13th September, 2022

1. NITI Aayog, in collaboration with World Resources Institute (WRI), India, launched India’s first national electric freight platform – e-FAST India (Electric-Freight Accelerator for Sustainable Transport – India).
2. Kibithu military station and road in Arunachal Pradesh has been named after India’s first Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat.
3. An Empowered Committee, headed by NITI Aayog CEO Parmeswaran Iyer, has approved incentives for mobile manufacturing under the PLI Scheme for ‘Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing’ sector.
4. President Droupadi Murmu has launched the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to speed up the country’s fight against tuberculosis (TB) and achieve the target of eliminating the disease by 2025.
5. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal has attended the first in-person Ministerial meeting of the India-Pacific Economic Forum (IPEF) in Los Angeles.
6. For the first time, Railways will develop a wheel plant to manufacture at least 80,000 wheels every year for the high-speed trains in India.
7. Union Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri has launched ‘Swachh Amrit Mahotsav’ – fortnightly celebration – on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
8. Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the first National Conference on Sustainable Coastal Management in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
9. The first-of-its-kind Centre-State Science Conclave was organized at Science City, Ahmedabad.
10. Meghalaya govt has launched a multi-purpose online portal — Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) — to ensure the safety and security of the residents, gathering intelligence inputs and to better the process of delivery of government services.
11. Delhi Police has become the first police force in the country to make collection of forensic evidence mandatory in crimes punishable by more than six years.
12. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has inaugurated India’s longest rubber dam named ‘Gayaji Dam’ on the Falgu river.
13. Chhattisgarh has created two new districts named as Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur and Sakti, taking the total number of districts in the state to 33.
14. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel has launched the state’s first Cinematic Tourism Policy.
15. Central government has fixed the total number of seats in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi at 250 from the existing 272.
16. Union Minister for Agriculture and Family Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar has launched the Project Management Unit (PMU) on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Agriculture.
17. Indian Army and Indian Air Force have conducted exercise “Gagan Strike” in Punjab.
18. Project 17A’s third stealth frigate ‘Taragiri’ has been launched by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.
19. Indian Army has conducted the exercise Parvat Prahar in Ladakh.
20. The National Defence MSME Conclave and Exhibition was organized in Kota, Rajasthan.
21. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has signed an MOU with the Secretary-General of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf on the mechanism of consultations between India and the GCC.
22. S. Air Force launched an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile named Minuteman-III.
23. The first in-person Ministerial meeting of the India-Pacific Economic Forum (IPEF) was held in Los Angeles.
24. NITI Aayog has released the ‘Transforming Trucking in India: Pathways to Zero-Emission Truck Deployment’ report.
25. Singapore-based Helios Capital has received approval from SEBI to launch Helios Mutual Fund.
26. Space tech startup Agnikul Cosmos has been awarded the patent for the design and manufacturing of its single-piece 3D printed rocket engine – Agnilet.
27. London-based HSBC has committed Rs 125 crore over the next five years to support green causes like wetland conservation and energy transition projects in India.
28. Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. has launched ‘Smart Flexi Protect Solution’, a 3-in-1 solution for providing health and enhanced life cover, along with market-linked investment returns.
29. Army’s Western Command and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has signed a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), under which it will draw 25 Megawatts of solar power directly from the National Solar Grid of the country.
30. Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Volker Türk (Austria) as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
31. President Droupadi Murmu has nominated Gulam Ali from J&K to Rajya Sabha.
32. September 9 – International Day to Protect Education from Attack
33. September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day; Theme – Creating Hope Through Action
34. September 12 – International Day for South-South Cooperation
35. According to the Fortune India’s list of ‘India’s Richest’ for 2022, the wealth of 142 Indian billionaires collectively stands at $832 billion (Rs 66.36 trillion).
36. Former India Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba has been conferred with Singapore’s prestigious military award titled as the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or Meritorious Service Medal (Military).
37. BusinessLine Changemaker Awards were presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
38. Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Ranking 2022 –
39. Aaron Finch (Australia’s 24th men’s ODI captain) has announced retirement from one-day international cricket.
40. Neeraj Chopra has become the first Indian athlete to Diamond League Final at Zurich, Switzerland.
41. Formula One Champion Max Verstappen has won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza for the first time.
42. Karnataka has won the 75th Senior National Aquatic Championships at the Dr. Zakir Hussain Aquatic Complex in Guwahati, Assam.
43. “Forging Mettle: Nrupender Rao and the Pennar Story” book has been authored by Pavan C. Lall.
44. Britain’s longest serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has passed away.
45. B. Lal (archaeologist) has passed away.
46. Kamal Narain Singh (Chief Justice of India with the shortest tenure) has passed away.

National News

1. NITI Aayog, in collaboration with World Resources Institute (WRI), India, launched India’s first national electric freight platform – e-FAST India (Electric-Freight Accelerator for Sustainable Transport – India).
   • The platform is supported by the World Economic Forum, CALSTART and RMI India.
   • It will support innovative freight solutions to increase the use of electric vehicles.
2. Kibithu military station and road in Arunachal Pradesh has been named after India’s first Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat.
   • The military station is located in Lohit Valley, eastern bank of the Lohit River.
3. An Empowered Committee, headed by NITI Aayog CEO Parmeswaran Iyer, has approved incentives for mobile manufacturing under the PLI Scheme for ‘Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing’ sector.
   • This was the first-ever disbursement under the PLI scheme.
   • A total of 32 beneficiaries have been approved.
4. President Droupadi Murmu has launched the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to speed up the country’s fight against tuberculosis (TB) and achieve the target of eliminating the disease by 2025.
   • Under the program, additional patient support will be provided to improve treatment outcomes of TB patients.
   • The campaign will augment community involvement in meeting India’s commitment to end TB by 2025 by pushing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in this sector.
   • Ni-kshay 2.0 portal was also launched to provide support to the TB patients.
   • This innovative adoption campaign was conceptualised by Anandiben Patel, the governor of Uttar Pradesh.

   About TB –

   • TB is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
   • TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air.
   • Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine for TB disease.

   TB Burden on India –

   • India has the world’s highest TB burden, with an estimated 26 lakh people contracting the disease and approximately 4 lakh people dying from the disease every year.
   • A total of 1.5 million people died from TB and an estimated 10 million people fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) worldwide in 2020.

   UN’s “End TB Strategy” –

   • In 2018, the UN committed to end the TB epidemic globally by 2030. “End TB” Strategy document of WHO is the source of the below-mentioned picture.

• Ni-kshay Mitra Initiative: It is to ensure additional diagnostic, nutritional, and vocational support to those on TB treatment.
  • Ni-kshay Mitra are the Donors who adopt the health facilities to complement government efforts.
  • Ni-kshay Digital Portal was also launched to provide a platform for community support for persons with TB.
  • Nikshay Poshan Yojana – to provide financial support of Rs 500 to patients through direct benefit transfer
• National TB Elimination Programme (2017-25) – to eliminate TB by 2025
• TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign ­– to improve and expand the reach of TB care services across the country by 2022
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission – to use technology for creating digital health IDs for TB patients for ensuring the availability of proper diagnostics and treatment

5. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal has attended the first in-person Ministerial meeting of the India-Pacific Economic Forum (IPEF) in Los Angeles.
6. For the first time, Railways will develop a wheel plant to manufacture at least 80,000 wheels every year for the high-speed trains in India.
   • This plant will be developed by private players.
7. Union Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri has launched ‘Swachh Amrit Mahotsav’ – fortnightly celebration – on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
   • Dates – 17th Sept (Seva Diwas) to 2nd Oct (Swachhata Diwas)
   • Focus – ‘Garbage Free Cities’
   • Official Logo – ‘Swachh Amrit Mahotsav: Ek Aur Kadam Swachhata Ki Ore’
   • Indian Swachhata League – It is the first-edition of the inter-city competition where more than 1,850 city teams are participating to create innovative solutions for making India- Garbage Free.
   • Activities during the Fortnight – Start-Up Challenge Forum, Toycathon- Making toys from waste, Technology Exhibition, Swachh Seher Samvad and Swachh Bharat Diwas on 2nd
8. Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the first National Conference on Sustainable Coastal Management in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
   • Organizers – Green Climate Fund-supported project – Enhancing Climate Resilience of India’s Coastal Communities
   • Themes – coastal and marine biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation and coastal pollution
   • A programme on Enhancing Climate Resilience of Coastal Communities is being implemented in partnership with UNDP in the states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu for sustainable coastal management and planning.
     • The initiative is supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
     • Green Climate Fund is a fund established within the framework of the UNFCCC in 2010 in Incheon, South Korea for mobilising funds to developing countries.
9. The first-of-its-kind Centre-State Science Conclave was organized at Science City, Ahmedabad.
   • It will include sessions on different thematic areas including –
     • STI Vision 2047;
     • Future Growth Pathways and Vision for STI in States;
     • Health – Digital Health Care for All;
     • Doubling Private Sector investment in R&D by 2030;
     • Agriculture – Technological interventions for improving farmers’ income;
     • Water – Innovation for producing potable drinking water;
     • Energy- Clean Energy for All including S&T role in Hydrogen mission;
     • Deep Ocean Mission and its relevance for Coastal States/UTs as well as country’s future economy

State News

1. Meghalaya govt has launched a multi-purpose online portal — Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) — to ensure the safety and security of the residents, gathering intelligence inputs and to better the process of delivery of government services.
   • The state govt had introduced the Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act 2016 to ensure and enhance security of the citizens of the state.
2. Delhi Police has become the first police force in the country to make collection of forensic evidence mandatory in crimes punishable by more than six years.
3. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has inaugurated India’s longest rubber dam named ‘Gayaji Dam’ on the Falgu river.
   • He also inaugurated a steel foot over bridge over the Falgu river for the convenience of visitors who visit during Pitripaksha Mela to pay homage to their ancestors.
4. Chhattisgarh has created two new districts named as Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur and Sakti, taking the total number of districts in the state to 33.
5. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel has launched the state’s first Cinematic Tourism Policy.
   • Under the policy, MOUs worth ₹1,020 crore were signed for the development of film infrastructure and film production.
6. Central government has fixed the total number of seats in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi at 250 from the existing 272.
   • In July, the Union Home Ministry had set up a three-member commission, chaired by Vijay Dev (state election commissioner (Delhi), for carrying out a fresh delimitation of the municipal wards in Delhi.

Agriculture and Rural Development

1. Union Minister for Agriculture and Family Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar has launched the Project Management Unit (PMU) on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Agriculture.

Defence News

1. Indian Army and Indian Air Force have conducted exercise “Gagan Strike” in Punjab.
2. Project 17A’s third stealth frigate ‘Taragiri’ has been launched by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.
   • It is expected to be commissioned in 2023.
   • Project 17A (Alpha) Frigates, also known as Nilgiri-class guided-missile frigate, aims to develop seven ships – four at MDL and three at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).
   • It is a Rs 50,000 crore
   • The first ship was Nilgiri (launched in 2019; expected to be commissioned in 2022) and Udaygiri (launched in May 2022; expected to be commissioned in 2024).
3. Indian Army has conducted the exercise Parvat Prahar in ladakh.
4. The National Defence MSME Conclave and Exhibition was organized in Kota, Rajasthan.
   • Rajasthan’s first Drone and Light Show will also be organized at Dashara Maidan, Kota. More than 250 drones will light up the sky by making different types of shapes.

Memorandum of Understanding

1. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has signed an MOU with the Secretary-General of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf on the mechanism of consultations between India and the GCC.
   • External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has also addressed diplomats at the Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute of Diplomatic Studies in Riyadh.
   • GCC HQ – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
   • GCC members – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE

International News

1. S. Air Force launched an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile named Minuteman-III.
   • It will be the second such test in less than a month, since the Aug. 16 launch of another unarmed Minuteman III.
2. The first in-person Ministerial meeting of the India-Pacific Economic Forum (IPEF) was held in Los Angeles.
   • Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal attended the meeting.
   • India has chosen to opt out of the trade pillar of the Indo Pacific Economic Forum (IPEF).
   • However, India has joined the other three pillars of the forum, which are supply chains, tax, and anti-corruption & clean energy.
   • This was significant since India is not a part of the two other economic arrangements in the Indo-Pacific – Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on Trans Pacific Partnership (CP-TPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

   About India-Pacific Economic Forum (IPEF) –

   • Signed – May 2022
   • Total – 14 members
   • Purpose – the US-led grouping of nations aims to diversify supply chains that have been over-dependent on China in the region and create a strong economic bond amongst the Indo-Pacific neighbours
   • Four Pillars of IPEF – supply chains, tax, anti-corruption and clean energy, and trade

   India’s Concerns –

   • The talks on trade pillar are still evolving.
   • India may not be able to meet some of the conditions or benchmarks set by the US on joining the trade pillar, especially in environment, labour, digital trade and public procurement.
   • India is working to finalise digital data and privacy law which could require data localisation or the storage and processing of Indian users’ data in servers located in India and not the US, even in the case of data of US-based companies. This can hamper digital trade.

Reports and Indices

1. NITI Aayog has released the ‘Transforming Trucking in India: Pathways to Zero-Emission Truck Deployment’ report.
   • India’s trucking market is expected to grow over four times by 2050.
   • The number of trucks is expected to more than quadruple, from 4 million in 2022 to roughly 17 million trucks by 2050.

Banking and Economy

1. Singapore-based Helios Capital has received approval from SEBI to launch Helios Mutual Fund.
2. Space tech startup Agnikul Cosmos has been awarded the patent for the design and manufacturing of its single-piece 3D printed rocket engine – Agnilet.
   • Agnilet was fully designed and manufactured in India and successfully test-fired in early 2021.
   • Agnikul had recently inaugurated its India’s first rocket facility dedicated to 3D printing named as Rocket Factory- 1 at the IIT Madras Research Park.
3. London-based HSBC has committed Rs 125 crore over the next five years to support green causes like wetland conservation and energy transition projects in India.
   • Under the commitment, it will provide finances across two broad themes, including energy transition and nature-based solutions.
4. Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. has launched ‘Smart Flexi Protect Solution’, a 3-in-1 solution for providing health and enhanced life cover, along with market-linked investment returns.
   • The insurance product will offer a combination of Max Life Flexi Wealth Plus, and Max Life Critical Illness and Disability Secure Rider.
5. Army’s Western Command and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has signed a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), under which it will draw 25 Megawatts of solar power directly from the National Solar Grid of the country.

Appointments

1. Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Volker Türk (Austria) as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
   • Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights HQ – Geneva and New York

2. President Droupadi Murmu has nominated Gulam Ali from J&K to Rajya Sabha.
   • The President can elect 12 members in the Rajya Sabha.
   • Earlier, the President used to elect 2 members from the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha but the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 has abolished this practice.

Important Days

1. September 9 – International Day to Protect Education from Attack
2. September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day; Theme – Creating Hope Through Action
   • This theme has been chosen for three years i.e., 2021-23.
3. September 12 – International Day for South-South Cooperation
   • To celebrate this day, the Government of Thailand and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) will organize the first-ever Global South-South Development Expo on the theme of ‘Advancing South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable COVID-19 Recovery: Towards a Smart and Resilient Future’.
   • United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) was established in 1974. It is hosted by UN Development Program in New York.

Awards

1. According to the Fortune India’s list of ‘India’s Richest’ for 2022, the wealth of 142 Indian billionaires collectively stands at $832 billion (Rs 66.36 trillion).
   • This list has been released for the first time, in collaboration with Waterfield Advisors.

2. Former India Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba has been conferred with Singapore’s prestigious military award titled as the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or Meritorious Service Medal (Military).
   • The award was presented by President Halimah Yacob.
   • Singapore PM – Lee Hsien Loong
3. BusinessLine Changemaker Awards were presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
   • Changemaker of the year: Bharat Biotech
   • Iconic Changemaker of the year: Mithali Raj
   • Changemaker Financial Transformation Award: Zerodha

Sports

1. Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Ranking 2022 –
   • Men’s Singles – Prannoy H. S. (from India), followed by Viktor Axelsen (2nd rank)
   • Women’s Singles – Chen Yu Fei (from China), followed by PV Sindhu (2nd rank)
   • Anupama Upadhyaya has topped the BWF World Junior Ranking in U-19 Women’s Singles.
2. Aaron Finch (Australia’s 24th men’s ODI captain) has announced retirement from one-day international cricket.
3. Neeraj Chopra has become the first Indian athlete to Diamond League Final at Zurich, Switzerland.
4. Formula One Champion Max Verstappen has won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza for the first time.
5. Karnataka has won the 75th Senior National Aquatic Championships at the Dr. Zakir Hussain Aquatic Complex in Guwahati, Assam.

Miscellaneous

1. “Forging Mettle: Nrupender Rao and the Pennar Story” book has been authored by Pavan C. Lall.
2. Britain’s longest serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has passed away.
   • Prince Charles has been crowned as the King Charles III.
3. B. Lal (archaeologist) has passed away.
4. Kamal Narain Singh (Chief Justice of India with the shortest tenure) has passed away.
   • He was the 22nd CJI of India, who served between 25 Nov-12 Dec 1991.
   • Justice Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud (16th CJI) is longest serving CJI of India till date.

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