24th-25th June, 2023

1. India and USA have launched the India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) on June 21 (International Yoga Day) at an event held in Washington DC to foster collaboration and innovation between Indian and US defence startups, promoting technological advancements in the sector.
2. Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended its scheme for Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Park Projects till FY26.
3. The Department of Justice has partnered with National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and CSC e-Governance Service India Limited for providing legal aid to the marginalised communities through the system of TeleLaw.
4. Skyroot Aerospace successfully conducted the flight qualification test of the Raman-I engine.
5. The PM-Kisan mobile app with face authentication feature was launched by Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi’.
6. India and Belgium have signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty allowing Belgian authorities to execute search warrants issued by Indian courts and summon suspects.
7. North India’s first skin bank is established in Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital.
8. The 3rd G20 Infrastructure Working Group (IWG) meeting under G20 Indian Presidency is scheduled to take place in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.
9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his respects at the Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) Memorial in the Heliopolis War Cemetery in Cairo, Egypt.
10. Rajasthan Government has launched the Pregnancy, Child Tracking & Health Services Management System (PCTS) app to enable online tracking, reporting and monitoring of the health of pregnant women, obstetricians and infants.
11. Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission (TNSRLM) signed an MOU with Indian Overseas Bank to foster the growth of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the state and provide them with credit support.
12. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $295 million loan to widen and upgrade around 265 km of state highways, improving transport connectivity and safety in Bihar.
13. Odisha Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has approved the revised cost of over Rs. 4200 crores (with an additional outlay of Rs 1016.22 crore) under Augmentation Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA)
14. The UT-level Science, Mathematics and Environment exhibition-2023 was organized Kargil.
15. Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has laid the foundation stones for three projects, which are –
16. American chipmaker Micron will invest $825 million to build Chip Assembly and Testing Facility in Gujarat.
17. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, on second day of his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, laid foundation stone of ‘Balidan Stambh’ in Srinagar to honour the martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir Police.
18. Delhi government introduced a Cloud Kitchen Policy to simplify licensing procedures for cloud kitchens by implementing a user-friendly single-window system through a digital platform.
19. Central government allocated ₹145 crore to Nagaland for the construction of a Unity Mall in Dimapur, for promoting the One District One Product (ODOP) in the state.
20. The construction of the “world’s largest Ramayan Temple” began in Bihar’s East Champaran district.
21. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has published IS 18267: 2023 “Food Serving Utensils Made from Agri By-Products – Specification,” aimed at reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainability.
22. According to a study, Assam’s Joha rice can help control diabetes.
23. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and DRDO signed a contract for realisation of two Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System Modules for Kalvari Class of submarines of the Indian Navy.
24. TAWANG MARATHON will be organized by Arunachal Pradesh govt and Indian Army on 01 October 2023.
25. Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) under Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence signed a MoU with M/s Adecco India Private Limited in New Delhi.
26. Indian Railways and United States Agency for International Development – India (USAID/India) have signed an MOU for collaboration on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
27. NHPC Limited has signed an MOU with GRIDCO Odisha for “Development of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) and Renewable Energy in the State of Odisha”.
28. National Centre for Good Governance has signed MoU with the Government of Maldives to enhance the skills and capabilities of 1,000 civil servants in the field of public administration and governance by 2024.
29. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has approved the 6G vision framework at its meeting held in Geneva from June 12 to June 22.
30. St Petersburg International Economic Forum is Russia’s premier economic forum.
31. The first of its kind “Summit for a New Global Financing Pact” concluded in Paris.
32. Estonia’s parliament legalised same-sex marriage, becoming the first central European country to do so. The law will come into effect from 2024.
33. China celebrates the Dragon Boat festival in the Yangtze River.
34. The Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) is a global initiative by the US to bolster critical mineral supply chains. It is also known as the critical minerals’ alliance.
35. The Economist Intelligence Unit, a sister organization to The Economist, has released the Global Liveability Index 2023.
36. Asia University Rankings 2023 has been released by the TIMES Higher Education (THE).
37. SEBI has made the manager and key management personnels of Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) responsible for appointing an independent valuer of asset, and ascertaining true and fair valuation of the investments of AIF schemes.
38. SEBI has barred Eros International Media, its promoter Sunil Lulla and CEO Pradeep Kumar Dwivedi, from accessing the securities market “until further orders”.
39. Google has announced to invest $10 billion in India’s digitisation fund, through which Google will invest in AI companies in India and help in boosting digitisation activities of India.
40. United Kingdom Treasury has accorded equivalence to central counterparties authorised by the Reserve Bank of India.
41. June 23 – International Widows’ Day; Focus – Invisible Women, Invisible Problems
42. June 23 – International Olympics Day; Theme – Let’s Move
43. June 23 – United Nations Public Service Day
44. According to the 2023 edition of Henley’s annual Private Wealth Migration Report, India is set to lose as many as 6,500 high-net worth individuals (HNWIs) in 2023.
45. International Olympic Committee (IOC) presented the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, with the Olympic Order for his inspirational role in ensuring the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 took place despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
46. TIME100 Most Influential Companies of 2023 has been released.
47. 2023 Taipei Open (badminton tournament) – Men’s Singles – Chico Aura DWI WARDOYO (Indonesia); Women’ Singles – Tai Tzu-ying (Taiwan)
48. SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) Championship 2023 is being organized at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru from 21 June to 4 July 2023.
49. Uttar Pradesh will host the world’s fastest motorbike race ‘Moto GP’ 2023.
50. India ended its Special Olympics World Games 2023 campaign by winning 202 medals (76 gold, 75 silver and 51 bronze).
51. England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler became the ninth batter in the history of cricket to get past the 10,000-run mark in the T20 format.

National News

1. India and USA have launched the India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) on June 21 (International Yoga Day) at an event held in Washington DC to foster collaboration and innovation between Indian and US defence startups, promoting technological advancements in the sector.
   • The INDUS X event was co-organized by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) of India and the US Department of Defence.
   • The two-day INDUS X event brought together government representatives, defence industry leaders, think tanks, investors, and start-ups from both countries.
   • Separately, India and US have identified around 25 areas of technology partnership.
   • US will start the process to open two new consulates in India – one in Ahmedabad and one in Bengaluru, while India will open its new consulates in Seattle and two other places in the US.

2. Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended its scheme for Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Park Projects till FY26.
   • Launched in December 2014 to support states to set up solar parks, the scheme was scheduled to end in March 2024. Now, it has been extended till March 2026.
   • The government has approved 57 solar parks with an aggregate capacity 39.28 GW, as on February, 28, 2023.
     Source: MoneyControl
3. The Department of Justice has partnered with National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and CSC e-Governance Service India Limited for providing legal aid to the marginalised communities through the system of
   • The project aims to connect citizens with the panel of lawyers through video conferencing, internet and telephone facilities operated by the Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) in 1,00,000 Gram Panchayats.
     Source: ET
4. Skyroot Aerospace successfully conducted the flight qualification test of the Raman-I engine.
   • The engine will be used in the Vikram-I rocket.
   • The Raman-I engine underwent a test fire at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).
   • Skyroot Aerospace, a start-up based in Telangana, made history by becoming the first Indian private company to launch a rocket with Vikram-S.
     Source: BS
5. The PM-Kisan mobile app with face authentication feature was launched by Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi’.
   • Through this, farmer can complete e-KYC remotely, sitting at home easily by scanning face without OTP or fingerprint and help other farmers to do e-KYC at their home.
     Source: ET
6. India and Belgium have signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty allowing Belgian authorities to execute search warrants issued by Indian courts and summon suspects.
   • The move is expected to aid investigations into fugitives including Neeshal Modi, brother of the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud mastermind, Nirav Modi.
     Source: HT
7. North India’s first skin bank is established in Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital.
   • India has 16 skin banks — a facility where the skin of deceased persons can be donated — with seven in Maharashtra, four in Chennai, three in Karnataka, and one each in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.

8. The 3rd G20 Infrastructure Working Group (IWG) meeting under G20 Indian Presidency is scheduled to take place in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.
   • Focus – “Financing Cities of Tomorrow: Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable”
     Source: PIB
9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his respects at the Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) Memorial in the Heliopolis War Cemetery in Cairo, Egypt.
   • Risaldar Badlu Singh, who was awarded the highest British war time gallantry award, Victoria Cross, posthumously, is commemorated at this war memorial.
   • Port Tewfik is now known as Port Suez.
     Source: IE

State News

1. Rajasthan Government has launched the Pregnancy, Child Tracking & Health Services Management System (PCTS) app to enable online tracking, reporting and monitoring of the health of pregnant women, obstetricians and infants.
   Source: ET
2. Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission (TNSRLM) signed an MOU with Indian Overseas Bank to foster the growth of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the state and provide them with credit support.
   • It will facilitate eligible SHGs in credit linkage with IOB.
     Source: HBL
3. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $295 million loan to widen and upgrade around 265 km of state highways, improving transport connectivity and safety in Bihar.
   Source: ADB
4. Odisha Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has approved the revised cost of over Rs. 4200 crores (with an additional outlay of Rs 1016.22 crore) under Augmentation Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage and Architecture (ABADHA)
   • The scheme aims at the development of Puri into a world-class heritage city and to preserve and revitalize the city and its heritage.
   • Scheme implementation period – 2017-18 to 2024-25

5. The UT-level Science, Mathematics and Environment exhibition-2023 was organized Kargil.
   • Organizer – DIET
   • During the event, model exhibitions on the theme “Technology and Toys” by 36 teams of Leh and Kargil were displayed.
     Source: News on Air

6. Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has laid the foundation stones for three projects, which are –
   • A bio-ethanol plant of KRIBHCO’s (Krishak Bharati Cooperative) – Rs 610 crore
   • A Viswa Samudra Ethanol Distillery – Rs 315-crore
   • A soluble coffee manufacturing unit of CCL Food and Beverages Limited – Rs 400-crore
     Source: NIE
7. American chipmaker Micron will invest $825 million to build Chip Assembly and Testing Facility in Gujarat.
   • The combined investment by Micron and GOI and Gujarat government will amount to $2.75 billion.
   • Phase 1 will start to become operational in late 2024.
     Source: News on Air

8. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, on second day of his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, laid foundation stone of ‘Balidan Stambh’ in Srinagar to honour the martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir Police.
   Source: PIB
9. Delhi government introduced a Cloud Kitchen Policy to simplify licensing procedures for cloud kitchens by implementing a user-friendly single-window system through a digital platform.
   • Additionally, the city’s food outlets will be developed, drawing inspiration from the renowned food culture of Singapore.
   • In 2020, Singapore’s ‘hawker culture’ was added to the Unesco list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
     Source: LiveMint and The Guardian
10. Central government allocated ₹145 crore to Nagaland for the construction of a Unity Mall in Dimapur, for promoting the One District One Product (ODOP) in the state.
    • The allocation is part of the Union Budget 2023-24, which has set aside ₹5,000 crore for the establishment of Unity Malls across the country.
    • The announcement was made during an ODOP Sampark event organized by the Department for the Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in collaboration with Invest India and the Department of Industries and Commerce, Nagaland.
    • DPIIT also launched One District One Product Awards to acknowledge the outstanding work done by states, districts, and Indian missions in this mission.
    • The awards were launched on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.

• Assessments will be made based on the work done to promote the initiative between 1st April 2022 to 31stJuly 2023.

Source: LiveMint, ODOP

11. The construction of the “world’s largest Ramayan Temple” began in Bihar’s East Champaran district.
    • The construction of the three-storeyed Ramayan temple will be completed in 2025 at an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore.
    • The temple will be taller than Cambodia’s 12th-century Angkor Wat Temple complex.
      Source: ANI

Agriculture and Rural Development

1. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has published IS 18267: 2023 “Food Serving Utensils Made from Agri By-Products – Specification,” aimed at reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainability.
   • The standard provides comprehensive guidelines to manufacturers and consumers, ensuring uniformity in quality requirements across the country.
   • The rising use of disposable tableware worldwide is driving the global market for disposable tableware.
   • Disposable plate’s market size was valued at USD 4.26 Billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 6.73 Billion by 2028, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.94% from 2021 to 2028.
     Source: PIB
2. According to a study, Assam’s Joha rice can help control diabetes.
   Source: TOI

Defence News

1. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and DRDO signed a contract for realisation of two Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System Modules for Kalvari Class of submarines of the Indian Navy.
   • L&T is the recipient of Transfer of Technology for the AIP system from the DRDO.
     Source: The Hindu

2. TAWANG MARATHON will be organized by Arunachal Pradesh govt and Indian Army on 01 October 2023.
   Source: Arunachal Observer

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) under Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence signed a MoU with M/s Adecco India Private Limited in New Delhi.
   • Purpose – to bring the corporate companies and the Ex-Servicemen on a common platform to generate employment opportunities for Ex-Servicemen in various sectors
     Source: PIB
2. Indian Railways and United States Agency for International Development – India (USAID/India) have signed an MOU for collaboration on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
   Source: PIB
3. NHPC Limited has signed an MOU with GRIDCO Odisha for “Development of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) and Renewable Energy in the State of Odisha”.
   • NHPC is the largest hydropower development organization in India.
     Source: PIB
4. National Centre for Good Governance has signed MoU with the Government of Maldives to enhance the skills and capabilities of 1,000 civil servants in the field of public administration and governance by 2024.
   • As part of the agreement, NCGG has already imparted training to 685 officers from Maldives.
   • Director General, National Centre for Good Governance – Bharat Lal
     Source: PIB

International News

1. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has approved the 6G vision framework at its meeting held in Geneva from June 12 to June 22.
   • The sixth-generation or 6G technology has been named “IMT-2030” by the telecoms agency of the United Nations (UN).
   • In March, India released its ‘Bharat 6G’ Vision document which has recommended opening more spectrum across low-, mid- and mmWave bands.
   • At the same time, PM Modi launched the 6G testbed.
     Source: ET
2. St Petersburg International Economic Forum is Russia’s premier economic forum.
   Source: Al Jazeera
3. The first of its kind “Summit for a New Global Financing Pact” concluded in
   • Some of the important announcements made during the Summit –

4. Estonia’s parliament legalised same-sex marriage, becoming the first central European country to do so. The law will come into effect from 2024.
   Source: Reuters
5. China celebrates the Dragon Boat festival in the Yangtze River.
   Source: UNESCO
6. The Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) is a global initiative by the US to bolster critical mineral supply chains. It is also known as the critical minerals’ alliance.
   • During PM Modi’s visit to US, India became a part of this critical minerals club.
   • MSP is a strategic grouping of 13 member states including Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, US, the European Union, Italy and now India.

Source: DTE

Reports and Indices

1. The Economist Intelligence Unit, a sister organization to The Economist, has released the Global Liveability Index 2023.
   • Top –
   • 1st – Vienna
   • 2nd – Copenhagen
   • 3rd – Melbourne
   • 4th – Sydney
   • 5th – Vancouver (Canada)
   • India’s rank –
   • 141st – Delhi and Mumbai (scored 60.2)
   • 144th – Chennai (scored 59.9)
   • 147th – Ahmedabad (score of 58.9)
   • 148th – Bengaluru (score of 58.7)
   • The average index score across 172 cities (eliminating Kyiv in Ukraine) has now reached 76.2 out of 100, the highest score in 15 years.
     Source: CNN, The Print, and IE

2. Asia University Rankings 2023 has been released by the TIMES Higher Education (THE).
   • Parameters – 13
   • Top 5 from India in this list –
   • IISc Bangalore – 48th
   • JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research – 68th
   • Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences – 77th
   • Mahatma Gandhi University – 95th
   • Jamia Millia Islamia – 128th

Source: THE

Banking and Economy

1. SEBI has made the manager and key management personnels of Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) responsible for appointing an independent valuer of asset, and ascertaining true and fair valuation of the investments of AIF schemes.
   • At each asset level, in case there is a deviation of over 20% between two consecutive valuations or a deviation of over 33% in a financial year, the manager shall inform the investors the reasons for the same.
   • The independent valuer should have at least 3 years of experience in valuation of unlisted securities and should not be associated with the manager, sponsor and trustee of the AIF.
   • The independent valuer should be registered with Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India and have membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India or Institute of Company Secretaries of India or Institute of Cost Accountants of India or CFA Institute.
   • An AIF must obtain consent of 75% of investors by value for launching ‘Liquidation Scheme’ during the liquidation period of one year of the original scheme.
   • Liquidation scheme is a close-ended scheme launched by an AIF only for the purpose of liquidating the unliquidated investments purchased from its scheme, whose tenure has expired.
     Source: HBL

2. SEBI has barred Eros International Media, its promoter Sunil Lulla and CEO Pradeep Kumar Dwivedi, from accessing the securities market “until further orders”.
   • Reason – for alleged misrepresentation of financial statements and for siphoning off funds
     Source: ET
3. Google has announced to invest $10 billion in India’s digitisation fund, through which Google will invest in AI companies in India and help in boosting digitisation activities of India.
   • Google will also open its global fintech operations centre at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) in Gandhinagar.
     Source: ET and TOI
4. United Kingdom Treasury has accorded equivalence to central counterparties authorised by the Reserve Bank of India.
   Source: ET

Important Days

1. June 23 – International Widows’ Day; Focus – Invisible Women, Invisible Problems
   Source: UN
2. June 23 – International Olympics Day; Theme – Let’s Move
   Source: Olympics.com

3. June 23 – United Nations Public Service Day
   Source: UN

Awards

1. According to the 2023 edition of Henley’s annual Private Wealth Migration Report, India is set to lose as many as 6,500 high-net worth individuals (HNWIs) in 2023.
   • This is second only to China (13,500), and United Kingdom (3,200) has been placed on the third place.
   • As per the study, Dubai and Singapore are the most preferred destinations.
   • Reasons for relocation – programs like ‘Golden Visa’ of UAE, favourable tax environment, robust business ecosystem, and safe, peaceful environment
     Source: HT
2. International Olympic Committee (IOC) presented the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, with the Olympic Order for his inspirational role in ensuring the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 took place despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
   • At the same time, the IOC honoured the WHO, as an organisation, with the Olympic Cup for 2021.
   • International Olympic Committee (HQ – Lausanne, Switzerland) President – Thomas Bach
   • The Olympic Cup, created in 1906 by the IOC, is the highest distinction for an organisation with a proven record of promoting the ideals of the Olympic Movement.
     Source: BS

3. TIME100 Most Influential Companies of 2023 has been released.
   • The list provides influential people in 5 categories – Leaders, Disrupters, Innovators, Titans, Pioneers.
   • Indians on the list –
   • Meesho (Innovative retailer) and NPCI (Connecting commerce) – Pioneer category
     Source: Time

Sports

1. 2023 Taipei Open (badminton tournament) – Men’s Singles – Chico Aura DWI WARDOYO (Indonesia); Women’ Singles – Tai Tzu-ying (Taiwan)
   • BWF HQ – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
     Source: Google News
2. SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) Championship 2023 is being organized at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru from 21 June to 4 July 2023.
   Source: TOI
3. Uttar Pradesh will host the world’s fastest motorbike race ‘Moto GP’ 2023.
   • It is happening in India for the first time.
     Source: News on Air
4. India ended its Special Olympics World Games 2023 campaign by winning 202 medals (76 gold, 75 silver and 51 bronze).
   Source: Sportstar

Miscellaneous

1. England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler became the ninth batter in the history of cricket to get past the 10,000-run mark in the T20 format.
   Source: ANI

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