Daily GK Update: 2nd May 2023

 Sports

1. Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Ganemat Sekhon win gold in ISSF Shotgun World Cup 2023

• The Indian shooters, Mairaj Ahmad Khan and Ganemat Sekhon won India's first gold medal in the ongoing ISSF World Cup Shotgun 2023, held in Cairo, Egypt.
• The Indian mixed doubles pair defeated Luis Raul Gallardo Oliveros and Gabriela Rodriguez 6-0 in the final of the Skeet Mixed Team.
• While the duo of Simona Scocchetti and Gabrielle Rossetti from Italy secured their bronze medal in the tournament.

 Banking & Finance

2. India, Russia explore accepting RuPay and Mir cards for easy payments

• India and Russia have agreed to explore the possibility of accepting each other's payment cards, RuPay (India) and Mir (Russia).
• Reason: For hassle-free payments between the two countries
• This decision was made during the meeting of the Internal Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC).
• This meeting was chaired by the External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar and Russia's Deputy PM Denis Manturov.

 National Affairs

3. India's manufacturing PMI at 4-month high in April on output

• According to the monthly survey, Manufacturing activities in India have been accelerated further and touched a four-month high in April 2023.
• Reason: Boosted by robust new business growth, mild price pressures, better international sales, and improving supply-chain conditions
• The S&P Global India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index has been increased from 56.4 (March 2023) to 57.2 (April 2023).
• It reflecting a robust and quicker expansion in new orders.

 Defense

4. Inaugural ASEAN-India maritime exercise in South China Sea

• India has participated in the inaugural edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise with its two frontline warships- INS Satpura and INS Delhi.
• The harbor phase of the exercise is scheduled to be held at the Changi Naval Base (Singapore) from May 2-4, while the sea phase will be conducted from May 7-8 in the South China Sea
• INS Delhi is India's first indigenously-built guided missile destroyer, while INS Satpura is an indigenously-built guided missile stealth frigate.

 Books & Authors

5. NITI Aayog released “Best Practices in Social Sector: A Compendium, 2023”

• NITI Aayog has released the “Best Practices in Social Sector: A Compendium, 2023” in collaboration with the UNDP.
• Reason: To commemorate 75 years of India’s independence and highlight and laud the efforts of Union Ministries and State Governments.
• This compendium includes 75 case studies cutting across 14 key social sectors.
• The aim of this exercise has been to synthesize lessons for the future to expand, enhance and improve life at the grassroots level. 

 National Affairs

6. Australian announced Government Grant for Project in Kargil

• For the first time in the history of Ladakh the Australian High Commission in India has announced its Government Grant for a Project in Kargil.
• This was announced during a Special Meeting at Srinagar chaired by the Australian high commissioner to India,  Barry O'Farrell.
• The project "Return to Roots" aims to integrate traditional knowledge with the current school science curriculum in alignment with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP).

 Science & Technology

7. First test launch of new low-cost star sensor successfully conducted

• A new low-cost star sensor, named ‘StarBerrySense’, developed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) from off-the-shelf components, has started functioning properly in its first test launch.
• It was put into space by Isro’s PSLV C-55 on April 22, 2023.
• Function: Quickly and accurately calculate where a satellite is pointing in space as for any space mission
• The start sensor can find its pointing direction in space by identifying the stars in its field of view.

 National Affairs

8. India sees exports to UAE surging to $50 billion by FY 26/27

• India's exports to the UAE are expected to reach $50 billion by 2026-27 from $31.3 billion at present on the back of the free trade agreement between the countries.
• Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal has informed that the trade between India and the UAE has grown significantly after the implementation of the trade agreement on May 1, 2022.
• The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) which was signed between the two nations on 18 February 2022.

 Defense

9. DRDO & Indian Navy conduct successful of Air Droppable Container ‘ADC-150’

• DRDO and Indian Navy conducted the successful maiden test trial of ‘ADC-150’ from IL 38SD aircraft, Goa.
• It is an indigenously designed and developed Air Droppable Container with a 150 kg payload capacity.
• The trial was conducted to enhance the naval operational logistics capabilities by providing quick responses to meet the requirement of critical engineering stores to ships.
• It reduces the requirement for ships to come close to the coast to collect spares and stores.

 National & International Appointments

10. Qantas names Vanessa Hudson as next CEO

• Australia’s flagship carrier, Qantas has named its finance chief Vanessa Hudson as its new chief executive officer, making her the first woman to lead the airline.
• She will succeed Alan Joyce, who will retire in November 2023.
• She has been market-facing as CFO since October 2019.
• She had held several senior roles there, including chief customer officer and senior vice president for the Americas and New Zealand.