01st-02nd May, 2023

1. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship inaugurated the “Future of Work” exhibition during the 3rd G20 Education Working Group meeting.
2. Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways & Coasts (NTCPWC) at Discovery Campus of IIT, Madras.
3. Khelo India Scheme completed 5 years in April 2023.
4. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will be organizing the Asia Pacific Leaders’ Conclave on Malaria Elimination in New Delhi, in partnership with the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA).
5. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has addressed the India-Guyana Business Round in Guyana.
6. Civil 20 (C20) Working Group on Education and Digital Transformation (EDT) meeting took place at Mizoram University
7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 20th anniversary of the State-Wide Attention on Grievances by Application of Technology (SWAGAT) initiative in Gujarat.
8. Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of 157 nursing colleges at the same locations as medical colleges (that have been established since 2014).
9. Union Cabinet has approved the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023.
10. The Consulate General of India in Dubai inaugurated the Study in India Pavilion at the Global Education & Training Exhibition (GETEX) held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 26th to 28th April 2023.
11. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers Meeting will be held in New Delhi.
12. India and United Kingdom will create India-UK “NET Zero” Innovation Virtual Centre.
13. 12-day Ganga Pushkaralu festival has been organized by Telugu-speaking population (from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) of India at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
14. The Y-20 Pre-Summit Meeting under G20 Presidency was hosted by Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs in Leh, Ladakh.
15. The Voters Helpline app has been launched by the Election Commission for ensuring seamless enrollment of voters in Karnataka.
16. Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched IFFCO’s liquid nano Di-Ammonia Phosphate (DAP) – world’s first Nano DAP (Liquid) – in New Delhi.
17. LVMH became the first European company to cross market capitalization (m-cap) of $500 billion.
18. For the first time, Japan has approved the abortion pill to terminate early-stage pregnancy.
19. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced to host the third in-person Quad Summit on May 24 in Sydney.
20. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan will launch the 17th Japan International MANGA Award and accept entries by non-Japanese MANGA creators.
21. United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Cambodia have finalised the terms of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
22. NITI Aayog released a report titled Promoting Millets in Diets: Best Practices across States/UTs of India.
23. NASSCOM has released the ‘Unpacking India’s IP Ecosystem for an Innovation-led future’ report.
24. According to the World Bank’s data, India has become the first country in the world to have annual remittances from abroad crossing the $100-billion mark.
25. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has announced to operationalise the Electronic Cash Ledger (ECL) in phases for importers and exporters w.e.f., April 1, 2023.
26. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) share of India’s oil imports fell at the fastest pace in 2022-23 to the lowest in at least 22 years, due to cheaper Russian oil.
27. According to Economic Affairs Department (DEA) of the Finance Ministry’s report, 24 major states have cumulatively announced a 17.7% increase in capital expenditure in FY24 as compared to the previous year’s Budget estimates.
28. NASSCOM has appointed Anant Maheshwari (president of Microsoft India) as its chairperson for 2023-24.
29. 7th edition of the 2023 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy will be hosted by Chennai, India in August 2023.
30. Iga Świątek (Poland) won the women’s singles at the Stuttgart Open (Women’s tennis tournament) in Stuttgart, Germany.
31. Indian batter KL Rahul became the fastest player to reach the 7,000 run-mark in T20 cricket format.
32. Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) has won the ATP 500 Barcelona Open (annual men’s tennis tournament) in Barcelona, Spain.
33. Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar have joined Donald Bradman, Alan Davidson and Arthur Morris by having a set of gates named in their honour at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
34. World Table Tennis Championships 2023 will be held in Durban, South Africa from 20–28 May.
35. Indian athletes Aarti and Khusbhu Yadav have bagged the third and fourth positions in the Girls’ five thousand-metre Race Walk in the Asian U18 Athletics Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

National News

1. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship inaugurated the “Future of Work” exhibition during the 3rd G20 Education Working Group meeting.
   • The Working Group’s meeting took place at CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
     Source: PIB
2. Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways & Coasts (NTCPWC) at Discovery Campus of IIT, Madras.
   • NTCPWC was established under the ambitious Sagarmala program at a cost of ₹77 crore.
   • Purpose – to provide solutions to challenges in the maritime sector through scientific support, education, applied research and technology transfer at the local, regional, national and international levels
     Source: PIB
   • Khelo India Scheme completed 5 years in April 2023.
     • The first edition of the Khelo India Games was played in 2018 in Delhi.

4. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will be organizing the Asia Pacific Leaders’ Conclave on Malaria Elimination in New Delhi, in partnership with the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA).
   • Target – Asia Pacific Free from Malaria by 2030
   • Among the 11 countries that are part of the World Health Organization’s ‘High Burden to High Impact’ initiative, only India has reported decline in malaria cases during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
   • In India, malaria cases and deaths also dropped by 85.1% and 83.6% respectively, from 2015 to 2022.
   • April 25 – World Malaria Day; Theme – “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement”

5. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has addressed the India-Guyana Business Round in Guyana.
   • Guyana capital – Georgetown; Currency – Guyanese Dollar
     Source: News on Air
6. Civil 20 (C20) Working Group on Education and Digital Transformation (EDT) meeting took place at Mizoram University
   • Mizoram University and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham of Kerala have partnered to launch science, technology and innovation (STI) hubs in the districts of Aizawl and Serchhip in Mizoram.
     Source: News on Air
7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 20th anniversary of the State-Wide Attention on Grievances by Application of Technology (SWAGAT) initiative in Gujarat.
   • The scheme was launched by the Gujarat govt in April 2003 to bridge the gap between citizens and the government by using technology to resolve their day-to-day grievances in a quick, efficient, and time-bound manner.
   • The Gujarat government is celebrating SWAGAT Saptah.
     Source: News on Air
8. Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of 157 nursing colleges at the same locations as medical colleges (that have been established since 2014).
   • Purpose – to fill up nursing vacancies and remove disparities in distribution of nursing colleges in the country
   • These colleges will be established at a cost of Rs 1,570 crore (Rs 10 crore for each college), in which states can also contribute, over the next two years.
   • With 100 seats per college, the move will add 15,700 BSc nursing seats across the country.
   • The highest number of colleges will be in Uttar Pradesh (27), Rajasthan (23), and Madhya Pradesh (14).
   • A committee headed by the Union Health Secretary (incumbent: Rajesh Bhushan) and the Principal Secretary of health or medical education in the state will monitor the progress in their construction.

9. Union Cabinet has approved the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023.

10. The Consulate General of India in Dubai inaugurated the Study in India Pavilion at the Global Education & Training Exhibition (GETEX) held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 26th to 28th April 2023.
    • The India Pavilion has been organized by the Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) with the support of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, India under the Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme.
    • SEPC has partnered with EdCIL (India) Limited, a public sector undertaking in India under the Ministry of Education, to set up the India Pavilion at GETEX.

11. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers Meeting will be held in New Delhi.
    Source: PIB
12. India and United Kingdom will create India-UK “NET Zero” Innovation Virtual Centre.
    • The decision was announced during the India-UK Science & Innovation Council
      Source: PIB

State News

1. 12-day Ganga Pushkaralu festival has been organized by Telugu-speaking population (from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) of India at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
   Source: Times of India
2. The Y-20 Pre-Summit Meeting under G20 Presidency was hosted by Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs in Leh, Ladakh.
   • Y20 delegates also visited Hemis and Thiksey Monasteries.
   • Cham dance is the folk dance in Ladakh.
   • Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh – Shri Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd)
     Source: PIB
3. The Voters Helpline app has been launched by the Election Commission for ensuring seamless enrollment of voters in Karnataka.

Source: News on Air and ECI’s website

Agriculture and Rural Development

1. Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched IFFCO’s liquid nano Di-Ammonia Phosphate (DAP) – world’s first Nano DAP (Liquid) – in New Delhi.

Source: Indian Express and PIB

International News

1. LVMH became the first European company to cross market capitalization (m-cap) of $500 billion.
   • LVMH owns brands such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Tiffany & Co.
     Source: LiveMint
2. For the first time, Japan has approved the abortion pill to terminate early-stage pregnancy.
   • In October 1988, China became the first country in the world to approve abortion pill.
     Source: Wion
3. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced to host the third in-person Quad Summit on May 24 in Sydney.
   Source: News on Air
4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan will launch the 17th Japan International MANGA Award and accept entries by non-Japanese MANGA creators.
   • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs established the Japan International MANGA Award in 2007 for expanding international relations through world-famous MANGA culture.
   • Manga refers to a form of art developed in Japan in the late 19th century. The term manga is used in Japan to refer to both comics and cartooning.
     Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
5. United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Cambodia have finalised the terms of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
   • Purpose – to increase and diversify bilateral trade by substantially eliminating tariffs, reducing non-tariff trade barriers, and promoting trade in goods, services, and investment
     Source: The Print

Reports and Indices

1. NITI Aayog released a report titled Promoting Millets in Diets: Best Practices across States/UTs of India.
   • The report presents a set of good and innovative practices adopted by states governments and organizations in various aspects of millet value- chain especially production, processing and consumption.
   • Three themes of the report are (a) State Missions and initiatives to promote millets; (b) Inclusion of millets in ICDS; (c) Research and development and use of technology for innovative practices.
     Source: PIB
2. NASSCOM has released the ‘Unpacking India’s IP Ecosystem for an Innovation-led future’
   • As per the report, patent filings have increased in India at a 13.6% growth rate in 2022, highest annual increase in the last decade.
   • The share of domestic filings rose to 44.4% of total patents filed, compared to 41.6% in the previous year.

Banking and Economy

1. According to the World Bank’s data, India has become the first country in the world to have annual remittances from abroad crossing the $100-billion mark.
   • Private remittances crossed this $100 billion threshold in 2022, with an impressive year-on- year growth of 12%.
   • India is expected to be the top remittances destination in FY23.
   • According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade’s data, FDI in India fell by 15% on year to $36.75 billion during the April-December 2022.
   • Around 18 million Indians are living outside their country of birth — the biggest diaspora in the world.
   • About $630 billion was sent in remittances to low- and middle-income nations in 2022, up by 5% from previous year.
   • Remittances to these countries were equivalent to the FDI inflows into them during the year.
     Source: Financial Express
2. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has announced to operationalise the Electronic Cash Ledger (ECL) in phases for importers and exporters e.f., April 1, 2023.
   • As per Section 51A of the Customs Act, 1962, every assessee must maintain an electronic cash ledger in the customs portal.
   • ECL is a non-interest-bearing deposit account of exporters/importers with the Government for ensuring compliance in the payment of export/import duties.
   • Only the people registered on the ICEGATE portal can create an ECL account.
   • Once registered, deposits can be made in any of the 12 banks, including the SBI and PNB.

3. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) share of India’s oil imports fell at the fastest pace in 2022-23 to the lowest in at least 22 years, due to cheaper Russian oil.
   • India shipped in about 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian oil in 2022-23, about 23% of its overall 4.65 million bpd imports.
   • India is the world’s third largest oil importer.
     Source: Times of India
4. According to Economic Affairs Department (DEA) of the Finance Ministry’s report, 24 major states have cumulatively announced a 7% increase in capital expenditure in FY24 as compared to the previous year’s Budget estimates.
   • In the Union Budget of 2023-24, Centre increased its capital expenditure outlay by 37.4% to ₹10 lakh crore (BE) over ₹7.28 lakh crore (RE) of FY2022-23.
   • Also, the scheme for providing financial assistance to the States for capital expenditure introduced in FY2022-23 has been extended in FY2023-24, with the enhanced outlay of ₹1.30 lakh crore.
     Source: Hindu Business Line

Appointments

1. NASSCOM has appointed Anant Maheshwari (president of Microsoft India) as its chairperson for 2023-24.

Sports

1. 7th edition of the 2023 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy will be hosted by Chennai, India in August 2023.
   • It is a men’s field hockey tournament, played amongst the six best Asian hockey teams — India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, China and Pakistan.
   • Asian Hockey Federation (HQ- Malaysia) organizes the tournament.
   • It will be the first international hockey competition to be hosted in Chennai since the Asia Cup, which was held there in 2007.
   • Asian Games 2023 will be held in Hangzhou, China in September-October.

2. Iga Świątek (Poland) won the women’s singles at the Stuttgart Open (Women’s tennis tournament) in Stuttgart, Germany.
   Source: Hindu Sportstar
3. Indian batter KL Rahul became the fastest player to reach the 7,000 run-mark in T20 cricket format.
   • He achieved this feat while playing for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) against the Gujarat Titans in Lucknow.
     Source: Times of India
4. Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) has won the ATP 500 Barcelona Open (annual men’s tennis tournament) in Barcelona, Spain.
   Source: Hindu Sportstar
5. Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar have joined Donald Bradman, Alan Davidson and Arthur Morris by having a set of gates named in their honour at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
   • The gates, at the entrance of the ground, were unveiled to mark Tendulkar’s 50th birthday and 30 years since Lara’s innings of 277 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
     Source: Times of India
6. World Table Tennis Championships 2023 will be held in Durban, South Africa from 20–28 May.
   • Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra will spearhead the 11-member Indian squad, comprising five men and six women, at the championship.
     Source: Hindu Sportstar

7. Indian athletes Aarti and Khusbhu Yadav have bagged the third and fourth positions in the Girls’ five thousand-metre Race Walk in the Asian U18 Athletics Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
   Source: News on Air

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