25th August, 2023

1. Group 20 (G20) Pandemic Fund has approved the USD 25 million proposal by Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) on “Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (PPR)”.
2. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has officially approved theKarauli-Sarmathura-Dholpur sanctuary in Rajasthan as Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve of India under Project Tiger.
3. Ministry of Science & Technology has launched CSIR Prima ET11, India’s 1st indigenous e-Tractor to promote sustainability and innovation in the agricultural sector.
4. 15th BRICS Summit hosted by South Africa in Johannesburg, has been concluded.
5. National Health Authority (NHA) has launched India’s first Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) microsite in Aizawl, the capital city of Mizoram.
6. Ministry of Education has released the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).
7. Ministry of Defence has set up a 9-member committee under Prof K VijayRaghavan to review and redefine the role Defence Research and Development Organization.
8. Telangana government and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to collaborate and make efforts in order to implement the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
9. Chief Minister (CM) of Goa has released the “Mayem Biodiversity Atlas”, India’s 1st Village Atlas during an event held at Mayem village in Goa.
10. 2nd edition of Namaste Vietnam Festival(Hello Việt Nam Festival) was held in the 3 southern cities of Vietnam from August 12-17.
11. International Finance Corporation (IFC, a member of World Bank group) is planning to invest up to USD 100 million in IIFL Home Finance Ltd (IIFL HFL) to increase access to housing finance.
12. Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), an Indian multinational public sector life insurance company, has acquired 66% shareholding in Jio Financial Services Ltd. (JFSL).
13. HDFC Bank has launched India’s First Co-Branded Hotel Credit Card named ‘Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card’ in partnership with Marriott International.
14. International Cricket Council (ICC), a global governing body for cricket has signed a global partnership with Mastercard, a global payment processing corporation, for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
15. Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Naval Trainer Prototype ‘NP5’ has successfully completed its maiden flight in Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) Airport, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
16. India’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) LSP-7 aircraft has successfully test fired the ASTRA indigenous state–of-the-art missile, off the coast of Goa.
17. Iran has launched Mohajer-10, a new domestically build attack drone (unmanned combat aerial vehicle – UCAV) with enhanced capabilities.
18. 23 August- International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
19. Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) has entered into a memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to enhance and accelerate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in northeastern regions of India.
20. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) has signed a performance-based Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) outlining the strategic targets of IREDA for the FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25.
21. NHPC Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RITES Ltd to construct a railway siding at Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, in support of Dibang Multi-Purpose Project development.
22. Cricketer Shubman Gill has been appointed as the brand ambassador of Tata Capital, the financial services arm of the Tata Group.
23. Justice Prakash Shrivastava, former Chief Justice of the Calcutta high court, has been appointed as the chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
24. Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai has launched his recently authored three new books namely ‘Heritage Trees of Goa’, ‘When Parallel Lines Meet’, and ‘Ente Priya Kavithakal’.

National News

1. Group 20 (G20) Pandemic Fund has approved the USD 25 million proposal by Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) on “Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (PPR)”.
   • Implementing agency:
     • Asian Development Bank (ADB) is the lead implementing entity, along with the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
   • Benefits:
     • The fund will provide dedicated resources for PPR and increase investments, enhance coordination among partners, and serve as a platform for advocacy.
     • The fund brings additional resources to India to reduce the risk of pathogens emerging from animals (domesticated and wildlife) to be transmitted into the human population.

2. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has officially approved theKarauli-Sarmathura-Dholpur sanctuary in Rajasthan as Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve of India under Project Tiger.
   • It becomes 5th Tiger reserve of Rajasthan and 54th Tiger Reserve of India.
   • The forest has currently 9 tigers.
   • Other Tiger Reserves of Rajasthan-
     • Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve,
     • Mukandra Hills Tiger Reserve
     • Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
     • Sariska Tiger Reserve.

3. Ministry of Science & Technology has launched CSIR Prima ET11, India’s 1st indigenous e-Tractor to promote sustainability and innovation in the agricultural sector.
   • The tractor is developed by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) -Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur, West Bengal.
   • The CSIR-CMERI will be celebrating the theme-based campaign “One Week One Lab” from 11-15 September 2023, showcasing the laboratory’s cutting-edge research, products and technologies, expertise and facilities to various stakeholders.
     Source: PIB
4. 15th BRICS Summit hosted by South Africa in Johannesburg, has been concluded.
   • The summit was the first in-person gathering since 2019 due to theCovid -19 pandemic.

   Key Highlights of the summit

   • BRICS Expansion
     • The membership has been extended from 5 to 11 countries, reflecting a concerted effort to enhance its global standing.
     • Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ethiopia, and Argentinajoined the BRICS, amplifying the group’s representation across the Middle East, Africa, and South America.
     • Full membership will take effect on January 1, 2024.
   • New university ranking system
     • BRICS Education Ministers have reached an agreement to establish a new autonomous university rating system for higher education institutions.
     • Current Ranking of BRICS member nations- QS BRICS University Rankings
       • QS- British higher education marketing company Quacquarelli Symonds
     • Criticisms of existing ranking: Lack of impartiality, Western bias, Limited methodology.
       Source: LM
5. National Health Authority (NHA) has launched India’s first Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) microsite in Aizawl, the capital city of Mizoram.
   • NHA has launched the 100 Microsites project under ABDM to promote digital health adoption and enhance healthcare accessibility for all.

   What are Microsites?

   • A Microsite is a defined universe of healthcare stakeholders (all healthcare providers, labs, pharmacies etc.) interconnected by a common geographical area.
   • It will enable patients to link the health records generated at these facilities with their Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHAs).
   • Why do we need microsites?
     • To counter challenges encountered in ABDM adaptation and increase private sector participation in healthcare penetration.

6. Ministry of Education has released the National Curriculum Framework (NCF)

Key Highlights of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF)?

• Language Learning:
  • Students in Classes 9 and 10 will learn three languages, with at least two being native Indian languages.
  • In Classes 11 and 12, students will study two languages, including one of Indian origin.
• Board Exams and Evaluation:
  • Students are allowed to take Board exams on atleast two occasions in a school year.
  • Only the best score among attempts will be retained.
• Alignment with NEP 2020:
  • The NCF follows the guidelines of NEP 2020. Provides the framework for formulating new textbooks from Grades 3 to 12 under CBSE.
  • Textbooks for Classes 3-12 aligned with 21st-century requirements.
• Changes in Mandatory and Optional Subjects:
  • Earlier, students in Classes 9 to 12 studied five mandatory subjects with an option to add one more.
  • Now, the number of mandatory subjects for Classes 9 and 10 is seven, and for Classes 11 and 12 is six.

• Emphasis on environmental awareness and sustainability.
• No strict separation between academic and vocational subjects, or between Science, Social Science, Art, and Physical Education.

7. Ministry of Defence has set up a 9-member committee under Prof K VijayRaghavan to review and redefine the role Defence Research and Development Organization.
   Source: HT

State News

1. Telangana government and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to collaborate and make efforts in order to implement the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
   • The collaboration will focus on promoting the ethical development and use of AI awareness raising and capacity building.
   • UNESCO has produced the first-ever global standard on AI ethics, the ‘Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence’ in November 2021.
     Source: BS
2. Chief Minister (CM) of Goa has released the “Mayem Biodiversity Atlas”, India’s 1st Village Atlas during an event held at Mayem village in Goa.

About the Atlas

• The biodiversity atlas is a document of 250 pages which offers details of the diverse flora and fauna found in the village of Mayem.
• The atlas is prepared based on the People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) prepared by the village Biodiversity Management Committee.
• This atlas gives a socio-cultural history of Mayem village that dates back to the 12th century.
  Source: lng

International News

1. 2nd edition of Namaste Vietnam Festival(Hello Việt Nam Festival) was held in the 3 southern cities of Vietnam from August 12-17.
   • The theme of the 2nd Namaste Vietnam Festival was “People unite, warm friendship”, highlighting the Vietnamese and Indian people’s solidarity and warm friendship.
   • The festival aims to promote cultural exchange, business relationships, tourism, and strengthen the bond between Vietnam and India.
   • The festival is organised by the Consulate General of India with the support of Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations(HUFO) and the Vietnam India Friendship Association (VIFA).
     Source: VP

Banking and Economy

1. International Finance Corporation (IFC, a member of World Bank group) is planning to invest up to USD 100 million in IIFL Home Finance Ltd (IIFL HFL) to increase access to housing finance
   • Beneficiaries: Economically weaker sections (EWS) and Low-Income Groups (LIG), including women borrowers in India.
   • Under the partnership, 50% of funding will be dedicated to promoting housing finance for women borrowers, with the remaining 50% dedicated to financing green housing for buyers in this underserved segment.
   • IIFL HFL, a subsidiary of IIFL Finance Limited is a housing finance company in India. It is registered under National Housing Bank (NHB) in India.
     Source: LM
2. Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), an Indian multinational public sector life insurance company, has acquired 6.66% shareholding in Jio Financial Services Ltd. (JFSL).
   • LIC holds a 6.49% stake in RIL as of June 30, 2023.
   • Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL), previously named Reliance Strategic Investments Limited, is the demerged financial subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL).
     Source: ET
3. HDFC Bank has launched India’s First Co-Branded Hotel Credit Card named ‘Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card’ in partnership with Marriott International.
   • The card aims to enhance the travel experiences of cardholders by offering exclusive benefits, rewards, and seamless access to Marriott International’s loyalty program Marriott Bonvoy.
     Source: LM
4. International Cricket Council (ICC), a global governing body for cricket has signed a global partnership with Mastercard, a global payment processing corporation, for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
   • The tie-up aims to connect cardholders and cricket enthusiasts to priceless experiences throughout the tournament.
   • ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, is scheduled to be held in India from 5th October 2023 to 19th November 2023.
     • The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat will be the venue for the first match and the last match of the tournament.
       Source: ICC

Defence News

1. Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Naval Trainer Prototype ‘NP5’ has successfully completed its maiden flight in Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) Airport, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
   • LCA Navy is designed and developed jointly by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and HAL.
   • The first trainer prototype NP1 was flown in 2012 and the fighter prototype NP2 was flown in 2015.

2. India’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) LSP-7 aircraft has successfully test fired the ASTRA indigenous state–of-the-art missile, off the coast of Goa.
   • The missile release was carried out by Tejas at an altitude of about 20,000 feet(ft).

3. Iran has launched Mohajer-10, a new domestically build attack drone (unmanned combat aerial vehicle – UCAV) with enhanced capabilities.
   • Mohajer-10 can stay in the air for up to 24 hours at an altitude of 7,000 meters.
   • It has an operational radius of 2,000 kilometres and the maximum fuel capacity of the drone is 450 litres.
   • Mohajer-10 is the upgraded version of the “Mohajer-6” and resembles the MQ-9 Reaper drone of the United States of America (USA).
     Source: WION

Important Days

1. 23 August- International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
   • Purpose: To remind people of the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade during colonial rule and to raise awareness about the abolition of slave trading and related practices.
   • This date also pays tribute to those who worked hard to abolish the slave trade and slavery throughout the world.
   • The annual observance of the day is led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
     Source: UNESCO

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) has entered into a memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to enhance and accelerate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in northeastern regions of India.
   • Under this MoU, UNDP would provide MDoNER with several technical support including-
     • Fast-tracking progress on the SDG
     • Monitoring, evaluation, and capacity building
     • Support Aspirational districts and blocks
     • Support in the deployment of emerging technologies in governance and in scaling up good practices.
       Source: PIB
2. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) has signed a performance-based Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) outlining the strategic targets of IREDA for the FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25.
   • Government has set a target of achieving Rs 4,350 crores revenue from operations during FY 2023-24 and 5,220 crores during FY2024-25.

3. NHPC Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RITES Ltd to construct a railway siding at Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, in support of Dibang Multi-Purpose Project development.

About the project

• The Dibang Multipurpose Project is a significant hydropower project undertaken by NHPC Limited in the Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh, India.
• It aims to harness the potential of the Dibang River to generate electricity and provide various benefits like irrigation, flood control, and water supply.
• The project’s proposed capacity is 2,880 megawatts (MW), making it one of the largest hydropower projects in the country.
  Source: ET

Appointments

1. Cricketer Shubman Gill has been appointed as the brand ambassador of Tata Capital, the financial services arm of the Tata Group.
   • Tata Capital Limited (TCL) is registered with the Reserve Bank of India as a Systemically Important Non-Deposit Accepting Core Investment Company (CIC).
     Source: BS

2. Justice Prakash Shrivastava, former Chief Justice of the Calcutta high court, has been appointed as the chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
   • NGT is a statutory body established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 for the disposal of disputes relating to environmental protection and conservation of natural resources.
     Source: ToI

   
   

Miscellaneous

1. Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai has launched his recently authored three new books namely ‘Heritage Trees of Goa’, ‘When Parallel Lines Meet’, and ‘Ente Priya Kavithakal’.
   Source: HT

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