06th December, 2023

1. Indian researcher Dr Akshata Krishnamurthy has become the first Indian woman to operate the Mars rover Perseverance and collect samples from Mars to bring back to Earth.
2. India has been unanimously elected as a member representing Asian region in the Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) during its 46th meeting held at Food and Agriculture Organization headquarters at Rome.
3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra.
4. Japan has unveiled the world’s largest operational experimental nuclear fusion reactor JT-60SA.
5. Pakistan has been elected as Vice Chair of UNESCO Executive Board from Asia Pacific Group for the term 2023-2025.
6. Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has launched a seed fund scheme for start-ups operating in the area of urban development and disaster management by using space technology.
7. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of Kolhapur-based Shankarrao Pujari Nutan Nagari Sahakari Bank Limited.
8. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) has delivered Sandhayak (Yard 3025), the first of four Survey Vessel (Large) ships.
9. Indian defence Public Sector Undertakings Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Bharat Electronics (BEL) and Mazagon Docks (MDL) figure in the list of the top 100 arms-producing companies as per ‘World’s Top 100 Arms Producing Companies 2022’
10. Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has won “ISSA Vision Zero 2023” award at the 23rd world congress on safety and health at work in Sydney, Australia.
11. Olympian M. Sreeshankar, long jump silver medallist in the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, has won the 35th Jimmy George Foundation Award for the best sportsperson of Kerala.
12. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Chandrayaan-3 team have been awarded with the “Outstanding Contribution to Brand India” award at the 19th India Business Leader Awards (IBLA), held in Mumbai.
13. International Volunteer Day
14. World Soil Day
15. Vivek Kumar Gupta has been appointed as the part-time director of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).
16. Rajiv Anand has been appointed as the Chairman of Max Life Insurance.
17. ‘Rizz’ has been named as the word of the year by Oxford University Press.

National News

1. Indian researcher Dr Akshata Krishnamurthy has become the first Indian woman to operate the Mars rover Perseverance and collect samples from Mars to bring back to Earth.
   • More about Akshata Krishnamurthy–
     • She is Principal Investigator and Mission Science Phase Lead at NASA after completing her Ph.D. in Space Systems Engineering at MIT, USA.
     • She works as a Systems Engineer and Scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and leads project verification and validation for the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission.

   
   

2. India has been unanimously elected as a member representing Asian region in the Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) during its 46th meeting held at Food and Agriculture Organization headquarters at Rome.
   • About Executive Committee–
     • It is a crucial arm of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC).
     • Membership in the EC provides countries, including India, with the opportunity to contribute to international standard-setting processes for various food product categories.
     • Composition– It comprises the Chair, three Vice-Chairs, six regional coordinators, and seven elected representatives from various geographical regions of Codex.

   • India’s Proposal for Millet Standards–
     • India has proposed the establishment of global standards for millets during the CAC meeting which was accepted by the Commission, reflecting the acknowledgment of India’s initiative for global millet standards.

   
   

3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra.
   • Knowledge fact–
     • Maratha empire founder Shivaji Maharaj’s seal inspired the new naval ensign that was adopted last year when PM Modi commissioned the first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.
       Source: The Hindu
     
     
     
     

International News

1. Japan has unveiled the world’s largest operational experimental nuclear fusion reactor JT-60SA.
   • Objective–
     • To explore the viability of fusion as a secure, expansive, and carbon-neutral net energy source, where the energy produced surpasses is more than the input required for its production.
   • More about JT-60SA–
     • It is based on the concept of nuclear fusion.
     • It is designed to contain and control plasma heated to a staggering 200 million degrees Celsius.
   • Difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fission–
     • Nuclear fission splits atoms for energy, while fusion merges them, mimicking the sun for a potentially safer and more abundant energy source.
       Source: India Today
2. Pakistan has been elected as Vice Chair of UNESCO Executive Board from Asia Pacific Group for the term 2023-2025.
   • Pakistan defeated India by securing 38 votes against India, which got 18 votes in out of 58-member executive board.
     Source: livemint

Banking and Economy

1. Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) has launched a seed fund scheme for start-ups operating in the area of urban development and disaster management by using space technology.
   • More about seed fund–
     • Selected start-ups will receive seed funding for transforming an original idea into a prototype using space technology.
     • It is part of IN-SPACe’s efforts, supports Indian space startups for developing innovative space products and services to enhance the nation’s space capabilities and improve the quality of life for people in India and worldwide.

   • Provision of financial and mentorship support–
     • Financial assistance of up to ₹1 crore will be provided in addition to mentorship support, training and networking opportunities.

   
   
   
   

2. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of Kolhapur-based Shankarrao Pujari Nutan Nagari Sahakari Bank Limited.
   • Reasons for license cancellation–
     • Bank does not have adequate capital and earning prospects to continue its business.
     • Bank has failed to comply with certain sections of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
       Source: livemint
     
     
     
     

Defence News

1. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) has delivered Sandhayak (Yard 3025), the first of four Survey Vessel (Large) ships.
   • More about Sandhayak (Yard 3025)-
     • It has been built under the contract for four Survey Vessel (Large).
     • It has been designed and built as per the rules of Indian Register of Shipping Classification society by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
     • Primary role of the ship would be full scale coastal and deep-water Hydrographic Survey of Port/ Harbour approaches and determination of navigational channels/ routes.
     • It has an indigenous content of over 80% by cost.
       Source: PIB
2. Indian defence Public Sector Undertakings Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Bharat Electronics (BEL) and Mazagon Docks (MDL) figure in the list of the top 100 arms-producing companies as per ‘World’s Top 100 Arms Producing Companies 2022’ report.
   • Report released by–
     • Swedish think-tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
   • Rank of Indian firms–
     • HAL was ranked 41st with $3.4 billion in arms sales, BEL 63rd with $1.9 billion and MDL 89th with $1 billion
   • Global trend–
     • Sales of arms and military services by the 100 largest armament companies in the world totalled $597 billion in 2022
       Source: TOI

Awards

1. Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has won “ISSA Vision Zero 2023” award at the 23rd world congress on safety and health at work in Sydney, Australia.
   • Why ESIC is awarded?
     • ESIC is awarded for its great success in outreach in the field of safety and health at work places.

2. Olympian M. Sreeshankar, long jump silver medallist in the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, has won the 35th Jimmy George Foundation Award for the best sportsperson of Kerala.
   • Award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a plaque.
     Source: The Hindu
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Chandrayaan-3 team have been awarded with the “Outstanding Contribution to Brand India” award at the 19th India Business Leader Awards (IBLA), held in Mumbai.
   • About India Business Leaders Award–
     • It recognises leaders that drive innovation, growth and positive change across industries and make significant impact on Indian landscape.
     • Hosted by– CNBC-TV18 has hosted IBLA 2023 award

Source: moneycontrol

Important Days

1. December 5– International Volunteer Day; Theme– the power of collective action: if everyone did
   Source: UN
2. December 5– World Soil Day; Theme– Soil and Water: A Source of Life
   Source: fao

Appointments

1. Vivek Kumar Gupta has been appointed as the part-time director of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).

2. Rajiv Anand has been appointed as the Chairman of Max Life Insurance.

Source: Hindu Business Line

Miscellaneous

1. ‘Rizz’ has been named as the word of the year by Oxford University Press.
   • Oxford University Press defines ‘Rizz’ as short for charisma, as “someone’s ability to attract another person through style, charm, or attractiveness.
     Source: The Hindu

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