SPOTLIGHT

Monthly Current Affairs

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RBI - NABARD - SEBI

SPOTLIGHT – JUNE 2023
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Contents
NATIONAL NEWS .......................................................................................................................................... 2
STATE NEWS................................................................................................................................................ 37
AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ..................................................................................... 54
DEFENCE NEWS ......................................................................................................................................... 57
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ................................................................................................. 64
INTERNATIONAL NEWS ............................................................................................................................ 69
REPORTS AND INDICES ........................................................................................................................... 85
BANKING AND ECONOMY ...................................................................................................................... 101
GDP FORECASTS ..................................................................................................................................... 140
APPOINTMENTS ........................................................................................................................................ 142
IMPORTANT DAYS .................................................................................................................................... 151
AWARDS ...................................................................................................................................................... 161
SPORTS ....................................................................................................................................................... 170
MISCELLANEOUS...................................................................................................................................... 177
QUESTIONS ................................................................................................................................................ 181

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NATIONAL NEWS
1. Ministry of Electronics & IT has launched the Electronics Repair Service Outsourcing
(ERSO) Pilot initiative.
• India aims to become the Repair Capital of the World. India aims to become the most
attractive repair destination for ICT products globally.
• Over the next 5 years, India’s ERSO industry is likely to fetch India a up to $20 billion in
revenue and generate millions of jobs.
• The pilot for outsourcing is being tested in Bengaluru. Five companies, namely Flex,
Lenovo, CTDI, R-Logic & Aforeserve have volunteered for the pilot.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Being the third-largest producer of e-waste after China and the US, India needs to
work on adopting sustainable e-waste practices.
• The repair economy is worth $100 billion.
• The Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MCA) has set up a committee to come up with a
Right to Repair framework.
• The framework is significant as it will give consumers a chance to repair their products at
an optimal cost instead of buying new products altogether.
Source: PIB, LiveMint, and MCA

2. National Training Centre for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has
been established at Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
• The training centre is named as “Lok Swasth Arpan Bhawan”.
• An e-learning app named Food Safety and Certification (FoSTaC), developed by FSSAI,
containing learning and training modules about food safety guidelines, such as proper food
handling, storage, and hygiene practices etc., for street vendors was also launched.
• Dr Mandaviya also released two books developed by FSSAI - Millets (Shree Anna)
Recipes- A Healthy Menu for Mess/Canteens and Healthy Gut, Healthy You - Traditional
recipes with potential probiotic benefits.
Source: PIB

3. India launched Asia's first performance-based navigation system for helicopters for a
flight from Juhu to Pune using GAGAN satellite technology.
• Purpose – to enhances accuracy, allowing for high quality air traffic management
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• GAGAN refers to GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation.

• It is a space-based augmentation system for providing the best possible navigational
services over the Indian FIR (Flight Information Region) with the capability of expanding to
neighbouring FIRs.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Indian Space Research Organization
(ISRO) have collaborated to develop the GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation
(GAGAN) as a regional Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS).
• This system aims to augment the Satellite-based Navigation Services in India.
Source: BS and ET

4. Union Cabinet has approved the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) for
facilitation of the “World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector”.
• The plan aims to converge various schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers
Welfare, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Ministry of Food
Processing Industries
• An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) will be constituted under the Chairmanship of
Minister of Cooperation.
• The Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and
Public Distribution, Minister of Food Processing Industries and Secretaries will be
members.
• Ministry of Cooperation will implement a pilot project in at least 10 selected Districts of
different States/ UTs.
• Following schemes have been identified for convergence under the Plan -
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare -
(i) Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF),
(ii) Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme (AMI),
(iii) Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH),
(iv) Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
Ministry of Food Processing Industries -
(i) Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme
(PMFME),
(ii) Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)

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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution -

(i) Allocation of food grains under the National Food Security Act,
(ii) Procurement operations at Minimum Support Price
• Manner of implementation of the plan -
o A National Level Coordination Committee will be created.
o A portal for the linkage of PACS with Govt. of India and State Governments will be
created.
Source: PIB

5. Union Cabinet has approved to establish a Regional Office of the Universal Postal Union
(UPU) in New Delhi.
Source: PM India

6. Central Government has approved the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain
(CITIIS) 2.0 to support projects promoting a circular economy with focus on integrated urban
management.
• Tenure – 2023-2027
• Partners – French Development Agency (AFD), Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), the
European Union (EU), and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)
• Funding support - A loan of Rs 1,760 crore or 200 million Euros with AFD and KfW
contributing 100 million Euros each and a technical assistance grant of Rs 106 crore (EUR
12 million) from the EU
• CITIIS 1.0 was launched jointly in 2018 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, AFD,
EU, and NIUA, with a total outlay of Rs 933 crore.
Source: Indian Express

7. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) has issued an advisory
regarding ‘Daam,’ which is an Android malware that is ‘capable of stealing sensitive data,
bypassing antivirus programs, and deploying ransomware on the targeted devices.’
Source: HT

8. Shri Hardeep S. Puri, Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Petroleum and Natural
Gas organized an event at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi to celebrate the completion of the 3

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successful years of the Prime Minster Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi)
Scheme.
• PM SVANidhi Scheme was launched on 01 June, 2020, aiming to restore Swarozgar,
Svavlamban, Swabhimaan (Self Employment, Self-Sustenance, and Self-Confidence)
within street vendors.
• The Minister launched a PM SVANidhi mobile app for street vendors, to ease the loan
application process and provide various information to Street Vendors regarding the
Scheme.
• A facility for ‘Udyam’ registration and obtaining ‘Udyam Assist’ certificate for Street
Vendors on PM SVANidhi portal was also launched with the help of Ministry of MSME, to
provide easy access to vendors for obtaining Udyam Registration Certificate for promotion
of their business.
• The Lending Institutions which have performed good in this scheme were felicitated.
o Banks - State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, and Union Bank of India
o RRBs - Andhra Pradesh Grameen Vikas Bank
o State Cooperative Banks - Stree Nidhi Credit Cooperative Federation Ltd.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• In July 2020, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launched the Mobile Application
of PM SVANidhi for the Lending Institutions (LIs) and their field functionaries for
sourcing and processing loan applications of street vendors under the Scheme.
• The features include vendor search in the survey data, e-KYC of applicants, processing
of applications, and real time monitoring.
Source: PIB, PIB

9. Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched the unified registration portal for the Galvanizing
Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) scheme.
• GOBARdhan is an umbrella initiative which aims at promoting the conversion of organic
waste like cattle dung/ agri-residue etc. to biogas/ CBG/ Bio CNG.
• Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti is the coordinating
department for GOBARdhan.
• 500 new ‘waste to wealth’ plants under GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro
Resources Dhan) initiative will be established for promoting circular economy.
• These will include 200 compressed biogas (CBG) plants, including 75 plants in urban
areas, and 300 community or cluster-based plants at total investment of Rs 10,000 crore.
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Source: Gobardhan portal

10. 3rd Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting under the G20 Indian Presidency was
held at the International Labour Organization (ILO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
• The fourth and final meeting of the Employment Working Group and the Labour and
Employment Ministers Meeting is scheduled for 19th –21st July, 2023 in India at Indore.
Source: PIB

11. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved the changes in clauses of model
concession agreements for Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), Hybrid Annuity
Mode (HAM), and Build Operate Transfer (BOT) contracts.
• The centre has tweaked contracts issued for making highway and ropeways, allowing
bidders to furnish e-bank guarantees and surety bonds.
Source: ET

12. French railway company Alstom, has won the ₹30,000 crore contract for the manufacturing
and maintenance of 100 aluminium body Vande Bharat trains.
• The Indian Railways is aiming at rolling out the first Vande Bharat sleeper train by the first
quarter of 2024.
• The Railways has awarded contracts for the manufacture of 102 Vande Bharat chair
trains and 200 Vande Bharat sleeper trains, so far.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi had planned to run 75 Vande Bharat trains by August
2024. However, the achievement of this target seems to be a little difficult with the current
speed of manufacturing and deliver of these trains.
Source: LiveMint

13. India and Vietnamese officials held the third Maritime Security Dialogue in New Delhi.
• The second India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue was held in April 2021 in virtual
format following the first round held in Hanoi in March 2019.
Source: ANI

14. India will import 10,000 MW of power from Nepal in the next 10 years. Nepal PM Pushpa
Kamal Dahal visited India.
• MOUs signed between India and Nepal -
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o Treaty of Transit between the Government of India and the Government of Nepal
o MoU between the Government of India and the Government of Nepal for cooperation
in the field of Petroleum Infrastructure
o MoU between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) and the Institute
of Foreign Affairs, Nepal
o MoU between the Government of India and the Government of Nepal for the
development of infrastructure at Dodhara Chandani check post along Indo-Nepal
Border
o Project Development Agreement of Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project between M/S
SJVN and Investment Board of Nepal
o MoU between NHPC and VUCL, Nepal for the development of Phukot Karnali
Hydroelectric Project
o MoU between NPCIL and NCHL, Nepal for cross border payments
• India-Nepal Business Summit was organized at New Delhi by the Federation of
Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII).
Source: ET and The Daily Guardian

15. Rural Development Ministry has announced that about 88% of the wage payment has been
made through Aadhaar Based Payment Bridge System (ABPS) till May 2023.
Source: News on Air

16. Union Minister of Education and Skill Development, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has
released the UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023.
• Eligibility criteria for an institute to apply for the status -
o NAAC ‘A’ grade with at least a 3.01 CGPA for three consecutive cycles or NBA
accreditation for 2/3rd of eligible programmes for three consecutive cycles or in the
top 50 of any specific categories of NIRF for the last three years continuously or in
top 100 of overall NIRF Ranking for last three years continuously
o Faculty Strength - 150
o Corpus fund for private institutions - increased from Rs 10 crore to Rs 25 crore
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Chairman of UGC - Prof. Jagadesh Kumar

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• The UGC Act 1956 provides for Central Government to declare any institution other than
a University to a status of Institution Deemed to be University as if it were a university
within the meaning of Section 2(f).
• The procedure for the declaration of status, the eligibility criteria and other regulations for
such universities are regulated by UGC. The first set of Regulations was notified in the
year 2010, which was revised in 2016 and 2019.
Source: PIB, Indian Express

17. Ministry of Jal Shakti has signed an MoU with Malviya National Institute of Technology
(MNIT), Jaipur to set up National Centre for Dam Safety from Earthquake at a cost of Rs
30 crore.
• The new centre will handle technology development related to structural and earthquake
safety of all dams in the country.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• India has the third largest number of dams - 6,000 - in the world. More than 25% of
these dams have completed over 50% of their lifespan, while several are a few hundred
years old.
• The Dam Safety Act, 2021 provides for surveillance, inspection, operation and
maintenance of the specified dams for the prevention of dam failure-related disasters.
Source: The Print

18. The govt has changed the name of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of
Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) as the National
Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).
• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for maximum out-of-pocket
expenditure on health, and economic output lost due to them, excluding mental conditions,
is estimated to be USD 3.55 trillion for the country for 2012-2030.
Source: ET

19. Union Health Ministry launched “75/25” initiative which aims to put 75 million people with
hypertension and diabetes on Standard Care by 2025, through the Primary Healthcare
Center (PHC).
• The initative was announced on the World Hypertension Day (May 17). Theme of the day
was 'Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer'.
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• This was announced at the G20 co-branded event “Accelerating the Prevention and
Management of Hypertension and Diabetes”, organized by Union Health Ministry and
WHO.
• In addition to the 75/25 initiative, the Shashakt Portal was launched for training of 40,000
Primary Health Care Medical Officers on Standard Treatment Workflow for NCDs initiated
to realize health care services closer to the community.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• The Outcome Budget document of Union Budget 2023-2024 has, for the first time,
introduced hypertension and diabetes treatment as output indicators to scale-up
hypertension and diabetes coverage services.
• The revised operational guidelines of National Programme for Prevention and Control of
Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) is now providing services for Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Asthma, Chronic Kidney Disease
(CKD) and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases (NAFLD), ST Elevation of Myocardial
Infarction (STEMI) apart from Hypertension, Diabetes and three common Cancers
including Oral, Breast and Cervical.
Source: WHO and PIB

20. Department of Pharmaceuticals organized the “Global Vaccine Research Collaborative”

discussion, which was focused on Vaccine Research and Development: Building Consensus
for Future Health Emergencies Prevention, Preparedness, and Response.
• The discussion was organized on the sidelines of the 3rd G20 Health Working Group
Meeting, in Hyderabad.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Department of Pharmaceuticals worked with the Program for Appropriate
Technology in Health (PATH) and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
(CEPI) to create the Global Vaccine Research Collaborative.
Source: PIB

21. Defence minister Rajnath Singh held wide-ranging talks with his American counterpart Lloyd
Austin focusing on various key aspects of India-US defence ties and the regional security
scenario including in the Indo-Pacific.
• It is Secretary Austin's second visit to India. His previous trip to India was in March, 2021.

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Knowledge Nuggets -
• President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi launched the US-India initiative on
Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), in May 2022, to elevate and expand the
strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the two
countries.
• Objective of iCET - to connect government, academia and industry of the two countries
in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, 5G and 6G, biotech, space
and semiconductors
• Defence agreements between India and the US -
o Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 to allow
their militaries to use each other's bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.
o Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018
provides for interoperability between the two militaries and provides for the sale of
high-end technology from the US to India.
o Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) – in 2020, to further
boost bilateral defence ties.
Source: TOI

22. President Droupadi Murmu and Suriname counterpart Chandrikapersad Santokhi

attended a cultural festival to mark 150 years of the arrival of Indians to Suriname.
• President Droupadi Murmu has been conferred the ‘Grand Order of the Chain of the
Yellow Star’, Suriname's highest civilian award.
Source: TOI

23. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the
first regular international cruise passenger vessel named mv Empress from Chennai Port
that will connect three ports in Sri Lanka.
• The first regular international cruise service will link ports including Hambantota and
Trincomalee in Sri Lanka.
• GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd has launched the cruise service.
Source: The Hindu

24. The Central Government has approved the continuation of the central sector 'Exploration of
Coal and Lignite scheme' with an estimated expenditure of ₹2,980 crore.
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• The tenure for the extension is from 2021-22 to 2025-26 (co-terminus with the 15th Finance
Commission cycle).
• Under this scheme, exploration for coal and lignite is conducted in two broad stages:
o Promotional (Regional) Exploration and,
o Detailed Exploration in non-Coal India Limited blocks
• The approval will provide an outlay of Rs 1,650 crore for promotional (Regional)
exploration and Rs 1,330 crore for detailed drilling in non-CIL (Coal India Ltd-owned)
areas.
Source: ET

25. The 3-day National Conference on Recent Advances in School (RASE-2023), also known
as Shiksha Mahakumbh, was organized at Dr BR Ambedkar National Institute of
Technology, NIT Jalandhar.
• Organisers - Sarvahitkari Shiksha Samiti, Punjab in collaboration with NIT Jalandhar
• Theme – Integration of Bharatiya Traditional and Modern Education Systems for
Sustainability
• Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur
addressed the conference.

Source: News on Air

26. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced to launch Chandrayaan-3
mission in mid-July this year.

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• The announcement was made by ISRO chairman S Somanath on the sidelines of an

International Conference on Spacecraft Mission Operations (SMOPS-2023) in
Bengaluru, India.
• Theme of the Conference - Emerging Technologies and Automation in Space Mission
Operations and Ground Segment
Source: IE and SMOPS

27. The National Exit Test (NExT) will be conducted from 2024 onwards, and the examination is
likely to be organised by the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
• According to the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act of 2019, the NExT exam will
serve as a licentiate exam for final year MBBS students to practice modern medicine
and for merit-based admission to PG courses, and a screening exam for foreign medical
graduates who wish to practice in India.
Source: TOI

28. President Droupadi Murmu and Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic have agreed to
increase the bilateral trade from the present 32 crore Euros to 1 billion euros by the end of the
decade.
• As part of her visit, President Droupadi Murmu laid a wreath on the memorial of the
unknown Warrior atop Mountain Avala in Belgrade, Serbia.
Source: BS

29. An international team of scientists, led by Prof. Abhijit Chakraborty, at the Exoplanet Research
Group of the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad have discovered a new
Jupiter size exoplanet.
• The exoplanet has been discovered by using PARAS spectrograph.
• This discovery marks the third exoplanet discovery by India.
Source: ISRO

30. The EU-India Global Gateway Conference took place in Shillong, Meghalaya.
• Launched in December 2021, the Global Gateway Strategy aims to work towards the
fulfilment of goals identified by the Paris Agreement on climate change and the 2030
Sustainable Development Goals.

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• The European Union (EU) Indo-Pacific strategy, as well as the connectivity partnerships
with Japan (2020) and India (2021) are also important building blocks in the region.
• The Global Gateway aims at boosting smart, green and secure links in digital, energy and
transport and strengthen health, education and research systems across the world.
• Global Gateway aims to mobilise up to €300 billion in investments between 2021-2027.
Source: EU

31. National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) has been launched under the National Education
Policy 2020 for creation of a large pool of outstanding professionals willing to provide
mentoring to school teachers and ensure their continuous professional development.
• National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) launched NMM in Pilot mode in July
2022 in selected 30 Central Schools (15 KVs, 10 JNVs, 5 CBSE) across the country.
• Chairperson of NCTE - Prof. Yogesh Singh
Source: PIB

32. Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat released the progress report of
the Jal Jeevan Mission: Swachh Jal se Suraksha (SJSS) Campaign which was organised
from 2nd October, 2022 to 31st March, 2023.
• The campaign aims to emphasise water quality monitoring and surveillance activities
by states and UTs.
• Under the campaign, several activities had been taken up including,
o Testing of PWS sources in all villages for chemical parameters and bacteriological
parameters (post monsoon);
o Water quality testing at household level in villages;
o Water quality testing in Schools and Anganwadi Centres; Remedial action taken for
contaminated samples; and,
o Training of women for water quality testing using FTK/ H2S vials at village level
• The progress made under these activities was reported on WQMIS portal (Jal Jeevan
Mission Water Quality Management Information System).
• The states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh emerged as
the best performing states during the Campaign.
Source: PIB

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33. India is planning to join the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme, an

international regime that fosters cooperation between countries and regulatory authorities in
good manufacturing practices (GMP) to improve the quality of their medical products.
• The decision was triggered by the deaths of 66 children in Gambia that were linked to toxic
Indian-made cough syrups.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• The Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) was established in
1995 as an extension to the Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention (PIC) of 1970.
• It is a non-binding, informal co-operative arrangement between Regulatory Authorities in
the field of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) of medicinal products for human or
veterinary use.
• It is open to any Authority having a comparable GMP inspection system.
• PIC/S presently comprises 54 Participating Authorities coming from all over the world
(Europe, Africa, America, Asia and Australasia).
Source: LiveMint and PIC/S Scheme

34. The Ministry of Power and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy have jointly
launched the Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR) to use emerging
technologies in the power sector.
• The scheme aims to facilitate indigenous research, development and demonstration of the
latest and emerging technologies in the power sector.
• Tenure - 2023-24 to 2027-28
• MAHIR will work towards Industry-Academia -Government collaboration to create an
ecosystem for innovation and translation of research in the power sector.
• Areas Identified for Research -
o Alternatives to Lithium-Ion storage batteries
o Modifying electric cookers / pans to suit Indian cooking methods
o Green hydrogen for mobility (High Efficiency Fuel Cell)
o Carbon capture
o Geo-thermal energy
o Solid state refrigeration.
o Nano technology for EV battery
o Indigenous CRGO technology

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• The Mission will have a two-tier structure - a Technical Scoping Committee and an Apex
Committee.
• The Technical Scoping Committee, chaired by the Chairperson of Central Electricity
Authority (incumbent: Ghanshyam Prasad), will identify ongoing and emerging research
areas, provide research outlines, and conduct periodic monitoring of approved research
projects.
• The Apex Committee, chaired by the Union Minister for Power & New and Renewable
Energy, to approve the research proposals and monitor the progress of research.
o Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), Bengaluru will provide all necessary
secretarial assistance to the Apex Committee and Technical Scoping Committee.
• The Mission will also facilitate international collaboration for smooth exchange of know-how
and Technology Transfer.
Source: PIB

35. Meta and Smt. Smriti Zubin lrani, Union Minister for the Ministry of Women and Child
Development have launched the Amrit Generation Campaign: Naye Bharat Ke Sapne to
empower and engage the youth of India to express their aspirations and dreams for the future.
• Youth in the age group of 16-18 years is encouraged to create Reels on Instagram and
Facebook showcasing their aspirations and dreams for the future.
• Fifty entries from the campaign will be selected and invited to New Delhi for a unique
opportunity to interact with senior policymakers and industry leaders, providing valuable
insights into their respective fields and offering guidance on how to achieve their dreams.
• They will also get to visit Meta’s office in Gurugram for further guidance.
Source: PIB and Lucknow Tribune

36. World Health Organization has released a report highlighting significant impact of 'Har Ghar
Jal' Program on Public Health and Economic Savings.
• The report estimates that ensuring safely managed drinking water for all households in the
country could avert nearly 400,000 deaths caused by diarrheal diseases and prevent
approximately 14 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) related to these
diseases.
• This achievement alone would result in estimated cost savings of up to $101 billion.
• There has been an increase in rural tap water connections from 16.64% in 2019 to
62.84% at present.
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Source: PIB

37. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and Ayush, Sarbananda
Sonowal launched the 'Sagar Samriddhi' - the online dredging monitoring system to ramp up
'Waste to Wealth' initiative of the Ministry.
• This system has been developed by National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways
and Coasts (NTCPWC), the technological arm of MoPSW, located at IIT-Madras.
• MoPSW issued 'Dredging Guidelines for Major Ports' in 2021 to address the objective of
carrying out dredging with essential technical investigation.
Source: ET

38. India hosted a three-day meeting of the G20 development ministers’ nations in Varanasi to
focus on disruptions in global supply chains, food and energy security challenges and impacts
of climate change among other issues.
• India had hosted the Voice of the Global South Summit in January 2023.
• The decisions taken at the Varanasi meet will also contribute to the UN summit on
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on 18-19 September, 2023 in New York.
o This will be the second SDG Summit – under the auspices of the UN General
Assembly – since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda in September 2015.
• India released a seven-year action plan on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
during the G20 Development Ministers meeting held in Varanasi.
• The plan focuses on three core agendas: harnessing data and digital technologies for
development, securing fair transitions and investing in women-led development.
Source: IE UN LiveMint

39. Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of India is the Chair of the Supreme Audit
Institutions-20 (SAI20) Engagement Group under India’s G20 Presidency.
• The SAI20 Summit is scheduled to take place in Goa from 12th to 14th June 2023.
• Participants – G20 member nations and Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman,
Spain, UAE, Morocco and Poland
• Focus areas of the meet - Blue Economy and Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Source: PIB

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40. Ministry of Power has requested the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) to
initiate market coupling process of multiple electricity exchanges, which could make prices
uniform across exchanges.
• India has three power exchanges - India Energy Exchange (IEX), Hindustan Power
Exchange (HPX) and Power Exchange India (PXI).
o Out of these, IEX commands 99.9% of the volume traded on the exchanges.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Market coupling is a model where bids from all power exchanges in the country will be
aggregated and matched to discover a uniform price. It means there will be only one price
for the electricity that is to be traded at any point of time through these exchanges.
Source: ET and MoneyControl

41. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever National Training Conclave at
the International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
• This conclave was organized under the Mission Karmayogi.
Source: PIB

42. The first-ever national conference of tribal writers was held in Jammu and Kashmir.
Source: The Hindu

43. GalaxEye (An IIT-Madras-incubated space-tech startup) is building the world's first multi-
sensor earth observation satellite.
• The startup is going to launch its first satellite, 'Drishti Mission' next year.
• The satellite consists of a visible spectrum camera providing synchronised imaging that can
take multiple images at the same time.
Source: TOI

44. Tata Elxsi has partnered with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for the
Gaganyaan Mission.
• Tata Elxsi has designed and developed the crew module recovery models (CMRM) for the
recovery team training of the space mission.
Source: LiveMint

45. The W20 summit is scheduled to take place at Mahabalipuram near Chennai.
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• Theme - women-led development to transform, thrive and transcend

• W-20 chief Coordinator - Dharitri Patnaik
Source: News on Air

46. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced three major schemes worth over Rs 8,000 crore
to cover the modernisation of fire brigade services in all states, flood mitigation in seven
major cities and prevention of landslides in 17 states.
• For the modernisation and expansion of fire brigade services, about Rs 5,000 crore
assistance will be given to all states.
• To mitigate the danger of floods in urban areas, in seven major cities -- Mumbai, Chennai,
Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune -- Rs 2,500 crore will be given.
• To deal with landslides in 17 states, almost Rs 825 crore will be given by the central
government.
• Under the 'Aapda Mitra' scheme, 1 lakh youth volunteers are being prepared in 350
disaster-prone districts.
Source: ET

47. Guwahati railway station has been awarded 'Eat Right Station' certification by FSSAI
(Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) for providing high-quality and nutritious food to
passengers.
Source: ET

48. India is set to host the prestigious Miss World pageant (71st edition) by the end of this year.
The last time the pageant was held in 1996 in Bengaluru.
• Sini Shetty, Miss India World 2022, will represent India at Miss World 2023.
• India has won the prestigious title six times -- Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai (1994),
Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999), Priyanka Chopra (2000), and Manushi
Chillar (2017).
Source: MoneyControl and BT

49. Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Parshottam Rupala and
Minister of Ports Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has laid the
foundation stone for the project on Modernization and Up-gradation of Cochin Fishing
Harbour.
pg. 18
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• In March 2022, the Department of Fisheries sanctioned the proposal of Cochin Port Trust
for Modernization and upgradation of Cochin Fishing Harbour at Thoppumpady,
• Funding of the project -
o PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (M/o of Fisheries) – Rs 50 crore
o Sagarmala (M/o Shipping) - Rs 50 crore
o Public-Private Partnership – Rs 55.84 Crores
• The project will increase the capacity of the fishing harbour by 415 tonnes of fish per
day.
• It is envisaged the export of fish and fish products will be Rs. 1500 crores per annum on
completion of the project.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Under the Sagarmala Program of MoPSW, 802 projects are being developed at a cost of
Rs. 5.5 lakh Crore by 2035.
o Out of this, 202 projects have been completed.
o A total of 29 projects will be implemented under PPP model. Additionally, 32 PPP
projects are currently being implemented.
o Further, there are more than 200 projects under construction and expected to be
completed in 2 years’ time.
• Under the Sagarmala Programme of MoPSW, 9 fishing harbour projects worth Rs 620
crores have been completed, so far.
• Apart from this, modernization of 5 fishing harbours has been done at a cost of ~Rs.
550 crores.
Source: PIB

50. As part of the Transporter-8 Mission by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Azista BST Aerospace Pvt
Ltd’s first satellite, ABA First Runner (AFR), was launched onboard the Falcon 9 rocket.
• The satellite was launched from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force
Base, California.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Azista BST Aerospace is an Indo-German satellite-making collaboration in
Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• India owns 70% of the company and Berlin Space Technologies GmbH of Germany owns
the other 30%, for manufacturing small ‘Made in India’ satellites for the world market.

pg. 19
[Type here]

• Azista BST Aerospace aims to manufacture ‘Made in India’ satellites on a mass scale for
the global market.
Source: FE

51. The first meeting of the Joint Committee of India-UAE Comprehensive Economic
Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
• India and the UAE look to more than double non-oil bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by
2030.
• At present, the non-oil bilateral trade stands at $48 billion.
• The UAE is a major supplier of crude oil to India.
Source: MoneyControl and CEPA

52. Global DPI (Digital Public Infrastructure) Summit, the side event of 3rd meeting of G20
Digital Economy Working Group, was organized in Pune, Maharashtra.
• During the summit, India signed the MoU with four countries namely Armenia, Sierra
Leone, Suriname and Antigua and Barbuda for sharing INDIA STACK i.e., successful
digital solutions implemented at population scale.
• Global DPI exhibition was also organized.
Source: PIB

53. India and Bangladesh have announced to undertake 5 development projects in the border
sharing states - Assam, West Bengal, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Tripura.
• These five development projects are related to the construction of a bailey bridge, road
repair and the strengthening of the retaining walls along the border in these states.
• Border Security Force (BSF), India and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) had
organized their four-day biannual border talks conference (53rd edition) in Delhi.
Source: ET

54. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Google have collaborated
to amplify the Ministry’s “Stay Safe Online” campaign.
• Google will launch a series of videos featuring YouTube creators to educate users to
responsibly share information online.
Source: ET

pg. 20
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55. Infrastructure Finance Secretariat, Ministry of Finance has launched revamped PPPININDIA
Portal and IIPDF Portal.
About PPPININDIA Portal -
• It is dedicated to promoting and facilitating Public Private Partnerships in India and helps
in bridging the gap between the public and private sectors.
• It serves as a digital platform that brings together government entities, private companies,
investors and entrepreneurs fostering collaboration and innovation for sustainable growth.

Revamped Portal
• It aims to create a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures partnership, encourages investment,
and facilitates exchange of knowledge and resources.
• It also hosts Best Practices Portal that contains best practices in successful
implementation of infrastructure projects by States/Central ministries.
IIPDF Portal -
• It has been launched for submitting applications for consideration under IIPDF Scheme
(India Infrastructure Project Development Fund Scheme).
• It will allow Project Sponsoring Authority (PSA) to apply online under IIPDF scheme
o This will significantly reduce processing time, involve less paperwork and help
PSAs to obtain speedy and time bound approvals for submitted projects.
Source: PIB

56. 10 women researchers from India and 3 from Germany were awarded under ‘Women
Involvement in Science and Engineering Research’ (WISER) programme.
• Purpose - to promote women researchers in India/Germany to participate and collaborate
in ongoing R&D and innovation projects.
• They were awarded on 13th Foundation Day of IGSTC (Indo-German Science and
Technology Centre).
Source: PIB

57. Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri
Dharmendra Pradhan flagged off Gabon’s first Agri- SEZ (special economic zone) project
from New Delhi.
• The project will be implemented by AOM group, Gabon with Centurion University,
Odisha as the technical and knowledge partner.
pg. 21
[Type here]

• In the first phase of the program, 30 farmers and 20 B.Sc./M.Sc. Agri and B.Tech/M.Tech
Engineering students from Gajapati district, which is an Aspirational district of Odisha,
will travel together as agri-technical and technical consultants for developing Gabon’s
agriculture SEZ.
Source: PIB

58. The Union Government is planning to design a Human Development Index (HDI)
specifically for about 28 lakh people of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had in this year’s Budget speech announced a
₹15,000-crore expenditure outlay for the Pradhan Mantri Primitive Vulnerable Tribal
Groups (PM-PVTG) Development Mission, to be spent over the next 3 years.
• The mission envisions connecting all 22,544 PVTG villages to basic government
services like communications, electricity, public education, healthcare, water supply, and
connectivity.
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has started a mass testing drive for sickle cell disease, with a
target of screening around 9 crore tribal people by 2025-26.
• As of March 2023, the mission had achieved just 1% of its target of 1 crore people for 2022-
23.
o Target - “eliminating” SCD from India by 2047
• The govt has already created the National Education Society for Tribal Students
(NESTS) to centrally monitor their administration and recruit teachers in Eklavya Model
Residential Schools (EMRS).
Source: The Hindu

59. Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri
Bhupender Yadav addressed the Plenary Session at the 111th International Labour
Conference in Geneva.
Source: PIB

60. Ministry of Education will host the 4th G20 Education Working Group (EdWG) meeting in
Pune, Maharashtra.
● A seminar on 'Accessible Science: Fostering Collaborations', was organized in
collaboration with IISER, Pune, and ELSEVIER.
● A seminar and exhibition will precede the main G20 EdWG Meeting.
pg. 22
[Type here]

● The seminar themed "Ensuring Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, especially in the
context of Blended Learning" will be held at Savitribai Phule Pune University.
Source: PIB

61. Ministry of Coal has released data on coal stock availability of India on 13th June 2023.

Source: PIB

62. NITI Aayog and the United Nations-India signed the India-United Nations Sustainable
Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027 in New Delhi.
Source: News on Air

63. The researchers at the Centre of Excellence in Climate Modelling at IIT Delhi, in
collaboration with IIIT Delhi, MIT USA, and JAMSTEC Japan, have developed a state-of-the-
art machine learning model for monsoon rainfall prediction.
● The model has predicted that 2023 will be a normal monsoon year.
Source: HBL

64. Indian PM Narendra Modi has proposed the African Union be given full, permanent
membership of the G20 nations.
● The G20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world's major developed and developing
economies. The members represent around 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of global
trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.
● The grouping comprises 19 countries and the European Union.

pg. 23
[Type here]

● The G20 2023 invited nine non-member "guest" countries, including Bangladesh,
Singapore, Spain and Nigeria, besides international organisations such as the United
Nations, World Health Organisation, the World Bank and the IMF.
Source: BW

65. 4th G20 Tourism Working Group and Tourism Ministerial Meetings are scheduled to take
place in Goa.
● A side-event will take place based on the theme of 'Making Cruise Tourism a Model for
Sustainable & Responsible Travel'.
Source: PIB

66. India will host the 2025 IIAS (International Institute of Administrative Sciences) Annual
Conference at Kochi, Kerala, in February 2025.
● Theme - Next Generation Administrative Reforms – Empowering Citizens and Reaching
the Last Mile
● The 2025 Annual Conference of IIAS would be attended by 30 Member Countries, 18
National Sections and over 50 IIAS Universities/ Institutes of Public Administration in
Member Countries.
● India’s Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances became a
member of the IIAS in 1998.
Source: PIB

67. Ministry of Science and Technology has launched Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik
(VAIBHAV) fellowships programme to connect Indian STEMM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine) diaspora with Indian Higher Educational Institutions.
• Eligibility: It is awarded to outstanding scientist/technologists of Indian origin
(NRI/OCI/PIO) who are engaged in research activities in their respective countries.
• Under it
o 75 selected VAIBHAV fellows will be invited to work in 18 identified knowledge
verticals-
▪ Some of them are quantum technology, health, pharma, electronics,
agriculture, energy, computer sciences, and material sciences etc.
o They will identify Indian Institution for collaboration and spend up to two months in a
year for a maximum of 3 years.

pg. 24
[Type here]

o They are expected to collaborate with their Indian counterparts and help initiate
research activities in host institution in cutting-edge areas of Science and
Technology.
• Benefits: Fellowship will include fellowship grant (Rs 4,00,000 per month), international
and domestic travel, accommodation and contingencies.
Source: DST and PIB

68. Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society name has been changed to Prime Ministers’
Museum and Library Society.
• In 2018, Indian govt changed the name of the Teen Murti Chowk, a war memorial, to Teen
Murti Haifa Chowk as a symbolic gesture during the visit of Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu.
Source: PIB and The Hindu

69. NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN), a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC, has
commissioned its first Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Project at IIT Jodhpur, Rajasthan under
the RESCO model.
• Under the RESCO model for implementing rooftop solar installation, a renewable energy
service company ("RESCO"), designs, builds, funds and operates the entire solar power
plant.
• Under the model, the consumer pays the developer against assured monthly unit
generation per kW and DISCOM adjusts generated units in consumer’s electricity bill.
Source: PIB

70. The first consignment of over dimensional cargo for expansion of Assam’s Numaligarh
Refinery Ltd (NRL), transported through waterways, has reached the facility.
• The over dimensional cargo is freight that goes beyond the standard cargo deck, whether
by 20 feet, 40 feet, or more, and extends outside the loading deck of the vehicle shipping
the goods.
Source: TOI

71. The Central Government has set up an expert panel led by former law secretary T K
Vishwanathan to recommend reforms in the Arbitration and Conciliation Act with an aim to
reduce the burden on courts.
pg. 25
[Type here]

• The committee has been set up by the Department of Legal Affairs in the Union law
ministry.
• Attorney General N Venkataramani is also part of the expert committee.
• The committee will also recommend a framework of model arbitration system which is
efficient, effective and economical and caters to the requirements of the users.
Source: The Print

72. Google launched the 'Indian Languages Programme' under its News Initiative to support
local news publishers in India.
• The program will empower local publishers through various components, including access
to training, technical support, and funding, to help them improve their digital operations and
reach more readers.
• The support will be provided for a total of nine languages, including English, Hindi,
Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam, Gujarati, and Marathi.
Source: BS

73. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his latest ‘Mann ki baat’ episode, spoke about
Miyawaki plantation, the Japanese method of creating dense urban forests in a small area.
• The PM also cited the example of a Kerala-based teacher, Raafi Ramnath, who used the
Miyawaki technique to transform a barren land into a mini forest called Vidyavanam by
planting 115 varieties of trees.
• The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been creating Miyawaki forests
in several open land parcels of Mumbai (the Financial Capital of India).
Source: IE

74. The National Conference on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy was held in Pune.
• Topics of discussion -
o NISHTHA – National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic
Advancement, launched in 2019
o National Curriculum Framework (NCF), 2022
• The States of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have
recorded an impressive performance in Foundational Literacy and Numeracy practices.
Source: PIB

pg. 26
[Type here]

75. National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) celebrated its 20th Foundation Day on June 19.
• Chairperson of NIXI - Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma (MeitY Secretary)
• NIXI CEO - Shri Anil Kumar Jain
• NIXI was established in 2003 as a not-for-profit (Section 8) company under the aegis of
MeitY to increase internet penetration by addressing the infrastructure challenges.
• Functions of NIXI -
o Developing Internet Exchange Points
o .IN Registry (for providing “.in” domain and creating digital identity)
o Providing IPv4 and IPv6 addresses adoption
o Data Centre services under NIXI-CSC for data storage
Source: PIB

76. The central government launched a new collection of courses called “Dakshta"
(Development of Attitude, Knowledge, Skill for Holistic Transformation in Administration) on the
iGOT Karmayogi Platform.
• The iGOT (Integrated Government Online Training) Karmayogi platform is a
comprehensive portal to guide government officials in their capacity-building journey.
• Dakshta is a collection of 18 courses in areas such as data-driven decision making, code
of conduct for government employees, office procedures, effective communication, public
policy research, stress management, and more.
• Currently, 40 young professionals and consultants from the National Institution for
Transforming India (NITI Aayog) are using Dakshta collection for training.
Source: LiveMint

77. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a draft notification proposing
Motor Third Party Premium and Liability Rules for the Financial Year 2023-24.
• In line with section 147 of the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, 1988, MoRTH prescribes the
base premium rates for motor third party insurance from time to time.
• Following discounts in premium are also proposed to be allowed in the said rules -
o A discount of 15% has been proposed for educational institution buses.
o A discount of 50% has been proposed for a private car registered as Vintage Car.
o A discount of 15% and 7.5% has been proposed for Electric vehicles and Hybrid
Electric Vehicles, respectively.

pg. 27
[Type here]

• Further, a reduction of about 6.5% in the base premium rate has been proposed for 3-
wheeled passenger carrying vehicles.
Source: PIB

78. A consortium of Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL) and state-owned Bharat Heavy
Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has signed a contract with Indian Railways for manufacturing 80
Vande Bharat sleeper trains by 2029.
• The estimated value of the contract is Rs 24,000 crores.
Source: ET

79. G-20 Labour Engagement summit will be held in Patna, Bihar.

Source: News on Air

80. Union Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone of
Bharat Mala Green Field Six-Lane Ring Road project at village Kutail in Karnal district of
Haryana.
Source: News on Air

81. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Integrated Simulator Complex (ISC)
‘Dhruv’ at Southern Naval Command, Kochi.
• The ISC ‘Dhruv’ will significantly enhance practical training in the Indian Navy.
• Air Direction and Helicopter Control Simulator (ADHCS) - developed by Institute for
Systems Studies and Analysis, a DRDO laboratory - would be able to provide real-time
operational environment scenario to trainees.
• Apart from ADHCS, Multi-Station Handling Simulator (MSSHS) and Astronavigation
Dome are the two other simulators systems in the complex among others.
Source: PIB

82. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-
National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) have entered into a partnership for
empowering women to make well-informed career choices in the field of entrepreneurship.
• The partnership will provide support for women looking to start and expanding their own
enterprises, particularly in sectors such as care economy, digital economy, electric mobility,
waste management, food packaging and more.
pg. 28
[Type here]

• This 3-year project, extendable beyond 2025, will cover eight cities in the initial phase.
Source: PIB

83. Ministry of Women and Child Development has plans to merge the Childline 1098 service
with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) number 112.
• This plan will be launched in nine States and Union Territories — Andhra Pradesh,
Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Goa, Mizoram, Ladakh, Puducherry, and Dadra and
Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Source: The Hindu

84. India and Australia have decided to expand the scope of its comprehensive free trade
agreement by adding 15 new sectors.
• India and Australia have already implemented an interim trade pact in December 2022.
• Now, the third round of talks for the proposed comprehensive economic cooperation
agreement (CECA) will end on June 16 and the next round of talks is scheduled in July.
• These new areas may include sports, space, mining and defence collaboration.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• In May 2022, US, jointly with other partner countries of the Indo-Pacific region, had
launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) in Tokyo.
• India has observer status on the trade pillar in the IPEF and it is observing the
developments "very" closely.
• The framework is structured around four pillars relating to trade, supply chains, clean
economy and fair economy (issues like tax and anti-corruption). India has joined all the
pillars except the trade one.
• Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia,
New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the US and Vietnam are members of the
bloc.
Source: ET

85. IIT Delhi and IIT Kharagpur are organising nanotech programmes in collaboration with the
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• A flagship programme of MeitY - Indian Nanoelectronics Users Programme-Idea to
Innovation (INUP-i2i) is being implemented at Centre of Excellence in Nanoelectronics
(CEN) at IISc, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur and IIT Guwahati.
pg. 29
[Type here]

• This program has provided a great opportunity for R&D community all over the country for
accessing state of the art nanofabrication facilities for undertaking research and skill
development in Nanoelectronics
Source: ET

86. National Highways Authority of India has launched a ‘Knowledge Sharing’ platform on its
website for sharing of knowledge and innovative best practices.
Source: PIB

87. India and USA have launched the India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem
(INDUS X) on June 21 (International Yoga Day) at an event held in Washington DC to foster
collaboration and innovation between Indian and US defence startups, promoting technological
advancements in the sector.
• The INDUS X event was co-organized by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) of
India and the US Department of Defence.
• The two-day INDUS X event brought together government representatives, defence
industry leaders, think tanks, investors, and start-ups from both countries.
• Separately, India and US have identified around 25 areas of technology partnership.
• US will start the process to open two new consulates in India - one in Ahmedabad and
one in Bengaluru, while India will open its new consulates in Seattle and two other
places in the US.
• Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO) has signed an agreement with
California-based Kapoor Enterprises Inc for export of nano liquid urea to the US.
• The United States and India announced a $2 million grant program for artificial
intelligence and quantum technologies.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• List of gifts given by PM Modi to President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden after
arriving at the White House in Washington DC -
o ‘The Ten Principal Upanishads’ book – authored by WB Yeats and Shri Purohit
Swami; published by Faber and Faber Ltd of London
o Special sandalwood box - handcrafted by a master craftsman from Jaipur,
Rajasthan while the sandalwood was sourced from Mysore, Karnataka

pg. 30
[Type here]

o An idol of Lord Ganesha and a silver diya (oil lamp) - handcrafted by the
artisans from the family of fifth-generation silversmiths in Kolkata, West Bengal
o Highlighting the customary of Das Danam (donations) of ten different kinds in
Hinduism, PM Modi presented these ten donations in the sandalwood box which
includes:
▪ A silver coconut – handcrafted by the skilled artisans of West Bengal,
offered in place of a Cow (donation of cow)
▪ A fragrant piece of sandalwood sourced from Mysore, Karnataka, offered in
place of land (donation of land).
▪ Til or white sesame seeds sourced from Tamil Nadu, offered for Tildaan.
▪ A 24-carat pure and hallmarked gold coin, handcrafted in Rajasthan, offered
as Hiranyadaan (donation of gold).
▪ A 99.5% pure and hallmarked silver coin, aesthetically crafted by Rajasthan
artisans, offered as Raupyadaan (donation of silver).
▪ Lavan or salt from Gujarat, offered for Lavandaan (donation of salt).
o PM Modi also gifted a lab-grown 7.5-carat green diamond to US First Lady Jill
Biden, symbolising India’s 75 years of freedom and sustainable international
relations.
o The diamond was placed inside the Papier mâché, Kashmir’s exquisite box which
is also known as kar-e-kalamdani.

• List of awards given by President Biden to PM Modi -

o A handmade, antique American book galley from the early 20th Century
o A vintage American camera
o An archival facsimile print of George Eastman’s Patent of the first Kodak camera,
o A hardcover book on American wildlife photography
o A signed, first edition copy of 'Collected Poems of Robert Frost'
Source: LiveMint, News on Air, HT LiveMint and CNBC

88. Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended its scheme for
Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Park Projects till FY26.
• Launched in December 2014 to support states to set up solar parks, the scheme was
scheduled to end in March 2024. Now, it has been extended till March 2026.

pg. 31
[Type here]

• The government has approved 57 solar parks with an aggregate capacity 39.28 GW, as on
February, 28, 2023.
Source: MoneyControl

89. The Department of Justice has partnered with National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
and CSC e-Governance Service India Limited for providing legal aid to the marginalised
communities through the system of TeleLaw.
• The project aims to connect citizens with the panel of lawyers through video conferencing,
internet and telephone facilities operated by the Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) in
1,00,000 Gram Panchayats.
Source: ET

90. Skyroot Aerospace successfully conducted the flight qualification test of the Raman-I engine.
• The engine will be used in the Vikram-I rocket.
• The Raman-I engine underwent a test fire at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre of the
Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).
• Skyroot Aerospace, a start-up based in Telangana, made history by becoming the first
Indian private company to launch a rocket with Vikram-S.
Source: BS

91. The PM-Kisan mobile app with face authentication feature was launched by Union
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar under the 'Pradhan
Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi'.
• Through this, farmer can complete e-KYC remotely, sitting at home easily by scanning face
without OTP or fingerprint and help other farmers to do e-KYC at their home.
Source: ET

92. India and Belgium have signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty allowing Belgian
authorities to execute search warrants issued by Indian courts and summon suspects.
• The move is expected to aid investigations into fugitives including Neeshal Modi, brother of
the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud mastermind, Nirav Modi.
Source: HT

93. North India’s first skin bank is established in Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital.
pg. 32
[Type here]

• India has 16 skin banks — a facility where the skin of deceased persons can be donated
— with seven in Maharashtra, four in Chennai, three in Karnataka, and one each in Madhya
Pradesh and Odisha.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• The skin of a deceased person can be donated within six hours of death. The skin is then
extracted, harvested and processed, which takes five to six weeks. After this, it can be
provided to patients
• Unlike a kidney and liver, which cannot be stored and need to be transplanted within a
few hours of donation, skin can be stored for three to five years
Source: IE

94. The 3rd G20 Infrastructure Working Group (IWG) meeting under G20 Indian Presidency is
scheduled to take place in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.
• Focus - “Financing Cities of Tomorrow: Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable”
Source: PIB

95. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his respects at the Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) Memorial in
the Heliopolis War Cemetery in Cairo, Egypt.
• Risaldar Badlu Singh, who was awarded the highest British war time gallantry award,
Victoria Cross, posthumously, is commemorated at this war memorial.
• Port Tewfik is now known as Port Suez.
Source: IE

96. India and Egypt have signed an agreement to elevate bilateral ties to ‘Strategic
Partnership’.
• The agreement encompasses four key elements-
o Political, defense and security cooperation.
o Economic engagement
o Scientific and academic collaboration
o Cultural and people-to-people contacts.
• Three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) in the fields of agriculture, archaeology and
antiquities, and competition law are also signed.
• The PM Narendra Modi has been conferred with the ‘Order of the Nile’, the highest state
honor of Egypt.
pg. 33
[Type here]

Knowledge Nuggets
• Capital and Currency- Cairo, Egyptian Pound
• Border Countries- Libya, Sudan and Israel
• Border seas- Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea
• Historical Places in Egypt-
o Heliopolis Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery is situated in Egypt.
o Great Pyramids of Giza
o Al-Hakim Mosque
Source: Indian Express

97. India’s first hydrogen-powered train is expected to run from Haryana’s Jind district by the
end of this year.
• India’s first hydrogen plant is being set up near the railway junction in Jind district.
• Currently, hydrogen-powered trains are running only in Germany.
Source: TOI

98. Union Minister of Power and New &Renewable Energy, R. K. Singh has released a report
titled National Energy Data: Survey and Analysis 2021-22, at Shram Shakti Bhawan, in New
Delhi.
• The report is prepared by Energy Data Management Unit, set up under Bureau of Energy
Efficiency, Ministry of Power in collaboration with NITI Aayog.
• The report contains extensive data compiled for the last six years, i.e., from FY 2016-17 to
FY 2021-22.
• Findings-
o Energy supply to economy during last six years is less by 18%.
o Lower energy consumption value by 8% in 2021-22.
o Increased share of electrification on consumption side to 20.9%.

Source: PIB

99. Ministry of Women and Child Development has discontinued its two autonomous bodies,
Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) and Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB), as well as the
internal division Food and Nutrition Board (FNB).

pg. 34
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• The closures are part of the rationalisation exercise by the Centre to shut down
departments and sections that no longer have relevance in the current scenario.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• RMK was established in 1993 as a national level autonomous body for socio-economic
empowerment of women, by providing them concessional, collateral free micro-credit.
• CSWB was established in 1953 to carry out welfare activities for promoting voluntarism,
providing technical and financial assistance to the voluntary organisations for the general
welfare of family, women and children.
• FNB was set up in 1964 as an attached office of the Ministry of Women & Child
Development and has a countrywide set up.
Source: Deccan Herald

100. India and UAE have signed Mutual Recognition Agreement for Authorized Economic
Operators to streamline and expedite customs procedures, reducing administrative burden
and costs for authorized businesses.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• The MRA comes as the continuation of historic India-United Arab Emirates
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between the two
nations on February 2022 and officially came into force on 1 May 2022.
• CEPA is expected to increase the total value of bilateral trade in goods to over 100 billion
US Dollars and trade in services to over 15 billion US Dollars within five years.
Source: News on Air

101. World Bank has approved a substantial loan of USD 255.5 million to India for improving
the quality of technical education in government-run institutions in India.
• The project will support around 275 government-run technical institutions in selected states
across the country over next 5 years.
• The USD 255.5 million loan has a final maturity of 14 years including a grace period of five
years.

Source: The Economic Times

102. IIT Kanpur has conducted test flight for cloud seeding.

pg. 35
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• Cloud seeding is a kind of weather modification technology to create artificial rainfall

which could help fight dry weather and air pollution.
Source: The Economic Times

103. Pune’s Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) has delivered
the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (Suit) to the Indian Space Research Organisation
(Isro).
Source: India Today

104. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has launched to Nandi portal to
process applications and grant non-objection certification (NOC) for veterinary drugs and
vaccines in a timely manner.
• The regulation of the import, manufacturing and marketing of veterinary drugs and vaccines
comes under the purview of the Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)
under the Ministry of Health.
• NANDI - NOC Approval for New Drug and Inoculation System
• This portal will be integrated with the SUGAM portal of the Central Drugs Standard Control
Organization (CDSCO) and Drugs Controller General of India.
• The regulatory approval process to assess and examine veterinary product proposals will
be streamlined.
• This portal will also stride towards achieving the interventions laid out as part of its Animal
Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI).
Source: ET

105. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonowal
launched ‘Sagar Samajik Sahayyog’ - the new guidelines of Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
• A port with an annual net profit of ₹100 crores or less can fix between 3% - 5% for CSR
expenses.
• Similarly, ports with a net profit between ₹100 crores to ₹500 crores annually, can fix its
CSR expenses between 2% and 3% of its net profit, subject to a minimum of ₹3 crores.
• For ports, whose annual net profit is above ₹500 crores per year, the CSR expenses can be
between 0.5% and 2% of its net profit.
Source: PIB
pg. 36
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106. Ministry of Power has set up a dedicated Centre of Excellence named UTPRERAK
(Unnat Takniki Pradarshan Kendra) to accelerate industry adoption of clean technologies and
scale up India’s contribution to the global energy transition.
• The Centre, named otherwise as Advanced Industrial Technology Demonstration Centre
(AITDC), has been set up by the Bureau of Energy efficiency (BEE) at the Badarpur, New
Delhi campus of the National Power Training Institute (NPTI).
• UTPRERAK will also serve as a strategic capacity-building institution and seeks to be a
one-stop solution provider for energy professionals from across India for trainings and
education in energy efficiency.
Source: PIB

STATE NEWS
1. Maharashtra has launched “Namo Shetkari Sanman Yojana” under which farmers get
₹6,000 a year as minimum income support.
• The scheme will be launched on the lines of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
• Under the NSSY, the state government will provide an additional amount of ₹6,000 along
with ₹6,000 to be released by the Central government under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
• Once approved, the farmers in the state will be able to get a sum of ₹12,000 every year.
Source: HT

2. Uttar Pradesh govt has proposed to set up a 'Digital Kumbh Museum' to be built at the cost
of Rs 60 crores.
• The Mahakumbh will be held in 2025.
Source: ET

3. Kerala government has launched a project for transforming every rooftop in

Thiruvananthapuram into a solar energy-producing station.
• This project will be led by the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and
Technology (Anert).
• Purpose - to position the state capital as one of the largest ‘solar cities’ in the country
Source: ET

pg. 37
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4. In March, Maharashtra announced that the farmers in the state would be able to insure their
crops by paying just Rs 1.
• Besides, the government also decided to extend assistance to farmers from the State
Disaster Relief Fund for crop loss in cases that do not meet the criteria of the crop
insurance scheme.
• At present, Maharashtra has announced that the state will fund the farmer’s share of 2%
premium.
• The state has also announced that an area of 25 lakh hectares in the state will be brought
under organic farming in the next three years, to promote natural farming.
• The scope of Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Organic Farming Mission will be expanded by
establishing 1,000 bio-input source centres. It was also announced in the state budget in
March.
Source: Indian Express, TOI

5. NTPC Green Energy has signed an MoU with UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam to
collaborate in the development of renewable energy parks and projects and to facilitate the
energy transition in the state.
• NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) is NTPC’s fully owned subsidiary.
Source: India Blooms

6. Guidance Tamil Nadu has signed six MoUs with Japanese companies and their Indian joint
venture partners to cumulatively attract investments of close to Rs 820 crore.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Established in 1992, ‘Guidance’ is the Government of Tamil Nadu’s nodal agency for
investment promotion and single window facilitation.
Source: TOI and Guidance

7. Maharashtra govt has launched a new portal called ‘Mahalabharthi’ to make government
schemes available at the doorstep of the common man by enlisting all the state govt schemes
on this one portal.
• Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launched the ‘Shasan Aplya Dari’ (government
at your doorstep) initiative with an aim to provide benefits of government schemes at one
place.
Source: Indian Express
pg. 38
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8. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that Ahmednagar city would be
renamed Ahilyanagar.
• Ahilyabai Holkar was the Maratha warrior queen who ruled Malwa in the 18th century.
The announcement was made on the 298th birth anniversary of the queen.
• This is the third city in Maharashtra to be renamed in a year. This february, the state
government formally approved a proposal to rename Aurangabad as Chhatrapati
Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv.
Source: The Print

9. Uttar Pradesh government launched a 15-day registration campaign for MSMEs in all 75
districts across the state till June 15.
• Purpose - to provide a platform for the active MSMEs in the state to so that they can
benefit from the schemes implemented by the Yogi government for MSMEs
• The campaign aims at covering around 14 lakh such MSMEs that are not yet registered
with the MSME Udyam portal, and providing them all the benefits of the schemes of the
state government.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• In the micro-enterprise category, those with an investment of up to Rs 1 crore and a
turnover of up to Rs 5 crore will be registered.
• Under the small enterprise category, eligible enterprises will have an investment of up
to Rs 10 crore and a turnover of up to Rs 50 crore.
• In the medium category, enterprises with an investment of up to Rs 50 crore and a
turnover of up to Rs 250 crore will be able to register.
• The registration can avail free insurance coverage up to Rs 5 lakh under the soon-to-
be-implemented accident insurance scheme.
Source: Business Standard

10. The Disha Mobile App has created a record with more than 1.17 crore registrations in the
State for safety and security of women.
• Launched three years ago, Disha app aims to help the women and citizens in an
emergency.
Source: The Hindu

pg. 39
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11. A state-of-the-art Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) has been set up on the
outskirts of Srinagar city under the Smart City Mission.
• It will be responsible for GIS mapping and will have a digital address for all the properties
in the city.
• The ICCC will also have a traffic management system, early warning system, location-
based targeted surveillance and messaging service.
• A portal, as well as an app, have been set up that will serve as a platform for the people to
avail of the services provided by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
• The city is likely to get 50 smart poles this year with cameras, LED screens and electric
vehicle chargers as part of the smart city project.
Source: News on Air and ET

12. Financial services group Bajaj Finserv, has signed an MOU with Maharashtra for an
investment of Rs 5,000 crore which is expected to created 40,000 job opportunities within the
state.
Source: TOI

13. CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu (CSIR-IIIM) has organized the
Lavender festival at Bhaderwah in Doda district of the Jammu Division.
• Bhaderwah has emerged as the Lavender capital of India.
• CSIR-IIIM has developed elite variety (RRL-12) of lavender and agrotechnology of
Lavender.
• Lavender Cultivation in Jammu & Kashmir is being promoted under CSIR-AROMA
Mission. Promotion of Lavender is also termed as "Purple Revolution."
• In the Doda district, the net annual income of farmers who switched from maize to
Lavender cultivation has increased many folds from around Rs. 40,000/- to Rs. 60,000/- per
hectare to Rs. 3,50,000/- to Rs. 6,00,000/- per hectare.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Aroma Mission aims to bring additional area of 30,000 hectares under cultivation of
these crops by interventions of CSIR to further catalyse the cultivation of aromatic crops
in about 60,000 hectares.

pg. 40
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• This will help in production of an additional 700 tonnes of essential oil for perfumery,
cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, and use of these oils in value addition and
herbal products would generate a business of at least Rs 200 crores.
• CSIR’s Aroma Mission aims to increase the income of the farmers through cultivation of
high value and high demand aromatic crops by about Rs. 30,000 to 60,000/ha/year.
• About 45,000 skilled human resource will also be developed in convergence with the
“Skill India” initiatives.

CAIRD Award -
• CSIR-IIIM received the CSIR award for S&T innovations for rural development (CAIRD-
2020) for Purple Revolution in Jammu & Kashmir: Rural Development Through Lavender
Cultivation in J&K.
Source: PIB, CSIR Mission and CSIR-IIIM

14. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has launched Asia's largest, ambitious and
historic cluster development scheme in Thane.
Source: News on Air

15. India's first carbon neutral village is being developed in Bhiwandi Taluka of Thane district.
As much as 121 tribal villages are being developed as model villages.
Source: News on Air

16. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the state government’s Kerala Fibre
Optic Network (KFON) project to provide free internet connections to 20 lakh below
poverty line families.
• This Rs 1,548-crore project has been in the works since November 2019, when the state
government announced that internet connectivity would be treated as a basic right.
Source: The Wire

17. Haryana has announced to launch a special campaign to raise awareness about door-to-
door waste collection and segregation.
• This is a part of government's continuous efforts to transform every city in the state into a
'Clean City-Safe City'.
• The state is also implementing the Mukhyamantri Shehri Nikay Swamitva Yojana.
pg. 41
[Type here]

• Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar launched the biennial Integrated Water Resources
Action Plan (2023-25) to address twin challenges of water depletion and waterlogging.
Source: News on Air and Daily Pioneer

18. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Limited is funding the construction of National
Disaster Mitigation Centre and Yatri Niwas in Sidhra, Jammu.
Source: PIB

19. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has announced to launch the 'Gruha Jyoti' free electricity
scheme on August 1.
• Under the scheme, beneficiaries must enrol under the Seva Sindhu portal of the State
Government.
• The electricity company will record the average annual consumption of power in the
building of the applicants in the last fiscal. If a consumer uses an average of 150 units of
power per year, they will be eligible to get up to 165 units of electricity free.
• If the annual average is above 200 units, then the entire amount of the bill must be paid by
the consumer.
• The Gruha Jyoti scheme is expected to cost the state exchequer around Rs 13000 crore.
• Separately, the state will also launch the 'Gruha Lakshmi' scheme to provide Rs 2,000
assistance per month to women identified as heads of families on August 17 or 18.
• Under this scheme, the tax payers and GST registered families are not eligible.
Source: News on Air and ET

20. Uttar Pradesh government has launched the portal (//familyid.up.gov.in) for creation of
Family ID under 'One Family One Identity' scheme to establish a comprehensive database
of family units of the state and to connect at least one member of each family with
employment.
• The database collected will be helpful in better management of beneficiary schemes, timely
targeting, transparent operation and providing 100% benefit of the scheme to the eligible
persons, making the facilities more easily accessible to the public.
• This portal has been developed to provide a 12-digit unique family ID to those families
which do not possess any ration card.
• Aadhaar based e-KYC facility is available on the Family ID portal.
Source: ET
pg. 42
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21. Uttar Pradesh government has launched Nand Baba Milk Mission Scheme at the cost of
Rs 1000 crore to increase milk production, on the one hand, and to give milk producers fair
prices for their produce in villages itself.
• The entire country produces 221 million metric tonnes of milk, while UP alone produces
33 million metric tonnes.
• On the other hand, 444 grams of milk is available per person per day in the country,
while per person per day availability of milk is 392 grams in the state.
• The participation of the organised and unorganised sectors in milk collection is 21% and
79% respectively.
Source: ANI

22. Gujarat’s Vadnagar is being developed as 'Prerna (inspirational): The Vernacular School'
and two students from each district of the country will be offered an opportunity to spend time
there over the next year as part of a week-long study tour.
• The Gujarat government is also developing an Archaeological Experimental Museum in
Vadnagar.
Source: HT

23. Mizoram government constituted a High-Level Committee on Internally Displaced

Persons (IDPs) of Manipur in Mizoram, headed by Lalchamliana, minister for home and
disaster management.
Source: ET

24. Andhra Pradesh has launched the Guaranteed Pension Scheme (GPS) to give 50% of the
last drawn salary to eligible employees as pension, including receiving dearness relief (DR) on
the lines of the Central Government declaring dearness allowance and DR twice a year.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• In March 2023, DA for central government employees and DR for
pensioners were increased to 42% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to
compensate against price rise.
• DA and DR will be applicable to central government employees and
pensioners with retrospective effect from January 1, 2023.

pg. 43
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• It is usually revised twice every year — in January and July. The DA for the
central government employees is calculated based on the latest Consumer
Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW).
Source: ET and ET

25. Kerala govt has launched the 'Devankanam Charuharitham' (Beautiful Green Abodes of
God) project in 3800 plus temples across the state.
• The temples will also plant various flowering plants and fruit-bearing trees in temple
compounds so that they can also produce flowers and fruits for daily use in the temple,
helping these temples to be self-reliant.
Source: ET

26. Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, gave approval to Uttarakhand
government to continue mining work in Gaula river in Nainital district.
Source: The Print

27. The Central Govt has set up a peace committee, chaired by Governor Anusuiya Uikey, to
“facilitate the peace-making process among various ethnic groups” in Manipur.
Source: IE

28. Indian Railways has conducted the first trial run of the Vande Bharat Express train between
Patna and Ranchi.
• This is Bihar's first Vande Bharat Express train.
• Currently, there are eighteen Vande Bharat Express operational on different routes across
India. The first Vande Bharat express train was inaugurated on the New Delhi-Kanpur-
Allahabad-Varanasi route in 2019.
Source: LiveMint

29. Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Ministry of Personnel,

Public Grievances and Pensions, has collaborated with Arunachal Pradesh govt and the
Centre for Good Governance, Hyderabad as the knowledge partner to launch the first
District Good Governance Index of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Total - 25 districts of Arunachal Pradesh
• Parameters - 136 data points under 65 indicators spread across 8 sectors
pg. 44
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• Results -

Knowledge Nuggets -
• In May 2023, the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances
(DARPG), in collaboration with Government of Gujarat with Centre for Good
Governance, Hyderabad as the knowledge partner, released Gujarat’s First “District
Good Governance Index”.
• Total - 33 Districts
• Parameters - 126 data points under 65 indicators spread across 10 sectors

pg. 45
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Source: PIB and PIB

30. The Government of Bihar and Airports Authority of India (AAI) have signed MOUs to
create new Civil Enclaves at Darbhanga and Purnea Airport.
• A civil enclave is an area at a military air base allotted for the usage of civil aviation.
Source: News on Air

31. NHPC and Torrent Power Ltd have signed an MoU with Maharashtra for development of
pumped hydro storage projects.
• The MOU will develop four pumped storage projects, aggregating to 7350 MW, namely
Kalu (1150 MW), Savitri (2250 MW), Jalond (2400 MW) and Kengadi (1550 MW).
Source: LiveMint

32. The construction of the Polavaram project on Godavari River is going to be delayed further.
The Centre insisted that the first phase of the project should be completed by June 2024 but
the Andhra Pradesh government sought time till June 2025.
Source: HT

33. The Kisan Kalyan Mahakumbh will be organized in Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh.

pg. 46
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• Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will deposit an amount of Rs 6,423 crore in the
farmers' accounts along with the defence minister at the Kisan-Kalyan Mahakumbh being
held at Mohanpura Dam (on Nevaj River).
Source: News on Air

34. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced a monthly pension of Rs 10,000
for the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awardees of the State.
• Besides, the awardees will get free travel facility in Volvo Buses of the State Government.
Source: News on Air

35. President Droupadi Murmu has greeted people on Odisha's agricultural festival, Raja.
Source: News on Air

36. West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation, FICCI, and Amazon have partnered to
open e-commerce exports opportunity for an even larger number of exporters from the state.
• They will organize an e-export haat. At present, India works towards its target of USD 1
trillion in merchandise export by 2030.
Source: ET

37. Karnataka has launched Shakti Scheme to provide free bus ride for women. It will cost the
state exchequer Rs 8.84 crore.
Source: ET

38. Los Angeles (LA) Zoo has partnered with Bihar for the conservation of gharials in Gandak
river in West Champaran district.
Source: TOI

39. Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a USD 130
million loan agreement to increase agricultural productivity, improve access to irrigation and
promote horticulture agribusinesses to raise farmers’ income in Himachal Pradesh.
Source: MoneyControl

40. World Bank has approved a $148 million loan to support West Bengal in harnessing surface
and ground water through better irrigation practices that will benefit people in rural areas.

pg. 47
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• The loan amount will be used for the West Bengal Accelerated Development of Minor
Irrigation Project – Phase II.
• It will help to plan and operate new irrigation structures such as check dams, small-scale
storage structures, creek rehabilitation, tube wells, and pump dug wells.
Source: World Bank

41. Maharashtra government has entered into a tri-partite agreement with the National Stock
Exchange and Nagpur-based Moneybee institute to increase financial literacy and prevent
investors from losing money.
Source: TOI

42. Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has inaugurated the online portal of the
Himachal Pradesh Nurses Registration Council (HPNRC).
Source: ANI

43. Assam Government signed two MoUs with North-East Frontier Railway (NFR) and
Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) for the construction of a second entry to Guwahati
railway station and supply of high-speed diesel for Inland Water Transport (IWT) vessels
respectively.
Source: ANI

44. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin laid the foundation stone for the Fintech City and
Fintech Tower projects in Chennai.
● This is being constructed adjacent to the Chennai Trade Centre.
Source: HBL

45. The World Bank has approved a $150-million loan to support the Resilient Kerala
programme to strengthen Kerala’s preparedness for natural disasters, climate change impact,
and disease outbreaks.
● The loan, from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has a
final maturity of 14 years, including a grace period of six years.
● This loan is in addition to the World Bank’s earlier investment of $125 million and the
overall support is expected to protect nearly 50 lakh people from the impact of floods.
Source: The Hindu

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46. Uttar Pradesh government is formulating the Pharmaceutical Industry Policy-2023 to

transform the state into a prominent hub for pharmaceutical products in the country.
Source: eHealth

47. Union minister of heavy industries Mahendra Nath Pandey launched the groundbreaking
“Dugdh Sanakalan Sathi Mobile App" in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.
• Developer - Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL), a “Mini Ratna" Central
Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Heavy Industries
• Purpose - to address key challenges in the milk collection process and transform the Indian
dairy industry
Source: LiveMint

48. Assam has launched a web portal for cattle transportation aiming to prevent the illegal
transportation of cattle.
• This system is prepared under the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021 will alleviate the
problems encountered in the transportation of improved breeds of high milk-producing
cattle to Assam and help in preventing illegal transportation of cattle
Source: ANI

49. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister launched an app called 'Arunpol App' to facilitate
common people to lodge complaints without coming to the police station.
Source: News on Air

50. Madhya Pradesh Cabinet has approved the Co-operative Policy 2023 to create jobs in the
sector.
• The policy emphasises on preparing and implementing the public co-operative
partnership (PCP) model in the sector, which means co-operative organisations will work
in collaboration with government bodies.
Source: BS

51. NHPC and Kerala State Electricity Board have signed an MOU for setting up a “Design
Clinic” for examining the designs of KSEB projects by NHPC.
Source: News Mantra

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52. Wihu Kuh Festival, a tribal festival of the Tangsa tribe, an agrarian community in Arunachal
Pradesh.
Source: ANI

53. Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren launched the state government's ambitious
panchayat-level medicine shop scheme for making essential medicines available in remote
areas.
• Essential medicines will be now be available here for the villagers living in remote areas.
Source: TOI

54. Uttar Pradesh launched the 'Polytechnic Chalo Abhiyan' to create employment opportunities
for youth by connecting them with technical education.
Source: ANI

55. Rajasthan Government has launched the Pregnancy, Child Tracking & Health Services
Management System (PCTS) app to enable online tracking, reporting and monitoring of the
health of pregnant women, obstetricians and infants.
Source: ET

56. Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission (TNSRLM) signed an MOU with Indian
Overseas Bank to foster the growth of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the state and provide
them with credit support.
• It will facilitate eligible SHGs in credit linkage with IOB.
Source: HBL

57. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $295 million loan to widen and
upgrade around 265 km of state highways, improving transport connectivity and safety in
Bihar.
Source: ADB

58. Odisha Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has approved the revised cost of
over Rs. 4200 crores (with an additional outlay of Rs 1016.22 crore) under Augmentation
Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA) Scheme.

pg. 50
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• The scheme aims at the development of Puri into a world-class heritage city and to
preserve and revitalize the city and its heritage.
• Scheme implementation period - 2017-18 to 2024-25
Knowledge Nuggets -
• In May, Odisha government approved a new housing scheme called 'MO GHARA' ('My
Home' in the local language) where the state government will provide financial assistance
to lower and lower-middle-income households in rural areas.
• Under the Scheme, a beneficiary can avail housing loan up to Rs 3 Lakh which can be
repaid in 10 years excluding a one-year moratorium period in easy instalments.
• They can opt for one of the four slabs of the loan amount -- Rs 1 Lakh, Rs 1.5 Lakh, Rs 2
Lakh, and Rs 3 Lakh.
Source: ANI

59. The UT-level Science, Mathematics and Environment exhibition-2023 was organized
Kargil.
• Organizer – DIET
• During the event, model exhibitions on the theme “Technology and Toys” by 36 teams of
Leh and Kargil were displayed.
Source: News on Air

60. Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has laid the foundation stones for three
projects, which are -
• A bio-ethanol plant of KRIBHCO’s (Krishak Bharati Cooperative) - Rs 610 crore
• A Viswa Samudra Ethanol Distillery - Rs 315-crore
• A soluble coffee manufacturing unit of CCL Food and Beverages Limited - Rs 400-crore
Source: NIE

61. American chipmaker Micron will invest $825 million to build Chip Assembly and Testing
Facility in Gujarat.
• The combined investment by Micron and GOI and Gujarat government will amount to $2.75
billion.
• Phase 1 will start to become operational in late 2024.
Source: News on Air

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62. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, on second day of his two-
day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, laid foundation stone of ‘Balidan Stambh’ in Srinagar to
honour the martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Source: PIB

63. Delhi government introduced a Cloud Kitchen Policy to simplify licensing procedures for
cloud kitchens by implementing a user-friendly single-window system through a digital platform.
• Additionally, the city's food outlets will be developed, drawing inspiration from the renowned
food culture of Singapore.
• In 2020, Singapore’s ‘hawker culture’ was added to the Unesco list of Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Source: LiveMint and The Guardian

64. Central government allocated ₹145 crore to Nagaland for the construction of a Unity Mall in
Dimapur, for promoting the One District One Product (ODOP) in the state.
• The allocation is part of the Union Budget 2023-24, which has set aside ₹5,000 crore for
the establishment of Unity Malls across the country.
• The announcement was made during an ODOP Sampark event organized by the
Department for the Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in collaboration
with Invest India and the Department of Industries and Commerce, Nagaland.
• DPIIT also launched One District One Product Awards to acknowledge the outstanding
work done by states, districts, and Indian missions in this mission.
• The awards were launched on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.
About the Awards -

Eligibility -
• All States/ UTs, Districts, and Indian Missions Abroad are eligible for the award.
• Assessments will be made based on the work done to promote the initiative between 1st
April 2022 to 31st July 2023.

Decoration -
• Certificates and trophies for gold, silver, and bronze award

pg. 52
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No. of Awardees -
• There will be total 24 awards, under 3 Heads (States, Districts and Embassies/High
Commission), as follows:
o 8 awards for States/UTs
o 10 awards for Districts
o 6 awards for Indian Missions Abroad

Ceremony Details -
• The awards shall be presented in New Delhi by the Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and
Industry tentatively in the month of December 2023.
• Assessments will be made based on the work done to promote the initiative between 1st
April 2022 to 31stJuly 2023.
Source: LiveMint, ODOP

65. The construction of the "world's largest Ramayan Temple" began in Bihar's East
Champaran district.
• The construction of the three-storeyed Ramayan temple will be completed in 2025 at an
estimated cost of Rs 500 crore.
• The temple will be taller than Cambodia's 12th-century Angkor Wat Temple complex.
Source: ANI

66. Kerala has signed an MoU with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
• ONDC is a private non-profit company (section 8 of companies act, 2013) founded in
2022 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, to develop open e-
commerce.
Source: HBL

67. Arunachal Pradesh Innovation and Investment Park has signed MOU with Paytm Payment
Services Limited (PPSL) to create a startup ecosystem for the youth in the northeastern
state.
Source: Economic Times

68. Himachal Pradesh has renamed the Department of Information Technology as

Department of Digital Technologies and Governance.
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Source: Press Trust of India

69. West Bengal government has entered into an arrangement with leading business research
and analytics firm Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) for the MSME sector and exporters of the state.
• Under the arrangement, D&B will assign a unique nine-digit (D-U-N-S) number to a
specific MSME firm or an exporter which will encompass various financial health indicators
of the business entity.
Source: The Week

70. The World Bank approved a total of $391 million loan to improve access to high-quality
healthcare services and boost economic opportunities for Assam and Tripura.
• For Assam, the funding will help in implementing The Assam State Secondary Healthcare
Initiative for Service Delivery Transformation (ASSIST) Project ($251 million).
Source: TOI

71. World Bank approved a $300 million loan to help expand and improve the quality of
education in government-run schools in Chhattisgarh.
• The Chhattisgarh Accelerated Learning for a Knowledge Economy Operation
(CHALK) aims to improve access to education across all grades, and address the growing
demand for science and commerce studies at the senior secondary level.
Source: WB

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

1. Union Cabinet has approved an increased minimum support price (MSP) of kharif crops for
marketing season 2023-24.
• Paddy (common grade variety) - ₹2,183 per quintal for the 2023-24 crop year (July-June),
increased by ₹143
• Paddy ('A' grade variety) - ₹2,203 per quintal (increased by ₹163)
• Moong - ₹8,558 per quintal for 2023-23 crop year (10.4% increment)
Source: HT

2. Central Government has banned the state govts from bidding for FCI’s-collected wheat and
rice through Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS).

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• Reason – to control prices of these food grains

• Only northeast, hilly states and those facing law and order situations and natural calamities
will be allowed to procure these grains.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Food Corporation of India sells surplus stocks of wheat and rice under Open Market
Sale Scheme (Domestic) at pre-determined prices through e-auction in the open
market from time to time.
• Purpose - to enhance the supply of food grains, especially wheat during the lean season
and thereby moderate the open market prices specially in the deficit regions
Source: IE and M/o Consumer Affairs

3. India’s seafood exports have touched an all-time high in FY 2022-23, both in terms of volume
and value.
Total Seafood Exports
• In FY 2022-23, India shipped 17,35,286 MT of seafood worth Rs. 63,969.14 crore (US$
8.09 billion).
▪ In 2021-22, India had exported 13,69,264 MT of seafood worth Rs 57,586.48 crore
(US$ 7,759.58 million).

Top Seafood Exports Basket

• Frozen shrimps
▪ Overall export: 7,11,099 MT.
▪ It has remained the major export item in terms of both quantity and value.
▪ It accounted for 40.98% share in quantity and 67.72% of the total US$ earnings.
▪ Top Markets: USA is the largest market followed by China, European Union, South
East Asia, Japan and Middle East.
• Frozen Fish: It is the second largest exported item.
▪ It fetched Rs. 5,503.18 Cr. (US$ 687.05 million) accounting for 21.24% in quantity and
8.49% in US$ earnings.
▪ Its exports have increased by 62.65%, 58.51% and 45.73% in Quantity, Rupee and
US$ value terms respectively.

Top Destinations for Indian Seafood (in descending order) -

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• US
• China
• EU
• South-East Asia
• Japan
• Middle-East
Source: PIB

4. The Department of Consumer Affairs had imposed stock limits on Tur and Urad by
invoking the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to prevent hoarding and speculation and to
improve affordability to the consumers.
• Under the order, stock limits have been prescribed for Tur and Urad until 31st October
2023 for all states and UTs.
• Stock limits applicable to each of the pulse individually are 200 MT for wholesalers; 5 MT
for retailers; 5 MT at each retail outlet and 200 MT at depot for big chain retailers; last 3
months of production or 25% of annual installed capacity, whichever is higher, for the
millers.
Source: PIB

5. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has published IS 18267: 2023 "Food Serving
Utensils Made from Agri By-Products – Specification," aimed at reducing plastic pollution
and promoting sustainability.
• The standard provides comprehensive guidelines to manufacturers and consumers,
ensuring uniformity in quality requirements across the country.
• The rising use of disposable tableware worldwide is driving the global market for
disposable tableware.
o Disposable plate’s market size was valued at USD 4.26 Billion in 2020 and is
projected to reach USD 6.73 Billion by 2028, growing at a Compound Annual Growth
Rate (CAGR) of 5.94% from 2021 to 2028.
Source: PIB

6. According to a study, Assam's Joha rice can help control diabetes.

Source: TOI

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DEFENCE NEWS
1. Indian Navy landed an MH-60 ‘Romeo’ multi-mission helicopter on the indigenously-built
aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
• MH-60R helicopter manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corporation is an all-weather
helicopter designed to support multiple missions with state-of-the-art avionics and sensors.
• On the aircraft carrier, the night landing of the Russian-origin MiG-29K took place when the
ship was sailing in the Arabian Sea.
Source: LiveMint

2. Strategic Forces Command carried out a successful training launch of a Medium-Range

Ballistic Missile, Agni-1.
• Features of this missile -
o It is a single-stage, solid-fuel missile, which makes it easier to maintain and deploy.
o It has a range of 700–900 km, which gives it the ability to strike targets in Pakistan
and China.
o It can carry a nuclear warhead.
Source: Financial Express

3. Sapta Shakti Command of the Indian Army conducted exercise ‘Sudarshan Shakti 2023’
along the western borders in Rajasthan and Punjab from May 22 to 25.
• Purpose - to validate operational plans in a network-centric environment with elements of
combat power, combat support and logistic support
Source: TOI

4. Indian Navy has developed an indigenously developed heavy-weight torpedo.

Source: Business Studies

5. China and Russia conducted joint air force patrols over the Sea of Japan and the East
China Sea.
Source: The Hindu

6. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the

Agni-Prime missile from Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
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• Agni-P or Agni-Prime is a new generation nuclear-capable medium-range ballistic

missile (MRBM).
• It is considered a successor for Agni-I and Agni-II missiles in the operational service of the
Strategic Forces Command (SFC). It incorporates technological advances from Agni-IV
and Agni-V.
• Agni-Prime has a strike range of 1,000 to 2,000 km.
• India’s first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is Agni-V (with a range of over 5,000
km).
• Agni-P will replace older generation missiles such as Prithvi-II (350 km), Agni-II (2,000 km),
Agni-III (3,000 km) and Agni-4 (4,000 km) ballistic missiles.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• India launched the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), led by
former president Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, in 1983 (after receiving the govt’s approval).
• IGMDP was aimed at making India self-sufficient in missile technology. The programme
has five missiles P-A-T-N-A: Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Nag, and Akash.
• Agni-P is the sixth missile in the Agni (missile) series of ballistic missiles.
• Agni-VI is a MIRV-capable intercontinental ballistic missile currently under development
by the DRDO. Agni-VI is reported to be the most advanced version of the Agni missiles.
o A multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) is an
exoatmospheric ballistic missile payload containing several warheads, each
capable of being aimed to hit a different target.
Source: BS

7. Indian Navy has developed Varunastra, a ship-launched anti-submarine heavy weight

torpedo (HWT) indigenously.
• It was successfully test fired in the Arabian Sea.
• Vizag-based Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) of the DRDO
designed the Varunastra missile system and Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) is responsible
for its production.
• It is a heavyweight torpedo that can be launched from surface ships, submarines, and
aircraft.
Source: FE

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8. India, France and UAE conducted their first ever trilateral Maritime Partnership Exercise in
the Gulf of Oman.
Source: PIB and The Hindu

9. Indian Air Force (IAF) has carried out a joint exercise with the Indian Army in the central
sector with deployment of multiple combat assets to check the operational readiness of the two
forces.
• After this exercise, IAF conducted two strategic missions over the Indian Ocean region that
involved Rafale and Su-30MKI jets.
Source: ET

10. Indian Army has signed the second procurement contract with M/s Astrome Tech Pvt Ltd,
Bangalore through Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) for procurement of
indigenously developed ‘Tactical LAN Radio'.
• With this initiative, the Indian Army has signed two contracts under iDEX till date.
• ‘Tactical LAN Radio' is a state-of-the-art wireless radio equipment for enabling reliable and
safe communication.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• At present, a total of 42 projects of the Indian Army are part of Defence India Start-up
Challenge (DISC), Open Challenges and iDEX PRIME scheme which involves
handholding of 41 start-ups for development of latest solutions for the Indian Army.
• The iDEX framework was launched in 2018 with the objective to engage start-ups to
contribute to the defence sector and develop defence and aerospace technologies in the
country.
• iDEX is funded and managed by the ‘Defence Innovation Organization (DIO)’.
• DIO has been formed as a ‘not for profit’ company as per Section 8 of the Companies
Act 2013.
• iDEX will function as the executive arm of DIO, carrying out all the required activities
while DIO will provide high level policy guidance to iDEX.
Source: PIB

11. QNu Labs has collaborated with the Indian Navy for the procurement and deployment of
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) based systems.

pg. 59
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• With this, Indian Navy becomes the first agency in the country to procure large-scale
quantum-based encryption systems.
• QNu Labs was founded and incorporated at the IIT Madras Research Park in 2016.
Source: ET

12. ‘Anjadip’, the 3rd of eight ships of ASW Shallow Water Craft (SWC) Project being built by
M/s GRSE for Indian Navy at M/s L&T, Kattupalli.
Source: PIB

13. 11 x Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge – the First Barge of the series
LSAM 15 (Yard 125) has been delivered to Indian Navy.
Source: PIB

14. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius was on an official visit to India.
• German defence major Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and state-run Mazagaon
Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) signed a framework agreement for P-75I project of
Indian Navy.
Source: The Print and IE

15. The indigenously designed and developed state-of-the-art Naval Airfield Integrated Security
System (NAISS) and the Naval Anti-Drone System (NADS) have been inaugurated at INS
Dega in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam.
• NAISS, developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), is an AI-enabled multi-layered
area security system.
• NADS, also developed by BEL, is an anti-drone system with the capability to detect, track,
and destroy hostile drones in the vicinity of the airfield.
Source: TOI

16. The 12th edition of joint military exercise “Ex Ekuverin” between the Indian Army and the
Maldives National Defence Force has commenced at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand.
• Ekuverin meaning ‘Friends’ is a bilateral annual exercise conducted alternatively in India
and Maldives.
Source: PIB

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17. India and the United States are expected to sign a $3 billion deal for MQ-9 Reaper or
Predator B drones.
• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has
already given the approval to procure armed Predator B Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).
• India will buy 31 MQ-9 Reaper drones from American manufacturing firm General Atomics
Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI).
• With an endurance of over 27 hours, MQ-9 Reaper can operate up to 50,000 feet.
• It has two variants, SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian (for the Navy). The Indian Navy has
been operating the MQ-9B Sea Guardian since 2020.
• The Cabinet Committee on Security has also given approval for the manufacturing of
General Electric’s F-414 jet engines in India in collaboration with the state-run Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
o The jet engines would be used in Made-in-India Tejas Mark 2 fighter jet—a single-
engine combat aircraft.
o The deal will include transfer of technology by US company to India.
Source: IE and Wion

18. Indian Navy's state-of-the-art submarine, INS 'Vagir', is all set to embark on an operational
visit to Colombo from June 19 to June 22.
● This visit is to commemorate the 9th edition of the International Day of Yoga and aligns
with the theme of 'Global Ocean Ring'.
● The Indian High Commission, in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural
Centre, has planned a grand event on the occasion of International Day of Yoga at
Colombo Port in Sri Lanka on June 21.
Source: News on Air

19. Indian Army has organised the first “Lieutenant General P S Bhagat Memorial Lecture” on
“Legacy of Lt Gen Prem Bhagat- A Visionary and Strategic Leader”, under the aegis of United
Service Institution of India (USI) at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi.
● Late Lt Gen PS Bhagat served as the first General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the re-
raised Northern Command.
Source: PIB

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20. Indian Navy organized “Julley Ladakh” (Hello Ladakh), an outreach programme to
Ladakh to increase awareness about the naval service in the UT.
• Towards this, a 5000 km Motorcycle Expedition was flagged off by Sanjay Jasjit Singh,
Vice Chief of Naval Staff, from the National War Memorial, Delhi.
• Apart from the expedition, a band concert at City Centre with the famous Navy Band,
Medical Camp and a Football Match between the Navy and the Ladakh Football Club will
be organized.
Source: PIB

21. Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with ICOMM Tele Limited, Hyderabad for the
procurement of 1,035 numbers of 5/7.5 Ton Radio Relay Communication equipment
containers under Buy (Indian) Category for Rs 500 crore.
Source: PIB

22. India will “gift” an indigenously-built missile corvette - INS Kirpan to Vietnam.
• India will also step-up training of Vietnamese personnel in submarine and fighter jet
operations, cyber-security and electronic warfare, among other fields.
• National Defence of Vietnam General Phan Van Gang visited New Delhi.
Source: TOI and PIB

23. DRDO and the Indian Navy have successfully showcased the transfer of command-and-
control capabilities of the Tapas Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
• The demonstration took place at the INS Subhadra, a warship situated 148 km away from
the Karwar naval base in Karnataka.
• The Tapas UAV, developed by DRDO, is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE)
UAV.
• It can operate at altitudes of up to 28,000 feet with an endurance of over 18 hours.
• It was publicly showcased during its first flight at Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• At the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka, Project Seabird is being implemented since
2005.
• After the completion of the project, the Kawar Naval Base would become Asia's largest
Naval base.

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• This naval base is also known as INS Kadamba.

Source: LiveMint and PIB

24. Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), the wholly owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard,
has won international order from Wilson Shipowning AS, Norway, for the design and
construction of six new generation diesel-electric 3,800 DWT general cargo vessels.
• The contract is signed with an option for additional eight vessels.
• The project is at an approximate cost of ₹580 crore. The first vessel will be delivered by
December 2024 and thereafter deliveries will be completed within March 2026.
Source: HBL

25. Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mahindra Group, has
started deliveries of ‘Armado,’ an Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV) built for the Indian
armed forces.
• Mahindra Defence Chairman - SP Shukla
Source: HT

26. Indian Army has concluded a massive military exercise — Agneyastra 1 — in eastern
Ladakh.
Source: Swarajyamag

27. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and DRDO signed a contract for realisation of two Air Independent
Propulsion (AIP) System Modules for Kalvari Class of submarines of the Indian Navy.
• L&T is the recipient of Transfer of Technology for the AIP system from the DRDO.
Source: The Hindu

28. TAWANG MARATHON will be organized by Arunachal Pradesh govt and Indian Army on 01
October 2023.
Source: Arunachal Observer

29. Indian Air Force carried out Exercise Ranvijay where day and night operations by combat
aircraft including the Su-30s were conducted.
• The Central Air Command conducted this exercise.

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• The exercise was carried out from different air bases of the command headquartered in
Prayagraj.
Source: ANI

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
1. State-owned RITES Ltd has signed an MoU with Power Finance Corporation (PFC) to
explore avenues of mutual collaboration for consultancy works in various sectors.
• They will explore avenues in areas, including transport and logistics, energy, water and
sanitation, communication, social and commercial infrastructure.
Source: ET

2. Indian Navy and Indian Maritime University have signed an MOU for Technical
Collaboration.
Source: PIB

3. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India’s (ICAI) Central Council has approved the
renewal of the existing mutual recognition agreement (MRA) with CPA Canada and CPA
Ireland.
• The Central Council has also renewed MRA/MoUs with -
o South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA),
o Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF),
o National Board of Accountants and Auditors (Tanzania) and,
o Qatar Financial Centre Authority
• The Union Cabinet had also recently approved an MoU between ICAI and CA Maldives.
• In April, ICAI and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
(ICAEW) renewed their MoU for cooperation.
• Earlier this week, ICAI has inaugurated its new Chapter in Seattle, USA. With this, ICAI
now has nine chapters in the US.
Source: HBL

4. Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship

(MSDE), have signed an MOU to train 6000 students and 200 educators at government-led

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Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skills Training Institutions (NSTIs) in
cybersecurity skills.
• This training is being conducted under the Cyber Shikshaa programme which focuses on
imparting basic and intermediate cybersecurity skills training.
• The programme will be expanded to students and educators at 10 National Skills Training
Institutions (NSTIs).
Source: ET

5. International Finance Corporation, a part of the World Bank group, and the National Bank
for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) have signed an MOU to
collaborate on identifying and developing public-private partnership (PPP) projects to
bolster India's infrastructure sector.
• The projects which are environmentally sustainable will be selected.
• These projects will help in mobilizing private funds to meet India's substantial infrastructure
investment requirements, estimated at around $1.4 trillion, with $290 billion through the
private sector.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• IFC has successfully mobilized $40 billion in private investment through 164 projects in
over 100 countries.
Source: TOI

6. NHPC Limited and Vidhyut Utpadan Company Limited, Nepal signed an MoU for the
development of Phukot Karnali Hydro Electric Project (480MW) in Nepal.
• The project will use the flow from the Karnali River for power generation and the generated
power will be fed into integrated power system of Nepal.
Source: PIB

7. Microsoft India and AirJaldi have signed a three-year MOU to provide internet connectivity to
the people in unserved areas.
• AirJaldi is a leading innovator and implementer of technically and economically viable
internet connectivity solutions for rural areas.
• Titled ‘Contentful Connectivity’, the program aims to advance access to high-speed
internet and meaningful connectivity, benefitting under-served communities in rural regions
of India.
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• The MOU aims to expand AirJaldi Networks into three new states namely, Telangana,
Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, with an increase in the number of network locations from 40 to
62 in 12 states.
• President of Microsoft India – Anant Maheshwari
o In April 2023, Nasscom has appointed Anant Maheshwari as its chairperson for
2023-24.
Source: Microsoft and ET

8. Bar Council of India has signed an MOU with Bar Council of England and Wales and Law
Society of England and Wales for an exchange programme of lawyers and students for
training and learning about each other's jurisdiction.
• BCI chairman - Manan Kumar Mishra
Source: Deccan Herald

9. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi has signed an MOU with
Amazon Kisan to guide farmers on scientific cultivation of different crops for optimum yield
and income.
Source: HT

10. Tata Steel Limited and Germany’s SMS group have signed an MoU to collaborate on
decarbonisation of steel making process.
• Both companies will undertake technical discussions and initiate actions for conducting
Joint Industrial Demonstration of the EASyMelt technology, developed by SMS group.
• The EASyMelt (electric-assisted syngas smelter) technology is a cutting-edge
ironmaking solution, which is environmentally sustainable.
• Tata Steel has announced to become Net Zero Carbon by 2045 and No Net loss in
Biodiversity by 2030.
Source: Tata Steel

11. India, Nepal, and Bangladesh have finalised the draft of a first of its kind tripartite power
trade agreement
• In 2019, South Asia’s first trans-border petroleum pipeline, linking Motihari in Bihar to
Amlekhgunj in Nepal, built at a cost of ₹324 crore, was launched in 2019 and has supplied
2.8 million metric tonnes of diesel to Nepal.
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• When Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' visited India, the two sides agreed to
build the second phase of this pipeline at ₹183 crore to link Siliguri in India and Jhapa in
Nepal.
• In March 2023, India and Bangladesh launched a ₹377-crore cross-border pipeline to
supply 1 million metric tonnes of diesel annually from Assam’s Numaligarh refinery to
northern parts of the neighbouring country.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• When Modi made his first foreign visit to Nepal in 2014, he unveiled the “HIT” formula
--for forging links through highways, i-ways and trans-ways.
• As a result of the diplomatic effort, India is already importing more than 450 MW of power
from Nepal and the target is to take it to 10,000 MW.
Source: HT

12. IIM-Jammu and the SIDBI have signed an MOU to strengthen the entrepreneurial
ecosystem in the country on the sixth annual convocation at Jammu.
Source: ANI

13. Airbnb has signed an MoU with the Ministry of Tourism to promote India as a most sought-
after high potential tourism destination and shine a spotlight on its rich cultural heritage.
Source: ET

14. India and Philippines have signed an MOU for Financial Technology cooperation.
• A Joint Working Group (JWG) will be created to work in this field.
• The JWG would identify concrete measures for partnership in innovative technologies;
fintech industry, digital governance; payment linkages; creation of interoperable APIs;
financial inclusion and other related areas.
Source: ET

15. State-owned telecommunications firm ITI Ltd has signed an MoU with Centre for
Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and Telecommunications Consultants India Limited
(TCIL) to develop innovative telecommunication products and related services for Smart Cities.
• Under the cooperative program, the companies will ensure conceptualisation, installation,
commissioning and maintenance of C-DOT and third-party-designed products.
Source: BS
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16. India and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) have signed an
agreement to enhance cooperation and identify areas of mutual interest.
• It was signed during the 4th G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting and Tourism Ministers'
Meeting.
Source: ET and G20

17. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed an MOU with its Argentine counterpart
Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) for collaboration in the aerospace sector.
• India is also looking to export its Light Combat Aircraft to Argentine.
• HAL and FAdeA signed an MoU during Paris Air Show, 2023.
Source: HT

18. Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed an MoU with HFCL Limited to
indigenously develop and deploy emerging technologies and technical solutions to address the
requirements of defence, telecom and railway sectors.
Source: IE

19. Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) under Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare,

Ministry of Defence signed a MoU with M/s Adecco India Private Limited in New Delhi.
• Purpose - to bring the corporate companies and the Ex-Servicemen on a common platform
to generate employment opportunities for Ex-Servicemen in various sectors
Source: PIB

20. Indian Railways and United States Agency for International Development - India
(USAID/India) have signed an MOU for collaboration on renewable energy and energy
efficiency.
Source: PIB

21. NHPC Limited has signed an MOU with GRIDCO Odisha for “Development of Pumped
Storage Projects (PSPs) and Renewable Energy in the State of Odisha”.
• NHPC is the largest hydropower development organization in India.
Source: PIB

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22. National Centre for Good Governance has signed MoU with the Government of Maldives
to enhance the skills and capabilities of 1,000 civil servants in the field of public
administration and governance by 2024.
• As part of the agreement, NCGG has already imparted training to 685 officers from
Maldives.
• Director General, National Centre for Good Governance - Bharat Lal
Source: PIB

23. Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare signed an MOU with Pixxel Space India Pvt.
Limited to develop analytics models focused on crop mapping, crop stage discrimination, crop
health monitoring, and soil organic carbon assessments.
Source: PIB

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. The 76th edition of the World Health Assembly was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 21-
30 May 2023 on the theme of “WHO at 75: Saving lives, driving health for all”.
• The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO.
Highlights -
A) Taiwan Excluded -
• Taiwan's bid to attend the World Health Organization's annual assembly was rejected,
due to the diplomatic pressure from China to isolate the island, which it considers to be
one of its own provinces.
B) India at the Assembly -
• Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya addressed a side event session on “Heal in India
and Heal by India.”
C) Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health
• The Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2016–2030) is a
bold roadmap for ending all preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths, including
stillbirths, by 2030, and improving their overall health and well-being.
• This strategy includes a monitoring framework with 60 indicators, (of which 16 are key)
to help countries.
D) WHO’s Programme Budget for 2024-2025

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• Member States have agreed to the proposal of US$ 6.83 billion for WHO’s Programme
Budget for 2024-2025.
• This includes a historical 20% increase of assessed contributions (or membership fees).
E) WHO Sustainable Financing Working Group
• WHO Sustainable Financing Working Group was launched in Jan 2021 to ensure
optimum use of WHO’s financial resources.
• The Working Group shall have six officers (a Chair and five Vice-Chairs), one from each
WHO region.
F) Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention
• The WHA has adopted the resolution to establish this alliance. The resolution was
sponsored by the Governments of Bangladesh and Ireland.
• This is the first alliance to address global public health concerns on the issue until 2029.
Source: WHO, Reuters, News on Air, Global Strategy, Budget, Working Group, Down to Earth

2. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has significantly expanded
the scale of its Centralized Laboratory Network (CLN) - the epidemic and pandemic vaccine
testing laboratory network.
• An additional five members based in Africa and India have joined its Centralized
Laboratory Network (CLN), which now has 15 partner facilities in 13 countries.
• The CLN is the largest global group to standardise and accelerate the evaluation of
vaccines against epidemic and pandemic diseases.
• CEPI has set a 100 Days Mission to reduce vaccine development timelines to just 100
days, after identifying a new pathogen with epidemic or pandemic potential.
• From India, the Indian Council of Medical Research National Institute of Virology
(ICMR NIV) has joined the network.
• Senegal, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda are the four African nations which have joined
the network.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• CEPI is an innovative global partnership between public, private, philanthropic, and civil
society organisations launched in Davos in 2017 to develop vaccines to stop future
epidemics.
• The headquarters is Oslo, Norway.

pg. 70
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• From India, Anand Ekambaram (Executive Director Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Management) is a member of the Board of CEPI.
Source: CEPI, CEPI and CEPI

3. UAE Space Agency has announced to launch the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt
(EMA) on a spacecraft named MBR Explorer.
• The ambitious mission was first announced in October 2021 and according to the latest
update, it is scheduled for launch in 2028.
Source: WION

4. Allies Finland and Norway and Partner Sweden host the multinational Arctic Challenge
Exercise (ACE) from 29 May to 9 June 2023.
• The ACE was launched in 2013 and is held every second year.
• Participants – NATO countries (31 total) and 14 other nations
• In total, the exercises will be conducted from four bases: Ørland in Norway, Kallax in
Sweden as well as Rovaniemi and Pirkkala in Finland.
• The USS Gerald R. Ford is the largest warship ever built. It will also participate in the
exercise.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• The ACE is part of the NORDEFCO (Nordic Defence Cooperation) between Finland,
Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
• These nations started the Cross Border Training in 2008.

NATO -
• Washington Treaty on April 4, 1949 established the NATO.
• At present, there are 31 members. The latest country to join is Finland.
Source: Euronews, NORDEFCO, NATO

5. SpaceX launched a fleet of new Starlink internet satellites named as "V2 Mini" internet
satellites into orbit on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Source: Space.com

6. Iran unveiled its first-ever domestically-made hypersonic ballistic missile ‘Fattah’.

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• The hypersonic missile is named by the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
'Fattah' in Farsi, which roughly translates to “the opener”.
Source: Wion

7. US President Joe Biden approved a new law to suspend the nation's debt limit through 1
January 2025.
• Raising the nation’s debt limit, now at $31.4 trillion, will ensure that the government can
borrow to pay debts already incurred.
Source: LiveMint

8. IUCN World Conservation Congress will be held from 9-15 October 2025 in Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates.
Source: IUCN

9. Germany is hosting the Air Defender 23 drill - one of the biggest air deployment drills in
NATO’s history - from June 12-23.
• Participants - 25 nations
Source: Al Jazeera

10. Indonesia launched a multilateral naval exercise named Komodo drills (4th edition), with
participation of countries including the United States, Britain, China, Japan, Russia and South
Korea.
• Participating countries – 36
• This year's Komodo drills are the fourth such joint naval exercise Indonesia has hosted
since the first one in 2014.
• From India, INS Satpura is participating.
Source: Reuters and ANI

11. United Arab Emirates has withdrawn from the 38-nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF),
a US-led maritime coalition tasked with securing tense Gulf waterways that are vital to the
global oil trade.
• The Bahrain-headquartered CMF was established in 2001, initially as a partnership
between 12 nations.
Source: ET
pg. 72
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12. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Pfizer Inc's respiratory syncytial
virus (RSV) vaccine for older adults to fight against the common respiratory disease.
Source: The Hindu

13. Iran and Afghanistan are locked in a long-standing dispute over the sharing of water from the
Helmand River.
• The dispute is over the Helmand River, a critical source of drinking water, irrigation and
fishing for both countries.
• The Afghan-Iranian Helmand River Water Treaty of 1973 provides for the water sharing
proportions between these two countries.
Source: The Print

14. European Space Agency (ESA) had launched the Mars Express spacecraft in 2003.
• Now, the spacecraft has launched a stunning new image of Mars.
Source: Space.com

15. Japan has announced to join United States and Australia in the $95 million undersea cable
project to connect East-Micronesia Island Nations to improve networks in the Indo-Pacific
region.
• The approximately 2,250-kilometer (1,400-mile) undersea cable will connect the state of
Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia, Tarawa in Kiribati and Nauru to the existing
cable landing point located in Pohnpei in Micronesia.
Source: ET

16. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is an international human
rights treaty, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1966. It entered into force on 23 March
1976.
• Currently, the covenant has 173 parties and six more signatories without ratification.
• The ICCPR is a multilateral treaty that commits nations to respect the civil and political
rights of individuals.
• Compliance with the ICCPR is monitored by the UN Human Rights Committee.
• Sri Lanka ratified this treaty in 1980. In 2007, the Sri Lankan government enacted the
ICCPR Act.
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• Right now, there is an uproar in the island nation regarding the misuse of the Act to curtail
the freedom of speech.
Source: IE and UN

17. The world’s largest sand island, which has been known as Fraser Island for centuries, is
finally getting rid of its colonial title.
• The name of the island, situated off Queensland’s coast in Australia, has now been
restored to its old indigenous name -- K'gari.
Source: Wion

18. United States and the United Kingdom have adopted the Atlantic Declaration for promoting
economic partnership between these two countries.
• This declaration is renewing the New Atlantic Charter which was signed in 2021.
• Action Plan for a Twenty-First Century U.S.-UK Economic Partnership (ADAPT) has also
been adopted.
Source: White House

19. Israel has started conducting tests of autonomous drones (aka flying taxis) that can carry
both passengers and cargo.
• The first test flights of air taxis were part of a government-led pilot project, known as the
Israel Drone Initiative (INDI), established in 2019, which aims to create a drone network
across the country.
• The United Arab Emirates will also get air taxis soon.
Source: Firstpost

20. United States is planning to rejoin United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural
Organisation (UNESCO).
• US had withdrawn from UNESCO in 2017.
Source: The Hindu

21. Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 400 million loan to Bangladesh to
advance its economic reforms.

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• This loan is ADB’s second subprogram of the Sustainable Economic Recovery

Programme that was launched in October 2021 to support economic recovery after the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: News on Air

22. US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved the "Developing Nation Status
Act" to remove China's "developing country" status.
• It establishes a US policy against granting China the "developing country" status in future
treaties and international organisations.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• The least developed country (LDC) category was established by the United Nations
General Assembly in 1971.
• There are currently 46 LDCs, some of which are set to leave (“graduate from”) the
category soon. Of which, 33 are from Africa, 9 are from Asia, 1 from Carribean, and 3 are
from Pacific Islands.
• Membership is revised every three years based on the following factors -
o Average gross national income (GDP plus net income received from overseas);
▪ According to the U.N., per capita income of $1,230 is one of the
requirements for transitioning into a developing nation.
o Human assets (level of population undernourished, under-five mortality rate,
gross secondary enrolment ratio and adult literacy rate); and
o Economic vulnerability (such as population, remoteness, merchandise export
concentration, natural disasters, instability of agriculture production, and instability
of goods and services exports, among other factors)
• In 2021, UNGA adopted the resolution to graduate Bangladesh, Lao People’s
Democratic Republic and Nepal from the LDC category.
o Bangladesh, Nepal, and Laos PDR are scheduled to graduate from LDC list on
24 November 2026.
o Bangladesh aims to become a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed
country by 2041.
Source: ET, The HIndu, Nepal, Laos, LDC List, Bangladesh, LDC portal

23. China has recently completed the construction of the most powerful wind tunnel in the
world, located in the mountainous Huairou district of northern Beijing.
pg. 75
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Source: Wion

24. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched its third cohort of four ocean
innovators.
• The cohort includes -
o DHI - Mapping and Monitoring of Ecosystems at Scale with Copernicus Sentinel- 2
Imagery - a tropical system application in Malaysia
o University of Rhode Island - Ensuring community roles in complex multiple use areas
in Madagascar
o International Union for Conservation of Nature - SEA Success in Bangladesh and
Thailand
o Mersea Marine Consulting - Exotic Pufferfish Leather Products in Turkey
• UNDP’s Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC) will provide financial, mentoring and
incubator support to these four ocean innovators, thereby contributing to the SDG- Life
Below Water 14 (SDG14 targets 14.2, 14.5 and 14.7).
• The Ocean Innovators will focus on marine spatial planning (MSP), marine protected areas
(MPAs) and new environmentally and socially sustainable economic activities for a healthy
and resilient ocean.
• Financial support to ocean innovators of up to US $250,000 will be given for two years.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• In June 2022, UNDP committed to delivering at least 100 unique Ocean Innovations by
2030.
• To address the ocean crisis, UNDP has launched the Ocean Innovation Challenge with
catalytic support of Sweden and Norway.
• In 2020, the first call for inviting innovations was launched. In 2021, second and in 2022,
third call was made.
Source: UNDP and UNDP

25. World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria (the Global Fund) signed a new and revised Strategic Framework for Collaboration.
• The framework aims to build stronger and more resilient health systems and maximize
collaboration and impact in support of country, regional and global responses to major
communicable diseases.
• The new five-year framework builds on the previous agreement signed in 2018.
pg. 76
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• It aligns with the 2023-2028 Global Fund Strategy and the WHO General Programme of
Work, which put communities at the centre of the health response and, also address
pandemic preparedness and challenges posed by climate change.
Source: WHO

26. World Bank launched its first dedicated road safety project in South Asia by providing
funding of USD 358 million to Bangladesh.
• The project seeks to improve road safety and reduce fatalities and injuries from road
crashes in selected cities, high-risk highways, and district roads.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• India has set a target to reduce road accident deaths by 50% by 2024.
• Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) project is an initiative of the Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways (MoRTH), with an objective to improve road safety in the
country.
o The database will include details about the causes of road accidents, road
engineering defaults, negligence on the part of individuals, pattern in accidents
and to form a strategy to reduce the number of accidents.
o IIT-Madras developed iRAD.
• European Union has set a goal of zero deaths and zero serious injuries on EU roads by
2050 (Vision Zero), and a medium-term goal to reduce deaths and serious injuries by
50% by 2030.
Source: News on Air MoneyControl IE and PIB

27. The Ministerial Meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and
Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) took place at Bangkok, Thailand.
• Bangladesh has called for an early implementation of the BIMSTEC Free Trade
Agreement (FTA).
• The Meeting approved the draft text of the ‘Agreement on Maritime Transport
Cooperation’ as well as the ‘BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030’.
• During the meeting, the inclusion of Blue Economy, Mountain Economy and Poverty
Alleviation in the sectors was approved.

pg. 77
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BIMSTEC Events in 2023 -

(February)
• India hosted the first meeting of the Governing Board of BIMSTEC Energy Centre
(BEC) on 27th February, 2023 at Shangi-La Hotel. Bengaluru.
o Shri Ajay Tewari, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power, was the chairperson of
the Governing Board of the BEC.
o The BEC is housed in the premises of the Central Power Research Institute
(CPRI), Bengaluru.
o Considering the current energy scenario in BIMSTEC region, the Meeting
recommended to add the additional following areas under the specialized Wings of
BEC: (a) Cyber Security, (b) Green Hydrogen (c) Energy Transition.

(March)
• 4th Meeting of the BIMSTEC Transport Connectivity Working Group (BTCWG) was
convened virtually in Bangkok, Thailand, on 20 March 2023.
o Discussion on BIMSTEC Master Plan on Transport Connectivity was held and an
Expert Group was set up for the plan.

pg. 78
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(May)
• BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks: A Special Session of the BIMSTEC Network
of Policy Think Tanks (BNPTT) was convened by Thailand’s BNPTT Member in the
Network, the Indian Studies Center of the Chulalongkorn University of Thailand on 08-09
May 2023.
• The 1st Trade Facilitation Capacity Building Programme for BIMSTEC Countries was
organized in New Delhi from 08-19 May 2023.
o Organizers - Ministry of External Affairs of India, and the Indian Council for
Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), in partnership with the
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• The Secretary General of BIMSTEC, Tenzin Lekphell, participated in the 79th Session of
the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific held in Bangkok from
15-19 May 2023.

(June)
• BIMSTEC Day: It was the 26th BIMSTEC Day; the anniversary of the signing of the
Bangkok Declaration which is the founding document of BIMSTEC, on 06 June 1997.
• BIMSTEC Business Conclave: It is being organized by the Indian Chamber of
Commerce with the support of the Ministry of External Affairs, India on 13-15 June 2023
in Kolkata to commemorate 25 years of BIMSTEC.

(November)
• The 6th BIMSTEC Summit has been proposed to be held on 30th November in Thailand.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
(BIMSTEC) is a regional organization that was established on 06 June 1997 with the
signing of the Bangkok Declaration.
• Initially known as BIST-EC (Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic
Cooperation), the organisation is now known as BIMSTEC and comprises seven
Member States with the admission of Myanmar on 22 December 1997, and Bhutan and
Nepal in February 2004.
• BIMSTEC had initially focused on six sectors in 1997 (trade, technology, energy,
transport, tourism, and fisheries). It expanded in 2008 to incorporate agriculture, public

pg. 79
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health, poverty alleviation, counter-terrorism, environment, culture, people-to-people

contact, and climate change.
• In 2023, three new sub-sectors were included - Blue Economy, Mountain Economy
and Poverty Alleviation.

• BIMSTEC is a five-tiered organisation -

o Apex - Heads of State or Government of the Member States
o 2nd tier - Ministerial Meeting (foreign affairs’ ministers)
o 3rd tier - Sectoral Ministerial Meetings
o 4th tier - Senior Officials’ Meeting (Foreign Secretaries/ Secretaries/ appropriate
Senior officials nominated by the BIMSTEC Member States)
o 5th tier - BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee
• Secretariat – Dhaka
• Secretary-General - Mr. Tenzin Lekphell from Bhutan
Source: News on Air, BEC, Summit, BIMSTEC Events, About BIMSTEC, Tiers
Note: Dates of the events are not important. They have been given to help you track the events
and develop a broader understanding.

28. Papua New Guinea and USA have entered into an agreement that will allow US military to
access six key ports and airports, including Lombrum naval base on Manus Island and facilities
in the capital, Port Moresby.
Source: The Guardian

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29. UN General Assembly has adopted a draft resolution introduced by India (along with 17
other countries) to establish a memorial wall in the UN Headquarters to honour fallen
peacekeepers.
• India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj introduced the
draft resolution titled ‘Memorial wall for fallen United Nations peacekeepers’ in the UN
General Assembly Hall.
• The resolution was submitted by 18 countries including Bangladesh, Canada, China,
Denmark, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Nepal, Rwanda and the U.S.
Source: The Hindu

30. Bangladesh will adopt the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mandated method to
calculate its foreign reserves.
● It will be in line with the IMF’s 6th edition of the Balance of Payment and International
Investment Position Manual (BMM6).
Source: News on Air

31. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) participated in the three-day
'Intersolar Europe 2023' exhibition held in Munich, Germany from 14 to 16 June.
• Intersolar Europe is the world’s leading exhibition for the solar industry and takes place
annually at the Messe München exhibition centre, Germany,
Source: ET and ISES

32. Multinational Peacekeeping Joint Exercise “Ex Khaan Quest 2023” (14-days) has
commenced in Mongolia.
• Participation - over 20 countries
• Co-sponsors - Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) and United States Army Pacific Command
(USARPAC)
• Indian Army is represented by a contingent from the GARHWAL RIFLES.
Source: PIB

33. United Nations has adopted a historic Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty
(BBNJ), also known as the High Seas Treaty, by nearly 200 nations after 15 years of
discussions.
• The Agreement addresses four key issues -
pg. 81
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o The framework promotes fair and equitable sharing of benefits from marine
genetic resources and digital sequence information beyond national jurisdiction,
benefiting humanity.
o The agreement establishes tools for managing high seas and international seabed
areas, including marine protected areas, to conserve habitats and species,
supporting the 30% conservation target by 2030.
o It establishes an international legal framework for assessing cumulative
environmental impacts, climate change, ocean acidification, and related effects in
those areas.
o It will facilitate capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology among parties
to responsibly utilize and benefit from marine biodiversity.
• The Agreement will be open for signature at UN Headquarters in New York for two years
from 20 September 2023, the day after the 2023 SDG Summit. It will enter into force after
ratification by 60 states.
Source: UN

34. Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 will be held jointly by the UK and Ukraine in London in
June 2023.
• During the last edition of the Conference in Lugano, Switzerland, Lugano Principles were
adopted for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
• Ukraine Recovery Conference is dedicated to Ukraine's transformation and was
symbolically launched in London in 2017 as the Ukraine Reform Conference.
Source: UN

35. China achieved a significant milestone by launching the Long March 2D rocket with an
impressive payload of 41 satellites.
• The launch flew off from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in Shanxi province.
Source: Wion

36. The Indian Embassy in the Sultanate of Oman has introduced an innovative video called
'Soulful Yoga, Serene Oman' on the eve of the International Day of Yoga 2023.
• The Indian Embassy partnered with 'Visit Oman,' a subsidiary of Oman's Ministry of
Tourism, to produce the video.
• This is the first time a foreign government using yoga to promote its own country.
pg. 82
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Source: News on Air

37. SpaceX launched a new Indonesian telecommunications satellite named SATRIA-1 on its
Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
• SATRIA-1 (whose name is short for "Satellite of the Republic of Indonesia") will be operated
for the Indonesian government by the Indonesian company PSN.
Source: Space.com

38. According to the UNICEF, extreme weather events around the world led to 12 million
displacements of children in 2022.
• These events included unprecedented floods in Pakistan and the drought in the Horn of
Africa drought among others.
• Overall, an estimated 43.3 million were forcibly displaced across the world by the end of
2022 — 40% of the total population of displaced individuals.
• The number of refugee and asylum-seeking children worldwide also reached a new high of
17.5 million in 2022.
Source: DTE

39. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has approved the 6G vision framework
at its meeting held in Geneva from June 12 to June 22.
• The sixth-generation or 6G technology has been named “IMT-2030” by the telecoms
agency of the United Nations (UN).
• In March, India released its ‘Bharat 6G’ Vision document which has recommended
opening more spectrum across low-, mid- and mmWave bands.
o At the same time, PM Modi launched the 6G testbed.
Source: ET

40. St Petersburg International Economic Forum is Russia’s premier economic forum.

Source: Al Jazeera

41. The first of its kind “Summit for a New Global Financing Pact” concluded in Paris.
• Some of the important announcements made during the Summit -
A) Increase in lending by multilateral development banks
• An additional lending capacity of $200 billion will be launched for emerging economies.
pg. 83
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• The World Bank announced disaster clauses for debt deals, that would suspend debt
payment in the case of extreme weather events.
B) World Bank’s ‘Private Sector Investment Lab’
• World Bank head Ajay Banga also unveiled a ‘Private Sector Investment Lab’ with the aim
to speed up investments in emerging markets and developing countries, with a specific
focus on renewable energy and energy infrastructure”.
C) Special Drawing Rights
• IMF Head Kristalina Georgieva announced that 100 billion in SDRs for vulnerable
countries has been met.
D) Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP)
• A new 2.5 billion Euro JETP deal was announced for Senegal, with a consortium of
countries comprising of Germany, France, Canada, the European Union, the United
Kingdom.
• Purpose - increasing the share of renewable energy in installed capacity to 40% of
Senegal’s electricity mix by 2030.
Source: DTE

42. Estonia's parliament legalised same-sex marriage, becoming the first central European
country to do so. The law will come into effect from 2024.
Source: Reuters

43. China celebrates the Dragon Boat festival in the Yangtze River.
Source: UNESCO

44. The Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) is a global initiative by the US to bolster critical
mineral supply chains. It is also known as the critical minerals’ alliance.
• During PM Modi’s visit to US, India became a part of this critical minerals club.
• MSP is a strategic grouping of 13 member states including Australia, Canada, Finland,
France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, US, the
European Union, Italy and now India.
Knowledge Nuggets -

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• India is already a member of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals,

Metals and Sustainable Development, which supports the advancement of good mining
governance.
• India and Australia have already signed the Critical Minerals Investment Partnership
— a major milestone in working towards investment in critical minerals projects to
develop supply chains between the two countries.
Source: DTE

45. US aircraft carrier and two guided missile cruisers visits Vietnam for 6-day friendship visit.
• USS Ronald Reagan, along with the guided missile cruisers USS Antietam and USS Robert
Smalls have arrived Da Nang in Vietnam.
Source: News on Air

46. Three multilateral development banks (MDBs) partnered with the World Health
Organisation (WHO) to launch the Health Impact Investment Platform.
• MDBs are African Development Bank (AfDB), European Investment Bank (EIB),
Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) – where Malaysia and Indonesia are country members.
• Launched at the Paris Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, the platform will provide
EU 1.5 billion ($1.6 bn) in concessional loans and grants to low-income and middle-
income countries (LICs and LMICs).
• This funding aims to enhance primary healthcare (PHC) services, particularly for
marginalised and underserved populations.
Source: Asian B&F

REPORTS AND INDICES

1. Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Program have released “Hunger
Hotspots: FAO-WFP early warnings on acute food insecurity (June-November 2023)
Outlook”.

pg. 85
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Knowledge Nuggets -
• World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, which aims
to provide food assistance during conflict and disasters.
• It aims to achieve the goal of SDG 2 i.e., Zero Hunger.
• It works towards ending hunger, achieving food security and improving nutrition by 2030.
• The World Food Programme (WFP) is governed by the WFP Executive Board, which
consists of 36 Member States and provides intergovernmental support, direction and
supervision of WFP’s activities.
• It is chaired by an Executive Director, who is appointed jointly by the UN Secretary-
General and the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations.
Source: Official Report and WFP

2. International Labour Organization has released the 11th edition of “World of Work” report.
• In 2023, the global jobs gap is projected to stand at 453 million people (or 11.7%), more
than double the level of unemployment.
• The jobs gap is much higher among women (14.5%) than men (9.8%).
• Low-income countries face the largest jobs gap rate at 21.5%, while the rate in middle-
income countries stands slightly above 11%. High-income countries register the lowest
rates, at 8.2%.
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• ILO’s jobs gap indicator includes all persons who would like to work but do not have a
job.

Source: Official report

3. The Passport Index by Arton Capital is the first real-time interactive platform to display,
sort, and rank the world’s passports.
• India’s rank in the Passport Index as of June 2023 -

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Source: Arton

4. International Renewable Energy Agency (HQ- UAE) has released the “Low-Cost Finance
for the Energy Transition” report.
Source: Official Report

5. The Times Higher Education Impact Ranking, which assesses universities against the
United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has been released for 2023.
• Total - 1,591 universities from 112 countries/regions
• Parameters - research, stewardship, outreach and teaching
• Top ranked - Western Sydney University (Aus), followed by University of Manchester (UK),
and Queen’s University (Canada)
• India’s top ranked - Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore (52nd)
• Other Indian institutions that are in the top 300 (in overall rankings) are —
o Lovely Professional University (Punjab) placed in 101 and 200 bracket,
o Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences (Himachal
Pradesh) also placed in 101 and 200 bracket
o KIIT University (Odisha) ranked between 201 and 300
pg. 88
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• Specific SDG rankings -

SDGs Best Performing Institutions from India
SDG 5 — gender equality Manipal Academy of Higher Education (4th
rank)
SDG 7 — affordable and clean energy IIT-Guwahati at 6th spot,
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical
Sciences at 18th spot,
Chitkara University at 40th spot,
Shoolini University of Biotechnology and
Management Science at 43rd spot and,
Lovely Professional University at 77th spot

Knowledge Nuggets -
• Founded in 2019, THE Impact Rankings assess universities against the United Nations’
SDGs.
Source: Indian Express and THE

6. Ministry of Education has released the National Institutional Ranking Framework 2023.
• Parameters - Teaching, Learning & Resources, Research and Professional Practice
Graduation Outcomes, Outreach and Inclusivity, and Peer Perception
• Categories of Rankings -

• Results -

pg. 89
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Categories Rank 1
Overall IIT-Madras
Universities Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
Colleges Miranda House
Research Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
Engineering IIT-Madras
Management IIM-Ahmedabad
Pharmacy National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education
and Research, Hyderabad
Medical All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi
Dental Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical
Sciences, Chennai
Law National Law School of India University,
Bengaluru
Architecture IIT-Roorkee
Agriculture and Allied Sectors Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Delhi
Innovation IIT-Kanpur
Source: NIRF

7. The 2023 edition of Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report has been released by
International Energy Agency, International Renewable Energy Agency, UN Statistics Division,
and the World Bank.

pg. 90
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Source: Official report

8. “Ignoring Red Lines: Violence Against Health Care in Conflict 2022” report was published
by Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC), a group of international non-profits
working towards protecting health workers, services and infrastructure.
Source: Down To Earth

9. International Energy Agency has released the Renewable Energy Market Update: Outlook
for 2023 and 2024.
• Global renewable capacity additions are set to increase by 107 gigawatts (GW), the
largest absolute increase ever, to more than 440 GW in 2023.
• Global renewable capacity additions could reach 550 GW in 2024.

pg. 91
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Knowledge Nuggets -
• International Energy Agency is a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental
organisation, established in 1974, analysis and data on the entire global energy sector.
Source: Official Report and Wikipedia

10. U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has released the “Forced
Displacement report”.
• According to the report, the number of people forcibly displaced around the world has
increased to a record of 110 million people.
• The increase of around 19 million people to 108.4 million by the end of last year is the
biggest annual jump on record
Source: Reuters

11. According to a report published in The Lancet, funded by ICMR and Ministry of Health, India is
a home to 101 million people with diabetes while 136 million in the country are struggling
with prediabetes.
• At 26.4%, Goa has the highest prevalence of diabetes while Uttar Pradesh despite being
the most populous state has the lowest prevalence at 4.8%.
Source: HT

12. Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) released the
Centralized Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) monthly
report for Central Ministries for May, 2023.
• This is the 13th report on Central Ministries published by DARPG.
• Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Unique Identification Authority
of India are the top performers in the Grievance Redressal Index within the Group A for
May 2023.
• Department of Legal Affairs and Department of Land Resources are the top performers
in the Grievance Redressal Index within the Group B for May 2023.
Source: PIB

13. Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) released the
Centralized Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) monthly
report for States/UT for May, 2023.
pg. 92
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• This is the 10th report on State Governments/Union Territories published by DARPG.

Source: PIB

14. Walk Free Foundation has released the Global Slavery Index 2023.
• Parameters – Prevalence, Vulnerability, and Government Response
• India -

• An estimated 50 million people were “living in situations of modern slavery” in 2021.

• According to the report, there are 11 million people who are exploited in India, 5 million in
China, and 1.8 million in Russia.
Source: Walkfree and The Wire

15. UN Development Program has released the “Gender Social Norms Index 2023”.
• Total – 191 countries
• India has been put in the Medium Human Development category.

pg. 93
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Source: Official Report

16. International Energy Agency (IEA) has released the “Oil 2023: Analysis and forecast to
2028” report.
• Around three-quarters of the increase in demand of oil will come from Asia during 2022-
28, with India surpassing China as the main source of growth by 2027.
• India is the world's third-largest energy-consuming nation.
• India has a potential to emerge as the lowest green hydrogen producer by using the
cheap electricity it produces from renewable sources to split water to produce green
hydrogen.
• India has the potential to become net zero in carbon emission before the 2070.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• International Energy Agency is a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental
organisation, established in 1974, analysis and data on the entire global energy sector.
Source: ET, Official Report, and IEA

17. Food and Agriculture Organization of UN (HQ – Rome) has released the “Global Food
Markets, June 2023”.
Import Bill -
• The global food import bill will rise to $1.98 trillion in 2023, up by 1.5% from 2022. It rose
by 11% in 2022 and 18% in 2021.
• The decrease in the growth rate is due to the increasing food prices globally.

pg. 94
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• The import bill for the group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) is predicted to decline
by 1.5% in 2023 and that for net food-importing developing countries (NFIDCs) to
decline by 4.9%.
Production Estimates -
• World rice production is forecast to rise by 1.3% in 2023-24 to 523.5 million tonnes,
while international trade is expected to decrease by 4.3% in volume terms to 53.6 million
tonnes.
• World wheat production is forecast to decline by 3% from its all-time high of 777 million
tonnes in 2022, due to expected decreases in the Russian and Australian production.
Reasons for decline – extreme weather events
• Global outputs of oil crops, milk, sugar, and aquatic animals are expected to grow whereas
production of pig and bovine meat could drop slightly in 2023.
Source: Relief Web

18. Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of

Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, has released the Grievance Redressal
Assessment and Index (GRAI) 2022.
• There has been a decline of almost 50% in the average disposal time for Central
Ministries/Departments from 32 days in 2021 to 18 days in 2023.
• 89 Central Ministries and Departments were assessed and ranked in 2022.
• To compute it, data between January and December 2022, was used from Centralised
Public Grievance Redressal and Management System (CPGRAMS).
• Ministries and Departments were grouped in three groups based on the number of
grievances registered in 2022 at CPGRAMS.

• 2022 Toppers
o Group A: Department of Posts (1st), UIDAI (2nd)
o Group B: Department of Financial Services (Pension Reforms) (1st), Department of
Legal Affairs (2nd)

pg. 95
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o Group C: Department of Land Resources (1st), Department of Pharmaceuticals

(2nd)
• The index ranks Central Ministries/Departments ranked based on four dimensions of (1)
Efficiency, (2) Feedback, (3) Domain and (4) Organisational Commitment and
corresponding 12 indicators.

Source: PIB

19. World Bank has released its Migration and Development Brief 38: Remittances Remain
Resilient but are Slowing report.
• Remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are estimated to grow
by 1.4% to $656 billion in 2023.
• This edition of the Brief also increases remittances flow projections for 2022 to 8%,
reaching $647 billion.
• The top five recipient countries for remittances in 2022 were India (receiving $111
billion), Mexico ($61 billion), China ($51 billion), the Philippines ($38 billion), and Pakistan
($30 billion).
• Remittance flows to South Asia grew by over 12% in 2022 to $176 billion. Flows to
India grew by 24% to reach $111 billion.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• As per this report, the global average cost of sending $200 was 6.2% in the fourth
quarter of 2022, up slightly from 6% a year ago.
• It is more than twice the Sustainable Development Goal target of 3%.
• Banks are the costliest channel for sending remittances, with an average cost of 11.8%,
followed by post offices (6.3%), money transfer operators (5.4%), and mobile operators
(4.5%).
Source: Relief Web

20. World Economic Forum has released the Global Gender Gap Report 2023 (17th edition).
• Parameters/ sub-indices - Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational
Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment
• Total – 146 countries
• Top – Iceland, Norway, and Finland
• India’s rank – 127th

pg. 96
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• Bottom -

• Progress in closing the gender gap -

About the Index -

• The Global Gender Gap Index measures scores on a 0 to 100 scale.
• 2023 Sub-Indices Rankings -
Economic Participation and Opportunity Top performer – Liberia
India – 142 (score - 0.367)
Educational Attainment Top performer – total 25 countries

pg. 97
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India – 26 (score 1.000)

Discrepancy – A total of 30 countries have the

same score i.e., 1.000 but only top 25
countries have been given the rank 1 and
others (including India) have been given the
subsequent ranks)

Health and Survival Top performer – total 26 countries

India – 142 (score 0.950)
Political Empowerment Top performer - Iceland
India – 59 (score 0.253)

• The Global Gender Gap Index rankings by region, 2023

Source: Official Report

pg. 98
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21. The Economist Intelligence Unit, a sister organization to The Economist, has released the
Global Liveability Index 2023.
• Top –
o 1st – Vienna
o 2nd – Copenhagen
o 3rd - Melbourne
o 4th – Sydney
o 5th - Vancouver (Canada)
• India’s rank -
o 141st - Delhi and Mumbai (scored 60.2)
o 144th - Chennai (scored 59.9)
o 147th - Ahmedabad (score of 58.9)
o 148th - Bengaluru (score of 58.7)
• The average index score across 172 cities (eliminating Kyiv in Ukraine) has now reached
76.2 out of 100, the highest score in 15 years.
Source: CNN, The Print, and IE
Note: There is a discrepancy in the data of CNN and Indian Express.
• Parameters -
o As per CNN and The Print, healthcare, education, stability, infrastructure and
environment
o As per IE, healthcare, culture, environment, education, and stability
• Total -
o 173 as per CNN and The Print
o 172 as per Indian Express

22. Asia University Rankings 2023 has been released by the TIMES Higher Education (THE).
• Parameters - 13
• Top 5 from India in this list -
o IISc Bangalore – 48th
o JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research – 68th
o Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences – 77th
o Mahatma Gandhi University – 95th
o Jamia Millia Islamia – 128th
pg. 99
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Source: THE

23. Institute of Management Development (IMD) has released the World Competitiveness
Index 2023.
• Total - 64 economies
• Top country – Denmark
• India’s rank – 40th
o Rank in 2019 and 2021 – 43rd
o India improved in government efficiency but fared slightly poorer than other
countries in business efficiency, infrastructure, and economic performance.
• First published in 1989, IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY), is a comprehensive
annual report.
Source: The Economic Times

24. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released the World Drug
Report 2023.
• The report highlights an escalating issue of drug use and the insufficiency of treatment
services and interventions.
pg. 100
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• The estimated number of users grew from 240 million in 2011 to 296 million in 2021 (5.8%
of the global population aged 15–64). This is a 23% increase, partly due to population
growth.
Source: UN Press release and Official Report

25. Startup Genome (a policy advisory and research organization) has released Global Startup
Ecosystem Report 2023.
• Top ecosystems in the world-
o Silicon Valley (1st rank)
o New York City (2nd rank) and London (2nd rank)
• Top ecosystems in India-
o Bengaluru- 20th rank
o Delhi- 24th rank
o Mumbai- 31st rank
• Parameters - performance, funding, market reach, connectedness, talent and experience
and knowledge.
Source: Times of India and Startup Genome

26. QS World University Rankings 2024 has been released.

• Top - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• India – IIT-Bombay at 149
Source: QS

BANKING AND ECONOMY

1. According to the Dubai FDI Monitor, India ranked among the Top 5 source countries for
announced FDI projects and estimated FDI capital of Dubai in calendar year 2022.
• India accounted for 12% of announced FDI projects in Dubai in 2022. Only the US (20%)
and UK (13%) are ahead of India.
• Dubai ranks No. 1 as the Destination City for foreign direct investment (FDI) from India
in calendar year 2022.
• In value terms, FDI from India stood at $545.52 million in 2022 compared to $363.85
million in 2021.
Source: MoneyControl

pg. 101
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2. Kiwi, a credit card platform, has launched a new solution called "Credit on UPI" for
customers, in collaboration with NPCI.
• The solution makes Kiwi the first app in India to provide "Credit on UPI" by issuing Rupay
Cards in collaboration with banks.
Source: MoneyControl

3. Yubi, an online debt marketplace that connects borrowers and lenders for various credit
products, has partnered with Indian Bank to extend digital supply chain financing solutions
to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).
Source: HBL

4. Bajaj Allianz Life has launched “Bajaj Allianz Life Diabetic Term Plan Sub 8 HbA1c” - an
exclusive term insurance plan for Type 2 diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals.
• This is first of its kind protection plan in the Indian life insurance industry.
• India is also referred to as 'diabetes capital of the world' with the diabetic population
expected to hit an alarming mark of 69.9 million by 2025 and 80 million by 2030.
Source: LiveMint

5. Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) has partnered with IIT Madras Research Park
(IITMRP) and IIT Madras Incubation Cell (IITMIC) to collaborate on the development of
voice-driven banking solutions.
• The voice-based banking solution aims to enable basic banking transactions through
voice commands in multiple Indian languages, starting with Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and
English.
• To mark this collaboration, IITMRP, IITMIC, and RBIH, in partnership with leading banks
such as SBI, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra, and IDFC First, organised a voice banking
hackathon called 'Vaulter Voice' at the IIT Madras Research Park campus.
Source: ET

6. Reserve Bank of India has proposed lightweight payment and settlement system (LPSS)
in its annual report for 2023-24.

pg. 102
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• This payment system can be operated from anywhere by a bare minimum staff in order to
be prepared to face extreme situations such as natural calamities and war, and would be
made active only on a need basis.
• The LPSS, which will operate independently of existing payment systems like RTGS, NEFT,
and UPI, aims to provide a portable and resilient solution during natural calamities and
wartime situations.
Source: LiveMint

7. SEBI came out with exhaustive guidelines for Investor Protection Fund (IPF) and Investor
Services Fund (ISF) maintained by stock exchanges and depositories.
• All stock exchanges and depositories will have to establish an IPF. The IPF of the stock
exchange and depository will be administered through separate trusts created for the
purpose.
• Composition of an IPF Trust - five trustees -- three Public Interest Directors, one
representative from the investor associations, and a chief regulatory officer or
compliance officer and the maximum tenure of a trustee (excluding the chief regulatory
officer or compliance officer) would be five years.
• Stock exchanges will have to contribute 1% of the listing fees received every quarter and
the entire interest earned on the security deposit kept by the issuer companies at the
time of the offering of securities for subscription to the public and penalty collected by
exchanges from trading members.
• Depositories must contribute 5% of their profits from depository operations every year, all
fines and penalties recovered from depository participants (DPs) and other users
including and income received out of any investments made from the IPF.
Source: ET

8. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has launched “e-appeal” scheme to reduce
pendency of appeals related to Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) default issues and tax
collection at source (TCS).
• The scheme empowers the Joint Commissioner (Appeals) to send show cause notice,
initiate penalty under the relevant provisions of the Act.
• The Finance Bill has already been amended to insert the new designation - New Joint
Commissioner (Appeals) in the Income Tax Act.

pg. 103
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• The CBDT will deploy about 100 posts of joint commissioners of the income tax department
for this purpose.
Source: ET

9. Kerala-based Manappuram Finance Ltd has launched Ma-Money, a new digital lending
platform, to provide customers with all the financial products offered by Manappuram Finance
under one umbrella.
• The app is primarily targeted at customers in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
• Managing Director and CEO of Manappuram Finance - V P Nandakumar
Source: TOI

10. mooPay, the fintech arm of Stellapps, has collaborated with IBISA Network, HDFC ERGO,
and Gramcover to introduce an innovative insurance plan – mooMark – for farmers based on
the Heat Index.
• Purpose - to compensate mooMark dairy farmers for income loss resulting from decreased
milk productivity during summer heat waves
• It provides coverage to farmers if temperatures exceed specified limits for a predetermined
number of days during a 60-day period starting from May 1st, taking into account region-
specific parameters.
• Each insured cattle is eligible for a maximum coverage of Rs 2000. Currently, the
insurance cover is limited to one cattle per household.
• Initially, mooMark is covering approximately 7000 farmers across 5 districts in 4 states, with
a total sum assured exceeding Rs 1.3 crore.
• Awareness about this program is being spread through village-level collection centers
and Stellapps' smartFarms app.
Source: Krishi Jagran

11. Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited, in partnership with Myntra, has launched its first-of-its-kind
co-branded digital fashion and lifestyle credit card.
Source: CNBC

12. According to the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation’s payroll reporting data analysis,
1.39 crore people found new formal jobs in India in FY23.
• This is a 13% increase compared to FY22.
pg. 104
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• EPFO assesses the firms which employ at least 20 people.

• According to the data of Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, the unemployment rate
has lowered to 7.6% in FY23, compared to the previous two financial years — 8% in FY22
and 10% in FY21.
• Maharashtra witnessed the highest job creation in the formal sector, accounting for 22%
of the new jobs — 30.28 lakh payroll additions — across age groups and sectors.
• Tamil Nadu is in second place, with 14.05 net new payroll additions in FY23. Karnataka,
Haryana and Gujarat bagged the third, fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
Source: HBL

13. Tata Group signed an agreement with the Gujarat state government to set up a giga-factory
for manufacturing lithium-ion cells, with an estimated initial investment of around Rs 130
billion ($1.6 billion).
• This plant will have an estimated initial investment of around Rs.13,000 crore and will have
a production capacity of 20 GWh.
• For this, an MoU has been concluded between the Government of Gujarat and the Tata
Group in Gandhinagar.
• This MOU is an outcome of the newly formulated Gujarat Electronics Policy 2022-28.
Source: LiveMint

14. Karbon Card has launched Card++, a mobile-based expense management card, for
businesses and individuals wherein it offers its users uncapped cashback of upto 1%.
• Karbon provides banking services specifically for Indian companies.
Source: Financial Express and Karbon

15. RBL Bank has introduced a new fixed deposit scheme – ACE Fixed Deposit.
• Deposit range of FD – Rs 50 lakh to Rs 2 crores
• Tenure of FD - 12 to 240 months
• RBL Bank has also revised its fixed deposit interest rates effective from June 1, 2023.
Source: ET

16. IRDAI has identified SBI Life Insurance to acquire the business of Sahara India Life
Insurance (SILIC) to protect the interest of 200,000 policyholders.
• Sahara India Life Insurance was granted a certificate of registration in 2004.
pg. 105
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• The company has been accused of fund diversion, poor governance, etc.
Source: Indian Express

17. SEBI has released guidelines for stock exchanges to conduct trade of corporate bonds
through Request for Quote (RFQ) platform.
• Objective - to increase the liquidity on Request for Quote (RFQ) platform of stock
exchanges and to enhance the transparency and disclosure pertaining to trading in
secondary market in corporate bonds
• SEBI has asked stock brokers to undertake at least 10% of their total secondary market
trades by value through RFQ platforms.
• This will be increased to at least 25% of their total secondary market trades by April 2024.

Knowledge Nuggets -
• Request for Quote (RFQ) is a trade execution platform, launched in 2020. This platform
is a direct participation model where all participants trade in their own account.
• NSE manages the RFQ platform. The RFQ platform would be hosted in the existing NSE
Corporate Bond Reporting and Integrated Clearing & Settlement (CBRICS)
environment.
Source: HBL and RFQ

18. According to the data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), the govt’s
fiscal deficit for 2022-23 amounts to 6.4% of the GDP.
Fiscal Deficit (in absolute amount) Rs 17.33 lakh crore (actual)
Rs 17.55 lakh crore (revised estimate)
Difference - Rs 22,188 crore
Total Receipts Rs 24.56 lakh crore
Direct tax collection Rs. 16.61 lakh crore (higher than the
revised target of Rs 16.5 lakh crore)
Gross GST collection Rs 18.10 lakh crore (up by 22%)
Average gross monthly collection for the
full year was Rs 1.51 lakh crore
Overall Expenditure Rs 41.89 lakh crore
Capital expenditure Rs 7.36 trillion (exceeded by Rs 8,551
crore from the RE at Rs 7.28 lakh crore)
pg. 106
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Revenue expenditure Rs 34.5 trillion (lower than the RE of Rs

34.59 trillion)
• Finance Ministry has set a target to further narrow the deficit for 2023-24 to 5.9%, and
4.5% of the GDP by 2025-26.
Note -
• According to the newspaper Business Standard, the fiscal deficit target is at
6.36% as against the 6.4% projected in the revised estimates in the Union
Budget.
• Fiscal deficit for FY23 was at Rs 17.33 trillion, or 98.7% of the RE of Rs
17.55 trillion.
• The revenue deficit for FY23 stood at 3.9% of GDP against the Revised
Estimate of 4.1%.
• Centre approved the fertiliser subsidy of Rs 38,000 crore for the FY24
kharif season.

This difference in Fiscal Deficit is due to the difference is actual amount. Every
newspaper, except for BS, has projected the target in round figure and in
conjunction with the RE of the Budget. So, the advice is that if you get a question
on the fiscal deficit target, mark 6.4% as your answer.
Source: Business Today, CNBC, Business Standard

19. The High Court of Karnataka has upheld constitutional validity of Section 37A of the
Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999.

pg. 107
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• It empowers the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to seize in India assets equivalent to any
foreign exchange, foreign security or any immovable property held outside India in violation
of FEMA.
Source: The Hindu

20. Ministry of Finance has announced that India's gross GST revenue collection in the month
of May stood at Rs 1,57,090 crore, registering a rise of 12% on a year-on-year basis.
• In April, India saw a record-high GST collection of Rs 1.87 lakh crore.
Source: ET

21. According to the data released by the S&P Global Market Intelligence, India’s manufacturing
activity, measured by the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), reached a 31-month high in
May at 58.7.
Source: HT

22. RBI has proposed a framework for overall information security with an emphasis on cyber
resilience to improve the safety and security of the payment systems operated by payment
system operators (PSOs).
• The framework is part of the draft paper on Cyber Resilience and Digital Payment Security
Controls for non-bank PSOs.
• The large non-bank PSOs will be required to comply with the norms from April 2024,
medium PSOs from April 2026 and small PSOs from April 2028.

• PSOs are required to formulate a Cyber Crisis Management Plan and define Key Risk
Indicators (KRIs) to identify potential risk events and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to
assess the effective of security controls.
• PSOs will need to undertake a cyber risk assessment for the launch of new products,
services, technologies or any major changes to the infrastructure or processes of existing
products and services.
• They will also need to develop a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) on different cyber
threat scenarios, which will be reviewed annually.
pg. 108
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Knowledge Nuggets -
• Large non-bank PSOs -
o Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL),
o National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI),
o NPCI Bharat Bill Pay Limited,
o Card Payment networks,
o non-bank ATM networks,
o White Label ATM Operators (WLAOs),
o large PPI (prepaid payment instrument) issuers,
o Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) Operators,
o Bharat Bill Payment Operating Units (BBPOUs) and
o Payment Aggregators (PAs)

• Medium and Small non-bank PSO -

o Cross-border (in-bound) Money Transfer Operators under Money Transfer Service
Scheme (MTSS) and Medium PPI Issuers will be considered medium non-bank
PSOs, whereas small PPI issuers and Instant Money Transfer Operators as small
non-bank PSOs.
Source: HBL

23. IRDAI has released the draft guidelines for 'Bima Vahaks’ to establish a dedicated
distribution channel at the level of Gram Panchayats.
• These guidelines are focused on enhancing insurance inclusion and creating awareness in
every Gram Panchayat and to address the local needs within every Gram Panchayat and
village.
• The guidelines propose Corporate Bima Vahaks and Individual Bima Vahaks for the
distribution channel.
• Corporate Bima Vahak would be legal persons registered in accordance with the
respective laws and engaged by an insurer.
• Individual Bima Vahak could be any individual appointed by an insurer or appointed by a
Corporate Bima Vahak.
• The Bima Vahaks, both corporate and individual, would be authorised to undertake
activities like the collection of proposal information, and KYC documents and coordinate
claims-related services.
pg. 109
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• Bima Vahaks should be encouraged to adopt electronic payment processes facilitated by

the insurers to enable direct remittance of premiums.
Source: ET

24. HSBC India has launched its latest advertising campaign titled “My Account Starts
Today”.
• The campaign will have cricketer Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador.
Source: Financial Express

25. Yes Securities (YSL) is partnering with WatchYourHealth (WYH), a tech driven healthcare
platform, to provide investment solutions to healthcare professionals through the ‘Wellth-
Where Investments and Health Unite’ program.
Source: FE

26. State Bank of India has launched Project Kuber in Bengaluru to source, facilitate, and cater
to the various banking needs of customers.
• As part of this project, four transaction banking hubs and one corporate salary
package hub were established.
• These would serve as a one-stop destination for all payment and collection-related
requirements and would offer services to corporate and non-corporate clients right from the
initial stage of account opening to onboarding them onto SBI’s digital platforms.
Source: HBL

27. Bank of Baroda has launched Interoperable Cardless Cash Withdrawal (ICCW) facility
wherein a customer can withdraw cash using UPI from the bank's ATMs.
• It is the first public sector bank to launch this service.
• Bank of Baroda customers as well as customers of other banks that use BHIM UPI, bob
World UPI or any other UPI application enabled for ICCW on their mobile phone can
withdraw cash from a Bank of Baroda ATM without using their debit card.
Source: BoB

28. Kotak Private Banking, a division of Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited, has launched Kotak
Réserve, a savings programme exclusively for UHNIs (Ultra High Net Worth Individuals)
and HNIs (High Net Worth Individuals).
pg. 110
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• The Kotak Réserve Savings Programme will offer exclusive lifestyle benefits in areas such
as travel, health and wellness, and entertainment.
Source: TOI

29. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has released the first ‘Sustainability Report
for FY 2021-22’.
• The report covers NHAI’s governance structure, stakeholders, environment and social
responsibility initiatives.
• NHAI launched the Data Lake tool for digitizing the highway network in India, enabling
NHAI to manage the vast amount of data generated by its infrastructure effectively.
o It also helps in real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and analytics
capabilities to improve the safety and performance of the highways and roads under
its supervision.
• The Sustainability Report highlights ‘Green Finance’.
Source: ET

30. Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation has formed three committees to frame draft
schemes for pension, provident fund and insurance, in line with the provisions of the Social
Security Code, 2020.
• The Central government must frame the following three schemes namely the Employees’
Provident Fund Scheme, Employees’ Pension Scheme and Employees’ Deposit
Linked Insurance Scheme by June 23, 2023.
• These schemes will be created under Section 15 of the Social Security Code 2020.
• Chairpersons of the Committees -
o Employees’ Provident Fund scheme - Sanjay Kumar and Pankaj Raman (11
members)
o Employees’ Pension Scheme - Rajiv Bhist (8 members)
o Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme - Vaishali Dayal (5 member)
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Nine laws subsumed under the Code on Social Security, 2020 include -
o Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923,
o Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948,
o Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952,

pg. 111
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o Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act, 1959,

o Maternity Benefit Act, 1961,
o Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972,
o Cine Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1981,
o Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996 and
o Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act 2008.
Source: ET

31. Director General of Hydrocarbons has entrusted the Assam-headquartered Oil India
Limited (OIL) to conduct an aerial seismic survey for locating hydrocarbon deposits beneath
strategic stretches across the country.
• These areas are Nagaland, Manipur, southern Mizoram, North Cachar Hills of Assam, parts
of Arunachal Pradesh, the Cauvery basin, Bastar, Satpura, Spiti-Zanskar, and Karewa.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• A committee was constituted in 1992 under the chairmanship of late Shri P. K. Kaul,
former Cabinet Secretary, which recommended the establishment of an independent
regulatory body called the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH).
• The committee works towards discharging the regulatory functions of leasing and
licensing, safety and environment and, also development, conservation and reservoir
management of Hydrocarbon resources in India.
• The Directorate is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Petroleum and
Natural Gas.
Source: The Hindu and Directorate

32. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked telecom operators to develop a
digital consent acquisition (DCA) platform to seek, maintain, and revoke access of
customers for receiving promotional messages and calls.
• The directive has been issued under the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer
Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018).
Knowledge Nuggets -
• The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 establishes the Telecom
Regulatory Authority of India to regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision of
tariffs for telecom services which were earlier vested in the Central Government.

pg. 112
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• Chair - Dr P. D. Vaghela
Source: ET and TRAI

33. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently added the following entities/platforms/websites
to the Alert List of unauthorised forex trading platforms.
• The entire list of unauthorised entities is here

Source: RBI

34. BSE and NSE have launched an enhanced surveillance mechanism for companies that
have a market cap of less than Rs 500 crore.
• The Enhanced Surveillance Measure (ESM) will be effective from June 5.
• The parameters for shortlisting the securities under the ESM framework include high-low
price variation and close-to-close price variation.
• The securities will be settled through a trade mechanism with a price band of 5% or 2% (if
the scrip (security document) is already in the 2% band).
• For securities in Stage II, the trading will be settled through a trade mechanism with a price
band of 2%.
• The security shall be part of the framework for a minimum period of 3 months.
• However, in case a security is under Stage II of the framework, it shall be retained under
Stage 2 for a minimum period of one month.
Source: Business Standard

35. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das launched a financial inclusion dashboard named
'Antardrishti' to provide the necessary knowledge to evaluate and track the development of
financial inclusion by recording relevant data.
• This tool will also make it possible to assess the degree of financial exclusion at a local
level across the nation so that such places may be addressed.
pg. 113
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Knowledge Nuggets -
• RBI had constructed the Financial Inclusion Index in 2021 to measure the extent of
financial inclusion.
• The FI-Index includes information on the banking, investments, insurance, postal, and
pension sectors.
• The index records data on different aspects of financial inclusion in a single value
ranging from 0 to 100, where 0 denotes total financial exclusion and 100 denotes
complete financial inclusion.
• The FI-Index comprises of three broad parameters (weights indicated in brackets) viz.,
Access (35%), Usage (45%), and Quality (20%).
Source: Business Standard

36. The National Bank for Financing Infrastructure Development (NaBFID) is expected to raise
up to ₹10,000 crore through 10-year non-convertible debentures (NCDs).
• This will be the first time for NaBFID to raise funds from the capital markets.
• NaBFID, which was set up in 2021, is planning to issuance with a base size of ₹5,000 crore
and an additional subscription option worth ₹5,000 crore.
• The bonds, rated AAA by CRISIL and ICRA will have an annual coupon pay-out.
• Infrastructure developer L&T is looking to raise ₹3,500 crore through three sets of bond
sales, which are likely to mature in 12 months, 15 months and 18 months.
• The arranger for the L&T’s bonds is HDFC Bank.
• The yield on the 12-month bonds may be set at 7.35% while that on the 15-month bond is
seen at 7.36%. The yield on L&T's 18-month bonds is seen at 7.37%.
Source: ET

37. The RBI has permitted international banking units (IBUs) in GIFT City in Gujarat to settle
non-deliverable foreign exchange derivative contracts (NDDCs) in Indian rupee.
• Until now, the derivatives were cash-settled in foreign currency.
• The Authorised Dealer (AD) Category-I banks operating IBUs can offer NDDCs involving
the Indian rupee to resident non-retail users for hedging. Such transactions shall be cash
settled in Indian rupee.
• Banks in India, which operate International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) Banking
Units (IBUs), were permitted to transact in rupee NDDCs with non-residents and with
each other with effect from June 1, 2020.
pg. 114
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Source: TOI

38. Bajaj Finserv has announced its entery into the highly competitive mutual funds business.
• Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund - the group's ninth entity - will compete with 40 others in the
sector, which together manage as much as Rs 40 lakh crore of public money.
• CEO of Bajaj Finserv MF - Ganesh Mohan
Source: TOI

39. Union Cabinet has approved the third revival package for BSNL with a total outlay of Rs
89,047 crore.
• The measures include allotment of 4G/5G spectrum for the company through equity
infusion.
• The authorised capital of BSNL will now be increased from Rs. 1,50,000 crores to Rs.
2,10,000 crores.
• BSNL has signed an agreement with the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for the
deployment of 4G network across India.
• Previous revival packages -
o First – 2019 of Rs 69,000 crore
o Second – 2022 of Rs 1.64 lakh crore
• As per govt data, these two packages together helped BSNL earn operating profits since
FY 2021-22. Besides, the total debt of BSNL has come down from Rs 32,944 crore to Rs
22,289 crore.
Source: ET

40. Google Pay has introduced a new feature that enables users to set up UPI (Unified
Payments Interface) using their ‘Aadhaar card number’ via National Payments
Corporation of India (NPCI).
• This feature allows users to set up UPI PIN without the need for their debit card details.
• Google has stated that it will not store Aadhaar numbers but will merely act as a facilitator
to share them with NPCI.
• The introduction of Aadhaar-based UPI is aimed at broadening the user base and
facilitating digital payments.
Source: HT

pg. 115
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41. RBI has conducted its bi-monthly monetary policy committee’s meeting -
• Projections for GDP growth and inflation -
o India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - 6.5%
o Consumer Price Index (CPI) based inflation - 5.1%
• Policy Rates -

Source: LiveMint and RBI

42. Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das has announced that cooperative banks will soon
be able to do technical write-offs and execute compromise settlements with defaulting
borrowers to resolve the issue of non-performing assets.
• Till now, this facility was available only with scheduled commercial banks and select non-
bank finance companies.
• RBI has also decided to rationalise and simplify the licensing framework for authorized
persons under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 to achieve operational
efficiency in the delivery of FOREX facilities.
Source: ET

43. RBI has decided to allow issuance of RuPay Prepaid Forex cards by banks in India for use
at ATMs, PoS machines and online merchants overseas.
• RBI has also allowed the issuance of RuPay Debit, Credit, and Prepaid Cards in foreign
jurisdictions, which can be used internationally, including in India.
Source: The Hindu

pg. 116
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44. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and the Securities Appellate Tribunal
(SAT) were engaged in a dispute over Provision 23(E) of the Securities Contracts
(Regulations) Act (SCRA) of 1956.
• The provision says any company violating listing conditions could attract a penalty of up to
₹25 crore.
• Sebi has been taking the view that “listing conditions" specified in the Act mean a violation
of listing rules. On the other hand, SAT has rejected this interpretation taken by Sebi and
said the law only applies if listing conditions are not met.
Source: LiveMint

45. RBI has introduced a cap of 5% on the first loan default guarantee (FLDG) that is provided
by fintechs to their lending partners.
• Regulated entities (RE) shall ensure that the total default guarantee shall not exceed 5%
of the portfolio amount.
• FLDG is the guarantee that an unregulated entity offers to regulated lenders.
• RBI has announced that banks and NBFCs are allowed to enter FLDG arrangements with
regulated entities as well as other loan service providers (LSP).
Source: ET

46. RBI has overhauled regulations governing one-time settlements (OTS) with defaulters and
technical write-offs of loans to harmonise the instructions across all regulated entities.
• RBI has asked all regulated entities (REs) to put in place board-approved policies for
OTS.
• Compromise settlements where the time for payment of the agreed settlement amount
exceeds three months shall be treated as restructuring.
• Compromise settlements and technical write-offs approved by the MD & CEO or board level
committee would be reported to the board.
• Borrowers which enter an OTS shall need to go through a cooling period of a minimum 12
months in case of farm credit exposures before the REs can assume fresh exposures to
such borrowers.
Source: ET

pg. 117
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47. Amazon India has signed an agreement with Indian Council for Agriculture Research to
guide farmers enrolled on its 'Kisan store' on scientific cultivation of different crops and help
them achieve optimum yield and income.
• A 'Kisan store' section was launched on the Amazon platform in September 2021.
• Farmers can avail doorstep delivery of agri-input products via Kisan store, with the help of
Amazon Easy stores.
Source: ET

48. According to RBI, India's forex reserves jumped to $595.067 billion for the week ended June
2.
• Gold reserves were $45.557 billion.
• The Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) were $18.186 billion.
• The country's reserve position with the IMF was $5.123 billion.
Source: TOI

49. Reserve Bank has notified four key measures to strengthen framework for 1,514 urban co-
operative banks in India.
• UCBs can now open new branches up to 10% (maximum 5 branches) of the number of
branches in the previous financial year without prior approval of RBI in their approved area
of operation.
• UCBs can also do One-Time Settlement with their borrowers, just like the commercial
banks.
• Now co-operative banks through board-approved policies may provide process for
technical write-off as well as settlement with borrowers.
o Technical write-offs would refer to cases where the non-performing assets remain
outstanding at the borrowers' loan account level but are written off (fully or partially)
by the RE only for accounting purposes.
• The RBI has extended the timeline for UCBs to achieve Priority Sector Lending (PSL)
targets by two years i.e., up to March 31, 2026.
o The deadline to achieve PSL target of 60%, which was March 31, 2023, has also
been extended to March 31, 2024.
o UCBs would not be required to contribute to Rural infrastructure development
fund (RIDF) or other eligible funds for shortfall in PSL target/ sub-targets during
Financial Year (FY) 2020-21 and FY 2021-22.
pg. 118
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o UCBs shall contribute to RIDF and other eligible funds against their shortfall in PSL
target/ sub-targets vis-à-vis the prescribed targets with effect from March 31, 2023.
o Also, in case contribution has been already made by any UCB towards the above
PSL shortfall during the FY 2020-21 and/ or FY 2021-22, that contribution can be
used to meet any shortfall that may have occurred during FY 2022-23. Excess
deposit, if any, after utilising the PSL shortfall during FY 2022-23 will be refunded to
the UCBs.

Source: ET and RBI circular

50. According to the data sourced from MyGovIndia, India has emerged as the frontrunner in
digital payments, surpassing four other countries, with an impressive 89.5 million digital
transactions recorded in 2022.
Top 5 Countries Transactions
India 89.5 million
Brazil 29.2 million
China 17.6 million
Thailand 16.5 million
South Korea 8 million
Source. MoneyControl

51. Central government released the third instalment of tax devolution to state governments,
amounting to a total of ₹1,18,280 crore.
• This amount released surpasses the normal monthly devolution of ₹59,140 crore.
• Purpose - to enable the states to speed up capital spending, finance their development/
welfare related expenditure and to make available resources for priority projects/ schemes
Source: LiveMint

52. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has successful launched a pilot study on
vehicles using E27 fuel and Ethanol Blended Diesel Fuel.
• With this, HPCL has become the first Oil Marketing Company in India to test the E27
fuel, in line with the "Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India by 2025," which aims to
promote the adoption of Ethanol Blending in gasoline.

pg. 119
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• The roadmap aims to achieve 20% Ethanol Blended Gasoline (E20) by April 2023 and
ensuring its widespread availability by April 2025.
• HPCL state-of-the-art R&D Centre is conducting comprehensive research on biofuels in
Devanagunthi, Bengaluru.
Source: PIB

53. HDFC Bank has introduced Millennia credit card for offering cashback and reward points on
Amazon, Flipkart, and other e-commerce platforms.
• The card comes with contactless technology allowing customers to ‘tap and pay’ via POS
machine.
Source: HBL

54. State-owned Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has signed MoU with
HDFC Bank for providing financial solutions to MSMEs.
Source: MoneyControl

55. JP Morgan, a global financial services company, has utilised blockchain to remove problems
around traditional finance in latest developments.
• The company has collaborated with six Indian banks to unveil a blockchain-backed
platform around US dollar settlements.
• Reportedly, Indian banks which are part of this deal are HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis
Bank, Yes Bank, IndusInd Bank and JPMorgan’s own banking division at Gujarat
International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City).
Source: FE

56. According to ICRA Research’s “India Banking Sector” report, bond issuances by banks
are expected to decline below Rs. 900 billion in FY 2024 from all-time high of Rs. 1.1 trillion in
FY2023.
• ICRA observed that public sector banks will remain larger issuers of Tier-I bonds.
Source: Official report

57. The annual retail inflation (consumer price inflation) eased to a two-year low of 4.25% in
May from 4.7% the previous month.
Source: TOI
pg. 120
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58. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has released the data on index of
industrial production (IIP), which has increased to 4.2% in April 2023.
Source: News on Air

59. Reserve Bank of India has allowed banks to undertake compromise settlement of fraud
accounts and wilful defaults.
• All regulated entities (REs) will be required to put in place board-approved policies for
undertaking compromise settlements and technical write-offs.
• The policies will also include a graded framework for the examination of staff
accountability in such cases.
• The objective would be to maximise the possible recovery from a distressed borrower at
minimum expense, in the best interest of the Regulated Entity (RE).
• The cooling period in respect of exposures other than farm credit exposures would be
subject to a floor of 12 months.
Source: ET

60. Meta Platforms has created a new “human-like” artificial intelligence model that can
analyze and complete unfinished images more accurately than existing models.
Source: IE

61. Federal Bank has launched the ‘I am Adyar, Adyar is me' campaign. It is a first-of-its-kind
micro-marketing initiative in the banking industry, which focuses on Adyar community and
their struggles.
Source: Lokmat Times

62. The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
(ICAI) have partnered to set up common balance confirmation portal.
• This portal will help to provide “external confirmation of balances” for helping statutory
auditors in the audit of financial statements.
• The task of development and maintenance of the platform has been entrusted to PSB
Alliance Pvt. Ltd. (PSB Alliance), which will in turn work with the Institute for
Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT).

pg. 121
[Type here]

• The PSB Alliance is a joint venture umbrella entity created and held exclusively by all 12
public sector banks. It is part of the larger public sector bank set up in India.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• In the year 1994, a committee on “Technology Issues Relating to Payments System,
Cheque Clearing and Securities Settlement in the Banking Industry”, headed by
Shri W. S. Saraf, Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India, was constituted.
• This committee recommended RBI to set up Information Technology Institute for the
purpose of Research and Development as well as Consultancy in the application of
technology to the Banking and Financial Sector of the country.
• Based on the recommendations of the committee, the Institute for Development and
Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) was established in March 1996 as an
Autonomous Centre for Development and Research in Banking Technology.
Source: HBL and IDRBT

63. Samco Mutual Fund has launched the first of its kind "Active Momentum Fund”.
• It will be a thematic fund that aims to invest in stocks that are showing growth
characteristics using a proprietary momentum-seeking algorithm.
Source: HBL

64. SIDBI has launched Mission EVOLVE (Electric Vehicle Operations and Lending for
Vibrant Ecosystem) in association with NITI Aayog, World Bank, and Korean Economic
Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), and Korea-World Bank partnership facility to
finance MSMEs in the EV space.
• While Niti Aayog will give technical support to SIDBI, financial assistance will come from the
World Bank, Korea-World Bank partnership facility and the Korean economic development
cooperation fund.
• The Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) has received in-principal
approval from SIDBI for designing and structuring NBFC Growth Accelerator Program
(NGAP).
o Purpose – to help small NBFCs that cater to MSEs in Tier 3 and 4 cities
o The programme will also include criteria for the evaluation and selection of around
20 NBFCs that are small in size but focused on the MSE segment to be part of the
pilot cohort.
• SIDBI CMD - Sivasubramanian Raman
pg. 122
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Knowledge Nuggets -
• Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) was established by three prolific
entrepreneurs, Ravi Venkatesan, Madan Padaki, and Mekin Maheshwari in 2018.
• The organization works to address systemic challenges to job creation in India.
Source: BS ET and GAME

65. Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has raised its stake in SAIL by about 2% to 8.68%.
Source: MoneyControl

66. Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has reduced its stake in NHPC to 3.19%.
Source: LiveMint

67. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) sold 1.7% stake in private sector lender
Kotak Mahindra Bank.
• Prior to the latest share sale, CPPIB had a 4.34% stake in the bank.
Source: BS

68. IRDAI has given permission to Go Digit Life Insurance Limited to carry the life insurance
business in India.
• Go Digit, a firm backed by Canada-based Fairfax Group, is already in the general insurance
business.
• With the latest addition, the number of insurers operating in the life insurance segment has
gone up to 26.
• Go Digit General Insurance is also planning to launch its IPO and has already filed papers
with markets regulator Sebi.
Source: ET

69. United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as the fourth largest investor in India during
2022-23, according to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
(DPIIT).
• UAE and India implemented a comprehensive free trade agreement in May last year.
• In the last fiscal, foreign direct investment (FDI) from the UAE to India jumped over three-
fold to USD 3.35 billion from USD 1.03 billion in 2021-22.

pg. 123
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• Singapore was the largest investor in India with USD 17.2 billion investment in FY23,
followed by Mauritius (USD 6.1 billion) and the US (USD 6 billion).
Source: ET

70. SBM Bank India launched the SBM World Elite Metal Debit Card, powered by Mastercard.
Source: The Print

71. According to the Centre for Monitoring of Indian Economy, the unemployment rate in
India fell to 7.7% in May.
Source: ET

72. Punjab National Bank (PNB) has become the first public sector bank to introduce an IVR-
based UPI solution - UPI 123PAY.
• This step aligns with the Digital Payment Vision 2025 towards a cashless and cardless
society.
• IVR - Interactive voice response
• IDFC First Bank, City Union Bank & NSDL Payments Bank have gone live on IVR
payments.
Source: LiveMint

73. RING digital credit platform has partnered with National Payments Corporation of India
(NPCI) to add its UPI plug-in into RING's platform.
• With this collaboration, the RING app will become a one-stop integrated payment and credit
solution where a customer can avail credit and pay merchants across the country.
• NPCI had launched the UPI plug-in service in 2022.
Source: ET and NPCI

74. Amp Energy India (an energy transition platform) has secured a loan of up to $250 million
(about ₹2,061 crore) from SMBC Bank of Japan, ICG (Intermediate Capital Group), and AIIB
(Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank).
Source: The Hindu

75. South Indian Bank has introduced SIB SWIFTe, an innovative and customer-centric digital
account opening platform that eliminates the hassle of paper-based documentation.
pg. 124
[Type here]

Source: HBL

76. Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB) has launched a new deposit scheme ‘Vikas
Ashadeep 400 days.’
• The scheme has a tenor of 400 days with interest rate of 7.5% for senior citizens and 7%
for general public.
• Under the scheme, a minimum of Rs 10,000 and maximum of Rs 2 crore can be
deposited.
Source: TOI

77. Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has launched 'My Account My Name' for savings bank
account customers. Now, customers can choose any name as their account number with
IOB.
• It is a first-of-its-kind in the banking sector.
• Bank customers will have the freedom to choose his/her/any name as his/her account
number and the same can be used for all transaction purposes.
• The account name can be a combination of seven letters only or seven numbers only or
seven alphanumeric -- like AJIT007, PRADHAN or 2424707 and others.
Source: TOI

78. SEBI allowed mutual funds (MFs) to invest in repo transactions in securities such as
Commercial Papers and Certificate of Deposits.
• As such, MFs will be permitted to participate only in "AA" and above rated corporate debt
securities.
• Purpose - to boost growth of the corporate bond market
• This means that a fund house can keep their corporate bonds, CPs or CDs as collateral to
avail a short-term loan at a prevailing market rate from another fund house.
Source: ET and BS

79. Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company Ltd has signed an MOU with the Directorate
General Resettlement (DGR), an Inter Service organization functioning directly under the
Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (Ministry of Defense) to offer employment
opportunities to Ex-Servicemen of the Defence Services.
Source: Business World
pg. 125
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80. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has given its approval to
SBI Mutual Fund to acquire up to 10% of total paid-up equity share capital of ICICI Lombard
General Insurance Company through market purchase.
• For the quarter ended March 2023, promoter ICICI Bank’s shareholding in the general
insurance company stood at 48.02%. SBI Mutual Fund through various schemes held
4.62% in the insurance company.
Source: ET

81. According to a report, microfinance loan portfolio increased by 22% to Rs 3.48 lakh crore
during 2022-23.
• Microfinance loan disbursals during FY 2022-23 improved by 23% to Rs 2.9 lakh crores
compared to Rs 2,39,433 crore in the previous financial year.
• Bihar is the largest state in terms of portfolio outstanding followed by Tamil Nadu and Uttar
Pradesh.
Source: MoneyControl

82. SEBI introduced a regulatory framework for online investment platforms (known as
Execution Only Platform) that facilitate investments in commission-free mutual fund (MF)
schemes.
• The regulation will come into force from September 2023.
• The execution-only platform allows transactions in direct plans of mutual funds without the
help of distributors - thereby, making the MF plan cheaper for the customers (no
commission to be paid to distributors).
• This regulation will bring clarity on obligations of such platforms while opening an avenue to
monetise their business. It will also address investor concerns on associated risks and
thereby, introduces grievance redressal mechanism.
Source: BS

83. Fino Payments Bank has tied-up with Sequoia Capital-backed fintech Hubble to introduce
India’s first spending account.
• Now, customers can park their funds, spend (on categories such as food ordering,
shopping, travel, entertainment etc.) and save up to 10% on all purchases made from the
account.
pg. 126
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Source: HBL

84. BSE sold a 4.54% stake in Central Depository Services (India) through a block deal to meet
market regulator Sebi norms.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Block Deal is a single transaction, of a minimum quantity of five lakh shares or a
minimum value of Rs 5 crore, between two parties which are mostly institutional players.
The transaction happens through a separate trading window.
Source: ET and ET

85. SEBI has revised its 2019 circular enabling parents or legal guardians to invest from their
own bank accounts in mutual fund schemes for their children, starting June 15.
• The 2019 circular prescribed the uniform process to be followed across Asset
Management Companies (AMCs) in respect of investments made in the name of a minor
through a guardian.
• As per the new rule, payment from the bank account of the minor, parent or legal
guardian of the minor, or a joint account of the minor with parent or legal guardian will
be accepted.
• They will no longer need to open joint accounts or open the account of minor children for
this purpose.
Source: CNBC

86. Max Life Insurance Company Ltd has launched Smart Wealth Advantage Growth Par Plan
- a non-linked participating individual life insurance savings plan.
• The plan offers comprehensive financial protection for the family for key milestones in life,
including retirement.
• MD & CEO of Max Life - Prashant Tripathy
Source: TOI

87. Ministry of Finance, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, has decided to issue
Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) in two tranches in 2023-24.
• Two Tranches are -
o Series I: It will be issued in June 2023
o Series II: It will be issued in September 2023
pg. 127
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• The SGBs will be sold through Scheduled Commercial banks (except Small Finance
Banks, Payment Banks and Regional Rural Banks), Stock Holding Corporation of India
Limited (SHCIL), Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL), designated post
offices, and recognised stock exchanges viz., National Stock Exchange of India Limited
and Bombay Stock Exchange Limited.
Source: PIB

88. Shri Vivek Johri, Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) released
the National Time Release Study (NTRS) 2023 report.
• The Time Release Study (TRS) is a performance measurement tool that assesses the
cargo release time.
o The cargo release time is defined as the time taken from arrival of the cargo at the
Customs station to its out of charge for domestic clearance in case of imports and
arrival of the cargo at the Customs station to the eventual departure of the carrier in
case of exports.
• NTRS 2023 presents port-category wise average release time for the current year, based
on the sample period of January 1-7, 2023 (both days included), in comparison to 2021-
22.
• The findings of NTRS 2023 reaffirms the 3-fold ‘Path to promptness’, comprising -
o Advance filing of import documents enabling pre-arrival processing,
o Risk-based facilitation of cargo and,
o Benefits of trusted client programme - Authorised Economic Operators
Source: PIB

89. The Pension Fund Regulatory Development Authority of India has stated that Asset
Under Management under pension schemes is expected to cross the landmark figure of Rs
10 lakh crore in the first half of this fiscal.
• As per the latest figure, assets under management (AUM) -- including National Pension
Scheme (NPS), Atal Pension Yojana (APY) and NPS Lite -- increased to Rs 9.58 lakh
crore.
• Out of Rs 9.58 lakh crore, NPS alone has a fund size of Rs 9.29 lakh crore while the
remaining Rs 28,538 crore is the corpus of APY.
• Last year, PFRDA crossed a landmark of more than 1 crore subscribers -- to be exact 1.2
crore. And this year (2023-24), PFRDA is targeting about 1.3 crore.
pg. 128
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• So, as of now, the APY subscription base is almost 5.2 crore

Source: ET

90. SEBI has restricted online bond platform providers from offering products other than listed
debt securities on their platforms.
● Under the rules, Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPPs) need to register themselves
as stock brokers in the debt segment of the stock exchange.
● OBPs offer an avenue for investors, particularly non-institutional investors to access the
bond market.
● Holding company, subsidiary, or associate of an online bond platform provider will not
utilise the name, brand name, or any name resembling that of the online bond platform
provider for offering products and services that are not regulated by a financial sector
regulator.
● The new framework would come into force with immediate effect.
Source: ET

91. Motilal Oswal Asset Management Company has launched the first-ever passive fund on
Nifty Microcap 250 Index.
• The Nifty Microcap 250 Index is designed to measure performance of the top 250
companies excluding those already present in the Nifty 500 constituents.
Source: HBL

92. IndusInd Bank has partnered with Wise, the global technology company specializing in
moving and managing money around the world, to offer online inward remittance services to
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) residing in US and Singapore.
• IndusInd Bank’s multi-partner remittance service platform - Indus Fast Remit (IFR) and
Wise Platform have integrated to offer multi-currency inward remittance service to NRIs.
• Indus Fast Remit is a first-of-its-kind multi-partner digital platform facilitating
remittances to India especially by NRI.
Source: IndusInd

93. Kotak Mahindra Bank has launched “ActivMoney” feature, whereby customers will get
Fixed Deposit like interest up to 7% on their savings account and the flexibility to access their
funds anytime without any penalty on foreclosure.
pg. 129
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• Through ActivMoney, excess funds in the account, beyond a defined threshold, are
automatically transferred into an FD so that customers earn a higher interest on their
savings.
• Default minimum threshold over which the surplus funds earn FD like higher interest rate
is ₹25,000 for Savings/Salary/811 accounts and ₹50,000 for current accounts.
Source: HBL

94. Fintech unicorn PhonePe launched its payment gateway to serve MSME (Micro, Small, and
Medium Enterprises) merchants across the country.
• PhonePe is already a market leader in UPI with over 50% market share by value.
Source: MoneyControl

95. Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) has been ranked first in Asia in the renewable energy
sector by ISS ESG.
• With this new development, AGEL is aiming to become the top 10 ESG companies globally
in the electric utility sector by FY25.
• AGEL is planning to achieve its target of 45 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Source: LiveMint

96. Assam-based Jettwings Airways has received No Objection Certification from the Ministry
of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to operate flights in the North-East under the UDAN scheme from
October 2023.
Source: ET

97. All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers (Base:
1986-87=100) for the month of May 2023 stands at 1186 and 1197 points respectively, as per
the data released by the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
Source: PIB

98. RBI has prepared a 10-point action plan for strengthening cyber security in financial
transactions.
• This includes talks with tech companies Google and Apple to secure mobile devices and
adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in cyber security design.
Source: HBL
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99. National Bank for Financing Infrastructure Development (NaBFID) aims to finalise loan
sanctions of ₹1 lakh crore and disburse close to ₹60,000 crore in the end of FY24.
• By March 2026, NaBFID’s sanctions will increase to ₹3 lakh crore.
Source: HBL

100. In 2022, Kiya.ai had launched India’s first metaverse on www.bharatmeta.in to

commemorate India’s 75th Independence Day.
• Now, this metaverse platform has been showcased at the ongoing VivaTech 2023 event in
Paris.
• VivaTech is Europe's biggest annual technology and startup event.
• MD and CEO of Kiya.ai - Rajesh Mirjankar
Source: ANI and Kiya

101. Max Life Insurance has bought 2.99% stake in Capital Small Finance Bank (Jalandhar-
based) for ₹49.5 crore, at a valuation of ₹1,653 crore.
Source: ET

102. Manipur govt has invoked RBI’s riot-relief measures amid the crisis.
• The measures are taken under RBI’s (relief measures in banks in areas affected by
Natural Calamities) direction 2018, chapter VII, Riots and Disturbances: Applicability of
Guidelines.
• As per the RBI’s norms, short-term crop loans can be restructured for riot-affected
borrowers with a maximum repayment period of two years, including one year of
moratorium, if the borrower faced the crop-loss between 33% and 50%.
• If the crop loss is more than 50%, the five-year repayment period may be extended up to a
maximum of five years, including the one-year moratorium period.
• The measures allow banks to restructure loans with at least 1 year of moratorium and
grant consumption loans, among others.
• Banks can also extend grant consumption loans up to Rs 10,000 to existing borrowers
without any collateral. The limit can be enhanced beyond Rs 10,000 at the bank’s
discretion.
Source: BS

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103. Funds parked by Indian individuals and firms in Swiss banks, including through India-
based branches and other financial institutions, declined by 11% in 2022 to 3.42 billion Swiss
francs (nearly Rs 30,000 crore), according to the annual data from Switzerland’s central bank.
Source: IE

104. Union Bank of India has launched four bank account schemes targeting women,
women entrepreneurs and professionals, pensioners and cooperative housing societies.
• Union Unnati - for women entrepreneurs and professionals, offering free cancer care
coverage, personal accident cover, concession in loan interest rates, retail loan processing
charges, and minimal service charges
• Union Samriddhi - to empower women by providing them with a safe and convenient
savings and financial management option
• Union Samman - a savings account aimed at pensioners
• Union SBCHS – it acknowledges the significance of co-operative housing societies,
offering concessions in loan processing charges for purchasing solar lights, elevators, and
other machinery, as well as concessional rates for home, vehicle, and education loans for
society and flat owners
Source: TOI

105. NSE International Exchange has unveiled a new brand identity of GIFT Nifty as a part of
the full-scale transition of SGX Nifty to Gift Nifty.
• Gift Nifty is the result of the strategic collaboration between NSE IX and SGX (Singapore
Exchange).
Source: ET

106. HDFC Ltd sells its 90% stake in HDFC Credila Financial Services (the education loan
subsidiary) to Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA) EQT and ChrysCapital group for Rs
9,060.48 crore, ahead of its merger with HDFC Bank.
Source: IE

107. Investment management firm Airavat Capital has launched the Airavat Global
Technology Fund R (AGTF R) at GIFT City.

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• This will offer Indian HNIs and institutional investors the opportunity to leverage Indian
technology ecosystem insight to capitalise on the growth potential of top listed technology
companies worldwide.
Source: HBL

108. IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, has placed a firm order for 500 A320 Family
aircraft.
• It is the world’s biggest A320 order and it is the biggest single purchase agreement in the
history of commercial aviation.
Source: Airbus

109. According to the latest data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the adoption
of the National Pension System (NPS) by employees of central government and central
public sector enterprises (CPSEs) declined marginally to 17,459 in April from 18,946 in
March.
• Of the new subscribers joining NPS in April under the central government and CPSEs, the
share of women subscr-ibers increased marginally to 21.9% from 21.2% in March.
• The new subscribers under the state governments fell by 42 per cent to 38,909 in April from
66,640 in March.

pg. 133
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Source: BS

110. Axis Bank launched ‘One-View’ - its latest feature on Axis Mobile Application.
• Axis Bank is the first private sector Bank to introduce this new-age banking feature
leveraging the Account Aggregator ecosystem to create a seamless banking experience for
its customers.
• This feature simplifies the process of managing finances for customers, by providing them
access to multiple bank accounts on one single platform, enabling them to track their
balances and spends on a real-time basis.
Source: Axis Bank

111. Goldman Sachs (US-based investment bank) has predicted the Indian economy and
market will be among the top globally by 2050 and even surpass the US by 2075.
• This information was given in “The Path to 2075-Capital Market Size and Opportunity”.
• The growth in Emerging Markets (EM) will continue to replace the developed market. 7 out
of the top 10 world economies, at present, will become EMs by 2075.

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• India will record the largest increase in global market cap share – from a little under 3%
in 2022 to 8% in 2050, and 12% in 2075.

Source: BS

112. According to the data released by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority
(PFRDA), the growth in enrolments of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) in FY23 witnessed 24%
growth for the minimum pension of Rs 1,000.
• On the other hand, the enrolments under higher pension slabs declined during the year.
• Enrolments under the pension slabs of Rs 2,000, Rs 3,000, Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000
declined by 5.3%, 8.2%, 10.6% and 12.6%, respectively, in FY23.
pg. 135
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• The share of enrolments under these pension slabs out of the total new enrolments in a
financial year declined from 61.4% in FY16 to 7.9% in FY23.
• Majority of unorganised workers, who opted for the Rs 1,000 slab, are in the age group of
21-30 years.
• Enrolments under the slab of Rs 1,000 saw a growth of 24% to around 11 million in FY23.
• The highest growth was recorded in Haryana and Punjab at 62% and 52%, respectively.
• Among the 17 states, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Punjab are the
only states that saw growth in collective enrolments in pension slabs between Rs 2,000 and
Rs 5,000 in FY23.

Knowledge Nuggets -
• The APY is a central government scheme that was launched in 2015. The minimum age
for joining is 18 years and the maximum age is 40 years.
• A subscriber under APY is required to make a monthly/quarterly/six monthly
contribution determined by the amount of pension chosen and the age of joining the
scheme.
• The subscriber will receive a government-guaranteed minimum pension of Rs 1,000,
Rs 2,000, Rs 3,000, Rs 4,000, or Rs 5,000 per month, after the age of 60 until death,
depending on the contribution chosen.
Source: BS

113. Insurance regulator IRDAI has extended the scope of the ‘Use and File’ procedure to
cover more life insurance products.

pg. 136
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• Meaning – It allows insurers to launch a product first and then submit details to the
regulator subsequently.
• This procedure has now been extended to group unit-linked insurance products,
individual ULIPs which are offered with new funds and combi products in which the life
insurer acts as the lead.
Source: The Hindu

114. SEBI has made the manager and key management personnels of Alternative
Investment Fund (AIF) responsible for appointing an independent valuer of asset, and
ascertaining true and fair valuation of the investments of AIF schemes.
• At each asset level, in case there is a deviation of over 20% between two consecutive
valuations or a deviation of over 33% in a financial year, the manager shall inform the
investors the reasons for the same.
• The independent valuer should have at least 3 years of experience in valuation of unlisted
securities and should not be associated with the manager, sponsor and trustee of the AIF.
• The independent valuer should be registered with Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of
India and have membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India or
Institute of Company Secretaries of India or Institute of Cost Accountants of India or
CFA Institute.
• An AIF must obtain consent of 75% of investors by value for launching ‘Liquidation Scheme’
during the liquidation period of one year of the original scheme.
• Liquidation scheme is a close-ended scheme launched by an AIF only for the purpose of
liquidating the unliquidated investments purchased from its scheme, whose tenure has
expired.
Source: HBL

115. SEBI has barred Eros International Media, its promoter Sunil Lulla and CEO Pradeep
Kumar Dwivedi, from accessing the securities market "until further orders".
• Reason - for alleged misrepresentation of financial statements and for siphoning off funds
Source: ET

116. Google has announced to invest $10 billion in India's digitisation fund, through which
Google will invest in AI companies in India and help in boosting digitisation activities of India.

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• Google will also open its global fintech operations centre at the Gujarat International
Finance Tec-City (GIFT) in Gandhinagar.
Source: ET and TOI

117. United Kingdom Treasury has accorded equivalence to central counterparties

authorised by the Reserve Bank of India.
Source: ET

118. The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched a new insurance plan —
Dhan Vriddhi.
• It is a non-linked, non-participating, individual, savings, single premium life insurance plan
which offers a combination of protection and savings.
• The plan provides financial support for the family in case of unfortunate death of the life
assured during the policy term.
• Features:
o Policy Term- 10,15 or 18 years
o Minimum and Maximum Basic Sum assured- Rs.1,25,000, No limit
Source: Economic Times

119. Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) sells 2.07% stake for around Rs. 649 Crore in iron ore
producer National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC).
• LIC’s shareholding in NMDC has now reduced from now 11.69% to 9.62%.
Source: Business Standard

120. Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance has launched new pension scheme ‘Nischit Pension
Plan’.
• This plan provides a 100% guaranteed corpus.
• MD & CEO of Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance - Kamlesh Rao
Source: Livemint

121. Manipal Technologies Limited has partnered with state-owned Indian Bank to promote
financial inclusion by offering customised banking products.
• The partnership will focus on building a sustainable network of corporate business
correspondents (CBCs) to serve unbanked and rural areas.
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• The services will range from account opening, withdrawals, deposits, lead generation,
opening FDs (fixed deposits), and applying for loans.
Source: Business Standard

122. Infosys has signed $454 mn deal with Denmark Based Danske Bank to boost digital
transformation.
• Infosys will also take over the bank’s IT centre in Bengaluru for 13.6 Danish Krone (or Rs
16.3 crore) as a part of the deal.
Source: Business Standard

123. EPFO has launched calculator for higher EPS pension additional contribution.
• This excel-based calculator will calculate the dues that an employee has to pay to receive
higher pension at the time of retirement.
• The calculator can be downloaded from the Member Sewa portal of the EPFO.
Source: The Economic Times

124. World Bank has announced Comprehensive Toolkit to Support Countries after Natural
Disasters at a summit on New Global Financial Pact.
• IMF has reached its target of making $100 billion in special drawing rights available for
vulnerable countries.
Source: World Bank

125. Canara Bank has become the first Public Sector Bank in India to introduce the facility of
UPI payments to merchants through RuPay Credit Card.
• Customers of the Canara Bank will now be able to make UPI payments to merchants from
their RuPay Credit Cards also in addition to their bank accounts.
• Customers can link their Canara Bank RuPay Credit Cards to their UPI IDs.
Source: FE

126. SEBI introduced Application Supported by Blocked Amount (ASBA)-like facility for
trading in the secondary market.
• Purpose - to safeguard investors' money from misuse and default by stock brokers
• The new facility will become live by January 1, 2024.

pg. 139
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• This is similar to Application Supported by Blocked Amount (ASBA)-like facility already

available for the primary market which ensures that money from an investor gets moved
only when an allotment happens.
• Under the framework, funds will remain in the account of client but will be blocked in favour
of the Clearing Corporation (CC) till the expiry date of the block mandate or till block is
released by the CC, or debit of the block towards obligations arising out of the trading
activity of the client, whichever is earlier.
Source: ET

127. Ministry of Consumer Affairs has extended the deadline for loan disbursement or project
completion of ethanol production facilities by six months till September 30, 2023.
• The previous timeline for loan disbursement under the schemes on ethanol projects was
March 31, 2023.
Source: BS

128. For the first time, the RBI has fined all four credit information bureaus - TransUnion Cibil,
CRIF High Mark, Experian, and Equifax - for not maintaining accurate data.
Source: TOI

129. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directed Karnataka-based Mahalaxmi Cooperative
Bank, Dharwad to function only as an NBFC.
Source: LiveMint

GDP FORECASTS
1. J.P. Morgan has its forecast for India's annual growth by 50 basis points to 5.5% for fiscal
2024.
• For FY23 - 7.2%
Source: Reuters

2. National Statistical Office has increased its GDP forecast for fiscal 2022-2023 to 7.2% from
7%, as compared to 9.1% growth in fiscal 2021-2022.
• Fourth Quarter of 2022-23 - 6.1%
Knowledge Nuggets -

pg. 140
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• In April 2023, RBI projected a 6.5% GDP growth rate for India for 2023-24, in its MPC
report.
• In May, RBI Governor Shaktikant Das said India's gross domestic product growth could
be above 7% for 2022-23.
Source: The Wire, ET, and BT

3. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has projected a growth range for India for FY24 at 6.5-
6.7%.
• India’s GDP grew by 6.1% in the March quarter of 2022-23, while the growth rate for FY23
was 7.2%.
• The CII also expects the retail inflation to be within the RBI’s target range (2-6%) in FY24.
Source: TOI

4. World Bank has released the “Global Economic Prospects 2023” report.

Source: Official report

5. Fitch Ratings raised its growth forecast for the India to 6.3% for 2023-24.
• The Reserve Bank of India projects the economy will grow 6.5% in FY24.
Source: Reuters

6. S&P Global Ratings forecasted India's GDP growth forecast at 6% for FY24.
• India will be the fastest growing economy among Asia Pacific nations.
• Headline consumer inflation will soften to 5% in fiscal 2024.
Source: The Hindu

7. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has increased its GDP
forecast for India for 2023-24 to 6%, its latest Economic Outlook.
• Forecast for 2024-25 – 7%

pg. 141
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Source: OECD

APPOINTMENTS
1. Sachin Tendulkar has been named as the 'Smile Ambassador' for Maharashtra's Swachh
Mukh Abhiyan, a campaign that promotes oral hygiene.
• The Swachh Mukh Abhiyaan is a national campaign undertaken by the Indian Dental
Association to improve oral health and hygiene and educate people about its importance.
Source: ET

2. National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited CMD Gurdeep Singh has been given
additional charge of the CMD of NEEPCO.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited has been a trusted power
generation company in the North Eastern region of India.
• It was incorporated in 1976.

pg. 142
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• Its Corporate Office is in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya.

• It is Miniratna I CPSEs. There are a total of 62 CPSEs in this list.
Source: Shillong Times and List of Ratna CPSE

3. Ashwani Kumar has been appointed as the new MD and CEO of city-based public sector
UCO Bank.
• Prior to this, he was the executive director of the state-owned Indian Bank.
• The bank is headquartered in Kolkata and has 43 Zonal Offices spread across India.
• UCO Bank was established in 1943.

Source: ET and UCO

4. Amarendu Prakash has taken charge as the new Chairman and Managing Director of Steel
Authority of India Ltd (SAIL).
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is one of the largest steel-making companies in
India and a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprises.
• HQ of SAIL – Ispat Bhawan, New Delhi
Source: HBL and SAIL

5. K. Krithivasan has assumed the charge of the CEO of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS),
India’s largest IT services company.
Source: LiveMint

6. Ajay Yadav has assumed the charge of Managing Director at Solar Energy Corporation of
India Limited (SECI).
• SECI, a Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) established in
2011, serves as the primary implementing agency for renewable energy schemes and
projects under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

pg. 143
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Source: LiveMint

7. Dennis Francis (Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago) has been elected as the President
of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (scheduled for September 5-19, 2023 in
New York).
• Vision for the 78th session – ‘Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability’
• Thematic Report to the 78th session of the UN General Assembly "The rights to water
and sanitation as a tool for peace, prevention and cooperation" was released.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• The President of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
(September 2022), is Mr. Csaba Korosi (a Hungarian diplomat).
• 77th session was organized in September 2022 on the theme of “A watershed
moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges”.
• Mr. Csaba Korosi made his first India visit since assuming office in January 2023.

UN 2023 Water Conference -

• It was held in March 2023.
Source: UN, Thematic Report, Dates of Assembly, PM India, 77th UNGA, Water Conference,

8. Celeste Saulo (Former Director of the National Meteorological Service of Argentina) has been
appointed as the first female Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organisation
(WMO).
• She will assume office on January 1, 2024 and succeeds Petteri Taalas, who completed his
two-term term.
• Prior to her appointment as the Secy-Gen, she was functioning as the first Vice-President
of WMO.
• During the 19th World Meteorological Congress in Geneva, India Meteorological
Department (IMD) director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra was elected as one of the
three Vice Presidents of the WMO.
• The other two being elected are Eoin Moran (from Ireland) as the second VP and Daouda
Konate (from Cote d'Ivoire) as the first VP for the next four years.
Source: ANI and TOI

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9. Dr Abdulla Al Mandous (from UAE) has been elected as the new President of the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) for a four-year term from 2023 to 2027.
• The election took place during the 19th session of the World Meteorological Congress
(Cg-19) held in Geneva, Switzerland.
• He will replace Germany’s Prof Gerhard Adrian.
• Under Dr Al Mandous’ leadership, WMO’s upcoming 77th Executive Council Session
(EC-77) was chaired by the UAE in Geneva.
Source: News on Air

10. Nitin Agarwal, a Kerala cadre Indian Police Service officer, has been appointed as the new
Director General of the Border Security Force.
• Motto of BSF – Duty unto Death
• BSF was raised in 1965.
Source: HT and BSF

11. K. Prathapa Reddy has been appointed as the new chairman of the Andhra Pradesh
Grameena Vikas Bank (HQ – Warangal, Telangana).
Source: The Hindu

12. Algeria, Guyana, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia will join the UNSC as non-
permanent members for maintaining international peace and security, starting in January,
serving for a 2-year period.
Source: UN

13. Edgars Rinkevics has been elected as the president of Latvia.

Source: Reuters

14. The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has recommended Sanjay Swarup for the
role of Chairman and Managing Director of Container Corporation of India Ltd
(CONCOR).
• The recommendations are made to Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Source: ET

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15. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has appointed Amit Agrawal as its new
Chief Executive Officer.
Source: CNBC

16. Senior IAS officer Subodh Kumar Singh has been appointed as the director general of the
National Testing Agency.
Source: IE

17. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has appointed Hardik Pandya as its brand
ambassador for Hyundai Exter.
Source: ET

18. Mining major NMDC’s Director (Finance) Amitava Mukherjee has got an extension of the
additional charge as CMD of NMDC, for three months.
Source: The Hindu

19. TransUnion CIBIL has appointed V Anantharaman as non-executive chairman.

Knowledge Nuggets -
• TransUnion CIBIL maintains one of the largest collections of consumer credit
information globally.
• In 2000, TransUnion CIBIL Limited (formerly Credit Information Bureau (India)
Limited) was incorporated based on recommendations made by the RBI Siddiqui
Committee (Chairman: N.H. Siddiqui).
• TransUnion acquired a 92.1% stake in CIBIL in 2017.
• At present, there are four credit bureaus in India - TransUnion CIBIL™, Equifax,
Experian, and CRIF High Mark.
Source: ET, TransUnion, RBI

20. IndiGo’s CEO Peter Elbers has been elected as the next chief of the International Air
Transport Association (IATA)'s board of governors, w.e.f., June 2024.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the trade association for the world’s
airlines, representing some 300 airlines or 83% of total air traffic.

pg. 146
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• Establishment Year – 1945

Source: MoneyControl and IATA

21. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of -

• Health Secretary - Sudhansh Pant (prior to this, he was the Shipping Secretary)
• Shipping Secretary - T K Ramachandran
• Aviation Secretary - Chanchal Kumar
• Power Secretary - Pankaj Agrawal
• Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga
Rejuvenation in the Jal Shakti Ministry - Debashree Mukherjee
• Secretary General of the National Human Rights Commission - Bharat Lal
• Secretary of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals - Nivedita Shukla Verma
• Secretary of the Department of Fertilizers - Rajat Kumar Mishra
• Secretary of the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises - Subhas Chandra Lal
Das
• Secretary of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (a body under Ministry of
Social Justice) - Renu Gonela Pillay
Source: The Print

22. Australia has appointed Philip Green as the country’s next high commissioner to India.
Source: HT

23. Nusrat Chowdhury, a civil rights lawyer, has been confirmed by the Senate as the first
Muslim female federal judge in US history.
• She will assume her lifetime appointment in Brooklyn federal court in New York.
Source: IE

24. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the appointment of senior IPS
officer Ravi Sinha as the chief of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) for a period of two
years.
Source: IE

25. Gopichand Hinduja has taken over as chairman of the $34.5 billion-worth Hinduja Group.
Source: BS
pg. 147
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26. Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has recommended Ramaswamy Narayanan
as the Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of General Insurance Corporation of
India (GIC Re) and Rajeshwari Singh for the position of CMD in National Insurance
Company Limited (NICL).
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Financial Services Institutions Bureau was set up by Centre in 2022 for
recommending persons for appointment as whole-time directors and non-executive
chairpersons on the Boards of financial services institutions.
Source: CNBC and FSIB

27. RBI has approved the re-appointment of P. N. Vasudevan as Managing Director and Chief
Executive Officer of private sector Equitas Small Finance Bank.
• Equitas Holdings Ltd has surrendered its NBFC licence to RBI.
• RBI, in the exercise of powers conferred on it under Section 45-IA (6) of the Reserve Bank
of India Act, 1934, has, therefore, cancelled its CoR (certificate of registration).
Source: The Hindu and ET

28. Eddie Yongming Wu has been appointed as the CEO of Alibaba Group.
Source: IE

29. Axis Bank has appointed N.S. Vishwanathan, independent director, as the non-executive
(part-time) chairman for three years.
• Vishwanathan is RBI’s former Deputy Governor.
Source: TOI

30. Shri U Saravanan has been appointed as the Chairman and MD of National Fertilizers
Limited.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• NFL is a Mini Ratna (Category-I) Company, having its registered office at New Delhi.
• It was incorporated in 1974.

pg. 148
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• It has an authorized capital of Rs. 1000 crore and a paid-up capital of Rs. 490.58 crore
out of which Government of India’s share is 74.71 % and 25.29 % is held by financial
institutions & others.
Source: NFL and NFL

31. Aalok Kumar has been appointed as a member of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB)
High-level Advisory Group on Digital Technology for Development with effect from May 1,
2023.
• The 8-member group, consisting of global industry leaders in digital technology and
academicians, is committed to further accelerating the utilization of ICT technology among
ADB activities for developing countries.
• Aalok Kumar is the President & CEO of NEC Corporation India. NEC Corporation is a
global IT and network company.
Source: NEC

32. RBI has selected State Bank of India Managing Director Swaminathan Janakiraman for the
post of Deputy Governor in the organization.
• He will replace Deputy Governor M.K. Jain whose tenure will end this month.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• The Reserve Bank's affairs are governed by a central board of directors.
• Appointed/nominated for a period of four years
• Constitution:
o Official Directors
▪ Full-time: Governor and not more than four Deputy Governors
o Non-Official Directors
▪ Nominated by Government: ten Directors from various fields and two
government Official
▪ Others: four Directors - one each from four local boards
• Other full time Deputy Governors are M.D. Patra, M. Rajeshwar Rao, and T. Rabi Sankar.
Source: The Hindu, RBI, and RBI’s list of D-G

33. Romania’s Social Democratic leader Marcel Ciolacu has been elected as PM.
• Capital – Bucharest and Currency - Romanian Leu
Source: Bloomberg
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34. Hasmukh Adhia has been appointed as the Chairman of GIFT City Ltd, the entity
responsible for developing India’s first smart city Gujarat International Finance-Tec City in
Gandhinagar.
• Adhia is the senior retired bureaucrat and former Union Finance Secretary & Revenue
Secretary.
• Besides GIFT City, Adhia has also been appointed Director and Chairman of the boards
of Gujarat Alkalies & Chemicals Ltd (GACL) and Gujarat Mineral Development
Corporation Ltd (GMDC) with immediate effect.
• At present, Adhia is a non-executive Chairman of Bank of Baroda, and the Chancellor of
Central University of Gujarat.
• He also serves as Vice-President in Gujarat Energy Research and Management
Institute (GERMI) and Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar.
Source: HBL

35. Petteri Orpo has been appointed as the PM of Finland.

• Capital – Helsinki; Currency – The Euro
• Recently, it became a member of NATO. It shares land borders with Russia, Sweden, and
Norway.
• It shares the sea borders with Baltic Sea.
Source: HT

36. Greece’s New Democratic Party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis has been elected as PM.
• Capital – Athens and Currency – Euro (EUR)
Source: The Hindu

37. DBS Bank India has appointed Rajat Verma as the new Managing Director and Head of
Institutional Banking for India.
• Managing Director and CEO, DBS Bank India - Surojit Shome
Source: The Hindu

38. Rohit Jawa took charge as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FMCG
major Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL).
Source: ET
pg. 150
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39. Federal Bank appointed former NPCI MD A.P. Hota as its new chairman.
Source: The Hindu

IMPORTANT DAYS
1. May 30 - World Multiple Sclerosis Day; Theme – Connections
• On this day, the MS Connections campaign was organized to building community
connection, self-connection and connections to quality care.
• The campaign tagline is ‘I Connect, We Connect’ and the campaign hashtag is #MS
Connections.
• The theme colour of MS Day is Orange.
• Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under Ministry of
Social Justice and Empowerment, organized the activities on this day in India.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) disease causes damage to the insulating covers of nerve cells in
the brain and spinal cord.
• This damage disrupts the ability of parts of the nervous system to transmit signals,
resulting in a range of signs and symptoms, including physical, mental, and sometimes
psychiatric problems.
Source: PIB and Wikipedia

2. May 31 - World No Tobacco Day; Focus - Grow food, not tobacco

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the OTT (over the top) guidelines
for depiction of tobacco products.
• Thus, India became the first country in the world to make it mandatory for OTT platforms
to display anti-tobacco warnings and disclaimers as seen in movies screened in theatres
and television programmes.
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organized a hybrid event to observe World No
Tobacco Day 2023 in New Delhi. The theme of World No Tobacco Day this year is “We
Need Food, Not Tobacco.
Source: WHO and PIB

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3. June 1 - Global Day of Parents; Theme - The power of parenting: raising happy, healthy and
hopeful children
Source: UN

4. June 1 - World Milk Day; Theme - Showcasing how dairy is reducing its environmental
footprint, while also providing nutritious foods and livelihoods
Knowledge Nuggets -
• National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) was founded in 1965.
• Operation Flood was launched in 1970 to help India emerge as the world's largest milk
producing nation. It has three phases; the last phases ended in 1996.
• World Bank provided assistance for this mission.
• Verghese Kurien is known as the Milk Man of India.
Source: The Quint, and NDDB

5. June 2 - International Sex Workers' Day / International Whores’ Day; Theme -

Decriminalization and Empowerment
• As per an article of LiveMint, "Access to Justice" is the theme of this day.
• March 3 - International Sex Worker Rights Day
• September 14 - Sex Worker Pride
• December 17 - International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
Source: The Statesman, LiveMint, Global Network for Sex Workers

6. June 2 - Telangana's statehood (10th anniversary)

Source: The Hindu

7. June 3 - World Bicycle Day; Theme - Riding Together for a Sustainable Future
Source: The Quint

8. June 4 - International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

Source: UN

9. June 5 - International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
Source: UN

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10. June 5 – World Environment Day (50th anniversary); Theme – Solutions to Plastic Pollution
• Host countries – Ivory Coast and Netherlands
• PM Narendra Modi launched two schemes -- Amrit Dharohar and MISHTI (Mangrove
Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes) --aimed at reviving the country's
wetlands and mangroves.
o Amrit Dharohar Yojana will ensure the conservation of the existing Ramsar sites
through public participation, and these sites will become the centre of eco-tourism.
o The MISHTI scheme will help revive and protect the mangrove ecosystem. With this,
the mangrove cover will be restored in nine states.
o MISHTI envisages exploring the possible area for development of mangroves
covering nearly 540 sq. km, spreading across 11 states and two union territories
over five years, starting FY24.
o The primary objectives of the MISHTI scheme are sharing best practices on
plantation techniques, management practices, conservation measures and resource
mobilisation through public-private partnership.
o The Centre will cover 80% of the project cost, while state governments will
contribute the remaining 20%.
Source: UNEP and LiveMint

11. June 6 - World Pest Day

Source: Global Pest Coalition

12. June 6 - Russian Language Day

• Russia celebrates June 6 as the Pushkin day.
Source: UNESCO and Russia

13. June 7 - World Food Safety Day; Theme - Food standards save lives
• The "Manual of Methods of Analysis of Foods- Fish & Fish Products," The "Manual of
Methods of Analysis of Foods- Cereal and Cereal Products - 2nd edition," and, The
"Manual of Methods of Analysis of Foods- Beverages: Tea, Coffee and Chicory" were
released by FSSAI.
• FSSAI released the State Food Safety Index 2023 (5th edition). The index assesses the
period of 2022-23.
• Parameters of this index -
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o Human Resources and Institutional Data

o Compliance
o Food Testing Infrastructure
o Training & Capacity Building
o Consumer Empowerment
o Improvement in SFSI Rank (new parameter)

• Categories of States -

• Rankings for 2022-23 -

• Top rankers in the previous editions -

pg. 154
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Source: PIB, FAO and FSSAI report

14. June 8 - World Brain Tumour Day; Theme - Protect yourself, avoid stress.
Source: BS

15. June 8 - World Oceans Day; Theme - Planet Ocean: Tides Are Changing
Source: UN

16. June 9 - World Accreditation Day; Theme - Accreditation: Supporting the Future of Global
Trade
Knowledge Nuggets -
• International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation is the international organisation
for accreditation of bodies such as calibration laboratories, testing laboratories, medical
testing laboratories, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers, and reference
material producers.
• International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation became a formal cooperation in
1996 to establish a network of mutual recognition agreements among accreditation
bodies.
• In 2000, the 36 ILAC Full Members consisting of laboratory accreditation bodies from 28
countries, signed the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC MRA) in

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Washington DC, to promote the acceptance of technical test and calibration data for
exported goods.
• The ILAC MRA for calibration and testing laboratories came into effect on 31 January
2001.
Source: ILAC and ILAC

17. June 9 – International Archives Day

Source: ICA

18. June 12 - World Day Against Child Labour; Theme - Social Justice for All. End Child Labour!
Source: UN

19. June 13 - International Albinism Awareness Day; Theme - Inclusion is Strength

Source: UN

20. June 14 - World Blood Donor Day; Theme - Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often
Source: UN

21. June 15 - World Elder Abuse Awareness Day; Focus - Addressing Gender-Based Violence in
Older Age Policy, Law and Evidence-based Responses
Source: UN

22. June 15 – ASEAN Dengue Day; Theme - ASEAN’s Commitment to Fight Against Dengue
• 6th Asia Dengue Summit was organized from 15th–16th June 2023 on the theme of
“Road Map to Zero Dengue Death” in Bangkok, Thailand.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• In India, the National Dengue Day is observed on 16 May each year.
• 2023 Theme - "Fight Dengue, Save Lives"

2023 ASEAN Summit -

• The 42nd ASEAN Summit was chaired by Indonesia in Labuan Bajo on 10-11 May
2023 on the theme of “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”.
Source: ASEAN, LiveMint, ASEAN Summit, Dengue Summit

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23. June 15 - Global Wind Day (also known as National Wind Day)
• Global Wind Day celebration in India was held on the theme of “Pawan – Urja: Powering
the Future of India”.
• Rajasthan was felicitated for achieving the highest wind capacity addition, Gujarat for
achieving the highest wind capacity addition through open access and Tamil Nadu for
initiating repowering of wind turbines.
Source: India Today and PIB

24. June 16 - International Day of Family Remittances; Theme – Digital remittances towards
financial inclusion and cost reduction
Source: UN

25. June 17 - World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought; Theme - "Her land. Her rights"
Source: UN

26. June 18-24 - World Allergy Week 2023

Source: Pace Hospitals

27. June 18 - Autistic Pride Day

Source: IE

28. June 18 - Sustainable Gastronomy Day

Source: UN

29. June 18 - International Day for Countering Hate Speech; Theme - Hate speech: Turning the
tide
Source: UN

30. June 19 - World Sickle Cell Awareness Day; Theme - ‘Building and strengthening global sickle
cell communities, formalizing newborn screening and knowing your sickle cell disease status’
Source: PIB

31. June 19 - National Reading Day

Source: TOI

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32. June 19 - International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
• An event will be organized on the theme of “Bridging the gender digital divide to prevent,
address and respond to conflict-related sexual violence” at UN headquarters in New York.
Source: UN

33. June 20 - World Refugee Day; Theme - hope away from home
Source: UN

34. June 21 - International Day of Yoga (9th edition); Theme - "Yoga for Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam" (Yoga for 'The World is One Family')
A) Global celebration of IYD2023: It was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at
North Lawn of United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA.
• This event witnessed response from yoga enthusiasts from over 135
nationalities.
• It has set Guinness World Record for participation by maximum number of
nationalities in a Yoga session.
B) National celebration of IDY2023: It was led by Vice President of India
Jagdeep Dhankhar at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.
• Its focus was to achieve “Har Aangan Yoga” by enabling observation of
Yoga at village level.
C) Ocean Ring of Yoga: It has been organised by Ministry of AYUSH in
coordination with Ministry of Defence and other ministries symbolising unity and
solidarity.
• As part of it, India naval ships stationed at 9 ports around the world
participated in Yoga demonstration.
• INS Sunayna visited Mombasa, Kenya. INS Sunayna also undertook
Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Kenya Naval Ship Jasiri.
• INS Trishul made a port call at Toamasina, Madagascar as part of the
theme ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’.
D) Yoga from Arctic to Antarctica: Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of
Ayush also organised yoga event in countries falling in and around Prime Meridian
line besides UN member countries.

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E) Yoga My Pride Contest: It was photography contest organised by Ministry of

Ayush, in collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Ministry of
External Affairs on MyGov.in platform.
F) Y-break at workspaces: It has been introduced by Ministry of Ayush with the
aim to get de-stressed, refreshed, and re-focused at workspace.
Source: UN, PIB, PIB, PIB

35. June 21 – World Music Day

Source: TOI

36. June 21 – Summer Solstice (longest day of the year)

Source: IE

37. June 21 - World Music Day; Theme - “Music on the Intersections”

Source: IE

38. June 23 - World Hydrography Day; Theme - Hydrography – Underpinning the Digital; Twin of
the Ocean
• National Hydrographic Office (NHO) in Dehradun celebrated WHD in India.
• Hydrography is the science of surveying and charting bodies of water, such as seas, lakes,
and rivers.
Source: PIB

39. June 23 - International Widows’ Day; Focus - Invisible Women, Invisible Problems
Source: UN

40. June 23 – International Olympics Day; Theme – Let's Move

Source: Olympics.com

41. June 23 - United Nations Public Service Day

Source: UN

42. June 25 - Day of the Seafarer; Theme - MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on
Source: IMO
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43. June 25 - World Vitiligo Day

Source: HT

44. June 26- International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking or World Drug Day;
Theme - “People First: stop stigma and Discrimination, strengthen Prevention”
Source: IE

45. June 27- World MSME Day

• Theme of MSME Day 2023 in India - “Future-ready MSMEs for India@100
• Theme by Global Council for the Promotion of International Trade (GCPIT)- “Building a
Stronger Future Together”
• #Brand10000MSMEs Network has been launched by GCPIT (HQ - Bangalore) for MSMEs
across the globe to connect, learn and grow together.
• Ministry of MSME has held "Udyami Bharat-MSME Day" as part of World MSME Day at
Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
• Ministry of MSME launched ‘CHAMPIONS 2.0 Portal’ and ‘Mobile App for Geo-tagging of
Cluster Projects and Technology Centers’.
• 'MSME Idea Hackathon 3.0' for women entrepreneurs was launched.
• India expects that MSMEs to contribute to 50% of the country’s GDP by 2030.
• Ministry of MSME and SIDBI signed an MOU to create a portal for ‘PM VIshwakarma
KAushal Samman’ (PMVIKAS) by SIDBI.
Source: Business Standard and PIB

46. June 28 - National Insurance Awareness Day

Source: LiveMint

47. June 29 - International Day of the Tropics

Source: India Today

48. June 29 - National Statistics Day (Prof PC Mahalanobis's Birthday); Theme - “Alignment of
State Indicator Framework with National Indicator Framework for Monitoring Sustainable
Development Goals”
Source: HT
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AWARDS
1. JSW Steel, a leading integrated steel manufacturer, has received GreenPro ecolabel for its
‘Automotive Steel’ products from JSW Steel Vijayanagar.
• The GreenPro Ecolabel has been developed by the Confederation of Indian Industry’s
Green Business Centre to recognise the highest standards of environmental
sustainability and product performance in the Indian manufacturing sector.
Source: HBL

2. Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has named 0.5-metre diameter enclosed
free-jet hypersonic wind tunnel after late scientist and leader Professor Roddam
Narasimha.
• The tunnel will be named as ‘Roddam Narasimha Hypersonic Wind Tunnel’.
Source: Swarajyamag

3. Goan writer Damodar Mauzo has won the 57th Jnanpith Award, the country's highest literary
honour.
• Mauzo's 25 books have been published in Konkani and one in English. Many of his books
have also been translated in different languages.
• Mauzo's famous novel 'Karmelin' received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983.
• Mauzo is the second Goan to receive the Jnanpith Award. Earlier, Ravindra Kelekar from
the coastal state got the award in 2008.
• Instituted in 1961, Jnanpith Award is the oldest and the highest Indian literary award
presented annually by the Bharatiya Jnanpith to an author for their "outstanding
contribution towards literature".
Source: ET and Chronicle India

4. AIIMS-Nagpur has become the first AIIMS in the country to receive the prestigious NABH
(National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers) accreditation.
Knowledge Nuggets -

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• National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) is a

constituent board of Quality Council of India, set up to establish and operate
accreditation programme for healthcare organisations.
• CEO of NABH - Dr Atul Mohan Kochhar
Source: TOI and NABH

5. 'Bank of Baroda Rashtrabhasha Samman' Award 2023 (1st edition) will recognize literary
works in Indian languages and the translation of these into Hindi, and will be presented to both
the original author and the translator.
• The jury is chaired by Booker Prize winner Geetanjali Shree. Other members of the jury
include Arun Kamal (an Indian poet), Pushpesh Pant (an academic and historian),
Anamika, (a contemporary Indian poet and novelist), and Prabhat Ranjan (a Hindi fiction
writer and translator).
• The author of the original work and the respective Hindi translator of the award-winning
book will receive Rs 21 lakh and Rs 15 lakh respectively.
• In addition to this, the authors and the Hindi translators of the next five shortlisted books will
receive Rs. 3 lakh and Rs. 2 lakh each respectively.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Founded on 20th July, 1908 by Sir Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Bank of Baroda is
one of the leading commercial banks in India. At 63.97% stake, it is majorly owned by the
Government of India.
Source: ET

6. Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern received the Dame Grand Companionship, New
Zealand’s second-highest honour, as part of the King Charles Birthday Honours.
• Reason - for her service leading the country through a mass shooting and coronavirus
pandemic
• Current PM of New Zealand - Chris Hipkins
Source: News on Air and Al Jazeera

7. Indian-origin scientist Joyeeta Gupta has been awarded the Spinoza Prize, the highest
science award, which is also sometimes referred to as the ‘Dutch Nobel Prize’.
Source: IE

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8. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the second edition of Antarashtriya

Yoga Diwas Media Samman.
• 33 awardees will get the award in three categories in Print, Television and Radio (11 in
each of these categories) across twenty-two Indian languages and English.
Source: The Print

9. Author Paterson Joseph won the 2023 Royal Society of Literature (RSL) Christopher
Bland Prize for his debut novel 'The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho'.
• The RSL Christopher Bland Prize is an annual award that is given to a debut writer for their
work of fiction or non-fiction, who is first published at the age of 50 or over.
• The winner receives a prize money of £10,000. This is the fifth year of the award.
Source: TOI

10. Jagdish Bakan, Wildlife Warden and District Forest Officer (DFO) of Ramanathapuram district,
has won the 2023 Michel Batisse Award for Biosphere Reserve Management from the
UNESCO.
• This US $12,000 award is given every two years during the MAB Council, in memory of Dr
Michel Batisse, for outstanding achievements in the management of the biosphere
reserves.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO is an intergovernmental
scientific programme that aims to enhance the harmonious relationship between people
and the environment.
• The World Network of Biosphere Reserves of MAB currently counts 738 sites in 134
countries all over the world, including 22 transboundary sites.
Source: The Hindu, UNESCO and MAB

11. Tata Group is the most valued brand in India, as per the Brand Finance India 100 2023
report.
• Infosys is at the 2nd spot with a brand value of $13 billion. It was followed by the Life
Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) with a value of $9.7 billion.
• Notably, Tata Group is the only Indian brand to feature in the top 100 of the Brand
Finance Global 500 2023.

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• Among the banks, the State Bank of India (SBI) had the highest brand value of $7.33
billion. It was followed by HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank.
Source: BS

12. The chief of the Reserve Bank of India, Shaktikanta Das was honoured with the title of
‘Governor of the Year’ for 2023 by Central Banking in London.
• Central Banking is an international economic research journal.
Source: LiveMint

13. The BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport) has won the UITP Awards, one of the
world’s most coveted prize in public transport.
• It was the winner in the ‘Climate and Health’, category and was also among the top three
finalists in ‘Public and Urban Transport Strategy’ category.
Source: TOI

14. Forbes has released its Global 2000 list for 2023.
• The Global 2000 ranks the largest companies in the world using four metrics: sales,
profits, assets and market value.
• Top – JP Morgan, followed by Saudi Aramco, and ICBC-China
• India – Reliance Industries at 45th rank (an increased by 8 ranks)
o SBI – 77th rank
o HDFC Bank – 128th rank
o ICICI Bank – 163rd rank
o ONGC – 226th rank
Source: Forbes and Daily Pioneer

15. South Indian Bank has won the prestigious Digital CX Awards in Singapore.
• The Awards, instituted by Singapore-based 'The Digital Banker', recognize excellence in
providing exceptional digital experiences to customers.
• The Bank has won the award under the SME loans category for its remarkable
performance in providing GST-based loans through a Technology platform.
Source: BS

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16. Geological Survey of India Training Institute (GSITI), Hyderabad was accredited as “Athi
Uttam” by the National Accreditation Board of Education and Training (NABET).
• The team from Capacity Building Commission (CBC), NABET and Quality Control of India
conducted the on-site assessment and awarded the Certificate of Accreditation with the
grading of Athi Uttam.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• GSITI is a national training facility, under the Ministry of Mines that provides training
and capacity building to multiple stakeholders including Central and State Departments,
PSUs (MECL, ONGC, OIL, NMDC), national academic institutions (IITs, Central
Universities and Colleges) and colleges.
• Established in 1976, GSITI with its headquarters at Hyderabad, has six Regional Training
Divisions (RTD) located at Hyderabad, Nagpur, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kolkata and Shillong.
Source: PIB

17. England all-rounder Moeen Ali has been recognised in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee
Honours list and awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to cricket.
Source: India Today

18. Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 will be conferred on Gita Press, Gorakhpur.
● The annual Gandhi Peace Prize was instituted in 1995 on the occasion of the 125th birth
anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The award carries an amount of ₹1 crore, a citation, a
plaque and an exquisite handicraft or handloom item.
Source: The Hindu

19. The Google Doodle honoured scientist Kamala Sohonie on her 112th birth anniversary on
June 18.
• Kamala Sohonie was the first Indian woman to get a PhD degree in a scientific
discipline and went on to win the Rashtrapati Award for her work on Neera, a palm
extract that could fight malnutrition among children from tribal communities in India.
Source: IE

20. Eminent poet, literary critic and Sahitya Akademi Award recipient Acharya N. Gopi has been
selected for Prof. Kothapalli Jayashankar Award.

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• The award has been instituted by Bharat Jagruthi, a cultural organisation and extended arm
of Bharat Rashtra Samithi.
Source: The Hindu

21. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met Ms. Falguni Shah, Indian American singer, composer
and Grammy award winner, in New York, USA.
• Ms. Shah has been lauded for her song ‘Abundance in Millets’.
Source: PIB

22. Noted author Salman Rushdie has been awarded the prestigious Peace Prize of the German
Book Trade for 2023 for his contribution to the literary world.
Source: Wion

23. A Kerala-based startup, Farmers Fresh Zone (FarmersFZ), has been selected for the
'Accelerator Programme’ by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN.
• FarmersFZ has figured in the list of 12 agri-food startups around the world for the UN
body to develop business.
Source: BS

24. India has emerged as a top country with LEED Zero green building projects, as per the US
Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI).
• India has outperformed the United States of America and China.
• The United States and China have the second and third most LEED Zero certifications,
with 47 (30%) and 15 (10%) certifications respectively.
• LEED Zero recognises projects that have reached net zero or net positive status in the
categories of carbon, energy, water, or waste.
Source: HT

25. Writer Arundhati Roy has been awarded the 45th European Essay Prize for lifetime
achievement for the French translation of her compilation of essays titled Azadi: Liberté,
Fascisme, Fiction (Azadi: Freedom, Fascism, Fiction in English).
• Roy will receive a cash prize of CHF 20,000 (about Rs 18 lakh) at a ceremony in
September in Lausanne, Switzerland.

pg. 166
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Knowledge Nuggets -
• Since its inception in 1975, the award has honoured a book or the work of an author
“who, through their writings, contributes to nourishing and spreading the evolution of
thought”.
Source: Scroll.in

26. 4th National Water Awards-2022 have been conferred at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi by the
Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• A total of 41 winners, including joint winners, covering 11 categories, were felicitated.
Category First Prize Winner Prize Money
Best State Madhya Pradesh -
Best District Ganjam, Odisha -
Best Village Panchayat Jagannadhapuram Village
Panchayat, Telangana
Best Urban Local Body Chandigarh Municipal
Corporation, Chandigarh
Best Media Advance Water Digest Private
Limited Gurugram, Haryana
Best School Jamiyatpura Primary School,
Mehsana, Gujarat
First award: Rs.2 lakh
Best Institution for Campus Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
Second award: Rs.1.5 lakh
usage Board, Reasi, Jammu and
Third award: Rs.1 lakh
Kashmir
Best Industry Barauni Thermal Power
Station, Begusarai, Bihar
Best NGO Arpan Seva Sansthan,
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Best Water User Association The Sanjeevani Piyat Sahkari
Mandli Ltd, Narmada, Gujarat
Best industry for CSR HCL Technologies Ltd
Source: DST and PIB

27. Star Alliance (HQ - Germany) has won the title of World’s Best Airline Alliance at Skytrax
World Airline Awards 2023, also known as the Oscars of the aviation industry.
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• Star Alliance is a global grouping of 26 airlines, including Air India, Lufthansa, Singapore
Airlines and South African Airlines.
Source: ET

28. Chennai-based lawyer-activist Lalitha Natarajan has been awarded the 2023 Iqbal Masih
Award for the Elimination of Child Labour by the US.
• The Iqbal Masih Award is a US Congress-mandated, non-monetary award established by
the Secretary of Labor in 2008 that honours extraordinary contributions to combat child
labour.
• The award commemorates World Day Against Child Labour (June 12).
Source: ANI

29. Two films from the WHO South-East Asia Region have won awards at this year's Health for
All Film Festival (HAFF) organized by WHO.
• 1st - 'One in 36 million: Story of Childhood Lead Poisoning in Bangladesh', directed by Arifur
Rahma and Mitali Das and produced by Pure Earth Bangladesh won the award under the
Better Health and Well-being category.
• 2nd - 'When Climate Change Turns Violent', a film by Vandita Sariya from India, won the
Special Prize under the Climate Change and Health category.
Source: WHO

30. Tata Power emerged as India's most attractive employer brand in 2023, followed by
Amazon and Tata Steel, according to HR services firm Randstad.
Source: Fortune India

31. ‘2022 Burgundy Private Hurun India 500: A Six-Month Update’ has been released by
Burgundy Pvt (Axis Bank’s entity) and Hurun India.
• Top - Reliance Industries Ltd, followed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and HDFC
Bank
Source: LiveMint

32. According to the 2023 edition of Henley's annual Private Wealth Migration Report, India is
set to lose as many as 6,500 high-net worth individuals (HNWIs) in 2023.

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• This is second only to China (13,500), and United Kingdom (3,200) has been placed on the
third place.
• As per the study, Dubai and Singapore are the most preferred destinations.
• Reasons for relocation – programs like ‘Golden Visa’ of UAE, favourable tax environment,
robust business ecosystem, and safe, peaceful environment
Source: HT

33. International Olympic Committee (IOC) presented the Director-General of the World
Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, with the Olympic Order for his
inspirational role in ensuring the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 took place despite the Covid-19
pandemic.
• At the same time, the IOC honoured the WHO, as an organisation, with the Olympic Cup
for 2021.
• International Olympic Committee (HQ - Lausanne, Switzerland) President - Thomas
Bach
• The Olympic Cup, created in 1906 by the IOC, is the highest distinction for an organisation
with a proven record of promoting the ideals of the Olympic Movement.
Source: BS

34. TIME100 Most Influential Companies of 2023 has been released.

• The list provides influential people in 5 categories – Leaders, Disrupters, Innovators, Titans,
Pioneers.
• Indians on the list -
o Meesho (Innovative retailer) and NPCI (Connecting commerce) – Pioneer category
Source: Time

35. Sahitya Akademi has announced 22 winners for Bal Sahitya Puraskar and 20 winners for
the YuvaPuraskar.
• The winners will receive a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each.
• Renowned children’s author Sudha Murtywill be awarded Bal Sahitya Puraskar for her
collection of stories titled ‘Grandparents’ Bag of Stories’.
Knowledge Nuggets -

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• Bal Sahitya Puraskaris an annual award established by Sahitya Akademi in 2010. It

isgiven to writers who write for the age group of 9 years to 16 years old.
• Yuva Puraskar was introduced in 2011 by Sahitya Akademi to encourage young writers
writing in Indian languages and who are below the age of 35.
Source: IE

36. Harish Bhat (CMO of Tata Group) has been ranked 10th on Forbes list of top 50 Chief
Marketing Officers (CMOs).
• William White (CMO, Walmart) has topped the list.
• Morgan Stanley (CMO, McDonald’s) has been inducted into the Forbes CMO Hall of
Fame 2023 Class.
Source: HinduBusiness Line

37. Busta Rhymes (American Rapper) has been awarded the BET Lifetime Achievement Award
for 2023.
• The BET Awards is an annual awards ceremony that celebrates African Americans and
other minorities in music, entertainment, and sports.
• It is presented by the Black Entertainment Television (BET) network and has been held
since 2001.
Source: Economic Times

38. Five exceptional young scientists from Argentina, Cameroon, China, Egypt and Serbia
received the prestigious UNESCO-AI Fozan International Prize for the Promotion of Young
Scientists in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) during a
ceremony at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.
• Each laureate won a prize money of US $50,000 and a medal.
• Dr Federico Ariel (Argentina), Professor Abdon Atangana (Cameroon), Professor Qiaomei
FU (China), Dr Hesham Omran (Egypt), and Dr Jelena Vladic (Serbia).
Source: UNESCO

SPORTS
1. India has defeated Pakistan in the Men's Junior Asia Cup 2023 here in Salalah, Oman.
Source: HT

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2. Indian cyclist Esow Alben (from Andaman and Nicobar Island) won the bronze medal in the
elite men’s keirin event at the Finale Bahnen-Tournee 2023 cycling competition in
Dudenhofen, Germany.
• Last year, Esow Alben became the first cyclist from India to participate in the UCI
Champions League.
Source: Olympics.com

3. The 3rd Khelo India University Games was organized in Uttar Pradesh. The Games were
held across nine venues in four cities of UP namely Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur and
Gautambuddh Nagar.
• Winner - Panjab University (69 medals including 26 gold)
• Runner-up - Guru Nanak Dev University
• Water Sports made its debut at these games with the rowing competitions taking place in
Gorakhpur. The shooting competition was held in Delhi.
Source: News on Air

4. Aravindh Chithambaram from India won the 23rd Dubai Open 2023 for the second
consecutive year.
• India currently has nine players in the World top 100 in live ratings.
Source: Chessbase.India

5. Max Verstappen (Dutch-Belgian motorsports racing driver) won Spanish Grand Prix 2023.
Source: F1.com

6. Top Indian sprinter Amlan Borgohain bagged two gold medals, one each in the men's 100
and 200-meter races at the Flanders Cup 2023 athletics meet, known as the International
Antwerp Athletics Gala, in Merksem, Belgium.
• Sapna Kumari won silver medal in the women's 100m hurdles. Belgium's Amber Vanden
Bosch won gold.
Source: News on Air

7. Indian athletes bagged 19 medals at the 20th Asian U20 Athletics Championships in 2023
in Yecheon, Republic of Korea.
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• With 19 medals, including 6 golds, India is positioned at the 3rd place among 45 nations.
• Japan topped the medals table with a total of 23 medals -- 14 golds, 4 silvers and 5 bronze.
The second place was sealed by China with a total of 19 medals -- 11 golds, five silvers
and three bronze.
• For India, the 16-year-old Rezoana Mallick Heena was the most successful athlete in the
competition. She won an individual gold medal in the women's 400m race, completing
the race in 53.32s. It was India's first gold medal in this edition.
Source: ANI

8. French Open 2023 (Roland Garros) - Men’s Singles: Novak Djokovic (Serbia); Women’s
Singles: Iga Świątek (Poland)
• Novak Djokovic has created history as he won his record 23rd Grand Slam title after
defeating Casper Ruud of Norway.
• In women's tennis, only Margaret Court and Serena Williams have achieved the impressive
tally of 23 Grand Slam titles.
Source: Google News and LiveMint

9. Special Olympics Bharat organised a torch run and a national send-off ceremony at the
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, for the Indian contingent that will be travelling for the
Special Olympics World Summer Games 2023 in Berlin, Germany (June 17-25, 2023).
• India will be sending a contingent comprising 198 Athletes and unified partners and 57
Coaches to participate across 16 Sports at the prestigious event.
• This is the first time for Germany to host this event.
Knowledge Nuggets -
• Special Olympics World Summer Games are the world's largest inclusive sports
event for people with intellectual disabilities. They compete together in 26 sports.
• Special Olympics Bharat is a National Sports Federation for development of Sports
for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.
• It is a designated Nodal Agency for all disabilities on account of its national presence and
experience, especially in rural areas which account for nearly 75% of the disabled
population in India.
Source: The Print, Olympics and Olympics Bharat

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10. Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has created history by surpassing compatriot Bishan Singh
Bedi to become the country's most successful left-arm spinner in the history of Test
cricket.
• Jadeja accomplished this during India's ICC World Test Championship final against
Australia at The Oval, England.
• India has lost this match against Australia by 209 runs. This was the 2nd edition of the
World Test Championship. The first edition was won by New Zealand by defeating India.
o It is the 9th ICC title of Australia.
o Australia became the first men's team in world cricket to win an International
Cricket Council (ICC) world title in all three formats.
• At the Championship, Rohit Sharma became the third India batter to complete 13000
runs across formats as opener.
Source: ANI, Sportstar, ICC, myKhel, and India Today

11. India won its first Women's Junior Hockey Asia Cup after defeating South Korea in
Kakamigahara, Japan.
Source: LiveMint

12. India has won 3 medals at the IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships 2023.
• Deepak Kumar, Mohammed Hussamuddin and Nishant Dev won bronze medals.
• Uzbekistan has topped the medal tally. India is at the 12th position with 3 medals.
Source: India Today and Medal Tally

13. The All-England-Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has increased the total prize money for
Wimbledon to a record 44.7 million pounds ($56.52 million) for the Championships this year,
a 11.2% increase on 2022.
Source: Reuters

14. Aditi Gopichand Swamy (aged 16) broke the Under-18 compound world record to top the
women's qualification round in the third stage of the Archery World Cup.
Source: BS

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15. Long-distance runner Kartik Kumar made record at the National Inter-State Athletics
Championships and achieved the Asian Games qualification mark for the 10,000m event
at the Kalinga Stadium, Odisha.
Source: Sportstar

16. The inaugural edition of India's first-ever Women's Kabaddi League (WKL) commenced in
Dubai.
● The Women's Kabaddi League is set to span over a period of 12 days, from June 16 to
June 27, at the Shabab Al Ahli Sports Club in Dubai.
● Director of the Women's Kabaddi League - Pradeep Kumar Nehra
Source: News on Air

17. India’s top men’s doubles duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won India’s first
Super 1000 badminton tournament in Indonesia.
Source: Sportstar

18. Abhishek Verma won a gold medal in the men’s compound individual final at the World
Cup Stage 3 in Medellín, Colombia.
Source: Sportstar

19. Chief Minister of Goa Dr Pramod Sawant launched the official mascot for the upcoming
37th National Games (in October 2023) at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in
Taleigao.
Source: News on Air

20. Egypt has won the World Squash Championship after defeating Malaysia in Chennai.
● Malaysia won the silver. The third place was shared jointly by hosts India and Japan.
Source: News on Air

21. Indian men's senior football team clinched the Intercontinental Cup after defeating
Lebanon in the final at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar.
● This is India's second title in the tournament, following their win in the inaugural edition in
2018. Korea won in 2019.

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● Indian Football Team captain Sunil Chhetri continues to be the third highest goal-scorer
among active players in international football, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo (Portuguese)
and Lionel Messi (Argentina).
Source: News on Air

22. Bhavani Devi created history by securing India’s first-ever medal — a bronze — at the
Asian fencing championships in Wuxi, China.
Source: The Hindu

23. Max Verstappen won the Canadian Grand Prix from pole position to stretch his Formula
One championship lead and take Red Bull’s milestone 100th victory.
Source: Sportstar

24. Tajinderpal Singh Toor had broken his own shotput National record and Asian record with
a massive throw of 21.77m at the Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar.
Source: The Hindu

25. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has revised the upper ceiling amount of boarding
and lodging for Indian Athletes and team officials by 66%.
• The assistance is given under the Ministry's Scheme of Assistance to National Sports
Federations (NSFs).
• Now, the athletes and support staff travelling for approved competitions abroad will now be
entitled to USD 250 per day, which is an increase of 66% from an earlier norm of USD 150
per day.
Source: BS

26. Asia Cup 2023 will be played from August 31 to September 17 in a hybrid model in Pakistan
and Sri Lanka.
Source: TOI

27. 2023 Taipei Open (badminton tournament) - Men’s Singles - Chico Aura DWI WARDOYO
(Indonesia); Women’ Singles - Tai Tzu-ying (Taiwan)
• BWF HQ - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Source: Google News

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28. SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) Championship 2023 is being organized at the Sree
Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru from 21 June to 4 July 2023.
Source: TOI

29. Uttar Pradesh will host the world’s fastest motorbike race ‘Moto GP’ 2023.
• It is happening in India for the first time.
Source: News on Air

30. India ended its Special Olympics World Games 2023 campaign by winning 202 medals (76
gold, 75 silver and 51 bronze).
Source: Sportstar

31. Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has flagged off "Bharat in Paris" campaign at JL Nehru
Stadium in New Delhi.
• The campaign has been launched by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to create
awareness and promote sports across India ahead of the Paris Olympics games.
• The 2024 Olympics will take place from 26 July to 11 August in France, at Paris.
Source: News on Air

32. Diksha Dagar, Indian Golfer has won her second Ladies European Title at the Czech Ladies
Open.
• The Czech Ladies Open is a professional golf tournament on the Ladies European
Tour, first played in 2019.
Source: Sports Keeda

33. Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ayhika Mukherjee have won the women’s doubles title at the WTT
Contender Tunis 2023.
Source: Khel Now

34. Wanindu Hasaranga (Srilanka) becomes the first spinner and second overall player in
history to take three consecutive 5-wicket hauls in One Day Internationals.
Source: The Hindu

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35. Legendary Indian woman cricketer Jhulan Goswami and two English players in Heather
Knight and Eoin Morgan have joined the MCC World Cricket Committee (WCC).
• MCC - Melbourne Cricket Club
Source: The Hindu

MISCELLANEOUS
1. Vellayani Arjunan (Indian writer, scholar, and linguist from Kerala) has passed away.
Source: TOI

2. Noted Sanskrit scholar Ved Kumari Ghai has passed away.

Source: News on Air

3. Ghanaian writer and feminist Ama Ata Aidoo passed away.

• Her first work, “The Dilemma of a Ghost”, a play, was published in 1965, making her the
first African woman to publish a play.
Source: Al Jazeera

4. Environmentalist and Yamuna activist Manoj Kumar Misra has passed away.
• Misra was an Indian Forest Service officer. He founded the Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan — a
movement aimed at rejuvenating the river.
• He founded PEACE, an NGO dedicated to promoting the cause of nature conservation, and
headed TRAFFIC India, a division of WWF-India.
Source: HT

5. Renowned Bollywood and Marathi industry actress Sulochana Latkar has passed away.
• She is the winner of Padma Shri, Maharashtra Bhushan, and Chitra Bhushan Award.
Source: HT

6. Two-time Olympic gold medallist from America Jim Hines, who was the first man to run 100m
in under 10 seconds, passed away.
• He was a Track and Field athlete as well as a football player.
Source: CNN

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7. BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda released a book titled 'Amrutkaal ki Ore' in New Delhi
based on nine Years' Achievements of the Narendra Modi Government.
• The book is written and edited by Shivanand Dwivedi and KK Upadhyay.
Source: News18

8. Cyclone ‘Biparjoy’ in Arabian Sea is expected to hit Gujarat and Pakistan.

Source: HT

9. Kafue National Park (KNP) is in Zambia.

• Kafue is the oldest and largest of Zambia’s national parks.
• The population of lion and leopards is increasing in this park, which is Africa’s third-largest
national park.
• Separately, Zambia has also launched its National Obstetric Fistula Strategic Plan 2022-
2026.
Source: Down to Earth and WHO

10. Indian Army has generated a unique ecosystem for peaceful co-existence with wild
elephants by aiming to mitigate the human-elephant conflict in the Amchang Wildlife
Sanctuary in Guwahati.
Source: The Print

11. Kakhovka Dam on Dnipro River in Ukraine has been destructed by Russia. It is being billed
as an ‘ecocide’.
Source: IE

12. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has published "Sustainable Green Airports Mission"
booklet.
• This booklet highlights the various initiatives taken up by AAI on sustainability and
becoming carbon neutral, in line with the Panchamrit goals.
• AAI has also published SUGAM booklet which highlights AAI's commitment towards
sustainable development and concern towards climate change.
o SUGAM aims to promote transparency and knowledge sharing, encouraging other
airports to learn from AAI's experiences and contribute to the collective goal of
achieving net zero emissions.
pg. 178
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Source: ANI

13. Mayon Volcano in Philippines has erupted. It is the most active stratovolcano volcano of the
island nation.
Source: India Today

14. Gitanjali Aiyar, Doordarshan's legendary anchor, has passed away.

Source: BS

36. 2023 PSA Men's World Squash Championship took place in Chicago, United States in
May 2023.
• Winner - Ali Farag and Nour El Sherbini (both from Egypt) in men’s and women’s
• Now, the Squash World Cup 2023 (4th edition) is being held at Express Avenue Mall in
Chennai.
o India have never won a Squash World Cup title. Australia won the inaugural edition
in 1996 while England emerged champions in the second edition in 1999.
Source: WSC and ANI

37. Indian archer Aditi Gopichand Swamy scored 711/720 during the 72-arrow compound
qualification round to break the Under 18 world record during the Archery World Cup Stage
3 in Colombia.
Source: The Hindu

38. The first Janjatiya Khel Mahotsav will be organized at the Kalinga Institute of Social
Sciences, Bhubaneswar.
Source: News on Air

39. Magnus Carlsen won the Superbet Rapid & Blitz tournament in Poland.
• The SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz will be held in Zagreb, Croatia on July 3-10.
Source: CNN

40. Murali Sreeshankar has won the third position in the men's long jump event at the Paris
Diamond League 2023 in France.
Source: DD News

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15. “A Life Well Spent” book has been authored by Satish Chandra (an Indian Foreign Service
officer).
Source: HBL

16. Daniel Ellsberg, the whistleblower of the legendary Pentagon Papers, has recently passed
away.
• The Pentagon Papers (1971) revealed about the Vietnam Wars.
Source: The Guardian

17. Pune-based Gennova Biopharmaceuticals announced that its mRNA COVID-19 booster
vaccine, GEMCOVAC-OM, against the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV2 has received
emergency use authorisation from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
Source: IE

18. Glenda Jackson, an Oscar-winning actress and former Member of Parliament of UK, has
passed away.
Source: BBC

19. A. K. Bhattacharya (business journalist) has authored “India’s Finance Ministers: From
Independence to Emergency” book.
Source: HBL

20. Cormac McCarthy (American writer) has passed away.

Source: NY Times

21. England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler became the ninth batter in the history of cricket to
get past the 10,000-run mark in the T20 format.
Source: ANI

22. Google has launched a new search feature called Perspectives, which will provide users with
a broad range of viewpoints on various topics.
Source: Indian Express

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23. Patches of snow in Utah's mountains have turned pink due to watermelon snow.
• Watermelon Snow is a natural phenomenon where the snow turns pink and red due to
the presence of green algae bloom that thrives in cold, snowy situations.
• Utah mountains are found in North America.
Source: First Post

24. "Droupadi Murmu: From Tribal Hinterlands to Raisina Hills” book has been authored by
Kasturi Ray.
Source: Telegraph India

25. John B. Goodenough, American co-inventor of Lithium-ion batteries and a co-winner of 2019
Nobel prize for Chemistry, has passed away.
Source: HBL

QUESTIONS
Q.1) Recently, Ministry of Electronics & IT has navigational services over the Indian FIR (Flight
launched the Electronics Repair Service Information Region) with the capability of
Outsourcing (ERSO) Pilot initiative. Where is the expanding to neighboring FIRs.
pilot of this project launched? [a] NISAR
[a] Mysore [b] GAGAN
[b] Bengaluru [c] MARK
[c] Chennai [d] MOVE
[d] Surat [e] SAGAR
[e] Gandhinagar
Q.4) Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved
Q.2) Where is the National Training Centre for the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Committee
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (IMC) for facilitation of the “World’s Largest Grain
(FSSAI) established? Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector”. The plan
[a] Telangana aims to converge various schemes of the Ministry
[b] Tamil Nadu of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of
[c] Uttar Pradesh Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
[d] Gujarat and Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
[e] Madhya Pradesh Which of the following schemes will be converged
under the plan?
Q.3) Recently, India launched Asia's first 1) Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
performance-based navigation system for 2) Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme
helicopters for a flight from Juhu to Pune using 3) Mission for Integrated Development of
_____ satellite technology. This satellite Horticulture
technology is a space-based augmentation 4) Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana
system for providing the best possible 5) Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
pg. 181
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financial resources, was highlighted and

[a] Only 1, 2, and 5 discussed.
[b] Only 3 and 5
[c] Only 2, 3, and 4 [a] Only 1, 2, and 3
[d] Only 1, 2, 3, and 4 [b] Only 2, 3, and 5
[e] Only 2 and 4 [c] Only 1, 4, and 5
[d] Only 3
Q.5) Recently, Central Government has approved [e] Only 1, 2, 3, and 5
the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and
Sustain (CITIIS) 2.0 to support projects promoting Q.8) The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness
a circular economy with focus on integrated urban Innovations (CEPI) is an innovative global
management. What is the tenure of the program? partnership between public, private, philanthropic,
[a] 5 years and civil society organisations launched in Davos
[b] 3 years in 2017 to develop vaccines to stop future
[c] 7 years epidemics. Since then, CEPI has significantly
[d] 10 years expanded the scale of its Centralized Laboratory
[e] 2 years Network (CLN) - the epidemic and pandemic
vaccine testing laboratory network. Identify the
Q.6) Which state has launched “Namo Shetkari new joiners of this network as of June 2023.
Sanman Yojana” to provide ₹6,000 a year as 1) Senegal
minimum income support to farmers? 2) India
[a] Gujarat 3) Nicaragua
[b] Tamil Nadu 4) Ethiopia
[c] Haryana 5) Kenya
[d] Maharashtra [a] 2, 4, and 5
[e] Karnataka [b] 1, 2, and 5
[c] 1, 3, and 5
Q.7) Which of the following statement(s) is/are [d] 2 and 5
incorrect about the 76th edition of the World [e] 1, 2, and 3
Health Assembly?
1) Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Q.9) Who has been named as the 'Smile
addressed a side event session on “Heal in India Ambassador' for Maharashtra's Swachh Mukh
and Heal by India.” Abhiyan, a campaign that promotes oral hygiene?
2) During the Assembly, the Global Strategy for [a] Sania Mirza
Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health [b] Sachin Tendulkar
(2016–2030) was discussed for ending all [c] Mary Kom
preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths, [d] Prannoy HS
including stillbirths, by 2030, and improving their [e] MS Dhoni
overall health and well-being.
3) This Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s Q.10) When is the World Multiple Sclerosis Day
and Adolescents’ Health (2016–2030) includes a observed?
monitoring framework with 170 indicators, (of [a] May 30
which 116 are key) to help countries. [b] June 1
4) During the Assembly, the Member States [c] June 3
agreed to the proposal of US$ 6.83 billion for [d] May 28
WHO’s Program Budget for 2024-2025. [e] May 29
5) The recommendation of the WHO Sustainable
Financing Working Group, which was launched in Q.11) Recently, Shri Hardeep S. Puri, Minister for
Jan 2021 to ensure optimum use of WHO’s Housing and Urban Affairs and Petroleum and
pg. 1
[Type here]

Natural Gas organized an event at Vigyan manufacturing and maintenance of 100

Bhawan, New Delhi to celebrate the completion of aluminium body Vande Bharat trains. Prime
the 3 successful years of the Prime Minster Street Minister Narendra Modi planned to run 75 Vande
Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Bharat trains by _____?
Scheme. [a] 2027
At the event, the Minister launched a PM [b] 2024
SVANidhi mobile app for street vendors, to ease [c] 2026
the loan application process and provide various [d] 2028
information to Street Vendors regarding the [e] 2030
Scheme. There was already a mobile application
of PM SVANidhi for the Lending Institutions (LIs) Q.15) Match the following categories of MSMEs
and their field functionaries for sourcing and with their classification criteria.
processing loan applications of street vendors 1) Micro Enterprises 4) Investm
under the Scheme. When was the mobile Equipmen
application launched for LIs? Not more t
[a] 2020 Turnover;
[b] 2023 2) Small Enterprises 5) Investm
[c] 2022 Equipmen
[d] 2021 Not more t
[e] 2018 Turnover;
3) Medium Enterprises 6) Investm
Q.12) Which of the following statement(s) is/are Equipmen
correct with regards to the GOBARdhan Not more t
(Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) Turnover;
initiative? [a] 2-6 and 3-4
1) 500 new ‘waste to wealth’ plants will be [b] 1-4, 2-6 and 3-5
established under the GOBARdhan scheme. [c] 1-5 and 2-6
2) Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, [d] 3-4 and 2-6
Ministry of Jal Shakti is the coordinating [e] 1-6 and 2-5
department for GOBARdhan.
3) Out of the 500 plants, 200 will be compressed Q.16) Recently, the Strategic Forces Command
biogas (CBG) plants. carried out a successful training launch of a
Medium-Range Ballistic Missile, Agni-1. What is
[a] Only 1 the range of this missile?
[b] Only 1 and 2 [a] 600-700 km
[c] Only 2 and 3 [b] 500-800 km
[d] Only 1, 2, and 3 [c] 600-900 km
[e] Only 3 [d] 700–900 km
[e] 800-1000 km
Q.13) Where was the 3rd Employment Working
Group (EWG) meeting organized? Q.17) Which countries hosted the multinational
[a] Geneva Arctic Challenge Exercise (ACE)?
[b] Vienna [a] Finland, Norway and Sweden
[c] Rome [b] Germany, Denmark, and Finland
[d] London [c] UK, Finland, and Estonia
[e] Gandhinagar [d] Bulgaria, Sweden, and Netherlands
[e] Belgium, Luxembourg, and Netherlands
Q.14) Recently, French railway company Alstom,
has won the ₹30,000 crore contract for the
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[Type here]

Q.18) The Times Higher Education Impact [a] Vedanta

Ranking, which assesses universities against the [b] Foxconn
United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals [c] Tata Group
(SDGs), has been released for 2023. Which [d] Reliance Industries
Indian institution has ranked among the top [e] CATL
institutions in the SDG-5?
[a] IIT-Guwahati Q.22) What is the maximum tenure and maximum
[b] Manipal Academy of Higher Education deposit amount permitted under the ACE Fixed
[c] Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Deposit scheme of RBL Bank?
Sciences [a] Rs 2 crore and 240 months
[d] Chitkara University [b] Rs 5 crore and 380 months
[e] Shoolini University of Biotechnology and [c] Rs 1 crore and 170 months
Management Science [d] Rs 10 crore and 300 months
[e] Rs 4 crore and 120 months
Q.19) Recently, mooPay, the fintech arm of
Stellapps, has collaborated with IBISA Network, Q.23) What is the fiscal deficit target set by the
HDFC ERGO, and Gramcover to introduce an Govt in the Union Budget of 2023-24?
innovative insurance plan – mooMark – for [a] 5.9%
farmers based on the Heat Index. It is the first of [b] 4.5%
its kind initiative in India. Which of the following is [c] 6.7%
not a feature of this insurance plan? [d] 6.4%
[a] It provides coverage to farmers if temperatures [e] 5.1%
exceed specified limits for a predetermined
number of days during a 60-day period starting Q.24) Recently, RBI has proposed a framework
from May 1st, 2023. for overall information security with an emphasis
[b] Every insured cattle is eligible for a maximum on cyber resilience to improve the safety and
coverage of Rs 2000. security of the payment systems operated by
[c] Currently, the insurance cover is limited to one payment system operators (PSOs). The
cattle per household. framework has proposed a phased
[d] It aims to integrate the insurance coverage implementation of the guidelines by the PSOs.
with National Dairy Development Plan. What is the timeline for large, medium and small
[e] Awareness about this program is being spread non-bank PSOs for implementation
through village-level collection centers and (respectively)?
Stellapps' smartFarms app. [a] 2023, 2025, 2027
[b] 2024, 2025, 2026
Q.20) Which state witnessed the highest job [c] 2026, 2028, 2030
creation in the formal sector in FY23, according to [d] 2024, 2026, 2028
the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation’s [e] 2026, 2029, 2031
payroll reporting data analysis?
[a] Gujarat Q.25) IRDAI has released the draft guidelines for
[b] Maharashtra 'Bima Vahaks’ to establish a dedicated
[c] Tamil Nadu distribution channel at the level of Gram
[d] Telangana Panchayats. These guidelines are focused on
[e] Andhra Pradesh enhancing insurance inclusion and creating
awareness in every Gram Panchayat and to
Q.21) Which company is going to set up a giga- address the local needs within every Gram
factory for manufacturing lithium-ion cells, with an Panchayat and village. These guidelines divide
estimated initial investment of around Rs 130 the Bima Vahaks into two categories, which are
billion ($1.6 billion) in Gujarat? named as ___ and ____.
pg. 3
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[a] Collective and Personal [d] Central Bank of India

[b] Common and Individual [e] IndusInd Bank
[c] General and Personal
[d] Corporate and Individual Q.31) Union Minister of Education and Skill
[e] Group and Single Development, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has
released the UGC (Institutions Deemed to be
Q.26) Which organization has recently (as of Universities) Regulations, 2023. What is corpus
June 5, 2023) reduced its forecast for India's requirement for private institutions to apply for the
annual growth by 50 basis points to 5.5% for status of deemed university as per the revised
fiscal 2024 and projected 7.2% growth rate for regulation?
FY23? [a] Rs 10 crores
[a] Moody’s [b] Rs 15 crores
[b] J.P. Morgan [c] Rs 25 crores
[c] DBS [d] Rs 30 crores
[d] Goldman Sachs [e] Rs 45 crores
[e] NSO
Q.32) Where is the National Centre for Dam
Q.27) Who has been elected as the President of Safety from Earthquake set up?
the 78th session of the UN General Assembly [a] Jaipur
(scheduled for September 5-19, 2023 in New [b] Bangalore
York)? [c] Chennai
[a] Dianne Feinstein from California [d] Mumbai
[b] Dennis Francis from Trinidad and Tobago [e] Pune
[c] Michael Bennet from Colorado
[d] Marten van den Berg from Netherlands Q.33) Recently, Department of Pharmaceuticals
[e] John Hickenlooper from Canada organized the “Global Vaccine Research
Collaborative” discussion, which was focused on
Q.28) Who has been appointed as the first female Vaccine Research and Development: Building
Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Consensus for Future Health Emergencies
Organisation (WMO)? Prevention, Preparedness, and Response. The
[a] Celeste Saulo discussion was organized on the sidelines of the
[b] Debbie Stabenow ____ G20 Health Working Group Meeting, in
[c] Lisa Murkowski Hyderabad.
[d] Elizabeth Dole [a] Second
[e] Mini Cooper [b] Third
[c] Fourth
Q.29) When is the International Sex Worker [d] First
Rights Day observed? [e] Fifth
[a] March 3
[b] August 11 Q.34) Identify the correct statement from the
[c] May 17 options given below.
[d] April 10 [a] Aroma Mission aims to bring additional area of
[e] June 15 30,000 hectares under cultivation
[b] This will help in production of an additional 700
Q.30) Which bank has established the Tonnes of essential oil which will generate a
Rashtrabhasha Samman Award in June 2023? business of at least Rs 200 crores
[a] Bank of Baroda [c] It aims to increase the income of the farmers
[b] Bank of India through cultivation of high value and high demand
[c] Indian Bank
pg. 4
[Type here]

aromatic crops by about Rs. 30,000 to Q.37) Identify the incorrect statement(s) with
60,000/ha/year regards to the National Institutional Ranking
[d] Only A and B Framework.
[e] Only A, B, and C [a] The parameters of the rankings include
Teaching, Learning & Resources, Research and
Q.35) Where was the Asia's largest, ambitious Professional Practice Graduation Outcomes,
and historic cluster development scheme Outreach and Inclusivity, and Peer Perception
launched? [b] The ranking has 13 different sub-rankings
[a] Andhra Pradesh [c] IISc-Bangalore has topped in the overall NIRF
[b] Gujarat 2023 rankings
[c] Kerala [d] Miranda House has topped in the college
[d] Maharashtra rankings
[e] Tamil Nadu [e] None are incorrect

Q.36) Recently, the International Finance Q.38) Which bank has launched its latest
Corporation and the National Bank for Financing advertising campaign titled “My Account Starts
Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) have Today”?
signed an MOU to collaborate on identifying and [a] Bank of Maharashtra
developing public-private partnership (PPP) [b] Central Bank of India
projects to bolster India's infrastructure sector. [c] Bank of India
The National Bank for Financing Infrastructure [d] HSBC India
and Development (NaBFID) is a specialized [e] Canara Bank
Development Finance Institution in India aimed at
supporting the country's infrastructure sector, Q.39) Which bank has launched Project Kuber in
which can significantly gain from an enabling Bengaluru to source, facilitate, and cater to the
credit flow by means of attractive instruments and various banking needs of customers?
channelized investment. Considering this, identify [a] HDFC Bank
the correct statement from the options given [b] SBI
below? [c] ICICI Bank
1) The entire shareholding of the institution is [d] Bank of India
currently held by the Government of India. [e] Karnataka Bank
2) It was established through an Act of Parliament
i.e., National Bank for Financing Infrastructure Q.40) Which bank has launched Interoperable
and Development Act, 2021. Cardless Cash Withdrawal (ICCW) facility
3) NaBFID is regulated and supervised by RBI as wherein a customer can withdraw cash using UPI
an All-India Financial Institution (AIFI) under from the bank's ATMs?
sections 45L and 45N of the RBI Act, 1934, [a] Indian Bank
respectively. [b] Kotak Mahindra Bank
4) Term loans, bonds, debentures, guarantees [c] Bank of Baroda
(bid bonds, mobilization/advance payment [d] Punjab and Sind Bank
guarantees, performance guarantees) etc. are [e] IndusInd Bank
some of the products offered by NaBFID.
Q.41) When was the US-India initiative on Critical
[a] Only 1 and 2 and Emerging Technology (iCET) launched to
[b] Only 1, 2, and 3 elevate and expand the strategic technology
[c] Only 3 and 4 partnership and defence industrial cooperation
[d] Only 1 and 4 between the two countries?
[e] None of those given as options [a] 2022
[b] 2021
pg. 5
[Type here]

[c] 2019 [b] 2021; €300 billion; 2027

[d] 2015 [c] 2019; €400 billion; 2025
[e] 2016 [d] 2021; €900 billion; 2029
[e] 2016; €100 billion; 2030
Q.42) Which country has conferred the ‘Grand
Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star’ upon Q.47) National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) has
President Droupadi Murmu? been launched under the National Education
[a] Guyana Policy 2020 for creation of a large pool of
[b] Suriname outstanding professionals willing to provide
[c] Philippines mentoring to school teachers and ensure their
[d] Bahrain continuous professional development. National
[e] Oman Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) launched
NMM in Pilot mode in July 2022 in selected 30
Q.43) What is the outlay of central sector Central Schools (15 KVs, 10 JNVs, 5 CBSE)
'Exploration of Coal and Lignite scheme' for across the country. Who is the current chair of
FY22-26? NCTE?
[a] ₹5,750 crore [a] Kalpesh Yadav
[b] ₹1,675 crore [b] Yogesh Singh
[c] ₹2,980 crore [c] Yoginder Mishra
[d] ₹3,985 crore [d] Rajest Gupta
[e] ₹9,987 crore [e] Ramkumar Saini

Q.44) Where was the International Conference on Q.48) Recently, Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri
Spacecraft Mission Operations (SMOPS-2023) Gajendra Singh Shekhawat released the progress
organized? report of the Jal Jeevan Mission: Swachh Jal se
[a] India Suraksha (SJSS) Campaign which was organised
[b] France from 2nd October, 2022 to 31st March, 2023. The
[c] US campaign aims to emphasise water quality
[d] Germany monitoring and surveillance activities by states
[e] Netherlands and UTs. The progress made under these
activities was reported on WQMIS portal. What
Q.45) Where was the 3-day National Conference does ‘M’ stand for in this full form of WQMIS?
on Recent Advances in School (RASE-2023), [a] Mineral
also known as Shiksha Mahakumbh, organized? [b] Mining
[a] NIT Rourkela [c] Management
[b] NIT Durgapur [d] Mix
[c] NIT Warangal [e] Maintain
[d] NIT Jalandhar
[e] NIT Trichy Q.49) India is planning to join the Pharmaceutical
Inspection Co-operation Scheme, an international
Q.46) The EU-India Global Gateway Conference regime that fosters cooperation between
took place in Shillong, Meghalaya. Launched in countries and regulatory authorities in good
December ____, the Global Gateway Strategy manufacturing practices (GMP) to improve the
aims to work towards the fulfilment of goals quality of their medical products. The decision
identified by the Paris Agreement on climate was triggered by the deaths of 66 children in
change and the 2030 Sustainable Development Gambia that were linked to toxic Indian-made
Goals. Global Gateway aims to mobilise up to cough syrups. The Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-
_____ in investments by ____. operation Scheme (PIC/S) is a non-binding,
[a] 2022; €500 billion; 2025 informal co-operative arrangement between
pg. 6
[Type here]

Regulatory Authorities in the field of Good 2) 'Clean City-Safe City'

Manufacturing Practice (GMP) of medicinal 3) Mukhyamantri Shehri Nikay Swamitva Yojana
products for human or veterinary use. When was 4) Integrated Water Resources Action Plan
it launched and how many members are there in (2023-25)
this forum?
[a] 1995 and 54 members [a] Haryana
[b] 1980 and 78 members [b] Madhya Pradesh
[c] 1967 and 100 members [c] Rajasthan
[d] 1998 and 200 members [d] Uttar Pradesh
[e] 2000 and 150 members [e] Assam

Q.50) The Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Q.53) Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has
New and Renewable Energy have jointly announced to launch the 'Gruha Jyoti' free
launched the MAHIR mission to use emerging electricity scheme on August 1. Under the
technologies in the power sector. Identify the scheme, the electricity company will record the
incorrect statement(s) with regards to the average annual consumption of power in the
scheme. building of the applicants in the last fiscal. If a
1) The Mission will have a two-tier structure - a consumer uses an average of 150 units of power
Technical Scoping Committee and an Apex per year, they will be eligible to get up to 165
Committee. units of electricity free. Under the scheme,
2) MAHIR will work towards Industry-Academia - beneficiaries must enroll on the _____ portal of
Government collaboration to create an ecosystem the State Government.
for innovation and translation of research in the [a] Pradyut
power sector [b] Vidyut Seva
3) The scheme will be implemented from 2024-25 [c] Seva Sindhu
to 2029-30 [d] Ujwal
4) The Technical Scoping Committee will be [e] Urja Seva
chaired by the Chairperson of Central Electricity
Authority and the Apex Committee will be chaired Q.54) Uttar Pradesh government has launched
by the Union Minister for Power & New and the portal (//familyid.up.gov.in) for creation of
Renewable Energy. Family ID under 'One Family One Identity'
[a] Only 1 and 2 scheme to establish a comprehensive database
[b] Only 3 of family units of the state and to connect at least
[c] Only 2 and 3 one member of each family with employment. The
[d] Only 1, 2 and 4 ID will consist of ___ digit number.
[e] Only 2, 3, and 5 [a] 12
[b] 15
Q.51) Where is India's first carbon neutral village [c] 8
being developed? [d] 10
[a] Nashik [e] 14
[b] Thane
[c] Ahilyanagar Q.55) Which state has launched Nand Baba Milk
[d] Pune Mission Scheme at the cost of Rs 1000 crore to
[e] Dhule increase milk production, on the one hand, and to
give milk producers fair prices for their produce in
Q.52) Which state is implementing the following villages itself?
initiatives? [a] Uttar Pradesh
1) A special campaign to raise awareness about [b] Madhya Pradesh
door-to-door waste collection and segregation [c] Gujarat
pg. 7
[Type here]

[d] Assam [e] Norway

[e] Odisha
Q.61) Which nation has recently withdrawn from
Q.56) Which state is developing the 'Prerna the 38-nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF),
(inspirational): The Vernacular School'? a US-led maritime coalition tasked with securing
[a] Uttarakhand tense Gulf waterways that are vital to the global
[b] Gujarat oil trade?
[c] Himachal Pradesh [a] Oman
[d] Arunachal Pradesh [b] Syria
[e] Odisha [c] Iraq
[d] UAE
Q.57) Defence Research and Development [e] Kuwait
Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested
the Agni-Prime missile from Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Q.62) Which space agency has launched the
Island off the coast of Odisha. Agni-P or Agni- Mars Express spacecraft?
Prime is a new generation nuclear-capable [a] NASA
medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM). How [b] ESA
many Agni missiles have been developed in [c] JAXA
India, so far? [d] Roscosmos
[a] Six [e] UK Space Agency
[b] Four
[c] Two Q.63) BSE and NSE have launched an enhanced
[d] Five surveillance mechanism for companies that have
[e] Three a market cap of less than _____.
[a] Rs 1000 crore
Q.58) Which company has received the approval [b] Rs 800 crore
for producing the Varunastra, a ship-launched [c] Rs 500 crore
anti-submarine heavy weight torpedo (HWT)? [d] Rs 700 crore
[a] Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd [e] Rs 200 crore
[b] Bharat Dynamics Ltd
[c] Cochin Shipyard Ltd. Q.64) RBI had constructed the Financial Inclusion
[d] Bharat Electronics Ltd. Index in 2021 to measure the extent of financial
[e] MTAR Technologies inclusion. The FI-Index includes information on
the banking, investments, insurance, postal, and
Q.59) Where is India developing the Phukot pension sectors. What is the score range of the
Karnali Hydro Electric Project (480MW)? index?
[a] Bhutan [a] 0-100
[b] Nepal [b] 1-5
[c] Sri Lanka [c] 0-50
[d] Turkmenistan [d] 1-50
[e] Uzbekistan [e] 1-100

Q.60) Which country is hosting the Air Defender Q.65) How much money is the National Bank for
23 drill - one of the biggest air deployment drills in Financing Infrastructure Development (NaBFID)
NATO’s history - from June 12-23? expected to raise through 10-year non-convertible
[a] Germany debentures (NCDs)?
[b] Poland [a] ₹2,000 crore
[c] Czech Republic [b] ₹5,000 crore
[d] Croatia [c] ₹3,000 crore
pg. 8
[Type here]

[d] ₹10,000 crore Q.70) Which country is the host of Special

[e] ₹20,000 crore Olympics World Summer Games 2023?
[a] Germany
Q.66) Which of the following statement(s) is/are [b] Norway
incorrect about the revival packages of BSNL? [c] Netherlands
1) First revival package was announced in 2018 [d] Oman
for the allotment of 4G/5G spectrum for the [e] Qatar
company. The worth of the package is Rs 89,000
crore. Q.71) With which company has Ministry of
2) Second revival package was announced in Women and Child Development partnered to
2019 to revive the BSNL and MTNL. The package launch the Amrit Generation Campaign: Naye
is worth Rs 69,000 crore. Bharat Ke Sapne to empower and engage the
3) Third revival package was announced in 2022 youth of India to express their aspirations and
for spectrum allocation, capital expenditure and dreams for the future?
viability gap funding. The package was worth Rs [a] Meta
1.64-lakh-crore. [b] Amazon
[c] Flipkart
[a] Only 1 [d] Infosys
[b] Only 2 and 3 [e] Tata Group
[c] Only 1, 2, and 3
[d] Only 3 Q.72) Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and
[e] Only 1 and 3 Waterways (MoPSW) and Ayush, Sarbananda
Sonowal launched the 'Sagar Samriddhi' - the
Q.67) The Provision 23(E) of the Securities online dredging monitoring system to ramp up
Contracts (Regulations) Act (SCRA) of 1956 'Waste to Wealth' initiative of the Ministry. Which
states that any company violating listing of the following institutions has developed the
conditions could attract a penalty of up to _____? system for the ministry?
[a] Rs 10 crore [a] National Institute for Quantum Science and
[b] Rs 25 crore Technology
[c] Rs 5 crore [b] National Institute for Ocean Technology
[d] Rs 20 crore [c] National Institute for Smart Government
[e] Rs 12 crore [d] National Technology Centre for Ports,
Waterways and Coasts
Q.68) What is the rank of Kerala, Goa, and J&K in [e] National Institute for Digital Learning
the State Food Safety Index 2023 (5th edition)?
[a] 1st Q.73) Where will India host a three-day meeting
[b] 3rd of the G20 development ministers’ nations?
[c] 4th [a] Guwahati
[d] 10th [b] Varanasi
[e] 5th [c] Gandhinagar
[d] Indore
Q.69) Dame Grand Companionship is the [e] Bangalore
second-highest honour of which country?
[a] Australia Q.74) Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of
[b] Philippines India is the Chair of the Supreme Audit
[c] USA Institutions-20 (SAI20) Engagement Group under
[d] Thailand India’s G20 Presidency. The SAI20 Summit is
[e] New Zealand scheduled to take place in Goa from 12th to 14th
June 2023. What is the theme of this Summit?
pg. 9
[Type here]

[a] Blue Economy and Responsible Artificial including receiving dearness relief (DR) on the
Intelligence lines of the Central Government declaring
[b] Sustainable Innovations for a Better Future dearness allowance and DR twice a year?
[c] Sustainable Digital Transformation: [a] Maharashtra
Harmonizing Innovation and Environmental [b] Telangana
Stewardship [c] Gujarat
[d] Circular Sustainability: Advancing harmonious [d] Andhra Pradesh
systems for a regenerative future [e] Karnataka
[e] Sustainable Technology for a Greener Future
Q.78) Which state does the Gaula River flow in?
Q.75) Which of the following statement(s) is/are [a] Himachal Pradesh
correct with regards to the Market Coupling [b] Gujarat
technique? [c] Uttarakhand
[a] It aims at using AI-powered chatbots to deliver [d] Tamil Nadu
personalized recommendations, engage with [e] Kerala
customers, provide customer support, and collect
valuable data for marketing insights Q.79) Which of the following institutions has acted
[b] It is a model where bids from all power as the knowledge partner of Jammu & Kashmir,
exchanges in the country are aggregated and Arunachal Pradesh, and Gujarat during the
matched to discover a uniform price preparation of their District Good Governance
[c] It refers to employing unconventional and low- Index?
cost marketing tactics to create buzz, generate [a] Centre for Policy Research
word-of-mouth, and create memorable [b] Centre for Civil Society
experiences for the target audience [c] Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
[d] It refers to utilizing technology and data to [d] World Resources Institute
manage and analyze customer interactions, [e] Centre for Good Governance
preferences, and behaviors for personalized
marketing strategies Q.80) On which river is the Polavaram project
[e] It aims at leveraging social media platforms to being developed?
create and share content, engage with the [a] Periyar River
audience, build brand awareness, and drive [b] Godavari River
website traffic and conversions [c] Kaveri River
[d] Krishna River
Q.76) GalaxEye is building the world's first multi- [e] Tapi River
sensor earth observation satellite. The startup is
going to launch its first satellite, 'Drishti Mission' Q.81) Recently, India, France and UAE
next year. The satellite consists of a visible conducted their first ever trilateral Maritime
spectrum camera providing synchronised imaging Partnership Exercise in the Gulf of Oman. Identify
that can take multiple images at the same time. the countries which share maritime border in the
Which IIT has incubated GalaxEye? Gulf of Oman.
[a] IIT-Bombay [a] Iran, UAE, and Oman
[b] IIT-Madras [b] Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar
[c] IIT-Guwahati [c] Qatar, Bahrain, and Iran
[d] IIT-Delhi [d] Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Kuwait
[e] IIT-Kanpur [e] Kuwait, Iran, and Pakistan

Q.77) Which state has launched the Guaranteed Q.82) Which company has developed ‘Tactical
Pension Scheme (GPS) to give 50% of the last LAN Radio' for Indian Army?
drawn salary to eligible employees as pension, [a] Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd
pg. 10
[Type here]

[b] Astrome Tech 2) Global renewable capacity additions could

[c] Tonbo Imaging reach 550 GW in 2024.
[d] Cron Systems 3) International Energy Agency is a Paris-based
[e] Sagar Defence Engineering autonomous intergovernmental organization,
established in 1974, analysis and data on the
Q.83) Microsoft India and AirJaldi have signed a entire global energy sector.
three-year MOU to provide internet connectivity to
the people in unserved areas. The MOU aims to [a] Only 1 and 2
expand AirJaldi Networks into three new states [b] Only 1, 2, and 3
namely, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, [c] Only 2 and 3
with an increase in the number of network [d] Only 3
locations from 40 to 62 in 12 states. Anant [e] Only 1 and 3
Maheshwari, who is the president of Microsoft
India, is currently acting as the President of Q.87) Which organization has signed an
____? agreement with Indian Council for Agriculture
[a] CII Research to guide farmers enrolled on its 'Kisan
[b] FICCI store' on scientific cultivation of different crops
[c] IBA and help them achieve optimum yield and
[d] IAMAI income?
[e] NASSCOM [a] Microsoft India
[b] WooCommerce
Q.84) When was the International Covenant on [c] Amazon India
Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) created? [d] IndiaMart
[a] 1999 [e] ShopClues
[b] 1966
[c] 1987 Q.88) Which of the following measures is correct
[d] 1975 with regards to the Priority Sector Lending (PSL)
[e] 1964 targets of Urban Co-operative Banks?
1) The RBI has extended the timeline for UCBs to
Q.85) The world’s largest sand island, which has achieve Priority Sector Lending (PSL) targets by
been known as Fraser Island for centuries, is two years i.e., up to March 31, 2026.
finally getting rid of its colonial title. The name of 2) The deadline to achieve PSL target of 50%,
the island has now been restored to its old which was March 31, 2023, has also been
indigenous name -- K'gari. Which country owns extended to March 31, 2024.
this island? 3) The UCBs have been restricted by RBI from
[a] Japan contributing to RIDF and other funds for meeting
[b] Finland the shortfalls in PSL targets for FY21 and FY22.
[c] Norway [a] Only 1 and 2
[d] Australia [b] Only 1, 2, and 3
[e] New Zealand [c] Only 1 and 3
[d] Only 3
Q.86) International Energy Agency has released [e] Only 2
the Renewable Energy Market Update: Outlook
for 2023 and 2024. Considering this, identify the Q.89) Identify the correct order of countries in
correct statement from the options given below. descending order with respect to the quantum of
1) As per the report, the global renewable digital payments occurred in 2022, as per the
capacity additions are set to increase by 107 data given by MyGovIndia.
gigawatts (GW), the largest absolute increase [a] India > Brazil > China > Thailand > South
ever, to more than 440 GW in 2023. Korea
pg. 11
[Type here]

[b] China > Brazil > India > South Korea > [d] Delhi railway station
Thailand [e] Mumbai Central railway station
[c] South Korea > Brazil > India > China >
Thailand Q.94) India is set to host the prestigious Miss
[d] South Korea > Thailand > China > Brazil > World pageant (71st edition) by the end of this
India year. The last time the pageant was held in 1996
[e] Brazil > China > South Korea > India > in Bengaluru. How many times has India won this
Thailand prestigious pageant?
[a] Six
Q.90) Which has become the first Oil Marketing [b] Four
Company in India to test the E27 fuel, in line with [c] Seven
the "Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India by [d] Ten
2025," which aims to promote the adoption of [e] Five
Ethanol Blending in gasoline?
[a] BPCL Q.95) Identify the incorrect statement from the
[b] IOCL options given below.
[c] OIL [a] The Modernization and Up-gradation of
[d] HPCL Cochin Fishing Harbour project was proposed by
[e] ONGC the Department of Fisheries in March 2022
[b] The funding for the Cochin Fishing Harbour
Q.91) Who is the chief coordinator of W20 project is given under Sagarmala, PM Matsya
Summit 2023? Sampada Yojana, and Public-Private Partnership
[a] S.B. Naithani [c] Under the Sagarmala Program of MoPSW,
[b] Dharitri Patnaik 802 projects are being developed at a cost of Rs.
[c] Nampibou Marinmai 5.5 lakh Crore by 2035
[d] Anil Kumar [d] Under the Sagarmala Programme of MoPSW,
[e] D Salai Maran 9 fishing harbour projects worth Rs 620 crores
have been completed, so far.
Q.92) Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah [e] Apart from this, modernization of 10 fishing
announced three major schemes worth over Rs harbours has been done at a cost of ~Rs. 1050
8,000 crore to cover the modernisation of fire crores
brigade services in all states, flood mitigation in
seven major cities and prevention of landslides in Q.96) Which state organized Kisan Kalyan
17 states. How much amount has been fixed for Mahakumbh 2023?
preventing landslides in 17 states? [a] Gujarat
[a] Rs 900 crore [b] Assam
[b] Rs 825 crore [c] Uttar Pradesh
[c] Rs 760 crore [d] Madhya Pradesh
[d] Rs 156 crore [e] Telangana
[e] Rs 200 crore
Q.97) Which state has announced a monthly
Q.93) Which railway station has been awarded pension of Rs 10,000 for the Padma Shri, Padma
'Eat Right Station' certification by FSSAI (Food Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awardees of the
Safety and Standards Authority of India) for State?
providing high-quality and nutritious food to [a] Gujarat
passengers in June 2023? [b] Haryana
[a] Guwahati railway station [c] Chhattisgarh
[b] Chandigarh railway station [d] Madhya Pradesh
[c] Bhopal railway station [e] Rajasthan
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[Type here]

[e] Seventh
Q.98) Gandak river is the tributary of which river?
[a] Brahmaputra Q.102) Which bank has launched the ‘I am Adyar,
[b] Ganga Adyar is me' campaign?
[c] Narmada [a] Bank of India
[d] Tapti [b] Federal Bank
[e] Godavari [c] Indian Bank
[d] Bank of Maharashtra
Q.99) Identify the incorrect statement from the [e] CSB
options given below.
[a] The least developed country (LDC) category Q.103) Identify the correct statement(s) with
was established by the United Nations General regards to the Institute for Development and
Assembly in 1971. Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT).
[b] Membership is revised every three years 1) In the year 1994, a committee on “Technology
based on the following factors - Average gross Issues Relating to Payments System, Cheque
national income, Human assets, Economic Clearing and Securities Settlement in the Banking
vulnerability Industry”, headed by Shri W. S. Saraf, Executive
[c] In 2021, UNGA adopted the resolution to Director, Reserve Bank of India, was constituted.
graduate Bangladesh, Lao People’s Democratic 2) This committee recommended RBI to set up
Republic and Nepal from the LDC category. Information Technology Institute for the purpose
[d] Bangladesh, Nepal, and Laos PDR are of Research and Development as well as
scheduled to graduate from LDC list on 24 Consultancy in the application of technology to
November 2027. the Banking and Financial Sector of the country.
[e] According to the U.N., per capita income of 3) Based on the recommendations of the
$1,230 is one of the requirements for transitioning committee, the Institute for Development and
into a developing nation. Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) was
established in March 1996 as an Autonomous
Q.100) United Nations Development Programme Centre for Development and Research in Banking
(UNDP) launched its third cohort of four ocean Technology.
innovators. The cohort includes members from
_____, ____, ____, and ____? [a] Only 1
[a] Japan, Philippines, Finland, Australia [b] Only 1, 2, and 3
[b] New Zealand, Thailand, Mauritius, Maldives [c] Only 3
[c] Malaysia, Madagascar, Thailand, Turkey [d] Only 2
[d] Zambia, Croatia, Serbia, Denmark [e] Only 2 and 3
[e] Estonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Romania
Q.104) With which of the following institutions
Q.101) Recently, the Department of has SIDBI collaborated for Mission EVOLVE
Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (Electric Vehicle Operations and Lending for
(DARPG) released the Centralized Public Vibrant Ecosystem)?
Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System [a] NITI Aayog
(CPGRAMS) monthly report for States/UT for [b] World Bank
May, 2023. What is the rank of Assam, Andaman [c] Korean Economic Development Cooperation
& Nicobar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh in this Fund
index? [d] Only A and B
[a] First [e] Only A, B, and C
[b] Second
[c] Third Q.105) How many life insurance companies are
[d] Fifth operating in India as of June 2023?
pg. 13
[Type here]

[a] 26 Q.111) Where was the Global DPI (Digital Public

[b] 13 Infrastructure) Summit organized?
[c] 43 [a] Pune
[d] 27 [b] Indore
[e] 18 [c] Delhi
[d] Bengaluru
Q.106) According to the OECD’s latest Economic [e] Chennai
Outlook, which country will witness the highest
GDP growth rate in 2023 among the major Q.112) Which country’s researchers have been
economies? awarded under the ‘Women Involvement in
[a] India Science and Engineering Research’ (WISER)
[b] China program in June 2023?
[c] Saudi Arabia [a] Netherlands
[d] Japan [b] Germany
[e] France [c] Denmark
[d] Finland
Q.107) Who has been appointed as the new CEO [e] United Kingdom
of UIDAI?
[a] Alok Tiwari Q.113) Which company has received the contract
[b] Amit Agrawal to develop state-of-the-art Naval Airfield
[c] Prabhat Kumar Tripathi Integrated Security System (NAISS) and the
[d] Pankaj Agarwal Naval Anti-Drone System (NADS) for the Indian
[e] Mahesh Kumar Sharma Navy?
[a] Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd
Q.108) When is the World Accreditation Day [b] Bharat Dynamics Ltd
observed? [c] MTAR Technologies
[a] August 10 [d] Bharat Electronics Limited
[b] September 12 [e] Solar Industries Ltd
[c] May 18
[d] June 9 Q.114) Which edition of the joint military exercise
[e] July 12 “Ex Ekuverin” conducted between the Indian
Army and the Maldives National Defence Force?
Q.109) Which system from India has won the [a] 18th
UITP Awards, one of the world’s most coveted [b] 12th
prize in public transport? [c] 23rd
[a] DTC [d] 17th
[b] BEST [e] 29th
[c] HPRTC
[d] SUPER Q.115) In which country has World Bank
[e] SMART launched its first dedicated road safety project of
South Asia?
Q.110) Which city will host the Squash World Cup [a] Bangladesh
2023 (4th edition)? [b] Maldives
[a] Chennai [c] Sri Lanka
[b] Doha [d] India
[c] Tashkent [e] Nepal
[d] Tel Aviv
[e] Ulaanbaatar Q.116) Recently, the UN General Assembly has
adopted a draft resolution introduced by India to
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establish a memorial wall in the UN Headquarters [c] Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company
to honor fallen peacekeepers. How many [d] Max Life Insurance Company
countries proposed the resolution along with [e] New India Assurance Co. Ltd.
India?
[a] 17 Q.121) When and where will India host the 2025
[b] 23 IIAS (International Institute of Administrative
[c] 35 Sciences) Annual Conference?
[d] 32 [a] 2029, Indore
[e] 20 [b] 2025, Kochi
[c] 2024, Shillong
Q.117) Which new sectors/sub-sectors have been [d] 2027, Gangtok
included in the multi-sectoral collaboration of [e] 2028, Bengaluru
BIMSTEC during the recent Ministerial Meeting of
the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Q.122) Ministry of Science and Technology has
Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) launched Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV)
in Bangkok? fellowships program to connect Indian STEMM
[a] Culture, STI, and Connectivity (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics
[b] Human resource development, health, and and Medicine) diaspora with Indian Higher
technology Educational Institutions. How many knowledge
[c] People-to-people connect, agriculture and food verticals have been identified under this initiative?
security [a] 18
[d] Blue Economy, Mountain Economy and [b] 22
Poverty Alleviation [c] 27
[e] Agricultture, Fisheries and Livestock, and [d] 30
Disaster Management [e] 15

Q.118) Which organization has released the Q.123) What is the name of the collection of
Global Slavery Index 2023? courses, launched by the Central Govt, to provide
[a] ITF training to Mission Karamyogi beneficiaries?
[b] WEF [a] Prabhuta
[c] WEO [b] Prayaas
[d] WFF [c] Disha
[e] IMF [d] Daskhta
[e] Savera
Q.119) Which has become the first public sector
bank to introduce an IVR-based UPI solution - Q.124) Which institution has approved a $150-
UPI 123PAY? million loan to support the Resilient Kerala
[a] PNB program to strengthen Kerala’s preparedness for
[b] KMB natural disasters, climate change impact, and
[c] ICICI Bank disease outbreaks?
[d] Axis Bank [a] IMF
[e] BOB [b] EIB
[c] ADB
Q.120) Which company has launched Smart [d] AIIB
Wealth Advantage Growth Par Plan - a non-linked [e] WB
participating individual life insurance savings
plan? Q.125) Which military force organized “Julley
[a] Aegon Life Insurance Company Ladakh” (Hello Ladakh), an outreach programme
[b] Reliance Nippon Life Insurance Company
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to Ladakh to increase awareness about the [a] Karnataka

service in the UT? [b] Madhya Pradesh
[a] Navy [c] Kerala
[b] Army [d] Goa
[c] Air Force [e] Gujarat
[d] Coast Guard
[e] Both Army and Air Force Q.131) Where will the G-20 Labour Engagement
summit be held?[a] Patna
Q.126) Recently, United Nations has adopted a [b] Gwalior
historic Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction [c] Bhopal
Treaty (BBNJ), also known as the High Seas [d] Bengaluru
Treaty, by nearly 200 nations after 15 years of [e] Chennai
discussions. The Agreement will be open for
signature at UN Headquarters in New York for Q.132) Which state has approved the Co-
two years from 20 September 2023, the day after operative Policy 2023, in the month of June 2023,
the 2023 SDG Summit. How many countries’ to create jobs in the sector?
ratification is needed to implement the treaty? [a] Bihar
[a] 75 [b] Uttar Pradesh
[b] 60 [c] Madhya Pradesh
[c] 40 [d] Gujarat
[d] 45 [e] Uttarakhand
[e] 33
Q.133) Which state celebrates the Wihu Kuh
Q.127) Which company has launched the first- Festival?[a] Ladakh
ever passive fund on Nifty Microcap 250 Index? [b] Arunachal Pradesh
[a] SBI Mutual Fund [c] Assam
[b] Motilal Oswal AMC [d] Nagaland
[c] Nippon India Mutual Fund [e] Manipur
[d] Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund
[e] UTI Mutual Fund Q.134) Which state launched the 'Polytechnic
Chalo Abhiyan' to create employment
Q.128) Who has been chosen as the chief of opportunities for youth by connecting them with
Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW)? technical education?[a] Jharkhand
[a] Ravi Sinha [b] Himachal Pradesh
[b] Keshav Kumar [c] Arunachal Pradesh
[c] Ritika Singh Verma [d] Assam
[d] Kritika Keshwal [e] Uttar Pradesh
[e] Pritika Singh
Q.135) Which country will receive INS Kirpan
Q.129) Who was the first Indian woman to get a from India as a gift?
PhD degree in a scientific discipline? [a] Maldives
[a] Kamala Sohonie [b] Vietnam
[b] Medhar Patkar [c] Malaysia
[c] Chanu Sharmila [d] Indonesia
[d] Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay [e] Sri Lanka
[e] Savitribai Phule
Q.136) DRDO and the Indian Navy have
Q.130) Where will the 37th National Games be successfully showcased the transfer of command-
held? and-control capabilities of the Tapas Unmanned
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Aerial Vehicle (UAV) recently. On which Indian [b] Arunachal Pradesh

Naval Ship was the UAV showcased? [c] Uttarakhand
[a] INS Subhadra [d] Himachal Pradesh
[b] INS Arihant [e] Jammu and Kashmir
[c] INS Shankush
[d] INS Vikrant Q.142) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has
[e] INS Arighat signed an MOU with Fabrica Argentina de
Aviones (FAdeA) for collaboration in the
Q.137) For which foreign country has India aerospace sector. Which country does the latter
announced the “HIT” formula for promoting belong to?
diplomatic relations and growth?[a] Sri Lanka [a] Germany
[b] Bangladesh [b] Argentine
[c] Bhutan [c] Netherlands
[d] Maldives [d] Chile
[e] Nepal [e] Brazil

Q.138) SATRIA-1 is the telecommunications Q.143) How many children were displaced in
satellite of which country? 2022 due to the extreme weather conditions,
[a] Indonesia according to UNICEF?
[b] South Africa [a] 10 million
[c] Bulgaria [b] 8 million
[d] Moldova [c] 15 million
[e] Estonia [d] 12 million
[e] 20 million
Q.139) All-India Consumer Price Index for
Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers for Q.144) Which of the following statement(s) is/are
the month of May 2023 stands at 1186 and 1197 true about the Grievance Redressal Assessment
points respectively, as per the data released by and Index (GRAI) 2022?
the Ministry of Labour & Employment. Which year 1) 89 Central Ministries and Departments were
was used as the base year for calculating these assessed and ranked in 2022.
values for the month of May? 2) Data between January and December 2022
[a] 1986-87 was used to compute it.
[b] 1998-99 3) The index ranks Central
[c] 1967-68 Ministries/Departments on four dimensions and
[d] 1955-56 corresponding 21 indicators.
[e] 1945-46 4) Department of Posts has been ranked first in
Group B category
Q.1410) By which year does National Bank for
Financing Infrastructure Development (NaBFID) [a] Only 1 and 2
aim to finalise loan sanctions up to ₹3 lakh [b] Only 1 and 3
crore?[a] 2026 [c] Only 2, 3 and 4
[b] 2025 [d] Only 2 and 4
[c] 2028 [e] Only 3
[d] 2035
[e] 2047 Q.145) What is the remittances growth rate
projection for LMICs for 2023 by the World Bank’s
Q.141) Where did Indian Army conduct its Migration and Development Brief 38?
massive military exercise — Agneyastra 1? [a] 2.3%
[a] Ladakh [b] 1.4%
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[c] 1.9% [a] US

[d] 2.9% [b] Denmark
[e] 3.1% [c] UK
[d] Finland
Q.146) How much progress has the world made [e] Norway
in the Health and Survival subindex of the Global
Gender Gap Report 2023? Q.151) India and USA have launched the India-
[a] 78% United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem
[b] 56% (INDUS X) on June 21 (International Yoga Day)
[c] 28% at an event held in Washington DC to foster
[d] 96% collaboration and innovation between Indian and
[e] 57% US defence startups, promoting technological
advancements in the sector. Separately, India
Q.147) Which of the following agencies has and US have announced to open their new
predicted that the Indian economy and the market consulates on each other’s land. Where will the
will be among the top globally by 2050 and even US consulates be opened in India?
surpass the US by 2075? [a] Ahmedabad and Bengaluru
[a] Morgan Stanley [b] Chennai and Surat
[b] Nomura [c] Gandhinagar and Lucknow
[c] Goldman Sachs [d] Delhi and Mysore
[d] Moody’s [e] Guwahati and Surat
[e] IMF
Q.152) Till when is the scheme for Development
Q.148) According to the data released by the of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Park
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Projects extended?
Authority (PFRDA), the growth in enrolments of [a] FY27
Atal Pension Yojana (APY) in FY23 witnessed [b] FY25
____ % growth for the minimum pension of Rs [c] FY28
1,000. [d] FY26
[a] 46% [e] FY29
[b] 17%
[c] 24% Q.153) Which company has created Raman-I
[d] 29% engine?
[e] 33% [a] Skyroot Aerospace
[b] Dhruva Space
Q.149) Which bank has launched ‘One-View’ [c] Bellatrix Aerospace
feature to simplify the process of managing [d] Rocket Lab
finances for customers, by providing them access [e] Satellize
to multiple bank accounts on one single platform,
enabling them to track their balances and spends Q.154) With which company has India signed a
on a real-time basis? Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in the month of
[a] ICICI Bank June 2023?
[b] Bank of Baroda [a] Netherlands
[c] Axis Bank [b] Luxembourg
[d] Bank of India [c] Finland
[e] Indian Bank [d] Belgium
[e] Romania
Q.1510) Which country does the Cormac
McCarthy belong to?
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Q.155) Where is the North India’s first skin bank to US, India became a part of this critical minerals
established? club. Which of the following is a member of this
[a] Babu Jag jiwan Ram Hospital grouping?
[b] AIIMS Delhi 1) Australia
[c] Maharishi Balmiki Hospital 2) Germany
[d] Raja Harish Chander Hospital 3) Canada
[e] Safdarjung Hospital 4) Finland
5) New Zealand
Q.156) Where is the Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) [a] 1, 2, and 3
Memorial located? [b] 2, 3, 4, and 5
[a] Egypt [c] 1, 2, and 5
[b] Mozambique [d] 2, 3, 4 and 5
[c] Malawi [e] 1, 2, 3, and 4
[d] Nigeria
[e] Kenya Q.161) Where is the Al-Hakim Mosque located?
[a] Saudi Arabia
Q.157) Which organization will invest $825 million [b] Egypt
to build Chip Assembly and Testing Facility in [c] Israel
Gujarat? [d] UAE
[a] Kyma Technologies [e] Oman
[b] STMicroelectronics
[c] Nvidia Q.162) Recently, India’s first hydrogen-powered
[d] Micron train is expected to run from Haryana’s Jind
[e] AMD district by the end of this year. Also, India’s first
hydrogen plant is being set up near the railway
Q.158) Recently, Delhi government introduced a junction in Jind district. Which country is running
Cloud Kitchen Policy to simplify licensing the hydrogen-run trains?
procedures for cloud kitchens by implementing a [a] Germany
user-friendly single-window system through a [b] Netherlands
digital platform. Which country’s food system is [c] Belgium
the policy inspired from? [d] Japan
[a] Indonesia [e] South Korea
[b] Philippines
[c] Vietnam Q.163) Union Minister of Power and New
[d] Singapore &Renewable Energy, R. K. Singh has released a
[e] Hong Kong SAR, China report titled National Energy Data: Survey and
Analysis 2021-22, at Shram Shakti Bhawan, in
Q.159) On which portal will the One District One New Delhi. The report is prepared by Energy Data
Product Awards be announced? Management Unit, in collaboration with ____?
[a] Rashtriya Puraskar [a] NITI Aayog
[b] National Awards Intra Portal [b] Observer Research Foundation
[c] MyGov India [c] Strategic Foresight Group
[d] Invest India [d] Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies
[e] Services India [e] World Resources Institute

Q.160) The Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) Q.164) Which institution has approved a
is a global initiative by the US to bolster critical substantial loan of USD 255.5 million to India for
mineral supply chains. It is also known as the improving the quality of technical education in
critical minerals’ alliance. During PM Modi’s visit government-run institutions in India?
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[a] EIB [c] Surat

[b] IMF [d] Gandhinagar
[c] WB [e] Chennai
[d] EU
[e] KfW Q.168) The Life Insurance Corporation of India
(LIC) has launched a new insurance plan — Dhan
Q.165) Which state Innovation and Investment Vriddhi. It is a non-linked, non-participating,
Park has signed MOU with Paytm Payment individual, savings, single premium life insurance
Services Limited (PPSL) to create a startup plan which offers a combination of protection and
ecosystem for the youth in the northeastern savings. This plan is available in three policy
state? tenures of ____, ___, and ____ years?
[a] Uttar Pradesh [a] 5, 10, and 12 years
[b] Telangana [b] 15, 18, and 22 years
[c] Madhya Pradesh [c] 10, 15, and 25 years
[d] Arunachal Pradesh [d] 12, 18, or 30 years
[e] Gujarat [e] 10, 15 or 18 years

Q.166) What is India's rank in the World Q.169) When is the World MSME Day observed?
Competitiveness Index 2023? [a] July 16
[a] 42nd [b] June 27
[b] 40th [c] August 20
[c] 67th [d] September 11
[d] 23rd [e] October 19
[e] 27th
Q.170) Who has been ranked 10th on Forbes list
Q.167) Which of the following is the second-best of top 50 Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs)?
startup ecosystem in India after Bengaluru, as per [a] William White
Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2023 of Startup [b] Harish Bhat
Genome? [c] N Chandrashekhar
[a] Delhi [d] Amit Aggarwal
[b] Pune [e] Keshav Bharghav

1 B 51 B 101 B 151 A
2 C 52 A 102 B 152 D
3 B 53 C 103 B 153 A
4 D 54 A 104 E 154 D
5 A 55 A 105 A 155 E
6 D 56 B 106 A 156 A
7 D 57 A 107 B 157 D
8 B 58 B 108 D 158 D
9 B 59 B 109 B 159 A

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10 A 60 A 110 A 160 E
11 A 61 D 111 A 161 B
12 D 62 B 112 B 162 A
13 A 63 C 113 D 163 A
14 B 64 A 114 B 164 C
15 C 65 D 115 A 165 D
16 D 66 C 116 A 166 B
17 A 67 B 117 D 167 A
18 B 68 A 118 D 168 E
19 D 69 E 119 A 169 B
20 B 70 A 120 D 170 B
21 C 71 A 121 B
22 A 72 D 122 A
23 A 73 B 123 D
24 D 74 A 124 E
25 D 75 B 125 A
26 B 76 B 126 B
27 B 77 D 127 B
28 A 78 C 128 A
29 A 79 E 129 A
30 A 80 B 130 D
31 C 81 A 131 A
32 A 82 B 132 C
33 B 83 E 133 B
34 E 84 B 134 E
35 D 85 D 135 B
36 E 86 B 136 A
37 C 87 C 137 E
38 D 88 C 138 A
39 B 89 A 139 A
40 C 90 D 140 A
41 A 91 B 141 A
42 B 92 B 142 B

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43 C 93 A 143 D
44 A 94 A 144 A
45 D 95 E 145 B
46 B 96 D 146 D
47 B 97 B 147 C
48 C 98 B 148 C
49 A 99 D 149 C
50 B 100 C 150 A

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