LegalEdge CLAT POST 2022 October

1
Bhopal 7676564400 | Indore 9109108422 | Jabalpur 9109108423 | Jodhpur 9109108419 | Raipur 9109108417 | Bilaspur 9109108416 | Ranchi 9109108418
Delhi 9891906520 | Gurugram 09717289708 | Kanpur 8576066660 | Prayagraj 6306330553 | w 6390573333
2
S. No. Contents
1. Purple Revolution and Details on all Other Coloured Revolutions 4
2. Convergence Portal of The Mofpi 7
3. Live-Streaming of The Supreme Court’s Proceedings India and World 8
4. Nordic Model of Social Democracy and Recent Sweden Elections 11
5. Sc’s Reference on Capital Punishment and History Of Capital Punishment 13
6. India-Made Syrups and Deaths in Gambia and Role of Who 13
7. Multi-State Cooperatives 15
8. Opec + Cuts Oil Production and all About Opec 17
9. 50th CJI And Appointment of Judges History 19
10. Sapta Kosi High Dam Project 21
11. Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill 2022 22
12. Abortion Rights for Single Women 24
13. Eastern Economic Forum and Role of India 26
14. PM Pranam (Promotion of Alternate Nutrients for Agriculture Management Yojana) 29
15. One Health Approach and all One Programs Of India 30
16. Current Affairs practice Sheet (CAPS) 32
17. National 48
18. International 62
19. Science & Technology 70
20. Appointmens & Resignations 71
21. Awards & Recognition 78
22. Books & Author 81
23. Important Days 83
24. Obitury 88
25. Ranking 90
26. Sports 95
27. Summit's & MoU's 102
28. Banking And Economy 107
3
29. 122
Right to privacy not inheritable by legal heirs of deceased: Delhi High Court allows release
30. 125
of film Faraaz
[Hijab verdict] Eleven questions framed and answered by Justice Hemant Gupta while
31. 126
upholding government decision
Transgender persons entitled to reservation under third gender category: Madras High
32. 129
Court
Muslim girl entitled to marry person of her choice once she attains 15 years: Punjab and
33. 130
Haryana High Court reiterates
34. Supreme Court stays Bombay High Court order that held NGT special bench at Delhi illegal 131
35. Supreme Court upholds validity of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Act 157
36. 132
37. 133
4
October, 2022
PURPLE REVOLUTION AND DETAILS ON ALL OTHER COLOURED

REVOLUTIONS
News
 According to Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, the "Purple Revolution" from
Jammu and Kashmir offers appealing start-up opportunities.
 The minister claimed that those who have entered the lavender industry are doing really well, speaking at a seminar
on "Sustainable Agricultural Innovations for Resilient Agri-Food Systems." Singh added that agricultural
development is one of the most powerful tools to end economic constraints, boost shared prosperity and feed a
projected 9.7 billion people by 2050.
WHAT IS PURPLE REVOLUTION
 By switching from imported aromatics to domestic ones, it seeks to advance the domestic aromatic crop-based
agro-economy.
 The objective included providing free lavender seedlings to first-time growers, and paying those who had previously
grown lavender Rs. 5-6 per plant.
 Lavender growing has started in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir as part of the CSIR-Aroma Indian
Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) Initiative.
 Almost all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir have lavender farms.
 Lavender oil, the major offering, costs at least Rs. 10,000 per litre.
 Incense sticks are made with lavender water, which separates from lavender oil.
 Soaps and air fresheners are made from the hydrosol that is produced when the flowers are distilled.
Significance
 It's important because it supports the government's goal of tripling agricultural earnings by 2022.
 It would improve the Start-Up India initiative, support the region's entrepreneurial culture, and give prospective
farmers and agri-entrepreneurs a means of subsistence.
 The purple revolution ultimately resulted in the income of over 500 young people being doubled.
 One of the most effective strategies for overcoming economic barriers, fostering shared prosperity, and feeding the
estimated 9.7 billion people by 2050 is agricultural growth.
ABOUT AROMA MISSION
 The CSIR Aroma Mission intends to conduct focused interventions in agriculture, processing, and product
development to promote the growth of the aroma industry and rural employment. Its goal is to bring about
transformative change in the aroma sector.
 It would promote the growth of aromatic crops for the purpose of producing essential oils, which are highly sought-
after in the scent industry.
 The production and export of different essential oils in the menthol mint pattern are expected to make Indian
farmers and the aroma industry global leaders.
 Entrepreneurs and farmers from all over the nation are coming to Aroma Mission. During Phase I, the CSIR helped
cultivate 6000 hectares of land in 46 Aspirational districts nationwide.
 Additionally, nearly 44,000 workers received training. Phase II of the Aroma Mission, which will assist more than
75,000 farming families and utilise over 45,000 skilled human resources, has been launched by the CSIR.
5
Other Colour Revolutions
Green Revolution
 This Revolution saw an increase in the production of food grains by using various modern technologies and farming
products like fertilizers, high yielding variety (HYV) seeds, irrigation facilities, and pesticides. It was founded by the
Indian geneticist M.S. Swaminathan and was commenced under the leadership of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Blue Revolution
 The blue revolution (Neel Kranti Mission) in India started in 1985-1900 and is related to the aquaculture of the
country. This revolution contributed to the enhancement of the fishery industry into a modern industry and also
increased the income of fishers. The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) included various components
to develop and increase aquaculture activity by using modern methods and equipment.
Golden Revolution
 Founded by Nirpakh Tutej, this revolution went on from 1991 to 2003. It was a major movement in India that saw
the use of new innovative technologies to boost the production of honey and products such as flowers, fruits, spices,
vegetables, and plantation crops.
Black Revolution
 The black revolution is associated with an increase in petroleum in India. The government of India implemented
various policies to boost this production by mixing ethanol- a renewable source of energy- with petrol to produce
biodiesel. This gave rise to a positive result in reducing pollution caused by the emission of harmful gases. This
initiative has also helped farmers switch to such alternatives which reduce pollutants.
Grey Revolution
 The Grey Revolution in India is associated with an increase in fertilizer production. This was in succession to the
green revolution that was responsible for the high-yielding variety of seeds. The grey revolution was initiated to
mend the things that went wrong with the agricultural sector. It aims to build a promising future for farmers and
develop the agricultural sector in India.
Brown Revolution
 The brown revolution in India increased the production and demand for environmental-friendly coffee which was
initiated by Hiralal Chaudri. This revolution is currently taking place in Visakhapatnam.
Red Revolution
 The increase in the production of meat was the core part of the red revolution in India. Durgesh Patel is known as
the father of this revolution. It modernized the processing of meant and upgraded technologies used for the same.
Silver Revolution
 The silver revolution witnessed an enhancement in poultry farming or the production of eggs. Various private and
government sectors contributed to this revolution using medical and applied science to rediscover ways to grow
egg production.
White Revolution
 The white revolution was initiated to boost the production of milk and dairy products in India. Verghese Kurien is
considered the father of this revolution who came up with the 'billion litres' idea. Along with other important
companies, AMUL - Anand Milk Union Limited played a major role in running the revolution for India.
Golden Fibre Revolution
 The Golden Fibre Revolution is related to jute production. While the industrial revolution began, jute was used as
a raw material in the fabric industry and jute has been used in several cases to make strong threads and jute
products. Jute is the most important vegetable fibre after cotton.
Pink Revolution
 Pink Revolution was an increase in the export and production of meat in India. It includes the involvement of
technology in the poultry and meat processing industries. The revolution includes meat testing facilities, cold
storage for growth, and other infrastructure facilities.
Round Revolution
 Round Revolution is the increase in production of potato yield. The production of potatoes was aimed to be
increased at least double or triple the single annual increase.
Yellow Revolution
 During the Yellow Revolution, India went from being a net importer to becoming self-sufficient and a net exporter.
During the early 1990s, an all-time high of 25 million tonnes of oilseeds was produced from yearly oilseed harvests.
On the website linked here, you may learn more about the Yellow Revolution.
6
Protein Revolution
 The government declared a technology-driven second green revolution with an emphasis on improved productivity
and a "protein revolution," committing to a 4% sustainable increase in the agriculture sector. The government
established a price stability fund with a capital of Rs.500 crore to assist farmers in dealing with volatility. In addition,
a Kisan TV channel was established to provide real-time information on innovative techniques, water conservation,
and organic farming. Furthermore, the money for improving storage capacity was increased to Rs. 5,000 crore and
Rs.100 crore were set aside for supplying every farmer with a soil health card, as well as Rs.56 crore for mobile soil-
testing laboratories.
Evergreen Revolution
 The Green Revolution changed India's image from "begging bowl" to "bread-basket." However, in order to address
the Green Revolution's faults and vulnerabilities, we must make it evergreen. Despite the fact that India is now self-
sufficient in many sectors of food production, it still relies on imports for commodities such as pulses and oilseeds,
where output has not kept up with demand. The term "evergreen revolution" refers to long-term productivity
growth that is not harmful to the environment or society. The evergreen revolution entails the incorporation of
ecological concepts into the creation and diffusion of technology. The main concept is to produce more with less,
less land, less pesticide, less water, and hence, it must be an evergreen revolution to achieve sustainable agriculture.
1. Who among the following is the Union of State for (b) Gold Revolution
Science and Technology? (c) Red Revolution
(a) Jitendra Singh (d) Silver Revolution
(b) Thawar Chand Gehlot
(c) Narendra Singh Tomar 4. Government of India gas a goal to triple the farmers
(d) Ashwini Vaishnav income by which of the following year?
(a) 2022
2. Purpose revolution is related to which of the (b) 2023
following? (c) 2024
(a) Milk Production (d) 2025
(b) Saffron Production
(c) Indigenous Aromatic Crop Production 5. CSIR Aroma Mission was launched in which of the
(d) Poultry Farming following years?
(a) 2014
3. Which revolution in India is related to poultry (b) 2016
farming? (c) 2019
(a) White Revolution (d) 2022
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1. (a) According to Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister 4. (a) It's important because it supports the
of State for Science and Technology, the "Purple government's goal of tripling agricultural
Revolution" from Jammu and Kashmir offers earnings by 2022.
appealing start-up opportunities. 5. (b) This famous Aroma mission was launched in
2. (c) It aims to promote the indigenous aromatic 2016 to promote the cultivation of lavender
crop-based agro-economy by shifting from plants, which hold aromatic healing effects
foreign aromatics to homegrown kinds. through advanced technology set by the CSIR
3. (d) Poultry Industry is related to Silver Revolution. (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research).
It is a tremendous increase in the production of
eggs or poultry.
7
CONVERGENCE PORTAL OF THE MOFPI
News
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has launched the Convergence Portal between the Agriculture
Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme, Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Enterprises Upgradation Scheme (PMFME) and Pradhan
Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY).
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was also issued with the objective of providing maximum benefits to the
beneficiaries under AIF, PMFME and PMKSY.
About Convergence Module

A Convergence Portal was jointly launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and the Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in order to maximise the benefits of the agriculture and food processing sectors.
It was founded on the principle that all government Ministries and Departments should function as a single unit to
provide the greatest possible services to the citizens of the nation.
The portal will prove to be crucial for the nation's food processing businesses, helping a variety of populations around
the nation, including farmers and small-scale processors.
It is a necessary step toward realising the Prime Minister's vision of an Aatma Nirbhar Bharat and will support the idea
of "Vocal for Local."
Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Industry Upgradation Scheme

• It was introduced in June 2020 as part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Campaign by the Ministry of Food Processing
Industries to improve the competitiveness of individual micro companies.
• It offers financial, technical, and commercial support for the modernization of the nation's small food processing
businesses.
• The programme uses the One District One Product (ODOP) strategy to take advantage of scale in terms of input
procurement, use of shared services, and product marketing.
• It will be implemented from 2020–2021 through 2024–2025 over a five-year span.
• It is a centrally supported programme with a 10,000 crore rupee investment.
• The cost of the programme would be split 60:40 between the federal government and state governments, 90:10 with
North Eastern and Himalayan States, 60:40 with UTs with legislatures, and 100% by the federal government for all
other UTs.
• The unorganized food processing sector comprising nearly 25 lakh units contributes to 74% of employment in the
food processing sector.
• Nearly 66% of these units are located in rural areas and about 80% of them are family-based enterprises supporting
livelihood of rural households and minimising their migration to urban areas.
• These units largely fall within the category of micro enterprises.
• The unorganised food processing sector faces a number of challenges such as lack of access to modern technology
& equipment, training, access institutional credit, lack of branding & marketing skills etc. which limit their
performance and their growth.
• Approximately 62,000 people who work in the food processing industry have so far benefited from this programme.
According to the programme, 7,300 loans have been approved for either starting new micro food businesses or
modernising existing ones.
• The third quarter of 2022–2023 is anticipated to see a 50% increase in the rate of loan approvals.
About Agriculture Infra Fund
• The Agriculture Infra Fund (AIF) is a financial instrument that was established in July 2020 for the development of
post-harvest infrastructure and community farm assets. Its advantages include a 3 percent interest subsidy and
support for credit guarantees.
• In accordance with this, a funding provision of Rs 1 lakh crore has been created from 2020–21 to 2025–26, and
interest subvention and credit guarantee support would be provided until the year 2032–33.
• In order to maximise the advantages of various government programmes for a specific project, these are being
merged with several external systems/portals. The AIF scheme has the capability of convergence with any other
programme of the State or Central Government.
8
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sampada Yojna
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries' Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, a Central Sector Scheme, is
envisioned as a comprehensive programme that will result in the development of modern infrastructure and effective
supply chain management from the farm gate to the retail outlet.
6. A Convergence Portal was jointly launched by the (b) Narendra Singh Tomer
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and (c) Ramvilas Paswan
which of the following? (d) Piyush Goyal
(a) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
(b) Ministry of Jal Shakti 9. One District One Product was launched for the first
(c) Ministry of Food and Nutrients time by which of the following States?
(d) Ministry of Family and Health (a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) Uttar Pradesh
7. The Agriculture Infra Fund (AIF) is a financial (c) Andhra Pradesh
instrument that was established in which of the (d) Gujarat
following years?
(a) 2018 10. SAMPADA was renamed as the Pradhan Mantri
(b) 2019 Kisan Sampada Yojana in which of the following
(c) 2020 years?
(d) 2021 (a) 2014
(b) 2017
8. Who among the following is the minister in charge (c) 2019
for Ministry of Food Processing Industries? (d) 2022
(a) Pashupati Kumar Paras
6. (a) A Convergence Portal was jointly launched by 8. (a) Union Minister for Ministry of Food Processing
the Ministry of Food Processing Industries Industries, Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras chairs
(MoFPI) and the Ministry of Agriculture and meeting of Inter-Ministerial Approval
Farmers Welfare in order to maximise the Committee (IMAC) through video conferencing.
benefits of the agriculture and food processing 9. (b) The one district one product launch date is
sectors. January 24, 2018, by the Uttar Pradesh
7. (c) The Agriculture Infra Fund (AIF) is a financial Government, and due to its success, was later
instrument that was established in July 2020 for adopted by the Central Government.
the development of post-harvest infrastructure 10. (b) In 2017, SAMPADA was renamed as the Pradhan
and community farm assets. Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY).
LIVE-STREAMING OF THE SUPREME COURT’S PROCEEDINGS

INDIA AND WORLD
News
On September 27, the Supreme Court enabled the live streaming of the hearing of cases. The Court’s original decision
of September 27, 2018, allowing the live telecast of important proceedings paved the way for this outcome.
 The bench of the then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice D Y Chandrachud had held
that the live-streaming of court proceedings is in the public interest. The telecast, they pointed out, will enliven
judicial labour for the public at large to strengthen constitutional values, democracy, and citizenship. Their vision
had the full support of Chief Justices M V Ramana and U U Lalit.
Four years later, on September 20, a full court of all Supreme Court judges under the leadership of Chief Justice U U
Lalit took the unanimous decision to live-stream constitutional bench proceedings. Justice Chandrachud, the
Chairperson of the Supreme Court’s E-committee and the driving force behind the live streaming initiative, began the
hearing in his courtroom by announcing, “We are virtual”.
Context
9
In the case of Swapnil Tripathi v. Supreme Court of India (2018), the Supreme Court had decided in favour of live-
streaming the proceedings at the top court.
It was decided that the right to access justice under Article 21 (Protection of Life and Personal Liberty) of the
Constitution includes the live streaming of court hearings.
The Karnataka High Court followed the Gujarat High Court in being the first high court to broadcast court proceedings.
The high courts in Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, and Patna currently broadcast their proceedings
live.
The Allahabad High Court is thinking about using the same authority.
Recommendations by the Attorney-General of India
Only in instances involving the Constitution Bench should live streaming be implemented as a pilot experiment in the
court of the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
Whether or not live broadcasting should be used in all courts, including the Supreme Court and other courts across
India, would depend on how well this project turns out.
The Attorney General (AG) gave examples to back up his suggestion, including the decongestion of courts and better
physical access to courts for litigants who would otherwise have to travel far to the SC..
The SC gave its approval to a series of recommendations made by the A-G. However, the A-G argued that the court
must continue to have the authority to prohibit broadcasting and must do so in situations involving:
 Matrimonial matters
 Matters involving interests of juveniles or the protection and safety of the private life of the young offenders
 Matters of National security
 To ensure that victims, witnesses or defendants can depose truthfully and without any fear.
 Special protection must be given to vulnerable or intimidated witnesses.
 It may provide for face distortion of the witness if she/he consents to the broadcast anonymously.
 To protect confidential or sensitive information, including all matters relating to sexual assault and rape
 Matters where publicity would be antithetical to the administration of justice, and
 Cases which may provoke sentiments and arouse passion and provoke enmity among communities.
Live Proceeding of Courts in Other Countries:
United States: Since 1955, audio recording and transcripts of oral arguments has been allowed.
Australia: Live or delayed broadcasting is allowed but the practices and norms differ across courts.
Brazil: Since 2002, live video and audio broadcast of court proceedings, including the deliberations and voting process
undertaken by the judges in court, is allowed.
Canada: Proceedings are broadcast live on Cable Parliamentary Affairs Channel, accompanied by explanations of each
case and the overall processes and powers of the court.
South Africa: Since 2017, the Supreme Court of South Africa has allowed the media to broadcast court proceedings in
criminal matters, as an extension of the right to freedom of expression.
United Kingdom: After 2005, proceedings are broadcast live with a one-minute delay on the court’s website, but
coverage can be withdrawn in sensitive appeals.
11. Which is the first high court in India to begin live 13. Who among the following Judges of the Supreme of
streaming of court proceedings? India is the Chairperson of the Supreme Court’s E-
(a) Madhya Pradesh High Court committee?
(b) Gujarat High Court (a) Justice Chandrachud
(c) Madras High Court (b) Justice UU Lalit
(d) Bombay High Court (c) Justice Pardiwala
(d) Justice Bhatt
12. Which article of the Constitution of India supports
the basis of live streaming of the Court proceedings? 14. Justice Chandachud has become the _______ Chief
(a) Article 21 Justice of India?
(b) Article 14 (a) 48th
(c) Article 19 (b) 49th
(d) Article 25 (c) 50th
(d) 51st
10
15. In which of the following cases the Supreme Court (b) Sunil Batra v. Administration of Delhi
had decided in favour of live-streaming the (c) Kapil Sibal v. Union of India
proceedings at the top court? (d) Justice Pattaswamy v. Union of India
(a) Swapnil Tripathi v. Supreme Court of India
11. (b) Gujarat High Court was the first high court to the hearing in his courtroom by announcing,
livestream court proceedings followed by “We are virtual”.
Karnataka high court. 14. (c) Justice Dhananjaya Yashwant Chandrachud was
12. (a) It was decided that the right to access justice sworn in as the 50th Chief Justice of India on
under Article 21 (Protection of Life and Personal November 9, 2022. He will serve as the CJI for
Liberty) of the Constitution includes the live two years.
streaming of court hearings. 15. (a) In the case of Swapnil Tripathi v. Supreme Court
13. (a) Justice Chandrachud, the Chairperson of the of India (2018), the Supreme Court had decided
Supreme Court’s E-committee and the driving in favour of live-streaming the proceedings at
force behind the live streaming initiative, began the top court.
NORDIC MODEL OF SOCIAL DEMOCRACY AND RECENT SWEDEN

ELECTIONS
News
Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson resigned last week after her government narrowly lost the general
elections. Andersson’s Swedish Social Democratic Party, which has been in power since 2014, was edged out by the
right-wing Opposition which rode a strong wave of support for the Sweden Democrats (SD), an ultra-nationalist, far-
right party which traces its origins to neo-Nazi groups of the 1980s.
 While Andersson’s party secured 30% of the vote, her centre-left coalition could muster only 173 seats, three less
than the Opposition’s 176 in a 349-member Parliament where 175 is needed for majority.
 The 2022 elections are a watershed moment for the country: for the first time an ultra-nationalist, anti-immigrant
party would be in a position to influence Sweden’s public policy as part of the ruling coalition.
 Before the elections, Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson was the Opposition’s candidate for Prime Minister, with
none of the other coalition members keen on having the SD as part of the government.
 But with the SD emerging as the largest member of the bloc, there are likely to be protracted negotiations over
government formation — a process that took four months in 2018.
 While Mr. Kristersson is still likely to be the next Prime Minister, it remains to be seen whether the SD, as
kingmakers, would be agreeable to staying out of the government.
Nordic Model of Democracy
The standards used in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland are referred to as the "Nordic model." These
countries are well renowned for their high living standards and low income disparity.
The system combines social welfare and free-market capitalism in a singular way.
The free market is a form of economics that is based on supply and demand.
Taxpayers contribute to the cost of social benefits, which are managed by the state for the good of all residents.
It is a mixed economic system that reduces the gap between the rich and the poor through redistributive taxation and
a robust public sector while preserving the benefits of capitalism.
Gender equality is a hallmark trait of the culture that results in not only a high degree of workplace participation by
women but also a high level of parental engagement by men.
What Makes the Nordic Model Work
Much of its success is attributed to societal growth as well as shared history.
The history of this region of the world is generally one of family-driven agriculture, unlike regions that grew on the
formation of massive corporate-owned farms.
The end consequence is a country full of tiny, independent businesses run by people who share the same difficulties.
All members of society are likely to profit from solutions that help one individual.
11
Because the government is run by citizens who want to develop policies that are advantageous to all, this collective
mentality leads in a populace that has faith in it.
Due to the excellent quality of publicly financed services like healthcare and education, private businesses are not
motivated to provide them or have any room to make them better. This way of thinking persisted as capitalism
expanded.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantage
Social mobility and equality are products of the Nordic model.
Everyone enjoys free access to respectable public services, such as some of the greatest healthcare and education in the
world, and people are content to pay taxes to maintain this situation.
These group advantages are combined with entrepreneurship to produce a successful fusion of capitalism and socialism
(Cuddly Capitalism).
Disadvantage
The model is criticised because it has high taxes, extensive government involvement, and relatively low GDP and
productivity, all of which constrain economic growth.
The Nordic model redistributes wealth, restricts the amount of money available for individual consumption and
expenditure, and promotes reliance on publicly funded initiatives.
Challenges to the Nordic Model

Aging Populations:
The optimum situation for an ageing population is one with a big base of young taxpayers and a small number of elderly
people who need services. Benefit cuts are a foreseeable result as the population balance swings the other way.
Immigration:
The optimum situation for an ageing population is one with a big base of young taxpayers and a small number of elderly
people who need services. Benefit cuts are a foreseeable result as the population balance swings the other way.
16. What is the total strength of the Sweden’s (c) 22

parliament? (d) 25
(a) 349 members
(b) 328 members 19. Which country has topped the Global Gender Gap
(c) 309 members Index in 2022?
(d) 208 members (a) Sweden
(b) Iceland
17. Who among the following is the Prime Minister of (c) Finland
Sweden? (d) Denmark
(a) Ulf Kristersson
(b) Ebba Busch 20. Sweden was the first country in the world to
(c) Magdalena Andersson establish the Office of the Parliamentary
(d) Jessika Roswall Ombudsmen in which year?
(a) 1809
18. How many ministers including the Prime Minister (b) 1821
does the Sweden’s Government consists of? (c) 1848
(a) 18 (d) 1899
(b) 20
16. (a) While Andersson’s party secured 30% of the 17. (a) As of 2022, the Prime Minister of Sweden is Ulf
vote, her centre-left coalition could muster only Kristersson, leader of the Moderate Party.
173 seats, three less than the Opposition’s 176 in 18. (c) The Government governs Sweden and is the
a 349-member Parliament where 175 is needed driving force in the process of legislative change,
for majority. thereby influencing the development of our
12
society. The Government consists of a prime divided between the Riksdag and the King. The
minister and 21 ministers. courts and public authorities were granted an
19. (b) Iceland has retained its position as the world's independent status. Sweden was also the first
most gender-equal country, among 146 nations country in the world to establish the Office of
on the index. the Parliamentary Ombudsmen in 1809.
20. (a) In 1809 a new constitution was adopted in
Sweden. It set out how the power was to be
SC’S REFERENCE ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND HISTORY OF

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
News
The Supreme Court on Monday referred to a Constitution Bench the question of how to provide accused in death
penalty cases a “meaningful, real and effective” hearing of their mitigating circumstances before a trial judge.
A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India U.U. Lalit said the presentation of mitigating factors by an accused to
avoid the “extreme penalty of death” was a “valuable right”.
What does the law say on sentencing

The issue arises from the legal requirement that whenever a court records a conviction, it has to hold a separate hearing
on the quantum of sentence.
Section 235 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) says that after hearing arguments, the judge shall give a judgment;
and, “if the accused is convicted, the judge shall hear the accused on the question of sentence and then pass sentence”.
This process gains significance if the conviction is for an offence that entails either death or life imprisonment.
Section 354(3) says that when an offence is punishable with death or imprisonment for life, the judgment shall state the
reasons for the sentence awarded, and if the sentence is death, “special reasons” for the sentence.
Taken together, these provisions would mean that the sentencing hearing following the conviction of a person for a
capital offence is a matter of great importance, as it would decide if the death penalty should be imposed or a life term
will be sufficient.
This would necessarily entail an inquiry into the nature and gravity of the offence and the circumstances in which it
took place. Ever since the Supreme Court, in Bachan Singh vs State of Punjab (1980) laid down that the death penalty
can be awarded only in the ‘rarest of rare cases’, the nature of the sentencing hearing has undergone a transformation.
Besides the gravity of the crime, the circumstances of the accused also came to be examined to determine the suitability
of the death penalty in a given case. Trial courts were required to balance ‘aggravating circumstances’ and ‘mitigating
circumstances’ to decide the sentence.
What have courts said about the process?

The Supreme Court noted in Bachan Singh that Section 235 is based on a recommendation in the 48th Report of the
Law Commission, which had said that one of the deficiencies in sentencing policy was the lack of comprehensive
information about the characteristics and background of the offender.
The Commission had also suggested that gathering evidence related to the circumstances relevant to sentencing should
be encouraged.
Given this background, the Supreme Court said the trial court, while deciding the sentence, “should not confine its
consideration ‘principally’ or merely to the circumstances connected with [a] particular crime, but also give due
consideration to the circumstances of the criminal.” In a series of judgments, the Supreme Court has advocated that the
sentencing hearing be done separately, that is, at a future date after conviction. “We think as a general rule the trial
courts should after recording the conviction adjourn the matter to a future date and call upon both the prosecution as
13
well as the defence to place the relevant material bearing on the question of sentence before it,” it said in a 1989
judgment.
Opinions on this issue have emphasised the need for a separate hearing for sentencing, as well as the need for an
effective opportunity to the accused to place mitigating factors before the court. However, in a contradiction of sorts,
several judgments have upheld the practice of ‘same-day’ sentencing. Such a practice does not vitiate the sentence, the
courts have ruled.
21. In which of the following cases did the Supreme (d) 1951
Court held that the Death Penalty should be given
only in rarest of rare cases? 24. Which section of the CrPC states that when an
(a) Bachan Singh vs State of Punjab offence is punishable with death or imprisonment
(b) State of Orissa v. Ram Bahadur Thapa for life, the judgment shall state the reasons for the
(c) K.M. Nanavati v. the State of Maharashtra sentence awarded, and if the sentence is death,
(d) N.S. Jain v. the State “special reasons” for the sentence?
(a) Section 235
22. Constitution bench means which of the following?
(b) Section 354
(a) Single Judge Bench
(c) Section 389
(b) Division Judge Bench
(d) Section 411
(c) Three Judge Bench
(d) Five of more Judge Bench
25. The newly formed Law Commission of India is
23. Supreme Court of India came into existence in which headed by who among the following?
of the following years? (a) Retd. Justice Rituraj Awasthi
(a) 1947 (b) Retd. Justice UU Lalit
(b) 1950 (c) Retd. Justice RC Lahoti
(c) 1949 (d) Retd. Justice HL Dattu
21. (a) Ever since the Supreme Court, in Bachan Singh 24. (b) Section 354(3) says that when an offence is
vs State of Punjab (1980) laid down that the punishable with death or imprisonment for life,
death penalty can be awarded only in the ‘rarest the judgment shall state the reasons for the
of rare cases’, the nature of the sentencing sentence awarded, and if the sentence is death,
hearing has undergone a transformation. “special reasons” for the sentence
22. (d) A Constitution Bench is a bench of the Supreme 25. (a) The Centre has established the Law Commission
Court having five or more judges on it. of India, which will be led by Justice (retd)
23. (b) Supreme Court of India came into existence on Rituraj Awasthi, former Chief Justice of the
26th January, 1950 and is located on Tilak Marg, Karnataka High Court.
New Delhi.
INDIA-MADE SYRUPS AND DEATHS IN GAMBIA AND ROLE OF

WHO
News
The World Health Organization (WHO) determined that tainted cough and cold syrups produced by Maiden
Pharmaceutical Ltd. in New Delhi were to blame for the deaths of dozens of young children in The Gambia. The WHO
Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made this announcement following the study of numerous medicinal
syrups suspected of being responsible for 66 infant deaths in the tiny nation of The Gambia in West Africa.
Indian Cough Syrups and Deaths in The Gambia

The WHO requested that regulators take Maiden Pharma products off the market in a medical product alert.
Promethazine oral solution, Makoff Baby cough syrup, Kofexmalin Baby cough syrup, and Magrip N Cold syrup are the
four products covered by the alert.
14
Unacceptable levels of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, which can be poisonous and result in acute kidney
impairment, were found in the lab study.
Maiden Pharma was previously blacklisted by the Bihar State Health Department in 2011 after six batches of two of its
medications were discovered to be of subpar quality.
panel of four people to look at deaths in The Gambia
A four-person team has been assembled by the Centre to review the comprehensive report that the WHO has shared.
Dr. Y. K. Gupta, vice chair of the Standing National Committee on Medicines, will serve as the panel's chair.
What happened in The Gambia?

At the end of July, the country’s Epidemiology and Disease Control Department was informed of a “sudden” increase in
cases of children ages 5 months-4 years reporting to hospital with acute kidney injury. By August, 32 cases and 28 deaths
had been reported — a case fatality ratio at 87.5 per cent — local media quoted the Ministry of Health as saying.
In a press release issued in early August, the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, the biggest in the country, said:
“There is a rare condition currently under observation in paediatric outpatient. Samples were collected from the affected
children and awaiting results from the lab. Our doctors are working very hard to establish the cause of the condition.”
In September, The Gambia reported the four syrups, used for fever, cough, and allergic cold, to the WHO. In its alert,
the WHO said laboratory analysis of samples of each of these products had confirmed the presence of “unacceptable
amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants”.
The Gambia initiated a nationwide recall of the syrups on October 5, beginning with three of the worst-affected regions.
What do diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol do?

Both are chemical contaminants that may be present in the solvent that is used in the syrups. It is toxic to humans, and
can result in abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, and altered mental state. It can also
lead to acute kidney injury that may be fatal in children. In 2020, 17 children died in Jammu and Kashmir after
consuming a syrup with high levels of diethylene glycol.
Drug Safety Norms in India for Export

The Indian Pharmacopoeia's safety standards and the exporting nation's regulatory requirements are tested for the first
time at the manufacturer level to ensure compliance. However, the destination countries typically demand that the
countries of origin carefully adhere to the standards set forth by the pharmacopoeia that governs the sale.
 At the point of entrance, certain destination countries conduct internal testing, but it is not required and depends
on the country.
 To export medicines, a manufacturer must obtain authorization from the CDSCO, National Regulatory Authority.
 A drug inspector appointed by the Indian Regulator may gather samples during any stage of manufacturing for
quality inspections at the time a licence is granted. However, it is not required and is not always carried out.
International drug safety norms:

 These are typically nation-specific.
 For standardised preparations of the majority of regularly used medications, the US, Japanese, European, Chinese,
and British Pharmacopoeias serve as reference points.
 Another need is the WHO's prequalification programme, wherein the UN organisation accredits the sale of
medicines and vaccines for UN programmes.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)

 The national regulatory body for cosmetics, drugs, and medical devices in India is called CDSCO. The Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare's Directorate General of Health Services oversees the Central Drugs Standard Control
Organization (CDSCO).
15
 In order to achieve uniformity in the application of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, CDSCO is responsible for the
approval of drugs, the conduct of clinical trials, the establishment of drug standards, the oversight of the quality of
imported drugs into the nation, and the coordination of the activities of State Drug Control Organizations.
 The Department of the CDSCO is led by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
26. Which of the following Indian Pharma Companies is (c) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
involved in the deaths in Gambia? (d) Catherine M. Russell
(a) Maiden Pharma
(b) Cipla 29. Child Deaths have been reported in which of the
(c) Dr. Reddy’s following African Countries due to the tainted cough
(d) Sun Pharma syrup?
(a) Gambia
27. Maiden Pharma was earlier blacklisted by which of (b) Burkina Faso
the following Indian States? (c) Cape Verde
(a) Maharashtra (d) Angola
(b) Gujarat
(c) Bihar 30. The headquarter of WHO is located at which of the
(d) Uttar Pradesh following places?
(a) New York
28. Who is the Director General of WHO? (b) Geneva
(a) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (c) Brussels
(b) António Guterres (d) Nairobi
26. (a) The WHO requested that regulators take infant deaths in the tiny nation of The Gambia
Maiden Pharma products off the market in a in West Africa.
medical product alert. 29. (a) The World Health Organization (WHO)
27. (c) Maiden Pharma was previously blacklisted by determined that tainted cough and cold syrups
the Bihar State Health Department in 2011 after produced by Maiden Pharmaceutical Ltd. in
six batches of two of its medications were New Delhi were to blame for the deaths of
discovered to be of subpar quality. dozens of young children in The Gambia.
28. (a) The WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom 30. (b) The World Health Organisation (WHO) was
Ghebreyesus made this announcement established in 1948 as a specialised agency of the
following the study of numerous medicinal United Nations Organisation (UNO). The
syrups suspected of being responsible for 66 headquarters of WHO is located in Geneva.
MULTI-STATE COOPERATIVES
News
The Union Cabinet has approved the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which seeks to amend
the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur told reporters
in New Delhi after the Cabinet meeting.
 The Bill will incorporate the provisions of the 97th Constitutional Amendment.
 A new Ministry of Cooperation was formed in July 2021 with an objective to provide renewed impetus to the growth
of Cooperative Sector.
Changes introduced by the Government
 The amendments have been introduced to improve governance, reform the electoral process, strengthen
monitoring mechanisms and enhance transparency and accountability.
 The Bill also seeks to improve the composition of board and ensure financial discipline, besides enabling the raising
of funds in the multi-state cooperative societies.
 To make the governance of multi-state cooperative societies more democratic, transparent and accountable, the
bill has provisions for setting up of Cooperative Election Authority, Cooperative Information Officer and
Cooperative Ombudsman.
16
 The amendments seek to improve ease of doing business, bringing greater transparency and enhance governance.
 It has included provisions relating to representation of women and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe members on
the board of multi-state cooperative societies.
 The amendments have been brought to reform the electoral process, strengthen monitoring mechanisms and
enhance accountability.
 It will also widen the composition of board and ensure financial discipline, besides enabling the multi-state
cooperative societies to raise fund.
Key Points of MSCS Act, 2002
Societies with members and regions of operation dispersed throughout multiple states include those for milk and sugar,
banks, milk unions, and so forth.
For instance, the majority of sugar mills in the areas near the border between Karnataka and Maharashtra get their cane
from both states.
These cooperative societies are most prevalent in Maharashtra, where there are 567 of them, followed by Uttar Pradesh
(147), and New Delhi (133).
To regulate these cooperatives, the MSCS Act was passed.
Constitutional Provisions
 With relation to the cooperatives operating in India, a new Part IXB was added by the Constitution (97th
Amendment) Act, 2011.
 Article 19(1)(c) of Part III of the Constitution was amended to include the phrase "cooperatives" after the words
"unions and associations."
 By elevating it to the level of a fundamental right of citizens, this permits all citizens to establish cooperatives.
 The Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) now includes a new Article 43B titled "Promotion of Cooperative
Societies."
 The Supreme Court invalidated some parts of the 97th Amendment Act, 2011, in July 2021.
 Part IX B (Articles 243ZH to 243ZT), in the words of the SC, has "significantly and considerably impacted" the
"exclusive legislative power" of State legislatures over their co-operative sector.
 Additionally, the 97th Amendment's contents were approved by Parliament without receiving the constitutionally
required ratification of State legislatures.
 The SC ruled that states have sole authority to enact laws on matters that are strictly their responsibility
(cooperatives are a part of State list).
 According to Article 368, the 97th Constitutional Amendment has to be approved by at least half of the state
legislatures.
 The 97th amendment was potentially invalidated since the ratification process was not completed in that case.
 The constitutionality of the Part IX B regulations relating to Multi State Cooperative Societies was affirmed (MSCS).
 It said that the Union of India would have legislative authority over MSCS with objectives that were not restricted
to a single state.
31. In which year Multi State Cooperative Societies (b) Rajasthan

(MSCS) Act, was passed in India? (c) Karnataka
(a) 1999 (d) Tamil Nadu
(b) 2000
(c) 2001 34. Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment)
(d) 2002 Bill, 2022 will incorporate the provision of which of
the following Constitutional Amendments?
32. The word “cooperatives” was added after “unions (a) 93rd
and associations” in which of the (b) 97th
following Article of the Constitution. (c) 99th
(a) Article 21 (d) 103rd
(b) Article 04 35. Ministry of Cooperation was formed in which of the
(c) Article 19 following years?
(d) Article 02 (a) 2019
33. Which of the following States has the highest (b) 2020
number of Cooperative Society in India? (c) 2021
(a) Maharashtra (d) 2022
17
31. (d) The Multi State Cooperative Societies Bill was Pradesh (147) and New Delhi (133). The MSCS
introduced in the Parliament. The bill having Act was passed to govern such cooperatives.
been passed by both the Houses of Parliament 34. (b) The Union Cabinet has approved the Multi-
received the assent of the President on 3rd July State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill,
2002 and it came on the Statute Book as The 2022, which seeks to amend the Multi-State
Multi State Cooperative Societies ACT 2002 (39 Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, Information
of 2002). and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur told
32. (c) The word “cooperatives” was added after reporters in New Delhi after the Cabinet
“unions and associations” in Article 19(1)(c) meeting. The Bill will incorporate the provisions
under Part III of the Constitution. This enables of the 97th Constitutional Amendment.
all the citizens to form cooperatives by giving it 35. (c) A new Ministry of Cooperation was formed in
the status of fundamental right of citizens. July 2021 with an objective to provide renewed
33. (a) Maharashtra has the highest number of such impetus to the growth of Cooperative Sector.
cooperative societies at 567, followed by Uttar
OPEC+ CUTS OIL PRODUCTION AND ALL ABOUT OPEC

News
On October 4, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, known as OPEC+ slashed oil
production output by 2 million barrels per day (bpd), boosting crude oil futures. As per reports, on the next day, the
November crude oil futures on WTI were at $87.89, up by 0.15%, while December Brent oil futures were at $93.49, up
by 0.13%.
o While Saudi Arabia – one of the founding members of OPEC — claimed that the output cut (equal to 2% of global
supply) was prompted by the weakening global economy and interest rate hikes in some western countries, U.S and
its NATO allies have accused the group of ‘colluding with Russia’.
About OPEC
Founded in 1960, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) initially comprised of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait,
Saudi Arabia and Venezuela as its founding members to ‘unify and co-ordinate its member nations’ petroleum policies
in order to secure regular supply of petroleum to consumers and a fair return to investors’.
Countries like Qatar, Indonesia, Libya, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Algeria (1969), Nigeria, Ecuador, Gabon,
Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Congo later joined the group. However, Ecuador, Indonesia and Qatar suspended their
membership in 2020, 2016 and 2019 respectively – reducing the strength to thirteen countries currently.
In 2016, OPEC+ was created with the OPEC member nations allying with ten other oil-producing countries Russia,
Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, South Sudan and Sudan – inflating the group’s
strength to twenty-three.
While the OPEC Statute states that ‘any country with a substantial net export of crude petroleum, which has
fundamentally similar interests to those of Member Countries may be admitted under special conditions’, the
formation of the OPEC+ group was seen as a response to protect their interests amid the rise of the U.S. shale
industry.
OPEC countries effectively controls more than 79% of the world’s crude supplies, regulating oil prices as per their
interests.
Reasons for Slashing Prices

 OPEC+ decided to reduce oil output by 2 million bpd starting in November at its first face-to-face meeting since
the COVID-19 outbreak began, citing the "uncertainty that surrounds the global economic and oil market outlooks."
The actual reduction would be between 1.0 and 1.1 million bpd due to sanctions on OPEC members like Russia,
Venezuela, and Iran as well as production issues in Nigeria and Angola.
18
 For nations that purchase their oil using US dollars, the higher oil prices may result in higher inflation and living
expenses. The United States, which is set to hold midterm elections in November, will be severely impacted by this
output decline, which would cause inflation to spike and lower US President Joe Biden's already dismal support
ratings.
 To reduce Moscow's ability to pay the war in Ukraine, the US raised interest rates and pursued three-phased
penalties on Russian oil. According to the G7's strategy, the first round of sanctions will be aimed at Russian crude
oil, the second at diesel, and the third at lower-value goods like naphtha.
 Facing global condemnation for its invasion of Ukraine and heavy economic sanctions, Russia has already
‘indefinitely closed’ Nord Stream 1, an underwater gas pipeline, after leaks were noticed in a stretch of pipe near the
Island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea.
 This pipeline supplied European states with 25% of their total Russian gas imports. Russia, which supplies European
Union (EU) countries with 40% of their natural gas, has been steadily reducing its supplies since the EU levied
heavy economic sanctions on Moscow.
 While the EU has claimed the pipeline was sabotaged, Russia has denied responsibility.
 With oil prices soaring in European nations and US tackling rising inflation, the OPEC+ oil production cut helps
Russia tackle NATO. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hailed the move as “balanced, thoughtful way to oppose
the actions of the US. This at least balances the mayhem that the Americans are causing”.
Impact on India
India – which imports over 85% of its crude oil consumption — is confident of navigating the spikes in energy prices
due to the oil output cut. While India and many other nations were expecting a one million barrel per day cut in
supply, the 2 million bpd cut has taken large parts of the world by surprise.
36. OPEC was formed in which of the following years? (c) 70%
(a) 1960 (d) 80%
(b) 1972
(c) 1988 39. OPEC Secretariat is located in which of the following
(d) 1991 countries?
(a) Saudi Arabia
37. How many members does OPEC+ has in total? (b) Vienna
(a) 13 (c) Russia
(b) 19 (d) Sudan
(c) 23
(d) 30 40. India imports how much percentage of its crude oil
consumption?
38. OPEC Countries control effectively how much (a) 50%
control over the world’s proven oil reserves? (b) 60%
(a) 55% (c) 85%
(b) 60% (d) 100%
36. (a) Founded in 1960, the Organization of Petroleum 37. (c) In 2016, OPEC+ was created with the OPEC
Exporting Countries (OPEC) initially comprised member nations allying with ten other oil-
of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and producing countries Russia, Azerbaijan,
Venezuela as its founding members to ‘unify and Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico,
co-ordinate its member nations’ petroleum Oman, South Sudan and Sudan – inflating the
policies in order to secure regular supply of group’s strength to twenty-three.
petroleum to consumers and a fair return to 38. (d) According to current estimates, 80.4% (1,241.82
investors’. billion barrels) of the world's proven oil reserves
are located in OPEC Member Countries, with
19
the bulk of OPEC oil reserves in the Middle East, 40. (c) India – which imports over 85% of its crude oil
amounting to 67.1% of the OPEC total. consumption — is confident of navigating the
39. (b) The OPEC Secretariat is the executive organ of spikes in energy prices due to the oil output cut.
the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting While India and many other nations were
Countries (OPEC). Located in Vienna, it also expecting a one million barrel per day cut in
functions as the Headquarters of the supply, the 2 million bpd cut has taken large
Organization, in accordance with the provisions parts of the world by surprise.
of the OPEC Statute.
50TH CJI AND APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES HISTORY

News
 President Droupadi Murmu appointed Justice Dhanajaya Yeshwant Chandrachud as the 50th Chief Justice of
India (CJI), Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said on October 17.
 Justice Chandrachud will take oath on November 9, a day after incumbent CJI Justice Uday Umesh Lalit demits
office on attaining the age of 65. Justice Chandrachud will have a relatively longer tenure of two years and is due
to retire on 10th November, 2024.
 Before his appointment to the top court, Justice Chandrachud served as the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court
from October 31, 2013. He also served as a Judge of the Bombay High Court from March 2000 to October 2013.
Qualification to become CJI

 According to paragraph (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution, the President appoints the Chief Justice of India
(CJI) and the judges of the Supreme Court (SC).
 The outgoing CJI proposes his successor as far as the CJI is concerned.
 The Union Law Minister informs the Prime Minister of the recommendation, who then consults the President.
 The Supreme Court ruled in the Second Judges Case (1993) that the CJI position should only be filled by the senior
Supreme Court judge.
 Four additional senior judges of the court make up the SC collegium, which is led by the CJI.
 The collegium system, which was developed through decisions of the SC (Judges Cases), not by an Act of
Parliament or a Constitutional provision, is the procedure for the appointment and transfer of judges.
 The Chief Justice of India must be an Indian national.
 He or she should be, in the President's opinion, a prominent jurist, have served for at least five years as a judge of
a High Court or of two or more such Courts in succession, or have served for at least ten years as an advocate of a
High Court or of two or more such Courts in succession.
Removal
 Only once the President has received a letter from Parliament may he or she be dismissed by executive order.
 A special majority of each House of Parliament should endorse this (i.e., by a majority of the total membership of
that House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting).
 Reasons for Removal: misbehaviour or incapacity that was proven (Article 124(4)).
About Collegium System

It is the system of appointment and transfer of judges that has evolved through judgments of the Supreme Court (SC),
and not by an Act of Parliament or by a provision of the Constitution.
Evolution of the System:

First Judges Case (1981):
It declared that the “primacy” of the CJI’s (Chief Justice of India) recommendation on judicial appointments and
transfers can be refused for “cogent reasons.”
The ruling gave the Executive primacy over the Judiciary in judicial appointments for the next 12 years.
Second Judges Case (1993):

SC introduced the Collegium system, holding that “consultation” really meant “concurrence”.
It added that it was not the CJI’s individual opinion, but an institutional opinion formed in consultation with the two
senior-most judges in the SC.
20
Third Judges Case (1998):
SC on the President's reference (Article 143) expanded the Collegium to a five-member body, comprising the CJI and
four of his senior-most colleagues.
The SC collegium is headed by the CJI (Chief Justice of India) and comprises four other senior most judges of the
court.
Judges of the higher judiciary are appointed only through the collegium system and the government has a role only
after names have been decided by the collegium.
Procedures for Judicial Appointments:

For CJI:
The President of India appoints the CJI and the other SC judges.
As far as the CJI is concerned, the outgoing CJI recommends his successor.
In practice, it has been strictly by seniority ever since the supersession controversy of the 1970s.
For SC Judges:
For other judges of the SC, the proposal is initiated by the CJI.
The CJI consults the rest of the Collegium members, as well as the senior-most judge of the court hailing from the
High Court to which the recommended person belongs.
The consultees must record their opinions in writing and it should form part of the file.
The Collegium sends the recommendation to the Law Minister, who forwards it to the Prime Minister to advise the
President.
For Chief Justice of High Courts:

The Chief Justice of the High Court is appointed as per the policy of having Chief Justices from outside the respective
States.
The Collegium takes the call on the elevation.
High Court judges are recommended by a Collegium comprising the CJI and two senior-most judges.
The proposal, however, is initiated by the outgoing Chief Justice of the High Court concerned in consultation with
two senior-most colleagues.
The recommendation is sent to the Chief Minister, who advises the Governor to send the proposal to the Union Law
Minister.
41. Who among the following is the Law Minister of (b) Madras High Court
India? (c) Allahabad High Court
(a) Kiren Rejiju (d) Delhi High Court
(b) Ashwini Vaishnaw
(c) Ravi Shankar Prasad 44. Procedure of Removal of a Judge is provided under
(d) D. V. Sadananda Gowda which of the following articles of the Constitution of
India?
42. First Judges Case was held in which of the following (a) Article 124
years? (b) Article 127
(a) 1981 (c) Article 132
(b) 1989 (d) Article 141
(c) 1993
(d) 1993 45. How many members does a Supreme Court
Collegium Consists of?
43. Before his appointment to the Supreme Court, (a) 3
Justice Chandrachud served as Chief Justice of which (b) 4
High Court? (c) 5
(a) Bombay High Court (d) 6
21
41. (a) President Droupadi Murmu appointed Justice Allahabad High Court from October 31, 2013.
Dhanajaya Yeshwant Chandrachud as the 50th He also served as a Judge of the Bombay High
Chief Justice of India (CJI), Union Law Minister Court from March 2000 to October 2013.
Kiren Rijiju said on October 17. 44. (a) Reasons for Removal: misbehaviour or
42. (a) First Judges Case (1981): incapacity that was proven (Article 124(4)).
It declared that the “primacy” of the CJI’s (Chief 45. (c) The SC collegium is headed by the CJI (Chief
Justice of India) recommendation on judicial Justice of India) and comprises four other
appointments and transfers can be refused for senior most judges of the court.
“cogent reasons.” Judges of the higher judiciary are appointed
The ruling gave the Executive primacy over the only through the collegium system and the
Judiciary in judicial appointments for the next government has a role only after names have
12 years. been decided by the collegium.
43. (c) Before his appointment to the top court, Justice
Chandrachud served as the Chief Justice of
SAPTA KOSI HIGH DAM PROJECT

News
India and Nepal have decided to move the Sapta Kosi high dam project forward with additional research. Senior
officials from the two countries met and discussed their collaboration in the water sector, especially the Mahakali
Treaty's implementation.
About Sapta Kosi High Dam Project

 On Nepal's Saptakoshi River (Known as Kosi River in India), a multifunctional project called the Sapta Kosi High
Dam is being considered.
 The project's main goals are to produce hydropower and regulate floods in northern Bihar and the southeast of
Nepal.
 The project will produce 3,000 MW of energy, provide irrigation, and prevent flooding.
About Mahakali Treaty

The Pancheshwar Project, Sarada Barrage, and Tanakpur Barrage are all included in the 1996 Mahakali Treaty, which
governs the coordinated development of the Mahakali River.
In Uttarakhand, the Mahakali River is also referred to as Sharda River or Kali Ganga. It merges with the Ganga
tributary Ghagra river in Uttar Pradesh.
About Kosi River System

 A transnational river called the Kosi crosses Tibet, Nepal, and India.
 Its source, which contains the highest upland in the world, is in Tibet. From there, it drains a sizable portion of
Nepal before emerging onto the Gangetic plains.
 The Sun Kosi, Arun, and Tamur, its three main tributaries, come together slightly upstream of a 10-kilometer
gorge carved by the Himalayan foothills.
 Before joining the Ganges near Kursela in the Katihar district, the river enters northern Bihar, India, where it
divides into distributaries.
 After the Brahmaputra in India, the Kosi transports the most sand and silt.
 It is also known as the "Sorrow of Bihar" because the yearly floods disrupt the rural economy by affecting around
21,000 sq. km. of fertile agricultural regions.
Recent Developments in India Nepal Relations
Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT):

The Government of Nepal and Sutlej Jal Vikas Nigam (SJVN) Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
in 2008 for the project's execution on a Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis for a period of 30 years,
including five years of the construction period.
22
Hydropower Projects:
Additionally, Nepal asked Indian businesses to contribute to its West Seti hydropower project.
Cross-border Rail Link:

The 35-kilometer cross-border train link between Jayanagar, Bihar, and Kurtha, Nepal, would be operationalized
before being expanded to Bijalpura and Bardibas (Nepal).
46. Mahakali Treaty was singned in which of the (d) China

following years?
(a) 1996 49. The Government of Nepal and Sutlej Jal Vikas Nigam
(b) 1998 (SJVN) Limited signed a Memorandum of
(c) 1999 Understanding (MoU) in ______ for the project's
(d) 2001 execution on a Build Own Operate and Transfer
(BOOT) basis for a period of 30 years, including five
47. Mahakali River is also known as which of the years of the construction period.
following in Uttrakhand? (a) 2005
(a) Sharda River (b) 2006
(b) Amba River (c) 2008
(c) Saraswati River (d) 2010
(d) Durga River
50. Kosi River is known as sorrow of which of the
48. Which of the following is the source of the river following States in India?
Kosi? (a) Uttar Pradesh
(a) Tibet (b) Bihar
(b) India (c) Uttarakhand
(c) Nepal (d) Himachal Pradesh
46. (a) The Mahakali Treaty was signed in 1996 over Nepal before emerging onto the Gangetic
the integrated development of the Mahakali plains.
River, including Sarada Barrage, Tanakpur 49. (c) The Government of Nepal and Sutlej Jal Vikas
Barrage and Pancheshwar project. Nigam (SJVN) Limited signed a Memorandum
47. (d) Mahakali River is also known as Sharda River or of Understanding (MoU) in 2008 for the
Kali Ganga in Uttarakhand. It joins Ghagra project's execution on a Build Own Operate
river in Uttar Pradesh, which is a tributary of and Transfer (BOOT) basis for a period of 30
Ganga. years, including five years of the construction
48. (a) A transnational river called the Kosi crosses period.
Tibet, Nepal, and India. Its source, which 50. (b) It is also known as the "Sorrow of Bihar"
contains the highest upland in the world, is in because the yearly floods disrupt the rural
Tibet. From there, it drains a sizable portion of economy by affecting around 21,000 sq. km. of
fertile agricultural regions.
DRAFT INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATION BILL 2022

News
The Department of Telecom has released the draft Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022 — aimed at reforming
existing telecom laws and regulations, and making them 'future ready' — for public comment. A look at what the Bill
underlines.
About the Policy

The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and The Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Protection)
Act, 1950 are all combined into one draught bill to oversee the telecommunications industry.
23
 The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which is responsible for giving new licences to service
providers, has some important powers and responsibilities that the DoT has also sought to weaken.
 Internet-based and over-the-top (OTT) communication services including WhatsApp calls, Facetime, Google
Meet, and others have been categorised as telecom services by the government.
 It was a long-standing demand of the telecom industry to level the playing field. OTT platforms do not currently
require a licence to provide services, but telecom firms must.
 Additionally, OTTs and internet-based communications would need a licence to provide services if they were
included in the scope of telecom services.
 The telecom ministry has proposed a provision for refund of fees in case a telecom or internet provider surrenders
his license.
The government may defer payment of such amounts, convert some or all of the payable amounts into shares, write off
the payable amounts, or grant relief from payment in the event of payment default and in extraordinary circumstances,
such as financial stress, consumer interest, maintaining competition in the sector, or reliability and continued supply
of telecommunication services.
The Central Government may take any additional actions that may be required, including permitting the licensee or
assignee to continue using the spectrum, in the event that the organisation to which the spectrum has been assigned
becomes insolvent.
Telecommunication Development Fund:

 The Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) would then be renamed the Telecommunication Development Fund
(TDF).
 The USO fund is produced by the telecom service providers' yearly revenue. The Consolidated Fund of India will
first receive credit for any funds received for the TDF.
 The money will be used to improve connection in underserved urban, rural, and remote locations. Additionally, it
will promote the launch of new communications services, talent development, and research and development of
new telecommunication services.
Present status of the Telecom Industry in India

 With 1.17 billion subscribers as of 2022, India has the second-largest telecom industry globally. The overall
teledensity in India is 85.11 percent.
 The industry's rapid expansion over the past few years has been primarily fueled by low prices, increased
accessibility, the introduction of Mobile Number Portability (MNP), expanding 3G and 4G coverage, and changing
subscriber usage patterns.
 The third-largest industry in terms of FDI inflows, the telecom sector supports 2.2 million jobs directly and
indirectly and accounts for 6.44 percent of all FDI inflows.
 The amount of FDI entering the telecom sector between 2014 and 2021 increased by 150% to USD 20.72 billion from
USD 8.32 billion between 2002 and 2014.
 Under the automatic method, all foreign direct investment (FDI) has since been permitted in the telecom industry.
 By 2025, India is predicted to have 920 million distinct mobile users, 88 million 5G connections, and approximately
1 billion installed smartphones, making it the second-largest smartphone market in the world.
Over-The-Top Platforms (OTT)

 OTT, or over-the-top, platforms are companies that host and stream audio and video content. Examples include
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar, etc. These companies initially served as content hosting platforms but
soon expanded to produce and release their own web series, feature films, documentaries, and short films.
 These platforms provide a variety of content and using artificial intelligence (AI) to recommend users stuff based
on their prior platform usage.
 Most OTT platforms often charge a monthly subscription fee for premium material that is typically not available
elsewhere while offering other content for free.
24
51. Who among the following is the Telecom Minister (c) Third
of India? (d) Fourth
(a) Ashwini Vaishnaw
(b) Ravi Shankar Prasad 54. The Telecom Industry ranks at which position with
(c) Kiran Rijuju respects to the FDI inflow in the country?
(d) Piyush Goyal (a) First
(b) Second
52. Telegraph Act was passed in which of the following (c) Third
Years? (d) Fourth
(a) 1979
(b) 1984 55. According to an estimate India will become the
(c) 1990 largest market of Smartphones by which of the
(d) 1991 following years?
(a) 2023
53. India ranks at which position with respect to the (b) 2025
number of telecom users in the world? (c) 2028
(a) First (d) 2030
(b) Second
51. (a) Ashwini Vaishnaw is the Telecom Minister of 54. (c) The third-largest industry in terms of FDI
India. inflows, the telecom sector supports 2.2 million
52. (b) The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, Indian Wireless jobs directly and indirectly and accounts for 6.44
Telegraphy Act, 1933, and The Telegraph Wires percent of all FDI inflows.
(Unlawful Protection) Act, 1950 are all 55. (b) By 2025, India is predicted to have 920 million
combined into one draught bill to oversee the distinct mobile users, 88 million 5G
telecommunications industry. connections, and approximately 1 billion
53. (b) With 1.17 billion subscribers as of 2022, India has installed smartphones, making it the second-
the second-largest telecom industry globally. largest smartphone market in the world.
The overall teledensity in India is 85.11 percent.
ABORTION RIGHTS FOR SINGLE WOMEN

News
In a significant ruling on reproductive rights, the Supreme Court Thursday extended the right to safe and legal abortion
up to 24 weeks of pregnancy to unmarried and single women, saying it is the “right of every woman to make reproductive
choices without undue interference from the State”.
About the Ruling

Ruled over an Old Law:
o The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971, which prohibits unmarried women from ending pregnancies up
to 24 weeks, has been overturned by this court. This law has been in effect for 51 years.
 Unmarried women who are 20 to 24 weeks pregnant are not permitted to have an abortion with the assistance of
licenced medical professionals under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1971 and its Rules of 2003.
 The MTP Act underwent its most recent modification in 2021.
Right to Choose under Article 21:

 According to the court, an unmarried woman has the same freedom of choice regarding having children as a married
woman regarding her reproductive autonomy, dignity, and privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Right to Equality under Article 14:

 The right to equality before the law and equal protection was violated by denying access to abortion to single or
unmarried pregnant women with pregnancies between 20 and 24 weeks while allowing married women with the
same term of pregnancy to get care (Article 14).
25
 An unmarried woman who became pregnant might have experienced the same "change in material circumstances"
as a married woman. She might have experienced violence during her pregnancy, been left behind, or been jobless.
Not Constitutionally Sustainable:

 It is constitutionally unjustified to make an artificial division between married and single women.
 Law favours both married and unmarried women equally.
Extended the Ambit of Reproductive RIghts:

 Reproductive rights encompass more than just having or not having children.
 A "constellation of rights, entitlements, and freedoms for women" was included in reproductive rights for women.
 The right to access safe and legal abortion, the right to reproductive health care, and the right to education and
information on contraception and sexual health are all examples of reproductive rights.
Views on Marital Rape:

 To protect a woman's right to reproductive and decisional autonomy, marital rape must be included in the
definition of rape for the MTP Act's exclusive purposes.
India’s Abortion Law
 A woman might receive three years in prison and/or a fine under Section 312 of the Indian Penal Code for having
an abortion prior to the 1960s (IPC).
 The government established the Shantilal Shah Committee in the middle of the 1960s and ordered the panel, led by
Dr. Shantilal Shah, to investigate the issue of abortions and determine whether India needed a law for the same.
 A medical termination law was submitted in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and approved by Parliament in August
1971 based on the Shantilal Shah Committee's report.
 The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, which applied to all of India with the exception of the state
of Jammu & Kashmir, came into force on April 1st, 1972.
 Additionally, Section 312 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, makes intentionally "creating a miscarriage" a crime, even
if the pregnant woman consents to the miscarriage, unless it is done to save the lady's life.
 This implies that the woman herself, as well as anyone else, including a doctor, could face charges for an abortion.
Recent Amendment to Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971

Parliament changed the law in 2021 to permit abortions based on a single doctor's recommendation for pregnancies up
to 20 weeks.
For pregnancies that are 20 to 24 weeks along, the updated rule now requires the advice of two doctors.
Additionally, guidelines outlined seven types of women who would be qualified to request an abortion under section
3B of rules made under the MTP Act for pregnancies between 20 and 24 weeks.
1. Survivors of sexual assault or rape or incest,
2. Minors,
3. Change of marital status during the ongoing pregnancy (widowhood and divorce),
4. Women with physical disabilities (major disability as per criteria laid down under the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities Act, 2016)
5. Mentally ill women including mental retardation,
6. The foetal malformation that has a substantial risk of being incompatible with life or if the child is born it may
suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities to be seriously handicapped, and
7. Women with pregnancy in humanitarian settings or disasters or emergencies may be declared by the Government.
56. According to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy 57. The medical boards are to either accept or reject the
Rule, how many Registered Medical Practitioners proposal for medical termination of pregnancy
are required to give opinion before the termination within how many days of receiving the request?
of Pregnancy in the case of increased gestation (a) 3 days
period? (b) 6 days
(a) One (c) 9 days
(b) Two (d) 12 days
(c) Four
(d) Five
26
58. Medical Termination of Pregnancy is allowed in how (b) 5%
many categories as per the rules? (c) 7%
(a) 5 (d) 11%
(b) 7
(c) 9 60. Which case overturned the landmark judgement of
(d) 10 Roe v. wade earlier this year?
(a) Planned Parenthood v Casey
59. The recent round of the National Family Health (b) Brown v. Board of Education
Survey 2019-2021, shows that how much percentage (c) Marbury v. Madison
of of all pregnancies in India result in abortion? (d) Dred Scott v. Sandford
(a) 3%
(e)
56. (b) In the earlier law, 1 RMP till 12 weeks and two Foetal malformation that has a substantial risk
RMPs till 20 Weeks. Under the New rules, 1 RMP of being incompatible with life or if the child is
till 20 Weeks and 2 RMPs till 20-24 weeks. born, he/ she may suffer
57. (a) The medical boards are to either accept or reject from serious physical or mental abnormalities.
the proposal for medical termination of Women with pregnancy in humanitarian
pregnancy within three days of receiving the settings or disaster or emergency situations.
request. The abortion procedure has to be done 59. (a) The recent round of the National Family Health
with five days of the board receiving the request Survey 2019-2021, shows that 3% of all
for the same. pregnancies in India result in abortion. More
58. (b) The gestational limit for termination of a than half (53%) of abortions in India are
pregnancy has been increased from 20 to 24 performed in the private sector, whereas only
weeks for certain categories of women. The 20% are performed in the public sector — partly
seven specific categories are: because public facilities often lack abortion
Survivors of sexual assault or rape or incest. services. More than a quarter of abortions (27%)
Minors. are performed by the woman herself at home.
Change of marital status during the ongoing 60. (a) The US Supreme Court now, in a 6:3 judgment,
pregnancy (widowhood and divorce). overturned Roe v Wade in a case called 'Planned
Women with physical disabilities. Parenthood v Casey', stating that the
Mentally ill women. Constitution makes no reference to abortion
and no such right is implicitly protected by any
constitutional provision.
EASTERN ECONOMIC FORUM AND ROLE OF INDIA

News
Russia hosted the seventh Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) Vladivostok from September 5 to 8. The four-day forum is a
platform for entrepreneurs to expand their businesses into Russia’s Far East (RFE).
About Eastern Economic Forum

 The EEF was established in 2015 to encourage foreign investments in the RFE.
 The EEF displays the economic potential, suitable business conditions and investment opportunities in the
region.
 Agreements signed at the EEF increased from 217 in 2017 to 380 agreements in 2021, worth 3.6 trillion roubles. As
of 2022, almost 2,729 investment projects are being planned in the region.
 The agreements focus on infrastructure, transportation projects, mineral excavations, construction, industry and
agriculture.
Major Actors in the Forum

China:
 China is the biggest investor in the region as it sees potential in promoting the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative
and the Polar Sea Route in the RFE. China’s investments in the region account for 90% of the total investments.
27
 Russia has been welcoming Chinese investments since 2015; more now than ever due to the economic pressures
caused by the invasion in Ukraine. The Trans-Siberian Railway has further helped Russia and China in advancing
trade ties.
 The countries share a 4000-kilometer-long border, which enables them to tap into each other’s resources with
some infrastructural assistance. China is also looking to develop its Heilongjiang province which connects with
the RFE. China and Russia have invested in a fund to develop northeastern China and the RFE, through
collaborations on connecting the cities of Blagoveshchensk and Heihe via a 1,080 metre bridge, supplying natural
gas, and a rail bridge connecting the cities of Nizhneleninskoye and Tongjiang.
South Korea:
 South Korea has also been gradually increasing its investments in the region. South Korea has invested in
shipbuilding projects, manufacturing of electrical equipment, gas-liquefying plants, agricultural production and
fisheries.
 In 2017, the Export-Import Bank of Korea and the Far East Development Fund announced their intention to inject
$2 billion in the RFE in a span of three years.
Japan:
 Japan is another key trading partner in the Far East. In 2017, Japanese investments through 21 projects amounted to
$16 billion.
 Under Shinzo Abe’s leadership, Japan identified eight areas of economic cooperation and pushed private businesses
to invest in the development of the RFE. Japan seeks to depend on Russian oil and gas resources after the 2011
meltdown in Fukushima which led the government to pull out of nuclear energy.
 Japan also sees a market for its agro-technologies which have the potential to flourish in the RFE, given similar
climatic conditions. However, the momentum of trade that existed with Shinzo Abe was lost with the leadership of
Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida.
 The trade ties between Japan and Russia are hindered by the Kuril Islands dispute as they are claimed by both
countries.
India
 India seeks to expand its influence in the RFE. During the forum, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed the
country’s readiness in expanding trade, connectivity and investments in Russia.
 India is keen to deepen its cooperation in energy, pharmaceuticals, maritime connectivity, healthcare, tourism, the
diamond industry and the Arctic.
 In 2019, India also offered a $1 billion line of credit to develop infrastructure in the region. Through the EEF, India
aims to establish a strong inter-state interaction with Russia. Business representatives of Gujarat and the Republic
of Sakha have launched agreements in the diamond and pharmaceuticals industry.
Significance of RFE
 One-third of Russia's land is covered by this region, which is abundant in natural resources like fish, oil, natural
gas, wood, diamonds, and other minerals.
 Another reason for encouraging individuals to relocate and work in the Far East is the area's limited population.
 The wealth and resources of the area make up 5% of Russia's GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
 However, despite the abundance and accessibility of the resources, the lack of employees makes it difficult to
procure and deliver them.
 Geographically speaking, the RFE is positioned to provide as a gateway into Asia.
Objectives of EEF
 The primary objective of the EEF is to increase the Foreign Direct Investments in the RFE. The region encompasses
one-third of Russia’s territory and is rich with natural resources such as fish, oil, natural gas, wood, diamonds and
other minerals.
 The sparse population living in the region is another factor for encouraging people to move and work in the Far
East.
 The region’s riches and resources contribute to five per cent of Russia’s GDP. But despite the abundance and
availability of materials, procuring and supplying them is an issue due to the unavailability of personnel.
 The RFE is geographically placed at a strategic location; acting as a gateway into Asia.
28
 The Russian government has strategically developed the region with the aim of connecting Russia to the Asian
trading routes. With the fast modernisation of cities like Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Ulan-Ude, Chita and more, the
government aims to attract more investments in the region. Russia is trying to attract the Asian economies in
investing and developing the far east.
 The Ukraine invasion is a worrying issue as it affects the economic growth of the country. However, Russia believes
that it can survive the economic crisis and the sanctions with the help of China and other Asian powers.
 Although, the EEF is an annual gathering, the forum comes at an opportune time for Russia who is dealing with the
impact of the sanctions. Moreover, the coming together of countries like Myanmar, Armenia, Russia, and China
seems like the forming of an anti-sanctions group in the international order.
61. Eastern Economic Forum was established in which integration, and the development of new
of the following years? industrial and technological sectors, as well as
(a) 2014 of the global challenges facing Russia and other
(b) 2015 nations.
(c) 2017 (c) Only a
(d) 2018 (d) Both a and b
64. The wealth and resources of the area make up how
62. In which city of does the Eastern Economic Forum much percent of Russia's GDP?
takes place every year? (a) 3%
(a) Moscow (b) 5%
(b) Saint Petersburg (c) 10%
(c) Kazan (d) 12%
(d) Vladivostok
65. In which of the following year did India offered a
63. Which of the following statements are NOT correct? USD 1 billion line of credit to develop infrastructure
(a) The First India-Russia Strategic Economic in the region?
Dialogue was held in St. Petersburg in the year (a) 2015
2016. (b) 2016
(b) It serves as a platform for the discussion of key (c) 2018
issues in the world economy, regional (d) 2019
(e)
61. (b) The EEF was established in 2015 to encourage 64. (b) The wealth and resources of the area make up
foreign investments in the RFE. The EEF 5% of Russia's GDP.
displays the economic otential, suitable business 65. (d) In 2019, India also offered a $1 billion line of
conditions and investment opportunities in the credit to develop infrastructure in the region.
region. Through the EEF, India aims to establish a
62. (d) The Eastern Economic Forum was established strong inter-state interaction with Russia.
by the decree of the President of the Russian Business representatives of Gujarat and the
Federation in the year 2015. It takes place each Republic of Sakha have launched agreements in
year in Vladivostok, a city in Russia. the diamond and pharmaceuticals industry.
63. (c) The First India-Russia Strategic Economic
Dialogue was held in St. Petersburg in the year
2018.
29
PM PRANAM (PROMOTION OF ALTERNATE NUTRIENTS FOR
AGRICULTURE MANAGEMENT YOJANA)
News
In order to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers by incentivising states, the Union government plans to introduce a
new scheme – PM PRANAM, which stands for PM Promotion of Alternate Nutrients for Agriculture Management
Yojana.
 The proposed scheme intends to reduce the subsidy burden on chemical fertilisers, which is expected to increase
to Rs 2.25 lakh crore in 2022-2023, which is 39% higher than the previous year’s figure of Rs 1.62 lakh crore.
About:
 The scheme will not have a separate budget and will be financed by the “savings of existing fertiliser subsidy”
under schemes run by the Department of fertilisers.
 The state that saves the money will receive a grant of 50% of the subsidy savings.
 At the village, block, and district levels, assets connected to the technological adoption of alternative fertilisers
and alternative fertiliser production units may be created using up to 70% of the grant allocated under the
scheme.
 The remaining 30% of the grant money can be utilised to reward and motivate farmers, panchayats, farmer
producer organisations, and self-help organisations who are engaged in reducing fertiliser use and raising
awareness.
 The estimate of the annual reduction in the use of urea in chemical fertilisers will be contrasted with the average
consumption of urea over the previous three years.
 Data from the IFMS (Integrated Fertilizers Management System) dashboard for the Fertilizer Ministry will be
used for this.
Why is the scheme being introduced?

 Due to increased demand for fertiliser in the country over the past 5 years, the overall expenditure by the
government on subsidy has also increased.
 The total requirement of four fertilisers — Urea, DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate), MOP (Muriate of potash), NPKS
(Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) — increased by 21% between 2017-2018 and 2021-2022, from 528.86 lakh
metric tonnes (LMT) to 640.27 LMT, according to a written reply given to Lok Sabha by Bhagwanth Khuba, the
Union Minister of State for Chemicals and fertilisers.
 In light of the increased demand, the government has also been increasing the subsidies it provides for chemical
fertilisers. In the Union Budget 2021-22, the government had budgeted an amount of Rs 79,530 crore, which
increased to Rs 1.40 lakh crore in the revised estimates (RE). However, the final figure of fertiliser subsidy touched
Rs 1.62 lakh crore in 2021-22.
 In the current financial year (2022-23), the government has allocated Rs 1.05 lakh crore, but the fertiliser Minister
has stated that the fertiliser subsidy figure could cross Rs 2.25 lakh crore during this year.
 PM PRANAM, which seeks to reduce the use of chemical fertiliser, will likely reduce the burden on the exchequer.
The proposed scheme is also in line with the government’s focus on promoting the balanced use of fertilisers or
alternative fertilisers in the last few years.
How much fertiliser does India require?

 The kharif season (June-October) is critical for India’s food security, accounting for nearly half the year’s production
of foodgrains, one-third of pulses and approximately two-thirds of oilseeds. A sizable amount of fertiliser is required
for this season.
 The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare assesses the requirement of fertilisers each year before the
start of the cropping season, and informs the Ministry of Chemical and fertilisers to ensure the supply.
 The amount of fertiliser required varies each month according to demand, which is based on the time of crop
sowing, which also varies from region to region. For example, the demand for urea peaks during June-August period,
but is relatively low in March and April, and the government uses these two months to prepare for an adequate
amount of fertiliser for the kharif season.
30
66. The Centre introduced a Direct Benefit Transfer (b) Thawar Chand Gehlot
system in fertilizers with effect from which of the (c) Nirmala Sitharaman
following years? (d) Piyush Goyal
(a) 2015
(b) 2016 69. The Subsidy burden on Chemical Fertiliser has
(c) 2017 increased year on year by how much percentage
(d) 2018 when compared to last year?
(a) 20%
67. In which of the following time period the year does (b) 25%
India produce nearly half the year’s production of (c) 30%
foodgrains? (d) 39%
(a) Rabi
(b) Kharif 70. How much percentage of savings on subsidy will be
(c) Zaid passed on as a grant to the state that saves the
(d) None of the above money?
(a) 50%
68. Who among the following is the Minister of (b) 60%
Agriculture in India? (c) 75%
(a) Narendra Singh Tomar (d) 80%
66. (b) Direct Benefit Transfer: The Centre introduced expected to increase to Rs 2.25 lakh crore in
a Direct Benefit Transfer system in fertilizers 2022-2023, which is 39% higher than the
with effect from October 2016 under which a previous year’s figure of Rs 1.62 lakh crore.
100% subsidy on various fertiliser grades is 70. (a) About 50 per cent savings on subsidy will be
released to the fertiliser companies on the basis passed on as a grant to the state that saves the
of actual sales made by the retailers to the money.
beneficiaries. About 70 per cent of the grant given under the
67. (b) The kharif season (June-October) is critical for scheme can be used for asset creation related to
India’s food security, accounting for nearly half technological adoption of alternate fertilizers
the year’s production of foodgrains, one-third of and setting up alternate fertilizer production
pulses and approximately two-thirds of oilseeds. units at village, block and district levels.
A sizable amount of fertiliser is required for this The 30 per cent remaining grant money can be
season. utilized for rewarding and encouraging farmers,
68. (a) Shri Narendra Singh Tomar Hon'ble Union panchayats, farmer producer organizations and
Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare self-help groups that are involved in the
and President ICAR reduction of fertilizer use and awareness
69. (d) The proposed scheme intends to reduce the generation.
subsidy burden on chemical fertilisers, which is
ONE HEALTH APPROACH AND ALL ONE PROGRAMS OF INDIA

News
Four multilateral agencies have launched a global ‘One Health’ plan to better address threats to all living beings as
well as the environment.
The ‘Quadripartite’ — comprising the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN
Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal
Health — unveiled the five-year One Health Joint Action Plan October 17, 2022.
What is One Health Concept?

About
 One Health is a philosophy that acknowledges the interdependence between human health, animal health, and
the health of the ecosystem we all share.
31
 The agreement between the tripartite-plus coalition consisting of the World Organisation for Animal Health
(OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and (OIE).
 Its goal is to promote research partnerships and knowledge exchange at many levels across diverse disciplines,
such as human health, animal health, plant health, soil health, environmental health, and ecosystem health, in
order to enhance, safeguard, and defend the health of all species.
One Health Joint Plan of Action

About:
 The action plan, which was created through a participatory process, included a list of initiatives with the goal of
enhancing collaboration, communication, capacity building, and coordination across all sectors in charge of
addressing health issues at the interface between people, animals, plants, and the environment.
 The strategy, which is applicable from 2022 to 2026, aims to lessen the health issues at the international, regional,
and national levels.
Focus Areas of the Action Plan:

 One Health capacity for health systems
 Emerging and re-emerging zoonotic epidemics
 Endemic zoonotic
 Neglected tropical and vector-borne diseases
 Antimicrobial resistance and the environment
 Food safety risks
Why is the Concept of One Health Important

Human Expansion: As human populations increase and spread into new regions, more opportunities exist for diseases
to spread from animals to people through direct contact with them and their habitats.
More than 65 percent of infectious diseases that impact people are zoonotic, or animal-to-human, in origin.
Environmental Disruptions: Changes in ecosystems and environmental circumstances might create new opportunities
for illnesses to spread to animals.
International Travel & Trade: Due to increased international travel and trade, there is a greater mobility of people,
animals, and animal products, which makes it easier for diseases to quickly spread across borders and around the world.
Viruses in Wildlife: More than 1.7 million viruses have been shown to be circulating in wildlife, and many of these are
probably zoonotic.
This suggests that unless there is prompt diagnosis, India may see numerous pandemics in the future.
71. Universal Health Coverage is mentioned under (a) One Health is an approach that recognizes that
which of the following Sustainable Development the health of people is closely connected to the
Goals? health of animals and our shared environment.
(a) SDG 2 (b) One Health’ vision derives its blueprint from the
(b) SDG 3 agreement between the tripartite- plus alliance
(c) SDG 4 comprising the Food and Agriculture
(d) SDG 6 Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
72. Department of Biotechnology comes under which (c) Its purpose is to encourage collaborations in
of the following Ministries? research and sharing of knowledge at multiple
(a) Ministry of Ayush levels across various disciplines.
(b) Ministry of Health and Family Affairs (d) All of the above
(c) Ministry of Science and Technology
(d) Ministry of Cooperation 74. Food and Agriculture Organization was established
in which of the following year?
73. Which of the following is Correct about the (a) 1945
concept of One Health? (b) 1950
(c) 1951
(d) 1955
32
75. Universal Health Coverage is mentioned under (b) SDG 3
which of the following Sustainable (c) SDG 4
Development Goals? (d) SDG 6
(a) SDG 2
71. (b) Its goal as stated in the UN Sustainable research and sharing of knowledge at multiple
Development Goals (SDGs no. 3) is one of the levels across various disciplines like human
most significant commitments to equitable health, animal health, plants, soil,
quality healthcare for all. India moved a step environmental and ecosystem health in ways
closer towards its commitment to the SDGs, that improve, protect and defend the health of
when in 2018 the country launched a national all species.
health protection scheme, Ayushman Bharat, to 74. (a) Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is
achieve UHC. one of the largest specialized agencies in the UN
72. (c) The Department of Biotechnology is an Indian System founded in 1945 with a mandate to raise
government department, under the Ministry of levels of nutrition and standard of living by
Science and Technology. improving agricultural productivity and living
73. (d) One Health is an approach that recognizes that conditions of rural population.
the health of people is closely connected to the 75. (b) Its goal as stated in the UN Sustainable
health of animals and our shared environment. Development Goals (SDGs no. 3) is one of the
One Health’ vision derives its blueprint from the most significant commitments to equitable
agreement between the tripartite- plus alliance quality healthcare for all. India moved a step
comprising the Food and Agriculture closer towards its commitment to the SDGs,
Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the when in 2018 the country launched a national
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). health protection scheme, Ayushman Bharat, to
It’s purpose is to encourage collaborations in achieve UHC.
CURRENT AFFAIRS PRACTICE SHEET (CAPS)

Modified Incentive Scheme for Semiconductor Chip-Making
Passage (Q.76-Q.80): The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved modifications in the production-linked incentive
(PLI) scheme for manufacturing of semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem. The government approved
uniform fiscal support of 50% of project cost for semiconductor fabs across technology nodes and display
manufacturing, and also raised fiscal support for compound semiconductors, packaging and other semiconductor
facilities to 50% from [2], modifying the incentives of over ₹76,000 crore, or about [1] billion, that the government
announced in December 2021. “Under modified programme, a uniform fiscal support of 50% of project cost shall be
provided across all technology nodes for setting up of semiconductor fabs," the Union Cabinet said in a statement.
“Given the niche technology and nature of compound semiconductors and advanced packaging, the modified
programme shall also provide fiscal support of 50% of capital expenditure in pari-passu mode for setting up of
compound semiconductors / silicon photonics / sensors / discrete semiconductors fabs and ATMP/OSAT," it added.
76. What would replace [1] in the above passage?

(a) $ 10 78. Which of the following is not a semiconductor?
(b) $ 100 (a) Silicon
(c) $ 20 (b) Sulphur
(d) d.$ 200 (c) Tellurium
(d) Sodium
77. Which two authorities have signed a memorandum
of understanding for setting up of semiconductor 79. Which of the following is not true about
plants? semiconductors?
(a) Vedanta and Swizz chipmaker Foxconn (a) Semiconductors are materials which have a
(b) Vedanta and Taiwanese chipmaker Foxconn conductivity between conductors and
(c) Medanta and Taiwanese chipmaker Foxconn insulators.
(d) Vandana and Swizz chipmaker Foxconn
33
(b) Semiconductors can be pure elements, silicon or (d) Sodium is the best semiconductor present in the
germanium or compounds; gallium, arsenide or world.
cadmium selenide.
(c) Semiconductors having higher nanometre value 80. What would replace [2] in the above passage?
are applied in automobiles, consumer (a) 30%
electronics and so on, while those with lower (b) 40%
values are used in devices such as smartphones (c) 35%
and laptops. (d) 45%
76. (a) Centre approved changes to the scheme for the 79. (d) Sodium is not a semiconductor rest all of them
development of a semiconductor and display are semiconductors. Rest of them are correct.
manufacturing ecosystem in the country in 80. (a) In the previous version of the scheme, the
order to make India’s $10 billion chip-making Centre was offering to fund 30% of the project
initiative more attractive to investors. cost for 45nm to 65nm chip production, 40% for
77. (b) Vedanta and Taiwanese chipmaker Foxconn 28nm to 45nm, and 50% or half of the funding
have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for chips 28nm or below. The modified scheme
(MoU) to set up a ₹1,54,000 crore semiconductor provides uniform 50% fiscal support for all
plant in Gujarat. nodes.
78. (d) Sodium is not a semiconductor rest all of them
are semiconductors.
MGNREGA
Passage (Q.81-Q.85): Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act [1] or MNREGA, earlier known as
the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act or NREGA, is an Indian labour law and social security measure that aims
to guarantee the 'right to work'. This act was passed in 23 August [1] under the UPA government of Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh following tabling of the bill in parliament by the Minister for Rural Development Raghuvanshi Prasad
Singh. It aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a
financial year to at least one member of every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
Women are guaranteed one third of the jobs made available under the MGNREGA. The act was first proposed in 1991
by [2]. It was finally accepted in the parliament and commenced implementation in 625 districts of India. Based on this
pilot experience, NREGA was scoped up to cover all the districts of India from 1 April 2008.
81. What would replace [1] in the above passage? 15 days of demanding it, failing which an
(a) 2005 ‘unemployment allowance’ must be given.
(b) 2006 (c) At least one-third of beneficiaries have to be
(c) 2007 women.
(d) 2008 (d) People only above 30 years of age are entitled for
this scheme.
(a) Kapil Sibbal 84. Who is the Minister for Rural Development?
(b) I.K. Gujral (a) Shri Giriraj Singh
(c) Manmohan Singh (b) Muralitharan Chaudhary
(d) P.V. Narasimha Rao (c) Thawar Singh Gehlot
(d) Palani Swamy
83. Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to
MGNREGA? 85. Among the following who are eligible to benefit
(a) Wages must be paid according to the statutory from the “Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
minimum wages specified for agricultural Employment Guarantee Act”?
labourers in the state under the Minimum (a) Adult members of only the scheduled caste and
Wages Act, 1948. scheduled tribe households
(b) MGNREGA’s design is its legally-backed (b) Adult members of below poverty line (BPL)
guarantee for any rural adult to get work within households
34
(c) Adult members of households of all backward (d) Adult members of any household
communities
81. (a) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment get work within 15 days of demanding it, failing
Guarantee (MGNREGA), which is the largest which an ‘unemployment allowance’ must be
work guarantee programme in the world, was given. At least one-third of beneficiaries have to
enacted in 2005 with the primary objective of be women. The mandate of the MGNREGA is to
guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment per provide at least 100 days of guaranteed wage
year to every household whose adult members employment in a financial year to every rural
volunteer to do unskilled manual work. household whose adult members volunteer to
82. (d) The act was first proposed in 1991 by P.V. do unskilled manual work.
Narasimha Rao. It was finally accepted in the 84. (a) Shri Giriraj Singh is the current Minister of Rural
parliament and commenced implementation in Development & Panchayati Raj.
625 districts of India. 85. (d) The mandate of the MGNREGA is to provide at
83. (d) Wages must be paid according to the statutory least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment
minimum wages specified for agricultural in a financial year to every rural household
labourers in the state under the Minimum whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled
Wages Act, 1948. MGNREGA’s design is its manual work.
legally-backed guarantee for any rural adult to
Mars Orbiter craft

Passage (Q.86-Q.90): The Indian Space Research Organisation on 3 October confirmed that the Mars Orbiter craft has
lost communication with ground station, it's non-recoverable and with this the Mangalyaan mission has attained end-
of-life. Giving an update on the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), ISRO was celebrating the completion of its [1] years in
the Martian orbit and commemorate MOM. Despite being designed for a life-span of six months as a technology
demonstrator, the MOM lived for about [1] years in the Martian orbit with a gamut of significant scientific results on
Mars as well as on the Solar corona. Though it has lost communication with the ground station, due to a long eclipse in
April 2022, ISRO said. ISRO deliberated that the propellant must have been exhausted, and therefore, the "desired
altitude pointing" could not be achieved for sustained power generation. The mission made India the first Asian country,
and the fourth in the world after, NASA, [2], and the European Space Agency, to get to the planet.

(a) eight 88. Which of the following is not a MARS Mission?
(b) seven (a) Tianwen-1
(c) six (b) NASA’s Perseverance Rover
(d) five (c) ExoMars Rover
(d) Gaganyan
87. What caused the End of MOM?
(a) Recently there were back-to-back eclipses 89. What was India’s first interplanetary mission?
including one that lasted seven-and-half hours (a) Gaganyan
because that satellite has consumed all the (b) Mangalyaan
propellant on board. (c) Sputnik
(b) As the satellite battery is designed to handle (d) Chandrayan
eclipse duration of only about one hour and 40
minutes, a longer eclipse would drain the 90. What would replace [2] in the passage?
battery beyond the safe limit. (a) Tokyo Space Agency
(c) Because it was only scheduled for 6 months. (b) Ros cosmos
(d) Because of propellant (fuel) exhaustion the (c) JAXA
desired altitude pointing could not be achieved (d) Peep Space Agency
for sustained power generation and it lost
communication from the ground station.
35
86. (a) Despite being designed for a life-span of six 89. (b) Mangalyaan was India's first interplanetary
months as a technology demonstrator, the mission. The mission made India the first Asian
MOM lived for about eight years in the Martian country, and the fourth in the world after Ros
orbit with a gamut of significant scientific cosmos, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space
results on Mars as well as on the Solar corona. Administration), and the European Space
87. (c) India's Mars Orbiter Mission, known as MOM, Agency, to get to the planet. China referred to
has ended after eight years – even though it was India's successful Mangalyaan as the "Pride of
designed for a six-month lifespan, the Indian Asia".
Space Research Organization announced this 90. (b) Mangalyaan was India's first interplanetary
week. mission. The mission made India the first Asian
88. (d) Gaganyaan is an Indian crewed orbital country, and the fourth in the world after Ros
spacecraft intended to be the formative cosmos, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space
spacecraft of the Indian Human Spaceflight Administration), and the European Space
Programme. The spacecraft is being designed to Agency, to get to the planet. China referred to
carry three people, and a planned upgraded India's successful Mangalyaan as the "Pride of
version will be equipped with rendezvous and Asia".
docking capability.
India’s First Aluminum Freight Rake

Passage (Q.91-Q.95): [1] on Sunday launched India’s first all-aluminium freight rail rakes, helping fast-track the
country’s ambitious plan to modernise freight transportation and enable large carbon savings for Indian Railways.
Union minister for railways [1] inaugurated the rake, “61 BOBRNALHSM1", at Bhubaneswar railway station, Odisha.
“This is a dedicated effort for Make in India program as it has been fully designed and developed indigenously in
collaboration with RDSO, [1] and Besco Wagon," said a statement from the ministry of railways.
Further, tare weight, the weight of an empty vehicle or container, of the aluminium is 3.25 tonne lower than that of
steel.
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/railway-minister-inaugurates-hindalco-developed-india-s-first-all-aluminum-
freight-rake-11665922095266.html
91. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above (c) Since the launch of the scheme annual FDI has
passages? doubled to USD 83 billion in 2022.
(a) Hindalco (d) All of the above
(b) Tata Steel
(c) Jindal Steel 94. What is India’s current rank in the ease of doing
(d) JSW Steel business?
(a) 51st
92. Which of the following will replace [2] in the above (b) 63rd
passage? (c) 71st
(a) Ashwini Vaishnaw (d) 85th
(b) Bhupendra Yadav
(c) Prakash Javadekar 95. Which of the following is NOT one of the
(d) Arjun Munda significance of the Aluminium Freight Rake?
(a) It will reduce Carbon Footprint.
93. Which of the following is TRUE about the Make in (b) It will reduce imports.
India Scheme? (c) It will consume less energy.
(a) It was Launched in 2014 (d) It will be against the Make in India Project.
(b) Make in India aims to transform the country
into a leading global manufacturing and
investment destination.
36
91. (a) Hindalco on Sunday launched India’s first all- 95. (d) Improve Make in India Programme: This is a
aluminium freight rail rakes, helping fast-track dedicated effort for the Make in India program
the country’s ambitious plan to modernise as it has been fully designed and developed
freight transportation and enable large carbon indigenously in collaboration with RDSO,
savings for Indian Railways. HINDALCO and Besco Wagon.
92. (a) Union minister for railways Ashwini Vaishnaw Reduce Carbon Footprint: It will reduce carbon
inaugurated the rake, “61 BOBRNALHSM1", at footprint as lower consumption of fuel in empty
Bhubaneswar railway station, Odisha. directions and more transport of freight in a
93. (d) Make in India completes eight years of path- loaded condition. As a single rake can save over
breaking reforms and annual FDI doubles to 14,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.
USD 83 billion in 2022. Launched in 2014, Make Reduce Imports: The iron industry consumes a
in India aims to transform the country into a lot of Nickel and Cadmium which comes from
leading global manufacturing and investment imports. So, a proliferation of Aluminum
destination. wagons will result in less import. At the same
The initiative is an open invitation to potential time, this is good for the local aluminum
investors and partners across the globe to industry
participate in the growth story of ‘New India’. Consumes Less Energy: The new aluminum
94. (b) Listing achievements of his government, PM rakes are reportedly 180 tonnes lighter than the
Modi stated that despite "upheaval" in some current steel rakes. The carrying capacity of the
developed economies, India, the fifth-largest new design is said to be 5%-10% more than their
economy in the world, is making steady steel counterparts. More importantly, they
progress. He said, India's position in the World consume less energy with relatively negligible
Bank’s annual ranking of countries for their ease wear and tear to rolling stock and rails.
of doing business jumped massively - from 142
to 63 in five years.
PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022

Passage (Q.96-Q.100): Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the two-day event “PM Kisan Samman
Sammelan 2022” on 17th October at around 11:30 AM at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.
The event brings together more than 13,500 farmers from across the country and around 1500 Agri Startups. More than
1 crore farmers, from various institutions are expected to attend the event virtually. The Sammelan will also witness
participation of researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders.
Prime Minister will inaugurate 600 Pradan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PMKSK) under the Ministry of Chemicals
& Fertilizers. Under the scheme, the fertilizer retail shops in the country will be converted into PMKSK in a phased
manner. PMKSK will cater to a wide variety of needs of the farmers and provide agri-inputs (fertilizers, seeds,
implements); testing facilities for soil, seeds, fertilizers; generate awareness among farmers; provide information
regarding various government schemes and ensure regular capacity building of retailers at block/ district level outlets.
More than 3.3 lakh retail fertilizer shops are planned to be converted into PMKSK.
https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pm-to-inaugurate-pm-kisan-samman-sammelan-2022-on-17-
october/#:~:text=Prime%20Minister%20Shri%20Narendra%20Modi,and%20around%201500%20Agri%20Startups.
96. PM Kisan Scheme was launched in which of the (a) The scheme was initially meant for Small and
following years? Marginal Farmers (SMFs) having landholding
(a) 2017 upto 2 hectares but scope of the scheme was
(b) 2018 extended to cover all landholding farmers.
(c) 2019 (b) It is a Central Sector Scheme with 80:20
(d) 2021 funding ration from the Government of India
and State Governments respectively.
97. Which of the following is INCORRECT about the (c) It is being implemented by the Ministry of
PM Kisan? Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
37
(d) PM-KISAN Mobile App was developed and 99. How much Financial benefit is conferred under the
designed by the National Informatics Centre in Scheme every years?
collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics (a) 3000
and Information Technology. (b) 6000
(c) 10000
98. Who among the following is the Minister in-charge (d) 12000
for the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers
Welfare? 100. What is the name of the E-market fertilizer
(a) Narendra Singh Tomar launched by the PM?
(b) Thawaar Singh Gehlot (a) Bharat Urea
(c) Arjun Munda (b) Indian Edge
(d) Smriti Irani (c) Bharat Darshan
(d) Bharat Edge
96. (b) It was launched on 1 Nov 2018 to supplement 99. (b) Financial benefit of Rs 6000/- per year in three
financial needs of land holding farmers. equal installments, every four months is
97. (b) The scheme was initially meant for Small and transferred into the bank accounts of farmers’
Marginal Farmers (SMFs) having landholding families across the country through Direct
upto 2 hectares but scope of the scheme was Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
extended to cover all landholding farmers. 100. (b) Under this scheme, ‘Bharat Urea Bags’ are
Funding and Implementation: launched. These will help companies market
It is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding fertilizers under the single brand name “Bharat
from the Government of India. An e-magazine on fertilizer, ‘Indian Edge’ also
It is being implemented by the Ministry of launched by the PM. It will provide information
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. on domestic and international fertilizer
98. (a) Shri Narendra Singh Tomar Hon'ble Union scenarios, including recent developments, price
Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare trends analysis, availability and consumption,
and President ICAR. success stories of farmers, among others.
Report by RBI on big FinTechs

Passage (Q.101-Q.105): Large non-financial technology firms, referred to as “bigtechs,” pose challenges to financial
stability owing to their technological advantages, large user base, wide-spread use by financial institutions and
network-effects, according to an RBI paper.
Bigtechs include companies such as Alibaba, Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Tencent. They usually hold service
licenses through subsidiaries or JVs with varying levels of ownership control and jurisdictional regulatory advantages.
Given their clientele, it is also possible for them to create products and establish a presence with greater ease vis-à-vis
nascent fintechs.
“This poses a serious barrier in creating a level playing field to promote innovation in the fintech space. Besides the
technological advantages, bigtechs typically also have the financial muscle to withstand the competitive pressures,”
according to the paper titled ‘’Bigtechs’ in the Financial Domain: Balancing Competition and Stability’.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/bigtechs-pose-systemic-risks-to-financial-stability-rbi-
paper/article66022974.ece
101. How many Deputy Governors are there in the RBI? (a) Prime Minister’s Office
(a) 2 (b) Ministry of Finance
(b) 3 (c) President of India
(c) 4 (d) None of the above
(d) 5
103. Reserve Bank of India was established on which of
102. Who among the following appoints the Governor of the following days?
Reserve Bank of India? (a) 1st April, 1934
38
(b) 1st April, 1935 (d) 1951
(c) 1st July, 1934
(d) 1st July, 1935 105. Which of the following is the term of the Governor
of RBI?
104. In which of the following years was RBI (a) Two Years
Nationalised? (b) Three Years
(a) 1937 (c) Five Years
(b) 1947 (d) Six Years
(c) 1949
101. (c) The correct answer is four. RBI is served by 4 104. (c) Though originally privately owned, since
Deputy Governors at any point in time. nationalization in 1949, the Reserve Bank is fully
102. (d) The RBI governor is appointed by the Prime owned by the Government of India.
Minister's Office (PMO) on the 105. (b) The term of office of an RBI governor is currently
recommendation of the union finance minister 3 years (previously it was 5 years). However, the
as per Section 8(1)(a) of the Reserve Bank of term can any time be increased by the
India Act, 1934. government.
103. (b) The Reserve Bank of India was established on
April 1, 1935 in accordance with the provisions of
the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
12th Edition of DefExpo 2022

Passage (Q.106-Q.110): The upcoming 'DefExpo 2022', slated to be held in [1], is set to be the first-ever edition
exclusively for Indian companies, the Ministry of Defence said on Saturday.
Over 1,000 exhibitors have registered and the numbers are anticipated to be the highest-ever recorded during the
previous editions of DefExpo, it said.
Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar comprehensively reviewed the preparations for the event, scheduled to be held from
October 18-22, during the Apex Committee meeting here on Saturday, the ministry said in a statement.
Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat, Pankaj Kumar and other senior officers of the state government as well as the
Ministry of Defence attended the meeting.
"The 12th edition of DefExpo is scheduled to be held in [1] between October 18-22, 2022 in a first ever four-venue format
which promises to engage the public and inspire them to join the aerospace and defence manufacturing sector for
'Aatmanirbharta' in defence," it said.
https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/12th-defexpo-set-to-be-first-ever-edition-exclusively-for-
indian-companies-122092400995_1.html
106. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above

passages? 108. How frequently does the DefExpo is held?
(a) Gandhinagar, Gujarat (a) Biannual
(b) Bengaluru, Karnataka (b) Annual
(c) Pune, Maharashtra (c) Biennial
(d) Pragati Maidan, New Delhi (d) Quinquennial
107. Which edition of the DefExpo is being held this 109. Which of the following is Correct Theme of the
year? DefExpo 2022?
(a) 10th (a) Path to Pride
(b) 11th (b) Pride and Sacrifice
(c) 12th (c) Strength India
(d) 15th (d) Make India Proud
39
(b) A separate Indian Ocean Region plus (IOR+)
110. Which of the following is NOT CORRECT about the conclave with participation of approximately 40
DefExpo 2022? countries
(a) It will host the first edition of the India-Africa (c) It will also mark the celebration of one year of
Defence Dialogue (IADD), with invites extended the formation of the seven new defence
to 53 African countries. companies, carved out of the erstwhile
Ordnance Factories.
(d) None of the above
106. (a) The upcoming 'DefExpo 2022', slated to be held 109. (a) The aim is to showcase the might of the
in Gujarat's Gandhinagar, is set to be the first- domestic defence industry which is now
ever edition exclusively for Indian companies, powering ‘Make in India, Make for the World’
the Ministry of Defence said on Saturday. resolve of the Government and the nation at
107. (c) "The 12th edition of DefExpo is scheduled to be large.
held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat between October It is the first-ever edition exclusively for Indian
18-22, 2022 in a first ever four-venue format companies.
which promises to engage the public and inspire Theme: Path to Pride.
them to join the aerospace and defence 110. (a) It will host the 2nd edition of the India-Africa
manufacturing sector for 'Aatmanirbharta' in Defence Dialogue (IADD), with invites extended
defence," it said. to 53 African countries.
108. (c) DefExpo is a flagship biennial event of the
Ministry of Defence, showcasing the land, naval,
air as well as homeland security systems.
National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC)

Passage (Q.111-Q.115): Showcasing India's rich and diverse maritime heritage, the National Maritime Heritage Complex
(NMHC) is being built at the historic Indus Valley Civilisation region of Lothal in Gujarat. The foundation stone for the
NMHC project was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the consent for the master plan was given in March [1].
According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, the project will be completed in different phases. Phase 1
includes a part museum building Complex with 5 five galleries and a naval gallery to be utilised by the Indian Navy &
Coast Guard and related land development on 35 acres. This phase is being developed under EPC mode at a cost of Rs
774.23 Crore.
Phase 1B consists of the remaining museum including balance galleries, Light House, 5D dome theatre, Bagicha
Complex, and other infrastructure. This phase is proposed to be developed under EPC mode.
https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/national-maritime-heritage-complex-to-be-built-at-lothal-in-gujarat-
1143902.html
111. Which of the following is CORRECT about Lothal? (c) 2020

(a) According to the Archaeological Survey of India (d) 2021
(ASI), Lothal had the world’s earliest known dock.
(b) Lothal is also on the tentative list of UNESCO 113. Which of the following is not true about the
world heritage sites Indus Valley Civilisation?
(c) it is one of the most prominent city of the (a) It flourished around 2,500 BC, in the western
ancient Indus valley civilization dating to 2,400 BC, part of South Asia, in contemporary Pakistan
located in Gujarat and Western India.
(d) All of the above (b) The Indus Valley was home to the largest of the
four ancient urban civilizations of Egypt,
112. Which of the following will replace [1] in the Mesopotamia, India and China.
above passage? (c) In 1929, John Marshall, Director-General of the
(a) 2018 ASI, announced the discovery of a new
(b) 2019 civilisation in the Indus valley to the world.
40
(d) In 1920s, the Archaeological Department of
India carried out excavations in the Indus valley 115. India has entered the Super-40 club for World
wherein the ruins of the two old cities, viz. Heritage Site inscriptions. Which of the
Mohenjodaro and Harappa were unearthed. following Countries is not one of the Super-40
Members?
114. Which of the following recently became the (a) Italy
UNESCO’s World heritage Site? (b) France
(a) Ahmedabad (c) U.K.
(b) Rani ki Vav (d) China
(c) Dholavira
(d) Champaner
111. (d) According to the Archaeological Survey of India 113. (c) In 1924, John Marshall, Director-General of the
(ASI), Lothal had the world’s earliest known ASI, announced the discovery of a new
dock. Lothal is also on the tentative list of civilisation in the Indus valley to the world.
UNESCO world heritage sites it is one of the 114. (c) In a milestone development for India, Dholavira,
most prominent city of the ancient Indus valley one of the most prominent Harappan sites has
civilization dating to 2,400 BC, located in recently received UNESCO’s prestigious world
Gujarat. heritage site status.
112. (b) The foundation stone for the NMHC project was 115. (c) With this successful nomination, India now
laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the enters the Super-40 club for World Heritage Site
consent for the master plan was given in March inscriptions. Apart from India, Italy, Spain,
2019. Germany, China and France have 40 or more.
United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) 1267 list of

Passage (Q.116-Q.120) : [1] placed a “hold” on two joint India-US proposals, to designate Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) top
leaders including Talha Saeed, son of Hafiz Saeed and Shahid Mehmood, deputy chief of an LeT front at the United
Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) 1267 list of terrorists affiliated to Al Qaeda and ISIS. The holds marked the fourth
and fifth time [1] had attempted to block a listing move by India and the U.S. in the past four months.
The 1267 committee that was set up in [2] (updated in 2011 and 2015) allows any UN member state to propose adding
the name of a terrorist or terror group to a consolidated list, maintained by the Committee, that has affiliations to Al
Qaeda and ISIS. India has successfully proposed the listing of several terror entities in the past two decades, including
Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/explained-held-up-by-the-chinese/article66032861.ece
116. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above (a) It is now known as the Da’esh and Al Qaeda
passages? Sanctions Committee.
(a) China (b) It comprises all permanent members of the
(b) Russia United Nations Security Council.
(c) UK (c) It is one of the most important and active UN
(d) Pakistan subsidiary bodies working on efforts to combat
terrorism.
117. Which of the following will replace [2] in the above (d) It discusses UN efforts to limit the movement of
passage? terrorists, especially those related to travel bans, the
(a) 1999 freezing of assets and arms embargoes for terrorism.
(b) 2001
(c) 2003 119. Which of the following article of the UN Charter
(d) 2005 concerns the composition of the UNSC?
(a) Article 10
118. Which of the following is INCORRECT about UNSC (b) Article 12
1267 Committee? (c) Article 20
(d) Article 23
41
(a) 2012
120. Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar was listed (b) 2014
as a designated terrorist by the UN Security Council (c) 2015
1267 in which of the following years? (d) 2019
116. (a) China placed a “hold” on two joint India-US It comprises all permanent and non-permanent
proposals, to designate Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) members of the United Nations Security Council
top leaders including Talha Saeed, son of Hafiz (UNSC).
Saeed and Shahid Mehmood, deputy chief of an The 1267 list of terrorists is a global list, with a
LeT front at the United Nations Security UNSC stamp. It is full of Pakistani nationals and
Council’s (UNSC) 1267 list of terrorists affiliated residents.
to Al Qaeda and ISIS. It is one of the most important and active UN
117. (a) The 1267 committee that was set up in 1999 subsidiary bodies working on efforts to combat
(updated in 2011 and 2015) allows any UN terrorism, particularly in relation to Al Qaeda
member state to propose adding the name of a and the Islamic State group.
terrorist or terror group to a consolidated list, 119. (d) The UNs Charter established six main organs of
maintained by the Committee, that has the United Nations, including the United
affiliations to Al Qaeda and ISIS. Nations Security Council (UNSC). Article 23 of
118. (b) It was first set up in 1999 (updated in 2011 and the UN Charter concerns the composition of the
2015), and strengthened after the September, UNSC.
2001 attacks. 120. (d) In May 2019, India won a huge diplomatic win at
It is now known as the Da’esh and Al Qaeda the UN when the global body designated JeM
Sanctions Committee. chief Masood Azhar as a “global terrorist”, a
decade after New Delhi had first approached the
world body on the issue.
Multidimensional Poverty Index
Passage (Q.121-Q.125): As many as 41.5 crore people exited poverty in India during the 15-year period between 2005-06
and 2019-21, out of which two-thirds exited in the first 10 years, and one-third in the next five years, according to the
global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) released on Monday.
The report shows that the incidence of poverty fell from 55.1% in 2005/06 to 16.4% in 2019/21 in the country and that
deprivations in all 10 MPI indicators saw significant reductions as a result of which the MPI value and incidence of
poverty more than halved.
Improvement in MPI for India has significantly contributed to the decline in poverty in South Asia and it is for the first
time that it is not the region with the highest number of poor people, at 38.5 crore, compared with 57.9 crore in Sub-
Saharan Africa.
Globally, of the total 610 crore people across 111 developing countries, 19.1% or 120 crore live in multidimensional poverty.
Nearly half of them live in severe poverty.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/415-crore-indians-exited-multi-dimensional-poverty-since-2005-
06/article66023269.ece#:~:text=As%20many%20as%2041.5%20crore,(MPI)%20released%20on%20Monday.
121. Which of the following published the Global (a) 2008

Multidimensional Poverty Index 2021? (b) 2010
(a) Oxford Poverty (c) 2012
(b) Human Development Initiative (d) 2013
(c) United Nations Development Programme
(d) All of the above 123. Across states and union territories in India, the
fastest reduction in poverty in relative terms
122. Global Multidimensional Poverty Report was first happened in which of the following years?
launched in which of the following years? (a) Goa
42
(b) Jammu and Kashmir (c) The MPI monitors deprivations in 10 indicators.
(c) Andhra Pradesh (d) All of the above
(d) Rajasthan
125. Which of the following Indian States saw the fastest
124. Which of the following about Global reduction in MPI value in absolute terms?
Multidimensional Poverty Index is Correct? (a) West Bengal
(a) The index is a key international resource that (b) Odisha
measures acute multidimensional poverty across (c) Bihar
more than 100 developing countries. (d) Madhya Pradesh
(b) It was first launched in 2010.
121. (d) Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2021 was across more than 100 developing countries. It
released by “United Nations Development was first launched in 2010 by the OPHI and the
Programme (UNDP)” and “Oxford Poverty Human Development Report Office of the
& Human Development Initiative (OPHI)”. UNDP. The MPI monitors deprivations in 10
122. (b) It was first launched in 2010 by the OPHI and the indicators spanning health, education and
Human Development Report Office of the standard of living and includes both incidence
UNDP. as well as intensity of poverty.
123. (a) Across states and union territories in India, the 125. (c) Bihar, the poorest state in 2015-16, saw the
fastest reduction in relative terms was in Goa, fastest reduction in MPI value in absolute terms.
followed by Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra The percentage of poor in Bihar fell from 77.4 % in
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. 2005-06 to 52.4 % in 2015-16 and further to 34.7
124. (d) The index is a key international resource that % in 2019-21.
measures acute multidimensional poverty
Swachh Survekshan Awards 2022

Passage (Q.126-Q.130): [1] won the first prize under the Large States category under Swachh Survekshan Gramin (SSG)
2022 which looked into the sanitation status of rural areas, Haryana was adjudged the second and Tamil Nadu the third.
Giving away the awards on Sunday, President Droupadi Murmu said that the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan that had brought
in a wholescale behavioural change in the populace acted as a shield during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Swachh Survekshan Gramin-2022 award ranks States and districts on the basis of their performance attained on
key quantitative and qualitative Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G) parameters and engagement of the rural
community in the improvement of their sanitation status. Among the smaller States and Union territories, [2] secured
the first position followed by Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Sikkim.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana-wins-swachh-survekshan-gramin-2022-award-among-smaller-
states-and-uts-andaman-nicobar-is-the-winner/article65962882.ece
126. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above 128. Which of the following is the fund sharing pattern
passage? between the Centre and States for the completion of
(a) Telangana the project?
(b) Andhra Pradesh (a) 80:20
(c) Chhattisgarh (b) 70:30
(d) Himachal Pradesh (c) 60:40
(d) 50:50
127. Which of the following will replace [2] in the above
passage? 129. Which of the following is the main aim of the SSG?
(a) Andaman and Nicobar (a) Create awareness about separating waste in
(b) Goa rural areas
(c) Lakshadweep (b) Providing women with sanitation and hygiene
(d) Puducherry products
(c) Prevent open defecation in areas where it is still
practiced, i.e. major rural areas
43
(d) none of the above (b) Its nodal ministry is Ministry of Housing and
Urban Affairs
130. Which of the following is TRUE about Swachh (c) Indore has emerged as India’s first 7-star
Survekshan 2022? Garbage Free city.
(a) Swachh Survekshan has been conducted since (d) All of the above
2016.
126. (a) Telangana won the first prize under the Large 130. (d) Swachh Survekshan has been conducted since
States category under Swachh Survekshan 2016 and is the world’s largest urban sanitation
Gramin (SSG) 2022 which looked into the and cleanliness survey.
sanitation status of rural areas, Haryana was It has been instrumental in fostering a spirit of
adjudged the second and Tamil Nadu the third. healthy competition among towns and cities to
127. (a) Among the smaller States and Union territories, improve their service delivery to citizens and
Andaman and Nicobar secured the first position towards creating cleaner cities.
followed by Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman It is conducted under the ambit of the Swachh
and Diu and Sikkim. Bharat Mission (Urban),
128. (c) The fund sharing pattern between Centre and Goal: The primary goal of Swachh Survekshan is
States will be 90:10 for North-Eastern States and to encourage large-scale citizen participation
Himalayan States and UT of J&K; 60:40 for and create awareness amongst all sections of
other States; and 100% for other Union society about the importance of working
Territories. together toward making towns and cities better
129. (c) The Survekshan is a survey that assesses the places to reside in.
state of hygiene, cleanliness and sanitation in Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban
rural India as a part of the Centre’s initiative to Affairs (MoHUA).
award Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus status Indore further emerged as India’s first 7-star
to villages. Garbage Free city, while Surat, Bhopal, Mysuru,
Navi Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, and Tirupati
earned 5-star Garbage Free certifications.
Global Innovation Index 2022

Passage (Q.131-Q.135): India rose to [1] among 132 countries in the Global Innovation Index 2022, jumping six places
from a year ago, according to the rankings released by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
This was mainly due to an improvement in information and communication technologies (ICT) services exports,
venture capital recipients’ value as well as finance for start-ups.
“With their rise in terms of innovation performance in the shadow of shocks to global supply chains, Turkey, and
India are positively enriching the global innovation landscape, while Indonesia shows promising innovation
potential,” GII co-editor and dean of Saïd Business School at Oxford University, Soumitra Dutta, said.
The country’s rank stood at 46 in 2021 in the index that tracks innovation both in government policies and industry
practices.
https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/global-innovation-index-2022-india-up-6-spots-first-time-
in-top-40-122092901299_1.html
131. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above 132. According to the report which of the following is
passage? the most innovative country of the world?
(a) 40th (a) United States
(b) 42nd (b) Sweden
(c) 44th (c) United Kingdom
(d) 46th (d) Switzerland
44
133. Which of the following is TRUE about WIPO? (a) What is the future of innovation-driven
(a) It is a self-funding agency of the United growth.
Nations, with 193 member states. (b) Innovation as the basis of future growth
(b) Its aim is to lead the development of a balanced (c) Innovation for Developing World
and effective international IP system that (d) Making World Innovative
enables innovation and creativity for the
benefit of all. 135. Digital India Mission was launched in which of the
(c) Its mandate, governing bodies and procedures following years?
are set out in the WIPO Convention, which (a) 2012
established WIPO in 1967. (b) 2015
(d) All of the above (c) 2017
(d) 2020
134. Which of the following is the theme of Global
Innovation Index, 2022?
131. (a) India rose to 40th among 132 countries in the enables innovation and creativity for the
Global Innovation Index 2022, jumping six benefit of all.
places from a year ago, according to the Its mandate, governing bodies and procedures
rankings released by the World Intellectual are set out in the WIPO Convention, which
Property Organisation (WIPO). established WIPO in 1967.
132. (d) Switzerland is the most innovative economy in 134. (a) Theme for 2022: “What is the future of
the world in 2022 - for the 12th year in a row - innovation-driven growth?”.
followed by the United States, Sweden, the 135. (b) India embarked on the ‘Digital India’ journey in
United Kingdom and the Netherlands. 2015 and have set up a goal of a trillion-dollar
133. (d) Its aim is to lead the development of a balanced digital economy in the next few years.
and effective international IP system that
Nobel Prize in 2022

Passage (Q.136-Q.140): For significantly improving “our understanding of the role of banks in the economy, particularly
during financial crises,” the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences for 2022 was awarded on Monday (October
10) to American economists: [1]
The last of the Nobel Prize announcements for this year, the Economics Prize has gone to the three individuals for their
role in research related to how banks function. “Modern banking research clarifies why we have banks, how to make
them less vulnerable in crises and how bank collapses exacerbate financial crises. The foundations of this research were
laid by [1] in the early 1980s. Their analyses have been of great practical importance in regulating financial markets and
dealing with financial crises,” said the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in its press release.
It also noted, “Later, when the pandemic hit in 2020, significant measures were taken to avoid a global financial crisis.
The laureates’ insights have played an important role in ensuring these latter crises did not develop into new depressions
with devastating consequences for society.”
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/understanding-why-research-on-modern-banking-
won-economics-nobel-8200648/
136. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above 137. Who among the following won the Noble Prize for
passage? Literature in 2022?
(a) Ben S Bernanke, Douglas W Diamond and (a) Giorgio Parisi
Philip H Dybvi. (b) Annie Ernaux
(b) Syukuro Manabe and Klaus Hasselmann (c) Syukuro Manabe
(c) Svante Pääbo and Giorgio Parisi (d) Klus Hasselmann
(d) Annie Ernaux and Philip H Dybvi
138. Which of the following is TRUE about Nobel Prize?
45
(a) Nobel Prize was established in Alfred Nobel's (c) CV Raman
will of 1958. (d) Dr. Hargovind Khurana
(b) The first Nobel winner was selected in 1969.
(c) The economics award was established by the 140. Nobel Prize in Physics in 2022 has been awarded for
Swedish central bank in Alfred Nobel’s memory. which of the following?
(d) All of the above (a) Quantum Mechanics
(b) Research on climate models
139. Who among the following is the first Indian (c) Interplay of disorder and fluctuations in
recipient of the Nobel Prize? physical systems.
(a) Rabindra Nath Tagore (d) Research in the field of genomes of extinct
(b) Mother Teresa hominins and human evolution.
136. (a) For significantly improving “our understanding residency). Rabindranath Tagore was the first
of the role of banks in the economy, particularly Indian citizen to be awarded and also first Asian
during financial crises,” the Sveriges Riksbank to be awarded in 1913. Mother Teresa is the only
Prize in Economic Sciences for 2022 was woman among the list of recipients.
awarded on Monday (October 10) to three 140. (a) The Nobel Prize in Physics for 2022 was awarded
American economists: Ben S Bernanke, Douglas to John F. Clauser, Alain Aspect and Anton
W Diamond and Philip H Dybvi. Zeilinger for their work in quantum mechanics
137. (b) The 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature has been by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
awarded to French author “Annie In 2021, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded
Ernaux”for“the courage and clinical acuity with to Syukuro Manabe and Klaus Hasselmann
which she uncovers the roots, estrangements (jointly) for their research on climate models
and collective restraints of personal memory”. and to Giorgio Parisi for his work on the
138. (d) Unlike the other prizes, the economics award interplay of disorder and fluctuations in physical
wasn't established in Alfred Nobel's will of 1895 systems.
but by the Swedish central bank in his memory. The Nobel Prize for 2022 in Physiology or
The first winner was selected in 1969. Medicine was awarded to Svante Pääbo for his
139. (a) Among the recipients, 11 are Indians (four Indian research in the field of genomes of extinct
citizens and seven of Indian ancestry or hominins and human evolution.
India Discrimination Report

Passage (Q.141-Q.145): These are among the findings based on government data on employment and labour from
2004-05 to 2019-20 in the ‘India Discrimination Report’, compiled by the NGO [1] and released on Thursday. The
figures, according to the report, are based on data from the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation.
The report refers to unit level data from the 61st round of National Sample Survey on employment-unemployment
(2004-05), the Periodic Labour Force Survey in 2018-19 and 2019-20, and the All-India Debt and Investment Survey by
the Centre.
The report noted that discrimination against women is so high that there is hardly any difference across religion or
caste-based sub-groups, or the rural-urban divide. It said all women, regardless of their socioeconomic location, are
“highly discriminated”.
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/oxfam-report-on-discrimination-tale-of-women-workers-rapid-exit-from-
workforce-sliding-earnings-8151794/
141. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above 142. National Sample Survey Organisation was
passage? established in which of the following years?
(a) Oxfam India (a) 1950
(b) World Labour Organisation (b) 1955
(c) Amnesty International (c) 1962
(d) Reporters Without Borders (d) 1978
46
(d) Shripad Yesso Naik
143. The National Statistical Office (NSO) launched the
Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in which of 145. Which of the following about the key findings of
the following years? the report is TRUE?
(a) 2015 (a) There has been a decline in discrimination in
(b) 2016 urban areas due to education and supportive
(c) 2017 government policies.
(d) 2019 (b) The SC and ST communities in rural India are
facing an increase in discrimination in casual
144. Who among the following is minister in charge for employment.
the Ministry of Statistics and Programme (c) Discrimination against women is so high that
Implementation? there is hardly any difference across religion or
(a) Rao Inderjit Singh caste-based sub-groups, or the rural-urban
(b) Dr. Jitendra Singh divide.
(c) Faggansingh Kulaste (d) All of the above
141. (a) These are among the findings based on 143. (c) The National Statistical Office (NSO) launched
government data on employment and labour the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in
from 2004-05 to 2019-20 in the ‘India April 2017.
Discrimination Report’, compiled by the NGO 144. (a) Is the right answer
Oxfam India and released on Thursday. 145. (d) There has been a decline in discrimination in
142. (a) The NSSO was set up in 1950 to conduct large- urban areas due to education and supportive
scale sample surveys throughout India. The government policies. The SC and ST
employees of the NSSO are from the Indian communities in rural India are facing an
Statistical Service (appointed through the increase in discrimination in casual
UPSC) and the Subordinate Statistical Service employment. Discrimination against women is
(appointed through the Staff Selection so high that there is hardly any difference
Commission). across religion or caste-based sub-groups, or
the rural-urban divide
International Year of Millets 2023

Passage (Q.146-Q.150): The commerce ministry through its apex agricultural export promotion body, Agricultural and
Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), has prepared a comprehensive strategy to promote
exports of Indian millets commencing December.
The millets export promotion programme comes against the backdrop of United Nations’ General Assembly (UNGA)
declaring [1] as the International Year of Millets (IYoM) as proposed by India.
The government is currently organising IYoM-[1] at domestic and international level to popularize Indian millets as well
as its value-added products across the world and make it a peoples’ movement.
For exports of Indian millets’ promotion, centre has planned to facilitate participation of exporters, farmers and traders
in 16 international trade expos and Buyer Seller Meets (BSMs).
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/centre-formulates-plan-to-promote-millet-exports-11668074158805.html
146. Which of the following will replace [1] in the above 147. India's proposal to observe an International Year of
passage? Millets was approved by the Food and Agriculture
(a) 2022 Organisation (FAO) in which of the following years?
(b) 2023 (a) 2015
(c) 2024 (b) 2016
(d) 2025 (c) 2017
(d) 2018
47
148. Which of the following Countries is the largest (b) 1947
producer of Millets in the world? (c) 1951
(a) China (d) 1952
(b) Russia
(c) India 150. World Food Day is observed on which of the
(d) USA following days?
(a) 16th October
149. Food and Agricultural Organisation was established (b) 18th October
in which of the following years? (c) 20th October
(a) 1945 (d) 22nd October
146. (d) The millets export promotion programme 148. (c) India is the largest producer of millet in the
comes against the backdrop of United Nations’ world.
General Assembly (UNGA) declaring 2023 as the It Accounts for 20 % of global production and
International Year of Millets (IYoM) as proposed 80% of Asia’s production.
by India. 149. (a) World Food Day is celebrated every year around
147. (d) India's proposal to observe an International Year the world on 16th October. The day is celebrated
of Millets in 2023 was approved by the Food and to mark the anniversary of the founding of the
Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in 2018 and the FAO in 1945.
United Nations General Assembly has declared 150. (a) World Food Day is celebrated every year around
the year 2023 as the International Year of the world on 16th October. The day is celebrated
Millets. to mark the anniversary of the founding of the
FAO in 1945.
48
IMPORTANT ONE LINERS FOR OLETs
NATIONAL
Centre bans PFI, affiliates for 5 years, says major threat to internal security
 The Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates were banned by the Centre for a period of five years, days after law
enforcement agents tried in a campaign to suppress the activities of the group. The Ministry of Home Affairs used the
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to enact the ban, claiming that the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates
pose a “major threat to internal security of the country” and are connected to terrorist organisations like the ISIS.
 Centre also mentioned, they also promote “anti-national sentiments… radicalise a particular section of society with
the intention of creating disaffection.”
 After the ban, the Popular Front of India (PFI) made an announcement that it was breaking apart.
 According to the law, if the Central Government is satisfied following an investigation that “any person has custody
of any moneys, securities, or credits which are being used or are intended to be used for the purpose of the unlawful
association, the Central Government may, by order in writing, prohibit such person from paying, delivering,
transferring, or otherwise dealing in any manner.”
 The Popular Front of India (PFI), is an Indian Muslim political organisation.It is an extreme and exclusivist brand of
Muslim minority politics is practised.
 Popular Front of India (PFI) was established in 2006 as a result of the union of the National Development Front (NDF)
and the Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD).
 It promotes accommodations for Muslims. The group staged demonstrations in 2012 in opposition to the purported
detention of innocent people under the UAPA statute.
About Popular Front of India (PFI):

Founded: 22 November 2006
Headquarters: New Delhi
Chairman: OMA Abdul Salam
General Secretary: Anis Ahmed
Adani Green commissions world's largest wind-solar plant

 Renewable energy major, Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) commissioned the world’s largest wind-solar hybrid
power plant with a 600 MW capacity in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
 The hybrid plant comprises a 600 MW solar and 150 MW wind plant. The plant has a 25-year power purchase
agreement (PPA) with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) at Rs 2.69/ unit.
 This 600 MW Hybrid plant is housed in two AGEL subsidiaries namely Adani Hybrid Energy Jaisalmer Two Ltd
(AHEJ2L) and Adani Hybrid Energy Jaisalmer Three Ltd (AHEJ3L).
 The co-located hybrid power plant will not only reduce intermittency of RE power but shall also help the Nation in
optimal utilisation of the transmission network. Earlier this year in May, AGEL had operationalised India’s first hybrid
power plant with a capacity of 390 MW at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.
 “With the successful commissioning of this 600 MW plant, AGEL now has a total operational generation capacity of
6.7 GW, including operational hybrid power generation capacity of 1 GW, the largest in the world,” the company said
in its stock exchange filing on Thursday. This puts AGEL’s total renewable portfolio at 20.4 GW.
About Adani Group:

Founded: 1988
Headquarters: Ahmedabad
Founder: Gautam Adani
About Rajasthan:
Governor: Kalraj Mishra
Capital: Jaipur (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister: Ashok Gehlot
49
Sweden's Saab To Set Up Facility In India To Make M4 Rocket Launcher For Indian Army And Export
 Swedish defence firm Saab announced its plan to set up a manufacturing facility in India for the Carl-Gustaf M4
shoulder-fired weapon system under the NDA government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative to bolster indigenous defence
manufacturing, a company official said. Production at the new facility is expected to begin in 2024, even though the
firm is yet to reveal the location.
 A new company, Saab FFV India, will make the latest rocket launchers in India for the Indian armed forces, along
with components for users of the weapon system around the world, the company said. The facility will be the firm’s
first manufacturing facility for the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system outside Sweden. Saab is currently in talks with the
army to take the proposal forward. The Carl-Gustaf weapon system has been in service with the Indian Army since
1976, and its earlier M2 and M3 variants have been licence-produced in India.
 The company is looking at the 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) route to set up the new venture, but will pursue
the 74% FDI option with an Indian partner if the former doesn’t work out.
About Sweden:
Capital: Stockholm
Currency: Swedish krona
Prime Minister: Magdalena Andersson
About Indian Army:
Founded: 1 April 1895, India
Notable commanders: Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa, OBE; Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, MC; General K. S.
Thimayya, DSO
Gurugram To Get "World's Largest Safari", Park To Cover Over 10,000 Acres
 World’s largest jungle safari park to be developed in Haryana. The World’s largest jungle safari park is spread across
an area of 10000 acres in the Aravalli Mountain Range of Gurugram and Nuh District. This project will be the largest
such project in the world. The proposed area to build the World’s largest jungle safari park is Aravalli hills.
 The park will also include a large herbarium, an aviary, four zones for big cars, a large area for herbivores, an area for
exotic animal/birds, an underwater world, natural trails, visitors, tourism zones, botanical garden, biomes, equatorial,
tropical, coastal, desert, etc.
 For the making of the World’s largest jungle safari park an Aravalli Foundation will be set up which will manage the
project. The design and operation will be managed by an international EOI, and two more companies with
international experience.
About Haryana:
Capital: Chandigarh
Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya
Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
Telangana govt enhances ST reservation from 6% to 10% with immediate effect

 The Telangana government issued an order to increase the reservation for the Scheduled Tribe communities from 6
percent to 10 percent. The order issued by the Tribal Welfare Department informed that the enhanced reservations
would apply in the educational institutions and to services under the state government with immediate effect.
 In 2017, the Telangana Assembly passed a bill enhancing the reservation of the ST population to 10 percent.
 The latest order has increased the reservation for various sections in the state up to 54 percent.
 Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has announced the increase of the ST Quota to 10 percent.
 The reservation report, highlights the fact that the ST population has risen more compared to others since 1986 when
6 percent reservation was announced.
About Telangana:
Founded: 2 June 2014
Capital: Hyderabad
Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan
Chief Minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao
50
CBI launches 'Operation Garuda' against illicit drug trafficking
 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a multi-phase ‘Operation Garuda’. Operation Garuda will
help to disrupt, degrade, and dismantle networks with international linkages through the rapid exchange of criminal
intelligence on drug trafficking and coordinated law enforcement action across international jurisdictions through
Interpol.
 Operation Garuda is a Global Operation that was initiated in close coordination with Interpol and Narcotics Control
Bureau.
 Operation Garuda was initiated to combat the smuggling of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances, with a special
focus on the Indian Ocean Region.
 In this operation apart from CBI and NCB, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and
Manipur also participated in Operation Garuda.
 During this special operation, 6600 suspects were checked, 127 new cases were registered, and 175 persons including
six absconder’s offenders were arrested.
About Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):

Founded: 1 April 1963
Founder: Government of India
Centre Extends AFSPA In Districts Of Arunachal Pradesh & Nagaland For Six Months
 AFSPA in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh: The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or AFSPA, has been applied to
12 districts in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for an additional six months, according to the federal government. In
order to aid the military forces in carrying out the anti-insurgency operations, it has also been expanded in some areas
of five more districts of the two northeastern states.
 The AFSPA will be extended for six months starting in nine districts of Nagaland: Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima,
Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Zunheboto.
 The AFSPA will be also extended for six months starting in 16 police station areas in four additional districts: Kohima,
Mokokchung, Longleng, and Wokha. This was announced in a notification by the Home Ministry.
About Nagaland:
Capital: Kohima (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister: Neiphiu Rio
Governor: Prof Jagdish Mukhi
About Arunachal Pradesh:
Capital: Itanagar (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister: Pema Khandu
Governor: B. D. Mishra.
25 Per Cent Extra Seats To Be Created For Foreign Students In Universities, HEIs: UGC's New Guidelines
 UGC Guidelines for International Students: The University Grants Commission (UGC guidelines) said that higher
education institutions (HEIs) nationwide would now be able to add up to 25% extra seats for international students
and must have a transparent admissions procedure for them. Last month, the draught of “Guidelines for Admission
and Supernumerary Seats of International Students in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes in Higher
Educational Institutions in India” was made available to the public for comment.
 Over and beyond their overall sanctioned enrolment for undergraduate and graduate programmes, HEIs may
generate up to 25 percent of supernumerary seats for overseas students.
 The choice on additional seats must be made by the relevant higher education institutions in accordance with the
detailed directives and laws issued by the regulatory agencies, taking into account the infrastructure, faculty, and
other criteria.
About University Grants Commission (UGC):

Founded: 1956
Sector: Higher education
First executive: Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar
51
Agency executive: D. P. Singh (Chairperson)
Telangana govt introduces 'Aasara' pension as social safety net to poor

 The Telangana government has introduced ‘Aasara’ pensions as a part of the state’s welfare measures and social safety
net strategy. The ‘Aasara’ pensions aim to secure life for all the poor. It is a welfare scheme for the older section of the
state, widows, physically disabled, and beedi workers to avail pension facilities. Under the Asif Nagar Mandal
jurisdiction 10,000 new Aasara pensions have been sanctioned.
 The Aasara pension scheme was launched on 8th November 2014 by the Government of Telangana.
 The scheme provides pensions to old people, windows, patients suffering from elephantiasis or AIDS, physically
disabled persons, beedi workers, and single women.
 On 7th March 2022, the Finance Minister of Telangana allocated Rs. 11,728 crores to the Aasara Pension scheme.
About Telangana:
Capital: Hyderabad
Kiren Rijiju, Anurag Singh Thakur launch Fit India Freedom Run 3.0 on Gandhi Jayanti at Major
Dhyanchand National Stadium, New Delhi
 In honour of Gandhi Jayanti, Fit India Freedom Run 3.0 was officially introduced at the Major Dhyanchand National
Stadium in New Delhi. The third edition of Fit India Plog Run, one of the largest national activities initiated by the
Government of India at the height of the Covid-19 epidemic in 2020, was jointly introduced by Union Ministers of
Law and Justice Shri Kiren Rijiju and Shri Anurag Singh Thakur.
 October 2, marked the beginning of the third iteration of the Fit India Freedom Run, which will last until October 31.
 Along with a sizable number of participants, the event also included the former health minister of India, Shri
Harshvardhan Goel, the secretary of sports, Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi, the director general of the Sports Authority of
India, Shri Sandip Pradhan, and the ambassador for Fit India, Ripu Daman Bevli.
About Delhi:
Chief Minister: Arvind Kejriwal
Capital: New Delhi
L. Governor: Vinai Kumar Saxena
Education Ministry launches PM Modi's young authors mentoring scheme YUVA 2.0
 The Prime Minister’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors, known as YUVA 2.0 (Young, Upcoming and Versatile
Authors), was launched by the Department of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education on October 2. In order
to promote India and Indian literature abroad, it is an author mentoring programme for young and aspiring writers
(under 30 years old).
 YUVA 2.0 aims to artistically and ingeniously emphasise the viewpoints of the younger generation of authors on the
issue of “Democracy (institutions, events, people, constitutional ideals – past, present, future)” as part of the India@75
Project (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav).
 In light of the last edition’s enormous effect, which includes broad participation from young and aspiring authors in
22 more Indian languages in addition to English, YUVA 2.0 is now being produced.
Ahead of festive season, KVIC to organize a mela of traditional handloom and handicraft products at Delhi’s
Dilli Haat from 1-15 Oct
 Khadi and Village Industry Commission (KVIC), a statutory body under the Ministry of MSME, is organizing a Scheme
of Fund for the Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) Mela at Dilli Haat, New Delhi. The SFURTI Mela will
be organized from 1st October 2022 to 15th October 2022.
 The national-level exhibition of Traditional products from SFURTI clusters is being organized for the first time to
promote Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. SFURTI is initiated by MSME Ministry to promote cluster development.
 Under the SFURTI Mela, traditional artisans are organized into clusters for manufacturing value-added traditional
products to enhance their income.
52
 The clusters will cover traditional sectors including handloom, handicrafts, khadi, coir, agro-products, etc.
 Till now, SFURTI has supported 498 clusters across the country directly benefiting around three lakh artisans.
HM Amit Shah announces Scheduled Tribe status for Pahari community in J&K
 Union Home Minister Amit Shah announces that Pahari Community in Jammu and Kashmir will get a Scheduled
Tribe (ST) status and political reservations before Assembly elections. The abolition of Articles 370 and 35A in August
2019 paved the way for providing reservations to deprived sections of Jammu and Kashmir.
 The ST quota in J&K carries 7% spots in government jobs and educational institutions.The Gujjars and Bakerwals
community were getting ST benefits since 1991.
 The Paharis were given a 4 percent quota in the OBC category from January 2020. The Centre formed the Justice
Sharma Commission in March 2020, however it seemed to upset the Gujjars and Bakerwals.
First green tech based incubation centre of India to come up at NIT Srinagar
 At the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, a technology company incubator centred on green technology
(Green Technology incubation facility) called the “Greenovator Incubation Foundation” will soon open. The
Department of Science and Technology (DST) is supporting a three-year initiative known as Inclusive TBI (i-TBI) for
educational institutions, idea generators, innovators, and entrepreneurs to support innovative ideas, startup
initiatives, and promote self-employment and job creation through incubation.
 All of the money required to establish the Green Technology incubation facility centre will be provided by the
Department of Science and Technology. Startups will have access to the co-working space, which includes conference
spaces, a prototype lab, and other amenities.
 In addition to office space, financial support in the form of seed money would be provided on an individual basis with
equity in accordance with DST criteria.
 Saad Parvez, the center’s CEO, described the forthcoming centre as the first of its type in the area and claimed that it
would foster ideas that would lead to entrepreneurship and self-employment.
ECLGS: Finance Ministry increases loan limit to Rs 1,500 cr for aviation sector
 The Union Finance Minister allowed airlines to avail of up to Rs 1,500 crore loan under the Emergency Credit Line
Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS). The ECLGS will help them to recover their cash flow problems. Earlier, an airline could
only avail of a loan of not more than Rs 400 crore under the ECLGS. In 2020, the Centre started to provide collateral-
dree and government-guaranteed loans to businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
 The Finance Minister’s decision will likely benefit the financially affected airlines.It is a positive approach for the
airlines to secure their working capital and funds for operation.
 The Department of Financial Services has informed that it has enhanced the maximum loan amount eligibility for
airlines under the ECLGS to 100 percent of their total credit outstanding. The modification in the policy aims to give
necessary collateral-free liquidity at reasonable interest rates
Centre sets up 9-member taskforce for monitoring cheetahs in Kuno National Park
 The Center has established a Task Force to oversee the introduction of cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National
Park and other suitably specified places. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) would support the
Cheetah Task Force’s operations and provide all essential assistance. Principal Secretaries of Madhya Pradesh’s Forests
and Tourism, as well as Dr. Amit Mallick, Inspector General of the NTCA in New Delhi, will be among the task force’s
nine members.
 The Task Force will be active for two years, according to a statement from the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and
Climate Change.
 Additionally, the Task Force for Cheetah Introduction Project Monitoring will keep an eye on the cheetahs’ adaption
to the Kuno National Park ecosystem and their hunting prowess.
 Additionally, it will advocate for the construction of tourism-related infrastructure in the surroundings of Kuno
National Park and adjacent Protected Areas.
Justice Dinesh Sharma to head UAPA tribunal related to the ban on PFI
 The government of India has appointed Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma of the Delhi High Court as the presiding officer
of the tribunal for the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), related to the ban on the Popular Front of India
(PFI) and its associates. Once an organisation is banned under the provisions of UAPA, a tribunal is set up by the
government to adjudicate whether there are sufficient grounds for the decision.
53
 The office memorandum, issued by the Department of Justice in the Law Ministry on October 3, mentioned that
Justice Sharma’s time as head of the UAPA tribunal will count as “actual service”. Chief Justice S.C. Sharma of the
Delhi High Court appointed Justice Sharma to head the tribunal that will examine the ban.
To boost traditional sports, CM Baghel inaugurated ‘Chhattisgarhiya Olympics’

 Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has inaugurated the state’s own Olympics. The aim is to provide a
centerstage to the village level sports so that a feeling of pride for the culture is inculcated. Secondly, to channelise
the energy of the local youths which is very important for our society, Baghel inaugurated the grand multi-sport event
at Balbir Singh Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur, claiming to revive the age-old-tradition of traditional games namely
‘langdi’, ‘bhaura’, ‘bati’ (kancha), and ‘pitthul’. The event will continue till January 6, 2023 and as many as 14 types of
traditional sports have been included in the team and individual categories of separate age groups.
 The traditional sports competition of Chhattisgarh will be held in group and singles categories. A total 14 types of
traditional sports have been included in the Chhattisgarh Olympics 2022-23.
About Chhattisgarh:
Capital: Raipur
Chief Minister: Bhupesh Baghel
Governor: Anusuiya Uikey
PM Modi declares Gujarat’s Modhera as India's first 24x7 solar-powered village

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday declared Modhera village in poll-bound Gujarat as the country's first 24x7
solar-powered village. Modhera, which is famous for a centuries-old Sun temple built during the Chalukya, will also
be known as a “solar-powered village”, Modi said.
 Addressing a rally, Modi said, “We shall no longer pay for electricity, but will instead sell it and earn from it. Earlier,
the government supplied power to residents; now, with the installation of solar panels, citizens will now produce their
own electricity.”
 The Modhera village is located 25 km from the Mehsana district of Gurajat, and about 100 km from the state capital
of Gandhinagar. The village has a ground-mounted solar power plant, and over 1,300 rooftop solar systems with 1kW
capacity have been installed on houses to generate electricity.
First seminar of Agni Tattva campaign under LiFE mission held in Leh
 Power Foundation of India in association with Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) is currently running a campaign to create
awareness on Agni Tattva under LiFE - Lifestyle for environment. This campaign includes conferences, seminars,
events, and exhibitions across the country involving educational institutions, communities, and relevant
organisations to create awareness of the core concept of Agni Tattva, an element that is synonymous with energy and
is amongst the five elements of Panchmahabhoot.
 The first conference of the Agni campaign was organised in Leh yesterday, on the theme of ‘Sustainability and Culture’.
It witnessed participation from key stakeholders working in the areas of energy, culture, and sustainability, from
diverse fields such as administration, policymakers, academics, and start-ups.
 The conference was inaugurated by Shri R K Mathur, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh. Speaking on the occasion, he
said that Ladakh always had a sustainable lifestyle, however, increased modernisation is leading to an imbalance in
the ecosystem of the region, and this not only adversely impacts the region but could also alter the monsoon cycle of
the entire country since it is inter-linked with the Himalayan ecosystem. He further added that the UT administration
of Ladakh has laid out a clear roadmap to reverse this imbalance and move toward sustainable development. He
emphasised several key areas.
Pakistan to join closing ceremony of SCO anti-terror exercise hosted by India

 Pakistan has confirmed that it will attend the Shanghai cooperation organisation’s anti-terror exercises in India.
Pakistan, which is a part of SCO will take part in counter-terror drills in Haryana’s Manesar in October. These
exercises will be conducted under the ambit of the SCO regional anti-terrorism structure (RATS).
 A three-member Pakistani delegation will take part in the meeting in Delhi. While the SCO as a grouping came into
existence in 2001, India and Pakistan became members of it in 2017.
 India will be hosting the SCO RATS council meeting on October 14th this year in Delhi. New Delhi has also proposed
holding a SCO joint anti-terrorist exercise (JATE) in Manesar this year.
54
 37th meeting of the Council of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO
RATS) took place in Tashkent under the chairmanship of India.
India's space economy expected to be worth USD 12.8 billion by 2025

 India’s space economy is likely to be worth nearly $13 billion by 2025, with the satellite launch services segment set to
witness the fastest growth due to increasing private participation, according to a report released.
 India’s space economy was pegged at $9.6 billion in 2020 and is expected to touch $12.8 billion by 2025, according to
the report titled ‘Developing the Space Ecosystem in India: Focusing on Inclusive Growth’. In dollar terms, the satellite
services and applications segment would be the largest with a turnover of $4.6 billion by 2025, followed by ground
segment at $4 billion. The satellite manufacturing stands at $3.2 billion and launch services at $1 billion.
 The growing demand for smaller satellites is set to boost satellite manufacturing in the country. It will attract global
start-ups in the sector to help incubate space tech companies here, said the report released by the Indian Space
Association (ISpA) and Ernst and Young.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur inaugurates Water Sports Center in Himachal Pradesh
 Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated a Water Sports Center in the Koldam
Barmana, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. The Water Sports Centre, the very first of its kind in Himachal Pradesh, has
been jointly initiated by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). The
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also exchanged between SAI and NTPC during the event. The centre will
be dedicated to training athletes in water sports like Rowing, Canoeing and Kayaking.
 Anurag Thakur said that this water sports centre at NTPC Koldam would be a big sports facility for the children of
Himachal Pradesh in future. He said that this water sports center has a straight range of 3 km, which is found in some
places. Many of our water sports athletes will come here to learn. Good coaches have also been arranged. There are
very good facilities here.
About Himachal Pradesh:

Capital: Shimla (Summer), Dharamshala (Winter);
Chief Minister: Jai Ram Thakur
Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
Ethanol subsidy scheme extended till March 2023

 The Centre has extended the timeline for disbursement of loans up to March 31 under the ethanol blending
programme interest subsidy scheme, notified first in 2018, to facilitate entrepreneurs to complete their projects while
availing of government support.
 The Food Ministry issued a notification on October 6 stating the applicants who have submitted their applications to
DFPD after the date of notification of the scheme but within the cut-off date prescribed in the notification. Loans
were disbursed to them prior to the in-principle approval of DFPD, will also be eligible for interest subvention under
the scheme. The applicants have been asked to complete their projects within two and half years after receiving their
first instalment, said the notification.
 Immense benefits can accrue to the country by 20% ethanol blending by 2025, such as saving Rs 30,000 crore of foreign
exchange per year, energy security, lower carbon emissions, better air quality, self-reliance, use of damaged
foodgrains, increasing farmers’ incomes, employment generation, and greater investment opportunities.
5th edition of Megha Kayak festival begins in Ri Bhoi

 Meghalaya is all set to host the four-day long mega global adventure sports spectacle, ‘Megha Kayak Festival, 2022’
starting October 13 at the picturesque Umtrew River at Umtham Village. The 2022 edition of the festival will witness
over 100 participants from close to 20 countries across the globe, featuring some of the best-known athletes. The
festival will include white water kayaking events in three competition categories – Downriver Time Trial, Extreme
Slalom and Downriver Freestyle for professionals as well as intermediate and amateur racers.
 ‘Megha Kayak Festival’ is receiving an overwhelming response with participation assured from leading adventure
water sports nations like New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Canada to name a few.
About Meghalaya:
Capital: Shillong;
Chief Minister: Conrad Kongkal Sangma;
Governor: D. Mishra (additional charge).
55
PM Modi flags off 4th Vande Bharat Express train in Himachal's Una
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the fourth Vande Bharat Express Train of India. He also launched a slew
of development projects in Himachal Pradesh. PM Modi flagged off the inaugural run of the new Vande Bharat Express
Train from Amb Andaura to New Delhi. He also laid the foundation stone of Bulk Drug Park.
 In Chamba district, he laid the foundation stone of two hydropower projects and launched the Pradhan Mantri Gram
Sadak Yojana-III in Himachal Pradesh.
 Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Jai Ram Thakur highlighted the ninth visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to
Himachal Pradesh in five years.
 The Vande Bharat Express Train launched in Himachal Pradesh is much lighter and capable of reaching higher speeds
in a shorter duration.
Rajnath Singh launches website for citizens to contribute to Armed Forces fund
 Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh will be launching the ‘Maa Bharati Ke Sapoot’ (MBKS) website for the Armed
Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund (AFBCWF) during a function at the National War Memorial Complex in New
Delhi. The AFBCWF is a Tri-service fund utilised to grant immediate financial assistance of ex-gratia to the next of
kin and dependents of Battle Casualties. Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan to be the ‘Goodwill Ambassador’.
 The Chief of Defence Staff, all three Service Chiefs, Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardees and other prominent officials
of the MoD, corporate heads, chairman & managing directors of banks, personnel from the sports field and celebrities
are expected to attend the function. On occasion, the ten of kins of fallen heroes and soldiers disabled in active
military operations will also be felicitated. Parents and relatives of many war-decorated soldiers have also been
invited.
Eastern Naval Command conducts offshore security exercise 'Prasthan'

 ‘Prasthan’ an Offshore Security Exercise was conducted by the Eastern Naval Command in the Offshore Development
Area (ODA) off Kakinada. ‘Prasthan’ is a half-yearly exercise that was conducted in the KG basin to validate SOPs,
address various contingencies and strengthen the command and control organization toward Maritime security.
 It aims to integrate the efforts of all maritime stakeholders involved in offshore defense.
 The exercise aims to refine the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and response actions to several contingencies
in the Offshore Defence Area.
 The Prasthan exercise is conducted every six months and it is an important element of ensuring offshore security as
per the Defence Ministry.
 The exercise was conducted onboard Drill rigs Platinum Explorer and DDKG of ONGC and RIL located about 40 nm
south of Kakinada.
Kurdish politician Abdul Latif Rashid elected as new president of Iraq

 The Iraqi Parliament chose Kurdish politician, Abdul Latif Rashid to lead the country. Rashid won more than 160
votes against 99 for the incumbent Saleh. Rashid, 78, is a British-educated engineer and was the Iraqi minister of
water resources from 2003-2010. Outgoing President Saleh reportedly walked out of the parliament building as the
votes were tallied.
 Rashid was born in 1944 in the northeastern Sulaymaniyah region of Iraq. He graduated as a civil engineer from the
University of Liverpool in 1968. He went on to complete his engineering doctorate in 1976 from the University of
Manchester.
 Rashid has a long history in Iraqi politics. He served as the minister of water resources from 2003 to 2010 and then as
the senior adviser to the President. He can speak speaks Kurdish, Arabic and English.
 Rashid is a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) party. He was also the former spokesperson for the
PUK in Britain.
About Iraq:
Capital: Baghdad
Currency: Dinar
President: Abdul Latif Rashid
Prime Minister: Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani
56
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates India’s First Aluminum Freight Rake
 Union Minister for Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw
inaugurated India’s First Aluminum Freight Rake - 61 BOBRNALHSM1 at Bhubaneswar Railway Station today. The
rake’s destination is Bilaspur.
 This is a dedicated effort for Make in India program as it has been fully designed and developed indigenously in
collaboration with RDSO, HINDALCO and Besco Wagon.
 The tare is 3.25 tons lower than normal steel rakes, 180 ton extra carrying capacity resulting in higher throughput per
wagon.
 The reduced tare will reduce carbon footprint as lower consumption of fuel in empty direction and more transport of
freight in loaded condition. A single rake can save over 14,500 tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime.
 Iron industry consumes a lot of Nickel and Cadmium which comes from import. So, proliferation of Aluminum
wagons will result in less import. At the same time, this is good for local aluminum industry.
India to host 90th General Assembly of INTERPOL from 18th to 21st Oct
 India is hosting the 90th General Assembly of the International Criminal Police Organization, INTERPOL from 18th
to 21st of October in New Delhi.
 The General Assembly is INTERPOL’s supreme governing body, comprising representatives from each of 195 member
countries. It meets once a year.
 India is one of the oldest members of Interpol and joined the organization in 1949. All member countries of INTERPOL
have agreed to ensure and promote the widest possible assistance between all criminal police authorities in the
prevention and suppression of ordinary law crimes.
 The role of INTERPOL is to enable police around the world to work together to make the world a safer place.
Gwalior: Shah inaugurates ‘Gatha Swaraj Ki’ gallery in Scindia Museum

 Union Home Minister Amit Shah has inaugurated a gallery-cum-exhibition depicting the history of prominent
Maratha commanders at the sprawling Jai Vilas Mahal of Scindias, the erstwhile rulers of Gwalior. Shah was in Gwalior
to lay the foundation for the terminal building and expansion of the Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Airport.
 Shah visited the museum in the palace and inaugurated the ‘Gatha Swaraj ki-Maratha Gallery’ depicting the history
of the main Maratha rulers including the Scindias, Gaikwads, Holkars, Nevalkars, Bhosales and the Pawar.
 As per the booklet about the gallery, the word “Swaraj” was first used by Sakharam Ganesh Deoskar in a Bangla book-
“Shivajir Mahatva” on the life of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1902. The word “Swaraj” was used by Bal Gangadhar
Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Veer Savarkar, the Bhartiya Jan Sangh and Indian National Congress among others. Union
civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the royal descendant, his wife Priyadarshini Raje and their son
Mahanaryaman welcomed Shah in the palace.
India stands third in the world in terms of fish production: MoS Dr. L Murugan
 Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr. L Murugan has recently said that India
stands third in the world in terms of fish production. India is the 3rd largest fish producing and 2nd largest aquaculture
nation in the world after China.
 He said, India stands third in the world in terms of fish production. Making specific reference to Karnataka, the Union
Minister said that 734.77 crore rupees was allocated to the state under the flagship scheme of Pradhan Mantri Matsya
Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) from 2020-21 till date for the development of infrastructure facilities.
 The vision is to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector.
 The main motto of PMMSY is ‘Reform, Perform and Transform’in the fisheries sector.
 Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is the implementing agency.
Centre approves India’s 1st cable-cum-suspension bridge across Krishna river

 The central government has approved the construction of an iconic cable stayed-cum-suspension bridge across the
Krishna river connecting Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and passing through the Nallamala forest range. The
decision was announced by the union minister for road transport and national highways Nitin Gadkari. Gadkari said
the iconic bridge will have several unique features like the longest glass pedestrian walkway across a river, gopuram-
like pylons, signature lighting and a large navigational span.
 The two-storeyed cable bridge with a four-lane carriageway across the Krishna river was approved last week by the
standing committee on finance for the union ministry of road transport and national highways.
57
 The bridge begins at Somasila at Kollapur in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district and Atmakur in Andhra Pradesh’s
Kurnool district.
 At present, the people from Telangana are forced to travel for a long distance via Kurnool to reach pilgrim centres
like Mahanandi, Ahobilam, Tirupati.
India stands third in the world in terms of fish production: MoS Dr. L Murugan
 Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr. L Murugan has recently said that India
stands third in the world in terms of fish production. India is the 3rd largest fish producing and 2nd largest aquaculture
nation in the world after China.
 He said, India stands third in the world in terms of fish production. Making specific reference to Karnataka, the Union
Minister said that 734.77 crore rupees was allocated to the state under the flagship scheme of Pradhan Mantri Matsya
Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) from 2020-21 till date for the development of infrastructure facilities.
 The vision is to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector.
 The main motto of PMMSY is ‘Reform, Perform and Transform’in the fisheries sector.
 Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is the implementing agency.
Centre approves India’s 1st cable-cum-suspension bridge across Krishna river

 The central government has approved the construction of an iconic cable stayed-cum-suspension bridge across the
Krishna river connecting Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and passing through the Nallamala forest range. The
decision was announced by the union minister for road transport and national highways Nitin Gadkari. Gadkari said
the iconic bridge will have several unique features like the longest glass pedestrian walkway across a river, gopuram-
like pylons, signature lighting and a large navigational span.
 The two-storeyed cable bridge with a four-lane carriageway across the Krishna river was approved last week by the
standing committee on finance for the union ministry of road transport and national highways.
 The bridge begins at Somasila at Kollapur in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district and Atmakur in Andhra Pradesh’s
Kurnool district.
At present, the people from Telangana are forced to travel for a long distance via Kurnool to reach pilgrim centres
like Mahanandi, Ahobilam, Tirupati.
World Cup hosts Qatar set to host 2023 AFC Asian Cup
 The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee has confirmed the Qatar Football Association (QFA)
as the host association for the AFC Asian Cup 2023. The 11th AFC Executive Committee meeting was chaired by AFC
President Shaikh Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.
 He congratulated the QFA on their successful bid and also conveyed the appreciation of the Asian Football Family to
the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) and the Korea Football Association (KFA) for their proposals.
 Qatar is the reigning AFC Asian Cup Champions and will be hosting the most prestigious men’s tournament for the
third time.
 The AFC Executive Committee also deliberated upon the bidding proposals for the AFC Asian Cup 2027.
India Gate, the flagship brand of KRBL, has been recognized as the world's Number one
 India Gate, the flagship brand of KRBL, has been recognized as the world’s No. 1 Basmati Rice Brand in a market study
conducted by a leading global research company. The quantitative study by Mordor Intelligence covers research of
White and Brown Basmati Rice Category across continents like the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East
& Africa. The research has been done using methodologies like Primary & Secondary Research, Data Triangulation,
and Insight Generation.
 Mordor Intelligence, a leading global research company founded in 2014 has been conducting studies providing
insights to 4000+ enterprises across 100+ countries across multiple industries.
 Since its introduction in 1998, India Gate Basmati Rice has been working continuously to deliver its purpose of
enriching lives through Basmati Rice, a nutritional wonder of nature.
 Over the years, India Gate has developed a successful global consumer franchise, as evidenced by the fact that it is
exported to over 90 countries and sells 8+ cr. packs annually.
 The grains of India Gate Basmati Rice is aged to perfection, which makes them longer, fluffier, non-sticky, and full of
beautiful aroma, setting them apart from the others.
58
PM inaugurates PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
 The PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022 will be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Indian Agricultural
Research Institute in New Delhi. More than 13,500 farmers from all around the country and about 1,500 agri
entrepreneurs are expected to attend the two-day event.
 The Prime Minister will officially open 600 Pradan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PMKSK) under the ministry of
chemicals and fertilisers.
 PMKSK will provide agri-inputs like fertilisers, seeds, and implements; testing facilities for soil, seeds, and fertilisers;
awareness-raising activities for farmers; details on various government programmes; and regular capacity building for
retailers at block/district level outlets.
 During the occasion, the PM will also introduce the One Nation One Fertilizer initiative, Bhartiya Jan Urvarak
Pariyojana.
PM Modi lays foundation stone of new strategic air base in Gujarat's Deesa
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Indian Air Force (IAF)’s new airbase at Deesa in
Banaskantha district of Gujarat and described it as an effective center of India’s security. He said the Deesa air base,
mere 130 kilometers from the Indo-Pak border, will be able to give a better response to any threat coming from the
western side.
 Although the land for Deesa airbase was allotted an in-principle approval given to Indian Air Force (IAF) by the
Vajpayee government way back in 2000, the project was put on a back burner by the UPA government for the next 14
years. Although the project was revived when Narendra Modi took over as PM, it was the 2017 massive floods in
Banaskantha that really kick-started the project.
 It was then Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who got the airbase approved by the government along with the
₹1,000 crore funding.
 While PM Modi said the Deesa airbase will provide faster offensive capability to the IAF in this sector, the new airfield
will also plug a crucial tactical gap between forward air bases at Naliya, Bhuj in Gujarat, and Phalodi in Rajasthan.
 The Deesa air base will be the fire wall between enemy aircraft taking off from Mirpur Khas, Hyderabad, Shahbaz F-
16 airbase in Jacobabad in Pakistan with Gujarat’s more than a trillion dollar industrial complex in and around
Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar and Vadodara as target to economically hit India in the worst-case scenario. Deesa will also
make Pakistani cities of Hyderabad, Karachi, and Sukkur vulnerable with its deep penetration strike aircraft.
India, France re-elected as President, Co-President of International Solar Alliance

 In the third assembly of ISA, Union Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh has been re-elected as
the President of International Solar Alliance. France Minister of State for Development Chrysoula Zacharopoulou has
been re-elected as Co-President.
 The Third Assembly of the International Solar Alliance has been attended by 34 ISA Members ministers. 53 Member
countries and 5 Signatory and Prospective Member countries participated to the Assembly.
 India and France were re-elected as the President and Co- President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for a
term of two years at the virtual meeting of the Third Assembly held on 14 October. Four new Vice-Presidents were
also chosen to represent the four regions of ISA. The representatives of Fiji & Nauru for Asia Pacific Region; Mauritius
& Niger for Africa Region; UK & Netherlands for Europe and others Region, and Cuba and Guyana for Latin America
and Caribbean Region assumed the vice presidency.
PM Modi launches Mission LiFE movement at Kevadiya in Gujarat

 Mission LIFE movement is launched by PM Modi in order to protect the environment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
issued a stern warning. After the global launch of Mission LiFE at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat in the presence of UN
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the PM addressed the crowd and asserted that lifestyle changes can help to
mitigate climate change.
 The PM noted, reiterating India’s commitment to combating the threat of climate change, that a circular economy
and reduce, reuse, recycle principles have been ingrained in Indian culture for thousands of years.
 India is the best example of economic progress and environmental protection.
 The PM referred to Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of trusteeship and said that the Mission LiFE invites us to be
environmental trustees.
 PM Modi praised Gujarat’s initiatives in the fields of environmental preservation and renewable energy.
59
Windergy 2023 to be Held in Chennai in Next Year
 The 5th edition of India’s only comprehensive International Trade Fair and Conference, Windergy India 2023 will be
held from 4th October to 6th October 2023. The Windergy India 2023 will be organized by the Indian Wind Turbine
Manufacturers Association (IWTMA) and PDA Ventures Pvt Ltd, the three-day trade fairs and conference will provide
a vibrant platform to meet and interact with policymakers, regulatory authority, international and domestic
technology, solution and services providers from the wind power industries.
 Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA) was established in 1998 and is the apex business
association and voice of the Indian wind Industry. IWTMA has been at the forefront of the policy framework and
regulatory intervention with proactive engagement with Central and State policymakers, Investors, and Stakeholders.
Indian, US militaries conduct "Tiger Triumph" humanitarian assistance exercise

 The Indian and US militaries carried out a three-day joint humanitarian assistance exercise in Vishakhapatnam in
line with the growing strategic cooperation between the two countries. The Tiger Triumph exercise was the second
collaboration between the Indian and US Militaries to coordinate disaster relief in the region.
 The first exercise took place over the course of nine days in November 2019 and featured more than 500 US Marines
and sailors.The first exercise included 1200 Indian sailors, soldiers, and Airmen.
 This year, the military exercise involved fifty combined participants, and it focused on staff planning, with an
emphasis on processes for streamlining diplomatic, operational, and logistical coordination.
 Tiger Triumph marked the third time in 2022 that Indian and US militaries have worked together in Vishakhapatnam.
‘Diye jalao, patake nahin’: Delhi govt kicks off campaign for green Diwali
 Delhi government has launched the ‘Diye Jalao, Patake Nahin’ (light up lamps, not firecrackers) campaign at Central
Park in New Delhi. The Delhi government on Friday lit 51,000 diyas at Central Park in Connaught Place here to mark
the launch of its campaign for a pollution-free Diwali. The campaign aims at promoting a quieter and pollution-free
Diwali.
 Volunteers take part in the Delhi government’s campaign for a pollution-free Diwali. Diwali is one of the biggest
festivals in India. People across the country mark the festival in special ways by making rangolis, organising Diwali
parties and preparing delicious dishes and sweets. However, air and noise pollution have been a cause of concern on
this auspicious occasion. Bursting crackers is a major cause for pollution.
India successfully testfires new-gen nuclear-capable 'Agni Prime' ballistic missile off Odisha Coast
 The Agni Prime New Generation Ballistic Missile was successfully tested by India on October 21 off the coast of Odisha.
Around 9.45 this morning, a test launch of the ballistic missile took place. The missile successfully completed the test,
covering its full range, and all of its test goals were achieved.
 The Agni Prime, also known as “Agni-P,” is a two-stage canisterized missile from the Agni class that is nuclear-capable
and has a maximum range of 2,000 kilometres.
 The Agni Prime missile has updated guidance and propulsion technologies and weighs 50% less than the Agni 3
missile.
 This test has demonstrated the system’s accuracy and dependability.
 Agni Prime underwent its first test on June 28, 2021, and it underwent its second test on December 18, 2021.
PM Modi launches recruitment drive ‘Rozgar Mela’ for 10 lakh personnel

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a mega recruitment drive, Rozgar Mela, for ten lakh personnel today. On
this occasion, appointment letters for various posts of Central Government were handed over to 75 thousand of newly
inducted appointees in the first tranche.
 While addressing the new appointees through video conferencing, the Prime Minister said, this is another step to
provide employment opportunities to youth. He said, several steps have been taken by the government to provide
employment and self employment opportunities in the last eight years. He said, India is marching towards becoming
self-reliant in every sector and the target of becoming a developed nation can be achieved with the contribution of
everyone. He said, India is the fifth biggest economy now and this feat has been achieved due to the reforms
undertaken in the last eight years. He said, the government has set a target to spend 100 lakh crore rupees on
infrastructure development in the country. He said, works for creating robust infrastructure in the country are
creating several employment opportunities for the people.
60
14th Tribal Youth Exchange Programme Held In New Delhi
 Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with Ministry of Home Affairs today organised 14th Tribal Youth
Exchange Programme for the development of Tribal Youth in New Delhi.
 The aim of the programme is to sensitize tribal youth to rich cultural heritage of the country and to enable them to
appreciate the concept of unity in diversity.
 Its objective is also to expose them to development activities and industrial advancement and help the tribal youth to
develop emotional linkages with their peer groups in other parts of the country and enhance their self-esteem.
 220 selected youth in the age group of 18 to 22 years are participating in the programme from Left Wing Extremism-
affected districts of Sukma and Rajnandgaon of Chhattisgarh, Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh and Jamui of Bihar.
 The duration of each Tribal Youth exchange Programme is of 7 days.
Punjab govt. announces restoration of old pension scheme

 The Punjab Government decided to restore the old pension scheme for its employees. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann
announced that the government has decided to implement the old pension scheme as a Diwali gift for its employees.
The decision was taken as an in-principle decision to the effect of the cabinet meeting. The decision aims to benefit
lakhs of employees.
 Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the employees will be given the option to join the old pension
scheme.
 The government was considering restoring the scheme for government employees for a month.
 Restoration of the old pension scheme was discontinued in 2004 and it has been one of the major demands of state
government employees.
Uttar Pradesh: Ayodhya all set to celebrate Diwali with spectacular arrangements, PM Narendra Modi to be
the chief guest
 Lord Rama, an avatar of the almighty Vishnu, is a popular Hindu deity. Lord Rama was born at Ayodhya, according
to the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. Ayodhya Ram Mandir Diwali 2022 is very special as it is going to be
celebrated as Ayodhya Deepotsav. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took part in the Ayodhya Deepotsav.
 The Babri Masjid, a mosque built by the Mughals in the sixteenth century, is thought to be located near the Ram
Janmabhoomi, the reputed birthplace of Rama. In the 1850s, a fierce disagreement developed.
 The remains of a Hindu temple were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted by the Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI) between 1978 and 2003.
Country's first Migrant Monitoring System launched for information on migrant women –
 India’s first ‘Migration Monitoring Systems’ was inaugurated by the Maharashtra Women and Children Development
Minister Mangalprabhat Lodha in Mumbai. The website-based Migration Tracking System will track the movement
of vulnerable seasonal migrant beneficiaries. The Migration Monitoring Systems aims to provide information about
migrant pregnant women, lactating women, and children.
 The system provides updated information about migrant pregnant women, lactating women, and children in a single
system.
 Maharashtra Women and Children Development Minister Mangalprabhat Lodha launched the ‘Migration Monitoring
Systems’.
 The state department has created website-based Migration Tracking System (MTS) to track the movements of
vulnerable seasonal migrant beneficiaries through individual unique identification numbers.
 The information about seasonal migrant women and children will be available on a single platform with the ‘Migration
Monitoring Systems’.
In Kerala, ‘honesty shops’ on school campuses help inculcate virtues among children
 Honesty Shops have been opened in 15 schools in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. The Honesty Shops are a part of
the Student Police Cadet (SPC) project which aims to provide valuable lessons on truth, and integrity for students. In
these honestly shops there is no salesman at the counters and students can drop the money for each item in the
collection box kept in the shop.
 The honesty shops have been launched under the Student Police Cadet (SPC). The SPC project was conceived to
inculcate better civic sense among students and mold them as responsible youth.
 The objective of the Honestly shops is to provide students a chance to experience the virtue of honesty.The schools
have switched off the CCTV facilities towards the shop to instill confidence among the students.
61
Hon'ble Prime Minister launches the first phase of “Rozgar Mela”
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 22 launched the Rozgar Mela recruitment drive to hire 10 lakh personnel.
In the first tranche, 75,000 new appointees will be given jobs. The new recruits, selected from across the country, will
join 38 government ministries and departments. They will be appointed across various levels viz. Group A, Group B
(Gazetted), Group B (Non-Gazetted) and Group C.
 The Prime Minister’s Office said this will be a significant step of the government towards providing job opportunities
for the youth and ensuring the welfare of the citizens. It said that as directed by the prime minister, all ministries and
department are working towards filling up existing vacancies against sanctioned posts. The recruitment will take place
across central armed forces personnel, sub-inspectors, constables, LDCs, Stenos, PAs, income tax inspectors, MTS
among others.
Jal Jeevan Mission: UP ranks at the bottom, Gujarat achieve 100 percent household tap water supply
 Gujarat has been declared as a 100 percent ‘Har Ghar Jal’ state. In Gujarat, households in rural areas have access to
safe drinking water through taps under the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ mission. About 91,73,378 houses in the state have water
connections according to the government record. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the state and people
of Gujarat who has shown their enthusiasm for the Jal Shakti mission.
 Gujarat has achieved this milestone on the occasion of the Gujarati New year.The ‘Har Ghar Jal’ was launched by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019.
 The ‘Har Ghar Jal’ aims to make available 55 liters of water per person every day to each rural household through
household tap connections by 2024.
Every state to have an National Investigation Agency office by 2024: Home minister Amit Shah
 Amit Shah, the Union Minister of Housing and Cooperation, spoke today at the start of a two-day “Chintan Shivir” in
Surajkund, Haryana. The Chintan Shivir is being attended by Chief Ministers of the States, Home Ministers of States,
Lieutenant Governors, and Administrators of Union Territories. Utilizing all internal security resources to their fullest
potential is necessary in order to combat the issues facing the country.
 In his speech, Shri Amit Shah stated that this Chintan Shivir, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is being held
to give the nation a unified platform to fight threats like cybercrime, the proliferation of drugs, and cross-border
terrorism jointly.
 Because crimes are evolving and growing more international in scope nowadays, all States will need to come up with
a coordinated approach to combat them.
Odisha CM launches first common agricultural credit portal for farmers

 Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik has launched a common credit portal SAFAL’ (Simplified Application for
Agricultural Loans) for the welfare of farmers. SAFAL is an abridged application for agricultural loans that will enable
farmers and agri-entrepreneurs to access over 300 term loan products from more than 40 partner banks. It has also
been integrated with Krushak Odisha and will have access to 70-plus model project reports. The application can
revolutionise credit provisions for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.
 The application is a one-stop solution for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs to avail formal sector credit from public and
private sector banks, Regional Rural Banks, State Cooperative Banks, and Small Finance Banks.
 The portal will ease the loan application process benefiting both the farmers and banks significantly, the chief minister
said. It will also reduce information asymmetry by sending farmers real-time notifications at every stage of their loan
application.
About Odisha
Capital: Bhubaneswar
Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
Governor: Ganeshi Lal
Delhi L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena rolls out 1-time amnesty scheme for properties in city
 Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has launched a one-time property tax amnesty scheme “SAMRIDDHI
2022-23”, which will provide a major relief to lakhs of residential and commercial property owners in the city.
SAMRIDDHI, an acronym for Strengthening and Augmentation of Municipal Revenue for Infrastructure
Development in Delhi, will start on October 26 and end on March 31, 2023, with no further extensions.
62
 The scheme aims at solving thousands of pending court cases since the unit area method for property tax calculation
came into existence from 2004.
 The scheme will benefit both the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the city’s residents.
 Under this scheme, the residential properties will have to pay tax for 1+5 years (the ongoing financial year and last
five years), while the commercial properties will be able to pay taxes for 1+6 years (current year + last 6 years).
New elephant reserve, India's 33rd, to come up in Uttar Pradesh

 The Centre has approved the setting up of the Terai Elephant Reserve (TER) at Dudhwa-Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh.
The Terai Elephant Reserve is the 3rd Elephant Reserve in India which is spread over 3,049 sq km. The Terai Elephant
Reserve includes protected areas, forest areas, and corridors for the conservation of wild elephants.
 The Terai Elephant Reserve will be developed in the joint forest areas of Dudhwa and Piliphit tiger reserve. This will
cover the conservation of four wild species including tiger, Asian elephant, swamp deer, and one-horned rhinoceros.
 The Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said that the move will help conserve transboundary migratory elephant
populations.
 The reserve through implementing human-elephant conflict mitigation strategies will protect the villagers living in
the Indo-Nepal border area of Uttar Pradesh.
INTERNATIONAL
US Economy Drops at 0.6% Annual Rate from April through June

 Battered by surging consumer prices and rising interest rates, the US economy shrank at a 0.6% annual rate from
April through June, the government announced, unchanged from its previous second-quarter estimate. It marked the
second consecutive quarter of economic contraction, one informal rule of thumb for a recession.
 Most economists, citing a strong and resilient American job market, believe the world’s biggest economy is not yet in
a downturn. But they worry that it might be headed for one as the Federal Reserve ratchets up interest rates to combat
inflation. Consumer spending grew at a 2% annual rate, but that gain was offset by a drop in business inventories and
housing investment.
 The US economy has been sending out mixed signals this year.A recession is a significant, widespread, and prolonged
downturn in economic activity. A popular rule of thumb is that two consecutive quarters of decline in gross domestic
product (GDP) constitute a recession.
About United States (US):

Capital: Washington, D.C.
President: Joe Biden
Currency: United States Dollar
Gross domestic product: 20.94 lakh crores USD (2020) World Bank
Putin announces Russian annexation of four Ukrainian regions

 Vladimir Putin has declared the Annexaton of 4 Ukrainian regions by Russia. The West has denounced the annexation
of occupied Ukrainian territory by Russia as an illegitimate land grab after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed
treaties.
 The president of Ukraine, Zelenskyy responded by unexpectedly submitting an application to join the NATO armed
alliance. Vladimir Putin ‘s action and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ‘s signature of what he called a expedited NATO
membership application sent the two leaders hurtling toward each other, raising the possibility of a full-scale battle
between Russia and the West.
About Russia:
President: Vladimir Putin
Capital: Moscow
Currency: Russian ruble
Prime minister: Mikhail Mishustin
About North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) :
Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Founded: 4 April 1949, Washington, D.C., United States
Founders: United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Norway…..
63
2nd round of Foreign office consultations between India & Nigeria held
 The second round of Foreign Office Consultations between India and Nigeria was held in New Delhi on Thursday.
Both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations covering political, economic and commercial investment,
defence and security, development partnership, capacity building, cultural and consular matters. They also discussed
ways to further strengthen the close bilateral ties between India and Nigeria. The two sides also exchanged views on
regional and global issues of mutual interest and agreed to enhance their cooperation in the multilateral fora.
 Relations between India and Nigeria have traditionally been warm and are based on shared historical ties, values of
democracy and vision. There have been regular visits taking place from both sides. Defence cooperation between the
two countries has been nurtured over the years. India had helped Nigeria in setting up their Defence Academy. As
part of capacity building under ITEC, India offers over 250 slots annually which are being utilised optimally. Under
this framework, several Nigerian senior military officers were trained in India, including two former Presidents and
the present incumbent President Mohammadu Buhari.
About Nigeria:
President: Muhammadu Buhari
Capital: Abuja
Currency: Nigerian naira
Euro zone inflation hits record high 10%, raising pressure on ECB
 Inflation in the 19-member eurozone reached 10% in September, the highest it has ever been in the history of the
common European currency, according to the latest flash estimate from Eurostat, the EU statistics agency. This is up
from the 9.1% seen in August. Just one year ago, inflation was 3.2%.
 The high inflation figure comes as the region experiences soaring electricity and natural gas prices, and also comes
amid forecasts of a looming recession. The price of energy has risen 40.8% when compared to last year’s prices, while
the cost of food, alcohol and tobacco rose 11.8% in September, up from the 10.6% recorded in August. The inflation
figure in Estonia for September was pegged at a whopping 24.2%, a little lower than the 25.2% seen in August, but
also the highest in the eurozone.
 Lithuania, Latvia and Netherlands follow closely with their rates of inflation sitting at 22.5%, 22.4% and 17.1%,
respectively. According to Eurostat, German inflation is sitting at 10.9%. Berlin presented a new €200 billion ($196
billion) relief plan in a bid to counter soaring energy prices.
 Inflation was being spurred on by rising energy prices which have soared since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveils prototype humanoid Optimus robot

 Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, unveiled a model of the humanoid “Optimus” robot, which uses some of the same
Artificial Intelligence (AI) software and sensors as the Autopilot driving assistance system in Tesla vehicles. At Tesla
AI Day 2022, which was held to show off how far the company’s research into autonomous robots and vehicles had
progressed, Optimus was unveiled.
 Optimus was initially seen during the event pacing around the stage, along with updates on new self-driving software
and a first look at the Dojo hardware that powers Tesla’s AI research, according to media sources.
 Elon Musk claims that this humanoid prototype is capable of more than what was demonstrated in real life.
 But at the Tesla AI Day celebration, it was used for the first time without a tether.
About Tesla:
CEO: Elon Musk (Oct 2008–)
Founded: 1 July 2003, San Carlos, California, United States
Headquarters: Austin, Texas, United States
Founders: Elon Musk, Martin Eberhard, JB Straubel, Marc Tarpenning, Ian Wright
Oil rises to 3-week highs as OPEC+ agrees to deep cuts, U.S. stockpiles fall
 Oil prices rose to three-week highs, as OPEC+ agreed to its deepest cuts to production since the 2020 COVID
pandemic, despite a tight market and opposition to cuts from the United States and others. Prices also rose on U.S.
government data that showed crude and fuel inventories fell last week. Brent crude rose $1.57, or 1.7%, to settle at
$93.37 a barrel. Brent reached a session high of $93.96 per barrel, its highest since Sept. 15.
 The 2 million-barrel-per-day (bpd) cut from OPEC+ could spur a recovery in oil prices that have dropped to about
$90 from $120 three months ago on fears of a global economic recession, rising U.S. interest rates and a stronger dollar.
64
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $1.24, or 1.4%, to settle at $87.76 a barrel. It reached $88.42 per barrel
during the session, the highest since Sept. 15. Both Brent and WTI rose sharply in the last two days.
Saudi Arabia to host 2029 asian winter games in desert megacity that doesn't yet exist
 Saudi Arabia has won the bid to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games at a planned Mountain Resort in the Gulf Arab
State. The Asian Games will be held at a $500 billion futuristic megacity in the desert that will feature a year-round
winter sports complex. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said that the deserts and mountains of Saudi Arabia will
be turned into a playground for winter sports.The bid by Saudi Arabia was approved without any opposition. The
Megacity known as NEOM will be the first West Asian City to host the event.
 The Asian winter games will take place in Trojena, an area of NEOM.During winter temperature drop below zero and
generally is 10 degrees cooler than the rest of the region in Trojena.
Stunning! Dubai's majestic Hindu temple opens to public on Dussehra

 A majestic new Hindu Temple has been inaugurated in Jebel Ali Village, Dubai. The temple combines both Indian
and Arabic architectural designs and gives a powerful message of tolerance, peace, and harmony. The temple is located
in a neighborhood that is generally known as the ‘Worship Village’ of UAE.
 The temple was inaugurated by the Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
and Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir.
 Sunjay Sudhir thanked the UAE Government for their support to the 3.5 million Indian population in UAE.
 The ‘Worship Village’ of UAE now has nine religious’ shrines, including seven churches, the Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh
Gurudwara, and the new Hindu House of Worship.
 The inaugural ceremony was facilitated by the CEO of the Social Regulatory and Licensing agency for the Community
Development Authority (CDA) Dr. Omar Al Muthanna, trustee of the Hindu Temple Dubai Raju Shroff, and Director
General of the Community Development Authority Ahmed Abdul Karim Julfar.
Ibrahim Traore officially named Burkina Faso President after military coup
 President of Burkina Faso: Following Burkina Faso ‘s second coup in less than nine months, Captain Ibrahim Traore
was named president, according to an official announcement. At the weekend, newly-emerging competitor Captain
Ibrahim Traore, who was heading a band of unhappy junior officers, overthrew Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri
Sandaogo Damiba, who had seized control in January, sending the poor Sahel nation into fresh upheaval.
 It was the most recent coup to occur in the Sahel, a region that, like Burkina Faso, is grappling with an escalating
Islamist insurgency.
 Following the two-day standoff, which was resolved by community and religious leaders, Damiba escaped to Togo.
 A seven-year-old jihadist campaign in Burkina Faso has resulted in thousands of deaths, over two million house
evacuations, and the loss of government authority over more than a third of the nation.
 Damiba’s January coup against the elected president was brought about by growing resentment among the military
forces.
With record sugar production, India emerges as the world’s largest producer, consumer of sugar
 India has emerged as the largest producer and consumer of sugar in the world and the second largest exporter. During
the sugar season in India, over 5,000 lakh metric tons (LMT) of sugarcane was produced out of which about 3,574
LMT was crushed by Sugar Mills to produce about 349 LMT of Sugar. 35 LMT of Sugar is diverted to ethanol
production and 359 LMT of sugar was produced in sugar mills.
 During this season all records of sugarcane production, sugar production, sugar export, came to produce, cane dues
paid and ethanol production were made.
 In 2020-21, India made records with the highest exports of about 109.8 LMT with no financial assistance.
 The sugar exports from India earned foreign currency of about Rs 40,000 crore for the country.
 This achievement of the sugar industry was possible with the help of the Central and State Governments, Farmers,
Sugar Mills, etc.
US, India Partner to Accelerate Sustainable Energy Transition

 India and US announced the launch of a new energy task force to support the large-scale integration of renewable
energy needed to support the clean energy transition. The announcement will strengthen the India-US partnership
in the critical energy sector to new levels. There was also a bilateral meeting between Union Minister of Petroleum
65
and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri and US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, after which the announcement was
made.
 During the bilateral meeting, the two leaders underscored the critical importance of clean energy engagement to
strengthen energy security.
 The two leaders underscored the importance of ensuring reliable energy supplies to ensure balanced energy markets
including India’s support for the US initiative to release crude oil from the strategic petroleum reserves.
China more self-reliant in defence production, outranks India by massive margin, says study
 India stands at fourth position among 12 countries of the Indo-Pacific in self-reliant defence production, says a study
by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) that assessed self-reliance in arms production. China
dominated the list leaving others behind by a long margin.
 “China dominates the ranking, reaching a self-reliance score more than two and a half times higher than Japans,” the
study by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a think tank on global security issues says. The
study covered Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand
and Vietnam. Vietnam could not be included in the final ranking due to a lack of data.
 Despite the long-term efforts, India remains one of the largest importers of major arms globally.
EU passes single charger reform for electronic devices

 According to a new law passed by the European Union parliament, all new smartphones, tablets and cameras will
have a single standard charger from late 2024. The law was adopted with a vote of 602 in favour, and 13 against. It
mandates smartphone, laptop and camera manufacturing companies to adopt a standard charger, at least in Europe.
Makers of laptops will have extra time, from early 2026, to also follow suit.
 EU policymakers say the single charger rule will simplify the life of Europeans, reduce the mountain of obsolete
chargers and reduce costs for consumers. It is expected to save at least 200 million euros ($195 million) per year and
cut more than a thousand tonnes of EU electronic waste every year.
 The European Union’s 27 countries are home to 450 million people who count among the world’s wealthiest
consumers. Regulatory changes in the bloc often set global industry norms in what is known as the Brussels Effect.
The EU move is expected to ripple around the world.
About European Union:

Founded: 1 November 1993, Maastricht, Netherlands;
Founders: Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg.
EAM Jaishankar begins two-day Egypt visit, meets eminent foreign policy thinkers
 External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has reached Cairo in Egypt on his two-day official visit. On the first day of
his visit, he met with eminent personalities in the field of foreign policy. During his visit, Dr Jaishankar have discuss
a range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh
Shoukry.
 India and Egypt traditionally enjoy warm and friendly relations underpinned by historical and cultural linkages. Both
countries are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Egypt has been invited as a ‘Guest
Country’ during India’s Presidency of G-20 in 2022-23.
 Egypt has been one of India’s largest trading partners in Africa and the promotion of bilateral trade, commerce and
investments will be one of the focus areas during the visit. India-Egypt bilateral trade has touched a record high of
7.26 billion US dollars during the last financial year. Indian investment in Egypt is worth 3.15 billion US dollars. Over
50 Indian companies are actively present in Egypt in a range of sectors like manufacturing, chemicals, energy,
infrastructure and retail.
 EAM’s visit to Egypt will provide an opportunity to review the entire gamut of our bilateral and multilateral relations
and to exchange views with the Egyptian leadership covering whole range of issues of mutual interest.
Japan set to scrap remarriage restrictions on pregnant women

 Japanese cabinet ministers on Oct 14 approved the scrapping of a law that stipulates women pregnant at the time of
a divorce must wait 100 days before marrying again. The law, in place for more than a century, does not apply to men
and was originally intended as a way to aid the identification of the father who is financially responsible for a newborn
baby.
66
 Japan consistently ranks low in the World Economic Forum’s annual Global Gender Gap report, which takes political
empowerment into account as well as health, education and economic participation. In 2022, the country was placed
116th out of 146 ranked.
 The striking demographic feature in post-World War II Japan was the decline of birth and death rates, the result of
families having fewer children and of health conditions improving markedly. Japan’s rate of population increase
slowed dramatically at the end of the 20th century and became essentially stagnant in the first decade of the 21st
century.
US resolution calls for recognition of Pak actions as 'genocide' in 1971 war

 Two American congressmen have introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives urging the Biden
administration to recognise the Pakistan Army’s atrocities against ethnic minorities during the 1971 Liberation War
of Bangladesh.
 The legislation was brought by Congressmen Ro Khanna and Steve Chabot on October 14, calling on the Pakistan
government, among other things, to apologise to the people of Bangladesh for its role in the genocide of ethnic
Bengalis and Hindus during the war.
 The resolution “condemns the atrocities committed by the Armed Forces of Pakistan against the people of Bangladesh
from March 1971 to December 1971; recognises that such atrocities against ethnic Bengalis and Hindus constitute
crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide; calls on the President of the United States to recognise the
atrocities committed against ethnic Bengalis and Hindus by the Armed Forces of Pakistan during 1971 as crimes
against humanity war crimes, and genocide.”
 Chabot, a Republican Party member, confirmed of bringing in such a resolution jointly with another Congressman
Khanna, a Democrat and the US Representative from California’s 17th congressional district, to commemorate the
1971 Bengali Genocide.
EAM Jaishankar begins two-day Egypt visit, meets eminent foreign policy thinkers
 External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has reached Cairo in Egypt on his two-day official visit. On the first day of
his visit, he met with eminent personalities in the field of foreign policy. During his visit, Dr Jaishankar have discuss
a range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh
Shoukry.
 India and Egypt traditionally enjoy warm and friendly relations underpinned by historical and cultural linkages. Both
countries are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Egypt has been invited as a ‘Guest
Country’ during India’s Presidency of G-20 in 2022-23.
 Egypt has been one of India’s largest trading partners in Africa and the promotion of bilateral trade, commerce and
investments will be one of the focus areas during the visit. India-Egypt bilateral trade has touched a record high of
7.26 billion US dollars during the last financial year. Indian investment in Egypt is worth 3.15 billion US dollars. Over
50 Indian companies are actively present in Egypt in a range of sectors like manufacturing, chemicals, energy,
infrastructure and retail.
 EAM’s visit to Egypt will provide an opportunity to review the entire gamut of our bilateral and multilateral relations
and to exchange views with the Egyptian leadership covering whole range of issues of mutual interest.
Japan set to scrap remarriage restrictions on pregnant women

 Japanese cabinet ministers on Oct 14 approved the scrapping of a law that stipulates women pregnant at the time of
a divorce must wait 100 days before marrying again. The law, in place for more than a century, does not apply to men
and was originally intended as a way to aid the identification of the father who is financially responsible for a newborn
baby.
 Japan consistently ranks low in the World Economic Forum’s annual Global Gender Gap report, which takes political
empowerment into account as well as health, education and economic participation. In 2022, the country was placed
116th out of 146 ranked.
 The striking demographic feature in post-World War II Japan was the decline of birth and death rates, the result of
families having fewer children and of health conditions improving markedly. Japan’s rate of population increase
slowed dramatically at the end of the 20th century and became essentially stagnant in the first decade of the 21st
century.
67
US resolution calls for recognition of Pak actions as 'genocide' in 1971 war
 Two American congressmen have introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives urging the Biden
administration to recognise the Pakistan Army’s atrocities against ethnic minorities during the 1971 Liberation War
of Bangladesh.
 The legislation was brought by Congressmen Ro Khanna and Steve Chabot on October 14, calling on the Pakistan
government, among other things, to apologise to the people of Bangladesh for its role in the genocide of ethnic
Bengalis and Hindus during the war.
 The resolution “condemns the atrocities committed by the Armed Forces of Pakistan against the people of Bangladesh
from March 1971 to December 1971; recognises that such atrocities against ethnic Bengalis and Hindus constitute
crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide; calls on the President of the United States to recognise the
atrocities committed against ethnic Bengalis and Hindus by the Armed Forces of Pakistan during 1971 as crimes
against humanity war crimes, and genocide.”
 Chabot, a Republican Party member, confirmed of bringing in such a resolution jointly with another Congressman
Khanna, a Democrat and the US Representative from California’s 17th congressional district, to commemorate the
1971 Bengali Genocide.
Japan seeks Geographical Indication tag for nihonshu, an alcoholic beverage

 This is the first time a product from Japan has filed for a tag at the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai. The
Embassy of Japan, New Delhi, has filed an application seeking a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for
Nihonshu/Japanese sake, an alcoholic beverage. It is learnt that this is the first time a product from Japan has filed for
a tag at the Geographical Indication Registry here.
 Nihonshu is regarded as a special and valuable beverage made from fermenting rice. People traditionally drink
nihonshu on special occasions, such as festivals, weddings or funerals, but it is also consumed on a daily basis. Thus,
it is an integral part of the lifestyle and culture in Japan.
 The sake market (almost all are nihonshu) is the second largest brewed liquor (such as beer) market in Japan. For
making nihonshu three main raw materials – rice, koji-kin (a type of fungal spore) and water – are required.
Liz Truss resigns as U.K. Prime Minister

 Liz Truss, the British prime minister will step down from her position after only six weeks in office due to an economic
plan that angered many members of her own party and rattled financial markets. Suella Braverman, Indian origin
British interior minister, also resigned making her the second senior cabinet official to do so in the past week after
finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng. Suella Braverman said that she left the Liz Truss administration due to a “technical”
violation of government regulations and expressed her reservations about the government’s course while also
criticising the premier. Grant Shapps, the country’s new interior minister, has taken Suella Braverman’s seat.
 The Conservatives have a sizable majority in parliament and do not need to schedule a general election for another
two years.
 Rishi Sunak, a former finance minister, is most likely to face Penny Mordaunt in that race.
Xi Jinping secures historic third term in power

 Chinese President Xi Jinping has created history, becoming the first leader of the ruling Communist Party after party
founder Mao Zedong to get re-elected for an unprecedented third term in power with the prospect of ruling China
for life. He was elected as General Secretary of the Communist Party for 3rd five-year tenure by the new seven-member
Standing Committee packed with his supporters who appeared before the local and foreign media here to herald the
new era, widely termed ‘Xi era’.
 Xi’s “election” for the third term in power formally ends the over three decades of rule followed by his predecessors,
barring Mao, of retiring after a 10-year tenure. Xi was first elected in 2012 and will be completing his 10-year term this
year.
 With moderates like Premier Li Keqiang, who was ranked number two, eased out in the election to over 300-member
Central Committee by the once-in-a-five-year Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Committee
which met on Sunday elected a 25-member Political Bureau.
68
Rishi Sunak declares candidature for UK PM, leads with backing of over 131 MPs
 Rishi Sunak, the son-in-law of Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy, formally entered the race to succeed Liz Truss
as leader of the Conservative party and the next prime minister of the United Kingdom on the day of Diwali. About
131 to 153 MPs have reportedly supported Sunak so far, compared to Penny Mordaunt and Boris Johnson, who served
as Truss’ predecessors, who received 56 to 76 and 22 to 28 MPs, respectively.
 Only candidates who have received nominations from 100 or more MPs will advance to the first round.
 Rishi Sunak will automatically become the prime minister of the UK on Diwali if he is the only person to cross the
finish line.
 Ben Wallace, the defence minister, offered that the three candidates establish a tripartite government to prevent
political squabbling at a time when risks to UK national security were so high.
Pakistan is out of FATF 'grey list' on terror funding

 Pakistan has been removed from the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force(FATF), the Paris-based global
watchdog on money laundering and terrorist financing. Pakistan was placed in the grey list in 2018 for failing to keep
a check on money laundering and terrorist financing.
 Besides Pakistan, Nicaragua was removed from the FATF’s ‘grey list’ while Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Tanzania and Mozambique were added to the list. Myanmar was added to the FATF’s ‘black list’.
 In a statement, the FATF said Pakistan made significant progress in checking money laundering and combating
financing of terrorism. “They have (Pakistan) been removed from the grey list, however, there’s still work to be done
on their part,” FATF president T Raja Kumar said.
 In a statement, FATF welcomed Pakistan’s significant progress in improving its anti-money laundering and combating
financial terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.
 This development comes more than four years after the FATF put Pakistan on its grey list for the country’s failure to
check the risk of money laundering, leading to corruption and terror financing.
Actress Anna May Wong Becomes First Asian-American To Feature On US Currency

 Anna May Wong was born with the name Wong Liu-Tsong. Wong began her film career at the age of 14 as an extra
in The Red Lantern. Anna May Wong was born in Los Angeles to second-generation Chinese immigrants (1919).
 Anna May Wong, only three years later, in one of the earliest Technicolor movies, The Toll of the Sea (1922), in which
she starred, received critical praise.
 Anna May Wong was also The Gallery of Madame Liu-first Tsong’s Asian American lead actor on television (1951).
 The four-year American Women Quarters Program honours the achievements and contributions made by women to
the growth and history of the United States of America.
 Up to five new reverse designs will be released by the U.S. Mint each year starting in 2022 and continuing through
2025.
Cyclone Sitrang slammed into densely-populated, low-lying Bangladesh late Monday

 Cyclone Sitrang ploughed into heavily populated, low-lying parts of Bangladesh on night, killing at least nine people.
The districts of Barguna, Narail, Sirajganj, and the island district of Bhol all reported death. Officials warned that as
more casualties are reported from other districts, the death toll could rise.
 Cyclone Sitrang quickly degraded into a deep depression after crossing Bangladesh, and as of Tuesday morning, it
had further degraded into a low pressure region.
 Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura may experience widespread moderate to heavy rainfall
on Tuesday due to the system, which is now moving towards northeastern areas of India.
 In West Bengal’s coastal districts of South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, and East Midnapore, the cyclone caused
moderate to heavy rain between 9.30 p.m. and 11.30 p.m. on Monday, dampening Diwali and Kali Puja celebrations.
International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa opens in Dakar

 Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan participated at the opening session of ‘Dakar International
Forum on Peace and Security in Africa’ in Senegal. The event was inaugurated by President of Senegal, Macky Sall in
Dakar yesterday. Presidents of Angola and Cabo Verde, several Ministers and high level dignitaries were present on
the occasion.
 In a tweet, Mr Muraleedharan said the Forum has become an important place for policy discussions on sovereignty
and security aspects of Africa. He said India strongly supports the development priorities of Africa guided by 10
69
principles laid down by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Ugandan Parliament in 2018. This is the first time that India
is participating in the forum at a Ministerial level.
 The Dakar International Forum has become a key event for decision-makers involved in Africa. The participation of
Mr Muraleedharan in the Dakar Forum underscores the importance that India attaches to the peace, security and
developmental issues concerning Africa. The visit is also in line with India’s policy to intensify and deepen its
engagement with Africa.
International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa opens in Dakar

 Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan participated at the opening session of ‘Dakar International
Forum on Peace and Security in Africa’ in Senegal. The event was inaugurated by President of Senegal, Macky Sall in
Dakar yesterday. Presidents of Angola and Cabo Verde, several Ministers and high level dignitaries were present on
the occasion.
 In a tweet, Mr Muraleedharan said the Forum has become an important place for policy discussions on sovereignty
and security aspects of Africa. He said India strongly supports the development priorities of Africa guided by 10
principles laid down by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Ugandan Parliament in 2018. This is the first time that India
is participating in the forum at a Ministerial level.
 The Dakar International Forum has become a key event for decision-makers involved in Africa. The participation of
Mr Muraleedharan in the Dakar Forum underscores the importance that India attaches to the peace, security and
developmental issues concerning Africa. The visit is also in line with India’s policy to intensify and deepen its
engagement with Africa.
In a first, UNSC’s Counter Terrorism Committee to meet in India this week

 The United Nation Security Council’s (UNSC) two-day meeting in India on counter-terrorism will focus on dealing
with use of internet, new payment mechanism and drones by terrorists. The meetings will be hosted in Mumbai and
Delhi on 28 and 29 October, respectively.
 Ministry of external affairs secretary Sanjay Verma said the overarching theme of the meeting would be ‘countering
the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes’. “It’ll begin with tribute to victims of terrorism,” he
added.
 Ruchira Kamboj, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Counter-Terrorism Committee Chair, said that over
the past two decades, member states have made tangible progress in countering terrorism and violent extremism
conducive to terrorism. Yet, terrorist threat persists and despite our best efforts has evolved. Mindful of addressing
this issue while also recognising potential of technologies to increase effectiveness of counterterrorism efforts, the
Committee has come together in India to hold its special meeting on countering use of new and emerging
technologies for terrorist purposes, Kamboj said.
WHO releases first-ever list of health-threatening fungi

 The World Health Organisation (WHO) released the first-ever list of fungal infections — “priority pathogens”. The
fungal priority pathogens list (FPPL) includes 19 fungi that represent the greatest threat to human health. The UN
body warned that some strains are increasingly drug-resistant and are growing at an alarming rate.
 The WHO said that fungal infections are becoming increasingly resistant to treatment and can be dangerous to
mankind due to a lack of focus, lack of surveillance, treatments and diagnostics. “Emerging from the shadows of the
bacterial antimicrobial resistance pandemic, fungal infections are growing, and are ever more resistant to treatments,
becoming a public health concern worldwide,” said Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Assistant Director-General,
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
 The high priority group includes a number of other fungi from the Candida family as well as others such as Mucorales,
a group containing “black fungus“, an infection which rose rapidly in seriously ill people, particularly in India, during
Covid-19. The medium priority group lists a number of other fungi, including Coccidioides spp and Cryptococcus
gattii.
70
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
SpaceX launches Crew-5 mission for NASA, carrying astronauts to space station
 A SpaceX rocket soared into orbit from Florida carrying the next long-term International Space Station crew, with a
Russian cosmonaut, two Americans and a Japanese astronaut flying together in a demonstration of US-Russian
teamwork in space despite Ukraine war tensions.
 SpaceX Crew5 astronauts, Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina, NASA astronaut Josh Cassada, NASA astronaut Nicole
Mann and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata pose for a photo as they leave the Operations
and Checkout building before heading to Launch Pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, for a
mission to the International Space Station.
 The mission, designated Crew-5, marks the fifth full-fledged ISS crew NASA has flown aboard a SpaceX vehicle since
the private rocket venture founded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk began sending US astronauts aloft in May 2020. The
SpaceX launch vehicle, consisting of a Falcon 9 rocket topped with a Crew Dragon capsule dubbed Endurance, lifted
off into clear skies at noon from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. The two-stage, 23-story-tall Falcon
9 ascended from the launch tower as its nine Merlin engines roared to life in billowing clouds of vapor and a reddish-
orange fireball.
In a first, Chandrayaan-2 maps abundance of sodium on Moon

 Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter’s X-ray spectrometer ‘CLASS’ has mapped an abundance of sodium on the moon for the first
time, as per the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). As Chandrayaan-1’s X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer
(C1XS) detected sodium from its characteristic line in X-rays, this opened up the possibility of mapping the amount
of sodium on the Moon.
 The abundance of sodium was mapped in a recent work published in ‘The Astrophysical Journal Letters’ for the first
time using CLASS (Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer), the national space agency. Built at the U R
Rao Satellite Centre of ISRO in Bengaluru, CLASS provides clean signatures of the sodium line thanks to its high
sensitivity and performance,”.
About ISRO:
Chairman: S. Somanath
Foundation Date: 15th August, 1969
Founder: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai
INS Arihant carries out successful launch of submarine launched ballistic missile
 INS Arihant carried out a successful launch of a Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) on October 14, 2022.
The missile was tested to a predetermined range and impacted the target area in the Bay of Bengal with very high
accuracy. All operational and technological parameters of the weapon system have been validated.
 The successful user training launch of the SLBM by INS Arihant is significant to prove crew competency and validate
the SSBN programme, a key element of India’s nuclear deterrence capability. A robust, survivable and assured
retaliatory capability is in keeping with India’s policy to have ‘Credible Minimum Deterrence‘ that underpins its ‘No
First Use’ commitment.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi unveils indigenous trainer aircraft HTT-40, designed & developed by
HAL, during DefExpo 2022
 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi unveiled HTT-40, an indigenous trainer aircraft designed and developed by
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), at the India Pavilion during 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on October
19, 2022. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel were among those
present on the occasion. The aircraft has state-of-the-art contemporary systems and has been designed with pilot-
friendly features. With over 60 per cent in-house parts and collaboration of private industry, it is a shining example
of the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
 The HTT-40 would be used for basic flight training, aerobatics, instrument flying and close formation flights whereas
its secondary roles would include navigation and night flying. It is a testament to the cutting-edge technology
designed to meet primary training requirements of the Indian defence services.
71
 Built around a meticulously-tested turbo-prop engine, the aircraft is equipped with the latest avionics, an air-
conditioned cabin and ejection seats. It boasts of unique features like running change-over of pilots, hot-refuelling
and short-turnaround time. All the tests required for certification were completed in record six years from the first
flight.
Chandrayaan-3 pushed to 2023, launch to Moon likely in June

 The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) plans to launch its third lunar mission in the month of June 2023.
The more capable lunar rover that will be carried by Chandrayaan-3, which is essential for future interplanetary
explorations, according to S. Somnath, Chairman of the Indian Space Agency, ISRO.
 According to S Somnath, the Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle Mark-III (GSLV Mk-III) will launch Chandrayaan-3 (C-
3) in June of next year.
 ISRO is also working on the Gaganyaan mission, and the first abort test is scheduled for the new year.
 The mission will rely on the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, which is already circling the Moon; the Chandrayaan-3 rover is
not a clone of its predecessor, according to the head of ISRO. “C-3 is now prepared.
ISRO's heaviest rocket successfully places 36 satellites in orbit

 OneWeb’s 36 satellites were successfully orbited by the biggest rocket ever launched by the Indian Space Research
Organization (ISRO), the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3 or GSLV Mark 3), which lifted off from the Satish Dhawan
Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota. With this 14th launch, OneWeb will have 462 satellites in its constellation. This
launch represents more than 70% of the 648 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites that are expected to be deployed globally
to provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity.
 36 satellites totaling 5,796 kg, or approximately 5.7 tonne, were carried by the 43.5-meter LVM3, which was around
644 tonnes in weight.
 OneWeb is still on target to activate global coverage in 2023 with just four more launches, and its connectivity
solutions are now operational in areas north of 50 degrees latitude.
India successfully test fires medium-range ballistic missile

 The Agni Prime New Generation Ballistic Missile was successfully tested by India on October 21 off the coast of Odisha.
Around 9.45 this morning, a test launch of the ballistic missile took place. The missile successfully completed the test,
covering its full range, and all of its test goals were achieved.
 This was the missile Agni Prime’s third straight successful flight test.This test has demonstrated the system’s accuracy
and dependability.
 Agni Prime underwent its first test on June 28, 2021, and it underwent its second test on December 18, 2021.
 The Agni Prime, also known as “Agni-P,” is a two-stage canisterized missile from the Agni class that is nuclear-capable
and has a maximum range of 2,000 kilometres.
APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS
Former SBI Card MD and CEO Vijay Jasuja joins Stashfin as independent director
 Leading Fintech platform Stashfin has appointed BFSI (Banking, Financial Services and Insurance) expert and former
MD and CEO of SBI Cards, Vijay Jasuja as Non-Executive Independent Director. He also served as a Director at PNB
Cards. Jasuja, an industry veteran, has more than 40 years of BFSI experience in leadership positions across Indian
and overseas markets, has been the MD and CEO of SBI Cards, and director, of PNB Cards. He has held multiple
leadership positions at SBI including General Manager, Hyderabad; General Manager (IBG), Mumbai; Country Head
and CEO, Maldives and Regional Head, Sub-Saharan Africa.
 Stashfin is a leading fintech platform with a mission to deliver seamless and transparent financial services to
consumers across a wide spectrum. Our aim is to empower the customers by improving their financial health, which
will lead to inclusivity, growth and economic independence. Stashfin is one of the most innovative organizations in
the fintech industry.
About State Bank of India (SBI):

Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara
Headquarters: Mumbai
Founded: 1 July 1955
72
Sunil Barthwal assumes charge as commerce secretary
 Senior IAS officer, Sunil Barthwal assumed charge as the commerce secretary. Barthwal, a 1989-batch officer of the
Bihar cadre, previously served as the labour and employment secretary. He replaced Subrahmanyam, a 1987-batch
IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, who was appointed as chairman and managing director, of the India Trade
Promotion Organisation on a contract basis for a period of two years following his superannuation.
 Barthwal did his Economics honours from St Stephen’s College, Delhi and has a post-graduate economics degree from
JNU. He has published articles in journals and other publications and has represented India in many international
forums.
Sujoy Lal Thaosen, Anish Dayal Singh Appointed New DGs of CRPF, ITBP
 Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers Sujoy Lal Thaosen and Anish Dayal Singh have been appointed as the new
director generals of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) respectively.
Thaosen’s scheduled retirement is in November this year, while Singh will superannuate in December 2024. The order
for their appointment was issued by the Personnel Ministry after sanction from the Appointments Committee of the
Cabinet (ACC) headed by the prime minister.
 Thaosen, a 1988-batch officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, is currently working as the director general (DG) of the
border guarding force Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and holding the additional charge of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) DG post fell vacant on Friday after IPS officer Kuldiep Singh (1986-batch)
retired.
 Anish Dayal Singh, a 1988-batch officer (Manipur cadre), is currently serving as a special director in the Intelligence
Bureau.
About Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF):

Headquarters: New Delhi, India
Formed: 27 July 1939
Force Motto: Service and Loyalty
About Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP):
Founded: 24 October 1962
Headquarters: New Delhi, India
ISRO Scientist Elected As Vice President of International Astronautical Federation

 Senior Indian Space Research Organization scientist Anil Kumar has been appointed as the Vice-President of the
International Astronautical Federation (IAF). Dr. Anil Kumar is currently serving as the Associate Director, of ISRO
Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC).
 The International Astronautical Federation was founded in 1951. IAF is one of the world’s top space advocacy bodies
with 433 members in 72 nations. International Astronautical Federation Congress (IAC) is an annual space event and
it is attended by more than 6000 participants, IAC is organized by the IAF. The International Astronautical Federation
Congress includes networking events, talks, and a technical program on advances in science and exploration,
applications, and operations, technology, infrastructure, and space and society.
About Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO):

Headquarters: Bengaluru
Founded: 15 August 1969
Founder: Vikram Sarabhai
Subsidiary: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
About International Astronautical Federation (IAF):
Membership: 397 members from 68 countries
Formation: 1951; 71 years ago
Ajay Bhadoo appointed Dy Election Commissioner, Akash Tripathi MyGovs CEO

 Senior bureaucrat, Ajay Bhadoo has been appointed as the Deputy Election Commissioner as part of a senior-level
bureaucratic reshuffle effected on Sunday by the Centre. Bhadoo, a 1999 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
officer of the Gujarat cadre, has been appointed to the post up to July 24, 2024. The Appointments Committee of the
Cabinet approved the senior bureaucrat’s candidature.
73
 His two-month extension as Joint Secretary in the President’s Secretariat ended on September 25. He was appointed
as Joint Secretary to former President Ram Nath Kovid in July 2020. Earlier, Bhadoo served as Gujarat’s Vadodara
Municipal Commissioner.
About Election commission of India:

Formed: 25 January 1950
Jurisdiction: Government of India
First executive: Sukumar Sen
Preceding executive: Sushil Chandra
Current executive: Rajiv Kumar
Sanjeev Kishore takes over as Director General Ordnance

 A 1985 batch officer of the Indian Ordnance Factory Service (IOFS), Sanjeev Kishore has taken over as the Director
General of the Indian Ordinance Factory with effect from 01-10-2022 upon the superannuation of M K Grag. Before
taking over the charge of DGO (C &S), Kishore was the Additional Director of General Ordnance at the Directorate
of Ordnance (Coordination & Services), Kolkata.
 Sanjeev Kishore has held many senior positions, including that of the first CMD of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd
(AVNL), one of the seven new DPSUs formed by the Government of India in 2021.
 He has ensured a smooth transition of the Armoured group of factories from a Government department to a
corporation. AVNL recorded profit in its first six months of operation under his leadership.
Sandeep Kumar Gupta takes charge as CMD of GAIL

 Sandeep Kumar Gupta assumed charge as the chairman and managing director of GAIL (India) Limited. Gupta, who
will replace Manoj Jain, has a wide experience of over 34 years in the oil and gas industry. Before joining GAIL, he was
working with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) since 2019. Gupta, 56, is a commerce graduate and a fellow of the Institute
of Chartered Accountants of India. In June, the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) had selected him for the
top role at GAIL after interviewing 10 candidates.
 GAIL Limited is a central public sector undertaking under the ownership of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural
Gas, Government of India. It is headquartered in GAIL Bhawan, New Delhi. Its operations are overseen by the Ministry
of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
 GAIL is aligned with the government’s vision of having a gas-based economy wherein the share of natural gas in the
energy mix is to be taken to 15 per cent by the year 2030, Gupta said after assuming the role. Former CMD of the state-
run company, Jain, had earlier said that GAIL plans to spend Rs 30,000 crore in next three years to focus more on
petrochemicals and clean energy.
Pankaj Tripathi Becomes 'National Icon' Of Election Commission Of India

 Election Commission of India (ECI) in creating awareness amongst voters, Actor Pankaj Tripathi has been declared
as the ‘National Icon’ of ECI. The actor was chosen for the honour by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar
for keeping in view his commitment to the cause and wide appeal across the country. An event on the ‘Voter
Awareness Program’, CEC Rajiv Kumar complimented ECI state icon, Pankaj Tripathi, for his association with ECI in
creating voting awareness across citizens, and henceforth declared him as the National Icon for ECI.
 Interestingly: One of Pankaj’s most acclaimed roles involved the electoral process in the 2017 film Newton, for which
he won the National Award. He played the role of a CRPF officer, who was tasked with conducting elections in a
conflict-ridden zone in the jungles of Chhattisgarh. National Award-winner Pankaj Tripathi has been active in the
industry for almost two decades. Some of his critically-acclaimed films include Omkara, Dharm, and Aakrosh among
others. Further, he has also worked in various web series and other Over Top Content.
Arunachal governor BD Mishra assumes additional charge as Meghalaya governor

 At the Raj Bhavan in Shillong, Brigadier (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd. ), the governor of Arunachal Pradesh, assumed the
role of governor of Meghalaya. After previous Governor Satya Pal Malik’s term ended because he did not receive a
term extension, he has been handed the extra responsibility. The oath was delivered by Justice Harman Singh
Thangkhiew, acting chief justice of Meghalaya.
 Brig. B. D. Mishra recalled that he had previously visited Shillong during the conflict of 1971, therefore this was not
his first time there.
74
 The swearing-in event included participation from Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh, Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui,
Cabinet Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh, Hamletson Dohling, and other authorities.
Indian-Origin Dr Vivek Murthy Is US Representative On WHO Executive Board

 Indian-origin Dr. Vivek Murthy has been nominated by US President Joe Biden to serve as the country’s representative
on the Executive Board of the World Health Organisation. Dr. Murthy will serve as the US Representative on WHO
Executive Board and he will continue his duties as the US Surgeon General.
 On March 2021, Dr. Vivek Murthy was confirmed to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the Country.Previously, he
served as the 19th Surgeon General under the Presidency of Barack Obama.
 Dr. Murthy as the nation’s doctor aims to draw attention to and work across Government to address several critical
public health issues. Dr. Murthy is also the Vice Admiral of the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps; he
also commands a uniformed service of over 6000 dedicated public health officers.
Bank of India Mutual Fund appoints Mohit Bhatia as CEO

 The appointment of Mohit Bhatia as CEO of Bank of India Investment Managers Private Ltd (Bank of India Mutual
Funds) has been made public. In the fields of sales and distribution, team development, marketing & branding, and
the creation of digital eco-systems, Bhatia has more than 26 years of professional expertise.
 Mohit Bhatia ‘s most recent position was head of sales and marketing at Canara Robeco Asset Management Company
Ltd.
 The Bank of India Mutual Funds firm achieved 50,000 crores in assets under management (AUM) during his
leadership.
 Bank of India’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank of India Investment Managers Private Ltd (Bank of India Mutual
Funds)
Ex-CJI named head of panel on SC status for Dalit converts

 The Union Government has appointed a three-member commission, headed by former Chief Justice of India K G
Balakrishnan, to consider the possibility of granting SC status to “new persons who have historically belonged to the
Scheduled Castes’’ but have converted to religions other than Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism.
 According to a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the commission will
also include retired IAS officer Dr Ravinder Kumar Jain and UGC member Prof (Dr) Sushma Yadav as members.
 The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, stipulates that no person professing a religion different from
Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism can be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste. The original order under which
only Hindus were classified was later amended to include Sikhs and Buddhists.
Gulf Oil ropes in Smriti Mandhana as brand ambassador

 Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana has signed on as a brand ambassador of lubricant manufacturer Gulf Oil India.
India women’s vice-captain joins current men’s cricket ace Hardik Pandya and former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni
as an ambassador for the company. Through the partnership, Gulf Oil stated that it aims to ‘celebrate women power’
and ‘inspire female audience in the country’, while also honouring the achievements of Indian women cricketers.
With this association, Gulf Oil claims to have become the first company in the lubricant space to appoint a woman
cricketer as ambassador to represent the organisation and its ethos.
 Gulf Oil recognises that the dynamics of the automotive segment has evolved with more women playing a pivotal role
in the decision-making process of vehicular purchase and its further maintenance. With the addition of Smriti
Mandhana to its group of ambassadors, the organisation claims to have taken cognizance of the changing consumer
demographics and is determined to appeal and cater to the new developing customer landscape in the segment.
AMCs to freeze non-PAN card MF portfolios from April 2023, says AMFI
 A Balasubramanian has been re-elected as the chairman of the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), and
Radhika Gupta as the vice-chairperson of the industry body. As the chairman of AMFI, A Balasubramanian will also
continue as the ex-officio chairman of the AMFI Financial Literacy Committee. The chairman and the vice-
chairperson will hold office until the conclusion of the 28th AGM.
 At the recently conducted board meeting of AMFI, post the 27th annual general meeting (AGM) held in September,
Vishal Kapoor (chief executive officer, IDFC Asset Management Co. Ltd.) has been re-elected as the chairman of the
AMFI Committee of Certified Distributors, while Sundeep Sikka (ED & CEO, Nippon Life India Asset Management
Ltd.) has been elected as chairman of AMFI ETF Committee.
75
About AMFI:
AMFI CEO: N.S.Venkatesh (23 Oct 2017–)
AMFI Headquarters: Mumbai
Ananth Narayan Gopalakrishnan assumes charge as whole-time member at Sebi

 Former banker Ananth Narayan Gopalakrishnan took charge as the fourth whole time member (WTM) in the
Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). Narayan, who has been a member of various advisory committees of
Sebi and RBI, has been appointed for an initial period of three years.
 Before assuming charge, Narayan was an associate professor at SP Jain Institute of Management & Research. He has
over two and half decades of experience in the banking and financial markets, during which he held the position of
Regional Head of Financial Markets for ASEAN and South Asia at Standard Chartered Bank.
 He has strong expertise in foreign currency, interest rates, derivatives and debt capital markets. Narayan has also
worked with Deutsche Bank and Citibank.
About SEBI:
Sector: Securities market
Chairperson : Madhabi Puri Buch
Law Ministry notifies appointment of Chief Justices to Karnataka and J&K High Courts
 The central government announced the appointment of two judges as chief justices of the high courts in Jammu &
Kashmir, Ladakh, and Karnataka. It also announced the transfer of the chief justice of the J&K high court to the
Rajasthan high court.
 According to the Constitution’s provisions, Justice Prasanna B. Varale has been named the Karnataka High Court’s
Chief Justice.
 Justice AM Magrey has been named the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
 Justice Pankaj Mithal has been appointed Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, according to Kiran Rijiju.
Odisha MP Aparajita Sarangi elected Asia Pacific Group's Inter-Parliamentary Union panel member
 Lok Sabha member from Bhubaneswar, Aparajita Sarangi has been elected as a member to the executive committee
of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The Parliamentarian from Odisha bagged 12 out of the total of 18 available
votes in the election to the post held at Kigali, Rwanda. Sarangi will represent India at the 15-member executive
committee of the union.
 Notably, this will be the first time in 20 years, that India will have her representative in the international committee.
 The Indian Parliamentary Delegation is being led by Harivansh, Deputy Chairperson in Rajya Sabha. Aparajita Sarangi,
Harivansh and Sasmit Patra attended a meeting called by the Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
following her nomination. The 145th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly is being held currently in Kigali, Rwanda.
About Inter-Parliamentary Union:

Founded: 1889;
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
President: Saber Hossain Chowdhury
Secretary General: Martin Chungong
Apoorva Srivastava Appointed as India's ambassador to Slovak republic

 Apoorva Srivastava, a diplomat in the Indian Foreign Service, has been appointed to serve as India’s Ambassador to
the Slovak Republic. An officer of the 2001 batch, she currently serves as Consul-General at the Consulate of India in
Toronto. Prior to this, she served in various positions in the Ministry of External Affairs and has been posted in
Kathmandu and Paris, among other locations.
 According to a release by the Ministry of External Affairs, India and Slovakia enjoy friendly bilateral ties untroubled
by major tensions. Regular meetings take place between top-level political leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
76
and former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, among other leaders, have interacted with senior political figures
from Slovakia.
 Both countries also enjoy extensive political cooperations. They have concluded agreements ranging from defence
and air services to economics and culture. India and Slovakia also routinely support each other’s candidacies for top
positions in multilateral organizations like the International Court of Justice and the United Nations.
Yubi appoints Atanu Chakraborty as Independent Chairman of its Board

 Atanu Chakraborty has been appointed as the Independent Chairman of the Yubi board, as told by the company
itself.. In addition, Atanu Chakraborty serves as HDFC Bank’s board chairman at the moment. Atanu Chakraborty
served as the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and a member of the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve
Bank of India, according to a press release from the Chennai-based debt marketplace.
 Atanu Chakraborty said that Since its establishment, Yubi has worked to provide reliable and effective digital
infrastructure to the various players in the Indian financial system. It gives me great pleasure to serve as Chair of the
Yubi Board and to support the organization’s aim to invent and unleash the economic growth potential of India.
Cognizant hires former Infosys president Ravi Kumar to lead Americas market
 Former Infosys president Ravi Kumar S, who resigned from the Bengaluru-based IT company last week, is joining as
president of Cognizant Americas. Kumar will take on the position from January 16, 2023, and will be reporting directly
to Brian Humphries, chief executive officer (CEO) of Cognizant. Kumar succeeds Dharmendra Kumar Sinha who
retired from Cognizant last year. At present, Sinha is the president of the public cloud business unit in Rackspace
Technology. Surya Gummadi will continue to hold the post of interim president for Cognizant Americas till Kumar
joins, after which he will move to lead Cognizant’s $5-billion health sciences business.
 In 2015, Kumar was one of the two presidents appointed by Infosys, and served in that position for almost seven years.
He had been with Infosys for 20 years. Cognizant has also announced the appointment of former Bain executive
Prasad Sankaran as head of the software and platform engineering (SPE) service line.
JP Morgan Elevates Kaustubh Kulkarni As India Head

 JP Morgan has announced the appointment of its new Country Head of India, Kaustubh Kulkarni. Madhav Kalyan the
current country head of India will be serving in the Asia Pacific Payments Division from 1st November 2022. Kaustubh
Kulkarni is currently serving as the head of investment banking in JP Morgan India and also as the Vice-chair of Asia
Pacific for the bank and also as the co-head of investment banking for Southeast Asia.
 Kaustubh Kulkarni has been serving in JP Morgan for the past 24 years.
 Madhav Kalyan has been serving in JP Morgan since 2009 as head of corporate banking for India.
 Pierpont Morgan was an American financier and investment banker who dominated corporate finance on Wall Street
during the Gilded Age. The firm is known as JP Morgan and Co.
Pradeep Singh Kharola appointed CMD of India Trade Promotion Organization

 Former Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola was named Chairman and Managing Director of India Trade
Promotion Organization (ITPO) on Wednesday, according to a Personnel Ministry order.
 Kharola, a Karnataka cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1985 batch, retired as civil aviation
secretary in September last year. In March of this year, he was appointed chairman of the National Recruitment
Agency (NRA), which is responsible for conducting computer-based Common Eligibility Tests for government job
recruitment.
 The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has accepted Kharola's appointment as Chairman and Managing
Director, ITPO, on a contract basis for two years from the date of assumption of charge of the post, it said.
Mallikarjun Kharge Elected As The New Congress President

 Veteran Karnataka leader Mallikarjun Kharge defeated his rival Shashi Tharoor to become the first non-Gandhi
Congress president in 24 years, and the first Scheduled Caste chief of the grand old organization in four decades.
Kharge polled 7897 of the 9385 votes cast while Tharoor garnered a meagre 1072. Sources said 416 votes were invalid.
 He is the first non-Gandhi to head the Congress in 24 years, after Sitaram Kesri was unceremoniously ousted in 1988
through a Congress Working Committee resolution that invited Sonia Gandhi to become the party chief. Sonia had
become a primary member of the Congress only a year ago at the AICC Kolkata plenary in 1997.
 Kharge is also the only Congress chief who has been leader of opposition in a state assembly (Karnataka); leader of
the party in Lok Sabha and who is now the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha.
77
 This was the first election for the post of Congress president in 22 years and only the fifth major contest in the party’s
137 year history.
ISRO designates Dr Sankarasubramanian as the Principal Scientist of the Aditya-L1 mission

 The Indian Space Research Organisation has designated Dr. Sankarasubramanian K as the Principal Scientist of the
Aditya-L1 mission. Aditya-L1 is the first observatory-class space-based solar mission from India. Sankarasubramanian
has contributed to AstroSat, Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2 missions of ISRO in several capacities.
 Aditya-L1 is the first observatory-class space-based solar mission from India. The spacecraft will be placed in a halo
orbit around the first Lagrange point, L1, of the Sun-Earth system.
 A satellite around the L1 point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without occultation/eclipses.
This position provides a greater advantage of observing solar activities continuously.
 Dr Sankarasubramanian K. is a senior solar scientist at the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru. He obtained
his PhD in Physics from Bangalore University through the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru.
About ISRO:
Chairman: S. Somanath
Foundation Date: 15th August, 1969
Founder: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai
Dalit woman scholar from Karnataka appointed UNHRC Special Rapporteur

 K.P. Ashwini, a Dalit scholar whose roots are in Kurabarahalli in Kolar district, has been appointed Special Rapporteur
for United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC). She is the first Indian and Asian woman to be appointed
to this post.
 The Geneva-based 47-member UN human rights body has endorsed Dr. Ashwini’s appointment.
 An Ambedkarite and a PhD scholar from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Ms. Ashwini is planning to address issues such
as racism and casteism, now also increasingly on social media platforms.
Shri Jaxay Shah nominated as the new Chairman of Quality Council of India
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appointed Jaxay Shah, founder chairman of Savvy Group and former chairman of
CREDAI as the chairman of the Quality Council of India (QCI) for three years, effective 21 October, the Ministry of
Commerce & Industry. He will succeed former McKinsey India chief Adil Zainulbhai, who served as the chairman of
QCI through three terms for eight years from 2014 to 2022.
 Jaxay Shah has been appointed based on his vast industry experience which shall contribute to further propelling the
wheels of Quality, a legacy established by the former Chairpersons of QCI. In addition, he also holds the position of
the chairman of the Assocham Western Region Development Council and serves as the Advisor at the PharmEasy
Accelerator Program, which offers 1 lakh+ medicine and health products.
Yuvraj Singh becomes the brand ambassador for 3rd T20 World Cricket Cup for the Blind
 The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) has announced former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh as their
brand ambassador for the 3rd T20 World Cup for the Blind to be held in India in December. Ajay Kumar Reddy B2
(Andhra Pradesh) will lead the Indian team while Venkateswara Rao Dunna – B2 (Andhra Pradesh) will be the vice-
captain.
 The World Cup matches will be held from December 6 to 17. The participating countries for the 3rd T20 World Cup
for the Blind are India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The opening match will
be played between defending champions India and Nepal on December 6 in Faridabad.
 Samarthanam’s sports wing, Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), was established in 2010 to foster the
cricketing dreams of visually impaired cricket players and to provide a platform to portray their unbound talent in
the game of blind Cricket. CABI is affiliated with World Blind Cricket Council (WBC).
78
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Kumar Sanu, Shailendra Singh, Anand-Milind to get Lata Mangeshkar Award

 Noted playback singers Kumar Sanu and Shailendra Singh and music-composer duo Anand-Milind were conferred
with the National Lata Mangeshkar Award for different years. They will be presented the prestigious award (on
September 28), the birth anniversary of the late legendary singer, at her birthplace Indore. State Culture Minister
Usha Thakur conferred Shailendra Singh, Anand-Milind, and Kumar Sanu with the award for the years 2019, 2020 and
2021 respectively.
 Singh, who carved a special place in the hearts of music lovers with his distinctive voice in the 1970-1980 decades, will
be awarded the Lata Mangeshkar Award for 2019, while Anand-Milind, who composed music for over 200 films, will
be honoured with the award Honors for 2020. The award for 2021 will be given to Sanu, who gave his velvety voice to
several popular songs in the 1990s.
 Officials informed the award is given for promoting excellence in the area of light music annually by the Madhya
Pradesh government’s culture department. It carries a cash prize of Rs two lakh and a citation. Earlier recipients
included Naushad, Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle.
About Madhya Pradesh:

Capital: Bhopal (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel
Swedish scientist Svante Paabo wins Nobel Prize in medicine

 The Nobel Prizes 2022 for medicine or physiology was awarded to Swedish geneticist Svante Pääbo. Svante Pääbo was
given the award “for his discoveries concerning the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution,” the Nobel
Prize committee. Considered the most prestigious prize in the scientific world, it is awarded by the Nobel Assembly
of Sweden’s Karolinska Institute and is worth 10 million Swedish crowns ($900,357).
 Through his pioneering research, Svante Pääbo accomplished something seemingly impossible: sequencing the
genome of the Neanderthal, an extinct relative of present-day humans. He also made the sensational discovery of a
previously unknown hominin, Denisova. Importantly, Pääbo also found that gene transfer had occurred from these
now extinct hominins to Homo sapiens following the migration out of Africa around 70,000 years ago. This ancient
flow of genes to present-day humans has physiological relevance today, for example affecting how our immune system
reacts to infections.
About Nobel Prize:

Ceremony date: 10 December 2022
First awarded: 1901; 121 years ago
About Sweden:
Capital: Stockholm
Currency: Swedish krona
Prime Minister : Magdalena Andersson
Dr. Madhav Hada to be awarded 32nd Bihari Puraskar

 Writer Dr Madhav Hada will be awarded the 32nd Bihari Puraskar for his 2015 literary criticism book ‘Pachrang Chola
Pahar Sakhi Ri’, the KK Birla Foundation announced. A literary critic and academic, Hada has written extensively on
literature, media, culture and history. He has also been a member of the general council of the Sahitya Akademi and
the Hindi Advisory Board. He has been a recipient of the Bhartendu Harishchandra Award for Media Studies and the
Devraj Upadhyay Award for Literary Criticism.
 Hada’s book ‘Pachrang Chola Pahar Sakhi Ri’ focuses on the life of medieval devotee poet Meera. In his book, Hada
explores the processes of Meera’s image formation.
Winners of the 'Valley of Words' Book Awards Announced

 Anees Salim’s The Odd Book of Baby Names (English fiction) and Rudrangshu Mukherjee’s Tagore & Gandhi: Walking
Alone, Walking Together (English non-fiction) were among the eight that were adjudged the best books of the year
79
at the ‘Valley of Words Book Awards. The PFC-VoW Book Awards, currently in its sixth edition, is considered one of
the most comprehensive independent literary award programmes in India.
The total listing of the PFC-VoW E-book Award winners 2022-

1. English fiction: The Odd E-book of Child Names by Anees Salim (Penguin Random Home)
2. English non-fiction: Tagore & Gandhi: Strolling Alone, Strolling Collectively by Rudrangshu Mukherjee (Aleph E-
book Firm)
3. Hindi fiction: Khela by Neelakshi Singh (Setu Publications)
4. Hindi non- fiction: Jeete Ji Allahabad by Mamta Kalia (Rajkamal Prakashan)
5. Writings for younger adults: Savi and the Reminiscence Keeper by Bijal Vachharajani (Hachette)
6. Writings/image books for kids: Aai and I by Mamta Nainy (Pickle Yolk Books)
7. Translation to Hindi: Yaadon Ke Bikhre Moti: Batware ki Kahaniyan by Aanchal Malhotra, translated by Brig
Kamal Nayan Pandit (HarperCollins)
8. Translation to English: Amader Shantiniketan by Shivani, translated by Ira Pande (Penguin Random Home)
Nobel Prize in Chemistry jointly awarded to one Danish and two American scientists
 The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2022 was awarded jointly to Carolyn R. Bertozzi, Morten Meldal and K. Barry Sharpless
“for the development of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry” at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in
Stockholm. The three have been awarded for their work in ‘click chemistry’, in which molecules snap together fast
and firmly, without the need for a long, complicated process and too many unwanted byproducts. Their work has
applications in the field of medical science, including the treatment of cancer. Bertozzi is based at Stanford University
in California, Sharpless with Scripps Research, California, and Meldal is at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
 Notably: The Nobel prizes carry a cash award of 10 million Swedish kronor (nearly $900,000) and will be handed out
on December 10.
Pune IITM scientist Roxy Koll receives 2022 Devendra Lal Memorial Medal
 Roxy Mathew Koll, a scientist at the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), received the
American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) 2022 Devendra Lal Memorial Medal. Koll was selected for his outstanding
research in Earth and space sciences. He will also be conferred as a Fellow of the AGU. AGU is a non-profit
organisation that annually recognises a select number of individuals as part of its honours and recognition programme
in Earth and space sciences.
 The medal is named in honour of professor Devendra Lal, a distinguished geophysicist whose work spanned diverse
areas of the Earth and space sciences. He is best known for his role in founding and developing the held in which
cosmic rays produced isotopes on Earth are used as tracers to investigate a wide range of Earth science problems.
Angela Merkel to receive UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award for protecting refugees at height of Syria crisis
 Former German chancellor Angela Merkel won the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
prestigious Nansen award for her “leadership, courage and compassion” in ensuring the protection of hundreds of
thousands of desperate people at the height of the Syria crisis. Dr. Angela Merkel is the 2022 Nansen Award global
laureate for her political courage, compassion and decisive action as Federal Chancellor of Germany to protect people
forced to flee.
 The year 2022 marked a century (100 years) since Fridtjof Nansen was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922. It is also
100 years since the creation of the Nansen passport, an identity document for refugees that enabled its holders to
move across borders in search of work.
 The Nansen Award 2022 regional winner for Africa was given to The Mbera Fire Brigade, an all-volunteer firefighting
group in Mauritania led by Ahmedou Ag Albohary.
 The award for the Americas went to Vicenta González, a women’s rights advocate and activist whose cacao cooperative
in Costa Rica empowers local and asylum-seeking women.
Badminton legend Prakash Padukone presented with SJFI Medal

 The Sports Journalists’ Federation of India medal (SJFI medal) for 2019 was presented to badminton legendary star
Prakash Padukone during a cordial ceremony at the Karnataka State Cricket Association. Vijay Amritraj was the
inaugural recipient of the award, which was established in 2018. The COVID-19 outbreak caused a delay in the 2019
award ceremony.
80
 In his remarks, Prakash Padukone discussed how badminton rose to become the “second most popular sport” in
India.The award was created in 2018, and Vijay Amritraj was its first winner.
 The 2019 award presentation was postponed because to the COVID-19 epidemic.
 Cricket legend G.R. Viswanath was among those in attendance to honour the 1980 All England winner.
Winners of the YSR Lifetime Achievement Awards announced

 The State Formation Day, November 1, will mark the presentation of the YSR Lifetime Achievement and YSR
Achievement-2022 Awards, according to the State government. Reporters in Guntur were informed on Friday that the
High Power Steering Committee’s suggested awards had been authorised by the Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan
Reddy.
 When describing the prizes, he added that the honorees were chosen with the highest priority for their ability to
affect society and leave a lasting impression via their abilities and talents in a variety of sectors.
 The Dr. YSR Achievement Award comes with a cash award of Rs. 5 lakh, a souvenir, and a commendation letter, while
the Dr. YSR Lifetime Achievement Award comes with a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh, a bronze figurine of Dr. YSR, and
these items.
 Mr. Krishna Mohan, who announced the winners, noted that all of the honorees were regular people who had made
exceptional contributions to their respective fields, which included rural development, agriculture, culture, fine arts,
and traditions.
Hyderabad wins 'World Green City award' at South Korea

 The city of Hyderabad, Telangana, has been honoured as the Grand winner of the AIPH (International Association of
Horticultural Producers) World Green City Awards 2022, the most prestigious award of the Inaugural AIPH World
Green City awards (2022 edition), for its initiative titled “Green Garland to the State of Telangana”. Hyderabad also
won the award under the ‘Living Green for Economic Recovery and Inclusive Growth’ category.
 Hyderabad has been awarded for its initiatives relying on greater use of plants and nature to create better city
environments and helps fulfil local aspirations for improved economic, social and environmental resilience.
 The award acknowledged Telangana’s programme of ‘Telangana Ku Haritha Haram’s large¬scale tree¬planting
program taken up from 2015-¬2016.
 The program aims to increase the tree cover of the state from 24% to 33% of total area of the state.
 AIPH World Green City awards (2022 edition) are the world’s first Green City awards. AIPH announced the 6 Category
Winners and the Grand Winner during the award ceremony that took place at the gala dinner at the International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Leaders Forum in Jeju Province of the Republic of Korea(South Korea) on
14th October 2022.
Karnataka Bank wins digital transformation award

 Karnataka Bank has bagged the National Digital Transformation Awards, “DX 2022 Awards” instituted by the
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for best practices in digital transformation under the BFSI segment. The awards
in recognition of the “Innovative Excellence” in ‘KBL HR NxT – Employee Engagement’, ‘KBL Operations NxT –
Operational Excellence’ and ‘KBL Customer NxT – Customer Experience’ were presented to senior executives of the
bank at New Delhi.
 KBL NxT concept was launched in 2021 under KBL Vikas 2.0 focusing on digitisation of its various verticals, including
operations, human resources, customer experience, digital marketing etc.
 In 2017, KBL launched its Transformation Journey ‘KBL Vikaas’, partnering with the Boston Consulting Group (India)
Private Ltd, (BCG) in Mangaluru, Karnataka.
 In 2021, KBL launched the ‘KBL NxT’ concept to emerge as the ‘digital bank of the future’.
Hyderabad Haleem wins ‘Most Popular GI’ food award

 Telangana’s Hyderabadi Haleem has won the ‘Most Popular GI’ award after beating other food items including
Rasgulla, Bikaneri Bhujiya, and Ratlami Sev. In a rigid competition with more than 15 food items across the country
with Geographical Indication (GI) status, the famous Hyderabadi Haleem has bagged the ‘Most Popular GI’ award.
 GI tag is given to products to ensure that authorised users can only use the popular product name. For the first time,
GI status was accorded to Hyderabadi Haleem in 2010. It expired in December 2019. However, later, the registrar of
Geographical Indicator renewed the tag for the dish for 10 years.
 Other Telangana items that were accorded GI tag include Nirmal toys and crafts, Nirmal furniture, Nirmal Paintings,
Gadwal sari, and Banaganapalle Mangoes.
81
The Ukrainian people awarded the European Parliament’s 2022 Sakharov Prize
 The European Parliament has awarded the people of Ukraine its annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to
honour their fight against Russia’s invasion. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced the 2022
laureate in the Strasbourg plenary chamber, following a decision by Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (the
President and political group leaders).
 The award comes with prize money of 50,000 euros ($49,100), which will be distributed to representatives of Ukrainian
civil society. The prize, named after the late Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, has been awarded annually since 1988
to individuals and organizations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.
 The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988
to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is named in honour
of Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov and the prize money is 50 000 euros.
The Ukrainian people awarded the European Parliament’s 2022 Sakharov Prize
 The European Parliament has awarded the people of Ukraine its annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to
honour their fight against Russia’s invasion. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced the 2022
laureate in the Strasbourg plenary chamber, following a decision by Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (the
President and political group leaders).
 The award comes with prize money of 50,000 euros ($49,100), which will be distributed to representatives of Ukrainian
civil society. The prize, named after the late Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, has been awarded annually since 1988
to individuals and organizations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.
 The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988
to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is named in honour
of Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov and the prize money is 50 000 euros.
SS Rajamouli's RRR wins Best International Film honour at Saturn Awards 2022
 The ace filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s, which recently hit the screens in Japan, has won its first major international
honour. The biggie won the ‘Best International Film’ honour at the Saturn Awards 2022, which were held in Los
Angeles. RRR is a period drama which features Jr NTR and Ram Charan as the parallel leads. RRR, which grossed
nearly Rs 1,200 crore at the worldwide box office, has bagged its first major international honour.
 SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus bagged the award for ‘Best International Film’ at the Saturn Awards 2022. RRR beat
titles like Downton Abbey: A New Era, Eiffel, I’m Your Man, Riders of Justice, and Silent Night to take home the award
for the best international film at the 2022 awards.
BOOKS & AUTHOR

Economist Dr Bimal Jalan authored the book “From dependence to Self-Reliance Mapping India’s Rise as a
Global Superpower”
 Economist Dr Bimal Jalan authored the book “From dependence to Self-Reliance: Mapping India’s Rise as a Global
Superpower”, a stocktaking of India’s growth trajectory, benefits from Bimal Jalan’s deep insights. The book is written
lucidly, with the general reader in mind. Bimal Jalan breaks his book into 3 parts: 4 chapters on the economy, and 3
each on governance and politics. The primary focus shared by Bimal Jalan is to promote India’s national interests,
irrespective of any party’s political agenda announced during elections.
 With a single-party majority in Parliament, the political profile of the government has undergone a major change.
The government, elected with a full majority, is now in a position to launch political reforms on its own without
relying on the discretionary powers of members belonging to other parties.
 From Dependence to Self-Reliance sheds light on some of the priorities that the government can implement at
present, as well as in the future, in light of past experience.
 Written by the former governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), this book is based on extensive research and data,
and provides a way forward to developing India as an economic stronghold.
New book “The Corbett Papers” compiled by Akshay Shah & Stephen
 Akshay Shah and Stephen Alter have compiled and edited a new book “The Corbett Papers: Biographical, Legal, &
Contextual Material on the Life & Career of Jim Corbett of Kumaon” about Jim Corbett. It is published by Black Kite
82
Publishing. Jim Corbett, the famous naturalist¬hunter, has written a series of bestsellers about his experiences with
wildlife in the jungles of North India. The Corbett Papers” also includes the unpublished reminiscences of Corbett by
his sister Maggie and rare extracts from a forgotten work.
 Akshay Shah is an outdoor educator, a wilderness medicine instructor and a naturalist based in Ranikhet,
Uttarakhand. He is currently the Director of the Hanifl Centre for Outdoor Education and Environmental Study in
Uttarakhand. Stephen Alter is the author of more than 20 books, many of which focus on the natural history of the
Himalayas. He has already written a novel “In the Jungles of the Night”, a reimagining of Jim Corbett’s life.
Economist Dr Bimal Jalan authored the book “From dependence to Self-Reliance Mapping India’s Rise as a
Global Superpower”
 Economist Dr Bimal Jalan authored the book “From dependence to Self-Reliance: Mapping India’s Rise as a Global
Superpower”, a stocktaking of India’s growth trajectory, benefits from Bimal Jalan’s deep insights. The book is written
lucidly, with the general reader in mind. Bimal Jalan breaks his book into 3 parts: 4 chapters on the economy, and 3
each on governance and politics. The primary focus shared by Bimal Jalan is to promote India’s national interests,
irrespective of any party’s political agenda announced during elections.
 With a single-party majority in Parliament, the political profile of the government has undergone a major change.
The government, elected with a full majority, is now in a position to launch political reforms on its own without
relying on the discretionary powers of members belonging to other parties.
 From Dependence to Self-Reliance sheds light on some of the priorities that the government can implement at
present, as well as in the future, in light of past experience.
 Written by the former governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), this book is based on extensive research and data,
and provides a way forward to developing India as an economic stronghold.
New book “The Corbett Papers” compiled by Akshay Shah & Stephen
 Akshay Shah and Stephen Alter have compiled and edited a new book “The Corbett Papers: Biographical, Legal, &
Contextual Material on the Life & Career of Jim Corbett of Kumaon” about Jim Corbett. It is published by Black Kite
Publishing. Jim Corbett, the famous naturalist¬hunter, has written a series of bestsellers about his experiences with
wildlife in the jungles of North India. The Corbett Papers” also includes the unpublished reminiscences of Corbett by
his sister Maggie and rare extracts from a forgotten work.
 Akshay Shah is an outdoor educator, a wilderness medicine instructor and a naturalist based in Ranikhet,
Uttarakhand. He is currently the Director of the Hanifl Centre for Outdoor Education and Environmental Study in
Uttarakhand. Stephen Alter is the author of more than 20 books, many of which focus on the natural history of the
Himalayas. He has already written a novel “In the Jungles of the Night”, a reimagining of Jim Corbett’s life.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Heart Day 2022: 29th September
 Every year on the 29th of September, people all around the world observe World Heart Day. The day is observed to
raise awareness about the rising concerns of heart health, cardiovascular illnesses, the impact of overexercising on
the heart and how heart care is of utmost importance.
 The theme for World Heart Day 2022 is ‘USE HEART FOR EVERY HEART’. With increasing global awareness about
cardiovascular diseases and learning to manage the disease. In the theme ‘USE HEART FOR EVERY HEART’, “Use
Heart” means to think differently, make the right decisions, act with courage and help others. Similarly, “For Every
Heart” involves the use of “FOR” and shifts the focus from the actions themselves to the heir of such actions, allowing
for wider application of the campaign while also making it more personal.
About World Heart Federation:

Founded: 2000
President: Fausto Pinto
International Translation Day 2022: Theme, Significance and History

 International Translation Day is being celebrated every year on 30 September to raise awareness about translation
and languages which play an important role for society’s development. The day is meant as an opportunity to pay
83
tribute to the work of language professionals, which plays an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating
dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to the development and strengthening world peace and
security.
 The United Nations in a statement mentioned, “International Translation Day is meant as an opportunity to pay
tribute to the work of language professionals, which plays an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating
dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to the development and strengthening world peace and
security.”
 The theme for this year’s International Translation Day is ‘A world without barriers’.
About United Nations (UN):

Founded: 24 October 1945, San Francisco, California, United States
Headquarters: New York, United States
Secretary General: António Guterres
World Maritime Day 2022: last Thursday of September

 The International Maritime Organization observed World Maritime Day on the last Thursday of September. This
year, it will be observed on September 29. The day focuses on drawing public attention to maritime safety and the
marine environment. The World Maritime Day 2022 Parallel Event will be organized in Durban, South Africa from
12th to 14th October 2022.
 The theme for World Maritime Day 2022 is ‘New technologies for greener shipping’ – which reflects the need to
support a “green transition of the maritime sector into a sustainable future while leaving no one behind.” The theme
for this year reflects the need to support a green transition of the maritime sector into a sustainable future while
leaving no one behind. It provides an opportunity to focus on the importance of a sustainable maritime sector and
the need to build back better and greener in a post-pandemic world.
About International Maritime Organization:

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Founded: 17 March 1958
Founder: United Nations
Secretary-General: Kitack Lim
World Vegetarian Day 2022: 01st October

 World Vegetarian Day is celebrated on the first day of October. It also kickstarts Vegetarian Awareness Month. This
global day of advocacy and awareness celebrates the benefits of vegetarianism and encourages people to reduce their
consumption of animal products. The day is commemorated to create awareness about the benefits of vegetarianism
like reducing the risks of heart diseases and other health complications.
 The primary aim of the day is to create awareness about the multiple advantages of vegetarianism and support
networks for vegetarians across the world. Animal slaughter on large scale requires a lot of water and other limited
resources. The process emits methane and other greenhouse gases which are a big burden on the degrading
environmental situation.
 World Vegetarian Day was established in the year 1977 by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS) to highlight
the surfeit of benefits of vegetarianism, including saving the lives of animals. Following this, in the year 1978, it was
endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union. Since then, every year on October 1, people celebrate the day all
across the world.
About International Vegetarian Union:

Founded: 1908, Dresden, Germany
Chair : Marly Winckler
World Habitat Day 2022: 3rd October

 The United Nations observes the first Monday of October as World Habitat Day. This year, World Habitat Day will
be observed on October 3. The day calls to reflect on our towns, cities, and the basic right of all to have adequate
shelter. It serves as a reminder that we can shape the future of the place we live in.
 This year’s theme is “Mind the Gap. Leave No One and Place Behind”. The focus is on the growing inequalities and
challenges in cities and human settlements. These are the problems that have been aggravated due to what the UN
84
calls triple Cs: Coronavirus (COVID-19), Climate, and Crisis. These triple Cs have hampered the progress made against
poverty. The UN calls tackling urban poverty and inequality an “urgent global priority”. They have called for local
actions toward Sustainable Development Goals.
About United Nations (UN):

Founded: 24 October 1945, San Francisco, California, United States
Headquarters: New York, United States
Secretary General: António Guterres
Swachh Bharat Diwas 2022 : 3rd October

 Department of Drinking water and sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti celebrated Swachh Bharat Diwas (SBD)
on 2nd October 2022. The Swachh Bharat Diwas is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mahatma
Gandhi. The Swachh Bharat Diwas is inspired by one of the quotes of the father of the nation, “Cleanliness is next to
godliness”.
 Swachh Bharat Mission draws its strength from the people who made it into a Jan Andolan ensuring Sampoorna
Swachhta or complete sanitation.
 The Swachh Bharat Diwas was a day-long event which was organized by the Department at Vigyan Bhawan.
 The DDWA implemented two flagship central government programs, the Swacch Bharat Mission and the Jal Jeevan
Mission.
 During the event, the President of India was presented with the Swacch Survekshan Grameen 2022 report by Union
Kal Shakti Minister.
 The department also launched two campaigns, one was Retrofit to Twin Pit Abhiyan and the other one is Swacch Jal
se Suraksha.
World Teachers’ Day 2022: 5th October

 World Teachers’ Day or International Teachers’ Day is observed every year on October 5. This is a day to celebrate,
thank and honour teachers for their contributions to their students. On this day, many also come together and
organise meetings, conferences and such to identify problems being faced by teachers of the country as well as globally
and find solutions to those issues.
 This year marks the 28th anniversary of World Teachers’ Day and the theme is “The Transformation of Education
Begins with Teachers”.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2022: 01st to 31st October: Theme & History
 Every year Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) is observed in the month of October, from 01 to 31. The annual
international health campaign aims to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause,
prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The pink ribbon is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness.
 An annual campaign to raise awareness of this complex disease and fund research into its causes, treatment, and cure.
Since 1985, individuals, businesses, and communities have come together every October to show their support for the
many people affected by breast cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness Month can be a time to reflect, give back, or even
celebrate.
 Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held in October every year, was created in 1985, and founded by the American
Cancer Society and the Imperial Chemical Industries Pharmaceuticals (later part of AstraZeneca).
World Migratory Bird Day 2022: 8th October

 Since its creation in 2006, World Migratory Bird Day has been commemorated twice a year. It is supposed to be
celebrated on the second Saturday of May and the second Saturday of October. This year, it was previously celebrated
on 14 May and for the second time, the world marks this day again today, 8 October. At least 4,000 different bird
species travel long distances, making up about 40% of the world’s bird population. The purpose of World Migratory
Bird Day is to increase public awareness on the issues migrating birds encounter, their ecological importance, and the
need for global cooperation to safeguard them. They migrate in search of food. Twice a year, these birds spend the
winter in warmer regions before coming home to reproduce.
Indian Air Force raising day 2022: 8th October

 Indian Air Force was raised on October 8, 1932, and it is completing 90 years today. The day and its observance is a
matter of pride for Indians and inspire a patriotic zeal among the citizenry for the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces.
85
The President of India is the Commander-in-chief of the IAF. This time Air Force Day flypast is scheduled to take
place over Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh this afternoon.
 In a historic first, the parade and fly-past of Air Force day have been moved out of the national capital region by the
Indian Air Force. President Draupadi Murmu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be present on this occasion.
Indian Air Force was officially established on 8 October 1932 by the British Empire as the Royal Indian Air Force. The
name was changed to Indian Air Force in 1950. This time 75 aircrafts will participate in the flypast, while 9 aircrafts
will be kept on standby mode. The light combat helicopter LCH which were recently inducted in the IAF will also
showcase its air capabilities in the sky at Sukhna lake. Tejas, Sukhoi, MIG -29, Jaguar, Rafale, and Hawk will also be
part of fly past.
World Post Day 2022: 9th October

 World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9 October, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal
Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. This day celebrates the role of the post in people’s and businesses’ everyday
lives. It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. Since then, countries across
the world participate annually in the celebrations. The Posts in many countries use the event to introduce or promote
new postal products and services.
 The theme for World Post Day 2022 is ‘Post for Planet’. The Post is the world’s largest logistics network. Every year,
more than 150 countries celebrate World Post Day in a variety of ways. In certain countries, World Post Day is
observed as a working holiday.
Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Day 2022: 9th October

 On 9 October 1946, the Indian government established the Indian Foreign Service for India’s diplomatic, consular
and commercial representation overseas. Indian Foreign Service (IFS) will grow from strength to strength in the
coming years and will help advance India’s interests globally, said External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar as he
greeted the members of foreign service on the IFS Day 2022. The history of the Service and this day goes back to
September 1946, when, on the eve of India’s Independence, the Government of India decided to create a service called
the Indian Foreign Service for India’s diplomatic, consular and commercial representation overseas.
 According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the origin of the Indian Foreign Service can be traced back to
British rule when the Foreign Department was created to conduct business with the “Foreign European Powers”.
Subsequently known as the “Indian Foreign Department”, it went ahead with the expansion of diplomatic
representation, wherever necessary, to protect British interests, the MEA said.
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd Observed Cyber Jaagrukta Diwas
 To create cybersecurity awareness among all employees, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA)
observed the “Cyber Jaagrukta Diwas”. On this occasion, Shri Alok Kumar, Information Security Consultant, AKS IT
Services, shared his insights with IREDA employees on the practice of cyber hygiene.
 Cyber Jaagrukta Diwas is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs that requires all government
organizations to spread cybersecurity awareness. It is observed on first Wednesday of every month. The purpose is to
create awareness and sensitize the Internet users on safeguarding against cyber frauds and cybercrimes.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has requested all offices/branches/sections, PSUs, etc., to observe Cyber
Jagrookta (Awareness) Diwas on the first Wednesday of every month and prepare an Annual Action Plan in this
regard.
World Mental Health Day 2022: 10th October

 World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 every year. On this day, various programs are designed to draw
attention to mental health issues and their effects on those affected and the lives of their caregivers. In India, World
Mental Health Day is marked on the final day of the Mental Health Awareness Campaign Week campaign, launched
last year by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
 The theme or rather the slogan for 2022’s celebration of World Mental health Day is “Make mental health & well-
being for all a global priority.” World Health Organisation (WHO) mentions that before the COVID-19 pandemic,
about one in eight people worldwide suffered from mental issues. Proper infrastructural and economic support for
mental health, however, was lacking. The global pandemic raised mental stress for people all over the world. Lives
86
were left permanently altered by the virus. Recent armed conflicts between nations and religious violence have added
to this stress.
International Day of the Girl Child 2022: 11th October

 International Day of the Girl Child is observed on October 11 to raise awareness about the importance and potential
girls hold as the future of our society. In 2022, we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the
Girl (IDG). The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face
and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.
 This year’s theme for the International Day of the Girl Child is “Our time is now—our rights, our future”. The focus is
on the multitude of challenges put in front of girls’ path to reach their potential. This has been made worse by the
ongoing crises of climate change, COVID-19 and humanitarian conflict around the globe. Girls struggle with issues
related to their education, their physical and mental wellness, and leading a life without violence.
World Arthritis Day 2022:12th October

 World Arthritis day is observed on 12 October every year and it is a global health awareness event that helps create
awareness about rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. This day aims to bring people around the world on a single
platform so that their voices are heard and more support is provided for better treatment options for the people
affected with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).
 The theme for World Arthritis day 2022 is “It’s in your hands, take action”. The theme aims to encourage people with
arthritis, their caregivers, families, and the general public so that they don’t feel that they are alone in this situation.
 World Arthritis day (WAD) plays a major role in encouraging people, medical organizations, and governments across
the world to participate in the campaign to spread awareness.
 World arthritis day (WAD) was established by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI). The first event for
World Arthritis day was organized on 12 October 1996.
World Student’s Day 2022:15th October

 October 15 is celebrated as World Students’ Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, a
celebrated Aerospace scientist and former President of India. The day is marked to acknowledge his efforts toward
students and education. Dr Kalam was born on October 15, 1931. He served as an inspiration to many students to
achieve and do something remarkable. After his tenure as the President came to an end, he became a visiting faculty
at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Shillong, IIM-Indore and IIM- Ahmedabad.
 Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was a dedicated student with a deep passion to learn. Despite financial constraints, he completed
his graduation in Physics and later studied Aerospace Engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology.
 He became India’s most famous nuclear scientist and was known as the ‘Missile Man of India’. He played a crucial
role in the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Birth Anniversary:

 Avul Pakir Jainuladbeen Abdul Kalam born on 15th October 1931 was an Indian aerospace scientist and the 11th
president of India. He served as the President of India from 2002 to 2007. He was known as the Missile Man of India
for his works and development of ballistic missiles and launch vehicle technology.
 He has spent more than four decades serving as a scientist and science administrator at Defence Research and
Development Organization (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). He was constantly involved in
the civil space program of India and military missile development. He was also the recipient of several prestigious
awards which includes Bharat Ratna.
 Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a man of many talents and has served the nation throughout his life. He has made efforts
to improve and develop society. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s contribution has pushed society to achieve its progress. Here
are a few significant contributions of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
World Food Day 2022: 16th October

 Every year on October 16 in observance of the date the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United
Nations was established in 1945, World Food Day is marked. The main objectives are to combat world hunger and
work toward its eradication. The World Food Day 2022 will take place this year with more focus on moving forward
together. Every UN member state, including India, observes the day.
 The 16th of October 2022, a Sunday, will once again serve as the day for World Food Day 2022 celebrations.The theme
for World Food Day 2022 is Leave NO ONE behind.
87
 “Safe food now for a healthy tomorrow” was the theme of World Food Day in 2021.
 The day is celebrated with an emphasis on the production and consumption of secure food that will, in the long run,
benefit the population, the economy, and the environment.
World Statistics Day 2022 : 20th October

 World Statistics Day 2022 is celebrated annually on October 20th to recognize the importance of statistics in our daily
lives. The United Nations Statistical Commission has been at the forefront of advocating for the use of statistics to
track progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Good data and statistics are essential for effective
planning, monitoring and evaluation of progress towards the SDGs.
 The theme of Statistics Day, 2022 is “Data for Sustainable Development”. On this occasion, MoSPI also recognizes the
outstanding contribution through high-quality research in the field of applied and theoretical statistics benefiting the
official statistical system through awards instituted for this purpose.
 The day celebrates the role of statistics and statisticians in improving the world we live in and marks the anniversary
of the founding of the United Nations Statistical Commission in 1947.
World Osteoporosis Day 2022: 20th October

 World osteoporosis day is a global healthcare event observed every year on 20 October. The day is observed to
promote the early diagnosis of osteoporosis, its treatment and preventive tips for strong bones. The campaigns are
mainly focused on encouraging people to take preventative measures for their bone health to avoid any risk of
osteoporosis and associated complications in the future.
 This year 2022, the World Osteoporosis Day theme is “Step Up For Bone Health”, intending to encourage people
around the world to check for bone density and bone health status regularly (especially people above 50) and inculcate
healthy lifestyle to strengthen the bone health. The theme “Step Up For Bone Health” appeals the global healthcare
organizations and policymakers to create better opportunities and accessible facilities for everyone to avail of timely
diagnosis and treatment to prevent torments of osteoporosis and its complications.
National Police Commemoration Day 2022: 21st October

 October 21 commemorates the sacrifices of ten CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. On October
21, 1959, ten Indian policemen were killed during an attack by Chinese troops in the Hot Springs region close to
Ladakh after an argument between the troops. Since that day, 21 October has been observed as National Police
Commemoration Day in honour of the martyrs.
 This incident started on October 20, 1959, when the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was in charge of patrolling
the 2,600-mile border between India and Tibet. Three units of the CRPF’s 3rd Battalion were dispatched on separate
patrols to a location known as Hot Springs to keep an eye on the Indo-China border in North Eastern Ladakh.
However, one of the three contingents, which consisted of two police constables and a porter, did not return.
About Central Reserve Police Force

Formed: 27 July 1939
Director General, CRPF: Dr Sujoy Lal Thaosen, IPS
United Nations Day 2022: 24th October

 United Nations Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the
ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of
the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. In 1945, 50 governments gathered to draft the UN
Charter. They have struggled and accomplished great feats to uphold peace, protect human rights, and play a key role
in bringing international justice.
 The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. At present, there are 193 Member States. The
UN is guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter which was signed in 1945. The United
Nations Day commemorates the signing of that charter. According to their official website, the United Nations is
“One place where the world’s nations can gather together, discuss common problems, and find shared solutions.”
 The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by China,
France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and by a majority of other signatories. The name
“United Nations” was coined by the United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt and first used in the Declaration
by United Nations of 1 January 1942, during Second World War.
88
World Development Information Day 2022: 24th October
 Every year the United Nations marks October 24 as World Development Information Day. This day is observed to
create awareness towards the problems surrounding development in different nations and how to overcome them.
The United Nations (UN) believes that such information and communications technologies also have the potential
to provide solutions to various development challenges and can also foster various crucial goals, especially in
developing countries.
 With many countries being burdened with insufficient resources, infrastructure, education, capacity, investment, and
connectivity, World Development Information Day aims to address these issues. Spreading awareness and mobilizing
public opinion to draw people’s support is one to start addressing and resolving these global problems.
World Polio Day 2022: 24th October

 World Polio Day 2022 is observed every year on October 24 to raise awareness about the polio vaccination and
eradication of polio from every corner of the world. The day is observed to commemorate the progress made by the
world towards polio eradication. The day to raise awareness of the importance of polio vaccination to protect every
child from this devastating disease, and to celebrate the many parents, professionals and volunteers whose
contributions make polio eradication achievable.
 This year, the overarching theme of World Polio Day is “World Polio Day 2022 and Beyond: A healthier future for
mothers and children”. The theme urges the world to acknowledge the progress made in the battle to eradicate polio
in children and the work to provide a healthier future for mothers.
 On World Polio Day, global organisations such as Rotary International, WHO and others host several events to raise
awareness about polio. Events range from rallies, walks, and webinars to organising competitions in schools and clubs.
In the global fight to eradicate polio, no member is too small to contribute.
 To ensure a polio-free future for everyone, efforts must continue to maintain high immunization coverage, implement
high-quality surveillance to detect any presence of the virus, and prepare to respond in the event of an outbreak.
International Animation Day 2022: 28th October

 International Animation Day is celebrated on 28 October every year. It was in this year when the International
Animated Film Association (ASIFA) declared International Animation Day (IAD) as a worldwide occasion to
commend the speciality of animation. This day is celebrated in more than 50 distinct nations throughout the world.
IAD was started by ASIFA, an individual from UNESCO.
 The day is celebrated to commemorate the first public animation performance, Theatre Optique at the Musée Grévin
in Paris. The moving picture technology utilised in the animated performance was developed by Charles-Emile
Reynaud. There are various animation styles, including traditional 2D animation, 3D animation, stop motion
animation, and typographic animation.
 The International Film Association established International Animation Day in 2002, honouring the birth of
animation, recognized as the first public performance of projected moving images at Emile Reynaud’s Theatre
Optique in Paris, on the 28th October 1892.
About International Animated Film Association (ASIFA):

President: Deanna Morse
Founder: John Halas
Founded: 1960, Annecy, France
International Internet Day 2022: 29th October

 International Internet Day is celebrated on October 29 every year across the world to celebrate the usage of the
internet for the first time. The day marks the sending of the first electronic message which was transferred from one
computer to another in 1969. At that time the Internet was known as ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency
Network). The Internet provides instant access to information.
 Search engines make this information easy to attain. Besides gaining knowledge, internet users have an endless supply
of entertainment. The internet makes it possible to do banking and shopping from the comfort of your own home.
The internet is also a great way to make donations and raise funds.
 The internet is defined as a remote connection between two computers. The first internet connection was made on
October 29th, 1969. This was just two months after Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. To commemorate the event,
89
International Internet Day was celebrated for the first time on October 29th, 2005. International Internet Day is
promoted by the Association of Internet Users.
OBITURY
Suzlon Energy founder Tulsi Tanti passes away due to cardiac arrest at the age of 64
 Tulsi Tanti, founder and chairman of wind turbine maker Suzlon Energy Ltd passed away. He was 64. He was born in
Gujarat and studied commerce and mechanical engineering. Tanti set up Suzlon in 1995 and spearheaded growth in
the Indian wind energy sector by championing affordable and sustainable energy policies.
 Tanti started a textiles business and invested in two wind turbines in 1990 because of inadequate power supply in his
area, according to a profile note by the UNEP, which named him one of its “Champions of the Earth” in 2009.
 He was also named a “Hero of the Environment” in 2007 by Time magazine.Tanti was also the chairman of the Indian
Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association.
About Tulsi Tanti:

Born: 2 February 1958, Rajkot
Died: 1 October 2022
Children: Nidhi Tanti, Pranav Tanti
Organization founded: Suzlon
SP Founder Mulayam Singh Yadav Passes Away

 Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav died at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram at 8:16 am on Monday
morning due to multiple organ failure, according to people familiar with the matter.
 Yadav is one of the most prominent leaders of Uttar Pradesh. He has served as the chief minister of the state thrice
and has also served in the Union government as the minister of defence. He has been elected 10 times as MLA and 7
times as Lok Sabha MP.
Red Bull co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz dies, aged 78, after long-term illness
 Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, the co-founder of energy drink company Red Bull and founder and owner of
the Red Bull Formula One racing team, has died. He was 78. Officials with the Red Bull racing team at the United
States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, announced Mateschitz’s death. The Red Bull Racing team has enjoyed success in
Formula 1, winning the constructors’ championship in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
 Mateschitz was born on 20 May 1944, in Sankt Marein im Mürztal, Styria, Nazi Germany (now in Austria). Mateschitz
was co-founder of the Wings for Life foundation which supports spinal cord research together with Heinz Kinigadner.
Since 2014, the foundation has organised the Wings for Life World Run to raise funds. He also initiated the World
Stunt Awards, an annual fundraiser to benefit his Taurus Foundation, which, according to its website, helps injured
stunt professionals.
Veteran Assamese actor Nipon Goswami passes away at 80 after prolonged illness
 Veteran Assamese actor, Nipon Goswami passed away recently. He was born in Assam’s Tezpur town. He was an
alumnus of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India. He debuted in the Assamese cinema as a child artist
in 1957. The octogenarian worked in a number of Assamese films and was a very popular face. Besides the silver screen,
Goswami was also active in mobile theatres, advertisement commercials, and TV soaps.
 Sangram was Nipon Goswami’s first Assamese film and first success as a lead actor in an Assamese film. During the
years that followed, he appeared in several films, including Dr. Bezbaruah, released in 1969. As a character actor, he
appeared in several Hindi films. Goswami has acted in 50 Assamese films including ‘Mukuta’, ‘Sandhya Raag’, etc. He
had acted in seven Hindi films including Kalpana Lajmi’s ‘Daman’, Bhabendranath Saikia’s ‘Kaal Sandhya’ and
Rajkumar Kohli’s ‘Virodhi’ among others.
90
RANKING
India climbs six notches to 40th position in Global Innovation Index 2022
 India has climbed to the 40th rank in the Global Innovation Index of the World Intellectual Property Organization.
This is a huge leap of 41 places in 7 years. India has leapfrogged to 40th position on the Global Innovation Index (GII)
2022 from the 81st spot in 2015. India’s innovation performance is above average for the upper-middle-income group
in almost every innovation pillar, with the exception of infrastructure, where it scores below average. Within Central
and Southern Asia, India continues to lead in the 40th position, moving further up the rankings, from its 46th position
in 2021.
 “India continues to lead the world in ICT (information and communication) services exports and holds top rankings
in other indicators, including venture capital receipt value, finance for start-ups and scale-ups, graduates in science
and engineering, labour productivity growth and domestic industry diversification.
About World Intellectual Property Organization:

Founded: 14 July 1967
Head: Daren Tang; Director General
Parent organization: United Nations
Akash Ambani only Indian in Time magazine's 100 emerging leaders' list
 Akash Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and head of India’s largest telecom firm Jio, has
been named in the Time100 Next — the magazine’s list of world’s rising stars. He is the only Indian on the list.
 “The scion of Indian industrialist royalty, Akash Ambani was always expected to rise in business. But he has been
putting in hard work,” Time said about him.
 Born on 23 October, 1991, Akash Ambani is the eldest son of Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani. He did his schooling
at the Dhirubhai Ambani International School and then graduated from Brown University with a major in economics.
 Akash Ambani, 30, was promoted in June to the chairman of Jio, India’s largest telecom company, with over 426
million subscribers, after being handed a board seat at just 22. “He’s since played a key role landing multibillion-dollar
investments from Google and Facebook,” TIME said. The list highlights 100 emerging leaders who are shaping the
future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, health, science and activism, Time said.
About Time magazine:

First issue date: 3 March 1923
Circulation: 3,400,000 (2007)
Based in: New York City
Publisher: Time Inc., WarnerMedia, Meredith Corporation
About Reliance Industries:
Founded: 8 May 1973, Maharashtra
Founder: Dhirubhai Ambani
Zerodha’s Nikhil Kamath tops 'Hurun India 40 & under self-made rich list 2022'
 Nikhil Kamath, the cofounder of Zerodha, topped the ‘IIFL Wealth Hurun India 40 & Under Self-Made Rich List 2022’
with a net worth of Rs 17,500 crore. Bhavish Aggarwal, the founder of Ola, came in second place (Rs 11,700 crore), and
Divyank Turakhia of Media.net in third place (Rs 11,200 crore).
 According to Hurun, this year the number of under-40 billionaires surged to 1,103, an increase of 96. The cumulative
wealth of the entrants in 40 & Under Self-made List has increased by 11% in comparison to last year, currently standing
at Rs 1,83,700 crore highlighting the increasing rate of entrepreneurship that exists in the ecosystem.
 A majority of young billionaires on the list live in India while some live abroad. The report said 47 of the 53
entrepreneurs reside in India. India’s Silicon Valley Bengaluru has the highest number of billion residents.
 The IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2022 has been researched and compiled by the Hurun Research Institute for
the tenth year running. The cut-off used was 31st August 2022 when the rate of exchange to the US dollar was INR
79.50.
91
Indore bags cleanest city award for sixth year, M.P ranks first among States
 Indore bagged the title of India’s cleanest city for the sixth time in a row as the results of the Central government’s
annual cleanliness survey ‘Swachh Survekshan Awards 2022’ were announced. Madhya Pradesh secured the first
position in the category of best performing states, followed by Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
 Surat is the second cleanest city and Navi Mumbai comes a close third in the category of cities with a population of
more than a lakh.
 Tripura has bagged the top rank among the states having fewer than 100 urban local bodies.
 In the category of cities having a population of fewer than one lakh, Maharashtra’s Panchgani was ranked number
one, followed by Chhattisgarh’s Patan (NP) and Maharashtra’s Karhad.
 As part of Swachh Bharat Diwas celebrations on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, President Droupadi
Murmu will confer six awards – Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) 2022, Swachhta Hi Sewa 2022, Sujlam 1.0 & 2.0,
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Functionality Assessment, Har Ghar Jal certification and Start-up Grand Challenge.
About Madhya Pradesh:

Capital: Bhopal (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Governor: Mangubhai C. Pate
Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra topped destinations for foreign tourists 2021
 As per a report by Union Tourism Ministry, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu had the highest numbers of foreign tourist
visits, with 1.26 million and 1.23 million, respectively in 2021. The over 280-page report titled ‘India Tourism Statistics
2022’ was released by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on World Tourism Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. India
received 677.63 million domestic tourist visits in 2021, an increase of 11.05 per cent from 610.22 million in 2020, the
report said.
 The report said due to restrictions related to COVID-19, “the number of foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India during
2021 decreased to 1.52 million as compared to 2.74 million in 2020, registering a negative growth of 44.5 per cent”.
 The total number of foreign visitors for 2021-22 was 3,18,673, declining 23.4 per cent on year from 4,15,859 in 2020-21,
according to the data.
 Sharing data about the footfall at various sites under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the report said the Taj
Mahal was the most popular centrally-protected ticketed monument for domestic visitors in 2021-22, while the Group
of Monuments at Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu was the most visited centrally-protected ticketed monument for
foreign visitors during the same period.
About Tamil Nadu:

Governor: R. N. Ravi
Capital: Chennai
Chief Minister: M. K. Stalin
About Maharashtra :
Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
Chief Minister: Eknath Shinde
Capital: Mumbai
World Economic Forum Launches 'Education 4.0 India Report'

 Titled Education 4.0 Report’, the report explains how technology can address learning gaps and make education
accessible to all. The information was published under Education 4.0 India initiative, launched in May 2020 and has
convened over 40 partners from the education technology, government, academic and start-up communities.
 Even as the Covid-19 pandemic has subsided in most parts of the world, the school-to-work transition process is still
facing significant hurdles in India, a World Economic Forum (WEF) report stated.
 India is the second largest market for online education after the US. With conducive policies and initiatives of the
government, such as the National Education Policy 2020 and over 5000 EdTech start-ups across the learning lifecycle,
the current education environment is potent for digital transformation. But, a lack of coordinated efforts has resulted
in an isolated skilling ecosystem that has not been able to achieve its maximum potential, the WEF report said.
92
Several IITs boycott Times Higher Education World University Rankings, IISc only entry in top 300
 Times Higher Education Rankings 2023 has been announced. This year, the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore has
secured the top place among Indian universities. Five Indian universities made it into the world’s top 500 varsities.
IISc has been placed under the 251-300 bracket. The complete list of the top 10 Indian Universities is enlisted below.
 In total, 22 Indian universities made it below rank 800 – three of which were debutant entries. DTU, Graphic Era
University, IIT Indore, IIIT, Delhi, Jamia Hamdard University, JNU, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and
Education, and KIIT University also have been put under the 601-800 bracket.
Check the top 10 Indian universities:

Bracket Name of the Institute
1. 251-300 IISc
2. 351-400 JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research
3. 351-400 Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences
4. 401-500 Alagappa University
5. 401-500 Mahatma Gandhi University
6. 501-600 IIT Ropar
7. 501-600 International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad
8. 501-600 Jamia Millia Islamia
9. 501-600 Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences
10. 601-800 Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Global Hunger Index 2022: India slips six places, ranked 107 of 121 countries
 India ranks 107 out of 121 countries on the Global Hunger Index in which it fares worse than all countries in South
Asia barring war-torn Afghanistan. India’s score of 29.1 places it in the ‘serious’ category. India also ranks below Sri
Lanka (64), Nepal (81), Bangladesh (84), and Pakistan (99). Afghanistan (109) is the only country in South Asia that
performs worse than India on the index.
 China is among the countries collectively ranked between 1 and 17 having a score of less than five. India’s child wasting
rate (low weight for height), at 19.3%, is worse than the levels recorded in 2014 (15.1%) and even 2000 (17.15%), and is
the highest for any country in the world and drives up the region’s average owing to India’s large population.
 India’s GHI score has decreased from a 2000 GHI score of 38.8 points, considered alarming, to a 2022 GHI score of
29.1, considered serious.
 India’s proportion of undernourished in the population is considered to be at a medium level, and its under-five child
mortality rate is considered low.
Rank
in 2022 Country Score
1-17 Belarus <5
1-17 Bosnia & Herzegovina <5
1-17 Chile <5
1-17 China <5
1-17 Croatia <5
1-17 Estonia <5
1-17 Hungary <5
1-17 Kuwait <5
1-17 Latvia <5
1-17 Lithuania <5
69% drop in wildlife population globally in 50 years: Living Planet Report 2022
 There has been a 69 per cent decline in the wildlife populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish,
across the globe in the last 50 years, according to the latest Living Planet Report by World Wide Fund for Nature
(WWF).
 Biodiversity loss and climate crisis should be dealt with as one instead of two different issues as they are intertwined,
the international wildlife conservation organisation said in the report, highlighting the link between the two issues
for the first time. The highest decline (94 per cent) was in the Latin America and the Caribbean region, the report
released October 13, 2022 showed. Africa recorded a 66 per cent fall in its wildlife populations from 1970-2018 and the
93
Asia Pacific 55 per cent, according to the WWF report. Freshwater species populations globally reduced by 83 per
cent, confirming that the planet is experiencing a “biodiversity and climate crisis”, the organisation found. Habitat
loss and barriers to migration routes were responsible for about half of the threats to monitored migratory fish species,
it noted.
 WWF identified six key threats to biodiversity — agriculture, hunting, logging, pollution, invasive species and climate
change — to highlight ‘threat hotspots’ for terrestrial vertebrates.
 The Living Planet Index (LPI), featuring about 32,000 populations of 5,230 species across the world, showed that
vertebrate wildlife populations are plummeting at a particularly staggering rate in tropical regions of the world.
Mangroves continue to be lost to aquaculture, agriculture and coastal development at a rate of 0.13 per cent per year,
according to the findings.
15 states, UTs achievers in India's logistics performance index 2022

 Andhra Pradesh, Assam, and Gujarat are three of the 15 States and UTs that are categorised as achievers in the logistics
index chart for 2022, according to a study released by the commerce and industry ministry. The logistics performance
Index 2022 measures the effectiveness of the logistical services required to encourage exports and economic
expansion.
 The other States listed in the ranking of the logistics performance index 2022 as rapid movers include Kerala, Madhya
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Sikkim, and Tripura.
 Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Nagaland, Jammu and
Kashmir, and Arunachal Pradesh are among the 15 States and UTs rated in the aspirers category.
 Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana,
Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are among the other States and UTs in the achievers category.
 The logistics performance index 2022 report ranks the States according to their logistics ecosystem, highlights the
major logistics-related challenges faced by the stakeholders, and includes suggestive recommendations, according to
the fourth LEADS (Logistics Ease Across Different States) 2022 report, which was released by Commerce and Industry
Minister Piyush Goyal.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS INDEX: Among 18 big states, Haryana best governed

 Haryana has bagged the top position in the category of big states in the Public Affairs Index-2022. The state has
emerged at the forefront in social, economic and political justice themes. It has topped among the major states with
a score of 0.6948, followed by Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Karnataka among many other states.
 In PAI-2022, Sikkim has retained its position as the best-governed small state in India. The index, prepared by a
Bengaluru-based non-profit think tank Public Affairs Centre (PAC), was released. In the report, economic justice was
measured on indicators such as labour productivity, assurance of standard of living to wage workers, public
expenditure on development, coverage of social safety net, and employment opportunities.
About International Association of Horticulture Producers (AIPH):

Secretary General: Tim Briercliffe;
Headquarters: Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (UK).
About Public Affairs Centre:
Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka;
Founded: 1994.
Reliance Jio topples BSNL to become largest fixed-line service provider in August
 Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio became the largest landline service provider in the country for the first time, in
August. With 7.35 million landline connections as on August 31, Reliance Jio beat state-owned telecom operator and
hitherto market leader BSNL’s 7.13 million connections, according to the latest data released by the Telecom
Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). Third-placed MTNL provided 2.6 million connections.
 The development marks a watershed moment in India’s telecom history since fixed-line or landline connections
formed the final segment where a state-owned operator was in the top spot. Reliance Jio had been looking to make
inroads into the segment over the past few years and launched Jio Fibre in 2019, which included both landline and
fibre-based broadband services.
 Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had earlier pointed out the declining number of landline connections
in the country as a cause for concern since the same network is also used to deliver fixed-line broadband services.
94
Largely dominated by BSNL and MTNL, the number of landline connections declined from 36.76 million in 2010 to
20.58 million in 2020.
In Charts: India ranks third in rise of super rich, set to overtake China by 2032
 With levels of poverty, inflation and hunger notwithstanding, India ranks third in the world’s first-ever global study
on the rise of centi-millionaires — individuals with assets of more than Rs 830 crore ($100 million), a new report has
revealed.
 Out of the world’s 25,490 centi-millionaires, India has 1,132, beating countries like the UK, Russia and Switzerland, in
a swift growing and powerful class of super-rich tech titans, financiers, multinational CEOs, and heirs. By 2032, India
will overtake China (number 2) as the fastest growing market for centi-millionaires, with an anticipated 80 per cent
growth rate in individuals worth over $100 million, the report released by international investment migration advisory
firm Henley & Partners stated.
 “At around 57 per cent, the growth of centi-millionaires in Asia will be twice that of Europe and the US over the next
decade. Concentrated primarily in China and India, the centi-millionaires in these countries are set to eclipse their
European and American peers,” said Misha Glenny, a financial journalist and author.
India ranks 41st spot out of 44 in Mercer CFS Global Pension Index
 As compared to 40th out of 43 countries in 2021, India ranked 41 out of 44 countries in the Mercer CFS Global Pension
Index. The MCGPI is a comprehensive study of 44 global pension systems, accounting for 65 percent of the world’s
population. The survey pointed out that the country needs to strengthen its regulatory framework and boost the
coverage under private pension arrangements.
 “In the absence of social security coverage in the country, the adequacy and sustainability sub-indices can be improved
significantly by boosting coverage under private pension arrangements,” the report based on the survey said.
 In 2020, India ranked 34 out of 39 countries with a value of 45.7. In 2022, the index value was 44.4.
 The index measures the pension system in the country under three sub-heads, adequacy, sustainability and integrity.
India’s score in these three measurements was 33.5, 41.8 and 61 respectively.
 Globally, Iceland had the highest overall index value (84.7), closely followed by the Netherlands (84.6) and Denmark
(82.0). Thailand had the lowest index value (41.7).
Indian Bank rolls out a slew of digital initiatives

 PSU lender Indian Bank has launched several digital initiatives under “Project WAVE” in a bid to enhance the
customer experience through integrated services on its digital platform. Six digital initiatives were launched by the
SL Jain, MD and CEO, Indian Bank, along with Sharad Mathur, MD & CEO, of Universal Sompo General Insurance
Co.
 Indian Bank along with Universal Sompo General Insurance will provide online vehicle and health insurance through
its mobile banking app IndOASIS.
 This digital collaboration would enable the bank’s customers to access and buy general insurance products digitally,
anytime, anywhere, thus augmenting the insurance inclusion in India, it said in a statement.
 Under the co-lending arrangement, Indian Bank has partnered with Rupeek Capital Pvt. Ltd, to offer jewel loans at
customer doorsteps. The entire gold loan journey will be through digital platform and not require any physical visit
to the bank branch by the customer.
About Indian Bank:

CEO: Shri Shanti Lal Jain
Headquarters: Chennai
95
SPORTS
Laver Cup 2022: Team World stuns Team Europe, wins title
 Team World defeated Team Europe to win the Laver Cup 2022 for the first time. Team World defeats Team Europe
13-8 to win the Laver Cup indoor tennis tournament. Frances Tiafoe and Felix Auger of Team World defeated Stefanos
Tsitsipas & Novak Djokovic of Team Europe to win the competition. Laver Cup is an international indoor hard court
tournament between Team Europe & Team World. Players from all continents, besides Europe, represent Team
World.
 The 2022 Laver Cup was the fifth edition of the Laver Cup, a men’s tennis tournament between teams from Europe
and the rest of the world. It was held on an indoor hard court at The O2 Arena in London, England. This tournament
marked the retirement of 20-time singles major champion and former singles world No. 1, Roger Federer. The former
champion alongside longtime rival Rafael Nadal was narrowly defeated in the third-set super tiebreak against Jack
Sock and Frances Tiafoe.
About Laver Cup:

Founded: 2017
Headquarters location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Location: European city, World city rotation
Draw: 2 teams (Team Europe vs Team World)
Editions: 5 (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)
36th National games Mirabai Chanu wins gold in weightlifting

 Manipur's Saikhom Mirabai Chanu won the gold medal at the 36th National Games, Gujarat on Friday in the
Weightlifting event. Her compatriot from the state of Manipur Kh. Sanjita Chanu won the silver whereas Odisha's
Sneha Soren settled with a bronze.
 Chanu successfully lifted 191 kg in her 49kg event category with a 81kg lift on first attempt. She continued her brilliant
run of form in the event. The star weightlifter who came as an assured medal winner at the National Games, won the
first gold medal for India at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, held in July-August in Birmingham this year.
 She had previously won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics held last year after the postponement of the Games in
2020 due to COVID-19 outbreak.
About Manipur:
Capital: Imphal (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh
Governor: La. Ganesan
Sergio Perez keeps Singapore Grand Prix win after stewards investigation
 Red Bull’s driver, Sergio Perez has won the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix 2022. Perez finished 7.5 sec ahead of
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who came at the second position. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz grabbed the third position. Perez’s
teammate & Italian GP 2022 winner Max Verstappen finished seventh in the race. Hamilton secured ninth. Verstappen
needed a win, and other results to go his way, to become world champion for the second successive time.
About Singapore:
Currency: Singapore dollar
President: Halimah Yacob
Capital: Singapore city
Rohit Sharma becomes first Indian to complete 400 T20 appearances during 2nd India-South Africa T20I
 Indian Skipper, Rohit Sharma has achieved yet another milestone in his T20 career and has become the first-ever
Indian to play 400 T20s. The India captain has achieved the milestone in the 2nd T20I of the series against South
Africa in Guwahati. The first Indian to hit a century in T20 cricket, Rohit had made his shortest format debut for
Mumbai against Baroda in April 2007. Among Indians, Rohit is followed by Dinesh Karthik, who has played 368 T20s.
MS Dhoni sits at the 3rd spot with 361 caps. Virat Kohli is playing his 354th T20.
96
 Rohit made it to the national team few months later and was part of the MS Dhoni-led side which won the 2007 T20
World Cup. Although he was in and out of the ODI team, Rohit kept his spot in T20Is and is the only Indian to feature
in all 7 editions of T20 World Cup. Apart from India, Rohit has played T20 cricket for Mumbai Indians, Deccan
Charters, India A and Indians. The highest run-scorer in T20I format, Rohit has 10544* runs in all of T20s.
USA wins 11th world title at FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup
 The United States defeated China (83-61) to win the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Women’s Basketball
World Cup at the Sydney Superdome, Australia. The Americans bagged their fourth title in a row and 11th in total and
have also sealed a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. A’Ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray were the star performers for
the US. Wilson contributed 19 points and five rebounds while compatriot Gray got 10 points and an impressive eight
assists.
 For the Chinese, Yueru Li was the standout performer, with 19 points and 12 rebounds, only to finish on the losing
end. In the other game, Canada 95-65 in the third-place game. Australia’s legend Lauren Jackson scored a stellar 30
points that helped the hosts past Canada 95-65 in the bronze medal match.
About International Basketball Federation:

Headquarters: Mies, Switzerland
President: Hamane Niang
Secretary General: Andreas Zagklis
About USA:
Attorney general: Merrick Garland
Capital: Washington, D.C.
President: Joe Biden
Currency: United States Dollar
Irani Cup: Rest of India thwarts Saurashtra comeback to win title by eight wickets
 The Rest of India’s side won the Irani Cup title after beating the Ranji Trophy Champion of 2019-2020 Saurashtra by
eight wickets in Rajkot. Rest of India (ROI) chased down the 105-run target, with Abhimanyu Easwaran remaining
undefeated on 63 runs while adding 81 runs and Kona Bharat not out at 27.
 Irani Trophy is also known as Mastercard Irani Trophy. It is a test match format cricket tournament in India. It is
played annually between the incumbent Ranji Trophy winners and the Rest of the India Cricket Team. It is organized
by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Billiards World Championship: Pankaj Advani wins world title number 25

 Indian cueist, Pankaj Advani defended his World Billiards Championships (150-up) title for the 5th time, beating
compatriot Sourav Kothari in the best-of-7 frames final at the High End Snooker Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for
a record 25th title at the global level. Pankaj’s last world title came over 12 months ago in Qatar where he won the
IBSF Six-Red Snooker World Cup.
 In the first frame, Advani made his intentions clear that this title was his from word go. He opened the proceedings
without any delay to secure the first frame with a 149 break while his opponent, who is still seeking his maiden IBSF
World title, had yet to score a point in the 150-up format.
Hockey: Indian star Harmanpreet Singh named men’s FIH Player of the Year 2021-22
 India men’s hockey team defender and vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh has been voted the FIH Player of the Year for
the second year running. The 26-year-old became just the fourth player to win the Player of the Year award (men’s
category) in consecutive years, joining an elite list that includes Teun De Nooijer (Netherlands), Jamie Dwyer
(Australia) and Arthur van Doren (Belgium). The India vice-captain has scored an incredible 18 goals from 16 games,
with two hat-tricks, in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021-22.
 With those 18 goals, he ended the season as the top scorer for India and now holds the record for most goals scored
by a player in a single season of the Pro League. Harmanpreet was also in terrific form at the Asian Champions Trophy
last year in Dhaka, where he scored 8 goals in 6 games, scoring in every single game as India finished on the podium.
His performances were also crucial to the Indian team that won a silver medal at the Birmingham 2022
Commonwealth Games.
97
Verstappen wins Japanese GP, clinches second F1 world championship title
 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won his second Formula One world championship amid scenes of confusion on Sunday
after closest rival Charles Leclerc was handed a five-second post-race penalty.
 Red Bull’s Verstappen crossed the line first and was then awarded the title when Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who had
emerged second was pushed back to third after receiving the penalty. Leclerc’s drop meant Verstappen’s compatriot
Sergio Perez finished second.
 According to FIA rules, the staggered points only come in “if a race is suspended in accordance with Article 57, and
“cannot be resumed”. The race was resumed, so the FIA said full points were awarded for Verstappen after a brief
twist.
Harshada Garud wins bronze medal in women’s 45kg category at Asian Weightlifting C'ship 2022
 Indian weightlifter Harshada Garud, a reigning junior world champion, won a bronze medal in the women’s 45kg
category at the Asian Weightlifting Championships 2022 in Manama, Bahrain yesterday. Harshada Garud lifted 68kg
in snatch and followed it up with the best effort of 84kg in clean and jerk for a combined total of 152kg.
 The 18-year-old Indian weightlifter was tied with the Philippines' Rose Ramos on 152kg but won the medal as she had
a better snatch lift of 68kg, for which she was awarded a bronze in the section. Vietnam’s Khong My Phuong took the
gold with a total lift of 166kg and S Nafisatul Hariroh of Indonesia won silver with 162kg. The Asian Weightlifting
Championships 2022 will conclude on October 16.
Indian Olympic Association names Goa as host of 37th National Games

 The Indian Olympic Association has confirmed that Goa will host the 37th edition of the National Games in October
next year. The state government of Goa also conveyed its in-principle approval to IOA to host the National Games in
2023. The Goa delegation may receive the IOA flag at the Closing Ceremony of the 36th National Games on 12th
October 2022 in Surat, Gujarat.
 The 37th National Games will be decided to keep in view of the dates of the 19th Asian Games, which will be held
from 23rd September to 8th October 2022 in Hangzhou, China.
 Goa got the rights to host the National Games in 2008 but hasn’t been able to host the games for a number of reasons.
Goa was set to host the 36th edition of the National Games but the IOA had to shift the venue to Gujrat, who agreed
to conduct the event in a short span of time.
About Goa:
Capital: Panaji
Goa Chief Minister: Pramod Sawant
Goa Governor: S. Sreedharan Pillai
Pooja Patel becomes first athlete to win gold in Yogasana at 36th National Games in Gujarat
 At the 36th National Games, Pooja Patel of Gujarat has become the first athlete to win gold in Yogasana. Yogasana is
one of the five sports to be played at the National Games this year for the first time. This Indian indigenous sport
made its debut at the Khelo India University Games earlier this year.
 As far as the medal table of the 36th National Games is concerned, Services Sports Control Board is leading the chart
with a total of 113 medals, including 51 gold, 33 silver, and 29 bronze. Haryana is second on the table with 95 medals
(31 gold, 29 silver, 35 bronze), followed by Maharashtra (119), Karnataka (84), and Tamil Nadu (67). Maharashtra has
fewer gold medals than Haryana, which is why it has been placed third on the table.
Harmanpreet Kaur, Mohammed Rizwan win ICC Player of the month crowns in September
 The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the winners of the ICC Player of the Month awards for
September 2022. India’s inspirational captain Harmanpreet Kaur is named the recipient of the ICC Women’s Player
of the Month award, While Pakistan ace Mohammad Rizwan claims the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award.
 Harmanpreet Kaur becomes India’s first winner of the ICC Women’s Player of the Month. The India skipper was at
her brilliant best during the ODI series, scoring 221 runs across the three matches, maintaining a strike rate of 103.47
and only being dismissed once.
 Mohammad Rizwan secures his first-ever ICC Men’s Player of the Month crown after a remarkable spell of scoring
throughout September and sees him overcome fellow nominees Cameron Green (Australia) and Axar Patel (India) to
the prize.
98
 The Pakistan star amassed a mammoth 553 runs from ten T20Is, covering performances in the Men’s Asia Cup and
the subsequent home T20I series against a touring England side.
About ICC:
Chairman: Greg Barclay
CEO: Geoff Allardice
Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Cristiano Ronaldo scripts yet another incredible record, nets 700th club goal of his career
 Cristiano Ronaldo reached another historic landmark in his extraordinary career by scoring his 700th club goal to seal
Manchester United’s comeback win over Everton. The 37-year-old Portuguese forward becomes the first and only
player in this present generation to score seven times a hundred goals in football history. His 700th club goal extends
his tally over Lionel Messi with Argentina forward scoring 691 goals for Fc Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain.
 Having started his career in 2002, 700 goals means Ronaldo has averaged 35 goals a season. Cristiano Ronaldo’s 700th
club goal comes 20 years and two days after his first goal for Sporting Lisbon.
 The five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored his first professional goal on October 7, 2002, at the age of 17 years, 8 months,
and 3 days. He scored a brace in Sporting Lisbon’s 3-0 win against Moreirense.
Taylor fritz wins 2022 Japan Open men's singles title

 America’s Taylor Fritz registered a 7-6(3), 7-6(2) victory against countryman Frances Tiafoe in the final to clinch the
Japan Open Tennis Championships men’s singles title, on Sunday.
 Immediately following seven days in hotel quarantine in Seoul, Fritz completed a perfect five-day stretch in Tokyo to
claim his third title of a career-defining year. With this, the third seed became the 10th different American singles
champion at the ATP 500 event and the first since Pete Sampras in 1996.
 “It is crazy, I don’t even think it’s set in just how fast the last four or five days have been," said Fritz after the match.
 “It’s so crazy, and I couldn’t have written it any better. It’s exactly what I needed for the Race To Turin, for my ranking,
to kind of put me in a good position for the end of the year, so it’s amazing," he added.
Rudrankksh Patil wins 10m air rifle gold at Worlds, secures Paris Olympics quota
 Rudrankksh Patil won gold in men's 10m air rifle event in the ISSF World Championship in Cairo on Friday. He is only
the second Indian to achieve the feat after Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, who had won gold in this event in
2006 in Zagreb, Croatia. This was Rurankksh's maiden appearance at a World Championship.
 Patil also secured a 2024 Paris Olympics quota for the country in the process. This was India's second Olympic quota.
India had earned their first quota at the Shotgun World Championship in Croatia recently through Bhowneesh
Mendiratta in the men's trap event.
 The 18-year-old Rudrankksh beat Italy's Danilo Dennis Sollazzo 17-13 in the gold medal match after a brilliant come-
from-behind effort that saw him overcome a 4-10 deficit in the gold medal match. The The Italian shooter had
maintained the lead for the majority of the final and had looked in control till Rurankksh's late comeback.
The new format sees a ranking round consisting of the eight best shooters from the qualification round, after which
which the top two then compete in the gold medal match. Rudrankksh had earlier topped the qualification with a
score of 633.9 and was assured of the quota after he entered the gold medal match in second place in the ranking
round with a score of 261.9
ISSF world championship Men's air rifle team clinched Gold Medal
 Winning the Olympic quota spot and finishing in the top two already assured Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil a special
day in Cairo at the ISSF World Championship Rifle/Pistol on Friday. But the teenager added a icing to the cake by
becoming world champion as well in thrilling manner.
 With a stunning comeback in the gold medal match at the Egypt International Olympic City (EIOC) shooting range,
18-year-old Patil became the senior men’s 10m air rifle world champion. Patil also earned India’s second Paris 2024
Olympic Games quota spot.
 The Thane teenager also becomes the second Indian man after Abhinav Bindra in 2006 to be crowned the 10m air rifle
world champion.
99
 Four quota spots are available in Olympic events at the World Championship this year. India had earned their first
quota at the Shotgun World Championship is Croatia recently, thanks to Bhowneesh Mendiratta in men’s trap event.
Asia Cup 2022: Indian women rout Sri Lanka to win title
 The Indian women's team won the Asia Cup 2022 defeating Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final. Opener Smriti
Mandhana struck a brilliant 25 ball-51 not out as India clinched the T20 Women’s Asia Cup, routing Sri Lanka by eight
wickets in the final on Saturday.
 Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first backfired as it put up 65-9 with just two batters reaching double digits.
 Mandhana’s aggressive batting made the target easier as she confirmed the victory with a six over long-on to help
India reach 71-2 in just 8.3 overs.
 She hit six fours and three sixes in her knock to help India clinch its seventh Asia Cup title.
Bernard Dunne is Indian boxing's new high performance director

 Former Irish professional boxer Bernard Dunne has been named the high-performance director (HPD) for Indian
boxing. Dunne, who had a five-year (2017-2022) stint with the Irish Athletic Boxing Association, replaces Santiago
Nieva. During Dunne’s tenure with the Ireland team, Kellie Harrington emerged as World (2018, Delhi) and Olympic
(2021, Tokyo) champion, while Amy Broadhurst and Lisa O’Rourke won golds at this year’s World Championships in
Istanbul and Aidan Walsh secured a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.
 The 42-year-old Dunne, who has bagged 13 national titles, has joined the Indian boxing elite programme at Patiala.
He has won the WBA World Championship (2009) and the European Championship (2007), will take over the position
which was left vacant after Santiago Nieva’s departure.
Sajan Bhanwal becomes first-ever Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to win medal at U-23 World Championship
 Sajan Bhanwal became the first-ever Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to win a medal at the Under-23 World
Championship defeating Ukraine’s Dmytro Vasetskyi in the 77 kg bronze medal play-off at Pontevedra, Spain.
 The bout ended at 10-10 but since the Indian had scored the last point he was declared the winner on criteria.
 Six Greco-Roman wrestlers are participating in the championship along with two women and one free-style wrestler.
Fifth Khelo India Youth Games-2022 to be held in Madhya Pradesh in January-February next year
 The 5th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games will be held in Madhya Pradesh from 31st January to 11th February
2023. The event was felicitated by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur, and Chief Minister of
Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
 Indigenous games will be a part of the upcoming Khelo India Youth Games. Madhya Pradesh has made the sport of
Mallakhamb their state sport for supporting the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support Olympics sports
and indigenous sports in the same manner.
 Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur announced that the 5th edition of the Khelo India Youth
Games will be held in Madhya Pradesh.Khelo India Youth Games will be held in eight locations.
 More than 8500 athletes and sportspersons are expected that participate in the KIYG 2023.Khelo India Youth Games
started in 2016 and since then, it has provided an effective platform for the youth of India to showcase their talents in
sports.
ISSF World Championship: Sagar Dangi bags two medals in Junior Men’s 10m Air Pistol team and individual
events
 In ISSF World Championship, Sagar Dangi bagged Gold and Silver in the Junior Men’s 10m Air Pistol team and
individual events in Cairo, Egypt yesterday. India picked up four more medals, including one gold, at the end of day
nine of the competition. Sagar Dangi, Varun Tomar, and Samrat Rana won gold in the men’s 10m Air Pistol Junior
team event. Sagar Dangi bagged silver and Varun Tomar won bronze in the junior men’s 10m Air Pistol event. Nancy
and Sri Karthik Sabari Raj Ravishankar won bronze in the 10m Air Rifle Junior Mixed team event.
 India now have a tally of 30 medals including 11 gold, 7 silver, and 12 bronze, and sits in second place in the standings.
Western Air Command of IAF wins Air Force Lawn Tennis Championship
 Western Air Command, Indian Air Force (IAF) won the Air Force Lawn Tennis Championship 2022-23 held at Head
Quarter MC, Vayusena Nagar, Nagpur. The final match of team Championship was played between Western Air
Command and Training Command in which Western Air Command emerged as the winner. The final of the open
100
singles was played between Corporal Pradeep of Training Command and Sergeant Manolin of Western Air Command
and Corporal Pradeep emerged as the winner.
 The Championship was inaugurated by Air Marshal Vibhas Pande, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, HQ MC on 17
October 2022. A total of eight teams comprising of 48 players from the seven Commands of Indian Air Force,
participated in the Championship. The Championship was held in two events namely, Team Championship and Open
Singles.
 During the closing ceremony of the Championship on 21 October 2022, Air Marshal Vibhas Pande, Air Officer
Commanding in Chief of Headquarters Maintenance Command was the Chief Guest. After the prize distribution
ceremony during his closing address, he congratulated the winners and appreciated all the participants, official of the
Air Force Sports Control Board (AFSCB) and the Commanding Officer of HQ MC (U) who was instrumental in
organizing the event.
ISSF World Championship: India wins Silver medal in Women's 25m Pistol Team event; Bronze in Men's
Rifle 3 Positions
 In shooting, India won Silver medal in the Women's 25m Pistol Team event and Bronze medal in Men's 50m Rifle 3
Positions (3P) at the ISSF World Championship in Cairo, Egypt yesterday. With this win, India ended their Paris 2024
Olympics quota quest at two from the championship. Their tally now stands at 12 gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze
medals. The Women's 25m Pistol team comprising Rhythm Sangwan, Manu Bhaker, and Abhidnya Ashok Patil first
qualified for the top eight stages with a sixth-place finish in stage one of qualification where they totaled 873.
 Ukraine topped the stage with 880. They then came second with a combined effort of 443 in stage two with China
topping with 444, setting up a gold medal clash with the Indians.
 In Men's 3P, Aishwary Tomar, Swapnil Kusale, and Niraj Kumar topped stage one of qualification with a combined
score of 1324. In stage two though, they finished fourth with a total of 873 and were drawn against the USA in a bronze
medal shoot-out. They edged that 17-15 in their favour. Norway won gold and France silver.
Max Verstappen wins action-packed US Grand Prix 2022

 Belgium’s Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing won the 2022 Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix 2022 which
was held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, United States (US). With this, he equalled Germany’s
Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher’s record of 13 wins in a Formula 1 season. He defeated the UK’s Lewis
Hamilton of Mercedes. Hamilton had to settle for second place, with Mercedes’ wait for a 2022 victory continuing,
while Leclerc salvaged a podium finish for Ferrari as the Italian team mathematically dropped out of contention for
the constructors’ crown.
 Sebastian Vettel won 13 races in the 2013 season with Red Bull while Michael Schumacher achieved the feat in 2004.
This win also handed the 2022 Constructors Championship to Red Bull Racing. The US Grand Prix 2022 was the 19th
round of the 2022 Formula One World Championship.
Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale wins India’s 3rd Paris 2024 Olympics quota
 Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale won India’s third Paris 2024 Olympics quota place at the ongoing ISSF World
Championship in Cairo, Egypt yesterday. It was Kusale’s fourth-place finish in the men’s 50 meter rifle 3 positions
event that earned him the quota. Kusale, who shot a qualification score of 593 to qualify for the eight-shooter final at
the second spot, was in contention for the gold-medal match too but a low 8.2 in his final shot in the eighth series in
the final denied him a medal. He is also an ISSF World Cup gold medalist.
 Rhythm Sangwan missed a quota place narrowly in the women’s 25 meter pistol as India also picked up two more
medals on the day with a 1-2 finish in the 10 meter air pistol mixed team junior competition. India’s tally from the
World Championship now stands at 32 medals, including 12 gold, eight silver and 12 bronze medals and they remain
firmly in second place behind China in the standings.
India included in 12 top chess-playing nations for Men's 2022 World Team Chess Championship
 In Chess, teams from 12 top chess-playing nations including India, China, United States, and the Netherlands have
been included in the lineup for the 2022 Men's World Team Chess Championship in Jerusalem, Israel next month.
The list for the competition, which begins on November 20, was completed after South Africa confirmed over the
weekend that they would participate, the Israel Chess Federation (ICF) said.
 The other participating countries are China, the United States, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, India, Spain, France, Ukraine,
the Netherlands, Poland, and the host Israel. Ahead of the competition, organized by the International Chess
Federation (FIDE), the 12 teams will be divided into two pools of about the same strength, sorted by the average
101
ratings of their players. After five rounds, the first four teams in each pool will advance to the quarterfinals. The final
match will be played on November 25.
ISSF World Championship: India wins Silver medal in Women's 25m Pistol Team event; Bronze in Men's
Rifle 3 Positions
 In shooting, India won Silver medal in the Women's 25m Pistol Team event and Bronze medal in Men's 50m Rifle 3
Positions (3P) at the ISSF World Championship in Cairo, Egypt yesterday. With this win, India ended their Paris 2024
Olympics quota quest at two from the championship. Their tally now stands at 12 gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze
medals. The Women's 25m Pistol team comprising Rhythm Sangwan, Manu Bhaker, and Abhidnya Ashok Patil first
qualified for the top eight stages with a sixth-place finish in stage one of qualification where they totaled 873.
 Ukraine topped the stage with 880. They then came second with a combined effort of 443 in stage two with China
topping with 444, setting up a gold medal clash with the Indians.
 In Men's 3P, Aishwary Tomar, Swapnil Kusale, and Niraj Kumar topped stage one of qualification with a combined
score of 1324. In stage two though, they finished fourth with a total of 873 and were drawn against the USA in a bronze
medal shoot-out. They edged that 17-15 in their favour. Norway won gold and France silver.
Max Verstappen wins action-packed US Grand Prix 2022
 Belgium’s Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing won the 2022 Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix 2022 which
was held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, United States (US). With this, he equalled Germany’s
Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher’s record of 13 wins in a Formula 1 season. He defeated the UK’s Lewis
Hamilton of Mercedes. Hamilton had to settle for second place, with Mercedes’ wait for a 2022 victory continuing,
while Leclerc salvaged a podium finish for Ferrari as the Italian team mathematically dropped out of contention for
the constructors’ crown.
 Sebastian Vettel won 13 races in the 2013 season with Red Bull while Michael Schumacher achieved the feat in 2004.
This win also handed the 2022 Constructors Championship to Red Bull Racing. The US Grand Prix 2022 was the 19th
round of the 2022 Formula One World Championship.
Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale wins India’s 3rd Paris 2024 Olympics quota
 Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale won India’s third Paris 2024 Olympics quota place at the ongoing ISSF World
Championship in Cairo, Egypt yesterday. It was Kusale’s fourth-place finish in the men’s 50 meter rifle 3 positions
event that earned him the quota. Kusale, who shot a qualification score of 593 to qualify for the eight-shooter final at
the second spot, was in contention for the gold-medal match too but a low 8.2 in his final shot in the eighth series in
the final denied him a medal. He is also an ISSF World Cup gold medalist.
 Rhythm Sangwan missed a quota place narrowly in the women’s 25 meter pistol as India also picked up two more
medals on the day with a 1-2 finish in the 10 meter air pistol mixed team junior competition. India’s tally from the
World Championship now stands at 32 medals, including 12 gold, eight silver and 12 bronze medals and they remain
firmly in second place behind China in the standings.
India included in 12 top chess-playing nations for Men's 2022 World Team Chess Championship
 In Chess, teams from 12 top chess-playing nations including India, China, United States, and the Netherlands have
been included in the lineup for the 2022 Men's World Team Chess Championship in Jerusalem, Israel next month.
The list for the competition, which begins on November 20, was completed after South Africa confirmed over the
weekend that they would participate, the Israel Chess Federation (ICF) said.
 The other participating countries are China, the United States, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, India, Spain, France, Ukraine,
the Netherlands, Poland, and the host Israel. Ahead of the competition, organized by the International Chess
Federation (FIDE), the 12 teams will be divided into two pools of about the same strength, sorted by the average
ratings of their players. After five rounds, the first four teams in each pool will advance to the quarterfinals. The final
match will be played on November 25.
BCCI offer equal pay to men & women cricketers

 In a historic decision, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a “pay equity policy”, saying that
its centrally-contracted men and women players would get the same match fees. BCCI secretary Jay Shah took to
Twitter to announce the significant development.
 This means the women players will now get Rs 15 lakh per Test match, Rs 6 lakh for a One-Day International (ODI),
and Rs 3 lakh for a T20 International. Till now, they were paid Rs 1 lakh for a white-ball match, and Rs 4 lakh for a
Test.
102
 Rs 50 lakh for Grade A, Rs 30 lakh for Grade B and Rs 10 lakh for Grade C. The men, who play more games, are paid
Rs 1-7 crore, depending on their grade.
 The decision was taken at the BCCI Apex Council emergent meeting. “I am pleased to announce @ BCCI’s first step
towards tackling discrimination. We are implementing a pay equity policy for our contracted @BCCIWomen
cricketers. The match fees for both men and women cricketers will be the same as we move into a new era of gender
equality in cricket,” BCCI Secretary Jay Shah tweeted.
SUMMIT'S & MOU's

MoHUA initiates Swachh Toycathon to boost toy production from dry waste
 The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched Swachh Toycathon under the Swachh Amrit
Mahotsav. The competition aims to explore solutions for use of waste in the creation or manufacturing of toys.
Secretary, MoHUA, Manoj Joshi, launched the event on MyGov portal and released the toolkit.
 Addressing the occasion, Joshi said creative minds should come up with innovative solutions that meet the growing
demand for toys on one hand and address the impacts of solid-waste on the other. Toys must remain a source of
wonder and joy for children launching them on journeys of imagination. Household waste items can be turned into
toys that teach children about basic principles of science, said Manish Jain, principal coordinator of Center for
Creative Learning, in IIT Gandhinagar.
 The Center for Creative Learning, IIT Gandhinagar, is MoHUA’s knowledge partner for the initiative.
 National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT) 2020 was introduced to promote the Indian toy industry including traditional
handicrafts and handmade toys with the objective of establishing India as a global Toy hub. Department for
Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) along with 14 ministries of Central Government is currently
implementing various aspects of the NAPT.
 Besides being the second largest populated country in the world, India also has a growing young population with half
of the total population under 25 years of age.
About Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT):

Founded: 1995
Parent organization: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
About Gujarat:
Capital: Gandhinagar
Governor: Acharya Devvrat
Chief Minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel
India participates at 3rd G20 Sherpa meeting in Indonesia

 India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant led an official delegation to the third G20 Sherpa meeting held in Yogyakarta,
Indonesia from 26th to 29th of September. During the deliberations, Mr Kant reaffirmed India’s commitment and
active support to Indonesian Presidency’s efforts to finalize meaningful outcomes for the forthcoming G20 Bali
Summit in November. He also emphasized the need for G20 to bring enhanced global focus on and strengthen
international cooperation and efforts in key priority areas such as sustainable growth, accelerated progress on SDGs,
and addressing climate change.
 On the sidelines of the G20 Sherpa meeting, Mr. Amitabh Kant also held bilateral interactions with his visiting Sherpa
counterparts from Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, UK and US.
About Indonesia:
Currency: Indonesian rupiah
Capital: Jakarta
President: Joko Widodo
Minister of State for Culture Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal to attend UNESCO-MONDIACULT 2022 World
Conference in Mexico
 The Indian delegation headed by the Minister of State for Culture Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal represented at UNESCO-
MONDIACULT 2022 World Conference held at Mexico City during 28th-30th September, 2022. The Minister
103
addressed the conference on burning issues and concerns of the Cultural sector policies. In the conference, Culture
Ministers of more than 100 countries participated on this multilateral forum to decide on the global cultural discourse.
 The UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development- MONDIACULT 2022 is convened
by UNESCO forty years after the first Mondiacult World Conference on Cultural Policies, held in Mexico City (Mexico)
in 1982, and 24 years after the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies for Development held in Stockholm
(Sweden) in 1998. This is the third such conference.
About UNESCO:
Headquarters: Paris, France
Founded: 16 November 1945, London, United Kingdom
Parent organization: United Nations
National Payments Corporation of India and Central Bank of Oman signed a historic MoU
 National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Central Financial institution Of Oman signed a historic MoU to
launch the Rupay debit card in Oman, paving the best way for a brand new period of monetary connectivity.
 Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan witnessed the signing of the MoU and met Tahir Al Amri, Govt
President, Central Financial institution of Oman. MoS Muraleedharan arrived within the capital metropolis of Oman,
Muscat for a two-day go to to deepen ties between each nations. Terming the MoU as a brand new milestone in
bilateral relations, Minister of State for Exterior Affairs V. Muraleedharan tweeted, “Blissful to satisfy with H.E. Tahir
Al Amri, Govt President, Central Financial institution of Oman & witness signing of the historic MOU between CBO
and NPCI to launch the Rupay debit card in Oman, paving the best way for a brand new period of monetary
connectivity.”
India - New Zealand Navies sign White Shipping pact

 The Royal New Zealand navy and the Indian navy have signed a contract on the exchange of White Shipping
Information Exchange. Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R. Hari Kumar and New Zealand Navy Chief Rear Admiral David
Proctor signed the contract. In order to encourage more openness in the Maritime Domain, the agreement was signed.
 From September 29 to October 1, 2022, CNS Admiral Hari Kumar was in New Zealand. According to the Ministry of
Defence, “during the visit, an agreement on White Shipping Information Exchange was inked.
 The convergence viewpoints of both nations to encourage more openness in the maritime domain support closer
collaboration for improving common maritime domain awareness.
 The communication of previous knowledge regarding the location and identification of commercial, non-military
merchant boats is known as the White Shipping Information.
India to host UNSC members for special meeting on counterterrorism on October 28, 29
 India will host diplomats of the United Nations Security Council along with other member states for a key meeting of
counterterrorism Committee in Mumbai and New Delhi on October 28-29.
 India is currently the Chair of the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee for the year 2022.
 During a press conference on Saturday in New York, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ruchira Kamboj
said that UN CTC members will pay homage to the victims of horrific 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai.
 She also said that the special meeting of the UNSC CTC on "Countering the Use of New and Emerging Technologies
for Terrorist Purposes" will be held on October 28 and in New Delhi on October 29.
PM addresses United Nations World Geospatial International Congress

 Addressing the Second United Nations World Geospatial International Congress via video message, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi said that steps taken by India over the past few years has been of empowering the “last person at the
last mile’’, reflecting the theme of this year’s conference — ‘Geo-Enabling the Global Village: No one should be left
behind’.
 Welcoming the international delegates to India, the Prime Minister said, “We have been working on a vision of
Antyodaya which means empowering the last person at the last mile, in a mission mode. 450-million unbanked
people, a population greater than that of USA, were brought under banking net and 135-million people, about twice
the population of France, were given insurance. Sanitation facilities were taken to 110-million families and tap water
connections to over 60-million households. India is ensuring no one is left behind.’’
104
Tata Power, 75F Smart Innovations partner for energy-efficiency solutions
 Tata Power Trading Company (TPTCL) has signed an agreement with 75F Smart Innovation India to jointly promote
automation and energy efficiency solutions in the commercial building space. This will include industry verticals like
IT/ITeS, BFSI hospitality, healthcare, education, government, and retail.
 The collaboration of TPTCL and 75F will offer solutions in the space of HVAC optimization and smart building
automation powered by the finest technology like cloud, IoT, and AI.
 The solutions by a collaboration of TPTCL and 75F will help commercial buildings with centrally air-conditioned
spaces attain assured savings in their HVAC energy consumption.
 TPTCL holds a category-I trading license and is engaged in the business of energy sourcing, trading, and energy
efficiency services.
MWCD to organize National Conference on Skilling in Non- Traditional Livelihood for Girls “Betiyan Bane
Kushal”
 The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) is set to organize a National Conference on skilling in Non-
traditional Livelihood (NTL) for girls. The program is named “Betiyan Bane Kushal“, under the banner of Beti Bachao
Beti Padhao on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child on 11th October 2022.
 The conference will emphasize convergence between ministries and departments to ensure that girls build their skills
in a diverse set of platforms.
 The set of professions includes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
 The event will witness the signing of MoUs with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)
and the Ministry of Minority Affairs for the Skilling of young girls.
ICC to promote gender equality in tie-up with UNICEF

 The International Cricket Council (ICC) and UNICEF have launched a global partnership to empower women and
girls and promote inclusion and gender equality through cricket. The initiatives to drive greater gender equity along
with advocacy campaigns involving some of the world`s best players will form the basis of the partnership, which
aims to mobilise the “power of cricket to driving positive social change”.
 UNICEF and ICC will also launch `Criiio 4 Good`, a cricket-for-development curriculum giving girls and boys the
opportunity to have a fun first experience of the game whilst learning gender-based life-skills essential for gender
equity.
 The Criiio 4 Good programme will be an eight-week lesson plan on the fundamentals of batting, bowling and fielding.
Each lesson plan has a life-skill module attached to teach participants core life skills that will promote greater gender
equity.
 These skills include leadership, problem-solving, self-esteem, negotiation, empathy, decision-making, teamwork and
goal-setting.
About ICC:
Founded: 15 June 1909;
About UNICEF:
Founded: 1946
Headquarters: New York City, USA
Director General: Catherine M. Russell
Membership: 192
ICC to promote gender equality in tie-up with UNICEF

 The International Cricket Council (ICC) and UNICEF have launched a global partnership to empower women and
girls and promote inclusion and gender equality through cricket. The initiatives to drive greater gender equity along
with advocacy campaigns involving some of the world`s best players will form the basis of the partnership, which
aims to mobilise the “power of cricket to driving positive social change”.
 UNICEF and ICC will also launch `Criiio 4 Good`, a cricket-for-development curriculum giving girls and boys the
opportunity to have a fun first experience of the game whilst learning gender-based life-skills essential for gender
equity.
105
 The Criiio 4 Good programme will be an eight-week lesson plan on the fundamentals of batting, bowling and fielding.
Each lesson plan has a life-skill module attached to teach participants core life skills that will promote greater gender
equity.
 These skills include leadership, problem-solving, self-esteem, negotiation, empathy, decision-making, teamwork and
goal-setting.
About ICC:
Founded: 15 June 1909;
About UNICEF:
Founded: 1946
Headquarters: New York City, USA
Director General: Catherine M. Russell
Membership: 192
Bangladesh: Youth from 70 countries to take part in Global Youth Climate Summit
 Global Youth Leadership Center, an international non-profit organisation, is all set to embark on its journey from
Bangladesh on October 20 with the inauguration of its first programme — the Global Youth Climate Summit. The
three-day summit will be held at Ava Center in Khulna, one of Bangladesh’s most climate vulnerable regions, bringing
together 650 youths from 70 countries to explore how today’s youth can lead the fight against climate change.
 Addressing the media in Dhaka, Ejaj Ahmad, the founder and chief executive officer of Global Youth Leadership
Center, said, ‘Climate change is the biggest crisis facing humanity today. To address a complex challenge like climate
change, we will all have to work globally and at scale.’
‘Our mission is to expand the youth’s knowledge about climate science, equip them with leadership skills to take
individual and collective action, and enable them to launch businesses that contribute to climate mitigation or
adaptation,’ he said. To empower the youth to take climate action, he said 10 delegates at the summit will receive a
grant of 1,000 US dollars each to implement their climate mitigation or adaptation project
14th Edition of World Spice Congress to be held in Mumbai

 The 14th World Spice Congress will take place in the CIDCO Exhibition and Convention Centre in Navi Mumbai,
Maharashtra, from February 16 to 18, 2023. Spices Board India in conjunction with a number of trade and export
forums is hosting the World Spice Congress during India’s G20 presidency.
 The 14th edition of the World Spice Congress (WSC) is going to be all about and only about ‘SPICES,’ after announcing
the subject. Vision 2030: SPICES (Sustainability- Productivity- Innovation- Collaboration- Excellence and Safety) has
been selected as the subject for the current World Spice Congress (WSC).
 Over a thousand delegates from more than fifty nations are anticipated to attend the 14th WSC.
 Regulatory authorities from significant importing nations, ministers of trade, and industry associations from G20
member nations will all attend the event.
 The World Spice Congress (WSC) event will also host an expo showcasing the advantages and skills of the Indian
spice sector in addition to the business workshops.
Tata steel's Dutch arm signs MOU to supply ford with green steel
 Tata Steel’s Dutch arm plans to supply Ford plants in Europe with “green” steel after 2030, under a preliminary
agreement reached by the two companies on Tuesday.
 Tata plans to start producing green steel — or steel made without using fossil fuels — in 2030 at its plant in Ijmuiden,
Netherlands.
 The Memorandum of Understanding signed between Tata and Ford of Europe does not oblige Ford to buy a specified
amount of steel at a specified price.
 Separately, Ford said it had also signed supply MoUs with Tata, ThyssenKrupp and Salzgitter to supply “low carbon”
steel for use in manufacturing the new electric crossover model it plans to start producing in Cologne next year.
 Ford said in a statement that the agreements would help it meet a target of having zero emissions at its European
facilities, logistics and suppliers by 2035.
106
Tata steel's Dutch arm signs MOU to supply ford with green steel
 Tata Steel’s Dutch arm plans to supply Ford plants in Europe with “green” steel after 2030, under a preliminary
agreement reached by the two companies on Tuesday.
 Tata plans to start producing green steel — or steel made without using fossil fuels — in 2030 at its plant in Ijmuiden,
Netherlands.
 The Memorandum of Understanding signed between Tata and Ford of Europe does not oblige Ford to buy a specified
amount of steel at a specified price.
 Separately, Ford said it had also signed supply MoUs with Tata, ThyssenKrupp and Salzgitter to supply “low carbon”
steel for use in manufacturing the new electric crossover model it plans to start producing in Cologne next year.
 Ford said in a statement that the agreements would help it meet a target of having zero emissions at its European
facilities, logistics and suppliers by 2035.
Dehradun to host national meet on integration of traditional sciencewith modern tech

 The “Akash for Life” a 3-day space conference will showcase the blending of traditional and modern knowledge
through an extended integration of all schools of thought. The decision was taken by the Union Minister of State
(Independent Charge) Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences, MoS PMO,
Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, and Dr. Jitendra Singh. The event is scheduled to
be held at Dehradun from 5th November to 7th November 2022.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for the integration of science and technological development within society
in a way that places science in a position to address the needs of the common citizen.
 The curtain raiser event was felicitated by Principal Scientific Advisor, Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, Chairman ISRO,
S.Somnath, Secretary Science & Technology, Dr. S Chandrashekhar, Secretary, Earth Sciences, Dr. M Ravichandran,
Secretary Biotechnology, Dr. Rajesh S Gokhale and DG CSIR Dr. N. Kalaiselvi.
Zee-Sony merger: both parties agree on selling 3 Hindi channels to address anti-competition concerns
 Sony and Zee media groups have voluntarily agreed to sell their three Hindi Channels- Big Magic, Zee Action, and
Zee Classic to address possible anti-competition concerns arising out of their proposed mega-merger deal. Sony and
Zee have submitted their proposals to the Competition Commission of India (CCI). They have issued a 58-page long
detailed order which informs that the two groups have agreed to divest Big Magic, which is a Hindi general
entertainment channel, as well as Zee Action and Zee Classic.
 The two media groups, Sony and Zee, have voluntarily agreed to the modification to the proposed deals after CCI’s
prima-facie opinion.
 Deals beyond a certain threshold compulsory require the approval of CCI, which seeks to ensure fair competition in
the marketplace.
BANKING AND ECONOMY

BSE gets Sebi's nod to launch EGR on its platform
 Stock exchange BSE has received final approval from the capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of
India (SEBI) for introducing the Electronic Gold Receipt (EGR) segment on its platform. The exchange had received
in-principle approval from Sebi in February after which the exchange conducted several mock trading in the test
environment for exchange members to facilitate trading in EGRs.
 Sebi board had earlier cleared a proposal for gold exchange, wherein the yellow metal will be traded in the form of
EGRs and will help in having a transparent domestic spot price discovery mechanism.
 According to BSE, EGRs will cater to all market participants, which means that buyers and sellers on the exchange
shall include individual investors, as well as commercial participants along the value chain like importers, banks,
refiners, bullion traders, jewellery manufacturers, and retailers.
 Sameer Patil, chief business officer, BSE, said, “We are extremely thankful to Sebi for giving us the final approval and
confidence that we will be able to launch the trading in EGR soon, as gold holds special significance for Indian
households.
 India is the second-largest consumer of gold globally with annual gold demand of approximately 800-900 tonnes and
holds an important position in the global markets.
107
About Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE):
Location: Mumbai, India
Founded: 9 July 1875; 147 years ago
Traded as: NSE: BSE
About Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI):
Agency executive: Madhabi Puri Buch (Chairperson)
Union Bank opens ethical hacking lab in Hyderabad

 The Union Bank of India inaugurated the Ethical Hacking Lab at the Cyber Security Centre of Excellence (CCoE) in
Hyderabad. The lab with a cyber defence mechanism will protect the bank’s information system, digital assets, and
channels, against potential cyber threats. The lab was inaugurated by the bank’s managing director and CEO, A.
Manimekhalai. Union Bank is adopting Digital Products in a big way. Various new initiatives are taken by the Bank
to increase Digital Footprints. The IT assets are increasingly exposed to the Internet.
 Union Bank’s Cyber Security Centre of Excellence (CCoE) in Hyderabad is in the process of establishing multiple
cyber security centres to strengthen the Bank’s security posture and collaborate with cyber defence industries,
Government bodies, etc., for implementing new technologies. In this backdrop, our Bank has established the Ethical
Hacking Lab to strengthen the cyber ecosystem. This is an important milestone as we take our cyber security journey
ahead to secure digital banking experience.”
About Union Bank of India (UBI):

CEO: A. Manimekhalai
About Telangana:
Capital: Hyderabad
Govt extends foreign trade policy by 6 months

 The Commerce Ministry announced the extension of the existing foreign trade policy by six months. The reason
behind the development is currency volatility and global uncertainty. The ministry said, the geo-political situation is
not suitable for long-term foreign trade policy.
 The Commerce Ministry said, “existing Foreign Trade Policy extended by six months due to currency volatility &
global uncertainty. Geo-Political situation is not suitable for long-term Foreign Trade Policy.” Earlier, the government
had extended the due date for the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 to September 30, 2022.
 Foreign Trade Policy provides a framework for increasing exports of goods and services as well as generation of
employment and increasing value addition in the country. It focuses to support both the manufacturing and services
sectors, with a special emphasis on improving the ease of doing business. Between April to August 2022, India’s
merchandise exports stood at $192.59 billion up by 17.12% from $164.44 billion in the same period a year ago. Imports
continue to rise more than exports. In the first five months of FY23, merchandise imports grew by 45.64% to $317.81
billion from $218.22 billion in the corresponding period last year. The trade deficit widened by more than 2-folds to
$125.22 billion (April – August 2022) compared to $53.78 billion in the same period last year.
World Bank and SIDBI to launch fund against loan default to lenders financing purchase of electric 2-3
wheelers
 A $1 billion fund may soon be launched by the government in collaboration with the World Bank, and the Small
Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). The fund will be used to provide guarantees against defaults on loans
taken to buy electric two or three-wheelers. The NITI Aayog will be the facilitating agency of the project. It will aim
to facilitate faster and easier financing of EVs.
 Initially a $300 million fund will be put in place as a “first loss risk sharing instrument.” The funds will be available to
all financial institutions. “The instrument would act as a hedging mechanism, for banks to access in case of defaults
of loans on purchase of electric vehicles. This is expected to bring down the cost of financing EVs by 10-12 per cent”.
108
 Currently, loans for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers attract 20-25 per cent interest per annum. Earlier, the
State Bank of India (SBI) was considered to be the programme lead. However, it withdrew from the deal after due
diligence.
About World Bank:

Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
President: David Malpass
Founded: July 1944, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, United States
Motto: Working for a World Free of Poverty
Founders: John Maynard Keynes, Harry Dexter White
About Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI):
Headquarters: Lucknow
Agency executive: Sivasubramanian Ramann, IA&AS, (Chairman & MD);
About NITI Aayog :
Formed: 1 January 2015
Chairperson: Narendra Modi
Founder: National Democratic Alliance
ADB Plans $14 Billion to Ease Food Crisis, Promote Long-Term Food Security in Asia and the Pacific
 The Asian Development Bank said, it will devote at least $14 billion through 2025 to help ease a worsening food crisis
in Asia-Pacific. The development lender said it plans a comprehensive program of support to help the 1.1 billion people
in the region who lack healthy diets due to poverty and soaring food prices. The Manila, Philippines-based ADB made
the announcement during its annual meeting.
 “This is a timely and urgently needed response to a crisis that is leaving too many poor families in Asia hungry and in
deeper poverty,” ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa said. The plan calls for improving long-term food security by
strengthening farming and food supplies to cope with climate change and loss of biodiversity. The ADB said the funds
will go to both existing and new projects spanning farming, food production and distribution, water resources
management and social supports. Asakawa said that in the short-term, support will be targeted at and designed to
help the most vulnerable, particularly women.
 In opening the ADB meeting, Asakawa noted that the economic outlook has worsened with the Russian invasion of
Ukraine, soaring prices for many commodities and a harsher economic environment thanks to rising interest rates
and weakening currencies for many developing economies. In a recent update, the bank downgraded its forecast for
growth in the region to 4.3% from an earlier estimate of 5.2%. Next year’s outlook is for 4.9% annual growth.
About Asian Development Bank (ADB):

Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines
Founded: 19 December 1966
President: Masatsugu Asakawa (from 17 January 2020)
Purpose: Social and Economic Development
RBI keeps inflation projection for FY23 unchanged at 6.7% on upside risks to food prices
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has projected 7% real GDP growth for the Financial year 2023 (FY23). Inflation in
India is predicted to remain 6.7%. As a result, RBI raised its policy rate by 50 basis points (bps) in response to growing
concerns about increasing inflation, global headwinds, and a drop in the value of the rupee to historic lows.
 The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) opted to lower its real GDP prediction for FY23 to 7.0% at its meeting in
September; growth is projected for Q2FY23 to be 6.3%, Q3 to be 4.6%, and Q4 to be 4.6%, with risks largely balanced.
7.2% growth has been corrected for Q1FY24.
 The government has given the central bank the responsibility of ensuring that the consumer price index (CPI) stays
at 4% with a margin of 2% on either side, but since January, retail inflation has stubbornly remained over the RBI’s
comfort level.
 The MPC’s decision to raise the policy rate is an effort to reduce the high inflationary pressures that the public is
experiencing as a result of rising food (especially cereal) prices due to supply disruptions brought on by Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine, which has caused a trade imbalance.
109
About Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
Governor: Shaktikanta Das
Ownership: Ministry of Finance, Government of India
Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata
Founder: British Raj
About Monetary Policy Committee:
Committee executive: Shaktikanta Das, IAS, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and ex-officio chairperson
RBI hikes repo rate by 50 bps to 5.9%; pegs GDP growth at 7% for FY23
 The decision of RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das headed the six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has been
announced. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has hiked the repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.90%, the fourth straight
increase in the current cycle, to tame the sustained above-target retail inflation rate. RBI had slashed the repo rate in
March 2020 with an aim to cushion the impact of covid-induced lockdown and maintained the status quo in the
benchmark interest rate for almost two years before increasing it on May 4, 2022.
 Reserve Bank of India leaves inflation projection for FY23 unchanged at 6.7% on upside risks to food prices.
 The RBI has lowered the real gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for FY23 to 7% from 7.2%. Q2FY23 growth
is seen at 6.3%, Q3 at 4.6% and Q4 at 4.6% with risks broadly balanced. Growth for Q1FY24 has been revised to 7.2%.
The various rates are as under-
1. Policy Repo Rate: 5.90%
2. Standing Deposit Facility (SDF): 5.65%
3. Marginal Standing Facility Rate: 6.15%
4. Bank Rate: 6.15%
5. Fixed Reverse Repo Rate: 3.35%
6. CRR: 4.50%
7. SLR: 18.00%
About Monetary Policy Committee:
Committee executive: Shaktikanta Das, IAS, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and ex-officio chairperson
In-use bank cards drop 2.3 million in August over new RBI norms
 The outstanding credit card base dropped to 77.99 million in August from over 80 million in July, mainly on account
of the new norms of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that warrant the deactivation of cards that are inactive for a year.
While there was a 2.8 per cent decline in net card additions on a month-on-month (MoM) basis in August, a first in
many months, credit card spends slipped 3 per cent on a high base. Still, spends topped the Rs 1-trillion mark for the
sixth consecutive month.
 The banking system had been adding about 1-1.5 million cards a month for some time now. But in August, “credit
cards outstanding for the industry declined by 2.3 million, largely as a result of sharp declines seen for HDFC Bank
and Axis Bank. This is largely on account of the implementation of the new RBI norms requiring credit card companies
to deactivate cards that are inactive for 365 days. This should impact other players, as well with a lag”, stated Suresh
Ganapathy and Param Subramanian in a report for Macquarie Research.
 SBI Card, on the other hand, added the most cards in the month under review (296,259), followed by ICICI Bank
(211,520).
110
Current Account Deficit Widens To 2.8% Of GDP In Q1 Of FY23
 India’s current account deficit (CAD), a key indicator of balance of payment of a country, has widened to $23.9 billion,
which is 2.8% of the GDP, in the first quarter of the current financial year 2022-23. This is up from $13.4 billion (1.5%
of the GDP in Q4 of FY2022) and a surplus of $6.6 billion (0.9% of the GDP) a year ago period of Q1FY22, according
to the data released by the RBI’s Balance of Payments.
 The widening trade deficit, or the gap between the value of imports and exports, puts pressure on the balance of
payments. India’s trade deficit during the first five months of 2022-23 has widened to $124.5 billion from $54 billion in
the previous corresponding period. In the entire fiscal 2021-22, the trade deficit was at $189.5 billion. CAD is expected
to remain within 3% of the GDP in 2022-23 as against 1.2% during the last fiscal, an article published in the RBI bulletin
said earlier.
GST collections up 26% to over Rs 1.47 lakh crore in September

 The gross GST revenue collected in the month of September 2022 is ₹ 1,47,686 crore of which CGST is ₹ 25,271 crore,
SGST is ₹ 31,813 crore, IGST is ₹ 80,464 crore (including ₹ 41,215 crore collected on import of goods) and Cess is ₹ 10,137
crore (including ₹ 856 crore collected on import of goods).
 The government has settled ₹ 31,880 crore to CGST and ₹ 27,403 crore to SGST from IGST as regular settlement. The
total revenue of Centre and the States after regular settlements in the month of September 2022 is ₹ 57,151 crore for
CGST and ₹ 59,216 crore for the SGST.
 The revenues for the month of September 2022 are 26% higher than the GST revenues in the same month last year.
During the month, revenues from import of goods was 39% higher and the revenues from domestic transaction
(including import of services) are 22% higher than the revenues from these sources during the same month last year.
 This month witnessed the second highest single day collection of Rs. 49,453 crore on 20th September with second
highest number of 8.77 lakh challans filed, next only to Rs. 57,846 crore collected on 20th July 2022 through 9.58 lakh
challans.
India's unemployment rate drops to 6.43% in September, shows CMIE

 India’s unemployment rate has drastically dropped to 6.43 per cent in September due to an increase in labour
participation in the rural and urban areas, according to data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE).
During August, India’s unemployment rate surged to a one-year high of 8.3 per cent as employment sequentially fell
by 2 million to 394.6 million.
 “In September, the unemployment rate has fallen significantly with an increase in labour participation in both urban
and rural areas,” CMIE managing director Mahesh Vyas said.
 According to the CMIE data, the unemployment rate was the highest in Rajasthan at 23.8 per cent in September,
followed by Jammu and Kashmir at 23.2 per cent, Haryana at 22.9 per cent, Tripura at 17 per cent, Jharkhand at 12.2
per cent and Bihar at 11.4 per cent. The unemployment was the lowest in Chhattisgarh at 0.1 per cent in September,
followed by Assam at 0.4 per cent, Uttrakhand at 0.5 per cent, Madhya Pradesh at 0.9 per cent, Gujarat at 1.6 per cent,
Meghalaya at 2.3 per cent and Odisha at 2.9 per cent, the data showed.
About Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE):

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Founded: 13 April 1976; 46 years ago
Founder: Narottam Shah
Pegatron to boost Apple iPhone production in India

 With the opening of a factory in Mahindra World City in Chennai, Taiwan’s Pegatron became the third Apple supplier
to establish a production facility in India. It will put about Rs 1,100 crore into the facility, which might lead to the
creation of 14,000 employment. The other two Apple suppliers with facilities in India are the Taiwanese companies
Foxconn and Wistron.
 The opening of Pegatron’s factory coincides with Apple’s anticipated relocation of at least a quarter of its
manufacturing operations to India by 2025.
 Hosur, Coimbatore, and Sriperumbudur will be transformed into centres for the production of electronics by Tamil
Nadu.
 20% of the nation’s electronics are produced with help from the state. Among the state’s main investments are
Samsung, Foxconn, Tata Electronics, and Dell. Stalin claimed that the government was improving the supply chain.
111
About Pegatron:
CEO: Liao Syh-jang (1 Jul 2016–)
Headquarters: Taipei City, Taipei, Taiwan
Founded: 1 January 2008
New rules for debit, credit cards begin with tokenisation

 The rules and regulations for online payments for debit and credit cards have been changed. The Reserve Bank of
India’s (RBI) card-on-file (CoF) tokenization norms came into effect on 1st October 2022. RBI’s CoF tokenization aims
to improve the payment experience of cardholders.
 The new rule released by RBI says that neither businesses nor payment aggregators can save customer card details on
their platforms. The card details can only be saved by card networks or issuing banks.
 Tokenisation has replaced sensitive card information including card number, and card expiry with cryptographically-
generated random strings.
 Once the card is Tokenised, the generated card token can be used for processing payments as a substitute for card
details. The Tokenised card eliminates the risk of loss of sensitive card information.
About Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI):
Core infra sector growth hits 9-month low in August

 The output of eight core infrastructure sectors grew 3.3 per cent in August the lowest in nine months as against 12.2
per cent in the year-ago period, according to official data released. The previous low was in November 2021 at 3.2 per
cent. It stood at 4.5 per cent in July.
 The production growth of eight infrastructure sectors — coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel,
cement and electricity — was 9.8 per cent during April-August this fiscal, compared to 19.4 per cent a year ago. Crude
oil and natural gas production contracted by 3.3 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively, during the month under
review.
 In August, the fertiliser output rose by 11.9 per cent against a contraction of 3.1 per cent in the same month last year.
The growth rates for coal, refinery products, steel, cement and electricity slowed to 7.6 per cent, 7 per cent, 2.2 per
cent, 1.8 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively. Production of coal (weight: 10.33%) grew by 7.6% in August 2022
compared to August 2021. In comparison to the same time in 2022–2023, its cumulative index rose by 22.7% from April
until August in FY23. Production of crude oil (weight: 8.98%) fell by 3.3% YoY in August 2022, and its cumulative
index fell by 1.1% from April to August 2022–2023 compared to the same period in the previous year.
Inflation likely to come down to 5.2% owing to normal rains, ease in supplies: RBI report
 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expecting retail inflation to come under control at 5.2 per cent in FY24, down from the
6.7 per cent forecast for FY23, revealed the banking regulator in its ‘Monetary Policy Report September 2022’. In
addition to this, RBI has also cut India’s GDP growth forecast for FY23 to 7 per cent from its earlier projection of 7.2
per cent.
 The RBI, in its report, said, “For 2023-24, assuming a normal monsoon, a progressive normalisation of supply chains,
and no further exogenous or policy shocks, structural model estimates indicate that inflation will average 5.2 per
cent.” The central bank expects inflation to remain above the upper tolerance level of 6 per cent in the first three-
quarters of FY23. RBI also expects inflation to come under control from January 2023 onwards. RBI projects the retail
inflation to average 5.8 per cent in Q4 FY23 and further down to 5 per cent in Q1 FY24. In addition to this, RBI has
also cut India’s GDP growth forecast for FY23 to 7 per cent from its earlier projection of 7.2 per cent.

112
WTO slashes global 2023 trade growth forecast to 1% as recession looms
 World merchandise trade volume growth is likely to slow to 1 per cent in 2023, down from the previous forecast of 3
per cent made in April this year, per fresh estimates released by the WTO. This is due to multiple shocks including
the Ukraine war, high energy prices, inflation, and monetary tightening, it said.
 While global trade in goods in 2022 is now predicted to grow at 3.5 per cent–better than the 3 per cent estimated in
April–it is expected to lose momentum in the second half of 2023, the report pointed out. Slowdown in exports is
expected in 2023 as import demand is likely to soften in major economies with growth slowing down for different
reasons. “In Europe, high energy prices stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war will squeeze household spending and
raise manufacturing costs.
India’s economic growth likely to decline to 5.7% in 2022 from 8.2% a year ago, says UNCTAD
 India’s economic growth is expected to decline to 5.7 per cent this year from 8.2 per cent in 2021, citing higher
financing cost and weaker public expenditures, according to the forecast by the United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development (UNCTAD) Trade and Development Report 2022.
 The country’s GDP will further decelerate to 4.7 per cent growth in 2023, the top UN agency projected. India
experienced an expansion of 8.2 per cent in 2021, the strongest among G20 countries. As supply chain disruptions
eased, rising domestic demand turned the current account surplus into a deficit, and growth decelerated, the report
stated.
 The government has announced plans to increase capital expenditure, especially in the rail and road sector, but in a
weakening global economy, policymakers will be under pressure to reduce fiscal imbalances, and this may lead to
falling expenditures elsewhere. Under these conditions, the economy is expected to decelerate to 4.7 percent growth
in 2023, the report forecasted.
No charges on using RuPay credit card for UPI transactions less than ₹2,000
 The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has said there will be no charge for RuPay credit card use on
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for transactions up to ₹2,000. RuPay credit card has been operational for the last
four years, and all major banks are enabled and are issuing incremental cards for both commercial and retail segments.
 RBI has approved linking of RuPay Credit Cards to UPI, which will provide a seamless, digitally enabled credit card
lifecycle experience for the customers. Customers will benefit from the ease and the increased opportunity to use
their credit cards. Merchants will benefit from the increase in consumption by being part of the credit ecosystem with
acceptance of credit cards using asset lite QR codes. Credit cards can now be linked to a Virtual Payment Address
(VPA) i.e., UPI ID (credit card number cannot be part of this), thus directly enabling safe, and secure payment
transactions.
Aditya Birla Health Insurance launches Activ Fit for young & healthy adults
 Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Limited (ABHICL), the health insurance subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited
(ABCL), has launched ‘Active Fit’ which is a comprehensive health insurance plan for young and healthy adults. It is
first-of-its-kind in the industry.
 The ‘Active Fit’ plan by Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Limited provides an upfront 10 percent good health discount
basis an assessment done through a unique facial scan, up to 50 percent HealthReturns TM on being active and 100
percent binge refill to ensure that health insurance becomes an attractive proposition for the cohort.
 While purchasing the policy, customers get a Good Health Discount of 10 percent upfront.
 Customers below the age of 35 years, can avail of an Early Bird Discount at renewal, 5 percent from the 4th to 7th
policy year and 10 percent from the 8th policy year for the lifetime of the policy.
Centre approves Rs. 26,000 crore for installation of 25,000 telecome towers
 The government has approved Rs 26,000 crore for the installation of 25,000 mobile towers in 500 days. According to
the Telecom Ministry, the financial support for the project will be provided by the Universal Services Obligation Fund
and it will be implemented by Bharat Broadband Network.
 The project was announced by Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnav at a three-day long ‘Digital India Conference of
State IT Ministers’.
 In the three-day long Digital India Conference of State IT Ministers, IT ministers from 12 states and UTs were present.
113
Reserve Bank issues directions for appointment of Internal Ombudsman for all Credit Information
Companies
 To enhance the effectiveness of its grievance redressal systems, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has urged Credit
Information Companies to designate an internal ombudsman (IO) by April 1, 2023. The Central Bank made the
decision in August to include CICs in the scope of the RBI-Integrated Ombudsman Scheme 2021 in order to broaden
its appeal.
 Only complaints that the CIC has already reviewed but rejected in whole or in part will be handled by the IO. Direct
complaints from complainants or members of the public won’t be handled by it, the RBI said in a circular. The RBI
claimed that the action would give clients of regulated businesses a free alternative dispute resolution method for
complaints regarding CICs. “Every CIC shall appoint the internal ombudsman for a fixed term of not less than three
years, but not exceeding five years” the circular said.
 The IO position cannot at any moment be left unfilled, hence the CIC must make sure of that, the circular said.
Furthermore, it stated that the IO will not be handling any complaints involving fraud and misappropriation, with
the exception of those brought about by a CIC service failure.
RBI launches advanced supervisory monitoring system DAKSH

 The Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das launched a new ‘SupTech’ initiative DAKSH – the bank’s Advanced
Supervisory Monitoring System, which is expected to make the supervisory processes more robust.
 In a statement, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said it has been taking various initiatives in strengthening supervision,
which among other initiatives include adoption of latest data and analytical tools as well as leveraging technology for
implementing more efficient and automated work processes.
 DAKSH means ‘efficient’ & ‘competent’, reflecting the underlying capabilities of the application. DAKSH is a web-
based end-to-end workflow application through which RBI shall monitor compliance requirements in a more focused
manner with the objective of further improving the compliance culture in Supervised Entities (SEs) like Banks, NBFCs,
etc.
 The Reserve Bank of India performs this function under the guidance of the Board for Financial Supervision (BFS).The
Board is constituted by co-opting four Directors from the Central Board as members for a term of two years and is
chaired by the Governor.
India services sector loses momentum in September, growth falls to 6-month low
 Growth in India’s services industry eased to a six-month low in September, led by a cooling in demand amid high
inflation, a private survey showed. The S&P Global India services Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 54.3 in September
from August’s 57.2, lower than the Reuters poll expectation of 57.0.
 However, the September reading stayed above the 50-mark separating growth from contraction for the fourteenth
straight month – the longest stretch of expansion since October 2016.
 Capacity pressures moderated in September, with services companies signalling the slowest increase in backlogs since
February. Nevertheless, efforts to clear pending workloads and ongoing expansions in sales supported another round
of job creation. Employment rose at a slower rate than in August, however,” the survey said.
 Pollyanna De Lima, Economics Associate Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: “The Indian service sector
has overcome many adversities in recent months, with the latest PMI data continuing to show a strong performance
despite some loss of growth momentum in September.”
 But “an upturn in inflation could damage consumer spending, dampen business confidence and test the resilience of
the Indian service sector in the coming months but, at least for September, service providers were strongly upbeat
towards growth prospects,” she said. “Currency instability poses renewed inflation worries as imported items become
more costly, and undoubtedly means that the RBI will continue hiking interest rates to protect the rupee and contain
price pressures,” added De Lima.
Indian government kicks off IDBI Bank strategic disinvestment

 After facing challenges in the plan to privatise IDBI Bank, the government has asked the Reserve Bank of India to
consider tweaking the promoter criteria that may bring a wider pool of bidders for public sector banks. There are
currently 12 public sector banks.
 The bank privatisation has come a cropper because RBI’s norms are clear that no existing bank can promote a new
bank, and the same promoter cannot promote another bank, a source said. “This has limited the pool of possible
bidders and the government wants RBI to take a relook.
114
 The Budget for 2021-22 (Apr-Mar) had proposed privatising two public sector banks and one general insurance
company. Privatisation of public sector banks will require legislative amendments. The Banking Laws (Amendment)
Bill 2021, which was listed for business in the Winter session last year, has not yet been introduced in Parliament due
to protests by bank unions.
 Although the government has been insisting it will take forward the plans to privatise public sector banks, the fact
that IDBI Bank’s stake sale process is yet to find takers shows the bidding pool has been slim. The government has to
also bring in a law that sets the stage for privatisation of public sector banks.
World Bank lowers India’s FY23 growth forecast to 6.5%

 The World Bank cut its 2022-23 (FY23) real gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for India to 6.5%, from an
earlier estimate of 7.5%, while warning that spillovers from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and global monetary
tightening will weigh on the economic outlook.
 In its twice-a-year report on South Asia, the World Bank said, “Private investment growth is likely to be dampened
by heightened uncertainty and higher financing costs.” The international financial institution also noted that slowing
global demand will impact the country’s exports. This is the third time the World Bank has revised its GDP growth
forecast for India in FY23. In June, it had slashed its FY23 GDP growth forecast for India to 7.5%. Earlier in April, it
had trimmed the forecast from 8.7% to 8%.
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently cut the economic growth projection for the current fiscal to 7% from
7.2% estimated earlier on account of extended geopolitical tensions and aggressive monetary policy tightening
globally. The RBI in April had cut GDP growth estimate to 7.2% from its earlier forecast of 7.8%.
Indians Account for 80% of Those Who Became Poor Globally in 2020 Due to COVID-19: World Bank
 About 56 million Indians may have plunged into extreme poverty in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, increasing the
global tally by 71 million and making it the worst year for poverty reduction since World War II, according to fresh
estimates by the World Bank.
 “The global goal of ending extreme poverty by 2030 is likely to be missed: By then, about 600 million people will
remain in abject poverty. A major course correction is needed,” Indermit Gill, chief economist at the World Bank,
tweeted. The World Bank in its latest “Poverty and Shared Prosperity” made fresh estimates of poverty using a new
extreme poverty line based on the purchasing power parity (PPP) of $2.15, the earlier one being at $1.9.
 For almost 25 years, the number of people living in extreme poverty — on less than $2.15 per person per day — was
steadily declining. But the trend was interrupted in 2020, when poverty rose due to the disruption caused by the
COVID-19 crisis combined with the effects of conflict and climate change — which had already been slowing poverty
reduction.
IFC Launches Financing Platform to Respond to Global Food Crisis and Build Resilient Food Systems
 The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank, has introduced a
new, $6 billion funding facility to boost the private sector’s capacity to respond to the Global Food crisis and aid in
food production in response to mounting food insecurity. Rising levels of hunger and malnutrition (Global Food
Crisis) have already been made worse by climate change and increasingly extreme weather events that are destroying
harvests and lowering yields. The conflict in Ukraine and an unequal worldwide recovery from the COVID-19
pandemic have exacerbated to this trend.
 A significant portion of the funding of Financing Platform Launched by IFC (International Finance Corporation),
which will be offered through the new Global Food Security Platform, will assist the delivery of food stocks to nations
with food instability and sustainable production of those stocks.
 The Financing Platform Launched by IFC (International Finance Corporation) will add to the World Bank ‘s $30 billion
pledge to address the food crisis.
 In order to organise group action to address concerns with global food security, IFC (International Finance
Corporation) is also boosting up interactions with other partners, including development finance organisations,
foundations, banks, as well as a variety of private firms.
Gross direct tax collections rise 24% to Rs 8.9 lakh crore in FY23
 The gross direct tax collections has increased by over 23 per cent to eight lakh ninety eight thousand crore rupees in
the current financial year as compared to last year. Finance Ministry said, the provisional figures of direct tax
collections still continue to register steady growth.
115
 Direct Tax collection, net of refunds, stands at seven lakh forty five thousand crore rupees which is 16.3 per cent higher
than the net collections for the corresponding period of last year. The Ministry said, this collection is over 52 per cent
of the total budget estimates of direct taxes for the current fiscal. The refunds amounting to one lakh 53 thousand
crore rupees have been issued during 1st April to 8th October this year, which are 81 per cent higher than refunds
issued during the same period in the preceding year.
Issuance of Concept Note on Central Bank Digital Currency

 The Reserve Bank Of India(RBI) has released a concept note on the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). The CBDC
is a digital form of currency notes issued by a central bank. While most central banks across the globe are exploring
the issuance of CBDC, the key motivations for its issuance are specific to each country’s unique requirements.
 This Concept Note explains the objectives, choices, benefits and risks of issuing a CBDC in India, referred to as e-₹
(digital Rupee). The e-₹ will provide an additional option to the currently available forms of money. It is substantially
not different from banknotes, but being digital it is likely to be easier, faster and cheaper. It also has all the
transactional benefits of other forms of digital money.
 The purpose behind the issue of this Concept Note is to create awareness about CBDCs in general and the planned
features of the digital Rupee, in particular. The Note also seeks to explain Reserve Bank’s approach towards
introduction of the digital Rupee.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) holds National Workshop on ‘Ease of
Doing Business’
 In New Delhi, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) held a national workshop on the
topic of “Ease of Doing Business.” Shri Parameswaran Iyer, CEO of Niti Aaayog, gave the keynote speech at the
workshop. Parameswaran Iyer emphasised the significance of India’s ranking on international indexes. Parameswaran
Iyer emphasised how the Ease of Doing Business programme, together with other initiatives, took centre stage as one
of the most crucial pillars in the effort to make India a desirable investment location.
 The vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for ease of living and Ease of doing Business was also discussed by
Shri Iyer.
 The panellists also offered insightful commentary on the subsequent wave of changes that will significantly improve
the Ease of doing Business throughout the nation.
 Representatives of the governments of Maharashtra and the NCT of Delhi also gave presentations, stressing the
changes they had carried out that had helped India’s standing in the World Bank’s Doing Business Report.
Indians Can Soon Pay Through UPI In Europe

 Pay in Europe using UPI soon: NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and European payment services provider
Worldline established a corporation due to which Indians will soon be able to make payments through UPI (United
Payments Interface) across Europe. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)’s international division is
called NIPL.
 The aim of the collaboration between NIPL and Worldline is to increase the adoption of Indian payment methods in
Europe.
 Worldline will increase convenience for Indian clients in the European markets as part of the cooperation by enabling
point-of-sale (POS) systems at businesses to accept payments from UPI (United Payments Interface).
 The total number of UPI (United Payments Interface) transactions in 2021 was 38.74 billion, with a value of USD
954.58 billion.
 In terms of actual cards, NPCI has so far distributed 714 million locally manufactured RuPay cards.
India's optimism misplaced, says Nomura, sharply moderates GDP growth forecast to 5.2% in FY24
 Nomura predicts that India’s growth will drastically slow down to 5.2% in 2023–24 (FY24) from 7% in the current
fiscal year due to the spillover effects of the global downturn. The Japanese brokerage urged policy vigilance in the
face of global challenges and emphasised that macro stability, not development, should be the first focus.
 In FY20, the economy grew at 4%, a multi-year low. It is anticipated that growth will decelerate in FY24, just before
the following national elections.
 Nomura predicts that inflation would average 6.8% in FY23, slightly higher than the Reserve Bank of India’s prediction
of 6.7%, and then decline to 5.3% in FY24.
116
Paytm Partners with Jana Small Finance Bank for Deployment of Card Devices, Aims to Further Drive
Digitisation among Merchants
 Paytm brand has partnered with Jana Small Finance Bank to deploy card machines to further drive digitisation among
merchants across the country. This partnership will enable Jana Small Finance Bank to extend Paytm’s All-in-one EDC
machines to its existing and potential customers, providing a one-stop solution for all their digital payment needs.
With over 4.5 million devices deployed, Paytm remains the market leader in offline payments. Paytm’s EDC devices
and All-in-One POS devices have revolutionised digital payments in India with their flexibility of accepting multiple
payment methods.
 Paytm’s card machines provide a feature-rich payments solution that has enabled a robust growth of businesses for
our merchant partners. This partnership will help expand our reach and deploy card machines across India’s small
cities and towns.
 This partnership is in line with our vision to become the leading digitised bank of aspirational India to further financial
inclusion in the country.
 MSME is a key priority for our Bank and we serve their needs in 150 cities. Our offerings are digital and this relationship
with Paytm will further enhance our services to our customers.
RBI norms on unhedged Fx exposure unlikely to impact banks much

 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) tweaked guidelines for banks on incremental capital and provisioning requirements
in relation to unhedged foreign currency exposures, amid the weakness in the rupee vis-a-vis the US dollar. The rupee
has depreciated about 10 per cent against the US dollar thus far in 2022, and as a result there has been greater scrutiny
of firms’ unhedged exposure through borrowings in foreign currencies.
 “Entities which do not hedge their foreign currency exposures can incur significant losses during the period of
heightened volatility in foreign exchange rates. These losses may reduce their capacity to service the loans taken from
the banking system and increase their probability of default thereby affecting the health of the banking system,” the
RBI said. The revised rules will come into force from January 1, 2023.
 The incremental provisioning requirement is in the range of 20 basis points (bps) to 80 bps. In cases where banks face
a potential loss or hit to earnings before interest and depreciation (Ebid) of more than 15 per cent but up to 30 per
cent, lenders will have to increase provisioning by 20 bps, the RBI said.
JSW Steel Joined UNGC Initiative

 JSW Steel has joined the United Nations Global Impact (UNGC) initiative. The UNGC encourages companies to
conduct business responsibly by aligning their operations and strategies with the UN’s 10 principles. JSW Foundation,
the social arm of the JSW Group, is a member of UNGC and part of the India local network of UNGC.
 A majority of JSW’s strategic focus areas and organizational goals have been formulated to align with the UN SDGs.
 The formal membership with JSW and UNGC will continue executing operations and practices sustainably.
 The initiative also commits companies to take actions to advance broader Social benefits through the UN Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
Sebi issues guidelines for inter-operable regulatory sandbox

 Financial products or service providers whose business models fall within the remit of more than one financial sector
regulator such as Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Sebi, IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of
India), PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority) and IFSCA (International Financial Services
Centres Authority) will be considered for the testing under Inter-operable Regulatory Sandbox (IoRS).
 “To obviate the need of innovators, to engage with different regulators regarding their hybrid product, a common
window has been made available,” the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) said in a press release.
 IoRS has been prepared by the Inter-Regulatory Technical Group (IRTG) on FinTech. The group was constituted
under the aegis of the Financial Stability and Development Council-Sub Committee (FSDC-SC). The group, in
addition to the members from financial sector regulators, has representation from the Department of Economic
Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
IIP witnesses contraction of 0.8% in August against growth of 2.4% in July

 India’s industrial production slipped to an 18-month low, contracting by 0.8 per cent in August, mainly due to a
decline in output of the manufacturing and mining sectors, according to official data. The data showed that the
previous low in industrial output growth was a contraction of 3.2 per cent in February 2021.
117
 Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is an index which details out the growth of various sectors in the economy. The
Eight Core Industries comprise more than 40 percent of the weight of items included in IIP. These are Electricity,
steel, refinery products, crude oil, coal, cement, natural gas and fertilisers.
 It is compiled and published monthly by the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation.
 The previous low in industrial output growth was a contraction of 3.2 per cent in February 2021. Factory output,
measured in terms of the IIP, had expanded by 13 per cent in August 2021. The IIP grew by 2.2 per cent in July this
year. The data released by the Statistics and Programme Implementation Ministry showed that for the month of
August 2022.
 Capital goods output, which is a barometer of investments, rose five per cent in August 2022 compared to 20 per cent
growth in the year-ago month.
India will achieve USD 2 trillion export target by 2030: Piyush Goyal
 Piyush Goyal, the minister of commerce and industry, expressed confidence that the nation will reach its goal of 2
trillion USD in products and services exported by 2030. The Union Commerce and Industry minister was addressing
at the Chennai-based Exporters Conclave.
 Piyush Goyal stressed the need of maintaining the export momentum and expressed his confidence that Indian
exports will be able to weather the global challenges and will far outpace export growth.
 Piyush Goyal predicted that the nation’s economy will reach USD 30 trillion by 2047, with exports accounting for 25%
of total output.
 He predicted that India’s exports will reach USD 2 trillion by 2030.The government has promised to resolve the
problems brought up by the industry participants.
India's WPI inflation drops further to 10.7% in September

 Inflation based on the Wholesale Price Index(WPI) decreased to 10.70% in September. According to official figures,
the WPI-based inflation rate was 12.41% in August. High-speed diesel (HSD) saw the highest inflation rate at 65.96%.
(YoY). It was followed by price increases of 44.72 percent for crude oil and natural gas and 49.79 percent for potatoes.
 Only the category of fuel and power experienced an increase in inflation month over month (MoM). The prices fell in
all the others. Inflation was also down in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) Food Index.
 The index for this important group dropped from 178.6 (provisional) for the month of August 2022 to 176.2
(provisional) in September 2022, a (-1.34%) decrease.
 In September 2022 compared to August 2022, prices for non-food items dropped by 3.60 percent, crude oil and natural
gas prices dropped by 6.38 percent, and the price of minerals dropped by 6.45 percent.
Karnataka Bank launches “KBL Centenary Deposit Scheme” @ 7.60% ROI

 Karnataka Bank has launched a term deposit scheme named the KBL Centenary Deposit Scheme with effect from
October 17, 2022. In order to honour the amazing journey towards its Centenary and to thank its customers, the bank
has created a special term deposit programme with a higher rate of interest.
 For a period of 555 days, the KBL Centenary Deposit Scheme will enjoy an interest rate of 7.20% p.a. Senior citizens
will pay an interest rate of 7.60% annually.
 The Karnataka Bank will join the elite group of banks that are now providing the highest rate of interest on term
deposits in the banking market by implementing this deposit programme.
RBL Bank and BookMyShow announce partnership to launch 'Play' credit card
 The launch of a new credit card called “Play” by RBL Bank and BookMyShow will significantly increase the
entertainment value for Indian consumers. RBL Bank and BookMyShow collaborated to offer the Fun Plus credit card
earlier in 2016. Customers will be able to follow the full procedure on BookMyShow, a first for any entertainment
platform in India, from application to delivery of the “Play” credit card.
 Select BookMyShow customers will have access to the “Play” credit card, which will enable them to take advantage of
lucrative offers on movie tickets, live entertainment purchases (both online and offline).
 The customers will also have access to binge-watching movies and TV shows on BookMyShow Stream by renting or
buying a title, all while earning rewards with each purchase.
MoS Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar flags off first SemiconIndia FutureDesign Roadshow in Gandhinagar
118
 Rajeev Chandrasekhar, state minister for electronics and IT for the Union, officially kicked off the first SemiconIndia
FutureDesign roadshow in Gujarat. Speaking at the event, Chandrasekhar stated that the roadshows were organised
with the intention of encouraging startups, next-generation innovators, and business titans to invest in
semiconductor design.
 As envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it will contribute to the development of a strong semiconductor
ecosystem in the nation.
 At the occasion, the minister also unveiled the ISRO-tested and approved NavIC Receiver Chipsets.
 They are prepared for commercial market deployment.The government wants to get as many young Indians interested
in and involved in the Semicon India trip by bringing the programme to every student and every campus.
CCI imposes Rs 392.36 cr fine on MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, OYO for anti-competitive conduct
 The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Wednesday imposed monetary penalties of Rs 223.48 crore on
MakeMyTrip-Goibibo (MMT-Go) and Rs 168.88 crore on OYO (Oravel Stays Limited) for indulging in unfair business
practices in the hotel segment.
 The CCI, in a 131-page order, said that it has carried out an in-depth analysis for delineation of relevant market, laying
special emphasis on such assessment in case of platform markets.
 The fair-trade regulator said that after examining the parity obligation vide which MMT-Go was imposing wide price
parity as well as room availability parity obligations on its hotel partners, it has found that the deep discounts and
parity conditions together has created an ecosystem that reinforces MMT-Go’s dominant position in the relevant
market.
 It added that these conditions help MMT-Go to retain and further increase its network of users, who are increasingly
dependent on the platform for availing of the best deals.
 Secondly, it impedes the competitive process between OTAs by limiting the competitive levers/instruments at the
disposal of other portals that, for instance, cannot get better prices from hotels by offering lower commission rates.
HDFC Securities Opens the First Women-Only Digital Centre In Karnataka

 Leading stock brokerage firm, HDFC Securities, announced the opening of the first-ever Women-Only Digital Centre
(DC) in India. This pioneering centre, staffed with a team of women, will serve both male and female investors. This
closely follows the company’s announcement regarding the opening of multiple DCs across India to ease access to
services and promote digital adoption.
 “We are already in the process of hiring 600 relationship managers for our pan-India Digital Centres. We are very
aware that the largest percentage of our customers consists of young Indians. So, our solutions need to cater to the
unique needs and expectations of these digital natives. Also, the relationship managers at our DCs are aged less than
30 years, which gives them unique insights into the needs of our largest customer demographic.
 The Women-Only DC is another step in HDFC Securities’ aim to foster diversity within the organization, while also
empowering its customers with technology that eases their journey to financial freedom. The company’s digital focus
is also driven by the fact that India has among the largest populations of young adults in the world, with Gen Z making
up 27% of them. This is why the company intends to hire women aged below 30 years for this revolutionary digital
centre. HDFC Securities plans to hire more than 100+ relationship managers for the Women-Only DC in Bengaluru.
PhonePe launches green data center with Dell Technologies and NTT
 PhonePe, a homegrown fintech platform, announced the launch of its first green data centre in India, leveraging
technologies and solutions from Dell Technologies and NTT. The facility opens up new opportunities in data
management for PhonePe, with efficient data security, power efficiency, ease of operations, and cloud solutions. The
centre will also help the company to build sustainable and efficient infrastructure to scale its operations across the
country further seamlessly.
 This 4.8-megawatt facility, which occupies 13740 sqft at Mahape, Navi Mumbai, is built and designed with advanced
alternative cooling technologies like Direct Contact Liquid Cooling (DCLC) and Liquid Immersion Cooling (LIC). The
data centre’s Dell PowerEdge servers will provide exceptional performance, simplified management, and intelligent
automation while using less energy.
 Green data centres are the future of sustainable digital transformation. This deployment is an exciting showcase for
the possibilities of new alternative cooling technologies that can help optimise power consumption in a data centre.
119
Buy ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd For Target Rs.1450 - Motilal Oswal
 As OPEX expanded at 9% compared to an 11% growth in NEP, the underwriting loss for ICICIGI was INR1.5 billion in
2Q as opposed to INR1.9 billion in 1QFY23. Claims ratio increased to 72.8% in 2Q vs. 72.1% in 1QFY23 as higher claims
in the Motor OD and the Health sector offset the advantages of lower loss ratios in Motor TP and Fire.
 ICICI Lombard report ratio increased by 300bps year over year.Due to greater rates, investment income, at INR8.7
billion, exceeded their projection of INR7.4 billion.
 The combined ratio was 105.1% as opposed to 105.3%/104.1% in the 2QFY22 and 1QFY23.
 In 1QFY23, the solvency ratio was 2.6x; today it is 2.5x. PAT was INR4.6b after adjusting for a tax reversal of INR1.3b
(est. INR3.8b). The reported PAT was INR5.9b.
India suffered income loss of 5.4% of GDP due to heat wave: Report
 India suffered an income loss of 5.4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the highest among the G20 nations in 2021,
according to the new report of Climate Transparency.
 The report highlighted that India witnessed a record heatwave that greatly affected workers, labour migrants, low-
income households, and the homeless, and reduced the yields of wheat crops.
 Despite the fact that India is responsible for 3% of global emissions, the report mentioned that around 142 million
people in India may be exposed (10% of the population) to summer heatwaves at 1.5 Degrees Celsius.
 The higher temperature resulted in the reduction of working hours, which further led to substantial income losses in
services, manufacturing, agriculture, and construction.
 The 'Climate Transparency Report 2022' was developed with experts from 16 partner organisations from the majority
of the G20 (Group of 20) countries.
CCI Fines Google Rs 936 Crore For Anti-Competitive Play Store Policies
 The nation’s competition watchdog has fined Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Rs 1,337 crore for engaging in anti-
competitive behaviour with regard to Android mobile devices. Google was penalised by India’s Competition
Commission (CCI) for “abusing its dominant position in numerous regions within the Android mobile device
ecosystem.”
 The decision to fine Google for alleged anti-competitive practices was described as “a major setback for Indian
consumers and businesses” by Google.
 Google Company said it would review the decision to determine its next course of action.
 The Android OS (operating system) is run and managed by Google, and the company also grants licences for its other
proprietary programmes. In their mobile devices, OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) employ this OS and
Google’s apps.
 The commission identified five relevant markets in the current case to serve this purpose. There was a market in India
for licensable mobile operating systems for smart devices, an app store for Android mobile operating systems, general
web search services, non-OS specific mobile web browsers, and an online video hosting platform (OVHP).
Jakson to invest Rs 22,400 cr for green hydrogen project in Rajasthan

 Jakson Green will set up a 3,65,000 tons per annum green hydrogen & green ammonia plant along with an integrated
hybrid renewable power complex in a phased manner, it stated.
 The project is expected to generate over 32,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities across various phases
of the scale-up, planned between 2023 and 2028, it claimed.
 The MoU was signed by Vish Iyer, Global Chief Commercial Officer, Jakson Green, and Bhaskar S Sawant, Principal
Secretary of Energy to the government of Rajasthan.
 “This agreement with Jakson Green is further testimony to the state’s investor-centric policies,” Sawant said.
 The government of Rajasthan would facilitate Jakson Green in obtaining necessary registrations, approvals,
clearances, and provide incentives, among others, it informed.

120
clearances, and provide incentives, among others, it informed.1

clearances, and provide incentives, among others, it informed.1
Shiprocket goes live on government’s e-commerce platform ONDC as its first inter-city logistics provider
 Shiprocket is the first inter-city logistics provider to plug into the ONDC network, enabling sellers from all segments
to ship products to cities and towns across India. Shiprocket, a shipping and logistics solutions provider, has gone live
on the government’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and made its first successful transaction on
October 22.
 Shiprocket said it is the first inter-city logistics provider to plug into the ONDC network, enabling sellers from all
segments to ship products to cities and towns across India. “We are really excited to partner with ONDC as the first
inter-city logistics provider to enable sellers from all segments to ship products to cities and towns across India. With
an increase in digitization in India, sellers from tier 2 & 3 cities are emerging and they need logistics support, hence
we are creating an inclusive and open-access tech ecosystem for them to ease their business,” said Saahil Goel, co-
founder of Shiprocket.
 Shiprocket, which serves more than 100,000 customers, will enable sellers from 24,000 pin codes to select delivery
partners to ship products across India, through both cash-on-delivery and pre-paid options.
Dabur India to acquire 51% stake in Badshah Masala for Rs 587.52 crore
 Dabur India to acquire 51 percent stake in Badshah Masala in a Rs 587.52 crore deal. Dabur India marks its entry into
the fast-growing spices and seasoning category. The company signed definitive transaction agreements to acquire 51
percent shareholding of Badshah Masala Pvt Ltd.
 Badshah Masala Pvt Ltd is a firm engaged in manufacturing, marketing, and export of ground spices, blended spices,
and seasoning. The acquisition is in line with the company’s strategic intent of entering into new adjacent categories
in the food space.
 Dabur acquires 51 percent equity shareholding at Rs 587.52 crore. The 49 percent of the equity will be acquired after
a period of 5 years by Dabur.
 Dabur India aspires to expand its food business to Rs 500 crore in 3 years and expand into new adjacent categories.
 This initiative also marks the entry of Dabur into the over Rs 25,000 crore branded spices and seasoning market in
India.
 Dabur Ltd is an Indian Multinational Consumer Goods company, founded by S.K. Burman. It manufactures Ayurvedic
medicine and natural consumer products. It is one of the largest FMCG companies in India. Dabur was founded in
Kolkata by Dr. S.K. Burman in 1884.
India's greenhouse gas emissions far below world average: UNEP

 At 2.4 tCO2e (tonne carbon dioxide equivalent), India’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions were far below the world
average of 6.3 tCO2e in 2020, according to a new report released by the United Nations Environment Programme
October 27.
 The “Emissions Gap Report 2022: The Closing Window”, released ahead of the UN Climate Change conference
(COP27) in Egypt next month, also said the international community is still falling far short of the Paris goals, with
no credible pathway to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degree Celsius in place. To address climate change,
countries adopted the Paris Agreement in 2015 to limit global temperature rise in this century to well below 2 degrees
Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
121
 World average per capita GHG emissions (including land use, land-use change, and forestry) were 6.3 tCO2e in 2020.
The US remains far above this level at 14 tCO2e, followed by 13 tCO2e in the Russian Federation, 9.7 tCO2e in China,
about 7.5 tCO2e in Brazil and Indonesia, and 7.2 tCO2e in the European Union.”
Xiaomi shuts financial services business in India

 Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp has shut down its financial services business in India, four years after its
launch, a Xiaomi India spokesperson said on Friday.
 "As part of the annual strategic assessment activity and as a response to enhanced focus on our core business services,
we closed the Mi Financial Services in March 2022," the company spokesperson said.
 The company's Mi Pay app, which allowed users to make bill payments and money transfers, is no longer listed among
the recognized third-party Unified Payments Interface (UPI) apps on the National Payments Corporation of India's
(NPCI) website.
 The NPCI –– an industry body that oversees India's state-backed peer-to-peer payments network, popularly called
UPI –– declined to comment.
 Xiaomi recently pulled its Mi Credit, which connects smartphone users with lending firms for quick loans, and Mi
Pay apps from the local Play Store and its own app store, TechCrunch reported earlier on Friday.
First Indian jewellery to import 25 kg gold to UAE under CEPA

 Retail jewellery major Malabar Gold and Diamonds has become the first jeweller in India to import 25 kg gold under
the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the UAE. The gold has been
imported through ICICI Bank with one percent duty rebate under the agreement.
 The group has effectively utilised the duty benefits of the agreement both in import and export for the first time in
India. The Company has also been among the first few jewellers to receive the permission to export jewellery to the
UAE with tax concessions under this agreement in May 2022.
 In May 2022, Malabar Gold and Diamonds became one of the first beneficiaries of India-UAE CEPA when it received
the permission to export jewellery from India to the UAE with tax concessions.
 Under the agreement, the UAE government has waived the five percent import duty into the UAE. The CEPA between
India and the UAE came into effect on May 1, 2022 after Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and
UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri signed the agreement in Delhi in February 2022.
122
LEGAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
1. The president of Nepal sent back the bill to amend 3. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has dismissed
the Citizenship Act, 2006 to the lower house of the the case it took up suo motu on the grant of forest
Nepal Parliament for reconsideration. After the fall clearance for the 3000-MW Dibang hydel project
of the monarchy and the transition of Nepal into without meeting the precondition of declaring a
democracy in 2006, there was the emergence of the National Park. The Tribunal did so after it was
multiparty system followed by the adoption of a informed by Arunachal Pradesh that the local people
constitution in 2015. Due to this, all-Nepalese are not willing to part away their land for declaration
citizens born before the adoption of constitution got of National Park. In February this year, the NGT took
naturalised citizenship. But their children remained “suo motu notice” of a report on six mega projects
without citizenship as that was to be guided by a that did not comply with stringent clearance
federal law that has not yet been framed. The recent conditions imposed to compensate for their high
amendment is expected to pave the way to environmental impact. It is a flood control cum
citizenship for many stateless youths and their hydroelectric power project planned to be developed
parents. The act goes against established parameters on the Dibang River, a tributary of Brahmaputra
of gender justice, according to a new amendment, a River, in Arunachal Pradesh. The Dam site is located
person born to a father or a mother with Nepalese about 1.5 km upstream of the confluence of Ashu
citizenship can get citizenship by descent. Pani and Dibang rivers and about 43 km from Roing,
Source: District Headquarter.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/exp Source:
lained-the-controversy-around-nepals-new- https://indianexpress.com/article/india/dibang-
citizenship-law/article65793954.ece hydel-project-arunachal-says-no-land-for-national-
park-ngt-drops-its-own-case-8176877/
2. The Supreme Court (SC) has referred to a larger
Bench the issues relating to the norms for imposing 4. The Supreme Court has allowed all women in the
the Capital Sentence. The current referral of the country, regardless of marital status, can undergo an
three-judge bench of the Supreme Court to a five- abortion up to 24 weeks into pregnancy to access
judge bench is based on an argument that the safe and legal abortion care. It has ruled over a 51-
process of same-day sentencing is hopelessly tilted year-old abortion law (The Medical Termination of
against the accused. The Bench said that the State is Pregnancy Act of 1971) which bars unmarried women
given an opportunity to present aggravating from terminating pregnancies which are up to 24-
circumstances against the accused throughout the weeks old. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy
duration of a trial. The accused, on the other hand, Act of 1971 and its Rules of 2003 prohibit unmarried
is able to produce evidence showing mitigating women who are between 20 weeks to 24 weeks
circumstances in their favour, only after their pregnant to abort with the help of registered medical
conviction. There are conflicting judgments on practitioners. Court held that the rights of
when and how the sentencing hearing must take reproductive autonomy, dignity and privacy under
place mainly on whether it is necessary to hold the Article 21 of the Constitution gives an unmarried
hearing on sentencing on a subsequent day and not woman the right of choice as to whether or not to
on the day of the conviction. The issue pertains to bear a child on a similar footing as that of a married
giving meaningful opportunity to those found guilty woman. Prohibiting single or unmarried pregnant
of a capital offence to present mitigating factors and women with pregnancies between 20 and 24 weeks
circumstances so that they can better plead for a life from accessing abortion while allowing married
term instead of a death sentence. The issue arises women with the same term of pregnancy to access
from the legal requirement that whenever a court the care was violative of the right to equality before
records a conviction, it has to hold a separate law and equal protection (Article 14). A single
hearing on the quantum of sentence. woman may have suffered the same “change in
Source: material circumstances” as a married pregnant
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/explaine woman. She may have been abandoned or without a
d-what-is-the-supreme-court-initiative-on-capital- job or been a victim of violence during her
punishment/article65930570.ece pregnancy.
123
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/all- Source:
women-entitled-to-safe-and-legal-abortion- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/afspa-
supreme-court-8179879/ extended-for-six-more-months-in-parts-of-
nagaland-arunachal/article65956586.ece
5. The Government of India has banned the Popular
Front of India and its affiliates for five years under 7. The Central government appointed the former head
the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 for of eastern command Lt General Anil Chauhan
having terror links. The PFI was created in 2007 (retired) as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). Its
through the merger of three Muslim organisations in creation was recommended in 2001 by a Group of
southern India namely the National Democratic Ministers (GoM) that was tasked with studying the
Front in Kerala, the Karnataka Forum for Dignity, Kargil Review Committee (1999) report. After the
and the Manitha Neethi Pasarai in Tamil Nadu. The GoM recommendations, in preparation for the post
formation of the PFI was formally announced at a of CDS, the government created the Integrated
rally in Bengaluru during what was called the Defence Staff in 2002, which was to eventually serve
“Empower India Conference” on 16th February, as the CDS’s Secretariat. In 2012, the Naresh Chandra
2007. The Ministry of Home Affairs declared the PFI Committee recommended the appointment of a
an “unlawful association” along with its associates Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff
which includes : Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Committee as a midway to eliminate apprehensions
Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams over the CDS. Finally, the post of CDS was created in
Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human 2019 on the recommendations of a committee of
Rights Organisation (NCHRO), National Women’s defence experts headed by Lt General DB Shekatkar.
Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and General Bipin Rawat was the first CDS in the country
Rehab Foundation, Kerala”. According to the and was appointed on December 31, 2019.
government, some of the PFI’s founding members Source:
are leaders of the Students Islamic Movement of https://indianexpress.com/article/india/governmen
India (SIMI) and the PFI also has linkages with t-appoints-lt-general-anil-chauhan-retired-as-chief-
Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), both of of-defence-staff-8178843/
which are proscribed organisations. There had been
a number of instances of international linkages of 8. Supreme Court has sought the government's
PFI with Global Terrorist Groups like Islamic State position on petitions challenging the Constitution
of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). (Scheduled Castes) Order of 1950, which allows only
Source: members of Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist religions to
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/mha- be recognised as SCs. The petitions arguing for
bans-pfa-uapa-live-updates-8177059/ inclusion Dalit Christians and Muslims have cited
several independent Commission reports that have
6. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended documented the existence of caste and caste
the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in inequalities among Indian Christians and Indian
parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for Muslims. Petitions cited that even after conversion,
another six months. The AFSPA gives unfettered members who were originally from SCs continued to
powers to the armed forces and the Central armed experience the same social disabilities. The petitions
police forces deployed in “disturbed areas” to kill have argued against the proposition that caste
anyone acting in contravention of law and arrest and identity is lost upon conversion, noting that even in
search any premises without a warrant and with Sikhism and Buddhism, casteism is not present and
protection from prosecution and legal suits. The law yet they have been included as SCs. By citing various
first came into effect in 1958 to deal with the uprising reports and commission, petitions argue that caste-
in the Naga. Further, In November 2004, the Central based discrimination continues even after
government appointed a five-member committee conversion, hence entitling these communities to SC
headed by Justice B P Jeevan Reddy to review the status.
provisions of the act in the northeastern states. The Source:
status quo of the act is no longer the acceptable https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/explaine
solution due to numerous human rights violation d-the-criterion-for-sc-status/article65973273.ece
incidents that have occurred over the years. The
AFSPA has become a symbol of oppression in the 9. The European Union (EU) has given final approval
areas it has been enacted. Hence the government to online safety-focused legislation called Digital
needs to address the affected people and reassure Services Act (DSA), which is an overhaul of the
them of favourable action. region’s social media and e-commerce rules. As
124
defined by the EU Commission, the DSA is “a set of
common rules on intermediaries’ obligations and 11. According to a report, the backlog of appeals or
accountability across the single market”, and complaints under the Right to Information (RTI) Act
ensures higher protection to all EU users, is steadily increasing in Information Commissions
irrespective of their country. The DSA will tightly every year. At present, nearly 3.15 lakh complaints or
regulate the way intermediaries, especially large appeals pending with 26 information commissions
platforms such as Google, Facebook, and YouTube, across India. The number of appeals and complaints
function when it comes to moderating user content. pending in 2019 was 2,18,347 which increased to
As part of the overhaul, social media companies will 3,14,323 in 2022. The highest number of pending
have to add “new procedures for faster removal” of cases were in Maharashtra followed by Uttar
content deemed illegal or harmful. They will also Pradesh, Karnataka, etc. Two out of 29 information
have to explain to users how their content takedown commissions across the country are completely
policy works. The DSA also allows users to challenge defunct, four of them headless at the moment, and
takedown decisions taken by platforms and seek only 5% of the positions are occupied by women.
out-of-court settlements. The law avoids a one-size Jharkhand and Tripura have been completely
fits all approach and places increased accountability defuncted for 29 months and 15 months respectively.
on the Big Tech companies. Under the DSA, ‘Very Manipur, Telangana, West Bengal and Andhra
Large Online Platforms’ (VLOPs) and ‘Very Large Pradesh are without chiefs. The report also flags
Online Search Engines’ (VLOSEs), that is platforms, concerns regarding tardy disposal rates in several
having more than 45 million users in the EU, will commissions and the lack of transparency in their
have more stringent requirements. functioning.
Source: Source:
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explai https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/over-3-
ned-global/what-are-the-eus-new-laws-to-regulate- lakh-rti-appeals-pending-with-information-
content-online-and-how-do-they-compare-with- commissions/article65997518.ece
indias-8191155/
12. Solicitor General told the Supreme Court that the
10. The Supreme Court ordered States and their police validity of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, “may not
forces to stop prosecuting free speech on social be covered” by the opinion of its five-judge
media under Section 66A of the Information Constitution bench in the Ayodhya case. It is
Technology Act, 2000. However, the court clarified described as “An Act to prohibit conversion of any
that this direction would apply only to a charge place of worship and to provide for the maintenance
under Section 66A and not extend to other offences of the religious character of any place of worship as
in a case. Section 66A of the Information Technology it existed on the 15th day of August 1947, and for
Act, of 2000 made it a punishable offence for any matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
person to send offensive information using a The disputed site at Ayodhya was exempted from the
computer or any other electronic device. The Act. Due to this exemption, the trial in the Ayodhya
provision also made it punishable for a person to case proceeded even after the enforcement of this
send information that they believed to be false. law. Besides the Ayodhya dispute, the Act also
Section 66A had prescribed three years' exempted: Any place of worship which is an ancient
imprisonment if a social media message caused and historical monument, or an archaeological site
"annoyance" or was found "grossly offensive". Even covered by the Ancient Monuments and
sending emails for causing annoyance, Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. A suit
inconvenience, or to deceive or mislead the recipient that has been finally settled or disposed of. Any
about the origin of the message was punishable dispute that has been settled by the parties or
under this section. The court struck down the conversion of any place that took place by
provision as unconstitutional and a violation of free acquiescence before the Act commenced.
speech in 2015 in the Shreya Singhal Case. Source:
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/delhi/places-of-
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/no- worship-act-sc-opinion-in-ayodhya-case-may-not-
more-prosecutions-under-section-66a-says- cover-validity-of-act-says-solicitor-general-
supreme-court/article66002464.ece 8204386/
125
The mothers of two victims of a terror attack which took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2016 had sought to restrain the
release of the film.
The Delhi High Court recently refused to stay the release of the film Faraaz, while noting that the fundamental right to
privacy cannot be claimed by legal heirs on behalf of the deceased. (Ruba Ahmed & Ors v. Hansal Mehta & Ors.)
While allowing the release of Hansal Mehta's film, which is based on the 2016 Dhaka terrorist attack, Justice Neena
Bansal Krishna held,
"The Right of Privacy which is agitated by the plaintiffs is that of the two daughters who have admittedly died in the
attack. As already discussed above, Right to Privacy is essentially is a right in personam and is not inheritable by the
mothers/legal heirs of the deceased persons."
The plaintiffs in the present case were the mothers of two victims of a terror attack which took place in Dhaka,
Bangladesh in 2016. They sought an interim injunction restraining the filmmakers from releasing the movie, on the
grounds that the release of the film would amount to infringement of their fundamental right to privacy and fair trial.
They claimed that the facts depicted in the film are a part of the investigation in a case before the courts of Bangladesh,
and that any movie created on distorted facts would hamper the ongoing case.
It was prayed that the filmmakers be restrained from using their daughters' names and also the name of their best friend
Faraaz, along with any image, caricature, lifestyle or likeness in the forthcoming movie.
The petition also sought an alternative direction to hold a pre-screening before the Court in the presence of the plaintiffs
and their representatives to ascertain the infringing content in the movie.
After hearing the parties, the Court clarified that in this case, the mothers' right to privacy was in no way infringed by
the movie, simply because their two daughters happened to be victims of the terror attack.
"Neither is the privacy of the mother's/plaintiff's in any way being compromised nor is there any affront to their dignity
and privacy, merely because their two daughters happened to be the victims of the terror attack," the Court asserted.
The Court also said that proximity to the incident needs to be proportionate to the trauma that may be caused to the
plaintiffs for an injunction to be granted.
"To say that screening of a movie would cause any kind of trauma and upheaval may not be correct. Moreover, it also
needs to be considered that the incident had happened in the year 2016 and the movie is intended to be screened now
in 2022. The proximity to the incident is also proportionate to the trauma that may be caused to the plaintiffs. The
proximity to the incident is a relevant consideration to decide if this can be a reason for injuncting the screening of the
movie."
With regards to the plaintiff's right to being left alone, the Court opined that chance or destiny may propel a private
citizen into the public gaze and, therefore, it is important that in defining the limits of this right, the courts should
proceed with caution.
The Court also drew an important distinction between the concepts of privacy and anonymity and added,
"A distinction has been made between anonymity on one hand and privacy on the other. Both anonymity and privacy
prevent others from gaining access to pieces of personal information yet they do so in opposite ways. Privacy involves
hiding information whereas anonymity involves hiding what makes it personal."
Justice Krishna touched upon the aspect of defamation vis-a-vis emotional trauma and observed that defamation of a
deceased person does not give rise to a civil right of action and common law in favour of the surviving family or relatives
who are not themselves defamed.
"As a matter of sound public policy, malicious defamation of the memory of a dead is condemned as an affront to the
general sentiments of morality and decency, and the interest of society demand its punishment through the criminal
courts but the law does not contemplate the offence as causing any special damage to another individual, though related
to the deceased, and therefore, it cannot be made the basis for recovery in a civil action," the order said.
The only circumstance wherein the plaintiffs may be able to sustain injunctive relief is in the case of appropriation of
identity, where one person uses another's name, "the focus is on plaintiff's name as a symbol of identity and not on the
name per se," the order stated.
The Court further stated that the plaintiffs were not able to demonstrate what irreparable loss and injury would be
caused to them if the movie is screened.
It also acknowledged that a lot of money had been spent on this movie and that the balance of convenience lay with the
makers of the film.
126
"Therefore, the balance of convenience lies in favour of the defendants with the right to seek damages in case any
violation of right of the plaintiff is established on screening of the movie," the Court ordered.
Vacating its earlier interim stay on the release of Faraaz, the Court concluded that the plaintiffs were not able to
establish any of the three limbs required to warrant an injunction - prima facie case, balance of convenience or
irreparable loss or injury.
Senior Advocates Sudhir Nandrajog and Sanjiv Sindhwani, along with Advocates Yatin Grover, Sadaf Chowdhary, Achal
Shekhar Sharma and Mannat Sandhu appeared for the plaintiffs.
Meanwhile, Senior Advocate Saurabh Kirpal along with Advocates Shyel Trehan, Malvika Kapila Kalra, Nikhil R Ahuja,
Tanwangi Shukla, Tanima Panigrahi, Nikhil Arora and Rohan Poddar appeared for the defendants.
https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/right-to-privacy-not-inheritable-legal-heirs-deceased-delhi-high-
court-allows-release-film-faraaz
"Secularism is applicable to all citizens, therefore, permitting one religious community to wear their religious symbols
would be antithesis to secularism," Justice Gupta concluded.
The Karnataka government order allowing educational institutes to ban students from wearing hijab (headscarves) was
to promote parity, ensure uniformity and maintain a secular environment in schools, Justice Hemant Gupta held on
Thursday. [Aishat Shifa and ors vs State of Karnataka]
The Supreme Court had earlier today delivered a split verdict in the challenge to the Karnataka government order (GO)
effectively empowering government colleges in the State to ban the wearing of hijab by Muslim girl students on campus.
Justice Hemant Gupta who headed the bench upheld the government decision in a 133-page verdict, while Justice
Sudhanshu Dhulia struck it down.
The challenge before the Supreme Court is against a Karnataka High Court decision from March 15 upholding the
Karnataka government order.
The Karnataka High Court had upheld the GO after a detailed hearing by a full-Bench.
The petitioners - Muslim girl students from various colleges in Karnataka - had approached the High Court after they
were denied permission to attend classes on account of wearing hijab.
A three-judge Bench of then Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justices Krishna S Dixit and JM Khazi held that:
- Hijab is not a part of essential religious practices of Islam;
- Requirement of uniform is a reasonable restriction on the fundamental right to freedom of expression under Article
19(1)(a);
- The government has the power to pass the GO; no case is made out for its invalidation.
How Justice Gupta viewed the issue
The top court judge framed and answered eleven questions of law in his judgment.
1. Whether the appeals should be heard along with Sabarimala case and/or should the present appeals be referred to the
Constitution Bench in terms of Article 145(3) of the Constitution?.
On this, Justice Gupta observed that while there was no dispute about the legal proposition presented by the appellants,
the matter does not involve any substantial question of law.
"The issue in the present matter is however as to whether the students can enforce their religious beliefs in a secular
institution. Thus, the issues raised do not become a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the
Constitution only for the reason that the right claimed by the appellants is provided under the Constitution."
He thus answered the question in the negative.
2. Whether the State Government could delegate its decision to implement the wearing of uniform by the College
Development Committee or the Board of Management and whether the Government Order empowering a College
Development Committee to decide on the restriction/prohibition or otherwise on headscarves is ex facie violative of
Section 143 of the Karnataka Education Act?
Justice Gupta opined that the State government was within its right to form College Development Committees, that are
envisaged to be an in-house mechanism towards using funds, maintaining academic standards and developing
infrastructure.
127
"Such directions are relatable to sub-section (3) of Sections 133 and 145 of the [Karnataka Education] Act. In any case,
the constitution of the College Development Committee is not in conflict with any of the provisions of the Act," the
judge said.
The State government has the power to constitute a College Development Committee by notification dated January 31,
2014 in terms of Section 143 of the Act.
"The State Government could confer its power to be exercised by such office/authority subordinate to the State
Government. It is noted that the word ‘authority’ has not been defined under the Act. The authority contemplated by
the Act could be a nonstatutory authority such as of a person or a group of persons who may be authorized to exercise
powers under Section 143 of the Act," the judgment said.
Regarding the validity of the GO, he ruled executive powers can be used to supplement the statutory rules.
Further, the GO excludes all religious symbols and not just hijab, the judgment highlighted.
"It necessarily excludes all religious symbols visible to naked eye. The argument that the students wear Rudraksha or a
Cross is mentioned only to deal with an argument so raised. Anything worn by the students under his/her shirt cannot
be said to be objectionable in terms of the Government Order issued."
3. What is the ambit and scope of right to freedom of ‘conscience’ and ‘religion’ under Article 25?
In answering this question, Justice Gupta first addressed the petitioners' reliance on the Constituent Assembly Debates.
He said that it is not advisable to rely solely upon views of the individual members in such debates more than 70 years
after it happened.
" ... the debates show the in-depth knowledge of the members of the Constituent Assembly at that relevant point of
time, but more than 70 years later, with the interpretation of various provisions by the Constitutional Courts, it is not
advisable to rely solely upon views of the individual members in such debates."
While agreeing that freedom of conscience offer wide protections under Article 25, Justice Gupta relied on the decision
in TMA Pai to hold that it is subject to under fundamental rights as outlined in Part III of the Constitution.
"The object of the Government Order was to ensure that there is parity amongst the students in terms of uniform. It
was only to promote uniformity and encourage a secular environment in the schools. This is in tune with the right
guaranteed under Article 14 of the Constitution. Hence, restrictions on freedom of religion and conscience have to be
read conjointly along with other provisions of Part III as laid down under the restrictions of Article 25(1)."
4. What is the ambit and scope of essential religious practices under Article 25 of the Constitution?
The judge answered this question by quoting extensively from Islamic holy texts as to the position on headscarves.
He then answered the petitioner's contention that since kirpans (daggers worn on the body by Sikhs) are permitted,
hijabs too should be.
The judge noted that a full-Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court had upheld turban it as an essential religious
practice and moreover, the Sikh community was not a party to this case.
"The practices of each of the faith have to be examined on the basis of the tenets of that religion alone. The essential
religious practices of the followers of Sikh faith cannot be made basis of wearing of hijab/headscarf by the believers of
Islamic faith," the Court said.
He eventually concluded that religious beliefs cannot be carried to a state-funded secular school.
"It is open to the students to carry their faith in a school which permits them to wear Hijab or any other mark, may be
tilak, which can be identified to a person holding a particular religious belief but the State is within its jurisdiction to
direct that the apparent symbols of religious beliefs cannot be carried to school maintained by the State from the State
funds,".
5. Whether fundamental rights of freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a) and right of privacy under Article 21
mutually exclusive or are they complementary to each other; and whether the Government Order does not meet the
injunction of reasonableness for the purposes of Article 21 and Article 14?
Justice Gupta ruled that all fundamental rights have to be read as a whole, and restrictions can be imposed if it meets
the test of reasonableness, which the GO did.
The prescribed uniform in this case does not violate the freedom of speech/expression but rather, reinforces the right
to quality, the judge underscored.
"The right under Article 19(1)(a) as a right of expression to dress as per one’s own will, however, is also subject to
reasonable restrictions under sub-clause (2) of Article 19. The State has not put a restriction on the exercise of right
conferred under Article 19(1)(a) but has regulated the same in a manner that during the school hours on working days
and in the class, the students shall wear the uniform as prescribed".
128
6. Whether the Government Order impinges upon Constitutional promise of fraternity and dignity under the Preamble
as well as fundamental duties enumerated under Article 51-A sub-clauses (e) and (f)?
Justice Gupta said that it is important to interpret the expressions ‘fraternity’ and ‘dignity’ in view of the objective behind
the Government Order.
He argued that while fraternity is a noble goal, it would be defeated if students are permitted to carry 'apparent' religious
symbols on their person to the classroom. Further, fraternity cannot be seen from one community's prism alone.
"The students have been given a uniform platform to grow and take quantum leap in their further pursuits. The
homogeneity amongst the students in the matter of uniform would prepare them to grow without any distinction on
the basis of religious symbols, if not worn during the classroom studies in a Pre-University College," he said.
The judge said that students are free to wear their hijabs outside the classrooms but when they are attending class, the
religious identities should be left behind.
Thus, he held that the GO in effect promoted an equal environment where fraternal values can be imbibed and nurtured
without hindrances.
Pertinently, Justice Gupta also rejected the argument that not allowing the appellants to wear hijab is an affront to their
dignity.
"The argument that the wearing of a headscarf provides dignity to the girl students is also not tenable. The students are
attending an all-girls’ college. The students are at liberty to carry their religious symbols outside the schools but in
preuniversity college, the students should look alike, feel alike, think alike and study together in a cohesive cordial
atmosphere. That is the objective behind a uniform, so as to bring about uniformity in appearances."
7. If the wearing of hijab is considered as an essential religious practice, can students seek right to wear headscarf to a
secular school as a matter of right?
In answering this question, Justice Gupta said that the schools run by the State are open for admission irrespective of
any religion, race, caste, language or any of them.
Even the Act mandates that the students would be admitted without any restriction on such grounds. However, the
students are required to follow the discipline of the school in the matter of uniform, he held.
"They have no right to be in the school in violation of the mandate of the uniform prescribed under the statute and the
Rules," the judgment underlined.
8. Whether a student-citizen in the constitutional scheme is expected to surrender her fundamental rights under Articles
19, 21 and 25 as a pre-condition for accessing education in a State institution?
The GO does not take away any rights of students under Article 21 of a student available to her under Article 21 (right
to life) nor contemplates any barter of fundamental rights, the judge ruled.
"The right to education under Article 21 continues to be available but it is the choice of the student to avail such right
or not. The student is not expected to put a condition, that unless she is permitted to come to a secular school wearing
a headscarf, she would not attend the school. The decision is of the student and not of school when the student opts
not to adhere to the uniform rules."
9. Whether in the constitutional scheme, the State is obligated to ensure ‘reasonable accommodation’ to its citizens?
The judge dismissed the argument of the petitioners that the State government ought to have permitted hijabs like
Centrally-run Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) do.
He said that the State government institutions and Central government institutions have different scope of work.
"The argument that the Kendriya Vidyalaya across the country permit wearing of headscarf/hijab for Muslim girls,
therefore, the same should be followed in the State as well. Kendriya Vidyalaya is an autonomous body under the
Ministry of Education, Government of India. The purpose of the same is to meet the educational needs of children of
transferable Central Government employees, including Defence and Para-military personnel by providing a common
programme of education. The two institutions, one under the State and other under the Central Government have
independent organisations and scope of work. It may be that some State may permit headscarf and others do not. It is
a decision taken by the State which cannot be said to be arbitrary on that ground alone," the judgment said.
Justice Gupta also said foreign judgments could be relied on as those have different social structures and polity. He
stressed that the accommodation sought by the petitioner-students violates the right to equality.
" ... though the principle of reasonable accommodation has been adopted by the Courts in our country, such contention
does not arise in the present case. Constitutional goals such as secularism, fraternity, dignity mean equality for all,
preference to none. The accommodation sought is contrary to spirit of Article 14 as it would result in different treatment
of students in secular schools who may be following varied religions beliefs."
129
10. Whether the Government Order is contrary to the legitimate State interest of promoting literacy and education as
mandated under Articles 21, 21A, 39(f), 41, 46 and 51A of the Constitution?
Given that the pre-university colleges are open to students of all castes and religions in line with constitutional
principles, the GO cannot be faulted with in this regard, Justice Gupta reasoned.
"If a particular student feels that she cannot compromise with the wearing of headscarf or of any other student to wear
any outwardly religious symbol, the school would be justified not to allow such student, in the larger interest of treating
all the students alike as a part of mandate of Article 14, which is central to the theme of Part III of the Constitution," it
was stated.
The petitioner-students and those similarly-placed cannot assert that they have a right to education that would avail as
per their own manners, Justice Gupta opined, since schools are to prepare students for future endeavors.
He emphasised discipline and the right to education under Article 21, and said the students cannot insist on wearing a
hijab over their uniform.
"Defiance to rules of the school would in fact be antithesis of discipline which cannot be accepted from the students
who are yet to attain adulthood. Therefore, they should grow in an atmosphere of brotherhood and fraternity and not
in the environment of rebel or defiance."
11. Does the Government Order achieve any equitable access to education, serve the ethic of secularism, and is true to the
objective of the Karnataka Education Act.
Justice Gupta again laid stress on the importance of education and discipline in this regard, stating that,
"If the students of one faith insist on a particular dress, there is no stopping for the others to carry their faiths and beliefs
to the schools. It would not be conducive to the pious atmosphere of the school where the students seek admission for
education."
He pointed to the role of uniforms in promoting equality, oneness, ensuring fewer conflicts, generating pride and
loyalty, relieving economic pressure of parents etc in this regard.
In view of the above, Justice Gupta dismissed the appeals and upheld the GO.
"Secularism is applicable to all citizens, therefore, permitting one religious community to wear their religious symbols
would be antithesis to secularism," he concluded.
A transgender nursing student had approached the Court after the government refused reservation under the third
gender, saying that very few transgender persons resided in the State.
The Madras High Court has said that transgender persons are entitled to reservation under the third gender category
for admission to educational institutes. [S Tamilselvi v. The Secretary to Government, Health and Family Welfare
Department]
In an order passed on October 11, a Bench of Justice R Suresh Kumar said that the Tamil Nadu government was obligated
to provide for special reservation in educational institutions for those belonging to the transgender or third gender
category, irrespective of the number of such persons.
The Court was hearing a petition filed by S Tamilselvi, a nursing student, seeking a direction to the State authorities to
quash the prospectus issued for the Post Basic (Nursing) Course for the academic year 2022-2023, as "illegal" for failing
to categorise transgenders under a special category.
Tamilselvi had earlier completed a Diploma course in Psychiatry Nursing in the State, following a High Court order
directing that she be recognised as a transgender person.
However, when she applied for the 'Post Basic' course for the current academic session, she could not secure admission.
As per the entire list, Selvi had been categorised as a "female candidate," and since there were only 30 of the total 40
seats reserved for female candidates, Tamilselvi, who secured a rank of 280, could not get a seat.
She argued before the High Court that had there been a reservation for the third gender category, as already made
mandatory by several Supreme Court judgments and the Transgender Persons (Protection of
Rights) Act, 2019, she would have secured the admission.
The Tamil Nadu government, however, said that special reservation for transgender candidates had not been provided
for the nursing course because transgender candidates were very minimal in number throughout the State.
The State further argued that if reservation was provided for the third gender category, there would hardly be any takers,
and the seats would stay vacant.
130
The Court, however, refused to accept the State's submission. It said that such presumption that there would be few
takers for the special category seats was in breach of the Supreme Court orders as well as the provisions of the 2019 Act.
"Had there been the special reservation as directed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court provided to the transgender, certainly
the petitioner would have been in a top position and would be in a position to get admission in the course concerned."
Justice Kumar said that the government should have at least added a proviso to the prospectus saying that any
transgender candidates applying for the nursing courses would receive special reservation under the third gender
category.
"Atleast this kind of special note could have been appended to the notifications or prospectus issued by the respondent,
even that kind of special note was missing in the said notification/prospectus. Therefore, this Court has no hesitation
to hold that the petitioner would be entitled to get a special reservation for third gender viz., transgender category for
admission in the said course," the order stated.
It thus directed the State authorities to place Tamilselvi under the "special category i.e. transgender category for the
purpose of admission."
The Court added that in case any other transgender candidate applied for the said course, a separate merit list must be
prepared for special category seats.
Advocate Reshmi Christy appeared for the petitioner. Advocates UM Ravichandran and M Sneha appeared for the State
authorities. https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/transgenders-entitled-reservation-third-gender-category-
madras-high-court
The Court allowed a petition filed by a 16-year-old girl’s 26-year-old husband who sought her release from the custody
of a child care agency stating that she was over 16 years of age at the time of marriage.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently reiterated that a Muslim girl on attaining 15 years of age can marry a
person of her choice and such a marriage would not be void under the Prohibition of Child Marriage (PCM) Act [Javed
v State of Haryana].
Justice Vikas Bahl allowed a petition filed by a 16-year-old girl’s 26-year-old husband who sought her release from the
custody of a child care agency stating that she was over 16 years of age at the time of marriage and that she entered into
the wedlock on her own volition.
The Court also relied upon the statement of the who said that she had run away from her home to marry the petitioner
and wished to reside with him. She further said that her family members had forcefully engaged her to her maternal
uncle.
Considering these submissions and the fact that the two belonged to the Muslim faith and had performed Nikah in a
mosque, the court relied on a judgment of a coordinate bench in the case of Yunus Khan v State of Haryana wherein it
was held that a Muslim girl continues to be governed by Muslim personal law.
That judgment stated that a Muslim girl, who has attained 15 years of age (which is presumed to be the age by which
women attain puberty), is free to marry a person of her choice.
“The law laid down in the above said judgment would apply to the facts of the present case,” said the single-judge.
Therefore, the care agency was directed to hand over the girl’s custody to her husband.
Advocate Uday Chauhan appeared for the petitioner while the State was represented by AAG Munish Sharma.
Pertinently, a similar judgment of the High Court which placed reliance on the case of Yunus Khan to say that a Muslim
girl over the age of 15 years is competent to enter into a contract of marriage with the person of her choice has been
challenged before the Supreme Court by the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
In its appeal, the NCPCR has stated that the the ruling was in contravention of the PCM Act and the Protection of
Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 (POCSO Act) as it effectively allowed child marriage and sexual intercourse
with children.
The top court has appointed Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao as Amicus Curiae in the matter, and the case is slated to
be heard on November 7. https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/muslim-girl-marry-person-choice-attaining-
15-years-punjab-haryana-high-court-reiterates
131
A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and BV Nagarathna, however, clarified that since there are sufficient members in the Pune
Bench of the NGT to hear matters, only that Bench is to take up cases of the Western Zone.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed a Bombay High Court full-bench judgment that had held that the constitution
of a special bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) at Delhi was illegal [National Green Tribunal vs Goa
Foundation].
However, a bench of Justices BR Gavai and BV Nagarathna, after noting that there were sufficient members in the Pune
seat of the NGT to hear matters, upheld the portion of the ruling under challenge that had said that only the Pune seat
is to take up cases of the Western Zone.
On September 21, a full-bench of the Bombay High Court comprising Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justices GS Patel
and MS Sonak had quashed and set aside five administrative notices issued by the Principal Bench of the NGT
constituting a special bench at Delhi for four zones in the country - Eastern, Central, Western and Southern.
While doing so, the High Court had held that only the members of the Western Zonal Bench could hear matters
pertaining to the Western Zone, including matters arising from Goa and Maharashtra.
Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave appearing for the NGT before the top court today, submitted that regional benches
had been left with lesser powers.
"Should environmental degradation be allowed if government cannot appoint officers on time," he asked.
Senior Advocate Arvind Datar also appearing for the Tribunal said that if the order is upheld, no hearings through video-
conference would be allowed in NGTs any longer.
Justice Gavai then asked about whether litigants can be left without any remedy.
"Issue is whether parties should be without remedy or not."
Justice BV Nagarathna slightly differed with Justice Gavai.
"With virtual hearings, there are no boundaries as such. But otherwise we have something called territorial jurisdiction.
Pune Bench will have specific judges allotted. Where [else] will you file the case then?"
Justice Gavai opined that "it [special Bench hearing] was allowed because of vacancies."
Justice Nagarathna, however, said that there should not be chaos under the garb of convenience.
"We are on a larger thing. Can you keep the Pune Bench vacant? There should not be chaos in the garb of convenience
towards settled principle of territorial jurisdiction. Calcutta people will not file it in Pune."
When Datar responded that members from another Benches should be allowed to appear virtually where there are
vacancies, Justice Nagarathna asked about the plight of litigants who might be unaware about the jurisdiction of the
bench and where they would be required to file their petition.
"Where will the litigant go then? Else Order 7 Rule 11 will apply, like in suits." Justice Nagarathna opined.
Datar ended by saying,
"Do we hold up our hands and keep waiting instead of hearing old urgent cases in other benches through VC? The
Bombay High Court order prevents this. All Eastern Bench sittings will only be allowed in Calcutta [now]. There an
expert member is retiring."
Senior Advocate Indira Jaising appearing for the respondents stated that the notification allowing for virtual hearings
was not quashed.
"Only special bench hearing at Delhi was quashed ... What is happening here is my lords, that matters of Goa are being
decided by the northern Bench. Members of that bench sitting on matters. Where is the authority of law for that? There
is none."
After the Bench was told that the Pune Bench's strength is such that it can conduct hearings without relying on members
at other NGT benches, the apex court proceeded to stay the operative part of the High Court order.
"Paragraph 56 of the High Court order is stayed," the Court ordered.
However, the direction in the said paragraph with respect to Pune bench would continue, the Court clarified.
"All matters pertaining to Western Zone will only be heard by the Pune Bench."
As the hearing drew to a close, Justice Gavai remarked,
"Every day we have to stay at least three orders of these tribunals. We unnecessarily wasted more than an hour with
this. We were under the impression that [there are] no members in Pune."
Justice Nagarathna then said,
"Their [respondent's] contention is VCs should not change jurisdiction."
132
LEGAL CROSSWORD
COMPLETE THE CROSSWORD PUZZLE BELOW
133
CROSSWORD ANSWER KEY
1. Duress- threatening or pressurising someone to do something.
2. Libel- a false statement made in writing or in some other permanent record (such as a film).
3. Plead - to declare to the court whether you are guilty or not guilty.
4. Indict - using legal means, to officially accuse someone of committing an offence.
5. Covenant - a contract or legally binding promise.
6. Bar- the collective term for barristers.
7. Probate- authority to deal with a dead person's estate.
8. Trust- a financial arrangement under which property is held by named people for someone else.
9. Vendee- a person who buys something.
10. Tender- supplying a price for a job.
11. Proviso- a clause in a legal document which qualifies another section of the agreement.
12. Resolution- a decision taken by the members of a company in a meeting.
13. Know-how the expertise in an organisation which may be protected by a patent.
14. Deceit- when one person deliberately misleads a second person
15. Ante - before. (This is a Latin word.)
16. Moratorium- an agreement not to take action to recover a debt for an agreed period of time.
17. Bailiff- an officer of the court who carries out the court's orders
18. Tenant- a person or organisation granted a lease.
19. Nuisance- doing something that harms other people's rights or causes annoyance
20. Reprieve-a judge suspending or cancelling punishment for an offence
134

LegalEdge CLAT POST 2022 October

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

LegalEdge CLAT POST 2022 October

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1

1. Purple Revolution and Details on all Other Coloured Revolutions 4

2. Convergence Portal of The Mofpi 7

3. Live-Streaming of The Supreme Court’s Proceedings India and World 8

4. Nordic Model of Social Democracy and Recent Sweden Elections 11

5. Sc’s Reference on Capital Punishment and History Of Capital Punishment 13

6. India-Made Syrups and Deaths in Gambia and Role of Who 13

8. Opec + Cuts Oil Production and all About Opec 17

9. 50th CJI And Appointment of Judges History 19

10. Sapta Kosi High Dam Project 21

11. Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill 2022 22

12. Abortion Rights for Single Women 24

13. Eastern Economic Forum and Role of India 26

14. PM Pranam (Promotion of Alternate Nutrients for Agriculture Management Yojana) 29

15. One Health Approach and all One Programs Of India 30

16. Current Affairs practice Sheet (CAPS) 32

19. Science & Technology 70

20. Appointmens & Resignations 71

21. Awards & Recognition 78

22. Books & Author 81

23. Important Days 83

27. Summit's & MoU's 102

28. Banking And Economy 107

PURPLE REVOLUTION AND DETAILS ON ALL OTHER COLOURED

ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS

About Convergence Module

Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Industry Upgradation Scheme

ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS

LIVE-STREAMING OF THE SUPREME COURT’S PROCEEDINGS

ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS

NORDIC MODEL OF SOCIAL DEMOCRACY AND RECENT SWEDEN

Challenges to the Nordic Model

16. What is the total strength of the Sweden’s (c) 22

ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS

SC’S REFERENCE ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND HISTORY OF

What does the law say on sentencing

What have courts said about the process?

ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS

INDIA-MADE SYRUPS AND DEATHS IN GAMBIA AND ROLE OF

Indian Cough Syrups and Deaths in The Gambia

What happened in The Gambia?

What do diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol do?

Drug Safety Norms in India for Export

International drug safety norms:

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)

ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS

31. In which year Multi State Cooperative Societies (b) Rajasthan

OPEC+ CUTS OIL PRODUCTION AND ALL ABOUT OPEC

Reasons for Slashing Prices

ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS

50TH CJI AND APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES HISTORY

Qualification to become CJI

About Collegium System

Evolution of the System:

Second Judges Case (1993):

Procedures for Judicial Appointments:

For Chief Justice of High Courts:

SAPTA KOSI HIGH DAM PROJECT

About Sapta Kosi High Dam Project

About Mahakali Treaty

About Kosi River System

Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT):

Cross-border Rail Link:

46. Mahakali Treaty was singned in which of the (d) China