Paiso ki Bhasha”.
  • Karnataka Bank Limited (KBL) has launched a new Door-Step Gold Loan service named “KBL-Swarna Bandhu” for its customers. This service revolutionizes the gold loan process through complete digitalization, facilitating the provision of gold loan services directly at the customers' homes. Additionally, it aims to expand the bank's Gold Loan Portfolio.
  • The Indian Railways has entered into a supply agreement with Kinet Railway Solutions, an Indo-Russian Joint Venture (JV), for the production of Vande Bharat trains. Under this contract, Kinet Railway Solutions is tasked with manufacturing 120 Vande Bharat trains and providing maintenance services for these trains over a period of 35 years.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
  • Chief of the Gabonese Republican Guard, General Brice Oligui Nguema, was unanimously selected to serve as the Transitional President of Gabon and to preside over the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions.
  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has sanctioned the appointment of Jaya Varma Sinha to the position of Chairperson & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board, marking her as the first woman to assume this role since the Railway Board's inception in 1905.
  • The Union Government established a committee, chaired by former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, to examine the feasibility of implementing "One Nation One Election," a concept proposing the concurrent conduct of General (Lok Sabha) and State legislative elections.
  • Indian-origin Singapore-born economist Tharman Shanmugaratnam has been elected as the 9th President of Singapore.
  • NV Ramana, Former Chief Justice of India (CJI), has been appointed member of the Singapore International Mediation Panel.
  • Rajesh Nambiar, the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Cognizant India, has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM).
  • Vumlunmang Vualnam has officially been appointed as the new Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) for the Government of India, with his term commencing on September 1, 2023.
  • The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) appointed actor R Madhavan as the president of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Society and chairperson of the governing council.
  • Dr. Vasudha Gupta, a senior officer of the Indian Information Service, assumed the post of Principal Director General in the Akashvani and News Services Division.
  • Srinivasan K. Swamy, the Executive Chairman of R.K. Swamy Hansa Group, has been elected as the Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) for the 2023-2024 term.
  • Vivek Bhasin took charge as the 14th Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
  • The Asian Development Bank has appointed Bhargav Dasgupta as Vice-President (Market Solutions) for a period of 3 years.
  • ICICI Lombard General Insurance Limited has named Sanjeev Mantri as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
  • Bollywood star Katrina Kaif has been appointed as the first Indian Brand Ambassador for Uniqlo, a renowned Japanese multinational fashion retail brand.
  • Intel Corporation, has appointed Gokul Subramaniam as the President of Intel India.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
  • The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) has declared the details of the 65th Ramon Magsaysay Award for the year 2023, bearing the theme "Transforming Asia, Inspiring the World." This esteemed event is scheduled to take place in Manila, Philippines, on November 11th, 2023.

    The honorees of the 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Award are as follows:
      • Ravi Kannan, recognized as the "Hero for Holistic Healthcare" from India.
      • Miriam Coronel–Ferrer, recognized as the "Women in Peace-Building Pioneer" from the Philippines.
      • Eugenio Lemos, acknowledged as the "Food Sovereignty Visionary" from Timor-Leste.
      • Korvi Rakshand, acknowledged as the "Education-for-All Champion" from Bangladesh.
  • The 26th edition of the National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG) took place at the Brilliant Convention Centre in Indore, Madhya Pradesh (MP), with a focus on enhancing service delivery to citizens.

    Key highlights from the conference included:

      • The conference, centered on the theme 'Viksit Bharat, Empowering Citizens', discussed various strategies for empowering citizens through digital governance.
      • The National Crime Records Bureau's NAFIS received the DARPG Gold Award for Excellence in the first category.
      • The Government of West Bengal's Suvidha Vehicle System was honored with the Gold Award for Efficient Trade Facilitation.
      • The SVAMITVA scheme, executed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, was also among the notable mentions won Gold in National Award on e-Governance 2022-23.
  • Shanta Thoutam, the female Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) of Telangana, received the World Innovation Award at the first BRICS Innovation Forum, which took place in Moscow, Russia.
    The award recognizes her dedicated efforts in advancing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-4 by methodically executing innovative solutions. The Award was established by the World Organisation for Development.
  • The Vijayawada Railway Station in Andhra Pradesh (AP) has been awarded the prestigious "Green Railway Station" certification at the Platinum level, which is the highest rating given by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
  • 23-year-old Praveena Anjana from Udaipur clinched the title of Miss International India 2023 and is set to represent India at the Miss International contest scheduled for October 2023 in Japan.
  • The 8th edition of the U.S. News & World Report's Best Countries Rankings for 2023 shows that India has advanced its position, moving up one place to the 30th rank with an overall score of 40.8. This is an improvement from its 31st position out of 85 countries in the previous year, 2022. The list is topped by Switzerland,
  • On the "International Day of Clear Air for Blue Skies" held on September 7, 2023, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) presented awards to the winners of the ‘Swachh Vayu Survekshan-2023’. This survey, which marked its second edition in 2023, was carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the MoEFCC’s initiative.
      • In the ‘National Clean Air City’ Awards, the results were as follows:
      • In Category 1, for cities with populations over 10 lakh, Indore (Madhya Pradesh) claimed the first rank, with Agra (Uttar Pradesh) and Thane (Maharashtra) securing the second and third places, respectively.
      • Category 2 saw Amravati (Maharashtra) leading, followed by Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) and Guntur (Andhra Pradesh) in the respective second and third positions.
      • In Category 3, Parwanoo (Himachal Pradesh) achieved the top rank, followed by Kala Amb, also in Himachal Pradesh.
  • The French Government has bestowed the prestigious "Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) upon Indian Fashion Designer Rahul Mishra. This honor recognizes his accomplishments in the realm of fashion design and his dedication to showcasing and promoting Indian craftsmanship on a global stage. Rahul Mishra originates from Uttar Pradesh (UP), India.
  • The "Global Leader Approval Rating Tracker" survey conducted by Morning Consult, a consulting firm based in the United States of America (USA), has named Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, as the "Most Popular Global World Leader." He achieved the highest approval rating globally at 76%. Additionally, Modi received a disapproval rating of 18%, while 5% of respondents did not express an opinion.
  • At the 33rd Annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony held on September 14th, 2023,Ig Nobel Prizes were presented. In this year's awards, a team of scientists from India, China, Malaysia, and the United States of America (USA) clinched the Ig Nobel in the 'Mechanical Engineering' category.
  • The National Medical Commission (NMC) of India has been awarded the Recognition Status by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) for a period of 10 years with immediate effect.
  • Biswanath Ghat, situated along the Brahmaputra River and often referred to as 'Gupta Kashi', is named after the historic Biswanath Mandir. The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has announced that Biswanath Ghat has been recognized as the Best Tourism Village of India for the year 2023 by the Ministry of Tourism.
  • Swati Nayak, an Indian scientist, has been honored as the recipient of the 2023 Norman E. Borlaug Award for 'Field Research and Application'. She holds the distinction of being the third Indian and the first scientist from Odisha to receive this prestigious award in the field of Field Research and Application.
  • The prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award for the year 2021 will be conferred upon the celebrated Indian actor and Padma Awardee, Waheeda Rehman. She will be the 53rd recipient of this esteemed honor and the 8th female artist to be recognized with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
  • The Kolkata Metro Railway, which operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has decided to adopt a composite Aluminium Third Rail across all future routes, as well as to upgrade the existing corridors currently equipped with steel third rails. This move will position Kolkata Metro Railways among the select league of metro systems worldwide that have transitioned from Steel to Aluminium Third Rails.
  • SpaceTech start-up GalaxEye has unveiled an advanced Aerial drone-based Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) System capable of high-resolution imaging. This state-of-the-art system is designed to provide extremely detailed images regardless of weather conditions, maintaining high resolution even through rain or cloud cover.
  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully deployed Aditya-L1, India's first observatory-class mission dedicated to solar observation, on September 2, 2023. The spacecraft was sent into space aboard the PSLV-C57 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) rocket from the Second Launch Pad (SLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
  • Grene Robotics of Hyderabad, Telangana, in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), has introduced 'Indrajaal.' This system holds the distinction of being India’s first and sole AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) driven counter-drone technology designed to neutralize drone-based threats.
  • North Korea has inaugurated its inaugural tactical nuclear attack submarine, known as Submarine No. 841 and named "Hero Kim Kun Ok". This vessel is specifically engineered to deploy strategic nuclear weapons from beneath the water's surface.
  • The Indian Army has added six hundred indegenously produced self-neutralizing anti-tank mines, named “Vibhav”, to its arsenal. These mines are designed to disable enemy armored vehicles.
  • The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully conducted a trial of the indigenously developed 'Type V Heavy Drop System' from a cargo aircraft. This system is designed for the aerial delivery of arms, ammunition, and various equipment to remote or challenging locations, including battlefields.
  • Israel has revealed its advanced main battle tank, the Merkava Mark 5, also called "Barak," marking a notable advancement in technology and military strength. The technological and combat features of the Barak tank hold significance for global military innovation.
  • Google, in partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has launched its Android Earthquake Alerts System in India. This collaboration will support the Central Government's initiatives in delivering prompt earthquake warnings and safety information.
  • Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen inaugurated the country's first domestically constructed submarine, the "Hai Kun," in a ceremony held at the vessel's shipyard in Kaohsiung, a city in southern Taiwan.
SPORTS
  • Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated East Bengal Football Club 1-0 to win the Durand Cup 2023 trophy held in Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan(Salt Lake Stadium), Kolkata, West Bengal.
  • In Hockey, India beat Pakistan in penalty shootout in the final to win the inaugural Men’s Hockey 5s Asia Cup 2023 in Salalah, Oman. The win also served as Asia’s qualifying tournament for the FIH Men’s Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024. Subsequently, India qualified for the FIH Men’s Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024.
  • Sharath Kamal, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, and Harmeet Desai, representing the Indian men's team, clinched the bronze medal at the 2023 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Asian Table Tennis Championships.
  • The Maharashtra Government has signed a MoU with Germany’s professional association football league, ‘Bundesliga’, to build a football team for players under the age of 14.
  • US Open 2023, Novak Djokovic clinched his 24th Grand Slam title by triumphing over Daniil Medvedev in the men’s singles final. This notable victory took place at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, a hard court venue in New York City, New York, United States of America.
  • The Tata Steel Chess India Rapid and Blitz tournament took place at the National Library of India in Kolkata, West Bengal. In this event, India's International Master Divya Deshmukh emerged victorious in the women's category of the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid title.
  • The German men's basketball team secured victory at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Basketball World Cup 2023, clinching the title by defeating Serbia in the finals. This event took place in Manila, Philippines.
  • Indian archer Prathamesh Samadhan Jawkar secured a silver medal in the Men’s Compound event at the Hermosillo 2023 Hyundai Archery World Cup Finals.
  • Kiran George from India clinched the men’s singles title at the BNI Indonesia Masters 2023, which was conducted from September 5th to 10th, 2023, in Medan, Indonesia. Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo of Indonesia won the women’s singles.
OBITUARIES
  • Former Netherlands goalkeeper Jan Jongbloed who played in two Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup finals for the Netherlands passed away.
  • Heath Hilton Streak, Former captain of the Zimbabwe Cricket team, passed away at the age of 49.
  • Sir Ian Wilmut, the British scientist renowned for leading the team at the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh that created Dolly the Sheep in 1996, has passed away at the age of 79.
  • Dr. NS. Srinivasan, a renowned highway and traffic expert, and Founder Director of the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC), passed away at the age of 89.
  • Mircea Snegur who served as the first President of the independent Moldova has passed away.
  • Renowned Flautist and Padma Shri Awardee Sikkil Natesan Neela, the younger of the renowned ‘Sikkil Sisters’ duo from Tamil Nadu, passed away.
  • Gita Mehta, a Renowned Indian-American Writer-Filmmaker, journalist and Author, passed away.
  • Malini Rajurkar, a noted Hindustani classical vocalist and one of the foremost exponents of Gwalior Gharana passed away at the age of 82.
  • Bharatanatyam Dancer and Padma Bhushan Awardee Saroja Vaidyanathan passed away at the age of 86.
  • Giorgio Napolitano, Former President of Italy (2006 to 2015) and leader of Italian Communist Party, passed away at the age of 98 in Rome, Italy.
  • Veteran Malayalam film director and National Award winner Kulakkattil Geevarghese (KG) George passed away at the age of 77.
  • Indian agricultural scientist and Padma Awardee Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan (MS Swaminathan), who is popularly known as the Father of India's Green Revolution, passed away at the age of 98 in Chennai.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
  • Apurva Chandra, the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), has released an ebook named "People's G20". This publication offers a detailed account of India's experiences and activities during its presidency of the G20.
  • Under its Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has published a comic book titled ‘Chacha Chaudhary aur Chunavi Dangal’. This book is aimed at educating children about elections, voting, and the overall electoral process.
  • Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has launched a book titled 'Nation Calling - Holistic Approach for Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination', written by IAS officer Sonal Goel.
IMPORTANT DAYS
Occasion Date Theme/ other important information
World Sanskrit Day Celebrated on 31st August This day is annually observed across India on the Poornima Tithi (Full Moon day) of Shravana month in the Hindu Calandar, to honour Sanskrit, the world's oldest known languages
National Nutrition Week September 1st to 7th, This aims to foster nutritional understanding across India through a theme centered on “Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat”
World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day 1st August This aims to foster nutritional understanding across India through a theme centered on “Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat”
National Bone and Joint Day 7th September The theme for 2023 is “Duchenne: Breaking Barriers“.
International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies 7th September The 2023 theme of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is, "Together for Clean Air".
International Literacy Day 8th September The 2023 theme is, ‘Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies’.
Himalaya Diwas 9th September --
World First Aid Day 9th September The theme of World First Aid Day 2023 is “First Aid in the Digital World”.
World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September The theme for 2023 is “Creating Hope Through Action”.
National Forest Martyrs Day 11th September The day is also observed as an annual commemoration of the Khejarli massacre in 1730.
International Day for South-South Cooperation 12th September The theme for 2023 is “Solidarity, Equity, and Partnership: Unlocking South-South Cooperation to Achieve the SDGs”.
Hindi Diwas 14th September cy
International Day of Democra 15th September The theme for 2023 is “Empowering the next generation.”
World Ozone Day 16th September The theme for 2023 is “Montreal Protocol: fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change.”
International Coastal Clean-up Day 16th September This day is observed on 3rd Saturday of September. The theme for 2023 is “#SeatheChange”
World Patient Safety Day 17th September The theme for 2023 is “Engaging patients for patient safety“.
World Bamboo Day 18th September --
International Equal Pay Day 18th September --
International Day of Peace 21st September The theme for 2023 is "Actions for peace: Our ambition for the #GlobalGoals".
World Rhino Day 22nd September --
International Day of Sign Languages 23rd September The theme of 2023 is, “A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere”
World Pharmacists Day 25th September The theme of 2023 is, "Pharmacy Strengthening Health Systems."e”
Antyodaya Diwas Day 25th September The term ‘Antyodaya’ means the “rise and development of the last person in society”, one of the concepts promoted by Deendayal Upadhyaya.
World Contraception Day 26th September The theme of 2023 is “The Power of Options”
World Environmental Health Day 26th September The theme of 2023 is
“Global Environmental Public Health: Standing up to protect everyone’s Health each and every day“. s
World Tourism Day 27th September The theme of 2023 is “Tourism and green investment”
World Rabies Day 28th Septemberr The theme of 2023 is “Rabies: All for 1, One Health for All”.
World Maritime Day 28th September The theme of 2023 is “MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on".
World Heart Day 29th September The theme for the World Heart Day 2023 is "Use Heart, Know Heart."
STATE NEWS
  • On the occasion of Independence Day, August 15th, 2023, Ashok Gehlot, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, inaugurated the Mukhyamantri Nishulk Annapurna Food Packet Scheme (Chief Minister's Free Annapurna Food Packet Scheme).
  • Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh (HP), unveiled the Mukhya Mantri Sporting Abilities, Rebuilding Aspirations and Livelihood (SABAL) Scheme in Nadaun, located in the Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh. The launch occurred during an event co-hosted by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Sampark Foundation. This scheme aims to enhance the quality of life for specially-abled children by facilitating their inclusion in mainstream society.
  • The Andhra Pradesh Food Processing Society (APFPS), operating under the Department of Agriculture & Marketing of the Andhra Pradesh Government, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Bank of India (SBI). The agreement is aimed at the development and enhancement of at least 7,500 micro-food processing units across Andhra Pradesh.
  • The Telangana government has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tabreed, a National Central Cooling Company based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), known for its cooling-as-a-service offerings. This collaboration is set to create the largest District Cooling System (DCS) in Asia, located in Hyderabad, Telangana.
  • The Gujarat government launched live trading under the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Following this initiative, Ahmedabad is now the second city in both India and Gujarat to adopt an ETS for particulate pollution, with Surat being the first.
  • The Jharkhand Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, has given its approvals for the inclusion of the transgender population in the state's universal pension scheme, known as the 'Mukhyamantri Rajya Samajik Suraksha Pension Yojana.' Under this initiative, members of the transgender community who are 18 years or older and possess a voter ID card will be entitled to receive financial assistance of Rs 1000 per month.
  • Hyderabad is set to welcome a new 23-kilometer-long cycling track, distinguished by its innovative solar panel roofing. This path has been named the Solar Roof Cycling Track.
  • S Abdul Nazeer, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh (AP), unveiled six special postal covers dedicated to "Manyam Viplava Saradhi Alluri Sitarama Raju" as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. This initiative aims to commemorate unsung heroes through philately.
  • Gulab Chand Kataria, the Governor of Assam, initiated the launch of ‘Sarpanch Samvad’, a mobile application developed by the Quality Council of India (QCI), at Raj Bhavan in Guwahati, Assam. This initiative aims to offer extensive support to sarpanchs throughout India, fostering their growth and development as leaders.
  • Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar introduced a new e-Bhoomi portal, designed to simplify the process of acquiring land for government development projects. This initiative is aimed at ensuring transparent land purchases, done with the consent of the landowners.
  • M K Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (TN), inaugurated the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai (Thogai) Thittam, a women's rights grant scheme. This initiative is designed to offer a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1000 to women identified as the heads of their families.
  • The administration of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has issued an order to rename the Udhampur railway station, located in the Udhampur district of J&K, to “Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Railway Station”.
  • Pema Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, has launched a new welfare scheme named ‘Mukhya Mantri Shramik Kalyan Yojana (MMSKY)’ aimed at supporting the labor force of the state.
  • The Uttar Pradesh Government has unified its Maa Navjaat Tracking app (MaNTrA) with the birth registration system. This integration allows for the immediate issuance of birth registration certificates for newborns at Government health facilities in UP.
  • Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha, has introduced two new schemes, 'Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana' and 'Pada Pushti Yojana'. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing the health of pregnant women, children, and adolescent girls in the state.
  • Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, has inaugurated the first-of-its-kind Vigilance Complaint Information Management System (VCIMS) portal. This platform allows people to lodge complaints of corruption against government employees at any time and from any location.
  • Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel, has initiated the "Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Nyay Yojana," a scheme designed to offer assistance in building homes for qualified beneficiaries throughout the state.
  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has officially classified Mithun (scientifically known as Bos frontalis), a bovine species similar to a cow, as a 'food animal'. Mithun, often referred to as the “Cattle of the Hills”, is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, highlighting its profound cultural significance.

cow