14th-15th October, 2023

1. Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has launched Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production (A-HELP) programme in the state of Jharkhand.
2. Intensified Mission Indradhanush 5.0, the flagship immunization campaign of Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has concluded for 2023.
3. Competition Commission of India hosted 8th BRICS International Competition Conference 2023 (BRICS ICC 2023) in New Delhi.
4. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, and Kankesanturai, Sri Lanka.
5. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is establishing a second spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu.
6. India has launched three indigenously developed technologies at 11th Traffic Expo and Smart Mobility Conference.
7. India has launched state-of-art National Survey named “Continuously Operating Reference Stations” (CORS) Network for providing world-class precise Location-based service.
8. The Himachal Pradesh State Cabinet has approved Van Mitra scheme to strengthen the involvement of local communities in protection, conservation and development of forest areas by roping in grassroot level institutions.
9. UNICEF’s Passport to Earning (P2E) programme in India has skilled and certified more than one million young people.
10. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 82-km Padma Bridge Rail Link.
11. Eight-foot-tall statue of Mahatma Gandhi has been unveiled at Tolstoy Farm, South Africa.
12. Reserve Bank of India has announced that government owned non-banking financial companies will be subject to strict supervisory norms of Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) Framework starting from October 2024.
13. SBI Mutual Fund gets RBI nod for buying 9.99% stake in IndusInd Bank
14. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched a pilot program for the wholesale segment of its central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the interbank call money market.
15. India’s industrial output increased to a 14-month high at 10.3% in August, up from a 6% rise in July.
16. RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 5.39 crore on Paytm Payments Bank for violating multiple regulatory norms.
17. International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released its “Global Policy Agenda” at Marrakesh, emphasizing the urgent need for member countries’ support to increase quota resources.
18. Reserve Bank India has directed Bank of Baroda to suspend customers onboarding on ‘bob World’ mobile banking application.
19. As per a medium-term forecast by International Energy Agency, India’s natural gas demand is set to grow by 4% in 2023 and to rise at an average annual rate of over 8% till 2026.
20. India has been ranked 111th out of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023.
21. DRDO INS Sagardhwani sets sail on mission to establish scientific partnership with IOR countries under Sagar Maitri initiative.
22. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has conducted the 5th Annual Defence Dialogue with French Minister of Armed Forces Mr Sebastien Lecornu in Paris.
23. Tamil writer Sivasankari has been awarded the esteemed ‘Saraswati Samman’ 2022 for her book of memoirs, ‘Surya Vamsam’.
24. October 10– National Current Good Manufacturing Day (cGMP) Day; Theme- cGMP: Transforming Healthcare.
25. October 12– World Arthritis Day; Theme- Living with an RMD at all stages of life
26. India to spend 3000 crores for promotion of sports in next 5 years.
27. Skyroot Aerospace has signed a bilateral MoU with French firm Promethee Earth Intelligence and a trilateral agreement with firms Expleo and ConnectSAT.
28. Navneet Munot, MD and CEO of HDFC Asset Management has been elected as the Chairman of Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).
29. Former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara appointed as New Chair of MCC’s World Cricket Committee.
30. Renowned Indian Sanskrit scholar and founder of Brahmarshi Sanskrit MahavidyalayaDr Dahyabhai Karunashankar Shashtri passed away.

National News

1. Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has launched Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production (A-HELP) programme in the state of
   • Objective- To empower women by engaging them as accredited agent who contribute significantly to disease control, animal tagging and livestock insurance.

2. Intensified Mission Indradhanush 5.0, the flagship immunization campaign of Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has concluded for 2023.
   • About IMI 5.0-
     • It has special focus on Measles and Rubella elimination by
     • This year, the campaign is being conducted across all districts of the country, with a special emphasis on including children up to 5 years of age, unlike previous campaigns that targeted children up to 2 years of age.
     • The campaign also highlights the use of the U-WIN digital platform for Routine Immunization in a pilot mode across all districts in the country, emphasizing the integration of technology in the immunization process.

3. Competition Commission of India hosted 8th BRICS International Competition Conference 2023 (BRICS ICC 2023) in New Delhi.
   • Key outcomes-
     • Release and discussion of BRICS joint documents, including the Leniency Programme and Digital Economy Reports
     • Signing of a Joint Statement by the heads of BRICS competition authorities emphasizing the importance of sharing information and best practices
     • India specific outcomes-
     • Introduction of a Committee on Digital Competition Law to examine the need for regulatory mechanisms for digital markets.
     • Recent amendments to the Competition Act in India, including provisions for settlement and commitments and the implementation of deal value thresholds for merger notification.
     • CCI handed over the responsibility of hosting the 9th BRICS International Competition Conference to South Africa in
       Source: PIB
4. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, and Kankesanturai, Sri Lanka.
   Source: livemint
5. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is establishing a second spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam, Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu.
   • About Kulasekarapattinam spaceport-
     • The dedicated launch pad will cater exclusively to SSLV launches by private companies, with no ISRO rockets scheduled for launch from this facility.
     • The new spaceport will cover approximately 2,000 acres, and the launch centre is expected to be fully operational within two years.
     • Advantages of Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport:
     • Reduced fuel consumption for rocket launches
     • Improved performance for small rockets, benefiting private industry
     • Streamlined launch operations due to unobstructed trajectory path
       Source: The Hindu
6. India has launched three indigenously developed technologies at 11th Traffic Expo and Smart Mobility Conference.

Details of technologies-

• CMOS Sensor based Camera for Industrial Vision Applications (iViS)-
  • This technology facilitates automated inspection and identification of objects, utilizing AI-based applications that incorporate Machine Learning and Deep Learning Techniques.
• Thermal Sensor based Camera (TvITS):
  • This AI-powered thermal sensor-based smart vision camera is designed for road traffic applications.
• Online Sucro Crystal Imaging System (OSIS):
  • Developed using industrial cameras, this system is specifically designed for the measurement of crystal size in sugar industries.

Source: PIB

7. India has launched state-of-art National Survey named “Continuously Operating Reference Stations” (CORS) Network for providing world-class precise Location-based service.
   • Key feature-
     • It offers centimetres-level positioning services in real-time.
   • Operated by- Survey of India
   • Objective-
     • To aid in scientific studies such as Upper Atmosphere and Space weather studies, Meteorology, Plate motion and Tectonic studies, Seismology, and Hydrology.

   Source: PIB

State News

1. The Himachal Pradesh State Cabinet has approved Van Mitra scheme to strengthen the involvement of local communities in protection, conservation and development of forest areas by roping in grassroot level institutions.
   Source: ANI

International News

1. UNICEF’s Passport to Earning (P2E) programme in India has skilled and certified more than one million young people.
   • About P2E programme-
     • It is a global learning-to-earning solution that focuses on providing young individuals with essential skills and certifications to prepare them for the demands of the future workforce.
     • The programme focuses on areas such as financial literacy, digital productivity, employability skills, and other job-ready skills.
   • P2E programme in India-
     • 62% of the learners benefiting from the P2E courses are adolescent girls and young women
     • P2E in India aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, providing free access to certificate courses in various skills.
   • Goals of P2E-
     • The P2E initiative aims to skill 5 million youth in the age group of 14-29 by 2024 and provide them with opportunities in jobs, self-employment, and entrepreneurship.

2. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 82-km Padma Bridge Rail Link.
   • It is the country’s most significant infrastructure project developed under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
   • The rail link will connect section of the rail route between Dhaka and Jashore through the Padma Bridge.
     Source: Business Standard

   
   
3. Eight-foot-tall statue of Mahatma Gandhi has been unveiled at Tolstoy Farm, South Africa.
   • Historical Significance-
     • Tolstoy Farm is the commune that he had started during his tenure as a lawyer in South Africa.
     • The farm was donated by Gandhi’s friend Herman Kallenbach, became a symbol of resistance against discriminatory laws, with the community cultivating fruits and vegetables for sustenance.
       Source: The Hindu

   
   

Banking and Economy

1. Reserve Bank of India has announced that government owned non-banking financial companies will be subject to strict supervisory norms of Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) Framework starting from October 2024.

2. SBI Mutual Fund gets RBI nod for buying 9.99% stake in IndusInd Bank
   • SBIMF will have the time of one year i.e., till October 10,2024 to acquire the shareholding.

3. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched a pilot program for the wholesale segment of its central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the interbank call money market.
   • Key features of program
     • Nine banks, including four public sector banks and five private sector banks, are participating in the e-rupee call money pilot.
     • The pilot aims to cover various use cases, including asset tokenization and repo transactions.
     • Settlements will be carried out using the CBDC instead of the real-time gross settlement.
     • The settlements will be in T+0 mode, ensuring trades are settled on the same day.
       Source: Business Standard
4. India’s industrial output increased to a 14-month high at 10.3% in August, up from a 6% rise in July.
   • Sector-Wise Performance
     • Electricity and mining sectors saw a significant rise at 15.3% and 12.3%, respectively.
     • Manufacturing output experienced a 9.3% growth, with notable contractions seen in the apparel, chemicals, and computers/electronics sectors.
       Source: The Hindu

   
   
5. RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 5.39 crore on Paytm Payments Bank for violating multiple regulatory norms.
   • Reasons for penalty-
     • Paytm Payments Bank was found in violation of several regulatory provisions, including Know Your Customer (KYC) norms and the regulatory ceiling of the end-of-day balance.
     • The bank was found to be non-compliant with the ‘Cyber Security Framework in Banks,’ specifically in terms of reporting unusual cyber security incidents and securing mobile banking applications, including the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ecosystem.

   
   

6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released its “Global Policy Agenda” at Marrakesh, emphasizing the urgent need for member countries’ support to increase quota resources.
   • Why increase quota-
     • For Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) and the Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST) to aid the most vulnerable members.
     • Global Economic Outlook-
     • The global economy has shown resilience, although the recovery has been slow and uneven.
     • Medium-term growth projections remain weak due to fragmented trade, high debt levels, and potential long-lasting higher interest rates.
     • Risks include geopolitical tensions, the climate crisis, and persistent inflation in certain regions.

   
   

7. Reserve Bank India has directed Bank of Baroda to suspend customers onboarding on ‘bob World’ mobile banking application.
   • Reason for suspending customer onboarding-
     • The action is taken based on certain supervisory concerns observed in manner of customer onboarding onto this mobile application.
       Source: economic times

8. As per a medium-term forecast by International Energy Agency, India’s natural gas demand is set to grow by 4% in 2023 and to rise at an average annual rate of over 8% till 2026.
   • The report also showed that global gas demand is on course to grow by an average 1.6% a year between 2022 and 2026, down from an average of 2.5 per cent a year between 2017 and 2021.

Source: Business Standard

Reports and Indices

1. India has been ranked 111th out of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023.
   • Key observation-
     • India has a score of 28.7, which indicates a serious level of hunger.
     • Undernourishment rate in India stood at 16.6%, with under-five mortality at 3.1%
     • Anaemia prevalence in women aged 15-24 years was 58.1%.
     • India recorded the highest child wasting rate globally at 18.7%.
   • Comparison with neighbouring countries-
     • India came behind neighbouring countries Pakistan (102nd), Bangladesh (81st), Nepal (69th) and Sri Lanka (60th).
   • Regional comparison-
     • India fared better than South Asia and Africa South of the Sahara, which recorded a score of 27 each.

Source: Indian Express, global hunger index

Defence News

1. DRDO INS Sagardhwani sets sail on mission to establish scientific partnership with IOR countries under Sagar Maitri
   • Sagar Maitri initiative of DRDO seeks to promote closer cooperation in socio economic aspects as well as more significant scientific interaction, especially in ocean research among Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries.
   • INS Sagardhwani is an oceanographic research vessel.
     Source: economic times
2. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has conducted the 5th Annual Defence Dialogue with French Minister of Armed Forces Mr Sebastien Lecornu in Paris.
   • Key points of discussions-
     • Assessment of regional situation
     • Ongoing military-to-military engagements
     • Enhancing defence industrial cooperation
     • Review of ongoing defence projects
     • Collaboration in niche domains: space, cyber, and Artificial Intelligence
       Source: PIB

Awards

1. Tamil writer Sivasankari has been awarded the esteemed ‘Saraswati Samman’ 2022 for her book of memoirs, ‘Surya Vamsam’.
   • The award was given at the National Museum, New Delhi.
   • She is the 32nd recipient of the award.

   About Saraswati Samman-

   • Institution– Given by K.K. Birla Foundation
   • Award– Award consists of citation, plaque and prize money of 15 lakhs.
     Source: HT

Important Days

1. October 10– National Current Good Manufacturing Day (cGMP) Day; Theme- cGMP: Transforming Healthcare.
   • 10th October 2023 is the first ever National cGMP day.
     Source: livemint
2. October 12– World Arthritis Day; Theme- Living with an RMD at all stages of life
   Source: livemint

Sports

1. India to spend 3000 crores for promotion of sports in next 5 years.
   • Objective-
     • To provide for the construction of modern sports facilities across India, ensuring athletes have access to the best training and resources.
     • To provide additional support to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and Khelo India initiatives that have significantly contributed to the growth and success of Indian athletes.
       Source: AIR

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Skyroot Aerospace has signed a bilateral MoU with French firm Promethee Earth Intelligence and a trilateral agreement with firms Expleo and ConnectSAT.
   • MoU with Promethee-
     To provide satellite launch services aboard its Vikram rockets for their JAPETUS earth observation constellation.
     • MoU with Expleo and ConnectSAT-
       • To provide Reconfigurable Software for ConnectSAT’s IoT Satellite, set to be launched on Vikram-1.

Source: The Hindu

Appointments

1. Navneet Munot, MD and CEO of HDFC Asset Management has been elected as the Chairman of Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).
   • The Board of AMFI also elected Mr. Anthony Heredia, MD and CEO, Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund as the Vice-Chairman of AMFI.

2. Former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara appointed as New Chair of MCC’s World Cricket Committee.
   • Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) also announced Mark Nicholas as the new President of the club.
     Source: News18

Miscellaeneous

1. Renowned Indian Sanskrit scholar and founder of Brahmarshi Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya Dr Dahyabhai Karunashankar Shashtri passed away.
   • He was awarded Padma Shri in 2016.
     Source: PM India

   
   

Start Quiz of 14th-15th October 2023 on Mobile

Start Quiz of 14th-15th October 2023 on Desktop