25th-26th October, 2023

1. Union minister Amit Shah has inaugurated IFFCO’s Nano DAP (diammonium phosphate Liquid) manufacturing plant at Kalol in Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
2. Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana (PM- AJAY) has been launched.
3. Union Home Minister has launched the logo, website and brochure of National Cooperative for Export Limited (NCEL).
4. All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) has celebrated its 6th foundation day on 20th October in New Delhi.
5. Union Cabinet has approved ₹22,303 crore nutrient-based fertilizer subsidy for 2023-24 Rabi season.
6. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has inaugurated Pre-Retirement counselling workshop for central government employees, conferred ANUBHAV AWARDS 2023 and launched Integrated Pensioners Portal.
7. PM Narendra Modi has chaired the 43rd edition of the PRAGATI.
8. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended the inclusion of QR code on food products to help visually impaired individuals.
9. Kerala government has set up a ₹237 Crore Graphene production facility in public-private partnership.
10. Shillong has hosted Green Tourism India Conclave for the promotion of responsible tourism in Northeast.
11. Union Government has approved the inclusion of the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project of Uttarakhand under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP).
12. Sri Lanka has waived the visa fee for Indians and tourist from six other countries in order to boost tourism.
13. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has launched International Migration Outlook: 2023
14. Kotak Mahindra Bank has formed a strategic partnership with National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL) for the issuance of electronic Bank Guarantee (e-BG).
15. NLC India has established a wholly owned subsidiary NLC India Green Energy (NIGEL) to focus on renewable energy projects.
16. Paras Aerospace Pvt Ltd has received a 2nd type certification from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its agricultural drone.
17. PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme is a gender equaliser as per State Bank of India’s report.
18. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has reached Bishkek for the 22nd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) to be held under the chairmanship of Kyrgyzstan.
19. Reserve Bank of India has directed Private Banks to have mandatory two-whole time Directors.
20. US President Joe Biden has honoured two Indian-American with the highest scientific awards in the United States for their contribution to the field of science and technology.
21. October 24– 62nd Indo Tibetan Border Police Raising Day
22. October 26- Accession Day
23. Paralympics champion Sumit Antil breaks world record in Javelin throw.
24. Glenn Maxwell of Australia has scored the fastest World Cup Century playing against Netherland in New Delhi.
25. Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) and Airbus have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost aerospace talent base in India.
26. Union Cabinet has approved Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan on Semiconductor Supply Chain Partnership.
27. PepsiCo India has appointed Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the brand ambassador for its potato chips brand Lay’s.
28. Election Commission has appointed actor Rajkumar Rao as its ‘National Icon’.
29. Prof. Sarang Deo of the Indian School of Business (ISB) has been appointed as a member of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group (STAG) for Tuberculosis by World Health Organisation (WHO).
30. Amol Muzumdar has been appointed as the head coach of India’s women cricket team.
31. China is building an enormous telescope in the western Pacific Ocean to detect “ ghost particles ”, also known as neutrinos.

National News

1. Union minister Amit Shah has inaugurated IFFCO’s Nano DAP (diammonium phosphate Liquid) manufacturing plant at Kalol in Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
   • Key point–
     • Nano urea and nano DAP will help farmers to shift to natural farming without compromising on output.
   • Benefits of Nano DAP-
     • Being liquid, the nano DAP will minimally contaminate the land
     • Farmers can increase the number of earthworms in their land
     • Farmers can move towards natural farming without reducing production and income.
       Source: TOI

2. Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana (PM- AJAY) has been launched.

3. Union Home Minister has launched the logo, website and brochure of National Cooperative for Export Limited (NCEL).

About NCEL–

• The National Cooperative for Exports Limited is the newly established umbrella organisation for cooperative sector exports.
• Registered under– Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 on
• Established– 25th January, 2023

Activities covered-

• It covers agriculture and allied activities as well as handloom and handicrafts items by enrolling a large number of co-operatives under its fold
• Target to double its revenue by 2025 from the current level of about Rs 2,160 crore.
  Source: PIB
4. All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) has celebrated its 6th foundation day on 20th October in New Delhi.
   • Key events-
     • The late Padma Vibhushan Vaidya Bṛihaspati Dev Triguna’s statue was unveiled by Union Minister of Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonowal.
     • Six MoUs have been signed between AIIA and different well-known institutions like Hindustan Salt, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Heartfulness Institute.
     • Institute has got a new –
       • molecular biology lab for advance research
       • manuscript Unit and
       • Center of Excellance Dakshya

5. Union Cabinet has approved ₹22,303 crore nutrient-based fertilizer subsidy for 2023-24 Rabi
   • The government will provide subsidies at the rate of-

6. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has inaugurated Pre-Retirement counselling workshop for central government employees, conferred ANUBHAV AWARDS 2023 and launched Integrated Pensioners Portal.
   • Pre-Retirement Counselling (PRC) Workshop
     • Objective- To improve the ease of living for pensioners by preparing them for a smooth transition into retirement.
     • Equips employees with relevant details on financial aspects and post-retirement formalities.
     • Provides insights into the procedure for obtaining retirement benefits.
   • Anubhav Portal–
     • The portal provides an online system for the retiring/retired employees to submit and showcase their commendable work done;
     • to share their experiences of working in the Government and to give suggestions for improvement in governance.
       • Participation–
         • 96 Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations have registered on Anubhav Portal of this Department
         • more than 10000 write-ups have been published so far
   • Anubhav Awards Details-
     • 4 Anubhav Awards and 9 Jury Certificates to be conferred
     • Awardees from 8 different Ministries/Departments/Organizations
     • Cash prize of Rs. 10,000/- along with a Medal and Certificate for Anubhav Awardees
   • Integrated Pensioners’ Portal-
     • Integration of various portals for the ease of pensioners
     • Pension Disbursing Bank portals, ANUBHAV, CPENGRAMS, CGHS integrated
       Source: PIB

7. PM Narendra Modi has chaired the 43rd edition of the PRAGATI.
   • About PRAGATI-
     • It is an ICT-based multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation involving both Centre and State governments.
   • Projects reviewed-
     • Eight projects were reviewed, with a focus on water supply, irrigation, national highways, connectivity, and rail and metro rail connectivity.
     • Projects are spread across 7 states: Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, with a cumulative cost of approximately Rs. 31,000 Crore.
       Source: PIB

8. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended the inclusion of QR code on food products to help visually impaired individuals.
   • Objective–
     • It will ensure access to safe food for all including individuals with special needs such as visually Impaired individuals.

Source: The Hindu

State News

1. Kerala government has set up a ₹237 Crore Graphene production facility in public-private partnership.
   • Objective–
     • To build a Graphene ecosystem to encourage future material technologies
   • About Graphene–
     • Graphene is the thinnest and strongest material in the world ever known
     • It has good chemical stability and high electrical conductivity
     • It has a large surface area while being transparent and lightweight
   • Implementing Agency-
     • Kerala Digital University
       Source: livemint

2. Shillong has hosted Green Tourism India Conclave for the promotion of responsible tourism in Northeast.
   • Objective–
     • promotion of green and responsible tourism in India, with a particular emphasis on the Northeastern region and Odisha.
   • Participating entities–
     • Meghalaya Tourism,
     • Incredible India,
     • Odisha Tourism and
     • Arunachal Tourism
       Source: Indian Express
3. Union Government has approved the inclusion of the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project of Uttarakhand under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (PMKSY-AIBP).
   • About Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project–
     • Project includes the construction of a dam near Jamrani village across river Gola
     • Dam will feed the existing Gola barrage through its 40.5 km length of canal system and 244 km long canal system completed in 1981.
   • Project cost– ₹2,584 crore.
     Source: The Hindu

International News

1. Sri Lanka has waived the visa fee for Indians and tourist from six other countries in order to boost tourism.
   • It approved a pilot project to issue free tourist visas to tourists from China, India, Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan.
   • It is valid until March 31, 2024
     Source: The Hindu

Reports and Indices

1. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has launched International Migration Outlook: 2023
   • Key Observations-
     • India’s Immigration Rate:
       • India has maintained its top position as the leading country of origin for new immigrants to OECD nations in 2021
       • 407,000 Indians have migrated which marks an 86% increase from 2020.
     • Total Acquisitions: Out of the Indians who migrated to OECD countries, 133,000 individuals were granted nationality, marking the highest number among all countries.
     • Top Countries of Acquisition:

• In taking nationality, India was followed by Mexico and Syria.
• Canada’s Immigration Trends:
  • Canada witnessed the highest number of immigrants in 2022, with 375,000 new citizens.
  • Main Countries of Birth for New Canadians: The top countries of birth for new Canadian citizens were as follows:

• The second largest absolute increase was observed in the United States, which granted citizenship to 970,000 people in 2022, the highest level since 2008.
• Rising International Students:
  • Asia, particularly China and India, accounted for a significant percentage of international students in OECD countries
  • Share of Asian students is increasing over the years

• The top countries of origin of international students in OECD countries are-

Source: Business Standard

Banking and Economy

1. Kotak Mahindra Bank has formed a strategic partnership with National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL) for the issuance of electronic Bank Guarantee (e-BG).
   • Key benefits–
     • The digital transformation will significantly reduce the guaranteed turnaround time (TAT)
     • Implementation of e-BG (electronic bank guarantee) system will contribute to enhanced security by reducing authentication risks
   • Digital Documents Execution (DDE) technology of NeSL allows recipients to quickly access digitally issued bank guarantees through the NeSL portal.

2. NLC India has established a wholly owned subsidiary NLC India Green Energy (NIGEL) to focus on renewable energy projects.
   • Objective–
     • To expand the renewable power generation capacity
     • To establish projects with a capacity of 6 GW by 2030.

3. Paras Aerospace Pvt Ltd has received a 2nd type certification from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its agricultural drone.
   • It received certification for Paras-Agricopter V2.1.
   • It is issued for MEDIUM Drone Category
     Source:
4. PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme is a gender equaliser as per State Bank of India’s
   • Key Findings-
     • Female Empowerment:
       • The PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme has achieved a 43% female share, indicating the empowerment of entrepreneurial capabilities among urban females
     • Impact on Non-General Category:
       • Around 75% of loan beneficiaries come from the “non-general category
     • Spending Patterns:
       • The average debit card spending of PM SVANidhi account holders increased by 50% to about ₹80,000 in FY23 compared to FY21, showcasing the impact of the scheme on the spending behaviour of the urban poor.

5. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has reached Bishkek for the 22nd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) to be held under the chairmanship of Kyrgyzstan.

6. Reserve Bank of India has directed Private Banks to have mandatory two-whole time
   • Why?
     • To address the growing complexity in the banking sector and
     • To tackle emerging challenges
       Source: BW

Awards

1. US President Joe Biden has honoured two Indian-American with the highest scientific awards in the United States for their contribution to the field of science and technology.

Source: Indian Express

Important Days

1. October 24– 62nd Indo Tibetan Border Police Raising Day
   Source: PIB
2. October 26- Accession Day
   Source: livemint

Sports

1. Paralympics champion Sumit Antil breaks world record in Javelin throw.
   Source: The Hindu
2. Glenn Maxwell of Australia has scored the fastest World Cup Century playing against Netherland in New Delhi.
   • He took 40 balls to complete his century.
     Source: ESPN

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) and Airbus have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost aerospace talent base in India.
   • Objective–
     • To promote research in advanced technologies and develop programmes and activities to enhance technical capabilities for aerospace students in India.
     • To explore collaboration opportunities with global institutes where students will get to work on projects relevant to the sector.
       Source: Hindustan Times
2. Union Cabinet has approved Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan on Semiconductor Supply Chain Partnership.
   • MoC will remain in force for 5 years from the date of signing the pact.
     Source: ET

Appointments

1. PepsiCo India has appointed Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the brand ambassador for its potato chips brand Lay’s.
   Source: Hindu Business Line
2. Election Commission has appointed actor Rajkumar Rao as its ‘National Icon’.
   • Objective–
     • To motivate voters to participate in elections
       Source: The Hindu
3. Sarang Deo of the Indian School of Business (ISB) has been appointed as a member of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group (STAG) for Tuberculosis by World Health Organisation (WHO).
   • Objective of STAG-TB–
     • The mission of the STAG-TB is to contribute to ending the tuberculosis epidemic,
     • Eliminating the disease by providing state-of-the-art scientific and technical guidance to WHO.
       Source: ISB
4. Amol Muzumdar has been appointed as the head coach of India’s women cricket team.
   • Appointment–
     • He is appointed till the Women’s Cricket World Cup which is to be played in India in September-October 2025.
       Source: The Hindu

Miscellaneous

1. China is building an enormous telescope in the western Pacific Ocean to detect “ghost particles”, also known as neutrinos.
   • What is a ghost particle?
     • It is a neutrino, which are a type of electron but, like neutrons, they do not have any charge.
       Source: Indian Express

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