Current Affairs: October 2023 | Current Affairs: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - CLAT PDF Download

International

Norway to Support India's 'Hunger Project' In Uttarakhand

• With a budget of <44.7 million and a three-year duration until September 2026.

About Uttarakhand:

Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami

Governor: Gurmit Singh

About Norway:

Capital: Oslo

King: Harald V of Norway

Currency: Norwegian Krone

Prime minister: Jonas Gahr Støre

Cyclone 'Hamoon' Weakens into Deep Depression over Bangladesh and Mizoram

• Cyclone 'Hamoon' was named by Iran. 'Hamoon' is a Persian term signifying temporary desert lakes and marshlands.

About Bangladesh:

Capital: Dhaka

Currency: Bangladeshi Taka

Prime minister: Sheikh Hasina

President: Mohammed Shahabuddin

About Mizoram:

Capital: Aizawl

Chief Minister: Zoramthanga

Governor: Kambhampati Hari Babu

China's Nuclear Arsenal Buildup: U.S. Pentagon Report

• The Pentagon 2023 report suggests that China is on track to have over nuclear warheads by 2030.
• China's aim is to modernize its military to become "world-class" by 2049. China's military spending in 2023 reportedly increased by 7.2% to $216 billion USD.

About China:

President: Xi Jinping

Capital: Beijing

Tallest BR Ambedkar Statue Outside India Unveiled In Washington

• In a historic event, a 19-foot tall statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of
• India's Constitution, was formally inaugurated in a suburb of Maryland, Washington.
• The statue was crafted by the renowned artist and sculptor Ram Sutar, who is known for creating the 'Statue of Unity' of Sardar Patel, located on an island in Gujarat's Narmada River.
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, born on 14th April 1891.
• He was the chairman of the Constituent Assembly's Drafting Committee.
• He is known as Babasaheb and is recognized as the Architect of the Indian Constitution.
• He passed away on 6th December 1956 and his legacy continues to inspire millions.

"Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" Unleashed by Hamas Sparks Widespread Violence

• The Israel-Palestine conflict has escalated dramatically as Hamas, the armed Palestinian group, initiated "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood," firing over 5,000 rockets into Israel. The situation quickly escalated into a full-scale war, resulting in significant casualties and widespread fear among civilians.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a state of war, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. He asserted that this was not a mere operation but a full-blown war. Netanyahu vowed that Hamas would face an unparalleled retaliation.
• Hamas launched a massive rocket barrage with more than 5,000 rockets targeting Israel. The attacks were swift and intense, causing panic among Israeli citizens. Reports indicated the use of unconventional methods, such as paragliders, and attacks on civilians on roads.

Uganda Airlines to start direct flight to Mumbai thrice a week

• On 3 October, Uganda Airlines announced a significant milestone in its operations by commencing direct flight services between Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. The maiden flight for this route, UR 430, is scheduled to take off from Entebbe on 7 October, with the return flight, IJR 431, departing from Mumbai on 8 October.
• Uganda Airlines has taken a significant step in expanding its international network by launching direct services between Mumbai and Entebbe. The commencement of this route, effective from 7 October.

Indonesia Starts Southeast Asia's First High-Speed Rail Operations

• Indonesian President Joko Widodo officially inaugurated Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway on Monday, marking a significant milestone for the nation's infrastructure development. The ambitious project, known as the "Whoosh" high-speed railway, is a key component of China's Belt and Road Initiative and is poised to dramatically reduce travel times between two vital Indonesian cities.
• With an estimated cost of $7.3 billion, this monumental infrastructure project was predominantly funded by China. It was brought to fruition through the joint efforts of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (PT KCIC), a collaboration between an Indonesian consortium comprising four state-owned companies and China Railway International Co. Ltd.

National

Kerala Becomes First State With Hallmarking Centers In Every District

• Kerala, the southern state of India has inaugurated hallmarking centre in Idukki. 
• This achievement has solidified Kerala's position as the first state in India to establish hallmarking centres in all of its 14 districts.

About Kerala:

Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan

Governor: Arif Mohammed Khan

ICAR and Thünen Institute, Germany to organize a workshop to address food losses and waste from 30thOctober to 1st November, 2023

• The Indian Council of Agriculture Research in collaboration with the Thünen Institute is organizing International Workshop on Food Loss and Waste Prevention in South Asian Region at National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, New Delhi from 30th October to 1st November, 2023.
• The workshop will be inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Agriculture& Farmers'WeIfare, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje.

About 'CAR:

Founded: 16 July 1929

Director: Himashu Pathak

President: Minister of Agriculture

FATF Removes Cayman Islands from Its 'Grey List'

• In a review published on October 27, 2023, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announced the removal of several countries from its 'grey list.' These countries include the Cayman Islands, Panama, Jordan, and Albania.
• While several countries celebrated their removal from the 'grey list,' FATF added Bulgaria to the list.

About FATF:

Founded: 1989

Headquarters: Paris, France

Founder: Group of Seven

President: T Raja Kumar

Rajasthan govt launched 'iStart Talent Connect Portal'

• Rajasthan government unveiled the 'iStart Talent Connect Portal' at Jaipur's Techno Hub.

About Rajasthan

Capital: Jaipur;

Chief minister: Ashok Gehlot;

Governor: Kalraj Mishra.

Amit Shah to inaugurate India's first nano DAP plant in Gandhinagar

• Addressing a large number of farmers after inaugurating the Country's first Nano DAP plant by IFFCO near Kalol in Gandhinagar.
• The Nano liquid dap plant in Kalol has been set up by IFFCO at the cost of 300 crore rupees.
• The plant has been developed in tune with the Aatmnirbhar Bharat vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

About IFFCO

Headquarters: New Delhi

Founded: 3 November 1967, New Delhi

CEO: Dr. Udai Shanker Awasthi (1993-)

Founder: Udaybhansinhji Natwarsinhji Jethwa

About Gujarat:

Chief Minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel

Governor: Acharya Devvrat

Indian Government Grants Approval for Non-Basmati Rice Exports

• Indian government has given the green light for the export of 1.34 million tonnes of Non- Basmati White Rice to seven countries.
• The Philippines will receive the largest quota, with up to 295,000 metric tonnes.
• Cameroon is allotted 190,000 metric tonnes.
• Malaysia will import up to 170,000 metric tonnes.
• Both Cote D'Ivoire and the Republic of Guinea will receive 142,000 metric tonnes each.
• Nepal is set to receive 95,000 metric tonnes.
• Seychelles will be supplied with 800 metric tonnes.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Launches Project 'Udbhav' TO Promote "Indianisation"

• The launch of 'Project Udbhav' coincided with the inauguration of the first edition of the
• Indian Military Heritage Festival in New Delhi.

About New Delhi:

Chief Minister: Arvind Kejriwal

Capital: New Delhi

22nd Lieutenant Governor: Vinai Kumar Saxena

Assam CM Inaugurated 'Shraddhanjali,' Second Longest Flyover in the State

• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the newly constructed 'Shraddhanjali' flyover in Guwahati on October 19, 2023.

About Assam:

Chief Minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Governor: Gulab Chand Kataria

India's First Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) TO Be Launched In UP

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is all set to mark a historic moment in India's transportation landscape.
• Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Corridor and simultaneously launches the RapidX train connecting Sahibabad to the Duhai Depot, symbolizing the beginning of RRTS operations in India.
• Foundation stone for the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor was laid by the Prime Minister on March 8, 2019.

Tamil Nadu's A1-Powered Elephant Protection System Aims to Prevent Train Collisions

• This innovative project is being implemented along the Ettimadai—Walayar railway section.

About Tamil Nadu:

Formation — 26 January 1950;

Capital — Chennai;

Chief Minister - M K Stalin;

Kati Bihu festival 2023:18th October

• Kati Bihu, also known as Kongali Bihu.
• It falls on the first day of the 'Kati' month, which typically occurs in the middle of October.

About Assam:

Chief Minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Governor: Gulab Chand Kataria

India to Invest R143 Lakh Crore in Infrastructure by 2030

• The rating agency CRISIL shared this information in its Infrastructure Yearbook 2023.
• CRISIL Ltd.'s Managing Director and CEO is Amish Mehta.
• He predicts a significant increase in per capita income, rising from $4,500 by fiscal year 2031.

About:

CEO: Amish Mehta (1 Oct 2021)

Headquarters: Mumbai

Founded: 1987

Kerala Gets Its First 3D-Printed Building In Just 28 Days

• Amaze-28, the state's first building constructed using 3D printing technology.
• Director of Kerala State Nirmithi Kendram: Debi Varghese

About Kerala:

Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan

Governor: Arif Mohammed Khan

PMJDY continues to grow, adding 00,000 crore to total balance in HI

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has achieved remarkable success, with over 50 crore beneficiaries.
• In the first half of the current financial year, the total balance in PMJDY accounts increased by R30,ooo crore, reaching <2.05 lakh crore as of October 4, 2023.
• The number of beneficiaries rose by over 3.5 crore in the last year, from 47 crore to 50.63 crore, growth in new enrollments.
• Public sector banks operate 40 crore accounts with a balance of RI.60-lakh crore.

About PMJDY:

Launch year: 2014

Launched by (prime minister): Narendra Modi

Ministry: Ministry of Finance

Centre unveils tradeable Green Credit

• It is a voluntary initiative stemming from the 'LiFE' (Lifestyle for Environment) campaign.
• The Green Credit program encompasses key activities are:
• Tree Plantation
• Water Management
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Waste Management
• Air Pollution Reduction
• Mangrove Conservation and Restoration

'SHRAMDAAN EVENT' organised by the MINISTRY OF MSME

• The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) took a significant step towards realizing the vision of a "Garbage Free India." Aligning with the national initiative championed by the Hon'ble Prime Minister, a unique event titled 'Shramdaan' was organized by the Ministry. "Garbage Free India" The focal theme of 'Shramdaan' revolved around the concept of "Garbage Free India."
• Development Facilitation Office, Okhla, Phase-I, New Delhi The event unfolded at the Development Facilitation Office, Okhla, Phase-I, New Delhi.

'Har Ghar Solar' campaign in Lucknow, Varanasi from October 2

• The state government of Uttar Pradesh will launch a month-long 'Har Ghar Solar' campaign in Lucknow and Varanasi to promote the use of renewable energy through the installation of solar rooftops. The government aims to generate 6,000 MW of solar power through rooftops under the Solar Policy, 2022.
• The state government will be launching a month-long 'Har Ghar Solar' campaign in Lucknow and Varanasi from October 2 to promote use of renewable energy in the state, a government spokesman said here on Saturday.

'Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign' Becomes 'Jan Andolan'

• The Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign, which kicked off on September 15, reached its culmination on the eve of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary. This nationwide initiative, also known as the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' campaign, was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and garnered widespread participation from citizens across India.
• The campaign was not just a standalone effort but a precursor to the grand celebration of 'Swachh Bharat Diwas' or 'Swachhta Diwas,' observed on October 2 each year.
• India observed 'Swachh Bharat Diwas' on October 2, marking the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Swachh Bharat: All 6.6k Villages In Declared Odf+ Model

• All 6,650 villages of Jammu and Kashmir have been declared Open Defecation- Free (ODF) Plus Model under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
• Achieving ODF Plus Model status is not an overnight endeavor but a journey that involves three stages: Aspiring, Rising, and Model. 
• When a village demonstrates visual cleanliness with minimal litter, stagnant water, effective solid and liquid waste management, and sufficient information, education, and communication (IEC) activities, it is declared as an ODF Plus Model.

Sports

Max Verstappen Dominates Mexico City Grand Prix, Sets New Season Victory Record

• Max Verstappen's win at the Mexico City Grand Prix was his third consecutive victory at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
• Lewis Hamilton secured the second position in the race, continuing his consistent performance.

India Grabs 111 Medals at the 4th Asian Para Games

• Total 111 medals: 29 gold, 31 silver, and 51 bronze.
• India's previous best performance at the Asian Para Games occurred in 2018 in Jakarta when the contingent secured a total of 72 medals.

India's Unnati Hooda wins Abu Dhabi Masters 2023

• At the Abu Dhabi Masters 2023, young Indian badminton talent Unnati Hooda emerged as the champion in the women's singles event.
• This remarkable win marks her second BWF Super 100 World Tour title.
• Final match held at the ADNEC Marina Hall in the UAE capital.

Mohammed Shami make history to claim 2nd 5-wicket haul in World Cups

• He became the first Indian bowler to pick two five-wicket hauls in ICC ODI World Cups against New Zealand.
• He joined an elite group of bowlers also now the ninth bowler worldwide to record two five- wicket hauls in ICC ODI World cups.

About

Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Founded: 15 June 1909

CEO: Geoff Allardice

Chairman: Greg Barclay

IOC has accepted the recommendation to include T20 cricket into the 2028 Olympics

• The acceptance of cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics represents a pivotal moment in the sport's history.
• IOC president Thomas Bach expressed his endorsement for the inclusion of these five sports in the Olympics.
• In 2022, cricket made its return to the Commonwealth Games, with women's T20 matches being played at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

About IOC:

Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland

Founded: 23 June 1894, Paris, France

Director General: Christophe De Kepper

Founders: Pierre de Coubertin, D. Bikélas

Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra appointed Laureus Ambassador

• Neeraj's association with Laureus began in 2022 when he was shortlisted for the Breakthrough of the Year award at the Laureus World Sports Awards.
• He joins esteemed figures in Indian sports, such as Kapil Devy Rahul Dravid, and Sachin Tendulkar, who have been associated with the organization.
• His winning throw in Tokyo on August 7 is now celebrated as National Javelin Day in India

National Games 2023 to be held in Goa from Oct. 26 to Nov. 9

• The 37th edition of the National Games, scheduled for 2023
• The National Games, formerly known as the Indian Olympic Games, made its debut in Lahore, undivided India, in 1924.
• Goa was originally awarded the hosting rights for the 36th edition of the National Games, slated for 2016.
• The National Games 2023 will feature an impressive 43 sports, including both Olympic and indigenous disciplines, a significant increase from the 36 sports in the previous edition.

Kenyan Kiptum breaks Kipchoge's world record to win Chicago Marathon men's title

• Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum left the running world in awe as he shattered the men's world record, clocking a time of just two hours and 35 seconds, to claim victory at the Chicago Marathon on Sunday.
• He broke the previous record set by Eliud Kipchoge in the 2022 Berlin Marathon. Kelvin Kiptum's journey to the pinnacle of marathon running has been nothing short of extraordinary.
• The young Kenyan had previously secured victories in his first two marathon appearances, first triumphing in Valencia and then repeating his success in the London Marathon. However, Kiptum's record-breaking performance in Chicago surpassed all expectations.
• Kiptum's victory marked the third time a men's world record had been established on the streets of Chicago, but it was the first time since Morocco's Khalid Khannouchi achieved the feat in 1999.

Pranav sign off with bronze in men's singles badminton

• HS Prannoy's terrific campaign at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou came to a heartbreaking end on Friday after he went down in straight games against China's Li Shi Feng in badminton men's singles semifinal. After trailing by only a point going into the opening game interval, the world no. I roared through the contest, winning 21-16. 21-9 in just over 45 minutes, crushing all hopes for a gold-medal bid for the Indian.
• The loss implied that Prannoy had to be content with a bronze, but it was a historic feat for the star shuttler as he ended India's 41-year-long wait for  second medal at the Games in men's singles badminton. Syed Modi previously finished third in 1982 edition of the Asian Games.

Ojas Deotale is Nagpur's First Asian Games Gold Medalist, eyes hat-trick at Hangzhou Asian Games

• In the final of 19th Asian Games 2023, on Saturday at the Fuyang Yinhu Sports Centre, Indian archer Ojas Deotale from Nagpur won gold medal in the men's individual compound archery event. 
• This victory marks Ojus Deotale third gold medal in the Asian Games 2023.
• Ojus Deotale's third gold medal in this edition of the Asian Games 2023, making him the joint most successful Indian sportsperson in this Asian Games.
• Ojus Deotale's success can be attributed to his exceptional precision and determination in the archery field. Deotale missed the 10-point circle only once in the centre of the target only once as he compiled a score of 140 out of a possible 150 in the final in which each archer shoots five rounds (called End in archery) with three arrows in each round.

ICC names Sachin Tendulkar as Global Ambassador for ODI world cup

• The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday named legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as the 'Global Ambassador' for the Cricket World Cup 2023, which begins tomorrow in Ahmedabad.
• Sachin, who has participated in a record six 50-over World Cups, will unveil the World Cup trophy before the inaugural match between England and New Zealand, thereby officially opening the tournament.

Asian Games 2023: Tajinderpal Singh Toor wins shot put gold

• Tajinderpal Singh Toor defends Asian Games crown
• Tajinderpal Singh Toor wins Gold in Shotput
• Tajinderpal registers best attempt of 20.36m
• India's Tajinderpal Singh Toor defended his Asian Games crown by clinching a gold medal in Shotput in the ongoing Hangzhou Games.
• Toor's journey to win was not a smooth one. Starting off impressively with a powerful first throw that nearly touched the 20m mark.

India'S squash team win gold medal

• India has won a gold medal in men's squash team event after beating Pakistan 2- I at the Asian Games. In a tightly contested match, the team led by Abhav Singh outperformed their rivals in the final round.
• The best-of-three tie started with Mahesh M losing to Nasir Iqbal in straight games — 8-11, 3-11, 2-11. Saurav Ghosal, however, pulled the contest square with his 11-5, 11-1, 11-3 victory over Muhammad Asim. 
• The decider between Abhay Singh and Noor Zaman stretched the full distance but the Indian eventually prevailed 11-7, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9, 12-10.

Science and Technology

Skyroot Aerospace unveils Vikram-l rocket, scheduled for full launch next year

• Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of Science and Technology, unveiled Skyroot's Vikram- 1 orbital rocket in Hyderabad.
• Skyroot's co-founder and CEO, Pawan Kumar Chandana, has emphasized the partly commercial nature of Vikram-l's inaugural launch.
• Vikram-l is designed to place multiple satellites into orbit, a first for India and one of the first globally.
• This rocket represents Skyroot's second successful project following the Vikram-S rocket's triumphant launch on November 18th, 2022.

ISRO's Gaganyaan Test Missions TV-Dl: A Historical Milestone

• United States and Russia have vied for supremacy above Earth, especially during the 1950s and 1960s.
• Additional test flights will be conducted before the planned 2025 crewed mission.

About ISRO:

Headquarters: Bengaluru

Founded: 15 August 1969

Founder: Vikram Sarabhai

ISRO to Conduct Maiden Test Flight of Gaganyaan Mission on October 21

• Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Space, Science, and Technology, officially announced that, on October 21. 
• ISRO is poised to make history as it prepares to conduct the first in a series of critical test flights in anticipation of the much-anticipated Gaganyaan mission.
• Test flight will be executed at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota

India: IAF to conduct Astra missiles by end of 2023

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is making significant strides towards enhancing its air defense capabilities with the impending induction of indigenous Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air Missiles. 
• The IAF has entered into contracts with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
• The first batch of Astra-MKI missiles, developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI) among other
• DRDO laboratories, is slated for induction by the end of 2023.
• Astra missiles have been successfully integrated onto the SU-30MKl aircraft, demonstrating their compatibility and effectiveness.
• The missile was test-fired from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas off the coast of Goat reaching an altitude of 20,000 ft.

Obituary

Matthew Perry, Renowned For His Role as Chandler in 'Friends,' Died At 54

• "Friends" star Matthew Perry was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home. He was 54.
• The iconic actor, known for his portrayal of Chandler Bing in the legendary TV series "Friends".

First Black Action Hero, Richard Roundtree Passed Away At 81

• Richard Roundtree, the iconic actor who redefined African American masculinity in the movies with his groundbreaking portrayal of the title role in "Shaft," passed away.
• "Shaft," released in 1971, was a groundbreaking film, marking one of the first entries in the Blaxploitation genre.

Former Chief Election Commissioner MS Gill Passed Away at the age Of 86

• He served as a significant figure in both the Indian bureaucracy and politics.
• He assumed this prestigious role in December 1996 and held it until June
• He became the first former CEC to join politics when he entered the Rajya Sabha as a member of the Congress party.
• In 2008, he was appointed as the Union Sports Minister.

World Post Day 2023: 9th October

• World Post Day is celebrated each year on October 9th to commemorate the creation of the Universal Postal Union (IJPIJ) in 1874. It's a day to recognize the crucial role that post offices play in connecting communities, and in 2023, the theme is "Together for Trust: Collaborating for a safe and connected future."
• The history of postal services dates back centuries, with the first organized postal service said to have been established during the time of Augustus Caesar in Rome. Remarkably, the oldest functioning post office is in Sanquhar, Scotland, operating since 1712 AD.
• World Post Day was officially declared by the UPU Congress in Tokyo, Japan, in 1969. The UPU is an international organization that promotes and coordinates postal services worldwide. It currently has 151 member countries, all of which participate in this annual celebration.

India designates October 10th as Good Manufacturing Practice Day

• The Indian government, in collaboration with the Indian Drugs Manufacturers' Association (IDMA), is set to observe the first-ever National Current Good Manufacturing Practice Day (cGMP Day) on 10th October. This initiative aims to underscore the importance of adhering to cGMP guidelines in pharmaceutical manufacturing, with a focus on improving product quality and ensuring patient safety.
• Current Good Manufacturing Practices, commonly referred to as cGMP, are stringent quality standards mandated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for pharmaceutical manufacturing. These guidelines serve as the backbone of pharmaceutical operations, providing essential standards to enhance product quality by regulating various aspects of the manufacturing process, including materials, methods, machinery, processes, personnel, facilities, and environmental conditions.

Appointments and Resignations

Swiss Watchmaker 'Rado' Appoints Katrina Kaif as Global Brand Ambassador

• Adrian Bosshard, the CEO of Rado also expressed his enthusiasm about this association.
• Founded: 1917, Lengnau, Switzerland
• Parent organization: The Swatch Group
• Headquarters: Lengnau, Switzerland
• Founders: Ernst Schlup, Werner Schlup, Fritz Schlup

Amol Muzumdar Takes Over as Head Coach Of India Women

• The position of the head coach had been vacant since December 2022 when Ramesh Powar was abruptly removed from his post as part of the BCCI's "restructuring module."

About Board Of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI):

President: Roger Binny

Headquarters: Mumbai

Founded: December 1928

LaVs Appointed Mahendra Singh Dhoni as Brand Ambassador

• Lay's announces cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as its brand ambassador, starring in a campaign — 'No LaVs, No Game.'

About Lavs:

Parent organization: PepsiCo, lnc

Founded: September 1961

Sanjay Kumar Jain Appointed as CMD of IRCTC

About IRCTC:

Founded: 27 September 1999

Headquarters: New Delhi

Justice Siddharth Mridul appointed as the chief justice Of Manipur High Court

• Justice Siddharth Mridul was appointed as the chief justice of Manipur High Court three months after the Supreme Court Collegium recommendation.

About Manipur:

Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh

Governor: Anusuiya Uikey

South Indian Bank appoints VJ Kurian as its new chairman

• VJ Kurian has been appointed as the non-executive part-time chairman of the South Indian Bank, based in Thrissur
• This development follows regulatory approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and comes as Salim Gangadharan.
• South Indian Bank Headquarters: Thrissur, Kerala;
• South Indian Bank Founded: 25 January 1929.

Government Extends tenure Of SBI Chairman Dinesh Khara Until August 2024

• In a significant development, Centre has decided to extend the tenure of Mr. Dinesh Khara as the Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), the nation's largest lender, until August of the following year.
• It is began on October 7, 2020, for a three-year term, is now set to continue until he reaches the age of 63.
• Dinesh Khara, the man at the helm of India's largest commercial bank, has a remarkable career trajectory within the State Bank of India. He embarked on his
• journey with the bank as a probationary officer in 1984, marking the beginning of a distinguished service record spanning almost four decades.

Former HDFC Bank chief Aditya Puri joins Deloitte as senior adviser

• Former managing director and CEO of HDFC Bank Aditya Puri joined Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP as senior adviser.
• Puri would leverage his expertise and experience to help drive a tech -enabled transformation in the financial services sector and champion initiatives aimed at boosting financial inclusion across India, Deloitte said in a statement.
• Puri was appointed CEO of HDFC Bank in 1994 and retired after 26 years of service. In June, Deloitte announced the appointment of Manoj Kohli, former CEO of Bharati Airtel and Softbank India, as senior adviser.

Centre extends Amit Agarwal's tenure as CEO Of UIDAI for one year

• The central government has extended the tenure of senior IAS officer Amit Agrawal as CEO of the Unique Identification Authority of India (IJIDAI) for one year.
• As per an order issued by the Ministry of Person nel, Amit Agrawal, a  1993-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, has been given in extension of his service as the CEO of UIDIA for a period of one year beyond November 2, 2023, to November 2, 2024, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Lt General Raghu Srinivasan Takes Over As Border Roads Organisation Chief

• Lieutenant General Raghu Srinivasan assumed the role of the 28th Director General (DG) of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Saturday. This transition follows the superannuation of Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry.
• Srinivasan is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, where he was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in 1987.

Important Days

World Polio Day 2023: Date, Theme and Significance

• The theme for World Polio Day 2023 is "A healthier future for mothers and children."

About WHO:

Head: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus;

Founded: 7 April 1948;

Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

World Development Information Day 2023: 24th October

• Established in 1972.
• Coinciding with United Nations Day, this occasion carries historical significance, commemorating the UN's beginning in 1945.

United Nations Day 2023:24 October

• Anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945.
• On October 24, 1945, the United Nations came into existence as the UN Charter was ratified.

About United Nations

Founded: 24 October 1945, San Francisco, California, United States;

Headquarters: New York, New York, United States;

Founders: United States, Brazil, United Kingdom, India, France, Iran;

Secretary General: Antönio Guterres.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2023:17th October

• The UN General Assembly officially declared October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty through resolution 47/196 on December 22, 1992.
• Theme for the 2023 is "Decent Work and Social Protection: Putting dignity in practice for all."

World Food Day 2023: 16 October

• The roots of World Food Day trace back to the establishment of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945. However, it wasn't until 1979, during the FAO Conference.
• The theme for World Food Day 2023 is "Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind."

About FAO:

Director-General, QU Dongyu;

Headquarters: Rome, Italy;

Founded: 16 October 1945.

International Day of Rural women 2023: 15 October

• The theme of International Day of Rural Women 2023 is "Rural Women Cultivating Good For
• On 18th December 2007, the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution 62/136, formally acknowledging the crucial role of rural women in agricultural and rural development, enhancing food security and reducing poverty. 
• Subsequently, on 15th October 2008, the first-ever International Day of Rural Women celebrated.

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2023: 13th October

• The theme of UN International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2023 is "Fighting  inequality for a resilient future."
• The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was started in 1989.
• In 2015 at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Red uction in Sendai, Japan.

World Animal Welfare Day 2023: 4th October

• World Animal Day, also known as World Animal Welfare Day, is a global initiative celebrated annually on October 4th. This day serves as an International Day of Action, advocating for the rights and welfare of animals. 
• The choice of this date coincides with the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. This event unites animal lovers worldwide, raising awareness and fostering a sense of responsibility towards the well-being of animals.
• The theme for World Animal Day 2023, "Great or Small, Love Them All," emphasizes the importance of acknowledging animals as sentient beings. It underscores the need to elevate global animal care standards and advocates for animal rights universally.

World Nature Day 2023:3rd October

• World Nature Day, established by the World Nature Organization (WNO) on October 3, 2010, serves as a crucial platform to raise awareness.. In this article, we delve into the significance, celebration, and key facts about World Nature Day, highlighting its vital role in addressing the environmental issues that affect us all.
• World Nature Day is celebrated in various ways, involving people of all ages and backgrounds.

National zoological park begins celebration of 69th wildlife week

• National Zoological Park kick-started the celebration of 69th Wildlife Week with the theme "Partnerships for wildlife conservation", honoring the people who are making a difference, on the theme of UN World Wildlife Day 2023 and activities in context to wildlife conservation.
• The National Zoological Park will celebrate "Wildlife Week - 2023" from 02.10.2023 to 08.10.2023.
• The programme was started with floral tribute for animals died in the National Zoological Park. After this activities were inaugurated with lightning of lamp by the dignitaries Shri Bivash Ranjan, ADG (WL), MoEF&CC, Shri Sanjay Shukla, Member Secretary Central Zoo and Dr. Faiyaz A. Khudsar, Biodiversity Expert, University of Delhi. Awareness activities were organized like Nukkad Natak, expert talk on Biodiversity, video on mission LiFE and pledge.

Summits and MOU’S

1) Reliance JiO Partners With Plume to Provide In-Home Services Enhanced By A1

• This partnership brings forth a range of innovative offerings under the names "HomePass" and "WorkPass."

About Reliance Jio:

Founder: Mukesh Ambani

Founded: 2007, Ahmedabad

Headquarters: Reliance Corporate Park, Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Owner: Reliance Industries

2) IRCTC Partners With Zomato For Delivery Of Pre-Booked Meals

• As part of this groundbreaking partnership, IRCTC has launched a Proof of Concept (POC) at five prominent railway stations: New Delhi, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Varanasi.
• This POC allows passengers to order and receive pre-ordered meals through the IRCTC E- Catering portal, with the assistance of Zomato.

About Zomato:

Owners: Info Edge, Ant Group

Founders: Deepinder Goyal, Akriti Chopra, Gunjan Patidar, Pankaj Chaddah

Founded: July 2008; 15 years ago

Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana, India

About IRCTC:

Founder: Ministry of Railways

Headquarters: New Delhi

Founded: 27 September 1999

Owner: Government of India (67%)

India & UK Hold First 2+2 Foreign & Defence Dialogue in New Delhi

• The inaugural India-UK '2+2' foreign and defence dialogue held in 16th October.
• The Indian delegation was co-chaired by Shri Piyush Srivastava, Joint Secretary Europe West, Ministry of External Affairs, and Shri Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary, International Cooperation, Ministry of Defence.
• On the UK side, Mr. Ben Mellor, India Director, Indian Ocean Directorate, FCDO, and Lt. General Rob Magowan.

About UK:

Capital: London

Prime Minister: Rishi Sunak

PM Modi to Inaugurate 141st IOC session in Mumbai

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) session at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai on October 14.
• India's second time hosting the IOC session, following a gap of nearly four decades since the 86th IOC session was held in New Delhi in 1983. 
• International Olympic Committee President: Thomas Bach
• India's second time hosting the event after a gap of nearly 40 years.
• India last hosted the IOC session in 1983. 
• 17th CII Annual Tourism Summit India's G20 Presidency presents a unique opportunity to attract tourists worldwide.
• The Confederation of Indian Industry (Cll) is organizing the 17th Cll Tourism Summit on October 13, 2023, in Mumbai. 
• Ms. V Vidyavathi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, addresses inaugural session of 17th Cll Annual Tourism Summit

India, France Defence Ministers hold fifth dialogue

• Shri Rajnath Singh, the Indian Defence Minister, concluded his two-nation European tour with a significant meeting in Paris with the French Minister of Armed Forces, Mr. Sebastien Lecornu.

About France:

Capital: Paris

PM: Élisabeth Borne

India and Tanzania Set to Ink 15 Agreements, Aiming for USD 10 Billion Trade

• India and Tanzania are set to boost their bilateral cooperation as Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan visits India after an eight-year gap.
• The visit aims to elevate their relations to a strategic partnership and enhance trade and investment ties. Tanzanian Foreign Minister January Yusuf Makamba anticipates the signing of 15 agreements covering various areas of cooperation.
• Expectations of 15 agreements spanning government-to-government and private sector collaborations. 
• Tanzanian President to address a business forum in New Delhi.
• Objective: Enhance trade volumes and expand bilateral trade to USD 10 billion in the next three years.

PM Modi to inaugurate Vibrant Gujarat Summit on Jan 10

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit on January 10, 2024. Gujarat's Chief Minister, Bhupendrabhai Patel, has emphasized the state's status as an attractive investment destination.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit on January 10, 2024. This event holds significance as it aligns with the Prime Minister's vision of "Viksit Bharat @2047," emphasizing India's growth and development.

Awards and Recognition

CJI Chandrachud Honored With "Award For Global Leadership" By Harvard Law School

• Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, an distinguished alumnus of Harvard Law School, was bestowed with the prestigious 'Award for Global Leadership'.

Gujarat's Dhordo Awarded UNWTO's Best Tourism Village 2023

• Dhordo in Gujarat has garnered international recognition after it secured a place on the list of the 54 best tourism villages announced by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

About Gujarat:

Chief Minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel

Governor: Acharya Devvrat

Shreya Ghoshal won 5th National Awards 2023

• Won Best Female Playback Singer award at the 69th National Film Awards.
• The award was presented to her by the Hon'ble President of India, Droupadi Murmu, in a grand ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
• Her fifth National Film Award. Her first National Award was in for the soul-stirring rendition of "Bairy Piya" in the iconic movie 'Devdas.'

NTPC Becomes The only Indian PSU To Feature In Forbes "World's Best Employers 2023" List

• India's largest integrated energy conglomerate, NTPC Limited, has achieved a remarkable distinction by being named one of the "World's Best Employers 2023" in the Forbes World's Best Employers list, which was officially unveiled on October 10, 2023.
• This prestigious recognition places NTPC at the 261st position among the top 700 companies globally.
• NTPCs inclusion on the Forbes World's Best Employers List 2023 underscores the company's commitment to a progressive "People before PLF" (Plant Load Factor) approach.

About NTPC:

Founded: 7 November 1975

Headquarters: New Delhi, India

Owner: Government of India

Jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi wins Nobel Peace Prize

• Narges Mohammadi "for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all". The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2023 to to Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all. Her brave struggle has come with tremendous personal costs. Altogether, the regime has arrested her 13 times, convicted her five times, and sentenced her to a total of 31 years in prison and 154 lashes.
• This year's peace prize also recognises the hundreds of thousands of people who, in the preceding year, have demonstrated against Iran's theocratic regime's policies of discrimination and oppression targeting women. The motto adopted by the demonstrators — "Woman — Life — Freedom" — suitably expresses the dedication and work of Narges Mohammadi.

Nobel Peace Prize awarded to jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi

• Narges Mohammadi "for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran andher  fight to promote human rights and freedom for all". The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2023 to to Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all.
•  The regime has arrested her 13 times, convicted her five times, and sentenced her to a total of 31 years in prison and 154 lashes. The motto adopted by the demonstrators — "Woman — Life — Freedom" — suitably expresses the dedication and work of Narges Mohammadi.

Katalin kariko drew weissman get nobel prize for medicine

• Katalin Karikå and Drew Weissman were jointly awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on Monday for their groundbreaking contributions to the development of highly effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.
• The prestigious recognition underscores the critical role of their discoveries related to nucleoside base modifications in enabling the rapid creation of these vaccines during the pandemic.

Trio win 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for use Of light to study electrons 

• Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L'Huillier "for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter". This year Nobel Laureates in Physics 2023 are being recognised for their experiments, which have given humanity new tools for exploring the world of electrons inside atoms and molecules. 
• Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L'Huillier have demonstrated a way to create extremely short pulses of light that can be used to measure the rapid processes in which electrons move or change energy.

Sudha Murty Makes History As The First Female Recipient Of Global Indian Award

• Renowned author, philanthropist and the wife of Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy, Sudha Murthy, was honored with the prestigious Global Indian Award by the Canada India Foundation (CIF) at a grand Indo-Canadian gala in Toronto. 
• The award, which carries a value of $50,000, is presented annually to an outstanding Indian personality who has left an indelible mark in their respective field.

Ranking

India Ranks Third In Fintech Unicorns, With United States at the Top  

• In 2023, India has secured the third position in the global fintech landscape with 17 fintech unicorns.  
• In the world of fintech, the United States and the United Kingdom maintain their supremacy in terms of both quantity and value.  UK ranks second with 27 fintech unicorns.

Cirium’s report: Kempegowda International Airport tops global on-time performance rankings  

• Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru, also known as the Bengaluru International Airport.  It has been recognized as the “world’s most punctual airport” for the past three consecutive months.  
• Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport was the only other Indian airport listed among the top five punctual airports globally. 

About Karnataka: 

Chief Minister: Siddaramaiah 

Governor: Thawar Chand Gehlot

Banking and Economy

IMF Forecasts Global Growth Slowdown To 2.9% In 2024  

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recently unveiled latest prediction 3 percent in 2023 and further decline to 2.9 percent in 2024.

About IMF:

Founded: July 1944, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, United States 

Founders: John Maynard Keynes, Harry Dexter White

RBI Approves MobiKwik's Zaakpay TO Operate As Payment Aggregator

• Zaakpay offers over 100 different payment methods, including UPI, debit and credit cards, net banking, and mobile wallets.

India to surpass Japan in 2030 to become 2nd largest economy Of Asia, says S&P Global

• In 2030, India's GDP is expected to surpass even Germany.
• India's GDP had already outgrown that of the United Kingdom and France.
• India to become the third-largest economy in Asia-Pacific and the fifth-largest in the world.
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is predicted to reach a whopping $7.3 trillion.
• Making it the second-largest economy in the Asia-Pacific region, just after China.

RBL Bank Introduces GO Savings Account

About RBL Bank:

Headquarters: Mumbai

Founded: 14 June 1943

Key people: R. Subramania kumar; (MD & CEO)

India's Growing Contribution TO Global Economic Growth

• Krishna Srinivasan, Director of IMF Asia & Pacific Department, has stated that India's contribution to global economic growth will increase from its current 16% to 18% within the next five years. 
• Srinivasan highlighted that the region's economy is expected to grow by 4.6% in 2023 and 4.2% in 2024.

Asian Development Bank Invests $181 Million to Improve Ahmedabad's Peri-urban Areas

• One of the main goals of this project is to control urban sprawl.

About Gujarat:

Chief Minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel

Governor: Acharya Devvrat

RBI says to continue to focus on inflation, liquidity in banking system

• In a recent announcement, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) underscored the significance of addressing high inflation to maintain macroeconomic stability and sustainable growth. 
• RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das emphasized the central bank's commitment to achieving a durable 4% inflation target while keeping benchmark interest rates unchanged for the fourth consecutive meeting.
• RBI Governor Das highlighted that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is steadfastly dedicated to realigning inflation with the 4% target.

World bank research paper on karnataka Gram panchayat fund

• Though the Karnataka government has taken many legislative measures to decentralise powers to rural local bodies during the last three decades, fund allocations in gram panchayats (GPs) are most influenced by the elite, according to a research paper of the World Bank. 
• Men and 'upper' caste individuals in GPs ensure that their preferences are represented better in allocation of funds, it said.
• "Funding is least representative of the needs of women and Scheduled Castes and this a clear indication of an elite bias in funding allocations in elected GPs  of Karnataka," said the report.

Agri-start-ups recommended for technical & financial

• In a significant boost to the agri-tech sector, experts have recommended 24 start-ups for technical and financial support from a dedicated fund of Rs 20 crore. This transformative initiative was announced during the ATMAN (Agri sTartup deMo And funding) 2023 program.
• ATMAN (Agri sTartup deMo And funding) 2023 program was organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with four Technology Innovation Hubs. These hubs, established under the National Mission on Inter-disciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) at prominent Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).