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GK Now Current Affairs

One Liner Monthly Current Affairs 1st to 31 July 2023

Art and Culture Current Affairs ............................................................................................................... 6


Byculla Railway Station Receives UNESCO Award for Heritage Restoration and Modernization ....... 6
Annual Kanwar Yatra has begun in different parts of the country on 4 July 2023 .............................. 7
Economy Current Affairs ......................................................................................................................... 8
IMF raises India’s GDP growth forecast to 6.1% for current fiscal ...................................................... 8
India and Bangladesh Launch Rupee-Based Bilateral Trade ............................................................... 9
SGX Nifty is now Gift Nifty : Trading Shifts to GIFT City in Gandhinagar ............................................. 9
Environment Current Affairs ................................................................................................................. 10
India’s Tiger Population Reaches 3,925 with 6.1% Annual Growth Rate, Holds 75% of Global Wild
Tiger Population ................................................................................................................................ 10
Eco-Friendly ‘Bahu Balli’ Bamboo Barriers to replace Steel barriers on Highways ........................... 11
Heatwaves and Extreme weather have affected most parts of the world ....................................... 11
Peru Declares State of Emergency around Ubinas Volcano; Part of the “Ring of Fire” .................... 12
World’s hottest day : 3 July 2023, El Niño Weather Pattern to Blame .............................................. 13
Government Schemes Current Affairs .................................................................................................. 13
UK-India Young Professional Scheme : opportunity to live, work or study in the Britain for up to
two years ........................................................................................................................................... 13
Important Days Current Affairs ............................................................................................................. 14
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated its 85th Raising Day on 27th July 2023 ................. 14
Kargil Vijay Diwas : July 26 ................................................................................................................ 15
Nelson Mandela International Day : July 18 ..................................................................................... 16
World Youth Skills Day : July 15 ......................................................................................................... 16
International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms : 12 July...................................................... 17
World Population Day : 11 July ......................................................................................................... 17
National Doctors Day : 1 July ............................................................................................................ 18
International Current Affairs ................................................................................................................. 18
Indian-American Nisha Biswal becomes Deputy Chief Executive Officer of United States
International Development Finance Corporation ............................................................................. 18
United States officially re-enters UNESCO after five-year hiatus ...................................................... 19
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to Resign and Hand Over Power to Eldest Son, Hun Manet ... 20
Conservative Popular Party (PP) won the national elections in Spain .............................................. 21
BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa from 22 to 24 August 2023 ....................................... 21

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India and UAE Agree to Currency-based Trade Settlement and UPI – IPP Integration ..................... 22
Sixth India-Arab Partnership Conference 2023 took place on 12 July 2023 in New Delhi ................ 22
NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania from 11 to 12 July 2023 ............................................................. 23
Indian Navy and Air Force contingent to participate in the Bastille Day Parade on 14 July 2023. ... 24
23rd Summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State chaired by PM Modi on 4 July 2023 ................. 24
National Current Affairs ........................................................................................................................ 25
‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ Campaign to Honor Martyrs and Foster National Unity .............................. 25
Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan in Delhi .......................... 25
Army Postal Service Corps Inaugurates First Permanent Aadhaar Enrolment Centre (PAEC) .......... 26
EPF Interest rate hiked to 8.15% for FY 2022-23; Over 4900 Crore Rupees in Inoperative EPF
Accounts............................................................................................................................................ 27
Redeveloped Pragati Maidan Complex ready to Host G20 Leaders Meetings 2023......................... 27
Union Home Minister Inaugurates Aviation Security Control Centre (ASCC) of CISF at Mahipalpur
campus in New Delhi ........................................................................................................................ 28
Bhoomi Samman 2023 awards were presented to outstanding achievers in implementing the
Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme .................................................................... 29
Opposition Parties formed alliance called “INDIA” to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election ........... 30
PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates Terminal Building at Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
.......................................................................................................................................................... 31
Key Findings of NITI Aayog’s National Multidimensional Poverty Index Report ............................... 32
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi to setup Campus in Abu Dhabi. ....................................... 33
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Bastille Day Parade as the Guest of Honour.............. 34
Defence Acquisition Council approved the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft from France
for the Indian Navy............................................................................................................................ 34
Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX 23) was held in Visakhapatnam from 05-10 July 2023 ........ 35
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Launches NCC Integrated Software and Announces MoU with
State Bank of India for Cadets’ Benefits ............................................................................................ 35
UK National Security Adviser Tim Barrow met with NSA Ajit Doval on 7th July 2023 in New Delhi 36
India will be Open Defecation Free in the next five years, Sikkim first ODF state ............................ 36
Government approves draft notification to mandate installation of air-conditioning in truck cabins
.......................................................................................................................................................... 37
First IIT Campus Outside India to be Established in Zanzibar, Tanzania ............................................ 37
RAPIDX, India’s first regional train service, will commence operations in July ................................. 38
Polity Current Affairs ............................................................................................................................. 39
Monsoon Session of Indian Parliament from 20 July to 11 August 2023 ......................................... 39
Science and Technology Current Affairs ................................................................................................ 39
ISRO’s Successful Launch PSLV-C56 Rocket with DS-SAR Satellite and Co-Passenger Payloads ........ 39
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President Droupadi Murmu Presents National Geoscience Awards-2022 ....................................... 40


Semicon India 2023: 28 to 30 July 2023 in Gandhinagar .................................................................. 41
Twitter Unveils New Logo in Major Rebranding Move: Blue Bird Replaced with an X ..................... 42
GPU and AI Synergy: Driving Innovation Across Industries............................................................... 42
Chandrayaan-3 launched from Sathish Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota on 14 July 2023 ............ 43
Indian Team Secures 2 Gold at the 64th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2023 held in
Chiba, Japan ...................................................................................................................................... 44
Seventh edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC) exhibition to be held from 27th October at Pragati
Maidan .............................................................................................................................................. 44
ISRO to Transfer Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to Private Sector .......................................... 45
Chandrayaan 3 Spacecraft integrated with GSLV Mark III launch vehicle ......................................... 45
India’s First Indigenously Developed 700 MW Nuclear Power Reactor at Kakrapar, Gujarat, Begins
Commercial Operations .................................................................................................................... 46
Micron Technology Signs MoU with Gujarat Government for Semiconductor Unit in Sanand ........ 46
Sports Current Affairs ............................................................................................................................ 47
Indian women’s hockey team won the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation –
International Tournament in Terrassa ............................................................................................... 47
Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur Announces 1000 Khelo India Centres Across the Nation in the
next three months. ........................................................................................................................... 48
Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships 2023 in Greater Noida from 27 July to 5
August 2023. ..................................................................................................................................... 49
India finish 2nd on medals tally at ISSF Junior Shooting World Championships 2023 in South Korea
.......................................................................................................................................................... 49
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won the Korea Open Badminton men’s doubles title... 50
FIFA Women’s Football World Cup has commenced in New Zealand and Australia ........................ 50
Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced the schedule for the Asia Cup 2023 ................................... 51
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy set a new Guinness world record for the fastest shot by a male player in
badminton ......................................................................................................................................... 52
Wimbledon 2023: Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic in five sets for men’s title ......................... 52
Asian Athletics Championships 2023 : India won 6 gold, 12 silver, and 9 bronze ............................. 53
Gold Medal Winner List .................................................................................................................... 53
Parth Salunkhe becomes first Indian to win Youth World Championship in recurve category ........ 54
Lakshya Sen beats Shi Feng in Canada Open 2023 Final in Straight Sets .......................................... 54
World Archery Youth Championships: Priyansh and Avneet Kaur won gold in the junior mixed team
compound event ............................................................................................................................... 55
Ajit Agarkar Appointed Chairman of Senior Men’s Cricket Selection Committee............................. 55
India Clinches SAFF Championship 2023 Title in Penalty Shootout Victory Against Kuwait ............. 56

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Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra clinches Lausanne Diamond League title ............................. 57
India’s Men’s Football Team Climbs to 100th Rank in FIFA World Rankings ..................................... 57
Dipika Pallikal and Harinder Pal Sandhu won the gold medal at the Asian Mixed Doubles Squash
Tournament ....................................................................................................................................... 58
States Current Affairs ............................................................................................................................ 59
Gyanvapi mosque case : Varanasi Court Orders Scientific Survey .................................................... 59
Ajit Pawar Joins Shiv Sena-BJP Government as Deputy Chief Minister in Maharashtra ................... 59
Miscellaneous Current Affairs ............................................................................................................... 60
Eye flu, also known as conjunctivitis on the rise ............................................................................... 60
PM Narendra Modi to Receive Prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award 2023 ......................................... 61
BSF Commander Parimal Kumar Ghosh, First Indian Officer to Aid Bangladesh Freedom Fighters,
Passes Away at 84 ............................................................................................................................. 61
MCQ Questions: .................................................................................................................................... 62

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Lambah Associates as their


Art and Culture CSR initiative.
Current Affairs 3. Minal Bajaj and Niraj Bajaj of
Bajaj Group and Jamnalal Bajaj
Foundation funded the
restoration project with over
four crore rupees.
4. Heritage Conservation
Architect Abha Narain Lambah
led the restoration project pro
bono as part of their CSR
initiative.
5. The restoration work was
completed on 29.4.2022 and
was inaugurated by Raosaheb
Dadarao Patil Danve, Minister
Byculla Railway Station of State for Railways,
Receives UNESCO Award Government of India, along
for Heritage Restoration and with other dignitaries.
6. Various aspects of the station
Modernization were restored and beautified,
Byculla railway station, which is 169 including the main
years old, received the UNESCO entry/façade of platform
Asia-Pacific Award of Merit for number 1, exit passage of
cultural heritage restoration and platform number 1, garden
conservation. This railway station on area facing the façade, walls,
the Central line of the Mumbai grills, FOBs, toilets, water huts,
Suburban Railway. benches, LED lighting, and
more.
1. The restoration project began 7. Byculla station now represents
in July 2019, aiming to bring a blend of history and heritage
back the station’s original while offering modern
architectural glory. amenities.
2. The project was initiated by
Shaina NC Trustee, I Love
Mumbai, in memory of her
father Nana Chudasama, with
support from Bajaj Trust
Groups and Abha Narain

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performed by the Kanwadis in


temples.

The Uttar Pradesh government has


made extensive arrangements and
police are keeping strict vigil along
the yatra route. Chief Minister Yogi
Adityanath has instructed the
installation of CCTV cameras and
deployment of divers, and marking of
Annual Kanwar Yatra has Kanwar camps in advance. In the
previous year, a large number of
begun in different parts of devotees visited Kashi Vishwanath
the country on 4 July 2023 Temple in Varanasi during the holy
month of Shravan.
The annual Kanwar Yatra has begun
in different parts of the country on 4
July 2023. The yatra will pass
through several districts in Uttar
Pradesh, and devotees will collect
sacred water from the river Ganga.

Devotees chant slogans and sing


bhajans and kirtans during the yatra.
Some participants cover the yatra on
foot, while others use personal
vehicles or receive assistance from
NGOs.

Uttarakhand is expecting a large


number of Kanwariyas this year, and
the state government has made
special arrangements. Helicopter
showers flowers on Kanwariyas upon
reaching Haridwar. The
administration has provided basic
facilities and water sprinklers to beat
the heat. The Mela area has been
divided into superzones, zones, and
sectors for security and monitoring
with drone cameras. The Kanwar
Yatra concludes with Jala Abhishek
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Economy Current 3. India continues to hold the


title of the fastest-growing
Affairs economy, with neighboring
China estimated to grow at 5.2
percent in 2023 and 4.5
percent in 2024.
4. The IMF has also revised the
projection for global growth
output to 3 percent in 2023,
up from its previous forecast
of 2.8 percent. However, the
decline in growth from 2022 to
2023 is driven by weaker
IMF raises India’s GDP manufacturing and
growth forecast to 6.1% for idiosyncratic factors, despite
current fiscal stronger services activity.
5. Global headline inflation is
The International Monetary Fund expected to decrease to 6.8
(IMF) in its latest World Economic percent in 2023 and further to
Outlook report released on 25 July 5.2 percent in 2024, compared
2023, has raised India’s growth to 8.7 percent in 2022.
forecast for the current fiscal year,
projecting a Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) growth of 6.1 percent. This is
a revision from the previous
projection of 5.9 percent in the World
Economic Outlook released in April.

1. The upward revision of 0.2


percentage points is
attributed to the momentum
from stronger-than-expected
growth in the fourth quarter
of 2022, driven by increased
domestic investment.
2. The IMF has maintained the
GDP growth projection for the
fiscal year 2024-2025 at 6.3
percent.

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India and Bangladesh SGX Nifty is now Gift Nifty


Launch Rupee-Based : Trading Shifts to GIFT
Bilateral Trade City in Gandhinagar
India and Bangladesh have initiated The SGX Nifty has started trading as
bilateral trade in Indian rupees. The launch GIFT Nifty at GIFT City in
event was organized by Bangladesh Bank
Gandhinagar on July 3, 2023. NSE’s
and the High Commission of India in Dhaka
on July 11, 2023. international contracts, previously
traded in Singapore, will now be
• Trade settlement in Indian rupees
traded at Gujarat International
will be applicable to export
amounts from Bangladesh, while
Finance Tec-City (GIFT City).
imports from India will still be
settled in US dollars. The migration of GIFT-NIFTY to
• The Eastern Bank and Sonali Bank GIFT City will strengthen GIFT-
Ltd will handle trade and IFSC as a global hub for international
transactions from the Bangladesh financial products and services.
side, while the State Bank of India
and ICICI Bank will handle
operations from the Indian side. GIFT Nifty will have two trading
• Bangladesh is India’s largest trade sessions: the first session from 6:30
partner in South Asia, and India is am to 3:40 pm IST and the second
the second largest trade partner of session from 5 pm to 2:45 am.
Bangladesh in Asia.
• The Reserve Bank of India has Nifty stands for ‘National Stock
permitted banks from 18 countries,
Exchange Fifty’ and is the index for
including Germany, Russia,
Singapore, Sri Lanka, the United the National Stock
Kingdom, Myanmar, and Oman, to Exchange. SGX stands for Singapore
trade in rupees. Exchange (SGX).
• With this development, Bangladesh
becomes the 19th country to engage in
trade with India using rupees.

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Environment Current 3. India currently harbors almost


75 percent of the world’s wild
Affairs tiger population.
4. The states with the largest
tiger populations are Madhya
Pradesh (785), Karnataka
(563), Uttarakhand (560), and
Maharashtra (444).
5. Among the Tiger Reserves,
Corbett has the highest tiger
abundance with 260 tigers,
followed by Bandipur with 150
and Nagarhole with 141 tigers.
India’s Tiger Population
Reaches 3,925 with 6.1%
Annual Growth Rate, Holds
75% of Global Wild Tiger
Population
India’s tiger population is estimated
to be 3,925 with an annual growth
rate of 6.1% per annum. The report
was released by Minister of State for
Environment, Forest and Climate
Change Ashwini Kumar on Global
Tiger Day on 29 July 2023.

1. Last year, minimum tiger


population was 3,167 based
on the camera-trapped area.
2. The new estimate of 3,925
tigers comes from further
analysis of data done by the
Wildlife Institute of India,
considering both camera-
trapped and non-camera-
trapped tiger presence areas.

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Eco-Friendly ‘Bahu Balli’ Heatwaves and Extreme


Bamboo Barriers to replace weather have affected most
Steel barriers on Highways parts of the world
The government plans to replace steel barriers The United Nations’s World
on highways with special ‘Bahu Balli’ barriers Meteorological Organization (WMO) has
made of Bamboo. Union Road Transport warned that heatwaves and extreme
Minister Nitin Gadkari revealed that a pilot weather have affected most parts of the
project using bamboo barriers has already world, including Europe, the US, and Asia.
started in Chhattisgarh and will soon be
implemented in other states. • Sardinia in Italy could see
1. The decision to use bamboo barriers is temperatures of more than 47
driven by their eco-friendliness and degrees Celsius, and several Italian
the potential to boost the bamboo cities could reach 40 degrees.
industry and create employment
• Heatwaves this summer have
opportunities in the north-eastern
coincided with wildfires and deadly
regions and tribal areas.
2. These bamboo barriers will also be flooding in various parts of the
utilized in access control areas on world.
highways to prevent the entry of • The WMO has warned that the
pedestrians, animals, and vehicles world needs to prepare for
onto the Expressway. increasingly intense heatwaves and
3. The current standards for Expressways that the current heatwave in the
and green-field access controlled northern hemisphere is set to
National Highways involve the use of intensify.
mild steel sections and welded steel • Temperatures in North America,
wire mesh for fencing. However,
Asia, North Africa, and the
guidelines issued by the Ministry
Mediterranean are expected to be
propose the adoption of precast
concrete boundary walls in these above 40 degrees Celsius for a
areas. prolonged period this week.
4. A proposal has been received and an • Overnight minimum temperatures
order placed for the feasibility and are also expected to reach new
demonstration of the ‘Bahu Balli highs, increasing the risk of heart
Fences,’ made of bamboo, as an attacks and deaths.
alternative to the traditional barriers.

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What is “Ring of Fire”

The “Ring of Fire” is a horseshoe-


shaped area around the Pacific Ocean
known for frequent earthquakes and
volcanic activity. It stretches for
approximately 40,000 kilometers and
includes countries such as Chile,
Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and
the western coast of the United
States. The region experiences a high
Peru Declares State of concentration of earthquakes and is
Emergency around Ubinas home to many active volcanoes. It
Volcano; Part of the “Ring poses risks to the populations living
of Fire” in these areas, including the potential
for tsunamis.
Peru has declared a state of
emergency for sixty days in areas
surrounding the Ubinas volcano. The
volcano has been emitting ash and
gas since earlier in the week, as
reported by the Geophysical Institute
of Peru.

The smoke cloud from the volcano


has reached towns located 10
kilometers away from the volcano.
Approximately 2,000 people reside
in the affected areas. The region
where Ubinas is located, Moquegua,
is 1,200 kilometers southeast of the
capital city Lima.

Ubinas is the most active volcano in


Peru and is situated in a region
known for volcanic activity and
earthquakes, called the “Ring of Fire”
along the edges of the Pacific Ocean.

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Government Schemes
Current Affairs

World’s hottest day : 3 July


2023, El Niño Weather
Pattern to Blame UK-India Young
Professional Scheme :
The U.S. National Centers for
Environmental Prediction has reported that opportunity to live, work or
3 July 2023 marked the World’s hottest day study in the Britain for up to
ever recorded globally. The average global
temperature reached 17.01 degrees Celsius, two years
surpassing the previous record set in
August 2016. The heatwaves experienced The British government has launched
around the world have been attributed to the the second ballot under the UK-India
El Niño weather pattern. Young Professional Scheme,
In the United States, an intense heat dome targeting Indians aged between 18
has caused extreme weather conditions in and 30 years with graduate-level
recent weeks. China has also been
qualifications for UK visas.
grappling with a persistent heatwave, with
temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius.
North Africa has witnessed temperatures 1. Eligible young Indians have the
nearing 50 degrees Celsius, while the opportunity to live, work, or study
Middle East has experienced unusually in the UK for up to two years
scorching heat during the Hajj pilgrimage through this scheme.
in Saudi Arabia. 2. To be eligible, an Indian national
Even Antarctica, in its winter season, has between 18 to 30 years of age with
recorded abnormally high temperatures. a graduate or post-graduate
Ukraine’s Vernadsky research base on the qualification can apply for the India
Argentine Islands in Antarctica recently Young Professionals Scheme visa.
broke its July temperature record with a 3. The Ballot for this scheme closes at
reading of 8.7 degrees Celsius. Scientists 1.30 pm the next day from the time
have expressed concern about the climate of the announcement.
crisis, which has been exacerbated by the El 4. The joint scheme between the UK
Niño weather pattern. The United Nations’ and India was launched in February
World Meteorological Organization of the current year.
(WMO) issued a warning this week about
the onset of the latest El Niño event.
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5. Candidates can enter the UK at any


time while their visa is valid and can Important Days
leave or return anytime during their
stay.
Current Affairs
6. As part of the reciprocal
arrangement, British nationals will
also be offered similar visas to live
and work in India.
7. The scheme has a total of 3,000
places available for the year 2023,
with most places already allocated
in the first ballot conducted in
February.
8. The remaining places will be
randomly selected from the current
month’s ballot. Central Reserve Police
9. It is free to enter the ballot, but
applicants are advised to Force (CRPF) celebrated its
participate only if they intend to 85th Raising Day on 27th
apply for the visa and can meet the
financial and other requirements.
July 2023
10.Candidates must travel to the UK
within six months of applying for
The Central Reserve Police Force
their visa. (CRPF) celebrated its 85th Raising
Day on 27th July 2023.

1. The CRPF is India’s largest Central


Armed Police Force and operates
under the Ministry of Home Affairs
(MHA).
2. The day is dedicated to honoring
the significant contributions of the
force in safeguarding the unity,
integrity, and sovereignty of the
country.
3. The CRPF is paying homage to its
brave martyrs who have made the
ultimate sacrifice for the nation.
4. Various events are being organized
to mark the occasion, including a
grand parade and a solemn wreath-
laying ceremony.
5. A noble blood donation camp is
also being held as part of the
celebrations.

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6. The 85th Raising Day reaffirms the


CRPF’s unwavering dedication to
protecting the nation and its
citizens.
7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
extended greetings to all CRPF
personnel on their Raising Day,
praising their commitment to the
nation’s security and acknowledging
their courage, dedication, and selfless
service.
8. Director General of Central Reserve
Police Force CRPF Sujoy Lal Thaosen Kargil Vijay Diwas : July 26
laid a wreath at the National Police
Memorial on the Raising Day of Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on
CRPF July 26 annually to honor the soldiers
who laid down their lives during the
Kargil War.

1. The day commemorates the victory


of the Indian Armed Forces over
Pakistan during the Kargil War, also
known as ‘Operation Vijay’, which
occurred between May and July
1999.
2. The war was fought by the Indian
Army against Pakistan in the Kargil
sector of Jammu & Kashmir, which
is now a part of Ladakh.
3. After nearly three months of armed
battles on the icy heights of Kargil,
the Indian troops declared victory
over the Pakistani rangers.
4. The event will commence with a
wreath-laying ceremony at the
Kargil War Memorial in Drass.
5. Dignitaries attending the Kargil
Vijay Diwas at Drass include Raksha
Mantri (Minister of Defence)
Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence
Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan, three
Service Chiefs, other top Army
Commanders, and Lieutenant
Governor of Ladakh Brig (Retd) BD
Mishra, among others.

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Nelson Mandela World Youth Skills Day :


International Day : July 18 July 15
Nelson Mandela International Day is • World Youth Skills Day is
observed annually on July 18 to celebrated annually on July
commemorate Nelson Mandela’s 15.
birthday and honor his life and • The theme for this year’s
legacy. The United Nations officially World Youth Skills Day is
designated July 18 as Nelson ‘Skilling teachers, trainers, and
Mandela International Day in youth for a transformative
November 2009, with the first
future.’
observance taking place in 2010.
• The United Nations General
Assembly declared July 15 as
About Nelson Mandela World Youth Skills Day in 2014.
Nelson Mandela was a South African • Skills are essential for
anti-apartheid activist and politician individuals and are a key focus
who served as the first president of in the UN’s Sustainable
South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He Development Goals for 2030.
was the country’s first black head of
• The day emphasizes the
state and the first elected in a fully
importance of equipping
representative democratic election.
young people with skills for
His government focused on
dismantling the legacy of apartheid employment, decent work,
by fostering racial reconciliation. and entrepreneurship.

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International Day of World Population Day : 11


Combating Sand and Dust July
Storms : 12 July World Population Day is observed
annually on July 11. It was established by
The United Nations General Assembly
the Governing Council of the United
named July 12 as the International Day of
Nations Development Programme in 1989.
Combating Sand and Dust Storms in an
It was inspired by Five Billion Day on July
effort to raise public awareness about the
11, 1987, when the world’s population
growing global problem. The day aims to
reached five billion people.
promote international cooperation to
manage and mitigate the effects of sand and
dust storms. The event aims to raise awareness about
global population issues and focuses on
topics such as family planning, gender
The resolution was adopted by consensus
equality, poverty, maternal health, and
on December 30, 2022
human rights.

Sand and dust storms


Sand and dust storms are common
2023 Theme: World Population
meteorological hazards in arid and semi- Day
arid regions. They are usually caused by Unleashing the power of gender equality:
thunderstorms or strong pressure gradients Uplifting the voices of women and girls to
associated with cyclones which increase unlock our world’s infinite possibilities
wind speed over a wide area. These strong
winds lift large amounts of sand and dust
from bare, dry soils into the atmosphere,
transporting them hundreds to thousands of
kilometers away

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International Current
Affairs

National Doctors Day : 1


July
National Doctors Day is celebrated in Indian-American Nisha
memory of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, Biswal becomes Deputy
the second Chief Minister of West
Bengal, born on July 1, 1882, and
Chief Executive Officer of
died on the same date in 1962. He United States International
was a physician, politician, freedom Development Finance
fighter, and advocate for education. Corporation
This day honors doctors’ Nisha Biswal, an Indian-American
contributions and dedication to policy expert, has been confirmed by
society’s well-being and healthcare. the Senate to serve as the Deputy
Doctors are compared to soldiers Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the
who save lives and play a crucial role United States International
in society. Development Finance Corporation.

We should remember and celebrate 1. Her nomination was


their sacrifices, especially in the announced by US President
context of the pandemic. Indian Joe Biden in March 2023.
doctors led the way in combating 2. Nisha Biswal has a
COVID-19, developing indigenous distinguished career of over
vaccines and utilizing suitable 30 years in US foreign policy
medicines to control the virus’s
and international
spread.
development, having worked
in various capacities within
the White House, US
Congress, and the private
sector.
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3. Currently, she holds the


position of Senior Vice
President for International
Strategy and Global Initiatives
at the US Chamber of
Commerce, where she
oversees the US-India
Business Council and US-
Bangladesh Business Council.
4. Previously, she served as the
Assistant Secretary of State for United States officially re-
South and Central Asian Affairs
enters UNESCO after five-
in the United States
Department of State during year hiatus
President Barack Obama’s
1. US First Lady Jill Biden
administration from 2013 to
attended a flag-raising
2017.
ceremony at UNESCO on 26
July 2023 in Paris to mark the
official re-entry of the United
States into the UN agency
after a controversial five-year
hiatus.
2. Jill Biden emphasized the
importance of American
leadership in preserving
cultural heritage and
promoting education and
science worldwide during her
remarks at the ceremony.
3. The move to rejoin UNESCO is
in line with President Joe
Biden’s pledge to restore US
leadership on the world stage.
4. The United States had
announced its intention to
rejoin UNESCO in June, and
the organization’s 193
member states voted to

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approve the US reentry this


month.
5. The US had previously exited
UNESCO in 2017, citing an
alleged anti-Israel bias within
the organization. This decision
was made following UNESCO’s
inclusion of Palestine as a
member state in 2011, leading
to the US and Israel ceasing
financial support for the Cambodian Prime Minister
agency. Hun Sen to Resign and
6. The US withdrawal from Hand Over Power to Eldest
UNESCO became official in Son, Hun Manet
2018.
About the UNESCO Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen, one
of the world’s longest-serving leaders, has
UNESCO, the United Nations
announced his resignation and will hand
Educational, Scientific and Cultural over power to his son Hun Manet on 10
Organization, is a specialized agency August 2023.
of the United Nations established in
1945. Its primary mission is to 1. The announcement came shortly after
promote peace and security by his party won all seats in an
fostering international collaboration uncompetitive election held three days
in the fields of education, science, prior.
2. Hun Sen, aged 70, has ruled Cambodia
culture, and communication. for nearly four decades and has been
criticized for increasing
authoritarianism during his tenure.
3. His son, Hun Manet, who recently
served as the commander of the Royal
Cambodian Army, has been groomed
for the role of Prime Minister and will
be appointed to the position on 10th
August.
4. Hun Sen cited the possibility of
instability as the reason for stepping
down as Prime Minister, but he will
retain leadership of the ruling
Cambodian People’s Party, which
political analysts believe will continue
to grant him ultimate control.
5. State media showed Hun Sen visiting
the Cambodian monarch’s palace to
announce the news of the dynastic
succession.
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Conservative Popular Party BRICS summit in


(PP) won the national Johannesburg, South Africa
elections in Spain from 22 to 24 August 2023
The conservative Popular Party (PP) won Russian President Vladimir Putin
the national elections in Spain on 23 July will not attend the BRICS summit in
2023. But it did not achieve the desired Johannesburg, South Africa from 22
significant victory to remove Socialist to 24 August 2023.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez from office.
1. Russia will be represented by its
1. The PP, led by candidate Alberto Núñez Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov.
Feijóo, performed below the
2. South Africa faced a dilemma in
expectations of most campaign polls.
2. The Socialist party, led by Pedro
hosting the summit due to an ICC
Sánchez, finished second, but they arrest warrant issued for Putin in
celebrated the outcome as a victory March for alleged war crimes.
because their combined forces, along 3. The ICC arrest warrant raised
with allied parties, gained slightly more questions about whether South
seats than the PP and the far-right. Africa would execute the warrant if
3. The bloc likely to support Sánchez Putin attended the summit.
totaled 172 seats, while the right bloc 4. South Africa’s stance of neutrality
led by Feijóo had 170 seats. on the war in Ukraine and its
4. The election results are expected to historic ties to the Kremlin added to
lead to weeks of political jockeying and
the complexity of the situation.
uncertainty over the future leadership
5. Leaders from Brazil, India, and
of the country.
5. The next prime minister will be voted South Africa will be present at the
on once lawmakers are installed in the summit.
new Congress of Deputies. 6. BRICS is a bloc of emerging
6. With 98% of votes counted, the PP is economic powers consisting of
on track for 136 seats, and even with Brazil, Russia, India, China, and
the far-right Vox party’s expected 33 South Africa (joining in 2011).
seats and one seat from an allied party,
the PP would still be seven seats short
of an absolute majority.

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India and UAE Agree to Sixth India-Arab


Currency-based Trade Partnership Conference
Settlement and UPI – IPP 2023 took place on 12 July
Integration 2023 in New Delhi
India and the UAE have agreed on 15 The Sixth India-Arab
July 2023 to start trade settlement in Partnership Conference 2023
their currencies and link the Indian took place on 12 July 2023 in
Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
with the UAE’s Instant Payment
New Delhi.
Platform (IPP).
• India has strong relations with
• The MoUs were signed by RBI West Asian countries, and the
Governor Shaktikanta Das and UAE region is India’s largest trade
Central Bank Governor Khaled partner.
Mohamed Balama. • UAE was India’s third-largest
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was trading partner, while Saudi
in a official visit of UAE and held
comprehensive talks with UAE
Arabia was the fourth-largest
President Sheikh Mohamed bin partner in the last financial
Zayed Al Nahyan. year.
• Indians in 10 countries can access • The conference provided a
the Unified Payments Interface platform for the business
(UPI) using their international community from both sides to
mobile numbers.
• The countries are Singapore, US,
explore new opportunities for
Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, trade and investment.
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and • Cooperation in the renewable
UK. energy sector, particularly
green hydrogen, was
emphasized as important.

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against future Russian aggression


by strengthening forces in the
eastern region.
NATO : Member Countries and
HQ
• NATO was established by the
North Atlantic Treaty in 1949
to counterbalance Soviet
armies in central and eastern
Europe after World War II.
NATO summit in Vilnius, • NATO’s original members were
Lithuania from 11 to 12 July Belgium, Canada, Denmark,
2023 France, Iceland, Italy,
Luxembourg, the Netherlands,
The North Atlantic Treaty Norway, Portugal, the United
Organization (NATO) summit is Kingdom, and the United
taking place in Vilnius, Lithuania States.
from 11 to 12 July 2023. The summit • Over the years, additional
is considered crucial as it could shape countries have joined NATO,
the direction of the war in Ukraine including Germany, Spain,
and the future of the Western Czech Republic, Hungary,
alliance. Poland, Bulgaria, Estonia,
Latvia, Lithuania, Romania,
• The 31 NATO allies aim to Slovakia, Slovenia, Albania,
demonstrate to Russia their
Croatia, Montenegro, North
commitment to long-term military
support for Ukraine. Macedonia, and Finland.
• Turkey’s objections to Sweden • NATO’s main headquarters are
joining the alliance have been in Brussels, Belgium, while its
dropped, providing a boost to military headquarters are near
NATO. Mons, Belgium.
• There is disagreement among NATO
leaders regarding Ukraine’s
aspirations for future membership.
• Nato Secretary General, Jens
Stoltenberg, expects unity and a
strong message on Ukraine but
states that no final decision has
been made on the language of the
final communiqué.
• NATO leaders are expected to agree
on new plans to deter and defend

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Indian Navy and Air Force 23rd Summit of the SCO


contingent to participate in Council of Heads of State
the Bastille Day Parade on chaired by PM Modi on 4
14 July 2023. July 2023
Indian Navy marching contingent The 23rd Summit of the SCO Council
arrives in France for Bastille Day of Heads of State was chaired by
Parade on 14 July 2023. The Prime Minister Modi, virtually on 4
contingent consists of four officers July 2023.
and 64 sailors led by Commander
Vrat Baghel. Indian Navy 1. The SCO currently comprises eight
represented by INS Chennai, an Member States : China, India,
indigenous frontline destroyer. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia,
Indian Navy is one of the largest Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
Navies globally, equipped with ships, 2. Observer States (Iran, Belarus,
submarines, and aircraft. Mongolia), and Turkmenistan as
the guest of the Chair attending.
3. India assumed the rotating
Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent, Chairmanship of the SCO at the
including four Rafale fighters and Samarkand Summit in September
two C-17 Globemasters, departs for of the previous year.
France. IAF contingent commanded 4. The next meeting of the SCO
by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy, Council of Heads of State will take
an accomplished helicopter pilot. place in 2024 in Kazakhstan.

India and France celebrating 25 years


of Strategic Partnership. Strong
defense partnership and deep ties in
the maritime domain between India
and France.

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National Current
Affairs

Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha


Samagam at Bharat
Mandapam, Pragati Maidan
‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ in Delhi
Campaign to Honor Martyrs
and Foster National Unity Prime Minister Narendra Modi
inaugurated the Akhil Bharatiya
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Shiksha Samagam at Bharat
the launch of the ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ Mandapam, Pragati Maidan in Delhi
campaign ahead of Independence Day on 29 July 2023.
2023. The campaign aims to honor the
martyred men and women of the nation.
The campaign will be organized in the 1. The event marked the 3rd
midst of the ongoing Amrit Mahotsav anniversary of the National
celebrations. Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
1. Special inscriptions will be installed 2. NEP 2020 was launched with
in lakhs of village panchayats to
the vision of grooming the
commemorate the martyrs.
2. Under the campaign, an ‘Amrit youth to lead the country in
Kalash Yatra’ will be organized Amrit Kaal and preparing
across the country. them to face future challenges
3. The ‘Amrit Kalash Yatra’ will carry while upholding basic human
soil in 7500 urns from every corner values.
of the country to the capital.
3. Over the past three years, NEP
4. Saplings will also be collected from
different parts of the country 2020 has brought about
during this journey. radical transformations in
5. An ‘Amrit Vatika’ will be built near school, higher, and skill
the National War Memorial by education.
fusing the soil and saplings from the 4. During the event, academics,
7500 urns.
policymakers, industry
6. The ‘Amrit Vatika’ will symbolize ‘Ek
Bharat Shresth Bharat.’ representatives, teachers, and
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students from schools among


others, shared their insights
and best practices in
implementing NEP 2020.
5. The Prime Minister released
the first installment of funds
under the PM SHRI Scheme
during the programme.
6. The schools supported by the Army Postal Service Corps
PM SHRI Scheme will focus on Inaugurates First Permanent
nurturing engaged, Aadhaar Enrolment Centre
productive, and contributing
citizens to build an equitable,
(PAEC)
inclusive, and plural society, in The Army Postal Service Corps has
line with the vision of NEP inaugurated the first Permanent
2020. Aadhaar Enrolment Centre (PAEC)
7. The Prime Minister also at the Central Base Post Office on 26
released education and skill July 2023 in New Delhi.
curriculum books translated
into twelve Indian languages 1. The PAEC will provide Aadhaar-
during the event. related services to tri-services
personnel and their dependents.
2. The initiative aims to extend these
services through Field Post Offices
located in 48 identified locations
across India.
3. The Ministry of Communications
issued a statement regarding the
establishment of these PAECs,
emphasizing their role in facilitating
Aadhaar services for military
personnel.
4. Both the Department of Posts and
the Unique Identification Authority
of India (UIDAI) have supported the
establishment of the PAECs by
providing training, equipment, and
technical support.
5. The 48 PAECs will be operational in
both Field and Peace locations,
ensuring wider access to Aadhaar
services for military personnel and
their dependents.
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EPF Interest rate hiked to Redeveloped Pragati


8.15% for FY 2022-23; Maidan Complex ready to
Over 4900 Crore Rupees in Host G20 Leaders Meetings
Inoperative EPF Accounts 2023
The government has approved The redeveloped India Trade
an interest rate of 8.15 percent Promotion Organisation complex
for deposits under the will be inaugurated on the 26th July
2023.
Employees Provident Fund
(EPF) scheme for the financial
1. The complex will host the
year 2022-23. Last year’s country’s G20 Leaders
interest rate was 8.10 percent. meetings.
2. The Pragati Maidan Complex
1. As of 31st March of the has become the country’s
current year, there were over largest Meetings, Incentives,
four thousand nine hundred Conferences, and Exhibitions
crore rupees lying in the (MICE) destination, covering a
inoperative accounts of the campus area of 123 acres.
EPF Scheme. 3. The modern and redeveloped
2. Any employee of a covered International Exhibition-cum-
establishment drawing Convention Centre (IECC) is
monthly wages up to 15,000 ranked among the Top 10 ECC
rupees is required by law to (Exhibition-cum-Convention
join the EPF scheme and Centers) globally, comparable
contribute 12 percent of their to renowned venues like
wages, and the employer is Hannover Exhibition Centre in
also required to contribute 12 Germany and National
percent of the wages. Exhibition and Convention
Centre in Shanghai.
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4. IECC has a grand seating


capacity of seven thousand at
Level Three, making it suitable
for hosting mega conferences
and international summits.
5. The venue features seven
state-of-the-art Exhibition
Halls and an Amphitheater
with a capacity of three
thousand individuals.
6. Conveniently located with Union Home Minister
over 5,500 parking spaces, it
offers ease of access for
Inaugurates Aviation
visitors. Security Control Centre
(ASCC) of CISF
at Mahipalpur campus in
New Delhi
Union Home Minister Amit
Shah inaugurated the Aviation
Security Control Centre (ASCC)
of the Central Industrial Security
Force (CISF) at Mahipalpur
campus in New Delhi on July 22,
2023.

1. The ASCC’s purpose is to


address current security
challenges and monitor
threats and social media
chatter for the 66 civil airports
under the CISF’s security
cover.
2. The ASCC has access to 24×7
real-time data monitoring and
trend analysis of passengers
and air traffic.
3. Equipped with cutting-edge
technologies, the ASCC
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includes a data centre,


research and development
lab, and a war room for
handling emergencies.
4. The centre receives real-time
feeds from security operations
control centres (SOCCs) at the
66 airports, including busy and
hyper-sensitive facilities in
Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru,
Bhoomi Samman 2023
Jammu, Srinagar, Amritsar,
and others. awards were presented to
5. The facility provides realistic outstanding achievers in
inputs about passenger traffic implementing the Digital
at any given time and helps India Land Records
optimize resource utilization.
6. The ASCC monitors various
Modernization Programme
aspects such as bomb threat The Bhoomi Samman 2023 awards
calls, VVIP movements, major were presented to outstanding
incidents, passenger clearance achievers in implementing the
time, and the usage of security Digital India Land Records
gadgets and queue Modernization Programme,
management systems at the including nine State Secretaries and
66 airports. 68 District Collectors and their teams
7. The CISF’s aviation security by President Droupadi Murmu on 18
group (ASG) is responsible for July 2023.
providing armed security
cover to these 66 airports, • Digitization of land records
working under the command and their integration with
of the Union home ministry. government departments will
enhance transparency and aid
in the efficient
implementation of welfare
schemes.
• Modernization of land records
is crucial for the development
of rural areas, given the
dependency of most rural
populations on land
resources.
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• A comprehensive integrated
land management system is
deemed highly important for
rural development.
• Digitization will also prove
beneficial in cases of
document loss due to
calamities like floods and fires.
• The Digital India Land
Information Management
Opposition Parties formed
System provides a Unique alliance called “INDIA” to
Land Parcel Identification contest the 2024 Lok Sabha
Number, similar to an Aadhaar election
Card, which facilitates proper
land use and the Formation of Alliance: The 26
implementation of welfare Opposition Parties against the ruling
schemes. National Democratic Alliance
• Access to land-related (NDA) have formed a new alliance
information in a free and called “Indian National
convenient manner will have Developmental Inclusive Alliance”
multiple benefits, including or “INDIA” to contest the 2024 Lok
Sabha election, on 18 July 2023 in
the resolution of disputes
Bangaluru .
related to land ownership and
use.
Announcement by Congress
• A significant portion of the
President: The formation of the
country’s population is
INDIA alliance was announced by
involved in land-related Mallikarjuna Kharge, the National
disputes, leading to President of the Indian National
substantial time consumption Congress, after a meeting of
for both administration and opposition parties in Bangalore.
the judiciary.
Objectives: The primary objective
of the INDIA alliance is to take on the
NDA in the upcoming 2024 Lok
Sabha election.

Next Meeting and Decision: The


next meeting of the opposition parties
will be held in Mumbai. During this
meeting, a decision will be taken to
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form an 11 Member Coordination


Committee, which will be
responsible for overseeing the Lok
Sabha election campaign.

Convenor Selection: Among the 11


Committee members, a Convenor
will be elected to lead the alliance’s
efforts.

Campaign Strategy and Common PM Narendra Modi


Minimum Programme: A Secretariat Inaugurates Terminal
will be established in Delhi to plan
the alliance’s campaign strategy and Building at Veer Savarkar
formulate a Common Minimum International Airport, Port
Programme. Blair
Prominent Leaders Present: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi
meeting in Bangalore was attended inaugurated the new integrated
by prominent opposition leaders, terminal building of Veer Savarkar
including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul International Airport, Port Blair on
Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind 18 July 2023, through video
Kejriwal, Nitish Kumar, Sharad conferencing. The state-of-the-art
Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, and Lalu terminal, built at a cost of 710 crore
Prasad, among others. rupees, is set to improve connectivity
in Andaman and Nicobar. With a
built-up area of 40,800 sqm, it can
accommodate approximately 50 lakh
passengers annually. Moreover, an
Apron suitable for two Boeing-767-
400 and two Airbus-321 types of
aircraft was constructed, allowing
parking for ten aircraft at a time.

The terminal’s architectural design,


resembling a shell-shaped structure,
embodies the sea and islands.
Sustainability features include a
Double Insulated Roofing System,
skylights for natural lighting, LED
lighting, and low heat gain glazing.
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Rainwater catchment and on-site


sewage treatment with 100 percent
wastewater reuse for landscaping
were incorporated, along with a 500
KW solar power plant.

Being a gateway to Andaman and


Nicobar’s pristine islands, Port Blair
is a popular tourist destination. The
new terminal is expected to enhance
air traffic, boost tourism, and Key Findings of NITI
generate employment opportunities, Aayog’s National
contributing to the region’s economy.
Multidimensional Poverty
Index Report
Main points from the National
Multidimensional Poverty Index
released by NITI Aayog on 17 July
2023 at New Delhi :

1. The number of people living in


multidimensional poverty in the
country has decreased from 24.85
percent to 14.96 percent between
2015-16 and 2019-21.
2. Approximately 13.5 crore people
have escaped multidimensional
poverty during this period.
3. India is making significant progress
in achieving Sustainable
Development Goals, specifically
target 1.2, ahead of schedule by
2030.
4. Poverty in rural areas has sharply
declined from 32.59 percent to
19.28 percent during the
mentioned period.
5. Uttar Pradesh has experienced the
highest decline in the number of
poor, with 3.43 crore people,
followed by Bihar and Madhya
Pradesh.

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6. The states showing the fastest


reduction in the proportion of
multidimensional poverty are Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh,
Odisha, and Rajasthan.
7. Improvement in nutrition, years of
schooling, sanitation, and cooking
fuel has played a significant role in
reducing poverty.
8. The National Multidimensional
Poverty Index measures poverty
based on health, education, and
living standards at national, state, Indian Institute of
and district levels, helping shape Technology (IIT) Delhi to
reform plans for States and Union
Territories. setup Campus in Abu
9. NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Dhabi.
Subrahmanyam, released the
report and briefed the media. India and the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) exchanged a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) on 15 July
2023. The MoU aims to establish an
campus of the Indian Institute of
Technology (IIT) Delhi in Abu
Dhabi.
• This will be the first-ever IIT to be
set up in the Middle East/North
Africa (MENA) region.
• The MoU was exchanged between
the Education Ministry of India, Abu
Dhabi’s Department of Education
and Knowledge, and IIT Delhi.
• Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra
highlighted the significance of this
development during the visit,
referring to it as an important
landmark.
• The Abu Dhabi campus is expected
to launch its academic programmes
next year with undergraduate,
postgraduate and PhD courses.
• It will also operate research centers
related to sustainable energy and
climate studies as well as
computing and data sciences

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Prime Minister Narendra Defence Acquisition


Modi attended the Bastille Council approved the
Day Parade as the Guest of procurement of 26 Rafale
Honour. Marine aircraft from France
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the
for the Indian Navy
Bastille Day Parade on 14 July 2023 in
The Defence Acquisition Council has
Paris as the Guest of Honour.
approved the procurement of 26 Rafale
Marine aircraft from France for the Indian
• Bastille Day commemorates the Navy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in
Storming of the Bastille Prison during official visit of France and he will be the
the French Revolution. Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade
• Prime Minister Modi held delegation- on 14 July 2023.
level talks with President Macron and 1. The approval includes associated
interacted with CEOs of Indian and ancillary equipment, weapons, spares,
French companies. crew training, and logistic support.
• Prime Minister Modi announced the 2. The procurement is based on an Inter-
agreement to use India’s UPI payment Governmental Agreement between
system in France. India and France.
• Indian students pursuing masters in 3. The price and other terms of purchase
France will now be given a five-year will be negotiated with the French
post-study work visa. Government, considering relevant
• The strategic partnership between aspects, including comparative
India and France is significant, procurement price of similar aircraft by
particularly in addressing challenges of other countries.
the 21st century. 4. The Defence Acquisition Council has
• Indian soldiers’ contribution in France also approved the procurement of
during the war was recognized, with three additional Scorpene submarines
the participation of the Punjab under the Buy (Indian) category.
Regiment in the National Day Parade. 5. The submarines will be constructed by
• The visit marks the 25th anniversary of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.
the India-France Strategic Partnership 6. The procurement of additional
and aims to strengthen cooperation submarines aims to maintain the
across various sectors. required force level and operational
readiness of the Indian Navy.

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Japan-India Maritime Defence Minister Rajnath


Exercise (JIMEX 23) was Singh Launches NCC
held in Visakhapatnam from Integrated Software and
05-10 July 2023 Announces MoU with State
The seventh edition of the Japan- Bank of India for Cadets’
India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX 23) Benefits
was held in Visakhapatnam from 05-
10 July 2023. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched
1. JIMEX was established in 2012 and an NCC Integrated Software in New Delhi
on July 7, 2023. The software is a single-
this edition marks its 11th
window interactive platform designed on
anniversary.
the entry-to-exit model for NCC cadets.
2. The exercise involved the Japan The software aims to digitalize the entire
Maritime Self Defence Force process from cadet enrollment to alumni
(JMSDF) units led by RAdm registration. It will enable the seamless
Nishiyama Takahiro and Indian issuance of certificates and the creation of
Naval ships led by RAdm Gurcharan an all-India database of NCC cadets for
Singh. employment purposes.
3. Indian Naval assets included INS
Delhi ( India’s first indigenously A Memorandum of Understanding was
built Guided Missile Destroyer), INS signed between NCC and the State Bank of
Kamorta (Anti-Submarine Warfare India during the event. The MoU aims to
Corvette), INS Shakti (fleet tanker), open zero balance accounts for all NCC
a submarine, maritime patrol cadets, providing them with debit card,
aircraft P8I and Dornier, ship-borne cheque book, and passbook facilities.
helicopters, and fighter aircraft. Approximately five lakh cadets will benefit
4. JMSDF was represented by the guided from this MoU annually.
missile destroyer JS Samidare and its
integral helicopters.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh believes
5. The exercise focused on advanced-
that the software and MoU will provide
level exercises in all three domains of
quick access to NCC information
maritime warfare – surface,
nationwide and benefit current and future
subsurface, and air.
cadets.
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UK National Security India will be Open


Adviser Tim Barrow met Defecation Free in the next
with NSA Ajit Doval on 7th five years, Sikkim first ODF
July 2023 in New Delhi state
United Kingdom National Security Union Minister of Jal Shakti,
Adviser Tim Barrow met with Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, said on 6
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval July 2023 that the entire country will
on 7th July 2023 in New Delhi. They be declared Open Defecation Free
discussed regional and global issues (ODF) within the next five years. The
of mutual interest. Both countries focus is on providing comprehensive
reaffirmed their strategic partnership sanitation facilities in every village.
and committed to enhancing security Currently, India has achieved 40%
linkages. Cooperation to combat ODF status since 2019.
violent extremism and radicalism
was emphasized, with a shared belief Sikkim stands out as the only state
that there is no justification for such that has achieved the remarkable feat
actions in a democracy. of being 100% ODF plus,
The Indian side raised concerns about showcasing its commitment to
extremist elements in the UK sanitation.
threatening Indian High Commission
officers, urging the UK to take strong The northeastern states have made
action against them. The two sides significant strides in the
agreed to collaborate closely on implementation of the Jal Jeevan
counter-terrorism, counter-terror Mission (JJM). Assam, in particular,
financing, illicit drug trafficking, and has witnessed remarkable progress,
counter-radicalization efforts. with its development under JJM
Additionally, they expressed a desire increasing from a mere one percent to
to deepen collaboration in critical and an impressive 54 percent.
emerging technologies for mutual
benefit.
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Government approves draft First IIT Campus Outside


notification to mandate India to be Established in
installation of air- Zanzibar, Tanzania
conditioning in truck cabins
The first IIT campus outside of India
Road Transport and Highways will be established in Zanzibar,
Minister Nitin Gadkari informed on 6 Tanzania. A Memorandum of
July 2023, that the draft notification Understanding (MoU) was signed o n
to mandate the installation of air- 5 July 2023between the Ministry of
conditioning systems in the cabins of Education (MoE) of India, IIT
trucks has been approved by Madras, and the Ministry of
Government. Education and Vocational Training
(MoEVT) of Zanzibar.
• The draft includes trucks under
categories N2 and N3. The academic programs, curricula,
• This decision aims to provide and student selection will be
comfortable working conditions for
managed by IIT Madras, while the
truck drivers, improve their
efficiency, and address the issue of capital and operating expenditure
driver fatigue. will be funded by the government of
• The installation of air-conditioned Zanzibar-Tanzania.
cabins for trucks will soon be made The campus aims to attract a diverse
mandatory. cohort of students, including
N1, N2 and N3 categories of trucks Africans and students from other
countries, and Indian students can
• Category N1: having a maximum also apply. The IIT campus in
mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes Zanzibar is envisioned as a world-
(7,700 lb) class higher education and research
• Category N2: having a maximum institution, promoting competencies
mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not
in response to global requirements
exceeding 12 tonnes (26,000 lb)
• Category N3: having a maximum and supporting innovation in the
mass exceeding 12 tonnes. region.

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solution, youth, optimism, and


energy.

Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit


System (RRTS)

The Delhi–Meerut RRTS is a semi-


high speed rail project that will link
Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut. It is
one of three rapid rail lines under the
RapidX project by NCRTC. It will
RAPIDX, India’s first run at 180 km/h (111.85 mph) and
regional train service, will take less than an hour to travel
commence operations in between Delhi and Meerut. The
July NCRTC, a joint venture company of
the Centre and the state governments
The RAPIDX, India’s first regional of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and
train service, will commence Uttar Pradesh, is responsible for
operations in July on a 17-kilometer developing the semi-high speed
priority section. The five stations regional rail service across the
along the route are Sahibabad, National Capital Region (NCR).
Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and the
Duhai Depot. The Delhi-Meerut
Regional Rapid Transit System
(RRTS) includes this section.

The safety approvals for the project


have been obtained from the
commissioner for Metro Rail Safety
(CMRS). The project is expected to
be inaugurated by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi soon.

RAPIDX

The trains have been named


RAPIDX to ensure easy readability
and pronunciation in various
languages. The name represents
speed, progress, next-generation
technology, new-age mobility
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Polity Current Affairs Science and


Technology Current
Affairs

Monsoon Session of Indian


Parliament from 20 July to
11 August 2023 ISRO’s Successful Launch
PSLV-C56 Rocket with DS-
The Monsoon Session of Indian
Parliament for 2023 began on SAR Satellite and Co-
July 20th and will continue until Passenger Payloads
August 11th. The Monsoon
The Indian Space Research
Session of the Indian Parliament Organisation (ISRO) ‘s PSLV-C56
is one of the three sessions rocket successfully launched the
conducted each year. The other Singapore’s DS-SAR satellite and six
two are the Budget session co-passenger payloads from the first
(February to May) and the launch-pad of SDSC-SHAR in
Winter session (November to Sriharikota on 30 June 2023.
December).
1. PSLV-C56 is a Dedicated
Commercial Mission of NewSpace
During this session, the India Limited (NSIL) for ST
government is expected to bring Engineering, Singapore. DS-SAR is a
Radar Imaging Earth Observation
31 bills. The Opposition parties
satellite and the primary payload
are likely to focus on issues such for the mission.
as Manipur violence, railway 2. The mission also carried six co-
safety, unemployment, inflation, passenger customer satellites from
Singapore.
India-China border, Uniform
3. Among the co-passenger payloads,
Civil Code (UCC) and trade VELOX-AM is a microsatellite
balance. developed by Nanyang
Technological University (NTU),

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Singapore, for technology


demonstration of Additive
Manufacturing (AM) payloads.
4. ARCADE is a 27U microsatellite
designed and built by Nanyang
Technological University (NTU),
Singapore, in collaboration with the
INSPIRE consortium. ARCADE
carries an iodine-based solid
propellant propulsion module for
orbit maintenance.
5. The DS-SAR satellite is equipped
with a Synthetic Aperture Radar President Droupadi Murmu
(SAR) payload developed by Israel Presents National
Aerospace Industries (IAI).
6. The SAR payload enables DS-SAR to Geoscience Awards-2022
provide high-quality imagery
regardless of weather conditions, President Droupadi Murmu
offering all-weather day and night presented the National Geoscience
coverage with 1m-resolution Awards-2022 on 24 July in New
imaging and full polarimetry. Delhi, honoring individuals and
7. PSLV-C56 is configured in its core- teams for achievements in
alone mode, similar to the previous geosciences.
C55 mission. All satellites were
injected into a 535 km circular orbit
1. Twenty-two geoscientists, including
with 5 degrees orbital inclination.
two women, were awarded at the
8. After injecting all the satellites, the
ceremony.
upper stage of the rocket would be
2. Geoscience includes the study of
placed in a lower orbit of 300 km to
natural disasters like landslides,
ensure reduced orbital life and
earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis,
address space debris mitigation
which are called Public Good
problems.
Geosciences due to their value in
9. This was the 58th flight of PSLV and
protecting people.
the 17th flight of PSLV in Core Alone
3. Mining plays a vital role in India’s
configuration.
economy, and recent progressive
10. After the successful launch, ISRO
changes in the sector have
Chairman S. Somnath
improved its capacity and
congratulated the customers
productivity.
sponsored by the Government of
4. The President encouraged human-
Singapore for their mission on
centric mining and appreciated
board PSLV.
Indian geoscientists for
11. Mission Director Biju SR mentioned
contributing to the efficient use of
that it is the 56th successful mission
minerals.
of PSLV, which successfully injected
5. There is a focus on minerals like
all seven customer satellites into
Rare Earth Elements, Platinum
their designated orbits.
Group of Elements, and
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Semiconducting Elements, while


considering environmental
protection.
6. Dr. Om Narain Bhargava received
the National Geoscience Award for
Lifetime Achievement for his
pioneering work in the Himalayas.
7. Dr. Amiya Kumar Samal was
presented with the National Young
Geoscientist Award for his
significant contributions to
understanding the lithospheric Semicon India 2023: 28 to
mantle below different Archean
cratons of the Indian shield. 30 July 2023 in
Gandhinagar
Semicon India 2023 will be held from
28 July to 30 July 2023 in
Gandhinagar, Gujrat. It is being
organized by India Semiconductor
Mission.
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will
inaugurate the event.
2. The exhibition will showcase the
manufacturing process of
semiconductors and the progress
made in this field.
3. The exhibition will be open to the
public until 30th July.
4. Semicon India 2023 is a national-
level event focusing on the latest
semiconductor technology.
5. Leading companies in the
semiconductor sector will
participate in the event.
6. Students of engineering and other
disciplines can learn about
semiconductor manufacturing at
the exhibition.
7. The event aims to celebrate India’s
prowess in the semiconductor
domain.
8. The goal is to make India a global
hub for Semiconductor Design,
Manufacturing, and Technology
Development.
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Twitter Unveils New Logo GPU and AI Synergy:


in Major Rebranding Move: Driving Innovation Across
Blue Bird Replaced with an Industries
X
Graphics Processing Units (GPU)
Twitter has launched a new logo have played a crucial role in the
on 24 July 2023, replacing the global surge of artificial intelligence
iconic blue bird with an X as part (AI) by becoming essential
of a broader rebranding effort. components in contemporary
supercomputing and large-scale data
centers. They are not only used for
1. Twitter’s owner, Elon Musk,
gaming but also serve as valuable
along with the Chief Executive accelerators for tasks like encryption,
Officer Linda Yaccarino, networking, and AI processing,
unveiled the new logo for the contributing to advancements in
platform. gaming and professional graphics.
2. The rebranding comes as the
latest change since Elon Musk 1. GPUs were originally designed for
acquired Twitter in October parallel processing and find
2022 for $43.2 billion. applications in various fields,
3. Twitter is an online social including graphics, video rendering,
and AI. Their integration with AI has
media and networking service
led to a significant revolution in
owned and operated by deep learning, enabling complex
American company X Corp, neural networks to analyze intricate
which is the successor of patterns and make precise
Twitter, Inc. predictions. Their parallel
4. The platform was originally created processing architecture allows
by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz them to execute multiple
Stone, and Evan Williams in March calculations simultaneously,
2006, and it was officially launched leading to accelerated training and
in July of the same year. inference processes and the

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development of more accurate and Chandrayaan-3 launched


sophisticated AI models.
2. The synergy between GPUs and AI from Sathish Dhawan Space
has driven innovation in industries Centre Sriharikota on 14
like healthcare, finance,
transportation, and retail. July 2023
Leveraging GPUs’ parallel
processing capabilities, AI models The Indian Space Research
efficiently analyze massive datasets Organisation (ISRO)
and generate real-time predictions, successfully launched the
leading to remarkable
advancements in fields such as LVM3 M4 rocket carrying
medical diagnostics and fraud Chandrayaan 3. The launch took
detection. place at 2.35 PM on 14 July
3. GPUs are data-parallel, throughput- 2023 from the second launch pad
oriented processors, specifically
designed to accelerate computer at Sriharikota, India’s spaceport.
graphics tasks, while CPUs are task-
parallel, latency-oriented • The mission will be complete
processors. GPUs have evolved in another thirty days when
beyond their traditional graphics
the rover lands on the moon.
coprocessor role and are now used
for general-purpose computations, • Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and
thanks to their ability to perform other guests were present and
matrix multiplications in parallel, congratulated the scientists.
significantly speeding up • ISRO scientists expressed their
operations and reducing the time satisfaction and considered
required for training neural
the successful mission a great
networks.
4. Field programmable gate arrays accomplishment.
(FPGAs) are integrated circuits with • This achievement strengthens
a programmable hardware fabric India’s position as a global
that can be customized after player in the space industry.
manufacturing, making them more
efficient than generic processors.
They offer hardware customization
with integrated AI and can be
programmed to deliver behavior
similar to GPUs. However, FPGAs
are challenging to program and
require expertise in hardware
descriptor languages like Verilog or
VHDL.
5. Companies choose between FPGAs
and GPUs based on their specific
applications and requirements.

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Seventh edition of India


Indian Team Secures 2 Gold Mobile Congress (IMC)
at the 64th International exhibition to be held from
Mathematical Olympiad 27th October at Pragati
(IMO) 2023 held in Chiba, Maidan
Japan
The seventh edition of India Mobile
The Indian team secured two Gold Congress (IMC), Asia’s premier
medals at the 64th International digital technology exhibition, will
Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2023 take place from 27 to 30 October at
held in Chiba, Japan. The team also Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
won two Silver and two Bronze
medals. • The event is co-hosted by the
Department of
1. The Indian team finished 9th out of Telecommunications and Cellular
112 countries. Operators Association of India.
2. This is the fourth time India has • The theme for India Mobile
achieved a position in the top 10. Congress-2023 is ‘Global Digital
3. The final team is selected through Innovation.’
various stages of the National • The India Mobile Congress 2023
Olympiad Examination conducted aims to promote India’s pivotal role
by HBCSE. in the global digital revolution,
Mathematical Olympiad Medal focusing on breakthroughs in 5G,
6G, broadcasting, satellite,
Winners from India semiconductor, drone, devices, and
• Gold Medal : Arjun Gupta and Atul green technologies.
Shatavart Nadig
• Sliver Medal : Ananda Bhaduri and
Siddharth Choppara
• Bronze Medal : Adhitya Mangudy
Venkata Ganesh and Archit Manas

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Chandrayaan 3 Spacecraft
integrated with GSLV Mark
III launch vehicle
Chandrayaan 3 spacecraft has been
integrated with GSLV Mark III
launch vehicle at Satish Dhawan
Space Centre in Sriharikota
Spaceport on 5 July 2023. The launch
is scheduled between the 12th and
ISRO to Transfer Small 19th of this month.
Satellite Launch Vehicle
• The Propulsion module will carry
(SSLV) to Private Sector
the lander and rover configuration
Indian Space Research Organisation to a 100km lunar orbit.
(ISRO) plans to transfer its Small Satellite • The Propulsion module will orbit
Launch Vehicle (SSLV) to the private the Moon, similar to Chandrayaan I
sector. The decision comes in response to and II.
the increasing demand for small satellites. • ISRO is making improvements in
the lander based on lessons
ISRO will opt for the bidding route to learned from the Chandrayaan 2
transfer the SSLV to the industry. The mission in 2019.
transfer will involve the complete handover • The payloads on the Lander will
of SSLV to the private sector, including measure thermal conductivity,
manufacturing and operational aspects. temperature, seismicity, and
estimate plasma density around
SSLV is designed to launch small satellites, the landing site.
weighing less than 10 kg (nanosatellites) • The Rover payload will determine
and less than 100 kg (micro-satellites). the elemental composition near
SSLV offers on-demand launch services, the landing site.
eliminating the need for clients to wait for
larger rockets.

In the past, ISRO awarded a contract to a


consortium of Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited and Larsen and Toubro for the
construction of five polar satellite launch
vehicles. A recent report by the Indian
Space Association and EY India suggests
that commercial satellite launch services
could contribute around 13 billion US
dollars to India’s economy by 2025.

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India’s First Indigenously Micron Technology Signs


Developed 700 MW MoU with Gujarat
Nuclear Power Reactor at Government for
Kakrapar, Gujarat, Begins Semiconductor Unit in
Commercial Operations Sanand
India’s first indigenously developed 700 1. Micron Technology Inc signed a
MW nuclear power reactor at the Kakrapar Memorandum of Understanding
Atomic Power Project (KAPP) in Gujarat (MoU) on 28 June 2023 with the
has started commercial operations. The Gujarat government to establish a
reactor, named KAPP-3, achieved semiconductor unit in Sanand near
commercial status on June 30, 2023, at Ahmedabad.
10:00 AM. 2. The project aims to create a
semiconductor Assembly, Test,
• The Nuclear Power Corporation of Marking and Packaging (ATMP)
India Limited (NPCIL) is constructing facility on 93 acres of land in
two 700 MW pressurised heavy water Sanand GIDC-II industrial estate.
reactors (PHWRs) at Kakrapar, along
3. The facility will focus on
with two 220 MW power plants.
transforming wafers into Ball Grid
• NPCIL plans to build sixteen 700 MW
PHWRs across the country and has Array (BGA)-integrated circuit
obtained financial and administrative packages, memory modules, and
approval for the project. solid-state drives.
• Construction of 700 MW nuclear 4. The project is expected to cost Rs
power plants is also underway at 22,500 crore and create 5,000
Rawatbhata in Rajasthan (RAPS 7 and direct jobs.
8) and Gorakhpur in Haryana (GHAVP 1 5. The facility is targeted to be
and 2). commissioned within 18 months.
• The Indian government has sanctioned 6. The MoU signing ceremony took
the construction of 10 indigenously
place in the presence of Union
developed PHWRs in fleet mode at
Minister for Electronics and
four different locations: Gorakhpur in
Haryana, Chutka in Madhya Pradesh, Information Technology Ashwini
Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan, and Kaiga Vaishnaw, Chief Minister
in Karnataka. Bhupendra Patel, and Micron

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Technology senior vice-president


Gursharan Singh. Sports Current
7. This is the second MoU signed by
the Gujarat government with a Affairs
semiconductor manufacturer. The
first was signed with the Foxconn-
Vedanta joint venture.
8. The Gujarat government had earlier
selected Dholera SIR as the location
for the Foxconn-Vedanta unit, but
formal approval from the Central
government is still pending.
9. Union Minister Vaishnaw
emphasized the historic
significance of this project and
stated that it is a significant step
towards India becoming self-reliant
Indian women’s hockey
in manufacturing memory chips. team won the 100th
10. India currently imports Anniversary Spanish
semiconductors worth Rs 3 lakh
crore, including around Rs 1 lakh Hockey Federation –
crore worth of memory cards. International Tournament in
Micron is one of the major
manufacturers of memory cards.
Terrassa
11. The project is seen as India’s move
towards achieving self-sufficiency The Indian women’s hockey team
(Aatma Nirbhar) in the production won the 100th Anniversary Spanish
of memory chips. Hockey Federation – International
Tournament in Terrassa on 30 July
2023. Indian Team achieved a 3-0
victory over hosts Spain in the final
match.

1. Vandana Katariya scored in the


22nd minute, Monika in the
48th minute, and Udita in the
58th minute to secure the win.
2. This victory ensured that the
Indian team remained
undefeated throughout the
tournament.
3. In a previous match, India
defeated Commonwealth

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Games champions England


with a score of 3-0.
4. Lalremsiami scored a hat-trick
for India in that match.
5. With this win, India secured
the top spot in the standings
with five points from three
matches.
6. England finished their campaign
with four points from four games. Union Minister Anurag
7. Hosts Spain secured the Singh Thakur Announces
second position in the 1000 Khelo India Centres
standings with four points.
Across the Nation in the
next three months.
The Union Minister Anurag Singh
Thakur announced on 28 July 2023,
in Lucknow, that 1000 Khelo India
centres across the country will be
dedicated to the nation in the next
three months.
1. The Khelo India campaign, initiated
by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
has provided a significant platform
for identifying talented players in
the country.
2. The objective of the Khelo India
campaign is not only to enhance
sports infrastructure but also to
nurture and support talented
athletes.
3. Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo
India University Games, and Khelo
India Winter Games have provided
platforms to more than 15,000
players.
4. Women’s participation in sports has
increased under the leadership of
the Prime Minister, with athletes
like Mirabai Chanu and PV Sindhu
inspiring girls and women in the
country.

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Asian Youth and Junior India finish 2nd on medals


Weightlifting tally at ISSF Junior
Championships 2023 in Shooting World
Greater Noida from 27 July Championships 2023 in
to 5 August 2023. South Korea
Sports Minister Anurag Singh India secured the 2nd position on the
Thakur inaugurated the Asian Youth medals tally at the ISSF Junior Shooting
World Championships 2023 held in
and Junior Weightlifting
Changwon, South Korea from 14 to 25 July
Championships 2023 in Greater 2023.
Noida on 27 July 2023.
1. This is the first time that India is 1. Indian shooters won a total of 17
hosting the international medals in the under-21 age category,
weightlifting event. comprising 6 Gold, 6 Silver, and 5
2. The championship will witness the Bronze.
participation of over 30 Indian 2. The championships featured
weightlifters, including several competitions in pistol, rifle, and
shotgun events.
Khelo India athletes who recently
3. Many of the medalists were athletes
achieved India’s best-ever from the Khelo India program,
performance at the Weightlifting highlighting the program’s positive
Commonwealth Championships, impact on nurturing young shooting
winning a total of 61 medals. talents.
3. More than 15 nations from the 4. Out of the 90 Indian shooters who
Asian region will be represented, participated, seven managed to win
with around 200 athletes and over multiple medals.
50 technical staff and coaches 5. Abhinav Shaw and Kamaljeet were the
taking part in the prestigious event. top-performing Indian shooters, each
4. The Asian Youth and Junior securing two gold medals.
6. Sainyam achieved great success by
Weightlifting Championships will
winning three medals, including a gold
commence on the next day after in the 10m air pistol women’s event,
the inauguration and will conclude and a bronze in both the 10m air pistol
on the 5th of August. mixed team and women’s team events.
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Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and FIFA Women’s Football


Chirag Shetty won the World Cup has commenced
Korea Open Badminton in New Zealand and
men’s doubles title Australia
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and The biggest FIFA Women’s
Chirag Shetty won the Korea Football World Cup has
Open Badminton men’s doubles commenced in New Zealand and
title in Yeosu on 23 July 2023. Australia on 20 July 2023.

1. They defeated the world 1. In the opening match, New


number one pair of Fajar Zealand defeated Norway 1-0
Alfian and Muhammad Rian at Auckland’s Eden Park,
Ardianto of Indonesia in a securing their first-ever World
thrilling 3-game final match, Cup win.
with scores of 17-21, 21-13, 2. Australia also won their first
21-14. match with a 1-0 victory over
2. In the semi-final, Chirag and the Republic of Ireland in
Satwik had defeated the world Sydney, courtesy of a penalty
number two Chinese pair of kick converted by defender
Liang Wei Keng and Wang Steph Catley.
Chang in a thrilling straight- 3. Australia and New Zealand are
game match. jointly hosting the ninth
edition of the Women’s World
Cup, with 32 nations
participating, including
defending champions, the US.
4. This is the first Women’s
World Cup with two co-hosts.
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5. The tournament follows a


traditional group stage-
knockout format, with eight
groups of four teams each
during the group stage.
6. Seven nations, including the
Republic of Ireland, are Asian Cricket Council
making their debuts at this (ACC) announced the
World Cup, along with
Vietnam, Zambia, Haiti,
schedule for the Asia Cup
Morocco, Panama, the 2023
Philippines, and Portugal.
7. The final will be held at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC)
president Jay Shah announced the
Sydney Olympic Stadium on
schedule for the Asia Cup 2023 on 20
the 20 August 2023.
July 2023.

1. The tournament will begin on 30th


August.
2. The event will feature six teams
divided into two groups of three
each.
3. The matches will be held across
four venues in Pakistan and Sri
Lanka.
4. Group A includes co-hosts Pakistan,
India, and Nepal.
5. Group B consists of Sri Lanka,
Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
6. The opening match will be between
Pakistan and Nepal on 30th August
in Multan, Pakistan.
7. India’s first match will be against
Pakistan on 2nd September in
Kandy, Sri Lanka.
8. The final match of the tournament
is scheduled for 17th September in
Colombo, Sri Lanka.

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Satwiksairaj Rankireddy set Wimbledon 2023: Carlos


a new Guinness world Alcaraz beats Novak
record for the fastest shot by Djokovic in five sets for
a male player in badminton men’s title
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, an Indian
badminton player, set a new Guinness Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak
world record for the fastest shot by a male Djokovic in a thrilling five-set match
player in badminton. He achieved a mind-
to win Men’s title of Wimbledon
boggling speed of 565 kilometers per hour
with his smash during a game. championship on 16 July 2023 in
1. The previous record, set in May London.
2013 by Malaysian Tan Boon • Alcaraz’s victory denied Djokovic
Heong, was 493 kilometers per the 24th Grand Slam title of his
hour. career and his third in 2023.
2. Satwiksairaj achieved the record • Alcaraz, at the age of 20, became
along with his partner Chirag Shetty the youngest Wimbledon finalist
during the Indonesia Open, which since 2006.
they won recently. • Djokovic won the first set 6-1, but
3. Malaysia’s Tan Pearly holds the Alcaraz fought back in the second
Guinness world record for the set, eventually winning the
fastest female badminton hit, with tiebreaker 9-7 to even the match at
a remarkable speed of 438 one set apiece.
kilometers per hour. • Alcaraz broke Djokovic twice in the
4. The world record attempts were third set, winning 6-1 and taking a
made on 14 April 2023 and were two sets-to-one lead.
officially verified by judges from the • Djokovic regrouped and broke
Guinness World Records based on Alcaraz in the fourth set, sending
the speed measurement results the match to a decisive fifth set.
from that day. • Alcaraz broke Djokovic early in the
5. Satwik’s record-breaking smash fifth set and maintained his lead
was performed in a controlled throughout the set, as Djokovic
environment at the Yonex factory struggled with his right arm and
gymnasium in Soka, Saitama, Japan. was unable to break back.
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Gold Medal Winner List

Athlete Event Medal

Women’s
Jyothi
100m Gold
Yarraji
hurdles
Asian Athletics
Championships 2023 : India Abdulla Men’s triple
Gold
won 6 gold, 12 silver, and 9 Aboobacker jump
bronze
Women’s
The Asian Athletics Parul
3000m Gold
Championships 2023 took place Chaudhary
steeplechase
in Bangkok, Thailand, from July
12 to 16.
Ajay Kumar Men’s
Gold
• Indian athletes achieved great Saroj 1500m
success at the championships.
• They won a total of 27 medals,
Tajinderpal Men’s shot
consisting of six gold, 12 silver, Gold
Singh Toor put
and nine bronze.
• This medal count matched
India’s best-ever performance Rajesh
at the Asian Athletics Ramesh,
Championships held in Aishwarya
Mixed
Bhubaneswar in 2017, Indian Kailash
4x400m Gold
athletes had also won 27 Mishra,
relay team
medals, including nine golds. Amoj Jacob,
Subha
Venkatesan

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Parth Salunkhe becomes Lakshya Sen beats Shi Feng


first Indian to win Youth in Canada Open 2023 Final
World Championship in in Straight Sets
recurve category Indian badminton player Lakshya
Sen defeated Li Shi Feng of China in
Parth Salunkhe became the first male
the final of Canada Open 2023 on 9th
archer to win a gold in the recurve
July 2023 at Calgary. Sen won the
category at the Youth World archery
match in straight sets with a score of
Championships. He defeated a
21-18, 22-20.
Korean, Song Injun, 7-3 in the
Under-21 men’s recurve individual
• Sen, ranked 19th in the world,
final in Limerick, Ireland, on 09 July
maintained his lead throughout the
2023. first game to win 21-18.
• Shi Feng dominated the second
India finished with their highest-ever game and was leading 16-20 at one
tally of 11 medals, including six gold, point.
one silver and four bronze. Six of the • Sen made a comeback, saving four
11 medals were won in the U21 game points and winning the next
category – four gold and two bronze. two points to finish the game in
straight sets.

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World Archery Youth Ajit Agarkar Appointed


Championships: Priyansh Chairman of Senior Men’s
and Avneet Kaur won gold Cricket Selection
in the junior mixed team Committee
compound event
Former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar
Indian archers Priyansh and Avneet was appointed as the Chairman of
Kaur emerged victorious in the junior Senior Men’s Selection Committee
mixed team compound event at the by the Board of Control for Cricket in
World Archery Youth India (BCCI) on 4 July 2023. The
Championships held in Limerick, Selection committee includes Ajit
Ireland. In a thrilling final, the Indian Agarkar, Shiv Sundar Das, Subroto
duo defeated Israel with a close score Banerjee, Salil Ankola, and
of 146-144 on July 5, 2023. Sridharan Sharath. Agarkar, was
made chairperson based on seniority
which considers the total number of
Adding to India’s success, Manav
Test matches played.
Jadhav and Aishwarya Sharma won a
bronze medal in the cadet mixed Agarkar, a former India all-rounder, had an
compound event by defeating impressive cricket career, representing the
Mexico. The World Archery Youth country in 26 Tests, 191 ODIs, and four
Championships, taking place at the T20Is. He played a significant number of
matches across various formats. Notably,
University of Limerick, commenced he was part of India’s victorious T20 World
on 3 July and will continue until 9 Cup squad in 2007. Agarkar still holds the
July 2023. record for the fastest half-century by an
Indian batter in ODIs, achieved in just 21
balls against Zimbabwe in 2000. He was
also the fastest to reach 50 ODI wickets for
almost a decade, achieving the milestone in
only 23 matches.

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semifinals, while Kuwait


defeated Bangladesh.
6. This was the second meeting
between India and Kuwait in
the tournament, with their
previous encounter ending in
a 1-1 draw during the group
stage.
7. Alkhaldi scored first for
Kuwait, but Chhangte’s goal
India Clinches SAFF equalized the score for India.
Championship 2023 Title in
Penalty Shootout Victory SAFF CHAMPIONSHIP 2023
Date: 21 JUNE – 4 JULY
Against Kuwait Host: INDIA

India Clinches SAFF Championship


Title in Penalty Shootout Victory Participated Teams ::
Against Kuwait on 4th July 2023 at at GROUP A (INDIA, KUWAIT, NEPAL,
the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in PAKISTAN)
GROUP B (LEBANON, MALDIVES,
Bengaluru. BHUTAN, BANGLADESH)

1. India won the SAFF


Championships trophy for the
ninth time by defeating Kuwait
5-4 in a penalty shoot-out in
the final.
2. The final match ended in a 1-1
draw at the end of regulation
time.
3. The thrilling penalty shootout
determined the winner, with
India emerging victorious.
4. Udanta Singh missed his
penalty kick for India, but
goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh
saved the final kick from the
Kuwaiti captain.
5. India reached the final by
defeating Lebanon in the

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Indian javelin thrower India’s Men’s Football


Neeraj Chopra clinches Team Climbs to 100th Rank
Lausanne Diamond League in FIFA World Rankings
title
India’s men’s national football team
Neeraj Chopra, the star Indian javelin has improved its FIFA World
thrower, secured victory on July 1, Rankings, moving up from 101st to
2023 at the Lausanne Diamond 100th place in recently releases FIFA
League 2023, Switzerland. World Rankings.
1. The team surpassed Lebanon and
• Neeraj claimed the title with an New Zealand to achieve this rank.
impressive throw of 87.66 meters. 2. India is now the 18th-ranked team
• Neeraj showcased his Olympic- in Asia and the Asian Football
winning form once again after his Confederation (AFC).
triumph at the Diamond League 3. In the month of June, India gained
event in Doha in May. 4.24 ranking points in seven
• In the fifth attempt, Neeraj matches.
achieved a remarkable throw of 4. This advancement in the rankings
87.66 meters. will have a significant impact on the
• Julian Webber from Germany upcoming 2026 World Cup
secured second place with a throw qualifiers draw.
of 87.03 meters. 5. The switch in positions between
• Jakub Vadlech from the Czech India and Lebanon in the AFC
Republic secured third place with a standings occurred due to
throw of 86.13 meters. Lebanon’s one-point decrease after
• Neeraj’s outstanding performance their defeat to India in the
reaffirms his status as a dominant Intercontinental Cup final.
force in the world of javelin 6. Argentina remains the top-ranked
throwing. team in the FIFA World Rankings,
followed by France.
7. The United States of America has
climbed two spots, moving from
13th to 11th in the rankings.
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first time in the Hangzhou Asian


Games.
7. China is hosting an Asian-level
squash mixed doubles competition
for the first time.
8. The Hangzhou Asian Games will
offer five gold medals in squash.

Dipika Pallikal and Harinder


Pal Sandhu won the gold
medal at the Asian Mixed
Doubles Squash
Tournament
Dipika Pallikal and Harinder Pal
Sandhu won the gold medal at the
Asian Mixed Doubles Squash
Tournament on 30 June 2023 in
Hangzhou.

1. They defeated Ivan Yuen and Rachel


Arnold of Malaysia in a 2-0 victory
during the final match.
2. Dipika’s participation in this event
marks her first appearance since
the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
3. Another Indian duo, Anahat Singh
and Abhay Singh, won the Bronze
medal by defeating the top seeds.
4. The Asian Mixed Doubles Squash
Tournament is serving as a trial
event for the Hangzhou Asian
Games, which will be hosted by
China in September.
5. The tournament features 21 teams
from 10 countries and regions,
including China, Hong Kong, India,
and Malaysia.
6. This event is significant as it marks
the inclusion of mixed doubles as
an official event in squash for the
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States Current
Affairs

Ajit Pawar Joins Shiv Sena-


BJP Government as Deputy
Chief Minister in
Gyanvapi mosque case : Maharashtra
Varanasi Court Orders
Scientific Survey Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader
Ajit Pawar joined the Shiv Sena-BJP
government in Maharashtra and became the
On 21 July 2023, Varanasi District deputy Chief minister on 2nd July 2023.
Judge court has issued an order for a
• The state will now have two Deputy
scientific survey of the Gyanvapi
Chief Ministers, with the other
mosque, which is located near the being BJP leader Devendra
Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varansi, Fadnavis.
Uttar Pradesh. However, the survey • Eight other NCP leaders also took
will not include the ‘wazukhana’ oath as ministers along with Ajit
area, which is used by Muslims. Pawar.
• Ajit Pawar resigned as Leader of the
Gyanvapi mosque : Dispute Opposition after a meeting with
NCP MLAs.
The Gyanvapi mosque case in Varanasi, • Ajit Pawar expressed dissatisfaction
Uttar Pradesh, India, revolves around a after being denied the opportunity to
legal dispute concerning the ownership of work as the state unit chief of NCP.
the land where the mosque is situated. It • Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated
originated in 1991 when local priests filed a that the government is focused on the
suit in the Varanasi Civil Court to gain development of the state and
permission for worship in the Gyanvapi highlighted Ajit Pawar’s belief in
Mosque Complex. They claimed that the development.
mosque was constructed on the site of the • NCP Chief Sharad Pawar mentioned
demolished portion of the Kashi that party MLAs and senior leaders will
Vishwanath Temple by Mughal Emperor discuss possible actions against the
Aurangzeb in the 17th Century. rebel leaders.
• Jitendra Awhad was appointed as the
new Leader of the Opposition in the
state Assembly.
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Miscellaneous Understanding Eye Flu:


Eye flu or conjunctivitis is an
Current Affairs inflammation of the conjunctiva,
which is the thin, transparent layer
that covers the white part of the eye
and lines the inner eyelid. The
infection can be caused by viruses or
bacteria, leading to various
uncomfortable symptoms.

Common Symptoms:
The symptoms of eye flu may include
redness, itching, swelling, excessive
tearing, and a gritty sensation in the
Eye flu, also known as eye. These discomforts can affect one
conjunctivitis on the rise or both eyes, making it essential to
take immediate precautions to
Eye flu, also known as conjunctivitis, prevent further spread.
has been observed to be on the rise in
certain parts of the country, including Preventive Measures:
Delhi-NCR. However, there is no
To minimize the risk of contracting
need to panic as cases are self-
eye flu and to prevent its
limiting and can be managed
transmission, Dr. Jeewan S Titiyal
effectively. Dr. Jeewan S Titiyal,
suggests a few simple yet effective
Chief of the Dr. R P Centre at AIIMS,
home remedies. Maintaining hand
New Delhi, has shed light on the
hygiene is crucial, so washing hands
nature of the infection and offered
frequently is highly recommended.
valuable advice to prevent its spread.
Avoid touching your eyes with your
In this blog, we will discuss what eye
hands, especially if you have been in
flu or conjunctivitis is, its common
contact with surfaces or objects that
symptoms, and some preventive
may carry the infection.
measures to follow.
Additionally, refrain from sharing
towels, washcloths, makeup, or eye
drops with others to avoid potential
cross-contamination.

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PM Narendra Modi to BSF Commander Parimal


Receive Prestigious Kumar Ghosh, First Indian
Lokmanya Tilak Award Officer to Aid Bangladesh
2023 Freedom Fighters, Passes
Away at 84
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has
been selected as the recipient of the Parimal Kumar Ghosh, a legendary
prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award commander of the Border Security
for 2023. The announcement was Force (BSF), passed away on 7 July
made by Dr. Dipak Tilak and Rohit 2023 in New Delhi at the age of 84.
Tilak, President and member of the Ghosh was reportedly the first Indian
Tilak Smarak Trust, respectively, at a military officer to assist Bangladesh
press conference in Pune. The award freedom fighters during the 1971
will be presented to Prime Minister liberation war. Ghosh served as a
Modi by Dr. Deepak Tilak, the commander in the 92nd Battalion of
President of the Trust, on August 1, the BSF and was stationed in Tripura
which marks the death anniversary of when the freedom movement in
Lokmanya Tilak. Bangladesh began.

About Lokmanya Tilak Award In Bangladesh, Ghosh is considered a


The Lokmanya Tilak Award is a revered figure and is seen as one of
prestigious honor given to the Indian commanders who fought
individuals who have made for the cause of Bangladesh. It is
outstanding contributions in believed that Ghosh played a
iterature, arts, science, social work, significant role in the initial
journalism, and public service. It is formation of the Mukti Vahini, the
named after Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a liberation force of Bangladesh.
prominent Indian nationalist.

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MCQ Questions:
Question: What is the estimated tiger population in India, as per the
report released by the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and
Climate Change on Global Tiger Day on 29 July 2023?

A) 2,500
B) 3,167
C) 3,682
D) 3,925

D) 3,925
Detail News

Q.: What is the purpose of the ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign
ahead of Independence Day 2023?

A) To celebrate Independence Day


B) To honor the martyred men and women
C) To organize Amrit Mahotsav celebrations
D) To build the National War Memorial

B) To honor the martyred men and women


Detail News

Q.: Which team won the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey


Federation – International Tournament in July 2023 ?

A) England
B) Spain
C) India
D) Germany

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C) India
Detail News

Q.: What is the primary payload of ISRO’s PSLV-C56 rocket launched


from Sriharikota on 30 June 2023?

A) DS-SAR satellite
B) VELOX-AM microsatellite
C) ARCADE microsatellite
D) ST Engineering payload

A) DS-SAR satellite
Detail News

Q.: Nisha Biswal, an Indian-American policy expert, has been


confirmed to serve as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
which US finance agency?

A) World Bank
B) United States International Development Finance Corporation
C) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
D) Federal Reserve System

B) United States International Development Finance Corporation


Detail News

Q.: What is the objective of the Khelo India campaign ?


a) To enhance sports infrastructure only
b) To nurture and support talented athletes only
c) To provide a platform for identifying talented players and enhance
sports infrastructure
d) To provide platforms for different sports competitions

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Ans : c) To provide a platform for identifying talented players and


enhance sports infrastructure
Detail News

Q.: Where is the UNESCO Headquarters located?


a) New York, USA
b) London, UK
c) Paris, France
d) Geneva, Switzerland

Ans : c) Paris, France


Detail News
Q.: The PM SHRI Scheme focuses on nurturing students to become
________.
a) Wealthy entrepreneurs
b) Engaged, productive, and contributing citizens
c) Government employees
d) Members of the armed forces

Ans : b) Engaged, productive, and contributing citizens


Detail News

Q.: What is eye flu or conjunctivitis?


a) Inflammation of the retina
b) Inflammation of the cornea
c) Inflammation of the conjunctiva
d) Inflammation of the iris

Ans : c) Inflammation of the conjunctiva


Detail News

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Q.: At the ISSF Junior Shooting World Championships 2023, which


country finished in 2nd place on the medals tally?
A) South Korea
B) India
C) United States
D) China

Answer: B) India
Detail News

Q.: Which organization celebrated its 85th Raising Day on 27th July
2023 ?
A) Indian Army
B) CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force)
C) BSF (Border Security Force)
D) IAF (Indian Air Force)

Answer: B) CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force)


Detail News

Question: In which city is the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting


Championships 2023 being held?
A) Greater Noida
B) Mumbai
C) New Delhi
D) Kolkata

Answer: A) Greater Noida


Detail News

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Q.: What is the purpose of the first Permanent Aadhaar Enrolment


Centre (PAEC) inaugurated by the Army Postal Service Corps in New
Delhi?

A) To provide postal services to civilians in New Delhi.


B) To facilitate Aadhaar-related services for tri-services personnel and
their dependents across India.
C) To offer training and technical support to Field Post Offices in New
Delhi.
D) To establish peace locations in 48 identified areas across the country.

Answer: B) To facilitate Aadhaar-related services for tri-services personnel


and their dependents across India.
Detail News

Question: What material will be used to replace steel barriers on


highways according to the government’s plan?
A) Concrete
B) Wood
C) Bamboo
D) Plastic

Answer: C) Bamboo
Detail News

Question: Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen has announced his


resignation and will hand over power to whom in early August?
A) His brother, Fue Nasa
B) His eldest son, Hun Manet
C) The Cambodian monarch, Den Bona
D) The leader of the opposition party, Homi Tana

Answer: B) His eldest son, Hun Manet


Detail News

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Question: What is the name of the scheme that offers work visas to
young Indians between 18 and 30 years with graduate-level
qualifications for the UK?
A) UK-India Graduate Exchange Program
B) UK-India Young Professional Scheme
C) India-UK Study and Work Initiative
D) Youth Mobility Program: India Edition

Answer: B) UK-India Young Professional Scheme


Detail News

Q.: Which railway station received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award


of Merit for Heritage Restoration and Modernization efforts?
a) Byculla railway station
b) Mumbai Central railway station
c) Howrah Junction railway station
d) Chennai Central railway station

Ans : a) Byculla railway station


Detail News

Q.: According to the latest report by the International Monetary


Fund (IMF), what is the projected Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
growth rate for India in the current fiscal year (2023-2024) ?
a) 5.9 percent
b) 6.1 percent
c) 6.3 percent
d) 6.5 percent

Ans : b) 6.1 percent


Detail News

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Q.: Which operation is celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed on


July 26 every year?
a) Operation Cactus
b) Operation Meghdoot
c) Operation Vijay
d) Operation Pawan

Ans : c) Operation Vijay


Detail News

Q.: What is the approved interest rate on deposits under the


Employees Provident Fund scheme for the financial year 2022-23?
a) 8.10 percent
b) 8.15 percent
c) 8.20 percent
d) 8.05 percent

Ans : b) 8.15 percent


Detail News

Q.: What is the recent change made by Twitter in its branding?


a) Changed its name to X Corp.
b) Replaced its blue bird logo with an X.
c) Introduced a new social media platform.
d) Acquired a competitor company.

Ans : b) Replaced its blue bird logo with an X.


Detail News

Q.: Where will the event “Semicon India 2023” take place from 28th
to 30th July 2023?
A) New Delhi
B) Bengaluru

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C) Hyderabad
D) Gandhinagar

Answer: D) Gandhinagar
Detail News

Q.: Who received the National Geoscience Award 2022 for Lifetime
Achievement ?
A) Dr. Om Narain Bhargava
B) Dr. Amiya Kumar Samal
C) President Droupadi Murmu
D) Banaras Hindu University

Answer: A) Dr. Om Narain Bhargava


Detail News

Q.: Which centralized facility was inaugurated by Union Home


Minister Amit Shah on July 22, 2023, to address security challenges
for 66 civil airports under the CISF’s security cover?
a) Central Security Monitoring Centre (CSMC)
b) Air Traffic Control Centre (ATCC)
c) Aviation Security Control Centre (ASCC)
d) Security Operations Command Centre (SOCC)

Answer: c) Aviation Security Control Centre (ASCC)


Detail News

Q.: Who won the Korea Open 2023 Badminton men’s doubles title in
Yeosu?
A) Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto
B) Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang
C) Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
D) None of the above

Answer: C) Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty


Detail News

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Q.: Which complex will host the country’s G20 Leaders meetings and
has become India’s largest Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and
Exhibitions (MICE) destination?
A) Pragati Maidan Complex
B) Hannover Exhibition Centre
C) International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC)
D) National Exhibition and Convention Centre, Shanghai

Answer: A) Pragati Maidan Complex


Detail News

Q.: In the recent national elections in Spain, which party emerged as


the winner?
A) Socialist Party
B) Far-right Vox party
C) Popular Party (PP)
D) Conservative Party

Ans : C) Popular Party (PP)


Detail News

Q.: Why will Russian President Vladimir Putin not attend the BRICS
summit in South Africa in August?
A) He is facing charges of war crimes issued by the ICC.
B) He is occupied with foreign ministerial duties.
C) South Africa refused to grant him entry to the country.
D) He disagreed with the summit’s agenda.

Answer: A) He is facing charges of war crimes issued by the ICC.


Detail News

Q.: What is the Gyanvapi mosque case about in Varanasi ?


A) A dispute over the ownership of the Gyanvapi Mosque
B) A legal battle regarding the construction of the Kashi Vishwanath
Temple

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C) A controversy over the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque


D) A depute about Ganga corridor in Varanasi

Answer: A) A dispute over the ownership of the Gyanvapi Mosque


Detail News

Q.: The Bhoomi Samman 2023 awards were presented to individuals


and teams who excelled in which program?
a) Digital India Education Enhancement Program
b) Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme
c) Digital India Healthcare Access Initiative
d) Digital India Skill Development Scheme

Ans : b) Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme


Detail News

Q.: Who is the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC)?


a) Jay Shah
b) Sourav Ganguly
c) Ehsan Mani
d) David Richardson

Ans : a) Jay Shah


Detail News

Q.: Where is the biggest FIFA Women’s Football World Cup being
jointly hosted?
a) United States and Canada
b) Australia and New Zealand
c) France and Spain
d) Brazil and Argentina

Ans : b) Australia and New Zealand


Detail News

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Q.: Which of the following sessions is not one of the three sessions
of the Indian Parliament?
a) Monsoon session
b) Winter session
c) Spring session
d) Budget session

Ans : c) Spring session


Detail News

Q.: What does GPU stand for ?


a) General Processing Unit,
b) Graphics Processing Unit
c) General Purpose Unit
d) Graphic Purpose Universe

Ans : b) Graphics Processing Unit


Detail News

Q.: Who is the Indian badminton player that set a new Guinness
World Record for the fastest shot in badminton?
a) Chirag Shetty
b) Lakshya Sen
c) Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
d) Prakash Padukone

c) Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
Detail News

Q. : Which name has been given to the alliance formed by the


opposition parties to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election?
a) National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
b) Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)

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c) Congress National Alliance (CNA)


d) Democratic Opposition Front (DOF)

Ans : b) Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)


Detail News

Q.: Which organization issued a warning about the impact of


heatwaves and extreme weather worldwide?
a) World Health Organization (WHO)
b) World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
c) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
d) International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

Ans : b) World Meteorological Organization (WMO)


Detail News

Question: When is Nelson Mandela International Day observed?


A) January 18
B) April 18
C) July 18
D) October 18

Answer: C) July 18
Detail news

Question: Veer Savarkar International Airport is located at which


place?
A) Chennai
B) Kolkata
C) Port Blair
D) Mumbai

Answer: C) Port Blair


Detail news

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Q.: Which state in India registered the highest decline in the number
of poor according to the National Multidimensional Poverty Index
released by NITI Aayog in July 2023?
A) Bihar
B) Madhya Pradesh
C) Uttar Pradesh
D) Odisha

Answer: C) Uttar Pradesh


Detail news

Q.: Who did Carlos Alcaraz defeat to win the Men’s title at the
Wimbledon championship 2023?
a) Roger Federer
b) Rafael Nadal
c) Novak Djokovic
d) Andy Murray

Ans : c) Novak Djokovic


Detail news

Q.: Which two central banks signed the MoUs to promote the use of
local currencies for cross-border transactions between India and the
UAE?
a) Reserve Bank of India and Federal Reserve
b) Reserve Bank of India and UAE Central Bank
c) Federal Reserve and UAE Central Bank
d) Bank of India and UAE Central Bank

Ans : b) Reserve Bank of India and UAE Central Bank


Detail news

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Q.: Parul Chaudhary, won a gold medal in which event at the Asian
Athletics Championships 2023?
a) Women’s 3000m steeplechase
b) Women’s 100m sprint
c) Women’s long jump
d) Women’s shot put

Ans : a) Women’s 3000m steeplechase


Detail news

Q. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi is planning to establish


a campus in which city of the Middle East?
A) Dubai
B) Abu Dhabi
C) Riyadh
D) Doha

Ans : B) Abu Dhabi


Detail news

Question: When is World Youth Skills Day celebrated annually?

A) July 1
B) July 15
C) August 15
D) September 1

B) July 15
Detail news

Q : During his visit to France in July 2023, Prime Minister Narendra


Modi announced an agreement to use which flagship instant
payment system in France?

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A) NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer)


B) RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement)
C) UPI (Unified Payments Interface)
D) IMPS (Immediate Payment Service)

C) UPI (Unified Payments Interface)


Detail news

Q.: Which was the launch site for the LVM3-M4 rocket that carried
Chandrayaan-3 to the moon on July 14, 2023?

a) Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota,


b) Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station,
c) Abdul Kalam Island,
d) Indian Space Research Organisation, Bangalore

a) Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota,


Detail news

Q.: Which rank did the Indian Team secure in the 64th International
Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2023 out of 112 participating
countries?
a) 1st
b) 5th
c) 9th
d) 12th

c) 9th
Detail news

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Q.: The Defence Acquisition Council has approved the procurement


of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy from which
country?

a) United States
b) Russia
c) France
d) China

c) France
Detail news

Q.: Which region is the largest trade partner of India?


a) East Asia
b) North America
c) West Asia
d) South America

c) West Asia
Detail News

Q.: Which ship, known as India’s first indigenously built Guided


Missile Destroyer, participated in the seventh edition of the Japan-
India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX 23)?
a) INS Delhi
b) INS Kamorta
c) INS Shakti
d) INS Vikrant

a) INS Delhi
Detail News

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Q.: Which of the following statements is true?


a) Bangladesh is India’s largest trade partner in Asia.
b) India is Bangladesh’s largest trade partner in South Asia.
c) India and Bangladesh do not engage in bilateral trade.
d) India and Bangladesh trade only in US dollars.

b) India is Bangladesh’s largest trade partner in South Asia.


Detail News

Q.: What is the full form of NATO?

A) North American Treaty Organization


B) North Atlantic Treaty Organization
C) North African Treaty Organization
D) North Asian Treaty Organization

B) North Atlantic Treaty Organization


Detail News

Q.: When is the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust


Storms observed?
a) 12 June
b) 12 July
c) 12 August
d) 12 September

b) 12 July
Detail News

Q.: When is World Population Day observed?


a) July 11
b) July 10
c) June 11
d) June 10

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: a) July 11
Detail News

Q.: What is ISRO’s plan for the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)?

A) Collaborate with international space agencies


B) Decommission the SSLV due to low demand
C) Transfer SSLV to the private sector
D) Develop a larger version of SSLV for heavy satellite launches

C) Transfer SSLV to the private sector


Detail News

Q.: Who has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious


Lokmanya Tilak Award for 2023?

A) Rajnath Singh
B) Dr. Dipak Tilak
C) Amit Saha
D) Narendra Modi

D) Narendra Modi
Detail News

Q.: Who became the first male archer to win a gold in the recurve
category at the Youth World Championships?
A) Parth Salunkhe
B) Song Injun
C) Pravin Jadhav
D) Atanu Das

A) Parth Salunkhe
Detail News

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Q.: Bastille Day is celebrated every year in France on which date?

A. July 4th
B. July 14th
C. August 15th
D. September 1st

B. July 14th
Detail News

Q:. Who is the United Kingdom National Security Adviser?

a) Tim Barrow
b) Ajit Doval
c) Jake Sullivan
d) Maureen O’Brien

a) Tim Barrow
Detail News

Q.: What is the purpose of the NCC Integrated Software launched in


July 2023?
a) To provide debit card facilities to NCC cadets
b) To digitalize the entire process from enrollment to alumni registration
c) To establish an all-India database of Defense Ministry personnel
d) To promote physical fitness among NCC cadets

b) To digitalize the entire process from enrollment to alumni registration


Detail News

Q. : Who was the first Indian military officer to provide assistance to


the Bangladesh freedom fighters during the 1971 liberation war?

a) Rajendra Singh
b) Parimal Kumar Ghosh

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c) Manoj Kumar Sinha


d) Rakesh Sharma

b) Parimal Kumar Ghosh


Detail News

Q.: Where will the first IIT campus outside of India be established?
a) Zanzibar, Tanzania
b) Nairobi, Kenya
c) Cape Town, South Africa
d) Dubai, UAE

a) Zanzibar, Tanzania
Detail News

Q.: Which categories of trucks are included in the draft notification?


a) N1 and N2
b) N2 and N3
c) N3 and N4
d) N4 and N5

b) N2 and N3
Detail News

Q.: The “Ring of Fire” is known for:


a) High precipitation levels
b) Frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity
c) Rich biodiversity
d) Historical cultural sites

b) Frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity


Detail News

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Q.: Which state has achieved 100% Open Defecation Free (ODF) plus
status?
a) Assam
b) Sikkim
c) Manipur
d) Meghalaya

b) Sikkim
Detail News

Q.: Who won the gold medal in the junior mixed team compound
event at the World Archery Youth Championships?

A) Priyansh and Avneet Kaur


B) Manav Jadhav and Aishwarya Sharma
C) Manav Jadhav and Avneet Kaur
D) Anurag and Avneet Kaur

A) Priyansh and Avneet Kaur


Detail News

Q.: What is the name of the launch vehicle for Chandrayaan 3?

A) GSLV Mark II
B) PSLV-C50
C) GSLV Mark III
D) ISRO-XL

C) GSLV Mark III


Detail News

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Q.: Which day was recorded as the World’s hottest day according to
data from the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Prediction?

A) 5 August 2016
B) 3 July 2023
C) 21 August 2022
D) 22 June 2019

B) 3 July 2023
Detail News

Q.: Which former cricketer has been appointed as the chairman of


the Senior Men’s Cricket Selection Committee?

A) Salil Ankola
B) Shiv Sundar Das
C) Subroto Banerjee
D) Ajit Agarkar

D) Ajit Agarkar
Detail News

Q.: What is the name of the bamboo pole with pitchers of Ganga Jal
tied on both sides that the devotees carry during the Kanwar Yatra?
A) Kumbh
B) Kanwar
C) Kashi
D) Kavach

B) Kanwar
Detail News

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Q.: Which country will host the next meeting of the SCO Council of
Heads of State in 2024?

a) China
b) Russia
c) India
d) Kazakhstan

d) Kazakhstan
Detail News

Q.: Which Team win the SAFF Championship 2023?


a) Kuwait
b) India
c) Lebanon
d) Pakistan

b) India
Detail News

Q.: Which organization is developing the RAPIDX regional train


service ?
a) National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC)
b) Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety (CMRS)
c) Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)
d) Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

a) National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC)


Detail News

Q.: Where will the trading of NSE’s international contracts,


previously done in Singapore, take place now?
a) Singapore Stock Exchange
b) Mumbai Stock Exchange

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c) GIFT City in Gandhinagar


d) International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)

c) GIFT City in Gandhinagar


Detail News

Q: Who recently joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government in


Maharashtra as the Deputy Chief Minister?
a) Devendra Fadnavis
b) Sharad Pawar
c) Ajit Pawar
d) Eknath Shinde

c) Ajit Pawar
Detail News

Q: Where is India’s first indigenously developed 700 MW nuclear


power reactor, KAPP-3, located?
a) Rawatbhata, Rajasthan
b) Kakrapar, Gujarat
c) Chutka, Madhya Pradesh
d) Gorakhpur, Haryana

b) Kakrapar, Gujarat
Detail News

Q.: Who won the Lausanne Diamond League 2023 title in javelin
throw?
a) Neeraj Chopra
b) Julian Webber
c) Jakub Vadlech
d) Shivpal Singh

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a) Neeraj Chopra
Detail News

Q.: Who won the gold medal in the Asian Mixed Doubles Squash
Tournament in June 2023?
a) Dipika Pallikal and Ramit Tandon
b) Harinder Pal Sandhu and Sunayna Kuruvilla
c) Sunayna Kuruvilla and Ramit Tandon
d) Dipika Pallikal and Harinder Pal Sandhu

d) Dipika Pallikal and Harinder Pal Sandhu


Detail News

Q.: Which company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)


with the
Gujarat government in the Month of June 2023 to establish a
semiconductor unit?
a) Intel
b) QUALCOMM
c) Micron Technology Inc
d) Samsung

c) Micron Technology Inc


Detail News

Q.: National Doctors Day is celebrated on 1st July every year in


memory of:
a) Dr. Rajender Prasad
b) Dr. Manmohan Singh
c) Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
d) Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy

d) Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy


Detail News

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Q.: India’s men’s national football team recently moved up in the


FIFA World Rankings to which position?
a) 101st
b) 100th
c) 18th
d) 91st

b) 100th
Detail News

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