08th-11th September, 2023

1. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has set up a new permanent Central Empowered Committee(CEC) on Environmental Issues.
2. JharkhandCabinet has approved to include the transgender community under its universal pension scheme ‘Mukhyamantri Rajya Samajik Suraksha Pension Yojana’ and avail the financial aid of Rs. 1000 per month.
3. Ahmedabad has become the 2nd City in Gujarat and India to implement Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) for particulate matter after Surat.
4. The government of Telanganahas signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Central Cooling Company (Tabreed), UAE based cooling-as-a-service provider, to develop Asia’s largest District Cooling System (DCS) in Hyderabad, Telangana.
5. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) along with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Limited (MHI) has launched the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 47 (H-IIA F47).
6. Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s 2023 Trade Finance Gaps, Growth and Jobs Survey(8th edition) has been released.
7. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has given approval to Online stock broking firm, Groww Mutual Fundto launch its first index fund ‘Groww Nifty Total Markets Index Fund’.
8. KredX, India’s largest supply chain finance platform has partnered with Mastercard, to make Business-to-Business (B2B) digital payments rewarding for both enterprises and vendors.
9. SBI Cards & Payment Services Limited (SBI Card), India’s largest pure-play credit card company, has launched ‘SimplySAVE Merchant SBI Card’, a Credit Card for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
10. Google Cloud Platform (GCP), offered by Google, has partnered with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to train government officials in cybersecurity skills.
11. Cleartrip, a subsidiary of Flipkart India Private Limited, has partnered with Axis Bank, to introduce an innovative plan to provide travel benefits to both existing and new cardholders, who book through Cleartrip.
12. AU Small Finance Bank Ltd., a Reserve Bank of India (RBI)-approved Small Finance Bank (SFB), has introduced the Zenith+ Metal Credit Card.
13. Union Bank of India (UBI) has introduced two new Debit Card variants, the HNI Emperio RuPay Metal Debit Cardand the RuPay Empower Her Debit Card, in association with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
14. Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation(HSBC) India has launched ‘Open Network for Digital Commerce(ONDC) in a Box’, a one-stop-shop proposition for corporates to participate in ONDC platform.
15. Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav has recently announced awards under the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023 (clean air survey).
16. United Nations (UN)’s report titled “Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The gender snapshot 2023” has been released.
17. Indian Navy(IN) and Sri Lanka Navy(SLN) have jointly conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
18. Indian Air Force (IAF) has tested the efficacy and foolproof functioning of the Military Combat Parachute System, indigenously designed and developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment(ADRDE).
19. 8 September- World Physical Therapy Day 2023
20. 8 September- International Literacy Day 2023
21. Indian Railways’ Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya(GSV) Vadodara (Gujarat) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus, a European multinational aerospace corporation, for collaboration to enhance India’s aviation sector.

National News

1. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has set up a new permanent Central Empowered Committee(CEC) on Environmental Issues.
• This permanent committee will replace an ad hoc CEC formed in 2002.
  • Ad hoc CEC has been reporting to SC on steps taken for removal of encroachment, compensatory afforestation, and other conservation issues.
• Key highlights about CEC Composition:
  • Chairman and 3 Expert Members selected for 3 years (extendable once up to age of 60).
  • Chief Coordinating Officer (CCO), a serving officer not below rank of DIG of Forests/Director in GOI.
  • Chairman and CCO should have experience in Environment, Forest and Wildlife (and 1 expert member for each).
• Functions:
  • Monitor implementation of SCs orders and place reports of non-compliance before Centre.
  • Deal with any applications made by any aggrieved person.
• Jurisdiction: Whole country
• Deferment of State: If State is differing with CEC’s recommendation, it shall be referred to Centre whose decision shall be final and binding.

Source: ToI

State News

1. JharkhandCabinet has approved to include the transgender community under its universal pension scheme ‘Mukhyamantri Rajya Samajik Suraksha Pension Yojana’ and avail the financial aid of Rs. 1000 per month.
• The cabinet has also approved including them under the other backward class (OBC).

Source: IE

2. Ahmedabad has become the 2nd City in Gujarat and India to implement Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) for particulate matter after Surat.
• The ETS is an innovative instrument for pollution regulation that has the potential to transform the trade-off between environmental quality and growth and improvement in air quality
  • An ETS, or “cap-and-trade” system, caps the amount of pollution allowed from regulated industries and allots permits to plants.
• The “cap-and-trade” system, similar to ETS, was introduced by the United States in the 1980s to reduce emissions of pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Source: HT

3. The government of Telanganahas signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Central Cooling Company (Tabreed), UAE based cooling-as-a-service provider, to develop Asia’s largest District Cooling System (DCS) in Hyderabad, Telangana.
• Tabreed will invest $200 million to develop 1,25,000 refrigeration tons (RT) of cooling infrastructure.

Source: ET

International News

1. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) along with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Limited (MHI) has launched the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 47 (H-IIA F47).
• The vehicle carried X-ray astronomical satellite X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission(XRISM) and Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM).
• XRISM
  • It is a joint project of JAXA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
  • The satellite aims to observe plasma winds flowing through the universe which helps in understanding the evolution of stars and galaxies.
  • XRISM is said resolve mysteries regarding the formation of the universe.
• SLIM: It is a lunar lander which is dubbed as the “moon sniper”.

Source: MHI

Banking and Economy

1. Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s 2023 Trade Finance Gaps, Growth and Jobs Survey(8th edition) has been released.

Findings

• The global trade finance gap has grown to USD 2.5 trillion in 2022 (10% of global merchandise trade) from USD 1.7 trillion in 2020 and USD 1.5 trillion in 2018.
• The trade finance gap is the difference between requests and approvals for financing to support imports and exports.
• The survey is based on responses from 137 banks across 54 countries and 185 firms from 43 countries.
• The survey responses reflect over 60% of the global market for bank-intermediated trade financing.

Source: ANI

2. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has given approval to Online stock broking firm, Groww Mutual Fundto launch its first index fund ‘Groww Nifty Total Markets Index Fund’.
• The fund will be raised through New Fund Offering (NFO).
• An asset management company launching a new mutual fund can raise capital through a NFO which is similar to an Initial Public Offering (IPO). NFOs provide details of the portfolio, including company shares, securities, fund manager, etc.

Source: BS

3. KredX, India’s largest supply chain finance platform has partnered with Mastercard, to make Business-to-Business (B2B) digital payments rewarding for both enterprises and vendors.
• Under this partnership, Mastercard will integrating its commercial card service with the KredX platform, eliminating the complexities associated with B2B payments, especially those involving cards.

Source: HBL

4. SBI Cards & Payment Services Limited (SBI Card), India’s largest pure-play credit card company, has launched ‘SimplySAVE Merchant SBI Card’, a Credit Card for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• The card will address the need for easy and timely access to formal credit by providing interest-free short-term credit to MSMEs.
• The card is available on the RuPay network and can also be linked to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for payments through various UPI-enabled third-party apps.

Source: FE

5. Google Cloud Platform (GCP), offered by Google, has partnered with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to train government officials in cybersecurity skills.

Features of the partnership:

• Around 1000 government officials will undergo training in cyber defence best practices including use of Generative Artificial intelligence(AI), Conducting cybersecurity AI hackathons and real-world applications and scenarios.
• The experts from Google Cloud and Mandiant (cybersecurity firm and a subsidiary of Google) will lead training sessions.
• Google Cloud will also offer 1 lakh scholarships for Google cybersecurity certificates.

Source: TH

6. Cleartrip, a subsidiary of Flipkart India Private Limited, has partnered with Axis Bank, to introduce an innovative plan to provide travel benefits to both existing and new cardholders, who book through Cleartrip.

Source: HBL

7. AU Small Finance Bank Ltd., a Reserve Bank of India (RBI)-approved Small Finance Bank (SFB), has introduced the Zenith+ Metal Credit Card.
• Features of the card: Global travel to unlimited entertainment options like premium lounge access, personalised concierge services, and a welcome benefit with Luxury Brand vouchers or Reward Points.

Source: aubank 

8. Union Bank of India (UBI) has introduced two new Debit Card variants, the HNI Emperio RuPay Metal Debit Cardand the RuPay Empower Her Debit Card, in association with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• The UBI has become the first Public Sector Bank (PSB) to offer Metal Debit Card cards, serving High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNI) and women customers.
  • Those with net worth of Rs 100 crore and more are classified as Ultra-HNIs (UHNIs) and those with investable surplus of Rs 5 crore and above can be classified as HNIs.
• These cards are issued on the RuPay network.
• The cards were unveiled at the Global Fintech Fest(GFF) 2023 in Mumbai.

Source: ET

9. Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation(HSBC) India has launched ‘Open Network for Digital Commerce(ONDC) in a Box’, a one-stop-shop proposition for corporates to participate in ONDC platform.
• HSBC India has become the first foreign bank in Indiato offer an ONDC-enabled proposition.
• ONDC in a box was developed in partnership with Protean eGov Technologies Ltd (Protean) and Shayr Omnichannel Private Limited (Adya).
• ONDC is an initiative by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, and Ministry of Commerce and Industry to build an open, interoperable network on which buyers and sellers can transact without needing to be present on the same platform.

Source: ET

Reports and Indices

1. Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav has recently announced awards under the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023 (clean air survey).

About the Survey

• It is a new initiative by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to rank cities on the basis of air quality and implementation of activities approved under the city action plan (NCAP) in 131 non-attainment cities.
  • National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019, is India’s flagship program for better air quality.
• Cities are declared non- attainment if over a 5-year period they consistently do not meet the NAAQS for PM10 or NO2.
• The categorisation of cities has been based on the 2011 population census.
• Criteria:The cities were assessed on eight major points:
  • Control of biomass
  • Municipal solid waste burning
  • Road dust
  • Dust from construction and demolition waste
  • Vehicular emissions
  • Industrial emissions
  • Public awareness
  • improvement in PM10 concentration

Methodology of the survey

• 131 cities are categorized into three groups based on population
  • 47 cities are in the first group having population more than 10 lakhs.
  • 44 cities are in the second group having population between 3 to 10 lakh.
  • Third group consists of 40 cities having population less than 3 lakhs.
• Cities are required to do the self-assessment as per the framework provided on PRANA online portal.
  • ‘PRANA’ is the acronym for Portal for Regulation of Air-pollution in Non-Attainment Cities.

  Findings of the Survey

  • Under the 1st category, Indore is ranked first followed by Agra and Thane.
    • Indore received the highest score of 187 out of 200.
  • In second category, Amravatihas secured first rank followed by Moradabad and Guntur.
  • For third category, Parwanoo (Himachal Pradesh) has secured first rank followed by Kala Amb (Himachal Pradesh) and Angul (Odisha).

  Source: IE

2. United Nations (UN)’s report titled “Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The gender snapshot 2023” has been released.
• This is the latest edition of the annual series jointly produced by UN Women (UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women) and UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).
• The report provides a comprehensive analysis of gender equality progress across all 17 SDGs.
• The report also highlights prevailing trends, gaps, and recent setbacks on the journey towards achieving gender equality by

Findings

• Over 340 million women and girls – an estimated 8% of the world’s female population – will live in extreme poverty by 2030, and close to one in four will experience moderate or severe food insecurity.
• There is an additional need of $360 billionin investment per year to achieve gender
  equality and women’s empowerment by 
• Climate change may push up to 158.3 million more women and girls into poverty (16 million more than the total number of men and boys).

Source: UN

Defence News

1. Indian Navy (IN) and Sri Lanka Navy(SLN) have jointly conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• Indian Naval Ship(INS) Delhiand SLN Ship Vijayabahu have participated in the Exercise.
• INS Delhi is the Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer built by Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Source: NoA

2. Indian Air Force (IAF) has tested the efficacy and foolproof functioning of the Military Combat Parachute System, indigenously designed and developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment(ADRDE).
• ADRDE is a Research & Development(R&D) lab of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• How was it tested? A test jumper of the IAF, intentionally detached the main parachute and let the reserve parachute open on its own through Reserve Static Line (RSL), without activation of the Reserve Handle, even before the Barometric Automatic Activation Device(AAD).

Source: ET

Important Days

1. 8 September- World Physical Therapy Day 2023
• Purpose:  To raise awareness about the importance of physical therapy and the role it plays in improving the health, well-being, and quality of life of individuals across the globe.
• The 2023 campaign themeof World Physical Therapy Day is “Arthritis and the Role of Physiotherapists”.
• It was established in 1996 by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy.

Source: IT

2. 8 September- International Literacy Day 2023
• The first-ever International Literacy Day was observed on 8th September 1967 by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
• Purpose: To remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society.
• The 2023 theme of ILD is, ‘Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies’.

Source: UNESCO

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Indian Railways’ Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya(GSV) Vadodara (Gujarat) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus, a European multinational aerospace corporation, for collaboration to enhance India’s aviation sector.
• GSV is a Central University under Ministry of Railways in Vadodara, Gujarat. This is India’s first University in the Transportation and Logistics sectors.
• The MoU entails a partnership between two entities to establish a C295 aircraft facility in Vadodara.
• It will support the creation of sector-specific training programs for students and professionals, collaborative research, industry exposure for faculty, student internships, placements, and scholarships.
• This collaboration is expected to generate job opportunities for students, and around 15,000 students will be placed within Airbus’s Indian operations.

Source: PIB

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