Feb

Current Affairs February 2023 www.parchamclasses.
in
Contents
Important Days ............................................................ 1 National News............................................................ 29
Books And Authors....................................................... 3 International News .................................................... 40
Awards ......................................................................... 4 Science Tech .............................................................. 44
Appointments .............................................................. 8 Defence ...................................................................... 48
Obituaries................................................................... 13 Banking ...................................................................... 52
Ranking & Index News ............................................... 15 Sports ......................................................................... 59
State News ................................................................. 20
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Current Affairs February 2023 www.parchamclasses.in
Important Days
Which 2 North Eastern states got their statehood on 20th February?
DATE DAY THEME/ REMARK

1 Feb 47th Indian Coast The interim Indian Coast guard was established on 1 February 1977 to prevent
Guard Day sea-borne smuggling of goods which were hampering India's domestic
economy.
2 Feb World Wetlands Day Theme 2023- It’s Time for Wetlands Restoration
it marks the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on this date in 1971 in
Ramsar, Iran.
4 Feb International Day of raising awareness about different cultures and religions, or beliefs, and the
Human Fraternity promotion of tolerance.
4 Feb World Cancer Day Slogan - 'Close the care gap’
Blue and Orange are the official colour for world cancer day 2023.
10 Feb National De- Initiative of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, to make every child in the
Worming Day country worm free. First round of NDD was conducted in February 2015
10 Feb World Pulses Day Theme 2023: Pulses for a Sustainable Future
established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN to
recognize the importance of pulses as a global food.
11 Feb International Day of Theme - Innovate. Demonstrate. Elevate. Advance. I.D.E.A.: Bringing
Women and Girls in communities Forward for sustainable and equitable development.
Science
12 Feb National Productivity This day is a part of the National Productivity Week celebrations, which is
Day observed from 12 February to 18 February in India.
Productivity Week Theme 2023
“Productivity, Green Growth and Sustainability: Celebrating India’s G-20
Presidency”
13 Feb World Radio Day Theme 2022 is "Radio and Peace".
13 Feb National Women's Sarojini Naidu’s Birth Anniversary
Day nickname 'Nightingale of India' or 'Bharat Kokila'
13 – 17 RBI’s Financial Theme: "Good Financial Behaviour, Your Saviour”.
Feb Literacy Week The theme aligned with the strategic objectives of the National Strategy for
Financial Education: 2020-2025.
20 Feb Mizoram & Arunachal Pradesh became the 24th state of India and is also known as the
Arunachal Pradesh ‘land of the rising sun’.
Statehood Day Mizoram was declared a UT in 1972 under the Northeast Areas
(Reorganisation) Act of 1971.
It became the 23rd state of India after the 53rd Amendment to the Indian
Constitution in 1986.
20 Feb World Day of Social Theme 2023 – Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social
Justice Justice
21 Feb International Mother Theme 2023 – Multilingual Education – a necessity to transform education
Language Day
22 Feb World Scout Day Birthday of Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting
24 Feb Central Excise Day Celebrated to commemorate the legislation of the Central Excise and Salt Act
on 24 February 1944.
27 Feb World NGO Day Theme 2023 – The role and influence of NGOs in advancing human rights
27 Feb National Protein Theme – Easy Access to Protein for All

Day
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to create awareness about protein deficiency and encourage people to include

this macronutrient in their diet
28 Feb National Science Day Theme: “Global Science for Global Wellbeing”
to mark the discovery of the Raman effect by Indian physicist Sir C. V. Raman,
for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
The breakthrough discovery earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
Which day is observed as ‘National Women's Day’?

10 February
12 February
13 February
14 February
12 February is observed as:

World Wetlands Day
World Pulses Day
Central Excise Day
National Productivity Day
Which day is observed as ‘National Science Day’?

22 February
24 February
28 February
27 February
4 February is observed as:

Indian Coast Guard Day
World Cancer Day
World Radio Day
World Scout Day
What is the theme of ‘World Pulses Day’?

Pulses for a sustainable future
Pulses are the backbone of diet
Pulses for a nutritious life
None of the above
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Books And Authors

A new book ‘The Poverty of Political Economy’ by Meghnad Desai released
India-born British economist Meghnad Desai has authored a new book titled “The Poverty of
Political Economy – How Economics Abandoned the Poor”.
It highlights how the discipline of economics, since the time it evolved from the late 18th
century, systematically kept the interests of the poor at the periphery.
Published by HarperCollins
Salman Rushdie’s new novel 'Victory City' released
• British author, Salman Rushdie has released his new novel "Victory City".
• Published by Penguin Random House.
• It is an epic tale of a 14th-century woman who defies a patriarchal world to
rule a city.
• Rushdie won the Booker Prize in 1981 for his second novel, Midnight's
Children.
• His notable works: Grimus (1975); Shame (1983); The Satanic Verses (1988)
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi released two books
• Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi released two books —

• Pt. Deendayal Udadhyaya: Dispersions of Thought
• Pt. Deendayal Udpadhyaya: Integral Humanism in Chennai.
• The book was authored by Professor B. Dharmalingam.
• Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya was an Indian politician and a proponent of
integral humanism ideology.
• He also started the monthly publication Rashtra Dharma (National Duty).
• He also served as the 10th President of Bharatiya Jana Sangh (1967 –
1968).
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Awards
Former German chancellor Angela Merkel receives UNESCO peace prize
The former German leader received the UN prize for her choice to accept
more than 1,2 million refugees, particularly those from Syria, Iraq,
Afghanistan, and Eritrea, into German territory back in 2015.
Appasaheb Dharmadhikari honoured with Maharashtra Bhushan award

Social worker and reformer ‘Nirupankar’ Dattatreya Narayan Dharmadhikari, popularly
known as Appasaheb Dharmadhikari, has honoured with the Maharashtra Bhushan
Award for the year 2022.
Maharashtra Bhushan is a highest civilian award presented annually by the Government
of Maharashtra State
The award comprising a medal, citation and Rs 25 lakh will be conferred on Appasaheb
Dharmadhikari.
Appasaheb was honoured with Padma Shri in 2017.
Best marching contingents and tableaux of Republic Day Parade 2023
Best Marching Contingent among the three services

Punjab Regiment Centre Contingent
Best Marching Contingent among CAPF/other auxiliary forces
CRPF Marching Contingent
Best three Tableaux (States/UTs)
First - Uttarakhand (Manaskhand)
Second - Maharashtra
Third - Uttar Pradesh
Best Tableau (Ministries/Departments)
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Popular Choice Award:

Best Marching Contingent among the three services –
INDIAN AIR FORCE MARCHING CONTINGENT
Best Marching Contingent among CAPF/other auxiliary forces –
CRPF MARCHING CONTINGENT
Best three Tableaux (States/UTs):
First - Gujarat (Clean-Green energy efficient Gujarat)
Second - Uttar Pradesh
Third - Maharashtra
Best Tableau (Central Ministries/Departments) - CAPF (Ministry of Home Affairs)
Indian music composer, Ricky Kej wins third Grammy for 'Divine Tides’
at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

He has shared this award with Stewart Copeland, who collaborated with him on
the album.
Kej has become the only Indian to win three Grammy Awards.
Record of the Year: About Damn Time by Lizzo

Album of the Year: Harry's House by Harry Styles
Song of the Year: Just Like That
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American pop star Beyoncé won 2 Grammys at the 65th Grammy Awards.
Beyoncé has become the only celebrity in the world to win the most Grammy Awards (32) in her career.
Dr. ABK Prasad selected for PCI’s excellence in journalism award 2020
The Press Council of India presents awards in the name of Raja Ram Mohan Roy every year.
In 2023, the Raja Ram Mohan Roy National Award is presented to Journalist A.B.K. Prasad for
his contributions towards journalism.
The Chairperson of the Press Council of India (PCI), Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai conferred
the award.
Press Council of India. It is a statutory body formed in 1966. It watches the press and their
actions in the country. It was established under the Press Council Act of 1978.
Odisha’s VK Pandian honoured with FIH President’s Award 2023

An IAS officer, and private secretary to Odisha CM, V Karthikeyan Pandian has been conferred
with FIH’s President’s award.
Pandian was awarded for successfully hosting the 2023 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 in
Bhubaneswar and Sundargarh.
Dr Peggy Mohan wins 'Mathrubhumi Book of the Year' award

During the 4th edition of Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL 2023).
Book 'Wanderers, Kings and Merchants', which portrays the development of language as a
result of migration.
In this award, she was given a statuette and two lakh rupees as a cash prize.
The award was presented by Nobel Laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah
NTPC bags ‘ATD Best Awards 2023’ for 6th consecutive year
Country's largest power generation company NTPC Limited has been conferred with 'ATD Best
Awards 2023' by Association for Talent Development (ATD), USA.
NTPC Limited has won this award for the sixth time for showcasing enterprise success in the
area of talent development.
ATD's Best of Award is considered the most prestigious award in learning and development.
About NTPC
The NTPC which was earlier known as National Thermal Power Corporation of India is owned by the Government of
India. It was set up in 1975.
The Vindhyachal Thermal Power Station in the Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh, with an installed capacity of
4,760MW, is currently the biggest thermal power plant in India.
It is a coal-based power plant owned and operated by NTPC.
Headquarters: New Delhi
Chairman and Managing Director: Gurdeep Singh
Egyptian President bestows Global Best M-GOV Awards on IIT Indore students
Niyati Totala and Neil Kalpesh kumar Parikh who are students of IIT Indore were awarded AED 1
million ((Emirates Dirham) along with a gold medal by the President of Egypt, Abel Fattah El-Sisi.
These students are the makers of the 'Blockbill' app (a blockchain-based receipt generation app that
generates digital receipts for all its users' transactions)
“M-Gov Award” and the “GovTech Award”

These are annual awards organised by the Government of the United Arab Emirates as part of the World
Government Summit.
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These awards are given to leading students, researchers, government agencies and institutions, private sector
companies and startups for developing innovative solutions using the latest technologies.
Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) Awards 2023

Best Actor: Ranbir Kapoor (Brahmastra Part One-Shiva)
Best Actress: Alia Bhatt (Gangubai Kathiawadi).
Best Film: The Kashmir Files
Film Of The Year: RRR
Best Director: R Balki (Chup)
Television Series of The Year: Anupamaa
76th BAFTA Awards

Austin Butler - Best Leading Actor category for Elvis.
Cate Blanchett - Best Leading Actress for TÁR.
A German anti-war drama, ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ won a maximum of seven awards
including Best Film and Director.
Dr. Mahendra Mishra received International Mother Language Award 2023

An eminent linguist, Dr. Mahendra Kumar Mishra honoured with UNESCO’s International Mother
Language Award 2023.
Reason: for the promotion of indigenous languages in Odisha
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina will present this award to Dr. Mahendra Kumar Mishra at the
International Mother Language Institute, Dhaka.
He is the first Indian to receive this prestigious award for the promotion of a language. He is also
the recipient of Odisha Sahitya Akademi.
The award instituted in 2021 by UNESCO is given in recognition of the extraordinary contribution to the
preservation, revitalization and development of mother languages.
Sajjan Jindal wins EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2022

Chairman of JSW Group Sajjan Jindal was honored with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award
2022.
Reason: For his exceptional entrepreneurial journey in scaling the global conglomerate with a
presence in steel, cement, infrastructure, energy, and paints
He will now represent India at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Award (WEOY) at Monte
Carlo in June 2023.
Hari Balakrishnan wins 2023 Marconi Prize

Computer scientist Hari Balakrishnan has been awarded the 2023 Marconi Prize.
Dr. Balakrishnan is a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The award is given in recognition of the broad impact on society of his fundamental discoveries in
wired and wireless networking, mobile sensing and distributed systems.
The Marconi Prize is an annual award recognizing achievements and advancements made in field
of communications. The prize is awarded by the Marconi Society and it includes a $100,000 honorarium and a work
of sculpture
First awarded: 1975
J&K wins best adventure tourism destination award

Jammu & Kashmir Tourism has been chosen by India Today Tourism Survey for best
adventure tourism award in recognition of its efforts in promoting 'Gulmarg' as an adventure
destination of international order.
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Pt Prem Kumar Mallick awarded Sangeet natak Akademi Award 2019

Noted classical singer (Hindustani Vocal).
He is a professor in the department of music and performing arts at Allahabad University.
He has authored books like “Darbhanga Gharana evam Bandishe”
President Droupadi Murmu presented the award on February 23.
A total of 128 artists from the field of music, dance, theatre, traditional, folk, and puppetry were
given the Awards
Karnataka Bank wins Prathista Puraskar under Digidhan Award 2021-22

The Karnataka Bank was honored with the ‘Prathista Puraskar’ under the ‘Digidhan Awards 2021-22’ by the Ministry
of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity).
Reason: To achieve the target with the highest percentage in BHIM-UPI transactions in the private sector bank
category.
DigiDhan award is a recognition for the top-performing banks in the
digital payments space.
MD& CEO of Karnataka Bank: Mahabaleshwara MS
Karnataka Bank HQ: Mangaluru
Veteran CPI-M Leader TK Rangarajan receives Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Lifetime Achievement Award
A veteran CPI-M leader, T K Rangarajan has been honored with the Sansad Ratna Lifetime
Achievement Award 2023.
Sansad Ratna Awards:
It was instituted in 2010 and inspired by the teachings of former President APJ Abdul Kalam.
It recognizes and felicitates the top-performing MPs based on their work in the apex legislative body
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Appointments
Air Marshal AP Singh will be the new Vice Chief of the Air Force
Air Marshal Amanpreet Singh has been appointed as the new Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
He will replace Air Marshal Sandeep Singh.
Indian Air Force
• It was established on 8 October 1932. It comes under the Union Ministry of
Defence.
• The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Air Force.
• Every year October 8 is celebrated as Air Force Day.
• Chief of the Air Staff: Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Choudhary
Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar is new Army Vice Chief
• The current Vice Chief Lt Gen BS Raju has been transferred to the
South Western Army Command (Jaipur) as Army Commander.
• BS Raju will succeed Lt Gen AS Bhinder, who is retiring as the
Chief of the South Western Army Command on February 28.
Seven new Supreme Court judges took oath
Seven appointed judges took oath by CJI DY Chandrachud:

(1) Pankaj Mithal (CJ of Rajasthan)
(2) Sanjay Karol, (CJ of Patna)
(3) PV Sanjay Kumar, (CJ of Manipur)
(4) Ahsanuddin Amanullah (judge, Patna HC)
(5) Manoj Misra (judge, Allahabad HC)
(6) Rajesh Bindal (CJ,Allahabad HC)
(7) Aravind Kumar (CJ, Gujarat HC)
The Supreme Court has regained its full strength of 34 judges.
Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts are appointed by the President under Articles 124(2) and 217 of
the Constitution.
Government appoints Chief Justice of four High Courts
The Ministry of Law and Justice has cleared the appointment of four chief justices of high courts:
• Chief justice of the Gujarat HC: Justice Sonia G Gokani (woman judge to head the Gujarat
high court for the first time since its inception in 1960.)
• Chief justice of the Gauhati HC: Justice Sandeep Mehta
• Chief justice of Tripura HC: Justice Jaswant Singh
• Chief justice J&K and Ladakh HC: Justice N Kotiswar Singh
Justice Jaswant Singh will only have ten days in office as the Tripura HC’s Chief Justice, while
Justice Sonia Gokani will be Chief Justice of the Gujarat HC for less than two weeks; both turn 62
this month
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President Draupadi Murmu appoints new governors in 13 states
2 Governors resigned: Bhagat Singh Koshyari as Governor of

Maharashtra and of Radha Krishnan Mathur as Lt. Governor of Ladakh
• 6 fresh appointments:
• Lt. General Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik, (Retired) Governor of
Arunachal Pradesh
• Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Governor of Sikkim
• C P Radhakrishnan, Governor of Jharkhand
• Shiv Pratap Shukla, Governor of Himachal Pradesh
• S. Abdul Nazeer, Governor of Andhra Pradesh
• Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Assam
Change of states of 7 current governors:
• Justice (Retd) Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh appointed as Governor of
Chhattisgarh.
• Anusuiya Uikye, Governor of Chhattisgarh appointed as Governor of Manipur.
• La. Ganesan, Governor of Manipur appointed as Governor of Nagaland.
• Phagu Chauhan, Governor of Bihar appointed as Governor of Meghalaya.
• Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Himachal Pradesh appointed as Governor of Bihar.
• Ramesh Bais, Governor of Jharkhand appointed as Governor of Maharashtra.
• Brig (Dr) B D Mishra (Retd), Governor of Arunachal Pradesh appointed as Lt. Governor of Ladakh.
How are Governors appointed?

• Article 153 of the Constitution says “There shall be a Governor for each State.”
• According to Article 155 "the Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant
under his hand and seal".
• Under Article 156, "the Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President", but his
term shall be five years.
• Articles 157 and 158 lay down the qualifications and terms of office of the Governor.
• The Governor must be a citizen of India and must have completed 35 years of age.
• The Governor should not be a member of Parliament or State Legislature, and should not hold
any other office of profit.
Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi appointed as new DCGI

• Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
• He replaced Dr. V G Somani, whose extended tenure ended in
February 2023.
Que: Who is the head of the Commission for the sub-categorisation of OBCs?
Ans: Justice G. Rohini
The Justice G. Rohini-led commission for the sub-categorisation of other backward
classes (OBCs) has now been given another extension in its tenure by the President.
This was announced by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. This is
the 14th extension in tenure that the commission has been given.
The commission was formed in October 2017.
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Background:
• In 1955, the First Backward Classes Commission under Kaka Saheb Kalelkar identified 2,399 backward
classes (BC), of which 837 were classified as ‘most backward’.
• The Second Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission, popularly known as Mandal
Commission, was established in 1979 by the Morarji Desai-led Janata Party government and submitted its
report in 1980.
• The Mandal Commission identified 3,743 castes as backward, which constitute 52 per cent of the
population – this apart from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
• National Commission for Backward Classes(Article 338B)
• National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) established on 14th August 1993 is a statutory body
formed under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993.
• 102nd Constitution Amendment Act, 2018 provides constitutional status to the National Commission for
Backward Classes (NCBC).
• The National Commission for Backward Classes consists of five regulatory members which include the
Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and three other members with a tenure period of three years.
Prashant Agrawal appointed as the Ambassador of India to Laos
Earlier he was serving as High Commissioner of India to Namibia

Capital: Vientiane
Currency: Laotian Kip
Continent: Asia
Official language: Lao
Canara bank appoints K Satyanarayana Raju as the new MD and CEO
• He has replaced L V Prabhakar, who resigned on 31 December 2022.
Former Indian cricketer Monty Desai appointed coach of Nepal cricket team
• Monty Desai will replace former Indian cricketer Manoj Prabhakar, who resigned
from his post in December 2022.
• Nepal Cricket Team Captain - Rohit Kumar Paudel
Aniket Sunil Talati takes over as ICAI President
• Talati takes over Debashis Mitra as ICAI President for the

2023-24 tenure
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
• Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal elected as Vice President of the
institute.
• ICAI IS India's largest professional accounting body under
the administrative control of Ministry of Corporate Affairs,
Government of India. It was established on 1 July 1949 as a
statutory body under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949
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Government appoints BVR Subrahmanyam as the new CEO of Niti Aayog
He would succeed Parameswaran Iyer, who has been appointed as

Executive Director of the World Bank for a period of two years.
Indian-American Neal Mohan appointed as the new CEO of YouTube

He will replace the current head, Susan Wojcicki
CAG Girish Chandra Murmu selected as External Auditor of ILO in Geneva
• Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Girish Chandra Murmu has been selected as the External
Auditor of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva.
• He has been selected for a four-year term from 2024 to 2027.
• CAG will take over from the incumbent External Auditor of ILO, the Supreme Audit Institution of
the Philippines.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Founded: 1919
• Parent organization: United Nations
• Director General: Gilbert F. Houngbo
David Malpass to step down as World Bank President
• Malpass will leave his position on June 30, the end of the World Bank's fiscal
year, after serving more than four years in the role, said the World Bank.
• The World Bank, a group of 187 nations, lends money to developing
countries to help reduce poverty. Former US President Donald Trump
appointed Malpass as World Bank chief in 2019 for a five-year period.
Former Mastercard CEO, Ajay Banga nominated to Lead World Bank
• US President, Joe Biden has nominated former Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga as
the president of the World Bank.
• He would replace David Malpass, who will step down from his role this June
before completing his tenure in April 2024.
• He is the first Indian-born nominee for this role.
Dmitry Dmitruk appointed as new coach of Indian boxing team

• Veteran boxing coach Dmitry Dmitruk was roped in by the Boxing Federation
of India (BFI) as India’s foreign coach on a two-year contract.
• He served as the high-performance coach in Ireland for the last 12 years.
• He will work with both men and women boxers alongside the Indian coaches
Rajesh Rai appointed new CMD of Indian Telephone Industries (ITI)
• The Union government has appointed Rajesh Rai as the new Chairman
and Managing Director (CMD) of Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) for a
period of five years.
• ITI Limited is a government-owned company in the telecommunications
technology segment established as a departmental factory in 1948.
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UNICEF India Names Ayushmann Khurrana As Its National Ambassador For Child Rights
About UNICEF India

• UNICEF India works to promote and protect the rights of children across the country.
• The partnership of UNICEF with India began in 1949.
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development is a nodal agency in India.
About UNICEF
• UNICEF is a United Nations agency which was set up on 11 December 1946 as
United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.
• It was renamed as the United Nations Children's Fund in 1953.
• It provides development and humanitarian assistance to children and mothers.
• Headquarters: New York, United Sates of America.
• Head: Catherine M. Russell
Indian men's hockey team Chief Coach Graham Reid resigns

The Australian coach submitted his resignation to Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey a day
after the World Cup concluded in Bhubaneswar, where Germany emerged as champions
after beating Belgium in a penalty shoot-out.
Reid, who was appointed India's coach in April 2019, led the team to a historic bronze
medal win at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Under his leadership, the Indian men's hockey team won the silver medal in the
Commonwealth Games 2022 held in Birmingham and India finished third in the FIH Pro
League 2021-22.
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Obituaries
Noted writer K.V. Tirumalesh passed away
He got the Sahitya Akademi award in 2016 for his collection of poems – Akshaya Kavya – along
with several other literary awards.
Legendary filmmaker-actor K Viswanath passes away

He was was born in Andhra Pradesh and gained popularity in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi
films.
He was awarded the highest recognition in Indian Cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke award
in 2016 and Padma Shri in 1992.
He also received five National Awards and 10 Filmfare trophies.
Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf passed away

at the age of 79 in Dubai.
He ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008.
He has been declared a fugitive in the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto
murder case and Red Mosque cleric killing case.
Veteran playback singer, Vani Jayaram passes away

Popular South Indian playback singer
The Government announced the Padma Bhushan award for her this year.
She sang in Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Odia, Gujarati, Haryanvi, Assamese, Tulu, and
Bengali languages.
She had won National Film Awards three times
Popular artist B.K.S. Varma passes away

Veteran Indian painter
The subject of his paintings was mainly environmental and social issues presented in a surreal
form.
He was honoured with the Karnataka Rajya Puruskar (2001), Rajyothsava award (2001), and
Honorary Doctorate by Bangalore University (2011).
Noted painter Lalitha Lajmi passes away

Noted painter and sister of late actor-filmmaker Guru Dutt
Lalita Lajmi was born in 1932 in Kolkata.
She has held several exhibitions in international art galleries in Paris, London and the Netherlands.
Lalita made a small appearance in the 2007 film Taare Zameen Par, starring Aamir Khan, in which she played an art
teacher.
Tulsidas Balaram, legendary Indian footballer, passes away aged 86

One of the country's finest footballers and a member of the golden era (1951-1962) of Indian
football
He played in two Olympics in 1956 and 1960
He also captained the country's famous football club East Bengal based in Kolkata.
He was awarded the Arjuna Award
Due to tuberculosis, his career lasted only for 8 years (1955 to 1963) and he had to say goodbye to the game at the
age of 27.
Former Gujarat governor O P Kohli passes away

He was the 19th Governor of Gujarat between 2014 and 2019 during the term of chief
ministers Anandiben Patel and Vijay Rupani.
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He also held the additional charge as Governor of Madhya Pradesh from 2016 to 2018 and Goa governor for three
weeks in 2014.
Classical dance legend Kanak Rele passes away

A world-renowned dancer and Mohiniyattam exponent
Dr. Rele established the Nalanda Dance Research Centre and the Nalanda Nritya Kala
Mahavidyalaya, which pioneered dance research.
She established one of the world's best institutions, the Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya, in
Juhu, Mumbai, in 1973.
Dr. Rele has been awarded Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1994), Padma Shri (1989), M. S.
Subbulakshmi Award, Kalidas Samman (2006), Padma Bhushan (2013), and other honours during
her nearly eight-decade-long dance career.
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Ranking & Index News

Annual Death Penalty Report, 2022
• Project 39A, a group associated with the National Law University recently released a report called
the Annual Death Penalty Report, 2022.
• The National Law University was established under the NLUA Act of 2007.
• According to the report, the number of death penalty prisoners in India increased to 539 in 2022.
It was 490 in 2021.
• India has 539 death-sentenced prisoners as of 2022.
• This is a 40% increase as compared to the numbers in 2015
• UP had the highest death sentences followed by Gujarat and Jharkhand
Ministry of Defense becomes the largest buyer of MSME goods in 2022

• Government e-Marketplace (GeM) informed that in 2022, the Ministry of Defense emerged as the largest
buyer through MSME sellers.
• In 2022, the Ministry of Defense envisages procurement of goods and services worth Rs 16,747 crore from
the MSME sector. This was 250% more than the purchases made in 2021.
• Among the states, Uttar Pradesh procured the maximum.
• Compared to 2016, when GeM was first launched, its business has grown 17 times.
• Government-e-Marketplace (GeM) Platform
• Launch - 9 August 2016
• Objective - To bring transparency and efficiency in the government procurement process
• Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Commerce and Industry
India's accreditation system ranked 5th globally

• According to the recent Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII) 2021, the
national accreditation system of India under the Quality Council of India (QCI) has
been ranked 5th in the world and overall quality infrastructure system is in the
Top 10
• The GQII ranks the 184 economies in the world on the basis of quality
infrastructure (QI).
• The accreditation helps establish the competence and credibility of conformity assessment bodies
which perform testing, certification and inspection.
• Chairperson, Quality Council of India Jaxay Shah has said the government is committed to make
Made in India a globally trusted brand on the foundations of quality and credibility.
India Jumps to 55th place in ICAO Aviation Safety Oversight Ranking

According to the DGCA, India's aviation safety oversight ranking has jumped to 55th position from
112th place in the country's score under the ICAO's coordinated validation mission.
International Civil Aviation Organization
• Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
• Founded: 7 December 1944
• Parent organization: United Nations
Status Of India’s Nuclear Energy:

• India’s nuclear power capacity experienced a significant increase. By 2021-22, it had risen to 47,112 Million
Units.
• In 2017, the government gave simultaneous approval for 11 indigenous pressurised heavy water reactors
with a total capacity of 7,000 MegaWatts.
• Nuclear energy is the fifth-largest source of electricity for India which contributes about 3% of the total
electricity generation in the country.
• India has over 22 nuclear reactors in 7 power plants across the country which produces 6780 MW of nuclear
power. In addition, one reactor, Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3) has also been connected to the
grid in January- 2021.
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• 18 reactors are Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and 4 are Light Water Reactors (LWRs).
• KAPP-3 is the India’s first 700 MWe unit, and the biggest indigenously developed variant of the PHWR.
• Government has also allowed Joint Ventures with PSUs to enhance India’s nuclear program.
• As a result, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is now in two joint ventures with the
National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) and the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
• In the past, India’s nuclear installations were mostly located in South India or in Maharashtra and Gujarat in
the west.
• However, the government is now promoting its expansion to other parts of the country. As an example, the
upcoming nuclear power plant in Gorakhpur town of Haryana, which will become operational in the near
future.
• The world’s first thorium-based nuclear plant, “Bhavini,” using Uranium-233, is being set up at Kalpakkam in
Tamil Nadu.
• This plant will be entirely indigenous and will be the first of its kind. The experimental thorium plant
“Kamini” already exists in Kalpakkam.
UP has the highest number of colleges in the country: AISHE 2020-21 report
• The Union Ministry of Education has released the All India Survey on Higher
Education (AISHE) 2020-2021.
• According to the report Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of colleges in the
country, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
• There are 8,114 colleges in Uttar Pradesh and 32 colleges per one lakh population.
• Most of the colleges offer undergraduate level programs only.
• Only 2.9 percent colleges offer PhD level programs and 55.2 percent offer postgraduate level programmes.
Gender Parity Index (GPI)

• The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for the age group 18-23 years has increased from 25.6% in 2019-20 to
27.3% in 2020-21.
• Gender Parity Index (GPI), the ratio of female GER to male GER, has increased from 1 in 2017-18 to 1.05 in
2020-21.
• The female enrollment in North East states in 2020-21 is 6.14 lakh, which is higher than the male enrollment
of 5.92 lakh, for every 100 male students, there are 104 female students in the North East region.
• The report shows a nationwide increase of 7.5% in student enrollment in 2020-21 as compared to 2019-20.
•
About AISHE Survey
• The Ministry of Education has been conducting this survey since 2011, it includes higher educational
institutions located in India.
• The survey collects information on various parameters such as student enrolment, teacher data,
infrastructural, financial etc.
• In AISHE 2020-21, for the first time data collection has been done using a completely online data collection
platform developed by the Department of Higher Education through National Informatics Center (NIC).
Que: Which institution releases the ‘Twenty Point Programme (TPP) progress report’?
Ans: National Statistical Office
• The National Statistical Office, NSO, recently released a progress report on TPP. According to the report, only
41% of the fixed target was completed in 2022-23. The aim was to build 125,000 km of road. But only 45,945
km has been completed.
• The Government of India launched the TPP in 1975. It has been revised twice since its launch, once in 1982
and then in 1986. The main objective of the program is to eradicate poverty and improve the lives of rural
people using 20 points.
• Performance of a programme is considered ‘poor’ by the NSO if the level of targets achieved is below 80 per
cent.
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IEA Report: India’s ‘LiFE’ initiative can save $440 bn globally in 2030
• According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the 'LiFE' (Lifestyle for
Environment) initiative of India for the adoption of energy-efficient behaviour can
save the world $440 billion in 2030.
• About 1/5th of the emission cut is required by 2030 to put the world on a pathway to net zero emissions.
• PM Modi introduced the LiFE initiative at COP26 in Glasgow in Nov 2021.
• Aim: To tackle the challenges of environmental degradation and climate change.
India ranks first with 24 percent contribution to global milk production

• India is the world's largest milk producer, contributing 24 per cent to global milk production in the year
2021-22, according to production data from the Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistics
Database (FAOSTAT).
• India's milk production has registered a growth of 51 per cent during the last eight years
- 2014-15 and 2021-22
• The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying runs various schemes to benefit the
economically weaker farmers in the dairy sector.
• The National Program for Dairy Development aims to enhance the quality of milk and milk products and
increase the share of organised procurement, processing, value addition and marketing.
National Programme for Dairy Development

It was launched in February 2014 by merging three existing schemes- Intensive Dairy Development Programme,
Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality and Clean Milk Production and Assistance to Cooperatives.
Government Initiatives to the Dairy sector
Rashtriya Gokul Mission - launched in December 2014 with an outlay of Rs 2025 crore for the development and
conservation of indigenous breeds through selective breeding.
National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) - It is a flagship scheme launched in September 2019 for
control of Foot & Mouth Disease and Brucellosis by vaccinating 100% cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population.
Indian Dairy Sector (milk capital of the world)

top milk-producing state is: Uttar Pradesh
Dairy is the single largest agricultural commodity contributing 5% of the national economy, witnessing 6.4% in the
past 5 years.
About 80 million people are directly or indirectly employed in the dairy industry.
Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
India slips to 42nd rank in US Intellectual Property Rights Index

• India has slipped to the 42nd position in the International Intellectual Property
Rights Index 2023 out of 55 countries for 2022.
• It was launched by the US Chamber of Commerce's Global Innovation Policy Centre
and is monitored by the Indian government.
• It evaluates the protection of IP rights in 55 of the world's leading economies,
together representing approximately 90% of global GDP.
• The United States ranks first in the 2023 index, followed by the UK and France.
Global Labour Resilience Index 2023

• The White Shield is a policy advisory firm. The company released the Global Labour Resilience Index during
World Government Summit.
• The index measures the capacity of the economy to withstand employment fluctuations and the ability to
fight back. The index is the first of its kind.
• White Shield ranked 136 countries based on parameters such as technological disruptions, pandemics, green
economy transition, etc.
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• Denmark was ranked first followed by Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, in second and third places
respectively.
India ranked 65th. All the other countries in South Asia ranked below 80. Pakistan secured 97th
Regional positions
North America secured the top rank in the world followed by Europe at the second position, East Asia and Pacific in
the third position, Central Asia in the fourth position, and the Middle East and North America in the fifth position
Que: Which state/UT is expected to be the most climate-vulnerable region in India, as per a recent report?
Ans: Bihar
• As per the XDI’s Gross Domestic Climate Risk report, the economies of India, China and the US will witness
the worst impact of the climate change.
• This report revealed that 14 Indian states will remain within the top 100 most climate-risk prone territories
among more than 2,600 regions in the world by 2050.
• for damage risk all share flooding as their main hazard – Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu,
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Karnataka and Andhra
Pradesh.
Most vulnerable states:

• Bihar, with a global ranking of 22, is expected to be the most climate-vulnerable region in India by 2050.
• It is followed by Uttar Pradesh and Assam with 25th and 28th ranks respectively.
• However, Assam is the global topper within the top 50 vulnerable regions in terms of increase of climatic
impacts during 1990-2050, a whopping 330 per cent.
Most vulnerable countries:

• China has the highest number of provinces in the top 50 most climate risk-prone territories of the world.
• After China, the US has the most high-risk states with 18 states in the top 100.
• Together, China, India and the US make up over half the states and provinces in the top 100.
• Most vulnerable region: South East Asia experiences the greatest escalation in damage from 1990 to
2050 anywhere in the world.
Bengaluru city center ranked second slowest to drive in the world

• According to the latest report, released by TomTom, Bengaluru’s traffic has made it the
second slowest place to drive through in the world in 2022 with about half an hour of travel
time by road to cover 10 km.
• While London ranks first with an average of 36 minutes and 20 seconds to travel 10 km in
2022.
India ranks 47th in OECD's services trade restrictiveness index

• According to the services trade restrictiveness index (STRI), conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-
operation and Development (OECD), India ranked 47 out of 50 countries.
• As per the report, India had been progressively introducing reforms over the past
years, contributing to a slight liberalization of services trade in some sectors.
• Top 3: Japan (1), UK, Netherlands
• Bottom: Indonesia (50), Thailand(49), and Russia (48)
NTPC ranked as the top Independent Power Producers

• NTPC Limited has topped the ranking of Independent Power Producers and Energy Traders Globally in the
S&P Global Commodity Insights Top 250 Global Energy Company Rankings 2022.
• These rankings are based on four key metrics: Asset worth, Revenues, Profits, and Return on Investment
(ROI).
• Presently, NTPC contributes 24% of the total electricity produced in India.
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• NTPC is targeting non-fossil fuel-based capacity to make up nearly 50% of the company’s
portfolio by 2032.
• NTPC has also set a target of producing 60GW of renewable energy by 2032.
• NTPC is one of the pioneer partners of NITI Aayog in its Net Energy Zero Effort
Bihar and Chattisgarh among States that allocated more towards education
• According to the government data, the States/UTs - Delhi, Assam, and Himachal
Pradesh - allocated a higher portion of their budget expenditure on education.
• Delhi spent 22% of its budget, while Assam spent 20% and HP
spent 19%.
• Among the big States, such as Chhattisgarh and Bihar allocate
18.82% and 18.3% respectively, of the State’s estimated net
budget expenditure to education.
Dr Bibek Debroy released the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Report

• Dr. Bibek Debroy, Chairman of EAC-PM, released the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy report.
• 2nd edition
• Prepared by: Institute for Competitiveness
• Punjab has emerged as the top-performing state on education and health-related
indicators.
• Delhi, Goa, Maharashtra, J&K, Kerala, Rajasthan, Sikkim, TN, and Puducherry were ranked as high-
performing states and UTs.
• Meghalaya, D&N Haveli, Nagaland, Telangana, UP, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, and Ladakh were among
underperformed
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State News
Yaya Tso to become Ladakh’s first biodiversity heritage site
Yaya Tso lake has been proposed as Ladakh's first biodiversity heritage site (BHS)
under the Biological Diversity Act.
About Yaya Tso Lake:
It is known as a bird's paradise.
Location: at an altitude of 4,820m in Ladakh.
It is also one of India's highest breeding sites of the black-necked crane.
The Secure Himalaya project is funded by the Global Environment Facility
Ladakh hosted India's first frozen-lake marathon at Pangong Tso

India's first "frozen-lake marathon" organized at the Pangong Tso, Ladakh on
February 20, 2023.
The 21-kilometer marathon will be participated by 75 selected athletes from India
and abroad.
The marathon is being called the "Last Run" to highlight the issue of climate change
It was registered in the Guinness world record as the world’s highest frozen lake half marathon in sub-zero
temperature at 13,862 feet high Pangong Tso.
Cabinet approves construction of Shinku La Tunnel to provide all weather connectivity in

Ladakh
The Union Cabinet approved the construction of the 4.1-km Shinkun La tunnel on the Nimu-
Padam-Darcha road link to provide all-weather connectivity to the border areas of Ladakh.
The tunnel will be completed by December 2025 at a cost of Rs 1,681 crore.
Another Zojila tunnel is also under construction which is on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National
Highway.
About Shinku La Tunnel

The Shinku-La tunnel will be constructed over the Shinku La Pass at a height of 16,580 feet.
Shinku La is a mountain pass on the border of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.
It connects the Zanskar valley of Leh-Ladakh to Lahaul in Himachal Pradesh.
It is situated to the north of Rohtang Pass.
The length of the tunnel will be4.1 km.
It will be built by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) under Project Yojkar
Geological Survey of India finds Lithium and Gold Deposits.

For the first time in the country, reserves of 59 lakh tonnes of lithium have been
found in the Reasi district of Jammu division.Currently India is dependent on imports
for Lithium, Nickel and Cobalt. This discovery will reduce India's dependence on
lithium from other countries.
Lithium (Li):
It is a soft and silvery white metal.
It is the lightest metal and the lightest solid element at standard conditions.
It is alkaline and a rare metal.
Lithium has anatomic number of 3 and an atomic mass of 6.941u.
Lithium is one of the key components of rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and
electric vehicles.
It is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys, and watches.
Countries with the largest reserves: Chile > Australia > Argentina
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First State In India To Have Organized Cultivation Of Mulethi : Himachal Pradesh

Licorice (Mulethi)
The roots have a sweet taste due to the presence of glycyrrhizin, which is 50 times
sweeter than sucrose.
It has been traditionally known and used as medicine in Ayurveda (known in
Ayurveda as ‘Yashtimadhu’) for rejuvenation.
Uses:
It is also used in traditional medicines against chest and lung diseases.
It has anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-bacterial
It is known to boost immunity due to the increase in the production of macrophage and lymphocytes.
It helps in weight loss as it contains flavonoids that help to reduce excessive fats accumulated in the body
Protest Against Bokang-Baling Hydroelectric Project

Bokang-Baling Hydroelectric Project:
It is a proposed hydroelectric project on river Dhauliganga in the Pithoragarh
district in Uttarakhand.
It has a proposed installed capacity of 165 MW.
The project involves the construction of a concrete gravity dam of 65 m from river
bed level and an underground Power House.
The project is being implemented by THDC India Limited.
Dhauliganga river:
Origin: It rises in the vicinity of the Niti Pass in the border regions between Garhwal region of Uttarakhand and
southwestern Tibet.
It meets the Alaknanda River(the major source stream of the Ganges river) at Vishnuprayag in Uttarakhand.
It is one of the important tributaries of Alaknanda, the other being the Nandakini, Pindar, Mandakini, and Bhagirathi.
Length: The length of this river is about 94 km.
Tapovan, which is famous for its hot springs, is located on the banks of Dhauliganga.
THDC India Limited:

THDC India Limited (Formerly Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited) is a
company jointly owned by the Government of India and the Government of Uttar
Pradesh.
It was registered as a Public Limited Company in 1988 under the Companies Act 1956 to
operate and maintain the Tehri Hydro Power Complex and other Hydro Projects.
It is a Mini Ratna Category-I Enterprise.
Strict Anti-Copying Law comes into force in Uttarakhand

The country's strictest Anti-Copying Law has come into force in Uttarakhand and has been approved by Governor
Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh
It is termed as Uttarakhand Competitive Examination (Measures for Prevention and Prevention of Unfair Means in
Recruitment) Ordinance 2023.
This comes after the UKPSC paper leak which led to cancellation of exam for around 1.4 lakh government job
aspirants.
Under this, a provision to impose a fine of 10 crores rupees along with life imprisonment or 10 years in jail for the
copycat mafia is there.
If a student leaks paper in the recruitment examinations, or passes the examination by cheating, then that student
will be banned for 10 years.
First state-level ‘shrimp mela’ in Punjab

Punjab's first state level 'Prawn Fair' began on February 17 in Muktsar district.
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This mela is an effort of the state government to create more awareness about shrimp
farming.
In this, experts will help farmers understand about aquaculture.
Shrimp farming began in the state in 2016-17.
Five south-western districts of Punjab, Muktsar, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Bathinda and
Faridkot are known for shrimp farming.
Why was shrimp farming introduced in Punjab?

South-west Punjab has saline groundwater which is not suitable for agriculture. Waterlogging is a perennial problem
in this belt.
Therefore, shrimp farming was proposed as a solution for farmers whose land was lying unutilized.
The project was funded jointly by the central and state government.
By 2022-23, a total of 1,212 acres of land has been taken up for shrimp farming in southwest Punjab, with a total
production of 2,413 tonnes of shrimp.
North India's first nuclear power plant to be set up in Gorakhpur, Haryana

Union MoS, Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh announced that North India's first
nuclear power plant would be set up in Gorakhpur in Fatehabad district, Haryana.
The plant will be built on 560 hectares of land.
Aim: To generate 2800 MW
The first phase will be completed by 2025 and the second by 2028.
The project will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 20,594 crores.
36th edition of the Surajkund Crafts Mela held in Faridabad, Haryana

From February 3 to February 19, 2023.
It was organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism in
association with the Ministry of Tourism, Textiles, Culture, and External Affairs.
It was inaugurated by the Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar.
Theme state 2023: North-East region
Partner nation: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
India’s 1st National Metro Rail Knowledge Centre to be built in Delhi

A leading infrastructure company in India, GA Infra Pvt Ltd has been awarded the
contract for designing and constructing the country’s first National Metro Rail
Knowledge Centre.
Near a projected cost of Rs 460 million, the centre will be built under a public-private
partnership (PPP) model and would be located at the Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station in
Delhi.
The building is intended to serve as a hub for information and innovation for the Indian Metro train networks. It will
give all parties involved a platform for dialogue and collaboration.
New Delhi World Book Fair 2023

At Pragati Maidan in New Delhi from 25th Febraury to 5th March 2023.
The Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the fair.
The 2023 theme of the fair is Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The Guest of Honour Country: France
31st time
NBT Chairman: Prof. Govind Prasad Sharma
National level Hackathon ‘KAVACH-2023’ launched

A national-level hackathon, KAVACH-2023 was launched in New Delhi to identify innovative ideas and technological
solutions for addressing the cybersecurity and cybercrime challenges of the 21st century.
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A 36-hour long event participated by youth from educational institutions and

registered start-ups.
This Hackathon was jointly conducted by AICTE, the Bureau of Police Research and
Development, and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.
Chairman, AICTE: T G Sitharam
Que:Which state allocated Rs 13,000 crore to implement the project of

transferring water collected in Chambal River to other districts?
Ans: Rajasthan
The government of Rajasthan has allocated Rs 13,000 crore to implement ‘Eastern
Rajasthan Canal Project’ during the recent state budget.
The objective of the Project is to harvest the surplus water collected during the
rainy season in the Southern Rajasthan Rivers like Chambal and its tributaries like
Kunnu, Parvati, and Kalisindh and transfer it to south- eastern districts.
The budget was presented by the CM of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot. He also holds the
finance portfolio of the state.
The canal is to run through 13 districts of the state.
PM Modi to virtually inaugurate Jal Jan Abhiyan in Sirohi district of Rajasthan

Under the campaign, people associated with the Brahmakumaris Sansthan and the Ministry of
Jal Shakti will run a public awareness campaign for eight months to preserve more than five
thousand water bodies across the country and to build new water bodies.
Gujarat government signs deal with OECD to hold PISA test for govt school students
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) test
The agreement was signed in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and OECD Paris Director
Andreas Schleicher.
Gujarat is the first state in the country to sign such an agreement.
PISA measures the ability of 15-year-olds to read and apply math and science skills to meet real-life challenges.
It will improve thinking, problem solving and effective communication skills of the students.
This will help in achieving the objective of ensuring quality learning outcomes in government schools.
Sixth phase of Sujalam-Sufalam Jal Abhiyan begins

The sixth phase of Sujalam-Sufalam Jal Abhiyan has been started in Gujarat on 17th February 2023.
The state-wide campaign was launched by the Gujarat CM, Bhupendra Patel at Khoraj in
Gandhinagar.
Aim: To raise the groundwater level and maximize the use of rainwater.
This phase will be held for 104 days and continue till 31st May 2023
Parshottam Rupala launches Sagar Parikrama Phase-III from Hazira Port

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Parshottam Rupala
launched the Sagar Parikrama Phase-III from Hazira Port, Gujarat.
It started towards the coastal line of Maharashtra at Satpati, Vasai, Versova, and
Parikrama and ended at Sasson Dock, Mumbai.
Aim: To disseminate information on various fisheries-related schemes and programs
being implemented by the government
It also aimed to promote responsible fisheries and protect marine ecosystems.
Minister of Power, RK Singh inaugurates 15th edition of ELECRAMA 2023

The Union Minister of Power, RK Singh inaugurated the Power Pavilion, ELECRAMA 2023 at the India Expo Mart,
Greater Noida.
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The event was attended by Vivek Kumar Dewangan (Chairman & Managing Director,
REC Limited) and other officials from REC.
Theme 2023: Re-imagining the Future: Metamorphosis of the Power Sector in India.
Vision: To showcase innovation in the power sector such as Smart Meters, Smart
Feeder Management Systems, Methanol production etc
Indian Railways achieves a significant milestone with electrification of entire Broad Gauge
Network in Uttar Pradesh
This will improve rail connectivity in the region and will improve the speed of trains in the
region.
With this achievement, Indian Railways has completed electrification of BG routes in six
zonal railways namely, East Coast Railway, North Central Railway, North Eastern Railway,
Eastern Railway, South Eastern Railway, West Central Railway
UP government launched ‘Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan’ campaign

to make daughters of the underprivileged classes capable and self-reliant.
The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan will work under the Aarohini Initiative Training Programme for
the safety and security of girls in 746 Kasturba Gandhi Residential Girls Schools in the state.
Ellora -Ajanta International Festival 2023 begins in Maharashtra

After a gap of seven years, the three-day Ellora-Ajanta International Festival began at
the historic Sonari Palace, located on the campus of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar
Marathwada University.
Earlier, all the shows were held at Ellora, in recent times the venue has been changed
to Soneri Mahal in Aurangabad.
Khajuraho Dance Festival begin in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel inaugurated 'Khajuraho Dance
Festival-2023’. Dates - February 20-26.
Under the Department of Culture, this festival is being organised with the joint
efforts of Ustad Alladin Khan Academy of Music and Arts, Department of Tourism,
Archaeological Survey of India, World Dance Alliance and Chhatarpur District
Administration.
The first meeting of the Culture Working Group under the chairmanship of India in G-20 is also being held in
Khajuraho from 23 to 25 February.
Other festivals of Madhya Pradesh

Lokrang Festival, Bhopal
Akhil Bhartiya Kalidas Samaroh, Ujjain
Bhagoria Haat Festival, West Nimar (Khargon) and Jhabua
Ujjain Kumbh Mela, Ujjain
Malwa Utsav, Indore & Ujjain
Chethiyagiri Vihara Festival, Sanchi
Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, Gwalior
Asia’s first floating festival at Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh

Gandhisagar Floating Festival, touted as Asia’s first floating festival, was organised at Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh
from feb 1-5
The first-of-its-kind floating festival will have land, air, and water-based adventure.
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Amit Shah laid foundation of Nano Urea Plant in Jharkhand

Union HM, Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of a ₹ 450-crore nano urea plant and
township of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) in Deoghar, Jharkhand.
It will be the fifth nano urea plant in India.
In 2022, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the world's first nano urea plant in
Gujarat.
Nano urea improves crop productivity, soil health, and the nutritional quality of produce.
Aim: To address the imbalanced and excessive use of conventional urea.
President of India inaugurates the 2nd Indian Rice Congress at Cuttack

at ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack.
ICAR-NRRI (NATIONAL RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE) has developed India’s first high protein
rice, called CR Dhan 310 and NRRI has also released a high-zinc rice variety, called CR Dhan
315.
Rice is a kharif crop in India.
46th International Kolkata Book Fair inaugurated

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated
Around 20 countries from all over the world participated in the fair. Spain is the focal
country for the second time this year.
Thailand participated for the first time.
About International Kolkata Book Fair

It is the largest book fair in Asia
It is the world's third largest annual collection of books after the Frankfurt Book Fair and the London Book Fair.
The book fair was started in 1976
Union Minister inaugurates International Biotech Conclave in Northeast

Union Minister, Jitendra Singh has inaugurated International Conference on
Biotechnology for the first time since Independence in North East Region, along with
the 22nd Congress of the International Society for Ethno-pharmacology and the 10th
Congress of Society for Ethno-pharmacology (ISE SFEC-2023).
It was held from February 24-26, 2023 at the City Convention Centre, Imphal, Manipur.
Theme: Reimagine Ethnopharmacology: Globalization of Traditional Medicine.
Ethnopharmacology - The cross-cultural study of medicines derived from naturally occurring substances like plants
and fungi
India’s first waste-to-hydrogen plant to be set up in Pune

The Government of India is to set up the first waste-to-hydrogen plant at a cost of Rs 430
crores in Pune.
The plant will be built by a private company Green Billion Limited.
The company has signed an agreement with the Pune Municipal Corporation for 30 years.
The objective of the plant is to treat 350 tonnes of solid waste daily. From this, it will produce
ten tonnes of Hydrogen every day.
The plant is to be built in Hadapsar Industrial Estate in Pune. The plant is the first of its kind in the country.
Nitin Gadkari lays Foundation Stone of the world's largest and unique Divyang Park
World's largest and unique Divyang Park - Anubhuti Inclusive Park in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
This park is being developed keeping in mind the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to
build an inclusive society.
In 2016, the central government passed the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act for the
rights of persons with disabilities.
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Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

The park will have adapted facilities for all 21 types of disabilities, including touch and smell gardens, hydrotherapy
units, water therapy, independent rooms for mentally challenged children, etc.
Centre approves renaming Aurangabad to Chatrapati Sambhajinagar & Osmnabad to

Dharashiv in Maharashtra
After receiving the no-objection letter from the Union Home Ministry, the Government of
Maharashtra immediately issued the notification to change the name of Aurangabad city
to Chatrapati Sambhajinagar and Osmnabad city to Dharashiv.
Aurangabad derives its name from Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, while Osmanabad was named for a 20th century
ruler of the princely state of Hyderabad.
Chhatrapati Sambhaji, the eldest son of warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was the second ruler of the
Maratha state founded by his father. Sambhaji Maharaj was executed on Aurangzeb's orders in 1689.
Mumbai's Churchgate railway station to be renamed after India's first RBI Governor
Recently Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has passed a resolution to rename the
Churchgate railway station in Mumbai after CD Deshmukh, the first governor of the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
He was knighted by the British government in 1944 and awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's
highest civilian award, in 1959.
Who is CD Deshmukh?
CD Deshmukh, a famous economist, was born on 14 January 1896 in a Marathi family in Raigad district of
Maharashtra.
He became the first Indian governor of the RBI in 1943 under the British Raj.
Later, as the Union Finance Minister from 1950 to 1956, CD Deshmukh contributed to the economic development of
the country.
He also played a major role in setting up the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) after World War II.
He represented India at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944, where the IMF and the IBRD were established.
PM flag off two Vande Bharat trains in Mumbai

PM Modi first flagged off the Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat Express from Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
Later, he flagged off the second Vande Bharat Express train connecting Mumbai to the
temple town of Sainagar Shirdi in Ahmednagar.
With the commissioning of the two trains, the number of Vande Bharat Express trains
running from Mumbai has increased to three, taking the number to 10 in the country.
The first Vande Bharat train in Maharashtra connects Mumbai to Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
Vande Bharat Express Train

The first Vande Bharat Express was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 February 2019.
The first Vande Bharat Express was manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai.
It was manufactured under the 'Make in India' program at a cost of around Rs 100 crore.
These trains can attain a maximum speed of 160 kmph.
In the Union Budget for 2022-2023, the government has proposed to develop and manufacture 400 new Vande
Bharat trains over the next three years.
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Samatha Kumbh held at Muchintal, Telangana

Samatha Kumbh held on the premises of the Statue of Equality from February 2 to
February 14.
Statue of Equality, a statue of Ramanujacharya, on the outskirts of Hyderabad,
Telangana was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in 2022.
It is a 216-feet tall statue, which is made of 'panchaloha', a combination of five
metals: gold, silver, copper, brass, and zync.
It is among one of the tallest metallic statues in sitting position in the world.
The statue is mounted on a 54-feet high base building named 'Bhadra Vedi’.
About Telangana
Capital – Hyderabad
Chief Minister – K. Chandrashekar Rao
Governor – Tamilisai Soundararajan
Singareni Thermal Power Plant to have a Flu Gas Desulphurization (FGD) plant
Singareni Thermal Power Plant (STPP) in Telangana is set to become the first public sector coal-based power
generating station in the South and first among the State PSUs in the country to have a Flu Gas Desulphurization
(FGD) plant.
With 100% utilisation of the fly ash generated, the STPP has won the best fly ash utilisation award twice already
The FGD plant would process the sulphur and other gases (nitrogen oxides) generated in firing the coal for power
generation.
The FGD plant removes Sulphur Dioxide from the flue gas before it is released into the atmosphere and hence
reduces its impact on the environment.
Ministry Guidelines:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has set the deadline for installation of FGD
plants for coal-based power plants as December-end of 2026 for non-retiring plants and as December-end of 2027
for retiring plants.
Uses:
The gypsum generated by the FGD plant would be used in fertiliser, cement, paper, textile and construction
industries
What is the Status of the Thermal Power Sector in India?
The thermal power sector has been a major source of electricity generation in India, accounting for around 75% of
the country's total installed power capacity.
As of May 2022, India has a total Thermal installed capacity of 236.1 GW of which 58.6% of the thermal power is
obtained from coal and the rest from Lignite, Diesel, and Gas.
Vishakhapatnam will be Andhra Pradesh’s new Capital

In 2015, the then CM N Chandrababu Naidu had declared that Amaravati would be the
new capital.
In 2020, Andhra Pradesh planned to have three capital cities — Amaravati,
Visakhapatnam and Kurnool.
Andhra Pradesh CM inaugurated tourist police stations at 20 centres

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has inaugurated Tourist Police
Stations at 20 important religious and tourist places in various districts of the state.
The purpose of this move is to give boost to tourism security.
The tourist police stations would be run by specially trained police personnel and
headed by a Sub Inspector or an ASI rank officer.
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Kerala to setup green hydrogen hubs over next 2 years

The Kerala government announced a road map for setting up green hydrogen hubs in
Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram in the coming two years.
The outlay for this scheme: Rs 200 crore
Aim: To build green hydrogen plants that can produce 60 tonnes of hydrogen per day.
The Hydrogen produced through the electrolysis of water is known as green hydrogen.
Que:Which is the first district to register 10,000 new MSMEs?

Ans: Ernakulam
The Kerala Government launched the Enterprises Campaign during its 2022-23 budget.
Also, the state government declared the financial year 2022-23 as the Year of Enterprises.
This was done to boost the development of the MSME sector in the state.
Kerala launched Monthly Stipend Scheme for Junior Lawyers

Kerala CM, Pinarayi Vijayan has launched the monthly stipend scheme for junior lawyers in Kerala.
Under this scheme, a monthly stipend of Rs. 3,000 will be provided to junior lawyers in the State.
Eligibility for stipend:
Lawyers below 30 years of age with less than three years of practice.
Annual income less than Rs. 1 lakh.
The scheme will be implemented by the Bar Council of the state.
Kerala HC becomes first to publish judgements in regional language

The Kerala High Court has become the first high court in the country to publish judgments in
the regional language.
On February 21 (International Mother Language Day), Kerala published two of its recent
judgments in Malayalam.
The judgments in Malayalam were uploaded on the court's website just below the English
version.
The Kerala High Court made use of SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuwad Software ) tool to
translate the judgments.
CJ of Kerala HC: S. Manikumar
Kerala to become first State to use robotics tech extensively for manhole cleaning
The Kerala government launched robotic scavenger, Bandicoot, to clean sewages in temple town
of Guruvayur, in Thrissur district, becoming the first state in the country to use robotic
technology to clean all its commissioned manholes.
Bandicoot, developed by Kerala-based Genrobotics, recently won the 'Kerala Pride' award at the
Huddle Global 2022 Conclave organised by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).
Bandicoot will clean all existing sewerage and drains in Kerala.
State SHORT NEWS

J&K LG Manoj Sinha inaugurates SARAS Aajeevika Mela 2023
The first PM Gati Shakti regional workshop for the Western and Central Zone was held in Goa.
First meeting of Sustainable Finance Working Group under G20 begins in Guwahati.
28
National News
The central panel rejects the inclusion of Muslim dynasties in ICHR exhibitions
An exhibition on Medieval Indian Dynasties was organised by the Indian Council of Historical
Research (ICHR), a division of the Union Ministry of Education and featured 50 different dynasties
in the exhibitions. No Muslim dynasty was shown in the exhibition.
The ICHR, organised the exhibition at Lalit Kala Akademi titled ‘Glory of Medieval India:
Manifestation of the unexplored – Indian dynasties, 8th-18th Centuries.
The exhibits depict Ahom, Chola, Rathor, Yadav, Kakatiya and other dynasties, highlighting their founders, capital
cities, dates and architecture, art, culture of India. Muslim dynasties like Bahmani and Adil Shahi were not part of the
exhibition.
Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)

• It is an autonomous body of the Central Ministry of Education.
• It was established under Societies Registration Act, 1860 in 1972.
• It aims to bring historians together and provide a platform for exchange of views among them.
• Its other objectives are to promote, accelerate and coordinate research in history.
• It publishes a biannual Journal - the Indian Historical Review, and another journal Itihas in Hindi.
• Headquarters - New Delhi
First G20 education working group meeting held in Chennai

The first G20 Education working group meeting was organized in Chennai on 1st- 2nd Feb 2023
The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan inaugurated the
session.
Discussion topic: K-12 education, tech-enabled learning, and skill development
A seminar on the ‘Role of Digital Technology in Education’ – a unique initiative under India’s
Presidency was organized at the IIT M adras Research Park.
Quad cyber group meeting to strengthen cyber security cooperation

A meeting of the Quad Senior Cyber Group was held in New Delhi to strengthen cyber security
cooperation on 30-31 January.
The group also discussed cyber security capacity building for Quad members and for partners in
the Indo-Pacific region.
Quad or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is a group of four countries US, Japan, Australia and India.
The concept of QUAD was given by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007 for maritime cooperation
between these countries after the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster in 2004.
The 2022 Quad summit meeting was held in Japan and next will be held in Australia in 2023.
UK to be the country partner for BioAsia 2023

• BioAsia is the annual series of healthcare and life sciences event of Telangana government.
• It was held in Hyderabad from February 24-26
• Theme 2023: Advancing for ONE: Shaping the next generation of humanized healthcare.
• ‘O’ in ONE stands for One Health
• ‘N’ in ONE stands for Next Generation Health
• ‘E’ in ONE stands for Equity
Union Tourism minister launches Visit India Year 2023 initiative and its logo
• Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy launched the Visit India Year-2023.
• He also unveiled the logo of the campaign which is inspired by the image of 'Namaste'.
• It imbibes the philosophy of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' along with the heritage of India to the
art of cooking divine food and our rich wildlife.
• The emblem depicts elements of India's heritage and its monuments.
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Project ELLORA:
• Microsoft Research is helping preserve ‘rare’ Indian languages with its Project
ELLORA (Enabling Low Resource Languages) in India.
• Microsoft researchers under this project have been working toward creating digital
ecosystems for Indian languages that do not have enough presence online,
• The main goal of the Project is, building technological skills, enhancing education and preserving local
languages and cultures for future generations.
• Microsoft Research (MSR) has chosen to focus on three languages namely; Gondi, Mundari and Idu Mishmi.
India welcomes Congo into International Solar Alliance

International Solar Alliance
• It is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization whose primary function is to
promote solar development by reducing the cost of financing and technology.
It is the nodal agency to implement 'One Sun, One World, One Grid'.
It was launched by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France on 30 November 2015 at the Conference
of the Parties (COP-21) to the UNFCCC in France (Paris) along with 121 solar resource rich nations.
Its key objectives include achieving a global potential of over 1000 GW of solar power
generation capacity and mobilising about $1000 billion to invest in solar energy by 2030.
Headquarters - Gurugram, India
Democratic Republic of Congo
• It is located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa after
Algeria.
• Capital : Kinshasa. It is on the bank of River Congo.
• Congo is the only river in the world to cross the equator twice.
• Currency : Congo franc
India's first hydrogen train will come by Dec 2023 on heritage routes
• Union Railway minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw has informed that India will receive
its first hydrogen train by December 2023.
• It will run on heritage circuits like Kalka-Shimla and later it will be expanded to
other places.
• The Vande Metro (mini version of Vande Bharat Express) is also being developed
• Vande Metro Aim: To help people living around big cities to travel to and fro in
comfort between their place of work and hometowns.
• Railway Budget (2023-24:) Rs 2.4 lakh crore
Govt extends PM-KUSUM scheme till March 2026

• The government has extended Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM)
scheme till March 2026.
• Reason: It could not bear the desired result till now due to the COVID uncertainty.
• PM-KUSUM was launched in 2019.
• Aim: To add a solar capacity of 30,800 MW by 2022 with a total central financial
support of Rs 34,422 crore.
• Minister of New and Renewable Energy: R K Singh
Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman: PM – VIKAS

The scheme was announced by Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitaraman during the Budget
presentation.
The main objective of the scheme is to improve the status of the craftsmen in the country,
by:
• by increasing the calibre of the artisans
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• by increasing the reach of their goods

• provide financial support to the artisans
• Artisans will be taught to use the latest technologies in their workmanship
• will be introduced to paperless payments
About the PM-VIKAS

• The scheme aims to make India self-reliant. Also, it will gain India’s global reputation. Several Indian arts and
crafts have huge demand in the global market even today. For instance, Kashmiri shawls and Rajai are
famous in Turkey, Iran, etc.
• According to Hinduism, Vishwakarma is the god of crafts. He makes chariots, weapons, and palaces for gods.
He built Lanka Palace for Ravan, Dwarka for Lord Krishna, and Indraprastha for the Pandavas.
MISHTI, Amrit Dharohar, PM PRANAM ecological conservation initiative in the budget

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's budget speech launched various schemes and policies aimed at
ecological conservation.
• MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes)
• This is a new scheme which will facilitate mangrove plantation on salt lands along the sea coast of India.
• It aims at intensive afforestation of coastal mangrove forests.
• Mangrove - a tropical tree that grows in wet ground at the edge of rivers and has some roots that are above
ground
• दलदल में या नददयों के छोर पर उगने वाला एक उष्णकदिबंघीय वृक्ष जिसकी कुछ िड़ें ज़मीन पर होती है
Mangroves:
The Mangroves cover 0.15% of the total Indian Geographical area.
The state of West Bengal alone has 42.45% of India’s mangroves. Indian mangroves are facing limitations such as an
increase in salinity, lack of oxygen, and diurnal tidal inundations.
Mangrove forests are spread across AP, WB, Odisha, Andaman and Nicobar, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra,
and Tamil Nadu.
Amrit Dharohar
The scheme will be implemented over the next three years to encourage optimum use of wetlands and enhance
biodiversity, carbon stock, ecotourism opportunities and income generation for local communities.
It will emphasise on the importance of lakes and their conservation.
PM PRANAM (Prime Minister Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother
Earth)
The program will endeavour to encourage States and Union Territories promoting balanced use of alternative
fertilisers and chemical fertilisers.
It aims to reduce the subsidy burden of the government, which is estimated to reach Rs 2.25 lakh crore in 2022-23.
Bhartiya Prakritik Kheti Bio-Input Resource Centres
To adopt "natural farming", 10,000 bio-input processing centers will be set up.
These centers will form a nationally distributed micro fertilizer and pesticide manufacturing network.
This will affect more than 1 crore farmers in the next three years.
CAG's 6th SCO SAI Leaders’ Meeting held in Lucknow

• The 6th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) Leaders’ Meeting is being
hosted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in Lucknow on 6th February 2023.
• The meeting was inaugurated by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel.
• Theme: 'Integrating Emerging Technologies in Audit’
• Discussions topics: Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security, and concerns of digital technology.
• India currently holds the presidency of the SCO, which rotates annually among the member states.
• India's 2023 theme is 'Towards a Secure SCO’.
• CAG: Girish Chandra Murmu
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Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)

CAG is the Constitutional Authority in India.
It was established in accordance with Article 148 of the Constitution of India.
He is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department.
It enjoys the same status as the sitting judge of the Supreme Court.
Appointment: Appointed by the President of India for period of six years or up to the age of 65 years, whichever
is earlier.
Constitutional Provision
Article 148: CAG, his appointment, oath and conditions of service are specified.
Article 149: It deals with the duties and powers of the CAG.
Article 150: The accounts of the Union and the States shall be maintained in such form as the President may, on
the advice of the CAG, determine.
Bhupender Yadav launches ‘Save Wetlands Campaign’ in Goa

• Union Minister for Environment, Bhupender Yadav launched the ‘Save Wetlands Campaign’ in Goa.
• It is structured on a “whole of society” approach to wetlands conservation.
• He also released two publications - ‘India’s 75 Amrit Dharohar- India’s Ramsar Sites Factbook’ and ‘Managing
Climate Risks in Wetlands – A Practitioner’s Guide.
• Nanda Lake - Goa’s first Ramsar Site
Visva-Bharati University : To Get UNESCO Heritage Tag

• Visva-Bharati University will soon get the ‘heritage’ tag from UNESCO to take the
distinction of world’s first living heritage university.
• Visva Bharati university is one of India’s major Central Government funded
autonomous university located in Santiniketan, West Bengal.
• It is well-known as a distinguished centre for Visual Art practice and research in India.
• The university was established in 1921 by Nobel Prize Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore.
• It was named after Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore until Visva-Bharati Society was
registered as an organisation in May 1922.
• The institution was given the status of Central University in 1951
• Its first vice-chancellor was Rathindranath Tagore, the son of Rabindranath Tagore, and the second vice-
chancellor was grandfather of another Nobel Laureate economist Amartya Sen.
• The President of India appoints the Vice-chancellor of the University.
• Visva Bharati University is renowned for its cultural festivals called Poush Mela and the Basanta Utsab which
attracts a number of artisans from all across the country.
PMAY-U scheme extended up to next year

• Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri said the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban
(PMAY-U) scheme has been extended up to next year, to complete all the houses
sanctioned during the last financial year.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U)
• It was launched on 25 June 2015
• The scheme aims to provide houses to all the eligible beneficiaries by 2022.
• Around 1.12 crore houses are to be constructed under the scheme.
Ministry of Education launched "Yuva Sangam Portal“

• “Yuva Sangam Portal” launched at Indira Gandhi Kala Kendra, Delhi by Education Minister Dharmendra
Pradhan.
• The Ministry of Education has launched a pilot project with the Yuva Sangam portal under Ek Bharat-
Shreshtha Bharat.
• Under the project, 1000 youth in the age group of 18 to 30 years (300 from North East, 700 from other
states) will be sent to youth exchange programs in the North East and other states of the country.
32
• Through Yuva Sangam, the youth of the North East will get an opportunity to know the tradition, culture,
tourist places, food, language and diversity of the eight states of the country and the youth of other states of
the country.
•
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat:
• Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the year 2015 on the
occasion of Sardar Vallabh Patel's 140th birth anniversary and was launched by the Finance Minister in the
budget for the financial year 2016-17.
• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Education.
Southern India’s First Industrial Corridor Project in Tumarkuru, Karnataka

• In 2019, PM Modi launched the Gati Shakti Scheme.
• Under this, the GoI planned on developing 11 industrial corridors and two defence
corridors.
• PM Modi laid foundation stone to South India’s 1st Industrial Corridor Project, the
Tumakuru Industrial Township, as part of National Industrial Corridor programme
• It will help develop Tumakuru into a prominent industrial hub of the nation
About the Tumarkuru Industrial Township
• First industrial corridor in South India
• It will generate employment for more than 88,000 people
• Attract investment of Rs 7,000 crores within five to six years
• Contribute inclusive growth of the country, Trigger economic growth in the region
• Spread over 8,500 acres of land
• In line with the objectives of Atma Nirbhar Bharat
• It will address the issues of multi-modal connectivity
Significance
It is located at a distance of 300 km from the Mangaluru port. From the Bengaluru International Airport, it is at a
distance of 115 km. Mumbai-Chennai National Highway 48 adjoining the site. The Multi Modal connectivity
ecosystem will ensure a seamless movement of raw material and finished goods.
Target sectors
The project is to focus on food products, apparel, electronics, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and chemicals.
Operation Dost
• Turkey was hit by a 7.8 Ritcher earthquake recently. To help the people of Turkey,
India launched Operation Dost. The C17 Globemaster aircraft of the Indian Air Force
had been deployed in the operation.
• The aircraft is carrying medicines, relief materials, NDRF teams, etc. The aircraft
started its journey from the Hindon Air Base in India. It operates under the Western Command and is located
in Ghaziabad, UP. It is the largest air base in Asia.
• India also sent relief materials onboard a C-130J aircraft of the Indian Air Force to Syria.
First G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group Meeting

• Held in Bengaluru from February 9 to 11, 2023
• Hosted by: MoEFCC
• Chaired by: Leena Nandan (Secretary)
• Theme: LiFE is an "important and cross-cutting"
• Focus:
• Arresting land degradation, Accelerating ecosystem restoration, and Enriching biodiversity
• Promoting a sustainable and climate-resilient blue economy
• Encouraging resource efficiency and circular economy
33
Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh inaugurates Mission Antyodaya Survey 2022-
23
• The Department of Rural Development has been conducting the Mission Antyodaya Survey across all Gram
Panchayats in the country since 2017-18.
• The purpose of this survey is to transform lives and livelihoods of people to measurable outcomes through
convergence of various schemes.
• The Survey-2022 Questionnaire has 183 indicators and 216 data points covering 21 areas and has been
translated in 13 regional languages
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Asia's biggest air show Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 14th edition of Aero India show in
Bengaluru
• The 14th edition of Aero India 2023 was organised by the Indian Department of
Defense Production from February 13 to 17 at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in
Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The theme of the five-day event is ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’.
• The main objective of the event is to promote indigenous production and exports of aerial platforms and
attract foreign investment.
• 98 countries are participating in the event and MoUs worth Rs 75,000 crore are expected to be signed during
the event.
• Made in India Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv Mark III and IV, Light Combat
Helicopter Prachanda participating in HAL's HTT 40 Trainer Air Show.
Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates AMRITPEX 2023

• The Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology and Railways,
Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated AMRITPEX 2023 - National Philatelic Exhibition on 11
February in New Delhi.
• This five day Mahakumbh of Stamps (11th to 15th February, 2023) in Pragati Maidan,
New Delhi
• The themes of the exhibition include Amrit Mahotsav of Independence and New India,
women power, youth power, nature and wildlife, and culture and history of India.
India Post
• India Post is the central postal system of India and was established on 1 April 1854.
• It works under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India.
• India's postal system is one of the most widely distributed networks in the world.
• India is divided into 23 postal circles headed by the Chief Postmaster.
• Postal Index Number is a 6 digit code of post office introduced on 15 August 1972.
• It is quite popular in rural India as it is one of the oldest institutes in India in terms of better service.
DHARA - Annual Meeting of Members of the River Cities Alliance held In Pune
• A first of its kind two-day international conference, DHARA 2023, was organised in Pune to discuss strategies
for managing urban rivers.
• DHARA stands for - Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers.
• DHARA is the annual meeting of the members of the River Cities Alliance (RCA).
• The meeting was organised by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in
association with National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) from 13 to 14 February in
Pune.
• Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
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River Cities Alliance (RCA)

It was launched in 2021 as a dedicated platform for river cities of India for discussion and exchange of information
for sustainable management of urban rivers.
It was started with 30 cities in 2021 and currently has 95 cities as members across India.
It is formed by the successful partnership of the two Ministries - Ministry of Jal Shakti and Ministry of Housing and
Urban Affairs.
It focuses on three broad themes - networking, capacity building and technical support.
PM Modi inaugurated National Aadi Mahotsav on Feb 16 in New Delhi

• This 15-day festival was organised at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in
New Delhi.
• The Theme of the event “A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Crafts, Culture,
Cuisine and Commerce”.
About Aadi Mahotsav
• It is a national tribal festival and a joint initiative of the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Tribal
Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
• It was started in the year 2017.
• The main objective of this festival is to acquaint people with the rich and diverse crafts and culture of tribal
communities at one place.
Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)

It came into existence in 1987.
TRIFED is a national-level organisation functioning under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Tribal
Affairs.
Its Head Office is located in New Delhi and has a network of 13 Regional Offices.
It aims at socio-economic development of tribal people in the country through marketing development of tribal
products.
Centre forms committee for making coastal shipping guidelines

The Ministry of Shipping has formed a committee to draft revised Guidelines for the
operationalization of Roll-on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) and Roll-on-Passenger (Ro-Pax) ferry
service.
• Headed by: Chairman of the Deendayal Port Authority
• Aim: To promote coastal shipping through the PPP route
PM Modi inaugurated first phase of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway

• PM Modi has inaugurated the first phase of the 1,400 kilometres long Delhi-Mumbai
expressway in Rajasthan’s Dausa.
• The 246-kilometre Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot stretch of the expressway will cut down the
travel time from Delhi to Jaipur from five hours to around three and a half hours.
• It is also expected to boost economic opportunities in the entire region.
• Eight-lane-wide and nearly 1,400 kms long, it is being built at a staggering cost of over
one lakh crore rupees. It is expandable to accommodate 12 lanes.
Que: Which country leads the International Biofuels Alliance?

Que: कौन सा दे श अंतरााष्ट्रीय िैव ईंधन गठबंधन का नेतत्ृ व करता है ?
Ans: India
• During the G20 meeting, India is to launch the International Biofuel Alliance just like
the International Solar Alliance. To this, the USA and Brazil have agreed to back India.
• The country allocated 4.3 billion USD during the 2023-24 Budget to accomplish its net-zero targets.
• The two countries are the largest biofuel markets in the world. The US ranks number one and Brazil is in
second position in Biofuels. They lead in biodiesel and ethanol production. Together they account for 84% of
the world’s ethanol production and 26% of the world’s biodiesel production.
35
• India has set a target of achieving 20% ethanol blend in gasoline by 2025. In 2018, India launched the
National Biofuel Policy.
Namami Gange Mission-II approved with a budgetary outlay of ₹22,500 cr

• The government has approved Namami Gange Mission-II with a budgetary outlay of
Rs.22,500 crore till 2026.
• The Government has released a total of Rs.14,084.72 crore to the NMCG, from 2014-
15 till 31st January 2023.
• Out of which, NMCG has released Rs.13,607.18 crore to State Governments to implement Ganga-related
projects.
First G20 Culture Group (CWG) meet organised in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
• The Ministry of Culture is organising the first G20 Culture Group (CWG) meeting from 22 to 25 February
2023 in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
• 'Protection and restitution of cultural heritage’ was the theme for the first G20 Culture Group (CWG)
meeting.
• The overarching theme of G20 is ‘Vasudev Kutumbakam’ – One Earth, One Family, One Future.’
Ramping Up Border Infrastructure

• According to India’s External Affairs Minister, the government’s recent border infrastructure projects focus
on the north and east along India’s 3,488 km border with China (or LAC).
• Ramping up infrastructure in Ladakh, HP, UK, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
Neighbourhood Pojects:
Nepal:
South Asia’s first cross-border petroleum products pipeline Motihari - Amlekhgunj Pipeline .
The Mahakali motorable bridge over the Mahakali River connecting Dharchula (India) with Darchula (Nepal), under
Indian grant assistance.
Bangladesh:
Maitri Setu, High Speed Diesel pipeline with Bangladesh that will reduce petrol prices and road congestion.
Myanmar:
Sittwe port project, Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP).
Bhutan:
Dry port in Pasakha bordering West Bengal is being developed under an Indian government grant.
Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign: Aimed At Ending Filariasis Disease

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a nationwide Mass
Drug Administration (MDA) campaign aimed at ending filariasis disease.
• India aims to eliminate filariasis by 2027, three years ahead of the global target.
• High-burdened areas are Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttar
Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra
Pradesh.
• Filariasis is a parasitic infection caused by microscopic, thread-like worms
known as filariae.
• It is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes, and it affects millions of people
in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
36
Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana:

• Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana is a skill development scheme with a special focus on
providing training for jobs that are relevant to the Railways.
• It is a sub-scheme under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Railway.
Key Features of the scheme:

The training is imparted in fourteen (14) industry-relevant technical trades such as Electrician, Welder, Machinist,
Fitter etc.
The training is provided free of cost to the candidates and there is no provision for providing employment under this
scheme.
Participants will be selected from applications received online, following a transparent mechanism based on marks in
matriculation.
Eligibility Criteria: Candidates, who had passed class X and are aged between 18 and 35 are eligible to apply.
After the end of the program, trainees have to pass a standardized assessment followed by a certificate in the
allotted trade by the National Rail and Transportation Institute.
Cabinet approves “Vibrant Villages Programme”

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Vibrant Villages Programme” for the
Financial Years 2022-23 to 2025-26 with a financial allocation of Rs. 4800 Crore.
• The scheme will provide funds for the development of essential infrastructure and the
creation of livelihood opportunities.
• In the first phase, 663 Villages will be taken up in the program.
• Aim: To improve the quality of life of people living in identified border villages.
India and Fiji sign MoU on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports
• India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
• Under the Visa Waiver Agreement, holders of diplomatic and official passports will be
able to enter, transit and stay in each other's territory without a visa for a period of 90
days.
• India and Fiji share close and long-standing relations and the two countries also
reviewed bilateral relations.
• Jaishankar unveils bust of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Fiji's capital Suva
Republic of Fiji
• It is an archipelago consisting of around 300 islands in the South Pacific Ocean.
• Capital: Suva
• Currency: Fijian Dollar
• Prime Minister: Sitiveni Rabuka
MEA launches 'mPassport Police App'

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has launched the 'mPassport Police App' to
streamline and expedite the police verification process for passport issuance.
• The App was launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah
• The mPassport Police App will cut the verification time period to 5 days.
Cabinet approves the extension of the term of the Twenty-second Law Commission of India
• The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the tenure of the 22nd Law Commission of India which has
been extended till August 31, 2024.
• The Union Ministry of Law and Justice constituted the 22nd Law Commission on 7
November 2022 and appointed former Karnataka High court chief justice Rituraj
Awasthi as the chairperson of the Law Commission.
• The five member 22nd Law Commission will have a term of three years.
37
Law Commission of India

Law commission is a non-statutory body which is set up by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice for suggesting
reform in laws in India.
Its recommendations are not binding on the government.
The provision for the Law commission was made in the Charter act 1833 and the first Law commission was set up in
1834 under the chairmanship of Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay.
The Indian Penal Code 1860 is based on the recommendation of the Macaulay commission.
The First Law commission in Independent India was set up in 1955 and M.C Setalvad who was also the first Attorney
General of India was the chairman of the Law Commission.
Revised guidelines for the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)
• The Government of India has launched revised guidelines for the
Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)
• The Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation, Rao
Inderjit Singh, launched the new guidelines and the web portal, which
will come into effect from April 1, 2023, according to the Ministry of
Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• The focus is on improving the functioning, implementation, and
monitoring of the MPLAD scheme, enabling MPs to recommend
developmental works according to the requirements of their constituency.
• Under the revised guidelines, the entire process of fund flow will operate through the web portal. The portal
will enable real-time monitoring, greater transparency, and accountability in the system, resulting in
improved efficiency and effectiveness of the MPLAD Scheme, as per the ministry's statement.
MPLADS:
• Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme is a scheme formulated by Government of India on
23 December 1993 that enables the members of parliaments to recommend developmental work in their
constituencies with an emphasis on creating durable community assets based on locally felt needs.
• Launch year: 1993 by prime minister P. V. Narasimha Rao
• Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
• Each year, MPs receive Rs. 5 crore in two instalments of Rs. 2.5 crore each. Funds under MPLADS are non-
lapsable.
• Nominated Members of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha can recommend works anywhere in the
country.
PM Narendra Modi chaired the 41st edition PRAGATI Interaction meeting

• Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) Interaction.
• PRAGATI is the ICT-based multi-modal platform involving Centre and State
governments.
• In the meeting, 9 key infrastructure projects were reviewed and PM Modi also reviewed ‘Mission Amrit
Sarovar’.
• PRAGATI Interaction was launched on 25th March 2015 by PM Modi as a part of the Digital India program.
SHORT NATIONAL NEWS

PM Narendra Modi has inaugurated ‘Barisu Kannada Dim Dimava’ cultural festival at
Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi, to celebrate Karnataka’s culture, traditions and history
SHORT NEWS
• The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, has approved the signing MoU between India and Chile for
cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Allied sectors.
• The Union Cabinet has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and South Africa
for cooperation in the Disability Sector.
• South Africa President: Cyril Ramaphosa
38
• The 18th World Security Congress is being organised by the International Union of
Railways (UIC) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) from 21 to 23 February in Jaipur.
• India Pavilion’ at Gulfood, Dubai was inaugurated by Pashupati Kumar Paras,
Minister of Food Processing Industries, Government of India in the presence of
Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE.
• India Pavilion’ is the largest pavilion at the Gulfood 2023.
• Indian Railways will launch Guru Kirpa Yatra on 5th April 2023, from Lucknow with its Bharat Gaurav Tourist
Train.
• During the eleven-day holy tour, the pilgrims will visit the most prominent revered sites of Sikhism which
includes the five Holy Takhts.
SHORT NEWS
• Bengaluru to host the first G20 Energy Transition Working Group Meeting under India’s Presidency.
• First Employment Working Group meeting under the Indian presidency of G20 to be held in Jodhpur,
Rajasthan.
• Netherlands emerged as India’s third largest exports destination after the US and UAE during April-
December 2022.
• Toyota remains top-selling car-maker in World for third straight year.
SHORT NEWS
• National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, US counterpart Jake Sullivan launched the US-India Initiative on Critical
and Emerging Technologies (iCET) in Washington on 31 January.
• Finance Minister announced an initiative called MISHTI ‘Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and
Tangible Incomes’.
• Central assistance of ₹5,300 crores will be given to Upper Bhadra Project of Karnataka, to provide micro
irrigation and filling up of surface tanks for drinking water.
SHORT NEWS
• India will host the Permanent Mission Roundtables at United Nations Head Quarter as
Chair of G- 20 and ahead of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Summit 2023 to
be held in New York.
• Theme 2023: Asia and the Emerging World Order
SHORT NEWS
• India, France, and the UAE announced a formal trilateral cooperation initiative in the areas of defence,
nuclear energy, and technology.
• NTPC will host G20 international seminar on Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) on 5 February
2023 in Bengaluru.
• IIT Madras to receive Rs 242 crore over a period of five years to undertake research on Lab Grown Diamonds
(LGD).
• Union HM Amit Shah will present the President’s Colour Award to Haryana Police on February 14 for their
outstanding service to the nation.
SHORT NEWS
• PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the three-day-long Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit 2023 in Lucknow
on 10th February 2023.
• The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Samsung Semiconductor India Research
(SSIR) have joined hands to promote research and development in the field of on-chip
electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection.
39
International News
Manuela Roka Botey appointed as the first female PM of Equatorial Guinea
• Equatorial Guinea Capital: Malabo
Nikos Christodoulides elected as next President of Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus
• It is an island European country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
• It gained its Independence from Britain in 1960.
• Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and created a Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus in 1983.
• Except Turkey no country recognises Turkish Cyprus.
• India also recognises the Cyprus government.
• Capital: Nicosia
• Currency: Euro
Mohammad Shahabuddin Chuppu elected as the 22nd President of Bangladesh

• He became President by default as there was no rival candidate.
• He will replace President Mohammad Abdul Hamid, whose tenure will be ended on
April 23, 2023.
• Abdul Hamid(longest-serving president of Bangladesh)served as President for two consecutive terms of five
years.
• The Bangladesh constitution does not allow any person to hold the President's post beyond two terms.
Saudi Arabia to send its 1st female astronaut to space this year
• Saudi female astronaut Rayna Barnawi will join Saudi Ali Al-Qarni on a 10-day
mission to the International Space Station (ISS) this year.
• aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of a mission by American privately
funded space infrastructure developer private space company Axiom Space .
• will be launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in
Florida, America.
Que: ‘Eagle 44 (Oghab 44)’ is the first underground air force base of which country?
Ans: Iran
• It is capable of housing fighter jets equipped with cruise missiles.
• The unveiling of the Oghab 44 is seen as a display of Iran’s aerial military strength in response to a joint drill
conducted by the US and Israel.
• It will host jets and drones equipped with long-range cruise
missiles to destroy adversary targets in case of attack.
Australia removes British Monarchy from its banknotes

• The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced that it will remove the portrait of the
British monarchy, Queen Elizabeth II from its A$5 banknotes.
• The new currency notes of the $5 would feature an Indigenous design rather than an
image of King Charles III.
• The other side of the note will continue to feature the Australian Parliament.
• King Charles III, who became British monarch, is the head of state in Australia, NZ, and
12 other Commonwealth realms outside the UK.
40
US opened an embassy in the Solomon Islands to counter China’s push into the Pacific
• The embassy is in the capital, Honiara
• The US previously operated an embassy in the Solomon Islands for five years
before closing it in 1993 as part of a global reduction in diplomatic posts after the
end of the Cold War.
What are the Key Highlights about Solomon Island?

• The Solomon Islands is part of the ethnically Melanesian group of islands in the
Pacific and lies between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.
• The islands were initially controlled by the British Empire during the colonial era.
• It went through the hands of Germany and Japan and then back to the U.K., after
the Americans took over the islands from the Japanese during World War II.
• The islands became independent in 1978 to become a constitutional monarchy
under the British Crown, with a parliamentary system of government.
• Still, the country, a member of the Commonwealth, is independent, and the
governor-general is appointed on the advice of the unicameral National
Parliament.
Que: Which country’s Chief Justice is the chief guest of the 73rd foundation day of the
Supreme Court of India?
Ans: Singapore
• Singapore Chief Justice Sunadresh Menon attends as chief guest of the 73rd
foundation day of the Supreme Court of India.
• On January 28, 1950, two days after India became the Sovereign Democratic Republic,
the Supreme Court of India was established.
World Government Summit 2023 held in Dubai

• The World Government Summit 2023 began on 13th February 2023 in Dubai.
• Theme - “Shaping Future Governments”
• The World Government Summit is a global forum held annually in Dubai, that brings together leaders in
government, business, technology, and civil society to discuss pressing issues facing humanity and to shape
the future of governments worldwide.
New Zealand declares national emergency after Cyclone Gabrielle hit North Island
• Cyclone Gabrielle causes widespread flooding, landslides and huge ocean swells
across the North Island.
• A national state of emergency has been declared in New Zealand on two
previous occasions – the first in 2011 after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in
Christchurch and the second in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marburg Virus Disease : First-Ever Outbreak

• The World Health Organization recently said that Equatorial Guinea had
confirmed its first-ever outbreak of Marburg disease.
• Marburg virus disease (MVD) earlier known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever, is a
rare but severe hemorrhagic fever that affects both people and non-human primates.
• MVD is caused by the Marburg virus, a genetically unique zoonotic (animal-borne) RNA virus.
• Marburg and Ebola viruses are both members of the Filoviridae family (filovirus).
• Marburg virus was first recognized in 1967
• The Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through human-to-
human transmission.
41
Spanish government passes law providing 'menstrual leave' for the first time in Europe
• Spain's government approved a law providing paid medical leave for women suffering
from severe menstrual pain, a first in any European country.
• Such facilities are currently available in Japan, Indonesia and Zambia.
Sea ice cover reaches lowest level in Antarctica

• According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center in the United States,
Antarctica's sea ice extent was recorded at 2.2 million square kilometres last week.
• This is the lowest since records began in 1979.
• According to scientists, this is the second consecutive year when snow has melted
up to 20 lakh square km in a day.
• The coldest region on Earth, 99 percent of Antarctica is covered with ice.
• According to scientists, due to the hot winds, the snow is melting rapidly, this year the temperature of the
hot winds has been 1.5 degrees above the average.
• About Antarctica
• It is the southernmost continent and the fifth largest continent on Earth.
• Antarctica is uninhabited except for about 40 permanent stations set up by many countries including India
for scientific research.
• India has two research centres on the Antarctic continent - 'Maitri' and 'Bharati'.
First I2U2 Vice-Ministerial Meeting : UAE Hosted

• I2U2 is a joint initiative of India, Israel, the USA, and the UAE.
• The main objective of the initiative is security cooperation, technological hubs, food
security, and other different energy fields.
• The UAE recently hosted the vice-ministerial meeting of I2U2. It was held in Abu Dabi.
• It was attended by the Economic Growth, Energy, and Environment secretary of the USA, the Prime Minister
of Israel, PM Modi, and the UAE President.
• I2U2 Vice-Ministerial meeting:
• During the meeting, the leaders discussed regional cooperation opportunities and investment opportunities
among the countries.
• They also discussed food insecurity and energy crisis issues.
• The first summit of the initiative was held in 2022.
FATF suspends Russia's membership over Ukraine war

• Global anti-money laundering watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
suspended Russia's membership over the Ukraine war.
• The FATF has suspended Russia's membership for its "illegal, unprovoked and
unjustified" full-scale military invasion of Ukraine.
• Russia's actions "run unacceptably" against the FATF's core principles, which aim to protect, safeguard and
promote the integrity of the global financial system.
• The FATF is also concerned about information on arms trade between Russia and UN-sanctioned
jurisdictions, and Russia's malicious cyber activities.
• South Africa and Nigeria have been placed on FATF's gray list, indicating deficiencies in the handling of
financial flows to the nations.
• Morocco and Cambodia have been removed from the list after reforming their controls.
Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
• It was formed in the year 1989 at the meeting of G-7 countries held in Paris.
• It works to generate the necessary political will to bring about legislative and regulatory reforms in the world
on issues like money laundering, terror funding.
• Headquarters - Paris.
42
• Member Countries - 39 member countries including India and 2 regional organisations (European
Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council).
• India became a member of FATF in the year 2010.
• Its sessions are held three times a year.
• Financial Action Task Force (FATF) President – T.Raja Kumar
New START : Russia Has Announced To Suspend Its Participation

• Recently, Russia has announced to suspend its participation in the New
START, the last remaining major military agreement with the United States.
• The name START comes from the original “Strategic Arms Reduction
Treaty”, known as START-I, which was signed between the US and the
erstwhile USSR in 1991, and came into force in 1994.
• START-I, which capped the numbers of nuclear warheads and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that
each side could deploy at 6,000 and 1,600 respectively, lapsed in 2009, and was replaced first by the SORT,
also known as the Treaty of Moscow), and then by the New START treaty.
• The New START, the “Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures
for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms”, entered into force on 5th February
2011, and placed new verifiable limits on intercontinental-range nuclear weapons.
• The US and Russia Federation subsequently agreed to extend the treaty through February 2026.
• A suspension of the treaty may mean that it will be harder for the US to monitor compliance.
• Russia has already suspended mutual inspections of nuclear weapons sites and participation in a bilateral
consultative commission
SHORT NEWS
• India and Spain agree to collaborate on digital infrastructure, climate action and sustainable development
• EU formally bans gas, diesel car sales from 2035
• Sri Lanka celebrated its 75 years of Independence from British rule on 4th February 2023.
• Theme: Namo Namo Matha - A step towards a century.
• Myanmar and Russia sign pact on developing nuclear power
43
Science Tech
ISRO launches its smallest rocket SSLV - D2
Indian Space Research Organization has launched its smallest rocket SSLV-D2 (Small
Satellite Launch Vehicle) into space from Satish Dhawan Space Center (Sriharikota).
ISRO's SSLV-D2 flew into space carrying three satellites with it.
These include ISRO's satellite EOS-07, Chennai-based space startup Spacekidz's satellite
Azad SAT-2 and American company Antaris's satellite JANUS -1.
ISRO's smallest new rocket SSLV-D2 works on the technology of launch on demand. It can fly with a load of about
120 tonnes.
It has the capability to cater to the launch of 500 kg satellites into low earth orbits.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO):
It was established on 15 August 1969.
It is the national space agency of India. It launches its space rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota,
Andhra Pradesh.
Headquarters: Bengaluru
Chairman: S Somnath
ISRO plans to develop astronaut training module with IIT Madras

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras.
Reason: To build training modules for Indian Spaceflight Program, using augmented
reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) technologies.
The modules will be built at IIT Madras’ Experiential Technology Innovation Centre (XTIC).
It will also be used to train engineers at ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC).
India first hybrid rocket launched in from Tamil Nadu’s Pattipulam

India's first hybrid rocket made by the school students from various states launched as part of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
Satellite Launch Vehicle Mission 2023 from Pattipulam Village in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu
The reusable rocket has been made by the selected top 100 students.
The rocket can be used for research into weather, atmospheric conditions and radiation.
What is a Hybrid rocket?
It is a bipropellant rocket engine that uses propellants that are in two different states.
These propellants are usually liquid and solid which react to form exhaust gases suitable for rocket propulsion.
India's first private rocket Vikram-S (Suborbital) was launched on 18 November 2022 from the Satish Dhawan Space
Centre, Sriharikota.
NASA-ISRO Joint Satellite – NISAR

NISAR is an earth-observing satellite planned to be launched in 2024
NISAR stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar.
NISAR is jointly developed by NASA and ISRO.
Why is NISAR in news?

NISAR is a three-year mission. A part of the NISAR satellite is developed on US soil. This part payload is now being
transported to India’s U R Rao Satellite center in Bengaluru from JPL in California.
Objectives of the NISAR

To map the earth
Monitor water, agriculture, and forest
Observe land and ice covers
44
Radar systems in NISAR

L – Band SAR: Designed and Created by JPL of NASA; Wavelength: 23 cm; Greater penetration to forests
S-Band SAR: Designed and created by ISRO; Wavelength: 12 cm; Used for heavy weather and bird detection
Studies
Antarctic cryosphere: Cryosphere is the part of the earth where water is in a solid state
Ice masses will be monitored at a frequency of four to six times a month
Measure ecosystem disturbances
Natural hazards such as volcanoes, tsunamis, landslides, earthquakes, etc.
Ice sheet collapses
Jupiter beats Saturn to become the planet with most moons

Scott Sheppard, Astronomer of Washington's Carnegie Institution for Science has discovered 12
new moons around Jupiter planet.
Now, Jupiter has 92 moons
Jupiter planet has overtaken Saturn planet, which has 83 moons at present.
Scientists discovered fifth inner core layer of the earth

The recent frequent earthquakes have helped scientists discover a new core. This fifth
inner core is a solid ball of nickel and iron and is the innermost layer.
Australian National University's researchers are trying to reveal the fifth layer of the
Earth.
What is the new discovery?

So far scientists believed that there are only four layers in the earth - crust, middle layer called mantle, innermost
layer called the core. The core is divided into two parts namely the inner core and the outer core. Recently, scientists
discovered that there is another layer in the core.
About the new fifth layer

Unlike the inner core and outer core, this new fifth layer is solid. It may be 650 km in diameter. Scientists believed
that the inner core of the earth is 2,440 km in diameter. It is about 70% of the moon’s size.
Also, scientists discovered that the inner core slowed down its spin recently with respect to the mantle. In a while,
the inner core will reverse its direction of spinning. Because of these changes, there will be changes in the magnetic
field of the earth.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) research company OpenAI announced ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a prototype dialogue-based AI chatbot capable of understanding natural human language and generating
impressively detailed human-like written text.
It is based on GPT-3.5 – a deep-learning language model that produces human-like text.
The technology produces different answers for the same question in the future since it improves over time and
understands queries better through machine learning.
The organization was founded in San Francisco in 2015 by Sam Altman, Reid Hoffman, Jessica Livingston, Elon Musk
and others.
GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer
Google introduces AI chatbot 'Bard’

Google launched its conversational artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot named ‘Bard’.
It will be directly competing with Microsoft-backed firm OpenAI's ChatGPT.
Bard is based on LaMDA, the firm's Language Model for the Dialogue Applications
system.
It helps to draw information from the web to provide high-quality responses.
Google CEO: Sundar Pichai
45
GRSE, Rolls Royce sign MoU for manufacturing marine engines in India
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd has signed an MoU with Rolls
Royce Solutions of Germany for the manufacture of high-quality marine diesel engines
at the GRSE's plant in Ranchi.
The MoU deals with the transfer of technology related to engine assembly, painting,
parts sourcing, and after-sales service for these engines
Both will co-operate in the license production and localization of the technologically
advanced MTU S4000 governmental marine engines
Que: Which company has been approved as the first Indian company to supply critical
rotating parts for nuclear turbines?
Ans: Azad Engineering Private Limited (Hyderabad-based)
Azad engineering is India’s 1st supplier of parts for nuclear turbine

The company has delivered its first set of critical parts. These will now be assembled on
nuclear turbines manufactured in Belfort, France.
Que:Medium-density Amorphous Ice, which was seen in the news, was created in a container filled with which
material?
Ans: Stainless Steel
Medium-density Amorphous (MDA) Ice is a new form of ice that was recently
discovered by scientists. This ice has same density and structure as water.
The ice was created by scientists in a container with stainless steel balls at a -200°C.
The MDA ice does not have any ordered structure. It will provide the opportunity to
improve the understanding of the properties of water.
World’s first ‘Super’ magnets for testing in nuclear plant developed

World’s first ‘Super’ magnets for testing in nuclear fusion plant developed by UK’s
Tokamak Energy.
Tokamak Energy announced that the Demo4 magnet has a magnetic field strength
that is nearly a million times stronger than the Earth’s magnetic field, making it
capable of confining and controlling the extremely hot plasma created during the
nuclear fusion process.
Tokamak Energy is aiming to be the first private company to produce commercial
fusion energy, with the goal of demonstrating grid-ready fusion in the early 2030s.
Capital – London
Currency – Pound sterling
Prime Minister – Rishi Sunak
DCPCR launches WhatsApp chatbot 'Bal Mitra' for children

The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) launched its
WhatsApp chatbot named 'Bal Mitra’.
It is an initiative to enable two-way communication between people and the child
rights panel.
It will help citizens and the commission to interact more effectively.
Features of the chatbot: Complaint registration, searching information and
tracking complaint status
DCPCR chairperson: Anurag Kundu
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Skye Air launches India’s first traffic management system for drones
Skye Air launched a drone-based traffic management system named 'Skye
UTM' in India.
It was unveiled by the Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Nitin
Gadkari.
Skye UTM is a Cloud-based aerial traffic management system.
The software will allow drone operators to plan routes, make flight plans and
assess risks before running drone-based operations in the country.
ICAR develops wheat variety to beat the heat

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed a new wheat variety
called HD-3385.
It can overcome the challenges due to changes in weather patterns and rising heat
levels.
It is suitable to early sowing, escaping the impact of heat spikes, and can be
harvested before March end.
Recently, the Centre announced to set up of a committee to monitor the situation arising from the increase in
temperatures and its impact on the current wheat crop.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research
It is an autonomous body formerly known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.
Headquarters -New Delhi
Established - 1929
The Union Minister of Agriculture serves as its President.
Meta Launches #DigitalSuraksha campaign in partnership with MeitY for the

G20 campaign
The resources will cover themes like:
Tackling online frauds
How to report harmful content
Safety tips while interacting online and more
SHORT NEWS
NASA will launch Israel’s first space telescope mission, the Ultraviolet Transient
Astronomy Satellite (ULTRASAT) in early 2026.
IIT Madras partners with General Insurance Corporation of India to develop Urine-based
TB diagnosis.
Researchers from Kerala has been discovered a new species of cuckoo bee from the Kole
wetlands and named it Thyreus narendrani.
47
Defence
Indian military conducted joint training exercise Trishakti Prahar
The Indian military has conducted the joint training exercise Trishakti Prahar,
in North Bengal from January 21-31, 2023.
Aim: To practice battle preparedness of the security forces, using the latest
weapons and equipment in a networked, integrated environment.
This exercise was participated by the Army, the Indian Air Force, and CAPFs.
The exercise concluded with an Integrated Fire Power Exercise at the Teesta
Field Firing Ranges.
Exercise Aman
Exercise Aman, which is a four-day biannual exercise organised by the
Pakistan Navy,
The Pakistan Navy had invited 110 countries for this year’s Exercise Aman,
scheduled from February 10-14.
Participation has been decreasing over the last few years and the 2023
edition will only feature seven countries – the United States of America
(US), China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Italy, and Japan.
Indo-US exercise TARKASH

The 6th edition of joint exercise Tarkash was recently concluded in Chennai by the
National Security Guard (NSG) and the US Special Operations Force (SOF).
This is the sixth edition of the exercise which began on 16 January and ended on 14
February.
“Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Terror Response” has been included in this exercise for the
first time.
An exercise to deal with chemical and biological attacks by terrorists was also included in the exercise.
Last year, Russia accuses Ukraine of receiving aid from Western countries and of carrying out a chemical attack in
Kharkiv.
India Japan joint training exercise "Dharma Guardian" to begin at Camp Imazu in Shiga Prefecture, Japan
The 4th edition of the joint military exercise between India and Japan, "X Dharma Guardians" will be conducted from
17 February to 2 March 2023 at Camp Imazu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
Soldiers from the Garhwal Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and an infantry regiment from the Japan Ground Self
Defense Force (JGSDF) are participating in the exercise this year.
The training will mainly focus on high level of physical fitness and sharing of exercises at tactical level.
The joint exercise will help both the armies to know each other better, share their vast experiences and enhance
situational awareness.
What is Exercise Dharma Guardian?

It is an annual joint military exercise conducted between India and Japan since 2018.
It aims to share experience gained during various Counter Terrorism Operations in respective Countries.
Other Exercises Between India and Japan

SHINYU Maitri - A bilateral exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF).
JIMEX- A bilateral maritime exercise between India and Japan.
Sahyog-Kaijin- Joint Bilateral Exercise between Indian Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard.
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India-Uzbekistan biennial military Ex-DUSTLIK 2023 begins in Uttarakhand

The 4th edition of the biennial training Ex DUSTLIK 2023, between the Indian Army
and Uzbekistan Army is being conducted in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand from 20th
February to 5th March 2023
Aim: To enhance the military capability to undertake multi-domain operations in a
Sub Conventional scenario
The 14th Battalion, the GARHWAL RIFLES, part of Western Command represented the Indian contingent
Indian army to hold AFINDEX exercise at Aundh

The Indian army will hold the second edition of the multinational Africa-Indian Field Training
Exercise (AFINDEX 2023) at Aundh Military Station from March 21 to March 30.
The biennial joint military exercise was held for the first time in 2019 at the same location.
According to army officials, up to 20 African nations may participate in field training
exercises.
The aim of the exercise is to practice with the participating nations in planning and conduct of Humanitarian Mine
Assistance and Peace Keeping Operations under chapter VII of United Nations peacekeeping operations.
Indian Air Force to participate in Ex-Cobra Warrior at Waddington, UK

A contingent of the Indian Air Force will participate in Exercise Cobra Warrior at the
Waddington Air Force Base in the UK.
The exercise is scheduled to be held from 6th -24th March 2023.
It is a multilateral Air exercise in which Air Forces from Finland, Sweden, South Africa,
the USA, and Singapore would also participate.
In 2023, IAF is participating in the exercise with five Mirage 2000 fighters, two C-17
Globemaster, and an IL-78 mid-air refueller aircraft.
Indian Air Force contingent reaches in UAE to participate in Exercise Desert Flag VIII
An Indian Air Force contingent of 110 Air Warriors reached Al Dahfra airbase of United Arab Emirates on 25 February
for participating in Exercise 'Desert Flag VIII'.
Tejas, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) made in India, will make its first appearance at a multinational exercise in the
United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The IAF would be participating with five LCA Tejas and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.
About Exercise Desert Flag

It is a multilateral air exercise in which air forces from the United Arab Emirates, France, Kuwait, Australia, United
Kingdom, Bahrain, Morocco, Spain, Republic of Korea and the United States will also participate.
This exercise will run from 27 February to 17 March.
TEJAS fighter aircraft

It is an 'Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft'.
It has been jointly developed by 'Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)' and 'Hindustan Aeronautics Limited'
(HAL).
It is the smallest-lightweight single-engine 'Multirole Tactical Fighter Aircraft'.
It has been designed with an aim to reduce India's dependence on Russia's MiG-21 fighter jets and move towards
self-reliance in the field of national security.
It is designed to carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface weapons.
It is capable of refueling in the sky during the journey and has a maximum payload capacity of 4000 kg.
It can achieve a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and has a range of 3,000 km.
Ministry of Defense becomes the largest buyer of MSME goods in 2022

In 2022, the Ministry of Defense envisages procurement of goods and services worth Rs 16,747 crore from the
MSME sector. This was 250% more than the purchases made in 2021.
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Among the states, Uttar Pradesh procured the maximum. Uttar Pradesh procured goods and services worth Rs 9,642
crore through GeM.
Indian Army gets 'World's First' fully operational SWARM Drone System
Bengaluru-based start-up, NewSpace Research has delivered SWARM drones to Indian
Army.
These drone systems will make the Army the first major armed force in the world to
operationalize with these high-density SWARM drones.
The swarm of 100 drones is capable of hitting targets at least 50 km away into enemy
territory.
It is a part of the Aatmanirbhar effort to indigenize critical and disruptive military technologies.
INS Nireekshak awarded ‘on-the-spot’ Navy chief Unit Citation for salvage ops
In a first for the Indian Navy, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Harikumar awarded an ‘on the
spot’ Unit Citation to INS Nireekshak in Kochi.
Reason: For deep sea diving and undertaking salvage operations under the most challenging
circumstances
INS Nireekshak:
It is a Dive Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel of the Indian Navy.
It was built in 1985 by Mazgaon Shipbuilders.
D4 Drone System : To Be Showcased At Aero India 2023

The D4 anti-drone system which was used for security during the Republic Day parade is
one of the products to be showcased at Aero India 2023.
The Drone Detect, Deter and Destroy system (D4S) is the first indigenously developed
anti-drone system to be inducted into the Indian Armed Forces.
It is developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat Electronics
Limited (BEL).
Purpose is to detect rogue drones that are likely to attack most vulnerable places.
It can detect and jam micro-drones at a distance of up to 3 km.
Aero India:
It is a biennial air show and aviation exhibition held in Bengaluru, India at the Yelahanka Air Force Station.
It is organised by the Defence Exhibition Organisation, Ministry of Defence.
Aero India: HAL received approval from DGCA for indigenously developed ‘black boxes
In Aero India, the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has received the Indian Technical Standard
Order (ITSO) authorisation from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its
indigenously developed Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR).
CVR and FDR are popularly known as ‘black boxes’.
These recorders are painted in orange colour to help in their recovery following an
aircraft accident.
Aero India: Solar-powered drone SURAJ unveiled

Drone startup Garuda Aerospace has unveiled its solar-powered drone “SURAJ”,
designed specifically for surveillance operations, at Aero India 2023.
SURAJ is an ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) high-altitude drone
designed specifically for surveillance operations
Recently, Garuda Aerospace had raised USD 22 Million, the “largest ever” Series A
funding in the drone sector.
Air India signs 470 aircraft deal with Airbus, Boeing

Of the 470 new aircraft ordered by Air India, 250 are from Airbus and 220 from Boeing.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed confidence that India will emerge as the third largest global market in
the aviation sector in the coming years.
This deal reflects the strength of the US-India and France-India strategic partnership.
The Indian aviation sector will need more than 2,000 aircrafts in the next 15 years.
INS Sumedha reaches Abu Dhabi to participate in IDEX and NAVDEX

Indian Naval Ship Sumedha has reached Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to participate
in Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) 2023 and International Defence Exhibition(IDEX) 2023.
Agenda: To showcase the strengths of India's indigenous shipbuilding and underscore the
vision of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.
INS Sumedha:
It is the third ship of the indigenously built Saryu class Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels.
It was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2014.
For the first time, Indian submarine INS Sindhukesari docks Indonesia amid
South China Sea conflict
Indian submarine INS SindhuKesari docks Jakarta, Indonesia for the first time
amid the conflict between China and Indonesia in the South China Sea.
Indonesia is among the countries involved in a naval dispute with Beijing in the
South China Sea.
It is about strengthening the maritime partnership between India and Indonesia
towards a secure Indo-Pacific.
Indian warships frequently visit Indonesia and other ASEAN countries. This is the first time the submarine has been
deployed for long distances.
INS Sindhukesari is the 3,000-tonne diesel-electric submarine.
BEL & Israel Aerospace Industries to form joint venture

Bharat Electronics Limited and Israel Aerospace Industries have concluded an MoU to
form a JV aiming at a single point of contact for extending long-term product support
services for India's defense forces.
The JV will provide support to the missile defence system of the country.
The new JV is being established to provide life cycle support for MRSAM (Medium
Range Surface to Air Missile) air defense systems.
MRSAM is an advanced air and missile defence system.
The IAF, Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Israeli Defence Forces use it.
PM unveils India's biggest helicopter manufacturing facility in Tumakuru district of

Karnataka
PM Modi inaugurated the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's helicopter factory — the
country's largest chopper manufacturing facility — in Tumakuru district of Karnataka.
Bengaluru-headquartered HAL plans to produce more than 1,000 helicopters in the
range of 3-15 tonne with a total business of more than ₹4 lakh crore over a period of
20 years at this facility
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Banking
Reserve Bank increased the repo rate by 0.25 percent to 6.5 percent
Policy Rates
Repo Rate 6.50%
Reverse Repo Rate 3.35%
Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate 6.75%
Bank Rate 6.75%
Cash Reserve Ratio 4.50%
Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) 18%
Standing Deposit Facility Rate 6.25%
• The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for the current financial year 2022-23 has been increased
by RBI from 6.8 percent to 7 percent.
• At the same time, in the next financial year 2023-24, the growth rate in gross domestic product (GDP) has
been estimated to be 6.4 percent.
• RBI has estimated retail inflation to be 6.5 per cent in the current financial year and 5.3 per cent in the next
financial year.
• Repo rate:
• Repo rate is the interest rate at which commercial banks borrow money from the central bank to meet their
immediate needs.
• An increase in this means that borrowing from banks and financial institutions will be costlier and the
monthly instalment (EMI) of existing loans will increase.
IMF expects Indian economy growth to slow down to 6.1% in 2023

• According to IMF’s World Economic Outlook, the economic growth of India would decline from 6.8% in 2022
to 6.1% in 2023, before picking up to 6.8% in 2024.
• The report has also stated that the growth in emerging and developing Asia is
expected to rise in 2023 and 2024 to 5.3% and 5.2%, respectively.
• Reason: China’s uncertain economic conditions
• The IMF also expected that global growth would fall from around 3.4% in 2022 to
2.9% in 2023 and rise to 3.1% in 2024.
Ind-Ra projected India's FY24 growth at 5.9%

• Credit rating and research agency, India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) projected the
growth of the Indian economy to 5.9% year on year during 2023-24.
• The GDP growth estimate of the agency is lower than the 6.4% real GDP growth
projected by the RBI for FY24.
• Headquartered in Mumbai, Ind-Ra has seven branch offices located in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai,
Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune. Ind-Ra is recognised by the Securities and Exchange Board of India and
Reserve Bank of India.
• Ind-Ra is a 100% owned subsidiary of the Fitch Group.
Indore becomes the first civic body in the country to launch green bonds
• Indore Municipal Corporation has become the first civic body in the country to issue green bonds.
• The corporation plans to raise Rs 244 crore through green bonds.
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• This amount will be used to set up a 60 MW solar plant at Juladh Pumping Station in Hum Samraj and
Ashukhedi villages on the banks of river Narmada falling in Khargone district with an investment of about Rs
305 crore.
• A green bond is issued by an organisation for the purpose of financing or refinancing projects that make a
positive contribution to the environment and/or climate.
• Green bonds were first announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the
budget for the financial year 2022-23.
SEBI notifies Blue and Yellow bonds

• SEBI strengthened the framework for green bonds by introducing the concept of 'blue' and 'yellow' bonds as
new modes of sustainable finance.
• Blue bonds: related to water management, and marine sector
• Yellow bonds: pertaining to solar energy
Adani Group acquires Haifa port for $1.2 bn

• The Adani Group has acquired the strategic Israeli port of Haifa for USD 1.2 billion.
• The deal was signed by Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani in presence of Israeli PM
Benjamin Netanyahu.
• The Haifa Port is the second largest port in Israel in terms of shipping containers and the
biggest in shipping tourist cruise ships.
• The Adani group will also develop real estate at the port to transform the Haifa skyline.
• Israel Capital: Jerusalem
T+1 Settlement to start in India

• After China, India will become the second country in the world to start the
‘trade-plus-one’ (T+1) settlement cycle in top-listed securities.
• In simple terms, T+1 settlement means that securities transactions will
reflect in the de-mat account after a day instead of two days now under the
T+2 cycle.
• If an investor buys a stock on Thursday, it would be shown in the demat account on Friday.
• It Reduces risks and frees up capital required to collateralise the risk and reduces the number of outstanding
unsettled trades at any point in time
• The United States, United Kingdom and Eurozone markets are yet to move to the T+1 system
What is Angel Tax?

• The Section 56 (2) (vii b) in the Income Tax Act is referred to as Angel tax.
• These taxes are imposed on startups.
• Why is Angel Tax in News?
• During Union Budget 2023, Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sita Raman proposed to
amend the Angel tax. Now, the equity amount received by the startups will be
subjected to income taxes and not angel taxes.
New India Assurance launched ‘Pay As You Drive’ vehicle insurance policy
• It is a comprehensive motor insurance policy that charges premiums based on the
usage of the vehicle.
• Chairman of NIA – Neerja Kapur
Government approves conversion of Rs 16,133 crore interest dues of Vodafone Idea into equity
• The government has approved the conversion of debt-ridden Vodafone Idea's interest dues of over Rs
16,133 crore into equity.
• The government said Aditya Birla Group, one of the promoters, has committed to bring in additional funds.
• With this conversion, the government is expected to become the largest shareholder in
the loss-making telecom company with 33.14 per cent stake.
• Vodafone Idea will issue equity shares at a face value of Rs 10 each to the government.
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• This relief for the company comes as part of the reform package announced by the government in
September 2021.
Merger of Vodafone and Idea

• Kumar Mangalam Birla's telecom company Idea Cellular agreed to merge with Vodafone in March 2017.
Largest mobile subscriber companies in India
• Reliance Jio is a leading wireless telecom company with more than 411 million customers across India.
• Bharti Airtel (21.5 crore), Vodafone Idea (12.2 crore) are in second and third place respectively.
Vodafone Idea
• It is a joint venture of Vodafone (United Kingdom) and Aditya Birla Group.
• Headquarters: Gandhinagar, Gujarat
• Corporate Headquarters: Mumbai
• Chairman: Ravinder Takkar
• Chief Executive Officer: Akshay Moondra
ADB approves $130 million loan to promote horticulture in Himachal

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $130 million (over Rs 1,072 crore)
loan to enhance agricultural productivity and farmers' income in Himachal Pradesh and
promote horticulture agribusiness.
• ADB aims to benefit Himachal Pradesh, where more than half of its land area is
mountainous and 90 percent of its population lives in rural areas dependent on
agriculture.
• Asian Development Bank (ADB):
• It is a regional multilateral financial institution focused on countries in the Asia and
Pacific region.
• It currently has 68 members – of which 49 are from the Asia and Pacific region and 19
from outside.
• ADB President: Masatsugu Asakawa
• Headquarters: Manila, Philippines
• Horticulture is the branch of agriculture that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of plant
cultivation. It includes the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae,
flowers, seaweeds and non-food crops such as grass and ornamental trees and plants.
Que: The Union Budget 2023-24 has allocated Rs. 2,516 crore for the computerization of which unit, over the next 5
years?
Ans: Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)
• The Union Budget 2023-24 has allocated Rs. 2,516 crore for the computerization of 63,000 PACS over the
next 5 years.
• PACS are village-level cooperative credit societies that act as the last link to the 3-tier cooperative credit
structure, which is headed by the State Cooperative Bank or SCB.
• It aims to help PACS become a nodal centre for providing various services such as Direct Benefit Transfer
(DBT), Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS), Crop Insurance Scheme (PMFBY), and inputs like fertilizers and
seeds.
A Primary Agricultural Credit Society is a basic unit and smallest co-operative credit
institutions in India. It works on the grassroots level.
• PACSs provide short-term, and medium-term agricultural loans to the farmers for
the various agricultural and farming activities.
• The first PACS was formed in 1904.
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Bank of Maharashtra launched its own private cloud platform 'MAHABANK NAKSHATRA’
• Aim: To facilitate the High-Performance Cloud Capabilities for Digital Infrastructure
and hosting applications of the Bank
• The bank has also launched a portal named Suvidha.
• Suvidha is an automated Decease Claim Settlement System (DCSS)
• Aim: To simplify the deceased claim settlement process
Bank of Maharashtra tops list of public sector lenders in loan growth

• The latest financial results of public sector banks (PSBs) showed that the Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has
emerged as the top performer in terms of loan growth percentage during the third quarter of 2022-23.
• The BoM recorded a 21.67% increase in gross advances on a year-on-year basis.
• BoM was followed by the Union Bank of India (19.80%) growth.
• While the State Bank of India (SBI) ranked fourth with 16.91% rise in advances growth.
PM Modi, Singapore counterpart launch real-time payment systems linkage

• Indian PM Narendra Modi and Singapore's PM Lee Hsien Loong witnessed the
launch of the cross-border linkage between UPI and PayNow.
• The launch was done by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das and MD of the Monetary Authority of Singapore Ravi
Menon.
• It enables residents of both countries to transfer cross-border remittances faster and more cost-efficient.
Paytm launched G20-theme QR Code to celebrate India’s G20 presidency

• It was launched by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during the ‘Digital Payments Utsav’
2023.
• Paytm has played an important role in the mobile payments revolution in India, as the
pioneer of QR code payments.
• The special commemorative QR Code features logos of MeitY’s ‘DigiDhan Mission’, along with
those of the G20 2023 and the 75th year of India’s independence.
• Founded – August 2010
• Headquarters – Noida, Uttar Pradesh
• Owner – One97 Communications Ltd.
• Founder(s) – Vijay Shekhar Sharma
EbixCash becomes first Indian entity to enable UPI for foreign nationals
• It will offer UPI services to international delegates attending the G-20 summit, being held
in India.
• This facility will be enabled across all other entry points in the country.
• It can be extended to foreign travellers after physical verification of the Passport and Visa of the customers
at the point of issuance.
National Stock Exchange (NSE) launches India’s first municipal bond index, the India Municipal Bond Index (IBMX)
• NSE’s index services subsidiary, NSE Indices Limited launched India’s first-ever Municipal Bond
Index, Nifty India Municipal Bond Index at a SEBI workshop on Municipal Debt Securities in
Bengaluru.
• The Nifty India Municipal Bond Index tracks the performance of municipal bonds issued by
Indian municipal corporations across maturities and has investment-grade credit ratings.
• Presently, the index has 28 municipal bonds issued by 10 issuers all having credit ratings in the AA rating
category.
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Indian Economy to grow 6.5% in 2023-24, says Economic Survey; India to be 5

trillion dollar economy by 2025-26.
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
Saptarishi priorities (seven priorities) enlisted in the 2023-24 budget:
• Inclusive Development
• Reaching the Last Mile
• Infrastructure and Investment
• Unleashing the Potential
• Green Growth
• Youth Power
• Financial Sector
Union Budget 2023: Agriculture Accelerator Fund

In Union Budget 2023-24, Finance Minister allocated Rs 1.25 lakh crores for agriculture. Agriculture was one of the
seven major priorities of the budget.
Finance Minister announced that GoI will set up Agriculture Accelerator Fund.
What is Agriculture Accelerator Fund?
• This fund is to be setup to increase the number of agricultural startups in the rural areas
• The main aim of the fund is to provide innovative and affordable solutions
• It will focus only on farmers and the challenges faced by them
• More young entrepreneurs will be encouraged to begin agri startups using these funds
There are more than 2000 agriculture startups in the country. The Government of India is trying to increase this
number to 10000. Agriculture is the Backbone of the Indian Economy contributing 53.89% GVA (Gross Value Added)
of India.
Union Budget 2023: Funds allocated (in lakh crore rupees)

Defence Ministry: 5.94
Road and highways Ministry: 2.7
Railways: 2.41
Consumer Affairs and Food Public Distribution: 2.06
Home Affairs: 1.96
Chemicals and Fertilizers: 1.78
Agriculture and Farmer Welfare: 1.25
Communications: 1.23
Union Budget 2023: Funds allocated for major schemes (in crore rupees)
Jal Jeevan Mission: 70,000
Pharmaceutical industry: 1,250
Eklavya Model Residential schools: 5,943
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: 79,590
FAME: 5,172
North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme: 2,491
Union Budget 2023: Finance

• National Financial Information Registry to be established
• A central Data processing center is to be created
• Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSME: Rs 2 lakh crores
• Mahila Samman Bachat Patra to be launched: One-time small savings scheme
• Increase the maximum deposit limit of senior citizens’ savings scheme to Rs 30 lakhs. Before it was Rs 15
lakhs
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Union Budget 2023: Mission For The Welfare Of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG)
Union Finance Minister recently announced a mission for the welfare of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
(PVTGs) in the 2023-24 Union Budget.
• Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development mission will be launched as part of ‘Reaching The Last Mile’, one of the
seven Saptarishi priorities enlisted in this year’s Budget.
• The mission will saturate the particularly vulnerable tribal groups with safe housing, clean drinking water,
education, nutrition, road and telecom connection and livelihood.
• A Budget of Rs 15,000 crore will be dedicated to this mission in the next three years.
• The scheme will benefit 3.5 lakh tribals.
PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups):

• PVTGs are more vulnerable among the tribal groups who are in need of greater support and development.
• Out of the 705 Scheduled Tribes in India, 75 have been identified as PVTGs and are spread across 17 states
and one Union Territory.
Government of India follows the following criteria for identification of PVTGs:
• Pre-agricultural level of technology
• Low level of literacy
• Economic backwardness
• A declining or stagnant population.
NAMASTE (National Action Plan for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) Scheme: Union
Budget 2023
• In the Union Budget 2023, the Government of India allocated Rs 100 crores for the NAMASTE scheme.
• The GoI aims to mechanize septic tank cleaning and sewer cleaning in towns and
cities.
• The scheme aims to provide an alternate livelihood to sanitation workers.
Objective of the scheme
• To achieve zero fatalities in the sanitation sector
• No sanitation worker will come in direct contact with the faecal matter
• The sanitation workers will be encouraged to form Self Help Groups
• Ensure the workers have access to alternative livelihoods as mechanization may
bring loss of jobs to few in the industry
• In phase 1, 500 cities are taken. GoI is planning on choosing AMRUT cities first.
• Also, the first target will be cities whose population is more than one lakh.
• Ten cities from islands, hilly regions, and tourist destinations will be picked.
Union Budget 2023: Unity Malls to be set up in states

What is a unity mall?
• The main objective behind setting up Unity Mall is to promote ODOP (One District, One Product) of the
states.
• These products may be depicted as having a Geographical Indication tag. Other handicraft products will also
be sold in these malls.
• The Center will also request the states to sell such products from other states as well.
• Currently, there is a Unity Mall operating near the Statue of Unity at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia, Gujarat.
One District, One Product (ODOP)

Under the scheme, the state identifies the main product for a district, and then provides assistance for its
processing, storage and marketing.
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What is GI?
Geographical Indication (GI) tags are usually given to well-known products coming from a particular region.
These products also include agricultural products, manufactured goods or other food items including prepared
dishes.
For example, the GI tag for Darjeeling tea has been given to Darjeeling.
Short News
• The Reserve Bank announced its second global hackathon -- 'HARBINGER 2023 - Innovation for
Transformation'.
• Theme: Inclusive Digital Services
• Muthoot FinCorp has introduced ‘Vyapar Mitra Business Loans’ to provide working capital and business
loans to micro and small businesses like traders.
• Indian economy to Grow at 6%: Former Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar.
Short News
• The SEBI has proposed that the listed entities should take approval from shareholders at least once in 5
years for the appointment of directors to serve on their boards.
• Reason: To curb the practice of occupying permanent directorship in a company
• HDFC Bank has signed an MoU with the UAE-based Lulu Exchange to strengthen the
cross-border payments between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
region.
Short News
• Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology and Communications,
Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the ‘Digital Payments Utsav’ in New Delhi on February
9, 2023.
• Aim: To promote Digital Payments across the nation
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Sports
Women's Premier League to be held in Mumbai from 4th to 26th March
• The inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023 will be held in Mumbai (Maharashtra)
from 4 - 26 March.
• All the tournament matches will be held in the Brabourne Stadium and the DY Patil Stadium.
• With the five teams fetching Rs. 4,669.99 crore and the BCCI selling the media rights for Rs.
951 crore, the WPL is the second biggest T20 League in the world behind the Indian Premier
League.
Smriti Mandhana becomes the Most Expensive Player in WPL with ₹3.4 crore
• Indian Women's cricket player, Smriti Mandhana became the most expensive women’s
pick in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction.
• She has been bought by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for 3.40 Cr.
• A total of 87 players were bought by the five franchises for a sum total of Rs. 59.50 Cr.
• The second costliest Indian player is all-rounder Deepti Sharma who was bought by UP
Warriorz for Rs 2.6 crore.
• Indian skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur was bought by Mumbai Indians.
Tata Group becomes the title sponsor for WPL

• TATA Group has bagged the title rights for the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023.
• The first match of WPL 2023 began between Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians on March
4 at the DY Patil Stadium.
• Five teams: Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore &
UP Warriorz
Chahal becomes highest wicket-taker for team India in T20I history

• Yuzvendra Chahal has become the highest wicket-taker for Team India in T201 Cricket
history.
• He achieved the landmark during the second T20I against New Zealand in Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh.
• Chahal has taken 91 wickets in 75 matches
Saurashtra defeated Bengal to win its second Ranji Trophy title 2023
• Saurashtra has defeated Bengal by nine wickets to lift their second Ranji Trophy title 2023, organized at Eden
Gardens, Kolkata.
• Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat was declared Man of the Match
• While Batter Arpit Vasavada was named the player of the series.
• Most runs: Mayank Agarwal (Karnataka) (990)
• Most wickets: Jalaj Saxena (Kerala) (50)
• Saurashtra won their first title in 2019-20 after beating Bengal.
Ranji Trophy Tournament

• The Ranji Trophy tournament has been played since 1934.
• The first match was played between Madras and Mysore at the Chepauk Ground from 4 November 1934.
• Mumbai has won this tournament 41 times.
• For the first time in 86 years, the 2020/21 season Ranji Trophy had to be cancelled due to Corona.
• Number of teams- 37
• Most runs - Wasim Jaffer (10665)
• Most wickets - Rajinder Goyal (640)
•
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Usman Khawaja wins Shane Warne Men’s Test Player of the Year award 2023
• Australia's opening batter, Usman Khawaja has claimed the inaugural Shane Warne Award
as the men’s Test player of the year in 2023.
• Other winners:
• Belinda Clark Award (Women's): Beth Mooney
• Allan Border Medal (Men's): Steve Smith
• Men's ODI Player of the Year: David Warner
• Women’s ODI Player of the Year: Beth Mooney
5th Khelo India Youth Games concluded in Bhopal

• Maharashtra topped the medal tally by winning 161 medals including 56 gold. While
Haryana stood second, host Madhya Pradesh finished third
• Khelo India Youth Games were hosted in Madhya Pradesh from 31 January 2023 to
11 February 2023.
• For the first time water sports namely Kayaking Canoeing, Canoe Salam and Fencing
were part of this edition of Khelo India Games.
• Eight host cities are Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ujjain, Maheshwar, Mandla
and Balaghat.
Edition Host City Winner Runner-up

2018 New Delhi Haryana Maharashtra
2019 Pune Maharashtra Haryana
2020 Guwahati Maharashtra Haryana
2021 Panchkula Haryana Maharashtra
2022 Bhopal Maharashtra Haryana
Sports Minister launches mascot for 3rd Khelo India Winter Games
• The Sports Minister, Anurag Singh Thakur, and LG of J&K, Manoj Sinha launched the Mascot, Theme Song,
and Jersey for the 3rd edition of Khelo India Winter Games in Jammu & Kashmir.
• The Winter Games held from 10-14 February 2023 at Gulmarg, J&K.
• It is supported by the Ministry of Sports and organized by the J&K Sports Council and
Winter Games Association, J&K.
• Mascot: Snow Leopard (depicts the vibrant heritage of the Himalayas)
• The first edition of the Khelo India Winter Games took place in 2020.
Jean-Eric Vergne wins Hyderabad E-Prix

• The fourth leg of the Formula E season of the year 2022-23 was held in Hyderabad.
• This is the first Formula E race held in India.
• The Hyderabad E-Prix was held on the banks of Hussain Sagar Lake and India's first
street circuit built near NTR Garden.
• The winner's trophy was presented by the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports,
Anurag Thakur.
Sai Sanjay won Indian National Car Racing Championship 2023

• in the MRF Formula 2000 class, in the MMSC FMSCI Indian National Car Racing
Championship.
• He made his motorsports debut in 2015 and became the Rotax Senior Max UAE vice-
champion in 2018.
Carlos Alcaraz won Argentina Open title 2023

• The World No. 2 tennis player, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Cameron Norrie in the final to win
the Argentina Open title 2023.
60
• He became the first Spaniard to win the Argentina Open tennis title since Rafael Nadal in 2015.
Wu Yibing becomes first Chinese man to win ATP Tour title

• Wu Yibing (23) has become the first Chinese man to win an ATP Tour title at the Dallas Open 2023.
• He defeated John Isner (United States)
• Dallas Open: Men's ATP indoor hard-court tennis tournament, organized in Dallas, Texas
• Prajnesh Gunneswaran has won the final of the $25,000 ITF men’s tennis tournament in
Al Zahra, Kuwait.
Indian golf player, Aditi Ashok wins Kenya Ladies Open title 2023
• Indian golf player, Aditi Ashok clinched her fourth Ladies European Tour (LET) title at the
Kenya Ladies Open 2023 golf tournament held at Vipingo Ridge, Kenya.
• She last won a Ladies European Tour golf tournament in 2017.
Kerala won first National Beach Soccer Championship 2023

• Kerala has won the inaugural National Beach Soccer Championships held at Dumas Beach,
Surat.
• Kerala’s goalkeeper Santhosh Kasmeer was awarded the best goalkeeper of the
tournament
• Rajasthan’s Amit Godara was the highest goalscorer, with 27 goals.
• The best player of the tournament was awarded to Kerala’s Siju S.
Saudi Arabia to host 2027 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup

• 2023 AFC Asian Cup: Qatar (from June 26 to July 16, 2023)
• Saudi Arabia Capital: Riyadh; Currency: Riyal
Real Madrid beat Al Hilal to win record fifth Club World Cup
• Real Madrid has won the Club World Cup 2023 for a record-extending fifth time in the final held in the
Abdellah stadium, Rabat, Morocco.
• Real Madrid has defeated Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal by 5-3.
• Real Madrid last won the tournament in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
• Madrid also won three Intercontinental Cups in 1960, 1998, and 2002.
Dutch player Anish Giri won Tata Steel Masters 2023

• Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2023 is the 85th edition of the annual chess tournament
held in Wijk aan Zee.(the province of North Holland of the Netherlands. The prestigious
Tata Steel Chess Tournament takes place there every year.)
• The field of 14 players in the Masters section included the numbers 1 and 2 of FIDE
World ranking, Magnus Carlsen and Ding Liren.
Vignesh and Visakh NR become India’s first brothers to become Grandmasters

• India’s chess player Vignesh NR has become India’s 80th Grandmaster
• Vignesh’s elder brother Visakh NR had become India’s 59th GM in 2019.
• Thus, Visakh and Vignesh become India’s first brothers who are Grandmasters.
India secured bronze in the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship 2023
• held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 14 to 19
February 2023.
• Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand won the Women’s Doubles.
• While team China won the Gold medal, South Korea won the Silver medal.
61
Rudrankksh Patil wins gold in men’s 10m air rifle in ISSF World Cup 2023
• Indian shooter, Rudrankksh Patil clinched his first World Cup individual gold in the men’s
10m air rifle event at the ISSF World Cup in Cairo, Egypt.
• He defeated Germany
• In women’s 10m air rifle, Tilottama Sen (14) won the second bronze for India.
Que: Which Indian athlete won gold in the shot put event at the Asian Indoor Athletics
Championships?
Ans: Tajinderpal Singh Toor
• Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2023 held in Astana, Kazakhstan
ITBP won the title of National Ice Hockey Championship 2023

• Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has won the National Ice Hockey
Championship 2023 title.
• The12th edition of the competition has been organized in Ladakh, Leh.
• The championship was organized by the Ice Hockey Association of India
(IHAI).
• The ITBP team won the title for the third consecutive time by defeating
Ladakh Scouts in the final with a score of 1-0.
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

It was established in 1962, after the Indo-China War of 1962. It is usually deployed in the Himalayan mountains along
the border with China.
Motto: Bravery – Perseverance – Dedication
Headquarters: New Delhi
Director General: Anish Dayal Singh
SHORT NEWS
• Sunrisers Hyderabad appoint Aiden Markram(South African cricketer) as captain
ahead of IPL 2023
• Royal Challengers Bangalore appoints Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza as the
mentor of its Women’s Premier League (WPL) team.
• Racewalker Akshdeep Singh became the first Indian to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
• Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar wins gold medal in men’s individual 50m rifle competition at ISSF World Cup at
Cairo.
62

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Current Affairs February 2023 www.parchamclasses.

DATE DAY THEME/ REMARK

27 Feb National Protein Theme – Easy Access to Protein for All

to create awareness about protein deficiency and encourage people to include

Which day is observed as ‘National Women's Day’?

12 February is observed as:

Which day is observed as ‘National Science Day’?

4 February is observed as:

What is the theme of ‘World Pulses Day’?

Books And Authors

Salman Rushdie’s new novel 'Victory City' released

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi released two books

• Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi released two books —

Appasaheb Dharmadhikari honoured with Maharashtra Bhushan award

Best marching contingents and tableaux of Republic Day Parade 2023

Best Marching Contingent among the three services

Popular Choice Award:

at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

Record of the Year: About Damn Time by Lizzo

Odisha’s VK Pandian honoured with FIH President’s Award 2023

Dr Peggy Mohan wins 'Mathrubhumi Book of the Year' award

“M-Gov Award” and the “GovTech Award”

Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) Awards 2023

76th BAFTA Awards

Dr. Mahendra Mishra received International Mother Language Award 2023

Sajjan Jindal wins EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2022

Hari Balakrishnan wins 2023 Marconi Prize

J&K wins best adventure tourism destination award

Pt Prem Kumar Mallick awarded Sangeet natak Akademi Award 2019

Karnataka Bank wins Prathista Puraskar under Digidhan Award 2021-22

Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar is new Army Vice Chief

Seven new Supreme Court judges took oath

Seven appointed judges took oath by CJI DY Chandrachud:

Government appoints Chief Justice of four High Courts

President Draupadi Murmu appoints new governors in 13 states

2 Governors resigned: Bhagat Singh Koshyari as Governor of

How are Governors appointed?

Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi appointed as new DCGI

Prashant Agrawal appointed as the Ambassador of India to Laos

Earlier he was serving as High Commissioner of India to Namibia

Canara bank appoints K Satyanarayana Raju as the new MD and CEO

• He has replaced L V Prabhakar, who resigned on 31 December 2022.

Aniket Sunil Talati takes over as ICAI President

• Talati takes over Debashis Mitra as ICAI President for the

Government appoints BVR Subrahmanyam as the new CEO of Niti Aayog

He would succeed Parameswaran Iyer, who has been appointed as

Indian-American Neal Mohan appointed as the new CEO of YouTube

CAG Girish Chandra Murmu selected as External Auditor of ILO in Geneva

David Malpass to step down as World Bank President

Former Mastercard CEO, Ajay Banga nominated to Lead World Bank

Dmitry Dmitruk appointed as new coach of Indian boxing team

Rajesh Rai appointed new CMD of Indian Telephone Industries (ITI)

About UNICEF India

Indian men's hockey team Chief Coach Graham Reid resigns

Legendary filmmaker-actor K Viswanath passes away

Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf passed away

Veteran playback singer, Vani Jayaram passes away

Popular artist B.K.S. Varma passes away

Noted painter Lalitha Lajmi passes away

Tulsidas Balaram, legendary Indian footballer, passes away aged 86

Former Gujarat governor O P Kohli passes away

Classical dance legend Kanak Rele passes away

Ranking & Index News

Ministry of Defense becomes the largest buyer of MSME goods in 2022