Category: blog

19^th edition of YUDH ABHYAS Exercise

• The 19^th edition of YUDH ABHYAS exercise is set to commence from 25^th September 2023 in Alaska.
• This annual exercise is jointly conducted by the Indian Army and the US Army.
• The Indian Army’s contingent comprises 350 personnel will participate in the exercise.
• The primary objectives of the exercise isthe mutual refinement of tactical drills to bolster interoperability, especially in the context of UN peacekeeping operations.
• The exercise will facilitate the exchange of insights and best practices across a wide spectrum of combat skills, encompassing combat engineering, obstruction clearance, as well as the strategies employed in countering mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) during warfare.

India and USA Joint Exercises–

• Army          YUDHABHAYAS & VAJRA PRAHAR
• Navy          MALABAR (Multilateral)
• Air Force   RED FLAG 16-1
• Air Force   Exercise COPE India 23

---

• Indian Team Become First Team to Hit 3000 Sixes in ODI Cricket
• In the 2^nd ODI between India and Australia, India wins by 99 runs.
• With this, India becomes the first team to hit 3000-sixes in ODI cricket format.
• The West Indies holds the second position on this list with 2953 sixes, while Pakistan secures the third position with a tally of 2566 sixes.

Most Sixes in Cricket in all Format: Top 3 Players 

Rank	Player	Total Sixes	Team	Matches	Test Sixes	ODI Sixes	T20I Sixes
1	Chris Gayle	553	West Indies	483	98	331	124
2	Rohit Sharma	545	India	448	77	286	182(H)
3	ShahidAfridi	476	Pakistan	524	52	351(H)	73

---

• Arunachal Pradesh to Gain Three New Air Routes
• The Union Civil Aviation Minister, JyotiradityaScindia, made an announcement regarding the imminent launch of three additional air routes in Arunachal Pradesh, scheduled to become operational by October of 2023.
• These forthcoming routes will establish connectivity between Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, and the cities of Rupsi(Assam), Jorhat(Assam), and Delhi, all as part of the UDAN-5 scheme.
• This development follows the inauguration of upgraded infrastructure at the Tezu airport in Lohit district.

• UDAN, or UdeDeshkaAamNagarik, is a regional connectivity initiative aimed at improving access to aviation services for the general public.

• About:
  • The scheme was launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation for regional airport development and regional connectivity enhancement.
  • It is a part of the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016.Launched on 21 October 2016.
  • The scheme is applicable for a period of 10 years.
• Under the scheme, airlines have to cap airfares for 50% of the total seats at Rs. 2,500 per hour of flight.

---

• NASA Capsule Carrying First Asteroid Samples Lands on Earth 
• NASA’s first asteroid samples fetched from deep space parachuted into the Utah desert on September 24 to cap a seven-year journey. 
• The Osiris-Rex spacecraft, during an Earth flyby, deployed the sample capsule from a distance of 63,000 miles (100,000 kilometres). 
• Approximately four hours later, the compact capsule touched down on a distant portion of military territory in the Utah desert, while the main spacecraft embarked on its mission to explore another asteroid. 

---

• India Introduces a Policy for Border Roads Workers
• India has introduced a pioneering policy geared toward improving the well-being of the casual labour force employed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has given his approval to this policy.
• The policy not only deals with the handling and transportation of deceased workers’ remains but also provides increased support for funeral expenses from Rs.1,000 to Rs.10,000 for those whose last rites are performed at the worksite.

About:

• BRO was conceived and raised in 1960 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for coordinating the speedy development of a network of roads in the North and the North Eastern border regions of the country.
• It works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
• It has diversified into a large spectrum of construction and development works comprising airfields, building projects, defence works and tunneling and has endeared itself to the people.

---

• India’s 75% Villages are Now ODF Plus
• India’s 75% villages are now ODF Plus under Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) Phase II.
• Presently, over 4.43 lakh villages have proudly declared themselves as ODF Plus, signifying substantial progress toward achieving the goals of SBM-G Phase II by 2024-25.
• Several States/Union Territories (UTs) have achieved 100% ODF Plus status in their villages.
• These include Andaman & Nicobar Islands, D&N Haveli, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Tripura. Notably, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra Nagar Haveli & Daman Diu, Jammu & Kashmir, and Sikkim have achieved 100% ODF Plus status for all their model villages.

ODF Plus Village

• An ODF Plus village is one that has not only maintained its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status but has also successfully implemented either solid or liquid waste management systems.

Swachh Bharat Mission (G) Phase-I:

• The rural sanitation coverage in the country at the time of launch of SBM (G) on 2^nd October, 2014 was reported as 38.7%.
• More than 10 crore individual toilets have been constructed since the launch of the mission; as a result, rural areas in all the States have declared themselves ODF as on 2^nd October, 2019.

SBM(G) Phase-II:

• It emphasizes the sustainability of achievements under phase I and to provide adequate facilities for Solid/Liquid & plastic Waste Management (SLWM) in rural India.
• Implementation: SBM (G) Phase-II will be implemented from 2020-21 to 2024-25 in a mission mode with a total outlay of Rs. 1,40,881crores.
• Funding Pattern and Norms: The fund sharing pattern between Centre and States will be 90:10 for North-Eastern States and Himalayan States and UT of J&K; 60:40 for other States; and 100% for other Union Territories.

1. AI Chatbot for PM-Kisan Scheme
2. The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfarein India has introduced an AI Chatbot for PM-Kisan Scheme.
3. The objective of this AI Chatbot is to provide farmers with convenient access to scheme details and streamline the resolution of their issues, making the process more efficient.

Ref- PIB

About PM-Kisan Scheme-

• Under the scheme, the Centre transfers an amount of Rs 6,000 per year, in three equal instalments, directly into the bank accounts of all landholding farmers irrespective of the size of their land holdings.
• It was launched in February 2019.

• Funding and Implementation:
  • It is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India.
  • It is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• Identification of Beneficiaries:The entire responsibility of identification of beneficiary farmer families rests with the State / UT Governments.

---

• PM inaugurates the International Lawyers Conference
• Prime Minister NarendraModi inaugurated the ‘International Lawyers Conference 2023.’
• This conference was organized by the Bar Council of India.
• The theme of discussion was ‘Emerging Challenges in Justice Delivery System.’
• The conference’s aim was to serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and discussion on various legal topics of national and international importance, foster exchange of ideas and experiences, and strengthen international cooperation and understanding of legal issues.

Ref- HT

---

• I2U2 Group Announces Joint Space Venture
• The I2U2 group, consisting of India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States, has introduced an ambitious joint space project.
• This collaborative endeavour is geared towards developing an innovative space-based tool with diverse applications for policymakers, organizations, and entrepreneurs.

Ref- TET

About I2U2

• I2U2 was initially formed in October, 2021 following the Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE, to deal with issues concerning maritime security, infrastructure and transport in the region.
  • At that time, it was called the ‘International Forum for Economic Cooperation’.
  • That was referred as the ‘West Asian Quad’.

Capitals& Currencies-

• India – New Delhi – Indian Rupee
• Israel – Jerusalem – Israeli New Shekel 
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates Dirham
• The United States – Washington, D.C. – United States Dollar 

---

• Zagorochoria Added to the UNESCO’s World Heritage List
• The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has announced the addition of the Zagori region of Greece, including its traditional stone-built villages known as Zagorochoria, to the World Heritage List.
• This decision was made at the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee.
• The session was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Ref- UNESCO

---

• Launch of 9 Vande Bharat Express Trains
• Prime Minister NarendraModi, via a video conference, inaugurated nine Vande Bharat Express trains that will operate across 11 different states.
• Within this group of nine trains, the Indian Railways is introducing two for Howrah in West Bengal and Chennai in Tamil Nadu.
• These semi-high-speed trains, comprising eight coaches each, are anticipated to substantially enhance the nation’s railway connectivity.

Ref- IE

About Vande Bharat Express–

• It is an indigenously designed and manufactured semi high speed, self-propelled train that is touted as the next major leap for the Indian Railways in terms of speed and passenger convenience since the introduction of Rajdhani trains.
• The first Vande Bharat was manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, as part of the ‘Make in India’ programme, at a cost of about Rs. 100 crore.
• The Vande Bharat was India’s first attempt at adaptation of the train set technology compared with conventional systems of passenger coaches hauled by separate locomotives.

---

• Northeast’s Mithun Gets ‘Food Animal’ Tag
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)has officially recognized the mithun as a ‘food animal.’
• This recognition, along with endeavoursto promote mithun meat as a commercial product, holds the potential for substantial economic and cultural impacts on the region.

Ref- IE

Mithun

• Mithun, scientifically identified as Bosfrontalis, is an extraordinary bovine species indigenous to the lush and hilly regions of Northeast India, notably found in states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.
• Commonly known as the “Cattle of the Hills,” Mithun carries substantial cultural, economic, and ecological significance within this region.

About FSSAI

• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act).
• Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is the administrative Ministry of FSSAI.
• Headquarters: Delhi.

---

• Axis Bank Launched ‘NEO For Business’
• Axis Bank has launched the ‘NEO for Business’ Transaction Banking platform.
• The objective of this platform is to cater the changing needs of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India.
• It offers features like digital self on-boarding, bulk payments, GST compliance invoicing, payment gateway integration, end-to-end transaction tracking, auto reconciliation, cash flow reports, and recurring collections, among others.
• India currently has over 65 million MSMEs, which contribute over 30 per cent to India’s gross domestic product (GDP).

---

• International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi
• Prime Minister NarendraModi laid the foundation stone of an international cricket stadium in Ganjari, Rajatalab in Varanasi, aligning with his vision of establishing top-notch sports infrastructure.
• This stadium will be the third international cricket stadium in Uttar Pradesh after Kanpur and Lucknow.

• The Prime Minister took part in the concluding ceremony of the KashiSansadSanskritikMahotsav at the Rudraksha International Cooperation and Convention Centre, and he inaugurated 16 Atal residential schools spread across Uttar Pradesh.

1. WaheedaRehman to be Honoured with DadasahebPhalke Lifetime Achievement Award
2. The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, has declared that WaheedaRehman will be bestowed with the esteemed DadasahebPhalke Lifetime Achievement Award.

DadasahebPhalke Award

• The DadasahebPhalke Award is India’s highest award in the field of cinema.
• It is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• The first recipient of the award was actress Devika Rani, who was honoured at the 17th National Film Awards.

About:

• The DadasahebPhalke Award is part of the National Film Awards, a highly coveted collection of honours in the film industry. The Award is named after DhundirajGovindPhalke (“Father of Indian Cinema”), the pioneering filmmaker who gave India its first film– ‘Raja Harishchandra’, in 1913.
• The award is considered the highest honour in the Indian film fraternity. It is awarded for “its outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.

Overview:

• The award was instituted by the government in 1969, and consists of a ‘Swarna Kamal’, a cash prize of INR 10 lakh, a certificate, a silk roll, and a shawl.
• The award is presented by the President of India in the presence of the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, the Chairpersons of the juries, the representatives of the Film Federation of India, and the Confederation of All India Cine Employees among senior officials.
• The first recipient of the award was Devika Rani Roerich in 1969.
• Previous recipients of the awards were Rajnikant (2019) and Amitabh Bachhan (2018), Actress MsAsha Parekh(2020).

Q.1 Consider following statements about Dada SahebPhalke Award-

1. Considered the highest honour in the Indian film fraternity.

2. first recipient of the award was Madhubala in 1969.

3. This award is administered byThe Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting.

Choose the Correct answer from below-

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. All are Correct
4. 2 only

Q.2 Who among the following have won the Dada SahebPhalke award?

1. Amitabh Bachhan

2. Rajnikanth

3. Asha Parekh

4. Devika Rani

Choose the correct answer-

1. 1,2,3 only
2. 1,2 only
3. All of the above
4. None of the above

---

• Maruti Suzuki Join Hands with Indian Navy for Northeast Outreach Programme
• Maruti Suzuki India joined forces with the Indian Navy to raise awareness about career prospects among the youth of Northeastern India via the ‘Khamree Mo Sikkim’ outreach program.
• This association underscores the shared commitment of all the stakeholders for the Northeast region.
• From INS Shivaji at Lonavala, Maharashtra to Sikkim traversing through several states covering a distance of 6500 km is being conducted from 24 Sep – 15 Oct 23.

Q.3 Which statement is right about ‘Khamree Mo Sikkim’ outreach program?

A. To raise awareness about career prospects among the youth of Northeastern India.

B. This initiative jointly done by Indian Navy and Maruti Suzuki

C. Both A& B are Right

D. Both A& B are wrong

---

• India’s First Green Hydrogen
• The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has introduced the country’s first green hydrogen-fueled bus.
• IOC is at the forefront of leveraging the potential of green hydrogen, generated through the process of water electrolysis using renewable energy sources.
• This green hydrogen will be deployed to power two buses that are scheduled for experimental runs in the national capital region.

Q.4 The country’s first green hydrogen-fueled bus is introduced by which company?

A. HPCL

B. BPL

C. IOC

D. ONGC

---

• Indian Women’s Cricket Team Won Gold Medal in Asian Games 2023
• Indian women’s cricket team won their maiden gold medal in Asian Games 2023 by defeating Sri Lanka by 19 runs in final.
• Asian Games 2023 took place in Hangzhou, China.

---

• India’s First Lighthouse Festival
• On September 23, 2023, India’s first Lighthouse Festival or ‘BharatiyaPrakashSthambUtsav’ took place in Goa’s historic Fort Aguada in Panjim.
• It was inaugurated by ShriSarbanandaSonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush.
• The festival was aimed at rejuvenating the rich maritime history of India’s 75 iconic lighthouses and unravel the illustrious stories to the world.

• World Tourism Day 2023
• World Tourism Day is an annual celebration held on September 27 to promote global tourism.
• The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) established this observance to recognize the tourism sector’s ability to foster cultural connections.
• The UNWTO declared World Tourism Day in 1979, its official celebration commenced in 1980.
• The theme for World Tourism Day 2023 is “Tourism and green investment.”
• The theme underscores the importance of increased and well-directed investments in achieving the sustainable development goals outlined in the UN’s 2030 agenda for a better world.

United Nations World Tourism Organisation

• The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations Specialised Agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
• It was established in 1975 with headquarters at Madrid, Spain.
• UNWTO encourages the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, to maximize tourism’s socio-economic contribution while minimizing its possible negative impacts.

1. Katrina Kaif as Brand Ambassador for Uniqlo India
2. Uniqlo, the renowned Japanese clothing brand, has announced Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif as the brand’s first ambassador in India.
3. Kaif joins the ranks of tennis star Roger Federer, who was appointed as Uniqlo’s global brand ambassador in 2018.
4. The one-year partnership will see the Bollywood actress endorse the brand’s Fall-Winter 2023 campaign.

Q. Katrina Kaif has become Brand Ambassador for Uniqlo Cloth brand in India, it’s a renowned brand of

A. USA

B. South Korea

C. Japan

D. China

---

• India’s First C-295 Aircraft
• The first C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft has been inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• The formal induction ceremony was presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and it was attended by senior military officials, including Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, in Ghaziabad.

C-295 Aircraft

• Airbus’ new-generation C295 is an exceptionally versatile tactical transport aircraft designed to excel in a wide range of missions.
• These missions encompass troop and cargo transport, maritime patrol, signals intelligence, and medical evacuation, highlighting its adaptability and capabilities.
• The C-295 aircraft has the capacity to transport a maximum payload of nine tonnes or accommodate as many as 71 troops while maintaining a top cruising speed of 260 knots.

• C295 transport aircraft from Airbus Spain as part of a 2021 agreement with the aviation company to acquire 56 of these aircraft.
• Valued at Rs. 21,935 crores, this procurement aims to modernize the Indian Air Force’s aging Avro-748 transport fleet.
• 16 Aircrafts will be assembled in Seville, 40 in India(at Tata advanced system Limited, Vadodara, Gujarat).

Q. Consider following statements about C-295 Aircraft-

1. Recently First C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft has been inducted into the Indian Air Force.

2. This aircraft is a product of Airbus Company of Spain.

3. In the deal all aircrafts will be imported from Spain.

Choose the correct answer;

A. Only 1

B. Only 1 & 2

C. All are correct

D. Only 3

Q. Under a deal between Airbus and Tata, about 40 C-295 aircrafts will be produced in India, at which place?

A. Vadodara, Gujarat

B. Bhatinda, Punjab

C.Gaziabad, UP

D.Ambala, Haryana

---

• AFSPA Extended in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared a six-month extension of the application of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA)

About:

• The AFSPA gives unfettered powers to the armed forces and the Central armed police forcesdeployed in “disturbed areas” to kill anyone acting in contravention of law and arrest and search any premises without a warrant and with protection from prosecution and legal suits.
• The law first came into effect in 1958 to deal with the uprising in the Naga.
• The Act was amended in 1972 and the powers to declare an area as “disturbed” were conferred concurrently upon the Central government along with the States.
• Tripura revoked the Act in 2015 and Meghalaya was under AFSPA for 27 years, until it was revoked by the MHA from 1st April 2018.
• Currently AFSFA is in some parts of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

Q. Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) was first came into effect to deal with the uprising in the Naga, Who was the Prime Minister of India at That time?

A. LalBahadurShastri

B. Pt. JL Nehru

C. Indira Gandhi

D. Morarji Desai

Q. Currently AFSFA is in some parts of some states in the country, that are-

A. Assam, Nagaland, Manipur & Arunachal Pradesh

B. Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh & Mizoram

C. Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh & Meghalaya

D. All States in North East India

---

• Infosys Join Hands with Microsoft for Adoption of Generative Artificial Intelligence
• Infosys, a prominent Indian IT company, has unveiled a strategic partnership with the tech giant Microsoft.
• The objective of this alliance is to create advanced solutions by leveraging the collective strengths of Infosys Topaz, Azure OpenAI Service, and Azure Cognitive Services.
• This joint endeavour is focused on elevating the prominence of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in enterprise operations spanning diverse sectors, with the promise of improving efficiency and fostering additional revenue generation opportunities.

About:

• GAI is a rapidly growing branch of AI that focuses on generating new content (such as images, audio, text, etc.) based on patterns and rules learned from data.
• The rise of GAI can be attributed to the development of advanced generative models, such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and VariationalAutoencoders (VAEs).
  • These models are trained on large amounts of data and are able to generate new outputs that are similar to the training data. For example, a GAN trained on images of faces can generate new, synthetic images of faces that look realistic.

---

• RBI Cancels Licence of ‘The Kapol Co-operative Bank’
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revoked the license of The Kapol Co-operative Bank Limited, a Mumbai-based cooperative bank.
• This action was primarily taken due to apprehensions about the bank’s insufficient capital and limited earnings potential, which cast doubts on its capacity to meet its obligations to depositors.

What are the Cooperative Banks?

• It is an institution established on a cooperative basis to deal with the ordinary banking business. Cooperative banks are founded by collecting funds through shares, accepting deposits, and granting loans.
• They are Cooperative credit societies where members from a community group together to extend loans to each other, at favorable terms.
• They are registered under the Cooperative Societies Act of the State concerned or the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.
• The Co-operative banks are governed by the,
  • Banking Regulations Act, 1949.
  • Banking Laws (Co-operative Societies) Act, 1955.
• They are broadly divided into Urban and Rural cooperative banks.

1. Uttarakhand Govt Signs MoU with Poma Group
2. The Uttarakhand government has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the prestigious French ropeway construction company, Poma Group as part of its Global Investors Summit.
3. This MoU, with an impressive worth of Rs 2,000 crore, was formally executed by Vinay Shankar Pandey, who represented the Uttarakhand government as the Secretary of Industries.

---

• India’s Position in World Talent Ranking 2023
• India’s ranking has dropped by four positions, now standing at 56^th out of 64 economies, in contrast to its 52^nd place in the 2022 ranking.
• The International Institute for Management Development (IMD)(HQ- Lausanne, Switzerland) released the 2023 World Talent Ranking on September 27^th.

---

• Google Launched its Android Earthquake Alerts System in India
• Google, in partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Seismology Center (NSC), has introduced an Earthquake Alerts System for Android smartphone users in India.
• This system provides early notifications of seismic events and supports multiple Indian languages for accessibility.

---

• Father of India’s ‘Green Revolution,’ MS Swaminathan Passes Away at 98
• Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, fondly known as the father of India’s green revolution passed away on September 28, 2023, at the age of 98.

Green Revolution

• The Green Revolution was an endeavour initiated by Norman Borlaug in the 1960s. He is known as the ‘Father of Green Revolution’ in world.
• In India, the Green Revolution was mainly led by M.S. Swaminathan.
• The Green Revolution resulted in a great increase in production of food grains (especially wheat and rice) due to the introduction into developing countries of new, high-yielding variety seeds, beginning in the mid-20th century.

• India-UN Capacity Building Initiative
• India and the United Nations have collaboratively launched a substantial capacity-building endeavour called the “India-UN Capacity Building Initiative.”
• This program aims to enable the exchange of India’s development insights, exemplary approaches, and expertise with partner nations in the Global South.

• International Translation Day 2023
• On September 30^th each year, International Translation Day is commemorated worldwide.
• It recognizes the priceless contributions of translators and language experts.
• In 1991, the International Federation of Translators (FIT) officially instituted International Translation Day.

Federation of Translators (FIT):

• FIT, an international body established in 1953.
• It represents professionals in the fields of translation, interpretation, and terminology worldwide.
• The primary objectives behind the establishment of this day were to promote solidarity among the global translation community and to heighten awareness about the vital role of the translation profession.

1. PM To Launch ‘SankalpSaptaah’

• Prime Minister NarendraModi launched a unique week-long programme for Aspirational Blocks in the country called ‘SankalpSaptaah’ at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 30^th September2023.
• ‘SankalpSaptaah’ is linked to the effective implementation of Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP).
• ‘SankalpSaptaah’ will be observed in all of the 500 Aspirational Blocks.
• Each day in ‘SankalpSaptaah’, starting from 3rd October till 9th October, 2023, is dedicated to a specific development theme.
• The themes for the first six days include ‘SampoornaSwasthya’, ‘SuposhitPariwaar’, ‘Swachhta’, ‘Krishi’, ‘Shiksha’, and ‘SamridhiDiwas’. 
• The last day of the week will be the celebration of the work conducted during the entire week, as ‘SankalpSaptaah – SamaveshSamaroh’.

About Aspirational Block Programme–

• Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) was launched during the 2^nd National Conference of Chief Secretaries held from 5^th January to 7^th January, 2022.
• It is a development initiative aimed at improving the performance of areas that are lagging on various development parameters.
• It was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23.
• It will initially cover 500 blocks across 31 states and Union Territories, with over half of these blocks located in six states – Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.
• At Government of India level, programme is anchored by NITI Aayog. In addition, individual Ministries have assumed responsibility to drive progress of districts.

---

1. India’s First Cartography Museum
2. On the occasion of World Tourism Day, the George Everest Cartography Museum in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, was officially opened by SatpalMaharaj, the Minister of Tourism and Culture for Uttarakhand.
3. This is India’s first cartography Museum.
4. The museum is located in Park Estate area of Mussoorie formerly the home of the renowned surveyor Sir George Everest, after whom Mount Everest was named.

Highest Mountains In the World (Height- 8000 metres& above)
Mountain	Metres	Feet	Range	Location & Features
Mount Everest	8,848	29,029	Himalayas	Nepal/China
K2	8,611	28,251	Karakoram	India
Kangchenjunga	8,586	28,169	Himalayas	Nepal/India
Lhotse	8,516	27,940	Himalayas	Nepal/China – Climbers ascend Lhotse Face in climbing Everest
Makalu	8,485	27,838	Himalayas	Nepal/China

---

• Taiwan Unveils ‘Haikun’
• Taiwan, an autonomous island in East Asia, has inaugurated its domestically-produced submarine, christened the “Haikun.”
• This was to enhance its defence against the ongoing potential risk of a Chinese incursion.
• President Tsai Ing-wenofficiated the launch ceremony in the port city of Kaohsiung, signifying advancement in Taiwan’s military capabilities.

1. Google and HP join hands to make chromebooks
2. Google and HP have partnered to produce budget-friendly Chromebook laptops in India under the Make in India initiative.
3. Production is set to commence on October 2 at HP’s manufacturing facility in Chennai.

---

5. CRISIL Report

• According to the report by CRISIL (Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited), MI&A (Market Intelligence and Advisory), India’s power demand in September 2023 has reached its highest level in five years.

CRISIL:

• CRISIL is an Indian consultancy company that provides ratings, analyses, risk assessments, and policy recommendations.
• It operates as a subsidiary of S&P Global, an American multinational corporation.
• Established in 1988, CRISIL holds the distinction of being India’s inaugural credit rating agency, and it was founded through the infusion of share capital by ICICI and UTI, with participation from SBI, LIC, and United India Insurance Company.

• Hoysala Temples becomes India’s 42^nd UNESCO’s World Heritage site
• The Hoysala temples became the 42^nd UNESCO World Heritage site.
• The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala are the famed Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebid and Somananthpura in Karnataka.

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)

• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) isa specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).
• It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture.
• UNESCO’s Headquarter is located in Paris.
• UNESCO was founded on 16 November 1945.
• The first session of the General Conference of UNESCO was held in Paris during November-December of 1946.

Mathematician Ruixiang Zhang Received SASTRA Ramanujan Award 2023
⦁ Ruixiang Zhang, an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, USA, has been honored with 2023 SASTRA Ramanujan Prize in Mathematics.
⦁ He will be awarded a cash prize of USD 10,000 at an international Number Theory conference scheduled from December 20 to December 22.
⦁ The conference will take place at SASTRA University in Kumbakonam(Tamil Nadu), the hometown of the renowned mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.
⦁ The age limit for the prize has been established at 32 years, mirroring Ramanujan’s remarkable achievements within his brief lifespan of 32 years.

Marico’s Saugata Gupta Appointed as the ASCI Chairman
⦁ Saugata Gupta, currently serving as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Marico Ltd, has been named the new Chairman of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI).
⦁ Partha Sinha, who holds the position of President of Response at Bennett Coleman & Company Limited, has been chosen as the Vice Chairman.
⦁ Sudhanshu Vats, Deputy Managing Director of Pidilite Industries Ltd, has been appointed as the Honorary Treasurer.

Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)
⦁ It is a self-regulatory voluntary organization of the advertising industry.
⦁ It was founded in 1985 and is an NGO.
⦁ Objective of the ASCI is to maintain and enhance the public’s confidence in advertising.
⦁ Its mandate is that all advertising material must be truthful, legal and honest, decent and not objectify women, safe for consumers – especially children and fair to their competitors.

Dr Dinesh Dasa Appointed as Member of UPSC

⦁ Dr. Dinesh Dasa has been sworn in as a Member of the UPSC, taking the Oath of Office and Secrecy.
⦁ The oath was administered by Dr. Manoj Soni, the Chairman of UPSC.
⦁ He served as the Chairman of the Gujarat Public Service Commission from February 2016 to January 2022.

What are Public Service Commissions?
⦁ As per ⦁ Article 312 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament is entitled to create one or more All India services (including an ⦁ All India Judicial Service) common to the Union and the States.

⦁ The recruitment to all these services is made by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
⦁ For administrative services at the state level, the recruitment is made by the State Public Service Commission (SPSC).
⦁ The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the central recruiting agency in India.

⦁ It is an independent constitutional body.

⦁ The provisions regarding the composition of UPSC, appointment and removal of its members and the powers and functions of UPSC are provided in Part XIV of the Indian Constitution under Article 315 to Article 323.
⦁ As of now, The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) consists of a chairman and ten members.
⦁ The terms and conditions of service of the chairman and members of the Commission are governed by the Union Public Service Commission (Members) Regulations, 1969.`
⦁ Parallel to the UPSC at the Centre, there is a State Public Service Commission (SPSC) in the state.

⦁ The provisions regarding the composition of SPSC, appointment and removal of its members and the powers and functions of SPSC are provided in Part XIV of the Indian Constitution under Article 315 to Article 323.

Shanth Kumar as New PTI Chairman

⦁ K.N. Shanth Kumar of The Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Press Trust of India (PTI) for a term of one year.
⦁ This decision was made after the Annual General Meeting of PTI’s Board of Directors, which took place at the news agency’s headquarters in New Delhi.
⦁ The Board also elected Praveen Someshwar, the Chief Executive Officer of Hindustan Times, as the Vice-Chairman.
⦁ Mr. Shanth Kumar replaces Aveek Sarkar, who served as Chairman for two consecutive terms.

Gandhi Jayanti 2023

⦁ Every year on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti is observed, commemorating the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
⦁ It marks the 154th birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, fondly referred to as Mahatma Gandhi, Bapu, or the Father of the Nation.
⦁ Mahatma Gandhi showcased the strength of non-violence, or ahimsa, through peaceful movements, leaving a lasting impact on global leaders with his values and beliefs.
⦁ The theme for 2023 is ‘Ek Tareekh Ek Ghanta Ek Saath,’ a national initiative calling for 1 Hour of citizen-led shramdaan for swachhata on October 1, 2023, at 10 am.”