07th-09th October, 2023

1. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a proposal from the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti for completing the remaining work of the North Koel Reservoir Project at a revised cost of Rs. 2,430.76 crore.
2. The Union Cabinet has approved for introduction of the Central Universities (Amendment), Bill, 2023 in Parliament to further amend the Central Universities Act, 2009.
3. Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda, inaugurated the Aadi Mahotsav – the National Tribal Festival – in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.
4. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has notified New Drone (Amendment) Rules 2023.
5. India and the UAE discussed a bilateral investment treaty to encourage UAE investments in India’s renewable energy, health, semiconductor, and asset monetization sectors.
6. The Union Cabinet has increased the subsidy on LPG cylinders under the Ujjwala scheme.
7. The Indian Council for Cultural Research (ICCR), in collaboration with Savitribai Phule Pune University, organized the soft launch of the “Universalization of Traditional Indian Knowledge System (UTIKS) portal”.
8. President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu inaugurated an International Research Conference on ‘From research to impact: Towards Just and Resilient Agri-Food Systems’ in New Delhi.
9. The 50th India International Knit Fair (IIKF) will be held from October 12–14, 2023 at the India Knit Fair Association (IKFA) complex in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu.
10. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated several developmental projects worth over ₹13,500 crore in Telangana.
11. Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated India’s largest pumped storage project, developed by Greenko Group (India’s largest energy storage company).
12. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, along with other organizations, organized the Sagar Parikrama Phase-IX event in Tamil Nadu.
13. The 49th All India Police Science Congress was organized by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) in Dehradun.
14. Rajasthan government announces three new districts namely, Malpura, Sujangarh, and Kuchaman City.
15. Uttar Pradesh has declared Gangetic Dolphin as state aquatic animal.
16. Eight products from Arunachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha and Goa received GI Tag.
17. The World Trade Organization (WTO) has reduced its global merchandise trade growth forecast to 0.8%.
18. IndusInd Bank has launched a hyper-personalized financial super-app called ‘INDIE,’ to provide personalized insights to users.
19. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the merger of the fintech start-up Slice and the North-East Small Finance Bank (NESFB).
20. The Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) and Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) have signed an MoU for enabling communication in local languages to extend digital financial services to a wider audience.
21. Axis Bank has launched ‘open by Axis Bank,’ its digital bank mobile app.
22. The YES BANK has become the first bank in India to issue an ‘ONDC Network Gift Card’, in partnership with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), to transform the shopping experience for Indian consumers.
23. RBI Governor has released 4th> bi-monthly monetary policy announcement for FY 2024
24. Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $200 million loan to strengthen flood and riverbank erosion risk management along the main stem of the Brahmaputra River in Assam.
25. Rural Electrification Corporation Limited launched the ‘SUGAM REC’ mobile app for investors of its 54EC Bonds.
26. State Bank of India has launched Mobile Handheld Device to provide banking services to Financial Inclusive customers.
27. According to the Controller General of Accounts, the fiscal deficit of India has increased to Rs 6.42 trillion in the first half of the year, which is 36% of FY24 target of Rs 17.87 trillion.
28. ‘Swavlamban 2.0’ – Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation (NIIO) Seminar – was organized on October 4-5, 2023, in New Delhi.
29. Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari unveiled the new Indian Air Force ensign on its 91st anniversary at Bamrauli Air Force Station in Prayagraj of Uttar Pradesh.
30. October 6 – World Cerebral Palsy Day; Theme – Together Stronger
31. First Friday in October (October 6) – World Smile Day; Theme – Radiate Joy
32. October 7– World Cotton Day; Theme -Making cotton fair and sustainable for all: from farm to fashion
33. October 9– World Post Day; Theme – “Together for Trust: Collaborating for a safe and connected future
34. October 10– Good Manufacturing Practice Day
35. India concluded Asian Ganes with 4th rank and 107 medals, which is the highest ever tally of medals for India in the history of Asian Games.
36. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Vadodara have signed an MoU to advance the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
37. India and Dominican Republic signed two MoUs in ocean sciences and medical product regulation.
38. Anirban Mukherjee, the CEO of PayU India, has been promoted to the position of global CEO of PayU.
39. General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) appointed Ramaswamy N as its new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), effective from October 1, 2023.
40. India has been re-elected as the President of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development for a third successive term.

National News

1. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a proposal from the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti for completing the remaining work of the North Koel Reservoir Project at a revised cost of Rs. 2,430.76 crore.
   • Centre’s share – Rs. 1,836.41 crore
   • Location of the project – Jharkhand and Bihar
   • Purpose – to provide additional annual irrigation to 42,301 hectares in four drought-prone districts of Jharkhand and Bihar
   • River – North Koel (flows through Jharkhand)
     Source: PIB
2. The Union Cabinet has approved for introduction of the Central Universities (Amendment), Bill, 2023 in Parliament to further amend the Central Universities Act, 2009.
   • Purpose of amendment – for setting up of Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University at Mulugu District in the State of Telangana
   • The provision for setting up this university was mentioned in the Thirteenth Schedule to the Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act, 2014.
     Source: PIB

3. Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda, inaugurated the Aadi Mahotsav – the National Tribal Festival – in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.
   • Organizer – Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED)
     Source: PIB

4. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has notified New Drone (Amendment) Rules 2023.
   • The rule is effective from 27 September 2023.
   • The key features of the Amendments are-
   • Citizens can become drone pilots.
   • The mandatory requirement of a passport has been removed.
   • Any government-issued Identity proof such as Voter ID, Driving-License, etc. can be accepted for applications.
   • Ministry of Corporate Affairs announced that certain provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) won’t apply to aircraft, engines, and related parts.
   • Specifically, Section 14(1) of IBC, which enforces a moratorium during insolvency proceedings, will not apply to transactions involving aircraft, aircraft engines, airframes, and helicopters.
     Source: ET and LiveMint

5. India and the UAE discussed a bilateral investment treaty to encourage UAE investments in India’s renewable energy, health, semiconductor, and asset monetization sectors.
   • Progress on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which came into force in May 2022, was reviewed.
   • The UAE-India High Level Joint Task Force on Investments in Abu Dhabi assessed progress on a mechanism to fast-track Indian investments into the UAE.
   • NPIC International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Al Etihad Payments (AEP) will work together to create and run the UAE’s DCS, and NIPL will give them RuPay stack and extra value-added services.
     Source: LiveMint

6. The Union Cabinet has increased the subsidy on LPG cylinders under the Ujjwala scheme.
   • The subsidy was raised from ₹200 to ₹300 per cylinder for up to 12 refills per year.
   • In 2022-23, ₹6,100 crore was allocated for Ujjwala subsidies, which increased to ₹7,680 crore in 2023-24.
   • The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to provide clean cooking fuel to rural households that previously used traditional fuels like firewood and cow-dung cakes.
     Source: The Hindu

   
   
7. The Indian Council for Cultural Research (ICCR), in collaboration with Savitribai Phule Pune University, organized the soft launch of the “Universalization of Traditional Indian Knowledge System (UTIKS) portal”.
   • The portal was launched at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education.
   • Purpose – to provide short courses on Traditional Indian Knowledge which provides an authentic single-window source of introductory-level knowledge on a range of subjects under the Traditional Indian Knowledge System

8. President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu inaugurated an International Research Conference on ‘From research to impact: Towards Just and Resilient Agri-Food Systems’ in New Delhi.
   • Hosts – Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform
   • The conference welcomed gender researchers from 68 countries to share cutting-edge knowledge on gender and inclusion in food systems.

9. The 50th India International Knit Fair (IIKF) will be held from October 12–14, 2023 at the India Knit Fair Association (IKFA) complex in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu.
   • Theme – Active and Sportswear, Environmental Social Governance, Artificial Intelligence and digitalisation
     Source: NoA

State News

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated several developmental projects worth over ₹13,500 crore in Telangana.
   • Major Projects –
   • Nagpur – Vijayawada Economic Corridor
   • Greenfield highway from Warangal to Khammam section
   • Greenfield highway from Khammam to Vijayawada
   • Four-lane of the 59 km Suryapet to Khammam section of NH-365BB, part of the Hyderabad – Visakhapatnam Corridor, under the Bharatmala Pariyojana
     Source: ET

   
   
2. Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated India’s largest pumped storage project, developed by Greenko Group (India’s largest energy storage company).
   • The project is located in the Khemla block, Neemuch district, Madhya Pradesh.
   • The total investment will be Rs 11,500 crore over the next 3 years.
     Source: ET

   
   
3. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, along with other organizations, organized the Sagar Parikrama Phase-IX event in Tamil Nadu.
   • The event included interactions with fishermen and fisherwomen, discussions on the use of new technology in the fishery sector, and distribution of Kisan Credit Cards to beneficiaries.
   • Shri Parshottam Rupala inaugurated a fish farmer producer cooperative society during the event.
   • The Sagar Parikrama initiative aims to disseminate information on fisheries-related schemes, promote responsible fisheries, and ensure government subsidies reach beneficiaries.
     Source: LiveMint

   
   
4. The 49th All India Police Science Congress was organized by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) in Dehradun.
   Source: TOI
5. Rajasthan government announces three new districts namely, Malpura, Sujangarh, and Kuchaman City.
   • Now, the total number of districts in Rajasthan stands at 53.

6. Uttar Pradesh has declared Gangetic Dolphin as state aquatic animal.
   • The Gangetic Dolphins are found in rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Ghaghra, Rapti, and Gerua.
   • Their population is estimated to be around 2,000 in Uttar Pradesh.

7. Eight products from Arunachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha and Goa received GI Tag.

Source: TOI NIE TOI NIE 

International News

1. The World Trade Organization (WTO) has reduced its global merchandise trade growth forecast to 0.8%.
   • The 2024 growth projection remains at 3.3%.
   • Real GDP of the world is expected to grow by 2.6% in 2023 and 2.5% in 2024.
     Source: LiveMint

Banking and Economy

1. IndusInd Bank has launched a hyper-personalized financial super-app called ‘INDIE,’ to provide personalized insights to users.
   • For the first time in the industry, the app will offer an ultra-flexible line of credit of up to Rs. 5 lakh, transparent rewards program, and high-interest-bearing savings accounts and fixed deposits.
   • INDIE also introduces industry-first safety and security features, including numberless debit cards, single-use disposable virtual debit cards, dynamic PINs, and a ‘Super OTP’ feature.
     Source: IndusInd

2. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the merger of the fintech start-up Slice and the North-East Small Finance Bank (NESFB).
   • The merger will transform slice into a Small Finance Bank (SFB).
   • The exact shareholding details of the merged entity are undisclosed.
     Source: HBL

   
   
3. The Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) and Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) have signed an MoU for enabling communication in local languages to extend digital financial services to a wider audience.
   • The partnership aims to make financial services accessible in native languages for a seamless banking experience.
   • Bhashini plans to launch a Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit in multiple languages to improve credit delivery by financial institutions and enhance financial inclusion.

   
   

4. Axis Bank has launched ‘open by Axis Bank,’ its digital bank mobile app.
   • The Open 2023 campaign showcases the top 15 features of the Bank’s digital offerings and represents the Bank’s efforts to deliver a personalized, intuitive, and hassle-free digital banking experience.
     Source: Axis Bank

   
   
5. The YES BANK has become the first bank in India to issue an ‘ONDC Network Gift Card’, in partnership with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), to transform the shopping experience for Indian consumers.
   • The ONDC Network Gift Card is available for corporate and individual customers, enabling thoughtful gestures to customers, employees, or loved ones.
   • The card uses the Rupay network and allows loading up to Rs. 10,000.
     Source: Yes Bank

   
   
6. RBI Governor has released 4th bi-monthly monetary policy announcement for FY 2024
   • Key highlights-
   • Policy Rates –

• GDP forecast FY24 – 6.5%
• Inflation for FY24 – 5.4%

7. Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $200 million loan to strengthen flood and riverbank erosion risk management along the main stem of the Brahmaputra River in Assam.
   • The project will benefit about 1 million people and increase crop production by over 50,000 hectares.

8. Rural Electrification Corporation Limited launched the ‘SUGAM REC’ mobile app for investors of its 54EC Bonds.
   • The app is exclusive for current and future investors in REC’s 54EC Capital Gain Tax Exemption Bonds.
   • Purpose of the app –
   • The app will offer investors complete details of their investment in REC 54EC Bonds.
   • Investors will be able to download their e-bond certificates, apply for fresh investment, download important forms related to updating KYC, and connect with REC’s Investor Cell via call/email / WhatsApp.
   • The mobile application can be downloaded free of charge, on Android and iOS platforms.
     Source: PIB

9. State Bank of India has launched Mobile Handheld Device to provide banking services to Financial Inclusive customers.
   • Purpose – improving accessibility in availing banking services, increasing financial inclusion, and extending essential banking services to the masses
   • Handheld Devices will increase accessibility by bringing kiosk banking directly to customer’s doorstep.
   • The initiative will particularly benefit customers who face challenges in accessing Customer Service Point (CSP) outlets.
   • The Mobile Handheld Device will provide five core banking services in its initial phase-
   • cash withdrawal,
   • cash deposit,
   • fund transfer,
   • balance inquiry and
   • mini statement
   • These services account for more than 75% of the total transactions conducted at SBI’s CSP outlets.

10. According to the Controller General of Accounts, the fiscal deficit of India has increased to Rs 6.42 trillion in the first half of the year, which is 36% of FY24 target of Rs 17.87 trillion.
    • India aims to reduce its fiscal deficit to 5.9% of GDP by the end of the current financial year, against 6.4% last year.

Source: Business Standard

Defence News

1. ‘Swavlamban 2.0’ – Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation (NIIO) Seminar – was organized on October 4-5, 2023, in New Delhi.
   • Highlights –
   • The fifth Positive Indigenisation List consisting of 98 items was released by the Department of Military Affairs (DMA).
   • 76 challenges for the industry under under 10th Defence India Start-up Challenges & DISC 10 PRIME, along with five problem statements under iDEX for Fauji were launched.
   • In addition, two INDUS X challenges under ‘INDUS-X Mutual Promotion of Advanced Collaborative Technologies’ (IMPACT) challenges jointly finalised by iDEX and United States Department of Defense (US DoD) were launched.
   • SBI NAVeCash Card, a dual-chip debit card for the Navy, was launched. This card can be used onboard the ships, eliminating the need of using cash.
   • Products developed under the SPRINT (Supporting Pole-vaulting in R&D through iDEX, NIIO and TDAC) initiative were showcased in an exhibition during the seminar.
   • Under the SPRINT, launched during the first Swavlamban, the Indian Navy aimed to develop at least 75 technologies.

2. Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari unveiled the new Indian Air Force ensign on its 91st anniversary at Bamrauli Air Force Station in Prayagraj of Uttar Pradesh.

Source: Deccan Chronicle

Important Days

1. October 6 – World Cerebral Palsy Day; Theme – Together Stronger
   • A film on Sambhav: Making Inclusion possible (Assistive Devices for Persons with Cerebral Palsy) was displayed.
     Source: PIB

   
   
2. First Friday in October (October 6) – World Smile Day; Theme – Radiate Joy
   Source: LiveMint
3. October 7– World Cotton Day; Theme -Making cotton fair and sustainable for all: from farm to fashion
   Source: UN
4. October 9– World Post Day; Theme – “Together for Trust: Collaborating for a safe and connected future
   Source: Live Mint
5. October 10– Good Manufacturing Practice Day
   Source: Live Mint

Sports

1. India concluded Asian Games with 4th rank and 107 medals, which is the highest ever tally of medals for India in the history of Asian Games.
   • The first rank is obtained by China with the total medal tally of 383.

• HOCKEY – Indian men’s hockey team secured a gold medal by defeating Japan in the Asian Games and booked a place in the Paris Olympics.
• BADMINTON –
• HS Prannoy won the bronze medal in men’s singles.
• The doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty made history by winning India’s first-ever gold medal.
• JAVELINE THROW – Neeraj Chopra won gold. Kishore Kumar Jena won silver.
• ARCHERY – Jyothi Sureka Vennam and Ojas Pravin Deotale won mixed team compound gold
  Source: Olympic.com, Olympic Olympic TOI

2. Nobel Prize 2023 –

• The economic sciences award was added by Sweden’s central bank in 1968, called the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in memory of Alfred Nobel.

Source: Nobel LiveMint

Memorandum of Understanding

1. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Vadodara have signed an MoU to advance the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
   • Another MOU –
   • In September, the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and Airbus have signed an MOU to ensure co-development of skilling courses, joint research, internships, and placements for students, creating job opportunities in Airbus’ Indian operations

2. India and Dominican Republic signed two MoUs in ocean sciences and medical product regulation.
   • 1st MOU –
   • Central Drug Control Organization of India (CDSCO) and the General Directorate of Medicines, Food, and Health Products of the Dominican Republic (DIGEMAPS) for scientific cooperation in ocean sciences
   • 2nd MOU –
   • CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography of India and the National Authority for Maritime Affairs of the Dominican Republic on medical product regulation

Source: MoneyControl

Appointments

1. Anirban Mukherjee, the CEO of PayU India, has been promoted to the position of global CEO of PayU.
   Source: TOI
2. General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) appointed Ramaswamy N as its new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), effective from October 1, 2023.
   Source: ET
3. India has been re-elected as the President of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development for a third successive term.
   • Earlier, India served as President of Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) General Conference from 2018-2021 and 2021-2023.
   • The 21st General Conference & Associated Meetings 2023 of Asia- Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) was chaired by its President Shri Gaurav Dwivedi (CEO of Prasar Bharati) in Port Louis, Mauritius.

Source: PIB

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