The Clat Post September-2022

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S. No. Contents
1. Mikhail Gorbachev and the story of Cold War 4
2. Indo-China Disengagement at Hot Springs & Gogra Post 6
3. India to host G20 Summit in 2023, G20 Education Ministers’ Meeting and all about G20 7
4. Windfall Tax 9
5. 8 Years of PMJDY and Make In India Details 10
6. Artemis mission and history of Humans in space 12
7. Human Development Index 14
8. CRISPR Cas 9 technology and its recent applications 16
9. Project 17A and INS Taragiri 19
10. 19th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers’ meeting 20
11. La Nina in third consecutive year and El Nino and ENSO 22
12. National Logistics Policy 24
13. Hydrogen Fuel Cell 26
14. India’s First Commercial SSA Observatory 27
15. Need for Unified Metro Laws in India 29
16. Current Affairs practice Sheet (CAPS) 30
17. National 47
18. International 69
19. Science & Technology 82
20. Appointmens & Resignations 84
21. Awards & Recognition 93
22. Books & Author 97
23. Important Days 98
24. Obitury 107
25. Ranking 111
26. Sports 116
27. Summit's & MoU's 125
28. Banking And Economy 133
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29. 149
Customary divorce valid under Hindu Marriage Act if custom is proved and not against
30. 152
public policy: Chhattisgarh High Court
US President Joe Biden nominates Indian-American attorney Arun Subramanian to US

31. 153
District Judge in New York
[Section 110A Customs Act] Seized goods can be released only in favour of owner and not
32. 154
importer: Bombay High Court
News Individual cannot claim right to contest elections: Supreme Court dismisses plea with
33. 155
₹1 lakh cost on litigant
Cannot ask State to treat visually impaired at par with differently abled persons for purpose
34. 156
of pension: Madras High Court
35. Supreme Court upholds validity of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Act 157
36. 159
37. 160
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September, 2022
Mikhail Gorbachev and the story of Cold War

Mikhail Gorbachev, who set out to revitalise the Soviet Union but ended up unleashing forces that led to the collapse
of communism, the break-up of the state and the end of the Cold War, died on Tuesday. The last Soviet leader was 91.
 Gorbachev died after a long illness, according to a statement from the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow. No
other details were given.
Though in power for less than seven years, Gorbachev unleashed a breathtaking series of changes. But they quickly
overtook him and resulted in the collapse of the authoritarian Soviet state, the freeing of Eastern European nations from
Russian domination and the end of decades of East-West nuclear confrontation.
About Mikhail Gorbachev

 As a young man, he joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and following Stalin's death, he actively
supported Nikita Khrushchev's De-Stalinization policies.
 In 1970, he was chosen to serve as the Stavropol Regional Committee's First Party Secretary.
 He became the de facto head of state in 1985 after being chosen as the General Secretary of the Communist Party
of the Soviet Union.
 Gorbachev is credited for ending the Cold War, which led to the USSR's division into independent nations.
 For his efforts to end the Cold War between the US and USSR, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.
Major Reforms:
a) He put forth the "glasnost" and "perestroika" programmes, which aided in press freedom, economic growth, and
the freedom of speech.
b) Perestroika, or "restructuring," refers to the process of introducing some aspects of a market economy into the
Soviet system of government and economics. Decentralization of financial decision-making was another outcome.
c) Glasnost, which means "openness," especially with regard to information, marked the start of the Soviet Union's
democratisation.
Focused on Arms Reduction:

In order to lift the Iron Curtain that had divided Europe since World War Two and reunite Germany, He negotiated
armaments reduction agreements with the United States and formed alliances with Western states.
The Soviet Union built the iron curtain, a political, military, and ideological barrier, to isolate itself and its reliant allies
in eastern and central Europe from open interaction with the West and other non-communist regions following World
War II.
Gorbachev with India

 Gorbachev made two trips to India: in 1986 and 1988.
 His goal was to win Indian cooperation while extending his European disarmament endeavours to Asia.
 After taking over as Soviet Union's leader, Gorbachev travelled to this country for the first time.
 Gorbachev was praised by Rajiv Gandhi, the then-prime minister, as a "crusader for peace."
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 In the Indian and Soviet press, his speech to India's Parliament during the visit received exaggerated attention and
was hailed as a triumph of Indian diplomacy.
About Cold War

 Russia and western nations (the US and its allies, such as Britain) were divided throughout the Cold War, which
began in the 1940s and lasted until 1991.
 It was a conflict between capitalism and communism (the eastern manner of governing) (the west).
 From 1922 to 1991, the Russians ran a communist state, while the US and other western nations practised capitalism.
 Throughout the Cold War, communist and capitalist nations competed to produce the best technology and
armaments in an effort to surpass one another.
India’s Stance in Cold War

The goal of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) was to maintain independence or neutrality rather than to formally
align with either the US or the USSR.
The fundamental idea of the organisation was first discussed in 1955 at the Asia-Africa Bandung Conference, which was
held in Indonesia.
In September 1961, the inaugural NAM Summit Conference was held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
1. Mikhail Gorbachev became the head of the State in c) 1922

USSR in which of the following years? d) 1925
(a) 1981
(b) 1985 4. Asia-Africa Bandung Conference was held in which
(c) 1989 of the following Cities?
(d) 1991 (a) India
(b) Indonesia
2. Mikhail Gorbachev was awarded with the Nobel (c) Yugoslavia
Peace Prize in which of the following years? (d) Nigeria
(a) 1989
(b) 1990 5. Non-Aligned Movement was created in which of the
(c) 1991 following years?
(d) 1992 (a) 1955
(b) 1961
3. USSR was formed in which of the following years? (c) 1965
a) 1917 (d) 1967
b) 1920
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1. (b) He became the de facto head of state in 1985 3. (c) From 1922 to 1991, the Russians ran a communist
after being chosen as the General Secretary of state, while the US and other western nations
the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. practised capitalism.
Gorbachev is credited for ending the Cold War, 4. (b) The fundamental idea of the organisation was
which led to the USSR's division into first discussed in 1955 at the Asia-Africa
independent nations. For his efforts to end the Bandung Conference, which was held in
Cold War between the US and USSR, he Indonesia.
received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990. 5. (b) Six years after Bandung, the Movement of Non-
2. (b) Gorbachev is credited for ending the Cold War, Aligned Countries was founded on a wider
which led to the USSR's division into geographical basis at the First Summit
independent nations. For his efforts to end the Conference of Belgrade, which was held on
Cold War between the US and USSR, he September 1-6, 1961.
received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.
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Indo-China Disengagement at Hot Springs & Gogra Post
News
In the Gogra-Hotspring district of Eastern Ladakh, the Indian and Chinese soldiers have just started disengaging at
Patrolling Pillar 15 (PP-15).
Since April 2020, the two nations' militaries have been locked in a hostile stance in the region.
The action is being taken in advance of the SCO summit in Uzbekistan.
Key Highlights about the Current Disengagement

A step toward ending the standoff that has been going on since May 2020 has been made with the beginning of the
Indian and Chinese soldiers' withdrawal from Patrolling Point-15 in the Gogra-Hotsprings region of Eastern Ladakh.
One of the 65 patrolling sites along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh is PP-15 (LAC).
The withdrawal has started in a planned and coordinated manner, which promotes calm and tranquillity in the border
regions.
According to the earlier agreement on disengagement, a buffer zone is to be established at the flashpoints after both
sides have withdrew their soldiers, and new patrolling guidelines are to be established after total disengagement and
de-escalation.
o The 16th session of the India China Corps Commander Level Meeting resulted in agreement on the disengagement.
o On July 17, 2022, at the Chushul border staff meeting location on the Indian side, the 16th round of negotiations
took place.
o The two parties have held 16 rounds of negotiations since the standoff started in May 2020, during which both sides
of Pangong Tso have taken steps toward withdrawal.
o Forces from the two nations have now disengaged at all flashpoints in the area, including PP-14, PP-15, and PP-17A.
These flashpoints included the North and South banks of the Pangong Tso.
o Following the 12th Corp Commander Level meeting, the two countries' soldiers last disengaged at PP-17 A in August
2021.
o Demchok and Depsang remain the key issues of contention, which China has steadfastly refused to recognise
because, in its view, they are not involved in the current standoff.
About Hot Springs and Gogra Post

Location:
Hot Springs is located immediately north of the Chang Chenmo River, and Gogra Post is located to the east of where
the river makes a sharp left to the southwest after travelling southeast from Galwan Valley.
The region is south-east of Galwan Valley and north of the Karakoram Range of mountains, which is north of Pangong
Tso Lake.
Importance of the Post

Hot Springs is located immediately north of the Chang Chenmo River, and Gogra Post is located to the east of where
the river makes a sharp left to the southwest after travelling southeast from Galwan Valley.
The region is south-east of Galwan Valley and north of the Karakoram Range of mountains, which is north of Pangong
Tso Lake.
6. SCO summit 2022 is being held at which of the (d) Patrolling Pillar 18
following places?
(a) Uzbekistan 8. India and China’s hostilities at Gogra-Hotspring
(b) India district started in which of the following years?
(c) Tajikistan (a) 2018
(d) China (b) 2019
(c) 2020
7. The Indian and Chinese soldiers have just started (d) 2021
disengaging at which of the following posts?
(a) Patrolling Pillar 12 9. How many patrolling sites are there along the Line
(b) Patrolling Pillar 14 of Actual Control in Ladakh?
(c) Patrolling Pillar 15 (a) 59
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(b) 62 (a) Hot Springs
(c) 65 (b) Gogra Posts
(d) 71 (c) Depsang
(d) All of the above
10. Which of the following has remained the key issues
of contention between India and China?
6. (a) The 22nd summit of the Council of Heads of the Since April 2020, the two nations' militaries have
Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member been locked in a hostile stance in the region.
States (SCO-CoHS) is set to to commence on 9. (c) One of the 65 patrolling sites along the Line of
Thursday in Samarkand, Uzbekistan after two Actual Control in Ladakh is PP-15 (LAC).
years of the Covid-19 pandemic. The withdrawal has started in a planned and
7. (c) In the Gogra-Hotspring district of Eastern coordinated manner, which promotes calm and
Ladakh, the Indian and Chinese soldiers have tranquillity in the border regions.
just started disengaging at Patrolling Pillar 15 10. (c) Demchok and Depsang remain the key issues of
(PP-15). contention, which China has steadfastly refused
8. (c) In the Gogra-Hotspring district of Eastern to recognise because, in its view, they are not
Ladakh, the Indian and Chinese soldiers have involved in the current standoff.
just started disengaging at Patrolling Pillar 15
(PP-15).
India to host G20 Summit in 2023, G20 Education Ministers’ Meeting

and all about G20
News
India will assume the presidency of the G20 from December and host the summit of leaders of the world’s twenty largest
economies in New Delhi during September 9-10, 2023.
India is set to take over the presidency of G20 for a year from Indonesia, which is set to host the leaders’ summit in
November. The country will hold the presidency from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023.
“India is currently part of the G20 Troika [current, previous and incoming G20 Presidencies] comprising Indonesia, Italy
and India. During its presidency, the troika will include India, Indonesia and Brazil. This will be the first time that the
troika will consist of three developing countries and emerging economies.
The G20 currently comprises:

a) Finance Track, with 8 workstreams (Global Macroeconomic Policies, Infrastructure Financing, International
Financial Architecture, Sustainable Finance, Financial Inclusion, Health Finance, International Taxation, Financial
Sector Reforms)
b) Sherpa Track, with 12 workstreams (Anti-corruption, Agriculture, Culture, Development, Digital Economy,
Employment, Environment and Climate, Education, Energy Transition, Health, Trade and Investment, Tourism)
c) 10 Engagement Groups of private sector/civil society/independent bodies (Business 20, Civil 20, Labour 20,
Parliament 20, Science 20, Supreme Audit Institutions 20, Think 20, Urban 20, Women 20 and Youth 20).
In addition to G20 Members, there has been a tradition of the G20 Presidency inviting some Guest countries and
International Organizations (IOs) to its G20 meetings and Summit. Accordingly, in addition to regular International
Organizations (UN, IMF, World Bank, WHO, WTO, ILO, FSB and OECD) and Chairs of Regional Organizations (AU,
AUDA-NEPAD and ASEAN), India, as G20 Presidency, will be inviting Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands,
Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and UAE as Guest countries, as well as ISA (International Solar Alliance),
CDRI (Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure) and ADB (Asian Development Bank) as Guest IOs.
About G20
 The G20 was formed in 1999 with the aim of discussing policies in order to achieve international financial stability.
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o This forum was formed as an effort to find a solution to the global economic conditions hit by the global financial
crisis in 1997-1999 by involving middle-income countries and having systemic economic influence, including
Indonesia.
 On the advice of the G7 Finance Ministers, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors began holding
meetings to discuss the response to the global financial crisis that occurred. After that, the Minister of Finance level
meeting is held regularly in the fall.
o Nine years later, on November 14-15 2008, the leaders of the G20 countries gathered for the first G20 Summit.
On that occasion, the country’s leaders coordinated the global response to the impact of the financial.
The G20 has no permanent secretariat. Agenda and the work coordination is completed by G20 leaders’ personal
representatives, known as sherpas together with finance ministers and central bank governors.
The members of the G20 are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy,
Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States,
and the European Union. Spain is also invited as a permanent guest.
Together, the G20 members represent more than 80 percent of world GDP, 75 percent of international trade and
60 percent of the world population.
11. India is set to take the presidency of G20 nations (c) Germany
from which of the following Countries? (d) New Zealand
(a) Italy
(b) Indonesia 14. G20 Secretariat is located at which of the following
(c) Brazil places?
(d) Egypt (a) Washington DC
(b) Bonn
12. G20 was formed in which of the following years? (c) New Delhi
(a) 1999 (d) None of the above
(b) 1992
(c) 1992 15. G20 Members represent how much percentage of
(d) 1990 World GDP?
(a) 25%
13. Which of the following Countries will join G20 (b) 40%
Troika when India will take head of G20 next year? (c) 60%
(a) Brazil (d) 80%
(b) Egypt
11. (b) India is set to take over the presidency of G20 for time that the troika will consist of three
a year from Indonesia, which is set to host the developing countries and emerging economies.
leaders’ summit in November. The country will 14. (d) The G20 has no permanent secretariat. Agenda
hold the presidency from December 1, 2022 to and the work coordination is completed by G20
November 30, 2023. leaders’ personal representatives, known as
12. (a) The G20 was formed in 1999 with the aim of sherpas together with finance ministers and
discussing policies in order to achieve central bank governors.
international financial stability. 15. (d) Together, the G20 members represent more
13. (a) During its presidency, the troika will include than 80 percent of world GDP, 75 percent of
India, Indonesia and Brazil. This will be the first international trade and 60 percent of the
world population.
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Windfall Tax
News
India has cut the windfall tax on locally produced crude oil and diesel, in line with the decline in international rates,
and scrapped the levy on the export of jet fuel.
 The government reduced the tax on domestically produced crude oil to Rs 8,000 per tonne from Rs 10,500 per tonne
after the sixth fortnightly review.
 The levy on the export of diesel was halved to Rs 5 per litre. The Rs 5 a litre tax on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) exports
was scrapped with effect from Sunday, according to a finance ministry notification issued late Saturday night. India
first imposed windfall taxes on July 1, joining a growing number of nations that tax super normal profits of energy
companies.
 Export duties of Rs 6 per litre were levied on petrol and ATF and Rs 13 a litre on diesel.
About Windfall Tax

Windfall taxes are made to tax any income a business makes as a result of an unforeseeable, external event, such the
increase in energy prices brought on by the conflict in the Ukraine and Russia.
 These are gains that can't be directly linked to something the company actively did, like an investment plan or a
corporate development.
 An "unearned, unplanned rise in revenue through no additional labour or expense" is what is meant by the
definition of a windfall.
 Governments often impose a windfall tax, sometimes known as a one-time tax, retroactively in addition to the
regular rates of tax on such earnings.
 Oil markets, where price volatility results in unpredictable or volatile profits for the business, are one area where
such levies have frequently been suggested.
Governments around the world have introduced windfall taxes for a variety of reasons, including funding social welfare
programmes, redistribution of unforeseen gains when high prices benefit producers at the expense of consumers, and
as an additional source of revenue for the government.
o Although they have lately decreased, the cost of oil, gas, and coal has witnessed significant increases since the end
of last year and in the first two quarters of this year.
o The rise is the result of a number of reasons, including an imbalance between energy supply and demand during
the post-Covid-19 economic recovery, which was exacerbated by Russia's involvement in Ukraine.
o Energy demand is bolstered by pandemic recovery and supply problems brought on by the Russia-Ukraine conflict,
which raises worldwide prices.
o Rising energy costs resulted in high gas and electricity bills for households in both big and smaller economies while
also generating enormous and record profits for energy providers.
o The levies were introduced at a time when refiners were making significant profits by increasing gasoline exports
to nations with a deficit, including Europe, which has since stopped importing Russian oil.
o The head of the United Nations asked all nations to impose taxes on these obscene profits "and use the cash to serve
the most vulnerable people through these challenging times."
o Organizations like the IMF issued a guidance note on how such a tax should be imposed in response to proposals
to adopt windfall taxes.
16. The government reduced the windfall tax on which (b) Redistribution of unforeseen gains when high
of the following? prices benefit producers at the expense of
(a) Domestically Produced Crude Oil consumers
(b) Domestically Produced Electric Vehicles (c) An additional source of revenue for the
(c) Domestically Produced Lithium Ion Batteries. government.
(d) All of the above (d) All of the above
17. Which of the following is one of the reasons for the 18. Which of the following is/are Incorrect?
impositions of windfall taxes? (a) Windfall taxes are unconstitutional.
(a) Funding social welfare programmes (b) Windfall taxes are advised against by the
International Financial Organisations.
(c) Windfall taxes are aid in inflation.
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(d) All of the above 20. The current imposition of Windfall taxes by the
Government is result of which of the following
19. When does a country impose windfall taxes? event?
(a) They are imposed when the producers make (a) Energy demand is bolstered by pandemic
unforeseen gains when high prices benefit recovery and supply problems brought on by the
producers at the expense of consumers. Russia-Ukraine conflict, which raises worldwide
(b) They are imposed when the country is going prices.
through high inflation. (b) Suggestion of the International Financial
(c) They are imposed when the producers are facing Organisations.
loses. (c) To fight the rising inflation.
(d) Both b and c (d) All of the above
16. (d) The government reduced the tax on expense of consumers and they do not aid in
domestically produced crude oil to Rs 8,000 per inflation.
tonne from Rs 10,500 per tonne after the sixth 19. (a) An "unearned, unplanned rise in revenue
fortnightly review. through no additional labour or expense" is
17. (d) Governments around the world have introduced what is meant by the definition of a windfall.
windfall taxes for a variety of reasons, including Governments often impose a windfall tax,
funding social welfare programmes, sometimes known as a one-time tax,
redistribution of unforeseen gains when high retroactively in addition to the regular rates of
prices benefit producers at the expense of tax on such earnings.
consumers, and as an additional source of 20. (d) The rise is the result of a number of reasons,
revenue for the government. including an imbalance between energy supply
18. (d) Windfall taxes for imposed by various and demand during the post-Covid-19 economic
governments and are not unconstitutional. recovery, which was exacerbated by Russia's
International Organisations such as world bank involvement in Ukraine. Energy demand is
and IMF promote windfall taxes when bolstered by pandemic recovery and supply
corporation make unforeseen gains at the problems brought on by the Russia-Ukraine
conflict, which raises worldwide prices.
8 Years of PMJDY and Make In India Details

News
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) - National Mission for Financial Inclusion, completes eight years of
successful implementation
 More than 46.25 crore beneficiaries banked under PMJDY since inception, amounting to Rs. 1,73,954 crore.
 PMJDY Accounts grow 3-fold from 14.72 crore in Mar’15 to 46.25 crore as on 10-08-2022.
 56% Jan-Dhan account holders are women and 67% Jan Dhan accounts in rural and semi-urban areas 31.94 crore
RuPay cards issued to PMJDY accountholders
 About 5.4 crore PMJDY account holders received direct benefit transfer (DBT) from the Government under various
schemes in June, 2022.
About PMJDY
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is National Mission for Financial Inclusion to ensure access to financial
services, namely, Banking/ Savings & Deposit Accounts, Remittance, Credit, Insurance, Pension in an affordable
manner. PMJDY was announced by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address on 15th
August 2014
Objectives:
o Ensure access of financial products & services at an affordable cost
o Use of technology to lower cost & widen reach
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Basic tenets of the scheme
o Banking the unbanked - Opening of basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account with minimal paperwork, relaxed
KYC, e-KYC, account opening in camp mode, zero balance & zero charges.
o Securing the unsecured - Issuance of Indigenous Debit cards for cash withdrawals & payments at merchant
locations, with free accident insurance coverage of Rs. 2 lakh.
o Funding the unfunded - Other financial products like micro-insurance, overdraft for consumption, micro-pension
& micro-credit.
PMJDY was launched on 6 pillars:

(i) Universal access to banking services – Branch and BC.
(ii) Basic savings bank accounts with overdraft facility of Rs. 10,000/- to every eligible adult
(iii) Financial Literacy Programme– Promoting savings, use of ATMs, getting ready for credit, availing insurance and
pensions, using basic mobile phones for banking.
(iv) Creation of Credit Guarantee Fund – To provide banks some guarantee against defaults
(v) Insurance – Accident cover up to Rs. 1,00,000 and life cover of Rs. 30,000 on account opened between 15 Aug 2014
to 31 January 2015.
(vi) Pension scheme for Unorganized sector.
Achievements of the Scheme

Approach towards Digital Banking:
o Accounts opened are online accounts in the core banking system of banks.
o Focus has shifted from ‘Every Household’ to Every Unbanked Adult’.
o Fixed-point Business Correspondents.
o Simplified KYC / e-KYC in place of cumbersome KYC formalities.
Extension of PMJDY with New Features:

o Focus shift from ‘Every Household’ to Every Unbanked Adult’.
o RuPay Card Insurance:
o Free accidental insurance cover on RuPay cards increased from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh for PMJDY accounts opened
after 28th August 2018.
Enabling Interoperability:
o Through RuPay debit card or Aadhaar enabled Payment System (AePS).
Enhancement in overdraft facilities:

o Overdraft (OD) limit increased from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000, with an additional Rs. 2,000 allowed (without
conditions).
o OD's upper age limit will rise from 60 to 65 years old..
Jan Dhan Darshak App: A mobile application, Jan Dhan Darshak App was launched to provide a citizen centric
platform for locating banking touch points such as bank branches, ATMs, Bank Mitras, Post Offices, etc. in the country.
Increased Financial Inclusion:

o Within ten days of the Covid-19-related nationwide lockdown, ex-gratia were credited to more than 20 crore
women's PMJDY accounts.
o As of August 10, 2022, PMJDY Accounts were 46.25 crore, up from 14.72 crore in March 2015.
o Out of the 46.25 crore PMJDY accounts in existence as of August 22, 37.57 crore (81.2%) are active.
o Zero balance accounts make up just 8.2% of all PMJDY accounts.
o In the period of August’22/August’15, deposits climbed by around 7.60 times while accounts increased by 2.58 times.
Formalisation of Financial System:

It gives the poor a way to transfer their savings into the formal financial system, a way to send money to their families
in the villages, and it frees them from the control of predatory money lenders.
Prevention of Leakage:
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DBTs via PM Jan Dhan accounts have ensured every rupee reaches its intended beneficiary and prevents systemic
leakage.
Smooth DBT transactions:

Close monitoring to avoid DBT failures in consultation with DBT Mission, National Payments Corporation of India
(NPCI), banks and various other Ministries ensures that the eligible beneficiaries receive their DBT in time.
Digital transactions:
o Digital transactions increased overall, from 978 crore in the fiscal year 2016–17 to 7,195 crore in the fiscal year 2021–
22.
o The overall number of financial transactions using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) went from 1.79 crore in the
fiscal year 2016–17 to 4,596 crore in the fiscal year 2021–22.
o Similar to this, the total number of RuPay card transactions at Point of Sales (PoS) and E-commerce rose from 28.28
crore in FY 2016–17 to 151.64 crore in FY 2021–22.
21. PMJDY was launched in which of the following (b) 6.7%

years? (c) 7.1%
(a) 2012 (d) 8.2%
(b) 2014
(c) 2015 24. Under the new features of the PMJDY, the focus has
(d) 2018 been shifted from ‘Every Household’ to which of the
following?
22. Under the new features of the PMJDY, the upper (a) Every Adult
limit of the overdraft has been increased to which of (b) Every Unbanked Adult
the following? (c) Every Village
(a) 60 (d) Every Unbanked Village
(b) 62
(c) 65 25. How much of the total account holders under
(d) 70 PMJDY are women?
(a) 40%
23. Zero Balance account make upto how much (b) 56%
percentage of all the accounts under the PMJDY? (c) 60%
(a) 5% (d) 62%
21. (b) PMJDY was announced by Prime Minister, Shri August’22/August’15, deposits climbed by
Narendra Modi in his Independence Day around 7.60 times while accounts increased by
address on 15th August 2014 2.58 times.
22. (c) Overdraft (OD) limit increased from Rs. 5,000 to 24. (b) Focus shift from ‘Every Household’ to Every
Rs. 10,000, with an additional Rs. 2,000 allowed Unbanked Adult’.
(without conditions). OD's upper age limit will 25. (b) 56% Jan-Dhan account holders are women and
rise from 60 to 65 years old.. 67% Jan Dhan accounts in rural and semi-urban
23. (d) Zero balance accounts make up just 8.2% of all areas 31.94 crore RuPay cards issued to PMJDY
PMJDY accounts. In the period of accountholders.
Artemis mission and history of Humans in space

News
Artemis I will send a rocket without a crew on a month-long journey around the Moon. The programme aims to increase
women’s participation in space exploration – 30% of its engineers are women. In addition, the Artemis I mission will
carry two mannequins designed to study the effects of radiation on women’s bodies so that NASA can learn how to
protect female astronauts better.
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Female astronauts are currently less likely to be selected for missions than men because their bodies tend to hit NASA’s
maximum acceptable threshold of radiation earlier. NASA expects to bring the first woman and person of colour to the
Moon on Artemis III sometime after 2024.
About Artemis I
Artemis I is an uncrewed mission of NASA. Artemis I, formerly Exploration Mission-1,will be the first integrated flight
test of NASA’s Deep Space Exploration Systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, with the newly
upgraded Exploration Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
o It will put the agency's Orion crew capsule and Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to the test.
o In order to establish a long-term human presence in the Moon for many years to come, Artemis I will be the first in
a series of missions that get progressively more difficult.
o Prior to the first flight with crew aboard Artemis II, Artemis I's main objectives are to show Orion's systems in a
spaceflight environment and to guarantee a safe re-entry, descent, splashdown, and recovery.
o The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft have arrived at Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida
after making the entire voyage from their assembly building.
o At launch, the rocket's four RS-25 engines and five-segment boosters will be able to generate a maximum thrust of
more than 3.9 million kg.
o The rockets, service module, and launch abort devices will all be offloaded shortly after launch. The core stage will
then separate from the spaceship after the engines are turned off.
History of Moon Exploration

o The first rovers to reach the Moon were the unmanned Luna 1 and 2 from the Soviet Union in 1959.
o As early as 1961, the US started attempting to send people into space.
o Eight years later, on July 20, 1969, as part of the Apollo 11 mission, Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin made
history by being the first humans to set foot on the Moon.
o Before launching the Apollo 11 trip to the Moon, the USA flew three different classes of robotic missions between
1961 and 1968.
o 12 American astronauts visited the Moon after July 1969 and did so every year until 1972.
o With the robotic missions Clementine and Lunar Prospector, the United States restarted lunar exploration in the
1990s.
o With the launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite
in 2009, it started a new series of robotic lunar missions (LCROSS).
o NASA launched the ARTEMIS in 2011.
o The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) satellite investigated the gravity of the Moon in 2012.
o Aside from the United States, missions to explore the Moon have been sent by the European Space Agency, Japan,
China, and India.
o In 2019, China successfully launched two rovers onto the lunar surface, including the first-ever landing on the
Moon's far side.
India’s Moon Exploration Efforts

Chandrayaan 1:
 The Chandrayaan project began in 2007 with an agreement between India’s space agency ISRO and Russia’s
ROSCOSMOS for mutual cooperation.
 However, the mission was postponed in January 2013 and rescheduled to 2016 as Russia was unable to develop the
lander on time.
 Findings: Confirmed presence of lunar water.
 Evidence of lunar caves formed by an ancient lunar lava flow.
 Past tectonic activity was found on the lunar surface.
 The faults and fractures discovered could be features of past interior tectonic activity coupled
with meteorite impacts.
 Chandrayaan-2 is India's second mission to the moon and comprises a fully indigenous Orbiter, Lander
(Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan).
o The Rover Pragyan is housed inside Vikram lander.
 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently announced India’s third lunar mission Chandrayaan-
3, which will comprise a lander and a rover.
14
26. The programme aims to increase women’s (a) 2023
participation in space exploration. How much (b) 2024
percentage of its engineers are women? (c) 2025
(a) 30% (d) 2028
(b) 40%
(c) 45% 29. India’s Chandrayaan project begun in which of the
(d) 55% following years?
(a) 2005
27. China successfully launched two rovers onto the (b) 2007
lunar surface, including the first-ever landing on the (c) 2009
Moon's far side in which of the following years? (d) 2011
(a) 2017
(b) 2019 30. In which of the following years did Neil Armstrong
(c) 2020 and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin made history by being the
(d) 2022 first humans to set foot on the Moon?
(a) 1961
28. NASA expects to bring the first woman and person (b) 1965
of colour to the Moon on Artemis III sometime after (c) 1969
which of the following years? (d) 1971
26. (a) The programme aims to increase women’s 29. (b) The Chandrayaan project began in 2007 with
participation in space exploration – 30% of its an agreement between India’s space agency
engineers are women. ISRO and Russia’s ROSCOSMOS for mutual
27. (b) In 2019, China successfully launched two rovers cooperation.
onto the lunar surface, including the first-ever 30. (c) The first rovers to reach the Moon were the
landing on the Moon's far side. unmanned Luna 1 and 2 from the Soviet Union
28. (b) Female astronauts are currently less likely to be in 1959. As early as 1961, the US started
selected for missions than men because their attempting to send people into space. Eight
bodies tend to hit NASA’s maximum acceptable years later, on July 20, 1969, as part of the Apollo
threshold of radiation earlier. NASA expects to 11 mission, Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz"
bring the first woman and person of colour to Aldrin made history by being the first humans
the Moon on Artemis III sometime after 2024. to set foot on the Moon.
Human Development Index

News
In accordance with a global decline in HDI scores following the Covid-19 pandemic, India's ranking on the Human
Development Index (HDI) has fallen from 130 in 2020 to 132 in 2022, according to the Human Development Report 2021–
2022.
About Human Development Index Report

Human Development Index:
Reduced Life Expectancy: A significant factor in the recent slide of the Human Development Index is a reduction in life
expectancy over the world, which fell from 72.8 years in 2019 to 71.4 years in 2021.
When catastrophes like COVID-19 and the Ukraine War struck back-to-back, interacted with sweeping social and
economic developments, and resulted in severe planetary changes, it had a terrible effect on billions of people globally.
o A report on the 2021 Human Development Index (HDI) is part of the Human Development Report 2021-2022
released by the United Nations Development Programme. A report on the 2021 Human Development Index (HDI)
is part of the Human Development Report 2021-2022 released by the United Nations Development Programme.
Top Performers:
15
As many as 8 of the top 10 states on the list were from Europe, which had some of the strongest overall performances.
Switzerland is ranked first (0.962), followed by Norway (0.961), Iceland (0.959), Denmark (0.648), Sweden (0.747),
Ireland (0.845), Germany (0.942), and the Netherlands (10, 0.941).
Asian Region:
At 73 and with an index value of 0.782, Sri Lanka emerged as the best performer in the Indian sub-continent. The island
nation was followed by China (79 and 0.768), Bhutan (127 and 0.666), Bangladesh (129 and 0.661), India, Nepal (143 and
0.602) and Pakistan (161 and 0.544).
Indian Perspective:
Sri Lanka, which scored 73 and had an index value of 0.782, came out on top in the Indian subcontinent. China (79 and
0.768), Bhutan (127 and 0.666), Bangladesh (129 and 0.661), India, Nepal (143 and 0.602), and Pakistan were all ahead of
the island nation (161 and 0.544).
Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index:

 The IHDI indicates a percentage loss in HDI due to inequality.
 For India, the IHDI value for 2019 is 0.537 (16.8% overall loss).
Gender Development Index:

The GDI calculates gender-based differences in the HDI.
The GDI for India in 2021 is 0.490.
The income per capita statistic is the main HDI metric where women appear to fall behind males the most.
GII presents a composite measure of gender inequality using three dimensions:
(i) Reproductive health,
(ii) Empowerment and
(iii) The labour market.
In GII, India is at the 122nd rank.

Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI):
MPI encapsulates the numerous limitations on health, education, and standard of living that people in developing
nations experience.
More than 381 million people in India were living under multidimensional poverty as of 2019.
Planetary pressures-adjusted Human Development Index:

o Similar to the Inequality-adjusted HDI adjustment, which is driven by a concern for intragenerational inequality, it
modifies the HDI for planetary stresses in the Anthropocene to reflect a concern for intergenerational inequality.
o In order to account for excessive human pressure on the environment, the PHDI value can be understood as the
degree of human development adjusted for carbon dioxide emissions per person (production-based) and material
footprint per person.
Other insights:
o Humans are unprepared for a future with climate catastrophes like fires and storms, as well as other planetary-level
changes brought on by the Anthropocene in recent years, according to a study.
o Insect Population Decline: Without a large number of insect pollinators, people face the impossible problem of
producing large quantities of food and other agricultural items.
 Because of their diversity, ecological significance, and impact on agriculture, human health, and natural resources,
insects are significant.
 They also cycle nutrients, pollinate plants, disseminate seeds, maintain soil structure and fertility, manage
populations of other animals, and serve as a significant food source for other species. They build the biological
underpinning for all terrestrial ecosystems.
o Microplastic menace: Plastic is now present in all areas of the world, including protected forests, far-off
mountaintops, country-sized waste patches in the ocean, and people's lungs and blood.
31. Which of the following is India’s rank in the Human (b) 132
Development Index 2022? (c) 134
(a) 130 (d) 140
16
32. At which of the following places does India stands in 34. Which of the following is the best performer in the
the Global Gender Index? Index in Asian Sector?
(a) 122 (a) Sri Lanka
(b) 124 (b) China
(c) 125 (c) Bhutan
(d) 128 (d) Bangladesh
33. Which of the following Countries has ranked first in 35. Which among the following organisations releases
the Index? the HDI?
(a) Switzerland (a) United Nations Development Programme
(b) Norway (b) UNICEF
(c) Denmark (c) International Human Development Committee
(d) Sweden (d) Amnesty International
31. (b) In accordance with a global decline in HDI sub-continent. The island nation was followed
scores following the Covid-19 pandemic, India's by China (79 and 0.768), Bhutan (127 and 0.666),
ranking on the Human Development Index Bangladesh (129 and 0.661), India, Nepal (143
(HDI) has fallen from 130 in 2020 to 132 in 2022, and 0.602) and Pakistan (161 and 0.544).
according to the Human Development Report 35. (a) A report on the 2021 Human Development Index
2021–2022. (HDI) is part of the Human Development
32. (a) In GII, India is at the 122nd rank. Report 2021-2022 released by the United Nations
33. (a) Switzerland is ranked first (0.962), followed by Development Programme. A report on the 2021
Norway (0.961), Iceland (0.959), Denmark Human Development Index (HDI) is part of the
(0.648), Sweden (0.747), Ireland (0.845), Human Development Report 2021-2022 released
Germany (0.942), and the Netherlands (10, by the United Nations Development
0.941). Programme.
34. (a) At 73 and with an index value of 0.782, Sri Lanka
emerged as the best performer in the Indian
CRISPR Cas 9 technology and its recent applications

News
India approved a 5-year project to develop Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
(CRISPR) to cure sickle cell anaemia in 2021.
o Sickle cell anaemia is the first disease that is being targeted for CRISPR-based therapy in India.
o The pre-clinical phase (trials on animal subjects) is about to begin.
o In the 10 years since it was developed, the genome-editing technology called CRISPR has begun to deliver on the
near unlimited potential that scientists say it has to improve the quality of human life.
About CRISPR Technology

o Using a unique protein called Cas9, the gene editing technique known as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short
Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) mimics the bacterial immune system's innate defences against viral attacks.
o Typically, it entails the use of genetic engineering to introduce a new gene or repress an already present gene.
o The introduction of any new gene from the outside using CRISPR technology is not necessary.
o It's common to refer to CRISPR-Cas9 technology as "Genetic Scissors."
o Its process is frequently compared to computer programmes' "cut-copy-paste" or "find-replace" functionalities.
o A problematic DNA stretch that is the root of the disease or disorder is found, cut out, and replaced with the "right"
sequence.
o Biochemical agents, such as particular protein and RNA molecules, are used as the means of achieving this.
o The device mimics a natural defence mechanism that some bacteria have to defend themselves against virus attacks.
17
Figure 1. Image from The Indian Express

o Hundreds of research groups and companies around the world are working to develop a range of specific solutions
using CRISPR.
o The developers of the technology, Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, won the Nobel Prize for
Chemistry in 2020, one of the fastest recognitions accorded by the Nobel committee following after a
breakthrough.
o The technology enables a simple but remarkably efficient way to ‘edit’ the genetic codes of living organisms, thus
opening up the possibility of ‘correcting’ genetic information to cure diseases, prevent physical deformities, or to
even produce cosmetic enhancements.
o Over the last three years especially, several therapeutic interventions using CRISPR for diseases like thalassaemia
or sickle cell anaemia have gone into clinical trials, mainly in the United States, and the initial results have been
flawless.
CRISPR-based Therapeutic Solutions

Specific Treatment:
o CRISPR helps treat diseases by fixing the underlying genetic issue. Therapeutics based on CRISPR do not come in
the form of pills or other pharmaceuticals. Instead, a portion of each patient's cells are taken out, their genes are
altered in a lab, and the repaired genes are then put back into the patients.
o Varied circumstances call for different editing requirements and locations. As a result, each sickness or disorder
that needs to be treated requires a unique remedy.
o Given that these depend on genes as well, the answers may be peculiar to a given population or racial group.
o Genetic sequence alterations are retained by the individual and do not pass to progeny.
Permanent Cure of Genetic Diseases/Anomalies:

o Numerous illnesses and disorders are genetic in origin, that is, they are brought on by unintended alterations or
mutations in genes.
o These include prevalent blood conditions like sickle cell anaemia, eye conditions including colour blindness, many
cancers, diabetes, HIV, liver and heart conditions, and countless other ailments.
o Many of these are also inherited traits.
o Many of these disorders may one day be permanently cured thanks to CRISPR.
18
o Gene sequence anomalies lead to deformities such stunted or sluggish growth, speech impairments, and the
inability to stand or walk.
o Additionally, CRISPR offers a potential remedy for these defects.
The ethical dilemma

Because of CRISPR’s power to induce dramatic changes in an individual, scientists, including the main developer
Doudna, have been warning of the potential for misuse of the technology.
In 2018, a Chinese researcher disclosed that he had altered the genes of a human embryo to prevent the infection of
HIV. This was the first documented case of creating a ‘designer baby’, and it caused widespread concern in the scientific
community.
Preventive interventions to obtain special traits is not something that scientists currently want the technology to be
used for. Also, because the changes were made in the embryo itself, the new acquired traits were likely to be passed to
future generations. Though the technology is fairly accurate, it is not 100 per cent precise, and could induce a few errors
as well, making changes in other genes. This has the possibility of being inherited by successive generations. In case of
therapeutic interventions, the changes in genetic sequences remain with the individual and are not passed on to the
offspring.
What is Sickle Cell Anaemia?

o It is a hereditary blood condition that is more prevalent in people with African, Arabian, and Indian ancestry.
o Hemoglobin diseases are a set of conditions that disrupt the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen to all
the cells in the body.
o Hemoglobin S, an abnormal haemoglobin molecule found in individuals with this illness, can cause red blood cells
to assume a sickle or crescent shape.
o This prevents oxygen and blood from reaching every region of the body.
 Symptoms:
o It can cause severe pain, referred to as sickle cell crises.
o Over time, people with sickle cell disorders can experience damage to organs including the liver, kidney, lungs,
heart and spleen. Death can also result from complications of the disorder.
 Treatment:
o Medication, blood transfusions and rarely a bone-marrow transplant.
36. India approved a 5-year project to develop Clustered (a) Cas7

Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (b) Cas8
(CRISPR) to cure sickle cell anaemia in which of the (c) Cas9
following years? (d) Cas10
(a) 2019
(b) 2020 39. In which of the following years did a Chinese
(c) 2021 researcher disclosed that he had altered the genes of
(d) 2022 a human embryo to prevent the infection of HIV?
(a) 2015
37. Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, won (b) 2017
the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in which of the (c) 2018
following years? (d) 2020
(a) 2018
(b) 2019 40. Which of the following is the first disease that is
(c) 2020 being targeted for CRISPR-based therapy in India?
(d) 2021 (a) Sickle Cell Anaemia
(b) Thalassemia
38. CRISPR uses unique protein for gene editing known (c) Fanconi Anemia
as? (d) Sickle beta thalassemia
19
36. (c) India approved a 5-year project (CRISPR) mimics the bacterial immune system's
to develop Clustered Regularly Interspaced innate defences against viral attacks.
Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) to 39. (c) In 2018, a Chinese researcher disclosed that he
cure sickle cell anaemia in 2021. had altered the genes of a human embryo to
37. (d) The developers of the technology, Jennifer prevent the infection of HIV. This was the first
Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, won documented case of creating a ‘designer baby’,
the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2020, one of and it caused widespread concern in the
the fastest recognitions accorded by the Nobel scientific community.
committee following after a breakthrough. 40. (a) Sickle cell anaemia is the first disease that is
38. (c) Using a unique protein called Cas9, the gene being targeted for CRISPR-based therapy in
editing technique known as Clustered Regularly India. The pre-clinical phase (trials on animal
Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats subjects) is about to begin.
Project 17A and INS Taragiri

News
Taragiri, the indigenously-designed Nilgiri-class stealth guided-missile frigate constructed by Mazgaon Dock
Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), was launched in Mumbai Sunday morning.
o Taragiri is the third stealth frigate built as part of Project 17A under which a series of such guided-missile frigates
are being constructed for the Navy.
About Project 17A

o The Indian Navy initiated Project 17 Alpha frigates (P-17A) in 2019 to build a number of stealth guided-missile
frigates.
o Two businesses, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, are currently
building these (GRSE).
o These guided-missile frigates were built using a special stealth design that has radar-absorbent coatings and is low-
observable, making it possible for them to approach without being seen by the adversaries.
o The ship's infrared emissions are likewise diminished by the new technology.
o The Nilgiri was launched in 2019 and was the first stealth ship under Project 17A.
o The second ship, named Udaygiri, was launched in May 2022 and is anticipated to be put into service in 2024.
o Additionally, seven P17A Frigates are in various stages of construction at MDL and GRSE at the moment.
o Additional advantages include economic growth and job creation for Indian Shipyards, their subcontractors, and
the supporting sector.
o Project 17A has placed almost 75% of its orders with domestic businesses, especially MSMEs, supporting the nation's
effort to achieve Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
o The nation has advanced to a higher pedestal in the field of shipbuilding thanks to its domestic production of
complicated frontline vessels like Stealth Frigates.
Highlights of Taragiri
o The hill range in the Himalayas known as Taragiri is in the Garhwal region.
o Utilizing an integrated building approach, the ship's hull blocks were built in various places across the globe.
o Modern sensors, advanced action information systems, integrated platform management systems, world-class
modular living quarters, an innovative power distribution system, and a host of other cutting-edge features will be
included in the ship.
o A supersonic surface-to-surface missile system will be installed on it.
o The vertical launch and long-range surface-to-air missile system will be the focal point of the ship's air defence
system, which will be used to defend against the danger of hostile aircraft and anti-ship cruise missiles.
41. Taragiri, the indigenously-designed Nilgiri-class (b) Cochin Shipyard Limited

stealth guided-missile frigate constructed by which (c) ABZ Shipyard Limited
of the following Companies? (d) Mumbai Dock Shipbuilders Limited
(a) Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
20
42. Taragiri is the ____ stealth frigate built as part of 44. The Second Ship under the project is known as
Project 17A? which of the following?
(a) Second (a) Nilgiri
(b) Third (b) Udaygiri
(c) Fourth (c) Bhavnagiri
(d) Fifth (d) Parvatgiri
43. The Indian Navy initiated Project 17 Alpha frigates 45. The Ship Nilgiri was launched in which of the
(P-17A) in which of the following years? following years?
(a) 2017 (a) 2018
(b) 2018 (b) 2019
(c) 2019 (c) 2021
(d) 2020 (d) 2022
41. (a) Taragiri, the indigenously-designed Nilgiri-class 43. (c) The Indian Navy initiated Project 17 Alpha
stealth guided-missile frigate constructed by frigates (P-17A) in 2019 to build a number of
Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), stealth guided-missile frigates.
was launched in Mumbai Sunday morning. 44. (b) The second ship, named Udaygiri, was launched
42. (b) Taragiri is the third stealth frigate built as part in May 2022 and is anticipated to be put into
of Project 17A under which a series of such service in 2024.
guided-missile frigates are being constructed for 45. (b) The Nilgiri was launched in 2019 and was the
the Navy. first stealth ship under Project 17A.
19th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers’ meeting

News
Smt. Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry along with H.E. Pan Sorasak, Minister of Commerce,
Kingdom of Cambodia co-chaired the 19th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers’ meeting held on 16th September 2022 in
Siem Reap City, Cambodia.
o The Economic Ministers or their representatives from all the 10 ASEAN countries Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam attended the meeting.
o The Ministers welcomed the successful outcomes of the Twelfth World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial
Conference held on 12-17 June 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland and reiterated their support for a rules-based, non-
discriminatory, open, fair, inclusive, equitable, and transparent multilateral trading system, as embodied in the
WTO.
Highlights of the Meeting

Noted Economic Relations:
The Ministers underlined that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on trade and economic relations between ASEAN
and India is beginning to fade, and that two-way commerce between ASEAN and India reached USD 91.5 billion in 2021,
up 39.2 percent from the previous year.
ASEAN India Business Council:

The Ministers also took note of the initiatives carried out by the AIBC in 2022 as well as the proposals made by the
ASEAN India Business Council (AIBC) to strengthen the ASEAN India business partnership.
o The ASEAN India-Commercial Council (AIBC) was established in March 2003 as a forum to connect major actors
in the private sector from India and the ASEAN nations on a single stage for idea sharing and business networking.
Post Covid-19 Recovery:

Ministers underlined their dedication to taking coordinated steps to lessen the pandemic's economic toll and work
toward a long-term post-Covid-19 recovery.
Supply Chain Connectivity:

21
The Ministers welcomed ASEAN and India to collaborate in securing a strong supply chain connectivity to maintain the
flow of necessary goods and services through ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Upgrade Negotiations,
mutual recognition of Covid-19 vaccination, vaccine production, public health surveillance, and medical technologies.
ASEAN India Trade in Goods Agreement:

The Ministers agreed with the review's goals of making the AITIGA easier to use, less complicated for firms to trade
under, more responsive to current regional and global concerns, such as supply chain disruptions.
In order to quickly assess AITIGA, the Ministers also activated the AITIGA Joint Committee.
About ASEAN
o It is a regional organisation that encourages collaboration in the areas of politics, economy, and security. Brunei,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam are the 10
Southeast Asian nations that make up ASEAN.
o The founding members of ASEAN—Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand—signed the ASEAN
Declaration (also known as the Bangkok Declaration) in August 1967, establishing the organisation.
o Based on the alphabetical sequence of the Member States' English names, its chairmanship is rotated annually.
o The 650 million people who make up the ASEAN region have a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD
2.8 trillion.
o Between April 2021 and February 2022, commodity trade between India and the ASEAN region totaled 98.39 billion
dollars. India's top trading partners include Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
46. 19th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers’ meeting was (c) 1988

held in which of the following countries? (d) 1992
(a) Laos
(b) Cambodia 49. The founding members of ASEAN signed which of
(c) Vietnam the following declaration to form ASEAN?
(d) Thailand (a) Bangkok Declaration
(b) Kuala Lumpur Declaration
47. Which of the following countries is not part of the (c) Singapore Declaration
ASEAN? (d) Manila Declaration
(a) Singapore
(b) Malaysia 50. ASEAN India-Commercial Council (AIBC) was
(c) Japan established in which of the following years?
(d) Thailand (a) 2000
(b) 2002
48. ASEAN was formed in which of the following years? (c) 2003
(a) 1965 (d) 2005
(b) 1967
46. (b) Smt. Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for known as the Bangkok Declaration) in August
Commerce and Industry along with H.E. Pan 1967, establishing the organisation.
Sorasak, Minister of Commerce, Kingdom of 49. (a) The founding members of ASEAN—Indonesia,
Cambodia co-chaired the 19th ASEAN-India Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and
Economic Ministers’ meeting held on 16th Thailand—signed the ASEAN Declaration (also
September 2022 in Siem Reap City, Cambodia. known as the Bangkok Declaration) in August
47. (c) ASEAN brings together ten Southeast Asian 1967, establishing the organisation.
states – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, 50. (c) The ASEAN India-Commercial Council (AIBC)
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, was established in March 2003 as a forum to
Thailand and Vietnam – into one organisation. connect major actors in the private sector from
48. (b) The founding members of ASEAN—Indonesia, India and the ASEAN nations on a single stage
Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and for idea sharing and business networking.
Thailand—signed the ASEAN Declaration (also
La Nina in third consecutive year and El Nino and ENSO
22
News
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology on Tuesday confirmed the occurrence of La Niña phenomenon for the third
consecutive year in the Pacific Ocean. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) on August 31 had stated that
the oceanic and atmospheric phenomenon would last until at least the end of the year, and for the first time this century,
span three consecutive northern hemisphere winters to become a ‘triple dip’ La Nina.
o The WMO predicted that the current La Nina, which began in September 2020, would continue for six months,
with a 70 per cent chance of lasting till September-November 2022, and 55 per cent chance of lasting till December-
February 2022/2023.
o The third consecutive occurrence of the climatic event after 2020 and 2021 is rare although not unheard of. Previous
examples of such consecutive events occurred in 1973-1976 and 1998-2001.
About La Niña
o Spanish for "La Nina" is "The Little Girl." Other names for it include El Viejo, anti-El Nino, and just "a cold event."
o Periods of below-average sea surface temperatures can be seen in the east-central Equatorial Pacific during La Nina
episodes.
o The sea surface temperature has dropped by more than 0.9°F for at least five consecutive three-month seasons,
which is indicative.
o There is a strong high pressure over the eastern equatorial Pacific when there is a La Nina event because the water
temperature in the Eastern Pacific becomes significantly colder than usual.
o Impacts:
o El Nino lowers the number of hurricanes in the fall in Europe.
o La Nina typically results in colder winters in southern/western Europe, which causes snow in the Mediterranean
region, and milder winters in northern Europe (particularly the UK).
North America: It is continental North America where most of these conditions are felt. The wider effects include:
o Stronger winds along the equatorial region, especially in the Pacific.
o Favourable conditions for hurricanes in the Caribbean and central Atlantic area.
o Greater instances of tornados in various states of the US.
o South America: La Nina causes drought in the South American countries of Peru and Ecuador.
 It usually has a positive impact on the fishing industry of western South America.
Western Pacific: La Nina in the western Pacific raises the possibility of landfall in the region’s most susceptible to its
effects, particularly into continental Asia and China.
o In Australia, it also causes significant flooding.
o In the western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and along the Somalian coast, temperatures have risen.
EL Nino:
o The extraordinary warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean is referred to as El Nino, a climate
pattern.
o It is a smaller phenomenon known as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation's "warm phase" (ENSO).
o It happens more often than La Nina.
Impacts:
o Impact on Ocean: El Nino also affects local weather from Australia to South America and beyond, as well as ocean
temperatures, the strength and speed of ocean currents, the condition of coastal fisheries, and more.
o Increased Rainfall: Precipitation increases as a result of convection over warmer surface waters. South America
has a sharp rise in rainfall, which exacerbates coastal erosion and flooding.
o Diseases caused by Floods and Droughts: Communities ravaged by natural disasters like floods or drought are
breeding grounds for diseases.
o In some regions of the world, flooding brought on by El Nino is linked to rises in cholera, dengue fever, and malaria,
while a drought can result in wildfires that cause respiratory issues.
o Positive impact: It can occasionally have a beneficial effect as well; for instance, El Nino lessens the frequency of
hurricanes in the Atlantic.
o In South America: El Nino causes droughts in Indonesia and Australia while bringing rain to South America.
23
o As reservoirs dry up and rivers carry less water, these droughts pose a threat to the area's water resources. Another
concern is to agriculture, which depends on water for irrigation.
o In Western Pacific: Warm surface water is pushed by these winds into the western Pacific, where it borders Asia
and Australia.
o The sea surface is typically 0.5 metres higher and 4-5 degrees Fahrenheit warmer in Indonesia than Ecuador as a
result of the warm trade winds.
o On the shores of Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, cooler waters rise to the surface due to the westward flow of warmer
waters. The action in question is called upwelling.
o Cold, nutrient-rich water upwells to the euphotic zone, the ocean's top layer.
El Nino-Southern Oscillation
The combined phases of La Nina and El Nino are termed El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and affect rainfall
patterns, global atmospheric circulation, and atmospheric pressure across the planet.
How does La Nina impact India’s monsoon?

o El Niño years in India have witnessed extreme heat and below normal rainfall levels during monsoon, even though
El Niño might not be the only factor or even have direct links to them. In 2014, a El Niño year, India received 12 per
cent deficient rainfall from June to September.
o On the other hand, La Nina years are known to favour the Indian summer monsoon. This year, India has received
740.3 mm of rainfall, quantitatively 7 per cent higher than the seasonal average till August 30. Among the 36 states
and union territories, 30 have received rainfall that is categorised as either ‘normal,’ ‘excess’ or ‘large excess.’
o Uttar Pradesh, Manipur (-44 per cent each), and Bihar (-39 per cent), however, remain the worst affected states this
season.
51. World Meteorological Organisation was established (b) Bihar

in which of the following years? (c) Manipur
(a) 1945 (d) Both a and c
(b) 1947
(c) 1950 54. La Niña is the Spanish word for which of the
(d) 1952 following?
(a) The little man
52. El Nino causes droughts in Indonesia and Australia (b) The little girl
while bringing rain to which of the following places? (c) The Fat man
(a) South America (d) The big girl
(b) Africa
(c) Middle East 55. El Nino lowers the number of hurricanes in the fall
(d) Europe in which of the following places?
(a) South America
53. Which of the following Indian states has suffered (b) North America
worst by the La Nina impact on India’s monsoon? (c) Europe
(a) Uttar Pradesh (d) Asia
51. (c) Proposals to reform the status and structure of 52. (a) El Nino causes droughts in Indonesia and
the IMO culminated in the World Australia while bringing rain to South America.
Meteorological Convention of 1947, which 53. (d) Uttar Pradesh, Manipur (-44 per cent each), and
formally established the World Meteorological Bihar (-39 per cent), however, remain the worst
Organization. The Convention entered into affected states this season.
force on 23 March 1950, and the following year 54. (b) Spanish for "La Nina" is "The Little Girl." Other
the WMO began operations as an names for it include El Viejo, anti-El Nino, and
intergovernmental organization within the UN just "a cold event."
system. 55. (c) El Nino lowers the number of hurricanes in the
fall in Europe. La Nina typically results in colder
24
winters in southern/western Europe, which milder winters in northern Europe (particularly
causes snow in the Mediterranean region, and the UK).
National Logistics Policy

News
THE UNION Cabinet on Wednesday approved the national logistics policy, which aims at cutting transportation cost
and improve global performance of the sector.
o Logistics broadly includes facilities crucial to trade. It accounts for 13 to 14% of India’s GDP, almost double of what
the costs are in developed countries.
o The policy aims to bring down logistics cost in India to attain global benchmarks by 2030. It also seeks to improve
India’s ranking in the Logistics Performance Index from 44th in 2018 globally; and create data-driven decision
support mechanism for an efficient logistics ecosystem.
About the Policy

o The policy puts a lot of emphasis on crucial topics including process re-engineering, digitization, and multi-modal
transportation.
o It is a key decision since excessive logistical costs affect how competitive domestic products are on the global
market.
o A national logistics policy was deemed necessary because India has higher logistics costs than other industrialised
nations.
Goals:
o By 2030, the cost of logistics must be lowered in half to 8 percent, the level recommended by international
best practises, from the current 14 to 18 percent share of GDP.
 The logistics cost-to-GDP ratio is very low in countries like the US, South Korea, Singapore, and several European
countries.
 The cost currently accounts for 16% of GDP.
o India, which has the fifth-largest economy in the world, wants to rank in the top 10 countries in the Logistics
Performance Index (LPI) by 2030. It must keep up with South Korea's speed.
o India placed 44th in the LPI in 2018.
o To enable a productive logistics environment, develop data-driven decision support systems (DSS).
o The goal of the programme is to ensure that logistical problems are kept to a minimum, exports increase greatly,
and small businesses and the people who work in them significantly profit.
Why is the Policy Significant

o Digital Integration System: The result will be a smoother, quicker work flow, which will greatly increase the
effectiveness of logistics.
o Unified Logistics Interface Platform: It aspires to consolidate all digital services related to logistics and
transportation into a single interface, liberating exporters and manufacturers from the current tyranny of drawn-
out and onerous procedures.
o Ease of Logistics Services: With the help of the new digital platform E-Logs, business can raise operational issues
with the government directly for quick resolution.
o Comprehensive Logistics Action Plan: The Integrated Digital Logistics Systems, Standardization of Physical
Assets, Benchmarking of Service Standards, Human Resource Development, Capacity Building, Development of
Logistics Parks, etc. are all included in the Comprehensive Logistics Action Plan.
Other Initiatives
In a Ministry of Commerce and Industry survey last year, titled ‘Logistics Ease Across Different States’, Gujarat, Punjab,
and Haryana were ranked the top three states. The parameters included were the quality of road and railways
infrastructure, road freight rates, quality of warehousing infrastructure, etc. The survey suggested that states should
focus on areas such as developing sector-specific skilling infrastructure and streamlining logistics-related approval and
clearance processes.
25
Last year, the Gati Shakti plan was mentioned on August 15 in the PM’s Independence Day speech, where he said: “In
the coming days, we will launch PM Gati Shakti Plan, a 100 lakh crore national infrastructure master plan which will
make a foundation for holistic infrastructure and give an integrated pathway to our economy”.
A single platform was launched for ministries to monitor the progress of various infrastructure projects. Later, the PM
said the Centre was aiming at adding over 200 airports, helipads, and water aerodromes where aircraft can land, over
the next 4 to 5 years, besides nearly doubling the existing natural gas pipeline network of around 19,000 km.
56. Logistics accounts for how much percentage of (b) 30th

India’s GDP? (c) 44th
(a) 14% (d) 52nd
(b) 12%
(c) 18% 59. India ranks at which of the following positions in
(d) 20% terms with the largest economies in the world?
(a) 3rd
57. The policy aims to bring down logistics cost in India (b) 4th
to attain global benchmarks by which of the (c) 5th
following years? (d) 6th
(a) 2030
(b) 2035 60. In a Ministry of Commerce and Industry survey last
(c) 2040 year, titled ‘Logistics Ease Across Different States’,
(d) 2050 which of the following states performed best?
(a) Maharashtra
58. Which of the following was India’s rank in the (b) Tamil Nadu
Logistics Performance Index in 2018? (c) Gujarat
(a) 22nd (d) Goa
56. (a) Logistics broadly includes facilities crucial to only the US, China, Japan and Germany,
trade. It accounts for 13 to 14% of India’s GDP, according to IMF projections. A decade back,
almost double of what the costs are in developed India was ranked 11th among the large
countries. economies while the UK was at the fifth
57. (a) The policy aims to bring down logistics cost in position.
India to attain global benchmarks by 2030. It 60. (c) In a Ministry of Commerce and Industry survey
also seeks to improve India’s ranking in the last year, titled ‘Logistics Ease Across Different
Logistics Performance Index from 44th in 2018 States’, Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana were
globally; and create data-driven decision ranked the top three states. The parameters
support mechanism for an efficient logistics included were the quality of road and railways
ecosystem. infrastructure, road freight rates, quality of
58. (c) It also seeks to improve India’s ranking in the warehousing infrastructure, etc. The survey
Logistics Performance Index from 44th in 2018 suggested that states should focus on areas such
globally; and create data-driven decision as developing sector-specific skilling
support mechanism for an efficient logistics infrastructure and streamlining logistics-related
ecosystem. approval and clearance processes.
59. (c) India has overtaken the UK to become the
world's fifth-largest economy and is now behind
26
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
News
Germany recently launched the world’s first fleet of fully hydrogen-powered trains at a cost of 93 million Euros (Rs 742
crore). These claimed ‘emissions-free’ trains can reach speeds of 140 kilometres per hour and can run about 1,000 km
before the tank runs dry.
o The vehicles can be refuelled in 15 minutes at customised hydrogen-fuelling stations.
A hydrogen fuel cell bus developed by KPIT-CSIR in Pune was unveiled by Jitendra Singh, Union minister of state for
Science and Technology, yesterday. The hydrogen fuel cell uses hydrogen and air to generate electricity, producing only
heat and water in the process.
About Hydrogen Cells

According to the US Department of Energy, fuel cells work in a similar manner to conventional batteries found in
electric vehicles but they do not run out of charge and don’t need to be recharged with electricity.
o They continue to produce electricity as long as there is a supply of hydrogen. Just like conventional cells, a fuel cell
consists of an anode (negative electrode) and cathode (positive electrode) sandwiched around an electrolyte.
o Hydrogen is fed to the anode and air is fed to the cathode. At the anode, a catalyst separates the hydrogen molecules
into protons and electrons and both subatomic particles take different paths to the cathode.
o The electrons go through an external circuit, creating a flow of electricity that can be used to power electric motors.
The protons, on the other hand, move to the cathode through the electrolyte. Once there, they unite with oxygen
and electrons to produce water and heat.
Significance:
Best Zero Emission Solutions: It is among the top zero-emission options. With only water-related tailpipe emissions,
it is fully eco-friendly.
Tailpipe emissions: Emission into the atmosphere of a gas or radiation, for example.
Quiet operation: Because of how quiet the fuel cells are, they can be employed in tough environments like hospital
buildings.
Easier scaling: The operating times of fuel cells are longer than those of batteries because, in contrast to batteries, the
operating times of fuel cells may be doubled by simply increasing the fuel supply, whereas in batteries, this can only be
done by increasing the component capacity.
Issues:
 High Cost: Only 0.03 percent of the hydrogen generated worldwide is green hydrogen, which is also up to five
times more expensive than "grey" hydrogen made from natural gas or, worse, "brown" hydrogen made from coal.
o Storage and transportation of hydrogen are more difficult than those associated with fossil fuels. This suggests that
there will be additional expenditures for hydrogen fuel cells to take into account.
o Hydrogen Extraction: Despite being the most prevalent element in the universe, hydrogen cannot exist on its own
and must either be separated from carbon-based fossil fuels or collected from water via electrolysis.
o It takes a lot of energy to complete each of these operations. In addition to being expensive, this energy may be
greater than that obtained from the hydrogen itself. Additionally, as fossil fuels are frequently used for this
extraction, hydrogen's environmental credentials are compromised in the absence of carbon capture and storage
(CCS).
61. Who among the following is the Union minister of (c) Pune
state for Science and Technology? (d) Lucknow
(a) Jitendra Singh
(b) Anurag Thakur 63. How much percentage of the hydrogen generated
(c) Piyush Goyal worldwide is green hydrogen?
(d) Nitin Gadkari (a) 0.2%
(b) 0.03%
62. A hydrogen fuel cell bus developed by KPIT-CSIR in (c) 0.01%
which of the following Indian cities? (d) 0.1%
(a) Bengaluru
(b) Hyderabad
27
64. Green Hydrogen is how much time more expensive 65. India launched National Hydrogen Policy in which
than grey hydrogen? of the following years?
(a) Twice (a) 2018
(b) Thrice (b) 2019
(c) Four times (c) 2020
(d) Five times (d) 2021
61. (a) A hydrogen fuel cell bus developed by KPIT- 64. (d) Only 0.03 percent of the hydrogen generated
CSIR in Pune was unveiled by Jitendra Singh, worldwide is green hydrogen, which is also up
Union minister of state for Science and to five times more expensive than "grey"
Technology, yesterday. hydrogen made from natural gas or, worse,
62. (c) A hydrogen fuel cell bus developed by KPIT- "brown" hydrogen made from coal.
CSIR in Pune was unveiled by Jitendra Singh, 65. (d) August 15, 2021
Union minister of state for Science and In his Independence Day speech on August 15,
Technology, yesterday. 2021, Hon'ble Prime Minister announced the
63. (b) Only 0.03 percent of the hydrogen generated launch of National Hydrogen Mission. The
worldwide is green hydrogen, which is also up Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has
to five times more expensive than "grey" accordingly prepared a draft Mission document.
hydrogen made from natural gas or, worse,
"brown" hydrogen made from coal.
India’s First Commercial SSA Observatory

News
India’s first commercial space situational awareness observatory, to track objects as small as 10 cm in size orbiting the
earth, will be set up in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand by Digantara, a space sector start-up.
o The space situational awareness (SSA) observatory will help India track any activity in space including that of space
debris and military satellites hovering over the region.
o Currently, the United States is a dominant player in monitoring space debris with observatories in multiple
locations and commercial companies providing additional inputs from across the world.
About SSA Observatory

o The observatory, which is being built to improve the start-SSA up's capabilities, will be the first of its sort in the
area.
o It will be placed in a strategic manner to support international space traffic management operations.
o It will help track any space activity, such as that of military satellites circling the area and space debris.
o The US now controls the monitoring of space debris.
o The observatory will benefit the country by acting as a crucial data source for expanding our understanding of the
universe.
o It will be able to supplement its space-based sensors in their mission to monitor satellites and debris in orbits
ranging from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO).
o The term "space situational awareness" (SSA) refers to the monitoring and forecasting of orbiting objects.
o It entails observing space weather as well as keeping an eye on the motion of all objects, both natural (meteors) and
artificial (satellites).
o SSA is generally understood as covering three main areas:
a) Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) of man-made objects.
b) Space Weather (SWE) monitoring and forecast.
c) Near-Earth Objects (NEO) monitoring (only natural space objects).
Significance of the Space Situational Awareness

 Reduce Collision Rates:
28
o The observatory is built to be able to track objects as small as 10 centimetres (in size). By producing more precise
estimates of their location, velocity, and trajectory, it would be able to lower the possibility of satellite collisions
with other spacecraft.
 Tracking and Identifying Pre-Existing RSOs:
o The efficiency of tracking and identifying existing Resident Space Objects would increase (RSO).
 Enhancing Indigenous Capabilities:
o To establish domestic resilient capabilities and compete on a global scale, it is vital to promote the development of
such crucial technologies and infrastructure.
o It will lead to the development of a hybrid data pool that will benefit the space industry's commercial and defence
sectors.
 Supplement Global Networks:
o Due to the absence of specialised SSA sensors between Australia and southern Africa, a data gap has been observed.
o The observatory will be crucial in keeping track of space activity above the Indian subcontinent and sending real-
time information that is necessary to protect Indian assets.
o This observatory will supplement global networks of SSA sensors to provide continuous tracking of objects across
this region of the planet.
Indian Scenario
o Currently, India deploys a limited-range Multi Object Tracking Radar at the Sriharikota range in Andhra Pradesh.
o India additionally relies on publicly accessible data from NORAD (North American Aerospace Defence Command)
and other sources for SSA. These sites, however, don't offer accurate or complete information.
o The SSA Control Centre in Bengaluru coordinates ISRO's SSA operations, and the Directorate of Space Situational
Awareness and Management at ISRO's headquarters oversees them.
66. India’s first commercial space situational awareness (a) 100m

observatory will be setup in which of the following (b) 10cm
states of India? (c) 10mm
(a) Telangana (b) Assam (d) 1m
(c) Ladakh (d) Uttarakhand
69. ‘SSA’ stands for which of the following?
67. The commercial space situational awareness (a) Space Satellite Awareness
observatory will be setup by which of the following (b) Situational Space Agency
firms? (c) Southern Space Agency
(a) Digantara (d) Space Situational Awareness
(b) Bellatrix Aerospace Pvt. Ltd.
(c) Aadyah Aerospace Pvt Ltd. 70. Which country currently monitors the space debris?
(d) Earth2Orbit (a) Russia
(b) US
68. The observatory will be able to track objects as small (c) China
as which of the following? (d) India
66. (d) India’s first commercial space situational 68. (b) The observatory is built to be able to track
awareness observatory, to track objects as small objects as small as 10 centimetres (in size). By
as 10 cm in size orbiting the earth, will be set up producing more precise estimates of their
in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand by location, velocity, and trajectory, it would be
Digantara, a space sector start-up. able to lower the possibility of satellite collisions
67. (a) India’s first commercial space situational with other spacecraft.
awareness observatory, to track objects as small 69. (d) The term "space situational awareness" (SSA)
as 10 cm in size orbiting the earth, will be set up refers to the monitoring and forecasting of
in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand by orbiting objects.
Digantara, a space sector start-up. 70. (b) The US now controls the monitoring of space
debris.
29
Need for Unified Metro Laws in India
News
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs on Tuesday flagged the need for a single and
comprehensive legislation for all the Metro rail networks in the country as opposed to the existing three Central Acts,
and also raised the concerns about the low ridership in all Metros apart from Delhi and Mumbai.
 All metro rail projects are covered under the legal framework of the Metro Railways (Construction of Works)
Act, 1978; the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002; and the Railways Act, 1989.
o The panel, chaired by Jagdambika Pal, presented its report on the “implementation of Metro rail projects” to the
Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The report said that there were three Acts governing Metro rail networks in the country and
there was “a need for a single and comprehensive legislation”.
o The committee was informed that the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry was in the process of drafting the
Metro Rail (Construction, Operation, Maintenance and Administration) Bill, 2021, which would replace the three
existing Acts.
Recommendations of the Panel

 In small cities with limited ridership, MetroNeo and MetroLite networks, which require less capital, should be used
instead of traditional Metro systems.
o A mass rapid transit system called MetroNeo offers tier 2 and tier 3 cities affordable, environmentally friendly, and
energy-efficient urban transportation options.
o The metrolite system will have a designated path to keep it apart from the traffic on the roads.
 For segregation with road traffic, fencing can be provided on either side of the network.
 Additionally, the Kochi Water Metro project ought to be covered under the FAME II programme of the Ministry of
Heavy Industries since it would be a non-polluting means of transportation employing battery-powered boats.
About Parliamentary Standing Committee:

 The institution of Parliamentary Committees has its roots in the British Parliament, just as many other practises of
the Indian parliamentary democracy.
o In independent India, the first Public Accounts Committee was constituted in April 1950.
 Constitutional Provisions: Articles 105 (on the privileges of Parliament members) and 118 (on the power of
Parliament to establish rules for the regulation of its procedure and conduct of business) provide the foundation
for the authority of parliamentary committees.
 Types: Some committees are "select" committees formed for a special purpose, such as to discuss a certain bill. The
majority of committees are "standing" since their existence is continuous and typically reassembled on a yearly
basis.
o In 1993, the Parliament established 17 Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs), which eventually
grew to 24.
o In roughly proportion to the number of the political parties in the Houses, these committees included members
from both Houses.
71. The Panel is chaired by who among the following 73. Metro Rail (Construction, Operation, Maintenance
people? and Administration) Bill, 2021 will replace which of
(a) Rajendra Aggrawal the following Acts?
(b) Jagdambika Pal (a) Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act,
(c) Locket Chatterjee 1978
(d) Ashwini Kumar Choubey (b) Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance)
Act, 2002
72. FAME II is a programme launched by which of the (c) Railways Act, 1989.
following Ministry? (d) All of the above
(a) Home Affairs
(b) Heavy Industries 74. In which of the following years was the first Public
(c) Power Accounts Committee was constituted in the
(d) Road Transport and Highways of India independent India?
(a) 1950
(b) 1965
30
(c) 1962 (a) Article 105
(d) 1970 (b) Article 118
(c) Article 106
75. Which of the following Articles provide the Power to (d) Article 120
the Parliament to establish rules for the regulation
of its procedure and conduct of business?
71. (b) The panel, chaired by Jagdambika Pal, presented projects” to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The
its report on the “implementation of Metro rail report said that there were three Acts governing
projects” to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The Metro rail networks in the country and there
report said that there were three Acts governing was “a need for a single and comprehensive
Metro rail networks in the country and there legislation”.
was “a need for a single and comprehensive The committee was informed that the Union
legislation”. Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry was in the
72. (b) The Kochi Water Metro project ought to be process of drafting the Metro Rail
covered under the FAME II programme of the (Construction, Operation, Maintenance and
Ministry of Heavy Industries since it would be a Administration) Bill, 2021, which would replace
non-polluting means of transportation the three existing Acts.
employing battery-powered boats. 74. (a) In independent India, the first Public Accounts
73. (d) All metro rail projects are covered under the Committee was constituted in April 1950.
legal framework of the Metro Railways 75. (b) Articles 105 (on the privileges of Parliament
(Construction of Works) Act, 1978; the Metro members) and 118 (on the power of Parliament
Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, to establish rules for the regulation of its
2002; and the Railways Act, 1989. procedure and conduct of business) provide the
The panel, chaired by Jagdambika Pal, presented foundation for the authority of parliamentary
its report on the “implementation of Metro rail committees.
Passage(Q.76-Q.80): In June, PLHIV (People Living with HIV) networks across the country started witnessing an acute
shortage of certain Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) centres. Among them were pediatric
formulations and dolutegravir, the backbone of HIV treatment.
In the summer heat, PLHIV have been protesting peacefully for the past 23 days continuously on the premises of the
National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). The dharna is calling attention to the need for emergency procurement
of ARVs and the unintended consequences of a weak and ineffective supply chain.
People living with HIV need access to treatment with a combination of drugs known as antiretroviral therapy to
suppress the virus, preserve their health, and prevent transmission of the virus to an HIV-negative partner. Staying on
anti-retroviral therapy continuously is crucial to keep the virus suppressed.
But the virus can mutate into a resistant form if treatment delivery is poor or patchy. As treatment activists, we have
seen firsthand when antiretroviral therapy treatment is interrupted, people living with HIV develop resistance to their
regimen and become vulnerable to life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections — the primary causes of
hospitalisation and AIDS-related deaths in the community.
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/hiv-drugs-shortage-is-a-challenge-to-ending-aids-in-
india/article65764416.ece
76. HIV destroys which of the following types of White 77. World AIDS day is observed on which of the
Blood Cells? following days?
(a) Monocytes (a) 1st November
(b) Lymphocytes (b) 10th November
(c) Neutrophils (c) 1st December
(d) Basophils (d) 10th December
31
78. Which of the following is TRUE? (c) 2016
(a) The National AIDS Control Organization, works (d) 2018
under the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare 80. Which of the following is TRUE about HIV in India?
(b) NACO launched the first phase of National (a) With an HIV prevalence of 0.26% in the adult
AIDS Control Programme in 1992. population, India has an estimated 2.1 million
(c) Second, third and fourth phases have been People living with HIV.
launched in 1999, 2007 and 2014 with better (b) India has third largest number of cases in the
implementation and improved strategy. world.
(d) All of the above (c) These populations include female sex workers
(FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM),
79. Project Sunrise' was launched by Ministry of Health hijra/transgender (TG), people who inject drugs
and Family Welfare in which of the following years? (PWID), long-distance truck drivers and
(a) 2012 migrants.
(b) 2014 (d) All of the above
76. (b) A CD4 count is a blood test that measures the involvement of NGOs and networks of Person
number of CD4 cells in a sample of your blood. Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). Subsequently,
CD4 cells are a type of white blood cell. They're second, third and fourth phases have been
also called CD4 T lymphocytes or "helper T launched in 1999, 2007 and 2014 with better
cells." That's because they help fight infection by implementation and improved strategy.
triggering your immune system to destroy 79. (c) A new initiative called 'Project Sunrise' was
viruses, bacteria, and other germs that may launched by Ministry of Health and Family
make you sick. A CD4 count is mostly used to Welfare in 2016, to tackle the rising HIV
check the health of your immune system if you prevalence in north-eastern states in India,
are infected with HIV (human especially among people injecting drugs
immunodeficiency virus). 80. (d) With an HIV prevalence of 0.26% in the adult
77. (c) World AIDS Day, designated on 1 December population, India has an estimated 2.1 million
every year since 1988, is an international day People living with HIV (2015). India has third
dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS largest number of cases in the world. Bio-
pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection behavioural surveys confirm that HIV
and mourning those who have died of the prevalence is high or ‘concentrated’ among ‘key
disease. populations’ (KPs) who have unprotected sexual
78. (d) The National AIDS Control Organization, contacts with multiple partners or who engage
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched in injecting drug use. These populations include
the first phase of National AIDS Control female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex
Programme in 1992. Over time, the focus has with men (MSM), hijra/transgender (TG),
shifted from raising awareness to behavior people who inject drugs (PWID), long-distance
change, from a national response to a more truck drivers and migrants.
decentralized response and to increasing
Passage(Q.81-Q.85): A five-judge Constitution Bench on Tuesday impleaded the National Human Rights Commission
(NHRC), the National Commission of Women (NCW) and the National Commission of Minorities as parties in a batch
of petitions challenging the Muslim Personal Law practices such as polygamy and nikah halala.
The Supreme Court’s Bench led by Justice Indira Banerjee issued notices to the statutory bodies after senior advocate
Shyam Diwan, for petitioner Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, sought their arraignment in the case.
The Supreme Court also issued notice in a separate petition in the batch, which said the personal law practices violated
[1] of the Indian Penal Code.
The section makes “marrying again during lifetime of husband or wife” an offence punishable with imprisonment up to
seven years and fine.
32
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-issues-notices-on-pleas-challenging-validity-of-polygamy-
nikah-halala-in-muslim-personal-
law/article65829181.ece#:~:text=Supreme%20Court%20impleads%20NHRC%2C%20NCW%20in%20Muslim%20perso
nal%20law%20case,-
Legal%20Correspondent&text=The%20section%20makes%20%E2%80%9Cmarrying%20again,listed%20after%20the%
20Dasara%20holidays.
81. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above

passage? 84. Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act was
(a) Section 490 passed in which of the following years?
(b) Section 494 (a) 1937
(c) Section 498 (b) 1939
(d) Section 502 (c) 1941
(d) 1951
82. Personal Laws does not fall under the definition of
laws under which article of the Constitution of 85. Which of the following is TRUE about the Muslim
India? Personal Law?
(a) Article 12 (a) According to Sharia or the Muslim personal law,
(b) Article 13 men are allowed to practice polygamy that is,
(c) Article 14 they can have more than one wife at the same
(d) Article 15 time, up to a total of four.
(b) 'Nikah halala' is a process in which a Muslim
83. In which of the following cases did the Supreme woman has to marry another person and get
Court of India declared the instant triple talaq divorced from him before being allowed to
unconstitutional? marry her divorcee husband again.
(a) Shayara Bano v. Union of India & Others (c) A Muslim man can divorce his wife by uttering
(b) Shah Bano v. Union of India Talaq once for three months. This practice is
(c) Ziyauddin Burhanuddin Bukhari vs Brijmohan called Talaq-e-Hasan.
Ramdass Mehra & Ors (d) All of the above
(d) Abdul Khader vs Smt. Razia Begum
81. (b) The Supreme Court also issued notice in a 85. (d) According to Sharia or the Muslim personal law,
separate petition in the batch, which said the men are allowed to practice polygamy that is,
personal law practices violated Section 494 of they can have more than one wife at the same
the Indian Penal Code. time, up to a total of four. 'Nikah halala' is a
82. (b) Personal law does not fall within the definition process in which a Muslim woman has to marry
of ‘laws’ under Article 13 of the Constitution. The another person and get divorced from him
validity of a personal law cannot be challenged before being allowed to marry her divorcee
on the basis of fundamental rights enshrined in husband again.
the Constitution. A Muslim man can divorce his wife by uttering
83. (a) The historic verdict in Shayara Bano v. Union of Talaq once for three months. This practice is
India & Others declared instant triple talaq called Talaq-e-Hasan. In Islam, talaq and khula
“unconstitutional”, and thereby illegal, on are two terms for divorce for men and women
grounds that it was “violative of the respectively. A man can part ways through
fundamental right contained under Article 14” 'talaq' while a woman can separate with her
(equality before the law) of India's Constitution. husband through 'Khula'.
84. (a) The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application
Act was passed in 1937 with the aim to formulate
an Islamic law code for Indian Muslims.
33
Passage(Q.86-Q.90): The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the ‘PM Schools for Rising India’ (PM SHRI) scheme
to turn existing government schools into model schools for implementation of the National Education Policy, 2022.
The scheme will be implemented as a Centrally sponsored scheme with a total project cost of ₹27,360 crore, with the
Centre’s share being ₹18,128 crore for the period of five years from 2022-23 to 2026-27 for transforming nearly 14,500
schools across the country.
However, schools will be selected only if the State government agrees to implement the NEP “in entirety with the Centre
laying down commitments for supporting these schools for achieving specified quality parameters” to become PM SHRI
schools, according to a press statement of the Ministry of Education. These schools will also be “monitored vigorously”
to assess their progress in implementing NEP.
“A school will receive nearly ₹2 crore, and the money will be transferred directly to the school’s account through Direct
Benefit Transfer. The principal or the local committee will be given the flexibility to determine the use of 40% of the
fund,” Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said at a press conference.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/union-cabinet-approves-14000-pm-shri-schools/article65861414.ece
86. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above (c) The National Awards to Teachers 2022 seek to
passage? celebrate the unique and major contributions of
(a) 25% the teachers in the nation-building of India.
(b) 30% (d) All of the above
(c) 40%
(d) 50% 89. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about Dr.
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan?
87. Which of the following will replace [2] in the above (a) He served as the first Vice-President of India
passage? from 1952 to 1962 and the second President of
(a) Dharmendra Pradhan India from 1962 to 1967.
(b) Prakash Javadekar (b) He was also the Ambassador of India to the
(c) Ramesh Pokhriyal Soviet Union from 1949 to 1952.
(d) Smriti Irani (c) He also served as the fourth Vice-Chancellor of
Banaras Hindu University from 1939 to 1948.
88. Which of the following is TRUE about the National (d) In 1954, he was posthumously awarded the
Teachers Award? Bharat Ratna.
(a) On the Occasion of Teacher Day (5th
September), the President of India conferred the 90. World Teachers Day is celebrated on which of the
National Teachers Awards 2022 to 45 following days?
exceptional teachers from across India today. (a) October 5
(b) Every winner of the National Teachers Awards is (b) September 5
honored with a certificate of merit, a cash (c) November 5
reward of Rs 50,000 and a silver medal. (d) December 5
86. (c) “A school will receive nearly ₹2 crore, and the the flexibility to determine the use of 40% of the
money will be transferred directly to the school’s fund,” Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
account through Direct Benefit Transfer. The said at a press conference.
principal or the local committee will be given 88. (d) On the Occasion of Teacher Day (5th
the flexibility to determine the use of 40% of the September), the President of India conferred the
fund,” Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan National Teachers Awards 2022 to 45
said at a press conference. exceptional teachers from across India today.
87. (a) “A school will receive nearly ₹2 crore, and the Every winner of the National Teachers Awards is
money will be transferred directly to the school’s honored with a certificate of merit, a cash
account through Direct Benefit Transfer. The reward of Rs 50,000 and a silver medal. The
principal or the local committee will be given National Awards to Teachers 2022 seek to
34
celebrate the unique and major contributions of contributions of teachers throughout the globe.
the teachers in the nation-building of India. This year, World Teachers' Day 2022 falls on
89. (d) In 1984, he was posthumously (after death) Wednesday, 5 October 2022. The history of
awarded the Bharat Ratna. World Teachers' Day dates back to the year
90. (a) 5 October 1994.
Every year, World Teachers' Day is observed on
5 October to acknowledge the great
Passage(Q.91-Q.95): India and Bangladesh on Tuesday signed [1] agreements for cooperation in areas ranging from
sharing of river waters to space and unveiled new connectivity and energy initiatives, as leaders of the two sides held
up the bilateral partnership as a role model for the neighbourhood.
Following talks with his visiting Bangladesh counterpart [2], Prime Minister Narendra Modi said both leaders had
stressed on cooperation against terrorism and fundamentalism.
“In order to keep the spirit of 1971 alive, it is very necessary that we jointly face forces that want to attack our mutual
trust,” he said. PM Modi described Bangladesh as India’s largest development partner and the biggest trade partner in
the region, while Hasina said India is the “most important and closest neighbour for Bangladesh”. She added,
“Bangladesh-India bilateral relations are known to be a role model for neighbourhood diplomacy.”
91. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above (d) Despite Covid-19 related disruptions, bilateral
passage? trade grew 44% from USD 10.78 billion in 2020-
(a) 5 21 to USD 18.13 billion in 2021-22.
(b) 6
(c) 7 94. Which of the following is NOT one of the
(d) 9 Agreements signed by the two sides?
(a) The withdrawal of water from the cross-border
92. Which of the following will replace [2] in the above Kushiyara river.
passage? (b) Collaboration on Information Technology
(a) Sheikh Hasina systems used by railways in areas such as
(b) Khaleda Zia movement of freight.
(c) Ziaur Rahman (c) Training of Bangladesh Railway personnel and
(d) Hussain Muhammad Ershad Bangladeshi judicial officers in India.
(d) Prior intimation to Bangladesh in the event of
93. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about the India enforcing National Register of Citizens
India Bangladesh Trade relations?
(a) In 2021-22, Bangladesh has emerged as the 95. Bangladesh will graduate to the tag of Developing
largest trade partner for India in South Asia. Countries by which of the following years?
(b) It has emerged as the largest destination for (a) 2025
Indian exports worldwide. (b) 2026
(c) Exports to Bangladesh grew more than 66% (c) 2028
from USD 9.69 billion in FY 2020-21 to USD 16.15 (d) 2030
billion in FY 2021-22.
91. (b) India and Bangladesh on Tuesday signed seven Narendra Modi said both leaders had stressed
agreements for cooperation in areas ranging on cooperation against terrorism and
from sharing of river waters to space and fundamentalism.
unveiled new connectivity and energy 93. (b) In 2021-22, Bangladesh has emerged as the
initiatives, as leaders of the two sides held up the largest trade partner for India in South Asia and
bilateral partnership as a role model for the the fourth largest destination for Indian exports
neighbourhood. worldwide.
92. (a) Following talks with his visiting Bangladesh 94. (d) Bangladesh has already raised concerns over roll
counterpart Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister out of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in
35
Assam, an exercise carried out to identify 95. (b) Bangladesh is now scheduled to officially
genuine Indian citizens living in Assam and become a developing country in 2026 as the
weed out illegal Bangladeshis. U.N.
Passage(Q.96-Q.100): The [1] has accused China of committing “serious human rights violations”, following an
investigation into allegations of abuse against Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic minorities in [2] province. Investigators
found “credible evidence” of torture possibly amounting to “crimes against humanity”, said a [1] assessment report
released on Wednesday.,
The report concluded that “the extent of arbitrary and discriminatory detention of members of Uyghur and other
predominantly Muslim groups... may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity”.
“Allegations of patterns of torture or ill-treatment, including forced medical treatment and adverse conditions of
detention, are credible, as are allegations of individual incidents of sexual and gender-based violence,” said the report.
It said there were “credible indications of violations of reproductive rights through the coercive enforcement of family
planning policies since 2017.”
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/uyghur-rights-abuses-un-accuses-china-of-
committing-crimes-against-humanity/articleshow/93935451.cms?from=mdr
96. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above (b) The Uyghurs are considered to be one of the 55
passage? officially recognized ethnic minority
(a) Amnesty International communities in India.
(b) International Court of Justice (c) The largest population of the Uighur ethnic
(c) United Nations community lives in the Xinjiang region of China.
(d) European Union (d) None of these
97. Which of the following will replace [2] in the above 99. How many officially recognized ethnic minority
passage? communities are there in China?
(a) Henan (a) 18
(b) Qinghai (b) 32
(c) Xinjiang (c) 48
(d) Zhejiang (d) 55
98. Which of the following statements is not correct 100. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
about Uyghurs Muslims? (OHCHR) is headquartered in
(a) The Uyghurs are a predominantly Muslim (a) Geneva
minority Turkic ethnic group, whose origins can (b) Paris
be traced to Central and East Asia. (c) Hague
(d) Washington DC
96. (c) The United Nations has accused China of minorities in Xinjiang province. Investigators
committing “serious human rights violations”, found “credible evidence” of torture possibly
following an investigation into allegations of amounting to “crimes against humanity”, said a
abuse against Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic UN assessment report released on Wednesday.
minorities in Xinjiang province. Investigators 98. (b) The Uyghurs are a Turkic ethnic group with
found “credible evidence” of torture possibly roots in Central and East Asia that are primarily
amounting to “crimes against humanity”, said a Muslim. The Uyghurs speak a language that is
UN assessment report released on Wednesday. akin to Turkish and consider themselves to be
97. (c) The United Nations has accused China of culturally and ethnically related to Central
committing “serious human rights violations”, Asian countries. The Uyghurs are one of China’s
following an investigation into allegations of officially recognised ethnic minority groups.
abuse against Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic China, on the other hand, only recognises the
36
community as a regional minority and denies recognizes the community only as a regional
that they are an indigenous people. The Uighur minority and rejects that they are an indigenous
ethnic community currently has the greatest group.
population in China’s Xinjiang region. Uyghurs 100. (a) The United Nations General Assembly
also live in neighbouring Central Asian nations established the Council in 2006. It took the
such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and place of the defunct UN Commission on Human
Kazakhstan, where they make up a sizable Rights. The Human Rights Council's
demographic. Secretariat is the Office of the High
99. (d) The Uyghurs are considered to be one of the 55 Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
officially recognized ethnic minority The Office of the High Commissioner for
communities in China. However, China Human Rights is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Passage(Q.101-Q.105): China's defence ministry on Thursday said it was firmly opposed to any third party "meddling"
in the border issue and hoped India will abide by the bilateral agreements not to hold military drills near the Line of
Actual Control (LAC), the very pacts it has been accused of violating in eastern Ladakh leading to a prolonged standoff.
Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defence (MND), made the comments while
replying to question about reports of special forces of the US and India recently holding a joint combat exercise in the
southern foothills of the Himalayas and their plans to conduct a joint military exercise code-named [1] in October close
to the border.
"We firmly oppose any third party to meddle in the China-India border issue in any form," Tan told an online press
conference here.
https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/china-objects-to-us-india-military-drills-near-lac-amid-
border-row-122082500896_1.html
101. How many Indian states share border with China?

(a) 4 104. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about the Line
(b) 7 of Actual Control?
(c) 5 (a) India considers the LAC to be 3,488 km long
(d) 9 (b) The Chinese consider it to be only around 2,000
km.
102. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above (c) The alignment of the LAC in the eastern sector
passage? is along the 1914 McMahon Line.
(a) Yudh Abhiyas (d) All of the above
(b) Exercise Vajra Prahar
(c) Cope India 105. Agreement on Maintenance of Peace and
(d) Malabar Exercise Tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control in the
India-China Border Areas was signed in which of the
103. [1] in the above passage was started in which of the following years?
following years? (a) 1993
(a) 2002 (b) 1996
(b) 2004 (c) 1999
(c) 2009 (d) 2002
(d) 2012
101. (c) The entire Sino-Indian is 4.056 km long and about reports of special forces of the US and
crosses five Indian states/territories: Jammu and India recently holding a joint combat exercise in
Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, the southern foothills of the Himalayas and
Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. their plans to conduct a joint military exercise
102. (a) Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for code-named "War Exercise" (Yudh Abhyas) in
China's Ministry of National Defence (MND), October close to the border.
made the comments while replying to question
37
103. (b) The exercise was started in 2004 under the US Himachal Pradesh (545 km), and the western
Army Pacific Partnership Program. The exercise sector in Ladakh (1597 km).
is hosted alternately between both countries. The alignment of the LAC in the eastern sector
104. (d) India considers the LAC to be 3,488 km long, is along the 1914 McMahon Line.
while the Chinese consider it to be only around 105. (a) 1993 Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace
2,000 km. and Tranquillity along the Line of Actual
It is divided into three sectors: the eastern sector Control in the India-China Border Areas.
which spans Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim 1996 Agreement on Confidence-Building
(1346 km), the middle sector in Uttarakhand and Measures in the Military Field Along the Line of
Actual Control in the India-China Border Areas.
Passage(Q.106-Q.110): The Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons (NPT) concluded last week in New York. Marking [1] of a treaty that every speaker described as the
‘cornerstone of the global nuclear order’ — it was originally planned in 2020, but the conference was delayed due to
COVID-19 — it should have been a celebratory occasion, yet, the mood was sombre. And after four weeks of debate and
discussion, the delegates failed to agree on a final document.
To manage the disappointment, some staunch believers claimed that the success should not be defined in terms of a
consensus outcome! It is true that since 1970, when the NPT entered into force, only four of the 10 review conferences
(in 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2010) have concluded with a consensus document, the review years were: 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990,
1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2022. Ironically, even the critical 1995 Review Conference that decided to extend the NPT
into perpetuity, broke down weeks later over the review process.
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-npt-is-beginning-to-look-shaky/article65842423.ece
106. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above (c) South Korea
passage? (d) Japan
(a) 49 years
(b) 52 years 109. Treaty on the Prohibition of nuclear weapons was
(c) 60 years signed in which of the following years?
(d) 62 years (a) 2015
(b) 2018
107. NPT was signed in which of the following years? (c) 2019
(a) 1964 (d) 2021
(b) 1965
(c) 1966 110. In which of the following years did the NPT
(d) 1968 extended indefinitely?
(a) 1991
108. Which of the following countries is not a member of (b) 1995
NPT? (c) 1999
(a) South Sudan (d) 2002
(b) Australia
106. (b) Marking 52 years of a treaty that every speaker peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further
described as the ‘cornerstone of the global the goal of disarmament.
nuclear order’ — it was originally planned for its The treaty was signed in 1968 and entered into
50th year in 2020, but the conference was force in 1970. Presently, it has 191 member states.
delayed due to COVID-19 — it should have been 108. (a) India is one of the only five countries that either
a celebratory occasion, yet, the mood was did not sign the NPT or signed but withdrew
sombre. later, thus becoming part of a list that includes
107. (d) The NPT is an international treaty whose Pakistan, Israel, North Korea, and South Sudan.
objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear 109. (d) The Treaty on the Prohibition of nuclear
weapons and weapons technology, to foster the weapons (TPNW): It entered into force on 22
38
January 2021 and India is not a member of this States. More countries have ratified the NPT
treaty. than any other arms limitation and
110. (b) On 11 May 1995, the Treaty was extended disarmament agreement, a testament to the
indefinitely. A total of 191 States have joined the Treaty's significance.
Treaty, including the five nuclear-weapon
Passage(Q.111-Q.115): India’s contribution to the Montreal Protocol in terms of policy formulation is noteworthy, India
has played a proactive role in the phase-out of production and consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances. This was
stated by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Labour and Employment Bhupendra
Yadav at a programme organized to observe the 28th World Ozone Day in Mumbai today. The Maharashtra Chief
Minister Eknath Shinde and Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Consumer Affairs, Food
and Public Distribution Ashwini Kumar Choubey were also present on the occasion. The event was organized by the
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Climate
Change, Government of Maharashtra.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Environment Minister said that India has not been a traditional contributor to
global emissions, but that in our actions, we are showing the intent to be a problem solver. Stating that the world is
facing climate crisis because of wasteful use of energy, the Minister called for adopting the mantra of L.I.F.E (Lifestyle
for Environment) which was coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in line with the concept of sustainable lifestyle,
encouraging us to adopt mindful and not mindless consumption and utilization of resources.
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1859829
111. World Ozone Day is observed on which of the (b) The Montreal Protocol led to the replacement of
following days? CFCs with Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) which
(a) 26th August do not destroy the Ozone layer.
(b) 02nd September (c) The Kigali Agreement enabled the Montreal
(c) 16th September Protocol to mandate the elimination of HFCs as
(d) 08th October well.
(d) All of the above
112. India became a party to the Montreal Protocol in
which of the following years? 114. India Launched a cooling action plan in which of the
(a) 1981 following years?
(b) 1992 (a) 2015
(c) 1996 (b) 2017
(d) 2002 (c) 2019
(d) 2020
113. Which of the following is true about the Montreal
Protocol? 115. The Kigali Amendment was adopted in which of the
(a) The 1989 Montreal Protocol aimed at protecting following years?
the earth from Ozone-Depleting Substances (a) 2012
that were earlier used in the air-conditioning (b) 2014
and refrigerant industry. (c) 2016
(d) 2018
111. (c) Every year, 16th September is observed as the amendments to the Montreal Protocol. India
International Day for the Preservation of the has successfully met the phase-out targets of all
Ozone layer (World Ozone Day) to the Ozone Depleting Substances as per the
commemorate the signing of the Montreal Montreal Protocol Schedule.
Protocol. 113. (d) The 1989 Montreal Protocol is not a climate
112. (b) India became a party to the Montreal Protocol agreement. It is instead aimed at protecting the
on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in earth from Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODSs)
June 1992 and since then has ratified the like the ChloroFluoroCarbons (CFCs), that were
39
earlier used in the air-conditioning and cooling demand, enabling refrigerant transition,
refrigerant industry. The widespread use of enhancing energy efficiency and better
CFCs had caused a hole in the Ozone layer of the technology options with a 20-year time horizon.
atmosphere, which allowed some harmful The signing of the Kigali Amendment is a cue for
radiation to reach the earth. These radiations the markets to make a faster transition from
were considered potential health hazards. The HFCs to cleaner gases.
Montreal Protocol led to the replacement of 115. (c) The Kigali Amendment enabled the Montreal
CFCs with Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) which Protocol to mandate the elimination of HFCs as
do not destroy the Ozone layer. well. In October 2016, with the United States’
114. (c) India is one of the first countries in the world to leadership, 197 countries adopted an
launch a cooling action plan in 2019. This amendment to phase down HFCs under the
comprehensive plan is aimed at reducing Montreal Protocol in Kigali, Rwanda.
Passage(Q.116-Q.120): Oxfam India's Discrimination Report 2022 blames "societal and employers' prejudices" for
women's lower wages.
Other marginalised communities also suffered discrimination in the job market, the report found.
These included those at the bottom of the caste system, tribespeople and members of the Muslim community.
"Discrimination in the labour market is when people with identical capabilities are treated differently because of their
identity or social backgrounds," Amitabh Behar, Oxfam India's CEO, said.
"The inequality for women and other social categories is not just due to poor access to education or work experience
but because of discrimination."
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-62901550
116. Which of the following is TRUE about Oxfam (b) Discrimination against women is so high that
International? there is hardly any difference across religion or
(a) Oxfam International is a group of independent caste-based sub-groups, or the rural-urban
non-governmental organisations formed in divide.
1995. (c) The earning gaps are large, both in rural and
(b) The name “Oxfam” comes from the Oxford urban areas for casual workers ranging between
Committee for Famine Relief, founded in Britain 50% and 70%.
in 1942. (d) All of the above
(c) The Oxfam International Secretariat is based in
Nairobi, Kenya. 119. The National Statistical Office (NSO) launched the
(d) All of the above Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in which of the
following years?
117. Which of the following is one of the other reports (a) 2014
which Oxfam Publishes? (b) 2015
(a) Global Financial Stability Report (c) 2017
(b) Global Inequality Crisis Report (d) 2020
(c) World Investment Report
(d) State of the World Reports 120. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above
passage?
118. Which of the following is TRUE about the report (a) Amitabh Behar
released by Oxfam? (b) Ajay Mathur
(a) The SC and ST communities in rural India are (c) Ajay Banga
facing an increase in discrimination in casual (d) Nikesh Arora
employment.
116. (d) Oxfam International is a group of independent in 1942. The group campaigned for food supplies
non-governmental organisations formed in to starving women and children in enemy-
1995. The name “Oxfam” comes from the Oxford occupied Greece during the Second World War.
Committee for Famine Relief, founded in Britain It aims to maximize efficiency and achieve
40
greater impact to reduce global poverty and so high that there is hardly any difference across
injustice. The Oxfam International Secretariat is religion or caste-based sub-groups, or the rural-
based in Nairobi, Kenya. urban divide. The earning gaps are large, both in
117. (b) Global Financial Stability Report: IMF rural and urban areas for casual workers ranging
Global Inequality Crisis Report: Oxfam between 50% and 70%.
International 119. (c) The National Statistical Office (NSO) launched
World Investment Report: United Nations the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in April
Conference on Trade and Development 2017.
(UNCTAD) 120. (a) "Discrimination in the labour market is when
State of the World Reports: Food and people with identical capabilities are treated
Agriculture Organisation (FAO) differently because of their identity or social
118. (d) The SC and ST communities in rural India are backgrounds," Amitabh Behar, Oxfam India's
facing an increase in discrimination in casual CEO, said
employment. Discrimination against women is
Passage(Q.121-Q.125): Asok Kumar, the Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga, spoke about the
Arth Ganga model during his virtual keynote address to the Stockholm World Water Week 2022 on Wednesday (August
24). Since [1], the Stockholm International Water Institute has been organising the World Water Week every year to
address global water concerns.
PM Modi first introduced the concept during the first National Ganga Council meeting in Kanpur in [2], where he urged
for a shift from Namami Gange, the Union Government’s flagship project to clean the Ganga, to the model of Arth
Ganga. The latter focuses on the sustainable development of the Ganga and its surrounding areas, by focusing on
economic activities related to the river.
At its core, the Arth Ganga model seeks to use economics to bridge people with the river. During his keynote address,
Asok Kumar stated that it “strives to contribute at least 3% of the GDP from the Ganga Basin itself,” and added that the
Arth Ganga project’s interventions are in accordance with India’s commitments towards the UN sustainable
development goals.
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/arth-ganga-govts-new-model-rivers-sustainable-development-8111967/
121. Which of the following is true about the river (a) 1989
Ganga? (b) 1991
(a) The Ganga is a trans-boundary river that flows (c) 1994
through India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. (d) 1999
(b) It is the longest river of India and is worshipped
by Hindus. It is revered to be most sacred river 124. Which of the following will replace [2] in the above
on earth. passage?
(c) Both a & b (a) 2017
(d) None of the above (b) 2018
(c) 2019
122. Who is the current Union minister for Jal Shakti? (d) 2020
(a) Shri Harsh Vardhan
(b) Shri Y. S. Chowdary 125. Clean Water and Sanitation comes under which of
the following Sustainable Development Goals?
(c) Shri Bhupender Yadav (a) SDG 4
(d) Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (b) SDG 6
(c) SDG 9
123. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above (d) SDG 11
passage?
41
121. (b) The Ganga is a trans-boundary river of Asia currently serving as Union Cabinet Minister in
which flows through India and Bangladesh. The Ministry of Jal Shakti. He is a member of
2,525 km (1,569 mi) river rises in the western parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party
Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It representing Jodhpur in the Lok Sabha.
flows south and east through the Gangetic plain 123. (b) Since 1991, the Stockholm International Water
of North India, where it receives the right-bank Institute has been organising the World Water
tributary, the Yamuna which also rises in the Week every year to address global water
western Indian Himalayas, and several left-bank concerns.
tributaries from Nepal that account for the bulk 124. (c) PM Modi first introduced the concept during
of its flow. It is the longest river of India. the first National Ganga Council meeting in
122. (d) Ministry of Jal Shakti is a ministry under Kanpur in 2019, where he urged for a shift from
Government of India which was formed in May Namami Gange, the Union Government’s
2019 under the second Modi ministry. This was flagship project to clean the Ganga, to the model
formed by merging of two ministries; Ministry of Arth Ganga.
of Water Resources, River Development; Ganga 125. (b) The week is also taken as an opportunity to
Rejuvenation and Ministry of Drinking Water discuss and accelerate progress toward the
and Sanitation. Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6), which
is an Indian politician from Rajasthan who is is about clean water and sanitation for all.
Passage(Q.126-Q.130): Union Civil Aviation minister [1] on Sunday highlighted the government's efforts on increasing
aerial connectivity and said that over 1.5 lakh flights were started in the last 5 years.
He also noted that the number was achieved under the UDAN scheme.
"Under Udaan Yojana democratization of the aviation sector took place and 1,93,000 flights were started based on
viability gap funding in the last 5 yrs where govt will also bear the cost for the tickets," Union Civil Aviation minister [1]
said.
According to the minister, India will have 1,200 planes with 40 crore air travelers by 2027, and 220 airports by [2]. There
were only 74 airports and in the last 8 years, that number has gone up to 137. The intention is to go up to 220 airports
by [2].
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/over-1-5-lakh-flights-started-under-udan-scheme-civil-aviation-minister-
11659915915551.html
126. Which of the following is true about the UDAN (a) 11th July
Scheme? (b) 21st October
(a) UDAN was launched under the Ministry of Civil (c) 1st November
Aviation in 2016. (d) 13th December
(b) It aims to develop the regional aviation market.
(c) Under International UDAN, the plan is to 129. Which of the following is not true about Airport
connect India’s smaller cities directly to some Authority of India?
key foreign destinations in the neighbourhood. (a) It was founded in 1995.
(d) All of the above. (b) It is a statutory body under the jurisdiction of
Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry
127. Which of the following is replaced by [1] in the of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
passage? (c) It was constituted by an Act of Parliament by
(a) Anurag Thakur merging erstwhile National Airports Authority
(b) Mansukh Mandaviya and International Airports Authority of India.
(c) Nitin Gadkari (d) The UDAN scheme is implemented by the
(d) Jyotiraditya Scindia Airports Authority of India (AAI) and is
operational for a period of 5 years.
128. On which of the following days is UDAN Day
observed?
42
130. Which of the following will replace [2] in the above (b) 2030
passage? (c) 2032
(a) 2028 (d) 2035
126. (d) UDAN was launched under the Ministry of Civil April 1995 by merging erstwhile National
Aviation in 2016. It aims to develop the regional Airports Authority and International Airports
aviation market. Under International UDAN, Authority of India. It is entrusted with the
the plan is to connect India’s smaller cities responsibility of creating, upgrading,
directly to some key foreign destinations in the maintaining and managing civil aviation
neighbourhood. infrastructure both on the ground and air space
127. (d) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia is the current Civil in the country. It is a statutory body under the
Aviation Minister of India. jurisdiction of Directorate General of Civil
128. (b) The Government of India has acknowledged the Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation,
contribution of the scheme and has identified Government of India. The UDAN scheme is
21st October as UDAN Day, the day on which implemented by the Airports Authority of India
the scheme document was first released. (AAI) and is operational for a period of 5 years.
Recently, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has 130. (b) According to the minister, India will have 1,200
celebrated the UDAN day on the 4th planes with 40 crore air travelers by 2027, and
anniversary of the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam 220 airports by 2030. There were only 74 airports
Naagrik) Scheme. and in the last 8 years, that number has gone up
129. (d) Airports Authority of India was constituted by to 137. The intention is to go up to 220 airports
an Act of Parliament and came into being on 1st by 2030.
Passage(Q.131-Q.135): Days after India extended support to [1] campaign to restart international negotiation on the
Falklands territorial issue in the southern Atlantic Ocean, a British official on Monday said there was "no doubt" about
the United Kingdom's sovereignty over the islands.
A spokesperson of the British High Commission told The Hindu that the citizens of the islands had conveyed that they
did not wish to hold further discussion on sovereignty.
"The United Kingdom has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and South
Sandwich Islands and surrounding maritime areas, nor about the principle and the right of the Falkland Islanders to
self-determination as enshrined in the UN Charter," the spokesperson said.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/no-doubt-over-uks-sovereignty-over-falkland-islands-british-
official/article65826682.ece
131. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above 133. In which of the following years did the British First
passage? Settled to the Falkland Island?
(a) Spain (b) Argentina (a) 1765 (b) 1770
(c) Brazil (d) Colombia (c) 1820 (d) 1833
132. Which of the following is TRUE about Falkland 134. In which of the following years was the issue of
Island? sovereignty over the Falkland Islands shifted to the
(a) Falkland Islands, also called Malvinas Islands is United Nations?
internally self-governing overseas territory of (a) 1955 (b) 1961
the United Kingdom in the South Atlantic (c) 1964 (d) 1974
Ocean.
(b) The capital and major town is Stanley, on East 135. Which of the following articles of the Charter of
Falkland. United Nations states the principle of Self-
(c) British Royal Air Force base is located at Mount determination?
Pleasant in the Falkland Island. (a) Article 1 (b) Article 6
(d) All of the above (c) Article 9 (d) Article 11
43
131. (b) Days after India extended support to Argentina's Spanish, who had bought out the French
campaign to restart international negotiation on settlement about 1767.
the Falklands territorial issue in the southern 134. (c) After World War II (1939-45) the issue of
Atlantic Ocean, a British official on Monday said sovereignty over the Falkland Islands shifted to
there was "no doubt" about the United the United Nations (UN) when, in 1964, the
Kingdom's sovereignty over the islands. islands’ status was debated by the UN
132. (d) Falkland Islands, also called Malvinas Islands is committee on decolonization.
internally self-governing overseas territory of 135. (a) The principle of self-determination is
the United Kingdom in the South Atlantic prominently embodied in Article I of the
Ocean. The capital and major town is Stanley, Charter of the United Nations. Earlier it was
on East Falkland. British Royal Air Force base is explicitly embraced by US President Woodrow
located at Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Wilson, by Lenin and others, and became the
Island. guiding principle for the reconstruction of
133. (a) The British, in 1765, were the first to settle West Europe following World War I.
Falkland, but they were driven off in 1770 by the
Passage(Q.136-Q.140): THE UNION government plans to draw up a “benchmark framework” to assess students at the
secondary and higher secondary level to bring about “uniformity” across state and central boards which currently follow
different standards of evaluation, leading to wide disparities in scores.
Over the last few months, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has held a series of
meetings with the representatives of state boards and State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) to
arrive at a common understanding to implement the plan, as part of which a new assessment regulator is being set up.
The proposed regulator, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic
Development), which will act as a constituent unit of the NCERT, will also be tasked with holding periodic learning
outcome tests like the National Achievement Survey (NAS) and State Achievement Surveys.
The benchmark assessment framework will seek to put an end to the emphasis on rote learning, as envisaged by the
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. PARAKH, the proposed implementing agency, is also part of the NEP proposal.
https://indianexpress.com/article/education/uniformity-across-all-boards-regulator-for-exam-assessment-parakh-
8121746/
136. Which of the following is TRUE about the National (a) 2014 (b) 2016
Education Policy? (c) 2020 (d) 2021
(a) Making "India a global knowledge superpower"
is the goal of NEP 2020. 139. Which of the following grades at the very least
(b) The third significant overhaul of India's should have mother tongue, local language, or
educational structure since independence is the regional language as the medium of instruction,
NEP 2020. according to the NEP 2020?
(c) The first two education-related policies were (a) Grade 3
implemented in 1968 and 1986. (b) Grade 5
(d) All of the above (c) Grade 8
(d) Grade 10
137. National Achievement Survey is conducted in every 140. Which of the following ages has the Right to
how many years? Education been suggested to be extended to by NEP
(a) Two years (b) Three years 2020?
(c) Five years (d) Ten years (a) 14 Years
(b) 16 Years
138. In which of the following years did the name of the (c) 18 Years
Human Development Ministry was changed to the (d) 20 Years
Education Ministry?
44
136. (d) Making "India a global knowledge superpower" 138. (c) The Ministry of Education (abbr. MoE; formerly
is the goal of NEP 2020. the Ministry of Human Resource Development
The third significant overhaul of India's from 1985 to 2020) is a ministry of the
educational structure since independence is the Government of India, responsible for the
NEP 2020. implementation of the National Policy on
The first two education-related policies were Education.
implemented in 1968 and 1986. 139. (b) It emphasizes on making mother tongue, local
137. (b) The Triennial Survey was conducted in language or the regional language the medium
November 2021. of instruction at least till Grade 5, which is
About 34 lakh students of 1.18 lakh schools in 720 considered the best medium of teaching.
districts from both rural and urban areas have 140. (c) The NEP proposes the extension of the Right to
participated in NAS 2021. Education (RTE) to all children up to the age of
18.
Passage(Q.141-Q.145): The Union Home and Cooperation Minister, [1] addressed the First convocation of the National
Forensic Science University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar today. He also inaugurated various facilities at the NFSU campus.
On this occasion the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court Justice Arvind Kumar, the Minister of Law of Gujarat Shri
Rajendra Trivedi, the Union Home Secretary and the Vice Chancellor of the NFSU Dr. J.M. Vyas and many other
dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Congratulating the students attending the Convocation, [1] said this day is very important for the students as they are
going into society after receiving their Degrees from the world's first Forensic Science University. He said 1,132 students
including 91 foreign students from 21 countries are going into society as experts in different fields of forensic science.
The Union Home Minister expressed confidence that students pursuing their Degree would play an important role in
fulfilling the purpose for which the Forensic Science University was established.
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1855082#:~:text=The%20Union%20Home%20and%20Cooperation,(N
FSU)%20in%20Gandhinagar%20today.
141. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above (b) 1901
passage? (c) 1922
(a) Smiriti Irani (d) 1987
(b) Amit Shah
(c) Anurag Thakur 144. How many Institutes of Eminence does India has?
(d) Rajnath Singh (a) 10
(b) 11
142. In which of the following years was the National (c) 15
Forensic Science University Established? (d) 18
(a) 2014
(b) 2018 145. In which of the following years did the University
(c) 2019 Grants Commission started conferring the Institute
(d) 2020 of Eminence status to the Universities?
(a) 2014
143. The first Central Fingerprint Bureau of India was (b) 2015
established in Kolkata in India in which of the (c) 2016
following years? (d) 2017
(a) 1887
141. (b) The Union Home and Cooperation Minister, 142. (d) It was established by the Government of India in
Shri Amit Shah addressed the First convocation 2020 with the objective of fulfilling the acute
of the National Forensic Science University shortage against the increasing demand for
(NFSU) in Gandhinagar today.
45
forensic experts in the country and around the 143. (a) The first Central Fingerprint Bureau of India was
world. established in Kolkata in India in the year 1897
which became functional in 1904.
144. (b) Is the correct answer.
145. (d) Institutes of Eminence (IoE) is a recognition set by the University Grants Commission in
scheme for higher education institutes in India, 2017.
Passage(Q.161-Q.165): The Telecom Ministry on Monday announced amendments to the Right of Way Rules, a move
that is expected to expedite upgradation and expansion of telecom networks, including 5G.
The amendments include rationalisation of charges, introduction of single window clearance system and doing away
with the need for consent from a government authority for installing infrastructure over private property.
While announcing the amendments to the Indian Telegraph Right of Way (RoW) Rules, [1], Minister for
Communication, IT and Railways [1] noted that these amendments would pave the way for the deployment of 5G small
cells on existing street infrastructure and with these reforms, the country was now ready for introduction of 5G services
by October.
https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/dot-amends-right-of-way-rules-to-aid-faster-5g-roll-
out/article65811181.ece
146. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above (d) Gajendra Shekhawat
passage?
(a) 2012 148. Which of the following is TRUE about the
(b) 2015 amendments?
(c) 2016 (a) The amount of one-time compensation for
(d) 2020 establishment of an overground telegraph line
will be a maximum one thousand rupees per
147. Which of the following will replace [2] in the above kilometre.
passage? (b) These amendments will ease Right of Way
(a) Ashwini Vaishnaw related permission procedures for
(b) Dharmendra Pradhan establishment and augmentation of digital
(c) Piyush Goyal
46
communications infrastructure across the (a) 25th
country. (b) 37th
(c) There will be no fee other than Administrative (c) 48th
fee and Restoration charges for establishing, (d) 51st
maintaining, transferring or shifting the
underground and overground telegraph 150. 4G was launched in India in which of the following
infrastructure. years?
(d) All of the above (a) 2005
(b) 2009
149. Which of the following is India’s rank in ease of (c) 2012
doing business? (d) 2014
146. (c) While announcing the amendments to the country. There will be no fee other than
Indian Telegraph Right of Way (RoW) Rules, Administrative fee and Restoration charges for
2016, Minister for Communication, IT and establishing, maintaining, transferring or
Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw noted that these shifting the underground and overground
amendments would pave the way for the telegraph infrastructure.
deployment of 5G small cells on existing street 149. (b) The country has continued to maintain its
infrastructure and with these reforms, the march to improvement, which is evident from
country was now ready for introduction of 5G its 6-position improvement to 37th rank (out of
services by October. the 63-nation list) in 2022 on the annual World
147. (a) While announcing the amendments to the Competitiveness Index of Institute of
Indian Telegraph Right of Way (RoW) Rules, Management Development (IMD).
2016, Minister for Communication, IT and 150. (b) 1G was launched in the 1980s and worked on
Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw noted that these analog radio signals and supported only voice
amendments would pave the way for the calls.
deployment of 5G small cells on existing street 2G was launched in the 1990s which uses digital
infrastructure and with these reforms, the radio signals and supports both voice and data
country was now ready for introduction of 5G transmission with a bandwidth of 64 Kbps.
services by October. 3G was launched in the 2000s with a speed of 1
148. (d) The amount of one-time compensation for Mbps to 2 Mbps and it has the ability to transmit
establishment of an overground telegraph line telephone signals including digitised voice,
will be a maximum one thousand rupees per video calls and conferencing.
kilometre. These amendments will ease Right of 4G was launched in 2009 with a peak speed of
Way related permission procedures for 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps and it also enables 3D virtual
establishment and augmentation of digital reality.
communications infrastructure across the
47
IMPORTANT ONE LINERS FOR OLETs
NATIONAL
Haridwar declared India’s Best Aspirational District under NITI Aayog's Aspirational Districts Programme
 The NITI Aayog has declared the holy city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand as the best aspirational district on five
parameters. The letter by NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme director Rakesh Ranjan to Uttarakhand chief
secretary SS Sandhu and the district collector of Haridwar underlines that the district has secured the first rank in
basic infrastructure theme and has become entitled to receive an additional allocation of Rs 3 crore.
 The NITI Aayog’s aspirational Districts Programme was launched in 2018. The programme is aimed at identifying
potential districts that can develop into model blocks through socio-economic development. Under the programme,
the central government takes steps to improve the socio-economic condition of identified districts and ensure
inclusive and holistic development.
About NITI Aayog:

Formed: 1 January 2015
Headquarters: New Delhi
Chairperson: Narendra Modi
Founder: National Democratic Alliance
About Uttarakhand :
Governor: Gurmit Singh
Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami
Capitals: Dehradun (Winter), Gairsain (Summer)
PMJDY completes eight years;Accounts grew three-fold from 14.72 crore in March 2015 to 46.25 crore in Aug
2022
 Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has completed 8 years and has achieved its major goals during this period. PM Jan
Dhan Yojana is a flagship financial inclusion program that was started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and was
launched on 28th August 2014. The Jan Dhan Yojana was announced by Prime minister Narendra Modi in his first
Independence Day address after the election in 2014. In eight years, PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has touched the
mark of 462.5 million, as of 10th August 2022, the deposits in these accounts are to be approximately 1.73 trillion.
 PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is a National Mission financial inclusion program that aims to bring comprehensive
financial inclusion to all households in India.
 The PMJDY aims to provide universal access to banking facilities which includes at least one basic banking account
for every household, financial literacy, access to credit, insurance, and Pension facility.
About Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana :

Launch year: 2014
Launched by (prime minister): Narendra Modi
Ministry: Ministry of Finance
PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Gujarat's Smriti Van memorial dedicated to earthquake victims
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated India’s first earthquake memorial, named Smruti Van at Bhuj in Gujarat.
Smruti Van is a unique memorial carrying the names of more than 12 thousand people who lost their lives in the
devastating earthquake that struck here in January 2001. The earthquake simulator will provide real like the
experience of earthquake tremors to visitors. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and State BJP President C. R.
Patil was present on the occasion.
 The grand structure, which is the first such memorial in the country according to a Gujarat government official, is
spread over 470 acres on Bhujio Hill near Bhuj town. It celebrates the spirit of resilience in the wake of the death of
nearly 13,000 people during the earthquake on January 26, 2001, which had its epicentre in Bhuj.
About Gujarat:
Capital: Gandhinagar
Governor: Acharya Devvrat
Chief Minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel
48
UP govt to develop Kannauj as perfume tourism destination
 Kannuj will be developed into a tourist destination as per the decision taken by the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
This decision was taken in order to emphasize the importance of perfume industries in India. The government of
Uttar Pradesh has also decided to organize an international perfume fair in Kannuaj in December. The first phase of
the perfume park will be completed by 15th November 2022, which is being set up in the district. The aim of this
initiative is to take the ₹250 crore perfume business to height of ₹25,000 crores. This project will give momentum to
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision of making Uttar Pradesh a $1 trillion economy.
 The state government has decided to change the export policies, which will help the traders to boost their export of
perfumes.
Uttar Pradesh:
Governor: Anandiben Patel
Capital: Lucknow (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
50th All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2021-2022 kicks off in Imphal
 The 50th All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2021-2022 kicked off at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen at Palace
Compound in Imphal. Manipur Governor La Ganesan and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh attended the inaugural
function. Shumang Leela is a traditional form of theatre in Manipur and the roles of female artists are all played by
male actors and male characters are played by female artists in case of female theatre groups. Shumang Leela Groups
of the early stage attempted to preserve and promote humanism, tolerance, confidence, devotion, truth and justice
through their performances.
 Shumang Leela is a traditional form of theatre in Manipur and the roles of female artists are all played by male actors
and male characters are played by female artists in case of female theatre groups. The activities are done in the open
air.
About Manipur:
Capital: Imphal (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh
Governor: La. Ganesan
Ashok Gehlot Kicks Off Rural Olympics In 44,000 Rajasthan Villages

 Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has inaugurated a month-long Rajiv Gandhi Rural Olympic Games in Jodhpur.
The village Olympics is expected to see the participation of 44,000 villages across Rajasthan, with nearly 30 lakh
people across various age groups already registering themselves for the games. Out of the 30 lakh participants, 9 lakh
are women.
 Games like volleyball, hockey, tennis ball cricket and kho kho will be part of the events.
 The rural olympics organised in eleven thousand gram panchayats across the state is an outreach to the rural
population, especially the rural youth.
 Talented sportspersons in these events and promote them further for participation in national and international
sports events
About Rajasthan:
Governor: Kalraj Mishra
Capital: Jaipur (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister: Ashok Gehlot
India’s Telangana Tops Inflation Chart At 8.32%

 Telangana, together with West Bengal (8.06%) and Sikkim (8.01%), report charges nicely above the nation’s 6.8%.
India’s retail inflation has been a bugbear for the economic system because it surged previous 6% in January, however
there are huge disparities within the tempo of worth rise skilled by customers throughout the nation, with a dozen
States clocking a median inflation of lower than 6% and one other 12 States averaging over 7% by way of 2022 thus
far. Whereas headline inflation measured by the Client Value Index has averaged 6.8% within the first seven months
of 2022, nicely above the 6% higher tolerance threshold set by coverage makers.
49
 Retail costs in States like Kerala (4.8%), Tamil Nadu (5.01%), Punjab (5.35%), Delhi (5.56%), and Karnataka (5.84%)
have been rising at lower than 6%. Smaller States like Manipur, Goa and Meghalaya have had a median inflation of
lower than 4% by way of this era, at 1.07%, 3.66%, and 3.84%, respectively.
About Telangana:
Founded: 2 June 2014
Capital: Hyderabad
Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan
Chief Minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao
Official bird: Indian roller
PM Narendra Modi to unveil new Naval Ensign during INS Vikrant's commissioning in Kochi
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reveal a new ensign of the Indian Navy (New Naval ensign), at the aircraft carrier
INS Vikrant Commissioning celebration on September 2. He will formally inaugurate the nation’s first aircraft carrier,
INS Vikrant. The Indian Navy will receive a New Naval ensign on September 2 without the Saint George’s cross that
has been on its flag since the British placed it during the pre-independence era. The cross sign was removed from the
flag between 2001 and 2004 while Atal Bihari Vajpayee was in office, but it was reinstated once the UPA led by
Manmohan Singh took back power.
 “PM Modi will also present the New Naval ensign (Nishaan), doing away with the colonial history and fitting for the
rich Indian maritime legacy”, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
 The Indian Navy will receive a New Naval ensign on September 2 without the Saint George’s cross that has been on
its flag since the British placed it during the pre-independence era.
About Kerala:
Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan
Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
J&K Police launches online mobile application 'JK Ecop'

 The Jammu & Kashmir Police has launched an online Mobile application “JK Ecop”. The App enables the common
citizens to use a host of services ranging from registering a complaint to downloading a copy of an FIR. A citizen can
also make requests like obtaining a character certificate, employee verification, or tenant verification through this
App. Details about missing persons and unidentified dead bodies etc. can also be obtained through this portal.
 Other services regarding the traffic police are also available to the citizens through this App. These services range
from reporting a traffic violation to reporting an accident. Information about the Highway status in the app will help
the citizens to plan their travel. Paying a challan online through this app will not only help the citizens but will also
ease the burden of the department.
About Jammu and Kashmir:

Lieutenant Governor: Manoj Sinha
Capital: Srinagar (summer) & Jammu (winter)
UGC to launch 'e - Samadhan' portal to resolve grievances of students, staff

 University Grants Commission (UGC) will now monitor and resolve all grievances of students and staff in varsities
through a centralised portal called `e-Samadhan`. This platform ensures transparency, prevents unfair practices in
Higher Education Institutions and provides a time-bound mechanism for redressal of grievances, according to the
UGC. The commission has merged its existing portals and helplines except for the anti-ragging helpline and developed
the new portal.
 UGC e-samadhan, a step forward for the service to stakeholders which would be a single Window system for all the
stakeholders for registering their complaints/ grievances on the portal which would be available all the time at the
click of a mouse.
 University Grants Commission has vast and wide stakeholder composition which includes 1043 Universities, 42343
Colleges, 3.85 Crore Students and 15.03 Lacs Teachers ( AISHE 2019-20).
50
About University Grants Commission:
Founded: 1956
Chairman: Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar
India’s indigenous aircraft carrier and largest warship INS Vikrant joins Navy
 INS Vikrant Commissioned: INS Vikrant, India’s first homegrown aircraft carrier, to the Indian Navy at the Cochin
Shipyard commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The nation’s largest warship, weighing 45,000 tonnes, has
finished a year of sea trials. The warship’s construction cost Rs 20,000 crore. The new Naval emblem was also revealed
by the Prime Minister.
 An imitation of the INS Vikrant was given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
 The first aircraft carrier made entirely in India, INS Vikrant, is given to the Indian Navy by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi. Following the construction of INS Vikramaditya, this is the country’s second aircraft carrier.
 The new flag of the Indian Navy is raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan,
and other top officials aboard INS Vikrant.
 Vikrant, the largest warship built entirely in India, would fly 30 fighter planes and helicopters. The aircraft carrier,
which was built at the Cochin shipyard and will provide the Indian Navy with a third aircraft carrier, has a crew of
more than 1,500.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah Launches “CAPF e-Awas” Portal

 CAPF eAwas: Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the CAPF eAwas web-portal for the Central Armed Police Forces.
The Central Armed Police Forces have always been a solid backbone of the nation’s internal security, Mr. Shah stated
in remarks made on the occasion. More than 35,000 police officers have died since independence-day while
maintaining internal security, he mentioned, and as a result of their sacrifices, people may sleep well at night and feel
secure.
 The Indian government launched the “Ayushman CAPF” programme to give families of fallen soldiers access to better
medical care.
 Ten lakh service members have received more than 35 lakh Ayushman Cards as part of this CAPF eAwas programme.
 Approximately 56 thousand bills totaling more than 31 crore rupees have already been paid using this programme.
 A unified web-portal called “CAPF eAwas” that has been created in order to operationalize the improved policy of
allocation and to also increase transparency in the allocation process.
 The web service would allow eligible CAPF and Assam Rifles troops to register online and receive housing allocations.
About Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) :

Federal agency: IN
General nature: Federal law enforcement
Governing body: Ministry of Home Affairs
India's first Night sky Sanctuary to be set up in Ladakh

 The Union minister Jitendra Singh announced on Saturday (September 3) that within the next three months, Ladakh
will host India's first-ever "Night Sky Sanctuary" as part of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary in the union territory.
 Singh also claimed that the proposed 'Dark Sky Reserve' will be finished at Hanle in the UT within three months,
which will boost Astro tourism in India and make it one of the highest-located sites in the world for optical, infrared,
and gamma-ray telescopes.
 The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), and the
UT administration recently signed a tripartite MoU to establish the Dark Space Reserve.
 All three parties will work together to prevent the night sky from being illuminated and polluted, which severely
threatens scientific observations and the sky's natural conditions.
 It should be noted that Hanle is ideally suitable for the project because it is situated in the freezing desert region of
Ladakh, far from any human interference, and has dry weather conditions all year round.
About Ladakh:
Capital: Leh, Kargil
Lt Governor : Sh R K Mathur
Union territory: 31 October 2019
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Districts: 2
Meghalaya CM launches 'Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme' for farmers' welfare

 Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has launched the ‘Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme’ to ensure the farmers
earn a sustainable livelihood through different livestock farming activities. The Chief Minister said that the
government through different welfare schemes is successfully providing income generation opportunities and
economic prosperity to the farmers.
 Under this mission, zero interest loan is provided for setting up fattening and pig breeding. So far 250 piggery
cooperative societies have availed loans amounting to Rs 43.67 crore.
 The government has earmarked Rs 15.18 crore under which four high-yielding improved varieties will be distributed
to 6000 families.
 The Meghalaya Chief Minister informed that additional Rs 25 crore will be earmarked to roll out the second phase of
the programme.
About Meghalaya:
Capital: Shillong;
Chief Minister: Conrad Kongkal Sangma;
Governor: Satya Pal Malik.
CCRAS offers fellowship to support research in Ayurveda

 The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) takes a unique initiative to support the research
efforts of the upcoming bright mind of India. CCRAS has developed the Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research
Ken (SPARK) for Ayurveda students (BAMS) in recognized Ayurveda colleges.
 SPARK Program has been developed by the CCRAS to support the young minds of the students and to promote the
culture of evidence-based scientific research in the field of Ayurveda.
 SPARK Program will help the students to develop an acumen for research and to support their research ideas.
 SPARK Program aims to support the research ideas of the young upcoming students across all the Ayurveda colleges
in India.
About SPARK:
Developer(s): Apache Spark
Written in: Scala
Available in: Scala, Java, SQL, Python, R, C#, F#
License: Apache License 2.0
Initial release: May 26, 2014; 8 years ago
Operating system: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux
Rajpath set to be renamed Kartavya Path : GOI

 The government of India has announced to change the name of Rajpath and Central Vista lawns into Kartavya Path.
The decision is said to shed remnants of the British colony in India. The decision came after a special meeting on
September 7, convened with the aim of renaming the Rajpath and Central Vista lawns. Earlier, the Modi government
had changed the name of the road on which the Prime Minister’s residence is, from Race Course Road to Lok Kalyan
Marg.
 Kartavya Path includes the entire avenue and area from the Netaji Statue to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The route runs
from Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill through Vijay Chowk and India Gate to National Stadium in Delhi. The
decision comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on independence day where he stressed
the factors leading to the abolition of symbols and signs relating to the colonial mindset.
 The Central Vista redevelopment project includes a new triangular Parliament building, a common Central
Secretariat, rejuvenation of the three-kilometre Rajpath, new Prime Minister’s residence and offices and a new Vice
President’s Enclave.
About Government of India (GOI):

Ministries: 57
Founded: 26 January 1950
Founder: Constitution of India
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Responsible to: Lok Sabha
Legislature: Parliament
Seat: Raisina Hill (Official Seat of the Government of India)
Indian Army Chief Manoj Pande Conferred Honorary Rank Of Nepal Army General
 Indian Army chief General Manoj Pande was conferred the title of Honorary General of the Nepali Army by Nepal
President Bidya Devi Bhandari in Kathmandu. General Pande was honoured at a special ceremony at the President’s
official residence ‘Shital Niwas’ in the capital city of Nepal. He has also presented a sword and scroll during the
function.
 On behalf of the Indian government, General Manoj Pande presented training equipment to Nepali Army, along with
Light Vehicles which would augment the capabilities of Nepali Army personnel.
 The practice follows a seven-decade-old tradition of decorating army chiefs of each other’s countries with the
honorary title. Commander-in-Chief General KM Cariappa was the first Indian Army chief to be decorated with the
title in 1950. In November last year, the Chief of the Nepali Army, General Prabhu Ram Sharma was also made the
Honorary General of the Indian Army by President Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremony in New Delhi.
About Indian Army :

Motto(s): से वा परमो धमम: (Sanskrit); Sēvā Paramō Dharma: (ISO); transl. "Service Before Self"
Headquarters: Integrated Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi
Founded: 1 April 1895, India
Commander-in-Chief: President Draupadi Murmu
Notable commanders: Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa, OBE; Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, MC; General K. S.
Thimayya, DSO
About Nepal:
Capital: Kathmandu
Currency: Nepalese rupee
President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari
Prime Minister: Sher Bahadur Deuba
Pudhumai Penn scheme launch in Tamil Nadu

 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on September 5 launched the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher
Education Assurance scheme titled 'Pudhumai Penn' at a function in Chennai, in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister
Arvind Kejriwal.
 During the event held at Bharathi Women’s College in Chennai on Teachers’ Day, Mr. Kejriwal also unveiled 26
schools of excellence and 15 model schools set up by the Tamil Nadu government emulating the model by his AAP
government in Delhi.
 Mr. Kejriwal termed 'Pudhumai Penn' a "revolutionary scheme" which was "going to prove pathbreaking and
revolutionary in the times to come." Under Pudhumai Penn scheme, girl students, who studied from Class V to Class
XII in state government schools would be paid a monthly assistance of ₹1,000 till they complete their graduation or
diploma.
 During his first visit to Tamil Nadu as the chief guest for the inauguration of a State government scheme, Mr. Kejriwal
said, "We might belong to different political parties, but there is so much of good work that each government in each
State is doing. And it is extremely important that we learn from each other."
About Tamil Nadu:

Governor: R. N. Ravi
Capital: Chennai
Chief Minister: M. K. Stalin
NGT slaps Rs 3500 cr fine on Bengal govt for waste management failure
 The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Bengal government to pay Rs 3,500 crore as
“compensation” for violating the norms for the management of solid and liquid waste, a sum an environmental lawyer
described as a national record 10 times over.
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 The Bengal government has the option to seek a review by the tribunal or move the Supreme Court. Although the
bench used the word “compensation”, the money will be spent entirely on waste management in Bengal. On Saturday
evening, state urban development minister Firhad Hakim told The Telegraph: “We have to check the order in detail
before taking a decision. But as I understand, this is actually not a fine — the amount has to be kept separately for
use in solid waste management alone.”
 The bench has asked the state to deposit the amount within two months in a “separate ring-fenced account” dedicated
to solid waste management. The account will be operated according to the directions of the chief secretary (currently,
waste management is the domain of the urban development secretary), the bench said.
About National Green Tribunal (NGT):

Enacted: 5 May 2010
Bill published on: 31 July 2009
Citation: Act No. 19 of 2010
Committee report: 24 November 2009
About West Bengal:
Capital: Kolkata
Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee
Governor: Shri La. Ganesan
Healthcare sector in India to become $50 billion industry by 2025: Jitendra Singh
 India’s healthcare industry is expected to grow to hit $50 billion in size by 2025, said Union minister Jitendra Singh.
Addressing the 14th CII Global MedTech Summit, “Seizing the Global Opportunity”, the minister said that under
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, healthcare has become more focused on innovation and technology over the past two
years. About 80% of the healthcare system aims to increase investment in digital healthcare tools in the coming five
years.
 The minister added that the prime objective of the government is to reduce import dependence from 80% to below
30% in next 10 years and ensure self-reliance quotient of 80% in med-tech through Make in India with SMART
milestones. Towards this, the Indian government has undertaken structural and sustained reforms to strengthen the
healthcare sector and has also announced conducive policies for encouraging FDI.
 “It is expected that India becomes one of the top markets in medical devices upwards of 14% – 15%. This global position
is attainable by achieving the targets set in the National Infrastructure Pipeline 2020, to build 73 new medical colleges
to increase domestic consumption and improve healthcare infrastructure.”
 The minister added that India aims to achieve 10-12% of the global market share of medical devices industry to arrive
at a $100 billion to $300 billion industry, adding that the country will have about 50 clusters for faster clinical testing
of medical devices to boost product development and innovation.
MoE launches Shikshak Parv, an initiative to felicitate teachers

 Ministry of Education launches Shikshak Parv: Shikshak Parv was launched by Union Ministers Annapurna Devi and
Rajkumar Ranjan Singh to honour teachers and advance the new National Education Policy (NEP). An inaugural
colloquium hosted by the Ministry of Education, CBSE, AICTE, and the Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship marked the beginning of Shikshak Parv.
 According to Minister of State (MoS) for Education Annapurna Devi, under NEP 2020, teachers will have to work on
the future action plan as per the notion of an integrated and interdisciplinary approach.
 Teachers, whether in schools or higher education, have a shared mission, according to MoS Rajkumar Ranjan Singh,
and the goal of these honours is to acknowledge exemplary practises, academic leadership, and institution building.
Union Cabinet approves PM-SHRI scheme for school upgradation

 Union Cabinet approved the PM Schools for Rising India scheme(SHRI), a new centrally sponsored scheme that aims
the development of more than 14500 schools across the country by strengthening select existing schools being
managed by all forms of governments across the country.
 The PM SHRI schools will aim at delivering quality teaching for the cognitive development of students and creating
and nurturing holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21st-century skills. They will also showcase all
components of the National Education Policy 2020 by education in an equitable, inclusive and joyful school
environment that takes care of the diverse background, multilingual needs, and different academic abilities of
children.
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 The focus in PM SHRI schools will be on the learning outcomes of every child in every grade and the assessment of
students will be based on conceptual understanding and application of knowledge in real-life situations. The
assessment of students will be done through a School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) which is being
developed.
 Under the scheme, PM SHRI schools will be developed as Green schools which would entail incorporating
environment-friendly aspects like solar panels and LED lights, nutrition gardens with natural farming, waste
management, plastic-free, water conservation and harvesting, the study of traditions/practices related to protection
of environment, climate change related hackathon and awareness generation to adopt a sustainable lifestyle.
Army undertakes 'reorientation' of troops in Arunachal Pradesh

 After significantly upgrading firepower and infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Tawang sector
of Arunachal Pradesh, the Army is on a major drive for capability and infrastructure development in the rest of
Arunachal Pradesh. This includes road, bridges, tunnels, habitat and storage facilities, aviation facilities and upgrade
of communications and surveillance, especially in the Upper Dibang Valley region, according to multiple Army
officials.
 A capability development matrix was being employed and road development, construction of habitat and aviation
facilities were under way, Major General M.S. Bains, General Officer Commanding of the Army’s 2 Mountain Division,
headquartered at Dinjan, told a group of journalists.
 The capability and infrastructure development in the region was being undertaken under five verticals — habitat,
aviation, road infrastructure, operational logistics and security infrastructure. Of this, the strategic roads and border
roads were being constructed by Central government agencies and Border Roads Organisation, while the Army was
building the last mile tracks to connect these roads to the forwards posts on the Line of Actual Control.
 The Area of Responsibility of 2 Division covers the districts of upper Dibang, lower Dibang, Namsai, Lohit and Anjaw
in Arunachal Pradesh. While Tawang and Kameng area is under the Army’s 4 Corps headquartered at Tezpur, RALP
is under the 3 Corps based at Dimapur.
About Arunachal Pradesh:

Capital: Itanagar (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister: Pema Khandu
Governor: B. D. Mishra
Official animal: Gayal
India, China troops begin disengagement from Gogra-Hotsprings in Ladakh

 Indian and Chinese troops have begun disengaging at Patrolling Pillar (15) in the Gogra-Hotspring region of Eastern
Ladakh, the government said. Forces of the two countries have been locked in a confrontational position in the area
since April 2020. “On 8th September 2022, according to the consensus reached in the 16th round of India China Corps
Commander Level Meeting, the Indian and Chinese troops in the area of Gogra-Hotsprings (PP-15) have begun to
disengage in a coordinated and planned way, which is conducive to the peace and tranquility in the border areas,” a
‘Joint Statement’ issued by the Ministry of Defence said.
 The 16th Corps Commander Level talks were held on July 17 this year at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on
the Indian side.
 In April this year, around the time that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India, the eastern neighbour also
sent a proposal to India about disengagement of troops from Patrolling Point 15 in the Hot Spring Area.
 “Multiple rounds of negotiations have taken place at various levels since then and a mutually agreeable formula of
disengagement has been reached,” a government source said without revealing further details.
 A ‘joint press release’ issued by the Ministry of External Affairs after the 16th Corps Commander level talks had said,
“Building on the progress made at the last meeting on 11 March 2022, the two sides continued discussions for the
resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector in a constructive and forward looking manner.
About China:
President: Xi Jinping
Capital: Beijing
Currency: Renminbi
Official language: Mandarin
55
Targeting to developing 300 Gati Shakti Terminals in next five years: Ashwini Vaishnaw
 The Union Cabinet had approved a policy on long-term leasing of Railways’ land as well as a proposal to develop 300
Gati Shakti cargo terminals over the next five years. A senior official said on Thursday that the Railways expect an
incremental revenue of at least ₹30,000 crore per annum from freight services when 300 Gati Shakti cargo terminals
will be operational.
 The 300 terminals planned by the Union Cabinet are expected to generate employment for 30,000 people directly and
90,000 indirect jobs.
 Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw talking about the achievements of ‘Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT)’
which was launched in December last year, said that the ministry has got a very good response while briefing reporters
on the Cabinet decisions. Vaishnav added, “The target of 300 terminals is a very achievable target. We already have
150 firm proposals, about 93 applications have been received to build terminals and about 65 entities have expressed
their interest.”
 If an economy is served only by roads, its logistics cost is 17-18% of GDP and if it is served 100% by railways the logistics
cost is 6-7%. So the difference is huge.” Noting the benefits railways can provide in cargo, he said, “The railway is
highly economical. If we want to reduce the logistics cost of the country, we need to move cargo away from roads and
to railways. In India this cost is about 13-14% of GDP presently“.
About Indian railways:

Track length: 67.956 million m
Customer service: 139
Founded: 6 May 1836, India
Founders: Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, Jagannath Shankarseth
Chhattisgarh gets two more districts, takes total to 33

 Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the 32nd and 33rd districts of the State. Manendragarh-
Chirmiri-Bharatpur and Sakti were announced as the 32nd and 33rd districts of Chhattisgarh. Sakti is carved out from
Janjgir-Champa, and Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur is carved out from the Koriya district.
 The Chattisgarh Chief Minister said that people have been demanding the creation of the Manendragarh district for
a very long time and it has been a long-term struggle to create Manendragarh as a district. Three new districts have
been inaugurated in Chattisgarh by the Chief Minister. There are now, 33 districts in Chattisgarh including Mohla-
Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, and Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai.
About Chhattisgarh:
Capital: Raipur (Executive Branch)
Governor: Anusuiya Uikey
Chief Minister: Bhupesh Baghel
NITI Aayog, WRI launches e-FAST - India’s first national electric freight platform
 NITI Aayog and World Resources Institute (WRI), launched India’s first National Electric Freight Platform- E-FAST
India (Electric Freight Accelerator for Sustainable Transport-India). The National Electric Freight Platform brings
different stakeholders together with the support of the World Economic Forum, CALSTART, and RMI India.
 The platform aims to raise awareness of freight electrification bolstered by an on-ground demonstration pilot and
evidence-based research.
 The launch of E-Fast India has witnessed participation from major automobile industries, logistics companies,
development banks, and fin-tech companies.
 The TCO Evaluator is an intuitive excel-based application, which helps in analyzing cost components and
performance parameters.
 The parameters included light, medium, and heavy-duty freight and compared electric variants with their diesel,
petrol, and CNG counterparts to identify their impact on TCO per km.
About NITI Aayog:

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Navy launches stealth frigate Taragiri, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders
 ‘Taragiri’, the third stealth frigate of the Indian Navy’s Project 17A, was launched in Mumbai, the Mazagon Dock
Shipbuilders (MDL) said. This ship has been built using an integrated construction methodology which involves hull
block construction in different geographical locations and integration and erection on the slipway at the MDL, it said
in a statement.
 The ship was named by Charu Singh, President, Navy Wives Welfare Association (Western Region), wife of vice
admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, FOC-in-C Western Naval Command, who was the chief guest. The keel of ‘Taragiri’
was laid on September 10, 2020. The ship is expected to be delivered by August 2025, the statement said. The vessel is
being launched with an approximate launch weight of 3,510 tons. The frigate is designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house
design organization, the Bureau of Naval Design.
About Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL):

Headquarters: India
Founded: 1934
Owner: Govt of India (84.83%)
Key people: Narayan Prasad; (Chairman & MD)
Navy launches stealth frigate Taragiri, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders

 ‘Taragiri’, the third stealth frigate of the Indian Navy’s Project 17A, was launched in Mumbai, the Mazagon Dock
Shipbuilders (MDL) said. This ship has been built using an integrated construction methodology which involves hull
block construction in different geographical locations and integration and erection on the slipway at the MDL, it said
in a statement.
 The ship was named by Charu Singh, President, Navy Wives Welfare Association (Western Region), wife of vice
admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, FOC-in-C Western Naval Command, who was the chief guest. The keel of ‘Taragiri’
was laid on September 10, 2020. The ship is expected to be delivered by August 2025, the statement said. The vessel is
being launched with an approximate launch weight of 3,510 tons. The frigate is designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house
design organization, the Bureau of Naval Design.
About Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) :

Headquarters: India
Founded: 1934
Owner: Govt of India (84.83%)
Key people: Narayan Prasad; (Chairman & MD)
NMHC to be built at Lothal in Gujarat

 Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is building the National Maritime Heritage Complex at the historic Indus
Valley civilization region of Lothal in Gujarat with a total cost of 3500 crores rupees. The first-of-its-kind complex in
India, this centre will showcase India’s rich and diverse maritime heritage. The foundation stone for the NMHC
project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the consent for the master plan was given in March 2019.
 The project is planned to be completed in different phases. In phase 1A, a museum will be built with 5 galleries and a
naval gallery on 35 acres of land at an investment of Rs 774.23 crores.
 In phase 1B, the remaining portions of the museum will be built, including galleries, lighthouse, 5D dome theatre,
Bagicha Complex and other infrastructure. This phase is proposed to be developed under EPC mode.
About Gujarat:
Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur inaugurates Ladakh Screenwriters Fair in Leh

 Ladakh Screenwriters Fair: In Leh, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur effectively opened the five-day Ladakh
Screenwriters Fair. Mr. Mathur claimed that Ladakh technologists and content providers are conversant with the
motion picture business. Ladakh, he claimed, has contributed to the industry with its naturally stunning scenery and
rich culture. He urged the attendees to learn from and follow the advice of film industry professionals in order to
portray Ladakh in film media.
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 Screenwriters fair, according to Union Territory Ladakh Secretary Commissioner Padma Angmo, is the outcome of
the LG’s persistent efforts to promote Ladakh-original stories in the Ladakhi language by Ladakhis for consumption
throughout India.
 During the Fair, Satyanshu Singh, Shakun Batra, Abhya Pannu, Shaunak Sen, and Pratyush Parasuram will discuss the
fundamentals of screenwriting, character arc sketches, writing for documentaries, episode writing, OTT, and
marketing.
About Ladakh:
Districts: 2
Administering Country: India
Capitals: Leh, Kargil
Lieutenant Governor: RK Mathur
Chief Minister announces ‘Cinematic Tourism Policy 2022-2027’

 Gujarat Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel has announced Gujarat’s first-ever ‘Cinematic Tourism Policy’ in the presence
of dignitaries including actor Ajay Devgan, and State Government Minister Shri. Purnesh Modi and Shri Arvind
Raiyani. This new policy will create viable opportunities for film production in Gujarat and also provide employment
opportunities to local people. There are many places in Gujarat like the White Desert of Kutch, Shivrajpur Beach
where there are ample opportunities to become shooting spots.
 Four MoUs worth Rs. 1022 crore for investments in various subjects including filmmaking, studio infrastructure,
acting schools in Gujarat were signed by some investors with the tourism department.
About Gujarat:
Kibithu camp renamed after General Rawat

 The military camp at Kibithu Garrison, which is very close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh,
has been renamed as ‘Gen Bipin Rawat military garrison’ in honour of the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
who was killed in a chopper crash last December. As a young Colonel, Rawat commanded his Battalion 5/11 Gorkha
Rifles at Kibithu from 1999-2000 and contributed immensely to strengthening the security structure in the area.
 Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu named the 22 km long road from Walong to Kibithu as ‘General
Bipin Rawat Marg’. A life-size mural of General Rawat was also unveiled on the occasion.
 He hails from Uttarakhand and had received the ‘sword of honour’ when he passed out from the Indian Military
Academy in 1978.
 General Rawat has tremendous hands-on experience of serving in combat areas and at various functional levels in the
Indian Army over the last three decades.
Darjeeling zoo adjudged the best zoo in India

 The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) of Darjeeling has been recognised as the best zoo in the
country.Calcutta’s famous Alipore Zoological Garden has come fourth.
 The ranking list was released by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) during the zoo directors' conference held at
Bhubaneswar in Odisha on September 10.
 “It is a proud moment for us, the state, the West Bengal State Zoo Authority and the senior officers who have been
supporting us continuously,” said Dr Basavaraj Holeyachi, the director of the PNHZP.
About West Bengal:

Capital: Kolkata
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Election Commission of India launches BLO e- Patrika
 The Election Commission of India on Wednesday released a new digital publication ‘BLO e-Patrika’ at an interactive
session held with BLOs spread across the States in India.
 Over 350 BLOs joined via video-conferencing from the office of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) in States/UTs and 50
BLOs from the nearby states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi joined the launch event physically at India Habitat
Centre, New Delhi.
 According to the statement released by the Election Commission, BLOs participated enthusiastically during the
interaction with the Commission sharing their experiences, challenges they come across while performing their duties
and success stories.
 Today’s event was a first-of-its-kind direct interaction by the Commission with the BLOs across the country. Senior
officials from the Election Commission and CEOs of all States (via video conferencing) were present during the event.
About Election Commission of India:

First executive: Sukumar Sen
Preceding executive: Sushil Chandra
Current executive: Rajiv Kumar
Indore to become the country's first "smart City" with digital address
 This year, Indore will create history by implementing a fully digital addressing system, making it the first city in India
to do so. The smart city advanced significantly when a memorandum of understanding was signed with the firm Pataa
Navigations. The Memorandum of Understanding is signed by Rajat Jain, co-founder of Pataa Navigations, and Rishav
Gupta (IAS), CEO of Indore Smart City.
 Pataa has developed patented technology and is working with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to
develop a digital addressing system for the nation.
 Additionally, the user has the option to record voice instructions, which eliminates the need to repeat the address
over the phone and makes it simpler for the guest to find the location. In the future, the user will be able to share a
short code rather than sharing their lengthy and whole address with everybody, which is a huge benefit of anything
like this.
About Madhya Pradesh:

Capital: Bhopal (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Governor: Shri Mangubhai Patel
About Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO):
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Founded: 15 August 1969
Founder: Vikram Sarabhai
Chairman: Shri S. Somanath
Jharkhand Govt Raises OBC Reservations in State Govt Jobs to 27% from 14%
 Jharkhand Government agreed to the proposal for granting 77 percent reservation in state government jobs for the
SC, ST, Backward Classes, and OBC and further economically weaker sections. The chief minister of Jharkhand
Hemant Soren hiked the OBC reservation to 27 percent which was earlier 14 percent. The Jharkhand Government also
accepted the proposal to use the 1932 land records to determine those who are local inhabitants.
 The decision of granting reservation was taken in the backdrop of tribals’ demand that the last land survey is
conducted by the British government in 1932.
 The development came amid a political crisis in Jharkhand over the threats to Chief Minister Hemant Soren of his
disqualification as an MLA.
 The state government will also request the center to the inclusion of the bill in the Ninth schedule of the constitution.
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About Jharkhand:
Founded: 15 November 2000
Capital: Ranchi
Chief Minister: Hemant Soren
Governor: Shri Ramesh Bais
Sikkim govt hikes minimum wage for unskilled workers by 67% to Rs 500
 The Sikkim government hiked the minimum wage for unskilled workers by 67 percent to Rs 500. The daily wage for
unskilled laborers was Rs 300 which is now increased to Rs 500 with retrospective effect from 11th July 2022. The daily
wage for semi-skilled workers was increased from Rs 320 to Rs 520. The skilled laborers or workers will now get Rs
535, which was earlier Rs 335. Highly skilled labor will be paid Rs 565 per day, instead of Rs 365 per day.
 These updated wages will be applicable for laborers who are working at altitudes up to 8,000 feet.
 50 percent more wages will be given to those working at altitudes from 8,001 feet to 12,000 feet.
 The laborers working in the altitudes of 12,001 feet to 16,000 feet will be paid 75 percent more than the normal wage.
About Sikkim:
Capital: Gangtok
Governor: Ganga Prasad
Chief Minister: Prem Singh Tamang
15-day 'Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav' begins on PM Narendra Modi's birthday, Health Minister Mandaviya
donates
 Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched a 15-day blood donation drive on the occasion of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s birthday. The blood donation drive is known as ‘Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav’ which will continue till
1st October 2022 which is National Voluntary Blood Donation Day.
 Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya urges people to take part in the blood donation drive and donate blood to save
lives. The citizens can register themselves on Aarogya Setu App or e-Raktkosh portal to donate blood as part of the
‘Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav’.
 In India, 5,857 camps have been approved, 55,8959 donors have registered and 4000 people have donated blood so
far.
 The drive aims to collect one lakh units of blood in a day and raise awareness about the need for regular non-
remunerated voluntary blood donation.
 The drive will create a repository of voluntary blood donors so that those in need can get help on time and minimize
the need for replacement blood donation. Every blood bank in India is encouraged to organize at least one blood
donation camp as part of the 15-day blood donation drive.
India's first lithium-ion cell factory inaugurated in Andhra Pradesh

 Chennai-based Munoth Industries Ltd (MIL), promoted by Munoth group, is set to commission what it calls India’s
first full-fledged lithium-ion cell manufacturing unit at Electronic Manufacturing Cluster 2 [EMC 2], located at
Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.
 The factory, which will be inaugurated by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship, will commence a pre-production run on September 16. The factory will employ
about 250 workers.
 “This is the first time a real manufacturing operation for lithium-ion cells is happening in the country,” said Jaswant
Munoth, Vice Chairman of Munoth Industries Ltd (MIL), which was earlier engaged in the sales and distribution of
mobile phones.
 The 15,000 sq mt lithium cell factory has come up on a 30-acre site with a Phase-1 investment of ₹165 crore. It will
have an initial capacity of 270 MWh and can produce 20,000 cells of 10Ah capacity every day. The company has
technical tie-ups with China-based Tianjin Lishen and BPI.
About Andhra Pradesh:

Capital: Amaravati
Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
Chief Minister: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
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About Tamil Nadu:
Capital: Chennai
Jitendra Singh to lead delegation for Global Clean Energy Action Forum
 Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh will lead a joint ministerial delegation to the US to participate
in the Global Clean Energy Action Forum.
 The delegation, comprising Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy R K Singh, will also take part in the
joint convening of Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM13) and Mission Innovation (MI-7) from Wednesday through Friday
at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
 The event will bring together thousands of clean energy leaders from around the world, including CEOs, innovators,
young professionals, civil society and ministers from over 30 countries to accelerate clean energy innovation and
deployment.
 The Indian delegation is likely to highlight efforts made in the fields of bio-refineries, sustainable aviation fuels,
materials accelerated platform, building energy efficiency (smart grids), carbon capture, and hydrogen valley
platforms, among others, to expedite clean energy solutions.
About Ministry of Union Science and Technology:

Formed: May 1971
Responsible Minister: Jitendra Singh
Andaman and Nicobar Islands declared India’s first Swachh Sujal Pradesh
 Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has declared Andaman and Nicobar Islands as India’s first
Swachh Sujal Pradesh. Speaking at a function in Port Blair, he handed over the certificate to Lieutenant Governor
Admiral DK Joshi.
 Now, all villages of Andaman and Nicobar Island have been certified as Har Ghar Jal and verified as open defecation
free – ODF plus. Mr Shekhawat congratulated all the islanders for this major achievement and highlighted people
participation to complete this journey.
 He said, being remotely located from the mainland the achievement of the islands will prove to be a source of
inspiration for rest States and Union Territories. This is the best gift for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his
birthday, he added.
About Andaman and Nicobar:

Districts: 3
Country: India
Districts: 3
Capital and largest city: Port Blair
L. Governor: Admiral D K Joshi
Maharashtra to set up NITI aayog-like institution

 Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday announced that an institution on the lines of Niti
Aayog would be set up in the state for comprehensive data analysis and to make studied decisions on various sectors.
 Speaking to reporters here, Fadnavis said, "A delegation led by Chief Minster Eknath Shinde met the chief executive
officer and other officials of the Niti Aayog. It was proposed that an institute of transformation on the lines of Niti
Aayog would be set up to make studied decisions on various sectors. CM Shinde has given an in-principle nod to this
suggestion."
 The topics discussed during the meeting between the chief minister and the NITI Aayog officials ranged from
monetisation of assets, blockchain in agriculture, transportation taking to alternative fuel or EV policy, non-
conventional energy, drone in healthcare and agriculture, among others, he said.
 The NITI Aayog has also carried an extensive study on similar issues and developed a tool, where inter-related data
from various departments is collectively analysed for a better decision-making process.
About Maharashtra:
Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
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Chief Minister: Eknath Shinde
Capital: Mumbai
Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar inaugurates 9 model DDRCs

 Union Social Justice and Empowerment minister Dr. Virendra Kumar virtually inaugurated 9 model District Disability
Rehabilitation centres(DDRC). The minister was inaugurating 9 DDRCs which had been upgrading to model DDRCs.
 The nine DDRCs include: Badaun, Pilibhit, Barielly, Balaghat, Golaghat, Ahmedabad, Amravati, Kullu and Rampur.
 Spread across the country DDRCs have been providing effective rehabilitation services to the persons with
disabilities(PwDs) for the last two decades. To improve their services the Department of Empowerment of Persons
With Disability in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Government of India has conceptualized the
model DDRC model.
 The Model DDRCs will act as milestone in providing quality rehabilitation services to PwDs while setting an example
for newer DDRCs to come in future. They would also have services like hearing aids test lab, speech therapy room,
visual therapy room, psychologist room, physiotherapist room, gait practice parallel bar and tele-medicine.
About Ministry of Social Justice :

Founder: Ministry of Minority Affairs
Officeholders: Virendra Kumar (Union Minister)
BSF's first female camel riding squad ready to be deployed along India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan and
Gujarat
 Border Security Force (BSF) first female camel riding squad will be deployed along the India-Pakistan border in
Rajasthan & Gujarat. The squad will participate for the first time in the BSF Raising Day Parade on 1st December. This
Squad will be the first of its kind in the world. Giving this information, DIG BSF Bikaner, Pushpendra Singh Rathore
said that Intensive training was given to this squad at the Bikaner Regional Headquarters of BSF under the supervision
of skilled trainers.
 The BSF is the only force in the country to have the Camel Contingents and the Camel Mounted Band. BSF,
traditionally known as the ‘first line of defence, the Camel Contingents are used to keep a vigil in the vast expanse of
the Thar Desert.
 The BSF is a central armed police force (CAPF) that functions under the Union government. It was raised in 1965 in
the aftermath of the India-Pakistan war.
About Border Security Force:

Director General: Pankaj Kumar Singh
Founded: 1 December 1965
Headquarters: New Delhi, India
About Rajasthan:
Governor: Kalraj Mishra
Capital: Jaipur (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister: Ashok Gehlot
About Gujarat:
Tamil Nadu notifies Nanjarayan tank as bird sanctuary

 The Tamil Nadu government has notified the Nanjarayan tank in Tiruppur district as the 17th bird sanctuary of the
State.
 In April, Minister for Forests K. Ramachandran said in the Assembly that the tank would be declared a bird sanctuary
and ₹7.5 crore would be allotted for its development.
 On Monday, the Department of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change issued a government order, declaring the
tank as the 17th bird sanctuary under the Wild Life (Protection) Act.
 The tank, locally called Sarkar Periyapalayam tank, lies at the junction of Tiruppur North and Uthukuli taluks,
covering 125.86 hectares. The government has also released the proposed boundaries of the sanctuary.
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 The tank is considered an abode of migratory bird species. Bar-headed goose, ruddy shelduck, northern shoveler and
many other species native to Central Asia are expected to arrive at the tank by October.
About Tamil Nadu:

Capital: Chennai
Adani Green commissions 325-MW wind power project in Madhya Pradesh

 Cementing its presence in renewable energy further, Adani Green commissioned a 325 MW wind energy plant Madhya
Pradesh's Dhar.
 The operational generation capacity has increased to 6.1 GW after the commissioning of this plant, the company said.
 "Adani Wind Energy MP One Private Ltd (AWEMP1PL), a subsidiary of AGEL, has commissioned a 324.4 MW wind
power plant in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh," it said.
 The plant has two 25-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), one for
274.4 MW energy and another for 50 MW power, at a tariff of Rs 2.83 per kwh (kilowatt hour).
 The newly commissioned plant will be managed by the Adani Group's 'Energy Network Operation Centre' platform,
which provides technological assistance.

Governor: Mangubhai Patel
About Adani Green:
CEO: Vneet Jaain (Jul 2020–)
Headquarters: Ahmedabad
Founder: Gautam Adani
India emerges as Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral lender overtaking China

 India has emerged as the largest bilateral lender for Sri Lanka, overtaking China. India has provided a total of 968
million US dollars in loans to the island nation in four months of 2022. In the past five years from 2017-2021, China
has been the largest bilateral lender to Sri Lanka.
 Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been the largest multilateral lender in the past five years and disbursed funds
amounting to 610 million dollars in 2021. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj had said that
India had provided nearly 4 billion dollars in food and financial assistance to Sri Lanka. On August 22, India handed
over 21,000 tonnes of fertilizer to crisis-ridden Sri Lanka.
About China:
Capital: Beijing
Currency: Yuan
TSSC partners Huawei to open Centre of Excellence for IoT in Patna

 The Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC), India’s premier skill development institution for telecom,inaugurated a
Centre of Excellence at NIT Patna for capacity building in the telecom sector with Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.,
under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
 The inauguration was graced by the chief guest Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad (former IT minister) who lauded the efforts
of TSSC, citing the growing economy of states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. The CoE will cater to roles in
Information and Communications Technology, Cyber Security, Electronics and Communication including Technical,
Services and allied fields. This includes job roles for Internet of Things (IoT), Call Centre Executive, ToT, ToA, among
others.
 On the occasion, Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad (former IT minister) said, “TSSC is fulfilling the need of the hour by creating
high-end skill centres to cater to demand from the youth. We need more industry-aligned training to empower our
youth with advanced skills like 5G and IoT. I want to see more being done for the state of Bihar.”
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About Bihar:
Governor: Phagu Chauhan
Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar
Capital: Patna
Union Minister Piyush Goyal concludes two-day visit to Saudi Arabia; discusses bilateral trade, commerce,
and investments linkages
 Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has concluded his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia. Mr Goyal
had visited the country to attend the Ministerial meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. The
outcomes of the Ministerial meeting include streamlining efforts to realize the announcement made by Crown Prince
Mohammad Bin Salman, during his visit to India in February 2019 about investments worth 100 billion dollars in India.
It also includes endorsement of the 41 areas of cooperation identified by the technical teams under domains of
Agriculture and Food Security, Energy, Technology and IT, and Industry and Infrastructure.
 During his two-day visit, Mr Goyal met the Minister of Commerce of Saudi Arabia Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi
and held wide-ranging discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral trade, commerce and investments linkages.
 He also met the President of the Royal Commission of Jubail and Yanbu Khalid Al-Salem and CEO of Saudi EXIM
Bank, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Industry, Saudi Arabia.
About saudi arabia:

Capital: Riyadh
Currency: Saudi riyal
King: Salman of Saudi Arabia
Official language: Arabic
GI tagging of Kashmiri Saffron reaches national and international platforms: Director Agriculture Kashmir
 Farmers in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are now able to sell their products on domestic and
international marketplaces thanks to the GI labelling of Kashmiri saffron. This was said by Chowdhury Mohammad
Iqbal, director of agriculture in Kashmir, who today visited the India International Saffron from Kashmir Trade Centre
in Dussu in the Pampore neighbourhood of the Pulwama district of south Kashmir to see how it was operating there.
 The Director of Agriculture spoke at the event and expressed his satisfaction with IIKSTC’s performance during the
previous two years.
 According to him, more than 3000 kg of fresh saffron flowers from which more than 300 kg of saffron was collected
could be processed in the IIKSTC lab, which the Department has been using on a trial basis for the past two years.
About Jammu and Kashmir:

Capital: Srinagar
LG: Shri Manoj Sinha
India's AIBD presidency extended by another year

 India’s Presidency of the Asia-Pacific Institute of Broadcasting Development (AIBD), has been extended for one more
year. The Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati and Director General of Doordarshan Mayank Kumar Agrawal is
the President of AIBD.
 The decision to extend AIBD was taken at the two-day General Conference of the AIBD held in New Delhi. The
conference was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur.
 The conference was also facilitated by Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, and Apurva
Chandra secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
 Anurag Thakur, the Information and Broadcasting Minister said that mainstream media channel is the biggest threat
to mainstream media.
Bihar Govt to Introduce 'no-bag Day', Compulsory Games Period in Schools

 The Bihar government is set to introduce a “no-bag day” rule in schools and a mandatory games period at least once
a week to reduce the burden on students. The weekly ”no-bag day” will have task-based practical classes. At least once
a week, students will come to school only with their lunch boxes. They do not need to carry books. The day will be
devoted to practical and experiential learning. The objective of such a policy is to engage students in various activities
which can positively impact their learning.
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 School authorities must prepare a curriculum for such activities. This step will certainly bring positive changes among
students, which will also improve their learning ability. Encouraged by the impressive performance of our students
in regional, national and international sporting events, we will introduce a mandatory games period in schools.
 The initiative is in line with the National Education Policy 2020 and will be implemented in both state-run and private
schools. The government will accordingly prepare them for the state, national and international sporting events.
About Bihar:
Capital: Patna
Government of India appoints Ratan Tata, 2 others as trustees of PM CARES Fund

 According to the prime minister’s office, Veteran industrialist Ratan Tata, former Supreme Court judge KT Thomas,
and former deputy Lok Sabha speaker Kariya Munda have been nominated as trustees of the PM CARES Fund. Prime
Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the PM CARES Fund, which was attended by
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
 Both Shah and Sitharaman are the Trustees of PM Cares Fund. During the meeting, Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus,
Tata Sons; Justice KT Thomas, former SC judge, and Kariya Munda, former Deputy speaker appointed as the newly
nominated trustees of the PM CARES Fund.
 The trust further decided to nominate other eminent persons for the constitution of the Advisory Board to the PM
CARES Fund.
 These eminent personalities included: Rajiv Mehrishi, Former Comptroller and Auditor General of India; Sudha
Murthy, Former Chairperson, Infosys Foundation, and Anand Shah, Co-founder of Teach for India and Former CEO
of Indicorps and Piramal Foundation.
Cabinet approves second tranche of PLI scheme to boost manufacturing of solar modules
 The Union cabinet approved the second tranche of the Performance Linked incentive (PLI) scheme on ‘National
programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules’ for achieving manufacturing capacity of Giga Watt (GW) scale to
boost manufacturing of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules in India, Union minister Anurag Thakur announced in a
press briefing.
 With the second tranche of the PLI scheme the government is hoping that about 65GW per annum manufacturing
capacity of fully and partially integrated, solar PV modules would be installed in the country. “The second tranche of
the PLI scheme for the national programme on ‘high efficiency solar PV modules’ has been approved with an outlay
of Rs.19,500 crore. Through this we are looking at achieving manufacturing capacity of Giga Watt (GW) scale in solar
PV modules in India, thereby reducing import dependence in the area of renewable energy.
 The move is significant as at present all manufacturing in the solar energy sector in India is restricted only to cells
and modules. India currently has no manufacturing of solar wafers and polysilicon.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurates Lokmanthan 2022 in Guwahati

 Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the 3rd edition of Lokmanthan organised by Prajna Prabah today, on
September 22. Governor of Assam Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma were also present in
the inaugural session of the 3 days celebration of the Lok Parampara of the nation held at the Sankardev Kalakhetra
premises.
 The third edition of the Lokmanthan is being observed with the theme to seek the cultural and traditional heritages
hidden in the various corners of our country, especially in the North East part of India.
 Speaking at the inaugural function of Lok Manthan 2022 as the chief guest, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said,
“Dialogue, Debate and Discussion are the souls of governance. The contemporaneous scenario on this count,
particularly in the legislature, is worrisome.
About Assam:
Capital: Dispur
Chief Minister: Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor: Prof Jagdish Mukhi
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PM Modi Receives Braille Version Of Assamese Dictionary 'Hemkosh'
 In New Delhi, Jayanta Baruah gave Prime Minister Narendra Modi a copy of the Assamese Dictionary Hemkosh in
Braille. Jayanta Baruah and his colleagues received praise from Mr. Modi for their efforts. Assamese Dictionary
Hemkosh was one of the first Assamese dictionaries, published in the nineteenth century. Sarbananda Sonowal, the
minister for ports, shipping, and waterways, as well as other officials, were present on this occasion.
 The earliest Assamese etymological dictionary based on Sanskrit spellings is called Assamese Dictionary Hemkosh
and was created by Hemchandra Barua. 33 years after the release of Bronson’s dictionary, it was first published in the
early 20th century under the direction of Capt. P. R. Gordon, ISC, and Hemchandra Goswami. There were around
22,346 words in it.
About Assam:
Capital: Dispur
Chief Minister: Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma
Veteran Assamese swimmer Elvis Ali Hazarika becomes the first from North East to cross North Channel
 Veteran Assamese swimmer, Elvis Ali Hazarika has become the first from the North East to cross the North Channel.
The North Channel is the strait between north-eastern Northern Ireland and south-western Scotland. Elvis and his
team clocked a timing of 14 hours 38 minutes to achieve this feat. With this, Elvis has become the oldest Indian
swimmer to cross the North Channel.
 According to the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association, the distance of the route recognised as a North Channel
swim is 34.5 km (21.4 miles). It is known for fickle weather, rough seas, tough currents and an abundance of jellyfish.
As it is, over the past four years especially, the ace Assam swimmer has been pushing his limits, persevering and
raising the bar from time to time to create significant records, also making Assam and the country proud.
About Assam:
Capital: Dispur
Chief Minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Karnataka man gets India's first full-arm transplant at Kerala hospital

 India’s first full arm transplant was performed at the Kerala-based Amrita Hospital. 20 surgeons, 10 anesthetists, and
5 practice sessions were performed which took 18 hours of surgery. It is the third of its type in the world, such a
transplant was only performed previously in Mexico and France.
 After receiving several requests for limb transplants from across the world, which includes several parts of Middle
Eastern countries and southeast Asian Countries, Amrita Hospital in Kochi accepted the request to perform a shoulder
level full arm transplant.
 First request was accepted from Amaresh, who is an unmarried man, he suffered a severe injury in 2017 due to electric
shock while repairing charged electric cables. His hands sustained several fractures and electric burns.
 Both his hands were amputated to save his life. He waited for a suitable donor for years, and Vinod agreed to donate
his hands. Vinod is a 54-year-old man working in West Asia, he met an accident and suffered serious injuries, and lost
his life in Thiruvananthapuram.
About Karnataka:
Governor: Thawar Chand Gehlot
Capital: Bengaluru (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister: Basavaraj Bommai
About Kerala:
'Make in India' completes 8 years, annual FDI doubles to USD 83 billion

 Make in India, the flagship program of the Government of India that aspires to facilitate investment, foster innovation,
enhance skill development, and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure, completes 8 years of path-breaking
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reforms on . Launched in 2014 under the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, ‘Make in India’ is transforming the
country into a leading global manufacturing and investment destination. The initiative is an open invitation to
potential investors and partners across the globe to participate in the growth story of ‘New India’. Make In India has
substantial accomplishments across 27 sectors. These include strategic sectors of manufacturing and services as well.
 To attract foreign investments, Government of India has put in place a liberal and transparent policy wherein most
sectors are open to FDI under the automatic route. FDI inflows in India stood at US $ 45.15 billion in 2014-2015 and
have since consecutively reached record FDI inflows for eight years. The year 2021-22 recorded the highest ever FDI
at $83.6 billion. This FDI has come from 101 countries, and invested across 31 UTs and States and 57 sectors in the
country. On the back of economic reforms and Ease of Doing Business in recent years, India is on track to attract US$
100 Bn FDI in the current FY.
 Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme across 14 key manufacturing sectors, was launched in 2020-21 as a big boost
to Make in India initiative.
About Make in India:

Launch year: 2014
Status: Active
Launched by (Prime minister): Narendra Modi
Ministry: Ministry of Finance
Key people: Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)
5G services to be launched 'very soon': Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

 IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government is investing nearly $30 billion to ensure last-mile network
accessibility for 4G and 5G in every village across the country and build a robust digital infrastructure in the rural
areas. Speaking at the ‘Global Fintech Fest 2022‘, Vaishnaw said the government has reached out to over 1.5 lakh gram
panchayats to date.
 “We are now creating a whole ecosystem of village entrepreneurs, channelising the energies of youngsters to take
good quality, high-speed data connectivity to every village in the country while making them a part of the growth
journey,” the minister emphasised. “We have tested this model and approximately 80,000 new connections are now
being facilitated every month,” he added.
 Vaishnaw said there are three key areas in fintech for the government – building a robust digital infrastructure and a
digital regulatory framework, along with social inclusion and the societal imperatives around it. Sharing his views on
the digital regulatory framework, the minister said that telecom is the very foundation of Digital India.
Mandaviya to inaugurate Arogya Manthan 2022 as AB-PMJAY completes 4 years

 Arogya Manthan 2022 event was officially launched by the Union Health Minister in Government of India, Dr.
Mansukh Mandaviya to commemorate four years since the launch of the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan
Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and one year since the launch of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
 More than 10 crore impoverished people are intended to benefit from the programme, which offers vulnerable families
a five lakh rupee health subsidy each year.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2018 announced its debut.This two-day Arogya Manthan 2022 event
covered a total of 12 sessions.
 Day 1 of Arogya Manthan 2022 featured a number of sessions on topics like Universal Health Coverage in India,
Promoting Interoperability in Digital Health, Improving PM-JAY Efficiency, Adoption of Digital Health, Health
Technology Assessment for Evidence-Informed PM-JAY Decisions, and Privacy and Security Issues Related to Digital
Health.
 Senior government representatives from the states and UTs, as well as Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, MoS
Health Dr. Bharati Pravin, and NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr. VK Paul.
Chandigarh airport to be named after Bhagat Singh

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Sunday during his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programme that the
Chandigarh international airport would be named after freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. The announcement came three
days before the martyr’s birth anniversary Wednesday, September 28, ending a seven-year standoff between the
Punjab and Haryana governments over the naming of the airport.
 Earlier, Haryana had objected that the airport should be named after Chandigarh only as it is the joint capital of both
states. Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had agreed with Punjab to name the airport after
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Bhagat Singh but after the BJP, led by Manohar Lal Khattar, took over the reins in Haryana, in 2015, he put forth his
view that it should be named after an RSS ideologue Mangel Sen.
 The Punjab Vidhan Sabha in 2017 passed a resolution that the airport should be named after Bhagat Singh and this
led to a debate.
About Punjab:
Capital: Chandigarh
Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
Chief Minister: Bhagwant Mann
About Haryana:
Capital: Chandigarh
Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya
Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
Jitendra Singh announces ‘One Week One Lab’ campaign to showcase breakthroughs in CSIR Labs
 Union Minister of state for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday announced ‘One Week One Lab’
theme-based campaign to showcase the technological breakthroughs and innovations in CSIR laboratories/institutes
across the country on Monday.
 Addressing the first CSIR Leadership Meet, the minister said that the legacy of CSIR is built on the cumulative
contribution of its national laboratories and institutes. “Each laboratory of CSIR is unique and specializing in as
diverse areas as genomics to geology, material technology and food to fuel."
 Singh added that the laboratories came together during the COVID pandemic last year. They developed several
technologies that helped India's fight against COVID. “CSIR breakthroughs in areas like Drone, Heliborne technology,
state of the art Sewage cleaning machines, Aroma Mission has opened up huge opportunities for developing
meaningful and equal stake partnership among Research, Academia and Industry."
About Council for Industry and Scientific Research (CSIR):
President: Narendra Modi
Founded: 26 September 1942
Founders: Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar, Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar
‘Mission safeguarding’ wins global recognition for CIAL

 Cochin International Airport Ltd has won the Airport Service Quality award-2022 instituted by Airport Council
International (ACI) for its meticulous implementation of a programme ‘Mission Safeguarding’ in 2021-22. It ensured
seamless traffic and reinforced passenger satisfaction in the aftermath of the pandemic.
 CIAL has won the recognition in 5-15 million passenger category of airports operating in the Asia-Pacific region. ACI
award is recognised as the highest honour in the global aviation sector, owing to its extensive survey methodology
practices.
About Cochin International Airport Ltd:

Founded: 1994
About Airports Council International (ACI):
Headquarters location: Montreal, Canada
Founded: 1991
Centre launches Jaldoot app to capture groundwater levels across the country
 In front of Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and MoS Panchayati Raj Kapil Moreshwar Patil, the JALDOOT App
and JALDOOT App e-brochure was introduced by MoS for Rural Development and Steel Faggan Singh Kulaste.
Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Rural Development collaborated to develop the JALDOOT app. Gram Rojgar
Sahyak will be able to use the app to measure the water level of the well twice a year, before and after the monsoon.
 Speaking to the crowd at the app launch event, Faggan Singh Kulaste urged the state governments, UTs, and gramme
panchayats to use the newly released JALDOOT App to engage in systematic ground water level data collection and
assimilation into a central digital database for analysis.
 The ground water level in several sections of the country has decreased despite efforts to promote watershed
development, afforestation, waterbody development and maintenance, and measures like rainwater collecting.
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 This JALDOOT App will make it easier to monitor water tables across the nation, and the information gathered can
be used for the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA Plans and Gram Panchayat Development Plans.
 This JALDOOT App will be used all throughout the nation to record the water level of a village’s chosen one to three
wells.
 The pre-monsoon water level in open wells will be manually measured from May 1 to May 31 and the post-monsoon
level for the same well will be manually monitored from October 1 to October 31.
About NREGA:
Launch year: 2006
Sector: Rural Employment
Launched by (prime minister): Manmohan Singh
Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development
Passed: 23 August 2005
President Murmu inaugurates cryogenic engine manufacturing facility in Bengaluru

 Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) integrated cryogenic engine manufacturing facility was inaugurated in
Bengaluru by Indian President Smt. Droupadi Murmu. On this occasion, President Droupadi Murmu virtually lay the
cornerstone for the South Zone Zonal Institute of Virology.
 Speaking to the crowd, the President declared that the opening of the Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing
Facility is a historic occasion for not only HAL and ISRO but also for the entire nation, as it provides access to a
cutting-edge facility for the production of cryogenic and semi-cryogenic engines.
 Droupadi Murmu praised Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by saying that HAL has made a significant
contribution to India’s defence independence.
 HAL has arguably been the driving force behind events. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has repeatedly shown
that it is capable of doing research, developing, and producing a variety of Aircraft Platforms.
 According to the President, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and ISRO work jointly to advance and defend
strategic interests.
About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL):

Founded: 1963, Bengaluru
Founder: Walchand Hirachand
About ISRO:
Jurisdiction: India
Parent organization: Department of Space
Subsidiary: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
About Karnataka:
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INTERNATIONAL
US warships sail through Taiwan Strait for first time since Pelosi `visit
 Two U.S. Navy warships sailed through international waters in the Taiwan Strait, the first such operation since a visit
to Taiwan by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi enraged China which regards the island as its territory. The U.S. Navy,
said cruisers Chancellorsville and Antietam were carrying out the ongoing operation. Such operations usually take
eight to 12 hours to complete and are closely monitored by China’s military.
 For nearly 70 years an imagined line running down the Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and China has helped keep the
peace but the so-called median line is looking increasingly meaningless as China’s modernised navy asserts its
strength. China has never officially recognised the line that a U.S. general devised in 1954 at the height of Cold War
hostility between Communist China and U.S.-backed Taiwan although the People’s Liberation Army largely respected
it.
 Taiwan would have to react militarily if Chinese forces entered its 12 nautical miles of territorial waters, the Taiwan
official said, but apart from that, there was no immediate plan to give the military or coastguard more authority to
respond. President Tsai Ing-wen has repeatedly said Taiwan will neither provoke nor escalate conflict.
 The Taiwan Strait is some 180 km (110 miles) wide and at its narrowest, the median line is about 40 km (25 miles) from
Taiwan’s waters.
About United States:

President: Joe Biden
Capital: Washington, D.C.
Currency: United States Dollar
About China:
Capital: Beijing
Currency: Renminbi
About Taiwan:
Capital: Taipei City
President: Tsai Ing-wen
Currency: New Taiwan dollar
Official language: Mandarin Chinese
Solomon Islands to ban foreign navy ships following China pact

 After refusing access to US and UK ships to its ports earlier this month, the Solomon Islands has now temporarily
halted all naval visits. The Pacific Island country’s Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare made the announcement hours
after the US embassy in Canberra, Australia said it had been informed that US Navy ships would be barred from
docking in the country’s ports. Observers believe that the country’s move is a departure from the norm and raises
concerns about China’s growing influence in the country and the region at large.
 Earlier this year, the Solomon Islands established a security agreement with China, saying it needed Beijing’s
assistance with its domestic security situation. But the announcement had rattled the US, Australia and others in the
Indo-Pacific region. The concerns were that the agreement could potentially “lead to a Chinese military base on the
island nation, and the power-projection capabilities the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would gain as a result”,
according to a report by The Brookings Institution.
 There is no dispute that China has been rapidly increasing its presence and influence in the region for over three
decades, particularly in the South Pacific. According to a report by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Beijing
“views the Pacific Island region as an important component of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
About China:
Capital: Beijing
Currency: Renminbi
About US:
70
Attorney general: Merrick Garland
About UK:
Prime minister: Boris Johnson
Capital: London
Currency: Pound sterling
IMF-Sri Lanka reach staff level agreement, Fund provisionally agrees on $2.9 billion loan
 Bankrupt Sri Lanka agreed a conditional $2.9 billion bailout with International Monetary Fund negotiators, as the
island nation seeks to overcome a bruising economic crisis that saw its president flee the country. Months of acute
food, fuel and medicine shortages, extended blackouts and runaway inflation have plagued the country after it ran
out of dollars to finance even the most essential imports.
 The Extended Fund Facility will support Sri Lanka’s program to restore macroeconomic stability and debt
sustainability, the IMF said in a statement Thursday. The 48-month program will be subject to approval by IMF
management and the board. The South Asian nation is grappling with its worst economic crisis since independence
alongside a political turmoil that led to the formation of a new government. Dwindling foreign-exchange reserves,
crippling shortages of essential items and Asia’s fastest inflation have hammered the $81 billion economy.
 IMF’s senior mission chief Peter Breuer said a timeline for the loan disbursement would be difficult to ascertain. He
also reinforced the need for urgent, short-term support for Sri Lanka to avert a humanitarian crisis.
 Sri Lanka must implement major tax reforms including making personal income tax more progressive while
broadening tax base for corporate income tax and VAT to meet a primary surplus of 2.3% of GDP by 2025
 Reduce corruption vulnerabilities by improving fiscal transparency and public financial management.
 Ahead of the IMF pact, Sri Lanka increased the value-added tax to 15% from 12% starting Sept. 1 and unveiled plans
earlier this week to boost revenue to 15% of gross domestic product by 2025, reduce debt-to-GDP ratio to 100%, hit a
5% economic growth over the medium term and cool inflation that has accelerated above 60% to below 10%.
About Sri Lanka:

Capitals: Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
President: Ranil Wickremesinghe
Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
Prime Minister: Dinesh Gunawardena
Official languages: Sinhala, Tamil
About International Monetary Fund (IMF):
Founded: July 1944, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, United States
Founders: John Maynard Keynes, Harry Dexter White
Managing Director: Kristalina Georgieva
G7 agrees to implement price cap on Russian oil, seeks inputs from all countries
 Members of the G7 have agreed to impose a price cap on Russian oil in a bid to hit Moscow’s ability to finance the
war in Ukraine. The cap on crude oil and petroleum products would also help reduce global energy prices. The cap
will be set at a level based on a range of technical inputs. “We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it
takes,” the G7 said. Russia said it would stop selling oil to countries that imposed price caps. “Companies that impose
a price cap will not be among the recipients of Russian oil,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The G7 (Group
of Seven) consists of the UK, US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. The group is an organisation of the world’s
seven largest “advanced” economies, which dominate global trade and the international financial system.
 The introduction of a price cap on Russian oil means countries that sign up to the policy will only be permitted to
purchase Russian oil and petroleum products transported via sea that are sold at or below the price cap. In the
aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine the price of oil soared and has remained at high levels, meaning Russia has
increase its revenues from the fossil fuel despite its export volumes falling.
 China and India – major trading partners for Russia – may not follow G7 policy on Russian oil, analysts say. They have
not joined the Western sanctions targeting Russia.
71
About G7:
Founded: 1975
Founded at: Washington, D.C.
G7 Member countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
About Russia:
President: Vladimir Putin
Capital: Moscow
Currency: Russian ruble
Prime Minister: Mikhail Mishustin
India to host Quad Senior Official Meeting Next Week amidst Taiwan tensions
 The first such Senior Official Meeting after the tensions over Taiwan Strait will be hosted by New Delhi, an official-
level meeting of the Quad grouping with the U.S., Japan and Australia next week. The Quad Meeting that is scheduled
on Sept 5-6 will be organised with India’s Indo-Pacific partners in the week. It is seen as the government’s “balancing”
moves for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit that is to be held in Uzbekistan in mid-
September.
 SCO Summit is the first such in-person meeting after Covid 19 and the beginning of the Ukraine War and it will be
attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with leaders from the countries, Russia, China, Pakistan, Central
Asia and Iran. U.S. Assistant Secretary of States for South and Central Asia Donald Lu will be leading the American
delegation to discuss bilateral issues. On the other hand, the Director General of the Foreign Policy Bureau in Japan’s
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Keiichi Ichikawa will attend the meetings.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join US President Joe Biden and prime ministers of Australia and Japan at a summit
of the Quad leaders in Tokyo on May 24 which is taking place amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Making the
announcement of Modi’s participation at the summit, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said
Modi will also have bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
About Taiwan:
The Markham City of Canada Has Named a Street after the Internationally Acclaimed Music Composer AR
Rahman
 Oscar-winning music icon, AR Rahman recently had the honour of getting Canada’s Markham city’s street named
after him. He is one of the most loved musicians worldwide. Known as the ‘Mozart of Madras, Rahman has delivered
several hit songs and compositions which will be remembered eternally. He had started his career with Mani Ratnam‘s
Roja and has only excelled since then. Some of his hit and award-winning compositions include Dil Se, Jai Ho, Ek Ho
Gaye Hum Aur Tum, Rang De Basanti, and Ay Hairathe among many more.
 Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian film composer, record producer, singer and songwriter who works predominantly
in Indian cinema (particularly Tamil and Hindi films) and occasionally international cinema.
 In 2010, the Indian government awarded him the Padma Bhushan, the nation’s third-highest civilian award. Among
Rahman’s awards are six National Film Awards, two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a
Golden Globe Award, fifteen Filmfare Awards and seventeen Filmfare Awards South.
About Canada:
Queen: Queen Elizabeth II
Capital: Ottawa
Currency: Canadian dollar
Official languages: French, English
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to begin visit to Mongolia on September 5

 Defence Minister to hold bilateral talks to further consolidate defence cooperation between the two countries. He
will also travel to Japan for the 2+2 Ministerial dialogue. In a first, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled
to visit to Mongolia from September 5 to 7. “The upcoming visit is the first ever visit by an Indian Defence Minister
to Mongolia and will further consolidate the defence cooperation and strategic partnership between the two
countries,” the Defence Ministry said. He is also scheduled travel to Japan for the 2+2 Ministerial dialogue.
72
 During the visit, Mr. Singh will hold bilateral talks with his Mongolian counterpart Lt Gen. Saikhanbaya and also call
on the President of Mongolia, U. Khurelsukh and Chairman of the State Great Khural of Mongolia, G. Zandanshatar.
“During the bilateral talks, the two Defence Ministers shall review the bilateral defence cooperation between India
and Mongolia, and explore new initiatives to further strengthen bilateral engagements.
 In Japan, Mr. Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will join their Japanese counterparts under the
framework of ‘2+2’ foreign and defence ministerial dialogue, people familiar with the matter said on Sunday. The
dialogue is taking place over five months after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited India for the annual
India-Japan summit.
 India has the ‘2+2’ ministerial format of dialogue with very few countries including the U.S., Japan, Australia and
Russia.
About Mongolia:
Capital: Ulaanbaatar
Currency: Mongolian tögrög
President: Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh
Official language: Mongolian
About Ministry of defence:
Officeholder: Rajnath Singh (Minister)
Formed: 1776; 246 years ago (as Military Department); 15 August 1947; 75 years ago (as Ministry of Defence)
Annual budget: ₹525,166 crore (US$66 billion) (2022–23)
Liz Truss To Be UK's 3rd Woman Prime Minister

 Liz Truss: Mary Elizabeth Truss, a British politician who was born on July 26, 1975, is now the leader of the
Conservative Party and is slated to become prime minister of the UK on September 6, 2022.
 Since 2021, she has held the positions of Minister for Women and Equalities and Secretary of State for Foreign,
Commonwealth, and Development Affairs.
 Liz Truss is a Conservative Party member and has served as the South West Norfolk MP since 2010.
 Under Prime Ministers Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and David Cameron, she held a number of Cabinet positions.
 Liz Truss won the South West Norfolk district in the general election of 2010.
 Liz Truss prior to being named by Cameron to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for the Environment, Food, and Rural
Affairs during the 2014 cabinet reshuffle, Truss served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Childcare and
Education from 2012 to 2014.
 In December 2021, she was named the government’s principal negotiator with the EU and UK chair of the EU-UK
Partnership Council.
 Johnson resigned, and Truss was elected leader of the Conservative Party in 2022.
About United Kingdom:
Prime minister: Boris Johnson
Capital: London
Sri Lanka at critical juncture: UN report urges progress on accountability, institutional and security sector
reforms
 The United Nations Human Rights Council on May 27 passed a deeply flawed resolution on Sri Lanka that ignores
calls for an international investigation into alleged abuses during recent fighting and other pressing human rights
concerns, Human Rights Watch said. The council held a special session on May 26 and 27, 2009, on the human rights
situation in Sri Lanka, a decade after the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by government forces.
 The resolution passed with 29 votes in favor, 12 against, and 6 abstentions. It largely commends the Sri Lankan
government for its current policies and fails to address serious allegations of violations of human rights and
humanitarian law by government forces, focusing only on the abuses committed by the LTTE.
 Human Rights Watch said that Brazil, Cuba, India, and Pakistan led efforts to prevent the passage of a stronger
resolution that was put forward by the 17 members of the council that convened the Special Session: Argentina,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Mauritius, Mexico, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Slovakia,
South Korea, Switzerland, Ukraine, Uruguay, and the United Kingdom.
73
About United Nations:
Founded: 24 October 1945, San Francisco, California, United States
Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
Secretary General: António Guterres
About Sri Lanka:
Capitals: Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
President: Ranil Wickremesinghe
Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
Prime Minister: Dinesh Gunawardena
Official languages: Sinhala, Tamil
In Kyiv, Blinken unveils $2 billion in U.S. military aid for Europe

 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unscheduled visit to Kyiv, as the Biden administration announced
major new military aid worth more than $2 billion for Ukraine and other European countries threatened by Russia.
In meetings with senior Ukrainian officials, Blinken said the Biden administration had notified Congress of its intent
to provide $2 billion in long-term Foreign Military Financing to Ukraine and 18 of its neighbors, including NATO
members and regional security partners, that are “most potentially at risk for future Russian aggression.”
 Pending expected congressional approval, about $1 billion of that will go to Ukraine and the rest will be divided among
Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova,
Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, the State Department said.
 Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, allows recipients to purchase U.S.-made defense equipment, often depending on
their specific needs. The financing comes on top of a $675 million package of heavy weaponry, ammunition and
armored vehicles for Ukraine alone that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced earlier Thursday at a conference
in Ramstein, Germany.
 NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukraine’s defense minister as well as officials from allied countries.
This contributions bring total U.S. aid to Ukraine to $15.2 billion since Biden took office.

Headquarters: New York, United States
About NATO:
Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Founded: 4 April 1949, Washington, D.C., United States
Secretary General: Jens Stoltenberg
Mongolian President Gifts Horse to Rajnath Singh

 The first Indian Defence Minister to visit Mongolia, Rajnath Singh was gifted a majestic horse “Tejas” by President
Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. Seven years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a similar gift from the leadership
of this country. In 2015, Prime Minister Modi received a special gift a brown racehorse from his then Mongolian
counterpart Chimed Saikhanbileg during his historic visit to this country. The horse was named Kanthaka’.
 Defence Minister Singh is on a five-day visit to Mongolia and Japan with an aim to expand India’s strategic and defence
ties with the two countries in the backdrop of evolving regional security matrix and geo-political turmoil.
 The Mongolian President expressed satisfaction with the expansion of relations and cooperation with India,
Mongolia’s important third neighbour while pointing out that the official visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to
Mongolia in 2015, and the ongoing visit of the Defence Minister Singh are important impetus for further development.
 Mongolia is known as the land of the horse, according to the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).
About Mongolia:
Capital: Ulaanbaatar
Currency: Mongolian tögrög
President: Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh
Official language: Mongolian
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US approves $450 million F-16 fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan
 The Biden Administration has approved a whopping USD 450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme
to Pakistan. As a notification to the US Congress, the State Department has made a determination approving a
possible foreign military sale of F-16 case for sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 450
million, arguing that this will sustain Islamabad’s capability to meet current and future counterterrorism threats by
maintaining its F-16 fleet.
 This is the first major security assistance to Pakistan after Trump in 2018 had announced to stop all defense and
security assistance to Pakistan alleging that Islamabad was not a partner in its fight against terrorism.
 Pakistan is an important counterterrorism partner, and as part of longstanding policy, the United States provides life
cycle maintenance and sustainment packages for US-origin platforms,” a State Department spokesperson said.
“Pakistan’s F-16 programme is an important part of the broader United States-Pakistan bilateral relationship.
 According to the Congressional notification, the proposed sale does not include any new capabilities, weapons, or
munitions. It said that Pakistan has requested to consolidate prior F-16 sustainment and support cases to support the
Pakistan Air Force F-16 fleet by reducing duplicate case activities and adding additional continued support elements.

About Pakistan:
Prime Minister: Shehbaz Sharif
Capital: Islamabad
Currency: Pakistani rupee
President: Arif Alvi
Passenger vehicle dispatches rise 21% in August as chip supply improves

 Passenger vehicle wholesales in India witnessed a 21 per cent annual growth in August, riding on improved supplies
of semiconductors and festive demand, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. As per the
latest data released by industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), passenger vehicle (PV)
dispatches to dealers stood at 2,81,210 units last month, against 2,32,224 units in August 2021. Passenger car wholesales
were up 23 per cent at 1,33,477 units last month, as against 1,08,508 units in the year-ago period, SIAM said.
 Utility vehicle dispatches were higher by 20 per cent at 1,35,497 units in August, as compared to 1,12,863 units in the
same month a year ago. Similarly, total two-wheeler wholesales increased to 15,57,429 units last month, compared to
13,38,740 units in the year-ago period, a growth of 16 per cent. Motorcycle wholesales grew by 23 per cent at 10,16,794
units in August 2022, as compared to 8,25,849 units in the year-ago month. Scooter sales were higher by 10 per cent
at 5,04,146 units last month, as against 4,60,284 units in August 2021, SIAM said.
 The increase in dispatches from manufacturers to their dealers comes on the back of improvement in semiconductor
shortage issues and also preparation to meet festive season demand.
North Korea's New Law Allows For Nuclear 1st Strike, Makes Policy "Irreversible"
 North Korea passes law regarding Nuclear Strikes: North Korea has approved a law that gives it the authority to launch
a nuclear attack in advance. With the recently passed law, North Korea’s status as a nuclear weapons state has become
irreversible. North Korea, this year tested a record number of weapons, including an intercontinental ballistic missile.
 According to the law, among other things, the North may use nuclear weapons in the event of a nuclear or non-
nuclear attack by hostile forces against the state’s leadership and the command structure of its nuclear forces.
 Since 2019, discussions on sanctions relief and what Pyongyang would be ready to give up in exchange have stalled
nuclear negotiations and diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang.
About North Korea:

Supreme leader: Kim Jong-un
President: Yoon Suk-yeol
Capital: Pyongyang
Currency: North Korean won
Premier: Kim Tok-hun
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PM Modi, Russian Prez Putin, China's Xi to attend SCO Samarkand summit: Uzbekistan
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to travel to Samarkand in Uzbekistan for the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation summit on September 15 and 16. This will be the first in-person summit after June 2019 when the SCO
summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The Prime Minister, sources said, is likely to reach Samarkand on September
14 and return on September 16, according to the current travel schedule.
 India’s presence at the summit is important because it will assume the rotational presidency of the SCO at the end of
the Samarkand summit. Delhi will hold the presidency of the grouping for a year until September 2023. So, next year,
India will host the SCO summit which will be attended, among others, by leaders of China, Russia, Pakistan.
 Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian
President Ebrahim Raisi are among the leaders expected at the summit.
About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO):

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Founders: China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
Secretary-General: Zhang Ming
About Uzbekistan:
Capital: Tashkent
Currency: Uzbekistani sum
President: Shavkat Mirziyoyev
Official language: Uzbek
Bangladesh PM's India visit promises to take bilateral ties to new heights
 Ever since the Liberation War in 1971, Bangladesh and India have shared a special relationship not only due to their
geographical boundaries, but also largely owing to their shared cultural, linguistic and historical connections. India,
during the war for liberation of the Bangladeshi nation, provided much of the required humanitarian as well as
militaristic support which was so duly needed at the time. Both the countries since then, have shared a gigantic 4000
km long border which makes Bangladesh India’s longest land sharing neighbour in the South Asian region.
 Bangladesh’s current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently described the India-Bangladesh bilateral relations as a
‘role model of good neighbourhood diplomacy’. This statement hence came as an assertion of the long-shared
friendship the two nations have had for the past five decades.
 India, on the other hand, was amongst the first countries in the world to establish its diplomatic relations with the
newly independent nation in December of 1971.
 In 1972 a bilateral Joint River Commission was set up between the two to maintain mutual contact in order to
maximize benefits for the shared river systems.
About Bangladesh:
Capital: Dhaka
Currency: Bangladeshi taka
Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina
President: Mohammad Abdul Hamid
Official language: Bengali
9/11 attacks reverberate as US marks 21st anniversary, people pay tribute

 Americans remembered 9/11 on 11th Sept with readings of victims’ names, volunteer work and other tributes 21 years
after the deadliest terror attack on US soil. A tolling bell and a moment of silence began the commemoration at
ground zero in New York, where the World Trade Center’s twin towers were destroyed by the hijacked-plane attacks
of Sept. 11, 2001. Victims’ relatives and dignitaries also convened at the two other attack sites, the Pentagon and a field
in Pennsylvania.
 It also stirred for a time a sense of national pride and unity for many, while subjecting Muslim Americans to years of
suspicion and bigotry and engendering debate over the balance between safety and civil liberties.
 President Joe Biden plans to speak and lay a wreath at the Pentagon, while first lady Jill Biden is scheduled to speak
in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where one of the hijacked planes went down after passengers and crew members tried
to storm the cockpit as the hijackers headed for Washington. Al-Qaida conspirators had seized control of the jets to
76
use them as passenger-filled missiles. Vice President Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff joined the observance
at the National Sept.

North Korea's New Law Allows For Nuclear 1st Strike, Makes Policy "Irreversible"
 North Korea passes law regarding Nuclear Strikes: North Korea has approved a law that gives it the authority to launch
a nuclear attack in advance. With the recently passed law, North Korea’s status as a nuclear weapons state has become
irreversible. North Korea, this year tested a record number of weapons, including an intercontinental ballistic missile.
 According to the law, among other things, the North may use nuclear weapons in the event of a nuclear or non-
nuclear attack by hostile forces against the state’s leadership and the command structure of its nuclear forces.
 Since 2019, discussions on sanctions relief and what Pyongyang would be ready to give up in exchange have stalled
nuclear negotiations and diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang.
About North Korea:

Supreme leader: Kim Jong-un
President: Yoon Suk-yeol
Capital: Pyongyang
Currency: North Korean won
Premier: Kim Tok-hun
PM Modi, Russian Prez Putin, China's Xi to attend SCO Samarkand summit: Uzbekistan
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to travel to Samarkand in Uzbekistan for the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation summit on September 15 and 16. This will be the first in-person summit after June 2019 when the SCO
summit was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The Prime Minister, sources said, is likely to reach Samarkand on September
14 and return on September 16, according to the current travel schedule.
 India’s presence at the summit is important because it will assume the rotational presidency of the SCO at the end of
the Samarkand summit. Delhi will hold the presidency of the grouping for a year until September 2023. So, next year,
India will host the SCO summit which will be attended, among others, by leaders of China, Russia, Pakistan.
 Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian
President Ebrahim Raisi are among the leaders expected at the summit.

About Uzbekistan:
Capital: Tashkent
Currency: Uzbekistani sum
Bangladesh PM's India visit promises to take bilateral ties to new heights
 Ever since the Liberation War in 1971, Bangladesh and India have shared a special relationship not only due to their
geographical boundaries, but also largely owing to their shared cultural, linguistic and historical connections. India,
during the war for liberation of the Bangladeshi nation, provided much of the required humanitarian as well as
militaristic support which was so duly needed at the time. Both the countries since then, have shared a gigantic 4000
km long border which makes Bangladesh India’s longest land sharing neighbour in the South Asian region.
 Bangladesh’s current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently described the India-Bangladesh bilateral relations as a
‘role model of good neighbourhood diplomacy’. This statement hence came as an assertion of the long-shared
friendship the two nations have had for the past five decades.
77
 India, on the other hand, was amongst the first countries in the world to establish its diplomatic relations with the
newly independent nation in December of 1971.
 In 1972 a bilateral Joint River Commission was set up between the two to maintain mutual contact in order to
maximize benefits for the shared river systems.
About Bangladesh:
Capital: Dhaka
Currency: Bangladeshi taka
Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina
President: Mohammad Abdul Hamid
Official language: Bengali
9/11 attacks reverberate as US marks 21st anniversary, people pay tribute

 Americans remembered 9/11 on 11th Sept with readings of victims’ names, volunteer work and other tributes 21 years
after the deadliest terror attack on US soil. A tolling bell and a moment of silence began the commemoration at
ground zero in New York, where the World Trade Center’s twin towers were destroyed by the hijacked-plane attacks
of Sept. 11, 2001. Victims’ relatives and dignitaries also convened at the two other attack sites, the Pentagon and a field
in Pennsylvania.
 It also stirred for a time a sense of national pride and unity for many, while subjecting Muslim Americans to years of
suspicion and bigotry and engendering debate over the balance between safety and civil liberties.
 President Joe Biden plans to speak and lay a wreath at the Pentagon, while first lady Jill Biden is scheduled to speak
in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where one of the hijacked planes went down after passengers and crew members tried
to storm the cockpit as the hijackers headed for Washington. Al-Qaida conspirators had seized control of the jets to
use them as passenger-filled missiles. Vice President Kamala Harris and husband Doug Emhoff joined the observance
at the National Sept.

Norway's central bank to build national digital currency on Ethereum

 Norges Bank, Norway’s central bank, made a significant advancement in its efforts to develop a digital currency by
publishing the open source code for the nation’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) sandbox based on Ethereum
technology. This development was made possible by the ongoing mainstream adoption of cryptographic technology.
 CBDCs are a type of electronic fiat money backed by the central bank. Although they are not required to be, CBDCs
can be built on blockchain networks. However, the CBDC in Norway is built on Ethereum.
 The Bank’s official CBDC partner, Nahmii, stated in a blog post that it has also enabled features including minting,
burning, and transferring ERC-20 tokens.
 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports that 97 nations, or more than half of the world’s central banks, are
experimenting with developing CBDCs.
About Norway:
Capital: Oslo
Currency: Norwegian krone
Official language: Norwegian
Prime Minister: Jonas Gahr Støre
Border clashes erupt between Armenia, Azerbaijan

 Fresh clashes broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with each side reporting casualties and blaming the other
for the violence. Armenia said Azerbaijani forces attacked several points near the border, killing 49 Armenian soldiers.
Azerbaijan said Armenian forces fired on its positions, leaving an unspecified number of casualties. The two countries
have had a decades-long conflict involving the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is inside Azerbaijan but populated
mainly by ethnic Armenians.
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 A six-week war in 2020 killed more than 6,600 people and saw Azerbaijan reclaim territory in and around the region.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on the two sides to “end any military hostilities immediately,” saying in
a statement that there is no military solution to the conflict. Russia’s Foreign Ministry also urged Armenia and
Azerbaijan to resolve the conflict through political and diplomatic means.
 Armenia says at least 49 of its soldiers have been killed in fighting along the country’s border with Azerbaijan, claiming
the attacks were carried out because of a simmering dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh.
 Azerbaijan says its forces returned fire to prevent “large-scale provocations” by the Armenian military, adding it is “in
control” of the situation in the region.
About Armenia:
Capital: Yerevan
Currency: Armenian dram
President: Vahagn Khachaturyan
About Azerbaijan:
President: Ilham Aliyev
Capital: Baku
Currency: Azerbaijani manat
Official language: Azerbaijani
Qimingxing-50 (The Morning Star): China’s First Fully Solar-powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
 China has successfully tested its first fully solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which can fly for months
and can function even as a satellite if required. The maiden flight of Qimingxing-50 has been achieved, making it the
first large-sized UAV powered only by solar energy, a Chinese government official informed in a tweet.
 According to a report in the South China Morning Post, the drone took off from an airport in the north-western
Chinese province of Shaanxi at 5.50pm on September 3 and propelled in the sky for about 26 minutes before landing
safely at 6:16pm.
 The Qimingxing-50, with a wingspan of 50 m, is a high-altitude long-endurance drone that is capable of high altitude
aerial reconnaissance, assessing forest fire and can also be used for communications. This technology will bolster
Chinese defences in space and at sea. It can be used in the field of renewable energy, new materials and aeronautical
engineering. The Chinese official also asserted that this test flight is an important step towards sustainable
development.
 The United States and the United Kingdom have already developed solar-powered drones that can fly 20 km up in
the sky.
About China:
Capital: Beijing
Currency: Renminbi
USAID and UNICEF launches Doordarshan and YouTube series titled ‘Door Se Namaste’ in New Delhi
 The US Agency for International Development and UNICEF launched the Doordarshan and YouTube series titled
Door Se Namaste at function held in New Delhi. Door Se Namaste is a new television series which promotes healthy
behaviours in a post-pandemic world. It is a fictional Hindi series developed in an entertainment education format
highlighting the challenges of a post-pandemic world and promotes the adoption of healthy behaviour and practices.
The programme will be telecast on every Sunday from 11 AM to 12 noon.
 Speaking on the occasion Additional Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Neerja Sekhar said that
Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan and All India Radio are the major channels
through which the government of India reaches out to the people for spreading information regarding its policies and
programmes. She informed that Doordarshan has 25 channels and All India Radio has over 400 radio stations. She
said, during Covid pandemic, Health Ministry and Ministry of Ayush came out with their protocols to deal with the
pandemic and fact check unit was also set up to dispel fake information. She informed that the entire communication
mechanism was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he is the principal communicator and during entire Covid
period whenever he spoke, the people listened.
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About UNICEF:
Founded: 11 December 1946, New York, New York, United States
President: Tore Hattrem
Head: Catherine M. Russell
Founders: United Nations General Assembly, Ludwik Rajchman
About USAID :
Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
Founder: John F. Kennedy
Officeholder: Samantha Power (Administrator)
Jurisdiction: United States
India, Japan concludes 6th edition of maritime exercise ‘JIMEX’

 The sixth edition of the Japan India Maritime Exercise 2022, JIMEX 22 hosted by the Indian Navy concluded in the
Bay of Bengal with the two sides bidding farewell to each other with a customary steam past on September 17, 2022.
 Indian Naval ships led by Rear Adm Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet and Japan Maritime Self
Defence Force (JMSDF) Ships Izumo and Takanami led by Rear Adm Hirata Toshiyuki, Commander Escort Flotilla
Four, participated in the week-long exercise.
 JIMEX 22 witnessed some of the most complex exercises undertaken jointly by the two navies. Both sides engaged in
advanced level anti-submarine warfare, weapon firings and Air Defence exercises. Shipborne helicopters, fighter
aircraft and submarines also participated in the exercise. Indian Navy and JMSDF ships replenished each other at sea
under the agreement on Reciprocal Provision for Supply and Services (RPSS).
 The exercise, which marked the tenth anniversary of JIMEX since its inception in 2012, consolidated the mutual
understanding and interoperability between the two navies.
About Japan:
Emperor: Naruhito
Capital: Tokyo
Prime Minister: Fumio Kishida
Currency: Japanese yen
Rajnath Singh reaches Cairo on two-day official visit to Egypt

 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reached Cairo on Sunday on a two-day official visit to Egypt. Central Military Zone
Commander Major General Tarik Hamed Elshazly received Mr Singh at the Al Maza Air Base in Cairo.
 During the visit, Mr. Singh will hold bilateral talks with Minister of Defence and Defence Production, General
Mohamed Zaki. The two Ministers will review the bilateral defence ties, explore new initiatives to intensify military-
to-military engagements and focus on deepening cooperation between the defence industries of the two countries.
An MoU to provide further impetus to enhanced defence cooperation between India and Egypt will also be signed.
Mr. Singh will also call on President of Egypt Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.
About Egypt:
Capital: Cairo
Currency: Egyptian pound
Continent: Africa, Asia
Official language: Modern Standard Arabic
FM Sitharaman Urges World Bank To Raise Lending To India

 The World Bank approved a USD 1 billion loan to support India’s efforts for providing social assistance to the poor
and vulnerable households, severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The “Accelerating India’s COVID-19 Social
Protection Response Program” will support the government’s efforts towards a more consolidated delivery platform
accessible to both rural and urban populations across state boundaries.
 The total commitment from the World Bank towards emergency COVID-19 response in India to USD 2 billion. A USD
1 billion support was announced last month towards immediate support to India’s health sector. The multilateral
lending agency is also in discussions with the government to provide assistance to the country’s micro, small and
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medium enterprises, said World Bank Country Director in India Junaid Ahmad in a webinar with media. The response
to the COVID-19 pandemic around the world has required governments to introduce social distancing and lockdowns
in unprecedented ways, he said.
 Of the USD 1 billion commitment, USD 550 million will be financed by a credit from the International Development
Association (IDA) the World Bank’s concessionary lending arm and USD 200 million will be a loan from the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), with a final maturity of 18.5 years including a grace
period of five years.
About World Bank:

President: David Malpass
Founded: July 1944, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, United States
Motto: Working for a World Free of Poverty
Founders: John Maynard Keynes, Harry Dexter White
About International Development Association (IDA):
Headquarters: Washington, D.C., U.S.
Membership: 174 countries
Chief Executive Officer: Kristalina Georgieva
About International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD):
Founded: 1944
Leader: Kristalina Georgieva
Headquarters: Washington, D.C., U.S.
Purpose: Development assistance, poverty reduction
Membership: 189 countries
UNSC reforms: Intergovernmental Negotiation constrained by lack of transparency: G4 nations

 The G4 grouping comprising India, Japan, Germany and Brazil expressed their concern over lack of any “meaningful”
forward movement on long-pending reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC) and demanded “urgency” on the
issue.
 The foreign ministers of the G4 countries held a virtual meeting coinciding with the 75th session of the UN General
Assembly during which they held extensive discussion on the need for urgent reform of the UNSC. A joint press
statement said the ministers highlighted the urgency of reforming the UN and updating its main decision-making
bodies, in order to better reflect contemporary realities.
 “G4 Ministers expressed disappointment at attempts to derail this process and committed to addressing the issue in
a meaningful way and with increased urgency at this 75th anniversary of the UN,” the statement released by the
external affairs ministry said. The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Brazilian Foreign
Minister Ernesto Arajo, Japan’s Motegi Toshimitsu and Minister of State at German Foreign Office Niels Annen.
About UN Security Council (UNSC):

Founded: 24 October 1945
5 major palm oil importers from Asia form alliance

 Edible oil trade associations from five palm oil importing countries in South Asia – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka,
Bangladesh and Nepal, announced the setting up of Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA). The idea is to gain collecting
bargaining power and make imports sustainable.
 “Through APOA, we aim at safeguarding the economic and business interests of the palm oil consuming countries
and will work towards increasing the consumption of palm oil in member countries,” Atul Chaturvedi, President,
Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) and first chairman of APOA, said. APOA held its first general body
meeting on the sidelines of the Globoil Summit being held here.
 He said that the industry associations of Asian palm oil importing countries, unlike their counterparts in Europe, are
not involved in shaping the global discourse on sustainable palm oil in a collective way.
 Chaturvedi said that membership of APOA would be further expanded to include companies or industry bodies
associated with production or refining of palm oil across the continent.
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Putin grants Russian citizenship to U.S. whistleblower Snowden
 President Vladimir Putin on Monday granted Russian citizenship to former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward
Snowden, nine years after he exposed the scale of secret surveillance operations by the National Security Agency
(NSA).
 Snowden, 39, fled the United States and was given asylum in Russia after leaking secret files in 2013 that revealed vast
domestic and international surveillance operations carried out by the NSA, where he worked.
 U.S. authorities have for years wanted him returned to the United States to face a criminal trial on espionage charges.
 Snowden's name appeared without Kremlin comment in a Putin decree conferring citizenship on 72 foreign-born
individuals.
 Snowden later issued a message, essentially an updated version of a November 2020 tweet, saying he wanted his family
to remain together and asking for privacy.
About Russia:
President: Vladimir Putin
Capital: Moscow
Currency: Russian ruble
Prime Minister: Mikhail Mishustin
About USA:
Italy gets its first female PM as Giorgia Meloni claims victory

 Giorgia Meloni looks set to become Italy’s first woman prime minister at the head of its most right-wing government
since World War Two after leading a conservative alliance to triumph at the election. Meloni will take over from
Prime Minister Mario Draghi, the former head of the European Central Bank, who pushed Rome to the centre of EU
policy-making during his 18-month stint in office, forging close ties with Paris and Berlin. The Italian far-right leader
Meloni party came top in general elections. Leading the next government, she will work for the betterment of all
Italians.
 Giorgia Meloni is an Italian politician and journalist who was born on 15 January 1977. Her father came from Sardinia
and her mother belonged to Sicily. In 1992 at the age of 15, Meloni joined the Youth Front, the youth wing of the neo-
fascist Italian Social Movement (MSI). Next to this in 1996, she earned a diploma from the Amerigo Vespucci Institute.
She has also served as a youth minister in Berlusconi’s 2008-2011 government before founding the Brothers of Italy in
2012. Three prominent political leaders Meloni, La Russa, and Crosetto founded a new political movement Brothers
of Italy in 2012.
About Italy :
Capital: Rome
Currency: Euro
President: Sergio Mattarella
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Back to Moon: Nasa set to launch Artemis-1 lunar mission on Monday
 NASA’s Artemis 1 moon rocket, formerly known as Exploration Mission-1, returned to the launch pad on Tuesday
night, to take a step closer to a historic lunar mission. On August 29, NASA intends to launch its brand-new Space
Launch System (SLS), with the Orion spacecraft that is designed to host astronauts sitting atop the rocket. It would
be a significant milestone in the space agency’s initiatives to bring humans back to the Moon’s surface for the first
time since 1972. The SLS massive rocket will carry the crew capsule around the Moon further than any spacecraft
made for humans has ever done, before returning to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
 Artemis 1, the first of several missions is intended to successfully land astronauts on the moon. According to a news
release from the agency, the unmanned mission will be the “1st integrated test of NASA’s deep space exploration
system,” which incorporates the Orion spacecraft, the SLS rocket, and the ground structures at Kennedy Space Center
in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
 The mission will be followed by Artemis 2, which is scheduled to orbit the moon with a crew by 2024, and Artemis 3,
which is scheduled to make a moon landing with a crew by 2025.
 As part of human exploration of the Moon, numerous space missions have been undertaken to study Earth’s natural
satellite. Of the Moon landings, Luna 2 of the Soviet Union was the first spacecraft to reach its surface successfully,
intentionally impacting the Moon on 13 September 1959.
About NASA:
Founded: 29 July 1958, United States
Founder: Dwight D. Eisenhower
HAL-L&T consortium bags Rs 860-crore Isro contract for five PSLVs

 5 PSLV rockets to be built by HAL-L&T: The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, HAL-L&T consortium, making the
industry’s first entrance into end-to-end production of polar satellite launch vehicles, has secured a Rs 860 crore
contract from NewSpace India Limited to produce five rockets (PSLV rockets). The HAL-L&T cooperation won the
right to produce PSLV from beginning to end after three bids were subjected to a techno-commercial examination.
 The PSLV, India’s third-generation launch vehicle, gets its mechanical systems and 60% of its electronic systems from
the industry. The remaining percentages in both sectors are extremely complicated, though.
 The government had approved raising NSIL’s authorised share capital from Rs 1,000 billion to Rs 7,500 billion.
About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL):

Founded: 1963, Bengaluru
Founder: Walchand Hirachand
About Larsen & Toubro (L&T):
CEO: S N Subrahmanyan (Jul 2017–)
Headquarters: Mumbai
Founded: 7 February 1946, Mumbai
Founders: Henning Holck-Larsen, Søren Kristian Toubro
ISRO successfully demonstrates IAD technology, rockets can now land back on earth; Third country to
achieve feat
 IAD technology successfully used by ISRO: The Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (IAD), which ISRO says is a game-
changer with numerous implications for future missions including to Mars and Venus, was successfully tested. Vikram
Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), an ISRO division, successfully test-flew an IAD from Thumba Equatorial Rocket
Launching Station on a “Rohini” sounding rocket (TERLS).
 Scientists from India and beyond, as well as ISRO, frequently employ Rohini sounding rockets to fly demonstrations
of new technologies.
 Along with the IAD, new components including a micro video imaging system that recorded the IAD’s bloom and
flight, a small software defined radio telemetry transmitter, a MEMS (Micro-electromechanical systems)-based
acoustic sensor, and a variety of new methodologies were all successfully flight tested.
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 The IAD was first folded and stowed in the rocket’s cargo bay, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation,
which has its headquarters in Bengaluru (ISRO).
About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):

DRDO, Indian Army successfully conduct 6 flight tests of Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System
 Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and the Indian Army completed six flight tests of the
Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) system from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, on the Odisha
Coast, as part of evaluation trials.
 The QRSAM aims to provide a protective shield to the moving armored columns of the Army from aerial attacks.
 The six flight tests were carried out against high-speed aerial targets mimicking various types of threats to evaluate
the capability of the QRSAM as a short-range Surface Air Missile (SAM) system.
 The different threat scenarios include long-range medium-altitude, short-range, high-altitude-maneuvering target,
low-radar signature with receding and crossing target, and salvo launch with two missiles fired in quick succession.
About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):

Headquarters: DRDO Bhavan, New Delhi
Founded: 1958
Jurisdiction: India
Aircraft designed: Avatar, DRDO Lakshya, DRDO Nishant
Subsidiary: Gas Turbine Research Establishment
About Odisha:
Governor: Ganeshi Lal
Capital: Bhubaneswar
Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
IISc-Bangalore designs new method to deliver TB vaccine

 Researchers from the IISc have designed a new method to deliver a vaccine candidate for tuberculosis (TB). It involves
using spherical vesicles secreted by bacteria coated on gold nanoparticles, which can then be delivered to immune
cells. This can potentially trigger an immune response and offer protection against the disease. The only effective
vaccine currently in use is the BCG vaccine, which contains a weakened form of the disease-causing bacterium. When
injected into the bloodstream, it triggers the production of antibodies that can help fight the disease. While the BCG
vaccine works well in children, it is not as effective at protecting adolescents and adults.
 This prompted Rachit Agarwal, assistant professor at the Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, IISc, and
his group to develop a potential subunit vaccine candidate that contains only parts of the infectious bacterium to
stimulate an immune response. “They’re safer compared to live bacterium, and since they are membrane-derived,
they contain all kinds of antigens,” Agarwal explained.
About Karnataka:
Amazon plans 3 solar farms and 23 solar rooftop projects in India

 Amazon establishing its first solar project in India: Amazon said that its first solar farm would be located in India.
Three solar power plants with a combined capacity of 420 megawatts (MW) will be built in Rajasthan by the largest
e-commerce company, Amazon. Along with Amp Energy, Amazon has also contracted to 210 MW and 110 MW projects
with ReNew Power and Brookfield Renewables, respectively.
 Amp Energy India, a producer of renewable energy (RE), has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) to sell RE to
Amazon from a 100 MW solar power facility in Rajasthan as part of Amazon’s plans for India.
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 By the end of 2023, the facility at Bhadia, Rajasthan, will be completely operational. One gigawatt (GW) of utility size
projects are also being developed by Amp. 1,13,645 tonnes of hazardous CO2 emissions will be reduced thanks to this
solar power facility.
About Amazon:
Founded: 5 July 1994, Bellevue, Washington, United States
Founder: Jeff Bezos
CEO: Andy Jassy
APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Govt clears ex-Standard Chartered banker as Sebi whole-time member
 The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Ananth Narayan Gopalakrishnan, an associate
professor at SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), as a whole-time member of the Securities and
Exchange Board of India (SEBI). He will hold office for three years from the date he assumes charge of the post or
until further orders, whichever is earlier.
 With this appointment, Gopalakrishnan becomes the fourth whole-time member of SEBI, which had been functioning
with a vacancy for the position since November 2021. Apart from being an associate professor at SP Jain,
Gopalakrishnan is a senior India analyst at the Observatory Group and is a public interest director for the NSE IFSC
Gift City in Gujarat and for the National Securities Clearing Corporation.
About SEBI:
Founded: 12 April 1992;
Headquarters: Mumbai;
Chairperson: Madhabi Puri Buch.
MP Anurag Sharma elected Commonwealth body treasurer

 Member of Parliament from the Jhansi-Lalitpur parliamentary constituency, Anurag Sharma has been elected as the
International Treasurer of the Parliamentary Association Conference (CPA) at the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association Conference in Halifax, Canada. He will now be on the main Executive Council. The election of Sharma
made him the second Indian office-bearer in the world’s largest and oldest International Parliamentary Association.
His election also meant one more seat was added to India in the CPA, taking the total Indian tally to four executive
representatives now.
 Sharma will be handling annual funding of millions of pounds and the trust funds, ensuring their smooth and effective
utilization. He is all set to add that extra mile of ROI (return on investment) and showcase the Indian effectiveness of
India in this global responsibility.
About Uttar Pradesh:
Senior IIS officer Vasudha Gupta appointed DG News at AIR

 Indian Information Service officer, Vasudha Gupta was appointed as the director general of the news services division
of All India Radio. Gupta, who was director general in the Press Information Bureau, assumed charge of her new post
immediately. All India Radio Director General N Venudhar Reddy superannuated.
 Gupta played a key role in implementing the communication strategies of the government during the COVID-19
pandemic and also helmed the fact-checking unit to curb misinformation about the viral outbreak.
 A 1989-batch officer, Gupta has served in various capacities in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in her over
a 32-year career. Gupta earned her degree in law from Chaudhary Charan Singh University and later was awarded an
M.Phil degree by the Delhi School of Economics.
About All India Radio:

Founded: 1936, Delhi;
Founder: Government of India;
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Headquarters: Sansad Marg, New Delhi;
Owner: Prasar Bharati.
Yamuna Kumar Chaubey gets charge of NHPC chairman and managing director
 Yamuna Kumar Chaubey takes over as Chairman and Managing Director of NHPC for three months beginning
September 1. He succeeded Abhay Kumar Singh. Chaubey is currently Director (Technical) in NHPC & has been given
additional charge of the post of CMD for a period of 3 months till a regular incumbent joins the post. Abhay Kumar
Singh ceased to be the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the company with effect from August 31, 2022,
upon attaining the age of superannuation.
 Chaubey, 59, is a graduate in Civil Engineering from IIT, Kharagpur. He joined NHPC Limited in 1985 as a Probationary
Executive (Civil) at 540 MW Chamera Hydro-Electric Project, now Chamera-I Power Station, Himachal Pradesh. He
is also serving as Chairman on the board of Bundelkhand Saur Urja Ltd and appointed as nominee director on the
boards of Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited and Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd from October
1, 2020 and June 1, 2021 respectively.
About NHPC Limited:

Headquarters: Faridabad, India
Purpose: Electricity generation, energy trading
Parent organization: Government of India, Ministry of Power
Power stations: Salal Dam
Senior IAS Officer Utpal Kumar Singh Appointed Lok Sabha Secretary General
 Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker jointly decided that Utpal Kumar Singh, currently holding the post of
Secretary General Lok Sabha, will additionally charge the functions of CEO Sansad TV. Ravi Capoor has been relieved
of his duties as the Chief executive officer (CEO) of Sansad TV.
 Sansad TV was launched in September 2021 after merging the Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV channels. The 24-
hour channel, through its content, showcases the democratic ethos and the functioning of democratic institutions of
the country with an aim to target national and international audiences. In February 2021, the decision to merge Lok
Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV was taken and Ravi Capoor- a retired IAS officer, was appointed as its CEO in March.
About Lok Sabha:

Seats: 543
Founded: 17 April 1952
Speaker: Om Birla, BJP; since 19 June 2019
Term limits: 5 years
Voting system: First past the post
Indian Football: Kalyan Chaubey is the new AIFF president – the first former player elected to post
 Kalyan Chaubey, who was a goalkeeper with the storied Mohun Bagan and East Bengal football clubs in Kolkata, was
elected president of the All India Football Federation. Choubey got 33 votes in the 34-member electorate comprising
representatives of various state associations. His opponent and former East Bengal teammate Bhaichung Bhutia, also
45, had to be content with a solitary vote.
 Former AIFF president Praful Patel, whose ouster and replacement by a committee of administrators appointed by
the Supreme Court had resulted in the federation being suspended for the first time in its 85-year history by the sport’s
world governing body FIFA.
About International Federation of Association Football (FIFA):

President: Gianni Infantino
Founded: 21 May 1904, Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris, France
Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland
Video games: Panini Sticker Album, FIFA FUTSAL WC 2021 Challenge
About All India Football Federation (AIFF):
Headquarters location: New Delhi
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Krishnan Sankarasubramaniam takes over as Tamilnad Mercantile Bank MD & CEO
 Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd on Sunday said veteran banker Krishnan Sankarasubramaniam has taken over as its
managing director and Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.
 Sankarasubramaniam succeeds K V Rama Moorthy and his term would be for a period of three years, which has been
approved by the Reserve Bank of India.
 Prior to taking up the new role, Sankarasubramaniam was serving Punjab and Sind Bank as its Managing Director
and CEO, a bank statement said here.
 During his tenure at Punjab and Sind Bank, he played a crucial role in the bank's turnaround leading to it registering
the highest ever profit in 2021-22.
 A post graduate in commerce from the Madurai Kamaraj University and a qualified cost accountant,
Sankarasubramaniam had served Syndicate Bank as its executive director before joining Punjab and Sind Bank.
About Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd:

Headquarters: Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India
CEO: K V Rama Moorthy (Sept 2017)
Founded: 11 May 1921
Revenue: 4,253.4 crores INR (US$530 million, 2021)
ACC names Captain B K Tyagi as the new CMD of Shipping Corporation of India
 The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has signed off on the proposal to appoint Captain Binesh Kumar
Tyagi as the new chairman and managing director of Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI). The appointment is for
five years from the date of assumption of charge of the post, or till the date of his superannuation, or until further
orders, whichever is the earliest, according to an office order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training.
 Captain Tyagi is currently the director looking after the liner and passenger services division at SCI which is in the
process of being privatised by the government. Captain Tyagi graduated from Meerut University and joined SCI in
1990 as a trainee nautical officer and sailed on board various ships in different ranks including as master. In 2004, he
came onshore and served in the technical, vetting, chartering and fleet personnel departments.
About Shipping Corporation of India Ltd:

Founded: 2 October 1961, Mumbai
Justice Chandrachud is new chairperson of NALSA

 Supreme Court judge Justice DY Chandrachud has been appointed as the next executive chairperson of the National
Legal Services Authority (NALSA). The post was previously held by the Chief Justice of India UU Lalit. President
Droupadi Murmu has appointed Justice D.Y. Chandrachud as the executive chairman of the NALSA. Before being
elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Chandrachud served as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court
and prior to that a judge of the Bombay High Court.
 The NALSA has been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free Legal Services to the
weaker sections of the society.
 Its purpose is to provide free legal services to eligible candidates, and to organize Lok Adalats for the speedy resolution
of cases.
 While the CJI is the Patron-in-Chief, the second senior most judge of the Supreme Court of India is the executive
chairperson of the Authority.
About National Legal Services Authority (NALSA):

Headquarters location: New Delhi
Motto: Access to Justice for All
Actor Kiccha Sudeep appointed brand ambassador for Karnataka govt scheme
 The Karnataka government has appointed Kannada actor Kiccha Sudeep as the brand ambassador for “Punyakoti
Dattu Yojana’ a cattle adoption scheme. The announcement was made by Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu B
Chavan. The minister also said that the actor has decided not to charge for being the ambassador of the scheme,
which is aimed at encouraging adoption by the public for the purpose of rearing cattle in ‘goshalas’ (cow shelters).
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 Sudeep is known for his remarkable role in films such as ‘Pailwan’, ‘Eega (Makkhi)’, ‘Vikrant Rona’, ‘Sparsha’,
‘Huchcha’ and ‘No 73 Shanthi Nivasa’. Sudeep started his career with Thayavva film in 1997. He has since starred in
several popular Kannada films. Apart from that, he is one of the few Kannada actors who has appeared in movies in
other language films as well, with appearances including Rakta Charitra, Baahubali: The Beginning, Eega, and
Dabangg 3.
About Karnataka:
Chief Minister: Basavaraj Somappa Bommai;
Capital: Bengaluru.
Shri Sanjay Kumar Verma appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to Canada
 Senior diplomat Sanjay Kumar Verma has been appointed as India’s next high commissioner to Canada. He succeeds
Acting High Commissioner Anshuman Gaur. Verma is a 1988 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service and is
currently the ambassador of India to Japan. He is expected to take up the Canada assignment shortly. Among other
postings, Verma has served in Indian missions in Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and Turkey. He has also served as
Consul General of India in Milan, Italy.
About Canada:
Prime minister: Justin Trudeau
Capital: Ottawa
Currency: Canadian dollar
Official languages: French, English
Volker Türk appointed new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

 The United Nations (UN) General Assembly approved Volker Türk of Austria to be the global body’s Human Rights
Chief by UN Secretary¬-General Antonio Guterres. Volker Turk replaces Verónica Michelle Bachelet Jeria, a Chilean
politician who served at the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) from 2018 to 2022.
Turk, currently serving as assistant secretary-general for policy.
 Previously, Volker Türk served as the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at UN refugees, the UN Refugee
Agency (UNHCR), Geneva. He had a long and successful career in the advancement of human rights globally. He
served with the UN refugee agency in Malaysia, Kosovo and Bosnia Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of Congo,
and Kuwait. His immediate challenge will be the controversial report of the accusation on China committing crimes
against humanity and possibly genocide (mass murder) against the Uyghur people and abusing Muslim minorities.
About United Nations (UN):

About United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
Founder: United Nations
Head: High Commissioner for Refugees; Filippo Grandi
Sanjay Khanna appointed CEO of American Express India

 American Express Banking Corp India has appointed Sanjay Khanna as its chief executive officer (CEO) and country
manager. At present, Khanna heads the country executive team and is responsible for driving growth across the
organisation’s consumer and commercial businesses. In his new role, Khanna will be leading several business
development initiatives for American Express, while steering collaboration across its diverse businesses in India,
adding his position will be key to strengthening the company’s strategic focus in the country.
 Khanna has spent about 27 years with American Express, joining as manager of finance in 1996. In his previous roles,
he held many leadership positions in the company, including head of Global Financial Operations, India Center Lead
for Finance and chairman of the American Express India Pvt Limited Legal Entity Board.
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About American Express:
CEO: Stephen Squeri (1 Feb 2018–)
Owner: Berkshire Hathaway
Founders: William Fargo, Henry Wells, John Butterfield
UAE healthcare firm Burjeel Holdings appoints Shah Rukh Khan as brand ambassador
 Burjeel Holdings, a private healthcare services provider in the MENA region has signed Bollywood actor Shah Rukh
Khan as its new brand ambassador. The company is owned by UAE-based Indian entrepreneur Shamsheer Vayalil.
The actor will appear in a multi-platform advertising campaign in the region for the group that will be unveiled in the
coming weeks. This will be the actor’s first healthcare ambassador role. In the past, the actor has also tied up with
Dubai’s tourism board to be one its brand ambassadors. But that partnership ended as of early 2022. He was also the
first Indian celebrity to have received the UAE golden visa.
About UAE:
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham
President: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
About Burjeel Holdings:
Founded: 2007
Headquarters: UAE
M Damodaran Named To Lead A Panel To Boost VC, PE Investments

 The government has constituted an expert committee to suggest ways for scaling up of VC/PE investments, as per a
circular issued by Finance Ministry on September 13. The six-member panel will be headed by former SEBI chairman
M Damodaran. The expert committee will examine and suggest appropriate measures to address regulatory and other
issues to enable scaling up investments by Venture Capital and Private Equity Investment, the ministry said.
 The committee, whose formation was originally announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in this year’s
Union Budget, has been assigned the task of undertaking a comprehensive systemic study of the ‘end-to-end frictions’
and ‘potential accelerants’ from regulatory policy and taxation to facilitate ‘ease of investing’ as well as encouarage
investments into India.
About Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI):

Sector: Securities market
Agency executive: Madhabi Puri Buch (Chairperson)
Mukul Rohatgi set to return as next Attorney General for India

 Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi is set to be appointed the 14th Attorney General for India again after KK Venugopal
vacates the post. This will be Rohatgi’s second time as AG, after his first stint between June 2014 and June 2017. At the
end of June this year, AG Venugopal’s tenure was extended for a period of three months or “until further orders”. This
extension is set to expire on September 30.
 Rohtagi will take the seat of the country’s top law officer from 1st October. People aware of the matter said Rohatgi
gave his consent for assuming the top post last week following a request from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Rohatgi was Attorney General for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government between
2014 and 2017, soon after the new dispensation took over.
 Mukul Rohatgi is the son of former Delhi High Court judge, Justice Awadh Behari Rohatgi, who practiced under
Yogesh Kumar Sabharwal, former CJI in the High Court before starting his own legal practice.
About attorney general of India:

First holder: M. C. Setalvad
Constituting instrument: Article 76 of the Consti...
Appointer: President of India
Deputy: Solicitor General of India
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Residence: New Delhi, India
Term length: per discretion of the President
Auto industry body SIAM appoints Vinod Aggarwal as new president

 Auto industry body, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has elected Vinod Aggarwal as its new
president for 2022-23. Aggarwal, the MD and CEO of Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles, succeeds Kenichi Ayukawa,
the executive vice-chairman of Maruti Suzuki India. The SIAM also elected Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles managing
director Shailesh Chandra as the vice-president, Satyakam Arya; and CEO & MD of Daimler India Commercial
Vehicles was elected as the treasurer.
 The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) is a not-for-profit apex national body representing all major
vehicle and vehicular engine manufacturers in India.
 SIAM works toward supporting sustainable development of the Indian Automobile Industry with the vision that India
emerges as the destination of choice in the world for the design and manufacture of automobiles.
Pralay Mondal named as CSB Bank's new MD & CEO

 The Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of Pralay Mondal as the Managing Director and Chief
Executive Officer of CSB Bank for three years. He was the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since February 17,
2022, and was subsequently appointed as interim MD & CEO with effect from April 1, 2022. Prior to joining CSB Bank,
Mondal was Executive Director and Head, of Retail Banking at Axis Bank.
 At CSB Bank, Mondal has been working on expanding retail franchise distribution and branches, building technology
platforms with a larger focus on digital initiatives towards automation and centralisation of processes.
 Mondol has around 30 years of banking experience across businesses and functions, including retail assets, retail
liabilities, business banking products and technology.
 Before Axis Bank, he was the senior group president and head of retail and business banking at Yes Bank, wherein he
was instrumental in setting up the entire retail franchise in a short period of time. Prior to Yes Bank, he has worked
at HDFC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Wipro InfoTech and Colgate Palmolive.
About Reserve Bank of India (RBI):

Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata
Currency: Indian rupee (₹)
Founder: British Raj
Governor: Shaktikanta Das
About CSB Bank:
Headquarters: Thrissur, Kerala
Climate Activist Vanessa Nakate Named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

 United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) appointed Vanessa Nakate, a 25¬-year¬-old
climate activist from Uganda as the Goodwill Ambassador of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Her collaboration
with the organisation and recognising her outstanding global advocacy for climate justice for current and future
generations.
 Nakate began her activism in January 2019 with a protest with her siblings and cousins on the streets of Kampala,
inspired by Greta Thunberg. She continued to protest every week, becoming a well-known face in a movement of
young people “striking” for the climate around the world. In 2020 she came to further global prominence when she
was cropped out of a news photo she appeared in alongside Thunberg and other white climate activists. Nakate’s
response to the incident, in which she said the news outlet “didn’t just erase a photo, you erased a continent”, made
international headlines.
About UNICEF:
Founded: 1946
Headquarters: New York City, USA
Director General: Catherine M. Russell
Membership: 192
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NHRC chief Arun Kumar Mishra elected as member of Asia Pacific Forum's Governance committee
 National Human Rights Commission of India chairperson justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra has been elected as a
member of the Governance Committee of the Asia Pacific Forum (APF). He has also been elected as a member of the
Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) Bureau at the 27th Annual General Meeting of the
APF.
 The APF’s Governance Committee is elected by APF councilors, representing ‘A status’ National Human Rights
Institutions in the Asia Pacific region. The role of the five-member APF Governance Committee is to consider and
make recommendations to the APF General Assembly on a range of issues for the promotion and protection of human
rights.
About National Human Rights Commission (NHRC):

Website: nhrc.nic.in
Formed: 12 October 1993
Jurisdiction: Government of India
First executive: Ranganath Misra
Preceding executive: K. G. Balakrishnan
Current executive: Arun Kumar Mishra
Max Life Insurance appointed cricketer Rohit Sharma, his wife Ritika Sajdeh as brand ambassadors
 Max Life Insurance Company Ltd has announced Rohit Sharma, sports icon and captain of men’s Indian Cricket team,
and his wife Ritika Sajdeh, as its brand ambassadors. Max Life has signed a two-year partnership with the cricketing
star and his spouse, who are making their debut onscreen together.
 The collaboration will increase the awareness of life insurance among the younger generation and help the company
grow further. With the partnership, Max Life Insurance targets the millennial audience and conveys the importance
of having life insurance. The aim of the company is to promote the Max Life brand ethos of valuing the ‘self’ to
determine the right financial value to protect themselves and their family.
About Max Life Insurance:

MD & CEO: Prashant Tripathy
Establishment: 2001
Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
Centre names top Gujarat bureaucrat Bharat Lal as Director General NCGG
 Retired Gujarat cadre officer, Bharat Lal has been appointed as the Director General, National Centre for Good
Governance (NCGG). Bharat Lal, a 1988-batch Indian Forest officer of Gujarat cadre, had served as Gujarat
government’s resident commissioner in Delhi and has been known to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the
then chief minister of the state. Earlier, during December 2021, Lal was appointed as the Secretary to the Lokpal.
 The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) is an autonomous institute under the aegis of the Department of
Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Government of India. Its head office is at New Delhi and the branch
office at Mussoorie.
 The NCGG has been set up to assist in bringing about governance reforms through studies, training, knowledge
sharing and promotion of good ideas.
About Gujarat:
Dr Rajiv Bahl appointed ICMR Director General for 3 years

 Dr Rajiv Bahl has been appointed as the new director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-cum-
secretary of the department of health Research for a period of three years. Bahl currently heads the research on
maternal, newborn child and adolescent health cum-newborn unit on maternal, Department of Maternal Newborn
Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, at the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva.
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 His predecessor, Dr Balram Bhargava’s extended tenure as director general of ICMR and secretary of the Department
of Health Research ended in July. Bhargava was appointed to the post on April 16, 2018, for four years. The
Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Dr Rajiv Bahl.
About Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR):

Founder: Government of India
Founded: 1911
Former India captain Dilip Tirkey gets elected Hockey India president unopposed
 Former India captain Dilip Tirkey, who was the front-runner for the post of Hockey India president, was elected
unopposed for the top job. He was elected after Uttar Pradesh Hockey chief Rakesh Katyal and Hockey Jharkhand’s
Bhola Nath Singh, who were in the fray for the president’s post, withdrew their nominations. The International
Hockey Federation (FIH) has approved Tirkey and his team’s appointments. Bhola Nath has been elected unopposed
as secretary general.
 Hockey India elections were scheduled to be held on October 1 but the results were declared in advance as there were
no contestants for any of the posts, paving the way for the incumbent candidates to be elected unopposed as per the
federation’s Constitution.
About International Hockey Federation:

President: Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra
Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
CEO: Thierry Weil
Founded: 7 January 1924, Paris, France
Dr M Srinivas appointed as new director of AIIMS New Delhi

 The dean of Employees’ State Insurance Company (ESIC) Hospital and Medical College, Hyderabad, Dr M Srinivas
has been appointed the director of New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), nearly six months
after the tenure of the previous director, Dr Randeep Guleria, formally ended. The appointment is for a period of five
years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, or till attaining the age of 65 years, or until further
orders, whichever is the earliest, according to the order.
 Srinivas was on deputation at the ESIC Hospital and continues to be a professor of pediatric surgery at AIIMS.
Including Guleria, AIIMS has had 15 directors so far since its foundation in 1956. All former directors have been
employees at the institute at the time of their appointment.
About Employees’ State Insurance Company (ESIC):

Founded: 25 February 1952
Owner: Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India
About AIIMS Delhi:
Established: 1956
First Director: B.B Dikshit
Under: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
About Delhi:
Chief Minister: Arvind Kejriwal
L. Governor: Vinai Kumar Saxena
Capital: New Delhi
Sanjai Kumar takes over as new CMD of RailTel

 As the new Chairman and Managing Director of RailTel, Sanjai Kumar is in charge. Sanjai Kumar previously held the
position of Director (Network Planning & Marketing/NPM) at RailTel, along with the added responsibility of Director
(Project, Operations & Maintenance/POM). The University of Allahabad awarded Kumar a Bachelor of Technology
in Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, while the Management Development Institute in Gurugram
awarded him a Post Graduate Diploma in Management.
 He has around 30 years of varying experience in railroad operations, project management, and marketing. He is an
officer of the Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE).
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 He stated that he wanted to concentrate on doing business internationally, including exporting services and
participating in international bids and contracts.
About Railtel:
Headquarters: India
Key people: Aruna Singh, Chairman & Managing Director
NPCI reappoints Dilip Asbe as MD and CEO for 5 years

 Shareholders of National Payments Corporation of India approved the re-appointment of Dilip Asbe as the MD and
CEO, at the company’s annual general meeting on Thursday.
 With this approval, Asbe will be re-appointed for five years, with effect from January 8, 2023, the company said in a
release.
 Previously the chief operating officer of NPCI, Asbe was appointed as the CEO-in-charge in August 2017 following the
retirement of former MD and CEO A P Hota. He was later appointed as the acting MD and CEO in January 2018.
 Incorporated in 2008 as a specialised division of the Reserve Bank of India, NPCI is an umbrella organisation for
operating retail payments and settlement systems and infrastructure.
 It manages products such as the RuPay card, Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), Unified Payments Interface (UPI),
Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM), BHIM Aadhaar, National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC FasTag) and Bharat
BillPay.
About National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) :

Founded: 2008
Founders: Reserve Bank of India, Indian Banks' Association
Britannia Industries appoints Rajneet Kohli as CEO of Indian bakery firm

 India’s largest bakery foods company, Britannia Industries has appointed Rajneet Kohli as executive director and chief
executive officer effective September 26, 2022. He has served in numerous senior leadership roles during his 25-year-
long career in Asian Paints and Coca-Cola and joins Britannia from food services company Jubilant FoodWorks. Under
his leadership, Jubilant FoodWorks has delivered sustained profitable growth and emerged as the largest QSR chain
in the country with over 1600 stores.
 The board has also elevated Varun Berry to executive vice-chairman and managing director with immediate effect.
He has 27 years of work experience with premier companies like Hindustan Unilever, PepsiCo, etc.
About Britannia Industries:

Founded: 1892
Parent organization: Wadia Group
Vinayak Godse to be new CEO of Data Security Council of India

 Data Security Council of India (DSCI), a leading industry organisation founded by NASSCOM, promoted senior vice
president Vinayak Godse and named him the organization’s new CEO. Vinayak Godse will succeed Rama Vedashree,
who oversaw Data Security Council of India (DSCI) for nearly six years. Vedashree also served on the Justice BN
Srikrishna committee, which was charged with developing a model for the nation’s Personal Data Protection Bill.
 Vinayak Godse will start serving as CEO of Data Security Council of India (DSCI) from October 1. A selection
committee of the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) Board, led by current chairman Rajendra S. Pawar, former
Data Security Council of India (DSCI) chairman Dr. N. Balakrishnan, NASSCOM President, and other board members,
made the decision.
 Vinayak Godse has been a part of Data Security Council of India (DSCI) from its foundation and has more than 27
years of experience in telecom infrastructure, information security, and IT transformation.
About Data Security Council of India (DSCI):

Founder: NASSCOM
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Headquarters: NASSCOM Campus
Chairman: Rajendra S Pawar
CEO: Rama Vedashree
AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Filmfare Awards 2022: Kriti Sanon and Ranveer Singh are best actors, Shershaah is best film
 The 67th Filmfare Awards ceremony, presented by The Times Group, honoured the best Indian Hindi-language films
of 2021. Held at Jio World Centre, the 67th Filmfare Awards honour the films released in 2021. At a press conference
helmed by the editor of Filmfare magazine, Jitesh Pillai revealed Wolf777news as the title sponsor. Bollywood actors
Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor were announced as co-hosts.
Popular awards
1. Best Film: Shershaah (Dharma Productions)
2. Best Director: Vishnuvardhan (Shershaah)
3. Best Actor: Ranveer Singh (83) as Kapil Dev
4. Best Actress: Kriti Sanon, Mimi as Mimi Rathore
5. Best Supporting Actor: Pankaj Tripathi (Mimi)
6. Best Supporting Actress: Sai Tamhankar (Mimi)
Shri Hardeep S. Puri presents Smart Solutions Challenge & Inclusive Cities Awards 2022
 The Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs & Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri presented Smart
Solutions Challenge & Inclusive Cities Awards 2022. These awards are an initiative of the National Institute of Urban
Affairs (NIUA) and the United Nations (UN) in India to address city-level accessibility and inclusion challenges faced
by persons with disabilities (PwD), women and girls, and the elderly.
 The Smart Solutions and Inclusive Cities Awards 2022 was designed with the aim of promoting people-centric design
and fostering novel home-grown technological innovations and solutions. Over 100 entries were received through an
open call for applications, out of which the top 10 technology-based innovations were identified as winning solutions
after an intensive round of screenings and shortlisting by an eminent 7-member jury panel.
About NIUA:
Located in: India Habitat Centre
Founded: 25 June 1976, New Delhi
Barack Obama: Emmy win for narrating Netflix documentary

 The former President of the United States Barack Obama won Emmy Award for his narration in the Netflix
documentary “Our Great National Parks”. Obama already has two Grammys and is now halfway to an EGOT- the
achievement of having won all four of the major American entertainment awards i.e. an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar,
and a Tony.
 The five-part Netflix documentary produced by “Higher Ground” productions, Barack and Michelle Obama’s
production company, features national parks from across the globe. Barack Obama has previously received Grammy
Awards for the audiobook readings of his memoirs “The Audacity of Hope” and “A Promised Land.” Michelle Obama
received her own Grammy in 2020 for reading her audiobook. Obama was the biggest name in a category that was
full of celebrity nominees including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, David Attenborough and Lupita Nyong’o.
About United states:

Kattil Thekkethil wins Nehru Trophy boat race

 Pallathuruthy Boat Club, Mahadevikadu Kattil Thekkethil Chundan has scripted its maiden triumph in the Nehru
Trophy boat race for snake boats at the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. The club, led by Santhosh Chacko, completed
a hat-trick of wins. A total of 77 boats, including 20 snake boats, competed in this year’s Nehru Trophy. Nadubhagom,
rowed by Kumarakom-based NCDC Boat Club, and Veeyapuram, powered by Punnamada club, finished second and
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third, respectively. Police Boat Club’s Chambakkulam came fourth. The top nine finishers will fight it out in next
year’s Champions Boat League.
About Kerala:
Bengal Bags Intl Tourism Award for Best Destination for Culture; Mamata to Attend Event in Berlin
 West Bengal has been accredited the International Travel Award 2023 for Best Destination for Culture by the Pacific
Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), an affiliate member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization
(UNWTO). The award will be presented at the World Tourism and Aviation Leaders’ Summit in Berlin, Germany, on
March 9, 2023. For the second year in a row, World Travel Awards selected the Republic of Cuba as the Caribbean’s
Leading Cultural Destination in 2022.
 The Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) is a professional travel writers organisation established in 1998.
It collaborates with the public and private sectors to encourage sustainable development and enhance the quality of
travel and tourism. PATWA upholds the fundamental principles of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations (UN), and the UNWTO.
About UNWTO:
Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
Founded: 1946
Head: Secretary-General; Zurab Pololikashvili
About West Bengal:
Capital: Kolkata
Singapore confers Meritorious Service Medal to former Navy chief Sunil Lanba
 Former India Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba has been conferred Singapore’s prestigious military award, the
Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or Meritorious Service Medal (Military) (MSM(M)), by President Halimah Yacob.
Admiral Lanba has been conferred the award for his outstanding contributions in enhancing the strong and long-
standing bilateral defence relationship between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy.
 Both navies concluded the Bilateral Agreement for Navy Cooperation in November 2017 and the Implementing
Arrangement for Mutual Coordination, Logistics and Services Support in June 2018, which established the framework
for greater Navy-to-Navy interactions and expanded collaboration in areas of mutual interest such as submarine
rescues, maritime-security information-sharing and logistics support.
 With Lanba’s support, both navies also commemorated the Silver Jubilee of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral
Exercise in 2018 and successfully conducted the inaugural Singapore-India-Thailand Maritime Exercise (SITMEX) in
September 2019. These professional exchanges have strengthened interoperability and deepened mutual
understanding and trust between personnel from both militaries.
About Singapore:
Currency: Singapore dollar
President: Halimah Yacob
Capital: Singapore city
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh presents 'INSPIRE' awards to 60 Start-Ups, financial support to over 53,000
students
 Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has presented INSPIRE Awards to 60 startups along with financial support to 53,021
students, the Ministry of Science & Technology. The award is instituted by the Department of Science & Technology
(DST), Government of India, and these innovators will be extended complete incubation support for their
entrepreneurship journey.
 The annual INSPIRE Awards MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge) competition
attracted an unprecedented 6.53 lakh ideas and innovations from all states and UTs of the country in 2020-21. The
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scheme achieved an unprecedented level of inclusivity by representing ideas and innovations of 702 districts (96%),
including 123 out of 124 aspirational districts, 51% representation from girls, 84% participation from schools located
in rural areas of the country, and 71% of schools run by State/UT Governments.
 Out of 6.53 lakh, a total of 53,021 students were identified for financial support of Rs 10,000 each so that they could
develop prototypes of the ideas that they submitted for the scheme.
 They competed in District-Level Exhibition and Project Competitions (DLEPCs) and State-Level Exhibition and
Project Competitions (SLEPCs).
About Ministry of Science & Technology:

Officeholder: Y. S. Chowdary (Minister of State)
Founded: May 1971
Jurisdiction: India
Alia Bhatt Bestowed The Prestigious Priyadarshni Academy’s Smita Patil Memorial Award For Best Actor
 The 29-year-old actress, Alia Bhatt has been awarded the Best Actor at the prestigious Priyadarshni Academy Smita
Patil Memorial Award. This award is given for her commendable contribution to Indian cinema at the 38th-
anniversary celebrations of the premier non-profit, socio-cultural and educational organisation, Priyadarshini
Academy.
 This honour is bestowed upon outstanding national and international recipients annually and awards global
recognition for their unparalleled excellence and immense contribution to their respective fields. This year,
exceptional achievers were felicitated virtually by Union Ministers, Government of India, at the Academy’s Awards
presentation ceremony through a webinar scheduled for September 19, 2022.
About Smita Patil Memorial Award:

First awarded: 1986
Gates Foundation honors four leaders with 2022 goalkeepers Global Goals Awards for their inspiring efforts
to drive progress for all
 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation honoured 4 changemakers, with the 2022 Goalkeepers Global Goals Awards as a
part of its annual Goalkeepers campaign. The Award recognises their efforts to advance progress towards the United
Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their communities and around the world. The Gates
Foundation’s sixth annual Goalkeepers Report, “The Future of Progress,” was released. It was co-authored by
foundation co¬chairs Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates.
Winners of 2022 Goalkeepers Global Goals Awards:
Name of the
Presented by Awardee Country
Award
2022 Global Bill Gates and
Ursula von der
Goalkeeper Melinda French Germany
Leyen
Award Gates
2022 Campaign
Malala Yousafzai Vanessa Nakate Uganda
Award
2022
Changemaker Angelina Jolie Zahra Joya Afghanistan
Award
2022 Progress
Lilly Singh Dr. Radhika Batra India
Award
About Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation:

Founded: 2000
Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States
Founders: Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates
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India wins UN award for hypertension control initiative
 India has won the United Nations (UN) award for its ‘India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI)’, a large-scale
hypertension intervention under the National Health Mission (NHM) that saw 3.4 million hypertensive people
identified and put on treatment at various government health facilities. The ‘2022 UN Interagency Task Force, and
WHO Special Programme on Primary Health Care Award’ was announced at the UN General Assembly side event at
New York, USA.
 The award is for India’s initiative to control and prevent hypertension under the government’s NHM.It has been
recognized for India’s exceptional work within India’s existing primary healthcare system.
 IHCI is a collaborative initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Indian Council of Medical Research
(ICMR), state governments and the World Health Organization(WHO)¬India.
 It is a growing health issue in India is estimated that 20 crore adults with hypertension, and approximately only 2
crores (12%) have it under control. The Indian Government has adopted the “25 by 25” goal to reduce premature
mortality due to Non¬Communicable Diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025.
About National Health Mission (NHM):

Launch year: 2005
Launched by (prime minister): Narendra Modi
About United Nations (UN):
Meena Kandasamy on winning the Hermann Kesten Prize for 2022

 Indian author and poet Meena Kandasamy has been announced as this year’s recipient of the Hermann Kesten Prize
by the PEN Centre in Germany’s Darmstadt. The Hermann Kesten Prize honours personalities who, in the spirit of
the charter of the PEN association, stand up for the rights of persecuted authors and journalists.
 The PEN Center, Germany, will present the award to the Indian author at a ceremony in Darmstadt on November 15
this year. The winner will receive an amount of €20,000 ($19,996) as prize money. This year, the PEN Center is also
honouring the website “Weiter Schreiben” (German for “Keep writing”) with a special award for encouragement, for
giving authors in exile and writers from conflict zones a platform to express their thoughts.
 Meena Kandasamy was born in 1984 in Chennai, Kandasamy is a feminist and anti-caste activist whose work revolves
around the issue of gender, caste, sexuality, patriarchy, and oppression by the Brahmanical system.
About Germany:
Capital: Berlin
Currency: Euro
President: Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Chancellor: Olaf Scholz
Daniel Spielman won the Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics for “multiple discoveries
 The 2023 winners of the Breakthrough Prizes, dubbed the “Oscars of Science,” were announced and will split a total
of more than $15 million. 2023 Breakthrough Prize laureates, recognized for their game-changing discoveries in
Fundamental Physics, Life Sciences and Mathematics, along with early-career scientists who have made significant
contributions to their fields. Daniel A. Spielman has been honoured with the 2023 Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics
for multiple discoveries in theoretical computer science and mathematics.
 Daniel A. Spielman, Yale University (For breakthrough contributions to theoretical computer science and
mathematics, including to spectral graph theory, the Kadison-Singer problem, numerical linear algebra, optimization,
and coding theory.)
About Breakthrough Prize:

First awarded: 2012; 10 years ago
Presented by: Breakthrough Prize Board
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Indian origin Suella Braverman wins first Queen Elizabeth II award
 Britain’s Indian-origin Home Secretary Suella Braverman has been named winner of the first-ever Queen Elizabeth II
Woman of the Year award at a ceremony in London.
 The 42-year-old barrister, who was appointed to the Cabinet earlier this month by British Prime Minister Liz Truss,
said it was the “honour of her life” to take on the new role at the Asian Achievers Awards (AAA) 2022 ceremony,
dedicated to the memory of the late monarch who passed away recently.
 Braverman, the London-born daughter of Tamil mother Uma and Goan-origin father Christie Fernandes, sent a
recorded message to the ceremony where her parents collected the award on her behalf.
Prime Minister: Liz Truss
Capital: London
King: King Charles III
BOOKS & AUTHOR

A new book examines India’s economic progress from Nehru to Modi
 A new book named ‘India’s Economy From Nehru To Modi:: A Brief History‘ written by by Pulapre Balakrishnan will
be launched shortly. The book, India’s Economy From Nehru To Modi:: A Brief History’ is written about the economic
progression of India from the time of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru to the current time of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Independent The 75-year odyssey of the Indian economy is coming to an end.
 India’s Economy From Nehru To Modi:: A Brief History has been a noteworthy one. Agriculture output has increased
significantly and stabilised. For more than 50 years, there have not been any food shortages. Indian industry has
evolved from being a heavily dependent on imports to having a highly varied product mix.
Dancer-actor-activist Mallika Sarabhai opens up about her personal life in her memoir 'In Free Fall'
 Acclaimed classical dancer and activist Mallika Sarabhai bares it all in her upcoming self-help memoir, “Free Fall: My
Experiments with Living”. The book, which will hit the stands on August 30, is about “coming to terms with yourself,
your body and finding the lifestyle that works for you”. It is published by Speaking Tiger.
 A celebrated dancer, actor and public intellectual writes a memorable account – by turns inspiring, hilarious and
provocative – about how she stumbled her way to health, fitness and sanity. In Free Fall is all about coming to terms
with yourself and your body and find the lifestyle that works for you. And how to make mistakes, pick yourself up and
carry on. Never preachy, this ‘self-help’ memoir delivers an immensely useful message for anyone who wants good
health – and happiness.
Book ‘Divorce and Democracy: A History of Personal Law in Post-Independence India’ by Saumya Saxena
 A new book on divorce laws and various religions in the post-colonial era was released at the India International
Centre. The book ‘Divorce and Democracy: A History of Personal Law in Post-Independence India’ talks about family
law, religion, and gender politics in India. The book has written by Saumya Saxena, a British Academy Fellow at the
faculty of History, University of Cambridge, the book talks about the Indian state’s difficult dialogue with divorce,
which reconciles largely through religion.
 This book captures the Indian state’s difficult dialogue with divorce, mediated largely through religion. By mapping
the trajectories of marriage and divorce laws of Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities in post-colonial India, it
explores the dynamic interplay between law, religion, family, minority rights and gender in Indian politics.
 Personal law, therefore, played a key role in defining the place of religion and determining the content of secularism
in India’s democracy. The book shows a dynamic interplay between law, religion, family, minority rights, and gender
in Indian politics. The book will include the demands of both men and women.
Former President Ram Nath Kovind launches book ‘Ambedkar and Modi: Reformer’s Ideas Performer’s
Implementation’
 Former President Ram Nath Kovind has launched a book titled ‘Ambedkar and Modi: Reformer’s Ideas Performer’s
Implementation’. The book, compiled by Bluekraft Digital Foundation, explores the life and works of Dr BR Ambedkar
while drawing a parallel with the initiatives and reforms taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to implement the
ideals of the social reformer.
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 The book features a foreword by music composer and Rajya Sabha member Ilaiyaraaja. It presents a convergence
between the ideals of Dr Ambedkar and New India’s development journey. Focus has been laid on infrastructure,
education, socio-economic mobility, gender equality, and self-reliance in the twelve chapters of the book.
 Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s influence has an overarching impact on the making of Modern India. However, his legacy was
sidelined and subjected to institutional neglect.
Former vice-president Naidu to release book on PM Modi's selected speeches

 Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu released a collection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s selected speeches
at Akashvani Bhawan in New Delhi. The book titled “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas” Prime Minister
Narendra Modi Speaks (May 2019-May 2020)’ was released in the presence of Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan
at a function here organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. During the release of the book, former
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said that the book gives the readers a glimpse into PM Narendra Modi’s vision for
India’s future and a clear roadmap of journey ahead, through his speeches on diverse topics of national importance.
 The book focuses on 86 speeches of the prime minister on various subjects. The book portrays the prime minister’s
vision of a ‘New India’, which is self-reliant, resilient, and capable of converting challenges into opportunities. The
book that goes by the same phrase serves as an example of hope and aspirations of 130 crore Indians for building a
New India through ‘Jan Bhagidari—Taking All Together’.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar released a Book “Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay – Jeevan Darshan Aur
Samsamyikta”
 The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar has released the book titled “Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay – Jeevan Darshan
Aur Samsamyikta” (five volumes) in New Delhi and on this occasion highlighted the importance of Pt Deendayal’s
thoughts in contemporary times. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, former Union Minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi
and other dignitaries were among those attending the event.
 The Vice President appreciated the efforts of the Chief Editor of the book, Dr Bajrang Lal Gupta and his team for
coming out with these well-researched five volumes on one of the foremost leaders of modern India. He also thanked
Shri Rajnath Singh and Dr Murli Manohar Joshi for their insightful speeches on the life and work of Pt Deendayal
Upadhyay on the occasion.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Day Against Nuclear Tests observed on August 29
 International Day against Nuclear Tests is observed on 29th August to raise awareness about the devastating effects
of testing nuclear weapons. This year marks the thirteenth anniversary of the event. On this day, the United Nations
organises an event that creates public awareness regarding the effects of nuclear weapons tests, and detonations and
further highlights the requirement for cessation of such nuclear tests.
 Nuclear tests cause extensive damage to not just human society, but also to the environment, plant and animal life.
The International Day against Nuclear Tests keeps us alert about this so that we can urge our leaders to ensure a safer
nuclear weapons-free future.
 On 2 December 2009, the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly declared 29 August the International
Day against Nuclear Tests through the unanimous adoption of its resolution 64/35.
National Sports Day 2022: 29th August

 The National Sports Day or Rashtriya Khel Divas is celebrated on 29th August in India as a tribute to hockey legend
Major Dhyan Chand who was born on this date in 1905. It was 2012 when the day was first designated and celebrated
as India’s National Sports Day. The nation celebrates the day honouring our sports stars. The president gives away
sports awards such as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, and Dhyan
Chand Awards on this occasion.
 Notably: Recently Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award will be renamed
as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
International Day for People of African Descent 2022: 31st August

 The International Day for People of African Descent is celebrated on 31 August globally. The day was first celebrated
in 2021, halfway through the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024), which calls for concrete
actions on the part of states and other members of the international community to promote recognition, justice and
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development. The United Nations aims to promote the extraordinary contributions of the African diaspora around
the world and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people of African descent.
 The African diaspora has long been recognized for its spirit and contributions to art, culture, science, and other fields,
and it continues to mark a distinctive presence and positive impact in several parts of the world.
World Coconut Day 2022: 2nd September

 World Coconut Day is celebrated on 2nd September every year. The day is observed to emphasise and spread
knowledge of the value and advantages of coconuts. The coconut palm is often called the ‘tree of life’ owing to its
versatile use in food, fuel, medicine, cosmetics, building materials, and various other uses.
 In India, this day is celebrated with the support of the Coconut Development Board (CDB), across the states such as
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, etc. World Coconut Day is about coconut
as a nutritious fruit, a crucial raw material, and a significant crop.
 The International Coconut Community selects the World Coconut Day themes. The World Coconut Day theme for
this year is “Growing Coconut for a Better Future and Life”.
About Asia Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) :
Established : 2nd September 1969
Headquarters location: Jakarta, Indonesia
First world coconut day: September 2, 2009
Rashtriya Poshan Maah begins across India with key focus on “Mahila aur Swasthya” and “Bacha aur
Shiksha”
 Ministry of Women and Child Development is celebrating the 5th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2022 across the nation from
1st September till 30th September. Rashtriya Poshan Maah serves as a platform to bring focus to the discourse of
nutrition and good health. Maah serves as a platform to bring focus to the discourse of nutrition and good health. In
the 5th Rashtriya Poshan Maah, the aim is to convert Jan Andolan into Jan Bhagidari to fulfil the Prime Minister’s
vision of a Suposhit Bharat. The Central Theme of Poshan Maah 2022 is “Mahila aur Swasthya” and “Bacha aur
Shiksha”.
 Poshan Maah is being celebrated as part of the POSHAN Abhiyaan, the Central Government’s flagship programme
which aims to improve nutritional outcomes for children under 6 years of age, pregnant women and lactating
mothers.
National Teachers’ Day 2022: 5th September

 Teachers’ Day or Shikshak Divas marks the birthday of the country’s first Vice President (1952–1962) who went on to
become the second President of India (1962-1967), a scholar, philosopher, Bharat Ratna awardee, Dr Sarvapalli
Radhakrishnan. He was born on September 5 in the year 1888. But teachers’ day was first observed in the year 1962 on
his 77th birthday. He was a teacher who turned out to be a philosopher, scholar and politician. He dedicated his entire
life to working towards the importance of education in people’s lives.
 The theme for this year’s teachers’ day is ‘Leading in crisis, reimaging the future.’
 When Dr Radhakrishan took office of the second President of India in 1962, his students approached him to seek
permission to celebrate September 5 as a special day.
 Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born in a Telugu-speaking Niyogi Brahmin family, in Tiruttani of Madras district in the
erstwhile Madras Presidency (later in Andhra Pradesh till 1960, now in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu since 1960).
International Day of Charity 2022: 5th September
 The International Day of Charity is observed on September 5. On this day, philanthropic and humanitarian efforts of
any kind are honoured. September 5 was chosen to celebrate the day because it is Mother Teresa’s death anniversary.
She devoted her life for charity and helping people in need. Her compassion and giving nature had made her a revered
figure worldwide. Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for “work undertaken in the struggle to
overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace.”
 September 5 was declared as the International Day of Charity, by a resolution adopted by United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA), on December 17, 2012. The resolution was co-sponsored by 44 UN member nations.
 The great personality passed away on 5 September 1997, at the age of 87. The International Day of Charity was first
marked by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012.
International Day of Clean Air for blue skies 2022: 7 th September

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 The International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is observed globally on September 07 to promote and facilitate
actions to improve air quality. It focuses on the transboundary nature of air pollution highlighting the need for
collective accountability and collective action. It is an UN-recognised day that aims to raise public awareness at all
levels (individual, community, corporate and government) that clean air is important for health, productivity, the
economy and the environment.
 This year’s theme of “The Air We Share” focuses on the transboundary nature of air pollution, stressing the need for
collective accountability and action. It also highlights the need for immediate and strategic international and regional
cooperation for more efficient implementation of mitigation policies and actions to tackle air pollution.
 The United Nations commemorates the International Day Of Clear Air For Blue Skies by hosting summits with
member states. Attendees put forth their perspectives and discuss the data on the impacts of air pollution and air
quality around the globe.

Secretary general: António Guterres
International Literacy Day 2022: 8th September

 International Literacy Day (ILD) is celebrated on 8 September every year all across the globe to make people aware of
the meaning and importance of literacy for individuals and societies. The day spread awareness about the importance
of literacy for individuals, communities, and societies and the need for intensified efforts towards more literate
societies.
 This year’s International Literacy Day will be celebrated worldwide under the theme, “Transforming Literacy Learning
Spaces” and will be an opportunity to rethink the fundamental importance of literacy learning spaces to build
resilience and ensure quality, equitable, and inclusive education for all.
 On this International Literacy Day which is celebrated on 8 September, let’s spread awareness about the importance
of literacy for individuals, communities, and societies. Students celebrate this day to raise awareness and concern for
literacy problems that exist all across.
About UNESCO:
Headquarters: Paris, France
Members: 193 countries
Head: Audrey Azoulay
International Day to Protect Education from Attack 2022: 9th September

 The International Day to Protect Education from Attack is an international observance established by a unanimous
decision of the United Nations General Assembly in 2020. It is observed on September 9 of each year. The purpose of
the day is to raise awareness regarding the importance of safeguarding schools as places of protection and safety for
students and educators and the need to keep education at the top of the public agenda.
 International Day to Protect Education From Attack aims to safeguard and shape the future of more than 75 million
children in the age group of three to 18-year-olds living in 35 countries. This day sends a clear message regarding the
importance of safeguarding schools and the safety of students, as well as educators and giving the children constant
access to education.
 The day was established by a unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly, calling on UNESCO and UNICEF to
raise awareness of the plight of millions of children living in countries affected by conflict. This day was established
in 2020 and is supported by UNESCO and UNICEF, and co-sponsored by 62 countries. This day aims to raise
awareness of the plight of millions of children living in war-affected countries.
About UNESCO:
Head: Audrey Azoulay
About UNICEF:
Executive Director: Henrietta H. Fore
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World Suicide Prevention Day 2022: 10th September

 World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), celebrated annually on 10th September, is organized by the International
Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The overall goal
of this day is to raise awareness about suicide prevention worldwide. Objectives include promoting stakeholder
collaboration and self-empowerment to address self-harm and suicide through preventative action.
 The theme of WSPD 2022, “Creating hope through action,” reflects the need for collective, action to address this
urgent public health issue. This has been the triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention Day from 2021 to 2023.
 According to experts at WHO, the motive of World Suicide Prevention Day is to make people realise that committing
suicide is not the only way to end their problems.
 World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide
Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO).
About International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP):

Founder: Erwin Ringel
Founded: 1960
About World Health Organization (WHO):
President: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Himalaya Diwas 2022: 9th September

 The National Mission for Clean Ganga organized Himalayan Diwas on September 9th, in association with Naula
Foundation. The day is celebrated with an aim to preserve the Himalayan ecosystem and region. This day is celebrated
to mark the importance of the Himalayas. The Himalayan hill cities face many challenges due to poor building
planning and design, poor infrastructures like toads, water supply, sewage etc. and unprecedented felling of trees.
 Himalaya Day 2022 was observed under the theme ‘Himalayas will be safe only when the interests of its residents are
protected.
 The day is observed highlighting that there is an urgent need to develop eco-sensitive hill town plans and designs.
The Himalayas are a source of strength and a valuable heritage for the entire world. So it needs to be protected. Apart
from promoting scientific knowledge, the day helps to raise awareness and community participation.
National Forest Martyrs Day 2022: 11th September

 National Forest Martyrs Day is observed on September 11 to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives to protect
forests and wildlife. The observance of the National Forest Martyrs is marked by several events aimed at creating
awareness about protecting forests and the environment at large. The day holds a lot of significance in the present
scenario when depleting green cover is among the greatest challenges in front of the world.
 This incident is remembered as a key event, and it has inspired many activists and campaigns, like the Chipko
movement, in which peasants hugged trees to save them from felling.
 National Forest Martyrs Day commemorates the importance of trees. To live healthy lives, we must conserve the
forests and protect the trees. In the current climate, one of the most serious issues confronting the globe is the loss
of green cover.
National Forest Martyrs Day 2022: 11th September

 National Forest Martyrs Day is observed on September 11 to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives to protect
forests and wildlife. The observance of the National Forest Martyrs is marked by several events aimed at creating
awareness about protecting forests and the environment at large. The day holds a lot of significance in the present
scenario when depleting green cover is among the greatest challenges in front of the world.
 This incident is remembered as a key event, and it has inspired many activists and campaigns, like the Chipko
movement, in which peasants hugged trees to save them from felling.
 National Forest Martyrs Day commemorates the importance of trees. To live healthy lives, we must conserve the
forests and protect the trees. In the current climate, one of the most serious issues confronting the globe is the loss
of green cover.
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Hindi Diwas 2022: 14th September
 Hindi Diwas or Hindi Day is observed every year on 14 September to mark the popularity of Hindi as an official
language of India. The language was adopted under Article 343 of the Indian Constitution. The first Hindi day was
celebrated on 14th September 1953. Hindi is one of the major languages used in India as a large portion of the country’s
population knows and uses the language. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions celebrate Hindi Diwas
by organising various programs.
 Hindi Diwas is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of Hindi in the Devanagari script as one of the official
languages of the nation. Hindi was adopted by the National Constitution on September 14, 1949 and it became the
official language of the country. India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, decided to celebrate September 14 as
Hindi Diwas.
 Hindi Diwas also marks celebrating the birthday of Beohar Rajendra Simha who played a crucial role in getting Hindi
in the Devanagari script approved as an official language of India. He was born on 14 September 1916.
 Hindi is spoken in countries like Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, UAE, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Tobago, etc.
National Engineer’s Day 2022: 15th September

 In India, Engineer’s Day is celebrated on September 15 every year. The day is celebrated to recognise the contribution
of engineers in the development of the nation. This day commemorates the birth anniversary of Sir Moksha Gundam
Visvesvaraya, who is considered one of the greatest engineers of India. Joining India, Sri Lanka and Tanzania also
celebrate Engineers Day on September 15, 2022, in honour of Sir Moksha Gundam Visvesvaraya.
 National Engineering Day is celebrated to remind all the engineers of the country, especially civil engineers, to make
Sir M Visvesvaraya their role model in accomplishing their goals and contributing to the country’s development.
 In 1968, the Government of India decided to observe September 15 as National Engineers Day. As per reports, India
has the second largest number of engineers in the world. Often at times, India is also referred to as the country of
engineers. The day serves as a reminder to all engineers, especially civil engineers, to make Sir Visvesvaraya their role
model and work towards accomplishing goals for the betterment of the country.
International Day of Democracy 2022: 15th September

 This year, September 15 marks the 15th anniversary of the International Day of Democracy. The day is celebrated
annually around the world to strengthen democracies and highlight its values and principles. This year, Democracy
Day will focus on the importance of media freedom to democracy, peace, and delivering on the Sustainable
Development Goals.
 A theme is chosen for the International Day of Democracy. This year, the day is focused on the “importance of media
freedom to democracy, peace, and delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals”.
 According to UNESCO, the International Day of Democracy serves as an opportunity to assess the state of
democracies in the world. It also gives a chance to highlight the crucial role of parliaments and to celebrate their
capability to deliver justice, development, human rights, and peace.
About UNESCO:
Founded: 16 November 1945, London, United Kingdom
Parent organization: United Nations
Director-General: Ms Audrey Azoulay
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2022: 16th September
 World Ozone Day or the International Day for the preservation of the Ozone Layer is observed on the 16th of
September. The day aims to create awareness about the importance and need of the Ozone layer which is the single
protection on Earth against UV rays coming out from the sun. The UN Environment Programme also aims to bring
awareness about the importance of getting rid of the substances that damage the ozone layer. It also calls for taking
time-targeted actions to protect Earth’s protective shield.
 he theme announced by the UN Environment Programme for International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone
Layer 2022 is ‘Global Cooperation Protecting Life on Earth’.
 The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed September 16 as the International Day for the Preservation of the
Ozone Layer in 1994. This was done to commemorate the date of the signing of the ‘Montreal Protocol on Substances
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that Deplete the Ozone Layer’ by the governments of 46 nations around the world in 1987. It was also known as the
“Montreal Protocol”.
About United Nations (UN)

World Patient Safety Day 2022: 17th September

 World Patient Safety Day is observed every year on 17th September to create awareness about different safety measures
that should be taken to ensure patient safety. The day focuses on preventing and reducing risks, errors, and harm that
patients face. In modern society, it is important to understand the implications of negligent patient care and work
toward modern standards regarding patient care.
 The main objective of World Patient Safety Day is to increase public awareness, enhance global understanding and
call for solidarity and united action by all countries and international partners to increase patient safety and reduce
patient harm.
 Every year, World Patient Safety Day is observed under a specific theme. This year, the theme of World Patient Safety
Day 2022 is ‘Medication Safety’ along with the slogan ‘Medication Without Harm’ with a call to action to ‘Know, Check
& Ask’. Medication errors and unsafe medication practices can lead to severe patient harm, disabilities, and deaths.
Swati Piramal conferred with top French civilian honour

 Prominent Indian scientist and industrialist Dr Swati Piramal has been conferred France’s top civilian honour for her
contributions in the fields of business and industry, science, medicine, and towards strengthening Indo-French ties.
Piramal, 66, is the vice-chairperson of the Mumbai-headquartered Piramal Group, a business conglomerate with
interests in pharmaceuticals, financial services, real estate and glass packaging.
 The Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur or Knight of the Legion of Honour was conferred on her in an investiture
ceremony by Catherine Colonna, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, during a visit to India this week.
The award was conferred on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron. Dr Piramal is not only a leading and
outstanding businesswoman, but also a businesswoman who gives back to society, said Colonna.
About France:
President: Emmanuel Macron
Capital: Paris
Prime Minister: Élisabeth Borne
Currencies: Euro, CFP franc
World Bamboo Day 2022: 18th September

 World Bamboo Day 2022 is observed on September 18 in order to raise awareness about the conservation of this
extremely useful plant. Conceptualised by the World Bamboo Organisation (WBO), this day also promotes the
bamboo industry by highlighting its concerns. Bamboo wood has long been used for various purposes in countries
around the globe, especially in the east and southeast Asia. Bamboo grows on its and doesn’t require to be replanted,
making it easily available.
 By observing World Bamboo Day, WBO aims to sensitise people about the potential uses of bamboo. Promoting the
new cultivation of bamboo in developing regions across the world can yield tremendous economic development. In
fact, bamboo can be used as a substitute for numerous unsustainable resources. Found in South-East Asia, bamboo
can be used in various ways including as food, and as a substitute for wood, building, and construction material.
About World Bamboo Organization:

Headquarters: Antwerp, Belgium
Founded: 2005
Executive director: Susanne Lucas
International Equal Pay Day 2022:18th September
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 International Equal Pay Day, celebrated on 18 September, represents the longstanding efforts towards the
achievement of equal pay for work of equal value. The symbolic day aims at highlighting issues related to the gender
pay gap and raising worldwide awareness. The main aim of the event is to end the history of gender discrimination
that women are generally subjected to by getting paid less than their male counterparts.
 The day holds great significance in modern times as it shows how pay inequality still remains a reality. The day
provides a global platform for women to raise the issue through various campaigns. International Equal Pay Day also
encourages people to join the social cause by identifying strategies for its implementation.
 International Equal Pay Day was first observed back in 1996 by the National Committee on Pay Equity.
World Rhino Day 2022: 22nd September

 World Rhino Day is observed on 22nd September to spread awareness about the different Rhinoceros species and the
dangers they face. This day also celebrates all five rhino species namely the Sumatran, Black, Greater One-horned,
Javan, and White rhino species. The day offers NGOs, zoos, and the general public a chance to honour rhinos in their
own special ways. This day aims to spread the importance of protecting these animals, as Rhinoceros have become
critically endangered in the wild due to ongoing poaching and habitat loss over many years.
 This year’s World Rhino Day will be observed under the theme “Five Rhino Species Forever”. The goals of this day are
to promote the noble cause of raising awareness about the need to save rhinos from danger to their lives. The rhinos
are constantly under severe threat.
World Rose Day (Welfare of Cancer Patients) 2022: 22nd September

 World Rose Day for the welfare of cancer patients worldwide is celebrated annually on the 22nd of September. This
day aims to encourage and support those people who are fighting their battle against cancer. The day aims to bring
happiness and hope into the lives of such patients and reminds them that they can emerge victorious in their battle
against cancer through determination and positivity.
 On World Rose Day, people offer roses, cards, and gifts to cancer patients and their caregivers, who also play an
important role in this difficult journey. As we all know that the fight against cancer is both physical and psychological,
and events such as the World Rose Day are important as they give inner strength and motivation to the patients to
keep moving forward when the chips are down
 World Rose Day was first observed in honour of 12-year-old cancer patient Melinda Rose from Canada, who died in
1996. According to reports, Rose was diagnosed with Askin’s Tumour in 1994, which is a rare form of blood cancer.
International Day of Sign Languages 2022: 23 rd September

 The International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) is celebrated annually across the world on 23 September. The day is
a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other
sign language users. Sign language gives people, who are hard of hearing, a medium to converse. As the name suggests,
this day aims to spread awareness regarding the importance of sign language in the realisation of the human rights of
people who are deaf.
 The theme for the 2022 International Day of Sign languages is “Sign Languages Unite Us!”. Deaf communities,
governments and civil society organisations maintain their collective efforts in fostering, promoting and recognising
national sign languages as part of their countries’ vibrant and diverse linguistic landscapes.
About World Federation of the Deaf:

President: Joseph J. Murray
Founded: 23 September 1951, Rome, Italy
Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
National Cinema Day 2022: 23rd September

 The National Cinema Day was previously announced to be held on September 16, however, on request from various
stakeholders and in order to maximize participation, it was rescheduled to September 23. The day has been scheduled
by the Multiplex Association of India (MAI). Over 4,000 screens at multiplexes from across the country, including
PVR, INOX, Cinepolis, Carnival, and Delite, have teamed up to offer a “celebratory admission price” of Rs 75 to mark
National Cinema Day.
 Multiplex Association of India (MAI) is a nationwide group of cinema operators that informs, educates and advocates
on behalf of the cinema exhibition sector.
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 Established in 2022 under the aegis of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) by leading
cinema operators, it partners with regulatory bodies and industry partners nationwide to raise the profile of cinema,
highlighting opportunities, and addressing various challenges faced by the cinema exhibition sector.
About Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI):

President: Sanjiv Mehta
Founded: 1927
Founder: Ghanshyam Das Birla
World rivers day 2022: 25th September

 World River Day is observed to raise awareness regarding water bodies and to promote their conservation. It is
observed every year on the fourth Sunday of September, and this year, it falls on September 25. As per World Rivers
Day, “It is a celebration of the world’s waterways.” This day highlights the values of rivers and strives to increase public
awareness and encourages the improved supervision of rivers around the world.
 The theme for this year’s World Rivers Day is ‘The importance of Rivers to Biodiversity’. The absolute need for rivers
to keep any civilization going is the focus of this year’s theme. Not only humans, but rivers keep a wide range of
animals and plant a living breathing part of our ecosystem.
World Pharmacists Day 2022: 25th September

 Every year on September 25, World Pharmacist Day is commemorated with the goal of highlighting and advocating
the pharmacist’s contribution to health improvement. The occasion of World Pharmacy Day serves as a reminder to
honour all medical specialists who provide their services with empathy and understanding. Pharmacists provide the
availability of pharmaceuticals and guidance on safe medication usage. A pharmacist is a healthcare professional who
is responsible for storing, handling, and dispensing medicines. Like doctors, pharmacists also have a major role to
play in the healthcare sector.
 This year’s theme, “Pharmacy united in action for a healthier world,” aims to promote unity and highlight the sound
effects of pharmacy on health. The theme has been chosen to “showcase pharmacy’s positive impact on health around
the world and to further strengthen solidarity among the profession”.
 Pharmacists are trained to advise the right way a medicine must be used and stored while they also provide us with
crucial information about the potential adverse effects of a medicine. These professionals also contribute to research
for new drugs while they offer their vital services in hospitals, medical clinics, government institutions, and
universities. In addition, pharmacists are also responsible for the safe disposal of medicines once they have expired.
About International Pharmaceutical Federation:

CEO: Dr Catherine Duggan
Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
Motto: Advancing pharmacy worldwide
World Contraception Day 2022: 26th September

 World Contraception Day is marked on September 26 with a focus on creating awareness about contraceptive
knowledge and family planning. To educate the younger generation about contraceptive measures. In this program,
people are told about the prevention of conception. It is a global campaign held annually to shed light on birth control
methods by asserting the importance of reproductive health. World Contraception Day has become an important
event to highlight the need for population control. The day underlines the need for better family planning which can
indirectly also help families to lift themselves out of poverty.
 According to the World Health Organisation, the significance of World Contraception Day is captured in the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development.
 The first-ever World Contraception Day was observed on September 26 in 2007.
About World Health Organization :
Director-General: Tedros Adhanom
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International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 2022: 26 th September
 The United Nations observes 26 September every year as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear
Weapons. The aim of the day is to enhance public awareness about the threat posed to humanity by nuclear weapons
and the necessity for their total elimination. It provides an opportunity to educate the public and their leaders about
the real benefits of eliminating such weapons, and the social and economic costs of perpetuating them.
 In 1946, the General Assembly’s first resolution established that the Atomic Energy Commission has the mandate to
make specific proposals for the control of nuclear energy and the elimination of not only atomic weapons but also all
other major weapons adaptable to mass destruction.
 The General Assembly endorsed the objective of general and complete disarmament in 1959. The first Special Session
of the General Assembly Devoted to Disarmament, held in 1978.
World Tourism Day 2022: 27th September

 World Tourism Day 2022 is observed on 27 September globally. This day is celebrated every year to focus on
promoting tourism in various parts of the world. It was initiated by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation
(UNWTO). It is celebrated to promote tourism and understand its importance. World Tourism Day aims to make
people understand the joy of exploring the world. It is an extremely important event.
 The theme of World Tourism Day 2022 is ‘Rethinking Tourism’. Everyone will focus on understanding the growth of
the tourism sector and reviewing and redeveloping tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic.
 World Tourism Day intends to raise awareness about the significance of tourism in affecting the social, political,
economic and cultural values of the international community. It is important to note that tourism plays a significant
role in improving a nation’s economy and enhancing its image. World Tourism Day is important because it helps to
promote the advantages of tourism. The event is set to be led by the representatives of the tourism sector of Bali. The
representatives from UNWTO states will also be invited to the event.
About United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO):

Founded: 1946
Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
Secretary-General: Zurab Pololikashvili
World Environmental Health Day 2022: 26th September

 World Environmental Health Day is observed on September 26, every year. The goal of observing the day is to increase
public awareness of the environment’s condition and encourage people to take the required steps to stop it from
getting worse. World Environmental Health Day is a day dedicated to informing people about the health of the
environment and preserving it. It is more crucial than ever to raise awareness of the threats posed by pollution, climate
change, and global warming because the Earth is our home, thus by not doing anything to prevent it from
deteriorating, we are not only endangering the environment but also ourselves.
 Every year World Environment Day is celebrated with a new theme. The theme for this year’s World Environment
Health Day is “Strengthening Environmental Health Systems for the implementation of the Sustainable Development
Goals”.
World Rabies Day 2022: 28th September

 World Rabies Day is celebrated each year on September 28 as a tribute to Louis Pasteur – the inventor of the first
effective rabies vaccine in the world. The day is observed to promote the fight against Rabies, raise awareness of its
prevention, and celebrate the achievements the world has made against this deadly disease.
 According to the World Health Organisation, the theme of World Rabies Day 2022 is ‘Rabies: One Health, Zero
Deaths.’ The theme is to emphasize the connection between the environment, people, and animals. One Heath in the
theme represents the vulnerabilities of the health system but also sheds light on how magnanimous they can achieve
with collaboration across sectors. Zero Deaths means that the world has all the medicines, tools, vaccines, and
technologies to eradicate the disease, and ‘zero deaths’ should be the end goal.
About World Organisation for Animal Health:
Founder: Emmanuel Leclainche
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OBITURY
Last Soviet leader Gorbachev, who ended Cold War and won Nobel prize, dies aged 91
 Mikhail Gorbachev, who as the last leader of the Soviet Union waged a losing battle to salvage a crumbling empire
but produced extraordinary reforms that led to the end of the Cold War, died. He was 91. The Central Clinical Hospital
said in a statement that Gorbachev died after a long illness. No other details were given. Though in power less than
seven years, Gorbachev unleashed a breathtaking series of changes. But they quickly overtook him and resulted in the
collapse of the authoritarian Soviet state, the freeing of Eastern European nations from Russian domination and the
end of decades of East-West nuclear confrontation.
 His decline was humiliating. His power hopelessly sapped by an attempted coup against him in August 1991, he spent
his last months in office watching republic after republic declare independence until he resigned on Dec. 25, 1991.
About Nobel Prize:

Ceremony date: 10 December 2022
First awarded: 1901; 121 years ago
Leading economist Abhijit Sen passes away at 72 following a heart attack

 Renowned economist and former Planning Commission member, Abhijit Sen has passed away at 72. He was a
member of the Planning Commission from 2004 to 2014, during the tenure of PM Manmohan Singh. He was awarded
the Padma Bhushan for public service in 2010.
 In his career, he taught economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and hold several important government
positions including the chair of the Commission of Agricultural Cost and Prices. Politicians, academics, his students,
farmers’ leaders and activists remember him for his contributions in areas such as minimum support price, rural
economy and rural employment.
Historian and former Vice-Chancellor of Mangalore and Goa Universities B. Sheik Ali, passed away at 97
 Noted historian and first Vice Chancellor of Mangalore and Goa Universities Professor B. Sheik Ali passed away. He
was the general president of the Indian History Congress at its 47th Session in 1986 and the founder president of the
South India History Congress in 1985. He is a recipient of the Rajyothsava award and has authored a total of 23 books
in English.
 Sheikh Ali was an authority on Mysuru rulers Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan and had carried out extensive research on
the Mysuru kingdom in the British era. He authored 32 books and edited others, including Tipu Sultan: A Study in
Diplomacy and Confrontation; Tipu Sultan, a Great Martyr; British Relations with Hyder Ali; Dr Zakir Hussain — Life
& Times, A Comprehensive Biography, besides other Urdu publications.
 He was the recipient of the prestigious Golden Jubilee Award of Mysore University for research in Humanities and
Social Sciences, Rajyotsava award for Distinguished Educationist, Mythic Society of India Award for Distinguished
Historian, and Maulana Jauhar Award in 2003.
Former Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry dies in car crash at the age of 54
 Former chairman of Tata Sons, Cyrus Mistry has died in a road accident while en route from Ahmedabad to Mumbai.
Mistry was aged 54 years. He was travelling with Jahangir Dinshaw Pandol, Anahita Pandol, and Darius Pandol. Mistry
is survived by his wife Rohiqa and their two sons.
 Cyrus Pallonji Mistry was an Indian-born Irish businessman. Mistry, who was the sixth chairman of Tata Sons, was
ousted from the position in October 2016. He had taken over as the chairman in December 2012 after Ratan Tata
announced his retirement. N Chandrasekaran later took over as Executive Chairman of Tata Sons.
 The Supreme Court in May had dismissed a plea of the Sapoorji Pallonji (SP) group seeking a review of the 2021 verdict
which had upheld the Tata group’s decision to remove Cyrus Mistry as the executive chairman of the Tata Sons.
About Tata Sons:

Founded: 1868
Owner: Tata Trusts (66%); Shapoorji Pallonji Group (18%)
Founders: Tata Group, Jamsetji Tata
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Carnatic vocalist T.V. sankaranarayanan passed away
 Renowned Carnatic musician TV Sankaranarayan (77) has passed away. He was the torch-bearer of the Madurai Mani
Iyer style of Carnatic music. With his death six decades-long music career has ended. Sankaranarayan was also the
son-in-law of Mani Iyer. He was the son of musicians Tiruvalangal Vembu Iyer and Gomati Ammal.
 He was born in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu in 1945. His family came to Mayiladuthurai from Chennai during World
War II. The family returned to Chennai in the 1950s. Although he studied law, he devoted his life to music.
 Sankaranarayan had shared several stages with Madurai Mani Iyer. He won the Madras Music Academy’s Sangeeta
Kalanidhi Award in 2003 and was honored with the Padma Bhushan by the country in the same year. Musicians
Amrita Sankaranarayanan and Mahadevan are his children.
About Tamil Nadu:

Capital: Chennai
About Padma Bhushan:
First awarded: 1954
Established: 1954; 68 years ago
Last awarded: 2022
Total: 1287
Next (higher): Padma Vibhushan
Asian Games, Commonwealth medal-winning boxer Birju Sah passes away

 Indian boxer, Birju Sah has passed away recently, the first Indian boxer to win medals at both the Asian and
Commonwealth Games. He was 48. He won bronze medals at both the Commonwealth & Asian Games in 1994. Sah’s
first significant international success came at 19 in the 1993 Asian Junior Championships in Bangkok, Thailand. He
took bronze in the light flyweight (45-48kg) division. The success on the continental stage was noticed by the Indian
boxing federation which selected Birju Sah for the senior national camp.
 Birju Sah, though once ranked seventh in the world rankings, struggled to make ends meet after his retirement. He
worked as a security guard in the Tatanagar area in Jamshedpur but stayed connected with his sport by coaching
underprivileged kids from nearby areas for free.
Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96
 Queen Elizabeth II passes away: Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned the UK for 70 years, passed away at Balmoral at the
age of 96. After worries about her health grew early, her family gathered at her Scottish estate. Queen Elizabeth II
saw significant social change after ascending to the throne in 1952. The King and the Queen Consort will spend today
(08.09.2022) and tomorrow (09.09.22) in Balmoral before departing for London.
 Queen Elizabeth II was in placement under medical supervision, all of her children made their way to Balmoral, which
is close to Aberdeen.
 Queen Elizabeth II, who on Tuesday appointed Prime Minister Liz Truss, said she was the “rock” upon which modern
Britain was founded and that she had “given us the stability and strength that we required.”
 The prime ministers served during her time in office, including Ms. Truss, who was born 101 years after Winston
Churchill, in 1874.
 Queen Elizabeth II came under fire for not publicly commenting after Diana, Princess of Wales, died in a car accident
in Paris in 1997.

Government: Parliamentary system,Unitary state, Constitutional monarchy
Capital: London
Prime Minister: Liz Truss
Bhojpuri traditional dance exponent Ramchandra Manjhi passes away, at the age of 97
 Padma Shri awardee Ramchandra Manjhi, whose performance in Bhojpuri folk dance ‘Naach’ for eight decades, has
passed away. He was a famous performer of ‘Launda Naach’, a sub-set of ‘Naach’, in which men crossdress as women.
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His passion for the dance form even in old age has brought him several honours, including Sangeet Natak Akademi
Award (2017) and Padma Shri (2021).
 Born in Saran district in Bihar in 1925, Manjhi was the last scion of the legendary Bhikhari Thakur’s ‘Naach’ form of
folk dance. He was one of the members of the original troupe of Bhikhari Thakur, known as Shakespeare of Bhojpuri
language. Manjhi was presently associated with the Saran-based Bhikhari Thakur Repertory Training & Research
Centre, a troupe run by Jainendra Dost, a filmmaker and a renowned artist.
About Bihar:
Capital: Patna
Justice KN Singh, CJI with the shortest tenure, passes away at the age of 95
 Former Chief Justice of India Kamal Narain Singh passed away, at the age of 95. Justice Narain had a tenure of only 17
days as the CJI, making him the chief justice with the shortest tenure. He was the 22nd Chief Justice of India, with a
term from November 25, 1991, to December 12, 1991.
 Born on December 13, 1926, his career as a judge started with his appointment as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad
High Court in 1970. He then became a Permanent Judge in August 1972. He got elevated as a Supreme Court judge in
1986 and, after almost five years, became the CJI. He also served as Chairman of the 13th Law Commission of India
from 1991-1994. Late Justice Narain was part of several important judgments, including the Ganga Pollution case, the
case challenging the validity of a death sentence, etc.
About Chief Justice of India:

Seat: Supreme Court of India, New Delhi, India
Nominator: Outgoing Chief Justice of India on the basis of Seniority
Term length: Until the age of 65
Formation 28 January 1950; 72 years ago
First holder H. J. Kania (1950–1951)
Justice KN Singh, CJI with the shortest tenure, passes away at the age of 95
 Former Chief Justice of India Kamal Narain Singh passed away, at the age of 95. Justice Narain had a tenure of only 17
days as the CJI, making him the chief justice with the shortest tenure. He was the 22nd Chief Justice of India, with a
term from November 25, 1991, to December 12, 1991.
 Born on December 13, 1926, his career as a judge started with his appointment as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad
High Court in 1970. He then became a Permanent Judge in August 1972. He got elevated as a Supreme Court judge in
1986 and, after almost five years, became the CJI. He also served as Chairman of the 13th Law Commission of India
from 1991-1994. Late Justice Narain was part of several important judgments, including the Ganga Pollution case, the
case challenging the validity of a death sentence, etc.
About Chief Justice of India:

Seat: Supreme Court of India, New Delhi, India
Nominator: Outgoing Chief Justice of India on the basis of Seniority
Term length: Until the age of 65
Formation 28 January 1950; 72 years ago
First holder H. J. Kania (1950–1951)
Dwarka Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati passed away on Sunday at the age of 99
 Dwarka-Sharda Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati has passed away at Narsinghpur in Madhya
Pradesh. He was 99 years old. He breathed his last at the Shridham Jhoteshwar Ashram in Narsinghpur. Swami
Swaroopanand was born in Dighori village in Madhya Pradesh’s Siwani district. He left his home at the age of 9. Later,
he went to Kashi in Uttar Pradesh, where he gained spiritual enlightenment and religious wisdom from Swami
Karpatri Maharaj.
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 Swami Shankracharya was also imprisoned during the Indian Independence movement. He also participated in the
Quit India movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 and was incarcerated in Varanasi for nine months and
in Madhya Pradesh for six months.

Governor: Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
Former Davis cup Captain Naresh Kumar passes away at 93

 Born on December 22, 1928, Naresh Kumar, an international tennis star, died at 93 following a brief illness attributed
to age-related complications on Wednesday, 14 September.
 Kumar went on to make his mark in Indian tennis after Independence. He reached the final of the then Northern
Championships, now Manchester Open, in England in 1949. He later made it to the Indian Davis Cup team in 1952
and represented India for eight consecutive years.
 He was among the generation of Indian players who performed exceptionally well at a global scale. Having made it to
the singles main draw at Wimbledon for nine consecutive years, his best performance was in 1955 when he reached
the pre-quarterfinals. In 1958, he reached the third round of the French Open in 1958.
About Davis cup:

Founder: Dwight F. Davis
Founded: 1900
No. of teams: 18 (World Group)
Most recent champion(s): Russia; (3rd title)
Most titles: United States; (32 titles)
Keshav Rao Dattatreya Dikshit dies at 98

 Senior most pracharak of Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh, Keshav Rao Dattatreya Dikshit has passed away. He was
98. Born in 1925 at Pulgaon village of Wardha district in Maharashtra, Keshav Rao came to Bengal in 1950 to act as a
pracharak. He was respected one and all of the Sangh Pariwar. The mortal remains of Keshav Rao was kept at the state
headquarters, Keshav Bhavan. Sukanta Majumder the state president and other senior leaders of the party express
their condolences at his death.
 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), (Hindi: “National Volunteer Organization”) also called Rashtriya Seva Sangh,
organization founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (1889–1940), a physician living in the Maharashtra region
of India, as part of the movement against British rule and as a response to rioting between Hindus and Muslims.
Padma Shri Awardee Acharya Ram Yatna Shukla died at 90

 Padma Shri awardee, Prof Acharya Ram Yatna Shukla, a Sanskrit scholar and former President of Kashi Vidwat
Parishad, passed away at the age of 90 years. He is popularly called as “Abhinav Panini” due to his contribution towards
inventing new methods of Sanskrit Grammar and Vedanta teaching and modernisation.
 Acharya RamYatna Shukla, born on 15th January 1932 in Bhadohi district, Uttar Pradesh (UP), was a scholar of Sanskrit
grammar and played an important role in conserving ancient and Sanskrit texts.
 He was the founder of UP Nagkoop Sastrath Samiti and Sanatan Sanskriti Samvardhan Parishad, which are engaged
in the uplifting of Sanskrit language and moral values of society.
 He was honoured with more than 25 awards including the Keshav award, Vachaspati Award, and Vishwabharti award.
He has been conferred the title of “Mahamahopadhye”. He was awarded Padma Shri in 2021 for his immense
contribution in social work. He has authored several books and research papers. One of his key publications is
“Vyakaran Darshne Shristi Prakriya Vimarsha”.
About Padma Shri Award:

First awarded: 1954
Established: 1954; 68 years ago
Total: 3225
Last awarded: 2022
Next (higher): Padma Bhushan
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Oscar-winning star Louise Fletcher passes away at 88
 An Oscar-winning actress, Louise Fletcher from the USA has passed away at the age of 88 in France. She was awarded
the Oscar in 1976 for her role as Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975). She was also a recipient
of the BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award. She was nominated for two Emmy Awards for her roles in the
television series Picket Fences (1996) and Joan of Arcadia (2004). Her final role was as Rosie in the Netflix series
Girlboss (2017).
 Fletcher began her acting career in the late 1950s on episodic TV shows such as Lawman, The Untouchables, and 77
Sunset Strip and lasted for more than sixty years in films and television with a recurring role as the cunning Bajoran
religious figure Kai Winn Adami on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
About Oscar:
Ceremony date: 12 March 2023
First awarded: May 16, 1929; 93 years ago
Presented by: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
About USA:
Veteran Congress leader Aryadan Muhammed dies in Kerala’s Kozhikode at 87

 Former Kerala minister and senior Congress leader, Aryadan Muhammed has passed away at the age of 87.
Muhammed, a prominent Muslim face of Congress in Kerala, had got elected to the state Assembly eight times from
the Nilambur constituency in Malappuram. He had served as a minister for four terms. During the Congress regime
from 2011 to 2016, he had been power minister in the Oommen Chandy government.
 Muhammed joined Congress in 1952 and became a member of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee in 1958. Later,
he served as the president of the Malappuram district congress committee and had been a state leader of the INTUC,
the trade union wing of Congress.
 Within the Congress, Muhammed had been a prominent leader associated with the A group led by A K Antony. When
A group of Congress had aligned with the CPI(M) in 1980, Muhammed became a minister in the then CPI(M)
Government led by E K Nayanar.
About Kerala:
Population: 3.46 crores (2018)
RANKING
Daily wage earners biggest group among death by suicides in 2021: NCRB
 The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released a Accidental Deaths & Suicides report, as per the number of
suicide-related deaths in India reached an all-time high in 2021. In 2017, 1.64 lakh people committed suicide, a 7.2%
rise from 2020, when 1.53 lakh people had done so. Since 1967, the first year for which statistics are available, there
have been more suicide-related fatalities than ever before. 11.3 suicides per 100,000 individuals have been reported up
to this time, as per the Accidental Deaths & Suicides report.
 As per the information on accidental fatalities and suicides given by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in
Accidental Deaths & Suicides, this number was around 1.39 lakh in 2019.
 22,207 people committed suicide in Maharashtra in 2021, the state with the highest reported suicide rate, as per
Accidental Deaths & Suicides report.
 Domestic issues and illnesses were the main contributors to suicide deaths in the nation last year. They represented
33.2% and 18.6% of all suicide cases, respectively.
About National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB):

Headquarters: Delhi - 110037
Founded: 11 March 1986
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Parent department: Ministry of Home Affairs
Agency executive: Vivek Gogia, IPS, Director;
Key document: Creation of NCRB (Notification)
UIDAI tops Grievance Redressal Index in August 2022

 Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has topped among all Ministries/Departments for resolving Public
Grievances in the ranking. The report was published by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public
Grievances (DARPG). In a statement released by the Ministry of Electronics and IT, it is stated that UIDAI is further
committed in serving the people of India and has been a catalyst for both ease of living and business.
 UIDAI has been a top performer in the resolution of cases received through the Centralized Public Grievance Redress
and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS).
 UIDAI is further committed to serving residents of India and has been a catalyst for both ease of living and ease of
doing business.
 UIDAI has a robust grievance redressal mechanism in place comprising of UIDAI HQ Divisions, Regional Offices,
Technology Centre and engaged Contact Centre partners, which is enabling UIDAI to resolve around 92% of CRM
Grievances within 7 days.
About UIDAI:
Founded: 28 January 2009;
Headquarters: New Delhi.
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat Top States In Implementing POSHAN Abhiyaan Scheme: NITI
Aayog’s Report
 Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat have been ranked as the top three states among larger states in terms of
the overall implementation of the Centre’s flagship Poshan Abhiyaan, according to a Niti Aayog report. Sikkim was
the best performer among the small states. The report titled ‘Preserving Progress on Nutrition in India: Poshan
Abhiyan in Pandemic Times’ further said that 12 out of 19 large states had an implementation score of over 70 per
cent. While Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu topped among Union Territories (UTs), Punjab and Bihar
were the lowest performers among larger states in terms of the overall implementation of Poshan Abhiyaan, as per
the government think tank report.
 However, it said, coverage remained low in Bihar (65 per cent pregnant women, 62 per cent lactating women, and 52
per cent children), Punjab (78 per cent pregnant women, 76 per cent lactating women, and 65 per cent children),
Sikkim (84 per cent pregnant women, 84 per cent lactating women, and 77 per cent children) and Jammu and Kashmir
(49 per cent pregnant women, 51 per cent lactating women, and 54 per cent children).
 Noting that overall fund utilisation under Poshan Abhiyaan is low, with less than 50 per cent of funds utilised in 23
states and UTs, the report said.
About NITI Aayog:

Digital India Mission: Uttar Pradesh is one top ranks

 Uttar Pradesh, with 9.12 million cases, ranks at the top in the number of disposal and entry of cases through the e-
Prosecution portal managed by the Union government under its Digital India Mission. According to the figures till
the end of August, Madhya Pradesh followed in second spot at 2.31 million, Bihar with 859,000, Gujarat with 487,000
and Chhattisgarh with 383,000 cases. UP also ranks at the top in disposal of online cases on this portal, with about
470,000 entries, followed by 170,000 for MP and 125,000 for Gujarat. The portal launched by states two years ago is an
initiative of the home, IT and law ministries for helping courts and the prosecution system in accelerating criminal
trials in heinous crimes.
 Under the system, officials ensure that witnesses are informed through SMS about their day of appearance in court,
reach out to the concerned government advocates and help in prompt disposal of cases, with the entire database of
the case structured to help the prosecution, an official said. The portal provides for e-communication between the
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police department and the prosecution directorate under the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) that
enables transfer of data among courts, police, jails and forensic science laboratories.
 In the next 100 days, the department aims at securing conviction of 1,000 convicts under POCSO Act and crimes
against women. It is also planned to ensure conviction in crimes under POCSO Act within one month, and ensure
punishment in at least 90 per cent of the decided cases under the Arms Act. The e-Prosecution Mobile app is also
being developed which will incorporate digitisation of all judicial procedures of prosecutors in courts. According to
Additional Director General of Police Ashutosh Pandey, the Prosecution department is conducting a 100-day special
campaign under the Mission Shakti for women empowerment.
About Uttar Pradesh:

India ranks 132 in UNDP's Human Development Index, amid a global fall
 A report on the 2021 Human Development Index (HDI) is part of the Human Development Report 2021-2022 released
by the United Nations Development Programme. The HDI measures the average achievement of a country in three
basic dimensions of human development — a long and healthy life, education and a decent standard of living. It is
calculated using four indicators — life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling, expected years of schooling, and
the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.
 For the first time on record, the global Human Development Index (HDI) has dropped for two years in a row, taking
the world back to just after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.
 Every year a few countries face declines on the HDI, but over 90 per cent of countries saw their HDI value drop in
either 2020 or 2021.
 Furthermore, while only a third of very high HDI countries saw a decline in 2021 (compared with over 90 per cent in
2020), about 60 per cent of low and medium HDI and high HDI countries did (in 2021)”, the report notes.
 India ranked 132nd among 191 countries and territories on the 2021 Human Development Index (HDI). In the 2020
report, India had ranked 131st among 189 countries and territories.
 India’s latest HDI value of 0.633 places the country in the medium human development category, lower than its value
of 0.645 in the 2020 report. The report attributes the drop in HDI from 0.645 in 2019 to 0.633 in 2021 to India’s falling
life expectancy — from 69.7 years to 67.2 years during the survey period.
 India scored 0.123 in the Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) with a headcount ratio of 27.9 per cent, with 8.8 per
cent population reeling under severe multidimensional poverty.
 Among India’s neighbours, Sri Lanka (73rd), China (79th), Bangladesh (129th), and Bhutan (127th) are ranked above
India, while Pakistan (161st), Nepal (143rd), and Myanmar (149th) are worse off.
About UNDP:
Founded: 22 November 1965, United States
Parent organization: United Nations General Assembly
Subsidiary: United Nations Volunteers
Andhra Pradesh tops India in attracting investment, gets Rs 40,361 cr till July
 Andhra Pradesh has ranked one on the list of states in attracting industrial investments in the first seven months of
2022. According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Andhra Pradesh has
generated an investment of Rs 40,361 crore. Andhra Pradesh stood at 45 percent of the total investment that the entire
country got from January to July 2022. India got a total investment of Rs 1,71,285 crore by the end of July as per the
DPIIT data.
 Andhra Pradesh rolled out its new ‘industrial Development Policy 2022-2023’ which focuses on a sustainable
development model of growth, Infrastructure development, and asset creation. The Industrial Development Policy
2020-2023 aims to improve the ease of doing business and incentivize high-value additional industrial investments.
In July 2022, Karnataka generated an investment of Rs 3712 crore, Gujarat generated an investment of Rs 2969 crore,
and Odisha generated an investment of Rs 1493 crore.
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Capital: Amaravati
Federal Bank ranked 63rd in Best Workplaces in Asia 2022 by Great Place to Work
 Federal Bank was ranked 63rd on the Best Workplaces in Asia 2022 and becomes the only bank in India to be listed
by Great Place to Work, the global authority on workplace culture. The list is based on over one million survey
responses across Asia and West Asia, representing the experience of over 4.7 million employees in the region.
 This recognition is based on confidential survey data assessing employee experiences of trust, innovation, company
values and leadership. Companies are also evaluated on how well they are creating All workplace experiences,
inclusive of all employees no matter who they are or what they do. According to Great Place to Work India, 88 per
cent of employees at the best workplaces in Asia on average reported having a positive employee experience. For the
average global workforce, only 55 per cent of workers report a similarly positive experience.
About Federal Bank Limited:

Headquarters: Aluva, Kerala;
CEO: Shyam Srinivasan;
Founder: K.P Hormis;
Founded: 23 April 1931, Nedumpuram.
India Ranks Fourth On Global Crypto Adoption Index, Traders Switch To Overseas Exchanges
 Blockchain analysis platform Chainalysis published its global crypto adoption index for 2022 of nations with the
highest cryptocurrency adoption rate with India ranking fourth in the list, two spots down from last year. Chainalysis
report noted that the emerging markets dominate the Global Crypto Adoption Index this year.
 The report noted, “Out of our top 20 ranked countries, 10 are lower-middle income: Vietnam, Philippines, Ukraine,
India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Morocco, Nepal, Kenya, and Indonesia. Eight are upper-middle income: Brazil, Thailand,
Russia, China, Turkey, Argentina, Colombia, and Ecuador.”
 On the index, India ranks above the US, UK and Russia suggesting that the country’s crypto community is not far
behind in pushing for further use of the technology. The Philippines and Ukraine have taken the second and third
rankings, respectively, showing a significant preference for crypto adoption in the near future. The global index is led
by Vietnam for the second consecutive year, emerging as the country that is most eager to embrace cryptocurrency
adoption. After landing thirteenth on the ranking in 2021, China reentered the top ten this year. This is very intriguing
given the Chinese government’s crackdown on cryptocurrency activities since last year.
Global household wealth increased 9.8% to $463.6tn in 2021 on share price gains
 Global wealth totalled $463.6tn at the end of 2021, a rise of $41.4tn (9.8%), the report said. Wealth per adult grew by
$6,800 (8.4%) during the course of the year to reach $87,489, close to three times the level recorded at the turn of the
century.
 The ranks of the global “ultra high net worth” (UHNW) individuals swelled by 46,000 last year to a record 218,200 as
the world’s richest people benefited from “almost an explosion of wealth” during the recovery from the pandemic.
The number of UHNW people – those with assets of more than $50m (£43.7m) – jumped in 2021 as the super-rich
benefited from soaring house prices and booming stock markets, according to a report by investment bank Credit
Suisse. The number of people in the UHNW bracket has increased by more than 50% over the past two years. The
huge increase in wealth of the richest 0.004% of the world’s adult population comes as billions of low- and middle-
income people – many of whom saw their savings wiped out during the pandemic – struggle to cope with soaring food
and energy prices.
 The increase in wealth has not been distributed fairly. The richest 1% of the global population increased their share
of all the world’s wealth for a second year running to 46%, up from 44% in 2020.
Recession unlikely to hit India due to 'not so coupled' nature with global economy: Rating agency S&P
 Global rating agency S&P said even though the US and the Euro zone are headed to recession, India is unlikely to face
the impact given the “not so coupled” nature of its economy with the global economy. The US and European recession
depends on the central banks ignoring slowing growth and opting to fight inflation instead.
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 “Indian economy is a lot decoupled from the global economy than we normally think of, given its large domestic
demand, even though you (India) are a net importer of energy.
 India was never coupled fully with the global economy and so is relatively independent of global markets, he said,
adding that a lot depends on how global fund flows behave if there is a recession in the US and Europe. Their inflation
numbers continue to dodge the monetary actions by their central banks as the gap between the US core inflation
target and the actual number is three times at 6 per cent.
 Listing out the Infaltion and its resultant by the US Fed as the main threat to the US economy, he said, the world’s
largest economy is headed towards recession.
 On the Euro zone, the managing director said the problem is more entrenched and structural. It will take time to
recover as the crisis is the result of the geopolitical issues (Russia-Ukraine war) the sky-high energy prices after the
EU nations began to lower their dependence on gas from the Russia since February. But again the EU joblessness rates
are low at 6.5 per cent.
About United States (US):

Attorney general: Merrick Garland
Das unveils three digital payment solutions at Fintech Fest

 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor, Shaktikanta Das, launched three key digital payment initiatives at the
Global Fintech Fest 2022. The three digital payment initiatives that were launched by the RBI are RuPay Credit Card
on Unified Payments Interface (UPI), UPI Lite, and Bharat BillPay Cross-Border Bill Payments.
 UPI Lite will provide users with a convenient solution for faster and simpler low-value transactions, the National
Payments Corp Of India (NPCI) said in a statement. Currently, India has been using the Unified Payments Interface
(UPI) for low-value payments with 50 per cent of transactions through UPI below ₹200.
 Now that UPI Lite on BHIM App will be enabled, the users will be able to make small-value transactions in a near-
offline mode. The launch of the UPI Lite will reduce the debit load on the core banking system, thereby improving
the success rate of transactions further, enhancing the user experience, and taking us one step closer to processing a
billion transactions a day on the UPI platform.

About Unified Payments Interface (UPI):
Owner: National Payments Corporation of India
Introduced: 11 April 2016; 6 years ago
Adani tops IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2022: Nykaa Founder Falguni Nayar becomes richest self-made
Indian
 According to the IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2022, Gautam Adani and family have topped with an estimated
wealth of Rs. 10,94,400 crore. His daily wealth creation was estimated at Rs. 1,612 crores which showed 116 per cent
growth as compared with the 2021 list. Mukesh Ambani and family have been named as the 2nd richest in India with
an estimated wealth of Rs. 7,94,700 crore and a growth of 11 per cent compared with the 2021 list. His daily wealth
creation velocity is Rs. 210 crores.
 Nykaa Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Falguni Nayar became India’s richest self-made woman by
surpassing Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw in net worth. She is also the richest female in India, followed by Rekha
Jhunjhunwala of Rare Enterprises. Falguni Nayar & family’s wealth rose by Rs 30,000 crore during 2022 and her
cumulative wealth increased 345 per cent and stood around Rs 38,700 crore.
About IIFL Wealth:

MD & CEO: Karan Bhagat
Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
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Founders: Karan Bhagat; Yatin Shah; Amit Nitin Shah
“Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan will rank 131 cities in the country for implementing City Action Plans
 The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) will launch the ‘Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan’
programme under National Clean Air Programme 2019 (NCAP) to rank cities based on their actions to improve air
quality. The ranking will be based only on the actions taken by the cities to improve the air quality in different domains
and not on the measurement of the air quality parameters to rank the cities.
 “Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan will rank 131 cities in the country for implementing City Action Plans prepared as part of
NCAP for reducing air pollution up to 40 per cent by 2025-26,” the ministry said during the two-day National
Conference of Ministers of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in Gujarat.
 At least 131 cities are categorised into three groups based on population. The first group has 47 cities with a population
of over one million, and 44 cities in the second group have people between 300,000 to one million. The third group
consists of 40 towns with less than 300,000 population.
 According to the NCAP, these 131 cities are non-attainment cities as they did not meet the nation’s ambient air quality
standards (NAAQS) for 2011-15 under the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP).
About Gujarat:
SPORTS
Virat Kohli becomes first-ever Indian to play 100 matches in all 3 international formats
 Cricket Legend Virat Kohli has become the first Indian and just the second player overall in international cricket
history to have played 100 matches each in all three formats of the game. He added another milestone to his name
when he was named in India’s playing XI for the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2022 match with Pakistan.
 Kohli has now 100 T20Is to his name in addition to 102 Tests and 262 ODIs since making his international debut in
August 2008. His best individual score for India in this format is 94 and he has scored 30 half-centuries in this format.
Kohli has an incredible record in T20I cricket for Team India having scored 3308 runs at an incredible average of 50.1.
 The first man to do so was New Zealand batter Ross Taylor who retired from international cricket in April this year.
The 38-year-old represented his country in 112 Tests, 236 ODIs and 102 T20Is between 2006 and 2022. Rohit Sharma
and Shoaib Malik have played more than 100 games in T20Is and ODIs, but they are nowhere close to the tally of 100
test matches yet. Malik, in fact, has already announced his retirement from test cricket.
Rohit Sharma overtakes Martin Guptill to become highest run scorer in T20Is
 Indian Skipper, Rohit Sharma overtook New Zealand’s Martin Guptill to become the leading run-scorer in men’s T20
Internationals. In 133 matches in the shortest format for India, Rohit Sharma has scored 4 hundred and 26 half-
centuries so far. Rohit now has 3499 runs in the format. Following him is Martin Guptill, who has scored 3497 runs.
Virat Kohli is the third highest scorer in men’s T20 Internationals with 3341 runs from 100 matches.
 Rohit jointly holds the record for the fastest hundred in T20 Internationals. In December 2017, Rohit had hit a 35-ball
hundred against Sri Lanka to go level with David Miller of South Africa, who had also hit a 35-ball hundred in a T20I
against Bangladesh just two months earlier. In 2019, S Wickramasekara of the Czech Republic drew level with Miller
and Rohit with a 35-ball century against Turkey.
World Championships: Satwik-Chirag claim India’s first men’s doubles medal, heartbreak for Prannoy
 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty became the first Indian pair to win a medal in the men’s doubles
competition at the World Championships. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are the world’s number 7
combination, and the duo also bagged a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games 2022. It is India’s second World
Championship medal in any doubles event, the first medal in World Championship by India was bagged by Jwala
Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa who claimed bronze in the 2011 women’s doubles.
 Satwiksairaj and Chirag won against defending champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi with the gameplay of
24-22, 15-21, 21-14 in an hour and 15 minutes. Satwik and Chirag have assured bronze medals in the tournament and
will face the sixth-seeded Malaysian pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Tik in the semifinals. However, it was a tough
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day for Prannoy, who is former world number 8. China’s Zhao Jun Peng won against India’s Prannoy with 19-21, 21-6,
and 21-18.
Adille Sumariwalla takes over as President of Indian Olympic Association

 The Indian Olympic Association has co-opted Adille Sumariwalla as the President of the association till fresh elections
are held. The erstwhile President of the IOA, Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra, resigned from the post of President, IOA on
July 18 due to personal reasons. Thereafter, 18 executive members out of 31 in accordance with clause 11.1.5 of the IOA
Constitution co-opted the undersigned to fill the vacancy.
 Adille Sumariwalla (born 1 January 1958) is an Indian athlete and entrepreneur, popular for representing India at the
1980 Moscow Olympics. Sumariwalla competed as a 100m runner in several international competitions and at the
Olympics.
About Indian Olympic Association:

Founded: 1927
Secretary General: Rajeev Mehta
Rahul Sharma announces retirement from Int’l and first-class cricket

 Indian Spinner Rahul Sharma has announced retirement from international and domestic cricket. In 2011, the tall leg-
spinner came into the limelight where he represented Pune Warriors in IPL. Rahul Sharma made his ODI debut
against West Indies in 2011 under Virendra Sehwag’s Captaincy. He made his T20 debut in 2012 against Australia under
the Captaincy of MS Dhoni. Later that year, he played his final series on the Sri Lanka tour. The former cricketer wrote
an emotional post on his retirement from all forms of cricket.
 Rahul Sharma is born on 20th July 1987. He is an Indian cricketer and primarily a right-handed legbreaker and googly
bowler. Since 2006, he has been a member of the Punjab Cricket Team. In 2011, in IPL, came into the limelight for his
magnificent performance in bowling for Pune Warriors. He made his debut in first-class cricket in 2006 for Punjab
against Rajasthan. Rahul Sharma made his IPL debut for Deccan Chargers in 2010. He made his ODI debut in 2011.
Assam Lad Amlan Borgohain Sets New 100m National Record

 Amlan Borgohain, who holds the 200m national record, has now added the 100m record to his name. The 24-year-old
from Assam clocked 10.25s (wind speed +1.8, legal) to break the six-year-old national record of Amiya Kumar Mallick
(10.26s) at the 87th all-India inter-Railway athletics championships in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh.
 Borgohain’s previous best, 10.34s, came at the National Open in Warangal last year. However, it is not anywhere close
to the entry standard (10.00s) for next year’s World Championships in Budapest. He is the reigning national champion
in the 100m and 200m. Amlan Borgohain holds the 200m national record of 20.52s, set in April this year at the
Federation Cup.
About Assam:
Capital: Dispur
Chief Minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Language: Assamese language
VAR technology to make debut in FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in India
 The upcoming Under-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 in India will see the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology
making its debut in the age-group showpiece, world football governing body FIFA announced. The prestigious
tournament, which was given the go-ahead by FIFA after lifting the 11-day-long suspension of the All India Football
Federation (AIFF), will be held in Bhubaneswar (Kalinga Stadium), Margao (JLN Stadium) and Navi Mumbai (DY Patil
Stadium) from October 11-30.
 The VAR technology supports the decision-making process of the referee in four game-changing situations: goals and
offences leading up to a goal, penalty decisions and offences leading up to a penalty, direct red card incidents, and
mistaken identity. Throughout a match, the VAR team constantly checks for clear and obvious errors related to these
four match-changing situations. The VAR team communicates with the referee only for clear and obvious mistakes
or serious missed incidents.
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About International Federation of Association Football (FIFA):
New Zealand All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme Retires from International Cricket

 New Zealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 36-
year-old cricketer made his decision after discussions with the country’s cricket board and hence, has been released
from his central contract. In the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, he starred with a 47-ball 60 in a pulsating victorious
chase against South Africa, scored 64 against Pakistan, and bowled superbly in the final against England, taking one
for 25 off his 10 overs.
 He represented New Zealand in 29 matches, scoring 1432 runs at 38.70 and picking up 49 wickets. He featured in 18
wins, playing a key role in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship campaign against India in Southampton.
 The all-rounder also proved his mettle in the ODIs, scoring 742 runs in 45 games and scalping 30 wickets at an average
of 41.00. He also played in 41 T20Is, scoring 505 runs at a strike rate of 138.35 and taking 12 wickets at 38.41
About New Zealand:

Capital: Wellington
Prime Minister: Jacinda Ardern
Continent: Oceania
Currency: New Zealand dollar
Leh to host Cycling World Cup on Sept 4

 Leh will host the first-ever highest level of World Cup Cycling event ‘UCI MTB World Cup Eliminator’ on September
4.
 The UCI MTB Eliminator World Cup is being organised by the UT Ladakh Police in association with City Mountain
Bike and Cycling Federation of India (CFI) wherein 100 participants are expected to participate in the cycling event
including 70 from India.
 The event will be organised in the Old town area of Leh to showcase unique heritage and culture of the world. With
this event, Leh will be among world famous cycling event venues like Abu Dhabi, Barcelona and Paris and India will
be on the cycling chart among Germany, France, Sweden, Indonesia, Brazil, Belgium, Turkey etc.
 Registered cyclists will ride one lap to qualify. In the qualifying rounds, 32 cyclists will be selected from men and
women categories. Among the selected, best qualifying timers would get the easiest heat of One kilometre competing
with four best timing cyclists. Two best from the four go to the next round. Similar rounds continue till all applicants
take part.
About Ladakh:
Capital: Leh, Kargil
Lt Governor : Sh R K Mathur
Districts: 2
Max Verstappen wins F1 Dutch Grand Prix to delight of home crowd

 This season had been a trying old slog for Lewis Hamilton at best and his frustration and disappointment at the
Sisyphean task of repeatedly wrangling a recalcitrant Mercedes has been palpable. At the Dutch Grand Prix his
boulder, his burden became just too heavy as his team left him floundering, impotent and indeed furious as his race
fell apart.
 Max Verstappen won in Zandvoort and this much at least had been expected — certainly by the 105,000 orange-clad
fans who roared their approval at every lap. Yet it had not quite been the celebratory jaunt from pole to flag they had
anticipated and for the first time this season it had been Mercedes and Hamilton who had been in with a genuine
shot of their first win of the season.
 It was not to be as Verstappen made another major step towards securing his second title. He now leads Charles
Leclerc and Sergio Pérez by 109 points, with seven races remaining and 190 points on the table. Yet as the orange
plumes of smoke dissipated in the wind over Zandvoort it was Hamilton’s reaction to what had transpired that had
caught the attention.
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Anishka Biyani Wins Gold Medal in Malaysian Chess Meet
 Six-year-old Anishka Biyani won the gold medal in the Malaysian Age Group Rapid Chess Championship at Kuala
Lumpur on Sunday.
 Anishka, a first-grade student of Dhirubhai Ambani school, achieved the feat in the Under-6 Open category with an
impressive score of four points out of a possible six to clinch the title in the girls category.
 Participants from as many as eight countries took part in the competition. Earlier this year, Anishka also qualified as
one of the best under-7 players in the All India FIDE rating chess tournament held in Yousufguda, Hyderabad.
 ”Anishka is extremely talented and this is her first big international victory where she competed with the best players
from across the world. It is good for her that she would play more such events in the future,” said her coach Durga
Nagesh Guttula of SMCA in a release.
 Anishka’s mother Tanushri Biyani was elated and thanked her coach for putting in all the efforts in training and
grooming her.
Australia captain Aaron Finch announces retirement from one-day cricket

 Aaron Finch, Australia’s captain announced his retirement from one-day international cricket after Australia’s third
and final ODI against New Zealand. Finch will continue to be the captain of the Australian cricket team for T20 and
will lead it in defense of its world title in the T20 World Cup which is going to be held in October and November in
Australia.
 Finch is known as one of the most damaging opening batters in the world, Finch has scored 5,401 runs in the ODI
format with an average of close to 40, and 17 centuries.
 Aaron Finch is a top-order Batsman and is known for his ability to finish matches with his amazing batting skills. In
2006, Finch earned his place in the U-19 Australian cricket team for World Cup. He started as a middle-order batsman.
In IPL, he became an acknowledged batsman as he scored 41 runs in just 17 balls against Chennai Super Kings. In 2013,
Finch made his ODI debut and scored 5,041 runs. In 2018, he became the first player to reach 900 rating points on the
official International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 rankings. Finch domestically played for Victoria, Surrey, and
Melbourne Renegades.
About Australia:
Currency: Australian dollar
Capital: Canberra
Prime Minister: Anthony Albanese
Sikkim to host Ranji Trophy matches for the first time

 Sikkim will be hosting Ranji Trophy matches at home for the first time when they welcome three teams to the hill
State in the forthcoming Indian domestic season.
 Sikkim Cricket Association has previously hosted First Class matches, at adopted home venues, and to be able to bring
the biggest domestic tournament in India home is a historic and hugely significant step forward for cricket in Sikkim.
 SICA president Lobzang G. Tenzing stated, “To host First Class matches is no mean feat for a State association which
got full membership just four years back.”
 He thanked Board of Control for Cricket in India for trusting SICA with “such huge responsibility” and assured to be
a perfect host.
 The BCCI’s decision to allow Sikkim to host three of its Ranji Trophy matches at home will certainly play a game
changer in the promotion of cricket in the State.
 Sikkim will play against Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh at SICA ground, at Mining. The venues for the
remaining Plate Group matches, against Meghalaya and Bihar, are yet to be announced.
 Along with Ranji Trophy matches, Sikkim will also play two Cooch Behar Trophy matches and three Col CK Nayudu
Trophy matches at Mining.
About Sikkim:
Capital: Gangtok
Governor: Ganga Prasad
Chief Minister: Prem Singh Tamang
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Virat Kohli becomes first cricketer to reach 50M Twitter followers
 Virat Kohli has now become the first cricketer who have notched up 50 million followers on Twitter. Team India’s
star cricketer and former skipper Virat Kohli has now achieved another big feat, but this time it is on the social media.
Virat Kohli has popularity in all the platforms of social media which includes 211 million followers on Instagram and
49 million followers on Facebook as well.
 In early 2022, Kohli became the first-ever Indian to cross 200 million followers on Instagram as well. Kohli recently
recorded his first international century in 1020 days, when he slammed a 61-ball 122 not out during India’s final Super
4 clash against Afghanistan in Dubai.
 The 33-year-old is the most followed cricketer in the world and the third most followed sportsperson on Instagram
after Cristiano Ronaldo (450M) and Lionel Messi (333M). Kohli also has over 49 million followers on Facebook, which
takes his social media presence to over 310 million followers.
About Twitter:
Founded: 21 March 2006, San Francisco, California, United States
Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
CEO: Parag Agrawal (29 Nov 2021–)
Founders: Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, Biz Stone, Noah Glass
Robin uthappa announces retirement from all formats of cricket

 Robin Uthappa on Wednesday announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. “It has been my greatest
honour to represent my country and my state, Karnataka. However, all good things must come to an end, and with a
grateful heart, I have decided to retire from all forms of Indian cricket. Thank you all,” he posted on Twitter.
 He also thanked his former IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders and current team Chennai Super Kings. In last season’s
IPL, Uthappa played 12 matches for Chennai Super Kings and scored 230 runs with his highest score being 88. Chennai,
however, would fail to qualify for the play-off stages.
 Uthappa was part of the country’s 2004 Under-19 World Cup team. He made his India debut two years later and
featured in 46 ODIs and 13 T20Is for India.
 He scored 934 and 249 runs in ODIs and T20Is. He has 9446 first class and 6534 List A runs under his belt. Uthappa
has won two IPL trophies — one for KKR and one for CSK in 2014 and 2021 respectively.
About Twitter:
Founded: 21 March 2006, San Francisco, California, United States
Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
CEO: Parag Agrawal (29 Nov 2021–)
Founders: Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, Biz Stone, Noah Glass
Cabinet nod for signing of guarantees for FIFA U-17 womens world cup
 The government on Wednesday approved the signing of guarantees for hosting the Under-17 FIFA Women's World
Cup in India from October 11 to 30.
 The approval of the Union Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, came after the re-
constitution of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), which was banned by FIFA briefly last month citing third
party influence.
 India is hosting the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Navi Mumbai, Goa and Bhubaneswar from October 11 to
October 17 this year.
 Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said Rs 60 crore will be spent for hosting the tournament that will see participation
of 16 teams, including India.
 An assistance of Rs 10 crore to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for field of play maintenance, stadium power,
energy and cabling, stadia and training site branding will be met from the budgetary allocation for the Scheme of
Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs), Thakur said.
About International Governing Body of Association football (FIFA):

Video games: Panini Sticker Album, FIFA FUTSAL WC 2021 Challenge
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Roger Federer announces retirement from tennis
 Roger Federer will retire next week at the age of 41 after the Laver Cup in London, marking the end of one of the
greatest ever sporting careers.
 A 20-time grand slam champion, Federer announced in a social media post on Thursday that next week will be his
last as a professional player. Federer’s management firm, Team8, are founders of the Laver Cup, a Ryder Cup-style
event.
 “The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event. I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but
just not in Grand Slams or on the tour,” he wrote.
 Federer has not competed since Wimbledon last year when he lost 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-0 in the quarter-final to Hubert
Hurkacz and it emerged he had reinjured the knee that had kept him out of the tour for more than a year. Federer
has contested five events since January 2020 and has undergone three knee surgeries in that period. He cited his late-
career injury problems as the reason for his retirement.
About Roger Federer:

Born: 8 August 1981 (age 41 years), Basel, Switzerland
Grand slams won (singles): 20
Tennis grip: One-handed backhand
India beats Nepal 4-0 to lift SAFF U-17 Championships title

 In the SAFF U-17 Championship Title, India beats Nepal with 4-0 in the finals. The SAFF U-17 Championship final was
held in Racecourse International Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka. In the group league, India defeated Nepal 3-1, however,
in the finals, India took the opportunity and defeated Nepal with a leading charge.
 Indian team got off blocks early in the match, looking to find gaps in the Nepal defense. India managed to get the
lead in the 18th minute of the match.
 Body Singh, headed into the goal at the far post after the play between Ricky Meetei and Vanlalpeka Guite.
About South Asian Football Federation (SAFF):

Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Founded: 1997
President: Kazi Salahuddin
General Secretary: Anwarul Huq
About Nepal:
Capital: Kathmandu
Currency: Nepalese rupee
President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari
Prime Minister: Sher Bahadur Deuba
Bengaluru teenager Pranav Anand becomes India's 76th Chess Grandmaster

 15-¬year¬-old, Pranav Anand from Bengaluru, Karnataka became India’s 76th Chess GrandMaster (GM) after winning
against International Master (IM) Emin Ohanyan of Armenia. He received the title after he crossed the 2,500 Elo
points in the ongoing World Youth Chess Championship in Mamaia, Romania. A month before Pranav Anand became
India’s 76th GM, Pranav Venkatesh became India’s 75th Grandmaster.
 In order to qualify for the GM title, a player must secure 3 GM norms covering 27 games and cross the live rating of
2,500 Elo points. Pranav Anand needs to cross the live rating of 2,500 which he did in the penultimate round of the
World Youth Under¬16 Open 2022. In July, he scored the 3rd and final GM norm at the 55th Biel Chess Festival in
Switzerland. He has drawn his game against Spain’s No.5 GM Eduardo Iturrizaga Bonelli (2619) in the penultimate
round.
About Karnataka:
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Bengaluru FC lifts maiden Durand Cup by defeating Mumbai City FC
 Bengaluru FC has won its maiden and the 131st edition of the Durand Cup by defeating Indian Super League (ISL)
giants Mumbai City FC 2-1. This is seventh domestic title for Bengaluru FC. Both the teams were at one each at the
end of first half. But the goal by Alan Costa in 61st minute gave Bengaluru FC the winning lead against Mumbai.
 Earlier, Mumbai City FC defeated two times champion Mohammedan SC in the semis while Bengaluru FC beat
Hyderbad FC to seal their spot in the final. The first edition of the competition was played in 1888.
 The 34-day tournament played across three states for the first time has concluded with the 47th and final match
between two top teams and former champions of the Indian Super League, ISL.
About Karnataka:
About Maharashtra:
Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
Chief Minister: Eknath Shinde
Capital: Mumbai
Indian javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia clinches silver medal in World Para Athletics Grand Prix in
Morocco
 Indian javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia has clinched a silver medal in the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, in
Morocco. Paralympics gold medalist Devendra threw the javelin to a distance of 60.97 meter to capture the silver.
 Devendra is a three-time Paralympics medalist.
About world para athletics:

Next date: Fri, 17 May, 2024 – Sat, 25 May, 2024
Sport: Athletics
Founded: 1994
Bajrang punia wins bronze in 2022 world Wrestling championship

 Olympic bronze medallist Bajrang Punia beat Puerto Rico’s Sebastian Rivera by the skin of his teeth in a 65kg bronze
medal match to claim his fourth medal in the World wrestling championships in Belgrade on Sunday.
 Bajrang, who picked up a head injury in the pre-quarterfinal bout and lost to American John Diakomihalis in the
quarterfinals before getting back to medal contention on Saturday, rallied from 0-6 down to record an 11-9 victory. It
was his third bronze medal other than a silver.
 After conceding six points inside 35 seconds, Bajrang fought back with a throw and a takedown to level the scores.
Rivera regained the lead through another two-pointer in the first period and later extended it to 9-6.
 The never-say-die Bajrang, who wrestled with a bandaged head, closed the gap and overtook Rivera through two
takedowns. An unsuccessful video challenge from the Puerto Rican for a move performed just after the last second
gifted Bajrang another point.
 Earlier, Bajrang erased a 0-4 deficit to register a hard-fought 7-6 victory over Individual World Cup winner Vazgen
Tevanyan of Armenia in the repechage round.
Chennai Open: Czech girl Linda Fruhvirtova wins maiden WTA title
 Czech Republic’s 17-year-old, Linda Fruhvirtova scripted a brilliant comeback to win the Chennai Open 2022 WTA
250 tennis singles. The teenager beat Magda Linette of Poland, the third seed, in the final. At 17 years and 141 days old,
she is the youngest titlist of the season on the WTA Tour so far. She is the youngest singles champion on tour since
Coco Gauff won Parma last year at 17 years, 70 days old.
 In doubles, the top-seeded pair of Brazil’s Luisa Stefani and Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski defeated Russian Tennis
Federation’s Anna Blinkova and Georgia’s Natela Dzalamidze 6-2, 6-1 in the one-sided final.
About Chennai Open Tennis Tournament:

Founded: 1996
Current champion: João Sousa (Portugal), (2022)
Draw: 28S / 16Q / 16D
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Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India; New Delhi (1996); Chennai (1997–2017); Pune (since 2018); India
Venue: Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Complex (2018 — present)
Oval and Lord's to host next two World Test Championship finals
 The International Cricket Council has announced that the World Test Championship 2023 Final will be hosted by The
Oval in June 2023 while the 2025 final will be played at Lord’s. The two venues in London will succeed Southampton,
which hosted the inaugural final between New Zealand and India in 2021. New Zealand emerged as the victors in the
first edition.
 The top two teams from the World Test Championship standings will make it to the finals with Australia and South
Africa currently leading.
 Australia and South Africa will also clash against each other in a three-match series in the current cycle in December-
January, which could have a big bearing on the final points table.
About International Cricket Council (ICC):

Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Motto: Cricket for good.
Chairman: Greg Barclay
General Manager: Wasim Khan
Jhulan goswami retires from international cricket

 The legendary Women’s Cricketer, Jhulan Goswami announced her retirement from all forms of the game in a
touching farewell statement on September 25. Jhulan played her last international game at the Lord’s on the 24th,
and she went out on a high note by helping India women defeat England women 3-0 in an ODI series.
 Jhulan Goswami sent a parting message on social media, expressing her contentment with her lauded career. Jhulan
concluded her career with 255 wickets from 204 games, an ODI women’s record.
 Jhulan secured two wickets in her final match for India, which saw them defeat England by 16 runs while holding
them to a 169-run goal.
About International Cricket Council:

Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Motto: Cricket for good.
Chairman: Greg Barclay
General Manager: Wasim Khan
West Zone thrash South Zone by 294 runs to win Duleep Trophy 2022
 The West zone has defeated the South zone by 294 runs to win their 19th title in the final day of the 2022 Duleep
Trophy at the SNR College Cricket Ground, Coimbatore. The 2022 Duleep trophy was the 59th season of the Duleep
Trophy. Sarfaraz Khan scored the most runs with 127 runs for 178 balls and Jaydev Unadkat of the West zone became
the player of the series. Yashasvi Jaiswal of the West zone scored 265 runs in the second innings which helped the
west zone to hit a win while Kerala Opener Rohan Kunnummal scored 93 runs in the South zone’s second innings.
About Duleep Trophy:

Current champion: West Zone (19 titles)
Number of teams: 3
Format: First-class cricket
Most runs: Wasim Jaffer (2545); 1997–2013
Most wickets: Narendra Hirwani (126); 1987–2004
First edition: 1961–62
Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge breaks own world record in Berlin Marathon victory
 Eliud Kipchoge shattered his own world record on 25 September, with a time of 2:01:09 to win the Berlin marathon.
It’s the second time the Kenyan runner has set the official men’s world record at the race in the German capital.
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Kipchoge’s previous best in an official 42.2km race was 2:01:39 set on the same course in 2018. Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa
won the women’s race in a course record of 2:15:37, the third fastest time in history.
 Kipchoge has long been dubbed the world’s best marathon runner. In 2019, he ran a marathon in Vienna in under two
hours, a milestone long thought impossible. The result wasn’t official because he ran it under laboratory conditions,
but the result made him an icon in and outside the running world. Kipchoge’s world record run in Berlin was so
dominant that, after he crossed the finish line, he had time to hug his trainer, friends, pose for photos, and wave the
Kenyan flag before the second-place runner finished, four minutes and 49 seconds later.
About Kenya:
Capital: Nairobi
Currency: Kenyan shilling
President: William Ruto
About Germany:
Capital: Berlin
Currency: Euro
President: Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Chancellor: Olaf Scholz
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SUMMIT'S & MOU's
Smart India Hackathon 2022 Hosted at Manav Rachna: Nodal Centre for SIH-Hardware Edition Grand Finale
 The Ministry of Education hosted the Smart India Hackathlon-2022. During the grand conclusion of the Smart India
Hackathon-2022 (SIH 2022), Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the attendees. The prime minister spoke
to the present students through video conferencing. The two Smart India Hackathon 2022 editions are Smart India
Hackathon (SIH) Hardware and Smart India Hackathon (SIH) Software. Hardware and software grand finales were
scheduled for August 25–29 and August 25–26, respectively.
 In 2017, the inaugural Smart India Hackathlon (SIH) was held. Once a year, Smart India Hackathlon is put on by the
innovation section of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to give students the chance to create
answers to problems posed by corporations, non-governmental organisations, and governmental bodies. This year,
the Ministry of Education is hosting the Smart India Hackathlon software and hardware edition for more than 15,000
students. The MoE has also introduced the Smart India Hackathon – Junior in an effort to promote an inventive
attitude and a culture of innovation among youngsters.
About Uttarakhand:
Governor: Gurmit Singh
Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami
Capitals: Dehradun (Winter), Gairsain (Summer)
Bhupender Yadav Participates in ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’ Campaign at Puducherry

 In order to promote environmental sustainability, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav took part in the “Swachh Sagar,
Surakshit Sagar” campaign in Puducherry. The 75-day “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar” campaign is an effort led by
citizens with the goal of enhancing coastal and ocean health through collective activity. The International Coastal
Cleanup Day, which is on September 17, 2022, will mark the culmination of the Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar
campaign, which began on July 5, 2022.
 During the minister’s visit, Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, and Thiru. N.
Rangaswamy, the Chief Minister of Puducherry, were also present for the Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar campaign.
 According to the Prime Minister’s global initiative on the “lifestyle for environment (LiFE) Movement,” which calls
for human-centric and collaborative efforts to boost sustainable development, the goal is to target lifestyle and
behavioural changes that support environmental sustainability through Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar campaign.
About Puducherry:
Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry: Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan
Chief Minister of Puducherry: Thiru. N. Rangaswamy
LG Sinha inaugurates 8th India International MSME Start-up Expo and Summit 2022 at New Delhi
 The 8th India International MSME Start-up Expo & Summit 2022 was officially opened by Lieutenant Governor Manoj
Sinha in New Delhi. The 8th India International MSME Start-up Expo and Summit 2022 gives SMEs, startups,
business, industry, and service providers a much-needed platform to discover new prospects, connect with buyers
and sellers, and exchange information about federal, state, and local programmes, among other things.
 The Lt Governor thanked the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for bringing about a revolution in the
MSME sector and noted how quickly things have changed over the past eight years at the launch of 8th India
International MSME Start-up Expo and Summit 2022.
 The heart of the nation’s business is MSME. In order to assure a stronger growth trajectory for MSMEs, the Lt
Governor noted that our goal is to revitalise traditional MSME’s with improved access to credit and market linkage at
the 8th India International MSME Start-up Expo and Summit 2022 launch.
About Delhi:
Chief Minister: Arvind Kejriwal
Capital: New Delhi
Lieutenant Governor: Vinai Kumar Saxena
Tata Steel and Punjab govt ink pact to set up steel scrap based electric are furnace steel plant
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 The Tata steel company and the Punjabi government have agreed to establish a 0.75 million tonne per year (MnTPA)
long products steel facility with an electric arc furnace (EAF) powered by scrap. Tata Steel’s decision to build the
greenfield facility at Kadiana Khurd in Ludhiana’s Hitech Valley is a part of the company’s commitment to investing
in a circular economy and switching to low-carbon steel making through steel recycling.
 According to the company, it is a step toward its objective of having Net Zero carbon emissions by 2045.
 Tata Steel opened its 0.5 MnTPA steel recycling plant in Rohtak, Haryana, in August of last year. It is the nation’s first
cutting-edge facility for processing scrap.
 The Company wants to reduce its CO2 emissions in India to 1.8 tCO2/tcs by 2030 and to 2 tCO2/tcs by 2025.
 In the first quarter of fiscal year 23 compared to fiscal year 22, the steel major’s net profit decreased 21% to Rs 7,714
crore on an increase in net sales of 18.8% to Rs 63128.32 crore. On the BSE, Tata Steel shares decreased 2.09% to Rs
105.15.
About Punjab:
Capital: Chandigarh
Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
Chief Minister: Bhagwant Mann
About Tata Steel:
Parent: Tata Group
Founded: 25 August 1907, Jamshedpur
Founder: Jamsetji Tata
Jagan announces plastic-free Andhra Pradesh by 2027 as MoU signed with Parley
 Andhra Pradesh government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the ‘Parley for the Oceans’, a U.S.-
based company that works for plastic-waste management. The minister of Municipal Administration and Urban
Development (MA&UD) Audimulapa Suresh, MAUD Principal Secretary, Y.Sri Lakshmi, and Founder of Parley for
the Oceans, Cyrill Gutsch. The MoU was signed under the presence of Chief Minister of Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and
an event was held at the AU Convention Centre in Vishakhapatnam.
 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister says that in the coming six years ₹16,000 crores will be invested in the state.
 The program also brings employment for more than 20,000 locals with a minimum of at least ₹16,000 per month.

Capital: Amaravati
AICTE, Adobe Tie Up To Advance Digital Literacy In India

 Adobe and AICTE collaborate: The All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in order to advance digital
creativity capabilities throughout the nation, has struck a partnership deal with Adobe. According to a release, under
the terms of the agreement, Adobe will provide training for educators, provide courses, and incorporate digital
creativity into the curriculum to give kids the fundamental creative and digital literacy skills they need to succeed in
today’s digital-first society.
 By 2024, the alliance hopes to equip more than 75,000 educators working in 10,000 institutions of higher learning
with critical digital creativity abilities.
 The secret is to encourage digital and creative abilities if India is to become the world’s skill capital.
 Through our partnership with AICTE, Adobe aims to strengthen the nation’s skilling ecosystem while equipping
teachers and students with the modern skills they need to succeed in the post-pandemic, digital-first future.
About All-India Council for Technical Education:

Founded: November 1945
Sector: Technology education
Agency executive: Anil Sahasrabudhe (Chairperson)
About Adobe:
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CEO: Shantanu Narayen (1 Dec 2007–)
Headquarters: San Jose, California, United States
Founded: December 1982, Mountain View, California, United States
CTO: Abhay Parasnis
Founders: Charles Geschke, John Warnock
First Homoeopathy International Health Summit held in Dubai

 First Homeopathy International Health summit: The first Homeopathy International Health summit hosted by Dubai
aimed to teach and promote a homeopathic system of medicine, medications, and practices. Burnett Homeopathy
Pvt Limited, a company that deals with homeopathic dilutions, mother tincture, lower trituration tablets, unique
medicines including drops, syrups, skincare, hair care, and other homeopathic remedies, organised the summit.
 Homeopathy is one of the greatest techniques to treat any sickness or ailment because its negative effects are so
minimal in comparison to others.
 The first global homeopathy health summit was also attended by a large number of top doctors from both India and
throughout the world.
 By 2030, it is predicted that the health industry will need to spend between 200 and 400 crore rupees annually due to
climate change, as discussed in the first global homeopathy health summit.
About UAE:
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham
President: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
India to start CEPA talks with Bangladesh: PM Narendra Modi

 Following a meeting with the visiting Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
said India and Bangladesh will soon commence negotiations on a Bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Agreement (CEPA). “We both believe that by taking lessons from the Covid pandemic and recent global
developments, we need to make our economies stronger,” Modi said.
 Notably, the talks on CEPA began informally in 2018, against the backdrop of increasing Chinese investments in
Bangladesh. It also received greater attention given that existing regional free trade arrangements, like the South
Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), have become dysfunctional. To date, the countries have run a joint study after
agreeing to terms of reference.
 The proposed CEPA between Bangladesh and India has three dimensions, namely trade in goods, trade in services,
and investment.
 It recognizes the significant benefits of bilateral economic and commercial ties. According to an official statement
released by India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
About South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA):

Establishment: 2004
About Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA):
Establishment: January 1, 2010; 12 years ago
Vedanta-Foxconn to invest Rs 1.54 lakh cr in India's first chip factory

 The Anil Agarwal-led-Vedanta Limited and Foxconn Group will invest more than Rs 1.54 lakh crore to set up an
semiconductor ecosystem in Gujarat. The oil-to-metals conglomerate said Vedanta Displays Limited will set up a
Display Fab Unit with an investment of Rs 94500 crore and Vedanta Semiconductors Limited will set up an integrated
Semiconductor Fab Unit and OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) facility with investment of Rs
60000 crore.
 “Thus two MoUs, together, will bring in an investment of more than Rs 1.54 lakh crore and generate around 1 lakh
new employment opportunities in the state,” said the company in a statement. Vedanta and Foxconn Group entered
into two Memorandums of Understanding [MoUs] with the Government of Gujarat on September 13, 2022. The
company said Vedanta and Taiwan-based Foxconn Group will work closely with the state government to establish
high-tech clusters with requisite infrastructure, including land, semiconductor grade water, high quality power,
logistics, and a skill ecosystem.
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 The proposed semiconductor manufacturing fab unit will operate on the 28nm technology nodes with wafer size
300mm; and the display manufacturing unit will produce Generation 8 displays catering to small, medium and large
applications. To make India as global semiconductor chip manufacturing, the government has notified four schemes
with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore.
 Semiconductors are the brains of modern electronics, enabling technologies critical to economic growth, national
security, and global competitiveness. Semiconductors have driven advances in communications, computing, health
care, military systems, transportation, clean energy, and countless other applications.
About Vedanta Limited:

CEO: Sunil Duggal (Aug 2020–)
Founder: Dwarka Prasad Agarwal
About Taiwan:
About Foxconn Group:
Founder: Terry Gou
Headquarters: Tucheng District, Taipei, Taiwan
Founded: 20 February 1974
Sports Ministry signs MoUs with NTPC & REC

 The Sports Ministry on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) with the country’s largest
energy conglomerate NTPC and Rural Electrification Corporation with the two PSUs pledging Rs 215 crore to the
National Sports Development Fund (NSDF).
 While NTPC will provide Rs 115 crore for the development of Archery, REC will give Rs 100 crore towards women’s
hockey and boxing.
 The signing of the MoUs was attended by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, Power and New & Renewable Energy
Minister RK Singh, NTPC CMD Gurdeep Singh and REC CMD Vivek Kumar among others.
 NTPC has been supporting the archers since 2018 in partnership with the Sports Ministry, Sports Authority of India
(SAI) and Archery Association of India (AAI) with an aim to provide world-class facilities with international exposure
to talented players.
 Under its CSR initiative, NTPC has committed Rs 115 crore in five years for the development of archery. Out of the
total Rs 115 crore, Rs 15 crore will be incurred as a one-time expenditure towards preparations of field targets, setting
up of training centres and equipment like bow and arrow.
About NTPC limited:

Headquarters: New Delhi, India
Owner: Government of India
About Sports Authority of India (SAI):
Founded: 1984
Headquarters: SAI (Head office), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Delhi), Lodhi Road, Delhi, India
Founders: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India
PM Modi to meet Putin, Jinping on the sidelines of SCO summit 2022 in Samarkand
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which
is set to deliberate on regional security challenges, boosting trade and energy supplies among other issues. The SCO
is holding its first in-person summit in Samarkand in Uzbekistan after two years. The summit will also see the
participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Modi is also expected to hold
bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, including with Putin, and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
among other leaders.
 Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived at the Samarkand Airport in Uzbekistan to attend the SCO
Summit. He is among the several world leaders expected to attend the summit, including India’s Narendra Modi,
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China’s Xi Jinping, and Iran’s Ebrahim Raisi. Putin met China’s leader, Xi Jinping, on Thursday in their first in-person
meeting since Russia invaded Ukraine, and as Xi travelled abroad for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
 Russia can supply gas to Pakistan as necessary infrastructures are already in place, President Vladimir Putin said on
Thursday during his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Uzbekistan.
 Modi, who will attend the summit Friday along with China President Xi Jinping, Russia President Vladimir Putin,
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iran President Ebrahim Raisi.

About Uzbekistan:
Capital: Tashkent
Currency: Uzbekistani soum
India to head Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in 2023

 The rotational presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has been handed over to India in Samarkand,
Uzbekistan. Delhi will hold the presidency of the grouping for a year until September 2023. And next year, India will
host the SCO summit. In the declaration, it is stated that the presidency of the SCO for the forthcoming period passes
to India. The next meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State will be held in 2023 in India.
 The leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States signed the Samarkand Declaration in
the meeting of the Council of Heads of State in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. During the SCO Summit, the
Member States noted the various global challenges and threats including the technological and digital divide,
continued turbulence in global financial markets, instability in supply chains, increased protectionist measures and
uncertainty in the global economy.
About Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO):

China To Help Emirati MBRSC Land Rover On The Lunar Surface; Beijing Further Deepens Cooperation In
The Middle East
 China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to join hands to help further the latter’s space ambitions. The
Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) of the UAE and the China National Space Agency (CNSA) have signed
a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work together on the UAE’s moon missions. The agreement marks the
first joint space project between the two countries.
 The UAE has been pushing to become an important space player. Its collaboration with China involves the “landing
of an MBRSC rover aboard a CNSA lander.” Under the project, the UAE will develop a rover dubbed Rashid-2; China
will help it with the landing, data transmission, observation, and control. MBRSC director-general Salem Humaid Al
Marri and CNSA deputy director Wu Yanhua signed the MoU.
 China has been highly successful with its lunar missions. In the last decade, the country launched three successful
lunar surface missions dubbed Change 3, Change 4, and Change 5. In 2020, Change 5 also brought samples back from
Moon to Earth.
About China:
Capital: Beijing
Currency: Yuan
About United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Currency: Dirham
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President: Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Prime Minister: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
CCI approves merger of Jio Cinema OTT with Viacom18 Media

 The merger of Jio Cinema OTT and Viacom18 Media received approval from fair-trade regulator Competition
Commission of India (CCI). The CCI announced in a tweet on Monday that, following investments from BTS
Investment and Reliance Projects & Property Management Services, it has approved the merger of the Jio Cinema
OTT platform with Viacom18 Media.
 Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) and Viacom18 announced a strategic partnership with Bodhi Tree Systems in April.
 Bodhi Tree to invest Rs 13,500 crore in Viacom18, and Reliance Projects & Property Management Services, a wholly-
owned subsidiary of RIL, will invest Rs 1,645 crore in the broadcaster as part of the tripartite partnership, creating one
of the largest TV and digital streaming firms in India.
 IT support services are provided by Reliance Projects & Property Management Services. Through its roster of channels
and streaming service “Voot,” Viacom18 Media engages in the business of offering media and entertainment services.
About Viacom18 Media:

CEO: Jyoti S. Deshpande (30 Sept 2021–)
Parent organization: TV18
Owners: Network18, Paramount Networks EMEAA
About Competition Commission of India (CCI):
Jurisdiction: India
First executive: Dhanendra Kumar
Agency executive: Ashok Kumar Gupta (Chairperson)
India, Egypt sign MoU to further defence cooperation during Rajnath Singh's visit
 India and Egypt have signed an MoU to bolster defense cooperation and decided to enhance joint military exercises,
training, co-production, and maintenance of equipment. The MoU was signed by Defence Ministry of India Rajnath
Singh and General Mohamed Zaki from Egypt at a meeting in Cairo.
 The ministers of both countries exchanged views on regional security and acknowledged the contribution of their
countries to peace and stability.
 The Egyptian counterparts were also invited to the India-Africa Defence Dialogue and Indian Ocean Region Defence
Ministers’ conclave to be held as part of the 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar.
 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh acknowledged Egypt as it is among the most important trading partners of India in
Africa and that the bilateral trade has expanded.
 Egypt is among the several countries that have shown interest in acquiring arms produced by India, including the
Akash Missile System capable of intercepting hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones, and subsonic cruise missiles at a
range of 25 km.
About Egypt:
Capital: Cairo
Currency: Egyptian pound
Continent: Africa, Asia
Official language: Modern Standard Arabic
Hero MotoCorp, HPCL collab to establish charging infrastructure for electric vehicles
 Hero MotoCorp has joined hands with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd to set up charging infrastructure for
electric two-wheelers in the country. As a part of the initiative, the two companies will first establish charging
infrastructure at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation’s (HPCL) existing network of stations, with the likelihood of
subsequently broadening the collaboration for supplementary business opportunities.
 The charging stations will be set up in select cities, which will then be expanded to other key markets with the aim of
establishing a high-density of EV charging station network across the country.
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 The two-wheeler major will lead the infrastructure development for the charging network with each charging station
featuring multiple fast chargers, including DC and AC chargers that will be available to all two-wheeled EVs.
About Hero MotoCorp:

Founder: Brijmohan Lall Munjal
CEO: Pawan Munjal
About Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL):
Owner: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
Founded: 1974
Parent organization: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
NCC, UNEP sign MoU to tackle plastic pollution

 Rajnath Singh, the defence minister, saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Cadet
Corps (NCC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). A Memorandum of Understanding was inked
to use the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge programme and the Puneet Sagar Abhiyan to combat plastic pollution and
achieve the objective of clean water bodies. It aims to coordinate initiatives to involve young people in promoting
clean water bodies.
 The Puneet Sagar Abhiyan was introduced by the NCC on December 1st, 2017.The campaign’s objectives are to rid
seashores of plastic and other trash and raise public awareness of how important cleanliness.
 More than 12 million NCC cadets, alumni, and volunteers have collected over 100 tonnes of plastic debris from
approximately 1,900 places since the start of the Puneet Sagar Abhiyan.
 Ajay Bhatt, the secretary of defence, Dr. Ajay Kumar, officials from the ministry of defence, and UNEP representatives
were present at the event.
 The Defense Secretary praised NCC’s efforts in making the “Puneet Sagar Abhiyan” a huge success, calling it one of
the finest programmes.
About Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):

Headquarters location: Nairobi, Kenya
Founded: 5 June 1972, Nairobi, Kenya
Founder: Maurice Strong
Head: Inger Andersen
Parent organization: United Nations
About National Cadet Corps (NCC):
Director General: Lt. Gen. Gurbirpal Singh
Founder: H. N. Kunzru
Active: July 16, 1948 – present
Role: Student uniformed group
Skill India partners with Samsung to train Indian youth in AI, IoT, BigData, Coding
 The Electronics Sector Skill Council of India (ESSCI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Samsung
India to empower the youth with industry-relevant skills. It will be a part of the government’s ‘Skill India’ initiative
that aims to empower the youth with industry-relevant skills in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence,
the Internet of Things, Big Data and Coding & Programming, in a bid to enhance their employability. The MoU was
exchanged by Ken Kang, President and CEO of Samsung Southwest Asia, and Abhilasha Gaur, COO, ESSCI.
 The programme, ‘Samsung Innovation Campus’ aims to upskill over 3,000 unemployed youth from 18-25 years of age
in future technologies, in partnership with the government’s Skill India initiative.
 The programme will be executed by ESSCI, which is a National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) entity through
its nationwide network of approved training and education partners.
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About
National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC):
Founded: 31 July 2008
Key people: Mr. Ved Mani Tewari (CEO)
BPCL signs pact with Brazil's Petrobras to diversify crude oil sourcing
 State-run Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
Brazilian oil major Petrobras, to diversify its crude oil sourcing.
 The MoU was signed by Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman BPCL and Caio Paes de Andrade, CEO Petrobras, in Brazil on
Saturday.
 In a statement BPCL said, the signing of the MoU will strengthen future crude oil trade relations between the two
companies and explore potential crude import opportunities by BPCL, on a long term basis, especially considering
the current geopolitical situations.
 Bharat PetroResources Limited (BPRL) plans to invest $1.6 billion to develop an oil block in Brazil in an attempt to
procure equity oil overseas. Through its fully owned subsidiary, Bharat PetroResources Limited, BPCL has a stake in
the upstream sector in an ultra-deep water hydrocarbon block in Brazil, owned and operated by M/s Petrobras. The
field development plan and final investment decision is expected to be declared soon.
About Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL):

Founded: 1952
Air India and Willis Lease Sign ConstantThrust Agreement for Engine Sale & Leaseback
 Air India announced that it has signed a definitive sale and lease back agreement with Nasdaq-listed Willis Lease
Finance Corporation for 34 CFM56-5B engines installed on its Airbus A320 family fleet. According to the company
statement, the engines will be covered under Willis Lease’s ConstantThrust, which will deliver significant reliability
and cost savings over a traditional MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) shop visit programme.
 The company said in a statement, under the sale side of the transaction, Willis Lease will purchase 34 engines from
Air India, powering 13 Airbus A321 aircraft and four Airbus A320 aircraft. Through the programme, Willis Lease will
provide replacement and standby spare engines, allowing the airline to avoid potentially costly and unpredictable
shop visits on engines powering a transitioning aircraft fleet. Nipun Aggarwal, CCO Air India said, “this transaction
will allow Air India to derisk itself operationally, improve fleet reliability, reduce cost, and optimise cash flow.”
About Air India:

Founded: 1932, Mumbai
About Willis Lease:
Headquarters: Coconut Creek, Florida, United States
Founded: 1985
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and CSIR work together to support chemistry in schools across India
 Royal Society of Chemistry and CSIR collaborate: A initiative to promote chemical sciences in schools and universities
is being supported by a partnership between the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Council for Industry and Scientific
Research (CSIR). Throughout 30 CSIR laboratories hosted the RSC’s Global Coin experiment, which involved about
2000 students from all over the nation.
 A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations states that they will collaborate on the
CSIR’s Jigyasa programme, an outreach initiative for researchers and schoolchildren that spans all of India.
 The Memorandum of Understanding will not involve money and will have a minimum three-year term with the
possibility of extension.
 From mining and oceanography to chemicals and nanotechnology, the CSIR is committed to research and
development across the range of science and technology.
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About Council for Industry and Scientific Research (CSIR):
President: Narendra Modi
Founders: Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar, Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar
About Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC):
CEO: Helen Pain (9 Jun 2021–)
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Founded: 1980
BANKING AND ECONOMY

Maruti Suzuki completes 40 years in India
 Leading vehicle manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki has completed 40 years in India. On the occasion, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi inaugurated the company’s electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant at Hansalpur in Gujarat and
the passenger vehicle plant at Kharkhoda, Haryana. This time Maruti Suzuki has decided to invest 10 thousand crores
for the EV plants. Maruti Suzuki may start production of electric vehicles in India from 2025.
 Maruti Udyog Limited was established in India in the year 1981. It was a public sector company. In 1982, Japanese
automaker Suzuki started a joint venture with Maruti. Over the past forty years, Maruti Suzuki has become the most
preferred brand in the country. RC Bhargava is the Chairman of Maruti Suzuki India.
About Maruti Suzuki India:

Managing Director and CEO: Hisashi Takeuchi
Founded: 24 February 1981, Gurugram
Forex reserves fall $6.7 bn to $564 bn in 7 days, at 2-yr low: RBI

 The country’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $6.69 billion to $564 billion for the week ended August 19, latest data
released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) showed. The reserves are at its lowest level since October 2020. In the last
two weeks, the foreign exchange reserves fell by almost 9 billion. According to data released by the RBI on Friday, the
fall was mainly due to a decline in foreign currency assets, by $5.8 billion, followed by gold reserves by $704 million.
 Foreign exchange reserves hit an all-time high for the week ended September 3, 2021 when it hit $642 billion – which
was equivalent to covering more than 14 months of imports projected for 2021-22. In almost one year, reserves are
down by $78 billion. The current level of reserves can cover about 9 months of imports projected for 2022-23.
 India’s forex reserves are the fourth largest globally, according to RBI governor Shaktikanta Das after the latest rate-
setting meeting when the central bank hiked rates for the third consecutive time.

Jurisdiction: India
Reliance Industries to Build India’s First and World’s Largest Carbon Fibre Plant
 Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani has announced to build of India’s first and one of the world’s largest
Carbon Fibre plants at Hazira, Gujarat. The plants will have a capacity of 20,000 MTPA based on Acrylonitrile
feedstock. Overall, in the Oil to Chemical segment (O2C), Ambani Ambani announced an investment of Rs 75,000
crore over the next five years to expand capacities in existing and new value chains. These value chains are – Polyester
value chain, Vinyl chain, and New Materials. The first phase of the plant will be completed in 2025.
 The company will further integrate its composites business with Carbon Fibre to produce Carbon Fibre composites.
Apart from other applications, Carbon Fibre composites are also used to meet the rapidly growing light-weight
requirements of Mobility and Renewable Energy. Thus, Carbon Fibre promises to be a multi-decade growth engine
for O2C, Ambani highlighted. Reliance has commenced its journey to becoming net carbon zero by 2035 with a set of
concrete actions.
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About Reliance Industries Limited (RIL):
Founded: 8 May 1973
Founder: Dhirubhai Ambani
Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
CMD: Mukesh Ambani
Director: Nita Ambani
SEBI fines Aadhaar Ventures, its directors for violating market norms
 Aadhaar Ventures India Ltd. (AVIL) and its directors were fined a total of Rs 25 lakh by the capital markets regulator
SEBI for breaking the listing requirements and insider trading laws. Aadhaar Ventures India Ltd. (AVIL), its directors
Jils Raichand Madan, Somabhai Sunderbhai Meena, and Jyoti Munver, and the regulator each received a fine of Rs. 10
lakh (to be paid jointly and severally) for disclosure violations.
 It fined Aadhaar Ventures India Ltd. (AVIL) and Meena Rs. 5 lakh (to be paid jointly and severally) for breaking the
rules on insider trading.
 Aadhaar Ventures India Ltd. (AVIL), Madan, Meena, and Munver had violated disclosure lapses by failing to disclose
the information to the stock exchange.
 The order was issued after SEBI opened a preliminary investigation into claims of price manipulation in the Aadhaar
Ventures India Ltd. (AVIL) stock and discovered that the company had made an announcement in August 2014
regarding the acquisition of a business in Africa and the subsequent establishment of an overseas subsidiary in
Singapore—an announcement that did not come to pass.
 SEBI then carried out a separate inquiry for the months of July to September 2014.
 The outcome of SEBI’s appeal, which is currently before the Supreme Court, might, however, affect the severity of this
penalty. Listing conditions are covered by Section 23E of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act.
About SEBI:
Sector: Securities market
Agency executive: Madhabi Puri Buch (Chairperson)
GST Collection Rises 28% In August To Rs 1.43 Lakh Crore

 The GST collection remained above the Rs 1.4-trillion mark for the sixth straight month in August and the ensuing
festival season will help continue the trend. The gross GST revenue collected in August 2022 is Rs 1.43 trillion of which
CGST is Rs 24,710 crore, SGST is Rs 30,951 crore, IGST is Rs 77,782 crore (including Rs 42,067 crore collected on import
of goods) and cess is Rs 10,168 crore (including Rs 1,018 crore collected on import of goods).
 The revenues for the month of August 2022 are 28 per cent higher than the GST revenues of Rs 1,12,020 crore collected
in August 2021. The collection in August is, however, lower than Rs 1.49 trillion collected in July. The mop-up was at
a record high of Rs 1.67 trillion in April.
Indias air traffic may grow annually by average 7% till 2040: Boeing
 Aircraft maker Boeing expects India’s air traffic to annually grow by nearly 7 per cent through 2040, and is bullish on
the “massive potential” in the air cargo space. The company, which is a key player in both civil and defence aerospace
segments, is also looking to increase the sourcing of raw materials from the country. Boeing Managing Director
(Marketing) David Schulte said strong recovery is gaining further momentum in Indian aviation and it is one of the
fastest growing markets.
 India’s airlines will lead air traffic growth through 2040, growing at a rate of 6.9 per cent. The growth for the South
East Asia market is pegged at 5.5 per cent, China (5.4 per cent), Africa (5.4 per cent) and Latin America (4.8 per cent),
Boeing said in a presentation made.
 Currently, two scheduled Indian carriers—SpiceJet and Air India Express—are using Boeing freighters. Boeing India
President Salil Gupte said it is always looking at the possibility of increased raw material supplies from India. “Raw
materials are going to be one area of focus. We have talked to various ministries. We have been working to try to
enhance raw material supplies from India so that is going to be critical for indigenisation, both in defence and civil
aerospace manufacturing space,” he said.
 India has defence, engineering, software, technology, it has every element of our supply chain. From the simplest
assemblies to the most complex aerostructures to composite materials like the floor beams of the 787. Every element
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of what we do is here,” he added. In the presentation, Boeing said that fuel prices, 70 per cent of an airline’s operational
costs being priced in foreign currency and the lowest average fares for similar distances and demands are among the
major challenges in India. As per the aircraft maker, its 737-10 plane with 9 per cent lower seat costs will help enable
a strong aviation market with sustainable low fares.
About Boeing (Aerospace company):
Headquarters: Arlington, Virginia, United States
CEO: Dave Calhoun (13 Jan 2020–)
Founded: 15 July 1916, Seattle, Washington, United States
Founder: William E. Boeing
Chairperson: Dave Calhoun
President: Dave Calhoun
India's Unemployment Rate Zooms to 1-Year High of 8.3% in Aug: CMIE

 India’s unemployment rate surged to a one-year high of 8.3 per cent in August as employment sequentially fell by 2
million to 394.6 million, according to data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). During July, the
unemployment rate was at 6.8 per cent and the employment was 397 million, the CMIE data added.
 “The urban unemployment rate is usually higher at about 8 per cent than the rural unemployment rate, which is
usually around 7 per cent.
 The unemployment rate in rural India rose from 6.1 per cent in July to 7.7 per cent in August. More importantly, the
employment rate fell from 37.6 per cent to 37.3 per cent.
 During August, the unemployment was the highest in Haryana at 37.3 per cent followed by Jammu and Kashmir at
32.8 per cent, Rajasthan at 31.4 per cent, Jharkhand at 17.3 per cent and Tripura at 16.3 per cent, according to the data.
While the unemployment was the lowest in Chhattisgarh at 0.4 per cent followed by Meghalaya at 2 per cent,
Maharashtra at 2.2 per cent and Gujarat and Odisha at 2.6 per cent each, the data showed.
About Haryana:
Capital: Chandigarh
Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya
Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
About Chhattisgarh :
Capital: Raipur (Executive Branch)
Governor: Anusuiya Uikey
Chief Minister: Bhupesh Baghel
Goldman cuts India's growth estimate; Morgan Stanley sees downside risks
 The quarterly gross domestic product figures for April through June falling short of market expectations, Goldman
Sachs has revised lower its growth projections for India. A lower-than-expected growth during April to June increased
the negative risk to current fiscal year growth predictions by 40 basis points.
 In the reporting quarter, India’s real GDP growth increased 13.5% year over year, falling short of the 15.2% projection
made by experts surveyed by Reuters.
 GDP growth momentum decreased to -3.3% quarter-on-quarter after increasing by 0.5% from January to March.
 The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a prominent global investment banking, securities, and investment management
company, offers a comprehensive range of financial services to a sizable and diversified clientele that consists of
businesses, financial institutions, governments, and private individuals.
About Morgan Stanley :

CEO: James P. Gorman (1 Jan 2010–)
Founded: 5 September 1935, New York, United States
Founders: Henry Sturgis Morgan, Dean G. Witter, Harold Stanley, Reynolds Securities
Moody's slashes 2022 growth forecast for India to 7.7%

 Moody’s Investors Service drastically reduced India’s GDP growth by 1.1 percentage points, citing a slowdown in global
growth, rising interest rates, and an irregular monsoon as reasons for the economy’s potential to lose steam in the
coming quarters. According to Moody’s Global Macro Outlook 2022-2023 study, India’s central bank is anticipated to
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maintain a hawkish posture this year and keep a moderately restrictive policy stance in 2023 to prevent domestic
inflationary pressures from escalating.
 India’s GDP is now expected to grow at a 7.7% annual rate, down sharply from the earlier estimate of 8.8% in May.
 This information was released a day after government data revealed that the Indian economy expanded 13.5% year
over year during the April–June quarter.
 But according to experts, this expansion is anticipated to slow down in the future quarters due to, among other things,
rising interest rates.
 A more rapid decline in global commodity prices would have a large positive impact on growth, according to Moody’s.
 If the private sector capex cycle were to pick up steam, economic growth would be stronger than what is anticipated
for 2023.
 Even though it marginally decreased in July to 6.7%, inflation is still 7. consecutive months above the central bank’s
goal range of 2–6%, according to Moody’s Global Macro Outlook 2022–2023 report.
About Moody's Investors Service:

Founder: John Moody
Founded: 1909, New York, United States
India leaps past UK to become world's fifth-largest economy

 India has surpassed Britain to become world’s fifth largest economy, Bloomberg reported. The change in ranking has
pushed the United Kingdom to the sixth spot as the country continues to grapple under the brutal cost-of-living
shack. The Indian economy is forecast to grow more than 7 per cent this year. On an adjusted basis and using the
dollar exchange rate on the last day of the relevant quarter, the size of Indian economy in “normal” cash terms in the
quarter through March was USD 845.7 billion. On the same basis, UK was USD 816 billion, according to the report.
 IMF’s own forecasts show India overtaking the UK in dollar terms on an annual basis this year, putting the Asian
powerhouse behind the US, China, Japan and Germany. A decade ago, India ranked 11th among the largest economies,
while the UK was fifth. The government is expecting the economy to grow at 7-7.5 per cent in 2022-23, in line with its
projections made at the beginning of this financial year. India registered a growth of 8.7 per cent in 2021-22. “We
remain on course to meet the 7.4 per cent. We expect to achieve. This does not really reflect on what is expected to
be annual real GDP growth. So, 7-7.5 per cent in that range. 7.4 per cent is what the IMF has predicted,” Finance
Secretary T V Somanathan said on Wednesday.
According to the International Monetary Fund, these are the highest ranking countries in the world in
nominal GDP:
1.United States (GDP: 22.49 trillion)
2.China (GDP: 16.4 trillion)
3.Japan: (GDP: 5.27 trillion)
4.Germany: (GDP: 4.30 trillion)
5.India: (GDP: 3.21 trillion)
6.United Kingdom: (GDP: 3.2 trillion)
7.France: (GDP: 2.78 trillion)
8.Italy: (GDP: 2.07 trillion)
9.Brazil: (GDP: 1.87 trillion)
10.Canada: (GDP: 1.71 trillion)
Prime Minister: Boris Johnson
Capital: London
HDFC Bank introduces new sms banking facility for its customers
 The private sector lender HDFC Bank introduced a new SMS banking facility for its customers. The bank claims that
now customers can access a wide range of banking services round-the-clock. 24/7 x 365 no matter where they are.
With the new SMS banking facility, customers can now check account balances & summaries, apply for loans, manage
credit cards, apply for chequebook requests, generate account statements and more. Customers no longer need to
remember or type lengthy pre-defined keywords to conduct SMS banking thanks to HDFC Bank's new SMS facility,
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which is integrated with AI technology. Instead, they can type in their own style and convenience and the AI will
understand exactly what you need, allowing you to interact leisurely and conveniently as a result.
 HDFC Bank has said via a Tweet that “Banking services are now a text away! #BankOnUs and access a wide range of
banking services from wherever you are, round-the-clock. 24/7 x 365! To get started, SMS “Register" <Space> “Last 4
digits of customer ID" <Space> “Last 4 digits of account number" to 7308080808."
About HDFC Bank:

CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan (27 Oct 2020–)
Owner: Housing Development Finance Corporation
Founded: August 1994, Mumbai
Unemployment rate falls from 7.6 per cent in April to June this year: PLFS
 The unemployment rate in India for people aged 15 years and above in urban areas declined to 7.6 per cent during
April-June 2022 from 12.6 per cent a year ago, the National Statistical Office (NSO) said on 31 August. In April-June
2021, the joblessness was high in the country mainly due to the staggering impact of Covid-related restrictions. The
latest data underlined a decline in unemployment rate amid improved labour force participation ratio, point towards
a sustained economic recovery from the shadow of the pandemic.
 In January-March 2022, the unemployment rate in India for persons aged 15 years and above was 8.2 per cent in urban
areas, the 15th Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) showed.
 As per the NSO data, the Labour force participation rate in CWS (Current Weekly Status) in urban areas for persons
aged 15 years and above increased to 47.5 per cent in the April-June quarter of 2022, from 46.8 per cent in the same
period a year ago. It was 47.3 per cent in January-March 2022. The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) in CWS in urban
areas for persons aged 15 years and above stood at 43.9 per cent in April-June, 2022, up from 40.9 per cent in the same
period a year ago. It was 43.4 per cent in January-March 2022.
India set to become 3rd largest economy in the world, report says
 India is set to become the third largest economy in the world by 2029. A State Bank of India report said India will
surpass Germany in 2027 and most likely Japan by 2029 at the current rate of growth. The report said that the country
has undergone a large structural shift since 2014 and is now the 5th largest economy overtaking the United Kingdom.
The path taken by India since 2014 reveals the country is likely to get the tag of 3rd largest economy in 2029, a
movement of 7 places upwards since 2014 when India was ranked 10th, it said.
 The research report from SBI’s Economic Research Department highlighted that Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
growth rate for FY23 is estimated between 6.7-7.7 per cent, but it is normal to have a 6-6.5 per cent growth due to
global uncertainties. According to a Bloomberg report on Friday, India had surpassed Britain to become the world’s
fifth largest economy. India extended its lead in the first quarter, showed the GDP figures from the International
Monetary Fund. But, as per the SBI report, India had surpassed the UK as the fifth largest economy as early as
December 2021 itself.
 “The share of India’s GDP is now at 3.5 per cent, as against 2.6 per cent in 2014, and is likely to cross 4 per cent in 2027,
which is the current share of Germany in global GDP,” the report added.
 As per World Bank data it had a GDP per capita of $2,277 in 2021, whereas the UK had a per capita income of $47,334.
China’s per capita income was nearly six times India’s at $12,556 in 2021.
About SBI:
Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara
India’s external debt rises by 8.2 pc to over USD 620 bn till March 2022
 The External Debt Management Unit (EDMU) in the Department of economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, has
released 28th edition of the Status Report on India’s External Debt 2021-22. India’s external debt, at US$ 620.7 billion
as at end-March 2022, grew by 8.2 per cent over US$ 573.7 billon as at end-March 2021. While 53.2 per cent of it was
denominated in US dollar, Indian rupee denominated debt, estimated at 31.2 per cent, was the second largest. External
debt as a ratio to GDP fell marginally to 19.9 per cent as at end-March 2022 from 21.2 per cent a year ago. Foreign
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currency reserves as a ratio to external debt stood slightly lower at 97.8 per cent as at end-March 2022 than 100.6 per
cent a year ago.
Services sector activity up in August on gains in new business, jobs creation

 India’s dominant services industry grew faster than expected in August amid favourable demand conditions and some
easing in cost pressures. The S&P Global India Services Purchasing Managers’ Index or PMI index rose to 57.2 in
August from four-month low of 55.5 in July, surpassing the 55.0 estimate in a Reuters poll. It remained above the 50-
mark separating growth from contraction for a 13th straight month. The survey showed that a stronger expansion in
new business encouraged firms to hire at the quickest pace in more than 14 years.
 “Indian services activity rose strongly midway through the second fiscal quarter, with the pace of expansion recovering
some of the ground lost in July.
 “While the rate of charge inflation was broadly similar to July, there was a considerably softer upturn in input costs.
 Among the sectors, “finance and insurance was the brightest area of the service economy in August, leading with
regards to growth of sales and output,” the economist said.
 The survey also showed that services companies expect output growth over the coming 12 months, with sentiment
rising to its highest level in over four years.
About S&P Global Corporation:

CEO: Douglas L. Peterson (1 Nov 2013)
Founder: James H. McGraw
Founded: 1917 New York, United States
Formerly: McGraw–Hill, Inc. (1964–1995); The McGraw–Hill Companies, Inc. (1995–2013); McGraw Hill Financial, Inc.
(2013–2016)
CCI clears PayU's $4.7 billion acquisition of BillDesk

 The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of 100 percent equity of Indiaideas.com
(Billdesk) by PayU Payments. The proposed combination relates to the acquisition of 100 percent of the equity share
capital of India Ideas Ltd (IIL) by PayU India. Prosus NV-backed PayU announced in August 2021, that it will buy
digital payments provider Billdesk for USD 4.7 billion.
 It will make it one of the biggest deals in the Indian consumer internet space. The proposed combination pertains to
the acquisition of an additional 10 percent stake in Apraava by CDPQ from CPL CPEC Holding Limited.
 PayU India provides payment aggregation services & CPDQ Infrastructure Asia II is a wholly owned subsidiary of
CDPQ a global investor.
 Apraava Energy is foreign investment in the Indian power sector with the investment spread across renewable and
non-renewable energy.
About Competition Commission of India (CCI):

Jurisdiction: India
First executive: Dhanendra Kumar
Agency executive: Ashok Kumar Gupta (Chairperson)
About BillDesk:
Founded: 2000
Owner: BillDesk
Founders: M.N. Srinivasu, Ajay Kaushal, Karthik Ganapathy
Digital currency to bring down time, cost for cross-border transactions: RBI’s Sankar
 Central bank digital currency (CBDC), to be launched this year, could become a tool for reducing time and cost for
cross-border transactions, Reserve Bank Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar said. The RBI has proposed to launch on a
pilot basis this year, as announced in the Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. In the Union Budget for
2022-23, the finance minister had said the RBI would roll out a digital equivalent to the rupee in the current financial
year.
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 “We have to understand that internationalisation of CBDC is crucial to addressing the payments issue that bodies like
G-20 and Bank for International Settlements (BIS) are dealing with now,” he said at India Ideas Summit. Observing
that India has an excellent, cheap and fast domestic payments system, he said the cost of cross-border payment,
however, is still high. There is a lot of scope for improvement in terms of both cost and speed, he noted.
 CBDC is probably the most efficient answer to this, he said, adding, for example, if India CBDC and the US CBDC
systems can talk to each other, we don’t have to wait for settling transactions. “That massively takes out the settlement
risk from cross border transaction that reduces time, that reduces cost. So, CBDC internationalisation is something
that I’m looking forward.

Jurisdiction: India
Google Cloud, HDFC ERGO team up to digitise insurance buying in India

 HDFC ERGO General Insurance has roped in Google Cloud to build an online platform for selling insurance. HDFC
ERGO plans to completely migrate to the cloud by 2024. This online platform for selling insurance, offering tailored
digital experiences to customers, responding to regulatory changes faster, and identifying insurance risks using data
analytics and machine learning (ML).
 Google Cloud will also assist the insurance provider with IT systems integration and building new applications. Google
will also provide them AI/ML technologies to build predictive insights and mitigate insurance fraud. Google Cloud
enables us to efficiently unlock the full potential of HDFC ERGO’s wide insurance solutions. This partnership
underscores our commitment to delivering a seamless user experience by digitising the customer journey end-to-
end.”
About HDFC ERGO General Insurance:

CEO: Ritesh Kumar
Founded: 2002
Adani Group to build 3 giga factories as part of $70 billion clean energy investment
 Asia’s richest man Gautam Adani, a ports-to-power conglomerate will build three Giga factories for manufacturing
solar modules, wind turbines, and hydrogen electrolyzers as part of a USD 70 billion investment in clean energy by
2030. Adani group is stepping up investments across the green energy value chain as it aims to become the world’s
top renewable energy producer by 2030.
 The new giga factory for power electronics will be in addition to four giga factories announced last year for making
integrated solar PV modules that will produce electricity from sunlight, electrolyzers that produce hydrogen from
water, fuel cells and batteries to store energy from the grid as well as 20 GW solar energy capacity by 2025 for captive
needs.
About Adani Group:

Headquarters: Ahmedabad
Founder: Gautam Adani
Founded: 1988
Indian Railways revenue up 38 pc to Rs 95,486.58 crore till August-end

 The overall revenue of Indian Railways at the end of August’22 stood at ₹95,486.58 cr, showing an increase of Rs.
26271.29 cr (38%) over the corresponding period of last year. The revenue from passenger traffic was Rs.25,276.54cr
with an increase of ₹13,574.44 cr (116%) over the corresponding period of last year, according to official notes movers
released by ministry of railways.
 As per the data, Passenger traffic also increased compared to last year in both the segments, reserved as well as
unreserved. The growth from the long distance reserved mail express trains has been sharper than the same in
passenger & suburban trains. The other coaching revenue was Rs. 2437.42 cr, showing an increase of Rs.811.82 cr (50%)
over the corresponding period of last year, the rail Mistry data showed.
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 This growth is being fueled by robust growth in the Parcel segment of Indian Railways, the statement said. Goods
revenue was Rs.65,505.02cr by August this year and has increased by ₹10,780.03 cr (20%) over the corresponding
period of last year.
About Indian Railways:

PhonePe tokenizes 14 million debit and credit cards prior to RBI's deadline
 PhonePe tokenized debit and credit cards: PhonePe announced that it had tokenized 14 million credit and debit cards
on its network in accordance with the RBI’s (Reserve Bank of India) guidelines for data security. Since the exercise
began in December 2021, the Walmart-backed company claims to have tokenized more than 80% of its active users’
cards.
 The real card details are not disclosed to a merchant during transactions, a tokenized transaction is safer and less
likely to result in data leakage.
 PhonePe stated that it is collaborating with Visa, Mastercard, and RuPay, three of the largest card networks, to meet
the regulator’s September 30 tokenization deadline.
 Since April of this year, when the company began processing token-based transactions, almost all eligible transactions
are handled by tokens.
 The success rate of transactions processed via tokens on PhonePe has shown an improvement of around 2 per cent in
comparison with card-based transactions.
 The RBI delayed the card-on-file tokenization deadline in July till September 30 since token-based transaction
processing had not yet gained traction. It was the third and maybe final one of its kind.
About PhonePe:
Founder: Sameer Nigam, Burzin Engineer and Rahul Chari
CEO: Sameer Nigam (Dec 2015–)
Headquarters: Maharashtra
Founded: 2015
Parent organization: Flipkart
Founders: Sameer Nigam, Burzin Engineer, Rahul Chari
About Reserve Bank of India (RBI) :
Jurisdiction: India
Ownership: Ministry of Finance, Government of India
Indian Railways revenue up 38 pc to Rs 95,486.58 crore till August-end

 The overall revenue of Indian Railways at the end of August’22 stood at ₹95,486.58 cr, showing an increase of Rs.
26271.29 cr (38%) over the corresponding period of last year. The revenue from passenger traffic was Rs.25,276.54cr
with an increase of ₹13,574.44 cr (116%) over the corresponding period of last year, according to official notes movers
released by ministry of railways.
 As per the data, Passenger traffic also increased compared to last year in both the segments, reserved as well as
unreserved. The growth from the long distance reserved mail express trains has been sharper than the same in
passenger & suburban trains. The other coaching revenue was Rs. 2437.42 cr, showing an increase of Rs.811.82 cr (50%)
over the corresponding period of last year, the rail Mistry data showed.
 This growth is being fueled by robust growth in the Parcel segment of Indian Railways, the statement said. Goods
revenue was Rs.65,505.02cr by August this year and has increased by ₹10,780.03 cr (20%) over the corresponding
period of last year.
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About Indian Railways:
PhonePe tokenizes 14 million debit and credit cards prior to RBI's deadline
 PhonePe tokenized debit and credit cards: PhonePe announced that it had tokenized 14 million credit and debit cards
on its network in accordance with the RBI’s (Reserve Bank of India) guidelines for data security. Since the exercise
began in December 2021, the Walmart-backed company claims to have tokenized more than 80% of its active users’
cards.
 The real card details are not disclosed to a merchant during transactions, a tokenized transaction is safer and less
likely to result in data leakage.
 PhonePe stated that it is collaborating with Visa, Mastercard, and RuPay, three of the largest card networks, to meet
the regulator’s September 30 tokenization deadline.
 Since April of this year, when the company began processing token-based transactions, almost all eligible transactions
are handled by tokens.
 The success rate of transactions processed via tokens on PhonePe has shown an improvement of around 2 per cent in
comparison with card-based transactions.
 The RBI delayed the card-on-file tokenization deadline in July till September 30 since token-based transaction
processing had not yet gained traction. It was the third and maybe final one of its kind.
About PhonePe:
Founder: Sameer Nigam, Burzin Engineer and Rahul Chari
CEO: Sameer Nigam (Dec 2015–)
Headquarters: Maharashtra
Founded: 2015
Parent organization: Flipkart
Founders: Sameer Nigam, Burzin Engineer, Rahul Chari
About Reserve Bank of India (RBI) :
Jurisdiction: India
Ownership: Ministry of Finance, Government of India
HDFC Bank issues India’s first Electronic Bank Guarantee (e-BG)

 HDFC Bank, India’s largest private sector bank, became the first bank in the country to issue an Electronic Bank
Guarantee (e-BG) in partnership with National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL). The paper-based, time-
consuming process has been eliminated with the new electronic bank guarantees that can be processed, stamped,
verified and delivered instantly with enhanced security. This is a transformational change, and the Bank will migrate
to e-BG to benefit all its customers.
 Paper-based bank guarantees takes 3-5 days to complete the process of physical pick up from the bank, courier to the
beneficiary, stamp it and re-verify it. Besides, there was no central repository for bank guarantees until now.
 Bringing inefficiency of time, eBG offers enhanced security. Physical stamping has been eliminated and replaced with
eStamping and with eBG, the applicant and beneficiary can instantly view a bank guarantee on the NeSL portal.
 e-BG has been developed in consultation with NeSL, the CVC-CBI committee and IBA to simplify the process and
eliminate the possibility of fraud and manipulation. e-BG will be issued on the NeSL portal through an API-based
digital workflow.
About HDFC Bank:

CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan;
Headquarters: Mumbai;
Founded: August 1994, Mumbai.
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Bank of Maharashtra raises Rs 710 cr via Tier I bonds
 The government-owned Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) reported raising Rs 710 crore through bonds to finance company
expansion. According to a statement from the bank, the money was raised through Basel III compliant Additional
Tier 1 (AT1) bonds for Rs 710 crore (including Rs 610 crore for the green shoe option) at a coupon rate of 8.74 percent.
 When compared to the base issue size of Rs 100 crore, the issue received a ten-fold increase in subscription from
investors.
 A nationalised bank, Bank of Maharashtra is owned by the Indian government’s Ministry of Finance. By March 2022,
the bank had 2022 branches around the nation and 29 million customers. In the state of Maharashtra, it boasts the
broadest network of branches of any nationalised bank. At the close of business on December 31, 2021, the bank’s total
revenue exceeded 3,15,620 lakh crore.
About Bank of Maharashtra:

Chairman and Managing Director: Shri. S. Muhnot
Headquarters: Pune
CEO: A. S. Rajeev (2 Dec 2018–)
Founders: D. K. Sathe, V. G. Kale
Reserve Bank of India is estimated to have sold about $13 billion in August to Hold Rupee at 80
 India’s foreign exchange reserves slumped by over $2 billion in the week ending August 12, as the Reserve Bank of
India intervened to shore up the rupee and keep the currency below 80 per dollar. That is an effort the Indian central
bank has said was essential, and it would do whatever it takes to maintain the rupee’s stability, limiting any wild
swings despite extremely volatile currency markets. The RBI’s weekly statistical supplement data showed that the
country’s forex reserves slumped to $570.74 billion in the week ending August 12, down by $2.238 billion from $572.978
billion in the previous week. The magnitude of that fall in the latest week was the largest in a month, and the country’s
import cover dipped for the second week.
 Since Russia invaded Ukraine, India’s forex reserves have fallen for 19 weeks out of a total of 25 since then, having
nearly $61 billion during that period. Still, India’s forex reserves are the fourth largest globally, said RBI governor
Shaktikanta Das after the latest rate-setting meeting when the central bank hiked rates for the third consecutive time.
 Expectations of volatility have also reduced during the time period of the study, which starts from 2007 and includes
the current episode of volatilities triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Jurisdiction: India
Government's share in total health expenditure increases

 The per capita government spending on healthcare has increased by 74 per cent since 2013-14. As per National Health
Accounts Estimates India 2018-19, the per capita government spending in 2013-14 was one thousand forty-two rupees,
which has increased to one thousand eight hundred and fifteen rupees. It said, government’s share in the overall
spending on health in the country is increasing steadily. The government’s share in current health expenditure has
increased from 23.2 per cent in 2013-14 to 34.5 per cent in 2018-19.
 The government spending on primary healthcare has increased since 2013-14. The government health expenditure
during that period on primary healthcare was around 51 per cent, which has increased to over 55 per cent in 2018-19.
The per capita Out-of-pocket expenditure in the country has also decreased by eight per cent since 2013-14.
 Such reports will help us with clear decision-making processes in line with National Health Policy recommendation
of 2017.” Dr. V K Paul stated this while congratulating everyone on NHA Estimates report launch which is sixth
consecutive since 2013-14. He said that National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) has ensured that all such
reports are published without any interruption and follows academic rigor along with robust methodology and
approach.In the group of 189 countries, India ranks 66th for per capita OOPE.
About Govt of India:

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Ministries: 57
Retail inflation inches up to 7% in August led by food price rise

 Price pressures returned to the Indian economy in August, with retail inflation quickening to 7% after cooling to a
five-month low in July. The increase, led by food prices, makes it the eighth month that retail inflation has stayed
above the central bank’s upper tolerance limit of 6%, strengthening the case for continued monetary tightening.
 Retail inflation in July had cooled to 6.7%, and a poll of 22 economists estimated August inflation at 6.9%. The Reserve
Bank of India has projected Consumer Price Index (CPI) based inflation for 2022-23 at 6.7%. Inflation is expected to
remain elevated over the next couple of months due to last year’s low base, even as easing energy and commodity
prices globally would help cool inflationary pressures. RBI’s monetary policy committee (MPC) raised the repo rate
by 50 basis points for the third time in a row in August, taking the policy rate to pre-pandemic levels of 5.4%. The
MPC meets again from 28 to 30 September.
 The uptick in CPI inflation was led by food inflation, which spiked to 7.57% in August from 6.71% in July. The food
and beverages category makes up 54% of CPI.
 Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman at a recent address on ‘taming inflation’, said that it could not be left to
monetary policy alone, but fiscal policy needs to work alongside.
About Govt of India:

Ministries: 57
Sachin Bansal-led Navi Technologies gets SEBI approval for Rs 3,350 crore IPO
 Navi Technologies approved by SEBI: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has given Sachin Bansal’s
fintech business Navi Technologies the go-ahead for an Initial Public Offering (IPO), which will help the Flipkart co-
founder in his efforts to build a financial services conglomerate.
 Navi Technologies submitted draft papers to SEBI in March of this year in order to raise up to Rs 3,350 crore through
a new share offering.
 Sachin Bansal, who has a 97.39 percent ownership in fintech, stated that there will not be an offer for sale (OFS) by
shareholders in the IPO.
 According to the SEBI website, the fintech company received an observation letter in response to its filings on
September 5.
 Navi made a profit of Rs. 71.1 crore in FY21, while the company lost Rs. 206.42 crore in the first nine months of FY22.
About Flipkart
Founded: 2007
Founder’s: Binny Bansal and Sachin Bansal
CEO: Kalyan Krishnamurthy
Wholesale price-based inflation eases to 12.41% in August 2022

 The wholesale price-based inflation eased for the third consecutive month in August to 12.41 per cent, on softening in
prices of manufactured items, even as food items saw an uptick.
 The Wholesale Price Index-based inflation was 13.93 per cent in July and 11.64 per cent in August last year.
 August is the 17th consecutive month of double-digit wholesale price inflation (WPI).The WPI had touched a record
high of 15.88 per cent in May, this year.
 Inflation in food articles in August rose to 12.37 per cent, as against 10.77 per cent in July. The rate of price rise in
vegetables was 22.29 per cent during the month under review, as against 18.25 per cent in July.
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Fitch Ratings cuts India’s growth forecast to 7% from 7.8% for FY23
 Fitch Ratings slashed India’s GDP growth projection for FY23 to 7 per cent, saying the economy is expected to slow
against the backdrop of the global economy, elevated inflation and high-interest rate. In June, it had forecast 7.8 per
cent growth for India. As per official GDP estimates, the Indian economy expanded 13.5 per cent in the June quarter,
higher than the 4.10 per cent growth clocked in January-March. The RBI expects the economy to grow 7.2 per cent in
the current fiscal year.
 “We expect the economy to slow given the global economic backdrop, elevated inflation and tighter monetary policy.
We now expect the economy to grow 7 per cent in the financial year to end-March 2023 (FY23) from 7.8 per cent
previously, with FY24 also slowing to 6.7 per cent from 7.4 per cent before,” Fitch said in its September edition of the
Global Economic Outlook.
 The wholesale-price-based inflation softened to an 11-month low of 12.41 per cent in August, even though retail
inflation inched up to 7 per cent.
About Fitch Ratings:

CEO: Paul Taylor (2 Apr 2012–)
Founded: 24 December 1913, New York, New York, United States
Founder: John Knowles Fitch
SBI Raises Benchmark Lending Rate By 0.7% To 13.45%, Effective From Sep 15
 The country’s largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), raised the Benchmark Prime Lending Rate (BPLR) by 70 basis
points (or 0.7 per cent) to 13.45 per cent. The announcement would make loan repayment linked to BPLR costlier.
The current BPLR rate is 12.75 per cent. It was revised last in June.
 “Benchmark Prime Lending Rate (BPLR) revised as 13.45 per cent per annum with effect from September 15, 2022,”
the SBI posted on its website.
 Now most of the banks provide loans on the External Benchmark Based Lending Rate (EBLR) or the Repo-Linked
Lending Rate (RLLR).
 The increase in the benchmark lending rates comes weeks ahead of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) monetary policy
meeting, which is again expected to hike rates to tame inflation.
About State Bank of India (SBI):

Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara
Managing directors: Praveen Kumar Gupta
India Ratings cuts India's FY23 GDP growth forecast to 6.9% from 7%
 India Ratings became the latest agency to cut its FY23 gross domestic product forecast. The ratings agency cut the
forecast to 6.9 per cent from 7 per cent, joining other institutions who have cut their projections to below 7 per cent
since the release of the April-June quarter GDP data.
 “Despite private final consumption expenditure (PFCE) and gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) growth coming in
better than our expectations in Q1, the agency expects the slowdown in the growth of government final consumption
expenditure (GFCE) and worsening of net exports to weigh on the FY23 GDP growth,” India Ratings said in a
statement.
 Global rating agency Fitch also lowered India’s economic growth forecast for FY23 to 7 per cent from its June 2022
estimate of 7.8 per cent. It now expects the GDP to slow further to 6.7 per cent in FY24 as compared to its earlier
forecast of 7.4 per cent. India Ratings projects GDP growth of 7.2 per cent in July-September FY23 quarter, 4 per cent
in October-December and 4.1 per cent in February-March. “Recovering the lost output due to COVID-19 will be a long
haul. Our estimate shows that even if GDP grows at 7.6 per cent every year after FY23, then also India would be able
to catch up with pre-pandemic trend growth only by FY35”, said Sunil Kumar Sinha, Principal Economist.
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MoF Issues Guidelines for RRBs to Raise Resources Through IPO & rights issue
 The Finance Ministry has issued draft guidelines for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to raise resources from capital
market, paving the way for raising funds via rights issue, private placement with select investors such as large banks
and insurance companies, and initial public offerings (IPO).
 Currently, there are 43 RRBs sponsored by 12 Scheduled Commercial Banks with 21,892 branches across the country.
As at March 2022, RRBs had deposits and loans and advances (net) aggregating ₹5,62,538 crore and ₹3,42,479 crore,
respectively. RRBs are jointly owned by the Government of India (GoI), the respective State Governments (SGs), and
the Sponsor Banks (SBs), with equity contribution in the ratio (GoI: SG: SB :: 50:15:35).
 As Per the guidelines, prior to issue of shares to the public through the IPO route, the RRBs should consider issue of
bonus shares (to reward existing shareholders who so far have not been paid dividends and have first claim on the
existing reserves) and a Rights Issue in consultation with the merchant bankers and the sponsor bank.
About Regional Rural Bank (RRB)

Parent: Ministry of Finance, Government of India
Founded: 2 October 1975; 46 years ago
Owner: Government of India (50%), Nationalised Banks (35%), State Governments (15%)
CAD Likely To Remain Within 3 Pc of GDP, Says RBI Article

 A weak rupee and elevated fuel prices will keep India’s current account deficit (CAD) under pressure with analysts
seeing it at about 3% of GDP in FY23 compared to 1.2% in FY22 even as these will exert pressure on government
finances. Subsidy expenditure is seen to rise to levels significantly higher than projected. Higher oil import bill on
account of weak rupee will straddle several sectors, including fertilisers and metals, and also result in lower dividend
receipts from state-run fuel retailers whose margins will be hit. Rupee hit a record low of 80 against US dollar for the
first time in intra-day trade, before closing at 79.95.
 “The CAD is one of the causes of the rupee to slide on the side of fundamentals as a wider CAD which is not matched
by capital flows (FPI inflows are negative) does lead to the rupee falling. We expect CAD to reach 3% of GDP this
year,” said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist, Bank of Baroda. India, being a net commodity importer, is getting
affected by high commodity prices and a weak currency. Although commodity prices have come off from the recent
highs, weak currency continues to have its impact on Indian economy. India Ratings chief economist DK Pant also
expects current account deficit to be about 3% of GDP in FY23.

Adobe Strikes $20 billion Deal to Acquire Figma

 Adobe acquires Figma: Adobe announced that it would acquire design software company Figma for roughly $20 billion
in cash and equity. Adobe’s stock fell 17%, marking the worst decline since 2010. Dylan Field, co-founder and CEO of
Figma, will remain in that position after the deal is completed. David Wadhwani, president of Adobe‘s digital media
division, will be his immediate supervisor.
 Adobe is paying close to 50 times revenue at a time when cloud software sales multiples are sharply declining from
their record highs established last year.
About Adobe:
Headquarters: San Jose, California, United States
Founded: December 1982, Mountain View, California, United States
CTO: Abhay Parasnis
Founders: Charles Geschke, John Warnock
President: David Wadhwani
CEO: Shantanu Narayen
About Figma:
Co-founder and CEO: Dylan Field
Initial release date: 27 September 2016
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Platform: Web application, Mobile application
MAS and IFSCA to Pursue Cross-border FinTech Innovations

 The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)
signed a FinTech Co-operation Agreement to facilitate regulatory collaboration and partnership in FinTech
technology. The agreement is expected to leverage existing regulatory sandboxes in their respective jurisdictions to
support experimentation of technology innovations.
 It will include referral of companies to each other’s regulatory sandboxes and enable innovative cross-border
experiments in both jurisdictions. The agreement will also allow both the organisations to evaluate the suitability of
use cases which could benefit from collaboration across multiple jurisdictions, and invite relevant jurisdictions to
participate in a Global Regulatory Sandbox.
 Sharing of information will be a key aspect of the agreement. The two will share non-supervisory related information
and developments on innovation in financial products and services, facilitate discussions on emerging FinTech issues
and participate in joint innovation projects.
About Singapore:
President: Halimah Yacob
Currency: Singapore dollar
Singapore: Singapore city
RBI removes Central Bank of India from PCA framework after more than 5 yrs
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) removed Central Bank of India from its Prompt Corrective Action Framework (PCAF)
after the lender showed improvement in various financial ratios, including minimum regulatory capital and net non-
performing assets (NNPAs). The RBI had imposed the PCA norms on the bank in June 2017 due to its high net NPA
and negative return of assets (RoA). After reviewing the performance of the Central Bank of India, RBI decided to
remove the restrictions on the bank.
 The PCA norm is a supervisory tool and is imposed when a bank breaches certain regulatory thresholds on capital to
risk weighted assets ratio (CRAR), net NPAs and return on assets (RoA).
 Due to recapitalization & corrective measures there were only six banks (all PSBs) under the PCA framework as of
March 2019.
 Objective – Prompt Corrective Action or PCA is a framework under which financial institutions with weak financial
metrics are put under watch by the RBI.

Rupee at fresh all-time low; slips past 81 per dollar for the first time
 The rupee plunged by 83 paise — its biggest single-day loss in nearly seven months — touched an all-time low of
80.79 against the US dollar. The rupee touched the psychological level of 80 per dollar, but closed just below that
mark at 79.98, amid foreign fund outflows and the rise in crude oil prices.
 The rupee had opened strong at 79.75 but fell again towards the 80 level, this time on the back of a supportive range
from crude as Brent breached the $100 per barrel on less chance of recession in the US, said Jateen Trivedi, VP–
research analyst at LKP Securities. “The rupee keeps taking resistance every time it rises towards the 20-day moving
average. The rupee range can be seen between 79.75-80.50,” he added.
 Forex reserves have plummeted by $62.4 billion from the record high of $642.45 billion registered on September 3,
2021. A major reason for the decline in forex reserves is capital outflows by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) as the US
Federal Reserve started the monetary policy tightening and interest rate hikes.
 Meanwhile, the benchmark Sensex shot up by 760.37 points to 54,521.15 in the bull rally led by IT stocks. The NSE
Nifty index gained 229.30 points at 16,278.50.
 Morgan Stanley has slashed its forecast for India’s economic growth for this financial year and the next in view of a
slowdown in global growth. The growth forecast for the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) for 2022-23 has been
lowered by 40 basis points to 7.2 per cent, while that for 2023-24 has been reduced by 30 basis points to 6.4 per cent.
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India Inc expects another 35-50 basis points policy rate hike by RBI
 The global economy has been rattled by scorching inflation and geo-political tensions, forcing more central banks to
join the US Federal Reserve in raising interest rates. The Fed set the pace with a 0.75% rate hike to a range of 3% to
3.25%. That is the fifth rate hike this year and up from zero at the start of the year. According to market experts, India
could see an aggressive rate hike by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in coming week. The RBI’s policy decision is due
on 30 September, with most market participants expecting it to hike rates by 35-50 basis points.
 Analysts at ICICI Securities believe the RBI may raise its policy rate by another 50 bps at its policy meeting at the end
of this month, and a further 25 bps in December meeting to 6.15%. The domestic brokerage firm also added that the
cumulative impact of this year’s monetary tightening is likely to help bring headline CPI inflation back below 6% YoY
in Nov’22 and beyond.
 Market analysts say the continued hike in US interest rate may be risky for the Indian stock market, but it also provides
an opportunity for foreign investors to diversify globally. “While rising in Interest rates represent a headwind for
Indian equities, our buoyant domestic demand scenario presents a sliver of hope for global investors looking to
diversify globally.
 On India’s CPI inflation rate, Deutsche Bank said the country’s headline retail inflation will likely rise to a five-month
high of 7.4% in September, with the risk of going higher if the momentum of food and vegetable prices picks up
further in the rest of the month.

About United States (US):
Speaker: Nancy Pelosi (Democratic Party)
REC Becomes The 12th Company To Join The Maharatna CPSE Club
 Power sector-focussed non-banking finance company (NBFC) REC Ltd. has been accorded the status of a ‘Maharatna’
Central Public Sector Enterprise, thus providing it with greater operational and financial autonomy. The granting of
‘Maharatna’ status will impart enhanced powers to the company’s board while taking financial decisions. REC Ltd. is
the 12th company to be given the Maharatna Status.
 The board of a ‘Maharatna’ CPSE can make equity investments to undertake financial joint ventures and wholly-
owned subsidiaries and undertake mergers and acquisitions in India and abroad, subject to a ceiling of 15 per cent of
the net worth of the CPSE concerned, limited to ₹5,000 crores in one project. The board can also structure and
implement schemes relating to personnel and human resource management and training.
 REC has played a key role in the success of the flagship schemes of the Government of India such as Deen Dayal
Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) and SAUBHAGYA and has contributed towards achieving village and
household electrification in the country.
 Introduced in 2010, the Maharatna status is given to the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) by the Central
Government to make these enterprises global giants.
Commerce and Industry Ministry: On track to attract $100-bn FDI this fiscal
 The Central government said that India is on track to attract USD 100 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in
the current fiscal on account of economic reforms and ease of doing business. In 2021-22, India received the “highest
ever” foreign inflows of USD 83.6 billion.
 “This FDI has come from 101 countries, and invested across 31 union territories and states and 57 sectors in the country.
On the back of economic reforms and Ease of Doing Business in recent years, India is on track to attract USD 100
billion FDI in the current financial year,” the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement. The statement also
mentions that the government has installed a liberal and transparent policy to attract foreign investment. Currently,
most sectors of the Indian economy are open to FDI under an automatic route.
 The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India can be made under two routes- automatic and government routes.
Under the automatic route, the investor requires no or very less permissions from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or
from the Government of India to invest.
148
 Meanwhile, during the April-June quarter of the current fiscal, FDI equity inflows in India dipped by 6% to $16.6
billion.
 Foreign direct investment (FDI) is when a company takes controlling ownership in a business entity in another
country.

RBI felicitate banker’s for making Leh achieves 100 percent digitization of banking operations
 The highest-located district in India, Leh has achieved 100 per cent digitization of banking operations. Union Territory
Level Bankers Committee Ladakh, the Reserve Bank of India has felicitated the bankers of the district. Leh district
has completed the digitization of all the operating banks in a short span of a year.
 Digital Banking refers to the electronic banking service provided by a bank for its financial, banking and other
transactions through electronic devices online. In 2019 RBI put forward a proposal to make at least one district of
every state in the country have 100 per cent digitization of banking operations.
 Thrissur district of Kerala became the first fully digital banking district of the country in August 2021. Kerala is also
the first state in India to achieve the target of Financial Inclusion of having at least one bank account in a family.

About Ladakh:
Lieutenant Governor : Radha Krishna Mathur
Capital:Leh
S&P Global Ratings, OECD retain India’s GDP growth forecast for FY23
 Amid slowing external demand for Indian goods and services, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) and S&P kept their growth forecasts for India unchanged at 6.9 per cent and 7.3 per cent,
respectively, for FY23 while highlighting growing downside risks. S&P in its latest outlook for Asia-Pacific said it saw
a strong rebound in India as services consumption continued to recover and investment grew robustly.
 “Softer external demand is a factor in India’s projected slowdown from 8.7 per cent annual growth in FY22 to around
7 per cent in FY23 and around 5.75 per cent in FY24, but this still represents rapid growth in the context of a weak
global economy,” OECD said in its interim Economic Outlook.
 S&P noted that India’s domestic recovery from Covid-19 would continue to support growth in FY23. “Indeed, we have
retained our India growth outlook at 7.3 per cent for the fiscal year 2022-23 and 6.5 per cent for the next fiscal year,
although we see the risks titled to the downside,” it added.
About Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD):

Founders: United States, France, United Kingdom, Germany
Subsidiary: OECD Development Centre
About S&P Global Ratings:
Founder: Henry Varnum Poor
Founded: 1860
149
LEGAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
1. In a bid to expedite the rollout of 5G networks in the 3. Karnataka High Court said that Bhang is nowhere
country, the Ministry of Communications referred to as a prohibited drink or prohibited drug
announced amendments to the Right of Way (RoW). as per Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
The amendments include rationalisation of charges, (NDPS) Act, 1985. The court relied on two earlier
introduction of a single window clearance system judgments, Madhukar vs the State of Maharashtra,
and doing away with the need for consent from a 2002 and Arjun Singh vs State of Haryana, 2004,
government authority for installing infrastructure where the courts had ruled that bhang is not ganja,
over private property. Telecom licensees can enter and is therefore not covered under the NDPS Act.
into agreement with private property owners and Earlier, Thailand has legalized cultivating and
will not require any permission from any possessing Marijuana but recreational use (Such as
government authority for installing telecom smoking) is still banned. The NDPS Act is the main
infrastructure such as towers, poles or optical fibre. legislation, enacted in 1985, that deals with drugs
The Amendments are announced to expedite and their trafficking.
upgradation and expansion of telecom networks and Source:
to pave the way for the deployment of 5G small cells https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explai
on existing street infrastructure. The current ned-bhang-ganja-and-criminality-in-the-ndps-act-
infrastructure may be able to sustain the rollout of 8123829/
services. However, experts say at least 70 % of the
telecom towers need to be fiberized from the current 4. Several petitions have been listed in the Supreme
level of 33 % to roll out 5G in a way that utilises its Court challenging the constitutional validity of the
full potential. Fiberization is essential for 5G due to practice of polygamy and Nikah Halala allowed by
the increasing data consumption and growth in Muslim Personal Law. A five-judge Constitution
India compared to the 2G and 3G wireless Bench has issued notices to the National Human
technologies, which work on a shared network and Rights Commission (NHRC), the National
have a limited capacity to handle an increase in load. Commission of Women (NCW) and the National
Source:https://www.thehindu.com/business/Econo Commission of Minorities. Earlier, the SC had stated
my/dot-amends-right-of-way-rules-to-aid-faster- the practice of divorce in Muslims through 'Talaq-e-
5g-roll-out/article65811181.ece Hasan' is not similar to triple talaq and the women
also have an option of 'Khula'. The petitioners have
2. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate demanded a ban on Polygamy and Nikah-Halala
Change has objected to Chhattisgarh for its transfer saying it renders Muslim wives extremely insecure,
of land without following due process from its Forest vulnerable and infringes their fundamental rights.
to the Revenue Department. In March 2022, The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister announced in his was passed in 1937 with the aim to formulate an
Budget speech that the state government has Islamic law code for Indian Muslims.
transferred over 300 sq km — an area larger than Source:
Raipur — in the Bastar region from the Forest https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/suprem
department to the Revenue department to ensure e-court-issues-notices-on-pleas-challenging-
easy availability of land for setting up industries and validity-of-polygamy-nikah-halala-in-muslim-
building infrastructure. In August 2022, the Union personal-
Environment Ministry’s Integrated Regional Office law/article65829181.ece#:~:text=Supreme%20Court
asked the state to stop the transfer of land, saying it %20impleads%20NHRC%2C%20NCW%20in%20M
was in violation of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 uslim%20personal%20law%20case,-
and multiple Supreme Court orders, and return the Legal%20Correspondent&text=The%20section%20
land already transferred. The move has now run into makes%20%E2%80%9Cmarrying%20again,listed%2
a hurdle, even as paperwork is underway for 0after%20the%20Dasara%20holidays.
transferring more land to other parts of the state.
Source: 5. A senior IAS officer from Telangana, tweeted from
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/forest-or- her personal account in support of Ms. Bano and
not-centre-vs-chhattisgarh-on-transfer-of-300-sq- questioned the Gujarat government’s decision of
km-for-industry-8110082/ releasing 11 men convicted on charges of gang-raping
Bilkis Bano during the 2002 Gujarat riots. It
150
prompted a debate about whether the officer between 2014 and 2021, Assam accounted for 69
breached the Civil Service (Conduct) Rules of 1964 cases (14.52%). After Assam, the most number of
and revived the debate about civil servants' right to such cases were reported from Haryana (42 cases),
express their personal views on matters of law and followed by Jharkhand (40), Karnataka (38), Andhra
governance. A civil servant has the right to tweet Pradesh (32) and Jammu and Kashmir (29). These six
because the citizens of this country have the states accounted for 250 cases — more than half the
fundamental right of free speech (Article 19) number of total sedition cases recorded in the
guaranteed to them under the Constitution, which is country — in the eight-year period. 76 sedition cases
subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of were registered across the country in 2021, a
securing the state’s sovereignty, international marginal increase from the 73 registered in 2020.
relations, health, morality, etc. But when a civil States and UTs that did not register even one
servant undertakes government service, he/she sedition case in that period were Meghalaya,
subject themselves to certain disciplinary rules. That Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
prevents a government servant from becoming a Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman
member of a political organisation, or any and Diu, and Puducherry.
organisation of such a nature, or expressing herself Source:
freely with regard to anything that has to do with the https://indianexpress.com/article/india/most-
governance of the country. number-of-sedition-cases-in-last-8-years-came-
Source:https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op- from-assam-ncrb-data-8131263/
ed/can-civil-servants-express-their-views-on-law-
governance/article65837215.ece 8. The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed the Kerala
Lok Ayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2022. The
6. The Supreme Court raised the “ceiling limit” of iron amendment Bill has diluted the binding aspect of
ore mining for Ballari, Chitradurga and Tumakuru the Lokayukta order, allowing the competent
districts in Karnataka, saying conservation of the authority to now either reject or accept the
ecology and environment must go hand in hand with ombudsman’s report. With the amendment the state
the spirit of economic development. Ten years after government will get the power to either accept or
the Supreme Court clamped down on production reject the verdict of the anti-corruption body, after
and sale of iron ore in Karnataka, the Court has giving an opportunity to be heard. The amendment
relaxed its own orders. After the Supreme Court- will make Lokayukta a body for just making
appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) recommendations or sending reports to the
report brought attention to rampant violations in government. It has also made the Legislative
mining, the SC passed an order in 2011 to stop mining Assembly the competent authority to review an
operations in Ballari. Additionally, SC banned export indicting report against the Chief Minister. The Bill
of iron ore pellets from Karnataka with an aim to exempts political leaders from the purview of the
prevent environmental degradation and to preserve Act. The Bill allows for retired High Court judges to
for future generations as part of the concept of be appointed Lokayukta.
intergenerational equity. SC also fixed the maximum Source:
permissible annual production limit at 35 MMT for https://epaper.thehindu.com/Home/ShareArticle?
A and B category mines. It directed the Indian OrgId=G4BA7PP4N.1&imageview=0
Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)
to draw up a reclamation and rehabilitation (R&R) 9. Government has approved the inclusion of certain
plan to reverse the environmental damage caused by communities in the lists of Scheduled Tribes in
illegal mining. Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Himachal
Source: Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, fulfilling long-pending
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnata demands from these states. The process to include
ka/karnataka-iron-ore-mining-why-has-the- tribes in the ST list begins with the recommendation
supreme-court-relaxed-a-decade-old- from the respective State governments, which are
ban/article65825517.ece#:~:text=Taking%20cognisa then sent to the Tribal Affairs Ministry, which
nce%20of%20the%20the,%E2%80%9Cchanged%20 reviews and sends them to the Registrar General of
for%20the%20better%E2%80%9D India for approval. This is followed by the National
Commission for Scheduled Tribes’ approval before
7. As per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) the list is sent to the Cabinet for a final decision. The
reports, Assam recorded the most number of move will enable members of the communities
Sedition cases in the country in the last eight years. newly listed in the revised list of Scheduled Tribes to
Out of 475 sedition cases registered in the country derive benefits meant for STs under the existing
151
schemes of the government. Some of the major dismissed the petition stating that the MoEF&CC
benefits include post-matric scholarship, overseas draft notification it challenged in 2018, was followed
scholarship and the national fellowship, besides by a fifth draft notification that was issued in July
education, concessional loans from the National 2022.
Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Source:
Corporation, and hostels for students. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/west
Source: ern-ghats-supreme-court-quashes-plea-against-
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cabinet- gadgil-kasturirangan-reports-84912
approves-addition-of-four-tribes-in-himachal-
tamil-nadu-and-chhattisgarh-to-st- 11. A historic agreement has been signed between the
list/article65890940.ece Government of India, Government of Assam and
representatives of eight Armed Adivasi Groups. The
10. Recently, the Supreme Court has dismissed a Public agreement was signed to end the decades old crisis
Interest Litigation (PIL), which challenged the of Adivasis and tea garden workers in Assam. With
Gadgil and Kasturirangan Committees on Western the signing of this tripartite agreement, 1182 cadres
Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). The of tribal groups of Assam have joined the
petitioner had pleaded to the apex court to not mainstream by laying down arms. The agreement is
implement the recommendations of the Western intended to protect & strengthen the social, cultural,
Ghats Ecologically Expert Panel (Gadgil Committee linguistic and community-based identity of the
Report) and the High-Level Working Group groups. It also aims to fulfill the political, economic
(Kasturirangan Committee Report). It asked the and educational aspirations of the Adivasi groups. It
court to declare the 2018 draft notification by the also aims to ensure rapid and focused development
Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate of tea gardens along with Adivasi villages/areas
Change (MoEF&CC) as ultra vires (beyond its legal throughout the state.
power or authority) as it may lead to the violation of Source:
the Right To Life of the citizens hailing from the https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=185
Western Ghats, especially Kerala. But the apex court 9665
152
The High Court noted that sub-section 2 of section 29 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 allows customary divorce and a
Hindu marriage can be dissolved in accordance with custom.
The Chhattisgarh High Court recently ruled held that a Hindu couple can get separated by resorting to customary
divorce and the same would be upheld if the custom is proved and is not against public policy [Duleshwar Deshmukh
vs Kirtilata Deshmukh].
A division bench of Justices Goutam Bhaduri and Radhakishan Agrawal held that sub-section 2 of Section 29 of the
Hindu Marriage Act, 1995 allows divorce by way of customs prevailing in the society.
"It is manifestly clear from plain reading of sub-section 2 of Section 29 of the Act of 1955, that a marriage can still be
dissolved in accordance with the custom governing the parties or under any other law providing for the same.The operating
words of sub-section (2) of section 29 of the Act of 1955 i.e. 'nothing contained in this Act shall be deemed to affect any
right recognised by custom' would lead to demonstrate that the provisions of the Act do not nullify the existence of any
custom which confers a right on a party to obtain a dissolution of a Hindu marriage. Normally according to the Hindu
Marriage Act, the dissolution of a marriage by the custom is not recognized but the saving clause of sub-section (2) of
section 29 recognises the customary divorce unless it is against the public policy," the bench said.
The Court held that as a result of this provision, a Hindu marriage may be dissolved either under Section 13 of the Act
of 1955 or under any special enactment in accordance with the custom applicable to the parties.
"Section 29(2) of the Act of 1955 does not disturb the practice of customary divorce occupied before the Act came into force.
In other words the explanation carved out by sub section (2) of section 29 operates as an effect that there has been in fact
customary divorce can be given effect to," the judges said, adding, "For a custom to have a colour of a rule of law, it is
necessary for a party claiming it to plead and thereafter to prove such custom is ancient."
The Court was hearing a plea filed by a husband challenging the decision of a lower court, pronounced on May 13, 2016
refusing to recognise the customary divorce agreement by the name "Chhod Chutti" that the couple signed in 1994.
The husband contended that the custom of Chhod Chutti was prevalent in his society and, thus, the same was legal
under the Hindu Marriage Act.
The wife, however, argued that the husband fraudulently obtained her signatures on a blank paper and thus the
customary divorce wasn't legal. The couple married on May 15, 1982 and had started living separately since 1990s after
differences arose between them.
However, since their employer didn't recognise a customary divorce, the husband filed divorce proceedings before a
Family Court, which passed an ex-parte order against the wife granting divorce. The same was challenged by way of an
application under Order 9 Rule 13 of Code of Civil Procedure and the same was allowed by the Family Court which set
aside the ex-parte order.
The High Court bench, however, noted that the signatures weren't obtained on blank papers and the trial court had
negated that argument by the wife.
It also noted that both the wife and her mother had stated that the custom of Chhod Chutti was prevalent in their
community.
It further took into account the statements of the witnesses to the deed of divorce, who stated that the customary
divorce was recognised in the community.
Thus, Chhod Chutti the Court proceeded to consider the facts of the case.
153
"The reading of the evidence would show that the parties have separated since long and with the passage of time it do
not show that there is any intention of reunion," the bench observed.
" Therefore, under these circumstances, we are inclined to allow this appeal," the Court ruled.
Advocate Anurag Dayal Shrivastava appeared for the husband.

Advocate B P Singh represented the wife.
A statement released by the White House on September 2 states that if confirmed, Subramanian will be the first South
Asian judge to serve on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
US President Joe Biden has nominated Indian-American attorney Arun Subramanian to be a US District Judge for the
Southern District of New York.
A statement released by the White House on September 2 states that if confirmed, Subramanian will be the first South
Asian judge to serve on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Subramanian is one of 8 new federal judicial nominees in Biden’s twenty-sixth round of nominations for federal judicial
positions.
Subramanian is currently a partner at Susman Godfrey LLP in New York, where he has worked since 2007.
Before that he served as a law clerk for three federal judges:
 For Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court of the United States from 2006 to 2007;
 For Judge Gerard E Lynch on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York from 2005 to
2006; and
 For Judge Dennis Jacobs on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 2004 to 2005.
Immediately after his nomination was announced, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)
released a congragulatory statement.
In said statement, AB Cruz III, acting president of NAPABA said,“Mr. Subramanian is an experienced trial and
appellate attorney with a strong track record of pro bono service. A child of immigrants, he became the first
lawyer in his family, and we are proud to see him represent our community. We urge the Senate to swiftly
confirm him.”
According to his profile on the Susman Godfrey website, Subramanian has for years served on the pro bono panel for
the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He also serves as Chairperson of Susman Godfrey’s 2022 Pro
Bono Committee.
It is also stated that Subramanian has taken up the cause of public entities and whistleblowers in False Claims Act cases,
victims of trafficking in child pornography, consumers and individuals injured by unfair and illegal practices, and has
for over a decade focused on complex commercial litigation, including antitrust, patent infringement, and breach of
contract cases.
Subramanian received his Juris Doctor degree from the Colimbia Law School in 2004 and has been a longtime Director
of the Columbia Law Review.
154
A bench of Justices Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Abhay Ahuja observed that Section 110A of the Act did not envisage release of
goods in favour of any person aside from the owner of the goods.
The Bombay High Court on Thursday ruled that goods seized under Section 110 of Customs Act can be provisionally
released under Section 110A only in favour of the owner of the goods and no one else. [Commissioner of Customs
(Imports) vs Dinesh Bhabootmal Salecha]
A bench of Justices Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Abhay Ahuja observed that Section 110A of the Act did not envisage
release of goods in favour of any person other than the owner of the goods.
"A reading of Section 110 A makes it abundantly clear that goods seized may be released to the owner. The said section does
not include or envisage release of goods provisionally in favour of an importer of goods much less does it envisage, a release
in favour of ‘any person’, in addition to the owner as mentioned in Section 124 of the Act, who has been served a notice
under the said section," the Court held.
The Court was hearing a challenge to an order of Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) that
allowed provisional release of seized goods in favour of the respondent, an importer.
By way of background, in November 2021, two consignments from Hong Kong were seized by the Directorate of Revenue
Intelligence after finding that they contained 3,800 iPhones valued at about ₹42 Crores as opposed to Memory Modules
valued at about ₹80 lakh, as declared by the sender.
The importer filed an application for release of the goods but it was rejected as the adjudicating authority observed that
there was no evidence to show that the importer was the owner of the goods.
However, on appeal to CESTAT, the importer's plea was allowed with the reasoning that the ownership could be claimed
by the importer as ownership was merely a matter of claim along with all the liabilities and consequences attached to
it.
Before the High Court, advocate Advait Sethna for the Commissioner of Customs (Import), submitted that the
respondent had denied ownership of the seized goods and he could not, therefore, seek the release of goods and they
could be released only to the owner.
He also claimed that the respondent was a mastermind at smuggling iPhones into India and allowing release of the
smuggled phones in its favour would amount to placing a premium on illegal activities conducted by it.
Advocate Prakash Shah, for the respondent, contended that a show cause notice issued under Section 124 of the Act to
the importer was enough to demonstrate that the authorities considered him to be the owner of the goods
However, the Court observed that issuance of a show cause notice in no way established the recipient as the owner of
the seized goods.
"On a perusal of the provision (supra) it can be seen that issuance of a show cause notice in terms of Section 124 does not
necessarily establish that the person in whose name it is issued, is necessarily the owner. The phrases ‘penalty on any
person’ and ‘the owner of goods or such person’ suggests that before an order of confiscation is passed, an owner or any
other person shall have to be given a notice of the proposed confiscation of goods," the Court stated.
It further noted that the legislature could have entitled a person besides an owner to seek provisional release of the
goods, but it did not.
155
"Nothing could prevent the legislature from specifically incorporating a provision in Section 110A, which would also entitle,
besides an owner, an importer, a beneficial owner or any person holding himself to be an importer to claim a right to seek
provisional release of goods in terms of Section 110A of the Act," it said.
To clarify, it underlined that under Section 125 of the Act, when confiscation of any goods is authorized by the Act, the
officer adjudging may give to the owner of the goods or where such owner is not known, the person from whose custody
such goods have been seized, an option to pay in lieu of such goods, such fine as the officer deems appropriate.
"It thus goes to show that goods can be got released by a person other than an owner, in the circumstances as envisaged
in Section 125 of the Act at a time when confiscation is authorised, which right of release of goods is not available to any
other person except an owner as envisaged under Section 110A of the Act at any preliminary or intermediate stage," the
Court stated.
It, therefore, ruled that the CESTAT order was unsustainable as the goods could have been released provisionally under
Section 110A of the Act, only in favour of the owner. It, therefore, allowed the appeal and set aside the order.
The top court reiterated that the right to contest an election was neither a fundamental right nor a common law right, but
a right conferred by statute.
An individual cannot claim right to contest elections, the Supreme Court observed last week, while dismissing a plea
and also imposing ₹1 lakh cost on the litigant who sought to contest Rajya Saba polls without a proposer to propose his
name [Vishwanath Pratap Singh vs Election Commission of India].
Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia reiterated that the right to contest an election was neither a
fundamental right nor a common law right, but a right conferred by a statute.
Therefore, the Court held that the requirement under the Representation of People Act, 1950 and the Conduct of
Elections Rules, 1961 for the candidate's name to be proposed while filling the nomination form could not be violative
of his fundamental right.
"We find that the writ petition before the High Court was entirely misconceived and so is the present special leave petition,"
the order said.
Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia
The petitioner stated that a notification for election to Rajya Sabha was issued on May 12, 2022 to fill up the seats of
retiring members retiring. The last date to submit the nomination form was May 31, he claimed.
156
However, he stated that he was disallowed from filing his nomination without a proposer proposing his name. The Delhi
High Court also rejected his petition.
Hence, the petitioner approached the top court and claimed that his fundamental right to free speech and expression
as well as right to personal liberty was being infringed.
The Court discussed the judgment in the case of Rajbala v State of Haryana wherein it was held that the right to
contest for a seat in either the Lok Sabha or the Legislative Assembly was subject to certain constitutional restrictions
and could be restricted further by a law made by the parliament.
Therefore, the bench dismissed the plea, and ordered the cost to be paid within four weeks to the apex court's legal aid
committee
The Court was hearing a PIL seeking directions to the State to increase the monthly pension amount for visually impaired
persons from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500.
The Madras High Court on Monday refused to interfere with the Tamil Nadu government's separate pension schemes
for the visually impaired, and for other persons with disabilities [Nethrodaya v. State of Tamil Nadu].
A Bench of Acting Chief Justice M Duraiswamy and Justice Sundar Mohan, however, directed the State government
to address all grievances raised by differently abled persons with respect to pension schemes.
The Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by NGO Nethrodaya seeking directions to the State to
increase the monthly pension amount for visually impaired persons from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500, and to transfer the
distribution of pension for the visually impaired from the State Social Welfare Department to the Department of
Revenue.
The Department of Revenue deals with pension schemes for persons with other physical and intellectual disabilities.
The PIL said that the visually impaired persons, who are also severely disabled, are not treated at par with persons with
other severe disabilities in this regard. It also said that since the pension scheme for the visually impaired was not
directly controlled by the Department of Revenue, the process was longer and more tedious, compared to the one for
persons with other disabilities.
The government, however, submitted that it had never discriminated between any category of persons with disabilities.
It said that while the Central government gave a monthly pension of ₹300 to the visually impaired, the State government
had increased the amount to 1,000 by adding the extra amount from the state exchequer.
It was also submitted that the State had put in place several training and employment schemes for the visually impaired.
The other category of severely handicapped persons received a monthly pension of ₹2,000 since persons in such category
were ineligible and incapable of public employment or any other type of employment.
The State also said that it would deploy revenue department officials at the district level to address the problems being
faced by the visually impaired.
Accepting the State's submissions, the Court said that visually impaired persons could not be treated at par with
differently abled persons who are incapable of any employment.
"It is also not in dispute that the Differently Abled Persons, who are visually impaired, are entitled to public employment
and private employment as well. Therefore, the Differently Abled Visually Impaired Persons cannot be equated with
157
Differently Abled Persons who are ineligible to get any employment on account of the sickness and infirmity suffered by
them. The basis adopted by the Respondents to treat them differently cannot be faulted."
However, it said that the State must ensure that people with disabilities did not suffer on any account.
"The Respondents are directed to strictly adhere to the undertaking given by them before this Court and ensure that no
hardship is caused to the Differently Abled Persons for getting the benefits under the Monthly Pension Scheme. It is made
clear that the Differently Abled Persons shall not be put to sufferings merely because the Monthly Pension Scheme is
administered by the Social Welfare Department," the order stated.
Advocate AM Venkatakrishnan appeared for the petitioner NGO, while Additional Advocate General S Silambannan,
assisted by Advocate R Anitha, appeared for the State authorities.
A Bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Vikram Nath observed that since the Act provides that management of Gurdwaras
would be by Sikhs alone, it is not violative of Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the constitutional validity of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara (Management) Act of
2014 [Harbhajan Singh vs State of Haryana and ors].
A Bench of Justices Hemant Gupta and Vikram Nath observed that since the Act provides that management of
Gurdwaras would be by Sikhs alone, it is not violative of Articles 25 and 26 (freedoms of religion and conducting religious
affairs) of the Constitution.
The 2014 Act provides for the creation of a separate juristic entity for the management of historical Gurdwaras in
Haryana.
"The members of the committee have to be elected from the eligible voters who is Amritdhari Sikh, a Sikh, and who is
eighteen years of age, but not a Patit Sikh and is not an insolvent, mentally retarded or an insane person. The co-option is
from the members of the community alone. Therefore, the affairs of the religious minority in the 56 State i.e., Sikhs is left
in the hands of the Sikhs alone in the same manner as was under the 1925 Act," the Court noted.
The batch of pleas challenging the Act, including one by the Kurukshetra-based Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak
Committee (SGPC), primarily submitted that it was against constitutional and existing statutory provisions.
It was contended that the law's intention was divisive and it attempt to create dissentions amongst the Sikh community,
and also violated fundamental rights.
Counsel for the petitioners argued that it was the Union government and not the State government that was competent
to make laws governing gurdwara management.
Haryana has to go by the 1925 Act for managing gurdwaras (then in undivided Punjab) enacted by parliament, it was
argued. The 1966 Act was also based on the same principle, it was submitted.
The SGPC argued that the State had taken away its right to administer of Gurdwaras and associated properties.
The Bench in its judgment dealt with the following questions of law that thus arose:
Whether Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 and Sections 3 and 4 of the Inter-state Corporation
Act, 1957 were transitional provisions to meet the immediate requirement of the issues arising out of creation
of separate States?
The top court said that even 1966 Act had not barred the State government from legislating on items under List II of
the Seventh Schedule or even in List III of the Seventh Schedule, subject to the limitations as prescribed in the
Constitution.
158
"The consistent view of the three Full Benches of the High Court and of this Court is that the power of the Centre to issue
directions under Section 72 of the 1966 Act is a transitional provision. Therefore, we have no hesitation to hold that the
power of the Centre to issue directions under Section 72 of the 1966 Act is indeed a transitional provision to ensure smooth
and continuous functioning of a body corporate so that it is not paralyzed on becoming an inter-State body corporate due
to reorganisation of the erstwhile State of Punjab. The directions contemplated by Section 72 relates to functioning and
operation of such body corporate. A competent State legislature is not deprived of its power to legislate on the subjects
falling within its jurisdiction in terms of List II of the Seventh Schedule."
Whether the enactment (Haryana Act) falls within the legislative competence of the Haryana State Legislature
or it falls in Entry 44 of List I (Union List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution?
The Bench ruled that the 2014 Act falls within the legislative competence of the State of Haryana.
" ... any law dealing with charities, charitable institutions and endowments falls within List III [of the seventh schedule].
Such law contemplated by List III is a regulatory law to regulate the functioning of charitable institutions or charitable
and religious endowments and religious institutions. Whereas, incorporation of a statutory body falls in Entry 32 of List
II, as also unincorporated religious and other societies."
It was made clear that the transitional provisions of the earlier Acts do not impinge upon the legislative competence of
the Haryana State legislature to enact a law on the subject at hand.
Whether, the Act falls in List-III (Concurrent List) Schedule VII, which required the assent of the President of
India as per Article 254(2) of the Constitution of India, and in the absence of such assent, void?
The Bench outright dismissed this question as it noted that the Haryana Act does not fall under Entry 28 (charitable
institutions, religious endowments/institutions) of List III of the Seventh Schedule.
Whether any fundamental rights of the petitioners under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India are
violated, so as to entitle the petitioners to invoke the jurisdiction of this Court under Article 32 of the
Constitution?
The Bench ruled that the affairs of gurdwaras in the State are required to be managed by local committees and since
the committee comprises of Sikhs alone, the rights under Articles 25 and 26 are not violated.
"Since the affairs of the Sikh minority in the State are to be managed by the Sikhs alone, therefore, it cannot be said to be
violative of any of the fundamental rights conferred under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution."
Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi with advocates Jasbir Singh Malik, Ritesh Khatri, Usha Nandini V, and Gagan Gupta
appeared for the petitioners.
Additional Solicitor-General KM Nataraj appeared for the Union government.

Senior Advocates Shyam Divan appeared for the Haryana government. Senior Advocate Ranjit Kumar with advocate
Siddharth Batra appeared for the Haryana Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committe.
159
LEGAL CROSSWORD
COMPLETE THE CROSSWORD PUZZLE BELOW
160
CROSSWORD ANSWER KEY
1) Caprice 6) Testimony 11) Precedent 16) Chastity
2) Uterine 7) Aberrant 12) Satisfaction 17) Probation
3) Liquidation 8) Intestate 13) Accomplice 18) Impleader
4) Mortgage 9) Commutation 14) Reconciliation 19) Frustrate
5) Acquiescence 10) Misjoinder 15) Guardian 20) Bankrupt

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The Clat Post September-2022

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1. Mikhail Gorbachev and the story of Cold War 4

2. Indo-China Disengagement at Hot Springs & Gogra Post 6

5. 8 Years of PMJDY and Make In India Details 10

6. Artemis mission and history of Humans in space 12

7. Human Development Index 14

8. CRISPR Cas 9 technology and its recent applications 16

9. Project 17A and INS Taragiri 19

10. 19th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers’ meeting 20

11. La Nina in third consecutive year and El Nino and ENSO 22

12. National Logistics Policy 24

13. Hydrogen Fuel Cell 26

14. India’s First Commercial SSA Observatory 27

15. Need for Unified Metro Laws in India 29

16. Current Affairs practice Sheet (CAPS) 30

19. Science & Technology 82

20. Appointmens & Resignations 84

21. Awards & Recognition 93

22. Books & Author 97

23. Important Days 98

24. Obitury 107

25. Ranking 111

26. Sports 116

27. Summit's & MoU's 125

28. Banking And Economy 133

US President Joe Biden nominates Indian-American attorney Arun Subramanian to US

Mikhail Gorbachev and the story of Cold War

About Mikhail Gorbachev

Focused on Arms Reduction:

Gorbachev with India

About Cold War

India’s Stance in Cold War

1. Mikhail Gorbachev became the head of the State in c) 1922

ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS

Key Highlights about the Current Disengagement

About Hot Springs and Gogra Post

Importance of the Post

ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS

India to host G20 Summit in 2023, G20 Education Ministers’ Meeting

The G20 currently comprises:

ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS

About Windfall Tax

ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS

8 Years of PMJDY and Make In India Details

PMJDY was launched on 6 pillars:

Achievements of the Scheme

Extension of PMJDY with New Features:

Enhancement in overdraft facilities:

Increased Financial Inclusion:

Formalisation of Financial System:

Smooth DBT transactions:

21. PMJDY was launched in which of the following (b) 6.7%

ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS

Artemis mission and history of Humans in space

History of Moon Exploration

India’s Moon Exploration Efforts

ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS

Human Development Index