National Affairs
1. Nitin Gadkari unveils world's first hundred percent Ethanol fuelled Car
- Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the world's first 100 percent Ethanol-fueled car in New Delhi.
- Aim: To reduce carbon footprint, improve sustainable mobility, and decrease the country's dependency on traditional fuel sources.
- According to Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri with the implementation of 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol, the country will save 35 thousand crore rupees annually as import bill.
Books & Authors
2. JP Nadda releases Outlook Group's Coffee Table Book 'Sikhs and Modi
- BJP President J P Nadda released the Outlook Group's Coffee Table Book 'Sikhs and Modi (A Journey of Nine Years) in New Delhi authored by Prabhleen Singh.
- The teachings of Sikh Gurus contributed towards the unity of the society, patriotism, and dedication towards religion.
- It was the first time after Independence that the country has started observing ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ on the day of sacrifice by young sahibzade of Guru Gobind Singh for unity and integrity of the country.
Agreement
3. NITI Aayog and UNDP sign Memorandum of Understanding on fast tracking SDGs
- NITI Aayog and the United Nations Development Programme signed an MoU to formalize a cooperative framework to fast-track India's pursuit to achieve its sustainable development goals (SDGs)
- Objective: To focus on the two organizations' cooperation in a range of areas, including SDG localization, and data-driven monitoring, among others.
- NITI Aayog is the nodal Institution for coordinating the adoption and monitoring of SDGs at the national and sub-national levels.
Schemes
4. Govt to launch a new scheme for in Pharma-Med Sector
- Government to launch a new scheme for Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma- Med Sector with a total outlay of five thousand crore rupees.
- Objective: To transform the Indian Pharma Med Tech sector from cost-based competitiveness to innovation-based growth by strengthening the research infrastructure in the country.
- Aim: To promote the growth of pharma industry in the country , enhance manufacturing of drugs and promote research and innovation in the sector.
Agreement
5. India and New Zealand signs a MoU to boost cooperation in civil aviation
- India and New Zealand have signed a MoU to boost cooperation in civil aviation in New Delhi.
- Aim: To cover the scheduling of new routes, codeshare services, traffic rights, and capacity entitlement.
- The designated airlines of New Zealand may operate any number of services with any type of aircraft, with third and fourth freedom traffic rights to and from six points in India, namely New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
State Affairs
6. Gujarat announced 27% reservation for OBCs in local bodies like panchayat
- The Gujarat government announced a 27 percent reservation for Other Backward Classes in local bodies like panchayats, municipalities, and civic corporations.
- In the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas notified areas, the reservation for OBCs will continue to be 10 percent to protect the interest of tribals.
- The existing quota for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will remain unchanged and there has been no breach of the 50 percent reservation ceiling.
National & International Appointments
7. Umesh Revankar is appointed as new chairman of FIDC
- The Finance Industry Development Council has appointed Umesh Revankar as its new chairman.
- He currently holds the position of executive vice chairman for Shriram Finance and have decades of experience and expertise in the financial services industry.
- He has risen through the ranks, assuming responsibilities and leadership roles in business operations.
- He played a pivotal role in making Shriram Transport Finance company the largest commercial vehicle financer in India.
Science & Technology
8. ISRO-developed device for fishers’ safety successfully tested at Neendakara
- ‘Nabhmitra’, a device developed by ISRO-Space Applications Centre (Ahmedabad) for the safety of fishermen, was tested at Neendakara.
- Satellite-based communication system enables two-way messaging services from and to the sea.
- Weather and cyclone warnings will be communicated in the local language, the boats can also send distress messages to the authorities.
- In capsizing and fire, fishers can press a button on the device and get in touch with the control centre.
Schemes
9. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah launched 'Gruha Lakshmi' scheme
- The Karnataka government launched the 'Gruha Lakshmi' women's financial aid scheme in Mysuru.
- Under this scheme, about 1.1 crore women heads of family will get ₹2,000 each at a function in Mysuru.
- 'Gruha Lakshmi' scheme is one of the five pre-poll 'guarantees' of the Congress, which ousted the BJP from power in the Karnataka Assembly election held in May.
- The government has earmarked ₹17,500 crore for 'Gruha Lakshmi' programme in the current financial year.
Banking & Finance
10. ADB and Fourth Partner Energy Collaborate for Solar Power Plant in TN
- The Asian Development Bank and Fourth Partner Energy Private Limited signed a long-term loan of up to 1.2 billion Rs to construct and operate a 25-megawatt solar photovoltaic-based power plant
- Aim: To increase clean and low-cost energy supply to commercial and industrial customers.
- The power plant, located in Tamil Nadu in India, is expected to generate about 50.7 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually and will directly sell power to commercial and industrial users.
Banking & Finance
11. Axis Bank launched 'Infinity Savings A/c' with no domestic transaction fees
- Axis Bank launched a new savings account variant – ‘Infinity Savings Account’ to cater to digitally savvy customers who are frequent adopters of subscription-based models.
- Objective: To offer Axis Bank’s customers exclusive privileges, such as waived Average Monthly Balance (AMB) requirement, complimentary debit cards, and waiver of all the domestic charges against a small monthly recurring fee of Rs 150 or annual fee of Rs 1,650.
Science & Technology
12. BHEL manufactures first set of indigenous SCR Catalysts
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) manufactured India’s first set of Catalysts for Selective Catalyst Reactors (SCR) for limiting NOx emissions from thermal power plants
- The first set of indigenously manufactured SCR catalysts for the 5x800 MW Yadadri Thermal Power Station in Telangana, were flagged, from the company’s Solar Business Division (SBD) unit in Bengaluru
- BHEL is India’s largest engineering and manufacturing company of its kind.
Science & Technology
13. Chandrayaan-3's Pragyan rover confirms presence of sulphur in lunar surface
- The Indian Space Research Organisation has announced that the Pragyan rover's Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope confirmed the presence of sulphur in the lunar surface near the south pole, through the first-ever in-situ measurements.
- The rover's spectroscope also detected Aluminium, Calcium, Ferrous (Iron), Chromium, Titanium, Manganese, Silicon, and Oxygen as expected and the search for hydrogen is underway.
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